Southern California & Coachella

Wednesday, May 04 2005

I've got to write a little bit about the trip while it's still fresh in my mind.

Once again I made drive from Denver to LA. I've done this 6 times now in less than 2 years. But it's a beautiful drive, so I'm mostly alright with it. Well, as all right as someone can be with a 1000 mile drive.

The prime motivation for the trip was Coachella, but I spent the first couple of days in LA which was really nice too. I love visiting LA, but I'm not sure I'd really be into it if I hadn't lived there for a while. It's not a place you get to know quickly, so it's hard to know what's going on in the city and where without a bit of help. Anyway, it was fun seeing old friends and crashing at their places (thanks Jamie & Elizabeth!).

So, after a couple of days hanging out there I made my way to Palm Springs for Coachella. Wonderful people plus wonderful music made for an incredible weekend I won't soon forget. I re-connected with Heather & Thomas and also met Heather's friend Mary Ann. It's funny (and so cool) that Heather, Thomas, and I didn't know one another a year ago -- and only met briefly then -- but pulled off an awesome trip together this year. And damn did we have a good time between the pool, the food & drink, and the excellent music. I think my favorite acts were Bauhaus, (who I really don't know well, but they have such a theatrical performance and Peter Murphy is a pretty damn charismatic fella) The Arcade Fire, and The Faint (whose buzz I didn't get until I saw them live). Thankfully, it wasn't quite as hot this year either so it was a bit easier to just relax and enjoy the environment without too much discomfort. So, that's what we did, and we did it well.

When I finally walked back in to my apartment in Denver a week later it felt a little foreign and it seemed like I had been gone for a month. Part of it was certainly due to the 16 hour overnight drive and my delirium, but also there was something about the trip that made things feel a bit different when I got back. That's what an uncommonly nice holiday does though, so I happily accepted the feeling. I wish I could do it again next weekend.

Check out the Coachella 2005 pictures too.