enough may be too much

 

       TUESDAY 11/24/2020 12:40PM--I hope I don't jinx it, but I think I found another mp3 Converter...I could go crazy uploading Phish videos, but I've already got more than FORTY live recordings in my Library...I think I need to start listening to each and every one of them, for the purpose of filtering out some of the low fidelity files...the sound quality of most of the VIDEOS is very good...as for the iTunes files, maybe I don't need to listen to the whole song, but it still feels like a lotta work ahead of me...I don't know for sure how long the Project will take; I don't know when I'll be finished, I'm not even sure when I can start on it--I gotta start prepping for the trip to Ocean City...

still in school

     TUESDAY 10/27/2020 6:43PM--still learning about Phish...there is a LOT of Music to hear...
8:45PM--still listening, although I did a couple of Beatle joins, if for no other reason, to make sure I still knew how to do that..
WEDNESDAY 10/28/2020 8:30PM--listening to Phish--on Spotify...in some ways it's easier than listening on youTube...Spotify users assemble playlists...I just go down the list...each of the playlists seems to be a "mish-mosh" of songs...no concept that I see...and there seem to be several dozens of playlists--YIKES!!!
9:36PM--yet again, I'm struggling to keep my eyes open...the sound on Spotify is better than the sound on "phish.in", but I far as I can tell, the downloads are free--and there's 1,628 live shows to choose from...over 4,000 HOURS of Music...
SUNDAY 11/1/2020 5:17PM--well, it took about an hour, but now I have (in the phone) the main riff from SIMPLE as an alarm ringtone...I think I can navigate the Phish Musical Universe by myself...it's the non-musical stuff I might still need some kinda help with...
SATURDAY 11/7/2020 9:05AM--got a message from Lou--he wanted me to come over and jam...I lightly declined..."maybe NEXT Sunday (?)" if it doesn't rain...but I hope it does...
                    First it was "joins", now it's loops to use as wake-up alarms...I've got about six so far...the best one is MR. SOUL...that one was the first or second one I ever did...
11:18AM--I looped a piece of SURF'S UP, but it sounded "off" to me...sure enough the VDJ app lowered it a half step--*I* dunno why...so I corrected that...I don't feel like playing Music, but I still like to listen to it...

it feels like a manic episode...maybe because it is...

 

        WEDNESDAY 10/14/2020 11:22PM--in the past couple of days I've re-discovered Phish...and I have access to a HUMONGOUS amount of downloadable LIVE recordings...I'm talking about several years' worth of shows...And of course I have no idea whatsoever where to begin...
SATURDAY 10/17/2020--still discovering the music of Phish...still got a long way to go...I got word today that Ray is coming to town, to play outdoor gigs...I have mixed feelings about going, and Dianne doesn't want me to go...besides, I haven't touched a guitar since March, aside from some (but not much) home recording, a "reunion" with Lou and an attempt to jam with my ex-brother-in-law...none of that activity was all that satisfying...since March I've seen/heard one band, outside at Hershey's...I admit that I fantasized a bit about being IN that band, but those feelings faded away the next day...
SUNDAY 10/18/2020 12:28 AM--I posted an admittedly cryptic comment on Ray Weaver's FB page, hopefully indicating I wouldn't be attending any of his upcoming gigs...I think he deleted it, I dunno why...I unfollowed him then reversed that action...but I WILL be ignoring his posts for the foreseeable future...I haven't recognized him for quite awhile anyway...
FRIDAY 10/23/2020 11:37PM--I haven't yet heard from Ray, and I'm OK with that...Like I said, I don't know the guy now, if I ever did...
12:15PM--I'm taking a bit of a Phish break...I suspect I'll start up again tomorrow... 
SATURDAY 10/24/2020 8:23PM--I'm still struggling a bit with speech to text when it comes to the tablet; but I should be back behind the laptop in a couple of hours...if not sooner...and that’s where I am now at 9:37 PM…
SUNDAY  10/25/2020 10:22AM--Dianne went upstairs to bed, which has become the unofficial cue to take a break from Phishing...I'm watching some shows I DVR'd...I found what had been the missing Jonatha Brooke DVD; I should/will check out the DVD player to make SURE everything works properly...
11PM--as far as I can tell, in spite of years of inactivity, the DVD player works the way it's supposed to...for which I'm grateful...

still joining and doodling

 

        FRIDAY 10/2/2020 12:34PM--it didn't occur to me until about an hour ago that there was a Chicago song I could join to itself to make it longer than about a minute and a half...and I didn't have to buy a second copy of it to make that happen...it is beyond perfect, probably the best one I've ever done...and I didn't even come up with the idea until about 11:00 this morning...
         4:29PM--I just made a join which connects the Chicago song (GETAWAY) three times...any more than that is overkill--I think...wow...
SUNDAY 10/4/2020 1:16PM--can't believe it didn't occur to me until this morning to connect SHATTERED to SATISFACTION...but now I have...

it's perfect, now what happens?

 

       WEDNESDAY 9/16/2020 11:45PM--fooling around with Virtual DJ, I (deliberately) created my first loop...it's the drum riff intro to THAT THING YOU DO...it is absolutely PERFECT...I don't yet know how to take the next step...I dunno what the next step IS...what I should do is start prepping for a night's sleep...I need to calm down...
THURSDAY 9/17/2020 9:20AM--I created another, longer loop, again using TTYD...it turns out VDJ measure time not in seconds or minutes, but the number of measures played...gotta get used to that...just did another one--the MR. SOUL intro...but I still dunno what to DO with 'em...with regard to iTunes, everytime I use it, I have to CLEAR the "Up Next" list...gotta get used to THAT...
TUESDAY 9/22/2020 12:25PM--still having fun with VDJ...tried a three piece--missed by a half a second...I'll try again later...
WEDNESDAY 9/23/2020 10:53PM--did a couple more "joins"...some are better than others, but even the bad ones are pretty good...
THURSDAY 9/24/2020 6:06 PM--still doing some "joins" but I think I'm trying too hard...maybe I need a little break...
FRIDAY 9/25/2020 7:30PM--weather permitting, Dianne and I are scheduled to go see 49CENT DRESS play at Hershey's...The gig is outside, starts at 4PM...If we go it will be the first time I've gone out to see live Music since Friday, March the 13th...and then  I was part of the band...actually NOT looking forward to seeing any of my so-called MoCo friends...my rotten luck, Angela will be there...EDIT--Carolyn says she's going...which may mean Barnaby will be there with her--oh boy...
10:43PM--I put a doodle of mine on Flakebook...Angela liked it...
SATURDAY 9/26/2020 7PM--just got back from Hershey's...Bonnie seemed surprised and/or happy to see me..So did Carolyn, Craig (and Linda) Mike (the guitar player who, if only briefly, replaced me in the FHB) and one or two other folks...Mike said Stoney and Brian were "picky"...that was a reason that I left the group...maybe THE reason...he also complimented my ability, but I take all the positive comments with a grain of salt...Mike implied that their pickiness bothered him a teeny bit as well...and I still think 49 CENT DRESS would be a better band if I was in it...maybe I DO miss playing after all...
10:30PM--I think I came right and told somebody (Mike) that I was "retired" and I dunno for how long...just finished another "join"--SO WRONG by Pat Simmons and the extended mix of same, making a VERY extended mix...

rediscovery

 

       MONDAY 9/14/2020 6PM--the roomie was in the basement doing laundry and I happened to do some noodling on the keyboard...that seemed to please her a bit...I didn't stay long...what I DID do is rediscover the joys of "joining" songs, like Long Cool Woman into Green River...in addition, I discovered what I think is a new feature--one can remove vocals, or Bass or (I think) the whole instrumental track...imagine the possibilities...
   WEDNESDAY 9/16/2020 10AM--so, for now, I'm still into the joining thing...the hard part is picking which two songs I should try to join...

will anyone else care?

 

            SUNDAY 9/6/2020 5:25PM--I finally told a musician friend that I consider myself to be finished with Music...she kinda freaked out a little...she was quite complimentary with regard to my abilities...I wish I could return the compliment, but I can't honestly do that...Elle has a voice not unlike Joan Baez; I like Joan Baez, but not when she sings...
      FRIDAY 9/11/2020 7:45PM--actually, I have nothing to say regarding playing Music or having been a Musician...and I have no desire to go see/hear any local bands...and I'm OK with that...nobody will miss me...and I am not quite OK with that, but that's the way it is...with the exception of Angela, I don't miss any of them... 
      SATURDAY 9/12/2020 4:24PM--Ray and Savannah are (were?) performing a live stream...it doesn't make me miss it--yet...and I don't think I'm gonna miss it...and I'm fairly sure hardly anyone misses me...

I was not impressed and I was impressed

 

                  SUNDAY 8/30/2020 9:11PM--Dianne's cousin did a FB Live broadcast...I think maybe he shoulda rehearsed more, if he did at all...on the other hand, my ex-brother-in-law is making progress on the fiddle...Even
though he wanted me to, I didn't bring my acoustic guitar...actually, I left it in Dianne's car...I think she was a bit miffed...oh well...

glad I'm on the sidelines

 

          MONDAY 8/24/2020 10:08PM--some of my so-called friends are at war with each other, and President Chump is the reason...I'm quite happy being retired from Music and therefore out of he loop///...it's not just me...Stoney is making enemies, on Flakebook at least...briefly had a chat with Barry...that's how I found out
about the Stoney War...
          Hoping to get acoustic guitar strings tomorrow...guess I'm gonna have to go to Litz. to get 'em...
        TUESDAY 8/25-2020 11:05AM--went to Litz got the strings...they were about twice as much as I expected to pay...naturally, they were out of the actual type I normally buy, but I felt like I had to buy something...
I'll put 'em on later...it's the index(?) finger on my left hand that hurts the most when I play...I hope it's better by Saturday, although it looks like it's gonna be bad weather...of course, a lot can happen between now and Saturday...
7:21PM--I was trying to remember when I stopped playing music...the vids I put on youTube kinda answer that question...I put my first music video on youTube on March 28...that's two weeks after I sat-in with Ray...the only playing I did after that was a few more vids...the last one was posted  on May 18 th...the last time I went to Lou's (to play) was on July 17th, more or less...I think...
            WEDNESDAY 8/26/2020 10:30AM--I put new strings on the acoustic; dunno if I'm gonna accomplish anything else today...and I don't care...
    5PM--the weather report for Saturday looks atrocious...it's only Wednesday, but I don't think the Lou&Scott thing is gonna happen...I'm OK with that, except the new guitar strings were twice as expensive as I thought they'd be...

