Gazing At The Stars

This morning my parents called me and insisted they come over to visit me and drop off my birthday gifts.   They live about 20 minutes south of Scripps Ranch in Kearny Mesa.   I said "sure,  no problem..."   and proceeded to make myself some breakfast and listen to some jazz music.   My parents and I were somehow "missing" each other these past few days.   They wanted me to either come over to their place and pick up my gifts,  or they would come over to my house and thus,  bring the gifts.   Now,  it looked like they had me "cornered" and they had the golden opportunity to bring the gifts.   It's funny how it's just plain hard to reach people sometimes.

To Scan Or Not To Scan...

Well, my parents arrived around 10AM.   By that time I was watching the Akira Jimbo video and practicing on the drum pad.

We talked about family matters,  and I told them about my experiences in Las Vegas last week.   Then my mom sprung the question...    "son, can you scan these pictures for me?"  [ ah hah!!!  I knew there was a hidden "motiff" behind their wanting to come over! ]   Well,  I figured they were up to something,  but what the heck.  That's one of the joys of owning your own scanner...    it's an opportunity for family, friends and neighbors to "take advantage of you"  *snicker*

Anyway,  after I scanned a photo of my eldest sister with her husband and son,  I handed the newly printed,  enlarged photos to my mom and dad.   No problem,  only took but a few minutes of my time.

I told them I had to cut our little family get together short,  for I had to prepare for the gig at the NAMM show,  as I was to leave at 11AM so I could spend some time browsing the booths and checking out the new drums and cymbals.

Going over the above Zen koan in my head,  I'm thinking that one can be idealistic and at the same time "keep both feet firmly planted on the ground".   And I'm thinking that life should be lived in practical,  mundane terms,  yet allowing oneself the room to focus on goals and dreams. 

I gaze at the stars a lot, and tonight was no exception...   after the NAMM show,  when I got home and stepped out of the van,  I looked up at the cold night sky.   It felt like the temperature was in the 30's,  it was very cold,  the sky was so clear tonight.   I always gaze in wonderment at the beautiful stars at night.   The vastness of the universe...   it makes one forget about cares and worries.   Without my life,  this vastness would still be here...   I'm just so thankful that I'm alive and have the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful night sky.

The NAMM Show...

When Nate and I arrived at the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown L.A.  we lucked out.   For when we stepped out of the van we were approached by a hotel worker who was in charge of handling the hotel traffic in the main entrance.   But just when we thought he was going to tell us we couldn't park where we did he yelled out,  "Big Time Operator!  Wow,  I'm a fan of yours.  I've seen you around L.A.".   And he told us we could park right where we were,  in front of the main entrance to the hotel!!   Oh joy,  did I feel like a celebrity just now,  what a fitting scene for our grand entrance at the NAMM show.   Little did we know what was really in store for us.

Anyway,  we ran into the coordinators putting on the show,  and they showed us where we would perform...  "OK, fine...    cool",  I said.   "Now,  where is the NAMM show."   We asked this guy and he told us that it was just a couple of blocks south.   Well,  on our little walk we found out that the NAMM show was actually a mile south at the L.A. Convention Center.   Well,  it was a little bit of a hike but we decided to go for it. 

The Road Is Long...

Well, that mile took us forever and by the time we got there we ran into Warren at the front entrance to the exhibits.   What a speck of chance that was.   But now we had to get back because we didn't have enough time to check out the exhibits.  We had miscalculated our time and we ended up taking a taxi back to the Bonaventure Hotel.

After setting up our instruments,  we took a shuttle heading back to the NAMM show and we were able to take-in a little bit of the sites before we had to board the shuttle back to the hotel to eat our complimentary dinner.   Then we played our short set from 6:30 to 7:05.  Wow!  All that way just to play for half an hour.

It's For The VIP's

All in all,  I was disappointed that we weren't playing in the Convention Center itself,  where all the action was taking place.  As usual,  they had a rock band playing at the entrance to the NAMM show.   We were to perform at the Bonaventure Hotel at the entrance to the California Ballroom for the President of NAMM's big VIP bash.   Oh well,  it was still a great gig because this was the event for the executives putting on this NAMM show.   And I ran into Marie Lynn,  the coordinator who I met at NAMM headquarters in Carlsbad.  Now the picture was coming together.   Apparently,  late last year we played a private party at NAMM headquarters,  and they loved us.   So now they hired us for their special VIP Party at the Bonaventure.   I guess this wasn't a bad gig after all...   in a way I felt special for being asked back to play for the executives.   I thanked Marie Lynn for having us back...

Physics?

Yesterday,  my son asked me to take him to the library and get him a book on Physics.   "Physics?"   Boy that came from out of the blue.   It was all coming together however,  ...the white smock he borrowed from his aunt,  his recent interest in Albert Einstein,  his being interested in motion,  gravity,  etc.   Could he be the reincarnation of Albert....   naw....   couldn't be....     I wish.  Anyway,  I was able to get him a book on Physics,  for kids of course,  containing experiments that were suitable for kids.   Well,  I'm not scientifically inclined but I guess I would eventually have to help him out with the experiments.   I'm just glad that he might be a scientist instead of a musician.   I don't want to have to support him for the rest of my life.   *laughing in jest*

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Zen Koan of the Day:

Gaze at the stars, but walk on the earth.

Dizzy Gillespie/Sonny Rollins ~ Sonny Side Up
Enya ~ Watermark
Carlos Rull ~ If By Chance We Meet
Gustav Holst ~ The Planets

The Zen Koan Card Pack
British Home & Gardens
Patio Gardening

A Simple Plan
Shakespeare In Love
Waking Ned Devine

Buddy Rich ~ Jazz Legend
Akira Jimbo ~ Metamorphosis