I just don't wanna...but I need the money

            SATURDAY 6/30/18 11:10AM--I checked out the Musical gear--the guitar, amp and gizmo...I think everything's ready for tonight...everything but me...what makes the shooting in Annapolis be somehow different from all the other ones?

6PM--I think Barry's gonna be here in roughly an hour...as far as I can tell, all I've gotta do is put on clean clothes...that shouldn't take more than 15 minutes, right? All the equipment is in the living room already, I'm not shaving or taking a shower...

SUNDAY 2:18AM--just got home from the gig in Virginia...the Combustibles were quite a bit better than I thought we'd be...*I* sang KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR, by request...and hijacked BEAST OF BURDEN from Rick, who, frankly was doing a terrible job of it...that too was a request...I think my shoes or my feet are just too big for the Gizmo footswitches; I had some trouble, but no more than usual... nobody said anything about my head; I guess that means it looks at least halfway decent—if it looked bad I think people would say something…

9:20AM- so the roomie and I are at Unique thrift shop; I have two books I intend to purchase and I already bought a pair of shoes-because I forgot to take my bedroom slippers off when we left the house… make whatever you want out of that…  The shoes and the books are 50% off… In fact everything is 50% off; I really should try to find another book or two, but I probably won’t... I want  the books...the shoes? Not all that much,  I just don’t want to go to IHOP in my bedroom slippers...

7:20PM--As far as I know, Lou and I are going out tomorrow (Monday) night...and I'm hoping to sit in with Ray on Thursday...we'll see...

So Lou and Scott did OK...not great... mostly it was nice to see folks I hadn’t seen in awhile...next on my Musical schedule-Thursday in Severna Park with Ray...

what else can happen?

THURSDAY 6/28/18 8:24AM--I woke up this morning with what I hope is a MILD case of conjunctivitis...my guest spot at Smokin ' Hot is tonight, and my official host (and friend) David might not be there, for personal reasons...I will likely be super nervous by the time I leave here...if not sooner...

4:45PM--David won't be there, Paula will be in charge...I must completely submerge my infatuation with her...I dunno if I'm gonna take a shower, I probably should take a shower...I'm waiting for the roomie to get home, but I might have to get on with it now--I wanna leave the house at six o'clock...I'll wait til 5 then feed the animals and take a shower...:

FRIDAY 1:19AM--which is what I did...I left for Glenwood at 5:50, to stop off at CVS and NOT buy 9 volt batteries...turns out there's a convenience store a few doors down from Smokin' Hot--I think I saved about $10 bucks for two batteries..
              My guitar playing was eventually OK...what harmonizing I did was--OK...my lead vocals were a bit better than that...Angela Drago wasn't there, and I didn't expect her to be...Paula sorta HAD to be there, she was kinda in charge...Christina was there for awhile...most of the playlist was decided by José and Paula...Dinner was delicious, and not because it was complimentary...the two guys I feel like I've known forever weren't there tonight; that was a surprise...

4:33PM--again, technology is fucking with me, and, as is often the case, *I* dunno why...Ray is playing tonight, but I shouldn't/can't go...As far as I know, Barry is gonna pick me up to go to the gig tomorrow at about 7PM...I think Dianne and I are going to Unique on Sunday, early..I dunno what Musical happenings I'll be missing tonight and I really don't wanna know....and, of course, I'll probably check on FB eventually...if not sooner...yep, that was quick...there's nobody I wanna see playin' anywhere tonight...

