Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Have you got any stories for us about the experience (although
obviously that would be off topic, but hey, it's a special occasion)?

----------------------------

Well, this is applicable to being a drummer evacuating a potential natural
disaster.

When I decided it was time to plan for evacuation, I had to think about needs
and wants.  Being a drummer looking for work and having the tools at hand, I
felt I had to take my drums.  I had limited space in the car (a sedan), so I had
to take the heads off two drums so they would fit one inside the other, 3 drums
in one case, and I put the cymbals in a cymbal bag, and it fit inside the bass
drum perfectly.  I put the rubber pads to my electronic kit in a drum case, and
wires and the brain in another.  I ended up leaving the rack, since I didn't
have room for it.  I knew it could be replaced cheaply until I got back on my
feet.  I then took one of my tower computers plus hard drives for the other
computer (since I didn't have space for two computers) and network equipment.  I
left the monitor behind, knowing that it could be replaced at some point in
time.  Of course, I took my clothes, paperwork, and sheet music material.  I
took my bedding in case my friend had a twin bed, my clothes, my pics and other
irreplaceables.

Even though I had a lot of money in the car, I didn't feel too bad, as I have
instrument insurance in the event the car would be stolen at any point during
the evacuation and the return.  I would gas up with a debit card so I wouldn't
have to be far away from the car.  When I got to my friend's place, I
immediately unloaded the car (I left Houston at 7:30 PM and got to San Marcos
the next morning at 5:30 AM), even though I was very tired.

For Rita's eve, I went out with some friends there for dinner followed with
rounds of Hurricanes at the Green Parrot in San Marcos.  I asked for a "category
7" hurricane (I don't know what was in it, I just asked them to make me one).  I
won't be doing that again! I had no hangover, but the runs the next day.  

I visited a couple of friends in Austin and went to the new Whole Foods Market
store they have there now.  I was reminded of one of the reasons I won't move
back to Austin - rude, unfriendly people who came in from different parts of the
country with their SUV's and money and gentrified parts of Austin, displacing
the friendly CA transplants who had been living there since the late 70's/early
80's.

I got back home okay, with no damage to the house.  I have to pack up things in
preparation for moving to another place.

Thanks for your interest!



Stephanie Ellison AKA Deaf Drummer

deafdrummer.org