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Tuesday March 18
Wednesday March 19
Thursday March 20
Friday March 21
Saturday March 22
Sunday March 23
Read the archive
Tuesday March 25
Wednesday March 26
Thursday March 27
Friday March 28
Saturday March 29
Sunday March 30
Monday March 17
Cracked open a mail from Steve Turnidge today regarding his new music project.
Happy to see this happening. Heard it even received funding in this
desolate economy.
Weeds seem to grow regardless of the weather.
* * *
Tuesday March 18
Under the Milky Way Tonight
Cleaning my inbox, came across this from BigTime and Greenthumb member, Horacio:
From: "Horacio Pozzo"
To: "Steve Ball"
Subject: hello pelota!
Hola Steve:
Today i played and "sang" Greenthumb for half and hour. what a song... I remember those days with love and happiness.
I know you're working hard in a 3 CD box! In Los Molinos e met a bunch of amazing american craftys and we are aware of your movements.
Bigtime is going through major changes. i'm living in Spain, we've just recorded the takes for a new CD and we are planning to do something in the northern hemisphere. But these are ambitious projects that need lots of work.
Let me know how things are going for you.My very best wishes and love
Horacio
Horacio (and the BigTime trio) are one of my favorite GC-spin off groups. I used to say that BigTime was the "California Guitar Trio of South America" -- but I guess I can't say that anymore since:
a) there is no comparison, BigTime are themselves
b) Horacio now lives in Spain
Either way, I'm still a huge fan of their work and hope to play with them again someday.
* * *
Thursday March 20
Recording.
Heads down.
No phone calls or email returned.
* * *
Friday March 21
There is no 'quick payoff' in recording.
All of the intense and incredible detail work that goes into making a 45-song box set (averaging 4 minute songs with 16 tracks per song) translates into 4x45x16 = 2880 minutes or 48 hours of continuous tracking.
Add editing + mixing + writing + listening + backups + system maintenance on top of that and you have the empirically quintessential definition of an insane 'pelota-inspired' project.
With a release target of mid-May.
A few of these songs are even breath-taking.
* * *
Saturday March 22
Studio. Laundry. Mundane tasks of life.
* * *
Sunday March 23
Lisa and I went to an Oscar's party this evening hosted by my friend and
workmate FrankYe. Frank and Renee have a high-definition home theatre that
is indescribable.
So I won't even try. It was a very enjoyable and relaxing evening. Happy to see Michael Moore win.
* * *
home
Monday March 24
King Crimson is playing at the Moore theatre this evening, perhaps even as I
type. I have chosen to stay away despite multiple invitations and
assumptions that I would go to the show.
My work is at home right now. One extreme way of interpreting this is that this is one more explicit manifestation of my current "Discipline Local Immobile" initiative: staying home.
The Moore happens to be directly across the street from the former and last Bootleg Networks office on 2nd Ave in downtown Seattle. I drove by there on my way home (pre-show) to simply observe the physical poetry of driving between buildings housing KC in the present and BTV in the past.
* * *
Tuesday March 25
Today is the 18th anniversary of the first Guitar Craft course. A
significant day.
However, something in my perception of time has changed. I'm not sure I'll do justice in articulating it here, but one way of saying it is this:
Every day is significant.
Another spin on this for me is that I am no longer in need of GC courses to connect with my aims or re-charge or battery. In some ways, GC principles and processes are now an inherent part of how I operate and who I am.
This is not to say that I don't have an ongoing interest in official Guitar Craft activators, activities, or events. But work is now personal work with a focused set of people and projects.
* * *
Wednesday March 26
A long thread of mails in my box today outlining plans for a sort of rebirth of
BTV. I'm trusting my instinct and ignoring them as best I can for now.
This does not mean that the plans unfolding are not worthy of time and
attention.
But I am simply working hard to keep my eyes on the road in front of me. This is not easy for me and my Pelota nature.
* * *
Thursday March 27
Derek DiFilippo, presence absent: soon.
* * *
Friday March 28
Lisa and I attended a going away surprise party for Derek D who is moving back
to Canada on Monday after almost three years based in Seattle. Good work
by Travis and Walter for making this event happen. Apparently I
ducked out just in time to miss some hot harmonica playing by CurtG during a jam
session that ensued. The good news: I was home early enough to get up
early enough on Saturday to write this and get a ton of stuff done.
Derek's start-up recently declared bankruptcy (sad news, good people, good products) and he was cast out in the process. A tragedy for those involved, but perhaps an opportunity for Derek (and Whitney.)
* * *
Saturday March 29
This afternoon, TravisM, Derek, and I spent what little time is left for Derek
in Seattle recording a new version of an important song for the instrumental CD.
With good results.
Also, email from PatM today confirming that:
a) being a rhythm buddy KC keeps one very busy
b) he will work around his current chaos and send me some tracks
There is much good will in the air. This is one of the joys about musical relationships between musicians: the act of music is an act of collaboration. Even if the results are not always life changing, the act itself is. Every time.
Mail from Peter Dervin today with an invitation to launch the new CDs on his KSER radio show. Working confirming dates for mid-May.
Much to do to get there.
One small insight this morning on my 'pelota' nature: I actively take on more than I can 'reasonably handle' to keep myself from slumping into what would happen if I followed the passive whims of my indolent nature.
This strategy occasionally backfires, but it is rarely boring, and usually generates more energy in me than it costs.
* * *
Also mail from my old Electric Gauchos friend and bandmate, Fernando Samelea, in Spain confirming that he is sending material to be used on the instrumental CD!
* * *
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