potentially a very Musical week

        MONDAY 6:47PM--tomorrow's agenda more or less consists of voting, putting new strings on the acoustic, and going to the IPO open mic with my electric guitar (and amp)...If Rick doesn't go, I might stay home...
        TUESDAY--it's not quite 8:30 in the morning and I've just put new strings on the acoustic...If I go to IPO tonight, I will probably leave the acoustic at home...that will give the strings time to get settled, so the acoustic will be ready for the open mic at Agrodolce, IF I go to that...at this point the weather looks "iffy", and neither Lou or I wanna go if the open mic is to be held inside...I dunno if Rick is going to the IPO or not; I thought I would know, but I don't yet...the plan for tomorrow  is to put new strings on Butterscotch...
          5:20PM--Michelle says Rick told her he was going, so I guess I'll see him later...
9:20PM-Rick made it to the IPO...so did Michelle...eventually the MSR reunion took place...considering the fact that the THREE of us hadn't played together in years, we sounded pretty good...I'VE sung with Michelle recently  and so has Rick, but all three of us at once? It's been more than a few years...I was surprised that Rick brought an electric guitar, but there was an amp for him to use other than mine...
            NOBODY has said ANYTHING about the hat... that might be a good thing actually... that apparently means it doesn’t look too weird...
MIDNIGHT--two different people, a man and a woman, said the hat looked good on me...that makes me happy for the moment...I still plan on putting new strings on Butterscotch later today...and finalizing the details of my "guest spot" at Smokin' Hot on Thursday...
WEDNESDAY 8:42AM--not even 9AM and the rags are in the dryer and Butterscotch has new strings on it...I'm almost happy...
5:20PM--happy, but getting nervous...prepping for the cleaning ladies...
7PM--I think Gary will be playing drums alongside me, Dave (on Bass) and whoever else is gonna participate...I actually wouldn't mind a 2nd guitarist either...or a girl singer or two...

sometimes it’s hard to hit a curveball

   FRIDAY 6/21/18-well it took less than an hour, but I went out to Germantown and gave RV the hundred dollars and took back my Telecaster...
SATURDAY--went to the Music Café open mic; Lou and I played three songs...mostly because of me, I'd give us a "6" outta 10...sat in with another guy, who's quite the guitarist himself...I'd played a little bit better with him, but not by much...Lou says almost any kind of hat does NOT go with shorts...
11:35PM--btw, I got a haircut...I think I like it, but I wonder how it will look in the morning...
SUNDAY 6/24 10AM--of course, it doesn't look quite as good as it did when I first got it, but it'll have to do...besides, the plan is to cover it with a hat, IF we find one that I like 100%...
SUNDAY 6PM--the roomie and I went to Annapolis and we both came home with new hats...I like mine OK; it does what I want it to, which is to de-emphasize my receding hairline....kinda nervous about wearing it out in public for the first time--which may be Tuesday at the IPO open mic...my plan is to put new strings on the acoustic tomorrow, so it will be ready IF Lou and I go to Agrodolce on Wednesday...if I put new strings on Butterscotch, they will be broken in by the time I go to Smokin' Hot on Thursday...all of a sudden I feel busy...I just might change strings on BOTH guitars tomorrow...one in the morning and one after my appointment with Dr. Malinsky...I believe I already have a set of electric strings AND a set of acoustic strings--I even know where the string winder is!!! When Things Look Up, It's Time to Look Out...
     

the Universe apparently said "nope"

            MONDAY 9AM--somehow I have come down with a case of conjunctivitis...I have rescheduled today's appointment with Dr. Malinsky and informed Lou that my open mic participation tonight is doubtful...HIS participation is in doubt as well...Dianne strongly suggested I call a doctor...so I sent a message thru the patient portal...hopefully, I'll hear back fairly soon...I'll check my inbox periodically...
                 I have a Dr.'s appointment TODAY at 11:30...this probably means a late Lunch and a late nap, but that's part of the price I pay to deal with this pink eye...
 4:40PM--I got some eye drops...I also got some hand sanitizer, but I left it in the car...I dunno if it has ANY cleansing potency at this point...
10PM--allegedly the hand sanitizer is ok...gonna put the eye drops in soon or at bedtime, which might be pretty soon as well...the band practice schedule is so ever changing I'm getting a headache...like it or not, I think we're on for this coming Thursday and next Tuesday...we'll see...
TUESDAY 8AM--I had $22 dollars in my pocket until I spent money on groceries and breakfast...I'm left with $6 to last all day...I have no intention of going anywhere else, but ya never know...I think the pink eye is better, but not gone--yet...
4:30PM--I'm not 100% sure the eye drops are working; my doctor said if I can't get rid of this problem by thursday, I have to find an eye doctor...if the eye drops ARE working, *I* don't see it...the  websites I've checked seem  to suggest I have bacterial conjunctivitis...in addition to the eye drops, Benadryl will allegedly make the condition go away...I'll get some Wednesday morning...
8:22PM--still dealing with the conjunctivitis...getting excited about my overnight financial blessing...I think the first thing I'll get is the Benadryl...I feel as though I should restrict my travels as much as possible...I've read that once the Benadryl kicks in, I won't be contagious...I hope to be able to go to band practice on Thursday...I'd rather go to the OTWC or even Smokin' Hot...maybe rehearsal will get cancelled...a lot can happen in two days...
WEDNESDAY 7PM--well, one eye is nearly all better, but not the right eye...I have no idea if it will be normal by the time I have to leave to go to practice...and I'm still hoping it will get cancelled...or I can "call out sick" I suppose...
THURSDAY- well I sent Barry a text message regarding my absence from practice due to this condition that I'm still faced with-the conjunctivitis...
6PM--I'm not quite sure what made me take the chance, but I checked out Netflix...the roomie uses it quite a bit...until yesterday I hadn't tried it...I know FRIENDS is on there, DICK VAN DYKE too..MASH might be on there...but what I've been watching is THE WEST WING...I don't know which buttons on the remote affect Netflix and which ones don't, but I'm learning, slowly but surely...
6:35PM--I almost forgot, I'm buying the Tele back from the guy I sold it to--HE needs the money...not happy about spending the money, but I keep telling myself I'm helping a friend out...

