A chilling reminder

Twenty nine years ago this week, I was reminded that our lives were changed forever and not for the better. While driving this morning, I turned on "Breakfast With The Beatles" (the brilliant show on XM, hosted by the equally brilliant Chris Carter) and heard the actual WNEW-FM broadcast announcing the murder of John Lennon. Listening to the raw emotion of Vin Scelsa's voice was eerie and disturbing. And it still bothers a never-healed wound.

As it's been well-known, I didn't hear the news until I woke up the next morning. Hindsight is 20/20 and it's just as well that I didn't. Hearing it all now (and at this time each year since) just fills me with that feeling of loss I had then and the anger that I don't think will ever go away--at least not for anyone who was a fan or "student" or scholar of The Beatles.

I have had so many conversations over the years about "if Lennon had lived, would The Beatles have ever gotten back together"? I used to say yes--especially when Live Aid happened, etc. But the short and succinct answer is we'll just never know.

He was quiet for five years and then he re-emerged from his self-imposed exile. He recorded and released a new album and then... tomorrow never knows.

Give thanks Part 5 (post turkey)

A sunny Sunday morning seems to be the best time for a quick post. Liz is already en route to work; I'm on my second cup of coffee (a bit on that later) and an idea to write down some thoughts.

Thanksgiving was wonderful; perfect in just about every way. A quiet day for the two of us; we cooked as a team and the meal was glorious, including the post-dinner snooze. Watched a few movies and enjoyed the time together as she had to be at work on Friday morning. I ran a few errands and spent the last two days just relaxing and not driving myself crazy with anything. As always, I'm thankful for Liz, my family, my friends, my health, our home (this month started our renewed two-year lease) and the general joys that comprise my life.

Been dieting and losing weight slowly but steadily; on weekends, I've been drinking "lite" coffee, which is a half regular/half decaf blend and it's helped when I sleep. Plus, "low fat", "non fat" and "sugar free" have become staples of my diet.

There are only three weeks until work closes for a two week holiday, which I am chomping at the bit for. I have a few projects for the first two or three days of the vacation and then it's time to dive headfirst into recording.

With that said, it's time to git to gittin'...

Seen it all before...

Post Election Day and I feel as apathetic as everyone else. Another election where most people I know voted for the ever-lovin' "lesser of two evils". Truth be told, I'm at an absolute standstill; the President and his administration have done a whole lot of nothing since taking office, with the exception of constantly being on television and not being at the White House, working. The New York City mayoral campaign was no surprise and for my friends and family in New Jersey, all I can say is it was a no-win for anyone. Politicians will never get it. But hopefully those of us who do vote regularly have made it crystal clear to our elected officials "if you do not do the job you were voted in for, you will be voted out as soon as you are up for re-election. You will be unemployed instead". That should be sufficient.

Okay, enough posturing. Back to tuning the Washburn. I have work to do this Saturday.

For the moment

Another week in which I battled (yet again) a cold, missing a fun party at Joe's Pub last night. A day to run the necessary errands--I await an open clothes dryer as I type this. Tomorrow is gym, bowling and visit my father.

The main thing is starting next Saturday, I am completely fixing my energies on recording. I've felt like a dumbshit for having been so lax about getting work done. Thus, I plan each night to tune the guitars, set the levels on the 8 track and have everything set so I can just turn on the power and start recording on Saturday morning. I am inspired and have been so thanks to the many friends who have recently cajoled and encouraged me to make music. What excuses could I possibly have anymore? None. So it's time to shut up, tune up and get to work.

Weekend rewind (living in a space jungle...)

Ample time to recover from Thurdsay night's splendor. Up to Maxwell's for dinner, drinks and The Bongos. Could I ask for better? No.

Running errands on a rare Friday off; haircut, beard shaved, grocery shop and a quick stop at Macy's gets things wrapped up early. Saturday's rain brought us to Golden's for a fab lunch, a Target run and home to watch movies. Sunday equals bowling morning and a visit to my father.

While this is a short posting, it's simple to say it's been a great week.

Weekend rewind (are we already in a throwback state of mind?)

In these very early morning hours on a Sunday, what better to do? My second cup of coffee, a rerun of "Clean House" (love this show!) and a chance to think a bit in the quiet while Liz is still asleep.

Having gotten our flu shots last week (on the heels of being as sick as we both had been), time just seems to be steamrolling. Nearing the end of the year and it's a little overwhelming how much things have sped right by. Just yesterday (philosophically speaking), we were seeing Richard Barone on a Friday night at Joe's Pub and now we're seeing The Bongos at Maxwell's next week. Bought two guitars at the beginning of the year and wound up paying off the credit card in full by mid-July--haven't fallen back on bad habits with spending; money going back into the bank and now I'm ready to record. The small things have added up in this definite year of transition.

I have to admit, after so many months of Liz not being around on weekends, it's both strange and nice to have her home, where we can do our old routines. It's great; I've missed it.

Having said that, I'm ready to now head to the gym and then bowling.

Ugh

A brief entry. Sick as a dog. I don't know how or what made me ill, but three days of fever, chest pains and coughing and I'm both flustered and going stir crazy. Been in the house since I left work Friday and haven't had the energy for anything. I'd have preferred to go to the gym to try to work this out of my system but I don't have the strength. Even the idea of driving to get more cold remedies, etc. made me shudder.

I need more sleep.