GIGS!
Before diving into other subjects I should let folks know that The CG2 featuring Dave Masica & myself are returning to Natalie’s Grandview for a happy hour residency. We will be playing the next three Friday’s - February 14, 21, & 28 - all the shows are free (!), and start at 5:15pm. I would highly recommend getting reservations in advance as when we last did this in December 2023 all 4 shows “sold out” and some folks got turned away. Natalie’s is a popular location!
Click here for February 14th / Click here for February 21 / Click here for February 28th
And if you prefer something a little grittier than the rock n roll spa experience of Natalie’s, I have got that covered as I will be returning to perform at the PBR10K at Skully’s on Saturday, February 22.
I know this sounds like a fun-run for charity, but the actual goal is for folks to drink 10,000 cans of PBR to benefit the Parker Lee Foundation. There is no running, except to the restroom I suppose. Admission is $50 and the beer is all you can drink. Four bands are playing and I am going on at 2:30 pm. It’s an all-day thing and it is a ton of fun. Click here for tickets and more info.
I started waiting tables again.
As an empty-nester with no Watershed tours on the horizon I am on the lookout for ways to stay active, and figured it was time to dust off those serving skills. So I started picking up some shifts at Figlio in Grandview. As you may recall, Figlio UA were my neighbors in the now-demolished Golden Bear Center, and I used to work there before I took over Colin’s Coffee full-time. I always kind of missed it. The only place I would consider stepping back on the killing floor would be Figlio because I have so much respect for the people who work there and how they run their business. It is the kind of place I want to contribute to.
I don’t do it for the money. Not exactly. I mean, sure, some extra quarters for the jukebox is handy but I could live without it. So why do I do it? That is a good question which I ask myself occasionally when the restaurant gets really busy, and I can feel the smoke coming out my ears trying to keep tables straight.
Reason #1 - I Have The Time
My typical week is this:
Monday - Saturday 6:30 am-12:45 I am at Colin’s Coffee. (Yes, we are open Sunday and I do work sometimes but honestly our staff deserves a break from me hanging around.) After work I try to go directly to the gym and spend about 90 minutes there. In a perfect world I do an hour on the treadmill followed by some lifting, stretching and doing my Waking Up meditation app. That means I am free by 3 pm. Sure some days I have band practice or have to pick up coffee supplies but one night a week working at a nice restaurant can definitely work into that schedule.
Reason #2 - Serving Is A Physical and Mental Workout
Some people train for marathons and do crossword puzzles and work a full time job. Certainly I can suck it up and do this.
Reason #3 - What Else Would I Be Doing? Like Literally
I will tell you what I am doing right now instead of working. I am at the UA Library reading a Kenny Jones interview in Mojo Magazine and writing this story. Sure, that is sorta active, but it really isn’t sustainable seven days a week. So that is my internal pep talk when I pick up a shift. “What else would you be doing?” As much as I hate to admit it, I am the type of person who gets more things done when I am busy.
And now…
TURN OFF THAT DEPRESSING NEWS AND LISTEN TO SOME MUSIC
Some random songs that brought me joy last month…….
MEDITATION
Whoa…you mentioned meditation? What’s up with that?
I have a complicated relationship with meditation and other mental wellness activities. I am game for exploring new ideas for self-improvement and certainly our country has recently become a very stressful place for people who place value on intelligence and kindness. Stupid & cruel seem to be the style of the times.
But truth be told, despite my disappointment in our current state of affairs, I am not abnormally stressed out. I sleep like a baby almost every single night no matter how much coffee I drink that day. And I understand that my thoughts are just thoughts and oftentimes they are counterproductive to my mental health. Why would I listen to my thoughts 24/7? Why would I let my thoughts ruin my day? If I find myself worrying about something I cannot control or fretting about a past decision “I” will step in with, “Okay brain, you are choosing to torture yourself right now. I am putting a stop to these thoughts. You don’t rule me. I am still in charge. Not you.” I mean, shit happens. Bad things happen to good people and vice versa. I get it. Wasted energy to worry about all of that stuff. Soon enough I/you will have a good reason to worry. Why worry unnecessarily?
But everyone I know who practices meditation seems to be the better for it. So what the hell. I’ll give it a whirl. Waking Up is a Sam Harris App where he guides you through a 10-minute meditation session every day. Ok, I don’t do it every day but I hit more than I miss.
Playing Music Is A Form Of Meditation Itself???
Or at least I like to think it is. Talk about being in the moment. Playing guitar/harmonica and singing definitely keeps one present and not lost in cluttered, wasteful thought.
Music Break! The very idea that the woman in this picture would consider giving a killer like Jerry Lee Lewis another chance might call for me to do a meditation session. I mean, just look at him? Dude is bad news no matter how he tries to spin it. Unfortunately this song makes me think of our citizens giving El Presidente a second chance after his disastrous first term in office.
Stuff I Watched
Best Movie I Saw Last Month: September 5
Movies I Thought Were Good But Not Great: (in order of preference)…
A Complete Unknown, Nosferatu, The Room Next Door, A Real Pain.
Most disappointing TV Show: Landman.
For chrissakes, Bill Simmons was comparing this show to The Sopranos and The Wire so my hopes were sky high. Granted, the core story has a cool narcos feel and Billy Bob is outstanding as usual. But…unfortunately the other 60% of the show is unwatchable. But I’m still watching…..
Also I did not dig the latest season of The Bear and I have been struggling with Shogun.
Am I a hater? Does everyone need to get off my lawn?
I was wondering the same thing until I saw High Potential. A very fun “who done it” show done in a 70’s style. And as humans continue to destroy the planet I have been enjoying the Planet Earth series produced by the BBC. Lots of crazy shit out there. Deserts, caves, wherever…
And I have been revisiting Extras and Schitt’s Creek which are always on the money.
That’s all for now. Stay Sane.