#1811, Wednesday, February 8: Timeliness fails

 Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

Post 1811, Day 39 of 2017
- 2,231 days since I started this blog -

From Reverend Ken's Birthday Bash and Survivor's Ball:  "Starry Night"

Daily Comment

I have never been the most punctual guy, but lately, I can't seem to get anywhere or do anything on time.

By lately, I mean since I got back from Florida the first Friday of the year.

In my defense, I feel bad about it. Since I retired, my time management skills, what there were of them, have degraded to the point where they now resemble nothing so much as inertia.

I spend a lot of time apologizing for being late.

But retirement meant escaping from routine, daily appointments. It meant throwing out my alarm clark (yes, I actually did that - the symbolism was too tempting).

It is odd, I think, because, in general, my timing is pretty good.

I mean, more than note selection, it is my sense of time, my timing, that makes my bass playing work. And in the same four-week period I've been consistently failing to be punctual, I've been killing it in my trading, which is nothing more than lucky timing.

Bigger picture, my life is full of goodness from being in the right place at the right time.

I hope this turns around, and will make an effort in that direction, because it is so inconsiderate, and I want to be the opposite of inconsiderate.

I'm grateful for the ability to make changes.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      203.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/7/17):            202.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       + 1.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

Well, you eat out, you think you order pretty smart, then you eat the pita that comes with the salad, and the salad dressing, and... Bam! Weight gain.

Food Log

Breakfast
6:20pm:  

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

Lunch

Skipped.

Dinner
1:1am:  London broil salad (Spring mix, cabbage, balsamic vinaigrette) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;  Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 76+ oz. 

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

#1810, Tuesday, February 7: No comment

 Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

Post 1810, Day 38 of 2017
- 2,230 days since I started this blog -

From Reverend Ken's Birthday Bash and Survivor's Ball:  "Starry Night"

Daily Comment

"I've got nothing to say, but it's okay! Good morning, good morning, good!"

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      202.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/6/17):            203.2 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

I expected more, a greater loss, but shouldn't have.

Food Log

Breakfast
1:45pm:  Green protein smoothie with coconut milk, kefir, large organic egg, chia gel, kale, spinach, wild blueberries, celery, whey powder (36g protein), hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, coconut oil and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch

9:35pm, at Limp Lizard BBQ (Liverpool):

Cowboy Salad (beef barbacoa atop field greens, black bean salad, roasted corn, onions, tomatoes, cheese, southwest ranch dressing (the pink stuff in the photo), and a fresh squeeze of lime. Not shown: A Quest bar.

Dinner
11:30pm:  Mozzarella cheese with carrots and homemade mayonnaise, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;  Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 76+ oz. 

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

#1809, Monday, February 6: Happy birthday, Alex!

 Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

Post 1809, Day 37 of 2017
- 2,229 days since I started this blog -

From Reverend Ken's Birthday Bash and Survivor's Ball:  "Starry Night"

Daily Comment

Thirty-one years since my son Alex came into my life.

I named him for a poetry pseudonym I used as a teenager (Alexander Darius Carroll), and for my grandfather David.

At his bris, he got the Hebrew name Asher (my brother Andy's Hebrew name).

The time in my life I am most proud of were the nine months following his birth, when I was his primary caretaker, as his mother suffered from acute post-natal depression. That was the single most selfless time of my life, and one of the happiest.

I assess my quality as a parent by how much I like my son as an adult. And I do like my son, exclusive of all the love I have for him.

At every age of his life I have thought him my better.

And he is still a man of unlimited potential.

He has pursued his dreams relentlessly and with great courage. While I've helped wherever and whenever I could, he has been self-reliant since his teens, and has grown to be self-sufficient.

I'm grateful for his life, for all he's given me, for his friendship. Happy birthday, Alex!

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      203.2 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/3/17):            202.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       + 0.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

I blame yesterday's SuperBowl, with its attendant parties, for this weekend's weight-gain. That being said, I think the 'hangover' is temporary.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch

7:15pm:  Pepperoni, cole slaw, celery and carrots.

Dinner
11:45pm:  A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;  Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 56+ oz. 

