don't wanna jinx it

          FRIDAY 11/29/19 11:32 AM--I rescheduled the oil change to Monday...I think the car will be okay until then, even with the trip to Damascus...When Dianne leaves, shortly, I'll go to Giant for fudgesicles and Pritchard to see if they have any sets of 12-string electric strings...I'd be more surprised if they DON'T have 'em...
5:30 PM-Leave it to Stoney to put a damper on my good day he still bitching about my performance at at the FHB gig – like I told him if that had been a practice I would’ve said I’m not going to be there, I was then very sick… Tonight I’m just a little sick… As far as adding harmony parts that aren’t there he’s jealous because he can’t do it...
SATURDAY 11/30/19 1:05 PM-so now I’m at the Music Café, waiting for Lou…This should help me forget, if only for a little while, Stoney’s attitude problem… I’m having lunch here, although it’s very expensive… The Damascus Jerry’s Subs and Pizza is gone...
     Before I went to Damascus I stopped off at Litz and bought a "whammy bar" for "eBay"...They seemingly don't carry amp covers, so I hung around in the store and ordered one using my phone--AMAZING...
3:15 PM-Lou and I were an “8” in my opinion...He seemed satisfied; he's pretty sure he's gonna be at Hershey's on Wednesday...I'm gonna try to be as well......
              The whammy bar I bought at Litz didn't fit, not even almost...So I used some duct tape to thicken the shaft...And I fixed the reverb on my amp...Like it or not, the Combustibles are rehearsing tomorrow at 1 o’clock…I'm gonna bring my amp but hopefully I'll be able to leave it in my car, and use the amp that is usually in the basement...the FHB is practicing on Monday...I'll need my amp for THAT...The weather is supposed to be less than ideal on Sunday and Monday...The amp cover I ordered from Amazon probably won't get here until Tuesday--perfect...
SUNDAY 12/1/19 1 PM-I don’t mind being a little early but a half an hour? Oh well, I was pretty sure practice started at 1 o’clock, but Barry tells me it starts at 1:30… Oh well… I’m not sure if anybody’s home at the house even though the door was unlocked...I felt weird being in there possibly by myself so now I’m sitting in the car...
   The plan for tomorrow’s practice with the FHB is to say as close to nothing as I can… So I’ll probably use the Combustibles’  rehearsal to practice that idea...
7:39 PM--I did some talking at practice, but not much...whatever plan Stoney and Brian have, Brian gave nothing away...much to my surprise, I found out the Combustibles are playing at the Celtic House next Saturday...a pleasant (financial) surprise...

I'm not a CD player

    WEDNESDAY 11/27/19 7:55 PM--it could be my days with the FHB are numbered...I should care, but I don't...I'm not a member of the Groovy Musicians Club of Montgomery County...I feel like I SHOULD be, but I'm not...Stoney wants to have a debriefing with (seemingly) only me... We’ve actually started emailing back-and-forth this evening… I only started that because I wanted to know if *I* was the problem...Stoney says I’m not, so I’ll take him at his word-for now...
THURSDAY 11/28/19 10 AM--I saw a 12-string "Strat" on eBay...that triggered me into getting MINE outta mothballs...so that's what I'm gonna do...probably go to Litz tomorrow to get a set of strings and stop off at Lowe's to get a tiny Phillips screwdriver...I don't have to take the car across the street until about 11 AM or so...
FRIDAY 11/29/19--I gotta keep working on, among other songs, HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT...when Dianne leaves the second? third? time I can get to it...just heard from Lou...he wants me to come to the Music Café tomorrow...if I can, I'll will...turns out I can, so I will...one of the ABC songs that needs the most work is DON'T STOP BELIEVING...that one's not gonna be ready for tonight...
 11:28 AM--just might play piano on STEVE MCQUEEN and ROLLING IN THE DEEP...I DO wonder what, if anything, Lee is gonna say...but I don't care--yet...

