#1895, Wednesday, July 19: Things get easier

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Post 1895, Day 200 of 2017
- 2,392 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

A lot of my thinking has been consumed by my upcoming show/festival, Reverend Ken's Summer of Love Fest. It is two-and-a-half weeks away.

Today, it got a little easier.

I have begun pushing for rehearsals for those acts that will be using the house rhythm section. I was rewarded by two acts deciding to go solo, and one act dropping out. My workload was halved, just like that. Further, the acts I no longer have to learn to back up had the most difficult material.

What a relief! The whole thing just became more enjoyable to me.

In celebration, I had a good night out jamming.

Tomorrow I start PT for my positional vertigo. It has gotten so much better, but a recent doctor's visit indicated that it would probably not fade away completely on it's own. So. When I lie down, I have a few seconds of vertigo. Same when I get up, tilt my head to look up, etc. It is annoying, but no longer in any sense interfering with my day-to-day activities. Still, if it can be fixed, I'm in.

I am grateful for another day living the dream.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      203.3 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/18/17):           204.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 1.5 lbs.

Diet Comment

Finally, some downward progress! After my dinner last night, I wasn't expecting any, LOL.

Food Log

Breakfast
5:30pm: Cottage cheese and a Quest bar.

Lunch
Skipped.

Dinner
12:15am: Roasted turkey breast chopped salad (roasted turkey breast, shaved parmesan cheese, chard, kale, spinach, red cabbage, balsamic vinaigrette) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; and a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey

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#1894, Tuesday, July 18: Baby steps to accomplishment

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Post 1894, Day 199 of 2017
- 2,391 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I am very proud of myself for making a to-do list last night (I mentioned it in yesterday's Daily Comment) and getting to nine of the eleven items - completing eight. Would have been more, but my meditation was interrupted by a phone call (today, I won't use my phone as a timer, so that won't happen).

And, of course, my activities went beyond my to-do list.

i am Fool decided to trade in rehearsal for a live appearance at an open mic that usually has excellent musicians playing. Unfortunately, I have had problems with the way this open mic is run from time to time, usually stemming from the fact that they don't limit sign-ups, and cut sets very short to accommodate everybody who comes.

We played two songs - maybe ten minutes - and were yanked. It wasn't special treatment or commentary on the quality - nobody got more than two. That's just the way the show-runner wants it. The upside is that we played well, and got a very positive response from the audience.

Still, I felt frustrated. I felt bad for my band mates, too. They were a little disappointed. I took those feelings and went to another open mic where I played a nice long set with John, the drummer from i am Fool. It was kind of special because, in the seven years we've been playing together, this was our first jam. I was very happy with the way that went.

It is, I think, fantastic that I have these kind of musical opportunities. It contributes to making this the best time in my life.

I am grateful for all I have, even as I acknowledge that I possess very little. Still, all good.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      204.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/17/17):           204.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       + 0.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

Looks like my late-night, high-calorie single meal of the day yesterday was... what? I don't know. I felt lighter at weigh-in, but wasn't. Go figure.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:40pm: OPG omelet (sautéed onions, peppers and greens with 3 large eggs).

Lunch
7:00pm, at Limp Lizard BBQ:

Cowboy salad: Beef barbacoa, field greens, black bean salad, onions, tomatoes, cheese, southwest ranch dressing and pita points.

Dinner
11:55pm: Cottage cheese and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 76+ oz.; and a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey

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#1893, Monday, July 17: The job at hand...

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Post 1893, Day 198 of 2017
- 2,390 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I am paving the road to Hell with my good intentions.

Today, despite all my intentions to accomplish some specific tasks, I accomplished none. I got bogged down - mentally, at least - with details of my calendar/schedule.

My musical commitments are consuming me, and that's okay with me, but I am not managing my time well, at all.

Sunday, the band I have put together for a short set at Reverend Ken's Summer of Love Fest had our first rehearsal. It was a five-hour affair, and a lot of magic happened. And it was fun. But it was also a pretty gruelling time for me - I'm not used to singing that much, and I was singing for almost the entire time. I left exhausted, and canceled my plans for the Rooters Lounge jam after and went straight home. I was that tired.

