Day 76: My Greatest Test.

When I started my 90 day adventure I hadn't really anticipated all of the things that could have gone wrong because it would have been difficult even if everything had gone right. Many things have not gone as planned and I've adapted and did my best. Currently I am suffering from a sore throat. I can't think of anything that would make my 90 day challenge more difficult then the inability to sing. The first thing usually feel when something goes wrong is frustration which leads to anger which leads to sadness which hopefully leads to surrender. Simply accepting the situation as it is. Sometimes I feel that surrender and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I get stuck in sadness and that's not a happy place with lollipops and cotton candy. It's more like cigarettes and whiskey sour. Or maybe 10 whiskey sours until I pass out.  Last night I went to the open mic at Canters. It was a comedy of errors. My main guitar is currently being fixed because of a crack so I brought my backup. Inside the guitar is a battery which allows for it to be plugged into the PA system which allows for the guitar to amplified. Since I never play this guitar I didn't check to make sure the battery was good and just my luck it wasn't. So then they miked up the guitar. It was feeding back. The gentlemen who runs the open mic then setup my microphone and left the room. So I started and the microphone stand was fallen down and my guitar was barely audible.  A friend of mine was nice enough to try and lift it up during the song. On top of that my voice sounded like Chewbacca. I was hoping it would be healed but it seems like it's going to take a few more days. I left feeling pretty fucking shitty. There is no great lesson in this post. No aha moment. Right now I am questioning whether I should continue. A few nights ago I played guitar in the Promenade. I did it late at night with very few people around. I felt I was running naked on the 405. It was humbling. I am being tested to an incredible degree. My body hurts. My mind hurts. What to do?

Day 70: Brush It Off.

It has been awhile this I am have done an entry so I thought I'd check in for any update. Today is my 70th day of my 90 day adventure. This past Sunday I performed at the Viper Room. It was a part of event that a friend of mine Yong Taing put on. Everybody who played at the event works for a certain company rhymes with Snapple. I'll let you fill in the blanks. I was supposed to work on Sunday but I called in sick because I was wanted to be relaxed for the event rather then feeling stressed out and racing from work. It was a great night. I played 4 songs by myself and 2 with a drummer and bass player. I did well. I got alot of nice compliments.  The speaker system in the Viper Room sounded great which is a change. I am used to playing in dives where nobody gives a shit about you or if it sounds good. Afterwards a few of us went to Fat Sals where they have these crazy sandwich's. My included hot dog,hamburger,chips,potato salad, and some other stuff. It was really good actually. I got home around 1:30pm and hit the hay. I have been getting up early many days so I woke up at 7:30am. In hindsight I probably should have got so more zzzzzzzzzzz's. I practiced a new song, went to the park, did a bunch of errands. At 6pm I headed to the Santa Monica Promenade to perform. I got there about an hour early to secure a spot and I chose to go near the apple store in the middle of the block. Bad idea. When I started it was so noisy I could barely hear myself and a kiosk who was playing Electronica turned there music as well so I decided to pack up and change spots. I found a space, unpacked and started to sing. I did alright for awhile but then my contacts were really bothering me and I started to get tired. Seventy days will kick your ass a little bit if you know what I mean. So I couldn't see and I was practically falling asleep standing up. Not exactly a recipe for success. There is a great lesson. When I figure it out I'll you know! Ha, Just kidding. The lesson is that some days you are going to kick ass and other days things just don't go your way. The real question is what are you going to do the next time. For me rain or shine I am committed to playing. But the real question is can I brush off one shitty performance and remember the great one. The answer is I am working on it.