analysis

        WEDNESDAY 10/30/19 5:17 PM--it suddenly occurred to me what the various bands I'm in have going for them--or not...ITN is a mostly a "roots rock" kinda thing...The ACME Band is (IMO) a mish mosh of Musical stylings...ITN is a bit better than ACME, for what it's worth...both bands could be "better" I think...
             The Full House Band is better than either one of those, with a pretty dammed eclectic song list...The Combustibles are the most eclectic band of all of them, IMO...it's also the worst of all the bands I'm currently in...The Snowdawgz are every bit as good as the FHB IMO...and the song list is mostly well-known "working class rock"--Bruce, Seger, Petty...excited about both the gig at Hershey's AND the one at the  AmerLegion Post 60 in Laurel...I still dunno how much money I'm gonna make...
            THURSDAY 10/31/19 2:46 AM--I guess the way it works, in both the ACME Band Co. and ITN is that if Dave is happy, everybody's happy...well, Dave's standards must be rather low...I don't think there will be another ITN practice before next Friday's OTWC gig...I dunno how good we're gonna be, but I think the audience will like us...I think I'll use the ME 70--in (mostly) Manual Mode...I'll run a sound check the afternoon of the gig...some of the ITN songs could use a wah-wah sound...
    3:41 PM--as for tonight's gig with the Snowdawgz, I'm taking the least amount of gear to get the job done...getting nervous/excited...should be home by 10:30 or so...
FRIDAY 11/1/19 6:50 AM--and that's about when I got home...maybe I woulda gotten home a bit sooner if it wasn't for the intermittent showers...there was more of a turnout than I thought there would be...Coleen was there, and so was Angela...
      It's probably my imagination or wishful thinking, but sometimes Angela looks at me like she's expecting me to ask her out or something...and, of course I can't--ever...it almost physically hurts to think about it...
SATURDAY 11/2/19 12:38 AM--got home from Laurel about 20 minutes ago...My playing for the first set was nothing to be proud of...I was just about warmed up when I got sick...I dunno if the Wendy's dinner caused the problem, but I had to leave the stage for about ten minutes--can't remember the last time THAT happened...maybe my sugar level was too low...
   My playing for the rest of the night was nothing to brag about either...I THINK I'm mostly over the cold that I've had or it moved to my digestive system...my singing voice might be back; IMO it sounded pretty dammed good in the car on the way home--AFTER the gig, of course...

practice makes perfect

     TUESDAY 10/29/19 5:14PM--still working on recording whatever the song is gonna be called...I'm up to version 3 so far...I tried to use the drum machine built in to the 1180, but it's way to complex for me...so again I laid down the rhythm loop from the KB, the keyboard part itself and the Bass guitar...it took longer than I thought it would. which is what happens when I get tired...
      6:35 PM--I dunno for sure if I'm gonna work in the Lab tomorrow...one of the bands I'm in is practicing at 7 PM...I think it's ITN...and Thursday I have a gig with Stu and whoever else he has recruited to be in the band...and Friday I have another gig with Stu and a (maybe) different group of musicians--in Laurel, at the AmerLegion Post 60...
          WEDNESDAY 10/30/19 11:23 AM--I added a simulated acoustic guitar to my latest Project...it sounds just as good if not better than my real acousticIMO...all I gotta do is add a hi-hat and (maybe?) cymbal crashes...after nap time (whether I actually get one or not) I will shave shower and pack the Manchester bag--not at all sure if I wanna use the ME-70...The ITN song list doesn't have a whole lotta variety in it, as far as I can tell...I feel like all I need is a dirt box and a Chorus...but even as I typed that, I started having second thoughts about NOT using the ME-70...

an awful lot of trouble for...what?

         SUNDAY 10/27/19 7:49 PM--it has taken ME I dunno exactly how many hours, but I think I've got the SET list for the FHB's debut gig...I dunno if it's the final list, but after what I had to go through to get it done, I hope to hell it is...
        MONDAY  10/28/19 8:05 AM--I'm attempting to organize the paperwork from all my various bands into a binder...a binder that I'd forgotten about...the downside to this Project is the redundancy of the documents themselves...
10:52 AM--for now at least, I'm done organizing...did a teeny bit more work in the 1180 Lab...I need to kill the faders at certain points to take out sounds I don't want on the recording...that will be part of the mixdown process I think...the "track mute" option makes me nervous...
 5:45 PM--just did my first "punch outs"...I took out some undesirable sounds...but now I have to punch IN the hi-hat that was on the same track as the undesirable thumps...I think/hope that will work out fine...in addition, I added CHORUS to the basic keyboard track and I added it when I wanted to...it's a bit less boring that way IMO...
  6:12 PM--I don't have anything going on tomorrow having to do with band practices that I know of...
 7:00 PM--ultimately it might be easier to do the hi-hat track over again--and leave out any and all "tom-tom" riffs...they don't sound like real tom-toms to ME...
9:53 PM--I'm hoping to add an acoustic guitar to the tracks I've already got...that would use the eight tracks available to me...I may be wrong, but I don't remember the process of "burning" a CD being all that complex...

