I am pretty sure that I will be the only person interested in what I have to say... I guess I am truly jealous of anyone that has their 15 minutes of fame (read: reality television shows), but I cannot be edited by big corporations to fit their story lines. I would say or sell their products, but maybe I can get a sponsor.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Are You Ready to Rock?
Well Friends, we just had the last rehearsal before the show on Saturday. I hope that I don't blow it. I will be okay if I don't let myself get carried away. Tonight I did and flub... out came the wrong notes. I felt like Steve Vai as Jack Butler in the "cuttin' heads" scene in Cross Roads. I'm glad that I was given the opportunity to do it... it'll be kind of a bummer when it's over. The guys in the band have been great. It'll be fun. ROCK ON!
I am fortunate to be in the midst of getting back in touch with old friends. Friends that I have known for many years. Since 4th grade for one, 7th grade for another and 9th grade for another. It's really exciting! I am meeting their children, learning about what's been happening with them in the past years... how they are growing. I just finally said enough wondering. Just call, just e-mail. If you don't hear anything back, then you know the answer. There is one person that I am probably not going to find... just so unsure of that situation. It's probably best left as is...
Well Friends, today I left my car windows open. We've had sweltering heat and my car has dark interior... so I wanted to elminate the stuffy factor after 9 hours of baking in the Wisconsin sun. So here's what happened. In the northern half of the county we experienced high winds and massive amounts of rain. So, every seat in my car is soaked. It made the 30 mile drive home a great deal of fun. Meanwhile at home there was no trace of rain but we did have a power outage at about 9:00am... meaning that the timer on the A/C didn't work, so it was a lovely 80 degrees in the living room. I know that life could be worse, but that's just what happened today...
Good for them. I am not sure if I am. I am waiting to see how the teams will try to win the fans back over. First and foremost, lower ticket prices. It costs entirely too much to go to an NHL game. Sure you can buy cheap seats, but you feel like you need a parachute in case of an emergency. This salary cap going to make things interesting for teams. Colorado, Detroit and Toronto may have som e issues. They are almost fully committed to the cap, with 50% or 66% of a roster. So, I could be skating next to Joe Sakic on his line next year. Lucky him, huh? We'll see. I'm anxious to see the schedule. The draft already looks shady... hmm. A sentimental favorite that's in trouble (big trouble) happens to be assured the chance to draft the player dubbed by Wayne Gretzky as the "Next One." Is this the WWE? NASCAR? Help me, Zarley Zalapski! Help me, Al Iafrate! Help me, Garth Butcher!
I haven't seen my dentist for so long... now I can't go a week without seeing him. He's a great dentist... and always the model of consideration and politeness. Makes me want to be like him. Today we had two major projects and lots of numbing stuff. By the time we started on the second, most of the numbing stuff had worn off. One single "argh" and the needle was back. Then of course I suffered the wrath of numbing stuff until 12:30 or so. It still feels a little goofy. Spent over an hour with my mouth open. That's plenty. Still, it must be done. The thing that surprised me most is that I actually found myself becoming physically ill by the sound of the drill. Not the tiny and fast drill, but the big, round and slow one. I thought if I passed out, I wouldn't be able to hear it. No such luck. The dentist did what he had to do and he always tells me what he is going to do. Good thing.
Well Friends... let me tell you. This has been a wonderful weekend. Even though it was a bit painful, I got to spend time with my Grandmother. It made me realize how our relationships in this life can change. It was once she who cared for me and made sure that I was okay. Now, I play a part in the caring for her. She is well over 80 and is understandably distressed about her sister's Alzheimer's Disease.
Saturday we were able to spend time with our friends in Madison. They are fun and always teach me that it's all relative and it all depends on your perspective in life. Laura and Jan show me that there are other ways of thinking about life and happiness. I love that about them. Caprise teaches me that life is about seeking out happiness and not settling for less.
Today we made a trip to Green Bay to meet Ava. How thrilling! Leah and John are wonderful parents and tremendous friends. We are very fortunate. We also got to see Addison, Connie and Gary and Gary and Nancy. How lucky we are to be able to see them today and have a glimpse at the beginning of Ava's life.
I've known Leah for almost 13 years now. That's kind of unreal. I feel like she's been around forever. Now don't get me wrong. That's a long time. It just feels like longer and I hope I am lucky enough to get at least another 13 years. What a blessing it has been... and soon it'll be Rachael's turn... I'll have another little friend in just a couple of months. I cannot wait!
She has finally arrived! 3:30pm today... 21 inches, 8 lbs and 1 oz... I didn't think she would ever get here! But now she is! What a wonderful thing. We get to meet her on Sunday and I cannot wait.
Started the day low... then getting better... getting better... doing well... rockin' all over the place... havin' fun... then... knocked back down two pegs... great...
My Grandma calling to ask me to take her to the doctor's office. Being able to call my Sister-In-Law about the reason for the visit to the doctor. Babies... they seem to be everywhere! Visits from friends... chocolate candy bars and creamy peanut butter... a sense of accomplishment... realizing what's important... knowing that the days of rest are close... husband, family and friends.... knowing that you are dependable and respected.
It's not something that is easily visible. It may show itself in repeating stories, confusion, looking for keys. It also effects others. My brother and my sister-in-law are tremendous, wonderful people. I need to do more to support them. Right now they are having issues with businesses seeming to not care about the fact that our Aunt has Alzheimer's... trying to be sure that she doesn't get taken advantage of. It can be kind of disheartening and makes you kind of angry. I need to do more.
I've been trying to rock all over the place. My friend Paul and his band have graciously asked me to play bass for a show. I have 12 songs or so, and I have been trying hard but tonight I just wasn't feeling the groove. It's hard to get out of guitar player mode and into bass player mode. When I watch the guitar players for chords, it's hard to do it. The space of a bass fret is about 2 1/2 guitar frets. It's a rough go. I know the songs when I am in my living room, but in Paul's basement it is hard.
It makes me want to get a band thing going myself, it's a lot of fun. But, who would want to rock with me?
In other news, I went to the dentist today. Kind of depressing. Cavities, have to get my remaining wisdom teeth pulled, need to refill and bleach my root canal and quite possibly there is a crown in my future and not a tiara. Sounds fun huh? At least I have good dental insurance. Dr. Bart said that my gums were in excellent shape though, so I got that going for me.
It's a thrill a minute here, right?
I spoke with a friend the other day who is 24 or 25, she talked about what she would maybe do when she is older, like 30. Hmm. Older like 30. Funny, 30 looks pretty good in the rearview mirror. Wish there was a place on the highway for a U-turn.
I love to watch Elvis movies. They offer a great sense of comfort and familiarity, even though right now I am watching "Double Trouble," and I have never seen it before. They're all the same. Elvis meets a girl, gets in trouble, gets in a fight, sings his way out and gets the girl. Great plots.
Making the most out of summer is tiring but it is also fun. I am fortunate to see friends and spend time with them. My friend Chris just visited with us for two days. She moved to Minneapolis quite some time ago. I think I have only been there two or three times and once was connected to a trip for work. Chris makes me laugh and we have fun together. We went to our old college town and of course our favorite tavern. Quite a different scene on a Saturday afternoon in 2005 than a Saturday night in 1995 I would say. Then we visited our friend Rachael, then on to SummerFest where we hooked up with a friend's sisters. Good time and good music. I hope you had fun Chris!
