My Kingdom for Some Beauty Sleep

Agh! I been living it up too much this week, and the fun continues tonight, tomorrow night, and of course, Saturday. I can't help it, can't help it, the girl can't help it.

Monday night we all went out to dinner after the meeting. When I got home around 10pm SC called me, as he was a little tipsy on gin and we ended up talking for 2 hours. He had mailed me 3-4 of his CD's last week as a gift. His songwriting is hit-and-miss for me, and he has a god awful singing voice but it's still sweet to listen to his music. Fortunately he sings on very few of his tracks, relying on pros to do most of the vocals.

Tuesday night (and I have to consult my Google calendar to remember what the hell I did that night), OH YEAH! Stefano's band played at this new club that is a beautiful club but in a not-so-great neighborhood. They charged a whopping $7 to get it--on a Tuesday night?! I don't THINK so. (I was on the guest list, natch, but damn!) Consequently there were only like 10 people there, and I'd brought Leo and Phillipo! Later on a couple more people showed up, including the older woman singer who we beat out at the IBC semi's last week. But she was very friendly to all of us (we've all known her a long time anyway) and it was fun hanging out. I drank 2 gin and tonics (goddamn $8 each!!! Fortunately I didn't pay for either of them) on an empty stomach and then Phillipo invited himself over to my place to have cigars and more drinks, which ended up being several Frangelico's. Stefano came over as well after he'd gone home and unloaded his gear and showered/changed and by then I was feeling very little pain.

Last night I had rehearsal and come to find out the IBC finals are only *20* minutes long! So we had to figure out which 5 songs we want to do. Then I wanted to run by the blues jam to see my guitarist friend who has actually WON the IBC in 2005, and also I'm a little obsessed with him these days! Tee hee! When I walked in, the house band (which he leads) was already taking the stage but they all had to comment on me as I walked over to where Phillipo was sitting waiting for me, calling me "Lady in Red" since I was wearing a tight red top. The bassist is in one of our competition bands in the IBC, but again, we're all friends so it's all good. Phillipo was already a little tipsy and he and I began throwing back Frangelicos since they'd been so tasty the night before! An hour later when the jam finally started (and no, I don't play in jams anymore even though Phillipo kept trying to make me sign up) and Mr. Fabulous Guitarist finally got a break he came outside to talk to me and I asked him for some general IBC advice, and then we just talked for a little while. I sooooo adore him!

At one point he had to run back inside to check on the jam and I was outside smoking my pipe w/Phillipo and some guy popped his head out to ask me if I wanted to play, and I was like, "no." A minute later Mr. Fab popped his head out to ask me the same question, to which he got the same answer, but then he said "You can play with me!" and I jumped up and practically ran inside, excited as a little girl!!! We got to play with a vibraphone dude who was awesome, though Phillipo said they were calling it a "vibrator", hee hee hee!

So tonight Leo is hosting the blues jam at the place where we'll have the IBC finals, so George and I are gwine go and perhaps sit in. Stefano will also join me and Phillipo too. Tomorrow I'm working from home which is timely and MUCH NEEDED, although I have probably had enough drinking and raising hell for the week. Tomorrow will be more drinking and raising hell however, as the legendary Texmaniacs are playing a FREE show in South Houston at that groovy Tejano club Phillipo and I went to last December! George and his wife are DOWN and so am I and Stefano and Phillipo!

I thought I had this upcoming weekend completely free but I cannot resist the Texmaniacs and frankly, that would be a crime against nature if I could. Then my dad also let us know that another favorite musician of ours, this totally awesome folk singer is doing a live CD on Sat. night, and goddamn, I CANNOT miss that. Look y'all, these are deathbed memories. I'll rest up someday on my deathbed and think back on all these incredible musical adventures I had as a young woman. Live now, sleep later!

Day OFF yesterday!

Yesterday was literally the 1st day I've had completely OFF--nothing scheduled at all!--since Sunday Aug. 1. And hot damn, did I take advantage of it. First I slept til noon or so. I'd had a gig the night before with Mr. Wonderful's band where I drank several Crown and Diet Cokes, followed by a 2am trip to the Waffle House so I was READY for some damn sleep! Then I had a 16-item "To Do" list, including going for a run, getting groceries, doing 3 loads of laundry, getting gas, running the dishwasher, going through the pile of mail on my kitchen counter, etc. etc. ETC!!!

Last week was just nuts, but as I've said so many times before, what else is new? The Amy Tan reading on Monday night was awesome and just what I needed to cleanse my palate from my world of nonstop work, music, work, music, these past few weeks. I even made a friend, this really sweet woman who let me sit by her and her friend and we exchanged info so we could become friends on Goodreads. After that event I headed to a club where they do open mic comedy night as it was the birthday of a friend of Mr. Wonderful Stefano's, so we decided to go say hi to him and have one drink. The comics were mostly terrible, but it was still kind of amusing.

Tuesday night I had to go pick up Mudflap so he could come get his plain white wrapper car which has been at my house for awhile now. Then Stefano called me to tell me he and his brother made chicken and broccoli and invited me over for dinner, which was sooo nice! Wednesday night I had rehearsal and that went well, with us adding 2 songs for the upcoming IBC finals. The semi's were 25 min. max sets (we timed ourselves at ~22 min.) and the finals will be 30 min., so by adding 2 songs we should be golden.

