Desertions, desires and a possible re-birth

      MONDAY 12/30/19 10 AM--I could be wrong, but I think *I* have only deserted one of my Musical partners, but she may have been the most talented of all of them--Sherri Robbins...I on the other hand have been deserted more than once...Bill Mulroney, Jeff Herbert, Neil McFadden, Barry Fantle (as a duo partner) Stu Judd (at least a little), Michelle Murray, Bill Grimes, Larry Mueller, Jon Reeve...
              And there are some non-Musical relationships that have mysteriously fizzled out, for reasons that are unknown to me...Roger Christian for starters...is it because  I'm repulsive? obnoxious? boring? stupid? is it because I want Chump outta the White House by ANY means necessary? I suspect that's why I don't hear from Roger...Do *I* have to do all the reaching out? If so, why?
        For instance, I swallowed my pride and reached out to Brooke Robbins on Flakebook quite awhile back...he's ignoring my Friend Request...
       I think about certain females I'm rather attracted to and I wonder if any of them, (or women I don't even know for that matter) have a crush on ME...of course not...besides, most, if not all, of those women are at least a little younger than me...and it wouldn't matter if I WAS living on my own, by myself...those activities that Women (and Men) enjoy together are activities I'm no longer capable of participating in...
   7:43 PM--just heard from Ken Sleeman...seems like Luisa wants to put together another Band...Ask me again tomorrow, but right now I'm interested...
9 PM--the way I remember it, The Reverbs was fun and I made a few bucks...Nothing is official, as far as *I* know, but it is a mildly exciting idea...
TUESDAY 12/31/19 5:30 PM--talked to Ken Sleeman today...there's a meeting of some sort scheduled for 1 PM Monday...I guess he wants to know if Luisa and I still have a chemistry or he wants to know if I can still play...I'll get to use my new Reverb Pedal...it may be too soon to say for sure, but I think I'm about to join another band...which would make SIX...

so it's a common problem

       SUNDAY 12/29/19 9:42 AM--From a comparison between the Fender Blues JR III and the Blues JR IV amps I found online, dated March 2019--"Volume still doubles when you dial it from 1 to 1.0001. This is a known problem since III but it looks like it wasn’t fixed in IV."   So that's not my imagination...it's quite annoying...
       The FHB has a practice scheduled for 1/2/20, so I should start working on my weak spots on the songlist, and there are a few...there's an FHB rehearsal scheduled for Thursday, which means I will miss at least some of the Singer Songwriter Showcase at the OTWC which in January 2020 includes Angela and Alexia among the artists performing there...Practice is usually over before 10 o’clock, so maybe I can make it to the OTWC  by 10:30 or so...
6:45 PM--I get tired of seeing so-called friends of mine talking about their recording projects on Flakebook and none of them seem to think I'M good enough to be even a small part of them...specifically Bill M., who is (I think) about to go into a studio and make an album...I should know better than to believe what a lawyer says, right?

