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Since 1987 |
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HIS SPIRIT LIVES ON! ... BONER, THE PIANO DOG ... November 27, 1994 ... February 20, 2010
Use the links to the left to read a past Month or Year... and then there is always your Backspace to return to a past page.
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October 31, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I felt surprisingly good when I got up but I'm not going to take for granted that my cold is going away until it is totally gone. I know how these things can work. First thing, I drove over to my dentists office to get a Traveling Piano picture of everyone working in the office to post online and help promote their Veterans day event. It being Halloween everyone was dressed in costume with the theme being the movie Toy Story with all the characters in it. Cat, the dentist was a super trooper in getting on top of the piano to stand for the photo. By late afternoon I began to get tired but felt an itch to create some Halloween for myself.
Part of my old life began to seep in from when I used to do Halloween parades and events... it used to be my favorite time of year to work when I performed back east for twenty years on the truck... in a past life sort of. The neighborhood I played in last year for fun here in Las Vegas were a blast with all the kids, but I've found through the year that the people who run the neighborhood are not my kind of people to hang out with. I called my friend Alex and forced her to go out with me. We went to a part of the city I did not know. She had some friends there she wanted to connect with. Some kid ran in front of my truck playing chicken and I told his parents he should watch out for vehicles better. That turned into a short tiff.
Then we came across a woman dressed as Cinderella waving and handing out candy at the bottom of her driveway and she looked so into what she was doing, I had to stop and share some Traveling Piano with her. Right away, a guy came up saying "Hi Danny"! It was a facebook friend I had never met. A few months ago I was playing in Redrock Canyon near an event he was holding. Koda, Alex's dog jumped onto the truck with Mo and we began to meet other neighbors. Then we stopped at Alex's friend s house and spent some time out on the street with them. I wanted to stay longer but was totally exhausted. The night had been somewhat chaotic and I needed to go home and chill out. My energy in working on the truck is intense and too much for friends hanging out in the situation with me. Never the less I felt grateful that Alex was with me. I did not feel like being alone tonight with the Traveling Piano doing the usual.
| October 30, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I pulled myself together with my cold and headed across the street from the Salvation Army here in Vegas today to create some music for people getting a dinner served by some volunteers nearby on the sidewalk. I've been doing it almost every Tuesday. Afterwards, exhausted I headed back to my room and pigged out on fried rice and Chex mix I had made a few months ago. Just as I took my last bite, my neighbor Alex called and said lets be fancy for an hour, get dressed. I was stuffed and exhausted with my cold but never will I pass up an opportunity to do something, especially when I'm not paying. So it took five minutes to throw on a shirt, dress pants and my shoes to meet Alex outside as she informed me we were going out to eat some appetizers at one of the fanciest restaurants in Las Vegas. Damm, I just ate and felt like a stuffed pig and was barley able to keep my eyes open.
We went to the SLS Hotel Casino to sit in the Best of Las Vegas 2018 Bazaar Meat By Jose Andres Steakhouse. Life became a blur as we sat with trendy people in a very hip lounge eating Croquettes de Jamon (ham), Beef Tartare Sliders (raw steak) a beefsteak tomato pureed and reshaped into a pate with romaine lettuce leaves stuck in a silver bowl of ice, Suckling Pig Sandwiches and Cotton Candy Foie Gras (fattened goose liver surrounded with cotton candy). Lol, Alex also had a drink called Don’t Be a Lemon, made table-side with Bacardi Superior Rum, elderflower, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, orange bitters, and liquid nitrogen in a lavish way with smoked covering a large area, it all turned into a small slushy alcoholic drink. I passed on that but must say it was tempting! Everything, the ambience, food, friendship... was totally fun.
| October 29, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
A guy I met yesterday, Adam connected with Mo and I at our regular Monday night commitment at the field. He wanted to check out the scene as he is interested in volunteering his time for other people. It was a lot of fun having him around as he has a lot of the same sensibilities that I do and he's smart, quick on his feet. After he left it was dark and it is not easy to interact with people in the dark so I drifted off into a half hour of continuous stream of consciousness with my music which is what I think everyone wanted... to help sooth and feel comfortable with whatever they were doing. Earlier when it was still light out a fight began with a guy punching another on the ground and I began to go over to help whoever needed it but stopped because it seemed it was going to finish on its own. I am amazed at how I have no fear going into what most would consider a very dangerous situation. Then another person had a metal stick in the face which broke their nose. The ambulance came for that. Their best friend wanted a ride from me to the hospital so they could be together.
