Two gigs and a blessing

Saturday: Woke around 10. Contemplated getting a little more sleep, but no. MB was coming in from doing some dance work at 3rd Life. Gus treatments. Down basement for morning practices. Drums. Email. Upstairs and shower (MB having just cleaned the tub). MB and I had a nice breakfast together (eggs etc). Pulled gear together got directions and MB and I headed off to gig number 1.

The skies opened up, and a downpour began. We picked up Shawn, and headed for Roslindale, to the party of Bill and Ruby. We wound up being the first band on, and since no one else was chomping at the bit, we played quite a few more songs than we had originally anticipated. MB danced. Somewhat shaky on my end, but not terrible. Interesting tranny couple. Made a couple of nice connections. Heard a story about a double decker outhouse. We left around 3:30.

Again the skies gave forth. Driving on the Jamaica was quite an adventure, with foot-deep puddles and more water coming down than my wipers could keep up with. Made it homes safely. MB and Shawn made root-beer floats while I checked on the basement and got some more gear together. The basement was dry, but I moved some stuff on the floor just in case. Back upstairs and enjoyed a float with the crew. Packed Gus into a carrier and then we headed for Medford. There and been an accident that blocked traffic on Mystic Ave, so we detoured up 93 one exit. KKC: Animal Blessing with Lama Zopa. Many dozens of people circumanbulating a miniature stupa in the back-yard with hundreds of cups of saffron water and cookies, sacred texts statues, and almost every person with a companion animal of some sort. Cats and dogs, a parrot, frogs, lizards. Someone had a big batch of crickets. All the animals seemed very peaceful. There was no growling or fighting, or even any barking or whining. We joined in with Gus, passing Lama Zopa on each revolution. He was chanting Om Mani Padme Hum, in a beautiful resonant voice, occasionally broken by hysterical laughter. The parrot seemed to especially delight him. Wnd showed up as well. Saw many of my KKC friends. After perhaps 15 minutes I realized we needed to leave. So back to the car and back home.

Dropped Gus off, and picked up the electric rig. Got on the road to Martin's Luau. Stopped for gas. Enjoyable conversation about the nature of love and reality. Got off 95 one exit too early, but figured things out thanks to Google-maps on my cell. Arrived around 7:30. Things were running late so, no problem. Connected with the drummer, whose kit we'd be borrowing. Shawn MB and I tried a venture out onto the water in a paddle boat (an electronic artist named Banter/3.1 on stage), but the boat kept going in circles. The rudder was broken. We got a tow back into shore by a young girl. And soon, it was time to set up. Some little technical problems gave the set a slightly rough feeling beginning. Some looping, and then we were off. A fairly strong set, getting better towards the end as I relaxed. This material is so challenging that nerves really undermine my ability to play it reliably. If the artistry is in the recovery, then I was quite an artist tonight, as there were many bobbles, but no wrecks. Some sort of grace descended in Chrysanthemum, and I played it better than I ever had before in a performance context. There were a few things that helped me tonight: MB dancing. Feeling connected to Shawn. Remembering "Release all concern for playing the right note, then, play the right note." Being in the music, instead of thinking about the technicalities. Some young dudes, making the devil sign and moshing around to Thrak... Feeling that confidence builds on itself. Shawn played great, and thunderously. I couldn't pay much attention to MB's dancing, but I'm sure it was lovely...

After our set, we packed off. The next band was a fun sort of jazzy "James Bond Theme Music" band, of bass drums guitar and sax. I cooked some veggie burgers on the still hot grill, then ate, commenting that the scene was quite pleasant. A large red moon hung in the sky.

The drive back to Boston was mellow. Talking about the direction of the band. MB nodding off. Dropped Shawn in Central Sq at a pizza joint. Back home, unloading, saying goodnight to MB, and now to complete the day.