Another blog LOL.
1. Go to church every week. Well, I'm not not 100% on this one. I missed one week while in Hot Town, and another week during my Auntie's hour of need. Other than that, it's been pretty consistent - even hit Ash Wednesday, and our family attends family faith night once a week. So, I'll give myself a passing grade on this one.
2. Wear earplugs. I have to give myself an average score. I do well at band rehearsal with this, but whilst recording the Searching for Sanity CD I wore headsets, which were set at a moderate level to start, but for some reason kept creeping up in volume over the 5 or so hours it took me to do my parts. I wrestled with tinitus for several days after this, it got better. Then after the last gig I had it again. I'm not sure why as I had worn my earplugs. I'm suffering again some with this, so decided it's time to either 1) Quit, 2) Wear construction earplugs (I wear musicians earplugs with drop the volume about 12db). I'll go the yellow construction jobbies route for awhile before completely flushing The Dream. I love playing in a band, but it's not worth going slowly insane with the constant ringing.
4. Practice guitar every day. I will give myself a B for this one. I haven't been as religious as in the past about this. Why? Three reasons: 1) Facebook, 2) Brothers In Arms for Wii, and 3) I'm in the playing duldrums lately. One: Thanks to Crackbook I have reconnected with almost everyone who ever meant anything to me in my life. This has been great, but is pretty addictive to once again be able to bust on my old Navy and High School chums just like old times. Two: As for "Brothers in Arms" - I don't know why Debbie does this to me. She knows I'm a horrible video game addict, and also a WWII D-Day nut. So, she goes and buys this game for the Wii where you cruise around Normandy with the 101st Airborne shooting Germans. If she wants me to quit guitar - really - just ask. I love the stupid game, and so does Jordan - even though they drop F-bombs all over the place (and he laughs). I'm a horrible parent for letting Jordan watch - but I figure maybe he'll learn something. Why, just the other night Jordan says, "Daddy, the grenade is a very useful weapon." This is important "Boy" stuff to know. Three: The playing duldrums. This happens occasionally. In my quest to be a better guitar player, I sometimes hit sticking points where I no longer improve. This is depressing. This is where I'm at now. It makes it hard to practice especially knowing that there are electronic Axis to kill.
5. Play more games with Jordan. Does "Brothers in Arms" count?
6. Build more things with Jackson. Does building plastic forts for army men after playing Brothers in Arms count?
7. Stop spending money on music crap. A+ on this one. We just got handed a 10% paycut due to hard economic times. So, no more toys.
8. Call my mother more often. Jiminey Christmas. You would not believe the ration of shit I got over this one. When my mother found out she only ranked #8 on my list, the shit hit the fan. See if I ever put her on my list again! She wasn't hearing the "the line runs both ways" defense. BTW, I think I know what Jiminey Christmas means. It has the same letters, JC, as "Jesus Cristo," which is really taking the Lord's name in vain. I think this probably slides under the ol' 4th commandment, don't you?
hey man, i'm sorry to hear about the pay cut. that sucks. i went through this a little over a year ago so I know the feeling. guess that paycut back then (going from one job to a lower paying one!) got me ready for what is now upon us.
good news - rick m started work and is doing excellent. i'm stoked to have him on board. if it wasn't for you, he wouldn't have even got interviewed.
we gotta have lunch soon. rick's precon speech bears repeating! i don't hit many industry firsts anymore but his speech definitely was an industry first for me.
Posted by: g | March 06, 2009 at 07:35 PM