if nothing else, I AM good at harmonizing

FRIDAY 12/27/19 1:39 AM-The fourth Thursday open mic is history… It went generally way better than I thought it would…I felt like I was playing in a phone booth...I guess that’s not gonna change...some of the regular singers are amateurs and I don’t expect too much from them – I’m not going to name names for a change...The highlight of the evening for me I think was the set by Jeff Jones with harmonies by me and Jeff Karn – amazing...Especially Jones’ rendition of Tom Petty‘s YOU DON’T KNOW HOW IT FEELS...Lately I’ve been worried about losing my high notes, but  that was not a problem tonight...not even a little...
      My guitar playing wasn’t too bad this evening either…There are still a couple of patches on the ME 70 that need to be readjusted with regard to volume levels though...As far as I can remember, my next gig (with anybody) will be January 10 with the FHB at the Rockville Elks...
      No one got paid this evening, because the ATM wouldn’t spit out any cash for Vera... I’ve arranged to go to the Thayer residence and pick up the money tomorrow at 2 o’clock after which I have to come back here to Rockville and feed the cat... But first I have to clean up and pack up…The house sitting job ends for me tomorrow at approximately 5 o’clock after which I go back to G-burg...
       There’s a video on Flakebook showing three dudes singing Hotel California acoustically in a sports bar in Fairfax…They got one of the chords wrong and the harmonies are so-so at best... It makes me feel even better about what me Jeff Jones and Jeff Karn did last night, the FHB too for that matter…Allegedly there will be videos… But Jones is hard to work with, for me at least...he’s such a conceited, dorky guy IMO...oh well... I don’t see any rehearsals with anybody in the near future, unless I’m forgetting something...
      5:55 PM--back in G-burg, thank the Universe...looking forward to bedtime, I admit...gonna try to stay up until 11 PM...thankfully, I don't have to make a run to Safeway--until tomorrow...
SATURDAY 12/28/19 1:30 PM--Stoney sent the set list for the FHB gig at Rockville Elks on 1/10/20...Of course I had to MANUALLY re-write it THEN create a Google Doc...took about an hour, thought it was gonna take longer...
1:46 PM--just ordered another amp cover...I had about $10 dollars left on my Gift Card, so the cover only added about $6 to my credit card balance...IF the original one somehow turns up, I'll check with Geoff (the ACME Band Co.) to see if he wants/needs one for HIS Blues Jr. amp...I'm not sure but he might already have one, in which case, I dunno what I'm gonna do with an extra one, if I ever see the one I left at the OTWC, which John Trupp allegedly has...why hasn't he contacted me, IF he has it? because he doesn't like me?
 7:17 PM--do I annoy that many people? how many people annoy ME?

trying to get back to “normal “

  THURSDAY 12/26/19 Noon-if I can, I’m going to try to focus on tonight‘s open mic…And like I almost always do this time of year, I’m starting to think about New Year’s resolutions... In 2020 I really really want to be a different person... Apparently who I am now has very few REAL friends...I want to try and start talking less…I’m sure there are a lot of people who think I just like to hear my sound of my own voice... I dunno if that’s true or not...it might actually be true...
        3:20 PM-I forgot that as far as the 0TWC 4th Thursday open mic set up is concerned, I’m back in the corner where I used to be in the Harbison days…I wouldn’t mind that so much if Butch wasn’t still right next to me...it doesn’t make sense to ME to have two guitars next to each other…I guess it’ s always gonna be like that with the FHB...Not to mention that he takes up a bit more room than I do...So it’s back to feeling like a second-class citizen, if that...but I need the money...
     And I wonder why I bust my ass to get here by 3 o’clock when I can’t really set up my stuff until Brian and Butch gets finished setting up  theirs...
4:49 PM-going to take a shower, eat dinner then go back to the OTWC… I want to be back there before 7:30… Which gives me about an hour to sit around and do next to nothing except be nervous…
6:17 PM-I am is clean and clean shaven as I’m going to get...I can’t see any reason to sit here and watch TV for 30 minutes or even 20 minutes...I’m gonna leave in about 10 minutes… I know I probably shouldn’t, but I’m going to have some ice cream for dessert BEFORE I do any singing…

the Big Day is history...

       TUESDAY 12/24/19 8:06 AM--now I'll focus on the open mic, which is two days away...on the other hand, there's at least one video on youTube from last night, thanx to Stoney or Sue...Video aside, I'd give the Full House Band an 8.5, no more, no less...
9:20 AM--suddenly nervous about buying a stomp box at Litz...I'm not 100% sure I have the credit, but I THINK I do...I guess I'll know in about an hour...
11:07 AM--I now own a Boss digital reverb unit...it does other things too, the most significant thing being DELAY...I don't need it when I'm using the ME 70, but otherwise it will come in quite handy--like when I'm with the ACME Band Co., ITN or just going to an open mic...I don't think I'll need it anytime soon, but I don't regret buying it...
11:47 AM--John Trupp has my amp cover...how and when we'll be at the same place, I have no idea...Maybe the open mic on Thursday...
5:50 PM-having seen a video of my performance of Blue Christmas, I am thinking that maybe a rating of 8.5 is a bit generous… And Butch’s performance of Santa Looked a lot like Daddy left a bit to be desired as well...I guess he was as nervous as I was…
WEDNESDAY 12/25/19 11 AM--suddenly I've got a few songs to learn by tomorrow night...and (naturally) Arlene wants to do Christmas songs--why? I have no idea...I'm sure people say this about me, but I find her to be annoying at least...
7:09 PM-starting to work on those new songs for tomorrow’s open mic… I’ve just listened to a couple of them a couple of times each... A couple of them are very easy; at least one of them is going to be quite difficult, I think, due to its’ tempo... I actually thought about pulling the guitar out and working on them now, but I don’t want to get all wound up or excited... So I’m gonna try to calm down as much as I can… I want to go back to being tired like I was an hour or two ago...
10:25PM-as far as I know, I have nothing to do but practice my guitar until about 2:30... I won’t spend the entire time practicing, in fact I don’t know how much time I’m going to spend practicing but I have the option of practicing whenever I want to…
11:05PM-just experimenting with the idea of printing something here from my phone, but through Linda’s printer… Much to my surprise it worked!!!