THURSDAY 8/27/2020 12:09AM-Saturday’s weather looks atrocious...I’m still ok with that...
SATURDAY 8/29/2020 7:05PM--Lou and I did NOT get together, and I'm OK with that too...

            

the first farewell show

 

         MONDAY 8/17/2020 7:47PM--Lou wants me to come to his house to play for awhile, a week from this coming Saturday...I said "OK"...it's some kinda universal "Play on the Porch Day"--I don't think it's a youTube kinda deal, but it might be...
        TUESDAY  8/18/2020 8:38AM--it belatedly occured to me that in the past some people seemed to be impressed with my guitar playing...Ray Weaver (circa 1980) Daryl Davis and Jeff Herbert all seemed to be impressed with me as a Musician...but suddenly DD stopped using me and Weber did too...so all I can figure is that it was me as a person that they didn't like...that's pretty dammed depressing if you ask me...
       I could change my Mind, but I DO want to vid record at least a song or two when (if) Lou and I get together
on Saturday 8/29...and hopefully post it on youTube...
9 PM--Someone I'm acquainted with put a video on FB from awhile back...I might not be much of a guitar player, but hardly any guys can harmonize as well as me...
      THURSDAY 8/20/2020 11:50AM--I kinda wish I had turned down Lou's invitation to do the world-wide porch jam thing...but if I do it, I really wanna get a new set of strings for the acoustic...I guess that means going to Litz...
SUNDAY 8/23/2020 5:37PM--I think Lou is getting psyched about next Saturday; I'm not, at least, not yet...

who cares? I don't think anyone does...*I* don't

           THURSDAY 7/23/2020 9:33PM--every now and then some musician I don't really know is conducting interviews on Flakebook with MontCo musicians that I DO know...I guess I won't be one of his guests...that kinda hurts...another indication that I wasn't as good a Musician as I thought I was...and I thought I was pretty good--not the best, not the worst...oh well, it's a very competitive scene, full of two-face backstabbing hypocrites...*I* might even be one as well...

10:04PM--the problem with Flakebook is I keep seeing people that I've worked with (if only briefly) doing gigs in Montgomery County and elsewhere...yeah, it kinda hurts...oh well...

           FRIDAY 8/14/2020--(sigh) the glitch that has infected my diary of NON-Musical activities is apparently not affecting THIS one; go figure...I had a dream this afternoon that I went amp shopping; I was looking at an amp/speaker cabinet combo in a Music store,,,I was practically alone, except for some employees huddled in a corner...The amp head was practically weightless, which is why I was attracted to it...

           Later (but within the same nap) I dreamt that I was selected to play piano on somebody's rendition of DOCTOR MY EYES...both dreams seem weird to me...I dunno what the dreams mean, if they mean anything
at all...I still have no desire to play Music...

6:26PM--I haven't told anyone else (but ME) that I might not ever be seen again in public playing Music...That idea doesn't yet bother me...actually I hinted at it to someone, but they apparently didn't pick up the hint...I hardly listen to Music in the car when I DO go somewhere...a couple of weeks or so ago, I considered taking up the drums again...I would have to spend money I don't really have, I would have to make room I don't have in the basement and lastly, I don't think drumming is good idea for me physically...oh well...

SATURDAY 8/15/2020 12:24pm--Still nothing going on in my Life musically...and I don't yet care...

I didn't quite forget

    

    THURSDAY 6/18/2020 4:18PM--spent a few minutes in the 1180 Lab just now...a seed may have been planted, who knows...

THE NEXT DAY--Dianne asked me if I miss playing out...I said "no" and I meant it...

THURSDAY 6/25/2020I have not talked with ANY of my so-called friends since I can't remember when...I sent an FB Messenger message to Ken Sleeman...I kinda spilled my guts a little...his response was a thumbs up emoji, nothing more--that was a bit of a letdown...

      Flakebook has become a really ugly "place" to hang out...so I try not to spend too much time there...

MONDAY 6/29/2020 8:29 AM--.and it's still true, it's an ugly place...I really WANT to leave it completely alone, but I haven't yet...The most I wanna do is pop in to get the latest scuttlebutt then get out again...working on that...

MONDAY 7/6/2020--I've made plans to go hang out with Lou next Sunday...the surprise is that Dianne wholeheartedly approves...she seems to be worried about me, with good reason...

SATURDAY 7/11/2020 6:38PM--getting nervous about going to Lou's tomorrow...to a considerable degree, I'm only going because Dianne wants me to...I will try to keep an open mind about the whole thing...

SUNDAY 7/12/2020 8:50AM--I don't really feel like going to Lou's today...but it might be good for HIM...dunno if it's gonna make ME feel better...Dianne really wants me to go...

5:47 PM--I arrived at 1:06 and got back at about 5:30 or so...we talked a bunch, then we played some, then we did a little of both...the fingertips of my left (fretting) hand really started to hurt after awhile...THAT was a shock...the price I paid for ignoring the guitar for a month...

9:30 PM--Somewhat belatedly, I hope that my visit to Damascus was good for Lou...not sure if was good for me and if so, how good...we're loosely made plans to get together again...I hope to be a LOT better prepared...meaning my fingertips...

don't miss it yet--but will I?

              SATURDAY 6/13/2020 8:21PM--I haven't done any "labwork" in about a month...haven't touched a guitar since the last time I was in the lab...today, at dinner, I told Dianne that I wasn't in any bands when she asked me if I've heard from any of my bandmates...until then, she didn't know...I don't miss it yet...

     There’s a band on YouTube that plays songs by Yes, pretty much perfectly...it’s VERY depressing...for one thing I’ll never be good enough to play in such a band and I don’t think I know any bands around here that are as good as the Band Geeks, wherever they’re from...

MONDAY 6/15/2020 4:40PM--I may change my Mind tomorrow, but I think I'm done with playing Music altogether...the straw that broke the camel's back may have been seeing a video of a local band playing I SAW THE LIGHT...the lead guitar player used a harmonizer...*I* think he threw in an extra note, but I'm not sure...a moment later...having just listened to it, I would say I played it "right" but I shoulda figured out how to use my harmonizer rather than Barnaby playng the harmony part on the keyboard...oh well...BTW it was the Sandra Dean Band which at the time had Stoney on Bass...

 6:25PM--I keep coming back to all the time I wasted thinking I was a part of the MontCo Music community...that's almost twenty-five years...pretty dammed depressing if you ask me...

WEDNESDAY 10:50PM--the 4th Thursday open mic is coming up soon, as if I cared...Butch invited me, I dunno why...

it hurts as much as I imagined it would

       FRIDAY5/29/2020 8:13AM--I watch snippets of last night's 4th Thursday open mic...unfortunately I had to contact Butch to get the link...allegedly there were technical glitches happening from their end...IMO it was an amazing technical achievement...the credit for that goes to Barnaby I guess...I got a shout out from GEORGE Thayer...one is better than none I suppose...

         The open mic I did last Monday for Dan Mack is up as well...I wonder why Dan didn't tell me the SOUND was so distorted...needless to say I WON'T be doing it again this coming Monday...feeling like my entire Musical life in MontCo has been a lie...to (probably) be lumped in with the neighborhood's "quirkiest" citizens hurts more than a little... 

SATURDAY 6/6/2020 9:55AM--I haven't felt like doing anything Musical except some listening for fun...Even though *I* don't think they should, I think some live Music venues are opening back up...but I ain't going nowhere...besides, nobody is interested in me going anywhere...

I don’t mean to sound ungrateful...

           MONDAY 5/25/2020 3:08PM-...but I think I would have liked to go on a bit later...dunno how much of an audience I’ll have...
7:18PM-I didn’t get the reaction I thought would get, not even close...oh well... I didn’t mess up much...almost did a time or two though... I played an original song for a bunch of REAL songwriters...now I gotta sit here for two hours...the trash/kitty litter is all done...
TUESDAY 5/26/2020 7:36AM--if I have my way, I won't go to Dan's open mic next Monday...I found it to be very unsatisfying, in every way possible...I got no reaction to MR. QUARANTINE whatsoever...I was rather bored after I played...the open mic was still going when I left the meeting at about fifteen minutes after nine o'clock...
WEDNESDAY 5/27/2020 4:03PM--It feels like "labwork" doesn't excite me as much as it did about a month ago...and/or I've run out of ideas...
THURSDAY 5/25/2020 11:17AM--feeling pretty much deserted by my so-called friends, who don't seem to have really been friends at all--ever...it's an endless vicious cycle...Dianne says "You should contact them" and *I* say "Why haven't they contacted ME?" and she says "You should contact them" and *I* say, well, you get the picture...

12:54 PM--one of the changes I think Blogger has made is to reduce the number of choices with regard to color...anyway, the FHB has apparently replaced me with two guitarists...whatever, right?

I'm still learning the new Blogger; so far, I don't like it yet...*I* think the program has bugs in it...

8PM--I guess the FHB doesn't even want me to watch their open mic--FUCK 'EM...I sent a message to Butch...now he’ll think I miss being a part of the action and I DON’T, at least not yet... 
8:35PM-I am now capable of watching the open mic that is usually at the Outta the Way Café except tonight it’s not at the Outta the Way Café… I don’t know WHERE it’s coming from or how they are doing it...
I think the way works is ya shoot A video and send it to Barnaby… And HE does the production work on it...there’s LOTSA stuff I would rather watch-a weather channel for instance...

will I run outta songs?