In my head, I wanted to give him a ride before he asked but thought it best to keep the boundaries I've created as far as giving rides to people for any reason. Just never do it. That would open a huge can of worms for me and I could list ten reasons just off the top of my head as to why it would not be a good idea. I felt really bad about that seeing as I know them both and they have so few resources to help themselves. I must create limits for myself as I want to be helpful in every way which would be unhealthy overall. A guy came over from the Mosque across the street to thank me for parking the Traveling Piano near their event over the weekend. He was not sure whether anyone had thanked me and wanted me to know that everyone really appreciative it. The fact that he extended himself to me like that felt very good. I pushed myself to go work today even with the cold I have and that felt good. Once my work passion kicks in the idea of being sick becomes nonexistent. Of course, I'll probably pay a price once I come down from my high of sharing my love of people and life with them.
| October 28, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I must say that with the recent act of domestic terrorism in Pittsburgh as well as with the other 47,220 people shot through gun incidents already this year in the USA... I am working to not be distraught or hateful. The feeling of sadness is acute for me. I can follow the lead of those affected and actually have pity on those acting out their lives with violence. And also, stand up to tell our leaders to stop their words of hate and care about people more than the gun industry. I showered and got myself outside with Mo to create some musical, fun, friendship and respect with the Traveling Piano at the Veterans Village food-bank on the Las Vegas strip as we do every last Sunday of the month. I feel at home with people who are struggling to survive the trials and tribulations of life. We are all in this living state of being together to make the best with what we have. I've been watching volunteers losing patience with people who have no patience to begin with. My job is to stay available to be helpful in anyway possible. How fortunate I am to have purpose and for that purpose to be effective.
| October 27, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
With the cold I have caught, I have made a decision that it will not stop me from functioning, no matter what. Normally I go into an "I'm going to die mode" and I start nursing myself back to health and do nothing but lay in bed for days hoping it will pass quickly which it never does. So... I am going to push forward no matter what. Up in the neighborhood where I share the Traveling Piano every Monday there is a Mosque. Guys from that place go out every week to help service the poor without anyone knowing who they are or where the supplies come from. I very much respect that they are not pushing any religious agenda through their caring. Today on their property, an organization named Islamic Relief USA was having their yearly Day of Dignity.
They were distributing food, medical care, hygiene kits, blankets, clothing and more to homeless and low-income people in the neighborhood. Mo and I went to lend some support with the Traveling Piano. The second half of the day was spent distributing flyers for the veterans dental event I am helping out with and at night... there were four events going on in my neighborhood. A Caribbean street festival, one block from that a black food festival, around the corner a pit bull organizational fundraiser and on another corner a fundraiser for a Nevada homeless organization. Mo and I checked them all out.
| October 26, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
The bad news is I caught a cold. This is a big ugh! I know it will stick around and get better and worse for a long time. That is how colds have been for me through the last few years. I'm not surprised. I have been hand shaking, fist bumping and hugging a lot of people. I refuse to become a germaphobe and I am not going to distance myself from others. We all need as much human touch as possible. The good news is how many people have been showing appreciation for me even more than for my music these days at the rescue mission, both those staying inside as well as visiting for dinner from the streets. It is to the point that I am forced to act like I know people. They come up and say hi with joy along with, "do you remember me" from like two months ago. It happens all the time. I love the validation that I am making a difference and creating a good feeling for people both through my music as well as my soul. And of course "everyone" loves Mo and his consistent presence.
| October 25, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I must be spiritually responsible first for myself, and then for the world. That means putting everything back into the journey through Musical Fun, Friendship and Respect with Empowerment and Inspiration. Inserting political issues into that is spoiling the fun. In my original mission statement I had "no political affiliation." I now feel political responsibility but it cannot stop the Traveling Piano work or interfere. The suffering and death of society as a whole as well as human kind individually... can best be helped through one on one relationship. I've cut off many people through the years as that has been the strongest statement I can make concerning my point of view and what I feel is important politically. There can be no more shutting out. The time has come to open up. We must begin talking to each other no matter what. No matter how excruciating and rage-full the fear is... not only from myself but from others, it must be done. We do not need to agree. We must find common ground. Loving America and ourselves can be a struggle.
