I have no idea when this happened. I haven’t been out in the back yard for more than a few minutes at a time since we came back from Florida. This could have happened at any time since we left on July 11th. It also could have happened last night during the huge thunderstorm.

One huge limb on the ground at least. It looks like there might be more in the brush where I can’t really see. Two huge trees damaged. One leaning on the other, and the other one looks like it was split somehow. Almost like it was hit by lightning, but I am pretty sure that didn’t happen. It doesn’t look burned at all. Fortunately the one that fell is leaning away from the house. I think it’s okay, unless you happen to be a squirrel, frolicking in the spot where the trees come down. What fun.

This is the first time I’ve lit this in a year. It still works. It didn’t explode. Cool.

Remember when cover bands were able to hire booking agents?

Neither do I.

I remember hearing about such people.  People who would represent your cover band when dealing with bars and clubs and who, for a percentage, would book your gigs for you.  I don’t know the process.  I don’t know how that game is played.  I’ve decided to take a crack at it though.  With Google’s help I’ve sent a couple of messages to a couple of bars.  One I’ve played before, though under different management, and one I only just found out existed.

I don’t know what the magic words are that will get us listened to, or get my messages responded to (at least).  I’m trying though.  I’ll let you know if it works… or not.  I’m not optimistic at all.  I have always been very happy to just shut up and play my guitar.  I’m way out of my comfort zone with this.

We had some major lightning this afternoon.  I tried catching it on video.  I failed.  Still, I used it as an opportunity for goofiness with iMovie.  Add some low-fi-ish Tommy Bolin and you have this little crap burger.

 

So now I know how to edit video clips and add audio.  I should figure out how to fade out the audio though.

Over the last few years I have become chemically dependent on Waze.  You know, the GPS app that uses data supplied (willingly) by users and helps you avoid traffic?  That’s the one.

I turn it on almost every time I get in the car.  Now that both of our cars have Apple CarPlay I even find myself bringing it up when I don’t need it, just so I can have a map on the display.

It annoys the shit out of me though.  It just never shuts up.  Sure it’s nice to know when to turn and all that fun GPS stuff, but it also reports cars pulled onto the shoulder (when you’re in bumper to bumper traffic ALL of the vehicles are stopped, not just the one that some clown reported), and police activity, and pot holes, and road kill, and wild animal sightings, and enough already.  I’m trying to listen to a damn audio book and my GPS keeps interrupting me.  It can drive me nuts.

Even worse, there have been dozens of times when I’ve ignored a change to my route and ended up getting to my destination faster than the route it wanted me to take.  Often when it takes me off of a highway to avoid a traffic jam, it drops me into city traffic that is even worse than the highway traffic.  When it takes me out of a jam and plops me into a construction site, it’s like winning the anti-lottery.

So yeah, it’s annoying.  Sometimes though, it gets things right.  If I had not had it running this morning I might never have made it to work at all, never mind on time.

Traffic jammed on Route 3 South in Billerica after tractor-trailer rollover

Thank you, Waze.  You routed me around the morning commute nightmare that was Route 3 South today.  You told me to stay on Route 93 South even though it was clogged up way worse than usual.  You did the right thing and you helped me out.  Thanks again, you annoying little bastard.

I got seven hours of sleep last night.  I only took the CPAP mask off once.  MyAir should have given me a perfect 100 score for the night.  Nope.  It said I was leaky again.  I lost points.  Sadness ensued.

My step kids are in Pennsylvania right now.  Earlier I got a text from my step son telling me that they went to a used record store and he scored a UK version of Help! by The Beatles on vinyl.  Wicked cool.  Wicked pissah cool.  He also asked my recommendation on which movie to watch: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom or Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  The answer is obvious.

I have three new pieces of guitar gear that I haven’t even plugged in.  I need to start playing at home again.  Even if I don’t play the 50/90 thing, I just need to practice.  I need to play with the new toys.  Our next gig is in November and if I don’t start practicing I won’t remember how to play and I’ll look like a dumb ass at my high school reunion.  Crud.

I really want to see Steve Hackett when he comes to Boston next month, but I really don’t want to miss a night with my family.  I really want to see King Crimson when they come to Boston next month, but I really don’t want to miss a night with my family.  If I see these guys my list of musicians I need to see before they retire/die will be down to one (Jeff Beck).  Urgh, sometimes I hate being a responsible grown up.  What a poopy head.

Is it too soon to book our Disney vacation to celebrate Harry’s graduation?  Well he graduates in 2021 so… No!  It’s not too early!  We just have to decide which resort we want to book.  Signs are pointing to the Adventure Lodge, but it’s still too soon to call it.

I wish I could sleep through the night.  Wouldn’t that be cool?  It’s something I have in common with newborns the world over.  We all wish we could sleep through the night.  Well, me and all of the newborns’ parents, right?

Clicking Publish…

 

Ever since creating my Flickr Pro account back in 2009 I have been a little obsessed with the stats. Why? Because I am a nerd.

Over the weekend we had a major statistical moment. This photo here….

…was the most viewed photo on my account. Out of over 41,000 images, this one was in the lead with 11,560 views. Amazing.

At least it was amazing. I don’t know when it happened, but within the last couple of days it was overtaken in the view count race. The new leader is currently at 11,590 views. The new leader is this guy….

The question of course is… why? What’s the big deal about these two crap burgers? I have no idea.

Note to self, if you plan on playing Frisbee golf on the side of a mountain, don’t wear worn out sneakers or sandals.  Also, make sure everyone’s face is looking at you before you chuck a Frisbee has hard as you can.

Also, bring a camera because mountains are amazing.  Even the little ones in New Hampshire’s White Mountains are amazing.