Oh yeah, Tues.-Thus. I was also at Atascocita all day for the Use of Force class, which I have to say, was so much fucking fun!!! The instructor was this legendary instructor, one who is retiring this December, and who I've never had a class with but have heard tons of stories about. He's so awesome! He truly is a treasure, and it's a wonderful thing that when he retires, he's going to join up with us Reserves!!! His powerpoints were so funny, with hilarious videos, pictures, etc. He told tons of incredible stories. He's also totally country so it was so entertaining to listen to his vernacular. Oh my God, I loved every minute of it. And when we took the final test ("knowledge inventory", as he called it) I got a perfect 100. Yay!

Thursday night was LEGENDARY. The Texas Tornados were playing a free concert at the park downtown and I was prepared! Phillipo came to my house and since he'd come straight from work I supplied him w/a t-shirt and I had plenty o' coco rum and a cigar for Phillipo and my pipe and my camera, so off we went! I knew EVERYONE would be there, and I was right. We descended upon the scene and immediately I had to greet, like 20 people that I knew! Hugs left and right, kisses, etc.!!! LDB was playing w/the opening band and he came up and hugged me. My cousins were there. Tons of my musician friends and music-loving friends were there! It was so fun!!!!!!!! Phillipo took my only $2 I had on me and we borrowed another $1 from a friend so he could buy a sno-cone that we could spike.

When the TT's took the stage I was right up front, against the stage in front of Flaco! I've never seen the dance floor covered w/people at these concerts, but I'm not surprised it was for this show. It was a KILLER FUN AWESOME SHOW! When Louie Ortega sang Freddy Fender's "Before the Next Teardrop Fall" I couldn't help but start to cry like a damn baby. It was bittersweet! Otherwise, I kept raising my travel cup (of coco rum) to Flaco and smiling and winking at him. My late great grandmother Julia used to have a crush on him... and so do I! I could see the set list so as soon as they had 2 songs to go I escaped from the front and ran over to the merchandise table so I could buy some shit and have it signed. Before doing that though, I ran into one of the music writers from the Houston Press and made him dance w/me.

However--the merch table only took cash, of which I had $0.00 on me! So I raced over to Ricky, the host of the Lonestar Jukebox radio show--it's good to have friends!--and asked him for a $20, which he promptly handed over. Thus I was able to buy a TT CD and have them all sign it. Except--while waiting in line this woman recognized me from the IBC semi's and we chatted a minute, and then she handed me her CD so I could get it signed for her b/c the throng was mad and autograph-crazy, but in doing so I returned to her my CD instead which had all the autographs and accidentally kept hers which was missing one. Oh well.

Then Phillipo and I went to the Big Easy and I bought us a couple drinks. Stefano had said he'd meet me at my place later (he and his siblings were busy as hell moving their parents into the new condo all day long) so Phillipo and I headed to my place and I immediately poured some more drinks and put on some Townes Van Zandt so I could school Phillipo on his better songs. Stefano showed up after awhile with red roses--awww!!!--and we bid Phillipo a good night.

Friday night was also fun as it was finally the night when I could spend with Stefano's entire family. We made plans to eat at their fave Vietnamese restaurant, and I brought a bottle of white wine and Stefano brought a bottle of red. We grubbed seriously, then went to get ice cream at Ben & Jerry's. Yum! The 'rents also gave me a lamp as they are still trying to downsize belongings and I need furnishings for my spare bedroom. Score!

Saturday morning was highly amusing as I ran by the radio station to pay Ricky back his $20. I ended up finding his unopened copy of The Leo Trio CD and he allowed me to open it, pick a song, and introduce it live on the air! It was so awesome! My dad has started calling our drummer George the "Denver Harbor Flash" and so that's how I introduced George on the air as well. I played our song "Pawn Shop"! And actually a few people I know were listening in and they heard me, I found out later! Killer!

(Unfortunately, then I headed up to the gun range for my annual qualification, only shooting the handgun as I didn't have time for shotgun, and I shot pretty poorly. Passing score is 196--I scored 196. FUCK!!! My grip on my handgun is too low, for some reason. God knows where I picked up that bad habit!!! I need to work on that, FOR REAL.)

So then I had to go to the U of H-Downtown campus for a training session for my Women's Health Network Board, as I volunteered to work on our website. (Why? Why do I continue to load myself down with obligations??? Sigh.) However, I stayed only an hour and a half, then skipped out to do some needed household shopping, then to have just a little bit of downtime before my gig w/Stefano's band. Damn, is that too much to ask? Apparently so!

The gig was groovy. We got there early enough for me to have a whole 1/3 lb. cheeseburger and fries. Their drummer loves me b/c I spent about 12 years of my life stuck in a tiny room with just my viola and a metronome and so my meter is SOLID. We played a great 3 sets, and I even sang Albert Collins' "I Ain't Drunk, I'm Just Drinking" which was so fun! At the end of the night the bar owner bought us all rounds, then Stefano and I went to Waffle House, where he'd never been! I said, incredulous, "You mean you've never known the pleasure of 'scattered, covered, smothered'?!?" I had a pecan waffle. Yum! Best of all, I've got 3 more gigs w/them at this place over the next 3 months, and sister, I need the money!

Now begins another crazy damn week. Monthly sheriff's meeting tonight, followed by dinner w/Mudflap and co. Tomorrow night Stefano's band is playing at a nice-looking new venue, and Leo and Phillipo said they'd accompany me to that. Weds. night is rehearsal of course. Thursday night I FINALLY have free, and Friday night, too unbelievably.

McCartney Weekend: IBC Success!

Yesterday The Leo Trio won a spot to compete in the IBC finals next month!!! We were up against 4 other great bands. We rehearsed last Weds. night and again on Saturday afternoon. We were ready. That's how you get to Carnegie Hall, baby: PRACTICE. We were locked in, we were in the zone. We had other things going for us too, such as our dress/appearance and that we were there on time and that we kept strictly to the 25-minute set rule.

