outsdr | My Great Adventure: Day Four, Part 1

Once again, my day started early, this time at 3 am, and I already regretted not taking the previous day off work. My journey to the airport passed without incident, as did I through airport security once it opened. Traveling without baggage has its advantages!

I'd packed slightly differently this time, managing to make room for a second shirt for the second day of this trip. I'd also carefully selected a few items to be autographed, and made sure I had a backup battery charger for my phone.

I'd selected a number of writings to give to Marian, and a few other odds and ends as well. For now, with a little time to kill, I purchased a massive coffee and took a seat on the observation desk, empty at this hour. I had a few things grinding through my head that I needed to get on paper, so for the next half hour or so, I nursed my coffee and scrawled in my notebook with my pen.

My flight had one stopover in Phoenix before San Jose. Boarding began at 6 a.m. Once again, I was astonished by what some people considered an acceptable carry-on bag and personal item.

I again attempted to grab some sleep during the flight; considering how little I recall of the journey, I must have been successful! It lasted just over an hour, and by 7:25 I was in the air again to San Jose (Yes, I knew the way!)

The venue in San Jose was probably the easiest to get to so far. I was able to take a shuttle bus from the airport to a train (yay!) that stopped directly in front of the City National Civic.

I've heard they put on a good show. Think I'll stick around and check it out.

I didn't have any plans for hours, so I wandered around, looking for a restaurant, but the only one I could find was in the nearby tech museum. Granted, I didn't look very hard, because I was ravenous.

$18 worth of food.

My lunch, however, was far from pleasing. Not a complimentary thing to say considering how much it had cost!

Should brownies shatter?

Liars. Made made fresh a month ago, maybe. I think they accidentally gave me the display model.

The day was absolutely gorgeous, and I sat under a tree for awhile on a patch of grass.

I can see why people fall in love with California.

After nodding off a number of times, I figured I needed to wake up and walk a bit. I didn't want to be mistook for a vagrant, and I'm sure my traveled appearance didn't help with any first impressions!

I located the backstage entrance, at the end of a fenced parking lot, guarded by a gentleman on a folding chair, looking as sleepy as I felt. I didn't see any activity at the doors yet, so I wandered back around to the front entrance.

I saw movement at the ticket window, so I wandered up and talked to a delightful young lady named Patrice, who was generous enough to show me the entire show schedule for the day!

Helpful! I also felt like she was showing me the secret plans.

She assured me that my pass would get me in the backstage doors. She may have thought I was with the band or the crew. Eh, I've associated with worse! I thanked her profusely, then wandered down the front of the venue, looking at all the different posters for the upcoming events.

At the very end, I found a breathtaking beauty.

Wow!

At the Houston show, there had been posters available at the meet and greet- what looked like 18x24" ones each meet-n-greeter got for autographs, and larger ones, maybe 24x30", that were available for special contest winners. At the time, I didn't get one, because I assumed they'd be at all the shows. A mistake I regretted.

This show poster ... wow. It certainly was bigger than any of the previous posters I'd seen!

I snapped a picture to share on Facebook, then began walking back around to the backstage entrance.

But first, the obligatory venue selfie

I had a lot to look forward to at this show- many of my old friends were going to attend, and there was a fan-club only meet and greet happening as well, and some people I only knew online were going to be there as well.

The sleepy guard barely glanced at my pass before letting me through.

The coolness of the theater wrapped around me as soon as I entered. Besides the chilled air, there was a sense of history, a feeling of ancient breaths. The walls were lined with large prints of performers from the past, stretching back decades.

The stage itself was an odd combination of balconies and level flooring, obviously allowing a variety of acts to perform.

Oddly, it felt a little bit like a high school production as a result.

While not as grandiose as the last two venues, it felt like it would more than hold its own.

I made my way backstage. Engell and the crew had been hard at work.

I've never understood why they put mics up to the amp, instead of just hardwiring it all together. I guess that's why I'm not a roadie.

The stage felt lonely.

Everyone I ran into greeted me warmly; Engell asked if I'd gotten a set list yet at any of the shows. I said no, and he said, "Hold on..." walked way and then quickly returned with a set list for the night! Once again, I was feeling overwhelmed by the kindness everyone showed me.

As usual, everyone I saw were in high spirits, truly seeming to be having the time of their lives.

Just then, the band started to arrive ...