I happened to see a friend this weekend that I haven’t seen in a while. She mentioned that she was keeping up with things via this blog and that she thought she was caught up. I told her she probably was since I am behind on my posts. That got me to thinking about what to share this week. I’m going to try to hit the highlights of the past couple/few weeks and see if I can get you all up to date.
I kind of got behind recently because I got stuck. I had a really cool time at the April Blues Jam and wanted to write about that and couldn’t really come up with what I really was trying to say. Or if I did it didn’t feel or sound right. So I just didn’t get it done. Sorry.
So that jam experience that was cool? It was a small crowd in April. The weather was really weird and there were severe weather warnings and watches and all that. A lot of people stayed home. As a result we all had more opportunity to play. I got a chance to play a full set that all I did was play. I didn’t lead the group, I didn’t sing, I just played guitar. I hadn’t done that in a long time and so it was a nice treat. I found a bit more of a groove and think it sounded pretty good. I even got applause after one of my lead/solo segments. That was really cool.
After the April jam when I was watching the video of that set, at one point I looked away and then had to look back when the lead started. I knew it should be me playing. I had to double check. As you may remember from other posts, I’ve been working on being able to play better leads. So this was a big deal for me. It’s great progress. As always. I still have more to learn and lots of practice ahead.
There was another jam the first weekend of May. We had a bit better a turn out and it was great fun. It was fun and maybe a little challenging playing with Nick on guitar. He was so into playing and what he was doing that a couple times, he was off in his own world playing his solo/lead. It was nice to see him so relaxed and into it and really enjoying playing though. And I think we pulled off some good songs. The second set I played, I got to play with Nick (a different Nick) on saxophone. I haven’t seen him in serveral months and he has missed a bunch of the progress I have made so it was a treat for me to play with him and a bit of a pleasant surprise for him. It was a really good set as well. Nothing but a good time to be had. And it turns out that Peter plays more instruments than we knew.
In between jams I’ve had vacation from the day job and a birthday. It was one of the big birthdays so I spent it getting a new driver’s license and having dinner with my parents. A friend also helped me with some home projects the day before. I know for some people that doesn’t sound like a very exciting way to spend a birthday. For me it was just fine. And that same week I managed to get my trip to Australia booked. Yes! That’s really happening.
I’m still training for my next Black Belt test in Taekwondo. That is rapidly approaching. I think I’m ready as far as knowledge, and even mostly performance. I’m just hoping to stay in good enough shape to do really well. That injury I’ve been battling continues to plague me. Though, now I know what the injury is. And I even know what irritates it. And yes, the way I do Yoga, irritates it. As do other things. I’m contemplating what to do for it after the test. Until then, I’m just trying not to make things worse.
I am still studying for the next test for the day job as well. That’s coming along. Not as fast as I would like. Still, I’m learning and have had some conversations recently that tell me that what I’m working on is actually sinking in and I’m understanding it enough to discuss it. That’s a cool thing. I just need to focus on it a bit more to be ready to take the test when I want to. I do want to have it taken and passed before that trip to Australia. So I need to get on it.
I thought I had more to cover. And I probably do. It just isn’t coming to mind at the moment. That should bring everyone up to date on happenings. If I have my timing right the next jam will be the weekend following my belt test. I’m hoping to get more music time in during that time as well as study time. We’ll see how all that goes. And there’s another mini vacation coming up as well. I have an extra day off at the Memorial Day holiday. That will be nice. In the mean time. I’ll try to do better at keeping things here up to date.
Enjoy some pictures from the jams and a few other things I came across.