that would be something

           SUNDAY 11/24/19 4:38 PM--it suddenly occurred to me (after a pretty good and much needed nap) that *I* could fill in for Mike on Drums at the ACME Band Co. gig on Friday the 29th...I sent Dave an e-mail expressing the idea...I suspect that ultimately the idea will be shot down...and that's OK too...Starting tomorrow, I will focus on the ACME Band Co.--although it seems like I've already started, right?
     First I need to practice my keyboard parts...in fact, that's the first priority if you ask me...I'll start tomorrow, hopefully...
10 PM--The substitute drummer idea was nixed, and that's OK, I guess...Now I need to determine exactly which songs I play keyboard on...I have a couple of lists but I checked with Dave to be more certain...
         TUESDAY 11/26/19 10:30 AM- Litz is having a 50% off sale Friday morning from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM… Allegedly the sale covers absolutely EVERYTHING…Maybe I can get those Fender locking tuners that I’ve been thinking about for Butterscotch...I may be wrong, but I think I could possibly install them myself…There is at least one video on YouTube that explains how…
 4:40 PM--I talked to Tony Litz this morning...they don't even carry locking tuners anymore, at least that's what Tony said...besides which the sale is for items that cost more than $50 dollars, I think...kinda puts a damper on the whole idea...
5:09 PM--I think I'm gonna go to Litz in the morning to see how much he'll give me for my wireless...I'm hoping for $75 bucks, he can sell it for about $100 dollars...
9:20 PM--whatever cash he gives me I'm hoping to spend there--on Friday morning...on what I have no idea...
WEDNESDAY 11:44 AM--change of plan, I think...NOT going to Litz' Early Bird Black Friday Sale...I don't need anything; I may WANT things, but I don't NEED anything...
12:16 PM--Jackie is hosting the open mic at Hershey's tonight...I MIGHT go w/o Lou, but I'd rather he was there...he can't go...so I probably won't go either...what's the point?
4:16 PM--and yet, I'm planning on going anyway...gonna take my acoust--wait, I just changed my Mind...I'm not yet completely over this cold and I have a gig on Friday...there is singing involved...

From one extreme to the other

          SUNDAY 11/24/19 11:35 AM-now that the gig with the FHB is over, I have to focus  on the Acme Band Company...starting Monday... Even if I felt all better, which I don’t, I would take today off… I will have to get back to work in earnest tomorrow…

it's the right thing to do

         FRIDAY 11/22/19 9:18 AM--it feels like it has taken forever, but I finally got the mp3 of BREAKDOWN into Audacity so I could slow it down enough to (hopefully) learn a certain guitar riff...I feel as though I can't do much of anything until Goodwill comes and takes the microwave and the microwave cart...I dunno when that will be...Dianne doesn't either...
       4:12 PM--they came around one o'clock or thereabouts...I tried to take a nap of a decent length but it only lasted about an hour...so I got up and went to work in the Gizmo Lab...I THINK it's ready for the gig...
9:10 PM--I was able to get in a teeny bit of practice for the past hour or so, polishing up various riffs...I hope to get some more in before the gig...because its' strings are newer, I'll probably use Butterscotch as my main guitar...
   Dianne and I are going out the door in the morning at about 8:30 to do stuff...hoping to home by 1 PM, more or less...the load-in is at 3 PM I think...
SATURDAY 11/23/19 5:15 PM--Dianne went out alone, I was/am? too sick to go out...participated in the load-in/set-up...dunno why I brought Butterscotch, but it's a good thing I did...what happens is:ya set up yer stuff, plug in your instrument, make sure everything works--*I* don't, but some people call that a sound check...don't wanna leave the house before 7:45 or so...
SUNDAY-11/24/19 2 AM–the gig at the OTWC is history...LOTSA mistakes from everyone not just ME...I think the audience generally liked us...that may be the only thing that matters...I think I came home with about $100 more or less...I’ve got $166 in my pocket...at the most I had roughly $60 in my pocket when I left for the gig...
 9:20 AM--I'm gonna wait until I hear from the other guys, I'm sure they have their opinions regarding last night's gig and I suspect that they won't exactly agree with me...I believe it's true--what the audience thinks matters the most...but I would be happier if we didn't make so many mistakes...
       It sounds like BS, but it's true--I felt pretty bad when the show started, and I don't feel good now...I would wager that Barnaby Brian and/or Stoney will deny making many if any mistakes...In some cases, if one person makes a mistake, the rest of us have to go along with it...as to who originated the most mistakes, I would say it was Butch...IMO he's the weakest link in the band...he has said that he and his family will be moving to the beach (wherever that is) sometime next year...it's cruel and heartless, but I'm wondering if we should replace him sooner...

again with the pressure?

