#1590, Friday, January 29: Speechless in Syracuse

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Post 1590, Day 29 of 2016
- 1,855 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

It was my birthday party. I had loaded in, then gone home to meet friends who would be my transport (Dedicated Driver and support group) the rest of the night.

Right before soundcheck, my friend Al Olin (the aforementioned designated driver for the night, and host to another friend of mine who'd driven all the way from Milwaukee to be at the party), called me to the center of the stage, asked for everybody else to move right in front of the stage, then handed me a gift box.

The box was empty. Al explained that it was symbolic, the package when it was delivered wouldn't fit in a box. He said he'd had to have it picked up and delivered special for the night.

He gestured to the curtains at the rear of the stage.

Alex stepped out.

Time stood still. I was so full of emotion, it blocked my senses. As we embraced, I tried to say something, but couldn't locate words. Sometimes you're speechless because you don't know how to express your feelings. Sometimes, there just are no words.

The surprise was total. I didn't have a clue he was going to be there. Apparently, a lot of people knew, and everybody managed to keep it a secret.

This is how my birthday party started.

Alex being there meant so much to me. For one thing, while he had shown me most of his creative work since moving to LA, he worked in media - what I saw was the actual end product. But, while he had seen videos, he hadn't seen me play in almost ten years, and that was nothing like what I've been doing up here.

 
Plus, I put together a little set of my own, solo and with a couple of dear friend musicians, and he heard me play guitar (I don't think he'd heard me play guitar since he was very young) and sing (which I have only done at jam sessions).

And then came i am Fool. None of our recordings and no video really does our live show justice. I have been with this band longer than any other musical group in my life. It is not a coincidence that the five years I've been a Fool have been the happiest five years of my adult life (which begins any day now, lol). My son got to see my band, got to see the joy I feel making music.

 

That was huge. The joy for me was just piling on...

And, although Alex's appearance was by far the biggest and most overwhelming surprise of the night, right before I went on with my set, I was surprised by a visit from best friends from downstate who specifically told me they wished they could make it but couldn't. Then showed up in Anonymous/Guy Fawkes masks. Set up, just like a bowling pin!

I was knocked out! So happy, I was bursting.

Best birthday ever.

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   204.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (1/28):           205.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                   -  1.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

A low calorie day and a chart turn-around last night. Followed by an eighteen hour fast today, setting up a good weekend!

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
Skipped.

Dinner

Omelet with peppers, onion, greens, cheese and bacon. Not shown: A salad of kale, spinach and chard with cole slaw mix and balsamic vinaigrette.

Liquid Intake
   Espressos: 0;  Coffee:  0 oz.;  Water: 48+ oz. And, of course, lots of booze at my party

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