Good morning! Just this side of 8 on this foggy Friday. A rough week comes to an end. Rainy days and not quite enough sleep. Not a good combo. Today is better. Damn, old people and their complaints...
Music news. Last night I played a set with the Springfield High School Jazz band, at Duncan(formerly Douglas)Park. Fortunately, the rain had long since stopped, and everything went without a hitch. I enjoyed making music with the kids. They were all very courteous, and one even called me Mr. Crain. The kid playing piano looked a lot like I did at that age(poor bastard!), with horn-rimmed glasses and a similar haircut.
And I have one other engagement this month. Saturday, October 23rd, at Pease's Candy, with the Samba Llamas. I've subbed with them quite a bit over the years. They're all easy to work with, and everything is well-organized. As you get older and crabbier, this is something you really appreciate.
So we'll have a brief rehearsal that week and then play the show that Saturday. And the music is always in order, so you just read it down. The music is always fun to play, and the gig is over before you want it to be.
At this point, I'm eight years into my retirement. I've long since thrown off the shackles of the work-week, and no longer need any kind of structure in my life. Jeopardy at 4:30 is enough. These outings are becoming more like work. They sometimes disrupt my week, but they're usually fun once you get there.
Outside the world of music, I've just embarked on a new reading adventure. A James Joyce collection: Dubliners and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Right now, I'm reading the short stories. Too early to have any kind of opinion, but he does draw you in.
And that's what I've got for you in the way of news. This coming week you could shoot a cannon through, as far as any kind of schedule. Just how I likes it. Hopefully a week of musicmaking here in the Lab, with stuff I can share with you guys. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Friday to you! Ich bin outa here. More later. 