           FRIDAY 5/22/2020 8:50AM--gonna go work in the Lab soon...I guess the only Music I make will be made in the Lab or at a virtual open mic...such is Life...after I lay down the drums and guitar(s) on JAZZY THING all I gotta do is mix and master it...again, I'm trying not to hurry...
 12:06PM--so I finished off JAZZY THING...what I learned today is if you have an idea, implement it...if ya don't like it, you can take it out when mixing...of course, once the recording is mixed down, that's that...one can master a recording about 19 times (19 different mix EQs) but ya can't mix it down BUT once...that's a bummer IMO...I don't yet know what the CD that I made sounds like...maybe I'll go somewhere after my nap; I'll find out then...
 The QUARANTINE SESSIONS playlist is at 12 songs running about 45 minutes...the CD does not include my solo ACOUSTIC performances that I put on youTube...
4:32PM--well, it does now and I even threw in a pair of recordings from about 2006 or so...still thinking about doing a remake of something--possibly I'M ONLY SLEEPING, Reggae style...I'm not sure I could improve on the 2006(?) recording of MESSAGE or the song *I* call I WANT [HER] TO WANT ME for that matter...I'm not sure but SLEEPING might have been "rescued" from a cassette, like my first attempt at MESSAGE was...well, tomorrow's another day...
7:37PM--I just put my newest songs on Soundcloud, © Andrew Geshen...it was surprisingly easy, almost too easy...maybe from there I can upload them to youTube...
SATURDAY 5/23/2020 6PM--no lab work today, too sleepy or tired from last night's two hours of insomnia and/or the one or two Melatonin I took...*I* think the Melatonin combined with Hydroxyzine caused me to be tired/sleepy all day long...hoping to get something done tomorrow...
7:37PM--now I've got some energy...it figures, I don't want too much energy...I think I'm gonna try I'M ONLY SLEEPING...hoping to re-arrange it somehow...maybe a Reggae-ish rhythm...
12:57PM--I started working on SLEEPING, but my heart just wasn't in it...
4:12PM-already prepared the open mic space in the basement...if I wanna do lab work I still can...
MONDAY 5/25/2020 5PM--getting nervous about tonight's open mic...I intend to sing QUARANTINE MAN first, DON'T CRY NO TEARS after that...

gotta be a better way than "winging it"

                   TUESDAY 5/19/2020 11AM--It's my 65th birthday and it kinda sucks a bit...I finished NEW CORROLLTON and there's an unexplainable permanent screw up on it, just like the last recording I mixed and mastered...is a pattern forming here? I f**king hope not...I guess I'll have to do it all over again, just not today--probably...
4:53PM--just finished re-recording NEW CARROLLTON...it took about two hours altogether...I felt like I knew what I was doing more than usual--didn't make as many mistakes as usual...there's an "electric piano" AND a rhythm guitar on it...I think the piano won't make it to the final mix, except maybe the arpeggio will...the mixing? I think that's gonna be a Project, but I'm gonna try to take my time and give any and every idea plenty of thought before making it final decision...
WEDNESDAY 5/20/2020 9:25 AM--I belatedly realized that *I* am to blame for my not getting to sing QUARANTINE MAN at the open mic...I can’t EVEN figure out why I screwed up...*I* think I got nervous about it and forgot...Ultimately Dan had nothing to do with it...if there's an open mic next Monday, I'll do it, maybe as the first song...I think there's only one more song left for me to record, and that's THE MAIL... I'm not itching to do that one.*I* think it needs a piano, although the demo didn't havv one...
3:30 PM--I thought about doing MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE again, but the idea doesn't excite me...maybe I'll do my version of RUBY TUESDAY or MOTHER'S LITTLE HELPER...
5:39 PM--I came up with a new song I currently call JAZZY THING...as of now, there's a synth riff that might run throughout the song...there might even be a synth solo of some sort in it...If I can't quite find the groove on the "drums" myself, I might just use the keyboard drummer...
         I might start on it tomorrow, I don't think I have anything else going on...or I do and I've forgotten all about it...NONE of the members of the FHB have contacted me even to be nasty to me...I guess Stoney isn't my friend anymore; probably never was...kinda makes me sad...oh well, such is Life...
8:30PM-it’s been a couple of hours now, and I can’t remember how the new song goes… It’s a good thing I recorded parts of it on the BR1180...
THURSDAY 5/21/2020 8:02AM--well JAZZY THING is in my head now...generally, I don't open "the Lab" until after 10AM...I don't wanna disturb the women next door, even though the speakers are not facing their basement...I have no idea how much they can hear now...I REALLY wanna take my time...
12:41PM--but I didn't...still working on JAZZY THING...trying to make each part as close to perfect as *I* can get 'em...gotta finish the synth part, re-do the snare part and add lead guitar...
             Dunno why I can't just relax, slow down and take my time...no one's rushing me but me... considering that the song didn't exist 24(?) hours ago, it's happening quickly...but it doesn't need to
happen quickly...I'll wait until after my attempted nap before I go back to the Lab...if I can finish the synth part I'll be happy and quit for the day...
5:05PM--started from scratch, somewhere around 3:15 or so...the only part(s) left are an acoustic
guitar (maybe) and the electric guitar...then comes the mixing and mastering...
 6:07 PM--ooops...I gotta put down the drums...I have to remember to KISS--keep it simple stupid...trying to wait until tomorrow to do that...THEN I can put down the guitar(s) and mix it--taking my time hopefully...

suddenly it got serious

           
            SUNDAY 5/17/2020--all of a sudden prepping for tomorrow's open mic feels like a Gov't Project...but I intend to go thru with it...I want and (espescially) NEED to rehearse tomorrow...I THINK the big important thing Dianne and I were gonna do tomorrow we did today...
MONDAY 5/18/2020 12:27AM-rather than laying here in bed staring at the ceiling, I went downstairs and set up my performance space; all I have to do now is take the computer downstairs and plug it in...and figure out how the new mic works...
8:12AM--just tried out the new mic with the laptop--it works!!! I THINK the broadcast will be successful...as for MY segment, who knows? Rehearsal starts probably after my attempted nap...planning on moving the laptop downstairs by six o'clock, if not sooner...
10:51AM--I was right, setting up my laptop in the basement for a virtual open mic is a f**king HUGE Gov't Project...but as far as I can tell, everything works...and all 1180 Lab work will wait until tomorrow--if then...
11:08AM-this morning’s Project took a lot outta me... 
8:10 PM-probably won’t get to sing that certain song...gonna run outta time before I sing again tonight  DAMMIT
9PM I thought that I just might get another shot...but somebody just joined the group and Dan told me it ain’t happening -- really sucks, gotta wait another week. ARGH! all that anxiety wasted...VERY bummed out...it figures...sitting here doing nothing, could’ve had the kitty litter done...
10:02PM--so that's what I did...I'll rebuild the Lab tomorrow...I wanna completely finish NEW CARROLLTON...but there's NO HURRY...
It seems that the ACME Band Co. thinks they have a gig in early June at Lahinch, with Stoney guesting on Bass...I hope they haven't forgotten that I "retired" from playing in bands... 

still learning...the trick is in the remembering

        SATURDAY 5/16/2020 5:25PM--did some "labwork" today...Don't even ask me how it happened but the MASTER of (Untitled) the song I wrote back in the early 80s, is messed up and I don't think it can be fixed and I dunno how it happened in the first place...it's only the first Twenty seconds or so, but it still sucks as far as I'm concerned...Dunno when, but I'm gonna do it over...
 6:39PM--There are seven what *I* call "elements" to the recording, one of which (the metronome) will not make it to the final mix...I think there will ultimately be TWO tracks left unused...maybe I'll put an acoustic guitar in the "middle" bit--the E minor descending progression..never mind that "Cortez solo" thing....the more I think about the idea, the more I like it...which would leave ONE track empty...
9PM- quite a few days after I recorded the song, I did a video for BABY’S IN BLACK; Mostly I just wanted to send something to Lou; I ended up sending the video to Tish as well… Frankly, I thought she’d be more impressed than she seems to be…oh well...
10:50PM--chopped off the first 20 seconds or so of the song I'm currently calling NEW CARROLLTON...that leads to a very abrupt start, but at least I can listen to all two minutes and forty seconds of it without wincing...I AM gonna re-record it...the "chopped" version ain't half bad in my opinion...some nice guitar bits...most of the keyboard sounds sound better than when I was doing them...
SUNDAY 5/17/2020-if I’m gonna do the open mic tomorrow I need to practice and set up my performance space...Not sure if I want Dianne’s help or not...we’ll see how it goes, who knows it might be as easy as walking...
12:24 PM--the re-recording of NEW CARROLLTON is nearly finished...trying to take my time with it...might even add some more piano...there WILL be a nap after Lunch...might work in the Lab after the nap...fixing my mistakes thru editing is fairly easy, but I wish I didn't make so many in the first place...
4:48PM--I shouldn't have said anything about my editing skills...messed up a section of NEW CARROLLTON...will have to re-do more than just a couple of seconds...oh well...I HAVE GOT to work on my appearence at the open mic...I haven't done anything to prep for it yet...
7:02PM--sometimes it's a mistake to try and fix the small mistakes, it's easier to just start something over from the beginning...
7:19PM--Dan sent me an e-mail...I get two songs for sure...might have to think of a third one...
I think THANK YOU GIRL will work...twenty-four hours away and I'm pretty nervous...

