(11/2/05)

I returned from Hawaii to San Francisco for only a matter of hours before departing for my next set of concerts in Alaska.  As it turned out, I would hit three different time zones and climates within the space of a day.  But airports, like casinos, lack a sense of time.  You can buy a cheeseburger and fries and wash it down with a vodka soda at 8 a.m. and no one will bat an eye.  In the SFO food court I stole a Diet Snapple, which reminded me of my college days back at IU when my life of crime was in full swing — when a majority of my food was stolen and all my homework photocopied for free since I knew how to hack the Xerox machines.

I studied an itinerary prepared for me by the Juneau Arts Council, which included school outreach concerts, a masterclass, a public radio appearance, and two formal concerts at the University of Alaska.  My stomach grumbled.  Maybe I needed a Coke.  Yes, a nice, early morning Coke — some thick, high fructose corn syrup to ease my stomach.  I got up and promptly stole one from a magazine kiosk when the vendor turned his back.  Smiling, I went back to the gate and stood in line to board, excited for my busy trip up north!