Friday

Friday I felt pretty good most of the day. Everyone was ready for a three day weekend. Work went by fast and I actually got things done because, well that is what I do. At night I went out with some friends. I was actively trying to keep my chops up as far as conversation. I have been not doing well around people lately. Not feeling very social. As a result I had this thing in my head that I need to get out and talk to some people. Too much facebook, twitter, texting, etc can really kill your social chops. So I went out and tried to talk to many people as possible. It went well and I felt good about getting back out and being silly with people. Tonight my friend K is having people out, so I wanted to make sure I was outside my head for that.

Saturday was productive. Two Loads of laundry, put my drums away, swept, hair cut, cleaned out my closet. Went and bought some toilet paper. Damn this blog is excited as hell isn't it? I am thinking about doing a video blog and posting it to the internet soon about some random stuff. I haven't done a video blog for awhile.

Randoms..

St. Joseph is known for the psychiatric hospital.

Thursday

Thursday is my superbowl because I get to play guitar all night. I downloaded some bass instructional video and it taught many important lessons. The most important is that instructional videos are really dumb. I got out of work late and headed down to black and gold. We had a new drummer who looks a bit like Daniel Tosh. His name is Cole and I was alittle bummed that I couldn't play drums a bit, but this guy picked up what we were trying to do right away. There is still some huge holes in our musical game. One of the dudes just shreds metal, other dude is alternative/folk, and I don't really know what either of them are playing because we don't have a set list. I will say though from what I recorded on my mp3 player it sounded pretty good at times, which that is a big positive that we can get a drummer who we have never met and manage to play something that sounds pretty good. Overall I am happy that it sounded good on mp3 but alittle bummed that we don't have like a list of songs to play right when we get in. I guess that is me just trying to control people places and things and also an example where I just have to be patient. Things will work out and I should just try to have fun. It is after all just a garage band I really dig this girl that works at the black and gold. Her name is Ashley and I try to troll her most of the time (Troll means just be over the top to get a reaction not totally serious) So I will do various stuff to her like yell "WHAT UP GRRRRRRL" in the dumbest fashion possible. Now many people have many approaches into getting a girl, but after 10,000 hours of practice I like to be over the top and energetic and something will come along that we have in common. She put on a record....a real record of Johnny Cash, and I showed her my Johnny Cash shirt that I had and I also told her about the one time I sang harmany with him on boy named sue.....wait...maybe I am getting myself confused with Kris Kristofferson again. That happens all the time. Anyway Ashley looked good yesterday and I kept it low key because I was tired, she laughed at a couple of my jokes. "I told her that I am jobless because I have a felony, when she inquired what did I get arrested for...I told her FOR BEING TOO DANG AWESOME!"

Sidenote sometimes saying TOO DANG "Insert whatever here" is very funny.

She laughed she looked good and the band played on. Later I was hoping she would come out to talk to me but this guy with tats was on her. The band also had a couple guys watching us all night. I wish we would have played better for them, but like I said earlier I ask God to give me patience and see the big picture.

After the night was over I came home and just ate some pulled pork and relaxed. I am in the process of putting our jam sesh on mp3 so I can study it today. Mine as well listen to my friends play music over some random butt rock band from 01'


How about those Royals and Sporting KC? The Zues...The Zues...The Zues is on fire.

Wednesday

Wednesday went pretty much as normal. I made lots of phone calls. I guess our band is supposed to try out a new drummer tomorrow. I am sure that will be zany as normal. Jason and I went to black dog. We had some laughs. I promised myself not to let dumb stuff ruin my day. I talked to a girl who loves comic books. Salvy Perez hit a couple homeruns and yesterday Soony Saad scored two goals in a Champions league game. Go Soony! I tuned up my bass drums and I printed off a bass book, so I am looking forward to studying that. I really want to get 10,000 hours in on guitar, so I can be considered a master at it. Today I was actually prety happy all day. I hope there is one day that I don't feel sleepy mid day. I always feel sleepy and I have to chug mountain dew to stay awake. That is really the only thing that hinders my enjoyment of my life is being tired, mentally tired, physically sick, or physically sore. I need to pick up my apartment tomorrow. There is crap all over the place. Unfortunately I am barely keeping my eyes awake writing this so it will have to wait until tomorrow.

