keyboard progress? yes and no

    TUESDAY 7/30/19 12:24PM--I've got about a dozen songs that I just ran through that I can play on the keyboard--some better than others...none of them are songs ACME does or would do...None of the musical relationships I'm currently in would play them...but I had fun playing  'em...I just put iTunes on shuffle and let it go...I skipped over songs that I thought were beyond my ability, but there weren't too many of those...
      5:40 PM--the newest keyboard list (#5) has 19 songs on it...there are already keyboards on most of the songs, but there's room for me on most of them...I was just shuffling though my iTunes Library, so I wrote a list of what I had heard/played so far and made two playlists...one is 75 minutes long the other (so far) is 36 minutes long...considering the sonic differences between CDs and a mono signal from the phone, I'll likely make CDs to practice with...now I've got stuff to do tomorrow...
     I had an accident on the deck...I'm in a fair amount of pain; there will be no more KB practice today...I hope I will be able to walk tomorrow--no I don't think I'm exaggerating...
7:15PM--I see Jeff Herbert has a gig on August the 17th at Beers and Cheers Too...If he asks, I'll play...if he doesn't, that's OK too...
7:45PM--Barry finally sent me his set list for Thursday...I've got all the songs but one in my iTunes Library...I think I'm only going so I can talk to him about my future in the Combustibles...
WEDNESDAY 7/31/19--keyboard practice list #5 is finished...it too is 75 minutes long, that's coincidence...
5:15PM--there's a certain 2-chord sequence in a Kate Bush song that's been driving me nuts for a number of years...it didn't occur to me to try and figure it out on my keyboard(which I've also had for a number of years) until today...and I did! And that may be the most positive thing to happen today, so far...
6:40PM--I see an early bedtime for myself, 10PM if not earlier...I think those two Xanax I took are kicking in now...I'm OK with that, except that it's not even 7PM yet...
9:15 PM--I was minutes before going to bed at about 8:00 when I remembered that I was doing Laundry...So now the darks are done...the rest of the clothes will probably be done tomorrow...for better or worse, I'm going to the SAW open mic so I have to look good (I dunno why) and act like I've got my act together--which I don't...
  :

a revelation

          SUNDAY 7/28/19 6:13PM--it turns out I can play my iPhone (youTube or iTunes) thru the speakers that are connected to the digital recorder, bypassing  the recorder altogether...two downsides: the sound quality is good enough perhaps but not great...and the signal coming out of the speakers is (I think) Mono--meaning, for example, that WITCHY WOMAN is missing the guitar solo...as far as I can tell RIDIN' IN MY CAR sounded fine to me, so did BABY'S IN BLACK...FEAR-ALLBAIN by Capercallie (a relatively recent recording) did too...So maybe recent recordings are gonna sound fine...
  7:23PM--after our gig last night, Jeff said he didn't have anything on the schedule in the immediate future, but that he will keep in touch...I really wanna go see him next Thursday at the Old Angler's Inn  open mic--and hopefully not because he owes me $10 dollars...either Barry needs the money or he has found another partner or he's gonna wait until Wednesday to ask me to play the SAW open mic next Thursday...well, I might already have plans...
     MONDAY 7/29/19--slowly but surely adding to the keyboard practice list...I don't even notice that I'm hearing a Mono signal, not yet anyway...but as far as I know, ACME doesn't have a whole lot going on any time soon...the Combustibles? who knows?
    6:43PM--Naturally, after I kinda commit myself to going to JH's open mic this coming Thursday, Barry invites me to the singer/songwriter open mic at the OTWC...I'm considering it, only because it's closer AND I need (want) to talk to Barry face to face...I got an e-mail from him today..."I sense that you are not happy in the band..." Frankly, *I* thought that was obvious...I've said before that (paraphrasing) if the audience likes the band, what else matters? I'm spending a lot of emotional energy trying to believe that...
    I've also said that when you do something only because you get paid for it, you're a prostitute...speaking of which, IF I want the $10 that Jeff owes me, I'll have to go get it...I texted Jeff, I told him about Barry--he said I should play with Barry...neither of us mentioned the $10...Jeff might think I've forgotten about it, but I haven't...It's true that going to Angler's for $10 bucks is almost as pointless as going for no bucks...