the Big Day is here

    MONDAY 12/23/19 9:03 AM--I still hope to be at the OTWC by around 4 PM or so...I hope JT won't be the weirdo he often is...I want me and my amp to be on the far left side of the stage (as you're looking at it) which should make it easier to clear out if and when I want to...I guess I'm having Dinner there, somewhere around 5 or 6 o'clock...I intend to have a stage outfit to wear...I'll bring it with me and leave it in the car until about 8:15...no interest in seeing/hearing Greg and Lisa Marsh, but it shouldn't take 15 minutes to change clothes...
3 PM--getting ready to leave for the OTWC...For starters I want a good parking space, and I'm hoping to set up my gear...and of course, I'll be having Dinner there most likely...
7:20 PM-as I knew it would be, the place is packed… Angela isn’t here but just about anybody or everybody else I know is--including at least one of my other crushes-- Faye, Reneé, Carolyn...
8 PM-Angela is here now...
10:08 PM-we now about 20 minutes behind schedule...I can’t wait till we’re done...but I’m kinda stuck here until the end of the show...
TUESDAY (!) 12:28 AM--if nothing else, we had lotsa energy...I kinda forgot to come in at the beginning of BLUE XMAS, but I did manage to go over the top by the end of the song, which was the plan all along...What I DIDN'T plan on doing is leaving my amp cover at the gig...I'm hoping somebody picked it up...or I'll have to get another one (f**k!)...they don't cost all that much; I have almost $10 credit with Amazon...the amp's reverb went on the fritz again (f**k #2)--*I* dunno why the plug keeps falling out...I think what I'm gonna have to do is get a reverb pedal from Litz, charging it of course...
            I think I'll go to Litz later today, like when they open...Dianne will be at work, so what she doesn't know won't hurt me...

Fooling myself?

      THURSDAY 12/19/19 9:55 PM-So here I am at the OTWC...suddenly feeling like I’m in Musical Little League...I suspect that’s how other people see me...I shouldn’t care what other people think, but I do...I thought I was in the Major League, not the best player but not the worst either...I KNOW I’m not the worst... I’m in a band with some not very good singers and players, but I’m not naming names…
11:35PM-maybe if it hadn’t been so cold this evening, I woulda brought my gear to the open mic...but I AM saving myself for Monday...I'm having an OK time though...
 FRIDAY 12/20/1911:50 AM--I found out that I don't even have to bring my amp to the Derwood Xmas Show...I'll just bring Butterscotch and the ME-70...or just some stompboxes...we're only playing a 15 minute set, and it's a benefit...I still wish somebody had co-ordinated the Xmas songs, as in who's singing what...oh well...maybe I should tell Butch that HE can use JT's amp, so he won't have to bring his...but then I WILL have to bring mine, and I don't really wanna...
7:25 PM--still feeling down about my Musical public image...to some degree it's my fault, associating with amateurs...yes, that's what I said...perhaps not Barnaby, Stoney or Brian, but possibly just about everyone else...I don't consider myself to be an amateur, but maybe after FIFTY YEARS I am...maybe The LCB was my Professional period...actually, I felt like a Pro when I was with Daryl Davis...why he dumped me, I may never know...and maybe I don't wanna know...
 SATURDAY 12/21/19 9:05 AM--because I don't wanna spend 15 minutes possibly not liking the sound of JT's amp while playing with the FHB, I'll bring my own amp, hassle though that may be...that will be one less thing to worry about...after all, I told JT I would...and I told Butch that I would...and I'll probably just bring a pair of stompboxes...
9:41AM--listening to the FHB rehearsal recording of the Xmas songs...I'm not the worst singer in the Band...I'm reluctant to say who I think is...HINT--I think he's moving away sometime next year...I assume he'll be replaced...
10:50 AM--Somebody (Barnaby?) set up a Flakebook Page for the FHB...I don't think I'M an administrator; dunno if I'm ever gonna be...I'd like to add some photos, but I don't think I can yet...
5:18 PM--the gig isn't until Monday but I'm consumed by it...which is having a negative effect on my body...
7:08 PM--I tried to add a photo to the FHB FB page--as far as I know, I'm still in the band--but the post/photo isn't on the page yet...and (unless I'm doing something wrong, which IS possible) I can't load/post anything to the Page...I won't call anybody an asshole for shutting me out--yet...