Tuesday

Tuesday was good. Sporting KC won. I met up with Ryan and Albert to play guitar. That was fun. I ended the night with Jason and Taylor at black dog. I have been practicing patience and working on my work ethic as of late. I am always working on something. I hope some of the younger kids I talk to follow my advice, if they well that is their road to go down. I have so much to say, but I am pretty tired. I just like to point out no matter what your beliefs in religion are if you pray really hard, over time you develop lots more peace and happiness. Sometimes I will be mad about something or frustrated and I can really let go of the small bullcrap things way better than I could back in the day. I know most of my frustration comes out of fear. Fear of not getting what I want or fear what people think of me. Once I realize what is really going on I can work on thinking about something else or letting it go. Thinking about other peoples needs always helps as well. I will sometimes pray for someone else for as long as I can (10 minutes or so) it really eases my own inner frustrations. My frustrations aren't even that bad, they are ususally linked to the Royals hitters or I am not as rich as I want to be. I guess I will go over my day once again woke up, Prayed, went to work, came home called Ryan, called Albert, worked my way into getting a jam session going. Jammed, then went to black dog and hung out. I have to say I am getting better at doing stuff in a timely fashion. When I get home from work there are certain things I want to make sure I do. Practice guitar, watch a youtube video that makes me laugh, write on a piece of paper things that make me happy. I always make it a point in my mind to set aside time to do things I really love. Chores and bills need to be paid as well, but I realize now how much more life is enjoyable when you set boundries for yourself and say...this is the time to work...this is time for yourself to laugh and smile....this is the time you work on guitar. Speaking of boundries I noticed a big boundry tonight is that I really can't work late. I am at the point in my life where I set a hard boundry. that I don't work beyond a certain point. I really need my time to watch the royals or play guitar or go to a meeting or go to black dog. When I was younger I was such a people pleaser I would make myself mad and sick working so late. So that was kind of cool that I really asked God for direction and the answer that I got is "Ray you aren't going to be happy missing the things you hold dear" things like playing guitar, dressing up like Nachos and throwing cheese on people. Wait...what?

The Royals and Random stuff

The Royals were off the chain today. Billy Butler was doing work. He is batting .350 since the all-star break.

I have been listening to Malcom Gladwell lots lately. The more I listen the more his stuff rings true. Especially how to learn you have to be in an intense learning envirnment. I also think talent is overated. You have to have good direction and 10,000 hours at a craft to be a master at things. It is a lesson that you have to be really patient at your talents. Really hammer on them to let them grow.

Monday

Monday was a pain in the morning, but got better afternoon. I met with Raymond for awhile. He is doing well. I played bass and watched some music videos. I watched a video about Malcom Gladwell. I really understand how lucky I am to grow up in America. I have had advantages that most people haven't had. It is my job to really work at my skills for 10,000 hours so I can be a master at what I do.

Some Deep Thinking.

I like to think and journal. I like to think what effect my actions have. My thinking plays a large part in how fun my life in and how much growth I have as a person. One thing I have to always remember is how most the things are now about other people. Having kids really help people be unselfish but I really strive to think how to make my Team at work better, how to make the day the most fun for the people around me, and this is a huge step in my life. I am always going to have my days where I throw a pity party. My pity party is because I have high expectations from the work I put in and the results that come out of it. It is unrealistic. So I always strive to get to the basics. Help other people, think of other people, also be thankful. I am forever thankful that I can pretty much queue up any song ever on youtube. What a blessing that is.

