Author: robertjames1971

I'm wicked tall.

Waiting List – Getting Closer

The guitar gear geek in me is starting to get a little stoked.

On March 9th, eight days ago, I checked the Analog Man King of Tone waiting list. It said as of March 1st they were taking orders from people who added themselves to the list on February 19, 2018.

I added myself to the list on March 4, 2018.

The site now says as of March 15th they are taking orders from people who added themselves to the list on February 25, 2018. In 15 calendar days, the list has moved six waiting list days. I should probably be bummed out by that discrepancy, but it means they are taking orders from people who added themselves just one week before I did.

If they keep progressing consistently (and there is no reason to expect that they will, I understand) I might be hearing from them in a few weeks.

Yeah, I am getting a little gear-nerd excited here.

Rest in Peace Jim Gordon

This is one of the sadder rock and roll stories out there.

Jim Gordon has died. He was a session drummer. He played in Delany and Bonnie and Friends on the tour they did opening for Blind Faith in 1969 which lead to Eric Clapton upending his entire career. Clapton started spending his free time with members of Delany and Bonnie. Then he started sitting in with them for their sets. Then he left Blind Faith and went on tour with them. Then Delany Bramlett produced the sessions for Clapton’s first solo record, which was backed by the Friends. Then Clapton stole Gordon, Carl Radle, and Bobby Whitlock from the Friends and they all backed George Harrison for some of the All Things Must Pass sessions. Then they started playing shows to support Clapton’s solo record under the name Derek and the Dominoes. Then they moved from the UK to Miami, FL, hooked up with Duane Allman, and recorded Clapton’s best work, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Then the drugs went out of control, Duane Allman died, Clapton retreated to his home in the UK to be a full time heroin addict for a few years, The Dominoes crumbled, and then I sort of lose track of Gordon’s career. I think he played in Traffic for a bit (hehe, I just re-read that… he played in Traffic… hehe) but I believe he mostly went back to playing sessions.

Then he murdered his mother and spent the rest of his life in a mental institution. Now he has passed away.

The guy could play. He was fantastic. Listen to his drum solo on Let it Rain from the Derek and the Dominoes In Concert record. It’s magic. His mental health problems were terrible and from a purely musical point of view, they resulted in a tremendous waste of talent.

Rest in Peace, Jim Gordon. Your suffering is at an end.

Mickey Mouse Watch

robertjames1971's avatarRob Shoots Film

There was a time in the long distant past where I really wanted a Mickey Mouse watch. My sister had one, I think. I wanted one too. I have an Apple Watch now, and the first watch face I used on it was the Mickey Mouse face. It’s still one of the few that I use.

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Happy St Patrick’s Day

Happy everyone in and around Boston, Massachusetts pretends they are Irish day! Even those of us who actually are of Irish descent. It dawned on me yesterday that with all the weight loss over the last year, and all of the needing to buy new clothes, I don’t actually own any green clothing. After I had that realization it also occurred to me that I didn’t own any green clothing last year either.

We are not doing anything special to celebrate my national heritage this year. I floated the idea last week, but after having Harry home for spring break it seemed underwhelming and I didn’t pursue it. I’d like to drive to New York instead, but I haven’t floated that idea at all so it ain’t happening. Unless Jen reads this and jumps at the idea. Heh heh heh.

No stomach issues today. Yesterday I was dealing with stomach aches off and on all day. The day before I had a minor stomach issue at lunch and then a huge issue at dinner. Today, nothing yet. I had a protein bar and a little bit of chicken for breakfast. No problems. I am hopeful that I can keep this trend running for the day.

I’ve been trying to get into Mastodon (@RobJ_1971). I wrote there this morning that if I had my way my agenda for today would include playing guitar and watching The X-Files and nothing else. Obviously that ain’t happening either (thanks, adulthood). Tomorrow though… Sunday though… who knows. I might finally stop thinking about it and start trying to sell my Stratocaster and using the proceeds to make repairs on my ES-335 (frets and wiring harness) and Les Paul Custom (frets, wiring harness, and pickups). Maybe. Frankly, the idea terrifies me. Mostly because I don’t know what a 2000 American Series Stratocaster’s fair price should be. The used guitar market is constantly in flux and I don’t want to let it go too cheap. I also don’t want to try to gouge people either. I’m thinking $1,200, but is that fair? I don’t really know.

Okay. Get to work, Robert. Happy St Patrick’s Day, everyone. Happy Friday. Don’t drink and drive tonight. Be careful out there. Wash your hands and be safe.

People Clothes

The clothes I wear while doing my morning exercise stuff are sitting in a pile on the bureau.

Lily just jumped up and burrowed into the pile. She came out a minute later wrapped up, and effectively wearing, my underwear.

Yeah. Cats in people clothes are now a thing.

Should I Go See Peter Gabriel?

I’ve never seen Peter Gabriel live before. Steve Hackett is the only member of Genesis I’ve seen.

Peter Gabriel is coming to Boston the day before I leave for a week long vacation in September.

I really want to go to the show. I don’t have the money but I really want to find it and go to the show but I am going away the next day.

If we can talk Steve Hackett into sitting in then I’ll 100% go, otherwise I have to think on it for a while.

Slight change of subject, have Steve Hackett and Tony Levin every played together before? That would be friggin’ amazing, with or without Peter Gabriel on the stage with them.