I just finished a bunch of paperwork, bills, etc. and now I have some quiet time to play.

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Marky

Remember the music is not in the guitar

I played my violin bass through the Fender Rumble combo for about 7 hours today, just randomly with some music I was listening to, or just noodling. Nothing too serious, like rehearsal material. After that, I had some chili dogs for dinner, but I didn't suck on them outside a Tastee-Freez. Life still went on, though.

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That sounds real good, Paul. I got some good practice time in too but for only about one hour.

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Marky

Remember the music is not in the guitar

All that practice you guys are getting in explains why I suck.
I’ve got swag and the facial expressions down though.
FSB

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

Usually, I don't play that long, unless there's an actual rehearsal going on. A lot of times I'll just noodle around while watching TV on the couch or something on the computer in the office. I have the Fender Rumble in the office, with the bass next to it, so I can plug in and play whenever, or not plug in and still play. It's a hollow body bass, so it does have quite a bit of acoustic projection to it to where you can hear it unplugged.

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Today, I have two celebrations here at home.

The first is for my lovely wife of soon to be (June) 47 years, and she is celebrating another birthday.

The second is my association sharing friendships, knowledge, and overall good times here on the Forum(s). It’s been 10 years today. I missed Day 1, but as soon as I made the discovery I happily jumped on board. It’s been a great 10 years as members are joining, have joined, and old timers have remained while others have gone and are missed. Thanks, Brad for your part and Fender in making this all happen, and thanks gang for including me in this great group. Aw shucks . . . it’s all so beootiful.
I used to do my gourmet thang more so when I was younger. Now days I pretty much limit it to celebrations, but not always. But, I decided today was a good day to celebrate with the birthday girl and our friends so I cooked into the night and will continue later. I cheated by making (boxed - horrors!) Red Lobster cheese biscuits for the first time (my modded ones). They’ll go with my original lime and coleslaw dressing over spinach with shaved almonds, golden raisins, and red onion salad topped with Asagio. Seared, roasted and broiled seasoned veal loin cutlets with broiled lobster tails, roasted barbecue miniature potatoes, and white cheddar, panko and Parmesan covered cauliflower casserole served with fresh bacon bits. I've been known to make a 3 layer Black Forest cake soaked in Kirsch with a filling and Grand Marnier marinated bing cherries, all covered in whip cream and chocolate shavings; but, with a great Italian market down the street we’ll finish up with their orange chocolate cake with vanilla bean gelato. It always seems that whenever I cook something is made but forgotton to be served. You can bet it won’t be my Moscow Mule, the wine. or the Monte Christo coffee.
Cheers!
FSB

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

Congratulations and Happy Birthday to your wife!

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Thank you, Paul. I appreciate that and Mrs. FSB has a smile on her face, says to say hi, and sends her thanks too.

Have a good one. (Hope the weather is turning for the better for ya)

FSB

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

My congratulations too, FSB and a very happy birthday to Mrs. FSB! Your cooking sounds amazing.

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Marky

Remember the music is not in the guitar

Thanks, ever so much. Marky, from both of us. It’s great to reach that 10 year mark, and I hope to get to the next one with the Lizards. As for dinner in an hour, you know the saying. “Happy wife, Happy life”. Seems to have worked so far. and she’s a keeper.

Cheers!
FSB

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

I had a great day and getting tired so I'm going to watch a little TV and hit the hay.

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Marky

Remember the music is not in the guitar

I didn't do much of anything today, since I did something to do damage the soles of my feet, to where there are giant blood blisters there, when I was working out at the gym. I'm thinking maybe that recumbent bicycle might have contributed to that, since that's when they and started hurting, maybe from the way I had to stuff my feet in the pedal straps. Then I went on an elliptical machine after that, and finished back on the treadmill, which I started out with, and should have stuck with in the first place, but I wanted to try different things. I'm used to straight out walking, up and down hills, so that's the best substitute when I can't go outside. Now, I can barely walk, although it's not as bad as when I got back, so I'll have to stay off them, and see how they are tomorrow.

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Sorry to hear about your foot problems, Paul. Ouch! That must hurt.

Sometimes the road to fitness is worse than desired.

As a kid I used to be involved with Track and Field and, I’ve seen my share of bruises and scrapes from pitch tracks. Then there were dirt and cinders and also asphalt tracks, but much better was the cool banked hardwood track indoors. I would have liked to run the synthetic tracks of today.

I’m in awe of joggers who take to the sidewalks and streets built for G...year tires. They were not built for N.kes or spiked track shoes. These roads are angled for drainage, expansion and contraction, and a majority come complete with humps and dips, divots, cracks, patches, are lifted and sunk, and more. Some are not great for walking or biking let alone running. There are exceptions like the new concrete road in front of our house and elsewhere (for now). Roads and pathways of all kinds are not the best running surfaces, great for showing off the new sporty clothing and runners though, and I suppose that can be cool, but . . . YMMV

Hard surfaces are best for sprinting while soft surfaces are best for long distance. Tracks, for the most part, are maintained for their purpose. That sort of doesn’t bode well for the road runner.
I’m not totally down on the road/sidewalk cross country type running, as I too did that crazy practice against my better judgment. Fortunately, I avoided injury only by luck. Unfortunately, because of my breathing, I miss running. I’d look forward to getting into the zone with my adrenalin, layer up with my hoodie and sweat pants, grab a scarf or towel, put the runners and headphones on, and just before the snowfall, I would get ready for cross country skiing by jogging like Rocky on the newer sidewalk by my home. On the other side of the river I could have used a track, but I didn’t want to go that far. Now I have a local sports complex nearby, a fitness club, and a Pan Am size pool within a few blocks of home. Not everybody has that convenience available, however.

I don’t recall there being a glut of foot, shin splints, knee, hip problems or related surgeries before the fitness explosion. But, one thing I’m sure of, fitness is a very good thing! However, the routes chosen vary and they are not equal. That includes avoiding hazards like those pathways, and, like Paul, being aware of not only benefits but hazards of machines, and scrutinizing fad diets (which I found out with a problematic successful weight loss pineapple diet years ago). A steady diet of 10W-30 oil might not add fat, but it won’t be any good for you either. I hope you’ll soon be back on your feet pain free so you can exercise as you choose, Paul.

FSB

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

Sorry to hear about your feet, Paul. Do you think soaking them epsom salt might help? I hope they heal soon so you can start walking again.

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Marky

Remember the music is not in the guitar

Thanks. Since it's just blisters, I could just let them do whatever they do when they heal up, or pop them, which I don't know if I want to do, or not. It's not too bad today, so I'm going to see if I can take a walk later. I definitely won't be using that recumbent bike anymore. You don't burn as many calories, and it messed me up doing it.

Speaking of joggers, I do see a few of them around town when I'm out. I have to say, they're a lot more hard core about exercise than I am, where they're out there in the pouring rain and other crappy weather. Although, I've done that, too, but I don't run. The reason I don't run, is it's high impact on your joints and can rattle your brain around. I had a cousin who died from a brain aneurysm when he was jogging, but he was also an airline pilot, and that might have been a contributing factor to that.

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