not done yet

                          SUNDAY 4/29/18 1:05AM--just got home from the gig...we weren't as bad as we coulda been, but we weren't as good as we could be either...will never be as good as *I* want us to be--I need to get used to that...there actually were some good harmonies coming from the stage...on the other hand, Rick still switches parts randomly...*I* think it's because of the pot...Bruce was still bugging me about me volume levels...and I DID struggle with the Gizmo a fair amount...I shoulda plugged everything thing in on Friday to get a handle on my sound; that was the Plan, but I never got around to it...
          A woman I know shot some vids...they're not horrible...
              10:30AM--just brought the stuff in, it's quite cold outside...we're going to Unique and then her parents new residence...dunno when we'll be back home...
           6PM--went to the thrift store, bought a book...went to visit the ex-in-laws, came home...took a cat nap...

how much longer can I last?

          WEDNESDAY 4/25/18 7:10PM- so here I am, parked in front of Rick's house… Practice is scheduled to start in about 20 minutes; I can’t wait till it’s over with… My intention is to pretty much be totally silent-I don’t think that’s gonna happen, but I’m gonna try… No matter how much we suck I’ll keep my mouth shut... I dunno for sure, I don’t think it’s a case of Barry’s ears not being able to hear mistakes, I just don’t think he gives a damn…
        11PM--well, I didn't/couldn't keep my mouth shut...for a few minutes *I* was singing lead on MISUNDERSTANDING...but Bruce expressed the opinion that Rick should sing it...so he does...I still have COME TOGETHER...but I would prefer that Rick NOT sing harmony on it--just because he can doesn't mean he should...And after all this time, Barry still has trouble scanning certain lyrics...and *I* still think it's possible that he does it to mess with me...
              I really hope we CAN'T go as a group to the OTWC tomorrow night...Bruce won't be there, so why SHOULD 3/5ths of the band play anywhere? Maybe someone else will cancel...The only good thing I can think of is that tomorrow night's open mic won't be hosted by Tish and Johnny V...
             As for the gig, I'm not expecting much of a turnout, and again, I wonder, does Barry care? And/or does he know what our biggest weakness is? IMO it's him, BTW...
           The whole situation is quite depressing...dunno how much longer I'll be a member of the Combustibles
                     FRIDAY 2AM--So I just got home from the THURSDAY night open mic...I must be good at something--lotsa people wanted me to play alongside them...and I got a bunch of compliments, from Musicians mostly...the Combustibles weren't as bad as I thought we were gonna be...but we weren't as good as I want us to be...I hope to be in bed about 40 minutes from now...
              12:37PM--I need to get either a hat or haircut or both--I'm tired of seeing photos of my receding hairline...dunno if I'm gonna have one or the other by tomorrow night's gig...
          7:12PM--I feel like I could go to bed soon, but I won't...gonna try to last until 10 o'clock, more or less...and yeah, some of MY Music is pretty f**king good IMO...
           9PM--after a few hours of thinking about stuff, I've become rather angry...that's not good...
SATURDAY 4/28/18 10:13AM--still not feeling good emotionally...and still a bit angry...or confused or...whatever...
  7:55PM-whatever’s gonna happen is gonna start happening in an hour...LATER- there’s a pretty good size crowd on the other side of the restaurant celebrating someone’s birthday hopefully they won’t all leave when we start playing; but it wouldn’t surprise me…

shouldn't I be happier than this?

             MONDAY 4/23/18 6:30PM--I don't quite feel like going out tonight, so I probably won't...I'm NOT looking forward to practice on Wednesday...and I'm REALLY not looking forward to the Combustibles playing at the open mic at the OTWC on Thursday...not yet excited about Saturday's gig either...but I can always use $60 bucks...
           TUESDAY 4/24/18 9AM--still depressed, don't feel like doing much of anything except sleeping...I've spent $13 dollars so far today...I don't expect to spend another penny until tomorrow...that would make me rather happy...
          12:25PM--still down...not looking forward to practice tomorrow...or the open mic appearance on Thursday...or the gig on Saturday...
           7:37PM--I would have liked to have gone to the Grateful Jam on Sunday, but, knowing I have a gig the night before, I probably won't have the energy...so instead, I might go visit my ex-in-laws--with the roomie of course...that shouldn't take much energy...
           7:57 PM--if I can make it to 10PM, I'll start watching the Dylan documentary that I'm recording...it's three or four hours long; that should get me to Midnight...