might not happen

             THURSDAY 5/14/2020 11AM--talked to Litz...they don't have any Electric XII's in stock...so I ordered one...my first choice is sunburst, my second choice is white...I hope the neck is kinda thin--easy on my left hand...the bad news? I won't get more than 10% off of list...I was told Fender MIGHT say "In order to get ONE, ya have to buy nine more..." AND if Litz DOES get one, I HAVE to buy it...
          5:20 PM--well, I THINK the recording and mixing of LAVENDER DAWN is done, all I gotta do is master it...that's probably the quickest step in the whole process...it only takes about as long as the song...
8:05PM--boy did *I* jump the gun on that one...it took a LONG time to finally master the dammed thing....The lead guitar is too loud...and that's nobody's fault but mine...maybe one of the other nineteen Mastering Tool Kit patches will sound at least a bit better...the "long" version of the song is four minutes long, the short version was three minutes and fifteen seconds long...
FRIDAY 5/15/2020 8:40 AM--if/when I get to the Lab today, I gonna start on whatever that way old song is gonna be called...maybe I should start thinking about next Tuesday's virtual open mic...
11:30 AM--I went to Best Buy and got the microphone; probably won't even start rehearsing for the open mic until Monday...
2:25 PM--before I start on my next recording Project, I might remaster LAVENDER DAWN one more time, using the  MTK known as "Brighten", just to see if I can hear any difference...I probably won't, my ears have been ringing LOTS...
5:49 PM--whatever that old song is called, it's halfway finished...I think it will be the toughest mixing job I've had so far...ultimately I may have to record the synth part over, the levels are all over the place...and the guitar part might just become a synth part...
6:27 PM--I put two different mixes of LAVENDER DAWN on the Quarantine Sessions Playlist, one right after the other...I believe I can hear a difference...the various parts in the "Brighten" Mix sound "closer" together somehow...kinda like a snowball that is packed especially tight...
When I DO re-record the synth part of the old song, I'll hopefully remember to change the "touch sensitivity" settings, which I think will fix the  level inconsistencies...maybe sometime tomorrow...
SATURDAY 5/16/2020 8:35 AM--can't go to the Lab this early...or can I?
10:07 AM--so I did...the guitar part which became a synth part went back to being a guitar part...there's gonna be a lot of stuff to keep track of when it comes time to mix, which might be the next step...

not every idea is a good one

        MONDAY 5/11/2020 6:21 PM--wanted to make some additions to LAVENDER DAWN, the idea didn't sound in reality as good as it did in my head...triple acoustic guitar harmonies...oh well, I gave it a shot...
   It may not be true, but I feel as though I can't work in the 1180 Lab while the guys are working on the deck...THE MAIL has a lead vocal, but I haven't started on that one yet...
TUESDAY 5/12/2020 10:53 AM--last week I dropped out of the Dan Mack open mic...he had one last night...I watched it, which is to say I skimmed thru it...I'm thinking about signing up for it next Monday...I've got one song I could do, and that's MR.QUARANTINE MAN...I imagine I'll need to do more than one, but there's always LMYR...I dunno what I could do besides those two, but I've got time to decide...and I bought a condenser mic from Best Buy...I THINK I'll have it by next Monday...
5:09 PM--learn sumthin' new everyday...I just learned how to add certain effects to specific tracks on the BR-1180 as opposed to those effects being on all the tracks..I started working on LAVENDER DAWN...I put a buncha chorus on the acoustic and I put some electric piano on it, but I'm not sure that it's absolutely essential...I currently got three tracks not being used...I'm thinking two (?) tracks for flutes and one for lead guitar...
  The flutes will be easy once I transpose the keyboard-I keep forgetting I can do that...I think it will be easy to play in the key of C instead of D...
 WEDNESDAY 5/13/2020 11:20 AM--my planned contact with Litz, IF it happens at all, will be after my nap, or more likely tomorrow...I really don't wanna lose another electric 12-string...unless I already have...sent a CD to Lou...after Lunch, I'm gonna try for a nap...
6:15 PM--I'm still making mistakes in the 1180 Lab, but I'm getting better at fixing them...did some real good punch-ins on DAWN today...and I thought "just because I HAVE 8 tracks doesn't mean I need to use them all..."
7:16 PM--I think the recording aspect of LAVENDER DAWN is done, unless I put in some more lead guitar...I'll work on it tomorrow, I just dunno when...I have to keep in mind that once a recording is mixed and mastered, ya can't change it...again, it's all account of my lack of patience...I really need to NOT hurry when I'm mixing, etc. 
8:46 PM-gotta start thinking about what I’m gonna work on next... I’ve been thinking about doing THE MAIL, but now I’m not so sure about that...
THURSDAY 5/14/2020 9AM--it belatedly occcurred to me that I've never recorded that instrumental I wrote way WAY back in the mid/late 80s or early 90s...I was in the Deserters/Substitute at the time...I sat down at the green (?) piano in the basement of Susan Judge's parent's house and came up with an instrumental piece that, even after more than THIRTY-FIVE years, doesn't yet have a title...gonna wait until the guys are one before I go to the Lab...they might be able to hear whatever is coming out of the speakers, and I don't want them to...I get self conscious and nervous enough as it is...

what's next?

      SATURDAY 5/9/2020 12:10 PM--BABY'S IN BLACK is finished...I'm not planning on putting it on youTube--I can't think of a reason to share it with anybody...to me, it's borderline "keepable"...after I load it into iTunes--which should be any minute now...then maybe I'll start thinking about SOLITUDE...
       It took a couple of "any minutes" but BiB (the 1st attempt) is in my iTunes Library..I think when I mix, I should add a teeny bit more to any tracks that sound good to me...for instance *I* thought the Bass was loud enough in the mix...now I think I was wrong...any kind of "how to" regarding "production" would help a bunch, I'm sure...Maybe after my attempted nap, I'll start on SOLITUDE...
9:00PM--got a bit of a nap...went to work in the 1180 Lab...All the song needs is a sax part and a lead guitar and the recording is done...I have belatedly discovered the advantages of "doubling" a part--it kinda thickens a part (if you keep the pan straight up) or spreads it to make it sound like it's been recorded on two tracks, if you pan it to the 9 o'clock or 3 o'clock position...I THINK I've doubled the Bass, Drums, Kb, and the flutes...didn't double the electric rhythm guitar--yet...I plan on adding a sax part to compliment the flutes...dunno if I'm gonna double that...and then there is the issue of the (electric?) LEAD guitar...another option--somehow work an acoustic guitar into the mix...
 9:49 PM--just made a quick visit to the Lab...I guess for whatever reason, I'm really excited to be working on SOLITUDE...the parts with the flutes I call the "verses" the parts w/o 'em I call the choruses...I just had a brain storm--I can put guitar solos there...acoustic, electric, clean, dirty, whatever...I'm almost happy...
SUNDAY 5/10/2020 1:26AM-I just quit all the bands I’ve been playing with/for...after about thirty consecutive years of playing, and roughly fifteen more before that... I think I’m done with playing in public...
  SUNDAY 5/10/2020 6:09 AM--the only reason to keep doing it would be for the money and there never was much of that...were I still a member of the FHB, I could have grit my teeth or knuckled down, ignore the things I was unhappy about...but with the other bands, their apparent incompetence drove me crazy...either the other members of the bands didn't hear the mistakes or they did and didn't care...
5:19 PM--so I've told all the bands goodbye...I won't tell certain people that the main reason it hasn't been fun for a long time is because the bands suck--except for the FHB...they were far from perfect--and *I* was OK with that...
8:01PM-trying to decide what to record next...my first thought was “How about LAVENDER DAWN?” but the song feels unfinished...hopefully I can work on it tomorrow, although there’s a fair amount of stuff going on around here...maybe I can do THE MAIL at some point...
MONDAY 5/11/2020 5:30PM-I think the Fender Electric XII, the vintage series or whatever that thing is called, is a limited edition guitar, so I think I’m going to go to Litz and put one on layaway…my first choice is Sunburst, not sure if I would except any other alternatives…

overreaching again?

         FRIDAY 5/8/2020 1:44 PM--I'm gonna try ONE MORE TIME to get the reggae style rhythm track CD into the 1180 before I give up...Allegedly I can play it on a portable player and feed that signal into the 1180...my question is: where does it go? to the selected (individual) track? or all eight at once? or 9/10 ? I won't know until later--I NEED a nap...
6:16 PM--gave up on the reggae version of BABY'S IN BLACK...I decided to rock it up a bit...all I've gotta do now is the vocals and the mixing/mastering...I was even able to drop a "dirty" sounding solo in the middle eight where the chorused rhythm guitar was...and smoothly get back out of the track...it all happened in less than two hours...
    I'm pretty sure I'm no longer a member of the FHB...it hurts, quite a bit, but I'll get over it...NOT overnight, but eventually...I can keep busy; I won't make any money, but I'll have some fun...screwing up ISN'T fun, but maybe someday I can record a song from start to finish without screwing up too much...gotta use that checklist...
     Maybe it's because of stress and/or depression, but my Brain hasn't been firing on all cylinders lately, and not just in the 1180 Lab...I haven't done a video for SUGAR MTN. yet and I don't know if I'm gonna bother...yet again, I'm wondering if I'm not nearly as talented as I think I am, which is fairly talented...
       I'm gonna cross my fingers and send the SUGAR MTN. video to Lou--maybe...but I've gotta shoot it first...Got another e-mail from Butch...if the FHB wants me back, ok...if not, that's OK too...my guess is they don't...like I’ve said, it hurts but I’ll get over it...might start thinking about the next recording project...maybe I’ll work on SOLITUDE some more...I imagine no one is ever gonna hear it but me...
                  SATURDAY 5/9/2020 9:15 AM--suddenly I've become uncertain as to how to arrange SOLITUDE...depending on how I arrange it, I think I'll be able to play the duel flutes with one hand...there are a few possibilities, mostly I just need to pick a tempo...my current choice is the tempo of my arrangement of CLOWN, more or less...but first I gotta finish BABY'S IN BLACK...might wait until at least 10:30, *I* feel as though I need to warm up vocally in the car before I try to put the vocals down...  

which one is which?