and of course things went well enough...

           

             SATURDAY 10/26/19 11 PM- I’m starting to think this is the best band I know of from my neck of the MontCo woods...I must remember that it's TWO bands combined...The (almost) "unplugged" Snowdawgz are at Hershey's on October 31st...and some version of the Snowdawgz (including me?) are playing at Post 60 in Laurel on November 1st...
SUNDAY 10/27/19 2:16 AM--for ME the sit-in with "Dawgz Off the Wall was musically and emotionally rewarding...financially? Well I DID say that I'd be happy with $10 bucks--and (surprise) I am...I played on six songs...I dunno if Eileen (the band leader?) was happy about that, but she didn't say anything to ME...
          Both Stu and Eileen said they were happy with the way the gig went...I'll assume they were telling the truth...I can't get over how good the Band is...on a scale of 1 to 10 I think I'd give them a 9.5...I'd give myself a 9.0, but then again I didn't have that many chances to make mistakes...As far as the FHB goes, like I told Butch privately, that even in baseball, a batter gets THREE strikes...
     12:50 PM--did some spontaneous 1180 Lab work...took out the keyboard Bass, put in a Bass guitar...
    2:17 PM-- I think there's another gig with Stu (and Jeff and Rich?) at the Laurel Legion, the day after the gig at Hershey's...that's okay by me...in Behavioral News, Stoney didn't quite apologize, but then neither did I...I guess I'm still in the FHB and he and I are still friends...

finally, it's Saturday...and I don't care

           SATURDAY 10/26/19 12:45 PM--I've been fairly excited about going to Laurel tonight to hang out with and sit-in with "Dawgz Off the Wall"...but I get the feeling I won't be playing much...Frankly, I'm counting on Stu to spontaneously hand me his guitar on more than two or three songs...I intend to ask him about that, face to face...I guess it's possible that he would relay my thoughts to Eileen, and she would get annoyed if not angry...She seems to be a bit too rigid and inflexible for me, like Stoney--only a lot easier to look at.
        I think there are 45 songs on tonight's set list, including "extras"...I believe I could theoretically play on all of them...I don't have to/want to play on ALL of them, but just three songs? I'm still wondering if it will be worth it...
5:22 PM--I should be excited, but mostly, I'm stressed out...I've taken one Xanax, I wouldn't be surprised if I take another one at some point...Because I'm so impatient, I texted Stu regarding my playing whenever HE wanted me to, although that my bother Eileen...he texted back "10-4!" which I could interpret as "I agree with you" but who knows? Stu strikes me as a guy who likes to be in charge, and from what I've seen is good at that...
 7:30 PM- I missed the exit that I wanted to take to get to the gig, but I found an alternate route and actually got here almost exactly when I wanted to…finally the subject of money came up...I SAID I’d be happy with $10 but the Truth is I'd rather have $20 bucks...I’m not quite a part of this group, but I sure don’t feel like a part of the other groups I’m an actual member of... and there’s one thing about playing at an AmerLegion--I strongly suspect that I am the only Liberal in the whole building… That makes me nervous, but the plan is to keep my mouth shut as much as possible… 
     