I am making a youtube playlist along with a new mp3 playlist so I am here to remind myself I have a pinback/Deathcabforcuitie playlist on youtube and a spoon/depeche mode playlist on Winamp

John's Wedding

Ok here we go. John got married. That was somewhat strange, but like a dorm room needs a Bob Marley Legend poster, John needs a good woman to tell him what to do. The Elder Statesman showed up with Melody, which was super awesome. I get along with The Elder Statesman so much, I should have asked Mr. Konz to join us for some study hall. The Elder Statesman was a senior when I was a freshman and we had some study hall or academic advisement class together. Anyway all I know is that Johnny Mac would give The elder statesman the business for not popping more 3's during varsity basketball. The elder statesman passes the ball. That is his game. Not doing 360's with bagging shorts like And 1 mixed tape tour. My mom held the baby herbster which...who saw that coming. If someone would have told me on Friday that my mom would hold baby herbster, I would have never guessed a situation where that would take place. I had a good time and got out of the reception fast enough to watch Nascar. It was glorious. I had a good time and my parents got out of the house. My parents work pretty hard eating right and working out, so it is nice of them to get out and strut their stuff in public. Saturday and Sunday both had plenty of English Premier Soccer on. It was glorious. Sunday night Jason had some people over to watch breaking bad. It was a pretty rad get together and he had good food. I ate well all weekend. I have had some good luck with meats and parties lately. Life is going well and it is back to hard work tomorrow. I am just finishing up reloading my computer. It was sucking a bag of D's so I had to reformat it. I am in the process of making a new playlist chalk full of Depeche Mode, Spoon, and Daft Punk.

Vinnie, Bryce, R.J. Dustin Gossett, and Rolla guys did a good job. I was pretty proud of everyone. I knew my mom would like seeing my friends and the actual Catholic wedding. My mom was spinning yarn about her wedding day all day on Saturday. That was cool, because I like hearing stories about back in the day. I know that weddings are woman's superbowl, so I made sure I went to a wedding and made sure my mom went so she could get out and do stuff.

There were a bunch of hot girls at the wedding, I really didn't think about much about them because I was tired. I have tons of thoughts about things but I won't share them right now. I used to have the biggest pity party for myself because I didn't have myself a lady, but right now I am really cool with being single and making sure I watch football, soccer, breaking bad, and Ray Donovan. With everything in this world comes good and bad. I am sure married guys out there wish they could just kick it and hang out and watch sports all they want, and I know single guys want a lady friend, but let me tell you...grass ain't always greener. So for now I am going to kick it and watch Manchester United and Sporting KC do work and just focus on what I have, not what I don't have.

Johns wedding

Johns wedding. Elder statesman was there. My mom met the newest herbster. That was weird.

More to come in blogs that follow. Royals won today. They have been playing like dookie. I hope they can get back on track soon.

johns wedding

Johns wedding. Johns Wedding was fun. My mom went.

Thursday

Thursday was band day! I was a bit nervous taking my large amp downtown. Everything went fine. The bass amp is truely gig quality. Everyone is getting better and working together. We need a drummer but for now I set my keyboard on drums and play along that way. I couldn't really be happier with the progess. For only playing a couple times a week we really laugh hard and have fun. July 21st was when we started and now we are already starting to gel. There is a mega hot girl that works there. I made her laugh a couple times. She had a dog exactly like my old dog...it was a puppy. So we had a puppy roaming around our jam session. So I am just trying to enjoy this day. I truely think that when bands are forming that is the most fun, because right now it is just for fun. I will have to upload some videos later on.

Staying out of Dumb situations.

There are lots of examples in real life and on the web where people logically know things are bad to get involved with. I know it is not smart to enjoy company of tatted up wild ladies. I am unable to enforce that boundry with myself. I understand the importance and the difficult task of enforcing boundries with yourself. "I am not going to eat a big lunch because it makes me tired" then when the time comes making that action of not eating a big lunch. I am here to tell you though, if you are somehow able to enforce a boundry to make yourself better, it can bring large benifits. You can lose weight, have more energy, have better relationships, open up time to have better relationships. You can have more time to do what you love to do.