almost worth it

      SUNDAY 4/22/18 11AM-  The roomie and I have finally made it to the big, huge thrift store… In fact it’s two HUG thrift stores side by side… They are connected corporationally, but whatever you buy on one side you have to pay for on THAT side… what they have the most of is clothing… Neither side has all that many books; there is a “restaurant “ on one side...

      11:19AM-I think I’m going to have to start living (financially) the way I did when I was working-pinching pennies until they squeal…after I pay for the Quality Paperback copy of TESTIMONY I bought, thatis...

a new habit?

                     SATURDAY 4/21/18 10AM--going to the Music Café for the 2nd week in a row...kinda excited/nervous about it...dunno when I'll get back home...probably won't have the energy to go anywhere tonight...or, let's say, I probably shouldn't go out tonight...I think we're going to Unique tomorrow...
      1:30PM- sitting at the Music Café in Damascus, just waiting for Lou… I think  I’m the first musician to arrive; the host isn’t here yet...
      3:30PM-Lou and I did three songs; the harmonies were pretty good...I had tuning problems though...I THINK we’re done for the day...
      4:40PM-Lou and I did a second set… It went well enough; still had tuning problems…pretty sure I’m NOT going. out tonight...
      5:25PM--having Pizza Hut stuff for Dinner...and still not going out tonight...
     TWO HOURS LATER--I think I AM going out after all; it's that dammed "second wind"...
    9PM- I know it’s only been one song, but the band playing at what used to B72 doesn’t impress me yet...the lead (only?) guitar is too loud...I DID hear a teeny bit of 3 part harmony,  but mostly it just sounds like a buncha guys on stage yelling... I shouldn’t be too hard on ‘em, I think this is actually their first gig with two new members…just might go to Hershey's...
   And so I did...it turns out there are two groups that are called Don’t Tell Susie, one of them is from around here and the other one, the one I wanted to see, is not…THEY are from the United Kingdom...

another Month, another check

         WEDNESDAY 4/18/18--the SSA check came in overnight...I think I'm gonna hold off on getting the freon level checked...I think I'm gonna use that money to get the credit card bill down, if only a little...
         Had a slight problem overnight...it must have been something I ate, but I dunno for certain what...It may have been the cheese or bologna I bought from Safeway...
         The roomie says she's not going out tonight...then I likely won't be going out tonight either...I AM hoping Combustibles practice will be canceled, but it probably won't be...
         THURSDAY 4/19/18 11AM--the roomie's going out tonight, and I'm going to band rehearsal...I should be back home by 11:00...that is, unless practice gets cancelled...in which case, I might go to the OTWC--probably just to hang out...
                     The cleaning ladies are due today...I'm gonna go to the Library while they're here...LATER--they were here, and I DID go to the Library...despite the fact that Bruce won't be there, the Combustibles are still gonna practice...*I* dunno why...whether we're all there, or whether we practice or not, we're still gonna sound pretty crummy...I suppose if I hurry, I could be at the OTWC by 10:30, more or less...will probably try to accomplish that...

MIDNIGHT- I’ve had more fun here at the OTWC then I did at band practice--and I didn’t play a single note… I SANG a few though... now it’s 25 minutes later, and I’m getting ready to go home… I am rather hungry, so I’ll probably have a sandwich, wait a while and then go to bed…

FRIDAY 4/20/18 1AM--When I think about how much the Combustibles suck, I get depressed...we aren't as bad as the BBs Trib Band, but that's not saying much...

