(About face) ^ 2

Based on discussions we had amongst ourselves and with Ranae, I have backed out of the opportunity to play at Zihua Bay this coming Thursday. There was some concern of how this may look to a "jealous" local, a gringo seen as taking away work from a Mexican citizen. As well, I had a short chat with someone at the mic store yesterday who said he was a doctor visiting Zihua. He was obviously Mexican. It took me a while to remember the issues that can come up when giving any form of personal information to someone here one does not know. We spoke briefly until my be smarter engine kicked in.

Another cool (for Zihua) day here where some mornings have seen the temperature between 19 and 21°C which is somewhat fresh (if not cold) for some locals. Not sure of the plans after bridge this morning. We are enjoying the weather here even more since the disappearance of the humdidity not far back.

The thot plickens ... as it turns out, Hugo advised us on the correct way to proceed with being able to play after all at Zihua Bay. As well, the wife of Rebe, the owner of the restaurant, chatted with the Secretary to the Mayor of Zihua and received "the go ahead" to let me play there. At the same time, we got some advice from a woman named Helen about documenting my giving any money from playing at Zihua Bay to Sailfest. Helen mentioned that they would also, with my permission, put my picture on their website where regular contributors to the cause are featured. We now will:

• Follow-up with one of the things Helen told us
1. Go to Intercam bank in Zihua
2. Tell them I want to make a donation to Sailfest
3. Donate 200 pesos
4. Receive a receipt from the bank
• File that receipt of proof that the conveyor belt (donations that is) has already started for proof

Dominique was aware all along of the need to do this properly to avoid any problems that could surface when a gringo, therefore not allowed to work in Mexico, is "found" doing what appears to be just that. We will keep Rebe in the loop as he is in the midst of finding some way to attract more customers to his restaurant. The culture here "dictates" that live music can be a natural draw.

We had a lovely dinner and enjoyed each other's company immensely. Here is the 9:22pm central time update to gigging at Zihua Bay. Ranae is coming down to take some pictures of me for the Sailfest web site. They best of the best will be sent to Helen. I practiced my first set tonight and forgot to time it. I deliberately placed 24 songs in each of the three sets I crafted, knowing they would go over the ~40-45 minute length of each, giving me some slack to skip some songs that I may not eel like doing at the time their turn comes up.

Tomorrow or Monday we will head to the store to buy the amp. Monday as well is the trip to Intercam bank. I have figure out a list of all the crap I need to take with me to a gig, here goes ...

• Epiphone electric git
• Wireless sender and transmitter fully charged
• Patch cord
• Power strip
• Capo
• Amp
• Mic with cord
• Mic stand
• Black laptop
• Black mouse with fresh battery
• Music stand
• Long music stand weight loader
• Tip jar with message about my not keeping tips (if any)
• Wear long pants / cotton shirt / pink running shoes / Panama
• 2 towels to wipe face of perspiration

Should be interesting how I/we get all that down to the club. We have a small dolly with wheels in the storage locker downstairs. I can see strapping the amp, mic stand, music stand, Epiphone, and the music stand weight holder to the dolly using one or more bungie cords. Should be interesting. I will practice until I get it right.

Yet again ... Maggie (and in this case I am her) ... you've had quite a day!