Nourishment For The Soul...

What is it about long drives in the car?  For some it's great for the soul and for others it's pure torment?

I'm fairly certain that, at this point in my life, it has become great therapy for my soul to take long drives the car.  It's relaxing and makes me feel great when I get to "get away" for a few hours.  (Or a day or two)

Today I'm helping to chaperon a trip for one of our local youth organizations. Needless to say I'm extremely glad to get away from things for a while, even if it is to help out with kids.

We made the drive in fairly excellent time.  The weather held out and we only saw a small amount of rain.  One microscopic snow flurry that lasted a grand total of 2 minutes.  I'm definitely ready for the heat, the sun, the long days of summer.  Hurry up damn it!

          The kids are fairly excited to be here, participating in the conference tomorrow.  Reminds me of how it was when I was there age (damn…am I really 29…lol).  They are loving the long car rides and the hotel stuff, pool, games, movies on tv, you know how it is.


Anyways, it’s definitely time for some sleep....


Long drive back tomorrow.....mmmm...perfect!


Ciao!

Let's Talk About The Weather...

A.  It snowed today...
B.  The wind was up all day long...
C.  It was freakin' cold....


A + B + C = Shitty Weather....


Needless to say it was a horrible day for the weather here in southwest Colorado.  I still can't wrap my mind around how it can snow in late April like this.  Time for a change of scenery...I'm thinking maybe some sandy beach for the fall/winter season.  I wonder how much it would be to stay in Tonga for the winter season???


This coupled with the fact that I have once again started my exercise and dieting routines.  I've been needing it for a while now.  The down time has not done good things for my knees and after my run yesterday they were aching like crazy.  I'm definitely not going to be taking breaks any time soon.  It's time to buckle down and make it count...not getting any younger...LOL.


Anyways, it's off to the gym for me this evening.  Hope it goes well.  I hope that that where ever you are, that you are embracing fitness and coming to the same realization:  That it really is about your personal health and quality of life.


Ciao!

Gigs, Gigs, and More Gigs...

Playing on Monday was intense.  I can really feel it when I take a couple of days off.  Felt great to get back in and do some rehearsal and the short lived "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was awesome!  Our lead sax player does a very good MJ impersonation....LOL.


Anyways, it's been a fun couple of weeks.  Rehearsals out my ears and gigs, one right after the other.  The Haiti benefit gig was really cool and the theater was jammin'.  Needless to say, the event raised quite a bit of money and the music was great.  I had a great time playing with that group.  The easter gig was great as I always enjoy performing at St. Marks.  That church, though small, is always a wonderful place to perform pieces of a classical nature.  The gig at First Baptist was crazy.  The worship/chapel seated like 700 people and it was loud with the praise band.  It was a crazy, diverse 2 1/2 weeks of playing.  Now we're back to square one with the salsa group, getting ready for the next gig.  Should be a great time working on some new charts.


Spent the day working on some much needed paper work.  Playing just a bit of catch up, however it was all done today.  Should have a fairly routine week then it's off to Pueblo this weekend with the kids at the club.  Can't wait to see how they are on a long trip.


Dinner with family and friends this evening was great.  Spending time with my special little niece.  Damn she's awesome!  Can't imagine life without her these days.  She's babbling away like there's no tomorrow.  I can't wait to see what she has to say.  Just know she's going to end up having a bad word or two slip, being around all us "grown-ups".  (ha ha ha)


Ciao!

Months of Time - Too Much Gone By...

OMG...not the most creative way to start a post...


The weather is finally turning sunny and warm.  It snowed a week ago (April 1st) and I couldn't believe that Mother Nature would pull off the ultimate April Fool's joke!  Needless to say, the weather has definitely served it's purpose in keeping us all on edge waiting for the spring/summer season to arrive.  I'm pretty sure that it also had something to do with me not posting for a couple of months.  I still can't imagine where all the time went between this post and the last.


Anyways, I've managed to keep up my chops over the last couple of months.  And, in lieu of the fact that work is crazy busy, I've somehow managed to make time for rehearsals with a big band, my own quartet, and a new salsa band that was formed among some of my alumni bro's from college.  I thought I wouldn't be playing much, but it's insane these days!  I'm doing more playing and performing now than I have in the last 6 months.  It's been really great and with a show tonight, a show tomorrow and a show the following Sunday, life is sweet!


My new niece just keeps getting bigger and bigger.  It's amazing to have her in the house all the time.  Being able to see her is an amazing blessing and I can't wait until she starts talking.  All she does these days is scream when she doesn't like something or becomes frustrated.  It's awesome!  One of the highest pitched noises I've ever heard.  It woke me up the other day, made me smile and laugh out loud in bed - my new alarm clock...


Life is good.  I hope it is where you are.  Headed to teach a class and then off to do a gig tonight and tomorrow night!

Ciao!