Thursday, October 30 Obligation to young performers

Post 1302, Day 303 of 2014
- 1,399 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Last night, at an open mic, the house drummer took me to task - mildly, not hysterically - for calling him up with me to play with a singer/guitarist who we both know is rhythm/tempo/groove-challenged.

I apologized for making him work harder than he likes, but told him I thought veterans have a responsibility for assisting beginners.

I also told him I love opportunities to work with challenging musicians at all skill-levels, because they bring out things in me that are elusive when playing in my comfort zone (and impossible when playing alone).

I make these opportunities, volunteering to play with absolutely anybody at the open mics I attend. Once this was known, the hosts typically are grateful - I'm helping with what they don't want to do. Interestingly, I often get more compliments after playing a set that, on the face of it, is not particularly good, than I do when I'm playing with veteran musicians who reliably get everything right in performance.

It makes sense to me.

After a jam - a failed effort, in my judgment - in which musicians at all levels were playing - some arguably better than me, most indisputably worse at putting on a good musical performance - I was complimented on my performance from a veteran musician in the audience for his son's band's set. He simply said, "I've heard you play often over the years, but I finally just got what it is you do. It was great. Thank you."

I guess my approach is just right. For me.

After that set last night, the drummer said, "I can't believe you managed to find a line in all of that."  Admitting that it hadn't all worked out, but it was more than the drummer expected, I replied, "You get lemons, you make lemonade." 

Cliche? Sure. 

Musical value to this approach? In my opinion, very high.

Food and Diet Section

2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:          206.8 lbs

Previous Weight:         208.0 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:       - 1.2 lbs

Diet Comment

The loss continues. 

Food Log 

Breakfast
A cocoa-hemp-kale protein shake (almond-coconut milk, kefir, kale, large organic egg, whey powder (24g protein), hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, fermented coconut water, chia gel, moringa leaf powder, celery, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch

Salmon salad (Wild Alaska pink salmon, celery, mayonnaise) on baby kale, baby spinach, chard, black beans and cole slaw mix.

Snack
A Quest bar.

Dinner
Pepperoni and a Quest bar.

Snack
Quest bars.

Liquid Intake
   Coffee:  24 oz.   Water: 100+ oz.

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