                                                                                                                                                                                   SUNDAY 11/17/19 10:26 PM--I think I've got the set list for the ACME Band Co.gig at Lahinch Tavern on the 29th and should have the set list for the FHB gig at the OTWC soon, whenever that is...The situation will likely change, probably a few times, but right now I'm rather excited about the FHB gig and a bit apprehensive about the ABC gig...
           MONDAY 11/18/19 11:13 AM--prepping for the FHB gig...loaded up the tablet with two or three more sets of lyrics...printed what I think are the latest set lists for both band's gigs...
2:50 PM-just discovered something… When I got my new phone, it took a day or two but most of the old files made it to the new phone...with the exception of all of my sound recordings... Most if not all of the ones that I thought were important enough I uploaded into iTunes but basically, when it comes to the entire collection itself, I’m starting over, there IS no Collection..a bit of a shock, but Life is like that sometimes...
     TUESDAY 11/19/19 5:50 PM--mostly because there was a workman in the house, I haven't touched a guitar...he's gonna be here again tomorrow...even so, I intend to get a new set of strings for Butterscotch...maybe I can put them on early Thursday morning and use Thursday night's rehearsal to break 'em in...
11:07 PM--nervously downloaded a free Joe Bonamassa album into iTunes, which (I think) automatically enters me in a Fender contest where the winner gets an amp...which I would likely sell for some cash...
WEDNESDAY 11/20/19 8:35 AM--still planning to put new strings on Butterscotch...I guess I'll have to wait until the splashback guy leaves...
1:38 PM--some of the guys in the FHB and I have been having a civil discussion about some trouble spots in the FHB song list...let's see how civil we all can be at practice...
9PM--it took an hour (just like in the old days) but I put new strings on Butterscotch...managed to stab the middle finger of my left (fretting) hand...hopefully it will be better in about 22 hours...if not then, surely it will be OK by Saturday...
THURSDAY 11/21/19 4:41 PM--our OTWC debut (as something other than an open mic house band) is two days away...the number of butterflies is growing...
10:35 PM--it's weird, I felt fine at FHB practice...I felt as though my voice was slowly coming back...although singing from my chest really wore me out...now I'm home and I'm feeling a bit "oogy"...
11:19 PM--I just made a payment to Litz...I might regret it later, but not yet--I paid $100...now I owe about $150 more or less...there's still about 35 minutes left until tomorrow, but it was a very good day...

trying to get back in the groove

          THURSDAY 11/14/19 8:34 PM--the call went out to the members of the FHB to suggest one new song each to add to our song list...*I* suggested DON'T DO IT by the Band...I dunno what the other guys think but Stoney was cool on the idea...I'd bet money that he just doesn't like the song/arrangement because of what is more or less a one-note bass line...He suggested SATURDAY NIGHT'S ALRIGHT by Elton John...it's got more energy in it...I sang that once at an open mic somewaht spontaneously...I think Sue Johnstone wrote out the lyrics for me...
FRIDAY 11/15/19 7:48 PM--I don't think I have any band practices this weekend...I'm OK with that...I think there's one by the FHB next Thursday, two days before the gig...I'm already getting a butterfly or two in my stomach...and I've still got another week...
11:10 PM--I've just spent the last two hours extracting the audio from three dozen youTube videos that Stu uploaded of the SNOWDAWGZ live...Two venues were involved--Hershey's and an AmerLegion post in Laurel...two different drummers were used--Randy at Hershey's and Rich at the Legion...Jeff played Bass at both gigs...
           I keep meaning to check in with Stu to see how things are going, find out if anything is going on in the near future...at this point in time, it may be a bit late in the evening...I'll try tomorrow...
SATURDAY 11/16/19 8:51 AM--I was gonna go thru my phone and take out songs that I don't know and/or have no strong desire to hear...I was gonna take out playlists that I didn't want or need...to make a LONG story short, it was easier to leave it all on the phone...In fact, I ADDED some stuff-the Snowdawgz live stuff...I THINK the phone still has half its' gigabytes left...that seems like a lot to me...
 SUNDAY 11/17/19 4:51 PM--starting to think a bit more about the upcoming FHB gig...made a list of songs *I* think I need to polish...there's eight so far...Had a chat with Stoney, he says he feels bad that I wasn't asked to sit-in with the 'stoppers last night...I'm still ambivalent about it...