7:30AM--well, I told Lou I'd meet him in Damascus tomorrow at 1:30...the roomie won't be around, that's one reason why I'm going...but it looks like I won't be going to Bethesda on Sunday--I imagine I'll need Sunday to recover from Saturday...the plan for today is to get new strings for the acoustic...and maybe I'll do some laundry later...it's really rather sad--Lou and I are more fun for me than the Combustibles...Barry wants us to go to the OTWC open mic next week--I'm not at all looking forward to that...I DID tell someone that the Duo is pretty good, but the weak link in that situation is...Barry...

4:35PM--the acoustic has new strings on it...so I accomplished something today...I already told Dianne that I wasn't going out tonight; I hope I don't suddenly WANT to go out...

and so I start again

          MONDAY 4/16/18 12:28PM--in my opinion, even for a Monday, today really sucks...but I still might go to B72 tonight, with my Bass...but first I gotta go see Dr.Malinsky...should be back home by 2:30 or so...

4:18PM--I got home before 2:30, but I didn't get the nap I wanted...I'm definitely going to B72 with my Bass and Brian (the host) is OK with that...as for Wednesday, who knows? there might be band practice on Wednesday or Thursday, so I shouldn't make plans of any kind...who knows, maybe I'll take my Bass to the OTWC on Thursday, if I go...

              8:23PM- actually I don’t think I’ll be taking my Bass out in public any time soon...The more I play with Jeff Karn, the less I like it...I couldn’t hear my bass because HE thought it was too loud; so he had Danny the soundman turn it down…Jeff tends to show up at the same places I go...that’s starting to bother me...I’m a much better guitarist than I am a Bass player-I DO know that...IF I go to the OTWC on Thursday, I’ll bring Butterscotch...as for the IPO Wednesday thing,  I’m gonna try really hard to NOT go...and it doesn’t matter if the roomie stays home or not...Who knows, I might even sneak out of HERE in a little while...

       Open mics are almost always a gamble… Last night I won, eventually… Tonight, so far, all I’ve done is lose...

          9:45PM--I'm home...I wasn't having fun, in fact, I would say I didn't have ANY fun at all...Bass playing seems to hurt my left hand...and if/when I can't hear myself, my right hand has to work harder--and *I* don't think it should have to...From now on, I'll probably leave the Bass at home; it was, after all, just supposed to be used when recording...

           TUESDAY--I was up one or two times during the night; maybe for that reason, I don't feel like doing anything. I DO have to go to CVS later; maybe the Sun will be out by then...

          11:45AM--whatever plans I may have had for Thursday have gone out the window-- the Combustibles are practising on Thursday...kinda sucks...I bet Barry is happy...of course, a lot can happen between now and 7:30 Thursday...

could I BE anymore nervous?

                         SUNDAY 4/15/18 9:36AM--other than a shower and a shave, and Lunch, I have nothing to do until I leave for Bethesda...I'm planning to leave at 1PM...should take no more than a half hour to get there...Because it's Bethesda, I'm worried about parking, among other things...

          Went to Safeway to buy my Dinner and dessert...forgot to buy bread and milk...that sucks...

      2PM- apparently the Villain and Saint isn’t open yet… I believe the music is scheduled to start at 3 o’clock... shouldn’t it take the host time to set up the equipment?   unless I have to move, I’m in a pretty good parking spot…I’m glad I covered the amp with a trash bag; it’s raining and windy...I took a Xanax  before I left the house; I think it has kicked in-I’m not nearly as nervous as I was, just anxious to get inside and get the ball rolling… I think if someone doesn’t come along soon to set up equipment or do something, I’m gonna go home...

       2:30PM-I’ll give them 15 more minutes, maybe 30 and then that’s it I’m going home... A FEW MINUTES LATER- I think some guys are moving equipment into the place, maybe I’ll go look into that...

2:50PM- slowly but surely things are starting to happen… I might not need to bring my amp in after all-except I don’t know much about Twin Reverb amps; as I am a stranger in a strange land, I’m gonna try to just do what I’m told...

     It’s WAY too early to make any judgments, and I’m trying to go with the flow...but I think I’m getting nervous again...the house/host band leaves more than a little to be desired...the longer they play, the more confident *I* get, and that can be dangerous...I think the way it works is that the host builds bands outta whoever wants to play...and, like Harbison, if the host doesn’t know ya, you might go out kinda late...

