Taiko at University of Utah

Yesterday the Taiko group I’m in played our biggest gig yet at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City as part of their International Night celebration.

We were the opening act, performing 3 pieces including “Ready, Set, Kadon!” shown below. And yes, that’s me dropping my sticks about a minute in :D

Also of note, I drove to this gig while towing our Mercedes. Stopping to sell what remained of it to the shop that maintained it so well for nearly a decade.

Denise hit a deer recently, and yes, fortunately she is just fine. But the deer was not. And the car was not.

Airbags deployed, crumple zones crumpled, and the cost of repairs exceeds the value of our beloved 2006 e320 CDI. It was the last great diesel engine that Mercedes-Benz made, and a sought after model. My first “I’m a consultant now” grown-up car that got 40+ MPG and had some lovely bells and whistles. Now just parts.

Alas, fair sedan, you gave yourself protecting my wife from harm. T’was an honorable end.