It’s kind of sad, really

            SUNDAY 11/10/19 5:38 PM-It’s kind of sad listening to Barry wonder why the Combustibles can’t get hired to play at Hershey’s or the OTWC... I guess he has no idea how bad the band is…And as much as I respect Brian’s musicianship and ability I’m curious as to why he plays with us… We are a better band than we were before because he’s in it, but still…
     The next gig that I know of, by any of the bands that I am in, is November 23 at the OTWC… It’s the FHB…
MONDAY 11/11/19 4:40 PM- Much to my surprise, I have band practice with the Acme band company tonight…That means bringing the keyboard stuff… More work for a body that has had more than enough work the past few days... I figure on being back here in Rockville by 11 PM more or less…
10:37 PM-so I made it back to Rockville before 11 o’clock… After the official practice the female singer left and the rest of us did some jamming-that was probably the most fun I had all evening… I’ve been playing music every night since last Thursday... Last Thursday was rehearsal with the FHB  Friday was the gig at the OTWC with ITN, Saturday was the gig with the FHB, Sunday was rehearsal with the Combustibles and this evening was practice with the ACME Band Co.- it’s no wonder I barely know what my name is...
    WEDNESDAY 11/13/19 7:47 PM--just about fully recovered from all the Musical activity that I engaged in last week...and I might be busy tomorrow, rehearsing with Lilieana and Jeff Jones...
THURSDAY 11/14/19 Noon--I don't feel like jamming with Lilieana and Jeff...and I probably won't be going to Pete's open mic either...of course by 7 or 8 o'clock I'll wish I'd gone out somewhere...but going to Pete's would look VERY suspicious...

This gig probably requires Xanax

         SATURDAY 11/9/19 7:36 AM-There is a 4 o’clock load in at the Elks club in Rockville… I plan to be there; It shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to get there...the gig itself starts at eight and goes till 11… Other than those two events, I have no idea what’s going on today, like Dinner... If I don’t forget, I’m going to take a Xanax before I leave for the gig tonight… I think they’re currently at Dianne’s house, so I’ll look for them when I get there, which is in about an hour…
    4:50 PM-I remember when playing a gig was fun...so far this one hasn’t been...the 5PM soundcheck MIGHT be done by 6:30...but I’m not gonna bet on it...
SUNDAY 11/10/19 1AM-The FHB finished their first official gig about an hour and a half ago... All the other members of the band seem to be satisfied with our performance…*I* came out of my shell (as a lead singer) in a BIG way... I surprised even myself...maybe it’s the hat... I DO regret not making a cell phone recording though...
   I came home with $80...I’m happy with that... Every bit of good news is usually followed by a bit of bad news… The Combustibles are supposed to rehearse tomorrow at 1:30 – that’s just about the last thing I want to do tomorrow...maybe it will be canceled;
     7:23 AM-My amp didn’t sound so good by the last set, I hope I haven’t blown the speaker... I’ll probably take the amp to practice, but I won’t take it out of the trunk if I don’t have to – there’s usually a guitar amp in the basement when I get there… It’s the same kind of amp that I use...
MONDAY 11/11/19 1:19PM--again, I'm surprised to find out I have a band practice tonight--with the ACME Band Co.--7PM at Mike's house...as far as I know there's a Peavey amp there for me to run my guitar thru...but I've been instructed to bring the keyboard stuff...the gig is on the 29th...plenty of time to prepare for it keyboard-wise...but I'm not sure I like to be THIS busy...

two gigs at once

              FRIDAY 11/8/19 1:39 PM--I've done as much prepping for tomorrow night's gig than I have for tonight's gig...and I think the ITN gig will be more fun than the FHB gig...I will need Sunday and Monday and maybe more to recover...
     Maybe there’s a full moon out tonight...has Stoney always been so full of himself? and, in some MontCo restaurants I can’t seem to get any respect...wassup wit dat?
SATURDAY 11/9/19 1:52 AM-The gig at the OTWC  with ITN went better than I thought it would and was a considerable amount of fun… I made $80 plus $15 in tips...
        I’m not sure why, but Arlene guested on one number – SUPERSTITION… I did some of my best singing in front of an audience this evening IMO, and frankly, some of my best guitar playing... And because I was ready with the tablet I made it through TAKE IT EASY without incident... Perhaps because no one was there to reprimand me, I had a considerable amount of fun with lyric mutation...
      Stoney was a little on the bossy side, when discussing with me the idea of testing my wireless system before bringing it to the gig... He’s right, of course…IF I have time to set it up and test it, I will… If I do not, then I’ll leave it here in Rockville And use the normal method...
10:26 AM--I'm starting to think that I won't have time to run the wireless test--darn it...
   

who is the leader of the band?

