#2726, Monday, September 13, '21: Monday night gig

Post 2726

- 11 years and 255 days since I started this blog -

September, 2018

Daily Comment

Tonight, I backed up my friend Justin James Bridges, a punk-blues-psych-rap guitarist and vocalist. It was a duet performance, that rarest of things: A Monday night gig, at the Night Drop, the place that took over the scene from Valley Blues House, which itself succeeded my original, ground-zero music home, Rooter's Bar.

I thought the evening went well, overall. There were only a half-dozen customers in the bar, but there were times when every one of them, as well as my friend Darren and Jamie, the owner/bartender were all engaged.

That's a successful gig for me. In fact, I got paid for what I usually do for free: Jamming. There were no arrangements, no real rehearsal other than our previous open mic jams, which always included a drummer and sometimes another guitarist or blues harp player. 

As improvised performances can go, it was definitely uneven. There were moments of musical confusion, but we ended every tune well, and that often makes up for any problems along the way. 

And, as I said, there were high points throughout the night (Justin agrees, so that's real).

I ended up spent. I packed up, got my pay, loaded out, and went home. I realized how tired I was, ended up eating celery and peanut butter - a lot of celery and peanut butter.

I'm always grateful for the wonderful opportunities music, and friendship, brings me.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    202.1 lbs.

Previous Weight (9/7/21):          201.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    +  0.5 lbs.

Diet Comment

I am very happy with this half-pound gain, given that, during my travels to NYC I had not one, but two days devoted chiefly to baked goods, specifically, pastries and chocolate babka from Breads Bakery. A half-pound gain compared to the pleasure (and emotional relief) of all that goodness? No regrets.

Food Log

Breakfast
12:10pm, at CoreLife Eatery: Korean BBQ Pork bowl (Korean bbq pork, quinoa, kale, napa cabbage, cucumbers, kimchi, spicy sprouts, carrots, spicy broccoli, fried egg, Korean bbq sauce). When I got home, a Quest bar.

Lunch
4:30pm: Parmesan crisps, and instant oatmeal with peanut butter. 

Dinner
11:10pm: Peanut butter and celery.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 2;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 80+ oz.; A shot of some kind of sweetened whiskey, and then some Jameson's Irish whiskey, to wash out the taste

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#2725, Tuesday, September 7, '21: This week

Post 2725

- 11 years and 250 days since I started this blog -

September, 2018

Daily Comment

This will be my only post this week.

I am going down to the City to take care of some legal matters regarding my late brother's "Small Estate" (as it's known to the Brooklyn Surrogate Court.

The past long weekend was pleasant, uneventful, and not particularly noteworthy in any way I can think of now that it's past. 

The most "telling" thing about it was that I gained about a quarter of a pound of weight over three days. 

The most dramatic thing about the past three days is that my printer died, necessitating a more complex travel day, as it now has to include a Kinko's, or something similar, before I start my trip.

While I'm staying in the City I'll be staying with BFFs and former roommates Merv and Lena. Merv is part of the business, as I need someone unconnected from my family to testify to the family tree. I'll see my sister-in-law, of course, and we'll have an appointment with the social services case worker in her building. Then, Friday, I'll go to the Brooklyn Surrogate Court, file my application, then drive home.

I'm grateful for having the resources to be helpful.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    201.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (9/3/21):          201.3 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    +  0.3 lbs.

Diet Comment

I experimented with some new food, and it looks like I'll have to not re-buy sweet potato puffs in the future. But I still have some to finish up. Probably tomorrow, which is a travel day with no weigh-in.

Food Log

Breakfast
12:20pm: Ultimate oatmeal (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, oat milk, Greek yogurt, kefir, whey protein powder, brewer's yeast, blackberries blueberries, raspberries).

Lunch
6:10pm: Carrots and mayonnaise, dark chocolate, a Quest bar. 

Dinner
10:20pm: Chopped chef's salad (chicken, shaved parmesan cheese, walnuts, chick peas, beets, arugula, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, mayonnaise, balsamic vinaigrette), parmesan crisps and salsa.

Liquid Intake

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

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#2724, Friday, September 3, '21: Random musings from this week

Post 2724

- 11 years and 246 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

Week's come to an end. 

Concerning my sister-in-law's situation, there's been progress and there have been setbacks this week.

The progress comes in the form of figuring out how to file (finally) the Small Estate Administrator's application. To this end, I have made an appointment in Brooklyn for next week. 

Additionally, as the best currently available option, it looks like the decision has been made for Denie to move to Syracuse, where she can afford to live, and where I can ease her way socially, and any needed services are available. 

