Happy to be at home #1 in Socal, at rest, after three tough days. Long drive to TN and back, a couple of near-sleepless nights. Sleepless due to stress over brother’s illness and a bunch of fires burning in Socal, a big one near where K is camped. Just what we need.

Then a 20 hour day yesterday – early flight to Socal, then an all day board meeting, dinner and drinks afterward. Then an evening drive up the I-15. That would be a tough stretch for someone in their 30s, much less an incipient septuagenerian. But I dragged my ass into the house about 9pm PST and crashed. Today it’s just R&R, listening to the Socal stereo rigs, and later hoping/watching as Starship v3 gets launched.

Speaking of Socal stereos, I always forget how impactful the Spatial M3’s are after being away for a while. They have a punch like no other speaker I’ve heard, even with the modest Sansui 505 driving them. I guess dual 15-inch drivers on each speaker make a difference. Listening to Laura Lee Ochoa’s bass line (Khraungbin) is a real experience. You feel it in your chest.

Only three days from now we take off for our big Scotland/Ireland trip, 25th anniversary. Everything is planned, paid for, scheduled and so on. All that’s left to do is packing, and I’m traveling light (carry-ons only), so no big deal. I’m looking forward to seeing Scotland again, and visiting Ireland for the first time. It should be a relaxing trip.