    TUESDAY 5/5/2020 5:PM--of the four other members of the FHB, one of them wants me out, one of them wants me in and two could go either way...aside from being kinda curious as to which one is which, mostly it hurts--WAY LOTS...I should mention that although the FHB was probably the band I was least embarrassed to be in, I wasn't as happy as I wanted to be, or thought I should be...the band that I had the most fun playing in was the one led by Stu Judd...*I* think our political differences affected him more than they affected me...I never hear from him, but then I never hear from anyone...
7:43 PM--I think the FHB is considering kicking me out...I'm OK with that...If the quarantine ended tomorrow, I wouldn't care...I guess my Musical future will be lived in the basement...there won't be any money in it...
8:00 PM-I keep coming back to the idea that maybe I’m not as talented as I think I am... On a scale of 1 to 10, I think I give myself a six maybe a seven… I think I can still play drums, I can play bass and I can sing and I can play guitar I can even play a little bit of keyboards… Doesn’t that ad up to “moderately talented” ?
11PM--a few parts of SUGAR MTN needed fixing...just finished doing some of that, but I accidently moved the snare drum...gonna try to work around that screw=up tomorrow...
WEDNESDAY 5/6/2020 NOON--SUGAR MTN is as finished as I can make it...I tried to do three different mixes, but two of them died--*I* dunno why...the mix that has survived sound OK in the car...next up? a reggae version of BABY'S IN BLACK, maybe....
5:12 PM--five minutes of Reggae drum patterns are in my itunes library...I got it from youTube...I THINK I can play it on my portable CD player and feed that signal into the BR-1180...THAT would be a technological advancement for me, if I can pull it off...or I can study the patterns and hope for the best...in other news, I haven't heard from the members of the FHB lately...*I* think my tenure in the Band has ended--and I'm not crying...
9:14 PM--I think I can, if I have to, use a song by David Lindley as a rhythmic template...we'll see...
THURSDAY 5/7/2020 11:20 AM--I created a 30 second reggae drum track...IF I can do it I will have to manually loop it about 12 times and then (hopefully) build my arrangement of BABY'S IN BLACK around it...if it doesn't work, I'll have to come up with an alternative method for creating a reggae rhythm track...I think what I'm gonna try to is record the kick drum and hi-hat (and percussion) SEPARATELY , mix those tracks down, make a CD outta THAT and feed the CD back into one (or two?) of the remaining tracks--if THAT doesn't work, I'll give up on the reggae idea...
5:35 PM--unbelieveably my idea worked...the hi-hat and kick take up two tracks, the vocals will take up three, the keyboard takes one, which leaves two tracks...one for Bass and one for guitar...I think this means maybe I can mix everything down to 9/10, burn a CD, and import THAT back into the BR1180, which could give me a couple more tracks to play with...that would be great...I'll try to work on it sometime tomorrow hopefully...I did some scratch vocals that I don't intend to keep, just to hear what the harmonies will sound like...

I changed my Mind

      MONDAY 5/4/2020  8:35 AM--I cancelled my appearences at the Monday Night open mic, hosted by Dan Mack...I was getting scared anyway...and I cancelled the Wednesday open mic as well...
8:50 AM--listened to my Lab recordings...so far I think RISING SUN BLUES is the best sounding of the bunch...
5:42 PM--after saving a raw abbreviated copy onto CD, I deleted SOLITUDE...If I so desire, I can come back to it in the future...I think it needs to be a bit faster...
TUESDAY 5/5/2020 9:12 AM--I think I'm gonna try SUGAR MTN.with a "band", and thee part harmonies starting this morning...I'll hopefully start in a few minutes...gonna try to take my time, there's no reason to hurry as far as *I* know...hoping to use my harmonica on it...that makes me nervous...
12:24 PM--the harmonica playing went better than I thought it would...the acoustics are done, the vocals are done, even the drums MIGHT be half done...the cymbals? no...and not the Bass yet either...I think having the checklist might be making a difference...will probably work on the Bass part after my proposed nap...
5PM--I THINK the recording of Sugar Mtn is finished...the miing is gonna be difficult, but not impossible...

never a dull moment

        FRIDAY 5/1/2020 10:37 PM--I put my re-interpretation of YESTERDAY in to my iTunes Library...the first of two guitar solos was missing--don't EVEN ask me why, cause I dunno...suddenly I found with the first guitar solo IN it--I got it off of youTube...dunno what's going on tomorrow, but I hope to work on electric CLOWN...
SATURDAY 5/2/2020 11:20 AM-- it took probably 200 takes and two or three days but I FINALLY got the keyboard part to (electric) CLOWN done...I put down the Bass track almost instantly, although made a ONE-NOTE mistake...I was miraoulusly able to seamlessly punch-in the correct note...kinda makes up for the torture that was laying down the keyboard part...what's next? the drums (ugh)...might try to work on 'em after my nap--if I get a nap...and I MUST remember to be especially careful with the 1180s switchs buttons and knobs--I really REALLY REALLY REALLY don't wanna have to play that keyboard part again...
5:33 PM--now I can't remember if I DID have to play it one more time...but I absolutely NEED to make a checklist...I keep forgetting to [fill in the blank] before I record anything, vocals, bass parts, guitar parts...electric Clown is finished, but for the mixing/mastering...but I'm taking a break from CLOWN for now...it's not like it has to be absolutely totally finished by Noon tomorrow..and if I'm gonna do the open mic, I GOTTA rehearse at least a little...
7:46 PM--it's that impatience thing again...I really wanna mix/master Clown now, create a CD and somehow maybe do a video...it will have to wait until tomorrow...damn...
10:22 PM--I plan to play MR. QUARANTINE MAN at the Monday open mic and LMYR at the Wednesday open mic...
SUNDAY 5/3/2020 9:08 AM--been having trouble sleeping lately...can't seem to shut my Mind off sometimes...for instance, I added two more verses to MR. QUARENTINE MAN...they just sorta fell outta my head while I was staring at the ceiling...on April  28 I sent an apology to the FHB...I haven't heard back from them yet...
11:37 AM--electric CLOWN (the CD) is as done as *I* can make it...for ME. recording is HARD work...I MIGHT get the video done today, but I don't have to...
127 PM--I listened to the two different mixes thru iTues--*I* don't hear much of a difference, if there is one...
4:34 PM--I did a video and after some effort it's on youTube...if the roomie wasn't napping on the couch, I'd possibly go to the Lab and work on stuff...but I'm tired, because I didn't get a nap...oh well...
7:05 PM--I just cancelled my appearence at the Monday Night open mic, hosted by Dan Mack...I was getting scared anyway...
8:50 PM--so far I think RISING SUN BLUES is the best sounding of Lab recordings...

haven't I eaten enough crow lately?

          THURSDAY 4/29/2020 10:30 PM--part of me wants to participate in the Marsh's open mic...the easiest way to do that is submit the video for LMYR...the hard way to do that is to combine a "live" vocal and acoustic guitar with a pre-recorded "band" playing behind me...the open mic is next Wednesday...I've got time to think about it...frankly, the reception my vids have gotten are making me wonder why I would do all that work for nothing...
11:50 AM--the recording of CLOWN (acoustic) is done...I'll completely finish it later...
4:36 PM--and other than packaging and loading it into iTunes the Acoustic ClownProject is finished...on to the rockin' version...
6PM--well, it sounds pretty good in the car...a teeny bit muddy, but still listenable to me...the acoustic isn't as "up front" as I woulda liked it to be...the harmonies make up for any sonic flaws IMO...
9:11 PM--actually getting excited about working on the Electric Clown tomorrow...
FRIDAY 5/1/2020 12:27 PM--In no particular order I laid down a scratch vocal, a metronome track and a Bass track which might be a keeper...the keyboard part is kinda easy, but I'm gonna practice some more before I put it down...maybe later today, that would make me very happy...in addition, acoustic Clown (the video) is on you Tube...I have yet to put it on Flakebook, maybe I'll put it on Twitter...
6:05 PM--I THOUGHT I was laying down the keyboard part...I played it, either as practices or attempted takes, probably 25 times, if not more...apparently I forgot to DO something before recording it...I'm seriously thinking about scrapping everything I've tried to do and start over...I'm considering participating in a virtual open mic on Zoom...I think it's this coming Monday...Dan Mack is the host...he used to host the Gumbo Ya Ya open mic...

this time for sure--maybe

     
                TUESDAY 4/28/2020 7:02 PM--it took three tries, maybe four, but (I think) RISING SUN on youTube...just as an experiment I might play the CD thru the 1180 just to hear what that sounds like...it sounded good in the car, but I had to use the "treble booster" EQ preset for iTunes...what do I know? it sounds good to me...
8:47 PM-I caved and put RISING SUN BLUES on Flakebook...I’m not completely sure but I THINK that I’m gonna try EVERYBODY LOVES A CLOWN  next... I just can’t decide how I’m going to arrange it…as a rocker or a slowed down laid back semi-acoustic number...
9:46 PM-the video has been on FB for an hour and there’s been NO reaction at all...the assessment of any art form is subjective...*I* think it’s good, not great or the work of Genius but I would give it a 7 on a scale of Ten...
      It sounds conceited but I think certain people are at least a little impressed but don’t wanna tell me that they are...
WEDNESDAY 4/29/2020 10:13 AM--hoping to go to the Lab in about 15 minutes and work on ELAC...dunno exactly what I'm gonna do...I'll let ya know...I made a tentative list...I guess the first thing I should do is set up the metronome...then I think I'm gonna lay down the acoustic...I'm gonna do the laid back version first...
12:27 PM--and that's what I've done...an hour and a half just to get the metronome and acoustic guitar--for a song that doesn't last five minutes--sheesh...
12:49 PM--I had a project for us to work on--clean up the deck debris...Dianne thinks I might fall off the deck...that's not outta the question, actually...so the Project is on hold...I guess I'll TRY to get a nap and then go back to the Lab...
5:40 PM--not much of a nap, got a lot done in the Lab--two Piano tracks, a percussion track and a Bass track...possibly all "keepers"...no wonder I'm tired, it wasn't easy...I hope to lay down the vocals tomorrow...at least "work" vocals to check the harmonies...
6:13 PM--if I put acoustic CLOWN on FB, my comment might be--"I'm gonna keep doin' 'em anyway..." I'm still obsessing over the lack of responses to my solo recordings...For now, I refuse to believe my FB "friends" think they aren't very good...

one less band to worry about?

