Love or Money????
I saw James Moody at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild Thursday night. Thouroughly enjoyable. He was great. His band was great. He's 79 and it made me think. "Do they go on the road because they love the music and the crowds OR is it for the money?"I don't know about you but I'd always imagined when I was 79 (if I made it to 79) I'd be retired and hanging out someplace. With my current job/project, I can't retire soon enough! It's aging me by the moment. But I guess if I could find something to do that I was totally in to there's really no reason to stop and/or retire. I should be that lucky...Labels: Music, riddle me this, show, things I don't understand
Weekend Update
Another good but busy weekend.Friday evening we went to the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts for a showing. It was a lot of fun. I really enjoy the openings. We've been to 3 or 4 of these and I've enjoyed myself at every one. I'm always amazed at the creativity and talent. I've not run across anything I thought was crap. Afterwards, we came home, fired up the chimnea and watched a DVD, (De-Lovely), outside. It was the perfect ending to the week.Saturday we went to yoga and ran errands. We took a nice drive up to Soergel's for some fresh fruits and vegetables. We met up with H & J that night at the Southside Works to listen to the 80's cover band Velveeta. They were very entertaining.Sunday we went to yoga and came home. HC had to work on her painting job. I washed the cars and cut up some logs. We had my belated b-day dinner at J's. Outta sight as usual. The first cassoulet of the season!!! He's the best. Labels: Birthday, food, Miata, Music, Pittsburgh N'at, show, Weekend Update
Pulled Chowder
I feel stretched out. Pulled in too many directions. Over-extended. I don't feel like I'm able to meet all the demands/expectations of me. I know it's mostly self-imposed demands/expectations but it's still stressing me out.
I feel mentally and emotionally drained by all these demands. There are days I want a little "me" time. Just to sit & vege or to do what I want instead of what everybody else wants/needs. (Sometimes I hate being a responsible adult) I'm going to blame my parents for pounding responsibility and duty into my thick skull. :-) And now that it's lodged in there I can't get it out. Or even let go a little bit. (I know I need to let go of the peanuts regarding this. It's too damn much. But that's how I feel right now.) So I'm OCD about responsibility and duty. And it's my parents fault. I wonder if I can get a pill for that... Or maybe a grant to study this...
The MCG Jazz concerts help. They give me a few hours of peace and distraction. But even at the shows I catch myself thinking about outside things. I make myself stop and focus on the present and enjoy the show. But the outside thoughts sometime get in the way and it annoys me. So instead of fully being in the present and enjoying the show, I'm thinking and stressing about things.Labels: ChowderHead 101, Family, frustrations, Music, Parents, Rant, show
Not enough hours in the day
There are not enough hours in the day for everything I need/want to get done. It's very frustrating. It's one of the reasons I'm seeing the EAP rep at work.
It's making me crazy trying to be the best worker, best husband, best son, best homeowner, best ??? all rolled into 1 AND within the 24 hours in a day we all have to work with. I try to do my best but always seem to be falling short somewhere. And then I get mad at myself for it and beat myself up...
Case in point this week:
- Work was pretty busy. I didn't have much scheduled at the beginning of the week. But as the days went on I was busy every day until quittin' time.
- After work I've been working on cleaning and sorting through my stuff.
- Tuesday night: I went to the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild for Bob James and the Angel's of Shanghai. It was a very entertaining concert. It was interesting how the group was able to combine the Jazz of Bob James and the traditional Chinese instruments. Very cool.
- Wednesday: I managed to get my Dad to yell at me over the phone and hang up on me. This will be another post. But suffice it to say I felt like a bad son.
- I took today & tomorrow off. I needed to get some things done around the house (cleaning, sorting through my stuff, gardening) & run some errands.
- Tonight: I went to A Night of Guitars presented by Earl Klugh at the MCG. Another really good show. The 3 guitarists played wonderfully. And you could tell they were having a blast on stage.
So yes this demanding life is really stressing me out because I don't feel like I'm able to meet all the demands/expectations of me. I know it's mostly self-imposed demands/expectations but it's still stressing me out. I feel pulled in so many directions. And stretched too thin everywhere. I wish I had more time to do everything I need to do.
Labels: Family, frustrations, Music, Parents, show
Weekend Update
The weekend was a nice mix of activity and relaxing.
Friday: I had a few vacation days left over from last year so I took it off. It was a treat for me to have a leasurely breakfast with HC. Since we were in the Strip District, we got 90% of our grocery shopping done. I then ran a few other errands while HC met up with 1 of her former co-workers for lunch. I took HRH out for a walk. It wasn't too cold or snowy when we left the house. He'd been stuck in the house for days and I could tell he was getting a little stir crazy. Anyways, half way through our walk the snow really kicked in. And the winds were pretty strong. HRH was not amused but what can you do?!? Keep walking. That night, I took S to the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild for his early birthday present. We saw International Guitar Night, featuring Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Brian Gore, and Andrew York. Part of the Guitar Society of Fine Art Concert Series. It was awesome. Those guys were amazing. So much sound out of a few instruments. And very different than the type of music he and I typically listen to. Also, I'd never heard Indian music played live before so that was a first for me. S had a good time. After the first number S said that piece alone was worth the price of admission. Saturday: Was a relaxing day of watching videos, working out, doing laundry, steaming clothes, and hanging out. We didn't have anything planned so we didn't even leave the house. Besides, it was very cold. So yet another good reason to stay inside! Sunday: Yoga. Brunch. Chores. A little shopping. J came over to hang out, have dinner, and get caught up. - Wine.
- Nibbly plate (Cheese, olives, artichokes, salami)
- Mixed green salad. w/HC's Killer homemade blue cheese dressing.
- Herbed pork chops.
- Cous Cous.
- Caramelized Baby Bella mushrooms and shallots.
- Wine.
Labels: Birthday, Music, Weekend Update