it figures

        THURSDAY 10/24/19 10:30 (?) PM--So I thought the Combustibles were going to suck, making our debut at the OTWC… We didn’t quite suck... most of the rest of the open mic was torture for me...Barnaby was right, Stoney can be an asshole sometimes...he kinda treated ME like shit this evening...I think if you want to chew somebody out for some reason you take them aside somewhere relatively private and chew them out...you don’t do it onstage... I admit that I wasn’t prepared on some songs but I swear the next time he makes a mistake I’m gonna jump all over HIS fucking ass... in fact the way I remember it he admitted to not having done some of HIS homework – what a dick...
   FRIDAY 10/25/19 1:14 AM--the Plan was to quit the Combustibles, but I didn't--yet...I DID quit the Full House Band...the asshole Bass Player was not happy that I told him to fuck off (onstage) and I only did that because he berated ME onstage for not having done my homework...the way *I* remember it, during the performance he admitted to not having learned a particular song that we were about to play...wish I could remember which one it was...and, like she does every Month, Vera chided me for not helping pack up the stuff...Nobody helps ME with MY stuff...Angela was there with her friend Ann...we sang together...
         I sang a Tom Petty/ Stevie Nicks duet with Ann AND Angela...I think she (Angela) just might know that I have feelings of some kind for her...Of course, it isn't Love, but it hurts almost as much...
            FRIDAY 10/25/19 7:35 AM--I'm gonna try to do my best to stay off of Flakebook today...I don't need it to contact some people--Stu, Reeve, Eileen...
          6:23PM--I hope I'm wrong, but based on the set list I saw,  it looks like I won't have much to do tomorrow night at the AmerLegion sit-in with the Dawgz Off the Wall...I know it sounds selfish but it hardly seems worth the trip...BTW, IF they offer me money, I will likely respectfully decline...I  believe I have a house sitting gig starting 11/7...that will be financially rewarding to me...

the way I thought it would go--once I actually got there

            WEDNESDAY 10/23/19 11 PM--practice with "Dawgz Off the Wall" went well enough, once I found the correct location...I was about 90% of the way to the house where I'm rehearsing with the SNOWDAWGZ NEXT Wednesday (sigh) but thanks to Jon Reeve, I made it to Jim and Eileen's home...I got there before Stu in fact...the Band sounded as good as the FHB, and better than the Combustibles, ITN or the ACME Band...
             It's rather depressing that a part time (?) band with me sitting in (for the first time) is as good as bands that I'm in that practice (occasionally) and occasionally play in public...Sitting in with Stu, Eileen and Company will likely make me forget whatever unpleasant  things may happen on Thursday...and I do expect some unpleasant things to happen...
           THURSDAY 10/24/19 7 AM--the Plan is to hook up my stuff and check the condition of the strings on "eBay" and maybe tweak certain patches on the ME70--specifically the Pink Floyd patch (7-2 ?) which I hardly use, but still...and I'm glad I have a day off between tonight and Saturday night...and even though maybe I shouldn't, I believe/hope I'm not busy on Sunday....
              12:16 PM--just might use Butterscotch tonight, I think the strings are a little bit newer...I haven't yet started thinking about what I'm gonna tell Barry...and hoping I don't chicken out...I even ran thru the guitar solo in WITCHY WOMAN in case Angela wants to sing it...Barnaby isn't singing anything; neither is Stoney...unless their plans change...
         5 PM--just got back from the load-in and walking the dog...I'm still (IMO) being treated like the little kid with a handicap...maybe that's my fault...like I said before, I'll be glad when this night is over and I have the money in my pocket...

I think I've had enough

      TUESDAY 10/22/19 9:45 PM--a few days ago,during a conversation with Barry, HE said something to the effect that if I was leaving the Combustibles, I should let him know so he could find another guitar player...I kinda sorta in a way implied that that was my Plan...but, for whatever reason (money?) the subject was dropped...I'm picking it up again...a lot can happen between now and Midnight Thursday, but I very much want to summon up the courage to quit the group--assuming we don't have any more gigs this year...I'm fairly sure we're gonna suck at the open mic...
             10:16 PM--and now the (self-imposed?) pressure begins to mount...like I sorta said before, I wish Thursday was behind me...
        WEDNESDAY 10/23/19 7:26 AM--I'm not sure I have to change ALL the strings on eBay; I'll check it out in a few minutes...the high "E" string sounds/feels weird to me...hopefully changing the one string will make a difference...
12:18 PM--again, somewhat inadvertently, I did a mixdown, thinking/hoping that I've freed up three more tracks to use...dunno if I'm gonna get to that today, but I might...
 4:10 PM--gonna leave the Lab alone for awhile...there's other stuff going on that I need to focus on...tonight's visit with the DAWGZ OFF the WALL for instance, prepping for the Saturday night sit-in, or whatever it's gonna be...tomorrow is the 4th Thursday...and I might be dropping a bomb on Barry...that's more nerve wracking than thinking that Angela is planning on singing something...