Another rule we followed (that the other bands seemed to blatantly disregard) was that we used the backline provided as opposed to bringing our own amps! I actually had to say something to one of the Houston Blues Society (HBS) officials about that. It wasn't fair! I said to them "Leo would never say anything but I have to say something" and brought it to their attention, asking would those bands lose points for doing that?!? Not trying to cause trouble but Leo has been practicing with a damn pedal for the past few weeks in preparation for not being able to use his amp and furthermore, I'm positive they don't put up with any rule shirking at the national finals in Memphis!!! Well, it turned out not to matter in the end, b/c OUR band won! Along with 1 other band. We both now proceed to the finals which will be held next month, and we compete against the 2 bands that were chosen from last weekend to determine who will represent Houston in Memphis next year (which will be us!).

I passed out on my couch on Saturday night at 9:30pm, lights/TV on, still in my clothes, and didn't wake up until 7:30am on Sunday. I needed that rest--I was mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted! (Stefano was at his gig all night.) It was kinda nice to wake up so damn early on Sunday however, b/c I wanted to go for a run and clear my head and listen to Taj Mahal and the Holmes Bros. and Bonecrusher and mentally prepare for the competition. After my run I got myself some huge breakfast tacos which I'd been craving and figured would be awesome fuel for the day. Then I had a relaxing shower and did my hair/makeup and slid into my killer short black sequined dress, paired with big gold earrings and black high heel sandals. I did my eyes up in black glitter and false eyelashes. I crimped strategic sections of my hair and left the rest straight and long. All my nails were painted this metallic purple/blue color. Hey, the rules said "Dress to Impress"!!!

I wanted to run through the songs one last time on my own, but unfortunately my false eyelashes took so long I only had time to go through a couple of songs. But I was ready! I knew them! I just wanted to be a little warmed up. Stefano came by and gave me a good luck kiss before having to go to the airport to pick up his brother. I got to the venue a couple minutes before the 1:30 straw drawing and was surprised to see that only 2 of the 5 bands were there as we'd all been ordered! Already I could tell some of the bands seemed to be lackadaisical about the rules! The HBS officials were ticked off, I could tell. Leo and George looked great, Leo in a dark blue suit and George in a black guayabera and black slacks and his black hat. My friend Albert showed up around 1:45 for crying out loud and finally there were enough band members from each band that could at least pull a straw. I got to pull for us and I got to pull first.

I'd wanted Slot #2 for a few reasons: we wouldn't have to open the show, we'd go on early enough to be done and then have plenty of time to drink/relax, and I certainly didn't want to go last b/c by then everyone (judges and audience) would be kind of drained/tired. I also wasn't sure I wanted to have to watch the other 4 bands in their entirety--not that I was too worried about getting psyched out, but you just never know. I rarely got nervous at the many auditions in my former classical music life and almost always nailed them, but this is different music/different scene, etc. I've never competed in a blues competition before. Anyway, I went for the lucky green straw and pulled.... Slot #2!!!!!!!!!! Immediate texting began to Stefano and Phillipo and our other peeps to tell them they needed to head over there to see us. Albert pulled the bad straw of #1 and had to hurry up and go on immediately at 2pm sharp w/hardly any down time. We noted that his band didn't have much of a stage presence w/nary a smile and he only did ONE original. Also he used his verboten amp! He also finished his 25-min set with only 2 seconds to spare (he said later).

So according to the rules we had 5 min. to set up and Stefano and Phillipo helped us carry items to the stage. I did a little dance I'd learned from, of all places, Justin Beiber while Leo played the opening notes to our 1st song "Don't" then George and I fell into place after the intro. I made sure to smile, dance, look up at the judges, the audience in the back, sides, etc. We put on a show! I used a couple different bass plucking techniques to show I had some chops to show off besides killer legs. I mouthed choice lyrics along w/Leo. George nailed all his parts. About 1/2-way through our set (I found out later) the Vice President of the HBS found Stefano to ask "Where the hell has this band been hiding???" Stefano told him that we've been playing around, to which the VP said that the rest of the bands are going to have their work cut out for them and he hoped they were prepared to follow us!!!

I guess we surprised a few people. The band after us was a band not to be dismissed however, as he's a local boogie woogie piano old-timer that everyone loves, and he also brought 3 girls to play horns with him so it was a good show too. The band after them was a band of "old coots" as one of the HBS board members told me, and then the final band was a local older woman singer I've known a long time and who is a friend to all of us although she can be catty sometimes and two-faced. (She used to talk smack about JFu, for example.) This was her 4th time apparently competing in the IBC. I spent most of the time outside chatting w/people, smoking my pipe, drinking, etc. I was just glad to be able to relax. Finally when it was all over I went to the bathroom and while I was in there I could hear the emcee naming the bands one by one for one last time. When he said our name I heard FROM THE BATHROOM the audience roar the loudest!

Then the HBS Prez asked us if we'd participate in the jam session, to which we said sure! My ex, Marvin was there and he got on stage with us, to play on Leo's 2nd guitar. I thought "Well, here we are onstage again and if we don't win, then at least we look like good sports getting up here to still jam and have a good time." The Prez asked us to hold off starting while the judges gave him the scores, then he took the mic and announced the winners. Stefano had predicted it would be us and Mr. Boogie Woogie--and he was right! Stefano had kept telling me how we'd blown everyone else away that day in every category. He said many people kept coming up to tell him we were sure winners. The HBS Vice Prez told Leo and me he was so impressed with us that he wanted our band to do a showcase with him and his band. But my jaw still dropped when I heard our name! There's actually a pic of me and my hand is over my mouth in amazement. I mouthed "Thank You" to the judges, 2 of which were women! Then we jammed and the dance floor was full!

