July 6, 2010—

Keeley and I took the drive down the 5 yesterday. Our first official day of this road trip. She's the one taking that picture, I'm obviously concerned with the road.

As we crossed the bridge into the east bay and headed down south, we noticed the thick fog rolling into the bay. We eventually pulled into Natalie's place last night around 9:30. We were both tired...too tired to grill. It's just wrong to not grill when you're staying at Cleon...but driving is oddly tiring.

Coincidently, I went on another drive this morning through Burbank, while Keeley and Natalie practiced for Friday's show. I headed over to Porto's for a little snack...one of their cheese danish's. If you've never been to Porto's on Magnolia, you've got to go. As I drove down There was a blanket of fog floating low. Only the bottom of Mt. Wilson and the others could be seen underneath the thick white clouds. I thought of San Francisco and the fog we watched from the 580 yesterday. we noticed the fog rolling into the Bay. I guess it floated down south to Burbank, greeting us with a beautifully bitting morning. It's nice...

It’s weird though, to be back in LA as a visitor. It's really engulfed in concrete...all of it. From the riverbed to the freeways, this city is pure asphalt. It’s literally been six days, but already southern california feels different…distant. I hope I can appreciate this city more some day. I assume that I will, once the memories of smog and the 405 fade. For now, it seems to be an odd reminder of why I drifted up north to begin with.

But right now, I'm sitting here in Natalie's room listening to her and Keeley rehearse some more. It's now night and it's a beautiful 58 degrees outside. The cool wind is drifting in from the open patio screen door. It's a perfect California night. It's amazing to sit here and just listen to the ladies rock it. Talent is really inspiring. until next time.