just like starting over

     MONDAY 10/21/19 12:51 PM--I guess I should be practicing something, but I don't quite feel like it...I WANT to start working with the BR-1180 again...I just don't seem to have the energy until mid-day...and suddenly it's Dinnertime, after which it's time to start winding down for the day...and today I have to be ready to drop whatever I'm doing to go get Muzzy from the Vet...I'm OK with that though...
             2:32 PM--I don't wanna go downstairs and work in the 1180 Lab without thinking things through first...I guess I can do that this afternoon/evening...I want to devise a program of "baby steps" leading up to the Main Project, whatever it actually is...I think I'll work on that chord sequence that I've "borrowed" from TIME AFTER TIME...might make track sheets to keep track of what I've done or intend to do...
          6:13 PM--instead of starting from scratch, I decided to keep working on the song I started months ago, that I had completely forgotten about...I wanted to erase everything but the drums, but for whatever reason, I couldn't make that happen...I THINK I can just record OVER the tracks I wanted to erase, like they used to do in ancient times...
    7:08 PM--I might even re-write the song itself--or not... or possibly merge the two chord progressions...in any case, I'll work on it tomorrow...I just dunno when...
 8:08 PM--trying to chill...but, of course, I wanna go downstairs; sheesh...50 MINUTES LATER--went downstairs recorded over a certain track, so THAT concept worked out...now I'm thinking about "punching in" various bits...we'll see...think I'm gonna need a certain footswitch...
     TUESDAY 10/22/19 8:08 AM--I don't often dread playing a gig, but I'm dreading playing on Thursday...unless the Combustibles cancel their proposed appearance at the open mic...I'm considering prayer...I must try TRY not to think about what I'm fairly sure will be the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to me...
10:26 AM--spent about an hour an the 1180 Lab...I'm remembering more as I go along...maybe later (or tomorrow?) I'll try to add a guitar or two or three...
     11:21 AM--I just remembered--a woman (ric's girlriend?) showed me how SHE would play the chromatic riff in MAYBE I'M AMAZED...it was the same two-fingered method *I* use...except of course that she was a LOT faster...
 5:02 PM--other than the mixing, I made a ROUGH demo of a new song...I think I used up all eight tracks...what I'd like to do is make a CD of the unmixed version and a CD of the mixed version and hope they sound quite different from each other...
5:55 PM--somewhat unintentionally I EQd the "Bass" track--*I* think it sounds good...I might start all the way over, try to NOT make any mistakes... 

I just don't get it

         SUNDAY 10/20/19--5:48 PM--The way I see it, the guys in the Band have two choices--either they can't HEAR the mistakes or they don't care that there ARE mistakes...of the other guys in the band, I would say Barry just might be the most Deaf...it's intensely aggravating...
              I absolutely think The Combustibles are NOT ready to go to an open mic anywhere, much less the OTWC...Barry called me after practice to complain about Ric, who might be a weaker link than Barry is...
             I guess I should soon focus at least a little on whatever the Snowdawgz are gonna be doing...I think we're practicing the day before our gig...and having Dinner before practice...spaghetti I've been told...
    7:38 PM--I know there are three days between today and Thursday, but I'm starting to get bent outta shape over the Combustibles appearing at the 4th Thursday Open Mic...I expect it to be the most embarrassing thing to happen to me in public--ever...
           8;34 PM--It feels like it's gonna be a long three and a half days...eventually 10/24 will be the Past...in the meantime somebody (Stu? Eileen? Jim?) wants me at practice on Wednesday...so much for spontaneity...and again my Brain feels kinda overloaded...
           