not a total loss...but almost

    TUESDAY 12/17/19 12:19 PM--the electric twelve sounds pretty good thru my amp IMO...and it seems to be pretty loud as well...the intonation is kinda problematic...what I think are called "first position" chords are not in tune, but what I call barre chords are OK...I guess the real problem is that I have "perfect pitch" so a relatively slight bit of "out-of-tuneness" *I* am gonna notice, whereas other people might not...I actually shot a couple of vids, but I don't know what I'm gonna do with 'em...
          And I think I repaired the reverb in my amp as well...for how long I don't know...I'm a bit concerned about taking the acoustic out in this weather, especially since it will be pretty dammed cold after rehearsal...
10:15 PM--other than having a hard time finding the rehearsal location, the evening was pleasant enough...I'm still not completely sure what we're rehearsing for...Jeff is performing at the Derwood Xmas Show, but Liliana will be outta town...
WEDNESDAY 12/18/1912:21 PM--spent a fair amount of time working with the ME-70...checked out all 36 USER presets, most of which I created and/or modified...
9:21 PM--I spent a fair amount of time knob twiddling on the ME-70 to learn the guitar part that Barnaby learned on the keyboard faster than I did on guitar, thinking he was gonna give it back--he did not, I'm not sure why...it's Butch's Xmas song--Santa Looks a lot Like Daddy...apparently it was time wasted...
                I'm still (IMO) getting treated like dirt...I'm sure my "friend" Stoney (or Barnaby) is composing yet another e-mail full of criticisms--I can hardly wait...
      I've decided that I don't want to be in a Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band, if that's what Jeff and Liliana have in Mind...now I gotta tell them...not looking forward to THAT...
THURSDAY 12/19/19 7:50 AM--was thinking of going to the OTWC tonight, but the open mic is allegedly gonna include a Xmas music segment...one reason NOT to go...
9:13 AM--Tish says she would like me to come out tonight and play...the Xmas stuff won't take all night...and I've never heard Colleen sing...and my equipment is already in the living room...we'll see...
11:32 AM--I had to reconstruct the memorized patches on my keyboard, and so I did, in the "wrong" order, but still...
4:21 PM--I guess it doesn't matter what *I* want, or maybe the FHB is not a democracy...on the day AFTER Xmas we might be playing our Xmas set to kick off the open mic...that's taking the lazy man's way out IMO...
5:32 PM--it's funny, of the four (or is it five?) bands I'm in, I seem to get the most respect from the members of the band(s) that I'm least proud of, if I use the Musical standards that I've been using for most of my Life...it's quite depressing...