       SUNDAY 11/3/19 7:36 AM--As far as I know, the FHB is still practicing today...I'm not at all looking forward to that...I THOUGHT that if there was a band leader it was Butch...it feels to ME like Stoney brushed him aside and took over...and IMO he's a bit of a dictator...which is why The Snowdawgz are my favorite of all the bands I'm in; although I'm not 100% sure I'm actually a member OF the band...in fact it might not be a band...It almost feels like Stu gets a gig then puts a group together based on who is available...
         I would like to have a band meeting, but I dunno if any other members of the group feel the same way I do...it wouldn't surprise me if they did...I find it hard to believe that I'm the only one that feels this way...
6 PM--but apparently I'm like Lindburgh over the Atlantic--totally, utterly, completely alone...and it doesn't feel good...at least two of the guys in the band are (IMO) anal retentive...playing Music with them is not fun...
TUESDAY 11/5/19 7:03 PM--I think I should take a break from the 1180 Lab...I struggled for awhile, and gave up fighting with a power strip that kept shutting off...tomorrow I'm scheduled to meet Lou at Hershey's acoustic open mic...naturally it's one of those Wednesdays where Jackie ISN'T hosting...I may not be up to it physically or emotionally, but I'm planning to go if it's the last thing I do...
      WEDNESDAY 11/06/19 9:47 AM-as far as I know, I’m still going to Hershey’s this evening… especially if Lou does as well… And if by some chance he can’t or won’t go, then I’ll likely stay home…
1:04 PM-we're still a "go" for 6:30 or so...I hope to be asleep in about an hour...hopefully the nap will last until 4 PM...
        I hope to warm up on the guitar before Dianne gets home...I AM concerned about the condition of my singing voice...all I can do is hope for the best...
9:19 PM-I think Lou and I were an 8.5 at the most… he seemed satisfied; I recorded the set, it lasted about 15 minutes…I also sat in with Jeff and Liliana…being generous I would give us a 7.0… But then again we didn’t rehearse anything…
 11:22 PM--Liliana and I did YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND...I'd never played it before; I did pretty darned good IMO...and with a capo no less...Butch came out and did a few...he confirmed that The FHB is practicing tomorrow at 7:30 for the gig on SATURDAY...and ITN is playing at the OTWC on FRIDAY...I'm pretty nervous about all of it...and running outta Xanax...
      THURSDAY 11/7/19 11:29 AM--thinking about using my wireless at one or both of my upcoming gigs...otherwise, why did I buy it?
11:50 PM-it seems like we’re not supposed to have too much fun at rehearsal… After all, music is serious business, right?
   Stoney  says he’s going to the OTWC tomorrow to do an early load in – tomorrow night he’s a keyboard player, so I guess he’s got more stuff to deal with than if he was a bass player... I told him I might do the early load-in as well, but I can’t guarantee that I will...

what about next month and beyond

     
             SATURDAY 11/2/19 8:42 AM--I don't think I have a lotta gigs after the end of December, if any...I guess I should check with Dave, Stu, and Barry...FHB is scheduled to practice tomorrow--we don't need it as much as a couple of the other bands I'm in, but some is better than none...
3:49 PM--have started an iTunes playlist of the work I've done recently with Stu...got 15 minutes so far...two from the sit-in w/Dogs Off the Wall, one from last night with the Snowdawgz...
     7:35 PM--*I* thought that Butch was the leader of the FHB...apparently Stoney is...I actually wrote out the notes that he wants me to play in DRIVE and put the cheat sheet on the tablet...I'll check my work tomorrow, if I don't do it sooner...be right back...checked the accuracy of the notes...I believe they're on the money...and MY part of the solo in I SAW THE LIGHT is pretty dammed good to my ears...I suspect CENTERFIELD needs some work though...
 10:54 PM--I was thinking about my recent "lab work", recording one of my own compositions when it occurred to me that I should try to re-record my arrangement of YESTERDAY, done in the style of NY and Crazy Horse...the only recording that exists now was dubbed from a cassette and sounds like shit...maybe I'll start on that on Monday or Tuesday...
 11:36 PM--after watching a pair of tutorial vids on using the drum machine that's built into the BR-1180, I actually think that perhaps I could possibly utilize it--MAYBE...something to think about, right?