#1314: Thursday, November 20 - OPO (other people's opinions)

Post 1314, Day 324 of 2014
- 1,420 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Among the things that have found their way into my thoughts (where do these things come from?) is my ambivalence of how I am perceived.

On the one hand, people's opinion of me is none of my business, and something I can't control. Nobody actually knows all the things that influencetheir own perceptions, let alone anybody else's.

Still, I know that, in social situations, I try to be likeable.

Sometimes that works, but a lot of times it turns out I don't know what likeable actually looks like. And, of course, even when people seem to like me, I have no idea why.

It is one of those problems it doesn't really pay to think a lot about. Which usually means, it isn't really a problem.

It is also interesting because of the way that my view of other people's perceptions changes when I think about my role as a bass player.

I used to care a lot that people think I was a good bass player. For the most part, non-musicians don't really know whether or not I am a good bass player. If I'm performing, they assume I am. Non-musicians don't generally understand what a bass player does, and since it has only a supporting role in pop music, may not even know what the bass does in the music they listen to.

My definition of a good bass player isn't common among my bass-playing friends. I don't know whether they think of me as a good bass player or not. It can get competitive, and I'm not into that any more. I think of my bass playing in a very subjective way. I accept my limitations, understanding that they create my style of bass playing as much as my accomplishments.

I do think I have a style, and these days, that is the way I play, with no concern at all whether it is or is not appreciated. If it isn't, I have no problem stepping aside for a bass player more to your liking. On the other hand, asking me to play in a way that is out of my style to suit your ideas of what a bass player should do - that is my cue to walk.

I just do what I do - it makes me happy. Some musicians I respect 'get it' and have told me they appreciate it. Some musicians I respect don't - but I rarely hear criticism one way or the other. Fine with me.

The thing is, I play because it gives me joy. It's an internal thing, that just happens to have an external component. The audience-approval aspect isn't relevant. But when I am playing, and see somebody moving with the beat that I (and the rhythm section) are laying down, that is a shared moment, I have pulled someone into the music. More joy. 

Then I know I'm doing the job, and nobody's opinion matters. It's a very human moment, and it transcends criticism. It transcends thought, it's something more. Something better, to me.

Food and Diet Section

2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:          204.4 lbs

Previous Weight:         204.4 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:       - 0.0 lbs

Diet Comment

No change. 

Food Log 

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

Lunch
A Quest bar.

Dinner

Eggs scrambled with baby kale and spinach, peppers and onions, spicy tomato oil, and a side of bacon.

Snack
A couple of Quest bars, then a late-night Quest bar.

Liquid Intake   
Coffee:  28 oz.   Water: 88+ oz.

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