Thursday

Thursday I went to work and then I played bass and then I worked out. I noticed today that I was really focused at work. I really try focus on working and learning because I feel like I need to pay my dues at the new place, I need to be humble and work, and I need to really do what it takes so I can keep this job. I like the new job because it is in the same location at the last job and it involves most of the same problem solving and it really has become clear that I need to work hard and take advantage of chances to grow in my career. I have really been around business around so long that I have seen the way people cope with work and I find that it all about helping other people and letting people do their thing whatever that maybe. When I was younger it was all about me and that was a bad atttiude. Team/helping people/sacrifice is the way to really feel good about myself. Anyway I went down to black and gold to play guitar and we had a wierd time. There was another band setting up and playing techno music and they were all up in our business. The guys I play guitar with failed to learn any of the songs we set out to play, and the drummer still was on my ass to tune my bass, but overall I guess I am fine with just sitting there and playing non-sense. I can only show up and play bass and I can't control what the other people do. It seems to be more enjoyable with the drummer plays with one guitar player because it doesn't sound all crazy. So I am glad I went down there and was nice to everyone and tried to have fun. That is all I can do. I went to work out and while I was working out I watched the Royals game. It was enjoyable and I got home. I was thankful for the chance to work today. I was thankful to play bass. I was thankful to play bass guitar. The songs I have learned was mostly Nirvana. About a girl, all appoligies. Jesus don't want me for a sunbeam. I never thought I would be listening to Nirvana again after 23 years after not listening to them, but I listened to them over and over and over to learn the songs on my bass. I am getting better at knowing what it takes to learn songs. It takes time and effort. So that is it! Longer blog today, and that is because I have been doing alot of crap. Most people think in their minds that if they don't work their live will be fullfilling by just sitting on the beach, but I know I need have a balance of work/stress/excersize/prayer/friends/family/ to really feel good.

Weird day

Today I woke up and I had anxiety for what I was going to do after work. This was annoying because I haven't even started work and I am worried about what would happen after work. What I worry about and I have fear is being too tired to do anything fun and then having to get up and work again making the days suck. I know my fears are unfounded and I just have to do my best to break up my day into halves. Focus in on getting to work and working and staying present. Prepare and have your stuff for later, but deal with it when it gets there. So I fought myself all day to try to stay present and work. I made it to work and through work without stressing myself out too much. I get off work and I call my sister a couple times to see if she needs help moving. She doesn't answer. I am have some stress if I am supposed to go to lawrenc or not, so I just wait to talk to her, she never gets back to me. I go to the gym and I walk and listen to music..start to feel better, get home take a shower, play some bass, talk to my sister. I am going FRIDAY to help her move a couch. Ok so I guess the day ended up good and I am sure I can sleep tonight. I am not a fan of stressful days that don't even seem like they should be stressful, but I made it through. Royals won and I also am learning some bass parts for Nirvana. Work is going good it is wearing me out trying to really focus in on training and work. I get home from work and I like...ugh...brain is fried. Oh well.....it is more productive than sitting around the pool and I am sure the hard work will be rewarding (it always is).


btw worked triceps and went for a long walk on the treadmill.

Tuesday

Tuesday was fine. I went to work. Did good there. Came home and I tried to get one thing done. I tried to get laundry done. I was able to get that done. I was also able to pick up some food. Small tasks seem to take so much effort when I am putting lots of focus on work. So I was able to get food and do laundry. I went to black dog and it was hot out and I was in a bit of a pissy mood. Just tired and hot. I went to the gym and walked a mile and did some lat pull downs and some backwork. Nothing too much just grunting. I then came home and watched Chen/Herrara/Crow/Holland put on a clinic as they shut down the O's.

Sunday and Monday

Monday went well. Went to work, ate snacks, didn't pay attention to the Royals game. They done son! Training camp comes next week and football is here. SKC top of the table and about ready to play in the champions league. MLS All-Star game coming soon. Also a break from the heat. Floozies were cool over the weekend and so was that last minute SKC goal. Sandwiches and Nachos.