Murphy's Law of Scheduling

          SATURDAY 10/19/19 12:09 PM-- so Lou and I made Plans to go to a certain open mic hosted by a certain woman on a certain date...MY plan just changed...the Stu Judd (temp?) Band is rehearsing on Wed 10/30, the day before our gig...The message from "whoever's controlling the Universe" is "forget about Jackie, it can never happen.EVER"--deep down I already knew that...
       I'll let Lou know that he'll be at Hershey's (with Jackie) without me...although, as always, a LOT can happen between now and 10/30...I kinda think it's a good idea that Stu's Band (The Snowdawgz?)practice at least once...
          5:21 PM--The compliments I got last night from Barnaby are still affecting me today...just goes to show ya how wrong you can be...Barnaby even said that Stoney can be an asshole sometimes, but so can everybody else...I almost forgot, Jeff Payne paid me a compliment or two when we were discussing my upcoming practice with the Snowdogz... IF at practice I happen to discuss The Next Flight (Alan's band) with Barry et al, I will try to be diplomatic...it's easier to be honest, but that's how feelings get hurt...
         SUNDAY 10/20/19 8:39 AM--I have yet to hear any different, so I assume the Combustibles are still practicing, rain be dammed...I'll take my amp but I'm hoping I can leave it in the car...getting it in and out of the basement is such a chore...OR I can leave it at home and gamble on that other Blues Jr. being there...and if it's not, I'll run the ME70 thru the PA...although I would bet that Ric might not know how to do that...except that I don't think Barry uses an amp--he just takes the signal from HIS gizmo...maybe I should ask him before I do anything...
 11:45 AM--Because of Dianne's generosity I have SiriusXM on my laptop...unless I have to, I might not leave the house again...
12:18 PM--leaving for practice in about 30 minutes...gonna try the ME 70 thru the PA, unless I can't hear myself that way, in which case I'll use the Blues JR if it's there...

just marking time? maybe

              FRIDAY 10/18/19 8:49 AM--I don't think I have anything of a Musical nature coming up until Sunday...and that's the Combustibles practice...and I don't think I'm going out to see anybody either...I know there's way better bands than the Combustibles, the ACME Band, ITN and even the FHB, the best of the four, can be better...and I'M not the weakest link in the FHB chain...all the other guys make mistakes as well...
             Stoney is technically right, I'm not always prepared...but then again, *I* don't know which songs we're gonna work on...I suspect Stoney and Barnaby do...Brian too possibly...I don't like feeling as though I'm being excluded--whether I am or not...I THINK I can call Butch a friend...
      Just messing around, we (reluctantly?) added Margaritaville...I'M singing it, go figure...the way I heard it, the person at the Elks Club who hired us is big Buffet fan...we won't see each other again until next Thursday...I WILL see Brian on Sunday as a member of the Combustibles.12:47 PM--I created a cheat sheet for Margaritaville, including the "lost verse"...it's in the tablet...
          SATURDAY 12:45 AM--just got in from seeing a new Band at Hershey's...I think they're called THE NEXT FLIGHT...they were just OK in my opinion, but better than three of the four bands I'm in...I was shocked to find out that Barnaby agreed with me that Stoney needs to relax; unless he was "yanking my chain"...he also complimented my guitar playing...again, I wonder if he really meant it...
    Angela was there; that was enough to further scramble my Brain...SHE seemed a bit distracted; there's a lot going on in HER Life too...Lou showed up, another unexpected event...he and I made plans to go to Hershey's Wednesday Acoustic Open Mic...not the next one, but the one after that, on the 30th of October... if I understood him correctly...Jackie is hosting, SHE rattles my Mind too...

now I dread it

           WEDNESDAY 10/16/19 5:50 PM--The Full House Band is supposed to practice tomorrow...I can keep my mouth shut and be miserable or I can (try to) voice my opinions on various subjects...not at all looking forward to practice...but I'm gonna try to be the first one there--after Butch of course...I hope to be there by 6:30 or close to it...
   I spent about two hours working on CENTERFIELD (in E) and I SAW THE LIGHT...I found slightly easier ways to play both of them, not too worried about those two songs anymore...I'm worried about CAL. DREAMIN'--but there are (I think) recordings and/or "charts"...I think somebody has changed the key from  D minor to A minor...personally I think Butch should put some effort into learning that one...
           THURSDAY 10/17/19 11:10 AM--I think by next Thursday's open mic, CENTERFIELD will be second nature, I SAW THE LIGHT and FINS too...
4:37 PM--Barnaby sent recordings from 10/09 and I uploaded them into my iTunes Library...
5:00 PM--the 11 songs are now on a CD...I could make some for the other guys if they were to ask, but they can likely do it themselves...
11:23PM--I'm still being treated like a "special needs" kid by Stoney and Barnaby...oh well, they ARE more educated musically, but they don't have to rub it in...they were a bit condescending about my still using CDs...and Brian (somewhat under his breath) made another insulting comment about me...I MAY NOT BE AS SMART AS THEM BUT I'M NOT AS DUMB AS THEY THINK I AM...