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

#1808, Friday, February 3: A door closes, but I still get out

 Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

Post 1808, Day 34 of 2017
- 2,226 days since I started this blog -

From Reverend Ken's Birthday Bash and Survivor's Ball:  "Starry Night"

Daily Comment

I've had an enjoyable time learning new songs for my new bass gig, but it was not a completely comfortable fit, as many of the songs were not only out of my comfort zone and unfamiliar, but had very dominant bass lines that were critical to the songs.

Those kind of up-front, in your face rock lead bass lines are the opposite of what I usually do, and like, on bass. I'm a rhythm section player.

I've had two rehearsals with the trio, and both were fun. But there were times when the rhythm section wasn't jelling.

There were also times when it was, and it was good.

Today I found out that the drummer wasn't enjoying it as much as I was. After two rehearsals, he didn't feel comfortable with me, that I was giving him what he needed on bass.

And the guitarist-singer-band leader wanted a different sound for the bass.

So he called, and, in a very professional manner, said they'd be looking for a different bass player, and told me why. He wanted a more aggressive bass player. I said, okay - I didn't step up and defend myself or tell him I could fill that role. And just like that, it was over, no animosity or hurt feelings - all parties a little disappointed it didn't work out, all parties ready to move on.

It was something of a relief, given the amount of work I was putting in, and the amount of work I was going to have to put in to learn the sets, including a few songs I wasn't comfortable with and a few others I just didn't like. I had already decided after the nine monthly gigs I had signed on to play, I wouldn't continue with the group anyway.

I have a style and sound. I can adapt that style and sound to most genres, and make it work, but that is the limit to my flexibility. If it isn't what you want, you have to go with another bass player, and it doesn't bother me at all.

I have, right now, more playing opportunities than I can take advantage of, mostly playing for free, but in the first four weeks of the year I made more money day-trading than I would have gotten for all nine gigs with the trio.

In fact, I had turned down some opportunities to give the playing time over to the trio, but didn't lose any from the gigs.

I'm grateful to have been considered, grateful for the time I spent with the band's music, grateful for the lack of drama in being let go. Grateful that the time spent wasn't wasted or unpleasant, and that the small gap in my playing schedule that it leaves will quickly be filled. It's all good.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      202.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/2/17):            202.4 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       + 0.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

Eating all of a day's calories at one meal, which I did yesterday, is not diet-friendly, even if nothing off-plan was eaten. A small penalty was extracted.

Food Log

Breakfast
5:40pm:  Green protein smoothie with coconut milk, kefir, large organic egg, chia gel, kale, spinach, celery, whey powder (36g protein), hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, coconut oil and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch

7:15pm:  A Quest bar.

Dinner
12:05am:  Hummus, sweet potato chips, mozzarella cheese and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;  Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz. 

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

#1807, Thursday, February 2: No comment

 Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

Post 1807, Day 33 of 2017
- 2,225 days since I started this blog -

From Reverend Ken's Birthday Bash and Survivor's Ball:  "Starry Night"

Daily Comment

Nothing today.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      202.4 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/1/17):            202.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

I don't understand how I lost weight yesterday. I had a huge 'breakfast' (lunch) that ended with a rich sugar-fat-white flour dessert, and ended the day eating about a half-pound of delicious cheese. And a half hour before I ate that, I had an Irish whiskey. I'll take this weight loss, thank you, but seriously, how is this working?

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch

7:15pm:  Ground beef with broccoli in curry sauce (lentil curry (dal tadka), chia seeds, hemp seeds).

Dinner
2:05am: A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

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

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

#1806, Wednesday, February 1: How to wreck a jam

 Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

Post 1806, Day 32 of 2017
- 2,224 days since I started this blog -

From Reverend Ken's Birthday Bash and Survivor's Ball:  "Starry Night"

Daily Comment

I've played bass out (that is, played with other people as opposed to solo practice) every one of the last 10 days.

My chops are up. My happiness is present, intact. But I am exhausted.

That is my excuse for making unkind remarks about Joe, who showed up on my end-of-the-night set, and proceeded to use his guitar skills, which are very good, to demolish an otherwise solid performance, something he's done at every single encounter we've had.

It is how a personality problem overwhelms talent.

By insisting on having the spotlight, taking charge, and then playing leads that disregarded the other players, he diminished the music, when he could have enhanced it.