I'm hoping I can do better

 
          SUNDAY 12/15/19 7:07 PM--somebody (Barnaby?) sent the guys in the FHB a recording of Silent Night that (I think) features him singing all the parts...Maybe I'm wrong, but I think I can equal that...one of my problems is that my desire to take on ANY Project seems to be strongest at the time of day when I'm supposed to start winding down...meaning now...
    In order to get the Project done, I might have to buy a mic cable...I'm gonna poke around in the basement first though, I think there's one down there somewhere...
MONDAY 12/16/19 7 AM--there is snow on the ground...that may put the kibosh on my Plans for today...but I've been going over the arrangement in my head...I'm going for a CSN kinda thing, but who knows how it will ultimately turn out...
   9:15 AM-And now I’ve misplaced the two guitar strings that I bought (even though I only need one) so I can restring my electric 12 string...so now I have to go buy strings all over again…The only day this could possibly be is Monday...
 12:05 PM--it took about an hour but I finally put ONE new "G" string on the electric twelve string...it's a good thing I bought TWO, because I broke one...I bought a set of hex wrenches and I'd like to think by my adjusting the bridge I stopped the buzzing...I hope to work on MY version of Silent Night at least a little after my nap...
 4:34 PM--I'll finish it tomorrow...I don't mean to seem competitive, because Music is an Art form not a sport, but maybe I'm just upset because Barnaby's recording features three part harmony...which I guess will be Barnaby, Brian and Stoney...I think I can add a low part to what they're gonna do...it seems like the only way I'm gonna know for sure is to record a version of ME singing all the parts...it's gonna be a bit more work than I initially thought...
4:51 PM--maybe I'll just wait until the three of them sing it (at rehearsal?) and suggest adding the low part then...or just say "fuck it" altogether...nah, I'm gonna give it one more shot--tomorrow...how much time I'm gonna spend on it nobody knows...
7 PM--I realized I could first work out the individual parts on "piano"...so I haven't given up just yet...and then it occurred to me that maybe I could practice singing with the recording Barnaby made...
 7:45 PM--Barnaby's recording is now part of my iTunes Library...and it's time to chill, so I will... but I am wondering if I’m rehearsing with Liliana and Jeff Jones tomorrow… I’m supposed to, but who knows?
9:30PM--practice with L & JJ is on for tomorrow at 6, so if Barnaby will let me, I'll just add the low part to his arrangement of SILENT NIGHT...so instead of working on that, I'll likely try the electric twelve thru my amp...

Maybe somebody up there doesn’t like me

SATURDAY 12/14/19 3:50 PM-I KNEW I’d forget something on the way to Mike’s house...I didn’t know it would be the keyboard stand… It could’ve been worse...I could be sitting by the side of the road with a flat tire, and I’m not… The absolute worst case scenario is we’ll be playing without keyboards at all; Dave says he was going to check with Stu and see if HE had a keyboard stand…Maybe I should ask Mike…
6:15 PM-I think the keyboard stand dilemma has been solved, but I am one cord short and in fact it’s the shortest one I use… Some good news – I’ve already gotten the $80 (minus $10 for Dinner)
SUNDAY 12/15/19 1:23 AM--just got in from Mike's house...I'm home about eight minutes sooner than I thought I'd be...the gig went as well as could be expected under the circumstances...Maybe a dozen people in the audience, all of them in the bar...Mike ran the keyboard thru the PA...it sounded real good to me, especially when Stu was playing it...it was seemingly unnecessary to bring the Stagg (the powered speaker) to the gig...But I had no way of knowing that...
 9:04 AM--I left all my stuff in the car, but then I worried about a break-in...happily, it was all still there just now...I'm gonna bring it in slowly...the keyboard is in now, it's the most cumbersome piece of equipment I have to deal with...LATER-I’m trying to get rid of this New feature that I thought I would like but I HATE it...
11:16 AM-it took the better part of 45 minutes, but I think I disabled that feature on my phone that repeated back to me verbally every fucking thing I said… And yet, I can’t remember how I disabled that feature – but I do think I disabled it, at least for the time being…

not quite what *I* had in mind (at first)

             FRIDAY 12/13/19 3:51 PM--I was hoping ITN would have a keyboard player other than me at the gig tomorrow night...but I figured if we didn't, I'd muddle through...I didn't count on having a part-time player...I think he'll be playing on SOME of the songs I'm about to go practice, but not all of them...and I'll still have to schlep the keyboard, stand and powered speaker with me...a not so pleasant surprise...
7:18 AM--after doing some digging, I find that the guy just might be really cool, and probably doesn't need the money I thought/think he should get...and he's coming from Fairfax--I dunno why, but *I* thought he was coming from Baltimore...Fairfax is far enough, I guess, but Colesville (Mike's house) is pretty far too, about 40 miles away from the gig...
       I figured I would be doing a LOT of keyboard practicing tomorrow, but I may not have to do too much...On the other hand, I don't have anything else to do...
SATURDAY 12/14/19 9:50 AM--after watching another episode of AOS, I'll gonna pack up my Musical gear and (maybe) bring it upstairs...Dianne said that was OK...this theoretically leaves me with more time to take a nap--IF I can relax, that is...
          11:35 AM--roughly half of my gear is upstairs already...I'm gonna bring the amp stand but I hope I can leave it in Mike's car while we're playing...surely the Moose Lodge has some kinda chairs...metal folding ones are my first choice...and I'm only bringing ONE guitar, probably "eBay"...I didn't spend any time in front of the light box this morning in the hopes that I can get at least a little bit of nap...but I'm already excited about the day's events...

why am I not surprised?