           MONDAY 4/27/2020 7:52 AM--I got an e-mail from Butch basically saying "You SAID you wanted nothing to do with the open mic..." I wrote back saying "No, I asked for technical assistance and got none, THEN I figured to hell with it..."
           I'm pretty sure Barnaby wanted me out, and Brian too...What *I* think happened is that STONEY finally let our political differences get in the way...I certainly didn't care that Stoney is a Chumpster--I can't for the Life of me imagine why he would be, but it didn't stop me from playing Music with him...
12:32 PM--I laid down a vocal track and an electric guitar solo...the vocal is likely to be kept...the guitar solo? I dunno for sure...and track 8 is currently empty...might/could do a twin lead thing for the coda...I WANT to do EVERYBODY LOVES A CLOWN next, but I'm wondering if that is aiming higher than I'm capable of...
             Dunno when I'm gonna do the video, maybe tomorrow...I might try to get RISING SUN  mixed/mastered later today--or not...
7:05 PM--I may still be a member of the FHB after all...if they'll have me...no matter what ya top it with, crow still tastes like sh*t...
           I'm hoping to finish RISING SUN tomorrow...by which I mean mix, master, burn a CD and/or feed it into my iTunes Library...as for what's next, I'm not sure...
9:14 PM--listened to Ray and Savannah's sorta live broadcast a little...she is really good IMO...
TUESDAY 4/28/2020--Possibly going to the 1180 Lab in a few minutes...dunno how long I'll be down there...
12:41 PM--YESTERDAY is all finished--I guess...it's on a CD and in the iTunes Library...I seem to be compiling a playlist of my performances, slowly but surely...I may be wrong but shooting the video might be the easiest part of the whole Project...
1:25 PM--tomorrow I'll start thinking about what's next...there’s no need to hurry...

not today/not anymore

FRIDAY 4/24/2020 6:25 PM--I don't see me doing any lab work today...I'm too zonked out on pills; I can barely walk straight...I fell down the stairs and hit my head...and bummed out about being stabbed in the back by my so-called friends...maybe I'll got to the Lab tomorrow...
7:52 PM--I was wonderin when the BR-1180CD was introduced so I would know just how old the technology was that I've been working with...I think it was introduced in about 2002, more or less...eighteen years IS ancient in the tech world...
SATURDAY 4/25/2020 9:45 AM--not one SOB has asked why I wasn't at the virtual open mic last night...as far as I can tell, no one even mentioned my name...THAT really really hurts...seriuosly considering handing in my resignation...
5:45 PM--and so I just did...
6:50 PM--I sent an e-mail to the members of the Full House band...maybe I was too vague or trying too hard to be clever or smarmy or something...fuckit...
8:05 PM--no response from anybody...ok, cool...
10:37 PM--I suspect the FHB is just happy that they didn't have to fire Stoney's "friend"--he (I) quit...
SUNDAY 4/26/2020 10:16 AM--still haven't heard from anybody...oh well...I sent an e-mail to Ray asking him what he would do if this had happened to him...I wouldn't be surprised if he chooses not to respond...he has more important things going on in his Life...
5:25 PM--Ray DID answer the e-mail I sent him...he indicated he would do what I did...spent about an hour or so in the 1180 Lab...I THINK all I've gotta do is put down the lead guitar and lead vocal...Dunno if I'm gonna put it on youTube before I mix/master it or after...to me it feels like six of one, half a dozen of the other...and they'll probably sound the same to ME, be they mixed or not...I'll put the lead guitar on it sometime tomorrow...and then there's the lead vocal...
7:39 PM--Still haven't heard from ANY of the members of the Full House Band...and that's STILL OK by me...
10:19 PM--still nothing...it hurts, but I'll get over it eventually...

but I'm still doing it

          WEDNESDAY 4/22/2020 4:35 PM--well,YESTERDAY is done, finished, etc.--missing gtr. solo notwithstanding...the version released to the public has all the parts but hadn't been mixed/mastered yet...oh well, we learn from our mistakes, right? I started on RISING SUN BLUES... laid down a rhythm guitar part (a keeper) and a lead vocal (MAYBE a keeper) struggled with a Bass part, gave up for the day...
        Thinking of trying CLANCY next--who knows? I'm starting to wonder if  I've been fired from the FHB...right NOW, I don't give a fuck...Have I been that much of a jerk? or hypocrite? or backstabber? *I* don't think so, but I dunno for sure...NONE of the other members of the group have contacted me...*I* contacted Butch, if only once...
9:21 PM--I'm gonna try running the bass thru the ME-70...I think that will make a big difference...at least I sure hope so...
THURSDAY 4/23/2020 9:12 AM--I might not be a member of the Full Hoise Band anymore..at the very least it looks like I'm not involved with the virtual open mic...NOBODY has explained how to be involved in it...that's OK by me, I don't feel like being in the FHB anymore anyway...few awhile I was thinking that maybe I wasn't quite as talented as I thought I might be and the solo thing was beyond my abilities...then I realized that my impatience was the big obstacle...after all, there's no schedule or timetable or deadline, right? I think RISING SUN BLUES is roughly 25% finished...
   I have to fix the Bass part and probably both drum parts before I can add the organ and guitar solo...the computer keyboard is fucked up again...it's always some fucking thing...
5:35 PM--one of the cables I'm using downstairs is cuting in and out; luckily I have another one...with regard to the drum part, I guess Charlie Watts is as fancy as I can get...well, there's a saying--"less is more"... ok, I'll try to cling to that idea...I'll try again tomorrow...
     I still haven't heard from anybody regarding tonight's virtual open mic...okie dokie...I caved in and mentioned the situation to Dianne...typically, her resonse was "well, did you contact THEM?" I DID, once, either to just Butch or possibly the whole band...I ain't gonna beg the bastards to be included in their groovy Club...

FWIW, it's done (sorta)

          MONDAY 4/20/2020 2:30 PM--so at this point, YESTERDAY is done, more or less...thinking of putting it on Flakebook and let the chips fall where they may...
5:30PM--and so I did...I think the FHB is cooking up a project without me...they seem to be up to something...I just dunno what that something is...so, to some degree, I posted my newest youTube video (YESTERDAY) on Flakebook as a way of saying "I can make Music w/o you guys..." Of course I can't (yet) do gigs by myself...and I really don't want to...and I didn't get paid for any of my videos, and I won't, but it's not always about the money...I'm sure some of my Musician "friends" can do what I did--play and sing all the parts--but I haven't seen any of them do it yet...
       6:51 PM--thinking of going to Victor Litz tomorrow to see if I can get a Bass...of course, the Plan is to charge it...I don't have the stimulus check yet...not really happy about THAT...
9:42 PM--with each passing day I'm less sure that I'm even gonna get one...ya can't lose what ya never had...quite surprised I haven't gotten more feedback from YESTERDAY...maybe it's not as cool as I think it is...I suppose it's possible that people are stunned by it...it's equally possible that people think it's terrible...my honest opinion? it ain't bad...maybe, like me, a lot of people are taking a break from Flakebook...
10 PM--I think I'm gonna do RISING SUN BLUES the same way I did YESTERDAY...that is, play all the parts...I don't hear any three part harmony happening on it, but who knows? Brainstorm--save it for the last verse...
TUESDAY 4/21/2020 7:40 AM--I should completely finish YESTERDAY--mix and master it and burn it to a CD...I don't need to have RISING SUN BLUES online somewhere by the end of the day today...I can take my time doing it...kinda bummed about the (lack of) reaction to YESTERDAY...whatever, *I* know it's halfway decent...
12:05 PM--I went to Litz and came home with a Bass! It's not the one I had my eye on, but a Bass that seems to fit my hand and definitely fit my budget...I got there before they opened (at 10AM) and was back home by 10:30...
7:27 PM--a tree fell onto the deck...I put up a couple of photos on FB...getting way more attention from that than my latest Musical adventure--that actually hurts...I guess it's not as good as I've been thinking it is...
9:45 PM--apparently the other members of the FHB are still cooking up some kind of Event...I don't have the technical knowledge to be a part of it, so fuckit...the  next youTube video I do WON'T be going on Fakebook--why bother?
WEDNESDAY 4/22/2020 9:03 AM--if I do any "labwork" it will likely be after my nap--maybe...I'm not quite bored, but I'm pretty sure I AM depressed...covered from head to toe in APATHY...

still working on it

              SATURDAY 4/18/2020 10:55 AM--I think I'm gonna have an early Lunch; I went to the store and bought fake cheese AND real cheese... Dianne found some CHOCOLATE Italian Ice, like we used to get at Rita's...it feels like 20 years since I last had any...
          I'm having a rather early Lunch, followed by a rather early nap, followed by a visit to the 1180 Lab...gonna re-do the drum tracks...Dianne will be "zooming" with her parents and sister...because of my wacky (self imposed) schedule, I could be in bed before 11 PM...In fact, I could be napping before 12:30 or so...
11:07 AM--I haven't sung in public(or in the car) since Friday March the 13th...the problem with my throat (the raspiness) may have gone away...that would be a good thing...If/when I do YESTERDAY, I'm gonna do a bunch of singing...
3:23 PM--took awhile. but I laid down the rhythm guitar track for YESTERDAY, alongside the metronome/drum track...
5:50PM--I shouldn't,  but I kinda wanna go to the 1180 Lab...I think YESTERDAY will be a lot easier than that original tune I've been working on...
7:46 PM--I laid down a KB Bass track that I just might keep, and a lead guitar test track to hear what that could sound like...
8:01 PM--the vocals are not gonna be easy, because Dianne will hear them...dunno when I'm gonna get around to doing them...maybe tomorrow...I hope to put something on youTube sometime on Monday...we'll see...I want the performance to be as PERFECT as it can be and it's not--not yet anyway...
SUNDAY 4/19/2020 10:51 AM--just finished the scratch vocals for YESTERDAY...what I might do is get the various parts performed perfectly (as close as I can get) and then put it on youTube...I'll probably will mix it to some degree, but mostly I wanna get it out there...
4 PM--I think Dianne has a Zoom meeting tomorrow...maybe I'll get the vocals done at that time...I don't think I'm going to the Lab until then...
7PM--nope, not going to the Lab this evening...I think I need to warm up my throat and/or vocal cords tomorrow...I 'll likely do that in my car...
MONDAY 4/20/2020 9:35 AM--the roomie asked me if I would mail something for her--maybe THAT'S when I'll warm up my throat...
12:27 PM--and that's what I did...gonna go to the Lab in a few minutes...gonna lay down the vocals and lead guitar, mix it a little then attempt to do a video...

do I have a choice?