Yesterday I listened to "THE SHOWDOWN" I really put an effort into learning the songs. I am a nerd like that. Tonight is band day. I want to focus on getting together. I think the most important thing is we just get used to each other. Other stuff will work itself out with hours and hours of effort.

Royals suck. I hope they can pull themselves out of this slide. Some of their players who need to be good have been garbage. Butler has really struggled this year (other than the walks) Gordon has been terribad for the last 3 months. Hope they can stay professional and get back on track.

Soccer this weekend. I haven't checked on who Manchester United has. I will check back.

Edit it looks like Sporting KC plays tomorrow at 7:30 Sporting KC currently leads the Eastern Conference. The season has been a struggle, but Zusi and Kamara have really been all class this year. Besler has been solid as well. Soony Saad has provided the burst needed to keep this team from sliding back to mid table.

Wednesday

Today was a very long day. I did my work, I played some guitar, I watched this show I have been meaning to watch. I talked to this chick named Bianca, I went to black dog...I listened to a band called "THE SHOWDOWN" I am trying to learn some songs by "THE SHOWDOWN" because that is what my friend Ryan likes to play.

Tuesday

Tuesday was one of the productive days I have had. It is surprising what I can get done when I am happy, I have energy, and I feel good. I wish every day was like this. I went to work. Did my work. Wrote out a list of things to get done. I got stamps, mailed a letter, tipped a hy-vee worker, put some songs over to my mp3 player. Got out my bass and played for awhile. Felt good enough to call Ryan and played guitar with him for awhile. Ryan is in the top 99% of anyone who plays guitar. He can shred. So we got some stuff done, but basically I just chilled and listened to him shred. I can be stressed out by time I meet up with him, so it is hard to really take in how well he plays guitar. He is fast, he hits the notes, and he bends notes to stay in key. I brought my notebook and took good notes on what we were getting done and I left there and went to 24 hour fitness. I rode the bike for awhile then went to black dog. The shaved headed godess was there. I gave her shit and acted like I didn't know her name. She seemed to get along with my friend Jason. So that was cool. Always cool to have a girl apart of our group that I was able to befriend because I have the balls to go up to anyone anytime and talk to them. I really try to network hard because it's who you know! I left a bit early and I came home and played bass for awhile. My new amp is really fun and I think I played with the amp for about an hour and a half today. My goal is to play with this amp 10,000 hours. I showed some people albert playing guitar...he is a good man!
I also did towels today...I cleaned them with bleach because they had hot sauce all over them.

Monday

Monday started the way every monday starts. Me wondering why I go to work. Atleast I have a list of things I know I have to work hard to keep. #1 is my Jeep. Yes that Rhymed. One good thing is I bought a professional grade amp for my bass and it sounds good with the bass and good with the guitar. It actually sounds really good, but I can't crank it up. I bought it from a guy on craigslist and he seemed to like me. I wish I could have said more good things to this guy that was selling guitar things, his dad had passed away and he was selling all this gear. The Amp is in good shape exept for the felt in the front is alittle bit ragged. I am making sure to enjoy it though. I made it a point to come home and work ona song by the band "THE SHOWDOWN" the song is called "Drinks from me" I made it a point because this damn thing cost me money. I want to get my money's worthout of it. Work went ok. Iam just working hard and trying to stay focused so I can get more chances for more money and more chances to do cool stuff. I am able to listen to mp3's which really help in my enjoyment of my work day.

Royals are off today and Sporting KC layed an egg yesterday which was a bummer. Sporting KC playoffs are coming soon. Their lineup sucked yesterday. No Zusi..no Kamara...biggest bunch of B.S. I ever delt with.

haha

I woke up tired and had a headache...to much loud music and supercars running around the seedway yesterday.

