The other set is Is There Anybody Out There - Pink Floyd. It's the live version of The Wall done in 80-81. Now I haven't listened to The Wall in nearly 10 years, but I knew every inch of this disc when I played it. Listening to the song Is There Anybody Out There, I just about leapt out of my seat. I've begun transcribing the guitar part for circulation. There's a moment in the concert, right before Run Like Hell where Roger Waters asks the audience "Is there anybody who worries about things?" After the obligatory crowd cheer, Roger says "Pathetic". I believe part of him really means that.

It is written, it shall be so.

Sitting at the restaurant tonight, I was in an odd spot in the room where I could really only clearly hear the bass & percussion of the music over the restaurant sound system. I truly heard the bassline for I Heard It Though the Grapevine (the Marvin Gaye version) for the first time. I don't know what I was expecting, but it sure wasn't that.

Contending in the meetings today with the sense that I am out of my element. This is, on one level, very good. It puts me out of my comfort zone, and over the fire, so to speak. On another level, this is bad, since I'm leaving a lot of my technical knowledge behind. What is interesting to me about this, is my reaction to this feeling. Excited on one hand, frightened on the other. Perhaps they are part of the same thing.

Postings finally up for the two positions on my soon-to-be-ex-team. Here's hoping we get some bites.

Up at 4:00 to get ready to travel to Pittsburgh. Would have been 4:30, but for Vomitus the Cat. Packed the night before, so just getting showered, dressed, last minute toiletries packed, and I'm off by 5:10. 6:30ish the plane takes off, sitting in the air - greeting the YGP team. Land in the big Pitt a little after 8:00, collect my things and get breakfast. Full morning greeting the comrades in the building and trying to get caught up. Right eye bothering me from temporary contact. Need to get it out some time soon.

Lunch with the team, then more work in the afternoon. Gently asking my shoulders to get out of my ears. Why so much tension?

My promotion and move to a new team is official: all the affected parties have been notified. There is some concern from a few parties indirectly affected, including some clients that I have been working with for the past 5 years. I have Hope that we've created enough momentum to keep things moving in the right direction after I transition.

Observing little quirks today: I still type certain things incorrectly, at any speed; I had to force myself to sit still at lunch and not leap up for refills before I was done with what I was eating. Inhibition is necessary for these things to be adjusted.

Recapitulating the weekend:

Saturday was spent with the YGP, beginning again. We see some of the work ahead, and realistically, when it will *really* begin. We came up with a very clear Aim and Commitments for the short term. We also discussed revamping the web site to coincide with our next pahse of work, which begins in September. Some observations and discussion of: our meeting with Robert, the performances at the course and their impact on the performance at the Folk Guild. Mark brought rough mixes of the show from Pro-Tools that we could listen to. We also had an impromptu performance at the picnic of a co-worker of Mark's. It went surprisingly well, and a casual video tape of the performance was far better than I expected. We had a cohesiveness performing (even after the month break) that I was surprised by. Some talk with a luthier. He showed us his Tele-style guitar with a Corian (!) body. Another picnic attendee told us about a Yorktown cable access show that focuses on the guitar that may be a possiblilty for us.

I'll be frank, I wasn't thrilled about the performance beforehand. I thought it presumptive to think that a) we'd be able to play together after a month away, b) that even if we * could* play together, that to do so unamplified, outdoors would be untenable, c) that any of us would be left after our "see where the YGP goes next" meeting, and d) that any of us would want to do it. I went with the flow and assumed the virtue: I'm glad I did.

Sunday was spent in the yard redoing the whole north side of the plantings on the foundation. Pretty heavy work for me, as I am the resident hole digger. We had some help, and my in-laws visited as well. I did have to cope with a migraine in the later afternoon, that was quelled with LOTS of Advil. Pictures should come soon...