probably not gonna happen

THURSDAY 6/14/18 8AM--I"m still flirting with a cold...therefore, I probably ain't goin' nowhere tonight...I had breakfast and took my meds an hour ago...I expect to take a PRE-lunch nap soon...

11:15AM--and I did...got about an hour and a half's worth of sleep...at this point, I have a bit of a sore throat in addition to my nasal problem...still have no intention of going out tonight, kinda looking forward to having the house to myself in the evening, which doesn't happen all that often...

12:42PM--mah jongg has been cancelled...to me that kinda sucks...now it will be just another weeknight...still planning on staying home tonight...

6:52PM--I guess somebody "up there" or somewhere really doesn't want me to remember Amber's name...as I recall, there are LOTSA girls named Amber on FB...I've never known one, until now...I had chicken noodle soup for Dinner, with a grilled cheese sandwich as an appetizer...that was around 4PM, more or less...I hope I can make it to at least 11PM...I'm not optimistic...

 I dunno yet, but I suspect I'll be staying in tomorrow night, and Saturday as well...

FRIDAY--Other than having a Credit Card--maxxed out though it may be--my financial situation is worse now than it's ever been--EVER...I can't go out tonight or Saturday night because 1) I usually buy a drink (and tip VERY well) and 2) I don't wanna use what gas I have...I feel as though I need hot dogs, so I'm going to Aldi's shortly...

Back from Aldi's--it took awhile and I needed assistance from a store employee, but I got the hot dogs, and some fake cheese...

6:35PM--the hot dogs are OK flavor-wise...not great, but not horrible...I hope my digestive system likes 'em...I really shouldn't make it sound so official, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to Hershey's tomorrow night...I'll reluctantly buy a drink...

I'm planning to go to the Bank in the morning while Dianne is out running around...

SATURDAY 9:41AM--went to the Bank, came home with $7 dollars...now I've got $46 to last four days--that's $11.50 per day..

11:50PM--the "roomie" and I went to Lunch at Cracker Barrel near Frederick...then we went to Chartreuse & Co. which is a...er, uh, um, I dunno what to call it exactly...I took a few pictures and bought an ice cream cone...when we got home I took a nap...I had pizza for Dinner, then went to the OTWC to catch Going Mobile, the Who Tribute Band...they were OK...then I went to see the Oz Revue at Hershey's...the OTWC was too crowded for me, but Hershey's was nearly empty...I did a couple of mini-duets with Oz--that was lotsa fun...I think/hope I surprised him with some rather soulful singing on my part...he says he's gonna use me as a 2nd guitarist when he's in MontCo...that will be fun playing alongside John Donovan again, like we used to do at the AmerLegion...

will there be any changes

      TUESDAY 10:30 AM-so I’m at Dr.Borelli’s, for whatever good it does me... I have laundry to do when I get home...after Lunch and my nap of course...I've already done a bunch...