I gave my bass to Phillipo after 2 songs and let him jam awhile, and I went to chat w/people, including Albert. I pointed out that the rules needed to strictly be followed and that he should try again next year. Albert and I have been friends a long, long time which is why I felt comfortable bringing it up with him. He protested what originals are James Cotton known for? See, here's the thing: the IBC is a CONTEST. A contest with RULES. It's like those reality shows, like Top Chef or Project Runway. It's not just about the raw talent, but it's also about completing the challenges in the allotted amount of time. It's about sticking with the GUIDELINES. But I swore I'd not say anything negative about any of our competitors and I haven't been. While I was watching the 4th band one of the HBS Board members sidled up to me and said "They're kinda mechanical, huh?" and I just grinned and shrugged, refusing to comment.

So today I saw one hint of a negative response, and that is a comment an older white woman HBS Board member wrote on the Facebook wall of the older woman singer who made her 4th unsuccessful IBC attempt and it was something to the effect of, "Will less clothes help you in the IBC?" Now gee, who could she have been referring to? I was waiting for those kinds of comments to come through. Then again, at the bar yesterday when I was complaining about the other bands disregarding the rules and using their own amps I said to Leo and George, "That's not fair!" Then I said, "Then again, this isn't fair either!" and moved my hands down my body! Hee hee hee! Still--I knew the men judges would like my dress and the 2 female judges probably didn't have a problem with it either, since they were black and Mexican. It seems to be the older white women who weren't crazy about it, apparently. Leo says it's jealousy and they can't find fault in our music so they're gonna find fault in our dress and he says just wait for them to start in on HIM for not being US- or Texas-born!

Riding on a high. When it was all over I went across the street and treated myself to some cupcakes, then met Stefano and his brother for Chinese food in our neighborhood. Tonight is a real treat, as Amy Tan is doing a book reading and signing downtown and so I am gwine to give myself a night of literary fulfillment! I'll be at the Sheriff Academy the next 3 days for an all-day class so that'll be a nice little break too, despite that awful early morning drive. Rehearsal resumes on Weds. night!

Fortuna Spinning That Crazy Wheel

Wow. What a few days this has been. Fortuna has been spinning me up, then down, and back around again. It's been crazy! A bunch of bad... mixed in with a bunch of good. The good always beats out the bad though! Today for example, Mr. Wonderful took me out to lunch because he loves me. Stuffed shrimp, yum! We went after the appraiser was done with my house this morning. I have been doing my darndest to clean and tidy up for the past few days. Fortunately I am NEVER home so the house wasn't even that dirty, I just had to mostly clear away the clutter which piles up b/c when I AM home I drop stuff--mail, CD's, Sheriff paperwork, newspapers, magazines, etc. etc.--on the couch, the floor, kitchen counter, etc. and then try to deal with it when it gets too out of hand. Mr. Wonderful had brought me 2 kinds of beautiful flowers on Weds. night when I was crying and sobbing so that gave the living room a nice, pretty touch.

I need the appraiser to give my house a market value of $10,000 more than it is currently/temporarily worth on the tax rolls in order for my refinance to come through at the best possible outcome!!! That shouldn't be too much to ask, I don't think; after all, the place was at that value when I bought it 4 years ago, plus Janie and I made all these wonderful improvements on the place, PLUS he measured wall to wall today and said that I have almost 200 more sq. ft. than I (and the tax office) thought! Come ON, man!

Ok, so why was I sobbing and having a crying binge on Weds. night? Well, basically Aaron disrespected me and insulted my honor as a bass player at rehearsal in front of Sundance, Sun's wife, our drummer, even Aaron's girlfriend who was there, and for absolutely no good reason. He was frustrated at other things but took it out on me. Why? Because he's known me for 12 yrs and thinks he can talk to me that way? Because in J2's opinion he's a womanizer/male chauvinist? Because he's a total asshole and a big fuckin' meany? All of the above? I was SO PISSED, but I didn't say anything until I had to leave to go to rehearsal at Leo's, and Aaron and I were alone and he was walking me to my car. Then I told Aaron I didn't need his attitude or his shit and he argued back with me and insulted me some more and I honestly just couldn't believe it. I was really angry with him and as I was about to drive away he all of a sudden opened my car door and said not to be mad at him. I said I was mad at him, but that maybe I'll get over it.

As I drove off I called Stefano to tell him what had happened and then I just started crying. Aaron committed a mortal sin with me, as one of my Absolute 100% Deal Breakers is to NEVER DISRESPECT ME IN FRONT OF OTHER PEOPLE. I divorced my husband for doing that to me! I broke up w/DA for doing that to me! If you got a problem with me then by all means, bring it to me, let's put it on the table and discuss--but NOT in front of others. Aaron said so many shitty things to me like I "don't know the songs" and "haven't done my homework" b/c I missed 2-3 notes in the end of this ONE song we were working on. We had just done 4 other Sundance songs and I had my charts and notes with me and the songs were fine. And Aaron and Sun were messing up left and right too--Sun on his own songs! But b/c I missed a couple of notes at the END of this one song, Aaron took off his guitar and said to me and Sun as Sun started to show me those last notes, "Y'all learn the song and let me know when you got it." Meaning, Adela learn the song and let me know when Adela has it. Never mind all my hours and hours spent on my charts, bass transcriptions, and notebook full of notes or my success on the other songs--he was basically saying I hadn't done SHIT.

