Orders of Love Uses for CDs that Don't Sell (QT movie) Johnny Suede altered tuning Kayden MP3 Hidden Hand Tattoo Gallery Paris
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August |
 Anjali one year young |
 Kayden on the beach in Oak Harbor |
August 25th Just
the mama. Not the papa.
Someone also seems to be on the outside of the circle. Such is life. The
trick is to be content at each present moment, at each juncture. The saying
at Chris's and Debbie's beach house keeps playing in my head. Relax, it
doesn't get much better than this. We can find that magic in every moment
we are truly awake to the wonder that life is. I am grateful for being and
for every single breath.
John Matthews, Larry Mason & Papa Murat
August 24th You are a special person and the world is a better place because you are in it.
Is is an overcast Sunday morning. Andie and Kayden are playing racket baseball. You pitch a plastic ball a little smaller than a soft ball and he bats it with a full size tennis racket. He bats under hand with the racket on the floor in front of him and over head with the racket as far back over his head as it can go. He is great throwing the ball back if he gets a strike. He is equally accurate with left or right hand. He can really smack that ball when he connects. The game involves a lot of cheering on both sides of the racket and once again proves we would not be good neighbors in an apartment. Several games we play in our playground living room involve joyful screaming and stomping of feet. It is one good source of gratitude for me as I always say thank God we don't live in an apartment.
We were one for three yesterday regarding the events we had planned. We made it out to the Roger and Rebel wedding very early. I was set up and patched into the band's PA a couple of hours before time to play. The DJ was a total pickle head. While I was playing he announced that there would be live music later. It brought up that fear I get from time to time after having watched The Sixth Sense. "Am I dead and just don't know it." Guys like that make me wonder. In my typical business style I left without being paid. Oops. I really didn't have a clue who to ask. We had fun. I was referred to as "that musician" regarding sitting at the table we were assigned. "That Musician sat in Svinctie's chair." It takes all kinds of people. We had fun seeing the friends we know and it was nice to meet Roger. The wedding was short and sweet. Andie had the idea I should play here comes the sun as they walked down the isle. They were thrilled. I sang Be as One as they finished. I love the blessing that song is to a newly wedded couple. It was a lovely ceremony and gathering of which we were happy to be a part.
After we left the wedding we tried to find Michael Gardner's surprise birthday party and we drove around for what seemed like an hour on the back roads east of Monroe. We never found it and by the time we gave up we realized it was then too late to catch Casey Garland's concert in Redmond. So home we went before 10 PM. Andie's mom, God bless her, gives us the only couple time we ever get. So far it usually involves going to an event but a date night for the two of us would sure be nice some time.
Chani and I plan to meet this week to discuss the book ideas we have. Maybe today I will type out the stories I found in my filing cabinet. She wrote them when she was very young and they have an edge to them that would make them appealing to children and adults.
I am really excited about working together on these books. Prosperity is calling.
I don't have a vision board covered with the pictures of my dreams but on my piano I have four post cards Sarah sent from Paris and I looked at them nearly every day and in April I was walking the streets of Paris to find the place where Sarah was working. I also have a picture of a house with hard wood floors, modern furniture, a grand piano and a view of the water. It is a picture of a living room. It is similar in many ways to Chris's and Debbie's beach house where we stayed last weekend. I an grateful to Chris and Debbie and Larry and Cindy for that wonderful experience. I told Andie that this looks like our beach house in the picture. She had a sense of deja vu as well. See your dreams clearly and coming true and they will.
What I learned: Expectation leads to disappointment.
What I know: Expectation leads to what's expected, so expect good things.
August 23rd Thoughts
create your reality, make them good.
Another busy day in the neighborhood. New adventures in Andie's health so
any prayers in that direction would be greatly appreciated. We don't like
the possibilities we see when we look at all these symptoms. Anyone know
a doctor that is more than a corporate collector of fees and a drug dealer
for the pharmaceutical companies. I saw an add for asthma medicine last
night that said in teeny tiny letters "May lead to asthma related deaths."
Cool. Let's get some right now! Our neighbor's sister just had surgery on
a brain tumor. We are thinking of and praying for them today as the prognosis
was challenging. I am wishing for and seeing better times for all of us.