trying hard not to worry

    SATURDAY 7/27/19 9:42AM--what I kinda WANT to do is set my keyboard back up...that won't happen until tomorrow or Monday...oh well...
11:35AM--The Plan as of now is to wear Long pants at today's gig, assuming that we're playing inside, in an air conditioned room...
6PM--leaving for the gig in about 15 minutes...gotta go to CVS to buy TWO 9 volt batteries and a candy bar for later...
     I'm as ready as I'm gonna be...a four hour gig seems like a long night to me...I would like someone I know to come see us, but I'm not gonna hold my breath...I imagine I'll feel pretty good after the gig...it's not the Combustibles or the ACME Band Company, so I don't think I'll be ashamed of us...even after our first gig...Dunno for sure, but I suspect there will be some boo-boos on my part...we'll see...
     7PM-parking was every bit as tough as I thought it would be...I hope I can find my car after the gig...
SUNDAY 7/28/19 12:07 AM--parking WAS tough AND expensive ($12 maybe more) and I had a little bit of trouble finding the car...not to mention my ears are ringing LOTS, thank you very much...there was some kinda tech fuck-up--naturally...the parking that should have cost $2 dollars ended up costing $12 (or $14) dollars...I wouldn't cry if we NEVER played there again...I would rate the duo a "6"...I would rate myself (at best) a "6"...there were lotsa mistakes (mine) and lotsa tuning problems--also mine, but some pretty good solos...I'm blaming the various temperature changes the guitar went through on the tuning issues...I brought home $100 and Jeff says he owes me $10...I dunno where the other $15 I was expecting went--and I don't care...so $110 minus $25 worth of "supplies"--9 volt batteries, a bottle of Dr. Pepper and a bag of M&Ms makes $85, which I'm OK with...but I also paid $12 (maybe even $14) for parking--with my credit card...I would rather have used my debit card...actually I would much rather have paid CASH, but that's not how it's done in 2019...
       

a pretty good night IMO and one that was just OK

     
         FRIDAY 7/26/19 1:32 AM--the 4TH Thursday open mic for July is history...It went well enuff...the songs that I had practiced I played well...the songs I didn't were a bit sloppy, if not more so...after the last act, the house band did another set...each member of the band sang one...I did PINK CADILLAC...It was (IMO) one of my best vocal performances in recent years...
                 I forgot to take a Xanax AND I forgot to use my ear plugs, but otherwise it was a pretty good night...the four of us got paid a bit extra because our keyboard player was absent...I wish we could all come home with $75 dollars every Month...we don't yet have an Official name for the band...I think That Time of the Month is a name that only certain people will get...by which I mean the regulars at the OTWC 4th Thursday Open Mic... I've always said the hardest part of forming a band, after deciding on a Musical style, is the name...I need to do whatever is necessary to get some sleep...I think 20mgs of Melatonin oughta get the job done...
               When it comes to Male harmony singers, I've met my match--it's Brian Chiara...that is a sobering thought...after our  "disgreement"  at practice, I wondered if I could be in a band with him...together, helping the last couple of performers, the harmonies we did were fantastic...Well, enough about tonight's gig, now it's time to focus on the H/G duo...practice is about 13 hours from now...and Dianne and I are (I think) going to see a certain band after that--she's friends with the lead singer...
   7:25PM--going out soon, I figure we'll be home by 11PM...then I get to work on the kitty litter and trash...practice with Jeff went very well, once I got there--got a teeny bit lost on the way to his house, not sure why...Jeff said that Brian was a bit too OCD for his taste...Brian said Jeff was a bit too "relaxed" for HIS taste...I'm more like Jeff than Brian...I'm not yet worried about the Musical aspect of the gig...I AM concerned about parking...oh well...
11:13PM--the band (49 Cent Dress) was OK, I still think they need a keyboard player...they weren't too loud, but we were sitting close to the stage...I shoulda had, but forgot to bring, my ear plugs...in spite of the fact that there IS no dance floor to speak of, there were a LOT of people dancing...Dianne said she felt claustrophobic and wanted to leave...so we did...about 12 hours from now we'll be having company...in about 19 hours, I'll be doing my first official gig with Jeff Herbert...he doesn't seem to be worried, so I'll try not to worry...Sunday I'll be recuperating, after I take Muzzy to the groomers...

