#2760, Friday, October 29, '21: Heir stuff

Post 2760

- 11 years and 302 days since I started this blog -

September 25, 2021

Daily Comment

I met with my lawyers today to finalize my end-of-life papers.

It was surprisingly unemotional.

But the decision to go forward and (finally, pun intended) get it done was emotional. Two emotions, mainly: Anger and love.

My father's lack of a will created a months-long complicated aftermath. It was fortunate that, at least, he had told me that he wanted me to be executor and that that lined up easily with the legal requirements for the same (when there is no documentation).

And my brother's death, with sparse documentation after living a life where he was solely handling the family's finances, left one of the worst situations this family has encountered.

Which is still ongoing.

And, as much as anything, I am angry about these two situations.

Because I love my son Alex, and I expect him to survive me, I am making certain he does not inherit any estate problems from me when I die. I am taking steps to ensure that he has full information - account #s, IDs and passwords, where they make sense.

So, anger and love.

I'm grateful for the abundance to make an inheritance, and for life's lessons that can benefit my heir.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    201.5 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/28/21):        201.7 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

A little loss today, but that's okay.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:55pm: Chicken and greens ramen (ViteRamen high-protein miso ramen noodles kit, roasted chicken, an egg, kale, spinach, nutritional yeast).

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
8:30pm: Keto probiotic snack mix (nuts, seeds, cheese) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz.; 

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#2759, Thursday, October 28, '21:

Post 2759

- 11 years and 301 days since I started this blog -

September 25, 2021

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    201.7 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/27/21):        202.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 1.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

Good loss today. Worth waiting for.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:05pm: Frittata (eggs, kale, spinach, mixed Italian grated cheeses, mushrooms, peppers, onions, chia and hemp seeds) on riced cauliflower with nutritional yeast.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
8:10pm: Keto probiotic snack mix (nuts, seeds, cheese).

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz.; 

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#2758, Wednesday, October 27, '21: Open mics

Post 2758

- 11 years and 300 days since I started this blog -

September 25, 2021

Daily Comment

Sometimes you wait.

Most people don't understand open mics. I feel like I do, but I still don't necessarily see every aspect of them.

First of all, I had to learn what an open mic was in these post-MTV, post-internet live music world. Because, before those times, open mics weren't about music at all. Open mics were for comedy and/or poetry. Only.

The musical versions were called jams. They were popular in clubs and coffee shops and there were some famous ones in NYC when I was coming up: Michael's (Woody Allen was a regular there for decades), Cafe Wha? (Jimi 'James' (Hendrix) hosted one there before forming the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and I played there more than once, and for one song, with him), Cafe Au Go-Go (so many there: The Blues Project was formed there), Gerdes Folk City (Bob Dylan attended that one in the early days).

The one thing they had in common: An audience of non-players, there for the good quality music. So, to a degree, the performers were vetted. You might not get called up the first few times you signed up - unless you made it known that you would fit in with the other musicians (or the music stylings) and could convey confidence in your ability. And, if you did get called, and gave a bad performance, you might not get called up again unless you could show improvement.

In this way, the jams were important links between generations of players.

Now, open mics are ubiquitous, jams are rare, and tend to be invitation-only, with performance-level playing. Musicians who sign up at an open mic play, in general. No vetting. And performers tend to outnumber by an order of magnitude those just non-players hanging out.

At tonight's open mic at Shifty's, where I am a regular and a known quantity, I saw the good and the bad of that evolution. I was outside catching a toke when my friend Frank, a real professional, leave the open mic furious, because his attempt to help violated one of the host's major rules: Nobody touches the equipment without first getting permission.

Frank, apparently, heard feedback and jumped up and changed the EQ on the PA. Steve T. went ballistic and cursed him out. Frank, a professional musician and sound guy (really - he is in the stagehand's union and is often called on to supplement the sound crews) split in a huff.

If I had been there, I would have tried to stop him. Because I've run afoul of Steve's wrath for a less egregious incursion: Adjusting a mic stand. I knew what would happen.

Also, last night, a thirteen-year-old drummer I've worked with did a turn, and an eleven-year old guitarist fronted a set that was pretty spectacular. This is the kind of thing that makes open mics so exciting, and fulfills their generational mandate.

