Greetings, whoever-reads-this! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. While I'm channeling Mr. Rogers, one of my cats is sitting just to the right of the monitor, and staring at the screen as if she's actually reading this. Well, we don't know they can't…
Music news. Yesterday was a great day for playing guitar. I've got a number of videos to show for it, and will be posting more stuff on my YouTube page, and on Facebook. I remember a similar experience playing a gig at Norb's, as a sideman, where everything I played just came together. The bandleader just said, “Yeah, all your shit worked.”
Poor guy. He'd probably had to sit through more than a few nights when none of my shit worked..
After 57 years of doing this, I still have to work at it. I still have to do the calisthenics--scales and arpeggios and the like--which are still a bit grueling, especially the arpeggios. What I call Crosstown Traffic on the guitar. And the metronome work. Oy, don't get me started on the metronome work. I've had to work like a dog on my time, my rhythm.
Sometimes my best days with the guitar are days when I exercise. Trying to keep up there as well, with two sessions every week. I'm pretty spent after those, but usually get a second wind. One discipline helps another.
This discipline stuff is foreign to my nature, but I'm trying to stick with it. Problem is, I get going on a routine, and then it falls by the wayside. Time after time. Trying to avoid that this time. My Mom was big on self-discipline. Neither of her kids ever had much, but this one is at least giving it a shot. Once again….
So that's basically it as far as my news. Just trying to stay regular. Not in terms of having enough fiber in my diet, but just keeping up my routines. Mental routines as well as physical and musical ones.
Every day also includes a Wordle puzzle, a Spelling Bee game, and 5 games on Lumosity. Like guitar practice, lots of fun but grueling here and there.
Speaking of which, it's probably about time to get back to them. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you! Ich bin outa this place More later. 