The setback came when I looked into how to set up the trust - it turns out the advice I was given on that presumed that Denie was disabled, which is not the case. I don't think that will work.

On the personal front, I got to play a bit, I had my best exercise day in years, and have, for the most part, been sleeping better.

I'm grateful for it all: especially the opportunity to be helpful and kind.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    201.3 lbs.

Previous Weight (9/2/21):          201.2 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    +  0.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

A loss compared to the weekend, noise compared to yesterday. I'll take the loss.

Food Log

Breakfast
2:30pm: A cheese omelet and golden milk oatmeal (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, oat milk, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves).

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
10:40pm: Baked flounder with pesto sauce,  sweet potatoes, coleslaw, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 54+ oz.; 

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#2723, Thursday, September 2, '21: No comment

Post 2723

- 11 years and 245 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

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

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    201.2 lbs.

Previous Weight (9/1/21):          200.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    +  0.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

A little reversal, thanks to the fried scallops and potato salad I had at Shifty's, itself due to poor scheduling: I was out and active (playing) without a break from 5pm to after midnight (there's a song in there).

Food Log

Breakfast
3:00pm: Veggie omelet (mixed greens, mushrooms, onions, peppers, parmesan cheese), roasted brussels sprouts, and avocado toast (with Flax sprouted grain bread).

Lunch
7:30pm: Cottage cheese and walnuts and a Quest bar. 

Dinner
10:40pm: Lentil curry with kale, spinach and riced cauliflower.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz.; 

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#2722, Wednesday, September 1, '21: Rehearsal

Post 2722

- 11 years and 244 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

I am Fool rehearsed tonight. It was a good session.

The band has been beset by obstacles for the last few years, and this was possibly the first time, in that long a time, that we all felt we'd generated the old magic. Boy, did I feel renewed by the session.

That's really all I want to say about it, except to note that I wasn't the only one present who felt that way, as leader-of-the-band J. sent a message exclaiming the rehearsal felt great to him, as well.

Afterwards, I went to an open mic and had a good outing there, as well. 

I'm grateful for band mates and my band and all our - my - music.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    200.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/31/21):         201.4 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.6 lbs.

Diet Comment

That's a nice loss, and painless, too. 

Food Log

Breakfast
1:00pm: Ultimate oatmeal (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, oat milk, Greek yogurt, kefir, whey protein, brewer's yeast, walnuts, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries).

Snack
9:00pm: A Quest bar. 

Lunch
10:00pm, at Shifty's: Fried scallops and potato salad. 

Dinner
12:20am: Vegetarian Sloppy Joe (Quorn Grounds, kale, spinach, Wegman's Grandpa's Sauce) with feta cheese and carrots with homemade mayonnaise.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 88+ oz.; 

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#2721, Tuesday, August 31, '21: No comment

Post 2721

- 11 years and 243 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

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

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    201.4 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/30/21):         201.9 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.5 lbs.

Diet Comment

Fair eating didn't screw me up as much as all yesterday's exercise - the most in years - helped me, so we have a loss, and a reversal in the trend. 

Food Log

Breakfast
1:30pm: A LEO (Lox Eggs Onions), and roasted brussels sproutsj with brewer's yeast.

Lunch
5:45pm: Cottage cheese and a Quest bar. 

Dinner
9:40pm: Vegetarian Sloppy Joe (Quorn Grounds, kale, spinach, Wegman's Grandpa's Sauce) with black bean penne pasta and parmesan cheese.

Liquid Intake

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

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#2720, Monday, August 30, '21: The Fair

Post 2720

- 11 years and 242 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

Today was my 'day at the Fair' - the New York State Fair, held in Syracuse every year - except last year (COVID-19) - at the end of August.

I went for the first time in 2009. It wasn't that much fun for me. I have only gone as a performer since - in other words, I was paid to go. But I only stayed from load-in to load-out.

Until today. 

True, I did have a gig - the same one as last Monday, but with the closing/headlining spot at 8 o'clock, instead of the opening slot at 2, which we had last week. 

However, one of my favorite friends' bands did have the opening slot, and I decided to attend her set and then hang out until my 7pm load-in. Not only that, but I had been asked by BFF Marco to check up on a vendor friend who was set up at the Fair, far from home.

A phone call from my sister-in-law's social caseworker, and then an inconvenient gate closure, made me late, but the call was important, and the gate closure was only inconvenient.

It was great seeing my friends, I got to see the end of the set, and catch up with a couple of band member friends I hadn't seen since before the pandemic. Plus, the day was fabulous, with a beautiful skyscape, and agreeable temperature. 