had to happen sooner or later

        WEDNESDAY 7/24/19 11PM--the drummer for the 4th Thursday Band likes a band to play "note for note"...so does the Bass player...That has always bothered me, but I've ignored it...until tonight at practice...only recently have I become as quick tempered as Brian, the drummer for the 4th Thursday Band...there was quite a ruckus at rehearsal...I was absolutely ready to quit the Band...but I didn't...I could get fired, but I haven't yet...I'd like to say "if it ain't fun, I'm done" but of course, I need the money...before practice was over *I* held out the olive branch...Brian accepted it...
       Stoney showed me a surprising feature of youTube that seemingly can only be found on smart phones...You can slow a vid/song down more than a little if you need to learn a riff...This will come in handy when the band plays HEARTBREAKER (Pat Benatar) tomorrow night...Stoney's way is a LOT quicker than me wrestling with my laptop (using Audacity) to get nearly the same result, which took almost 30 minutes...I'm gonna be very busy after the cleaning girls leave tomorrow, whenever that will be...

back to the brand I usually use

        WEDNESDAY 7/24/19 9:30AM--I took the relatively new and hardly used acoustic guitar strings that were given to me by Jeff H. off the acoustic and put the brand I usually use, new though they aren't, on instead...so I have accomplished something...I don't think the 7/25 Open Mic set list is gonna be a problem...I DO wanna find special guitar tones to use when Arlene sings Purple Rain...
      4:50PM--and I think I did...I keep coming back to how unhappy I am with the ACME Band...My guess is Geoff doesn't care that almost every solo he takes kinda sounds like Garcia...I can't be the only member of the group who is bothered by that...I bet Lee is...oh well...the 4th Thursday Band practice is about two and a half hours from now...everything I need is already in the living room...I plan to leave at 6:30, stopping off at a nearby gas station to get the inevitable bottle of soda...
        It's gonna be weird NOT having Barnaby playing Thursday evening...I'm considering taking his spot on the stage, but I'm afraid I'll like it too much and that would be pointless...it's only one night, I may as well stay where I have been, cramped though it is...unless someone else recommends me moving...

Maybe I can put "keyboards" on my Musical resumé soon

                    TUESDAY 7/23/19 10:48PM--the audition with the ACME Band was a success for the most part...there were occasional tech glitches...and occasional bum notes, but to some degree that was because I couldn't always hear the keyboard...I regret not bringing the ear plugs...most of the songs I thought would work well with keyboards the other band members seemed to agree with...there were some disagreements, but I kept my Mouth shut...the only major conflict was over a pair of Carole King songs--*I* learned them from a pair of youTube vids...apparently those were not the arrangements the band uses...
         It was rather strongly suggested that I bring my guitar gear to our next practice...no problem...there was a discussion about the stage set up at Lahinch...having my keyboard onstage may present a challenge of some sort...Also, I mentioned to Dave that my being busy for the next few days is stressing me out a bit...I dunno if he heard what I said or cared about what I said...but it's true...Today was ACME Band Co. day...tomorrow and Thursday will be 4th Thursday Band days--practice one day, gig the next...Friday and Saturday will be Herbert/Geshen days...same deal...there is also a visit from Sue and Mike on the schedule...I hope their visit is on Sunday, but I'm afraid it's on Saturday...
     To get back to the keyboard audition, I dunno for sure but I got the impression that at least one member of the band (Lee, the female singer) was surprised by my bringing the keyboard stuff (and no guitar stuff) to rehearsal...in addition, I had a teeny bit of trouble remembering the neighborhood...I was able to stop at a Beer Wine Deli place and get a bottle of soda to drink at practice...I was a bit early as well, Mike doesn't like that...
WEDNESDAY 7/24/19 6:30 AM--after a typically fair night's sleep, I'm thinking that my keyboard skills are equal to the overall musicianship level of the band...I dunno if anyone else feels about Geoff's guitar playing the way I do--that is, WAY too much Garcia in his playing...I WANT to ask, but I won't...*I* think if you play a variety of Music, your instrumental style should have variety in it..and Phil the Bass player is playing the wrong part on the intro to WHAT ABOUT LOVE, the Heart song we play...
               And our version of SHADOWS OF THE NIGHT is IMO terrible...the only song that's worse is our version of ROLLIN' IN THE DEEP...like I've said before, I'm not proud of the ACME band, like I'm not proud of the Combustibles...I thought the Barry&Scott duo was pretty good, maybe not as good as Lou&Scott, but not horrible...I'm cautiously optimistic about Jeff&Scott...In ToneNation is a slight improvement over the Combustibles and the ACME Band, but the best band I'm in (IMO) is the 4th Thursday Band--whatever our actual name will be...

