Insurance approval... Rebuilder... Tile guy... Cleaners... last minute crown molding... rebuilder coming back!! Everything converged on the very last day. I was able to sneak over to Home Depot literally 30 minutes before the exchange to make copies of the house keys. And then... that's it. I walked out the front door one last time... didn't even look back... and drove off.
Our house... is now someone else's home.
There's no secret about playing an instrument... Practice Practice Practice. Practice isn't fun. It's repetitive. It's hard. It's slow - especially when learning something new or trying to master a new technique. Didn't have any time to practice the worship songs the past few days and it really showed during worship practice. The other musicians are seasoned and masters of their own form. I'm learning an instrument.. learning to play as a team. It was soooo soooo bad.
Spent the rest of Saturday in the garage knocking out song after song. Figuring out beats and tempo. Watching Youtube videos of savants gracefully swim their way through the songs.
The practice really paid off... especially for the one song where I spent literally 3-4 hours studying. The other 2 songs... I got by. But the one song that I spent no more than 30 minutes on... really stuck out like a sore thumb. Not only did it have syncopation (whatever that means). It was a slow developing song where you can't hide and any little mistake disrupts the entire symphony. It got to a point where Chris had to turn around and count the beats with me.
Some people will dig their heads and ostrich after such embarrassment. For me... it's just another learning experience. Luckily, these are all captured on Youtube. Hopefully, I can rewatch this is 6-8 months and say, "Wow... that was me?!? I've come a long way!"
(to be continued...)
The past two weeks... I've had to park my car 2 city blocks away. In the morning, I have to walk an additional 5-10 minutes to get to the car. At night.. if it's past a certain time, I actually have to circle a bit to find a good parking spot. Brings back memories of 1090 when I'll circle for hours to find a spot on the hilly streets of Russian Hill. Memories bring back.. memories bring back... yo!
Was about to head to work when Joyce texts me that SW left something at home. So instead of my usual routine, I rushed out. But because the Miata is in the garage, I parked my commuter car on the street. I grabbed my bag... SW's stuff. Instead of going out the front door and locking it from the outside, I did the stupid thing of running out the garage door, hurdling over the sensor like I'm jumping over landmines. I walk the two blocks to my car only to realize... CRAP... I left the keys at home.
This isn't suppose to happen anymore! They key fob ensures you have the key in your hand so you don't lock the keys in your car. The garage door opener ensures you're in the car with the remote control so you drive away and you're guaranteed a way back in. Nowadays... doors and garages use numeric cypher locks where you don't even need a key!! Well.. .that's exactly what I could've used today.
SW confides in me today... that after school was let out... he and his buddy walked two city blocks to the local 7-eleven.
The old me would've ripped him apart. How dangerous and irresponsible is that?! What if he got hurt... got in trouble... or worse... But I didn't. Instead, I heard him out.
He said his friend wanted to go but wanted someone to go along. So I complimented him on being a good friend.
Then I asked if he told mommy yet. He said no.... He knew he was in trouble. And he knew he better come clean before we found out. I complimented him on being honest and being brave enough to tell me. Had I yelled at him or punished him... I can kiss all that goodbye.
I am a parent, still. And I had to mention the dangers of what he did and the possible consequences. All that... while in the back of my mind... I think back when I was his age. I'd be roaming the crazy streets of San Franciso and no one would bat an eye.
The first time he's openly admitted to breaking such a big rule. Has he done it before? Hu knows. Will he do it again. As sure as the sun will rise from the east and as it's slipping through my fingers. Ironically... a song made famous by... ABBA.
Was asked by the newly elected MA's to lead a couple of events at church. I thought about it. I hate to say no. I almost said yes. And in the end... I politely declined. Can't do it. Shouldn't do it. Won't do it. I will support... but you want me to lead? I don't have that energy or drive anymore. Too distracted now. Thanks, but no thanks.
An elevator speech is something you prepare for those moments in time when you run across someone... and you have the time it takes for an elevator ride to make a last impression.
I had... and blew... one of those opportunities today when talking to SW's volleyball coach. She tried to engage... and all I could do was hurry the conversation. Now I'm kicking myself. I wish I can travel back in time to talk about SW's growth... his strengths... his desires. And plant the seed on how he can be her future setter or libero. Ugh... so dumb of me. Dumb dumb dummy.
19 years after coming to SJCAC... I move into another ministry that's long alluded me. Sure.. I had that one Christmas worship session when everyone was out of town.
Too man coincidences to say this is a self fulfilling ambition. Summer drumming class. Jce having to quit drumming for personal reasons. End of my stint as MA and time opening up. A worship leading couple who believes in me even when I don't believe in myself. The free electronic drum set gifted to me out of the blue. And my wife... who isn't the most open person... openly supporting me and coaching me.
Have a loooooong way to go to be considered a bonafide drummer.