So the thing I learned today is we can't play music at Alberts anymore. He got chewed out by his landlord. She said she was sorry later because Albert is nice and we are all good guys. She said we sounded good. The whole thing was a sign that we need to find a place to jam and rehearse that isn't one of our apartments. So in the end this is going to move the band onto greatness. Albert came up with the lyrics to a song called Push me out. It was dope. He is singing better each day and the dudes and I are working together. To the top of the charts we go! I feel good about the progress we are making as bandmates and as friends.

I guess it is back to work tomorrow, which sucks a bit. I will try to learn, grow, be patient, and work hard. I try to imagine the cars, boats, the amount of money that I could make if I am lucky and things go my way. That keeps me going every day. Overall I had a good weekend. The race track was fun. Friday, Saturday, and Sundays weather was really good.


The Royals lost again today. They are tied with the Yankees for the Wild Card spot. The Yankees are playing like Dog crap and the Royals are having their best season in 10 years and they are still in the same spot. The Royals have truely sucked for a long time. They have sucked and they have been terrible. They are a terrible franchise, but I love them and I love baseball. Someone just threw at A-Rod...it is heating up!

Friday and Saturday

Friday I was tired, I took a nap then went out to the race track to watch Lambo's race. Saturday I woke up and it was a beautiful day. I watched Manchester united win. I went and got a new bass amp. The man selling to me off of craigslist was very nice and professional. I played guitar for an hour or two. Kris Von F came over and I played guitar and watched more soccer. I went out to a beautiful night at Kansas Speedway, watched 5 hours of racing. Went to black dog, then went to kanza hall to meet up with Byrdman. It was a busy and productive night.

Saturday.

Today I played some bass infront of Von German. He loved it. I am glad I have been taking steps to get my sound better and better. As a band I am sure if we keep striving to sound better and work better day in and day out we can become the best band on earth.

Everyone is watching.

Nothing like alittle bit of Friday stress to get the heart pumping. My boss sat with me as a review of my training today. My computer was sucking. I just have worked so hard not to get freaked out about things out of my control, I took some deep breath and just did what I could to be classy. I got through the day and I thought about how easy it is act like a man when you are doing well and times are good, but people really watch you when the day is going like crap.


I played with the band yesterday. I wasn't feeling it, but I then switched to playing drums through the keyboard, I then started having fun. We played for 3 hours and I thought we made real good progress. There is a girl that works at the place we jam at named Ashley. She is hot and I talked to her for awhile. I put my best foot forward with that girl, so it was a very good night indeed. So I was glad that the week started to get better because the first of the week was a struggle. I really like to focus and put my attention to detail. Put my attention and focus on where I have been better and where I could be better.

Royals play a double hitter tonight..hope they do well. Sporting KC on Sunday...Manchester United tomorrow. Big day of English Premier League.

NOoOOooOOooOooOo

Royals are playing like crap. They better get their big boy pants on when they play the Tigers. Moose and Miggy out really killed this team. I was pretty pissed but I just know I don't play for them, so all I can do is support them until the end.

Lately I have been focusing on getting better, not letting outside people, places, and things make me mad. Even though the Royals sucked, I still have some stuff I have to do in my life. I am always working on not letting people, places, and things make me distracted or mad.

I talked to my buddy Ryan today. He had been in Colorado. It was nice to really focus on another person for awhile, it really takes away from my small problems.

I talked to my friend Albert today. People love Albert and so do I. He is fun to hang out with and people give him stuff because they like him. See if you just do good people want to do nice things for you. I get a kick out of playing guitar with him for sure. He has a nice Ibanez guitar and Vox amp and he gets so pumped up to show it off. It gets me pumped up as well. Here is how it goes down when we play.

Albert: You like that?
Ray: Yeep
Albert: You like all my songs man! You have no complaints huh?
Ray: Nope.

