July 3 Nantes, Nonce

On the way out of Paris I spy what looks like another Invader piece, but maybe it's just done in his style. I get distracted thinking about it, and blam, I think I got another ticket. This time I’m done in by a quick, blinding blob of an led light on the side the road. I’m confused, because I was actually going 110km, which I was under the impression was the speed limit. I guess I’ll find out in the mail.

Nantes is beautiful, right on an Atlantic Ocean estuary. Large pieces of art balance on the banister like minimalist Stargates.

The sun is out, there’s a minor breeze, and Werewolves of London are on the outdoor PA system. I’m down. The venue, Les Ferrailleurs has a ginormous poster advertising an upcoming Converge show. Maaaaaaaaaaaaaan, I wish we were playing that show.

After the band soundchecks, I lie out on the pier and try to detach a bit. The sky is heather gray through my glasses. When I stare up at the clouds, which are magnificent cottonball variations, but don’t focus on anything in particular, I can see the layers of moisture at different altitudes flow and weave against each other. Different depths are constantly whirling about inside the clouds, like one of those magic eye puzzles where you need to "focus" past where the page really is to find the image. Nothing ever comes into focus, but you can see the clouds warp against each other in 3D. And sorry, no drugs are involved in this experience.

Not everyone in attendance that night was quite as clear headed as I was though. After we were all packed up and ready to getting moving to the next party, one of our fun-liaisons announced that he had a "GORGEOUS IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Since it is driving on the wrong side of the road and you don't know where were are going, give me the keys and I will drive you!!!!!!" I can't help but laugh. I tell him not to worry about it and to just concentrate finishing the two beers he has in one hand and the joint drooping in his other.

Our crash pad for the night is awesome, but just as extra precaution, our host's cat take the liberty of sniffing around and making sure everything's safe. He's a cute lil guy that really likes to get up and personal.