Is all this really necessary?

It is amazing how much stuff most of us choose to bring on the road. In addition to the necessary hammer dulcimer, clothing and toiletries, I travel with the following:

Cell phone
Lap top computer
Lap top computer riser
Ipod
Two Bose speakers
Palm Pilot
Large Digitech GNX4 Multi-effects pedal
CDR’s
DVDR’s
Microphone
Microphone stand
Music Stand
Hot dog stand (kidding)
A bunch of hammers (musical, not construction)
A bag of extra instrument Pickups
Two extra hammer dulcimers
Two versions of experimental lighted hammers (as if I have time on the road to finish this project!)
Several books
Camera
Tripod
Publicity photos to hand out after concerts
Multiple boxes of all 4 of my CDs (anyone interested?)
Two pairs of Bifocals
Sunglasses
Laundry Detergent
A stack of CD mailing envelopes
Goggles and snorkel (I mean, doesn’t everyone need goggles and snorkel?)
An assortment of tools
A pretty darned impressive assortment of power supplies and cables (he says as he can’t find the one he needs)
And a Ukulele (what was I thinking?)

It sounds like a lot of stuff, but I keep telling my self the exercise I get by just hauling it all around is worth it. The truth is, I have fewer bags to carry than most. My buddy Hussain even carries a cappuccino maker. He makes a mean cup by the way so we don’t tease him. About the only thing hotel room coffee is good for is taking the smell out of Birkenstocks – try it some time, it really works and your feet smell like coffee all day.

Some of the smallest females on the tour travel with the greatest number suitcases, a few of which are heavier than their owners. I think there’s some sort of exponential law at work here and I don’t even want to think about what they may be hauling around.

Last nights show went well and afterwards, David, Zach and I walked from the HP Pavilion back to our hotel. Our tour book said we were going to be traveling overnight to Sacramento but they kept us here in San Jose instead which was restful, but messed up appointments David and I had scheduled with people for Saturday morning in Sacramento. We both spent a portion of this morning apologizing for standing up our friends. (Sorry Georgia)

We're driving from San Jose to Sacramento this afternoon and going directly to Arco Arena. After the show we’ll be driving to Reno – at least that’s what the book says ;-). It’s only 138 miles so I won’t even pretend to try and get any sleep. We usually have a pretty good time on the 2 to three hour bus trips so I’m looking forward to the drive. We should get to to the hotel around 3am and be able to sleep in Sunday morning.
¶ 4:51 PM