another new beginning

             MONDAY 7/22/19 11AM--as far as I can tell, I now own a Stagg powered speaker and a bench on which to sit when I play the keyboard...I do NOT have a bag though...if I don't pass the audition, the keyboard won't  be leaving the house, right? So I won't need a bag...I AM concerned about where in the car the keyboard will go when I transport it...to the audition for instance...
   I should be testing it now, but just the process of running a couple of errands and going to get the stuff (in the weather we're having) has worn me out...If not sooner, I'll likely do the testing somewhere around 2:30 or so...I think the speaker is simple enough even for me to use...I'm excited, but nervous too...
      12:22PM--the bench works the way it's supposed to...I'll check out the speaker later, hopefully before Dianne gets home...my first show with Jeff H. is now a Flakebook event...Angela thinks the idea is "awesome" but that doesn't mean she's gonna be there...
       3:22PM--the powered speaker appears to be able to do what I want it to do...it's not yet connecting to my iPhone via Blueetooth, and that would be easier than cooking up CDs...but whatever it takes, I'll do it...Gov't Project though that may be...off the top of my head, the most challenging thing I have to play--for the ABC Band anyway, is the piano intro to DON'T STOP BELIEVING...but I think if Phil worries about the bass notes (theoretically my left hand) I can learn the right hand bit--there are instructional vids on youTube...
          I'm gonna be pretty damn busy from tomorrow evening until Saturday night--keyboard audition with ABC Tuesday evening, 4th Thursday rehearsal Wednesday evening, the gig on Thursday...Rehearsal with Jeff H. on Friday afternoon, and our duo debut on Saturday...I think that's $60 on Thursday and $120 on Saturday evening...which I'll likely use to start paying for the stuff I charged today--the piano bench and the powered speaker...
TUESDAY 7/23/19 10:54AM--the keyboard audition is tonight, but I have no idea what songs the band is gonna wanna do...I dunno what songs *I* wanna do...it's possible that the songs I think we might do are songs the band longer does, for whatever reason...I go back and forth between wanting to "wing it" and wanting to plan each and every thing that happens, to the minute...funny, I don't like it when Lou gets that way...
    I'm not 100% sure what stuff I have to take with me...the keyboard, the bench, the kb stand, and the powered speaker feels like a lotta stuff...but that's what I would have to bring to a gig, in addition to my Guitar gear...I really REALLY didn't think this whole thing through...that happens a lot to me...I'm not gonna bring the guitar stuff tonight...I think Geoff kinda suggested (in an e-mail dated 7/17) that I play keys in the band full time...an innaresting idea, perhaps, but not likely, at least not for awhile...
        4:43PM--I'm starting to wish I'd gotten a kb bag...it looks like it might be raining by the time I leave for my audition for the ACME Band...or on the way home from it...gonna start packing up the kb gear at about six o'clock...I think there's room for the keyboard in the front seat...the "amp" can go in the back, on top of the kb stand and bench...in other news, there's a song Butch wanted to do on Thursday but Barnaby the keyboard player won't be there...BREAKDOWN (Tom Petty) is a song *I* could play if we had a keyboard to use...
  