(Not to mention that nobody had even bothered to tell me until that day about this mid-week rehearsal occurring on the same night I always have rehearsal with Leo but that I'd still managed to move mountains in order to be there--leaving work early, telling my mom she would now have to get a cab ride from her doctor's appt. [the cab only took her 1 mile to meet my stepdad so it was no big deal but still!], having Stefano go to my house to pick up Henry the 5-string bass and meet me in the parking lot of a bank on the freeway to make the exchange, and pushing back Leo's rehearsal by a 1/2 hour so I could have a good solid 2 1/2 hours of rehearsal w/Aaron and Sun [and BTW Sun didn't even show up until 6pm, while I'd been waiting at Aaron's since 5pm!!!])

I was just so hurt b/c it was so unfair. It was wrong, unwarranted, mean, and 100% completely unfair. Stefano listened to me sobbing and sobbing and said that music is supposed to be fun, not like this. I said maybe I should just get through the 2 gigs coming up with Sundance and Aaron and be done with them. Stefano said if it were him he'd be done with them now! After I spoke to Stefano I spoke with Phillipo and just kept crying. Then I got to Leo's, still crying, and George and he had to hug me and listen to what happened too. They both said FUCK AARON and that the Sundance project doesn't deserve me. They also said if it were them they'd be gone now too. George even said not to even give them the courtesy of an official resignation, just to disappear on them.

That night when I got home late I sent Aaron a text message: "You're right, I'm not anywhere near the level of musical genius that you are so go ahead and get JT [the drug addict/untrustworthy bassist in another of Aaron's bands that Aaron threatened to give the Sundance gig to] to play with you and Sundance. I'll get your bass back to you Saturday. Thanks anyway for the opportunity." And I sent Sundance a facebook msg b/c I didn't have his # and it was a very nice message, saying that I have really enjoyed playing with him, learning his songs, getting to know him and his wife, that I am still a fan of his, that Aaron confirms JT can pick up where I left off which I believe, thanked him for the wonderful opportunity, and that my best wishes and prayers go to him for his musical career. Then I felt SO RELIEVED. Relieved that now my already-practically extinct spare time can go back to reading books, watching movies, chilling out at my house, spending more time with Stefano/my friends/family, etc. INSTEAD of eating, drinking, and breathing Sundance's music so that I could learn it as fast as humanly possible for these upcoming gigs.

And then... yesterday morning the shit hit the fan as they say, and yes, I actually was surprised at that too. Sundance sent me a msg. back saying to please give him my # so he can call me and talk to me. He said he thought I was doing great and didn't understand what was going on. His wife called me and had a long talk with me and said how they also were appalled that Aaron had been talking down to me like that in front of everyone but they weren't sure how to intervene. She said that I had been doing just FINE on everything, and noted that Aaron was messing up too. She said Sundance loves working with me, they both really like me and my great attitude, and she begged me to reconsider. She couldn't believe I was still willing to continue working after Aaron was treating me like that, that if it had been her the bitch would've come out right then and there. I said that I did have words with Aaron outside, but that I was just trying to be professional and continue working before I had to leave. But I also told her that I have to leave the project b/c I can't work w/Aaron. I said that the way he talked to me is 100% unacceptable and I won't have that in my life and I can't have that in my life. At all. I have too many people that want me to play in their bands--I get asked every other week to consider playing in other people's projects--people who would NOT treat me like shit the way Aaron did. She begged me again to just think about it, b/c they want me for the project, not this drug addict JT guy. I reiterated that Aaron said JT can do it and I have to believe him.

Then the text messages from Aaron started. My eyes were all puffy from my crying binge, my head hurt, my chest was tight, and I was trying to get over it all but Aaron's text messages were making it impossible for me to move on and recover. He sent message after message about how sorry he was, how I'm the right "man" for the project, not JT, how I'm a phenomenal bass player and JT doesn't have my blues/country roots, how JT was never actually a consideration after all, how he hoped I would let him crawl around on his knees in dog shit begging my forgiveness, how he was stupid and wrong to say all that crap to me, how much he loves me as a friend and loves being onstage with me, how wonderful of a person I am, how much he respects me, how sad he'll be if we can't put this behind us, please call him so we can talk, blah blah blah blah BLAH!!! I was tempted to turn off my phone just to get some peace. It all just made my chest tighter and my head keep hurting (and I can't take any Ibuprofin or anything like that b/c I'm donating platelets on Sat. for a retired Reserve deputy's wife who is in the cancer hospital and you can't take stuff like that w/in 48 hours of donating). I sent Aaron back a few choice texts saying I had nothing to say to him, so where/when would he like his bass returned?

SC and I were Yahoo chatting about this too and he asked was I just being sensitive. Seriously, I have absolutely no time to spare on anyone who is going to be mean and shitty to me for no reason. If there's one thing I would have a genie give me a wish on, it would be MORE TIME. More hours in the day, more days in the week. I cannot give one second of my precious time to someone like Aaron or allow them to be in my life. It's MY life, after all!!! And as far as reconsidering my resignation, well the whole project is ruined for me now isn't it? It's not fair to expect me to be able to come back to rehearsal and NOT be nervous about any more wrong notes or NOT be fearful that Aaron will snap again and give me attitude or say something shitty again.

I was feeling better finally last night by the time Stefano picked me up from work so we could go see the free Cyril Neville concert. Oh lord, did we have fun!!!!!!!!!! Philipo also joined us, and of course we ran into so many other friends/musicians we knew! We danced, drank (Stefano and I had Crown/Coke/ice with us), I even led a conga line briefly! The music was killer and it was just the best time. Then we went to have a drink at our fave blues club and unfortunately there was an ugly incident there involving yet another stupid guitarist with a big mouth that I had to put in his place--but he deserved it.

