Digest this image for a moment or two, then discuss:

7 days!

It's been a long time since I've done a blog. Quite a few years at least. I think high school was the last time I kept one, and it was sporadic at best.
No, that's not a promise to do any better of a job at it this time. But, I've found myself with some free time, so, hence the blog.
Yes, I have other matters that I could be tending to... I should be practicing my bass, doing some things for work, cleaning the apartment, doing laundry, or just go out and be social. Ok, so that last one's supposed to be a joke. ha-ha.
Anyway.

For the past four weeks, almost to the day, I've been jamming with a local band. I won't mention names, as usual, but those that know me know whom I'm talking about.
At first (as always) things went well. It was cool, we seemed to click as musicians and as people. Practices were productive, the creative jucies wern't exactly flowing, but, it really just felt like another cover band to me. "Here, this is the bassline we have written". *yawn*. I was still having fun, so I kept at it, because well, I'm out to have fun with it.
Apparently, that's not good enough.
Fast forward to this weekend, ish. Thursday we wrap up practice... it was a good one, or so it seemed. We talked of our up coming gig (this saturday) and how we felt about it. I felt we were OK - we needed a fair amount of work, but if we put in some extra jam time, we'd get it.
Apparently, I'm the only one who felt this way.
We talked about getting together Friday and Saturday to jam and get things down. It was a 45 minute set we were prepping for, and I had 5 or 6 songs pretty well down. This practice was good, as we recorded it, and I had hoped I would be told where I could work on some things to tighten them up.
Unbeknownst to my bandies, I went home and practiced material from their, well, not-so-stellar recordings, and had somewhat of a break through.
You see, if you don't know me, I come from a mostly metal background. Coming into this style of music was my own idea, and typically, there's really not much to it. However, when songs don't have any kind of musical theory behind them (Ignore harmonic rhythm? Don't even have lyrics written? Aimless melodies, confusing [to the listener] transitions? Not even knowing what a Major scale is?) and when they don't really match what they've given you on tape, then, well, it's hard to really just jump in with a band and start jamming.
Look at that, a rant. Let's get back on topic.
So, friday rolls around, and the guitarist cancels practice. This is a rather unusual event, as he only cancelled once before, for -very- good reason. This didn't phase me a ton at the time, so, I just practiced with the DVD they gave me, and felt really, really good about it. I was actually able to play through all the songs I was supposed to know, and tought myself another. At the end of Friday night, I knew 9 songs - probably enough for the gig! Woo!
Saturday rolls around... at practice, we said about getting together around three, but either the guitarist, or the drummer, would call me to let me know. So, I cancel the few minor plans I had, and wait. And sit. And Wait. 4 PM... no call, no messages, no e-mail, no IM, nothing. Hmm... Start doing my own thing (playing WoW, heh) and after a time realize, crap, it's 6PM! Look at my phone (which, has been right on my desk the entire time) and, well, no calls, no texts - check the e-mail, and there's nothing there.
This is about the point when I think to myself "Ok, something's up".
These two always told me they'd be upfront if something was up. That, apparently wasn't entirely true. Sunday rolls through, and just out of the idea of having practice tonight, I jam once more with the DVD. Still have 9 songs down pretty well - awesome. Can't wait to rock the hell out!
So, today, I wake up, get myself to work. I'm pretty pumped. I know these songs, today is going to fly by and we'll practice, and it's going to be SWWEEETT. I send my guitarist a text asking what the word is. Apparently, he's under the impression that someone, somewhere, sent me a text telling me when to be at practice on saturday. Double check my inbox, and it's empty (I keep it empty, because I have slight OCD or something I guess). OK, well, it's digital communication, big friggin' deal, I didn't get the message or whatever.
Then something in me clicks. It became rather obvious that something was up.
I brush it off, but only for a few moments. I decide to check my e-mail, and what do you know, there's a message from the drummer.

Now, I'm pretty sure you can already guess what the e-mail was. Yes, it was my severence letter.
Now, not only did they not have the decency to not contact me via phone and let me know... nope, they have to take one last crack at something I favor whilest doing it. Normally, I'm all up for humor and taking cracks at opposition in sport. But this, this was just cruel. I lost all of the respect I had for these guys in less than probably a minute (or whatever it took to read the e-mail).

So, normally, I guess I'd be upset, or mad, or thinking whatever it is people think when they're "kicked out" of something. I can't say I know what those feelings are, as even now, I really don't care. I've never been "kicked out" of anything before. First time for everything :D
In fact, I already have two more auditions lined up. These are both for metal bands, so, I'll hopefully be playing with musicians, as well as something in line more with what I love. It'll be interesting.

Other than that... not much is "new". Seattle is treating me tremendoulsy well. Work is going pretty well, no real major complaints there. In fact, I can't really think of anything to complain about... awesome.

My partner is doing the Band Camp in Portland this week. She just finished up the "school" part of her masters work, now she's going to be working on her Thesis. Ouch :( haha. But, she'll be moving in around mid July, so, that is making me happy beyond words.

Other than that... I'm trying to plan my "vacation" days this year, which, more than likely, will be used more for days to finish up the apartment, gigs/jams, or just chill days away from the office. I'm hoping to make it back home sometime in December, but, we'll have to see how the vacation works out before I make any definite plans there.