      WEDNESDAY 12/11/19 9:52 AM--I now have eleven strings on my 12-string...naturally I broke the .008 (the high G) so I'll go to Victor Litz and get some more .008s...I hope to step away from the guitar for now...I hope to get back to it tomorrow...a MAJOR lesson in "patience" I say...Not yet looking forward to FHB practice, maybe by 6:00 I will be...
4:51 PM--I'm a step closer to having a working electric 12-string Strat...I think Lowe's will be able to help...I may have to buy a set of hex wrenches (for about $10), but it's worth it to ME...just to fix the buzzing high G string...I bought a pair of .009s...maybe it won't snap like the .008 did...
10:41 PM--The FHB rehearsal went ok...I'm fairly sure Barnaby doesn't have the respect for my abilities that I deserve...but I think our Derwood Xmas set will be an 8 on a scale of 10...
          The cleaning ladies are supposed to come sometime tomorrow...if I can be patient I will go to Lowe's to get a hex wrench when they get here, no sooner...
8:24 AM--I'm gonna hold off buying a hex wrench (or anything else) until I can safely afford it...right now I can't afford anything that isn't absolutely necessary--like food and/or gas...
  THURSDAY 12/12/19 8AM--I've had the keyboard for quite awhile now but until a half hour ago I had never scrolled through the beats selection, there are several dozen "STYLE" choices and each one can be super slow or super fast (or anything in between) so I've started going thru the list...
      Dunno why, but I wanted to see if I could play the missing riff from I SAW THE LIGHT...the only way to play it the right way is to use a slide...it turns out I can kinda play it with one, but (probably) only if I use Butterscotch...the action is a bit higher than the action on eBay...just barely (IMO) high enough to play slide on it...but for just one riff, it should be ok...maybe Butterscotch can be the official FHB guitar...
6:04 PM--the three Musically inflexible members of the FHB are apparently gonna do an 
a capella version of SILENT NIGHT...at this point in time, like right NOW, sitting calmly and comfortably in my chair, I can add a low part, especially if the raise the key a whole step...a half step might work...
Like I’ve said before, Barnaby mostly, but Stoney sometimes and Brian as well, treat me like some sort of “special needs” kid... And, like I’ve also said before, I think they’re jealous of my ability – or at least afraid I might have a considerable amount of it... And I know how conceited that sounds, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true…

that's unusual

     SUNDAY 12/8/19 11:45 AM--I usually do next to nothing the day after a gig, but today I'm going up the road to see Michelle and "Buck Stone" play their gig...but I think I can squeeze in a tiny nap before I go..."Buck Stone's" real name is Jeremy Schumann...It's way too late now but if I could go back in time MY stage name would be "Scotty Andrews"...or maybe "Andy Scott"...oh well...
      3:16 PM--the Plan is to take some photos at Michelle's gig--the "normal" way, using the iPhone 8 technology I have at my disposal...I should stop off at Harris Teeter on the way home to get baloney and cereal...gonna set my alarm for 5:15 or thereabouts...
6:26 PM--just got home from Michelle's gig..her and Jeremy sound good together..hung out with a guy I sorta know, Stefan Monica (and his Wife) and a couple other folks I know showed up as well...
MONDAY 12/9/19 11:35 PM--I think I know Stefan from Blinkie's karaoke...realizing that triggered the idea that maybe I'll go to Hershey's Tuesday evening, mostly to see Ken & Luisa...and yet I compiled a list of EIGHT songs I think I could sing--if I want to...
TUESDAY 12/10/19 11:10 AM--went to Pritchard's and got the set of strings for the electric twelve...might try to put 'em on after my nap...but I don't expect to finish the job today...
11:30 AM--I'm fighting the urge to work on the guitar now, but I really REALLY wanna learn the concept of "patience"...I don't wanna put it off too much...but tomorrow might not be good if Maria and the girls show up...
4:17 PM--I called it...I was pretty sure I wasn't gonna finish re-stringing the electric twelve-string today--I was right...worked on it for an hour and a half, didn't get finished...eight outta twelve ain't bad...I'll work on it tomorrow...
 5:17 PM--the great thing about the last two pairs of strings is that there is no right or wrong string...I'd like to think it will be pretty easy...the high G has a "buzz" that I think *I* can fix, IF I can find a small enough hex wrench...

