Reverend Ken's Blog: June 8, 2012: Post 515 (2012 Day 160)

June 8, 2012

Daily Comment

For the third Thursday in a row, I have been shut out of playing. While this isn't a big dilemma for me, having gotten to play on Wednesday this week, it is a little upsetting because Thursday is usually a big night of playing for me.

It is supposed to start with rehearsal for the band (previously on Tuesdays) and then I go to my favorite bar for playing, Mac's Bad Art Bar.

There are a few reasons I especially like the Thursday night jam.

For one, it is hosted by an excellent trio of musicians, who are also, at least to me, friendly. While I've never played with the bass player (duh!), he calls on me to sub for him when he can't make a gig. We have very different playing styles, but he is a complete pro on bass and also an excellent vocalist - being a lead vocalist while never losing a step with his playing (something I always struggle with).

The drummer is excellent, a younger guy, still very, very good, and with excellent improvising chops.

The group leader, lead guitarist and vocalist is more than 25 years younger than me. But he is an avid collector of vinyl, and he has surprised me many times by knowing, and being able to play, songs that his generation normally doesn't.

There is also an excellent sound system, and it has an excellent sound man (the one my band always asks for when we play there) who knows me, my style, and my basses very well, and showcases me nicely.

Couple all that musical stuff with a staff that knows and likes me, and who provide me with free club sodas without my having to even ask; and a group of friendly musicians and friends who also show up regularly, along with the interesting newbies, and it is just a wonderful place to hang out on a Thursday night.

There are disadvantages, though. One is, that there is a late start to the music. The host band almost never starts before 9:30, usually closer to 10pm. Typically, the first open mic act doesn't start until 10:15 or 10:30. Last night, the second set of callups didn't finish until after 11. I usually won't stick around to play (I do, after all, have work the next day) if I'm not going to get onstage by 11:30. That has been the case the last 3 Thursdays.

I miss it for a few reasons. I get to play music there I don't get to play anywhere else; with people who are otherwise busy with their own bands and music and otherwise unavailable to me. I've made friends there among musicians and non-musicians. I'm not bragging or flattering myself when I say that when I don't get to play, other people miss it. I've been asked to stay on more than one occasion, and told that I was missed when I show up the week after not playing.

There's a jam tonight - it won't be as good, although it might be better run. But, unless the organization is really bad, how 'well' an open mic is run is only a small factor in determining how happy I am with the jam.

It always boils down to whether I feel I was in a group that made good music, and was I challenged or stimulated by the material I played.

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Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight: 199.6 lbs
Yesterday's Weight: 202.2 lbs
Day Net Loss/Gain: - 2.6 lbs

Year 2012 daily weight from December 31, 2011.

Diet Comment:

Yesterday's 20-hour fast and single meal did the trick - I'm under 200 pounds for the first time in 3 weeks.

The challenge will be to get back there next week, after a weekend that will most likely see a return to my year's high weights of the past week.

Food Log

Breakfast
A cocoa-kale protein shake (almond milk, vanilla whey protein (36g protein), kale, cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, stevia-inulin blend).

Lunch