6:51PM-my first appearence at the Villain & Saint Grateful Jam went well enough...coulda been better, coulda been worse... I couldn’t hear my guitar as much as I would’ve liked...but I sure did hear the one harmony part I sang (Franklin's Tower)...which more than made up for the shaky guitar work IMO...the drummer was really good, the other guitarist (and band leader) was pretty good and (I think) the Bass player was good...he was a better bassist than he was a drummer...

I'll always struggle with technology

              THURSDAY 4/12/18 11:40PM--all I wanted to do was find out, among other things, how much money was in my EZPass account...it took awhile, to put it mildly, and I had to use a convoluted method to find out what I wanted to know--but I did it...

            FRIDAY 11:15AM--well, I got some things done already...I bought real AMERICAN cheese and soda--and a Hershey Bar...I don't see myself going anywhere tonight, and probably not Saturday night either...but it looks like I will be going to Bethesda Sunday afternoon...

            5:17PM--well, I got the speaker wire...now I guess I'm gonna have to buy wire strippers...wonder how much THOSE will cost...I MIGHT get 'em tomorrow, but I probably won't try them out until Sunday at the earliest...there's a pair downstairs, but I struggled with them a little while ago...surely the process is less difficult than what I went through...either way, I feel like I'm one step closer to seriously working in the 1180 Lab, as opposed to merely running various tests...

           6:24PM--my checking account has about $28 dollars in it...I think that hasn't  happened since I retired in August...I'm actually kinda scared...Wednesday morning seems a long way away...

SATURDAY 10AM--well, I was kinda able to hook one speaker up to the 1180...technically it DOES work, but the volume level is as low as it can be and still be heard--unless the air conditioner is on, in which case I can't hear it at all...but I did lay down a Bass track...

           Lou wants to know if I'm coming to Damascus...I don't really feel like it...but I didn't say "yes" or "no"...it depends on what else is going on around here...and I wanna save myself for Bethesda tomorrow...

          Actually, I DID tell Lou that I couldn't go, but that's not exactly true...maybe I got too much sleep last night, I feel tired or sleepy or something... and if I go to Damascus and back I will be using gas that I’ll need later... I can barely afford to eat at Wendy’s, but that’s where I told Dianne I was going to get my dinner...

          I might be depressed...the speakers that I thought would work with the 1180, DON'T...also, for the next four days, money is extremely tight...still planning to go to Wendy's, but I probably shouldn't...

5:18PM--not that I can afford to go out or really want to, but there doesn't seem to be anybody playing tonight that I wanna see...I dunno who's at B72, even THEY apparently don't know either...as far as I can tell, the weather tomorrow is gonna suck...but I'm still planning on going to Bethesda...although I AM somewhat apprehensive about it...

8:27PM--hoping to stay awake until Midnight...I've got stuff I can watch once the roomie goes to bed...

kinda getting tired of anonymity

          THURSDAY 4/12/18 9AM--another day after an open mic...I so wish I was better looking, or at the very least, had better posture...oh well, maybe I'll go to an open mic tonight somewhere...I don't really want to go to Hershey's, but that's likely where I'll end up...if the roomie doesn't go out tonight, I'll stay home; yesterday she said she was...

           Got in touch with Family Services...maybe I'll have some Welbutrin soon...considering going to someplace new for me--Union Jack's...I'm so nervous about it, I'm thinking of making a test run later on, somewhere around 3:30, more or less...

           4:36PM--I  went through a fucking lot of hassle to find Union Jack's...it turns out that they no longer have an open mic on Thursday...so I guess I'll end up at Hershey's...not my first choice...but that's what there is to choose from as far as I'm concerned...I'll likely just bring my Bass--if that much...I don't think I've ever had as good a time at Hershey's as I've had at other open mics...