It feels like I spent most of today trying to schedule a follow-up rehearsal. With six people in Reverend Ken's Jubilee Band, there were inevitably conflicts. One of which seemed to be with one of my other bands, Scuba Gear. Lost of confusion there. Then I almost scheduled it over an i am Fool rehearsal. At least I nipped that in the bud, before causing further confusion. To make matters worse (for my scheduling), Brenda texted me inquiring about my availability as well.

I am not exaggerating when I say that it took more than twelve hours, the whole day, to get the schedules locked down, That was tiresome.

It all worked out, finally, although time for getting together with Brenda got very squeezed. But I am still giving everybody the time they need, even though it took a lot of my time today to get it right. It was like a job.

Because everybody communicates via texts and messages, it is like playing telephone - everything happens serially. It is awkward and slow and clumsy. It was like a bad job. The kind you do because, to do what you want, it has to get done.

But, I am grateful for the job. Before I went to bed, I made a list of all the things I want to do tomorrow. It's a lot. And I'm grateful for that, another opportunity to get the supporting shit for my lifestyle done!

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      204.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/14/17):           203.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       + 0.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

Any time I can get through a weekend with this small of a weight gain, I'm happy. To celebrate, today I did a mini-fast.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
Skipped.

Dinner
11:45pm: Onions, peppers and cheese omelet and a salad (arugula, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, chia and hemp seeds, balsamic vinaigrette), and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 40+ oz.;

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#1892, Friday, July 14: Forgiving myself for what doesn't get done

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Post 1892, Day 195 of 2017
- 2,387 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

This has been a week of good intentions that mostly stayed good intentions.

I wanted to be more disciplined in my approach to doing things that needed to be done, but had been ignored largely through my negative attitude to doing the work. Things that didn't have any deadline, so no imperative need. Things I've known about doing for a very long time and always found something else to do, instead - or, in some cases, a more attractive lazing around.

It wasn't a total failure, but some things never got started, and I didn't spend nearly enough time on the few things I did. Nor was I consisten in the efforts I made. In short, I am not happy with me.

Part of the problem is how easily I'm distracted, and how short my attention span is. Part of the problem is not breaking the job down into sufficiently tiny, quickly-achieved pieces. Part of the problem is not allowing for the things that always come up and get in the way.

I feel like I've been behind all week.

Time to regroup, forgive myself, and start over, feeling good about the things I did get to, and not concentrate on the ones I did not.

I'm getting good at forgiving myself, and I'm grateful to still be growing, and still be showing up for the opportunity to improve, whether taken or not.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      203.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/13/17):           203.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

No change is not what I was expecting.

Food Log

Breakfast
5:15pm: Green and blue protein smoothie with coconut-almond milk, kefir, large organic egg, chia gel, kale, spinach, blueberries, whey powder (36g protein), coconut oil, hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, turmeric and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch
8:25pm: A Quest bar.

Dinner
11:05pm: Pepperoni, Dubliner cheese, cole slaw and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 88+ oz.;

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#1891, Thursday, July 13: Speaking to youth

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Post 1891, Day 194 of 2017
- 2,386 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

After playing what I thought were some pretty good sets at Rooters Lounge Blues and BBQ jam, I went out to hear some other local bands playing original music. I enjoyed that.

While out, I met some younger guys I know from various open mics I go to, and had a nice conversation. Freewheeling, it began with questions about how open mics/jam sessions had changed over the decades when I first started going, which led into how I met Jimi Hendrix, how and when I came to Syracuse, and the show I'm doing in August (Reverend Ken's Summer of Love Fest).

In short, I talked a lot about myself, my experiences, my viewpoint. And I was paid attention to (or made to feel that way - same thing, from my point of view).

People always like to talk about themselves, and that includes me, when I find myself in conversations (so much less frequently these days). I know it isn't that interesting, but I tend not to talk about glory days or things unrelated to whatever is current and driving the discussion.