the hardest thing I have to do on a semi-regular basis

      SATURDAY 10/12/19 6:08 AM--even the BEST band I'm in could be a bit better...tonight I'm playing with the worst...the Combustibles are playing in Virginia...I'm hoping to practice a bit sometime today...the goal is for me to be the best I can be...I want people to say "These guys are terrible, but the lead guitarist is pretty good..." That sounds like a challenge, and I don't like challenges...
                      I think Barry is picking me up at 7...I intend to take a Xanax before he shows up...
SUNDAY 10/13/19 9:30 AM--I did take a Xanax...what that meant was that the Band's incompetence didn't bother me as much as usual...we got a request for OH PRETTY WOMAN, the Roy Orbison classic;
I sang it...a sax player sat in with us...I guess he wasn't embarrassed to be seen playing with us...he was very good...I think we get $80 each...I should have the money by Wednesday...at times I struggled with the ME70; some of the patches STILL aren't loud enough, and my feet are sooo big--I HATE that...
       Now I gotta bring the stuff in from my car, which is where I put the it all rather than making noise when I bring the stuff in to the house in the middle of the night...after I do that, I don't intend to do anything having to do with Music, except maybe some keyboard practice later...I probably won't need a nap, but I will likely try to take one anyway...
              MONDAY 10/14/19 8:53 AM--the amp is still in the trunk, but I expect to bring it in the house a bit later, when the temperature goes up a bit...I've got at least two songs to learn before the next 4th Thursday open mic...I don't feel like doing much of anything...
      10:38 AM--I've checked out the three songs that one of the open mic guests want to do...might require some work...Arlene...ugh, she almost always causes problems...I think she herself nixed the Neil Diamond song...but (hopefully) will keep the Charley Pride song...her third song is Rhiannon, that should be innaresting...*I* don't think she has the vocal range for it, unless of course, she changes the key of the song--UGH...
        TUESDAY 10/15/19 4:40 PM--took a few minutes to check to see how well I can play FINS and CENTERFIELD in E...to cut to the chase, they're both easier on "eBay"...but I do need to keep working on them...I think I might put new strings on "eBay" although I feel as though they haven't been on the guitar that long...
8:33 PM--I had a folder full of set lists and other docs relating to my various Music projects...I dunno where it is...I'll look for the stuff on Thursday...My Wednesday will be taken up with dealing with Dianne's surgery...it just occurred to me that the folder may be downstairs...maybe I'll check on that tonight--it shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes...

getting busier

                 FRIDAY 10/11/19 10:17 AM--some version of ITN is scheduled to play a gig in December...I've already said "yes"...I think Geoff will be the other guitarist; apparently Dave couldn't find an available keyboard player, dammit...Dave's second choice was Fred, a guy I only know on Flakebook...but, as horrible as it may sound, I hope Geoff can't do the gig...I wanna hear what Fred can do, I already know what Geoff can do--a very good Garcia impersonation, and  not much more as far as *I* can tell...oh well...
        11:38 AM--Butterscotch has new strings on it...the high "E" string is slipping--a lot, and I dunno why...the changeover was fairly smooth otherwise...maybe it doesn't matter, Butterscotch is the spare guitar...I'm waiting to hear from Barry with regards to Saturday's set list...I can't remember which ones, but there are songs I need to work on...
 5:22 PM-- it took longer than it should have, but I was finally able to print a copy of tomorrow's set list...I don't think I'll have time to practice the songs that I'm having trouble with...maybe tomorrow...

the pressure's on

                     WEDNESDAY 10/9/19 8:40 AM--It's been a hell of a day so far...I really REALLY hope to start working on the Rundgren solo on eBay after Dianne leaves for the Doctor's...I can almost play the riff on Butterscotch so it should be a little easier on eBay...
                      Unlike yesterday, I was miraculously able to get ALL the verses to MY BACK PAGES onto my tablet in about 30 minutes...still not absolutely sure which verses *I* sing--I haven't heard back from Butch yet...I think I should have, but I haven't...I took a guess...MY verses are in black, everyone else's are in color...
             10:10 AM--as I'd hoped, the Rundgren solo is a lot easier on eBay...I'll be practicing it throughout the morning and afternoon...12:15 PM--and now that I've almost got it in whatever key Barnaby sent me in an eMail, he wants to change keys for some reason--typical...what's worse is (I think) he has raised the key...You may call it paranoia, but *I* think Barnaby and Stoney and Brian (a bit less) are bullying me on account of my lack of Music Theory knowledge...Butch doesn't do that; frankly (IMO) perhaps because HE is the weakest link in the Band...oh well...
THURSDAY 10/10/19 --well, practice was not fun, but it's yesterday's news--BE HERE NOW and all that jazz...I don't wanna do anything having to with Music, but apparently I have to go to Litz to buy a (long) guitar cord to replace the one I seemed to have left at Ric's house...the good news (if ya wanna call it that) is that I can charge it--I hope...I'll change strings on Butterscotch tomorrow...I think the strings on eBay are (after at least a couple of weeks) broken in and ready for Saturday's Combustibles gig...
9:51AM--in a sudden change of plans, I put the free set of acoustic guitar strings on the Fender...I like 'em a lot, so far...I'm seriously considering going to Pete Looney's open mic in the Kentlands...I'll take a shower and practice a song or two or three...I'll likely use the tablet...
8:45 PM-I survived my solo set at the Grape Escape...I’d give myself an 8.5...considering I didn’t physically rehearse...I rehearsed in my head, which is better than nothing, but not by much...
11:05PM--I had  more fun as a sideman, first on Bass, playing MELISSA, then on acoustic guitar playing MOONDANCE...in both cases I was backing up Pete and Neil, who played harmonica. I used the tablet, but I hit upon the idea of using severely abbreviated versions of the lyric...just a couple of words to trigger my memory...interesting idea IMO...