11AM--GEICO just took the $89 dollars...I have NINE dollars in checking and SIX in savings...and $74 in my pocket...that has to last until NEXT Wednesday...the daily budget is $9.25 per day at this point...I don’t think I have to buy anything...I will try to have sandwiches for Dinner tonight and carry $9.25 into tomorrow...which won't increase my budget in a substantial way...

3:30PM--Dr. Borelli first suggests me making "lifestyle changes" before adding to or changing my meds...hope she's not holding her breath, although who knows, it could happen--maybe...

          The IPO open mic is tonight...it's no longer on Wednesdays, so maybe I'll go to Agrodolce...I'll check to see if Lou is interested...I might GO by myself, but I won't PLAY by myself...

WEDNESDAY 6/13/18 10:30AM--the girls showed up at about 9:20 or so...they left about 10 minutes ago...I'm actually kinda happy knowing they've come and gone and I can therefore relax--I think...

11:39AM--when I started making my Lunch I was having trouble keeping my eyes open...I seem to have gotten a (hopefully brief) second wind...I imagine I'll be in bed by 1PM or so...

5PM--animals fed, mail gotten, empty trash can put away...dunno if the roomie is going out, I only know that *I* am not...having canned spaghetti for dinner--it's inexpensive and easy to cook...and it's paid for...

6:03PM--a lot can happen in 24 hours, but the roomie says she's going out tomorrow night...so I guess I will too--but where? I THINK Tish and Johnny V are hosting at the OTWC...either way, the truth of the matter is, I hardly feel like going out at all...trying something I don't think I've ever done--listening to my iTunes Library on shuffle...anything to keep from hearing the evening news...

I have no idea when I'm gonna go to bed tonight...and of course, I dunno when I'll get up in the morning..

it takes so long

         SUNDAY 12:20PM-it takes a long long time to buy a house… It takes a long time to buy a car; it takes a fairly long time to buy musical instruments… And it apparently takes a long time to buy a new phone...but that’s what  the roomie is doing... and we still have a couple of stops to make before we can go home and have lunch…

     I’m definitely  going to be ready for a nap by the time we get home- whenever that will be… I might  have bad news for Barry--I can’t do the gig on July 28 because I made a commitment to Ray…The gig came first… I don’t know for sure, but I suspect Barry is going to be pissed… On the other hand, he has a month to find someone to take my place or cancel the gig... and it’s a new venue for us as well…
12:52PM- well, we are not at the phone store anymore; she’s in a clothing store...it’s not quite 1:00...I guess we’re  not going to get home before 3PM if that early... in addition to the groceries, I may have to spend money on lunch… not happy about that… I wouldn’t be having money problems if I hadn’t gotten the car’s air-conditioner fixed...but I HAD  to do that, didn’t I?  she’s been in the clothing store for about 20 minutes now; I’m not as happy as I could be…  I think I’m going to be hungry soon… That is rather unusual;

1:13PM So now we’re at iHOP...I think I’ll just get a sandwich instead of an omelette...it should be less expensive...

3PM-I have to spend ZERO dollars for at least a couple of days or I’ll be in BIG trouble financially...and I’m starting to worry about Barry’s reaction to my news...not looking forward to THAT phone call...

3:30PM- as far as I can tell, every day I DON’T go anywhere puts more money in my daily budget… That means I probably won’t be going out Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday... that is, I shouldn’t go out anywhere…

MONDAY 8AM--I'll be going to CVS at some point today...that will involve spending some money...but I might get to see Amber...and I will eventually need those meds...

NOON--got the meds and some baby aspirin...so far today I've spent $8--that's the daily budget...I told Barry about my not being able to do the 7/28 gig...I didn't go into detail...he doesn't seem to have a problem with my plans for that day...I hope the venue doesn't have a problem with my plans...

5:22PM--suddenly, I like it better when the roomie ISN'T home...still don't plan on going anywhere...

fun doing nothing

FRIDAY 6:42AM--actually, it was 11:15 when I left Smokin' Hot and I got home in less than 45 minutes...I don't plan on going out tonight or tomorrow night...with the possible exception of meds, I don't plan to spend any money all weekend...we'll see...