           MONDAY 4/13/2020 3:30 PM-I don't THINK I have a choice--I have to buy a Bass guitar, I can't lay down a keyboard bass part I can live with...and  *I* feel as though I need to add something to the basic metronomic "drum" track--cymbals, fills,etc. Maybe I should lay down the piano track first after all...
9:05PM--It turns out I can control the touch sensitivity of the keyboard…In other words, the harder I hit the key the louder the sound that it makes will be, kinda like a real piano…I’d like to think that this will make building my own drum tracks a whole lot easier…
TUESDAY 4/14/2020 11:32 AM--finally finally FINALLY got the keyboard track down...maybe switiching from piano to organ made a difference...I think I'm done for the day, but who knows? I may be wrong but if I feel like laying down at least some of the drum track, I just might try...after my nap but before Dinner...we'll see...or I can wait until tomorrow...
4:20 PM--when it comes to the 1180 Lab, I'm re-learning as I go...for instance, I just re-learned NOT to turn up the master volume of the keyboard...the sounds come out somewhat distorted...the only thing I got done is an organ track (that needs to be done again) AND I put the keyboard where the 1180 was and the 1180 where the keyboard was...I think it will make a BIG difference, once I get used to it...
5:15 PM--I'm thinking of buying a Bass through AMAZON...fully aware that you get what you pay for there are some inexpensive basses on their site...Like I've said before, IF I'm gonna get a $1200 check from the Gov't I'll pay off my TWO credit cards and give Dianne the rest of it, about $400 bucks...In what *I* felt was a subtle way, I suggested to the FHB that they permanently replace ME with a guy who, in addition to being a better guitarist, is WAY more tech savvy...Somebody (Barnaby?) wants to somehow do a cyber open mic...*I* dunno why and I'm not really interested in participating...I told Dianne I was planning to buy a Bass...the idea didn't thrill her in the least...
WEDNESDAY 4/15/2020 10:42 AM--I don't feel like doing any "lab work" today, not yet anyway...maybe after my nap...
4:34 PM--it feels like a mistake, but I went to the 1180 Lab...it took about an hour to lay down a new organ track and the first of two drum tracks...making mistakes is very frustrating and makes me tired...maybe (MAYBE) I'll do cymbals tomorrow...
THURSDAY 4/16/2020 8AM--but don't bet on it...
4:52 PM--My brain picks the strangest times to wanna do stuff...I've had all day to go to the Lab, and I didn't...but now I kinda want to...sheesh...
7:10 PM--and now I'm tired or sleepy or something...just like most nights, after Dinner...and by 9:00 or so I'll probably have a second wind, whether I want one or not...
FRIDAY 11AM--so I went to the 1180 Lab and laid down a guitar part...kinda surprised I remembered how to adjust the various parameters of the particular patch I was using...I wanted CHORUS and I got it...I got interrupted, but at least I accomplished a little bit of something...I was gonna start a new recording, but I really feel like I need to get a Bass guitar first and finish this original composition, whatever it may be called...
2 PM-I laid down an electric guitar track… I also kinda performed my first punch in;

what happens next, and when?

               SATURDAY 4/11/2020 9:16 AM--I kinda wanna go downstairs and work in the 1180 Lab...I dunno if there's a "best" time to work down there...I think I can record ALL the various parts (except vocals, if there would be any) w/o anybody hearing anything...as opposed to doing a youTube video...
       I feel as though I need to come up with a title...FLASH-I found the Manual!!! I was half-heartedly looking for it...might go downstairs now, just do a teeny bit at a time...actually re-thinking the chord progression, probably should rehearse the piano part a lot before I record it...
12:20PM--I think the "verse" is ok as is, but the "chorus" or whatever it's called, has changed a bit...as anxious as I am record the piano part, I plan to rehearse it a bunch first...might go back down there after my nap...
5:27PM--and so I did, and came up with a startling idea--record the BASS track first THEN add the piano track...I need to practice both parts (seperately) for the sake of smoothness, but it worked!!! I'm hoping to replace the key-board Bass part with a guitar running thru the ME70 Octave patch...might at least set things up this evening...
6:32 PM--my desire to do stuff, especially Musical stuff, is just as strong, if not stronger, at this point in time than it is earlier...after Dinner is when I should start winding down, at least a little...
8:11PM--the whole "guitar as Bass" idea seems to work...I accidently switched on "auto punch" and it won't turn OFF...having it ON might not be having any effect on anything for all I know, so I'll just try to ignore that switch as best as I can...the more or less immediate goal is to lay down a complete Bass part then a piano part...after which who knows?
SUNDAY  4/12/2020 8:35 AM--I erased/deleted the whole thing, which was only two tracks...I just laid down another metronome/drum track...the "Auto Punch" light is OFF, I think...
10:10 AM- I’m. trying to get going on this recording project this morning, but I think somebody up there doesn’t want me to work on it yet...I keep messing up and having to start all over…So maybe the thing to do is give up for a little while and go back upstairs and read a book or watch TV…I’ll be back at some point... I’m not ready to give up just yet...
10:31 AM--I now know that the concept of doing the Bass track first is a valid one...I just need to simplify the part itself, stop trying to impress anybody...
9:02 PM--on the other hand, I don't wanna dumb down the keyboard bass part due to my relative lack of ability playing keyboards...I think I might have to buy a Bass guitar...

took long enough

         SATURDAY 4/4/2020 12:26 PM--I put new strings on the acoustic, thinking I might do more song  videos at some point...sometimes I really wanna and sometimes I don't want to do anything at all except sleep...
8:16 PM--SLR just gave me permission to do RISING SUN BLUES if I want to...it IS after all, MY arrangement...maybe sometime tomorrow...
SUNDAY 4/5/2020 10:50 AM--I might go downstairs and do CLANCY shortly, while Dianne is in the office; and go downstairs again later when she is doing the Family Zoom thing...
12:39 PM--it took about 35 minutes, but I got CLANCY (a three minute song, more or less) onto youTube and FB...apparently I couldn't fix the sloppy finish...life is like that...
1:14 PM--it turns out I DID fix it! just don't ask me how...dunno when Lisa Barton is gonna get to see it...
3:37 PM--listening to a live broadcast from Ray in Denmark...guess I wasn't quite supposed to get a nap..got about an hour's worth...not enouh IMO...oh well...
4:13 PM--hadn't counted on Savannah performing HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN, but they're doing it...I still might do it myself, after a few rehearsals...
TUESDAY 4/7/2020 4:40 PM--my Musical career, meaning being a member of a band or bands that make public appearences, is currently non-existant...and I'm OK with that...and at this point in time, I certainly don't feel like doing any solo stuff...
WEDNESDAY 4/8/2020 8:25 AM--if I get bored enough, I might do RISING SUN at some point...I still don't feel like doing ANYTHING today...
FRIDAY 4/10/2020 12:25 PM--the last time I touched my BR-1180CD was for the purposes of putting it away...until this morning...without one single page of the Manual, I recorded a (very raw) short instrumental piece mostly to determine how much I remember...I DO wish I knew where the manual is, but I'm sure I'll find it when I'm NOT looking for it...I really don't wanna have to print/build another one...
5:43 PM--laid down a metronome track which could become the snare/kick track--that would probably be easier in the long run...just need to add the hi-hat, cymbals and fills...tomorrow...
7:23PM--as I currently don't have a Musical Life in my neighborhood, and I currently don't feel like doing a youTube video, I'm gonna focus on recording with the BR-1180CD... But I would really like to have the use of the manual…I don’t think it’s anywhere BUT in the basement...I guess that’s what I’ll be doing tomorrow...looking for it...
9:16 PM--...and getting done whatever I can without it with whatever knowledge I've retained from past usage...