Basically this guitarist, a friend of all of ours--who is also around 8-9 yrs younger than me BTW!--had told Leo last week that The Leo Trio hasn't paid our dues so we won't make it past the 1st round of the IBC. Oh my God. Appalling!!! When Leo told me this I went to my car the next day and yanked off this guitarist's bumper sticker that I was nice enough to be driving around with and de-liked his Facebook page! So idiot was at the bar last night and I made sure to ignore him when he said hi to Stefano. Perplexed, a few minutes later he had the nerve to come over to my table where I was sitting w/Stefano and say that he just wanted to say hi to me. I glared at him and didn't say anything; he looked at Stefano, who shrugged, so idiot slunk away and went outside w/his tail between his legs. SERIOUSLY?! You're gonna talk shit about me and then act all buddy buddy with me??? I won't tolerate fakeness or hypocrisy either! It's true that he also caught me at a time when I am in no mood to tolerate any crap from anyone.

Idiot stayed outside while we were there, even when the band started up. Philipo showed up a few min. later and confirmed he was outside and I made sure to tell Philipo and another guitarist friend of ours what a "big fucking mouth" idiot guitarist has. (I heard a great line from the new "Wall Street" sequel that just came out: "You quit telling lies about me, and I'll quit telling the truth about you!") After a couple drinks and lots of dancing, Stefano and I headed home and a text message came through on my phone: it was Leo! Leo said that he and idiot have just "set things straight so give him a wink and let's move on." I texted back NO! Then I called Leo, first singing the opening lines of "You are the Sunshine of My Life" to him (I was a little tipsy by then), then asking why in the world would idiot call LEO after being dissed by me?!? Would it be because, oh I don't know, perhaps he added 2+2, figured out he was BUSTED by me, and thereby proved that a phone call to Leo means he deserves a big fucking "Guilty!" sign around his neck???

Ok so anyway. Big weekend ahead! Tonight we're going to see some live music w/my cousin to celebrate her recent B.A. in nursing. Tomorrow I'm donating the platelets at 10:30 am and they say it should take about an hour and a half. I'm a little nervous, never having done this before, but I'll eat a good breakfast and I should be ok. After that is our final rehearsal before the IBC on Sunday which is gonna be HUGE. (To the IBC I'm wearing an incredibly short black dress w/sequins on the top. It's like 1960's short! I'm gonna wear some black bike shorts underneath and fold 'em up just in case, I mean I want to be respectful and not slutty towards this crowd.) After rehearsal I'm gwine go down to the gun range for one final practice session before I qualify next Saturday; right after that my dad is having a pre-housewarming party party. Stefano has a gig that night way far away and I am sooooooooooooooooo looking forward to having some down time at my house, by myself, with my books and DVR. Oh mannnnnnnnnnnn..........

Sunday I think I'd like to go for an early morning run to clear my head and get ready for the competition. We have to be there at 1:30 to draw straws to determine the order of the 5 bands--2 bands of which are close personal friends of mine. We're just gonna have fun and do our best to melt people's faces off with our high voltage blues!

Whoo Crazy Busy Times

You know, I might as well place a temporary hold on my Netflix account (you can do it for 3 months, I believe) and just forget about the 116 books on my GoodReads "To Read" list. Shit. I am so fucking busy I can't even believe it. And I'm so sorry to say the horribly ugly green monster "Jealousy" has invaded my spirit since Mr. Wonderful got a great new job last week, tendered his resignation at his present job today, and was promptly ordered to tie up all loose ends and vacate the premises immediately since his job as an HR software technician is a sensitive-secure position, meaning they'd prefer you gone sooner than later, meaning he left work by noon today and meaning he now has 3 WEEKS OFF until his new job starts in October!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOD. I'd give my right ass to have even just 1 week off from everything. I am so jealous I can't even think straight. I am so jealous my chest kinda hurts trying to think about it.

My Google calendar is covered with colors: so much red, yellow, and blue. And more and more events are being added by the day. But I keep telling Leo we need to "work smart, not hard" and last night's gig was DEFINITELY an example of working hard, not smart. I knew it would be. Look, I am NOT a negative person. I am an extremely positive person, and me and the Lord got an understanding. But I had a hard time buying into last night's gig b/c of the evidence, and the evidence was what Rozzy had told me about Sunday nights at this particular place and he was 100% right! I managed to bring out 9 wonderful people to see us play: Stefano, my cousins, my brother and his 2 friends, Phillipo, and Aaron and his (latest) girlfriend. George brought 4 people. Leo brought maybe 9-10 and then there were just a smattering of others. It was so extremely disappointing and Leo had to drag out the venue's heavy ass amp and speakers and we played outside on the big deck far away from the modest audience and it was hot, sweaty, muggy, and mosquito-filled, and for what, man? Well, I got fed for free and so did Mr. Wonderful and I think maybe my cousins too. But that is IT. We made $0.00 besides. See, George and Leo are of the mind of, "Let's try a venue once just to see, and if it's not a success we just won't play there anymore." Well, I'm of the mind of, "Uh, how about I talk to our friends who have been there, done that, like Roz, Aaron, etc. and see how it's REALLY gonna go down and if that place isn't worthwhile, let's NOT WASTE OUR TIME."

So last night it was obvious we weren't into it. Leo had invited this harp player who's jammed with us in the past and he played pretty badly on a couple songs. At one point Leo turned to me and asked what I wanted to do and I had absolutely no opinion--I didn't want to have to think at all! We played one set and we were done, thank God! Later Leo and I were texting and I said I do NOT want to do this gig on Fri. Oct. 8 at this place that is just too small and that Rozz had also confirmed probably would not be a money-maker and Leo finally broke down and agreed to cancel it. Besides, I want to work security that night anyway at Greek Fest, which will be fun and I will get fed handsomely! (I can't work it Saturday b/c I'm supposed to be playing a benefit w/Sundance and Aaron.)

