#2699, Friday, July 30, '21: Why I've had nothing to write

Post 2699

- 11 years and 211 days since I started this blog -

July, 2015

Daily Comment

I've been a little down, lately.

For me, that's rare. More rare, I don't know exactly where it's coming from.

It might be last month's death of my brother, and the difficulties his passing left in its wake. It might be the kind of sad way the local music scene has come back, in fits and starts. It might be the weeks of allergies that have mildly impaired me, and given me weight loss. 

Whatever the cause, it is mild, but pervasive. 

And it is beginning to effect how things happen to me, with a few negative experiences that seem to have come from nowhere, but I don't believe are coincidental.

These are, of course, just projections of my mood onto my perception of the environment I'm in. I know it's all interpretations of my experiences, not the experiences themselves. And, I try not to write negatively.

I'm grateful for what's coming, knowing that every negative in the past has preceded a greater positive.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    196.9 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/29/21):         197.4 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.5 lbs.

Diet Comment

Ending the week on a high, with a low weight. This is also the month with the lowest average weight since I've been tracking - eleven-and-a-half years!

Food Log

Breakfast
3:30pm: Ultimate oatmeal: oats, oat milk, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, kefir, Greek yogurt, nutritional yeast, whey protein, cinnamon, maple syrup, walnuts.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
10:30pm: Chef's salad (chicken, parmesan cheese, chick peas, arugula, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, yogurt ranch dressing) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

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

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#2698, Thursday, July 29, '21: No comment

Post 2698

- 11 years and 210 days since I started this blog -

July, 2015

Daily Comment

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

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    197.4 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/28/21):         197.4 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

Another day at the same weight - nothing to talk about.

Food Log

Breakfast
1:10pm: Mushrooms, onions, peppers and cheese omelet, made with eggs, parmesan cheese, mushrooms, onions, peppers, nutritional yeast and avocado toast with Flax sprouted grain bread.

Lunch
5:45pm, at CoreLife Eatery: Sriracha Ginger Tofu and Quinoa Bowl (roasted tofu, shredded kale, carrots, shredded beets, spicy broccoli, ginger, sriracha. Carrot chili vinaigrette) and a Quest bar. Later, some popcorn at Penny's Jazz open mic.

Dinner
11:20pm: Dal Tadka (lentil curry) on riced cauliflower.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 74+ oz.; and a couple of shots of Jameson's Irish whiskey

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#2697, Wednesday, July 28, '21: No comment

Post 2697

- 11 years and 209 days since I started this blog -

July, 2015

Daily Comment

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

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    197.4 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/27/21):         197.4 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

No loss, no gain, no pain. Also, no rain on the plain in Spain. Yes, feeling silly right now.

Food Log

Breakfast
12:20pm: Mushroom and cheese omelet, made with eggs, parmesan cheese, mushrooms, nutritional yeast and salsa.

Lunch
6:30pm: Salmon burger with broccoli and cauliflower and a Quest bar. 

Dinner
8:10pm: Peanut butter, carrots, walnuts and cheddar cheese.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 76+ oz.; 

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#2696, Tuesday, July 27, '21: No comment

Post 2696

- 11 years and 208 days since I started this blog -

July, 2015

Daily Comment

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

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    197.4 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/26/21):         197.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 0.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

Yesterday, I went shopping after I am Fool rehearsal. I was stoned and hungry, and I decided to make dinner a bag of tortilla chips, hummus, and cheddar cheese. I knew when I was getting this food that I would pay a price at today's weigh-in, so the only surprise for me was how little I gained. It was a whole bag of chips, and a whole tub of hummus, and an unmeasured amount of cheddar cheese. So, there's that.

Food Log

Breakfast
2:00pm: Greens, eggs and cheese omelet (eggs, kale, spinach, parmesan cheese, mushrooms, onions, peppers, nutritional yeast) and avocado toast (made with Flax sprouted grain bread).

Lunch
6:00pm: Air-popped popcorn with olive oil and Everything But the Bagel seasoning, 68% dark chocolate, and a Quest bar. 

Dinner
10:30pm: Flounder with pesto sauce, and a salad (arugula, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, chick peas and yogurt ranch dressing.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 74+ oz.; 

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#2695, Monday, July 26, '21: Musical activity

Post 2695

- 11 years and 207 days since I started this blog -

July, 2015

Daily Comment

I don't have much to say about the weekend past, which ended on a good note Sunday with a lot of bass playing and my favorite ice cream.