However, the Fair was still the same one that I had abandoned for lack of interest more than a decade ago, and even though I was determined to go 'native' and eat Fair food, I ended up with a burrito bowl that cost twice as much as a non-Fair trip to Chipotle. And a fresh but disappointingly seasoned 'spicy' fried potato side (the Fair is all about fried food) that was approximately three times as expensive as it should have been.

I consider this self-harm penance for whatever bad things I've done recently. Now I forgive myself.

After getting his number from Marco, I did meet up with Marco's friend Amit. Although his jewelry booth was open, so after a 'welcome' we decided to meet up after my show, and his booth closing. We smoked, he had some excellent Japanese whiskey, I did my old man thing, talking about our mutual friend and some of our fifty-years-ago (glory days) adventures, when I, too, was in the jewelry business.

In the course of looking for Amit, who was quite literally on the opposite side of the Fairgrounds from me, I walked further than I had in years - accumulating more than five miles and more than ten thousand steps. So, that was good.

I'm grateful for these opportunities, even though I will happily, now, wait another ten years for a Fair day.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    201.9 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/27/21):         199.1 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    +  2.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

From a diet perspective, this weekend was somewhat of a disaster, beginning with the large quantity of food eaten Friday, and continuing through Saturday's high-carb, high-calorie eating and Sunday's weekly stop at Gannon's Arctic Ice Cream stand. This is a highest weight I've carried in more than three months, so I am definitely going to have to take care this week to get back on track. After today's Fair visit, that is. 

Food Log

Breakfast
2:00pm: A feta cheese omelet and  overnight oatmeal with berries (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, oat milk, kefir, brewer's yeast, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, stevia).

Lunch
At the NY State Fair: Burrito bowl and spicy potato 'chips'. 

Dinner
8:10pm: A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 96+ oz.; 

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#2719, Friday, August 27, '21: Mundane day

Post 2719

- 11 years and 239 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

I finished The Four Agreements today. I'm going to start re-reading it tomorrow.

I also went grocery shopping today.

It's Friday, so, at around 4:30pm, I did my weekly portfolio updates. For my two portfolios, it's the end-of-week daily update, but for Marco and Sophie's and Alex's, it's weekly. We all had a good week, investment-wise. 

I watched some of the TV series Mr. Corman, which stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, an actor I like - but I can't decide if I like the show or not. 

Most of the day, though, I was on the phone. I had five conversations, the shortest of which was twenty minutes, the longest, over an hour-and-a-half. Sister-in-law, social worker, and three friends.

That's a day. Was it interesting? Not for anybody who wasn't part of it, I think. But it's life. It's my life.

I'm grateful for my life.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    199.1 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/26/21):         199.2 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

Same as yesterday, another weight change that's more or less noise, but trending in the direction I like. 

Food Log

Breakfast
3:00pm: A LEOMP (Lox Eggs Mushrooms Onions Peppers), roasted brussels sprouts, and  oatmeal with berries (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, oat milk, Greek yogurt, brewer's yeast, blackberries blueberries, raspberries).

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
11:20pm: Vegetarian Sloppy Joe (Quorn Grounds, Kale, Wegman's Grandpa's Sauce) with parmesan cheese, buttered Flax toast, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz.; 

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#2718, Thursday, August 26, '21: The Four Questions

Post 2718

- 11 years and 238 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

In October, 2018, I bought a book, The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz, that had been recommended to me.

I bought it to take with me for reading on my Winter trip to LA, but forgot about it.

I finally started reading it about a year-and-a-half ago, got halfway through - formed a positive impression but wasn't really engaged - and put it down.

I picked it back up again, looking for something to read before bed. I couldn't pick up the thread from where I'd left off, so decided to start from the beginning. 

That turned out to be a good idea. I responded much more positively to the material the second time through. 

I've reacted to this book differently than anything else I've ever read. In the past, I would sometimes, frequently, identify with a character or a situation. I would read something and it would resonate, feel true with me.

But this is the first time I recall feeling accurately described, seeing thought and behavior portrayed so well. I'll tell you the truth: it was unsettling and exciting. I have things I can learn from this book.

I'm grateful for still having the capacity for learning and surprise.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    199.2 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/25/21):         199.3 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

Another weight change that's more or less noise, not a significant change, although I do appreciate that it's noise, but trending in the direction I want it to. 

Food Log

Breakfast
12:40pm: A LEMO (lox, eggs, mushrooms and onions), and roasted sweet potatoes with olive oil and Everything But the Bagel seasoning, and oatmeal with berries (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, oat milk, Greek yogurt, cinnamon, brewer's yeast, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, stevia).