So I guess that is most of what I have been working on lately. I just know that I have to focus on the things that I have going for me, like people to play guitar with. That is an awesome thing. I want to always focus on the good things in my life and not the crap I don't. I love to focus on the fact that if I do my best, work hard, then it will work out the way God wants it to.

No sign of bald headed hottie at Black Dog. I guess she might be gone for good.

Sporting KC plays this weekend...No idea who though



USA won their Friendly match today. Jozy Altidore scored a hat trick. GoooOOooOOoOOOooOOal.


It was beautiful out today. I went for a small walk. I was pretty tired but I tried to enjoy this mild weather as much as possible.

Monday

Monday started with thunderstorms rocking my apartment. It was very loud and I unplugged my tv like Bryce's mom would like me to do. I hate doing that, but it has become a religious thing to unplug my tv during thunderstorms. I was in an OK mood for work. I really wanted to get lots of stuff done, but I got to work and I felt sick. This bummed me out as I just didn't feel well all day. I gutted it out and was very frustrated, I didn't start feeling better until 9 or so. This was the good part of my day. The Royals kicked ass and they are playing very well. Alex Gordon had a kid, Hudler was awesome on the call tonight. "That was a sinker, that sinked over the left field wall for a homerun." funny stuff. I haven't seen the shaved headed hot lady or SHHL for short. That is a bummer because her...ummm talents are deliciously fun to gander at. Yesterday Albert and I got together to play guitar. I was really looking forward to it because Albert is very silly and I needed some sillyness. We didn't get alot done, but it was fun. He really plays weird ass songs that are made up on the spot. He got a new VOX amp that he was amped for. (See what I did there?) I mean he texted me and he called me about this amp. It was a fun time and everytime we play we get alittle better. 10,000 hours until I am master at playing guitar. He said he found a new drummer as well, so that was a positive. Albert sings alittle bit like the lead singer from Smashing pumpkins which is funny because he is a tall black guy. He is a good guy who seems to be happy. He plays his nice guitar and walks to work every day. Let me say it again...he looooves his amp. I have to admit, it does sound good. I haven't gotten to work out since Friday because I have felt like poop and I haven't ate really great, hopefully it will turn around soon. I can only do what I can do and work hard. That atleast gives me a good feeling. Jason and I were at black dog for a bit tonight.

Sporting KC kicked ass over the weekened and Manchester United opens up AUG 11th. NBC is showing a ton of English Premier League games. That is good for me because I like getting out of bed at 9 am and watching some soccer then watching the Chiefs. The Chiefs looked good as well...well atleast the first part of the game. Andy Reid is a legit coach who puts together professional teams. Romeo and Todd Haley were clowns. Haley is currently underachieving with the Steelers much to my delight.


On a wierd note my 30's have been really fun to just soak in being an American and having some secrets to life. I know the value of putting effort into the front parts of jobs so the back in of the jobs go smoothly. I never picked up school very well and I think I took for granted the small victories I had in my 20's. Now when I get an atta boy or a compliment I really enjoy them because I know the amount of work that it takes just to get small victories. I am in awe of thinking back at the people who took extra classes in High School or did well in college, the sacrifices they made...I just just poo poo'd hard work back in the day because I didn't know the value of it or the character development of it. So you know that is something I enjoy now is putting effort in things and getting better at them. I also enjoy good coffee at black dog and the fun ladies we hang out with. Jason and Kris are fun to hang out with, especially Kris because we both are soccer dorks.

Royals are on fire

Royals are on fire. Without Salvy...truely impressive. Yesterday I was thinking about the difference in between knowing about doing the right thing and being able to do it. Setting boundries with yourself to take action to get desired result often feels crappy. I also thought about how if you want to talk to a pretty lady, you are better off getting her to talk to you in your group of friends instead of chasing her down into hers. Like just wait until she walks by you and you are playing golden Tee and say something, don't go over to her party where some guys or gals can be rude or tool with you. Yesterday there was a situation, hot girl, but I didn't really have Jason or anyone around, and I knew from experience that if I go over and talk to the lady with some of her hipster friends, the situation would be dubious at best (thanks django) so I was able to do the right thing and atleast set myself up as best as I can for a good night. Now I woke up and I really feel like I did the right thing. This makes me feel great and awesome, just like the Royals.