We are still feeling the afterglow of being on the Island with
our friends. Mix that with what the hell is going on with all these mysterious
ailments and you have what I believe is called life. Today is Rebel's wedding
day at Wallace Falls, one of my favorite places on earth. Many happy hiking
trips occurred there when the kids were young. Wallace Falls was Kayden's
first hike just a few weeks ago. Casey Garland is playing at the Soul Food
Cafe in Redmond and there is a birthday party we are supposed to make an
appearance. Sarah Maria suggested I break out my Franklin Planner and buy
some new pages as it seems the calendar is getting more and more busy. It
is funny too that things are changing as I continue to work on spiritual
growth and keep prosperity in mind. Prosperity as defined by gratitude for
what you have now, by choosing to be happy now. It is a minute by minute
endeavor that becomes more and more of an adventure.
I am happy but tired this week as all week long Kayden has been
Peter Pan, Andie Captain Hook and in spite of my strong protests I continue
to be Wendy. What can one do? This weekend Kayden became fascinated by nail
polish and asked Andie to paint his finger nails. At the Mason's party he
asked April to paint his toe nails. He is in touch with his feminine side
Andie told a few of the female couples who were watching. They found that
to be most impressive. It did not affect his ability to tackle me and play
Hop on Pop. A game where he leaps into the air and lands feet first on my
stomach and leaps off onto the ground. To get the most enjoyment from the
game it involves several repetitions and may eventually lead to the need
for a few internal transplants on my behalf. But the level of pain to pleasure
ratio is negligible from his perspective. And so it goes.
August 18th Time you
enjoy wasting is not wasted time. T.S. Elliot
What a great holiday and wonderful time with amazing people we have had.
The gray cast of the sky has returned. The heavens threatened rain all day
Sunday but it never came. I guess it poured at Larry's and Cindy's and it
cleared the air of pollen. It was a great thing for Kayden and the rest
of us. It is so good to have such great friends. There seems to be more
and more to do every day. I am looking forward to being a part of Rebel's
wedding. I hope to also catch Casey and Elanine in concert at the Soul Food
Cafe in Redmond on the same day. We will see how it all turns out. Right
now I am enjoying the company of Andie and Kayden while Michael Buble sings
in the background. It is a lazy gray day.
I laughed yesterday as Larry was talking about how it wasn't that much work,
in fact it was easy, putting on the event. He said that just as John Matthews
passed by carrying one of the the or for collapsible tents he brought. And
Larry and Cindy were going nonstop from the time we arrived. One thing is
for sure. They know how to put on a gathering. Working for a Living in the
USA was a good closing song for the gathering. I met one of the owners of
the lovely place we stayed. You can just tell sometimes looking in someone's
eyes what a kind soul he or she is. Again I was filled with a sense of warmth
and gratitude.
It has been so good for Andie and I and for Kayden too. He got to spend
time with Mike's wife, April and with Cindy too. He thoroughly enjoyed himself.
He loves beautiful ladies.
August 17th
The benefit was a great success. The music was fantastic. I will have to
get more detail specifics but David did sound and he did and outstanding
job. Larry opened up the show and it had John and I come up for Don't Let
the Sun Catch You Cryin'. It was a great start of the day for me to play
with Larry. Janie and Joe did an amazing set too. I was blown away by the
sweet and precise sounds of Joe's guitar work and Janie can belt out a tune
and has a very strong style. Very nice. We got up and knocked out everything
on our set except Give Us Free which Larry and I had talked about doing.
I think he and Carl would do a great job on that tune.
Our set list
Let me just say thank you God for the weather. Let me say thank you to those
who came and those who participated in the party and the work. What a joy.
Good people doing good things. Like Graham Nash said, "We can change
the world." Andie and Kayden came up on the stage with me for I love
you naturally and they were dancing and having a great time during our whole
show. Kayden kept yelling out "Great Job." Each time Joe and Janie
finished a song. April and Cindy both spent time with him and he love it.
So much to be thankful for. Larry was able to spring for some gas money
for my band and I was very grateful as they have donated their talents and
their expense so many times. And I sit at the counter of this beautiful
place they provided for us and give this update. We are blessed. We are
blessed. We are blessed. I would just like to say thank you for my life.
By the way, my laptop screen is hanging by a thread and it is hard to get
it to work at all but I am playing for Rebels wedding next Sunday and the
price is a zillion dollars (negotiable). I tried to leave a message but
didn't get through. If I say I am going to be there I am going to be there.