I was listening to Sarah Silverman who is a comedian and I agree with what she says. I believe in America and want it to be the best it can be. I get disappointed in it, angry at it I get moved by America, I feel patriotic. It is a sibling kind of love, a parental kind of love, a child kind of love and also it annoys me... I get sad about the state of immigration. Sarah's hero is Mr. Rogers of all people. He taught that as far as an individual there is nobody else that can be you. No one else in the world is qualified to be you except for you. And, you deserve love exactly the way that you are. Does America deserve love exactly they way it is? Yes and no. Individually when we met people who are different minded, who are not going to change the way they think, you can still love them as a person as an individual. If we can just bond on any level and see ourselves in each other... that is the only solution to defy what the present administration is doing... which is to divide us all. We must find ourselves in each other in a bipartisan way.
| October 24, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Mo and I got out of the Valley of Fire today and it was so needed. I think it has been over a half year since the last time. The entire experience was extremely healing not only to be in silence but to also take in the beauty of nature, everything that is worldly natural. Our hiking was more of a meandering slow and easy with many stops. At the end of the day we created some music while the sun set. A few people drove by but they left us alone. On a cliff we laid with our eyes closed and I drifted off for a bit. It was dark when I woke up. Mo is slowing down fast with his strength for hiking. It is more difficult for him then I. Walking on the small sharp rocks and stone must really hurt his paws. When we got home I messaged them with shea butter. Taking photos helped me to stop and take in moments of time.
I would like to sell my photos, the feeling of time keeps me from doing it. My sneaks are falling apart for the fourth time after a full tube of goop glue repairs. My funding is so fragile I'm afraid to get a new pair. I've been off of social media for a week now. Getting my priorities together is crucial. I've felt a very strong social responsibility over the last few years and that has taken up my time as well as energy through frustration and anger over what is going on politically in the world. When I felt more secure in funding, worrying about time spent talking with people about political issues, creating awareness, etc... was not an issue. Now it is. I must choose how I spend my time more carefully. I can best be of help these days spiritually. More on that tomorrow. Pearly Whites Dentistry
| October 23, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Today was my last dentist day. It was a rough one. The only thing left is an implant a few months from now. A cleaning, three crowns, seven fillings, a tooth extraction, and some cosmetic tooth surgery... it is quite mind boggling to find a dentist to offer all that to me without cost because I am a person who needs it that way... and also because of my work with the Traveling Piano. I spent the rest of the day with a mouth full of Novocain and a little bit of pain handing out flyers to help promote an event the dentist is having on Veterans Day to pay forward with service to Veterans what was done for me. My flyer promotion has been working. There are now sixty people on the waiting list with forty scheduled. Another doctor has signed up for the day and more are in the planning. That is three doctors, three hygienists and six assistants for the day so far working straight through from eight to five! There will be food and beverage and the Traveling Piano... me and Mo!
| October 22, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
At the field tonight several little things happened to fill my heart. One of the ladies that volunteers came up to give me $20 because I had said in a conversation back when that I did not want money for pictures sent to her from playing the piano and that hardly anyone ever contributes without my asking for money. Then another guy Vince who is Polish, we were talking about how I miss having Polish kielbasa from Philadelphia where I came from and also the Ukrainian pirogies my mom used to make. He went to a Polish deli here in Las Vegas and purchased some fresh kielbasa and pirogies. Wow, is that ever a treat! Then one of the piano players who gets up every weeks to spend some time with music, I could tell he was feeling vulnerable today, I could see it in his eyes, they were a little off.