Thursday

With the drummer quitting I guess my Thursday is free now. I will probably go to black dog. On a random topic, if you have the energy you and I should really put in the effort to eat, sleep, and be better say in and day out. Today I felt good so I really did my best to develop myself at work.

Strange Week.

Band News...This week has been strange. Right when I start to like our drummer, he quits. Our guitarist leaves for Colorado. So that sucked, but I think Albert and I are good together. Ryan, Albert, and I get along very well. I hope we find a drummer because we have a place to play and Albert plays non-stop. So I am sure the universe will put a drummer in our lives if we pray hard enough.

Work is ok...it is work.... The people from Black Dog are doing well. Oh my...wait a second ...So the other day at black dog there is this Godess with a shaved head and tats. Meeeowww this lady is hot. I was like....kinda pissed because I was heavily attracted to her. So I went over there and gave her the business the first day. I was glad that my first joke got a laugh out of her. She was writing..and I said to her "If you write notes in black dog...you have to share the note with the rest of the class...she laughed." That was good. It felt good to put my best foot first and be strong with my tone of voice and will my actions. It also helps that she sees with me with friends that are girls. Makes me seem less creepy.
.

Royals are kicking butt...Sporting KC is currently winning 1-0 in International Play. They look ok, they are going to need luck to win the MLS cup, but then again everyone needs luck to win the damn thing. Chiefs are about ready to start....yes...

Other random stuff.

I like really focus on getting better in life. There is a fine line between sucking up to people. Seeking approval in a needy way, and just going the extra mile for the people around you. Anyway I was thinking about this week how there are chances everyday to make sure people the people around you are getting their needs met, in turn I feel good about doing everything I can to live a happy full and rich life.

All-Star Week

All-Star week has been wild. Concerts, shows, meme's, Clint Dempsey to Seattle. I can't really recall the first of the week. I just know Monday and Tuesday were ok. I went to work and went and lifted weights. Wednesday was the all-star game. There was lots of fireworks, pregame music, and lots of Rome kicking the MLS All-Stars ass. The night was fun and I had lots of laughs. Landon Donovan was still good and fast. The Royals also won this day which was the 7th straight win for them. The Royals have been playing well which has been very fun to watch. They really are a good team, their hitting sucks though. Thursday I went downtown to play music with Albert and Justin. One of the band members was sick with the flu. It was a good time and Albert played some songs that sounded good, Justin our drummer has a good feel of what drum beats and isn't boring on drums. In an effort to get better I went and got a tuner so I can tune quicker and easier. I also have been practicing bass roughly nine hours a week. It isn't a whole lot, but the effort is there to get better. I was pretty happy about the jam session because it seems like after 3 weeks we are making some progress enough to make me want to stick with it. Work is going ok. I wish I earned more (don't we all). I just have to remind myself that if I work hard, more chances to succeed will present themselves. I have lots of experience with showing up to work on time, working with others, going the extra mile, and just doing what it takes to get the job done. Whenever I am learning things now, I can see clearly how important it is to really learn the basics so that when the job gets more complex, the task of learning and addapting becomes easier. When I was younger I just half assed everything to get by, now I can really see that half assing things causes more work and stress in the big picture. Pay attention, put effort in, do it right, and do it once. My friends have been good to me of late. They have been in good moods and I have been in a decent mood as of late. I think happiness is like the frosting on the cake. It is usually the last thing to go on in life. The rest of the cake is made of sacrifice, hard work, doing the right thing, and being self-less, after that comes the frosting of being happy. Also frosting is delicious.