from the airport...

It's about 10am here in Phoenix, and I have a full day of traveling ahead of me. Good news is on hand - Mary and I were accepted into ASU. Me, for a doctoral program, and her for a master's program. We both got exceptional offers that we can't refuse, and are looking forward to living in the Sun Valley.

My parents came out for the weekend, and it was great to see them, if only for a few days. You know, being away from everyone that I care about it difficult - much more difficult than I thought it was going to be. But, today I return to the land of 'coloUr' and we get back to it... well, almost.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, I am heading down to Steve Mead's place for the evening with another euphonium player from the studio at the RNCM. We head to Alicante, Spain for the Spanish Brassurround on Thursday for a weekend of playing and fun. I've never been to Spain, and am looking forward to seeing it. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and we'll get some nice r&r before we head back to England.

Besses is getting ready for our first competition. The piece is great, and hopefully things will go the way we want them to - more info on that later. Well, I fly to Chicago and then to Manchester, so I must get going. More posts after I return from Spain, and PICTURES! I promise!