We love you.
Today August 17th we
will play a benefit show on Whidbey Island. The event will benefit the Toddler's
Learning Center . Contact Cindy Mason for details and tickets. Cindy is
selling 100 tickets only (One pig feeds this amount) for a suggested price
of $75.00 each. Contact Cindy at 360-679-7958. TLC
Brochure Hope to see you there. It will be the acoustically electric
set in a new and refined light. There will be a few tickets available at
the event.
Larry went out yesterday and bought plywood and covered the flat bed struck
stage with it, put down rugs and built steps. John Matthews showed up with
tents and we covered the stage with a 10 by 20 tent. Larry is about to burst
with enthusiasm and it is contagious. It reminds me of when he produced
Room with a View. He came into the studio every day fired up and ready to
rally. What a guys. So now we are putting the gear on the stage. I got a
call and the Ramey's are coming. It will be great to see them. Larry freaked
me out a bit last night when he said not to play anything mellow. We have
a thoroughly planned show and it includes a fair amount of excellent songs
that happen to be the "M" word. Oops. We are going for it.
A good time is guaranteed for all.
August 17th It
is on today!
Today is the day! We celebrate our anniversary at the place we were married
and being part of a benefit all at the same time. I am so thankful for my
wife and my family. I wish we could all be together today here at the Love
Shack. Love grows as do our spirits and I am excited for today and all days
to come. Andie is an amazing person and she continues to grow in knowledge,
beauty, spirit and giving. Good times are coming. Good times are here.
August 16th
One day left before the show that will be talked about for years. Larry
Mason in concert solo! Carl
Funk, Larry's music partner, has a prior engagement but really wanted
to make an appearance. Of course Janie
and Joe will play as well and finally the Papa Murat band. Mike Daily
drums and vocals, Jimmy Culler bass and vocals, John Matthews Latin Percussion,
Greg Murat Acoustic guitar and vocals. It is going to be great weather,
food, company, location and magic is in the air. We come full circle to
where Andie and I were married to celebrate that union and the work that
the Toddler's Learning Center is doing. It is wonderful to be a part of
great music doing charitable works. Thanks Larry and Cindy for making this
a wonderful anniversary already. Kayden, Andie and I spent the morning walking
on the tide flats and catching little crabs, chasing fish, building sand
castles and getting mucky in the mud. We had a fine time and were a perfect
mess. Now Kayden is having a little nap and I can have a moment to write
before I go back to practicing for tomorrow. I am glad to be sharing this
time and space with Andie, my love.
It is a good day to live.
August 10, 2008
Great rehearsal today at 10 am with the boys. Jimmy, Johnny and Mikey.
We got to chat with Larry a bit about the sound system for the TLC show.
We played our whole show today. As always there is a reserve of songs. Everyone
was singing sweetly today. I love that harmony. It is fun to have a chance
to tap into and express ideas for arrangements that utilize the rhythm and
percussion of the songs. Mike is playing a Sanga beat on a Latin set that
just smokes and Let It Pour is an old song made new as a result. It is funky.
I am so looking forward this show on Andie and my anniversary.
August 9, 2008
I had a really great day today in spite of the fact that I had
the unfortunate experience of opening and reading an e-mail that was hateful
and hurtful. That will kick start your day I am here to tell you. Enough
of that though. I had fretted all week because I had five different tugs
for time on this fine and rainy day: a wedding, the Taste of Edmonds, a
Gallanger family reunion, rehearsal and a convention. The reunion did not
happen for me as Andie wanted to have fun so I stayed home. Now I did not
make Chani's tattoo convention as the distance and traffic factor prevailed
on that one. I really wanted to hear Knuck play. I had placed rehearsal
at the top of my list as I want to do a really good show for the benefit
for the Toddler's Learning Center (see schedule) on the 17th of August.
So I was letting everything else slide. Then, when drummer Mike Daily and
I talked this morning he suggested I come over around 11 and we rehearse
at noon for a few hours and then we could have the rest of the day free.