I think I'm right again

                 MONDAY 10/7/19 9:28 PM--Stoney admitted (reluctantly?) that I was right about the riff in SOMETHING...Now my conflict is with Barnaby...The discussion centers around the song I SAW THE LIGHT by Todd Rundgren...*I* think the recording "B3" sent me is in Bb--IF you believe the first chord in the song is the "2" chord, the "1" chord representing the key the song is in--at least that's what *I* think...
        I'm having some difficulty letting go of my obsession with determining what key the B3 file is in...but I'm working on it...I dunno for sure, but I think the Combustibles are practicing tomorrow...I think I'm gonna leave my amp at home and gamble on that other Blues Jr. amp being there...If I'm wrong we'll just have to run the ME-70 thru the PA...crummy though that may sound...
  TUESDAY 9/8/19 10:24 AM- it’s been a MAJOR government project, but I think I’ve got a  slowed down recording that matches the pitch of the recording Barnaby  sent us in an email... now I can work on the solo in I SAW THE LIGHT by Todd Rundgren...I’m not gonna tell the guys about this; I don’t feel like getting in another cyber argument with them...I don't CARE what key the song is in, I don't care about whatever key the key signature SAYS it's in...I trust my ears--still...
11:41 AM--making some progress on the Rundgren riff...*I* dunno when the next FHB practice is, but I think I'll be ready...
4:06 PM--Combustibles practice tonight...FHB practice is tomorrow...I've got tomorrow during the day to learn that Rundgren solo...I don't think I can program the ME70 to play both parts...I foresee another disagreement with Barnaby...
   11:28PM--it was a typical Combustibles practice IMO...I'm not gonna even try to predict what the band will sound like on Saturday night...it doesn't matter all that much, nobody I know is gonna be there except maybe that couple that often comes to see us, especially when we play there...it's a small stage, that's for sure...and I dunno why but the live Music doesn't start until 9:30!!! It's a three hour gig, then there's the packing up...Barry has been known to stop at an ATM to get cash for me...that would be nice...

the best *I* can do

           SATURDAY 10/5/19 10:09 AM--yesterday Barnaby sent out recordings he had made of The Full House Band's Thursday night rehearsal...I knew that I was not at my best, but neither was anybody else...maybe we're not as good as I thought...the Sound quality is very good, but I liked the sound of my guitar better when I was playing it...just the process of recording things (digitally?)  reduces the sonic "muscle" quite a bit...oh well...
                   I was able to download each song into my iTunes Library and created a Playlist...I can burn the Playlist onto a CD if I want to...maybe I can get that done now...I also rebuilt a song list...the song title, original artist, and other info, like what key the song is in, which one of us sings it and when we last rehearsed it...
  7:30 PM--chilling at home, there's nobody playing around here that I wanna see or hear...Dunno if there's any Band practicing tomorrow...kinda hope not...
10:15 PM--at the Germantown flea market, about 15 hours ago,  I bought a 7-CD box set, a Rolling Stone Magazine collection...I just finished loading whatever songs I wanted into my iTunes Library...
11:20 PM--I went to the Grand Opening of the Pritchard Music Academy this morning...they have a retail wing as well...they were giving away Dean Markley  guitar strings, acoustic and electric...I think I might have picked the wrong gauge of ACOUSTIC strings; hopefully I can switch 'em for the gauage I usually buy...
SUNDAY 10/6/19 4:47PM--Stoney admitted I WAS RIGHT about the descending riff in SOMETHING...and in other news, I've had my car (and the rather sophisticated radio)for a couple years and I just today found out what that BLUE button on the radio is for...rather than scrolling thru a few functions to get to BT AUDIO, the blue button takes me right to it...and I have to push that button to make a phone call--I think...
      11:18PM--at his point in time, the Combustibles are practicing on Tuesday...we have a gig on Saturday...
MONDAY 10/7/19 4:19 PM--suddenly Barnaby is putting energy into The FHB...it's nice how he and Stoney and Brian rub their superior Musical knowledge in my face...oh well...If *I* possessed that knowledge I don't think *I* would rub it in anyone's face...yes, I'm jealous...what of it?

