First time this week I didn’t have to do anything between two work shifts except sleep—so that’s what I did. (I won’t get to do that tomorrow—I have to do a photo shoot for the paper.) Since I’m in in-constant-motion mode these days, being awake means I have Stuff To Do. Last shift for the week at the hotel tonight, and Sunday afternoon it starts again—another 36 hours crammed into four days (actually nights).

Thus far the Private Life hasn’t suffered too badly, though Schedule Triage has forced some things to be ruthlessly compressed. I managed marimba practice last Sunday (though I won’t this Sunday—I have to work), practice with the band Tuesday night (only night I had free), and square dance practice with my guinea pigs Wednesday night before work (I’ll do that next week, too). The 2^nd Street Market gig is Friday night and we are ready—everything we did Tuesday night at practice sounded really good. I haven’t got to play music for recreation at all in at least two weeks; I know that’ll start to bother me after a while, but not right now: right now, I’m enjoying the feeling of being in constant motion, and of having a purpose, even if it’s a small one.

Wrote my first parody in a long time (well, since last year): the marimba band is learning “Ghost Riders in the Sky†(it’s actually pretty easy, with only three chords that are held for long periods of time), and the suggestion was made that if we had lyrics with a nautical theme, we might have a shot at being entertainment for some of the fishing events that gravitate to this area of the Coast. So it got re-made as “Ghost Sturgeon in the Bay.†It’s got dead fish in it (of course), and the political statement about the Bay silting in isn’t (I hope) too obvious.

I’m still dinking with “Sleepover at My House,†though it may be mostly done. I need to try it out on a live audience, and I’m not sure where that’d be. I haven’t gone to City Hall in Garibaldi for three weeks, to the Tsunami for two, or to the Rapture Room for one; my schedule has (or has had) me working on all those nights. There is a new jam session starting up at Kelley’s Place here in Garibaldi, and I would like to go to that—but again, it’s going to depend on when I’m working. “Sleepover†is probably limited to being performed in tavern venues because it is a tad risque.

I would like to record “Sleepover.†Perhaps at Jim’s shop? I ran across another of those expert-in-the-music-business articles that said one should never refer to recordings as “draft†or “demo.†If they’re not good, he said, don’t mention them at all; otherwise, assume the recording is the way it’s supposed to be and act accordingly. Of mine, well, let’s say I have a number of recordings that still need some work before they’re the way they’re supposed to be. Jim says he’s almost done with “The Resurrection Blues†(I think all he’s missing is Jane’s fiddle) and I am anxious to hear what he’s come up with.

Found and entered another contest (for free, again); it’s put on by a voice teacher, who was looking for The Perfect Wedding Song. Sent her “Always Pet the Dogs,†which fit most (but not all) of her criteria (and I told her so). I’m not expecting to win—what would I do with voice lessons anyway?—but what I was primarily interested in was keeping my name out there. Like music publisher (and fellow songwriter) Bobbie Gallup said, “It’s not whom you know—it’s who knows you.â€

And now I’m off to work. (I love being able to say that…)

Joe