I also try to listen. And I keep track of the conversation, that is, when things get too far from the original topic, I bring them back.

I'm lucky that I have found some interesting and interested people to hang out with. Many of my old friends (that is, longstanding and approximately my age) would be surprised that I can have conversations like this with twenty- and thirty-something people. Part of the reason? I don't run down the modern scene - no "Get off my lawn" ranting - mostly because I know I'm ignorant of modern things, and I am at peace with not being hip any more.

I'm grateful to be able to share and exchange with younger people.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      203.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/12/17):           204.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

Losing again. That feels better than yesterday's unexpected gain.

Food Log

Breakfast
4:45pm, at CoreLife Eatery:

Chicken Cobb salad (shredded kale and spinach, grilled chicken, avocado, bacon, hard-cooked egg and blue cheese dressing with a little sriracha).

Lunch
9:25pm, at Rooters Lounge, Big Awesome BBQ: Pulled pork with just a little BBQ sauce (on the side - that stuff is pure sugar).

Dinner
1:05pm: A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 68+ oz.;

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#1890, Wednesday, July 12: A small sacrifice

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Post 1890, Day 193 of 2017
- 2,385 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I admit to being somewhat circumspect in my approach to new challenges. Maybe more so when the challenges involve shaking up my approach to playing music.

So I had been somewhat reluctant in getting together music for my friend Brenda, who plays everything like the recording - something I don't do. Somewhat similar is as close as I get to playing bass parts like the recording.

I have my reasons for this, and they make good sense to me.

But last night, using her approach of listening to and learning the original recordings by playing along, she did a great job - an impressive job - backing me up on my songs, without rehearsal (which we don't actually ever do). I want to return the favor. 

That means me spending a lot of time playing along with the original recordings. This has never been enjoyable to me, quite the opposite. That, in itself, is a good reason to do it, I think. Doing a thing differently than the way you always have seems like a path to growth.

Also, I sense Brenda is a troubled person, and I think she needs reciprocity, and a lack of same, asymmetry in social dealings bothers her. One thing that attracted me to her in the first place was a certain courage I sensed in her willingness to put herself out there, trusting the musicians around her to put her in a good light, despite her fear of rejection and insecurity as a performer.

I'm grateful to be able to give something back to music by helping younger musicians.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      204.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/11/17):           203.5 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       + 1.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

An unexpected gain, possibly water-weight, as I have been underhydrating before my more normal/adequate intake yesterday.

Food Log

Breakfast
5:10pm:  

Omelet with peppers, onion, greens, chia seeds, hemp seeds and bacon.

Lunch
11:45pm: A large number of Mounds bars, and a Quest bar.

Dinner
Skipped.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water:72+ oz.;

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#1889, Tuesday, July 11: Fool rehearses again!

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Post 1889, Day 192 of 2017
- 2,384 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

i am Fool had our first rehearsal in more than three months today.

What a pleasure.

I have missed playing with this band so much.

I think about the group all the time. When I'm playing with other people, I think I'm playing with these guys because I'm not playing with Fool. When I drink coffee out of my Fool mug (that is, whenever I drink coffee at home), I think of them. When I'm looking at announcements for other bands on Facebook, I think of them.

So getting back together after all this time was sweet, indeed. We played a bunch of new material, listened to some mixes of previously recorded material, and, in general, picked up exactly where we left off. And, it sounded good!

And it felt good. Making music with this band is just about my favorite activity, and I've missed it! J. is healing nicely, Mike is leveraging his good feelings about the band in his recovery, too. Music heals. The whole band gets along so well - the camaraderie is tangible.

I'm grateful to be a part of something bigger than myself, an ensemble that pleases and inspires me on so many levels.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      203.5 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/10/17):           205.3 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 1.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

One day back and a nice loss for behaving well.

Food Log

Breakfast
4:50pm: Kale, spinach, hemp seeds, chia seeds, onions, peppers, eggs, turkey pepperoni and Dubliner cheese, sauteed in the same pan in coconut oil.

Lunch
9:40pm: Dubliner cheese and two Quest bars.