hoping to detach...and I did, a little...

     SATURDAY 12/7/19 8AM--I hope to go to the Combustibles gig and just do my job to the best of my ability...this means (IMO) ignoring the inevitable mistakes that I will hear...There is some anxiety about driving myself to the gig, but I should be OK using the GPS on my phone...
     6:10 PM--gonna leave the house at about 7 o'clock and hope I will be at the Celtic House by Eight...I'm considering praying that my journey will be trouble free...not quite as worried about the trip home, but I will be depending on the GPS...
SUNDAY 12/8/19 2:02 AM--just got in from Arlington...IMO the Combustibles might be a 6 on a scale of 10...I really messed up JUNIOR'S FARM...there were a couple of neat spots, but a lot more rough spots...we played three songs by request and the girls who made the requests sang two of the songs...None  of the songs had been played by the Combustibles before...We did YOU MAY BE RIGHT and I sang it...
      Working the ME 70 in Manual Mode took some getting used to, but it wasn't bad...in a conversation about me having a girlfriend, Ric suggested...Angela Drago!!!! Kinda scary if you ask me...
         I got turned around and/or confused leaving the house to get to 270 South--THAT is still a mystery to me...Then my GPS put me on the WRONG Parkway...*I* was thinking George Washington, the GPS was apparently thinking Clara Barton...but I arrived at Celtic House just about when I wanted to and got a parking space right in front of the Place...
      I had directional problems leaving to come home as well...but I made it, that's what matters the most, right? I could have the $80 dollars by Tuesday...

I said I would (I think)

          WEDNESDAY 12/4/19 8:30 AM--I think I told Lou that if HE went to Hershey's, I'd go too...He says he's going...Jackie isn't hosting; maybe that's ultimately for the best...not going out again until Saturday, if I have MY way...
3:48 PM-- Barnaby and Stoney continue to treat me like dirt...guess I'll have to get used to it...after all, THEY are Professional Musicians and I'm just some wacko amateur...Going to Hershey's to meet Lou--HE seems to respect and/or like me...Ileana checked in with me to see if I was going to Hershey's...that's just her being polite I guess...
5:46 PM--she DID seem pleased that I was planning to be there...but again, that could be her just being polite...
11:35 PM-- Lou & Scott were an "8" on a scale of 10 IMO...I think Lou agreed with me...I accompanied a few other performers on guitar...had some fun...now I guess I'll start to focus on Saturday's gig...
THURSDAY 12/5/19 7:35 AM--I could go to the OTWC tonight and spectate or I could go to the Grape Escape and (because Pete is so insistent) participate...or I could stay home and save my voice and energy for Saturday night...Completely undecided...
2:09 PM--still totally undecided about going out tonight, and if so, where...and why for that matter...
4:08 PM--the roomie is definitely going out, as of a half hour ago...I'm leaning towards the OTWC, I can get dessert, I don't have to perform and to some degree I can blend in with the crowd...my budget for today is about $12 and dessert and a drink (plus tip) should come out to be about $12 bucks...
FRIDAY 12/9/19 12:49 AM--went to the Singer/Songwriter Showcase at the OTWC...spent $8, that's dessert and tip...I think my daily budget for the next three days is $11 dollars per day...I think I'll be ok...but I might not get the Saturday gig money until Tuesday...Barry uses PayPal, I dunno why...
12:34 PM--I wasn't gonna do it until tomorrow, while Dianne is in Annapolis, but I went thru the ME-70 to fine tune it in MANUAL Mode...and wrote all the settings down...because what if she DOESN'T go to visit Sue for some reason? so that's done...most of my clean laundry has been dealt with too...I don't think I have anything major to do tomorrow...
    The FHB is scheduled to practice on Wednesday the 11th, but I dunno what Stoney means by "practice yer parts"--parts of what? the Xmas songs? Or are we working on songs for January 10th? *I* don't know...

