The Story So Far

The trip to New Mexico has been entertaining, if nothing else. I learned shortly before I took off Wednesday morning that I had to stop off in Palm Springs and deliver a painting so I took the 10 freeway instead of my normal route on the 40. I dropped over the beautiful pass at Anza into Palm Desert and met my client. My first portent that the trip was going to be an unusual one was soon to arrive. As I carried the large canvas in, I suddenly felt an excruciating bite on my leg. I looked down and his Queensland Heeler mix had securely fastened his sharp incisors to my calf muscle. I looked down in bewilderment. My client, who is a wonderful guy, was totally apologetic and explained that the dog was a bit of a head case. I was just hoping that said head case had all of his vaccinations, but principally his rabies shot. I hoofed over to Walmart and bought peroxide and a medicated bandage and applied them in the parking lot. My friend Dave suggested that I buy a Sirius Radio so I checked out the electronics department but found out that they really aren't portable enough to go in rental trucks without FM ports. Say I have to wait for new technology, I guess.

I continued on my merry way, with my leg throbbing and morphing into a panoply of pretty shades and chromas and headed towards Phoenix to stay with my friend's Steve and Sue. Went out to my wife's favorite sushi bar anywhere and tried some pretty exotic and tasty fare. We went up to my buddies deck where he had the most powerful set of binoculars I have ever seen mounted and checked out another old friend, the moon (which had never looked so close!).

The next morning, after a nice hike, I set off again on the 17 North towards Flag, which is one on my favorite places in the world and a place I will likely live one day. I feel so spiritually alive and connected there with the deep green Coconino Forests and the powerful cumulus cloud formations. Really love the downtown as well and the vibe of the people. I always think its a short hop up there from Phoenix but it's really two hours. I passed through gorgeous Verde Valleys and I reminded myself that one day I want to explore the area more fully.

When I headed out of Flagstaff I noticed that there were cops stopping cars every few miles. Jackbooted stormtrooper cops had several trunks open and were giving them the twice over with drug sniffing dogs. I nervously continued and the trip was pretty uneventful for about four hours when I had the sudden urge for a nature call. Eschewing the stinky rest stops I prefer to secure my bladder release on a lonely freeway off ramp amidst the natural elements and deisel exhaust as god intended. Then I decided to have a small attitude adjustment myself. I had a momentary thought that maybe the vibes weren't exactly right and thought through a few possible scenarios to my cerebral revamping but boldly plunged on ahead...Within 30 seconds of takeoff my engine light suddenly started flashing wildly and the engine lost all compression. Luckily I espied a gas station t the bottom of the grade and coasted in - only to find that it would be closed for a week or so. I called the rental company and they suggested that I wait a while and try to nurse it to Gallup. I started the van up and drove to a nearbye trading post on the road to Ganado. I bought a little road food and water from the absolutely gorgeous young girl. Bought the Navajo Independent newspaper which I haven't had a chance to read yet and wondered hopefully if my brief respite would reverse whatever strange course my sojourn appeared to be taking me. Wow, it had been decades since I had had a bad trip! The internal polarity reversal did seem to work, at least for the balance of the trip, which ended in a mad dash to the Fedex in Albuquerque to pick up some paintings before they closed.

My friend who bought the painting called and emailed several times, extremely apologetic and contrite and let me know that his partner suggested that my newfound canine pal and literal blood brother was obeying a deep seated atavistic command relating to his genetic penchant for sheep herding and I felt better knowing that I could simulate a stray ewe and help him better tap in to his inner commands to herd.

I checked into the Marriot, which was undergoing some sort of internal audit with all the regional jefes in attendance. I decided to try the in hotel restaurant, which was simply awful. I had a calamari appetizer with chiles on it and thought about calling the local gendarmes and having the chef arrested for inpersonating a cook. The asian stir fry was even worse. One of the General Managers stopped by and asked me how I liked the meal. I told him that he didn't want to know and he said he did, so I let him have the full cosmic power in true Sommers fashion with typical exaggeration and he eventually tore up the check.

Show setup and early opening was yesterday - sold some good things, generally exceeded expectations and all was going pretty swimmingly until about six o'clock when the sky opened up and water starting pouring out from the ceiling into my booth. I did a quick tabulation on the hundreds of thousands of dollars I had festooned on the walls of my space and started pulling things out of harms way. Finally waded through ankle deep water for the two or so blocks to my car, socks and shoes completely soaked and grateful that I bought a spare pair. Steve and I went to a Vietnamese restaurant, decided it was too clean and fancy and found a dive near bye with excellent fare, vegetable crepes and Clay pot chicken - yum!

So as I said, that is the story so far, we are supposed to get rain all weekend and I am trying not to think about the potential pack out nightmare sunday afternoon. Hope everyone has a great weekend!