Those Mystical Koans

1:44PM PST
At Home In Scripps Ranch

I've been feeling very "jet-lagged" the past two days.   The schedule in Vegas was such that I felt like a vampire,  getting to my "coffin" at the break of day,  and not really coming to life until sometime in the evening. 

Since the band performed from 10PM to 3AM,  and being that we would go to the Cafe Roma after the gigs to replenish our bodies with food,  we wouldn't get to sleep until 4 or 5AM in the morning!   Then we'd sleep until about 12 noon or 1PM in the afternoon. 

So,  now that I'm home,  I'm back to my regular schedule at home and it feels like I'm jet-lagged because of the change of schedules.   It didn't help that I had to get into my usual routine of helping get the kids ready for school.

I took my youngest son to school today.  It rained this morning,  so I had to get his raincoat for him.   I noticed that it had been exceptionally cold this morning.

My wife was "on my case" a bit for being a bit slow in getting certain chores done.   I know I was still adjusting to home life again,  but I sure wished she was a bit more understanding.  On the other hand,  I completely understand that she was a single mom all last week because I was away for the shows at Caesar's Palace.   Alas,  such is my dilemma of trying to combine a musician's life and a family life all into one.

The Vegas Life...

While in Vegas,  I did a lot of reading...   skimming through "Drummin' Men" and reading up on the lives of Buddy Rich, Chick Webb and Gene Krupa.  I also read some magazines on home design and interiors,  something I got interested in because of our one-nighter in the plush double-doored Suite on the 24th floor.

I didn't really go out and party or go sightseeing...   I just wanted to be ready physically for the performances at night,  so I made sure I was completely rested.   I also did stretching exercises,  went for walks and did some calesthenics.

I also read (in-depth) the Zen Koan Card Pack,  studying the Zen Koan Cards and contemplating their meanings and how things apply and relate to my life as a musician.

I took walks around the Caesar's Palace grounds,  sunbathed out in the pool area.   I don't like to gamble,  so I had no problem with losing my money while here.   I really enjoyed the complimentary meals because of our entertainer status.   We could choose absolutely anything on the menu,  and so we ordered some of the more expensive meals as well as the modest ones.

Our hotel room had a jacuzzi tub,  so I made sure I took advantage of it one night when I was really sore from the previous night's gig.

I shopped for souvenirs and trinkets for family,  and I bought a "Venus De Milo" magnet to add to our growing collection on our refrigerator door.
 
 

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Zen Koan of the Day:

The wave and the sea are one.

PDQ Bach ~ At Carnegie Hall
Glenn Miller Orchestra ~ In The Digital Mood

The Zen Koan Card Pack
Drummin' Men
Architectural Digest
British Home & Gardens

Zen Koan Cards
Harmony Encyclopedia of Jazz