Phoenix to San Diego

We had a great second night of playing at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix. There were even more people waiting as we left the building after the show than there were the previous night. I enjoy meeting new people, even though it is still a little embarrassing for me to sign autographs. The part I don't like is not having time to get to know anyone. I look forward to getting email from fans who share their stories. Here's a note I got after the Phoenix show, I am using it by permission:

You don't know me, but you probably remember signing an autograph for my 10 year old son, Travis, after tonight's show in Phoenix...I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to you and everyone else in tonight's show. You see, exactly three weeks ago today my wife of 18 years passed away very unexpectedly. We both had looked forward to this concert for quite sometime. I almost didn't go but decided to take Travis because he has always been a Yanni fan since he was very young. I was a little hesitant because of not only the memories the concert would surely bring back to me, but also because Travis has a form of autism that makes him very sensitive to sound. Any hesitations I might have had quickly drifted away after I watched Travis' eyes light up from the beginning to the end. It was such a joy to see the music take him to a wonderful place that he has not been since his mother passed away. While I had always believed that Yanni's music was very special, tonight I had living proof sitting next to me.

Thanks to you and everyone else tonight, my son went to sleep with a smile on his face instead of a tear in his eye. I cannot thank you enough...

Sincerely,

~ Douglas D.

Now, does anybody need to discuss why we need music in our lives? I didn't think so.

I promised new pictures yesterday. Click the photo to the right to see a list.

We boarded the buses for the overnight trip to San Diego. I was exhausted, fell asleep quickly, and awoke rested upon hearing people exiting the bus in San Diego around 6 the next morning. I slept so deeply that my ears ached from not being awake to clear them as we crossed the mountains. I heard others complaining of the same thing.

San Diego is another city I'll have to come back to when I can spend more time. There is so much to see, from one of the best Zoos in the world, to thousands of great places to shop and eat.

I promised Alfreda I'd help her buy a computer when we got to California, so she rented a car and we headed to the Apple store. I'm a hunter, not a shopper, and I expected to quickly pop into the store, nail the prey (an Ibook), and leave. Shopping, for Alfreda, is a bit more in depth than that. Two pairs of shoes and some jewelry later, we made it into the Apple Store. She's now a happy Ibook owner and has called about a dozen times to ask advice and say how happy she is. I think she's referring to the computer, but it could just as well be the new shoes.

Alfreda is the second person I've helped by a new laptop computer on this trip. I think it is funny that I've come to be seen as the "go to" guy for technical questions. I constantly remind people that they are getting their technical advice from a dulcimer play they call "mountain man."

While we were out shopping, part of our group headed out on a San Diego Bay boat tour. There was a lot to see as several ships were arriving home from Iraq, and President Bush was flown onto the Ship USS Abraham Lincoln to welcome home the troops.

One of the pictures I posted today was of a carrier pulling into harbor just outside my hotel room window this morning. It was impressive to see the troupes wearing brilliant white uniforms aligned proudly against the ship's entire perimeter railing. The air buzzed with helicopters, jets, and planes dragging "Welcome Home" banners. The sea was equally crowded with well-wishers and coast guard boats.

We have an 8 o'clock show at Cox Arena in San Diego tonight. We get to return to the hotel after the show and won't drive to Anaheim, for the next show, until tomorrow afternoon.

       
The NBA informed Yanni management that they need to have the Arco Arena in Sacramento on Thursday, May 8th. The new date is Wednesday, May 7. If you have any questions regarding ticketing for the new date, please contact Ticketmaster at 916-649-849

Below are a couple of notes I just received from recent CD buyers - do you have yours yet?

Dear Dan,

We got your CD in the mail yesterday and it is absolutely wonderful! We enjoyed it so much that I would like to also request a copy of your other CD "Questions in the Calm."
Thanks again!

Mike ¶ 7:13 PM