Jan 30, 2008
Jan 27, 2008
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IMG_0721.JPG
Originally uploaded by stromo.
Nice to be back. Got out yesterday to enjoy the beautiful weather and took a drive to Pecos.
Travel day home - Friday, Jan 25th
Got back to the hotel around 11:45 last night. Couldn’t fall asleep till 1:30 AM with a 4:30 AM wake up call to look forward to. I find it hard to fall asleep right after a show. I usually need to wind down a bit.
Got down to the lobby by 5 AM to leave for the airport. Flight left at 7:20. Happy to get a window seat.
As soon as I got settled, the person in front of me put their seat back with full force. Wait a second; we’re still sitting at the gate??? Then her arms came back over the top of the seat and are resting right in front of me, inches from my face. So much for personal space I guess. I took a picture here.
Beautiful scenery after we took off. I could see numerous volcanoes and took some video clips and pictures.
Then I heard the announcement that they will soon be showing a movie. Ah yes, it’s that time of the flight already. I’ll put money down that they’ll make another announcement asking everyone who is sitting by a window to lower their…..., say no more, here’s the announcement now. No surprise and dig this, everyone around me is putting their shades down! Great, now it’s getting really dark in here and I’m that guy letting all the light in. I’m clearly a target for all those people that want the window shades shut. Help, I’m out numbered! This whole situation really seems out of control to me, I need to write my local congressmen or something.
I know I’ve discussed this subject a bit in a previous post a while back but lets get into this a bit more shall we? I guess this is what you’re supposed to do on the airplane now days. Hell, this is serious standard airline procedure! Let’s refer to the safety card in the seat pocket in front of me shall we?
MOVIE TIME
1 – Please note: there are windows on the airplane
2 - If you’re looking out the window, you ARE disturbing ALL passengers
3 – Immediately pull down window shades
4 - Enjoy a super cheesy movie that EVERYONE will love!
Usually everyone watches the movie regardless if they like it or not. I’d much rather listen to music, write a bit with my iBook and occasionally look out the window like I’m doing now. Keeps me creative and entertained all at the same time, it’s a win-win situation. It’s not like you can’t see the TV screens with the light coming in? I’m sitting here right now and I can see the screen just fine and my window is WIDE OPEN! Don’t get me wrong, I like a good movie, in fact, I’ll probably watch a movie on my iBook in a few minutes. But for now, I’m content with what I’m doing.
(a few moments later)
Well, I should say, I was content. Someone just asked me just to lower the window shade ☹ ☹ ☹ !!!!................
Anyone for tennis?
Got down to the lobby by 5 AM to leave for the airport. Flight left at 7:20. Happy to get a window seat.
As soon as I got settled, the person in front of me put their seat back with full force. Wait a second; we’re still sitting at the gate??? Then her arms came back over the top of the seat and are resting right in front of me, inches from my face. So much for personal space I guess. I took a picture here.
Beautiful scenery after we took off. I could see numerous volcanoes and took some video clips and pictures.
Then I heard the announcement that they will soon be showing a movie. Ah yes, it’s that time of the flight already. I’ll put money down that they’ll make another announcement asking everyone who is sitting by a window to lower their…..., say no more, here’s the announcement now. No surprise and dig this, everyone around me is putting their shades down! Great, now it’s getting really dark in here and I’m that guy letting all the light in. I’m clearly a target for all those people that want the window shades shut. Help, I’m out numbered! This whole situation really seems out of control to me, I need to write my local congressmen or something.
I know I’ve discussed this subject a bit in a previous post a while back but lets get into this a bit more shall we? I guess this is what you’re supposed to do on the airplane now days. Hell, this is serious standard airline procedure! Let’s refer to the safety card in the seat pocket in front of me shall we?
MOVIE TIME
1 – Please note: there are windows on the airplane
2 - If you’re looking out the window, you ARE disturbing ALL passengers
3 – Immediately pull down window shades
4 - Enjoy a super cheesy movie that EVERYONE will love!