I thought, wow, that is a change of plans. Okay. One step and thing at a
time. Yes that would be fine I said and left a voice mail for Jimmy. We
rehearsed, planned our set and were done by 3:30. The wedding was at 4 on
Ebbey Island. I said what the hell and Jimmy and I drove over to Jim McLaughlin's
for his wedding. It was a quick ceremony and I got up afterwards and Jim
and Pamela stood in the rain and listened while I sang Love Wears Your Name
to them. Then it was off and down the road to Ronnie Llinas's house to get
a parking pass for the Taste. He only had one so Jimmy and I drove to Edmonds
and I found a great parking spot and then we headed up to what used to be
Bickford's for a snack and a drink. Then it was back to the Taste
What a great night it was. I was a Delivery Boy for an evening. Jamie
Phalen, Dave Noren, Mark Lull, John Matthews, Jimmy Culler, Ronnie Llinas.
Scott Lindenmuth and me. Some guy named Bob was supposed to show but never
did. The sound out front and on stage was fantastic. The Boys were on. I
don't think I have ever seen Dave look so happy. I think tomorrow his face
is going to have stretch marks. I just sang two songs and played percussion
with John the rest of the time. It really was a kick, almost like being
on the history channel. There was 25 years of history on the stage.
Earlier in the day I got a call from Aaron, my son, while he was in phone
range. He is way out in the country these days. He said he had been feeling
me and missing me a lot. It was perfect timing. I really did struggle with
my feelings during the day as I wrestled not to identify with the hateful
message I had received. Don't waste time or energy on people who make it
their goal to make you feel bad. Life is too short. While Aaron and I were
talking, Anjali was screaming in the back ground, a blood curdling piercing
sound. Kayden can make that sound. It was so good to hear his voice and
encouragement about healing family and having harmony. Last night Josh and
I talked for nearly two hours. He is doing great and was sharing life and
work news. I could feel so much love from both my sons. Life is balance.
I think some huge changes are coming, some I have had no idea were even
in the works, but it is going to be okay. It is all unfolding as it should.
August 1, 2008
Too tired to write really. Just thinking about going to sleep. I am cleaning
the studio and attempting to get me a working space that has a good feel
and vibe to it so I can be more creative. I am looking at the pictures of
Paris and feeling like it was just a dream. But perhaps all of life is just
a dream of form, a dream within a dream. I had great day with Kayden. We
went to Howarth Park and played in the sand for two or three hours. He dug
his first clams. We let them all go. We met a man who was catching sand
shrimp for bait and he had a whole bucket full. Kayden was impressed with
them and insisted they were crabs. Up until today a sand castle was something
I built and he tore down. Today we built several together. He does the cutest
hop, squat, dance as he goes along and he has wonderfully warm hello for
everyone. Even at the license place today when we went to get my tabs he
charmed the very tired and crabby ladies behind the counter. They said they
were tired when I asked how they were doing. They were quite abrupt and
cold at first. The three children in front of us were not so charming. One
kept yelling "I have to pee." They kind of looked and laughed
at Kayden and I. We had been caught in what we pretended to be gale force
winds and even though I was dressed in black slacks, a shirt and vest the
wind "knocked" me to the ground. Kayden then saved me but in the
the course of our adventures we both got rather dirty. By the time we left
the licensing office Kayden had the two ladies smiling and waving good-bye
to us. It was an adventure keeping him awake on the way home. He was so
tired and it was too early for sleep so I opened the moon roof of my car
and pretended I was being snatched up through the hole. He thought that
was hilarious. When we got home I was showing off flipping a bottle of air
freshener and when I dropped it he burst out laughing. Of course I repeated
the trick several times dropping the can each time. When it rolled into
the kitchen I bumped my foot into the garbage can. He followed laughing
but then he head butted the stainless steel can and the party was over.
He burst out crying and I had to hold
him for quite a while. We agreed that a head butting contest with a steel
can was not a game we should play.
While all this was transpiring Andie as having a little break
from us. We all need time to ourselves. Kind of strange night from here
on though. I spent a good time practicing for the show at Larry and Cindy
Mason's Benefit August 17. There will be another band rehearsal on Sunday.
Arranging songs is a new and exciting experience. I love the spontaneity
from the past but it is not always there and fresh life in these songs calls
for a fresh approach. It will be great.
I got the talk to Sarah three times today. She called to thank me for helping
last night. She is feeling better and was busy modeling at Gage Art Academy.
Okay that is it. I am pooped but think I will do some playing. Welcome to
August.
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