The things I look for at open mics is are mainly the chance to play with different musicians, and the chance to try new material. I got to do both tonight, when a drummer friend and I did a bass-drum duet on a song I've been performing at open mics/jams since the seventies (when it was new). But I'd never done it as a bass and drums duet, and it was awesome!

Also, open mics are just about the only time I get to sing. That goes for the ones I host these days, too.

Tonight, I got to Shifty's open mic about five minutes after it started. By then, the list was already pretty long. I ended up closing the night, waiting three-and-a-half hours to do my four songs.

That's all right. I had a good time, heard some good music, saw some friends.

Sometimes you wait.

I'm grateful for the music scene.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    202.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/26/21):        202.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

I was hoping for a loss today. Oh, well, tomorrow, then.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:05pm: Frittata (eggs, kale, spinach, mixed Italian grated cheeses, mushrooms, peppers, onions, chia and hemp seeds) on riced cauliflower with nutritional yeast.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
8:10pm: Keto probiotic snack mix (nuts, seeds, cheese).

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 54+ oz.; and two pours of Jameson's Irish whiskey

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#2757, Tuesday, October 26, '21: No comment

Post 2757

- 11 years and 299 days since I started this blog -

September 25, 2021

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    202.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/25/21):        201.9 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 0.9 lbs.

Diet Comment

My calorie-heavy evening seems to have done some damage. I will try not to repeat that error.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:10pm: Frittata with sweet potato, kale, spinach, mushrooms, onions, chia and hemp seeds, nutritional yeast, eggs and cheese.

Lunch
8:15pm: Keto prebiotic nut and seed mix and 72% dark chocolate. 

Dinner
10:50pm: Oatmeal with walnuts.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 2;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 88+ oz.; 

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#2756, Monday, October 25, '21: Weekend recap

Post 2756

- 11 years and 298 days since I started this blog -

September 25, 2021

Daily Comment

On Saturday, almost everything good that happened Friday came undone.

The service call to install FIOS at my sister-in-law's was canceled due to the existence of another account being active in the same apartment, and us not having acceptable evidence of residence (the lease).

I was on the phone and at the computer for another three hours trying to solve that. I failed. I know how to fix it (get a copy of the lease) but that is out of my hands.

My sister-in-law's phone went straight to voice mail when I called. We found out the next day that she had somehow blocked me.

Sunday was the open mic, and that went very well. It was a seven-hour work day for me (yes, it is work, including about three hours of physical labor), but the good news is, I found the speaker stand that had been missing for two weeks. I was able to cancel the order for the replacement.

Sundays are wonderful but exhausting. I needed a day (today) to recover. 

I'm grateful for my good health that gives me the stamina for the good times.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    201.9 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/22/21):        202.1 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

I'm relieved at not gaining weight over the weekend, which wasn't bad except for a larger-than-ordinary amount of alcohol.

Food Log

Breakfast
2:20pm: Oatmeal and a LEO salad (lox, eggs, onions and arugula, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, and Everything but the bagel dressing).

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
9:50pm: Roasted turkey breast on Flax sprouted grains bread, roasted brussels sprouts with nutritional yeast and Everything seasoning, parmesan crisps and salsa, and 2 Quest bars.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 68+ oz.; 

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#2755, Friday, October 22, '21: Friday's story

Post 2755

- 11 years and 295 days since I started this blog -

September 25, 2021

Daily Comment

For once, something interesting, other than a gig, to start the weekend.

First, I think I managed to get cable for my sister-in-law. The service had been in my brother's name, and was paid for out of his checking account. The checking account was frozen a week after his death, and a week ago, the service was cut.

I tried for hours and days to get the service switched to her name and billed to her checking account. I visited multiple Verizon stores, spent hours on the phone and online.

Today I just opened an account in my name at her address, with the payments coming out of her checking account. Installation is Wednesday.

Then, tonight, I was comped a ticket to see my son's roommate's comedy band, Lewberger, at a local boutique mall, Wildflowers Armory.

I'm not the demographic (college kids are) but I enjoyed it, and there were a few outstanding moments - real comedy genius - that I will remember. And the audience interaction was wonderful.

Afterwards, I waited until the whole night - manning the merch table, taking selfies with fans - was over, made sure they knew I'd be out in LA the last two weeks of the year, hugged it out.