The bass playing part was especially good because I got to support an old friend on a new project, and it really turned out well.

Working backwards, I also got some good playing in when I was invited up to jam with a band I went to see, the Midnite Mike Petroff Blues Harp Band. They let me (well, the bass player let me) stay up for a while, and it was a lot of fun. Everybody in that band is a friend, and a few are really good friends - like my friend Frank, who sat in the whole night.

This ended a great week with a lot of playing - I played every night except Friday. 

I'm still feeling the effects of the allergies, but the Flonase prescribed by the beautiful Brooke, my PCP, has certainly helped. 

Today I had another good rehearsal with I am Fool - I'm beginning to be less fearful about the gig coming up in August: J. was able to sing through the whole practice.

I'm grateful for the music I get to make.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    197.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/23/21):         196.7 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 0.3 lbs.

Diet Comment

It's no surprise that I gained a little weight over the weekend. Because I am feeling better and I indulged in some Gannons ice cream Sunday night. (Gannons is a local dairy that makes what I consider the best ice cream around. It is so good I have to limit myself. Fortunately/unfortunately, Gannon's ice cream stand (which is huge) is right across the street from the Night Spot, the new bar hosting my favorite Sunday night blues jam.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:15pm: Ultimate oatmeal: oats, oat milk, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, kefir, Greek yogurt, nutritional yeast, whey protein, cinnamon, walnuts.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
10:20pm: Red, Hot and Blue tortilla chips with hummus and cheddar cheese.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2694, Friday, July 23, '21: Signs of normalcy

Post 2694

- 11 years and 204 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Sign of a return to normalcy: This week, I played bass six out of seven days.

I can't begin to express my gratitude to have done this.

Tonight I was invited to sit in for a pretty long set with the Midnite Mike Petroff Blues Harp Band. My friend Frank was also sitting in. It was pretty wonderful. 

It is healing for me, especially because I'm not feeling so hot these days. 

Also, I have to shake off the COVID blues.

It's happening!

A different aspect of normality has also presented itself in the form of test results I got back today from bloodwork ordered by my beautiful Personal Care Provider Brooke earlier in the week. 

They are the best I've ever had.

Everything is normal. No problems with blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure.

I'm so grateful.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    196.7 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/22/21):         194.2 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 2.5 lbs.

Diet Comment

I'm not surprised at this rather large one-day weight gain. It comes after I'm feeling better, and I attribute my recent weight loss to my 'illness' which I now think of as seasonal allergies. So, it's something of a reversion to the mean. It also comes after I ate some salty bar popcorn, and had a large late-night dinner. Since any one-day weight change is mostly due to the amount of water retained, and salty foods cause water retention, it makes sense.

Food Log

Breakfast
1:25pm: Codfish steak with air-fried asparagus and avocado toast.

Lunch
6:00pm: Air-popped popcorn and a Quest bar. 

Dinner
9:10pm, at the Western Ranch Inn: Clam chowder and a pastrami Reuben sandwich.

Snack
12:30am: Oatmeal with 68% dark chocolate and peanut butter.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 76+ oz.; 

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#2693, Thursday, July 22, '21: No comment

Post 2693

- 11 years and 203 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

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

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    194.2 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/21/21):         194.2 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

More of the same, and I like it.

Food Log

Breakfast
2:55pm: Oatmeal+: oats, oat milk, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, kefir, Greek yogurt, nutritional yeast, cinnamon, walnuts. Also, scrambled eggs with cheese and salsa.

Lunch
7:00PM: Popcorn and a Quest bar. 

Dinner
12:10am: Chopped chef's salad: Chicken, shaved parmesan, walnuts, chick peas, arugula, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach and yogurt bleu cheese dressing. A chunk of 68%  dark chocolate for dessert.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 2;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 84+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2692, Wednesday, July 21, '21: Still lucky

Post 2692

- 11 years and 202 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I met my new Primary Care Physician today.

She is a PA, but I have a lot of respect for PAs - my last Primary was a PA, and we got along great, and I thought highly of him, but he moved to California (like my previous PCP before him!) after a little more than a year.