kinda like starting over

        SATURDAY 7/20/19 8:15 PM--practicing with the Bluetooth speaker is kinda like starting from the beginning, especially since I dunno how the damn thing operates...now the challenge is to play along with certain songs at the tempo they were originally recorded in--MAYBE I'M AMAZED to name one example...PRETZEL LOGIC is another one...WHAT ABOUT LOVE  is yet another one, and THAT one is on the ACME Band song list...
    I think I need to remember to turn the phone down before plugging it into the speaker to practice my keyboard ...in other Music news, both Barry Fantle and “Oz” Smith are doing gigs in my neighborhood...apparently neither of them want me involved...I. Just. Don’t. Fucking. Get. It. As you can imagine, it's pretty dammed depressing...and yet again, I ask myself--is it a Musical ability issue or a personality issue? and yet, as far as I know, Jeff H. likes what I do...I think Lou likes playing Music with me...
3:55PM--the gizmo Dianne gave me is too complicated for me...actually the REAL problem is that the "manual" is useless to me...maybe there's some online info that will make more sense to me...when I CAN get it to work, it's great for keyboard practice...
7:19PM--it occurred to me that I need to work on how fast I can play things...so that's what I'm gonna work on...the ACME audition is scheduled for Tuesday as far as I know...and I tried out the Split Keyboard feature-just for the heck of it...
          IF I’m gonna buy something to play the keyboard through, it might have to be tomorrow-I think I’ll have some of Monday to figure out how it works...it sounds ridiculous but if can get it (the something in question ) to the basement w/o Dianne finding out about it, I’ll consider that a victory...ain't that pathetic?
      As far as I know the keyboard audition for the ACME Band is Tuesday; I won't be able to hide the powered speaker from Dianne then...and I'm starting to wonder if I'm good enough to play keys in that or any band...
MONDAY 7/22/19 6:46AM--so much for the sneakiness--I told Dianne of my plan to make a purchase...I might have to buy a keyboard bag and a bench/stool to sit on...and I think I should measure the width of my back seat--pretty sure the keyboard will never fit in the trunk...the 4th Thursday Band is rehearsing on Wednesday (the day before the gig) and Jeff and I are rehearsing on Friday at 3 (the day before our debut) in Rockville...

imagine that

      FRIDAY 7/19/19 7:24AM--I can almost (almost) play the penny whistle part in CALL ME AL...closer (IMO) than the keyboard player in the Combustibles, unless he's working on it...and I doubt that...the main riff IS giving me a bit of trouble, but that's what practice is all about...
       1:08PM--I just suggested to Jeff H. that maybe the duo could play at the Grape Escape...Dunno about him, but *I* would really like that...
5PM--even though I feel like shit, I'm planning on going out tonight...It might make me feel better; I doubt it, but it's not out of the question...the weather being what it is, and NOT having a working air conditioner in my car, I have to take showers more often than I want to...
    I thought I was gonna see an acoustic duo... but it seems to be a full band...shoulda brought my ear plugs, dammit...and I'd be surprised if I’m still here at 10PM... it doesn’t seem right to feel so alone in a room full of people, but I do...BTW, Stoney is playing Bass-making some mistakes...and that’s only the first song...
SATURDAY 7/20/19 9:34AM--I think the keyboard audition for the ACME Band is this coming Wednesday...I'm seriously thinking about buying the powered speaker and using it at the audition...but I wanna try it out before that...Dianne will likely be working from home on Tuesday, so I'll have to go to Litz on Monday--THAT is a scary idea...
    I believe I have a credit limit (with Litz) of nearly $5000 dollars...that is mind boggling to me...all I need is a keyboard amp of some kind and a bag or case to carry it around in...I don't need any more guitars or gizmos...in fact, I'm considering trading in or selling them the Bass I never use...I hope to keep the digital recorder, but probably only because I can play CDs thru it, which helps when I'm practicing the keyboard...
     But on the other hand, Dianne gave me some kinda Bluetooth speaker gizmo that allows me to play Music from my phone, either via iTunes or (even better) youTube...now I seem to have access to dozens (hundreds?) of youTube vids/songs I can practice on my keyboard...it's plenty loud if I need it to be...the possibilities seem to be endless...so maybe the digital recorder has become useless...otherwise, it HAS been a good day...probably shouldn't say that out loud...
2:30PM-suddenly I’m at the Music Cafe...so is Lou...so is Gerri...and inevitably so is Jeff Karn...and Warner Williams...
3:53PM-Lou was satisfied with our set...me? not so much...maybe it’s the temperature difference between the trunk of the car and the inside of the Café but I had trouble keeping the acoustic in tune...maybe I’ll put my usual brand of strings on it soon...Lou insists he’s going to Hershey’s next Wednesday... I think there might be a band practice with somebody on Wednesday but I could be wrong about that...