Friday and Saturday

Friday I got off work. Went to Lawrence to eat china buffet with my parents and sister and her boyfriend. It was good and I came home and surfed the net to late in the night. The next day I cleaned my jeep, went to the gym and rode the bike, walked, ate some random eggs, ate a turkey sandwhich. I also did some Laundry. Royals won the first game back after the all star break. They need to win about 7 more before I start watching closely again. Sporting KC plays tonight and it was awesome that Besler and AmpC were both on a cool show called mls36. Collin even replied to my tweet! Sweet day. Oh yeah it is very hot out right now.

Friday

First week of new work is in the books. The important thing is I made it to work and filled out my time slip. Getting paid is the most important thing in the world. I played guitar at a bar yesterday. It went crappy because we all listen to different music and we all never played together. I need to wear earplugs next week. Shout out to black and gold bar (a mizzou bar!) downtown.

Wednesday

Wednesday was pretty good. I woke up ate some eggs. I worked on contacting some of the state department of insurance to tell them to cancel my Licence as I am no longer adjusting in some states. I sent out some emails, went to work....trained all day. I made sure I jumped in and was the first one to call people and to do actual work. I asked questions and really tried my best to do well on the new job. I don't take my cell phone in and I don't surf the net. I am there do really grind and hustle. So that was good. I was rewarded by feeling good that I jumped in and worked right away. After work I met up with Raymond to plan a yearly picnic. Jason was there and we went to black dog. It was a fun night and I was really wired up. I went to the gym and I did the bike and worked my biceps. I am used to pushing myself really hard, but I decided to leave while I was feeling good so I could come home and get my bass and amp ready. We are playing at a bar tomorrow for band practice. I am sure it will be a mess, but atleast I have a group of guys that actually want to play. No matter what I enjoy being around some people who love to talk music. Even if it is about Daughtry.

gym mass effect 2

Played mass effect 2. Great game. It can be a grind went to the gym today. Rode the bike and worked triceps. Sometimes I fight myself when I am working out. I tell myself that I am here and to go with the flow. I can ease my mental state making it easier to work out. Leisel is going to comicon. She is a nerd. The hardest thing in life I think is to put in a effort day in and day out. I see clearly that I just need to go with the flow of live instead of fighting and being defient. This helps me work as a team better at work and helps me play music better.

Experience.

Nothing beats it...I had a friend that was going through stuff and I was like...you know when you get chicken pox really bad you never get it again. Just like when you get burned by relationships/jobs/money/friends..it doesn't hurt has bad if you really go through a bad one. Thicker Skin is so important to just achieve a greater happiness and peace. You also have to understand that you control so little in this world. It is all one big cluster.....I am just glad I am in America. This place rocks.

Monday

Monday started out ok. It started out well because I got my ass to bed at a decent our on Sunday. I woke up drove to work, went to training. Struggled to pay attention, but I let the trainer know to call me me every once in awhile. I really learn when I am put on the spot. Nothing teaches me more than my peers knowing that I don't know the answer. So much in success books is true, but if you can't do the stuff they tell you then non of it works. So what I am attempting to do is to plan out meals, get some sleep, put in effort in things I do, and compete. Effort on the bicycle, effort at work, learn from the mistakes then let the chips fall where they may. I was able to get to the gym today after droping off my cobra payment. It was somewhat productive. I learned that you burn more calories going slow on a bicycle because if you peddle fast the wheel spins and you have to keep less effort (energy) to keep the wheel spinning. I think I have found out that I like the excersise bike because you can close your eyes and just pump away unlike the treadmill where you have to have your eyes open for balance. Overall it is a good thing to do when I am sick of regular stuff. The night had Jason and I just talking with Adam L, and Kurtis at black dog. They were doing stuff that younger guys do because they are younger. Overall though my friends have grown so much they have grown-up problems. It is weird to hear myself and others complain about Mondays because our only compaints used to be how hung over we were or how I got punched in the face. So overall life is good and I have to remember that I need to take the attitude of service, because that is what I am here for, to use my talents to make other peoples lives better.

Raphael...just like the Ninja turtle.

Saturday.

