A move for the pros

The day begins at 12:35pm. That's when I woke up. Why so early you ask? (just joking)(anyone who knows me knows I like to sleep in) (I'll answer correctly this time) Why get up so late you ask? Well, I was playing guitar into the wee morning hours. I found some cool jam tracks online and just disappeared into the music for a while. Next thing I know its light outside. But that's not where I'm going with all this.

The day begins at 12:35pm. I returned all the voice mails I missed (while sleeping in), did 3 sets of 10 handstand push ups, put my bed away (I'll let you think about that one for a while), took a quick shower and started packing. I was leaving in a few hours to play a show in North Hollywood and I needed to gather my things. Every time I go to play I have to go through my checklist to make sure I have all the right supplies:

Guitar
Guitar cable
Directions
Driving shirt
Show shirt
Driving sandals
Show shoes
Hair gel
Deodorant
Body Spray

Here's how it all comes together, I have no ac in my car and since its not cool to show up to a gig all sweaty I've developed a system to adapt. I drive with my windows down, I use the driving shirt to sweat into, the sandals to keep my feet cool (driving with shoes in the desert is stuffy and uncomfortable), then once I arrive I simply change shirts, re-apply deodorant (athletic grade or better), body spray to freshen up, gel for wind blown hair, and I'm ready to rock!

So I pack my stuff, get in the car, and take off. I get to the venue 2 hrs and 18min later with plenty of time to spare. (Its always wise to give your self 45min of "stupid traffic" room in your scheduling while driving the 10) I changed my shirt and shoes in the parking lot and decided to go in early and just have a few drinks while I waited for my set.

Its always a risk going into a place to drink alone. When I'm out with friends I know what kind of company I'll keep that night, but flying solo means your drinking buddy at the bar is a wild card. This time I mostly talked to some pretty cool people (mostly).

As a few of my friends shuffled in and I took the stage I noticed the A&R rep I had invited had actually shown up. (Industry people are flaky, its just their nature)(so when one shows up consider your self special) So without further notice I proceeded to melt some faces! (That's rock and roll for "nailed it!")

After the show I sat outside with the rep and we talked business. I could tell from all of my past dealings with the fools that have comprised my experience of the music bis so far, that this was going to be a much better fit. We shook hands (figuratively)(the rep was a girl so to take the formal edge off I gave her a hug goodbye)(that's a tough move to pull off, by the way, the business meeting hug. It's a move reserved for the pros), then I headed back home.

(2hrs and 26min later)(8min bathroom stop) I pulled onto my street, reflecting on my show and the meeting after, I abruptly halted my well deserved back patting with scorn and directed the phrase "you idiot" inwardly. In my preoccupied state I managed to forget that I left my tab open at the bar and that my bank card was still sitting in North Hollywood. I almost stressed for a second but then decided solving that issue would be an activity for another day. I'd rather have a nightcap in peace.


p.s. You know that audition I wasn't sure if I got, I got the gig...