Still No Practice

      Happy Poet’s Day! It’s also Burger Day, Fentanyl Prevention Day, Spumoni Day, and Brazilian Blowout Day. Well, that’s a lot, and I’ve got a lot to get to, so let’s jump right in. Burger Day!? I just had an amazing burger on Monday, so I’ll count it. Homemade Patty Melts, with pepperoncini and grilled onions on Rye. It was one of the most delicious things I ever made. But do people really need reminded about burgers? Is there someone who would hear this and say: “Wow, it has been a while since I had a burger.”? I think you either eat them, or you don’t. I don’t think anyone is like: What’s that? Much like I am about the Brazilian Blowout. I think it’s a hair thing, but I don’t know. And, I care too much about my search history to look it up. If you feel like cluing me in, that’s fine. I am curious, just not curious enough. That could probably use an awareness day. Fentanyl prevention is obvious of huge concern. I often find myself wondering whether or not people know that they’re taking it. It’s one thing to know it’s bad, it’s another thing to know if you’re taking it. I know there are test kits, and I suppose if you’re going to use certain types of drugs, awareness is pivotal. People living with these types of people, should probably also be aware, so they can help if necessary. It’s a sad situation when people die trying to get “high.” Spumoni!? That’s a word I don’t hear very often. It may need a day. I remember enjoying it, but I’ve only ever had it probably twice in my life. This doesn’t make me want any, but I can see how, a curious person, may wish to know what it is, on a day such as this. Especially if you like sweet frozen desserts. I’ve had a gallon of ice cream in my freezer for 2 months! I’m not sure Spumoni counts as “ice cream,” but that’s how much I care about sweet frozen treats.

     I wouldn’t normally do this to you, but, since it’s Poet’s Day: I care too much to be silent, I dare not make a sound, when what you say, can make you pay, you must know who you’re around. It’s not so much the volume, nor the images it makes you see, but the closely held context, that’s meant to keep our speech free. If truth is made subjective, as if it has multiple sides, how can we discern what’s what, with the ebbing and flowing of tides? There, I kept it brief. As mentioned, I have a lot to get through. And, since we’re already this far into paragraph 2, I might as well start with today. No practice. Again! Wagz, the guitar player for the Eruption, broke his Xiphoid Process! I’ll let you look it up if you want, to save me a few words. The really weird thing is, that 5 years ago, when JoZ was having practice, we actually wrote a song about the Xiphoid Process. We do everything on the fly, so we didn’t really “write” it, as much as perform it. Back then, he said his was swollen, and mine was too. Mine still is. His too probably. But we joked about it, and then made a song about it, and 5 years later, he broke his! I played them the song while we were camping. New style camping, with Bluetooth speakers and cell phones. It was the rage! Does that count as coincidence? More on camping later. However, I received an invitation from Tom Griesgraber to see a new documentary, up in Encinitas. He plays the Chapman Stick. Look it up, it’s awesome! We saw him at the Fair a few years ago, and have pseudo-followed him since. He’s done the soundtrack for a new documentary called Prairie Prophecy, it’s premiering tonight, and we get to go! He’s playing a solo set before the film. We are excited! If I can’t play, I’m glad to experience something musical, and cultural.

     Now, camping: I don’t know where to start. I thought this could make a mini-series, but I’ve got one paragraph. It almost seemed hexed, but we had a great time. We were the first to arrive at the campsite. That was a first. Some people rent trailers, and have them dropped off ahead of time. When we got there, 1 trailer was already there. That was problem 1. There should have been 2 trailers. 1 guy had a map showing how we wanted them staged, and the other guy wouldn’t hear it, and left, with the trailer, so our drummer, and his family, had no place to stay. 1 of the usual families was taking their child to college, and couldn’t make it. Wagz, and his family, wouldn’t be there until Saturday morning, because of High School Football. And, another one of the family’s RV broke down halfway there, and couldn’t make it. So, night one there were only 4 families, and by “families,” I mean couples. All of our children have “aged out.” We are only close with one of those other couples. However, that kind of changed, because we got to spend some time together. It was a totally different vibe than usual. Some may say boring, but others of us, I think, felt more calm and connected. It was nice! Spending time with people we usually don’t. Friday, a few more people showed up. It still felt smaller, but was getting more familiar. By Saturday, we were almost up to full status. It felt more like years past, chaotic, but reassuring. No music got played, except through the Bluetooth. I found that odd, but we were working on cylinders, and not everyone was well. Then, to top it off, our drummer E, brought his daughter’s friend’s. They were sweet, theater kids, if that means anything to you. At night, near the fire, the only dog that was “allowed” to come, bit one of the little girls. The littlest of the girls. No blood, just a snap, but still! People were freaking out. Rightly so! I can’t imagine having to face the child’s parents. I want to call and see what happened, but don’t want to stir the pot.