Based in the Antelope Valley, their local shows draw large crowds and they have gained fans from around the world, performing several times on an international level.
I had been singing with the group for a few years and knew my time with them would end once I started my nomadic adventures. In March of 2024, the Sunday Night Singers were set to perform at the Western American Choral Directors Association Conference in Pasadena. We had been preparing that particular setlist for the past six months and I was planning on that performance being my last with the group.
We were scheduled to do a sound check at the venue on a Wednesday afternoon for our performance the next morning. This was a perfect opportunity to test Vlad’s sleepability. I would drive down on Wednesday, hang out in Pasadena after the sound check, hit the gym, and then sleep in the parking lot before showering and dressing up for the show the next morning.
I loaded Vlad with everything I needed for an overnight stay; enough food for dinner and breakfast, my gym bag with toiletries and towels, and my outfit for the performance. I double-checked I had everything and set off for Pasadena.
The drive from the Antelope Valley to Pasadena usually takes about an hour, but the area was receiving an unusual amount of rain that March. I began the journey in a light drizzle that became a downpour a few minutes after hitting the road. The normally uneventful drive became a white-knuckle excursion as the freeway was choked with flooding and traffic.
No matter how fast my windshield wipers swept away the rain, I felt as though I was driving through a wall of water the entire time. Visibility was terrible, and there were times I could feel the traction on my tires slipping. I was relieved I was bringing my bed with me, and that I wouldn’t have to drive home in the nasty weather.
Once I took the proper exit, parking became another nightmare. Free parking was a rare commodity in downtown Pasadena, and even the paid lots were looking full. I was a little on edge from the harrowing drive, and running late, but I parked my car in a seemingly suitable lot and ran through the rain to the venue.
The sound check went well, the venue was impressive, and the choir sounded great. I sang my part and felt confident that our performance the next day would be fantastic. As excited as I was for the show, I was equally excited to give Vlad his first true test run that night.
I hurried back to the lot to get in my car and find a nearby coffee shop or bookstore to kill some time in. It was still raining when the choir finished our sound check, and I hoped to find Vlad before I became soaked. The sooner I could find someplace warm and dry, the better.
I located the lot and searched for my car, but Vlad was nowhere to be discovered. I walked around the lot multiple times, retracing my steps and hoping I was misremembering where my car was, but no matter how many times I paced through the rain, Vlad failed to materialize. Eventually, the truth settled in.
My home on wheels was gone.
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