busy is good

   WEDNESDAY 10/2/19 11:42PM--just got in from the Wednesday open mic at Hershey's...As I indicated to Greg (the host) I was offering my services as lead guitarist and/or harmony singer...Both Jeff Jones and Angela (!) took me up on that...in addition to Musical activity, I apologized to Colleen with regard to my inappropriate contact at the Stu Judd gig last week...
     It sure was nice having Angela around and Carolyn too--*I* thought she was married, but she's not--she's divorced...She is allegedly seeing someone though, and besides--I'm ME...and that's an automatic three strikes...
        I mistakenly brought Butterscotch, forgetting that the open mic was ACOUSTIC...I almost immediately put it back in the car...so I borrowed first Greg's and later Lisa's guitars...I liked hers better, FWIW...sitting in with Angela meant that I crossed paths with Alan Main...the three of us played a song or two...the set with Jeff was also Liliana's set as well...I think the two of them are a Musical duo...and no, I'm not jealous--yet...
        I'm kinda looking forward to rehearsal with the Full House Band...it gives me a chance to get reacquainted with the tablet and the mic stand tablet holder--although I'm not sure where that is...I'll look for it in the morning...
         THURSDAY 10/3/19 4:50PM--naturally, when I kinda gave up looking for it, I found it...the car is all loaded up and ready to go...except for the tablet and tablet holder...practice starts at 7:30...I guess I'll leave the house at ten of seven...I'm just hoping today's high temps haven't harmed my equipment...
11:26PM--just got home from practice...I've said it before and I'll say it again--The Full House Band used to be fun...Stoney and I disagreed on a six-note sequence within the middle eight of SOMETHING...*I* am right by the way...but it's also true that I was unprepared, like I hadn't done my homework--I didn't know which songs we were gonna work on or else I woulda brushed up on 'em...
       Apparently the MontCo version of ITN has a gig coming up--not sure if I'm involved or not...I haven't heard from Dave about it--yet...I came perilously close to spilling my guts to three of my band mates after Stoney left...I wonder now if I said too much...oh well...
FRIDAY 7:05AM--it turns out I AM involved in the ITN gig, as is Stoney...11:44AM--and I think suddenly the Combustibles might have a gig somewhere on December 7th--or not...
 7:07PM--had a pretty good KB practice...even took a good solo in SIXTEEEN CANDLES...of course I thank the Universe for that transpose technology...I did a teeny bit of practicing CENTERFOLD in E...

it sounded (and felt) better when it was happening

        TUESDAY 11:18AM--There are a bunch of videos from the trio gig with Stu on youTube, for better or worse...we sounded better (IMO) while it was happening, but what's done is done...I DO wish that our performance of  867-5309 (Jenny) was included in the playlist, but for whatever reason, it's not...*
         I still think the Combustibles are practicing tonight, WHY I don't know...and The Full House Band is allegedly practicing on Thursday...
5:30PM--Combustibles still rehearsing tonight...getting a teeny bit of flack from Brian (Full House Band drummer) indicating  I MUST pick seven songs for Thursday's practice...why must I pick seven? *I* thought I was being magnanimous picking two or three...like I've said before this band used to be fun...
      I need to get all my schedules straight...there's the ACME Band, the Full House Band, the Combustibles and (hopefully) Stu Judd's band...dunno if I'm actually a member of that last one yet, but I sure would like to be...The Trio gig I did with him last Friday (?) paid $100 bucks...
* Stu's phone ran outta "space"...
  I suspect Eileen will be against my sitting in (for free) with the Band at the Crab Feast, and even moreso against my joining "permanently"--as if bands are permanent, right?