June 12

Post 857, Day 162 of 2013
- and 893 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I think I've discovered my true talent as a musician, and it isn't musical, at least, not in a sense.

My talent is my ability to recognize the other 'right.' What I mean is, to see that someone else being right doesn't make me wrong. I don't live or play a zero-sum game.

I don't believe in an absolute truth. I don't assume my beliefs are universal. I am willing to change my mind, and willing to not get me way.

I am, admittedly, less willing not to be heard. I have a deep desire to have my point heard. Sometimes I have to remind myself that my views on a thing aren't more valid or important than anyone else's, and restrain myself from interrupting. Sometimes I fail at this. But I'm always improving. 

One thing I used to do that I've stopped doing, is to try to drown out interruptions. Now I wait, and think to myself, how good it is to feel heard when I finally have the attention focused on me. This was tough for me, as my ADD nature tends to lead me to interrupt others with my thoughts, and to raise my voice to drown out interruptions. I've (almost) completely gotten over the latter, and I'm constantly working on the former.

This came to me during last night's i am Fool rehearsal. There was a disagreement over how a unison line should be played. I waited my turn to show how it should be played, discussed, calmly, my ideas about the underlying chord and rhythm structure, and then let someone else decide how it would be done. Parts of 'my way' were used, and someone else's were also used, and the result sounded great.

The patience I exercised waiting while other people worked out and presented their ideas. Then I asked permission(!) to present mine. I felt... virtuous(!?!). (I find it weird to use the word virtuous to describe any thought or action of mine, but that is the word that came). It felt right, and the proof was in the playing.

File under: Patience/virtue.

There were a few more moments like that, too.

And it was one of the most enjoyable - and productive - rehearsals ever.

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 Food and Diet Section

2013 daily weight

Today's Weight:         211.2 lbs

Yesterday's Weight:     210.2 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      + 1.0 lbs

Diet Comment

Okay - no turnaround... yet. 

Food Log 

Breakfast

Cocoa-kale-hemp-chia protein shake: Almond milk, kale, cocoa, hemp seeds, chia gel, a large egg, vanilla whey powder (24g protein), cinnamon, vanilla, psyllium and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch

Wild-caught salmon and black beans salad on Spring Mix and cole slaw blend.

Dinner
At Eskapes Tavern and Restaurant, where the light was too dim for a pic, I had an unbelievably delicious sandwich: Grilled salmon, bacon, lettuce and tomato with aioli on toasted pita with home-made crisp potato chips. Yeah, it is off-plan, but a) it was what the chef (a music fan) wanted to make and 2. It was pay for the gig I'd just played there. No regrets.

Liquid Intake   

   Coffee:  28 oz.   Water:  80+ oz.

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