         6:00PM--gonna leave at about 7-ish, dunno when I'll get home...secretly hoping to go to the Dead jam at Villian & Saint Sunday afternoon...I wouldn't be surprised if that doesn't happen...
        6:51PM--suddenly, I'm quite tired...maybe I had too much for Dinner...and wandering around trying to find Union Jack's wore me out a bit...not genuinely wanting to go probably has something to do with it as well...my Plan to go out on Sunday afternoon didn't go over so well with the roomie...
   9:32PM--dunno where the energy came from but suddenly I went to the grocery store...it was the first money I'd spent all day...got plenty of cheese, fake and real...some more boloney and tomorrow's breakfast...and the  re-cycle-able stuff is on the curb...
                      And I fucking bought the wrong KIND of cheese...actually, some swiss cheese was mixed in with the American cheese...it didn't occur to me that that could happen, but it did...$8 dollars wasted...I'll try again tomorrow...at Giant, where I can also buy soda...

that might change everything

                WEDNESDAY 4/11/18 8:16AM--suddenly, using the Yamaha YG-235 keyboard drums seems so obvious...probably check that theory out later today...haven't yet given up on the 1180 Drums, but I have to summon the courage to call the Boss Tech Support...
           As for tonight, I'll likely be a guitar player; the Plan is to record some stuff with the phone...Whether I do or not depends on who I'm backing up...
            2:08PM--the nap lasted about an hour...I guess that's enough for my body, if not my soul...going down to the 1180 Lab...
         ONE HOUR LATER--it still takes me an hour to create 2 minutes of Music...and I DO think the 1180 drums will sound better...but I went ahead and recorded two tracks of Yamaha drums...one, a basic beat; the other, fills and cymbals...as for the 1180, I think I wrote and saved the rhythm arrangement I came up with the other day...after I settled on the drum track, I overdubbed a keyboard part...I changed kb patches once or twice--one while playing/recording, and the other, I kinda "punched in"...I wanna work on that process some more...I'll probably try that tomorrow...
          Seeing as I carried the amp up from the basement, I'll go to the IPO open mic as a guitarist...
   5:33PM--the roomie is gonna leave the house at about 6:15; that's probably when I'll leave too...all I gotta do is change shirts...
  6:45PM-I tried not to get here too early… It’s 6:45...I think the show starts at 7:30...sign-up starts at 7 PM...I’m the first one here that I know of...wait...OK we’re in business...
8:39PM- it’s entirely within the realm of possibility that I won’t get to play a single solitary note… mixed feelings about that... The front man of a Grateful Dead tribute band got up in butchered one of their songs… I think I could’ve done it better, not that that matters ultimately...and Elle seems to think she’s a really good singer...she might be, but I don’t think she is...she insists on singing notes only dogs can hear...
           I think I’m playing behind Michelle...and Ethan is here...LATER-The set with Michelle was NOT my best work, by a long shot...
          9:46PM-my set with Paul was better...and I think I’m playing behind George Hardman and one other player...and I haven’t recorded a damn thing yet...
  9:55PM-maybe I’m NOT playing behind George after all...I dunno what is going on...10:15PM-so I DID play behind the parody guy...the only chance I had to rock a bit...

I DID say that didn't I?