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
8:10pm: Chopped chef's salad (chicken breast, parmesan crisps, walnuts, arugula, beets, cabbage, carrots, chard, kale, spinach, creamy balsamic vinaigrette).

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 2 shots of Jameson's Irish whiskey

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#2717, Wednesday, August 25, '21: No comment

Post 2717

- 11 years and 237 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

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

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    199.3 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/24/21):         200.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.7 lbs.

Diet Comment

Finally, a loss after having the same weight since last Friday. Great! 

Food Log

Breakfast
12:10pm: A LEO (lox, eggs and onions), roasted brussels sprouts, oatmeal with berries (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, almond milk, Greek yogurt, cinnamon, brewer's yeast, cinnamon, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, stevia).

Lunch
Air-popped popcorn with olive oil and nutritional yeast. 68% dark chocolate. 

Dinner
11:45pm: Celery and peanut butter.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 74+ oz.; a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey.

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#2716, Tuesday, August 24, '21: No comment

Post 2716

- 11 years and 236 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

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

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    200.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/23/21):         200.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

Five days at the same weight may be the longest same-weight streak I've ever had! 

Food Log

Breakfast
12:50pm: Scrambled eggs and avocado toast (Flax sprouted grains bread).

Lunch
5:45pm: Chopped chicken salad (chicken breast, chick peas, beets, arugula, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, balsamic vinaigrette). 

Dinner
9:40pm: Celery and peanut butter and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

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

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Thank you!

#2715, Monday, August 23, '21: Playing the Fair

Post 2715

- 11 years and 235 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

I got to play at the New York State Fair today, and it was better than I expected it to be.

Playing with Modern Mudd, a group I play a lot with but refuse to join because the group leader, Big Daddy Vince (which he named himseldf) is an amateurish performer. Also a Trumper, but I let that pass, as it is recent history and I eschew politics.

The problem is, Big Daddy Vince took up performing as a karaoke singer. He has a good voice, pitch- and tone-wise, but no feel, no timing. It makes backing him up difficult. 

He does, when he's not talking politics, have a good rap, and he has managed to attract some good players over the seven or eight years I've known him. In fact, I first got involved with the band from my friendship with his original drummer, who complented BDV by being a weak player with very good timing. 

Anyway, the current lineup is interesting, centering around a fifteen-year-old drummer with great parental support, who will, in all likelihood, be a monster player in the future, and a bunch of other musician friends I enjoy playing with.

Still, musically, I am the strongest player in the group, and, as best I could, I held the show together today. The show was a success. Everybody played well. 

Vince only missed a total of two cues out of four songs he sang (there are three other singers in the group). Old singer joke: How do you tell when Vince is knocking at your door? He doesn't know when to come in.

We thought we'd play for ninety minutes, but we were limited to just under an hour. We got through about half our set list. While I was packing up for loadout, the sound man came over and complimented me on my playing. I thanked him and told him my bass-playing origin story. That made my day.

In a week, we'll do it again, same place, better time slot.

I'm grateful for all my musical adventures and opportunities.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    200.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/20/21):         200.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

I made back half of yesterday's one-day weight gain, that's something. Also, two hundred pounds is my 'classic' goal weight. And three pounds under my weight at the beginning of the year. So, I'm good. 

Food Log

Breakfast
2:00pm: Ultra oatmeal soup (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, almond milk, Greek yogurt, kefir, cinnamon, brewer's yeast, whey protein powder).

Lunch
6:20pm: Carrots and mayonnaise, walnuts and cheddar cheese, and a Quest bar. 

Dinner
8:10pm: Roasted brussels sprouts with parmesan cheese, nutritional yeast and scrambled eggs.

Liquid Intake

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

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Thank you!

#2714, Friday, August 20, 21: No comment

Post 2714

- 11 years and 232 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

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

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    200.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/19/21):         201.2 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  1.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

I lost half of yesterday's one-day weight gain, that's something. Also, two hundred pounds is my 'classic' goal weight. And three pounds under my weight at the beginning of the year. So, I'm good. Taking advantage of entering the weekend, no-weigh zone, I really ate a lot today. 

Food Log

Breakfast
2:30pm: Fretta (kale, spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers, eggs, cheeses) and sweet potato fries with balsamic vinaigrette. No-sugar-added fruit popsicles for dessert.

Lunch
5:45pm: Celery and peanut butter and a Quest bar. And more popsicles. 

Dinner
8:40pm: Spicy ramen with chicken, kale and spinach, made with ViteRamen high protein and fiber ramen.

Liquid Intake

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

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Thank you!