I called it

           MONDAY 12/2/19 10:04 PM--I was thinking as I left for the FHB rehearsal, "I sure could use my new amp cover, a garbage bag looks stupid..." It was raining a fair amount at the time...I told Dianne that it would probably come while I was at practice--it did...At first I found it hard to believe it was in the box that was waiting for me when I got home, but it was...it fits the way it's supposed to and should under most circumstances keep my amp dry...
           The practice itself went smoothly enough...the other guys let me have my way quite a bit...I swapped out RUN RUDOLPH RUN  for BLUE XMAS, and we added PLEASE COME HOME FOR XMAS as well...I'm very surprised...Yet again I was reminded of upcoming gigs that I had forgotten about...like the 4th Thursday Open Mic on 12/26 which in addition to being the day after Xmas is Deborah Lynn Haines' (of Ellicott City) 66th birthday, assuming she's still alive...
       On January 10th the FHB returns to the Rockville Elks and February 21st it plays at Hershey's...There is also allegedly a Combustibles gig at the Celtic House on February the 1st...
TUESDAY 12/3/19--8:42 AM--I think the FHB is playing four (?) songs at the Derwood Xmas show, but I'm unsure as to which songs and in what order...If not sooner, I'll find out at the next practice...
9:13 AM--I don't think I need to prepare  for the upcoming Combustibles gig, but the ITN gig a week later? Maybe, especially if I'm playing keys...frankly, I hope that the keyboard player who is waiting in the "on-deck circle" will be able to play the show...
10:31AM--But just in case he can't, I went thru the entire ITN Moose Lodge setlist...including the "Alternates", there seem to be lotsa songs that could use keyboards...a couple of them need to be transposed, but that's not a problem...
7:37 PM--Barry made an FB Event out of the gig on Saturday...he made Brian and Barney hosts, but not me...I'm sure that means something, but I'm not sure what that something is...
8:55 PM--and now Stoney is whining because I mentioned on Flakebook a couple of the songs his band is doing at the Derwood Xmas show...and he seems to think that John Trupp is God...I think he's a bit of a jerk...no wonder Stoney likes the guy...I think I'd be happier if they DID fire me...
9:38 PM--I'm gonna try driving myself to the Combustibles' gig on Saturday...that way, I can pack up and split almost as soon as our last Bass player used to...

who’s right, who’s wrong

           SUNDAY 12/1/19 8:35 PM-earlier today, or was it yesterday? I was thinking about my musical ability… Sometimes I think it’s considerable; sometimes I think generally people don’t know how talented I can occasionally be… That is, at least in the privacy of my own home...some of my public performances seem to indicate, at best, average ability…It’s probably true that I don’t practice enough – keyboard OR guitar...
         MONDAY 12/2/19 8:37 AM--In about an hour and a half I'll take the car across the street to get an oil change...I might wait for it, mostly because I don't wanna get wet IF it's raining when it's finished...I think that whatever practicing I do will be after my nap...I'm considering praying that the amp cover will come today, before I leave for Butch's house...
 9:24 AM--I know the FHB is doing a ridiculously short set at the Derwood Xmas Show, so we need to practice for that, but our next gig is January 10th, at the Rockville Elks Club...I'm not yet looking forward to rehearsal, maybe I will later...
10:51 AM--got the chords and lyrics to PLEASE COME HOME FOR XMAS...I got 'em for ITN, but the FHB could use them too...
 4:30 PM--I'm gonna try to be the bigger man and if some of the other members of the FHB wanna treat me like a second class citizen, so be it...For instance, I made copies of PLEASE COME HOME for Stoney Barnaby and Butch IF we end up learning the song...I think I'd rather sing that than RUN RUDOLPH RUN...Frankly, I don't remember singing RUDOLPH, but Stoney says I did...
 And I'm gonna let Stoney be a jerk, if he wants to be...he's pretty good at that, at least occasionally....