If there's one thing I love to escape from, it's the northern European winter. Cold, and wet, and grey, and lots of over things that aren't much fun. It's no surprise that we're so obsessed with bonfires and fireworks and other such celebrations up here. You need to do something to make it all bearable. Participating in the Samhain festival in Edinburgh a few years ago, for example, was a good coping strategy. But escaping is better yet. My best ever new year was spent in an outdoor swimming pool in Arizona. And I'm about to do something similar next month.

My very good Atlantian pal Krista has a music business conference to attend in Phoenix in October. And she's asked me to join her there. So long as I don't mind sharing the hotel room with her air hostess buddy Jennifer (see below).

You know what? I think I can cope. I think I'm ok with being sandwiched between record company exec and air hostess. I'm a pretty flexible guy. Last night I booked my flights. And hired a Chrysler Sebring for us to drive up to the Grand Canyon in.
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Been there before, of course, but it always bears a re-visiting. One of the top 5 world sites, in my view
So….Mark…two US babes….a convertible Chrysler…and a lonnng two lane blacktop. This is pretty much going to be ok, I think.