 3:31PM--silly me, I thought I'd sleep until 4:00...I've been awake since about 2:00 and I 'm not happy about it...

5:09PM--I'm SO conflicted...I kinda wanna go out tonight because otherwise I might be ready for bed by 9PM, and THAT would be a mistake...A lot of folks are going to see SR3 at Hershey's...There not my favorite band, but they're okay...

SATURDAY 4PM--didn't go out last night...probably won't go out tonight...it's been excessively warm in the house today...Dianne was tinkering with the thermostat...it's starting to cool off in here now...I'm hoping to go upstairs and try for another nap...I dunno what the roomie has in mind for us--I THINK there's a trip to the grocery store on the schedule, either this evening or tomorrow...

8:41PM--I didn't go out...I think I need to go to CVS and I KNOW I have to go to a grocery store...I have two slices of bread left, enough for one sandwich--I was gonna wait until the roomie goes to bed, but I don't when that will be...I'm thinking of having the sandwich somewhere around 9:30, more or less...with fake cheese probably...real cheese is quite filling and it's almost my bedtime...

10:49PM--so I used the real cheese after all...I don't yet regret it...I think I can make it to Midnight...

a second chance?

                      THURSDAY 6/7/18 8:15AM--in a little while, I will be dropping off my resumé at Victor Litz...I've got nothing to lose, right? Then the waiting begins...
               As for the open mic last night, I met the guitar player who had inquired on FB regarding electric guitars and amps...a very good (jazzy) guitarist, an OK singer, as far as I could tell...MY playing generally sucked, but my harmonies were, with one exception, amazing (IMO)...
            Michelle and Jeff and I did ME AND JULIO with three parts most of the way through it--that was Jeff's idea, not mine...that's the way he is, he likes to be in charge and/or the center of attention...I even added a high part to one of HIS songs, which I learned as he and Michelle were singing it--I'D never heard the song before...I DO wish I had recorded that performance...
             Some time ago, I belatedly learned the concept of using harmony rather sparingly; they have a bit more impact that way, in my opinion...Once Jeff started harmonizing everything, I felt that I had to join in--so I did...
            As for tonight, I dunno what, if, anything, I feel like doing...my gut says it's Smoking Hot or nothing...we'll see...my daily budget for the next thirteen days is $10.77...I don't need gas and I don't need food--yet...I should be able to buy a drink and leave a tip and still have $5 in the daily budget left over...no, my meds cost $5...
     8PM-Well, whatever’s going to happen tonight is gonna happen  at Smoking Hot because that’s where I am... and if nothing's gonna happen, I’ll just go home… I happen to know Paula Christina and Judy are here… Hardly anybody knows I’m here--especially the waitress, if there is one…
          I’m thinking it’s going to be an interesting evening-I don’t know if it’s gonna be good or bad, but it’s gonna be interesting... I will probably end up spending money that I shouldn’t spend because I don’t think I should go all night long without eating something; so I’ll probably get an order of garlic bread--that’s the cheapest thing on the menu I can find...
       FWIW, Christina doesn’t seem to recognize me-or she doesn’t wanna...wait...I think she just did...I’m not sorry I came-yet... The great thing about not bringing my Musical stuff in is that it’s already packed up in the car in case I want to just sneak out…that’s a very real possibility... after I eat my garlic bread, that is... It’s kind of funny really, Christina  is bigger than I remember her being and Paula isn’t as pretty as I remember her being-isn’t that terrible?
        I won’t go onstage until I’m invited...and that might not happen at all...
10:20PM-I see me leaving at 11PM more or less...

all ya gotta do is ask

 TUESDAY 6/5/18 7:10AM--I had a fair amount of fun last night--other than when some ungrateful lazy prick used my amp w/o permission and then complained about the way it sounded...mostly, I'm surprised that neither of the hosts checked with me first...I'm 99.9% sure I woulda said "yes"...I eventually did get an apology from Danny, who was (I think) in charge at that moment...

TUESDAY 4:52PM--well, I don't have my Telecaster (be it a genuine Fender or not) but I've got $100 dollars that I didn't have before...the new host of the IPO Wednesday open mic specifically asked me if I was coming tomorrow...so that's where I'm gonna go...no JV'S (Arlington) for me...as for Thursday, I don't EVEN know what, if anything I'm gonna do...I didn't do a whole lot today, but I'm tired anyway...