not absolutely perfect, but it gets the point across

       SATURDAY 3/28/2020 8:28AM--well, it took about an hour I think, but I got my coronavirus song onto youTube AND FB...I stumbled a time or two, but I never fell...it took about a dozen takes...now, we just sit back and wait for the World's reaction...
         8:42 AM--it's starting...only two so far, but they're both positive...I wish I had given the video a better title than today's date, but after the fact, on youTube, I changed the title...The process of uploading the video was surprisingly easy...
6 PM--the coronovirus vid is getting a positive reaction on FB so far...On youTube? not all that much...so be it...
SUNDAY 3/29/2020 7:18 PM--I wasn't the first of my friends/acquaintences to post a solo Music video on FB (and youTube)--Stoney has posted one, a Beatles Medley...suddenly I'm anxious to post The E Medley, and wondering if I'm biting off more than I can chew...
7:47 PM--Dianne will not be home tomorrow night, she's having a sleep study done somewhere so I'll be alone with the dog and the cat...the perfect time to attempt the E Medley...and I could do it in the Living Room...I might do something (in the basement) before that, but I dunno for sure...
MONDAY 3/30/2020 7:52 AM-- after reading an FB post that Ray wrote, I started having second thoughts about doing the E Medley video...Ray said "Do it!" so I will, this evening...I'm glad I have a couple of Xanax left...
4:33 PM--getting nervous...if I can get myself together enough to do the video, I won't bother...I suppose I could physically rehearse it, as opposed to playing it in my head...only time will tell...
10 PM--well I did the video...it took about four tries and roughly one hour to get seven mimutes of video...it's far from perfect, but I'm not up to doing it again, at least not tonight...at least I KNOW it's raw...not like some people I know who don't seem to hear the mistakes they make...
TUESDAY 3/31/2020--I think maybe I might have been possibly the first of MY MontCo acquaitences to put a video on FB (and/or youTube) of a solo acoustic performance, and a semi-original tune at that...of course Ray (Denmark) did it first...Barry has done two, Lou has just done one...of course LOTSA people I don't know have done it...
5:52 PM--LMYR is on youTube; I tried MOTHER'S LITTLE HELPER but (*I* think) it wasn't supposed to happen...I might wait a few days before doing any more, for a couple of reasons...the main one is that a guy is coming tomorrow to start replacing the first floor...allegedly the whole Project will take two days...yeah, riight, sure...and secondly, it may be time for new strings already...they're on the way from Amazon...

if I don't change my Mind

             

               THURSDAY 3/26/2020 9 AM--IF I determine that I don't have the virus (c'mon Saturday) I just might cook up a video to celebrate that...a solo/acoustic version of the infamous LCB "E medley"...First I'll make a list of songs; I can remember most of the song titles...and if by some chance I include songs we didn't do, so what? Then the question might be WHEN can I do this? and first of all, I gotta find the tripod--AGAIN!!! I can't properly do anything w/o it...As for why?, the acoustic has relatively new strings on it, and there's nothing else to do...
    3:55 PM--found the tripod, made a list...hoping to try on Sunday...
4:32 PM--did my first "join" in a long time...upgraded to a new version of Virtual DJ...including the upgrade, the whole process took about thirty minutes...the join "ShatteredWoman" is already in an iTunes Playlist I call Joins 6...I got the idea from the E Medley list...
5:15 PM--I did one more then I "lost my groove" so to speak...oh well, whatever...
5:40 PM--got my groove back, did one more, now I'm a bit hungry...I can't eat until Dianne makes the spaghetti, which is whenever Chump gets finished with his campaign speech...he's supposed to be talking about the pandemic...he started out talking about it, but I think his train of thought is coming off the rails, like it always does...
FRIDAY 3/27/2020 9:05 PM--I wrote 99.9% of a coronavirus song, to the tune of Dylan's arrangement of MR TAMBOURINE MAN...I did not write the first line--"Hey Mr. Quarantine Man, play a song for me..." but I wrote the rest of it...planning to put it on youTube tomorrow...it may be easier to upload a video onto yT now than it used to be...I hope so...

my Musical career is on hold until whenever

     MONDAY 3/23/2020 1 PM--I dunno for sure, but I guess streamed gigs are the wave of the immediate future...I wonder if there's any way to get paid for the gigs that happen in a club/bar/restaurant...At this point the questions are pointless...the Govenor has locked down Maryland, except for essential services, which includes grocery stores and CVS, and (I would think) gas stations...
  10:32 PM--suddenly really wanting to play drums again...aside from the fact that I don't have a drum set, can't quite afford a drum set, barely have room in the basement for a drum set, there's the issue of my Health...THAT seems to be the only thing that can really stop me...

it was fun while it lasted, IF it's over

            FRIDAY 3/20/2020 8PM----I might get thrown outta the FHB for, among other reasons, being cautious about going out during the coronovirus pandemic...and of course, my "roomie" still has a bit of a hold on me...she seems to be willing to wait a month (!) before letting me go to any band functions...I interpret my exchange with Stoney on Flakebook as being friendly and understanding...this doesn't mean Barnaby and Brian are OK with my decision...I STILL dunno why somebody is in a big hurry to do a video...
        So for now (I think) I'm still a member of the FHB...I hope so, we have a fair amount of potential IMO...Of course, I've only gotten Stoney's response so far...I can't understand people that seem to think there's nothing to worry about...I might know people like that and I now think they're not as smart as I've thought they were...
SATURDAY 3/21/2020 5:16 PM--doing a LOT of daydreaming/thinking during my (and everyone else's) captivity...Back on Friday the 13th and for a day or so after, I got complimented (a bunch) on my guitar playing, from Carolyn Krohn Moyer...I take her opinions seriously...she's fairly talented...the happiness I felt at the time has worn off...There's no one to blame/credit for my ability, however "good" I am...but for now, there's no band practices, gigs or open mics...a bummer financially for sure, but there's more to it than that...
9:16 PM--listening to/watching The Crimestoppers LIVE streaming thing...at least I THINK it's live...or they're playing a song for the 2nd time...UPDATE--I think I was getting some kinda replay, but now (I think) I'm caught up...and Eric STILL isn't playing the "horse race" beat in GET BACK--*I* dunno why...maybe it's too challenging physically...
9:38 PM--dunno how long they're gonna play for...not that I have something to do or somewhere to go...I'm gonna try to stay up until Midnight...
10:39 PM--the 'stoppers gig has ended...the performance was not without musical glitches...a performance by the FHB would have glitches too, probably several, and more noticeable ones...maybe THAT'S why Barnaby is adamant about NOT doing the LIVE streaming thing...
SUNDAY 3/22/2020 11 PM--seems like a LOT of Musicians/duos/bands I know are doing the live streaming thing...I'm no expert, but the live streaming thing has GOT to be easier than creatung some artsy fartsy video...

things that might not happen

                SUNDAY 3/15/2020 1:17 PM-- I dunno for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if  BOTH the 4th Thursday Open Mic AND the LCB Reunion were cancelled...time will tell...If I could only do one of 'em, I would go with the LCB reunion...as I said, I felt like a part of the AA Co. Music community at Brian Boru...
5:23 PM--my Facebook feed is still being flooded with posts related to the gig with Ray last Friday...He might be playing right now for all I know...It may be too soon to know for sure about the LCB gig; and the 4th Thursday open mic too for that matter...but I sent Stoney an e-mail...
6:12 PM--I can't remember the last time I played a gig that yielded so much feedback...and it's still going on...and I suddenly kinda wish I lived where I grew up...
MONDAY 3/16/2020 8:20 AM--the LCB Reunion has been cancelled...by whom I'm not sure...Ray says the venue did, and that's possible...but it could be that RAY cancelled, for which no one could/should blame him...and I find myself hoping the 4th Thursday OM is nixed as well...my Life is worth more than $60 dollars...
4:34 PM--everybody's gigs have been cancelled, because of the Governor's proclamation...*I* dunno why, but the FHB may still be practicing tomorrow...I hope not...
7:36 PM--Barnaby very much wants to do a video for the FHB, and a rather sophisticated one at that...we chatted by phone for (maybe) an hour...it was quite enlightening...I guess these days a video HAS to be more than just a single camera pointed at the band...It's gonna be a LOT of work, more for Barnaby than the rest of us, but still...He has issues with Stoney too apparently...
WEDNESDAY 3/18/2020 3:22 PM--I dunno when, but the FHB is gonna do a video...Barnaby (for one) does NOT wanna do an online concert...I guess that's that...*I* think it would be easier than doing a high tech video...at this point the idea is for each of us to sing our best song...I dunno what my best song is, I suppose I SHOULD but I don't...
THURSDAY 3/19/2020 5:04 PM--Somebody (Barnaby? Stoney?) must really be bored...there are plans for the video shoot to be carried out soon...I guess they'll kick me outta the band for refusing to leave my house...oh well...
10:34 PM--I dunno for sure, but I suspect Barnaby and/or Stoney has given up on the Video Project for now...that's logical enough...

no one wants to be held hostage

             SATURDAY 3/14/2020 1:45 AM--just got home from Severna Park...ears ringing LOTS...I think I accomplished my original mission--to sing harmonies with Carolyn and hopefully impress her with my ability...I'm just grateful the Universe gave me my singing voice back in time to play the gig...I wasn't at all happy with the sound of my guitar or the guitar that I switched to...I got complimented on my playing, but *I* could barely hear it...and I didn't record a single note! I came home with $20 bucks I didn't have when I left G-burg...
          I told Ray that I've kinda changed my Mind about attending the Sunday gig...he said he understands...as far as *I* know the LCB Reunion is still on...I very much hope so...Brian Boru was fairly crowded this evening...a bit of a surprise, but a very pleasant one...
9:58 AM--Dianne says she ain't goin' nowhere...I dunno what, if anything, I'M gonna do...recover from last night's gig I suppose...
10:32 AM--except that the FHB MIGHT be subbing for the Crimstoppers at the OTWC! More on this later...I could go either way, but I can always use the money...
ONE HOUR LATER--at this point in time, the 'stoppers are gonna do their gig...besides Barnaby was unavailable anyway...he's at Hershey's tonight with Late As Usual...mostly, because I'm fairly wiped out, *I* ain't goin' nowhere either...
4:12 PM-Stony had the idea that me and him and Brian would do the gig as a trio… I suggested Stoney play keys Brian play bass and we find a singing drummer… Stoney  rejected that idea, gently...and Brian, the other Brian, the guy who books the bands at the OTWC, suggested we forget the whole thing...I’m OK with that decision...
 4:36 PM-I think it’s official now…The trio gig at the OTWC is not gonna happen...and I’m absolutely OK with that decision... I guess the Universe wants me to stay home this evening...but I feel cabin fever setting in...
5:46 PM--the repercussions from last night's gig with Ray (social media-wise) are extensive, and still growing...I wish I had recorded a song or two, if not more...oh well...I still think my guitar sound sucked...but what's done is done...
7:05 PM--suddenly I kinda wish I was living in the Glen Burnie area...I'm feeling very much appreciated by Ray's friends...more appreciated than in my current neighborhood...