Saturday Nite Fish Fry!

I awoke at 11:30AM this morning...   right away,  it was time to wisk the kids off to their private swimming instructor. 

Swimming Lessons

While my youngest son was taking his lesson,  the older son was off with his mom for haircuts next door.   I hadn't eaten breakfast yet so I ran across the parking lot and went to a family owned Deli.   They were still serving breakfast and I ordered their breakfast sandwich,  which was an egg with ham and cheese between two muffins,  sort of like a MacDonald's Egg McMuffin.  As I sat reading a book I'd brought,  I noticed one of the customers taking back their sandwich...    had there been a hair in it?   Was something missing?   Either way,  he didn't seem at all pleased.   I think this affected my appetite some,  and I requested my order to be for take out.   When I got back to the Gym's swimming pool,  I took two bites out of my sandwich.   It was terrible!   I threw it in a nearby trash can. 

As my wife and I sat near the swimming pool watching our oldest son taking his lesson,  our youngest boy,  as usual,  had the chance to practice his swimming technique in one corner of the pull,  directly in front of us.  We noticed that the boys were improving on their swimming technique,  which was great...    one of my biggest fears concerns my kids not knowing how to swim and drowning.   That's why we're pretty adament about the private swimming lessons, which they take year-round. 

The Day I Saved My Son

I had to save my youngest son one day in a swimming pool in Las Vegas.   It's pretty frightening to think that a child could be surrounded by all these adults in a pool and still be drowning.   That one day,  I was glad I was there,  for I almost didn't want to go down to the pool with my wife, the boys, my nephew and my sisters.   When I saw that my son was in trouble  ( he was already underwater with legs and arms kicking ),  I noticed right away that all the adults near my son were for some reason turned away from my son and couldn't see that he was drowning.  I was about twenty feet away at an umbrella-cover table.   Next thing I knew,  I was running as fast as I possibly could,  jumped into the pool fully clothed and pooled my son out of the water.   Unfortunately,  all the adults around my son were feeling pretty embarrased and ashamed to not have noticed,  but it didn't bother me a bit...   I was just glad to see my son alive.

I think my youngest son and I have a special bond.   My wife told me after saving him that "he'll be friend for life now".   And I see that.   I cry sometimes just thinking had I not been there to save him.   I'm just glad that I was there. 
 
 

In the book,  the main idea is "focus".   That's what getting into the Zen of things is all about.   We go through life not really focusing on what we are doing.   We might be eating,  but are we focused on truly eating?  Many of us are distracted by our thoughts.   I guess what is meant be the Zen koan...   is to have the discipline to be focused when doing things.

This really applies to performing music.

The whole idea is to DO something with "complete awareness".   When we see top athletes, musicians, and artists DO what they do best with total confidence and pinpoint concentration,  we see that they are in the Zone,  getting into the Zen of what they are doing.   The complete awareness is apparent.   But that's what I understand the meaning of this Zen koan to be...   that of complete awareness in whatever you DO...

The Cannibal Bar ~ Catamaran Hotel

Big Time Operator played its second San Diego show of the year,  and it had been a good two months since we'd performed in the San Diego area.   We'd been playing in L.A.,  Las Vegas,  Arizona,  everywhere else but our hometown.  It was good to be "home".

Debbie brought some delicious chocolate cupcakes (my weakness: chocolate) for the band to enjoy and get renewed strength from the "sugar rush".   Donna,  our cherished mentor and executive producer was there as usual to cheer us on.

The place was "jumpin'",  to put it mildy.   It was the biggest crowd I had seen at The Cannibal Bar.   It seemed that everyone was there!   So many people that I knew,  I was scrambling to say hello to everyone,  and unfortunately I could not touch base with absolutely everyone there. 

It Was Hot In There!!!

It was very hot too!   I guess the air conditioner could not handle the amount of people inside the venue.   Hundreds of people!   I'm not good at guessing...    200, 300, maybe 500?

The band played extremely well tonight, riding on the energy of the crowd more than anything else.   Of course,  all us musicians onstage were "getting off" on each others' solos and performances.   Of course,  the highlight was the band's performance on Sing, Sing, Sing.   I appeared to have had a great drum solo,  and the crowd cheered.  (Of course,  again...   I thought I could have done better)  It was great to have the dancers doing a jam session during my solo.   There's a special communication that goes on there,  and it goes beyond everyone's technique...   everyone's out to have fun during this special time,  and it becomes spontaneous combustion.  Great stuff! 

I never say this about him,  but Warren was out there singing his heart out,  and he was superb on "Luck Be A Lady" tonight...  our latest arrangement.  With all the success this band has had,  I am forever grateful to him for having me in the band.   He's a talented vocalist and an excellent businessman all rolled into one.   A great combination for a successful band,  no doubt about that!

Belated Birthday Cheer...

I was surprised by a gift bag from Jessica and Celine,  a belated offering because it was my birthday a few days back.  I didn't advertise that it was my birthday,  but the few who did catch the info on the net did take heart to wish me well.  Thanks Jessica and Celine!   They truly surprised me with Italian Chocolates,   Chocolate-Covered Macademia Nuts,  etc.  with a personalized card and movie passes to the Landmark Theaters,  wow!!!   Thanks so much...
 

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Zen Koan of the Day:

When walking walk.  When sitting sit.
            But don't wobble!

Led Zeppelin ~ The Remasters CD Box Set

Newsweek issue with Michael Jordan on front
The Zen Koan Card Pack

A Simple Plan
Shakespeare In Love
Waking Nev Devine

Buddy Rich ~ Jazz Legend
Roy Burns ~ Basic Drum Tuning