               MONDAY 4/9/18 8:30AM--because the audio store I was gonna visit is no longer there, I've had to buy the audio cables I want thru Amazon...they could arrive as early as Friday, but I probably won't get to check 'em out until next Monday...
                  If I go to the B72 open mic, I'm just gonna take my new Bass...The weather is a bit gloomy--am I ever gonna see the sun shine again? I have some errands to take care of; one of 'em is kinda my idea...the other is a favor for the roomie...
   10:42AM--got MY errand done, not hers--yet...getting sleepy or tired, not sure what the difference is if any...
      4:36PM--I spent the better part of 90 minutes working in the 1180 Lab...I have next to nothing to show for it...I created a drum part; about five minutes long...I guess I dunno how to record it to any given track or save it...Gonna have to go to youTube I guess...still hoping to go to B72 tonight, with my Bass...
            7:37PM- so here I am at what used to be called Branded  72; I brought my bass...Ethan is here, that may mean something, it may mean nothing…we’ll see...Jeff the Harmony Hog is here too...
                    8:22PM- just finished my first couple of songs playing my new bass...I’m using muscles that I will have to get used to using, but I will get used to it-eventually, hopefully...I’m undecided about Wednesday...I’ve got a day to recover from being here playing bass before I decide whether not I want to play bass at the IPO open mic on Wednesday night…I’m kinda leaning in that direction now, but a lot can happen in two days...
              After leaving B72 I met up with some friends at IHOP...that was nice...I guess (at least) two members of the BBs Trib. Band are still friends of mine...that's nice too...
               TUESDAY 11:18AM--after having had time enough to think about it, I would say my Bass playing last night rated an 8 on a scale of 10...
    5PM--I didn't feel like working in the 1180 Lab today, but now I kinda regret it...I just might call BOSS on the phone, to talk to a real person...
          As for tomorrow night, the roomie just might go out, so *I* won't feel so guilty about going out...If I DO go out, it will likely be to the IPO open mic, as a guitarist I think...
           Somewhat reluctantly, I may have to use the drum rhythms to be found in the keyboard....I think it will be way WAY easier to deal with than the drums in the 1180...and the SOUND of the keyboard drums might be as realistic as the drums in the 1180...

belated genius

         SUNDAY 4/8/18 8:34AM--a week or so ago, I bought a pair of speakers to use w/the 1180...at this point, I can't use them...I was thinking I need to find a way to connect bare wires to whatever ya call that kind of speaker terminal...it turns out there already is such a thing...I think there's a stereo store nearby that might have it...I suppose I'll find out tomorrow...

              It may be a bit early, but I got the cat into the carrier...and ultimately delivered to the vet...when we came home, the roomie and I actually did some work in the basement...quite an accomplishment IMO...makes me feel good emotionally--but not physically...that's OK, it's Lunchtime...after which, it will be naptime...

4:40PM--When I got up from my nap, I was actually in the mood to do some more work in the basement, specifically the 1180 Lab...to get to my stuff, ya have to go around/thru the Lab--that's a bit easier than it had been...I might even go through my stuff fairly soon...like they say, ya can't take it with you...

8:11PM--I just realized, I haven't seen my new Bass since I got it...I guess the roomie DIDN'T notice it when we were in the basement together...maybe that's a good thing...might take it out tomorrow, and might take it to the IPO open mic on Wednesday, if I go...

9:38PM--might make it to 10:30, but probably not 11:00...

a Musical Saturday

          SATURDAY 4/7/18 12:23PM-- getting ready to go to the Music Café in Damascus...should be back by 3:30 or so...I'm kinda nervous about it, actually...then there's the two-fer I'm planning for tonight...But I still dunno what, if anything is going on tomorrow...besides taking the cat to the vet...

1:35PM-now I’m at the Music Café, waiting for Lou...

4:10PM-- Lou and I just finished our three songs...I would give us a 9 on a scale of 10… the folks seemed to like us...my guitar solo actually got an audible and positive reaction...the harmonies were pretty much right on the money...What I hadn’t counted on was seeing a face from my recent past-Natalie... Ron Kemp introduced me to her quite a while ago; she wasn’t a redhead at the time, at least I don’t THINK she was...gosh, she sure is attractive...

6:32PM--belatedly thinking about that reaction I got during my solo in Long May You Run...I hope I recorded it; I recorded our entire 10 minute set...I'll know eventually...leaving for B72 in about an hour...then I'm going to the OTWC...should be home shortly after Midnight...or not...

11:17PM-hanging out at the OTWC...

MIDNIGHT-not home yet...might be joining the Crimestoppers momentarily...

And so I did, on Cripple Creek; I actually didn't WANT to do any Neil Young with them for some reason......I guess it was nerves, but I forgot some of the lyrics of the verses Kennedy handed me-that REALLY sucks IMO...dunno if I’ll ever get to sing with them again...just like I'll likely never get to play guitar with them again...