Is it my perspective? Of course, but that doesn't mean it's wrong. Crunched by the end of the night, we had two songs. I and everybody else involved had waited hours to play, this guy walked in a half hour earlier, after attending a different jam/open mic, and (literally) pushed his way onto the stage, unasked by any other person.

Already past the official end of the open mic, we got just two songs. The first one, he played a minute past the end, while everyone else just stood and watched. The second, which I sang, he played solos over the vocals.

In the past, he has pushed me away from the mic during a song, to be center-stage for a solo that went on so long that I never got to finish the song. On another occasion, he was house bass at an open mic (he plays a 6-string bass, and sounds just like a guitarist when he does - not a good thing in my opinion), and when attendance wasn't good, but there were a couple of other bass players there, he just walked off the gig. He has never shown any personal insight, never seems to have a perception of how his actions were seen by others.

In speaking with him, I have found him to be pleasant. He has friends, seems to be a good and loving family man. It is only his attitude about making music that turns me off.

So when I told the drummer on the set (my friend and Reverend Ken's Birthday Band member Dan) at the beginning of the set, "The only reason I'm still on this stage is to help you deal with Joe. You're about to see what happens to an ensemble when one of the members is not a team player. You're about to meet the most entitled musician in Syracuse".

Just to make the point, Joe tried to replace Dan with a drummer who had come in with him after the first song. It was Dan's set, and I and the open mic host made sure Joe knew that wouldn't serve.

I'm grateful the set was as good as it was, grateful for all the musicians I shared the stage with, and that I don't have to see Joe often.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      202.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (1/31/17):           203.4 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.6 lbs.

Diet Comment

Light eating yesterday, and I'm that much closer to 'Goal Weight' and making new lows for the year. Tomorrow, given the dessert I had with being taken out to 'lunch' - breakfast for me - I'm not expecting good news.

Food Log

Breakfast
1:30pm, at Bull & Bear Roadhouse:  Bangkok salmon salad (grilled salmon, Spring Mix, snow peas, Napa cabbage, radishes, almonds, cilantro, carrots, tortilla strips, sesame-ginger dressing) and hot cinnamon sticks with cream cheese frosting.

Lunch

9:55pm:  A Quest bar.

Dinner
2:05am: Carrots, Dubliner cheese, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;  Coffee: 18 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz. and a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

#1805, Tuesday, January 31: My friends, the Fools

 Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

Post 1805, Day 31 of 2017
- 2,223 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Great rehearsal with i am Fool tonight, working on new material.

I don't think I have anything more. I love my friends in the band, and think it's great that we're playing regularly again.

They are major contributors to my happiness here in Syracuse, the main thing in my musical universe, and, as such, the main reason I'm still here.

I'm grateful for their friendship and comaraderie.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      203.4 lbs.

Previous Weight (1/30/17):           203.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

Slow and steady - on my way to 200 pounds.

Food Log

Breakfast
1:30pm:  Salmon burger with guacamole and a salad (Spring Mix, spinach, cabbage and balsamic vinaigrette).

Lunch

5:45pm:  A Quest bar

Dinner
11:05am: Carrots, mozzarella cheese, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

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

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

#1804, Monday, January 30: Fun time from meh music

 Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

Post 1804, Day 30 of 2017
- 2,222 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Tonight I had a blast playing with some new friends.

I guess it's going to be a band, not i am Fool, but there's some original stuff and a more old-school rock sound, a bit like early Velvet Underground.

The trio is led by the guitarist, Karl, and that is where things get a little weird, musically. He isn't that good a guitarist, or that experienced, and he, like me, likes to sing, but his singing is pretty bad, to my ears, tending towards monotone, and with little emotional connection.

The drummer, Tim, is not that good or experienced either, but he's a better drummer than Karl is a guitarist, and we have a good connection.

Musically, it isn't much, but they are both nice guys, and, if you ignore the mistakes on guitar, it doesn't sound bad. The rhythm section is pretty solid. And it's fun. The playing is fun.

How much fun? At the end of the night, when we stopped playing, I asked what time it was, thinking it was late, nearly eleven o'clock.

It was one in the morning. Time flies when you're having fun. So, I had a lot of fun.