Saturday started with me going to the gym. It takes awhile for me to get to the gym, but I get there and ride the bike and walk on the treadmill. I make sure to put in 4 sets on my chest muscles. I went to good cents and got a turkey sandwhich after that. Whole Grains and protien to really add a nice finish on a good workout. I went over to play guitar with Ryan. It was a bit of a Cluster, but it was fun to listen to music and play along. I tried not to get bossy and say stuff about how we need to learn songs. Right now I am just focused on listening to music with new people and goofing off with my bass. I played drums as well as he has a nice basement, and I played for about 2 hours. Good experience and memory that will last awhile. He can shread and we listened to old Saliva and Black Label Society. Weird how I am listening to rock music when for the last 20 years I mostly listened to Alt-Folk. Alt-Crunch, Alt-Fusion, or Post Modern Punk. I also love my Regee fusion punk bands. Later on that day I went to black dog and drank coffee while jason and a couple girls talked. We then went to the game and Sporting KC won. The crowd was huge and the parking was crazy, but the work paid off as the crowd fueled Sporting to a win and now sits Top Of the Table in the east.

Friday

I woke up and went to the gym. I got sick to my stomach while riding the bike. Did some triceps work and called it a day. Came home and played.mass effect cleaned the apt a bit. I washed my sheets went to the pool and right now I am at tanners getting ready for the Royals game. Big games within the division. Contenders or pretenders? I think they are a bad team, but I hope I am wrong. The Royals really need to rip off 6 wins to really feel like they are in the race.

Thursday

Thursday I had to go to work to get drug tested. I passed and from what I hear a saliva test is the test that is serious. The thing that they stuck in my mouth tasted like a lemon. So that was weird. My dad came down and at Oklahoma Joes. Kansas City is series about BBQ and OK JOES is the #1 place to get some serious Q. I love the Chicken Gumbo so much I almost pissed my pants waiting for it to hit my taste buds. It was a good meal and my dad made a nice lane change to get onto 635 to head home. That night Jason, Bridey, and Sarah sat and drank several beverages at black dog. We were being extra dumb because it was nice out.

My friend Albert and Ryan were in contact. Albert wants me to practice our band at a place called black and gold, but I have a job now so I won't be able to play during the day. I am sure something will get figured out. Where there is a will there is a way..and where there are funyons there is Ray.

SKC this weekend and Royals pissed me off today. Sporting KC looks to get back to the top of the table. CJ SAPONG was sent down to the minor league team because he sucks at being a wing forward. He needs to be on a team that lets him play the #9 position which is center forward. I hope he does well and comes back and scores 1000000 goals. Zusi and Besler are beastmode.

I am listening to a band called Local Natives. That is a redundant name but their album seems pretty good so far.

Tuesday

Tuesday was the ususal day at Black Dog. It was hot out and there was nothing to write home about. There is a guy named Adam who seemed to be a nerd always riding his skate board, but like what happens to some nerds he does some push ups and gets some hair gell, now he is doing well for himself. This girl I have seem maybe twice came in, she is a server at a eating facility. Anyway I am not always attracted to hot girls if that makes sense, you have to be in the cute/hot range then of course there is the hot/tats/alt girls I go for. Anyway this girl has redish hair, nice bod, cute. So anyway I am like GOD THAT GIRL IS AMAZING. Sure enough I have talked to her before, her name is Jordan. She was like. "You are Ray aren't you?" So she knew my name which was good, the bad is she acted like she wanted me gone as soon as I started talking to her. Her friend seemed to like me and I busted their balls for a bit. So I got dismissed, but I went over there and gave it my best shot. I probably would have sat down if I had it to do again and I am hopeful this girl just pulling a double shift made her bitchy, but who knows. That was my girl story for the week. Jason has some girls around him at this point, but I am like a Bass in October... I am not going to go across the lake and look for food, but if food goes right in front of me I will chomp at it. I am not going across down to chase hot babes, but if one sits down at black dog, I will annoy her into liking me.

Epic win for the Royals

Great win for the Royals. I loved how pissed Ryan Lefever sounded when a fan threw the ball back onto the field.

