Practice Makes Things Better

      It’s kind of funny how doing this regularly tends to leave me with nothing to say. After several weeks, there’s all kinds of things to say, but after only a few, there isn’t that much. I am excited about the show tomorrow. I’ve been practicing a lot. That was one of the things I kind of “learned” when I was getting ready to record for my buddy’s band, PRACTICE. I practiced an hour a day for 2 weeks. When it was time to record, I was ready. It was kind of funny though, because when I went to practice with my punk band after 2 weeks off, I made a bunch of unnecessary errors. I thought it may have been because my mind was occupied with other thoughts for 2 weeks. I had to “remember” what I was doing. We’d taken brakes longer than 2 weeks before, and there wasn’t the same issue. So, I figure it had to have been my focus. I came to the realization that perhaps practicing once a week isn’t quite enough. Especially with a show coming up! I want to be awesome. I want people to see me and think “WOW.” I want it to be second nature. I’m just about there. I’ve been practicing everyday for the past week, and it seems to be making a huge difference. I can’t wait for tomorrow! I feel weird because I look so forward to being awesome. I’m starting to really enjoy that people seem to enjoy what I’m bringing, and look forward to seeing me play. I want to be good. Having just re-read that, I realize it can sound a little “me-me.” After all, I am in a band. I like that people want to see us. But other than the band, I want to shine. I put effort in, and I like to see the reaction. I’m not sure what to think about this new desire.

     If I practiced everything I want to be good at as much as I should, I’d barely have time for anything else. Which I guess is kind of the point. While our daughter was growing up, I often used a term Practice Family, to re-install that thought that we are a family that practices things. I look at everything as though I’m practicing it. Practicing or studying. To an outside observer it may look like not much is being done, but I am constantly trying to improve, and I wanted her to get the idea. I think it’s worked for the most part. I see her doing creative projects that she has no expectation of monetary compensation for, and she puts just as much effort in as if it were for compensation. She wants to be good. And I feel that we’ve given her a few tools to understand what it takes to make that happen. She just started a new job at a place called the Corvette Diner. I’m not sure if it’s only a local place, so in case you don’t know: It is kind of a big deal. People wait for hours to get in. It is basically just a diner, but it’s 50’s style. You can sit in old cars and have an old-fashioned soda. The staff is dressed up, and sing and dance, and create an elevated environment. This is her second week. We thought they were screwing her on her schedule. We crossed our fingers that it was only while she was “training.” It turns out that they got a new Operating System, and she’s the only one who knows the program! She was just moved to full time so she can train the rest of the staff on how to use the new program! That’s what I’m talking about. I couldn’t be more proud. And she’s just going along, being herself, kicking ass. Love it!

     Sticking with the theme, my wife just got some good news. I’m sure I told you there had been some issues with the new job. It kind of made me sad, because at her old job she was very happy. She liked the job and the people. She almost didn’t take the new job because of how happy she was at her last job. The new job seemed like a flop initially. Things were misrepresented to the point that we’re not sure that the person who brought her in can be trusted anymore. I don’t think there’ll be anymore hanging out. Kind of a bummer, but, it's not like we saw him all that much anyway. It’s always a bummer when someone you trust, and respect, does something that keeps that from continuing to be the case. She only took the job because she trusted him, and he said he’d give her a ride. Well, he just told her that he’s going out of town for an undetermined amount of time, most likely months! He wasn’t even going to tell their CEO. Shady! There’s a lady at work she could ride with, but she barely knows her. 2 hours in a car everyday with a virtual stranger would be uncomfortable in any situation. You wouldn’t stay strangers long. She has ridden with her a couple of times already, it’s okay. She’s a little more right of center than we are, but, it’s okay. However, my wife feels the lady works overtime on purpose, so she works long hours, and rightly so, my wife doesn’t want to. Riding with this woman for months would not be ideal. Then, because of my wife’s attention to detail, the CEO offered to take her to lunch. And they went, today. She told him everything! We wanted to start off on the right foot with honesty, and she just let him know her situation, to see what his thoughts were. He was sympathetic, and wants her to stay so badly that he has authorized her to work from home 2 or 3 days a week! Exactly what we wanted.