sometimes ya just wanna watch

/


        THURSDAY 7/18/19 12:45 PM--still thinking of going out tonight--somewhere...The most likely destination is the Grape Escape...probably won't take my guitar, even IF it has new strings on it...it's not outta the question that I would go to the OTWC instead, I just wouldn't bet money on it...
  4:09PM--so the acoustic DOES have new strings on it...it wasn't easy so I'll likely go to the Grape Escape to break 'em in...I suppose I should consider what songs *I* might play...unless I can weasel outta that...I don't have any problem being a sideman for other performers...
      8:15PM-four songs, two OLD Beatles songs, two Neil songs...giving myself an “8”, no less...ultimately glad Pete made me go...
   TWENTY MINUTES LATER-the euphoria is wearing off a little...maybe (MAYBE) if I didn’t have to be at the service station at 8AM I’d go to the OTWC...
10:31PM--I did some more playing at Pete's open mic--as a sideman...on Bass, harmonies and (finally) lead guitar...I don't expect to be in bed before Midnight, I need to wind down...
  FRIDAY 7/19/19 12:14AM--I left the Grape Escape open mic feeling appreciated for my Musical ability...I had fun, and my work as a sideman rates a 9 if you ask me...

a typical rehearsal and a new partnership

    SUNDAY 7/14/19 7:15PM--I would say it was a typical Combustibles practice...If I cared more, I would have suggested that *I* sing I'M STILL STANDING, the Elton John song...IMO Ric did a horrible job of it...and Barry did a so-so job on CALL ME AL...basically the Combustibles still suck...
      MONDAY 7/15/19 4:15PM--I'm getting together with my newest duo partner (Jeff Herbert)  on Wednesday @2...I THINK the keyboard audition for the ACME  Band is on the 23rd, a week from tomorrow...four days later I have my first duo gig with Jeff...the gig is in Rockville; I think it pays $60 bucks, plus tips...
              TUESDAY 7/16/19 4PM--keyboard practice is progressing, slowly but surely...it's possible that I depend on my ears TOO much...but then again, maybe not...I THINK the keyboard audition is scheduled for 7/23...I dunno what I'm playing the KB through...I imagine that at some point I'll have to buy something to play it through...a powered PA speaker seems to be my best choice, all things considered--price, portability  stuff like that...I don't think my ears would hear the difference between a powered speaker and a keyboard amp...
            10:16PM--I suddenly (well, a couple hours ago) started wanting to reschedule/cancel the practice with Jeff Herbert and instead go to his open mic on Thursday...on the other hand, the open mic could be cancelled due to inclement weather--because it's outside...I wish I had agreed to some other time of the day...I'm usually napping at 2PM...oh well...
       WEDNESDAY 7/17/19 6:49 AM--as far as I know, I'm going to a guy's house to rehearse later today, around 3 o'clock...maybe I'll feel more like doing that later, cause I don't feel like doing it now...
6:26PM--as far as I can tell, it was a good session with Jeff H.--*I* think it was, I think HE thinks it was too...I think we're gonna practice again in about a week or so...Jeff says he's gonna make an FB Event outta the gig on the 27th...to my surprise, I'll make $125 not $60ish!--that's VERY good news if you ask me...
   8:20PM--I kinda wanna go to an open mic tomorrow evening someplace, I just dunno which one...I think it will either be the OTWC or Grape Escape...I haven't been to Tish's open mic in awhile; I'm not sure that that's reason enough to go...I dunno what stuff I should take with me--maybe just a guitar the amp and a couple of stomp boxes...oops, I think there's an open mic at Hershey's, hosted by Mike Taylor...I don't like Hershey's all that much...