When I walked back to my car, someone had hit the passenger front bumper of my car. Crappy end to an otherwise wonderful day.

I'm grateful for the good parts.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    202.1 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/21/21):        202.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.5 lbs.

Diet Comment

I'm glad I lost more than the weight I gained yesterday. I'm hoping for a repeat today.

Food Log

Breakfast
12:30pm: Ultimate oatmeal (rolled oats, oat milk, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, chia and hemp seeds, kefir, Greek yogurt, walnuts, whey protein (21g protein), nutritional yeast, maple syrup).

Lunch
7:10pm, at Wildflower Armory: A carrot muffin. 

Dinner
11:10pm: Peanut butter and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 2;   Coffee: 12 oz.;  Water: 48+ oz.; 

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#2754, Thursday, October 21, '21: A momentary return to pre-pandemic

Post 2754

- 11 years and 294 days since I started this blog -

September 25, 2021

Daily Comment

I am a fan of a few local musicians.

A few days ago I got a text message from one, telling me he was playing with his personnel-as-available jazz band, Taj, Thursday (tonight).

It didn't have the location, so I assumed (ahem!) that it was at his regular Thursday night gig, a jazz jam.

I admit to being wrong more often than right with my assumptions, and I was wrong.

I showed up at Penny Pub's Thursday jazz jam to find only the drummer setting up, with no clue about my friend's Taj gig. A quick Facebook check gave me the right location, a favorite place, the Green Gate Inn, slightly out of town. In fact, they call the Thursday night jazz dates. "Jazz in the Burbs."

The last time I'd been there was shortly before I left for Florida at the end of 2019. I'd gone to see Taj then, and the memory of it, with so many of my musician friends digging the music along with me, is a happy memory.

I first sat alone in the corner, at a table to one side of the stage, as indicated by the owner, who I greeted as soon as I arrived. Before I could finish my Jamerson's (neat), I spotted another friend, and relocated to the dining room, exactly opposite where I was sitting originally, amidst a dozen musician friends and their friends, from my Tuesday open mic (and lots of other places).

Taj did not disappoint. They were excellent, and it was wonderful seeing friends (half the band that I know) perform so well. Exciting music. 

The Green Gate has good food, too. It was more fun than I expected, and it was so nice seeing my friends and enjoying music together.

After the show, as I was leaving I spotted Frank and Debbie at the bar. They hadn't seen me (couldn't see that off-stage-right dining room from the bar) and I had the pleasure of getting them together with the friends I'd been hanging with.

Then it was back to the Penny Pub, where I got in a couple of jazz jams, ending a late night.

I'm grateful for my friends. And their music. All my friends, all their music.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    202.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/20/21):        203.2 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.6 lbs.

Diet Comment

I'm glad I lost more than the weight I gained yesterday. I'm hoping for a repeat today.

Food Log

Breakfast
12:30pm: Ultimate oatmeal (rolled oats, oat milk, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, chia and hemp seeds, kefir, Greek yogurt, walnuts, whey protein (21g protein), nutritional yeast, maple syrup).

Lunch
5:30pm: Chile-spiced pineapple and Quest high-protein tortilla chips. 

Dinner
8:40pm, at Green Gate Inn: Cobb salad.

Snack
12:30am: A Nellie's Bacon and Pepper Jack Egg Bite, chile-spiced pineapple (the rest of the bag) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 2;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz.; 

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#2753, Wednesday, October 20, '21: No comment

Post 2753

- 11 years and 293 days since I started this blog -

September 25, 2021

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    203.2 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/19/21):        203.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 0.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

Not what I wanted, but it is what it is. Probably a result of my high-sodium, high-calorie dinner last night.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:30pm: Greens and cheese omelet (3 eggs, spinach, kale, mushrooms, onions, peppers, Mixed Italian grated cheese) with salsa, toasted Flax sprouted grains bread and butter, salad (arugula, beets, cabbage, chard, chick peas, kale, spinach, creamy balsamic dressing).

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
Skipped.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 36+ oz.; 

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#2752, Tuesday, October 19, '21: No comment

Post 2752

- 11 years and 292 days since I started this blog -

September 25, 2021

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    203.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/18/21):        203.9 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.9 lbs.