My new PCP is the youngest medical person I've ever consulted with. I would guess her age at about thirty, having graduated from her program in 2017 (I looked it up). Consequently, one of my first questions was how she felt about geriatric medicine. She thought it was a good and fair question, and she answered positively. 

Along with her youth, she is beautiful. Hollywood beautiful. I don't mind at all. Mainly, though, I was impressed by her agreeability and genuine interest. 

I'm going to have to take care of my health worse to spend more time with her.

Just kidding.

She was immediately helpful in diagnosing my recent sore throat and cough, which she determined were seasonal allergies. She recommended an OTC nasal spray, which, once purchased and used, did provide relief.

I'm grateful for the luck that comes my way, especially in the form of beautiful medics.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    194.2 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/20/21):         195.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

It's no surprise that I gained a little weight over the weekend, even though I continue feeling a little sick.

Food Log

Breakfast
12:25pm: Greens omelet (kale, spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers, parmesan cheese) and buttered Ezekiel 4:9 Flax sprouted grain toast.

Lunch
8:30pm: Celery and peanut butter and a Quest bar. 

Dinner
12:20am: Dal Tadka (lentil curry) on riced cauliflower, and a piece of 68% dark chocolate.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 80+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2691, Tuesday, July 20, '21: No comment

Post 2691

- 11 years and 201 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

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

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    195.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/19/21):         195.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

It's no surprise that I gained a little weight over the weekend, even though I continue feeling a little sick.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
6:15pm: Chopped chef's salad: Chicken, shaved parmesan, walnuts, chick peas, arugula, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, beets and yogurt bleu cheese dressing. 

Dinner
11:45pm: Carrots with homemade mayonnaise, peanut butter and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 78+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2690, Monday, July 19, '21: Weekend recap

Post 2690

- 11 years and 200 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I was sick this weekend. I had a sore throat, only painful when I swallowed, and a little cough.

Thankfully, the Saturday gig was canceled, and I took the day for bedrest.

Sunday was the same, except I went out in the evening for a little playing. I had fun, but made a short night of it - I got tired early. 

And there you have it. Not much to tell. 

Today, I felt a little better - more like before the weekend when I felt like I was getting sick, but not sick. That allowed me to do a recording session I had been asked to attend.

I got tired there, too. And then on to I am Fool rehearsal. I got tired and ended that a bit early.

I've been spending a lot of time tired. The crazy thing is that I've actually been sleeping better (if not well) lately.

I'm grateful for all the wonderful possibilities that come with continuing to show up in this life.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    195.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/16/21):         193.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 1.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

It's no surprise that I gained a little weight over the weekend, even though I continue feeling a little sick.

Food Log

Breakfast
12:15pm: Ultimate oatmeal: oats, oat milk, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, chia and hemp seeds, kefir, Greek yogurt, nutritional yeast, whey protein, cinnamon, walnuts.

Lunch
5:30pm: A Quest bar. 

Dinner
11:10pm: Cheese and veggie omelet (with mushrooms, onions and peppers) on dal tadka (lentil curry).

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 48+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2689, Friday, July 16, '21: Sick day

Post 2689

- 11 years and 197 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I feel sick. After feeling like I was getting sick the last week, today, I feel sick. It hurts when I swallow, and I have a cough. I'm thinking summer cold.

I'm taking the day off.

I'm grateful that I can.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    193.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/15/21):         194.5 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.9 lbs.

Diet Comment

As I said yesterday, "my 'malaise' lingers on, and my weight loss continues." Except today, I definitely felt sick and took the day off. My 'success' is definitely due to reduced appetite - I'm simply eating less. I will, nonetheless, note that this is my lowest weight since I've been tracking my weight, more than eleven years.

Food Log

Breakfast
2:15pm: Turkey sandwich on Ezekiel 4:9 Flax sprouted grain bread with guacamole, and coleslaw.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
8:15pm: Tempura cauliflower.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2688, Thursday, July 15, '21: Jazz bass and me

Post 2688

- 11 years and 196 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I got to play in a jazz jam tonight.

I love Jazz. Growing up, it was the only music, besides Classical, that my father considered worthy of the name music.

The first record I ever bought with my own money was Lambert, Hendricks and Ross's debut album, The Hottest New Group In Jazz. Interesting side note: Joni Mitchell called that album her Sgt. Pepper. 