better than I expected

            SATURDAY 7/13/19 10AM--my Music stuff is at least halfway packed up already...I DO need to decide how what route I'm gonna use to get to the gig...very much undecided about THAT...I intend to take a nap after Lunch...after which I'll shave and shower...I think I'll take a pair of hot dogs with me to eat on the way to Ellicott City...
                 There is a piece of equipment I forgot to bring to Rockville with me--my amp stand...oh well, that's one less piece of equipment that I have to worry about...as far as I can tell, all I have to do is pack up the wireless stuff...I'm gonna wear a shirt to travel in and another shirt for the gig itself...as for after the gig, who knows?
10:32AM--I believe I've picked the route *I* wanna use to get there...it allegedly takes less than an hour...
10:36PM--got home from the Ellicott city gig about a half hour ago...I'm $60 richer...Mike the drummer led me from the gig back to Rt. 29...the gig ended a little past 8:30...we did a good job according to the audience and the other guys in the band...*I* think we did pretty good, too--all things considered...the big news as far as *I* am concerned is that the wireless rig worked as well as I had hoped...
            At some point during the evening I realized that I wouldn't feel like going anywhere after the gig...and as much as I might have wanted to go to the Gazebo Jam, I can't--the Combustibles are scheduled to rehearse tomorrow at 1:30...we'll probably be finished by six o'clock or so...perhaps practice will be canceled, but I'm not betting on it...I plan on going to bed at Midnight, I'm  pretty sure I'll be ready by then...

THAT worked out well

     THURSDAY 7/11/19 7:27AM--went to Lahinch expecting to blend into the background--I did not...I was on stage (with a borrowed guitar) a bunch--with Jeff Herbert (the host) Jeff Karn (inevitably) and Geoff Batchelder...I planned to go out again tonight, but I've changed my Mind...I wanna be in good shape for the gig on Saturday...Pete won't be hosting tonight at the Grape Escape and I don't know the sub--and he doesn't know me...
         9:55AM--it took about an HOUR, starting at nine o'clock, but I figured out how to hook my wireless AND my "gizmo" into my amp..then I drew a diagram AND wrote out instructions, which I plan to print out in a more professional way...about an hour from now I'm going to Gburg to buy a bag of ice, eat my Lunch and feed the animals THEIR Lunch...then I'll get "eBay" and a bag to carry my stuff in, and some more clothing--especially underwear...and come back to Rockville...
      FRIDAY7/11/19 8:16AM--leaving for Gburg in 45 minutes...it may be too soon to know for sure, but I think the wireless unit will work as advertised...maybe I'll run Butterscotch thru it after Dinner and noodle on it while I'm watching TV...and I might start packing up my Musical gear this evening; I don't intend to go out anywhere...
      8:15PM--just finished a wireless unit test...the test lasted about an hour or so..as far as I could tell, the transmitter held a charge, although after about an hour there seemed to be a hint of distortion in the signal...it could be that the batteries in the gizmo are quite weak at this point...I will take a full inventory Saturday morning after my trip to the grocery store...specifically, I hope to find the AC adapter to the gizmo, then I won't have to worry about batteries at all...
          I'm trying to calm down so I can get some sleep tonight...I'm a bit anxious about the trip to the gig, but if I can leave when I want to (4:00) I could be there as early as five o'clock...the band is scheduled to start at six thirty...surely the load-in and the setting up of my gear won't take ninety minutes...there will still be a fair amount of daylight at 8:30, when we're supposed to be finished--I'm less likely to get lost if I can clearly see where I'm going...

do I need the money THAT much?