"You know what buddy?" It still counts. HAHAHAHA

Demise of Sanity

It is weird going from people who like Mclemore and Death Cab for Cutie. To hanging out with people who listen to Black Label Society and Showdown. You go from love songs like "Cath" to ones that call for the Demise of Sanity. The difference is songs that go whine whine whine complain. To ones that sound like chug chug chug kill. I played alittle base to Black Label Society and it didn't sound well. Oh well it was only day one. Hopefully I continue to practice Bleed for Me and Demise of Sanity so I can finally get that affliction and tapout shirt I always wanted.

Some people really surprise me.

So Guitar #1 player .... This was the first time I played with him by my own. He knows his equipment up and down and he can shred. I like to play with him, but he is so good there is no basic chords me to play. So I call up guitar player #2 to jam and get them together. I tell #1 to try to keep everyone involved because it is no fun when he just goes on a 5 minute guitar riff. We get there and guitar player #2 takes charge and starts playing stuff that is basic and we can all play with. I just was playing bass and adding a nice thick lower sound and these two dudes just played their asses off. It was a cool moment because I thought it was going to be complete cluster F. Some people really surprise me sometimes. They actually don't need me there, but I will keep going if they want me around because I actually like listening to 2 minutes of shredding haha.

Friday Saturday Sunday wrapup

Jason and I went to Saints to eat on Friday. He met a nice lady named Kathy. Kathy had a friend that I used to work with. She hated me...the friend hated me...but she was decent towards me as I ate a club sandwhich with cottage cheese. I have learned to like cottage cheese over the last year. This cottage cheese was pretty good. Saints food ususally sucks, but this meal was the best I have had. Saturday was alright. I went for a walk and I tried to eat some fruit in the morning. The chicken and biscuit from Quick Trip was an aweful idea. I ate some of it throughout the day. I went to Black Dog at night and the night was very uneventful. I actually second guessed myself a bit for not going out Friday and Saturday and really talk to girls and hang out with the guy friends, but I think everything was cool. I hung out with Jason both nights at Black Dog. Sunday I went and played guitar with a couple friends. One of my friends is the best guitar player I have hung out with, the other guy is good as well and really loves guitar and music. I played bass and did my thing to just hang out. The good thing about playing music I don't think I think regular thoughts, I just kinda jam with the music. I think playing guitar really is good for my mind and spirit as you can forget about the bullshit in life. It is a better distraction and break from life than the Royals, the Royals are pissing me off as of late. Sporting KC though is top of the table where they belong. They played like inspired assholes against the Chicago fire. Zusi with a great game (no surprise there)

Weekend.

I have been playing Mass Effect 2 for xbox 360. It is a great game that looks great with my TV and Soundbar and Subwolfer. It is hard because there are hard puzzles. It is a great game with many different outcomes.

Reasons to be happy

What do I have to be happy about today? I like living alone..where I can blog in peace. That makes me happy. I am glad I am not that sunburned anymore that makes me happy. Having a place like black dog where I can go when bored. That makes me happy. Family, friends, God, Prayer, not being in jail, money for food, not a bloated stomach like african kids. That also makes me happy. Good weather. We have had some weather that is off the chain. That makes me happy as well. Guitar, mp3's, cheap music. This also makes me happy.

Handling break ups.

Slores going to slore. Guys have to be prepared in the life to be happy...with or without a female in their life. Lots of times this cam be achieved through a deeper meaning than having a girlfriend with a nice bod. Helping others, deep spiritual life, or a nice rounded group of friends or family can help you be happy girl or no girl. You also have you have a deep sense of yourself and what makes you happy. There are lots of guys I know that are single, but happy as a dog off the chain because are doing awesome for themselves.

Drunk Guys behind us at the Royals game.

Drunk guys and girls...youngsters..giving Indians fans the business. That was AWESOME. Also this 4th of July will be remebered for Lorenzo Cain's grandslam.

Random 4th of July memories. I remember being down at "The Elder Statesmans" house listening to 90's rap music and Dio. It was ok. I was all about this girl Desiree at the time, so it was a bit of a wierd time.

12 years ago we were partying at this place on the belt hwy. It was where Ihop is now. I don't remember much, only that the part sucked and Byrdman and I watched channel 3 the rest of the night laughing at dumb things.