This week is definitely a bad one in terms of me not having any time for anything. I actually have tonight free but I have got to do things like: pick up my meager groceries for the week, do laundry, FINISH that damn Personnel report, and I have GOT to start cleaning/tidying up my house for the appraiser who is coming this Friday! (I'm refinancing; see the Latina Personal Finance blog for more info.) Tomorrow night I need to get back on shedding this Sundance material and I also just need to practice, generally speaking, for this coming Sunday's IBC performance. I want to experiment with some fun bass lines for some of our songs since we're just a trio and therefore I need to shine a little more and have more personality w/my bass playing on Leo's songs. And I sooo want to be selected to progress to the finals!!! Everyone knows how competitive I am! (Side note: one of the judges for the IBC is the legendary Roy Head--Sundance's dad! I'm tempted to introduce myself to him and tell him who I am, but actually I don't want any kind of unfair edge. I want to make it to Memphis on our own accord!!!!!)

We had a rough night last Fri. night. I'm not sure how much detail I want to get into, but George--who is always happy, always cheerful--was all of a sudden depressed and suicidal. Leo sent me a frantic text to call George and tell him I loved him, try to cheer him up, etc. We had rehearsal scheduled that night and so I was a little freaked out. George was doing very badly. He asked to borrow my gun so he could do himself in. It was traumatic and upsetting and I had to get some advice from Brandone, who was extremely helpful to me. I called George a couple of times throughout my workday to check on him. Leo went to pick George up since he was in no shape to drive (he was on Xanax and beer) and I even left Job #2 early to go be with them. Actually I had gotten a secret phone call from George's wife who had snuck my # out of George's phone w/out him knowing, and she told me what had happened and it was really horrible, indeed. I picked up a box of wine on the way and when I got to Leo's house the 3 of us just sat outside and drank and smoked and talked. We really needed to rehearse but it didn't even matter, all that mattered was being with George and showing him that we loved him and cared for him. I shared my pipe with George and promised to get him one of his own for his b-day which is next month.

I guess we cheered him up after a couple of hours b/c we even went inside to jam on just a couple of songs and that was encouraging, that he finally felt like playing some music. We only did a couple of songs however before George said he needed to go speak w/his cousin, who is a man of the Word, and I drove him over there. George, Leo and I had a group hug before we left and George just sobbed as we held him. On the drive he also told me what had happened (even though I already knew, but I had to play dumb since his wife told me to--and yes, it is wife-marriage-betrayal-related). His cousin was ready and prepared for George and I felt confident I was leaving him in good hands, but told them to call me if I needed to pick George up later so he could some stay at my house, Leo's, Stefano's, whoever's, since we all have spare bedrooms. I was so exhausted, mentally and yes physically when I got home Stefano had to come over to spend the night at my house b/c I lay down "just for a minute" and passed out. And no, I wasn't even tipsy from the 3 glasses of box wine on an empty stomach--I was way too wired for it to even touch me.

Thank God that next a.m. I got a message from George saying that his cousin had helped him to see the light, and that he wasn't going to hurt himself or anyone. He thanked me and Leo for being there for him and said things were going to be ok. BTW, one fun thing we did do out there on the porch when we'd been hanging out was work on our bio's on our new webpage. George dictated his to me and I typed it and you can kinda see his state of mind b/c he says he "has Leo, Adela, and himself" with no mention of his family or anybody else.

So whew! Ok well that's quite enough for now.

Labor Day McCartney Times

Wow, what a last few days I've had, in terms of BUSYBUSYBUSY but as I've said un millon times before, what else is new. Like B.B. King sings, "Movin' faster than the speed of sound / Faster than the speeding bullet / People living like Superman / All day and all night / And I won't say if it's wrong or if it's right / I'm pretty fast myself..."

So jeez, uh, last week (and I have to consult my Google calendar to refresh my memory--I survive by that thing--Red is Job #2, Yellow is Job #1, and Blue is my personal schedule/social life/music gigs/rehearsals/Sheriff's Office stuff) I was actually glad that rehearsal got cancelled b/c George flaked out on us and I had some much-needed and extremely rare free evening time! Then Aaron flaked out on me too but it's ok b/c I did some work on Sundance's songs on my own.

Friday Leo called a necessary make-up rehearsal but b/c I clearly wasn't happy about giving up my and Stefano's Friday night together Leo sweetened the deal by offering to make a dinner of his famous beer-butt chicken for everyone, so we agreed. I worked from home on Friday and that was so relaxing, and after Job #2 I picked up Stefano and we headed to Leo's. I brought a big bottle of sangria I've had in my fridge since that crazy guitar player friend of mind came over that March afternoon to entertain me and brought the 2 bottles; we'd drank one. Stefano and I picked up fruit on the way and pie for dessert. After a nice dinner and some business talk (we have entered the IBC and so have some SERIOUS strategizing and tightening up to do!!!) we had a quick rehearsal, working up 3 new Leo original songs. I tell you what, after all this rehearsing w/the monster Aaron and learning Sundance's songs, I am quickly becoming a fearless bass player. Leo's songs were easier to pick up for me now that I'm quickly building my bass vocab as well as chops.