   
         MONDAY 7/8/19 5:25PM--Dave Koplow (ACME, ITN) asked me if I wanted to play a gig in Ellicott City on Saturday...it seems far away and it's only $50...I said "yes" and now I kinda regret it...Surely there's a lesson to be learned in there somewhere...I think of myself as the kind of guitarist who needs support, be it keyboards or a second guitarist...I don't think I'll be having that support on Saturday...
       In the back of my Mind and moving toward the front, is the idea that I might be reunited with a certain female person on Saturday in Ellicott City...a long, LONG LONG shot I know, but still...that's how my Mind (and /or heart) works...I can't even TRY to imagine what she looks like at SIXTY-SIX years of age...Shelley looks totally different now than she did 45 years ago...I do too...everybody does I suppose...
   7:10PM--the gig with ITN falls on the same day that the 'stoppers are playing at the OTWC...it's a two hour, early gig with ITN...it's supposed to end at 8:30...Theoretically, I could be in Derwood by 10:30 or so...but yeah, that seems pathetic...perhaps because it is...actually, I'll probably be too tired to go anywhere but back to Rockville...
      TUESDAY 7/9/19 9:55AM - well I’m in Gaithersburg… I’m not sure how much keyboard practice I’m going to get if any;  I thought I could practice while the laundry was being done, but Dianne already did the laundry… I suppose I could make another CD of songs to play along with…  there’s an open mic tomorrow night at Lahinch which is pretty darn close to where I’m staying while I’m in Rockville, so I might go do that-either as a listener or active participant, I don’t know which it will be… 
   12:22PM--I'm not bringing my acoustic back to Rockville in this heat and I'm not coming up here tomorrow morning just to get it...so IF I play at the open mic, it will be with a borrowed guitar...
    4:33PM- actually getting a little excited about tomorrow night's open mic-I guess I’m getting bored with being in Rockville and it’s only been five days…I have six more to go...
    6:25PM-it suddenly occurred to me that I can use my wireless gear for the first time at the gig on Saturday...so at some point (soon) I'll have to go to Gburg and get it, and bring it back to Rockville...I need to charge it up and figure out how to hook it up...I MIGHT go get the stuff tomorrow morning...I suppose I COULD bring the acoustic back as well, except that I don't wanna...I think I'll run the "hook-up test" for the wireless stuff on Friday...
11AM--I had a good keyboard practice IMO...I'd never played those songs on a keyboard before...I'll likely be back tomorrow, to feed the animals Lunch, feed myself Lunch and get in some more keyboard practice...I still don't think I'm gonna take the acoustic back to Rockville, but I hope to take the wireless gear back with me...after my nap, I hope to take a shower and shave before I have something for Dinner...after that, I plan to go to the Lahinch open mic...

I don't WANT to give it up...

 
        WEDNESDAY 7/3/19 8:10AM--it's only one photo, but I've gotten more feedback from it than I've ever gotten for my Musical abilities...that hurts--a LOT...maybe I've been fooling myself for all these years...THAT hurts too...
            I just went most of the way thru one of my keyboard practice CDs for the first time...some of my performances were better than others...that's to be expected, but I'm generally happy with the way it went...yet I can't help wondering if the ACME Band still exists...and if not, am *I* the reason? I don't think the MontCo version of ITN still exists--is that my fault too?
        5:23PM--my keyboard skills are getting better, slowly, but still...the secret is to listen to the song a time or two before trying to play it...it helps a lot that I can transpose the keyboard to make it easier for me to play 'em...and I can tune the keyboard if I have to...maybe ya CAN teach an old dog new tricks...the down side, if there is one, is that I'm adding my keyboards to songs that I'll likely NEVER have to learn for a Band...and today I feel like I'm not IN any bands...
            THURSDAY 7/4/19 12:08pm--just finished Lunch, hope to be napping within the hour...not taking any Music stuff to Rockville...unfortunately, there's a Combustibles practice scheduled for Sunday the 7th...and it’s gonna happen, as far as I know...
            SUNDAY 7/7/19 6:30pm--The Combustibles practice DID happen, w/o our drummer, Barney...I couldn't remember his name until I started typing...Just for the hell of it we tried ROCKET MAN, with ME singing it...it wasn't bad at all IMO...dunno if it's a keeper or not...I wouldn't mind if it was...
          MONDAY 7/8/19 12:17PM--for the first time, but probably not the last time, I practiced my keyboard in the living room of Dianne's house...the logistics would be simpler if I get 6 D batteries...dunno if I'm coming back to Dianne's tomorrow or not...she usually works from home on Tuesday, so it's probably a good idea for me to stay in Rockville...SLIGHTLY LATER--she said it's OK to come over tomorrow...we'll see...tonight's Dinner will likely be the rest of the pizza that I bought yesterday...dunno what's on TV tonight...I suppose I could find out while I'm here in Gburg...