I'm grateful for these opportunities that make me feel so enerigized.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      203.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (1/27/17):           204.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

This is great - my biggest excess of the weekend turns out to have been late Friday night/early Saturday morning's panini at Moondog's, and I was pretty moderate and, with a single exception, on-plan the rest of the weekend. Which helps me reach my lowest weight of the year this morning.

Food Log

Breakfast
2:45pm:  Berry-green protein smoothie with coconut-almond milk, kefir, extra-large organic egg, chia gel, frozen strawberries, cherries, and wild blueberries, kale, spinach, whey powder (36g protein), hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, celery, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, coconut oil and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch

5:45pm, at CoreLife Eatery:

Chicken broth bowl with quinoa, kale, carrots, mushrooms, ginger, scallions, celery, grilled chicken, and, of course, chicken bone broth.

Dinner
1:25am: London broil with Philippe's famous hot mustard, mozzarella cheese and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;  Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz. 

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

#1803, Friday, January 27: Tonight's gig

 Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

Post 1803, Day 27 of 2017
- 2,219 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I had a wonderful time at my birthday party prelude gig at Moondog's Lounge.

I, and i am Fool, really love the place, and for my part, at least, I love playing there, and hanging out there, too.

The owners and staff make me feel warm and welcome, and the gigs are easy and the audiences are the most enthusiastic.

Last night was as good as any we've had, although the crowd was a little smaller than usual - but just as enthusiastic. They even sang "Happy Birthday" to me, and it didn't feel stupid. At least, not to me.

I got to finally play out with my new rig (bass amp and speaker), and I thought it sounded great. I thought i am Fool's performance was excellent.

The on-site owner took care of me all night. instigating the birthday song and buying me a birthday shot. Later, she bought a round for the whole band for a birthday toast. Then, she personally made me some dinner at the end of the night!

So, I had a lot of fun, and I'm quite exhausted from it all, but well-fed, happy, and grateful for the good times.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      204.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (1/26/17):           204.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

Glad to be on the 'losing' side of all this week's weigh-ins after Monday. Unfortunately, at the gig, part of the birthday celebration, I was indulged and tempted... and I have no resistance.

Food Log

Breakfast
11:30am:  A Quest bar.

Snack

3:40pm: A Quest bar.

Lunch

6:45pm: Salmon salad (wild-caught salmon, Spring Mix, baby spinach, cabbage, home-made mayonnaise).

Dinner 12:55am: At Moondog's Lounge: Turkey and cheese pannini with home-fried potatoes.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;  Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz. and two shots of bourbon. 

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

#1802, Thursday, January 26: Birthday party

 Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you! 

Post 1802, Day 26 of 2017
- 2,218 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

After many years of not really caring a lot about my birthday, in the last few it has become an exciting thing, because I dedicate it to others.

After I joined i am Fool, I started giving them presents on my birthday. I've also taken small groups out for dinner on other birthdays.

For the last three birthdays, I've paid for a party at the late, lamented Mac's Bad Art Bar, so Pat would waive the cover charge for my guests. This was ideal on so many levels. First, because there is nothing I'd rather do on my birthday than play music with my band and friends. Second, because it exposes new people to i am Fool, and gives me the opportunity to promote other musicians I like. Third, because there is actually more focus on the performers and the party than me, which is just how I like it.

This year, I'm having it at a new venue, hoping that it will mean more gigs for i am Fool, and I don't have to pay for it. In fact, they think they're hiring a band. Saturday night will be fun!

And, I'm into it, big time. Looking forward to it.

The same way racist, bigoted humor stopped being funny many decades ago. Sexist/sexual humor really isn't any different.

I am grateful for this evolution.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      204.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (1/25/17):           206.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 1.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

Good. Two days of on-plan eating, and the results are satisfying - I'm at my low weight for the year, and below the trend-line. Along the way, I really enjoyed yesterday's breakfast, a new recipe for the Brussels sprouts I bought impulsively at the Farmer's Market.

Food Log

Breakfast
4:20pm:  Green protein smoothie with coconut milk, kefir, large organic egg, chia gel, kale, spinach, celery, whey powder (36g protein), hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, coconut oil and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch

9:10pm: A Quest bar.

Dinner

12:15pm: Pepperoni, kimchee, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;  Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz. 

Please leave a comment if you visit my blog. Thank you!