Diet Comment

Good to see more weight loss. I'm hoping to keep that going for about five more pounds, but not right away, too extreme, and probably not completely linear, either. Linearity has not been my experience over the last almost-twelve years.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
5:40pm: Oatmeal plus: (Old-fashoined oats, oat milk, chia and hemp seeds, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, kefir, Greek yogurt, nutritional yeast, cinnamon and stevia) and greens with eggs and cheese (kale, spinach, mushrooms, peppers, onions, two eggs, grated Italian mixed cheese). 

Dinner
11:10pm: Dubliner cheese and pork rinds, peanut butter and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 2;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 66+ oz.; 

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#2751, Monday, October 18, '21: Sunday-Monday recap

Post 2751

- 11 years and 291 days since I started this blog -

September 25, 2021

Daily Comment

This rainy weekend  didn't see much activity beyond playing bass Sunday night, but it was a great Sunday night.

That edition of the open mic that I'm hosting this month, the third, was the best yet, and lasted six hours, instead of the scheduled four.

It has gotten better every week, and this time, we acknowledged that 6pm was just too early a start time. I wouldn't be unhappy if it were 8pm to midnight, but we're going to try a one-hour bump to start at 7, and we'll see how that works next week. 

I know it will be better.

Today, though, was a big day for my investment portfolio. I sold about an eighth of my position in my all-time greatest stock winner, which was enough to recoup my original investment. The largest position, by amount of income and capital value, now has an investment cost of zero.

This is the potential for all dividend stocks, even ones which, unlike the stock above, don't quadruple in value over only two years, because I deduct the dividends from the cost.

The value of my investment portfolios is at an all-time high. After just more than eleven years, I have averaged an 11.8% gain per year, and am getting a 23% return on my original investment every year in dividends alone.

I'm grateful for the way everything is working out for me. I take none of my good fortune for granted.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    203.9 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/15/21):        205.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 1.7 lbs.

Diet Comment

I did well over the weekend, well, just Sunday, really, but I'm happy with the results.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:45pm: Veggie omelet with mushrooms, kale, spinach, onions, peppers and Italian mix grated cheese, and pork rinds.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
11:40pm: Flounder with pesto sauce, sweet potatoes with olive oil and Everything BBagel seasoning, and a salad (cabbage, spinach, kale, walnuts, parmesan crisps, creamy balsamic dressing).

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz.; 

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#2750, Friday, October 15, '21: No comment

Post 2750

- 11 years and 288 days since I started this blog -

September 25, 2021

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    205.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/14/21):        205.7 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

Admittedly, I was hoping for a loss, but not really expecting one after my off-plan Mexican pot food meal. So it goes.

Food Log

Breakfast
2:40pm: Shakshuka with spaghetti squash and greens (2 eggs), and a Nellie's bacon and cheese Egg Bite.

Lunch
7:00pm, from Popeye's: A spicy chicken sandwich. 

Dinner
8:10pm: Celery and peanut butter and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz.; 

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#2749, Thursday, October 14, '21: Pot party

Post 2749

- 11 years and 287 days since I started this blog -

September 25, 2021

Daily Comment

I went to my first legal pot party tonight. My friend Justin threw a CD Release Party at the Night Drop.

He had cannabis-infused Mexican food that tasted just like good home-made Mexican food (he's from Texas, and, apparently, can cook good Mexican food).

It was delicious, and, by the time I left, after a sip of the auld Irish, I began to feel its potency, which was also delicious, and not overwhelming.

By the time I'd settled in, done my Duolingo Spanish, and made a salad for myself, I was pleasantly buzzed and completely relaxed. An hour later, I was asleep.

I'm grateful for the variety of my experience.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    205.7 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/13/21):        202.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 2.9 lbs.

Diet Comment

This is a lot, and, after yesterday's India-fest, it is not at all unexpected. I was going to make up for it today, and then I remembered what I'd be eating for "lunch".

Food Log

Breakfast
2:40pm: Oatmeal+ (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, oat milk, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, nutritional yeast, yogurt, kefir), scrambled eggs and cheese.

Lunch
8:00pm, at the Night Drop: THC enchiladas and a taco. 

Dinner
11:55pm: Chopped salad (walnuts, parmesan crisps, arugula, cabbage, kale, spinach, creamy balsamic vinaigrette) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 66+ oz.; and a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey

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