But I rarely get to play jazz. For one thing, my taste in jazz tends to be even more conservative than most of my other music. What I grew up listening to were the more lyrical, more melodic small groups and big jazz bands. And it is Jazz's improvisations that I find thrilling. 

More modern Jazz tends to turn me off because I don't like the tone of modern bass. I appreciate modern bass players more than I enjoy them. Actually, that's true in all genres.

I fell in love with the upright bass as a child, but it was too big and intimidating. Then, along came Fender bass guitars, and I fell in love with that sound, the sound of soul bass: James Jameson. Carol Kaye. "Duck" Dunn. And the countless others who defined the sound of bass guitar in the early sixties.

That's the sound that inspired me to play. Mostly, from soul, pop and rock records.

So, I don't necessarily fit in, at first blush, with the jazz players at a jam, except that it can, it does. And tonight, I did it. Felt good, and I felt appreciated.

Also, I was set up for success by meeting with the house guitarist at another jam last night, who proposed a couple of tunes for me to show that I could fit in with the rest of the jazz players.

He is one of my favorite guitarists in the world, and a good friend. And he 'gets' me. So he gave me some raw meat: A standard and a great jazzy Philly Soul classic (Philly Soul is actually my very favorite musical genre, at least at the moment).

And it worked. I think everybody felt good about my contribution. Making good music is my only goal - I don't have anything to prove, I'm doing it for the love of creatingg ensemble music, no matter what the genre.

I'm grateful for the great musicians I get to make music with.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    194.5 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/14/21):         194.7 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

My 'malaise' lingers on, and my weight loss continues.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:15pm: Oatmeal+: oats, oat milk, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, kefir, Greek yogurt, nutritional yeast, cinnamon, walnuts. Scrambled eggs.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
11:55pm: Carrots and homemade mayonnaise and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 48+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2687, Wednesday, July 14, '21:

Post 2687

- 11 years and 195 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I'm still a little sick, I guess. Sometimes it feels like I'm getting better, sometimes worse. I don't know.

But I did get to go out and jam with some of my favorite guitarists, and that's something.

Other than that, I got nothing.

I spent the day waiting for news about my sister's spinal surgery. When it came in the late afternoon, the news was good: They accomplished what they set out to do with no complications. 

I'm grateful for my sister's outcome.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    194.7 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/13/21):         195.3 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.6 lbs.

Diet Comment

Still feeling a bit 'off', health-wise, and my appetite is down. Closing in on my lowest weight since starting this blog (about three-quarters of a pound away). If I keep on feeling shitty, I'll surely get there.

Food Log

Breakfast
2:35pm: Veggie omelet with cheese: eggs, parmesan cheese, spinach, kale, mushrooms, peppers, onions.

Lunch
8:10pm, at Wunderbar: Middle Eastern plate (baba ganoush, hummus, carrots, cucumbers, pita points).

Dinner
11:50pm: Spicy Szechuan ramen (high protein (ViteRamen) with turkey breast, spinach, kale.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 50+ oz.; 

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

#2686, Tuesday, July 13, '21: Nothing of a Tuesday, almost

Post 2686

- 11 years and 194 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I still feel on the edge of getting sick, and maybe - I'm not really sure - it's getting worse. I don't know.

After running a few chores feeling just a little less than good, I went out for a night of music - I am Fool rehearsal was canceled. 

I didn't get much joy at the crowded Tuesday night open mic - I backed up a two of my singer friends on one song each. The place was hot and that made me feel a little worse.

Then I went out to see another singer/player at his regular Tuesday night spot. I ran into an old friend and we really had a good talk, and my friend Colin played a version of the Band's 'Stage Fright' that was so good - it almost brought me to tears.

I had too much to drink (people buy), but went home with a smile (a sloppy smile, but from the heart).

I'm grateful for that.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    195.3 lbs.

Previous Weight (7/12/21):         195.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 0.3 lbs.

Diet Comment

As I mentioned above, I've been feeling a bit 'off' health-wise, and my appetite is down. The last time I saw a weight this low was near the end of a ten-day illness in the Fall of 2019.

Food Log

Breakfast
2:30pm: Enhanced vegetarian sloppy Joe(Quorn grounds, Wegman's Grandpa's Sauce, kale, spinach, nutritional yeast, mushroom powder) and Ezekiel 4:9 Flax sprouted grains bread.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
11:50pm: A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 3 shots of Jameson's Irish whiskey

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