The next big thing is getting the cat into the carrier to take her to the vet...not at all looking forward to THAT Project...

a step back in time

          THURSDAY 4/5/18 11AM--I've been a little busy, got rid of a bunch of cardboard/paper products; went to Victor Litz, traded my heavy Fender Bass for a lightweight Yamaha...really dunno if I got a good deal or not...the bass, strap and gig bag went on the credit card, for $97 dollars...there's a possibility that I didn't exactly pay for the strap--because they didn't charge me for it...let's see what Karmic repercussions there may be from that...it feels good, looks good...dunno what it sounds like yet...

                  Just waiting for the cleaning ladies to get here, then I'll go to Giant and buy soda to get outta their way...I have no idea when they're gonna get here and it probably doesn't matter...the plan is to lay down somewhere and take a nap until they get here, hopefully around 3PM or so...

2:34PM-OR... take a nap after they leave, which should be any minute now; I went to the grocery store and bought soda, nothing else…I’m still not planning on going out tonight-unless the roomie goes out,  which is, as far as I know, highly unlikely…I wanna go out on Saturday night, but I don't think the weather will permit it...I might go out Friday night, assuming I won't get to go out on Saturday...Going out two nights in a row is no big deal to ME...

WAAY over my head

         THURSDAY 4/6/18 8:48AM--I just skimmed thru a couple of BR1180 tutorial vids...I'll never ever be able to take advantage of MOST of its' features and functions...and that's depressing...enough to make me leave the BR-1180 alone for a day or two...as for going out tonight, I dunno yet...

          11:37AM--Lou has invited me to Damascus tomorrow...I'll probably go...

4:46 PM--got a slight nap, went to CVS bought LOTSA razor blades...had to use the credit card...but I might now have enough blades to last until the end of July at least...

6:20PM--there may be a lot going on tomorrow, so I'm not going out tonight...unless the weather is not so good, in which case, the G-town flea market is a no-go...but I plan to go to the Music Café Sat. afternoon open mic and later to B72 and the OTWC to see the Stereo Prophets and the Crimestoppers, respectively...Sunday? no idea...

it was unpleasant for a few minutes

                            THURSDAY 4/5/18 6PM--Muzzy ate some Milk Chocolate...nobody knows where it came from...it could have been be mine, but I'm not sure...I found her at 4PM...as soon as Dianne came home we went to the vet...anyway, he said she should be fine, for a number of reasons...Dianne had a really rough day...I'm pretty sure she's far from happy at her new job...even IF there was someplace for me to go tonight, I wouldn't...she may be upstairs sleeping, but she needs my support...

          As for my new Bass, I hope to at least run it thru the 1180 soon to hear what it sounds like...I have no idea when/if I'll take it out to an open mic...the Wednesday Night O.M. at IPO is not for nearly another week...

no, I AM busy

                WEDNESDAY 4/4/18 8AM--never mind MY laundry, I have sheets and towels to do...and dishes to put away...the weather being what it is, I don't feel like doing much...I MIGHT go out tonight...or not...it won't be happening on a regular basis anymore, but today the roomie will be working from home...so even if I wanted to, there probably won't be any work in the 1180 Lab today...
              11AM--well, the laundry is mostly done, the dishes are next...
6:52PM--her laundry is all done, all the clean dishes are put away...I'm leaving for the IPO open mic shortly...as for tomorrow night, I'll likely be staying in...but I hope to go out Saturday night...we'll see...

7:45PM- I really don’t know what’s going to happen here at the IPO, but at least I made it… usually when I arrive at 7:15 like I did tonight, the place is deserted; that was not the case this evening...but it’s far from full...maybe the open mic DOES start at 8...

     9:30PM--My guess is, I’ll be taking Ethan home… I hope not but I imagine that’s what’s going to happen...