Saturday thank God was a mostly unscheduled day, although I had to do some work on my sheriff Personnel file and tidy up my house which was getting out of hand, and honestly I can't remember right now what else filled up the day but I know the day was chockfull until B's 50th birthday party that evening. Oh now I remember, Stefano and I met Rozzy to buy the GK amp head ($400) and then went to Guitar Center to try and find a cabinet but GC didn't have what I wanted, damn them! We met Bonnie and her friends at a healthy restaurant near her house and I had to have two of their Pomegranate-tini's! All the food there is way healthy and YUM! Then we headed across the street to a neighborhood bar for more drinks and homemade cupcakes but I was tired and we receded into the night as I do and were back at Stefano's house at a somewhat decent hour.

Sunday I had to be at the Marine Base for my annual day of working with the Marine Division. It turned out I was with the same Sgt. I worked with last year, and his platoon. There were 5 of us and 2 boats and the Sgt. paired me with him. Another deputy said of course the Sgt. would pair himself with the pretty girl and send the 3 dudes out on 1 boat, ha ha! I said then he needed to take the next Sgt's exam when it came around and make Sgt. so he could exercise such power! We all headed to Subway for lunch but just as we pulled into the parking lot we got a call that there was an asshole on a red and black jet ski sideswiping people on the water and acting a damn fool, so no lunch for us as we headed straight to the river to try and see if there was anything we could do, which was doubtful. That's b/c we were about an hour from even getting on the damn river when you consider we had to drive to that part of town, launch the boat, and then get to that specific beach where the idiot was spotted! But we had to at least make a show of it.

Natch, we didn't find him. And b/c I'm so out of practice packing for an all-day shift on the river, I'd forgotten a few key items back at home that I'd planned on bringing, specifically my snacks which were forgotten and sitting on the damn counter!!! Thank God I remembered 3 bottles of water and my radio holder but I forgot my stupid ticket book at home, also my flashlight which I didn't think I'd need but you never know. Also thanks to Jesus H. Christ I'd found a couple packs of leftover Orbit gum in my bag which is what I ended up having for lunch! Now all you boys and girls see why I don't like working Marine Division? TRAPPED on the water, man.

After a couple boring hours the Sgt. remembered that I know how to operate a Duracraft so he scooted over and let me take over. Yay! (Said slightly sarcastically.) And of course that's when all the real work began, when I'm at the helm! 1st we had to tow a boat to shore that had a conked-out motor. I've never towed a boat in my life and since it's been a year that I operated a boat, I felt miserably out of practice and not just a little skittish, but I had to just put on my professional police game face and pray to God for the best and most importantly, BELIEVE I could do it. And I did! I was soooo nervous operating near people and the beaches were so incredibly packed with swimmers and kids and canoe-ers and dogs and all their friends and family but when in doubt I just threw the throttle into neutral in hopes of not killing anyone TOO quickly. But I did just fine! I also always get soooooo nervous around the dock, always scared I'm gonna crash the boat into it, but again that was all right too. WHEW!!!!!

Later on I successfully managed to get the boat right next to both a jetski and another boat at the same time (Woo-hoo Dep. Adela!!!), dock the boat 2 more times, got the boat up at top speed (~35 mph) a few times (when I was bored), and more annoyingly, navigate through manymanymany other boats' and jetskis' wakes. I had told the Sgt. though that I absolutely had to be out of there by 8pm for my paying gig in Pearland and although there had been drownings almost every weekend the entire summer (people are so fucking stupid--I swear the potential for human stupidity on the water year after year will never, ever cease to surprise me) the Sgt. said that he would do his best to make sure I got out of there in a timely manner, even if it meant I had to have Stefano come pick me up, which he agreed to do as a last resort.

Towards the end of the shift around 6:30pm we had a call of a boating accident and my heart sank, but really it was just an idiot jetskier who collided with the back of a boat, scratching it. The boat owner wanted a report done--of course he did! So we headed over there and I docked the boat w/out incident although I relied on the kindness of a nearby stranger to tie me off, heh heh. The other deputies were already there and one of them came over and said he liked the way I handled the boat. I thought he was kidding but he was totally serious, and the Sgt. said they were gonna make a boat operator out of me yet! After that the Sgt. said to go ahead and head back to the beach where we'd put in and he asked if I could go get the truck and back up the trailer. Now that is DEFINITELY something I'm not the best at--I can do it of course, but I have to go reeeeeal slow and I almost did jackknife the trailer once a couple years ago! So after he saw the hesitation on my face he said he'd go get it but I offered to trailer the boat! I can do that all right, usually. And even though by the time he backed the trailer down the ramp and there were other deputies there (including the Lt.!) and that used to make me sooooo nervous, having other deputies and the general public watching me attempt to do anything boating-related, this time I really didn't care and I trailered the boat with a self-grade of A-. How's THAT for personal growth!

After I picked up my car I raced home, driving through KFC b/c I was starving and wouldn't have time to eat once I hit home and had to shower/change/load up, etc. Stefano came over to help me get my amp in the car and he drove us to Pearland which is not too terribly far from our 'hood. Leo, George and George's wife were already there. Stefano and I took a breather and went outside to smoke and some older guy spotted me with my pipe and was so tickled he offered to buy us drinks, so we sat w/him and his lady friends for a bit. We were the middle act in the 3-band night but it was kinda lame b/c the room was huge and not really full and the folks that were there were mostly into their eating. It seemed like no one was really paying attention but when we were done I was already headed offstage and they all of a sudden wanted an encore but I told Leo they could have an encore if they tipped! I didn't mean to be a bad sport but seriously, tipping will get an audience what they want every time and if they wanted more they could cough up some cash and/or buy the CD!

Oh man. That's enough of an update for now. I don't even have time to drink much these days, which is always good for keeping the calories down! Rehearsals galore this week are on the horizon with my 2 bands. Also I have GOT to finish this Personnel report and I have a work book club book to read too, by Thursday! Lemme got on some o' this...