Dinner
10:45pm: Salmon salad (wild-caught salmon, home-made mayonnaise, chard, kale, spinach, red cabbage).

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 80+ oz.;

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#1888, Monday, July 10: Weekend recap

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Post 1888, Day 191 of 2017
- 2,383 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I had a wonderful visit with my sister Joan. We watched some Wimbledon tennis, saw two very good movies - The Big Sick and Baby Driver. I met her wonderful new dog, Kush, who is the most chill dog I've ever encountered.

Good things are happening with my son Alex - who is having one of his scripts for a short film shot on the Warner Brothers lot.

I drove back Sunday, and had a wonderful jam at Rooters. Just a really good time when I got to play sets I led, sets I just accompanied, with combinations of really good players who hadn't jammed together before. When that works, it is so satisfying.

I came back ready to go to work, and didn't. I did some trading. I had a few long phone conversations, and a few text conversations, as well. I went for my quarterly blood test which, amazingly, I got some of the results back in about four hours, and they are excellent - everything's in the center of the normal range.

So I'm cooking along just fine, thank you. Tomorrow, I'm going to try and schedule some things, and get more of what I feel I need to get done, accomplished. We'll see.

I'm feeling quite pumped, and happy, and so very grateful.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      205.3 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/6/17):            205.3 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

Given the kind of outrageous off-plan eating I did over the (long) weekend - bread, potatoes, desserts - I'm glad that my weight didn't go up. Now I need to work so that it will go down.

Food Log

Breakfast
6:50pm: Green and blue protein smoothie with coconut-almond milk, kefir, large organic egg, chia gel, kale, spinach, blueberries, whey powder (36g protein), coconut oil, hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, turmeric and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch
8:30pm: A Quest bar.

Dinner
10:15pm: Turkey pepperoni and Dubliner cheese.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 48+ oz.;

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#1887, Thursday, July 6: No comment

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Post 1887, Day 187 of 2017
- 2,379 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Traveling to Sharon, Massachusetts to spend some time with my sister Joan. I'll be back Sunday, and pick up where I left off (probably a little heavier). Nothing more today.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      205.3 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/5/17):            206.4 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 1.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

One day of on-plan eating, and turned around a week-long gaining trend. These small victories, and the history I've created since I started weighing myself regularly, keep me on track.

Food Log

Breakfast
5:20pm: Sautéed kale and spinach with onions and peppers, chia and hemp seeds and eggs.

Lunch
9:20pm, at Rooters Lounge: Pulled pork and two Mounds bars.

Dinner
12:45am: Skipped.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 54+ oz.; a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey

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#1886, Wednesday, July 5: Catching up

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Post 1886, Day 186 of 2017
- 2,378 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Well, these past five days have been quite a good time. I had gigs Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday I drove to Stratton, Vermont for my old friend Jimmy's daughter's wedding. It was magnificent. Mountain-top, guests transported via gondola. Perfect weather.

A big party after. Good food, open bar. I drank a lot and over-ate and was very happy about it all. Such good company, everybody carefree.

I drove back Tuesday, exhausted.

And re-started 'normal' life today, ending with a jam at Shifty's, where I got to play an unusual amount of music I had to improvise - what fun!

More jamming is in store for me tomorrow, as well as some good barbecue, at Rooters Lounge. Then Friday, I'm traveling again. Life is good, and easy (as long as my transportation and health hold up).

I have so much! I am still, as far as I'm concerned, the luckiest guy I know. I have so much to be grateful for, and I am.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      206.4 lbs.

Previous Weight (6/30/17):           204.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       + 1.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

It was a great weekend, and I knew my weight would be up as a result. I only have a couple of days to start a correction, though, before I travel to Massachusetts for my sister Joan's belated birthday celebration. We'll see how that goes.

Food Log

Breakfast
5:20pm: A Quest bar.

Lunch
9:30pm, at Shifty's: Shrimp, chicken and sausage with rice and garlic bread.

Dinner
12:45am: A salad (arugula, chard, kale, spinach, cabbage, shaved parmesan cheese and home-made mayonnaise).

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 48+ oz.; 

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