Usually everyone watches the movie regardless if they like it or not. I’d much rather listen to music, write a bit with my iBook and occasionally look out the window like I’m doing now. Keeps me creative and entertained all at the same time, it’s a win-win situation. It’s not like you can’t see the TV screens with the light coming in? I’m sitting here right now and I can see the screen just fine and my window is WIDE OPEN! Don’t get me wrong, I like a good movie, in fact, I’ll probably watch a movie on my iBook in a few minutes. But for now, I’m content with what I’m doing.
(a few moments later)
Well, I should say, I was content. Someone just asked me just to lower the window shade ☹ ☹ ☹ !!!!................
Anyone for tennis?
Jan 26, 2008
Quito - Show Day - Jan 24th
Quito - Show Day - Jan 24th
Originally uploaded by stromo.
It was great to get out and play again; I love playing with the band. I wish I could bottle up the experience so you could give your self a spritz and see what it’s like. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the show and the crowd was great. Before dinner at the venue, Ottmar and I had a good conversation with a glass of wine. We talked about photography and music and he shared some of the photos he took the night before in Quito. We also took a look at a few of the Luna Negra set lists from over the years. It was really cool to see the set from 1997. I saw them play in ‘97 at the House Of Blues in LA. It was the 9 piece Luna Negra XL band. Before they started that tour, I remember reading OL’s diary about the XL band and thought, I have to see this. It was a great show and seeing the set list brought back good memories.
Jan 23, 2008
Day Off - Quito
standing around 13,500 ft
Originally uploaded by stromo.
Started out today with a production meeting at 10 am. I had to discuss the lights for tomorrows show with the promoter. Grabbed a quick bite to eat and met everyone in the lobby at noon to head out for the day. We went to this place where they have a tram that goes way up into the Andes mountains. Fantastic view from up there. It was exactly what I wanted to do today, get up into the mountains and see the countryside.
Had Lunch with Jon when we got back while Ottmar did a few interviews. Tonight I will stay in and go over a few guitar parts for tomorrow nights performance and just relax to give my neck a break as it's been a bit soar from physical therapy.
Coffee with Ottmar and Jon
Coffee with Ottmar and Jon
Originally uploaded by stromo.
P.S. When we reached the top, we found a coffee shop up there. It was nice to sip and enjoy the view with good conversation.
Tuesday - Travel Day
Sunset on the way to Ecuador
Originally uploaded by stromo.
Woke up at 4:50 AM. Met Jon at 5:40 and road up to Ottmar’s place together. When we arrived, Ottmar made me us a very tasty espresso. The driver was running a bit late so we ended up getting to the airport about 10 min. before boarding time. By the time I was passing through security, I heard the final boarding announcement for our flight. Got to the gate and saw Ottmar discussing where to put our guitars with the gate agent. After that was settled, I got on the plane and saw that I had a middle seat assignment! However, as I was on my way walking down the aisle to the dreadful middle seat, I saw a window seat open out of the corner of my eye! It was clearly a gift from the window seat Gods. Knowing that we were the last people to get on the plane, I raced over and sat in it. I was happy.
Arrived in Houston with a 4-hour layover. Stopped in a restaurant and met up with Alan our sound engineer, Jon and our tour manager for a bite to eat. Ordered the Chinese Chicken Salad and a Dos Equis. The salad was totally enormous, it took up half the table. Everyone had to move all their plates and drinks while they loaded this thing in with a fork lift.
Back on another flight for 5 hours. Great sunset on the way. Landed in Quito with a very quick stop, must be a short runway. It’s good to be here. Got to the hotel room and settled around midnight.
Jan 13, 2008
Ottmar Liebert + Luna Negra concert in Quito, Ecuador - January 24th
Ottmar Liebert + Luna Negra Quartet: OL - Flamenco + Electric Guitars, Jon Gagan - Bass Guitars + Keyboard, Dave Bryant - Percussion, Stephen Duros - Flamenco Guitar + Keyboard
Jan 24 Quito, Equador – Teatro de la Casa de la Cultura
Jan 24 Quito, Equador – Teatro de la Casa de la Cultura
EL Meson
ELMeson
Originally uploaded by stromo.
Performed with Nacha Mendez last Thursday at El Meson. It was great to play with her and I'm looking forward to this coming Thursday evening. I also sat in the week before and jammed a bit with her trio.
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