How am I doing? Yep, I’m still reasonable but it is taking more work to stay that way. As this viral attack continues, I am more and more missing playing with people. Other than being wth and holding my grandchildren, that’s what I miss most. I’m doing reasonably well in the ‘shed but that is mostly chops work. I spend ~30 minutes a day on scales and arpeggios and it is paying off. I have found a bunch more notes up the neck and my left hand fingering and positioning is getting much better but it is still solo work, I’m not playing with anyone.
I also use Luke Abbott’s Strum Machine Website about once a week but I don’t play (m)any leads or melodies so, as much as I appreciate it, it is just a very functional metronome for me. This is not a review of Strum Machine just a personal criticism of my skills. My wife Linda, a mandolin player uses it frequently and likes it a lot.
Which brings me to another, maybe unreasonable, issue. Early on in our jail time Linda and I did play together some and even made some videos for our grandkids. Somewhere along the way we stopped doing it. We both play almost everyday but not together. Why you ask? There is no good answer for that. We talk about all the time but never get to it. One issue is that Linda is a really good singer both melody and harmony and I am a mediocre melody singer with no harmony chops but that’s no excuse. Okay, I am committing to doing it. I’ll report back next month.
I have been following, watching and listening to a few streaming shows. I really like CBA’s Turn Your Radio OnLine. The shows have been very good. It makes me envious to see people playing with each other even just duos.
Even as the world opens up, as much as I miss playing with people, I’m not ready to venture back to it just yet. I’m one of those “high risk / underlying conditions” kind of guys and I’m certainly not going inside to play with anyone. Maybe outside and social distanced in a few more weeks of viral calm.
That’s my fight to stay reasonable and sane or you might say reasonably sane. Other than pining away with envy at those that are playing, I am still doing my 5:00 alternate news as I continue to avoid the National and Local news regurgitation. I’m not saying I don’t follow the news but I get headlines and updates in small bites that suffice. Most days my alternate news is just a Facebook post with rant or update from me with photos or videos included. Every 4 or 5 days I live stream the event on Facebook, only 15 minutes max. Also I forgot to tell you it is a “happy hour” news alternative so I drink a beer and sometimes a shot of tequila and share the brands that I’m drinking. It is fun for me. The attendance varies from 5 or 6 folks to 20 or so.
Usually at this point in my June column I remind every one that I’ll be pouring beer on Wednesday night at Vern’s asking folks to read this to stop by and say hello and maybe let me buy you a beer. It doesn’t look good for this year but I will be doing my 5:00 Live Stream Event that Wednesday June 17 and maybe you can catch me then. I can’t buy you a beer but I’ll share a toast with you.
I’ll be having a few more of these live streams between now and then and a news post everyday at 5:00. I’m looking for an audience so if you’re in the neighborhood stop by. You can always find out my live stream schedule and get my daily news by checking my Facebook page. I’m the Dave Williams with the bass in the profile pic.
Until then or July stay reasonably sane, I will.