        11PM--I guessed wrong...He never did ask, and I packed up and left as quickly as I could...which probably isn't nice, but sometimes I'm not nice...Greg asked me to play and sing behind him, so I did...which kinda proves my point about two people having opposite political views but still being able to play Music together...*I* think we sounded good together, vocally speaking...

suddenly I feel busy

          TUESDAY 4/3/18 8:35AM--all of a sudden, I have a "to do" list...I guess it's time to apply for food stamps; gotta go to CVS to figure out which of my meds can be refilled automatically...I wanna get some "lab work" done, but BOTH the digital recorder and the keyboard are (to me anyway) extremely complicated, not exactly user-friendly...
     9:30-I’m at CVS, getting my meds, etc;  THIRTY MINUTES LATER--washing the rags, for the cleaning crew...might do my laundry next...just found/printed the list of rhythms to be found in the YPG-225 keyboard...there are about 150 different styles that the drum machine can play...maybe I'll experiment with that later today...
   11:47AM--I expect to be in bed within the next few minutes...that's earlier than usual, so I may be done napping before 2:00...which could mean I'll be ready for bed by 9PM tonight, give or take...that's not good...
  2:41PM--I spent about 90 minutes in the 1180 Lab...didn't accomplish all that much...that'll teach me not to pat myself in the back I guess... I saw on FB where 3/5ths of the members of Derwood Dog are doing a gig as a trio...I kinda wonder why I wasn't invited...and I wonder if Jon was invited but declined the offer, for whatever reason...I guess Stu doesn't wanna make Music with a "libtard" like me...funny, I don't mind making Music with a paranoid fascist like him...oh well...Barry is doing a duo gig with someone else; probably because of something I said...and so my semi-secret Musical career continues...gonna have to go to Germantown to get the food stamps...just don't know exactly when...
8PM- today has been a fairly normal day, with one exception...everything that has happened today has happened earlier than usual…everything-meals, naps...I expect to be in bed by 11 o’clock, if not sooner…
10:23PM--I'll be in bed in less than 10 minutes...

I Like it When I learn stuff

                MONDAY 4/2/18 8:22AM--just got a call from the woman who is supposed to test my blood sugar levels...my phone calendar says "11AM" but we decided on 9:30 instead...after she leaves, I'll go to the Bank and (maybe) CVS and/or Safeway...
    12:28PM--she arrived at about 9:45 and was gone by 10AM...After I take a (rather necessary) nap, I'll go work in the 1180 Lab...I'm hoping to learn how to "bounce" tracks...I haven't quite figured out HOW I'm gonna do that; I'm considering using dialog as opposed to guitars or keyboards...IF/when I figure it out, the next step might be to create a drum track...that is, drums, cymbals and fills on ONE track...
            As for going out tonight, I doubt it, but I dunno for sure...
 4:32PM--I spent about 2 hours in the 1180 Lab and accomplished some stuff...I played a cut from The Rolling Stones' STEEL WHEELS CD thru the machine...I THINK I combined two mono drum tracks into one stereo track (track 9/10)...and then I THINK I mixed five tracks into 9/10...the five were two drum tracks, a keyboard Bass, a "Rock" organ and a piano...and I think that left three tracks to use for...something...in addition, I deliberately chopped the sloppy ending off--I think...I used the Manual to guide me through the various processes...and I suddenly remembered that's how records used to be made--ya loaded up eight tracks with sounds and mixed them down into two stereo channels...I wanna practice the process a few more times, until it feels (almost) easy...I think the way it works is: you mix eight tracks into 9/10 which leaves you another eight tracks to work with...I don't think I'll ever need 16 tracks though...
                I'm quite happy, but getting tired/sleepy...still dunno for sure, but I'm probably not going out tonight...unless I hear from Lou and he wants to go to the Stonehouse open mic...
  9:11PM--didn't hear from Lou, or anyone else...I wanna "be here now" but I can't help but plan for the next day...for instance, I think tomorrow will be laundry day for me...

be here now--you'll be better off

            SUNDAY 4/1/18 6PM--it took a few minutes, but I deleted my original cyber-diary...I think it went back nearly eight years...I don't regret it--yet...a friend of mine named Ray indicated to me that the credo he lives by is BE HERE NOW...I'm not sure how or why, but something changed the man I've known into someone new...it's interesting to be able to experience his changes...I don't seem to be as intimidated by him as I use to be...

9:30PM--actually did some light work in the 1180 Lab after Dinner...I think it's gonna be a long while before I can start seriously recording...I have LOTS of experimenting/learning to do...another way to work on learning patience I guess...