August 20, 2012: Post 587 (2012 Day 233)

August 20, 2012

Daily Comment

Sometimes when I'm playing bass I feel humbled by the other musicians. Sometimes I feel superior to them. But when things are clicking in the rhythm section, whether the musicians are experienced and accomplished, or green and clueless, I get a feeling of peace and wholeness, and stop judging the quality of any other aspect of the music.

Because of my approach to playing bass these days, I am uneasy with passing judgment on other musicians. As I should be. Being judgmental is at odds with my belief system, which tells me I don't have enough information to be in that position.

Sometimes I fall short and find myself critical of another musician's playing or attitude, but the discomfort I feel when I realize what I am doing reminds me quickly enough that I am trapping myself, setting myself up not only to be judged in turn, but, far worse, to make a poor contribution to the quality of the music I'm part of making.

Since I consider myself an ensemble player, and only that, with no desire and, possibly, not enough skill to be a soloist, I am reliant on the talent and contributions of other players to make good music (my definition). When things are good, it is easy: Easy to sit in 'the pocket', easy to find the 'right' notes, easy to hear everybody's playing, easy to intuit other player's intentions. The result is being in the 'zone,' of being in the now. 

Which means no judgment, no thoughts about the future (equals no worries), and a feeling of satisfaction, peacefulness.

Recently, I have spent Sunday evenings as the house bass player at a jam session. So far, no other bass players have come out, so I have been in the position of spending hours taking on all comers, in a manner of speaking. Some have played music I liked, some have given me the opportunity to play in seldom-used styles (funk and r&b). The results have been great.

There have been a parade of different drummers, including a few I have never played with before, playing in put-together-for-the-night ensembles that were unique. I'm spending hours at a time improvising bass lines and arrangements to support different soloists and to complement the different drummers, all of whom have their own unique style. 

Everybody is having a great time, and the non-musician regulars at the bar, the non-playing audience, is into it, too.

So, in this situation, there are little grounds for criticism, ranking, or feeling bad about any musician, and that is its own reward, too..

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Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:        204.4 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    205.0 lbs  
Day Net Loss/Gain:     - 0.6 lbs

Year 2012 daily weight from December 31, 2011.

Diet Comment:

Although the fast was successful - more than twenty-eight hours, in fact - given that my weight wasn't taken until I got out of bed in the late afternoon yesterday, and then taken early this morning today, I'm not surprised there isn't a greater difference.

Food Log

Breakfast

A cocoa-kale protein shake (almond milk, whey protein (36g protein), kale, chia gel, an egg (organic, whole, raw), cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, stevia-inulin blend).

Lunch

Hard-boiled eggs and rainbow slaw (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, caraway seeds, home-made mayonnaise).

Dinner
The picture didn't come out, but it wasn't much to look at, anyway: turkey jerky and Rajma Masala (red kidney bean curry) with broccoli.

Snack
The rest of the turkey jerky with spicy home-made mayonnaise.

Liquid Intake
    Coffee:    30 oz,   Water: 84+ oz

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