There was a random ozarks trip with Bahr that was fun. Good fireworks down at the Lake of the Ozarks.

I remember a ton of 4th of July's growing up outside my parents lighting smoke bombs and snakes. Also being on the river for lots of 4th of July events.

Last year I went to a Random Royals game on the 4th of July. Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton both homered.

4th of July madness

Sporting KC tied their latest game. I thought they moved the ball well and Bieler/Zusi/Saad/Kamara looked ok. They need to just gather points and try to make a run in the playoffs. They also play in the Champions league soon. That will be interesting. My dad, Kris, and I all enjoyed the game at Sporting Park. It was loud as hell in there. Or should I say, Loud as Blue Hell. The next day I went to the Royals game with my dad. It looked to be all sadness for the Royals. Hosmer went beast mode...Salvy is a grown ass man...and Greg Holland is doing awesome. The Royals hit three homeruns which is a record. Cain hit a grand slam and I made myseld dizzy by yelling so loud. There were some drunk kids behind us and they kept on saying "INDIANS SUCK" to some Indians fans. It was a glorious time for me. 54th street was my next stop where my dad bought me nacho's and pulled pork. It was very good. It was a very fun time for me and I am thankful to be enjoying life to the fullest with great baseball, salty meats, and soccer.

Foxygen must have heard a beatles song or two.

First impressions of the Foxygen's newest album....Doors+Beatles.. It is pretty good. I also picked up The Lonely Islands New Album "The Wack Album" and Vampire Weekends Newest album. I am liking all three which is a good thing. The Lonely Island album has some full on belly laughs. One of the songs has a woman going to the club with a titty hanging out on purpose...the purpose of fashion.

Things I need to work on and I need practice on.

I need to work on patience. I need to work on working through being tired. I give up and become a crying baby when I become tired. I can see people still work and be productive even though they are tired. I need to make sure to put an effort to still be productive even when I am tired. I have faith that if I continue to work even though I don't feel great I can build up my work ethic to a point where I become successful. I reconize this as a problem because I have problems working a full day. One of the things I have learned is you have to put in a full day of work to have success. You would think that a half day of work would get you have success, but half day of work gets you nothing in my own opinion. A full days of work is the only way for me that I have seen to be successful.

Sunday

Sunday I texted my dad to see if he was watching nascar that day. He wanted to take the boat out. I drove back to St. Joe and took a nap until he came home. I was able to sleep fine on the couch. We took the boat out and it didn't run. We enjoyed some subway sandwiches and I was glad that the boat not working didn't ruin our day. We then watched "This is the End" I laughed, but it was alittle much. I am ready for a second viewing of the movie because there were lots of jokes that flew over my head. It was a good day and the Royals kicked ass. Hosmer is going Beastmode. From there I went back to Lenexa to enjoy some Soda while Jason chugged coffee. We talked woman...Adam showed up and said that I looked tan. This was good because I want to think my two days of hell were worth something. His comment "You look tan" almost made up for the fact I have spent two days in a lotion and ice cacoon. At night Liesel wanted me to eat with her at her place. I have no idea what her thinking is, but I took it as a chance to act like an adult and have an adult conversation. I didn't dress up as well as I wanted too, but atleast my shirt and shoes were clean (Brand new White airwalks). I managed to do my best to have a meal and enjoy music and leave without pissing her off. That is a miracle, and good practice for when I have to have a mature meal with someone else. I always have something going on with me. It is all good though.

Sunday/Monday morning. Monday morning at about 2:30 there was a flat out brawl in the apartment above me. I woke up scared as shit that someone was breaking in or something was going out, I have heard a fight or two and lets just say you heard booms, tables breaking, girls yelling, then running out the door. Cops showed up and I figured someone was going to jail, but it seemed like the situation had evened out. I am glad the cops didn't knock on my door because I don't feel like giving a statement about the people upstairs. They seem to always fight and it sounded like shit really got off the chain yesterday. I was able to go back to sleep ok.

Overall it was a good weekend. Everything flowed nicely with people hanging out and it seemed like laughs were had by all

Jeff Francour is not playing for the Royals. I love David Lough. David Lough is David Dejesus II.