8:30PM--Right this minute, I have $219 in my pocket to last 14 days...that's $15 dollars a day...there ARE days when I don't spend ANY money, so I'm gonna try not to worry...almost forgot--at least I don't have to hassle over selling the guitar online...that's a good thing...

WEDNESDAY 8:20PM- hanging out at the island pride oasis open mic… I’m thinking I’ll get to play at least a little bit…LATER- my reputation is a guitarist might be taking a beating, but my harmony singing has been top notch...and then some...

just like when I was working

          SUNDAY 6/3/18 8AM-- looks like I'm gonna have to sell the Telecaster--quickly...and now I have a reason to apply for food stamps as well...maybe I'll go to Litz Music after my doctor's appointment; more likely I'll go on Tuesday...maybe I can apply for food stamps online...I doubt that *I* can, but I'll look into it anyway...and I owe the roomie about 500 dollars...I suddenly feel the way I did back when I was working...
            Gonna TRY to put aside all the ugliness for one more day--yeah, right...I'm pretty sure I'm gonna bow out of the Larry Holzman Project...
     And so I did, just now, via e-mail...I didn't wanna resign via text message and I wasn't gonna do it face to face...
9AM--I THINK I just applied for food stamps...that's one less thing...I actually feel a bit better than I did when I got outta bed...
5:45PM--got a catnap or two...went to CVS, chatted with Amber, bought some more foot stuff...was unable to augment my fantaciseation with any "personal pleasure"--that's a bummer...getting ready to start making the mac and cheese...
7:26PM--had a good dinner, just chillin'...thinking I'll likely go to the B72 open mic--seeing City Bus has made me wanna play...

MONDAY 5PM--still planning on going to B72...the visit with the cardiologist went well enough, even though it took awhile...hoping to go to JV's on Wednesday...I think Andy is the house drummer...I'm just afraid the hosts are gonna want me to be a temporary band leader, and that's hardly ever what *I* wanna do at an open mic...maybe I'll just go and watch...I  should probably save my strength not to mention my gas for the possible trip to Smokin’ Hot this coming Thursday--I’m just going as a visitor, I don’t expect to do much of anything while I’m there...
    In the meantime, here I am at Branded 72 I think it’s going to be a very interesting evening;
LATER- I played some bass guitar… That was interesting;  for better or for worse, Dorothy isn’t here…

I think I’ve found a buyer for the Tele... we’ll see...$100 bucks  is better than zero bucks… I could have the money as early as tomorrow night, but it would possibly mean going to Hershey’s… or somewhere in Germantown-the buyer does not have a vehicle of his own; I can certainly relate to THAT...I have done the math several times, I don’t know why I can’t put a couple hundred dollars in savings every month—but apparently I can’t…

it's OK to stay in sometimes

            SATURDAY 6/2/18 5:15PM--the various weather people said to expect storms this evening...this time they're right--the storms are here now, in a way...
       I dunno if I'm going out tonight or not; I guess THAT depends on the weather...a lot can happen in two hours...or maybe I'll read a book...whether I've read it before or not makes no difference...I just have to decide which one...
               I've decided to possibly start reading  ZAPPA a biography, by Barry Miles...I've only read it once...Tonight's dinner is costing me about $22 bucks...like it or not, I'm buying the roomie at least part of HER Dinner as well...so going out somewhere (or two) and buying a drink (or two) would involve spending more money, and I really shouldn't do that...but like I said, a lot can happen in two hours...
      When I started eating Dinner, I was leaning toward going out...now I'm finished, and I'm leaning toward staying in...
         A FEW MINUTES LATER--now I dunno WHAT I wanna do...I hate being indecisive--I think...I almost always feel sleepy/tired after a full Dinner...but I usually get that second wind around 7:00 or so...we'll see...
     8:51PM- so I’m at the OTWC… I don’t know how long I’m going to stay, the band is going to have to start rather late because of the hockey game…
          SUNDAY 7:47AM--the band was plenty good enough and I was having fun enough to stay until the end and then some...got (maybe) four hours sleep, if that much...no regrets--yet...