Then unfortunately he got punched in the side of the face by a random moron on the sidewalk so... he came over to the Traveling Piano truck to create some music as it serves as a safe space for him and he called 911 from the piano seat. People have no idea the intensity of fear people who are living on the streets. Another mother and daughter who volunteer each week, I had asked if they have any blankets I can keep in the truck for when I run across people sleeping on the sidewalk now that the weather is turning cold at night. They had two for me this week and when driving back to my place, within a half mile there was a guy just laying in the roads meridian strip. I stopped and asked if he wanted a blanket and he was oh, so grateful. I'm grateful... that I have ways to do more than just feel sorry for people suffering on the streets at night.
| October 21, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Today was a fundraiser for the fastest growing musical non-profit in Las Vegas named Notes With a Purpose. The non-profit is owned by my neighbor Alex and creates outreach programs through classical music for dis-advantaged people, specifically school children. I helped out as well as attended to schmooze with some people who contribute lots of money to the local community. last night I tried to back out but Alex would not let me. It is very good for me to be around and back into this conventional past life of mine... I think? Being around live music, musicians and good people without question is good. It is amazing how many and how much people give of their service, time and talents to others through events such as this. There is always hope with the givers for a payback in some way but usually that does not happen directly as a result from events like this... at least not in my experience. Of course pay backs for me happen with this journey, but never in abundance, always out of basic need. It is what it is.
| October 20, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
After delivering flyers around for my dentist event coming up, I stopped off at a Vietnamese Catholic Festival with thousands in attendance. A couple who serves food where I play Monday and Tuesday nights in the homeless district here in Las Vegas told me about it. I am always amazed at how diverse America is. People who want to exclude different ethnic colors and backgrounds cannot possibly imagine the numbers of people that exist. Not only was I the only white person there, I was with a dog! Can we talk standing out? Never before have I felt like a curiosity in public. I kept trying to become introverted but then I knew I would look like an angry person, lol. So I tried my best to have a friendly feel and look at people normally... while pretending I was in Asia with the Traveling Piano. Then we went to babysit Koda my neighbors dog and make an easy day of it.
| October 19, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
After running a few errands for a musical fundraiser that my neighbor Alex is having for her non-profit, Mo and I headed for the Rescue Mission as we do every Friday. People are very moved by both my musical improvisation as well as the Ragtime and Boogie Woogie when I play. As I was watching people eat, I was thinking of people's individual nature, those who live on the streets. They have no game to play for anyone so they really are just themselves. Their looks, what they wear, how they move and talk... everything about them is as most people in the world would like to be... simply themselves and truly interesting, uniquely individual. If only we all could see each other as simply who we are. A lady who is paralyzed in a wheel chair was there with her husband eating and she was hooked up to a brain scanner.
The husband came up to me to say that her brain activity was being observed for 72 hours and he could not wait to note the present time and see the results of when I was creating music, as she was experiencing major peace with a calming love. Wow, how thankful I am that I can create that for others. At night the annual Las Vegas Gay Pride Parade was happening in my neighborhood and so Mo and I watched for two hours, ten's of thousands of people celebrate who they are as individuals. It was amazing. There were hundreds of entries with gay people young, old, male, female and everything in-between representing just about every segment of society. Employees of local and national corporate business were represented on floats. All the social sectors were represented as well as different religions, the military, police, firemen... it was all just a reminder of how gay people are no different than anyone else as contributing members of society and making life work for the community as a whole.
| October 18, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I went out to drop off flyers for the upcoming Veterans day event at my dentists office. At one of the spots the car would not start. I was in a cancer hospital parking lot. I called my friend Alex to ask if she could come give me a jump hoping it was not more serious. Then I found a guy in a truck parked across from me. He gave me a jump and I went on my way to the Rescue Mission to create music for the dinner making sure I parked the truck with the front end facing out. Good thing because it would not start when I was finished creating music for the dinner. A volunteer gave me a jump and one of the guys staying there said he'd put money on it being the battery. I told him last time it started I saw black smoke come from the filter. He said to put some oil in with a little engine cleaner. Off to the auto store I went. They checked it and said it was in fact the battery. The sales guy was curious about the Traveling Piano so I spent some time showing it to him. My contributor who has been supporting me has no money these days but told me to use an emergency credit card if ever needed. This was the first true emergency as it cost $250 for the battery, cleaner and oil. It is excruciatingly emotionally draining to use someone else's money knowing that it will create debt for them. And... it always amazes me who glitches along the way work out. How people come into my life like the guys who gave me a jump, the one who troubleshooted the problem, the store being still open, my patrons contribution...
| October 17, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I was really beating myself up today. It was the only day in a long while that I have had free without a commitment. My plan was to sepnd the day in nature but I got up to late. Then, I could not get off of social media ranting. Before the sunset I did get to the mountains to enjoy a little bit. They are only thirty five minutes away. As soon as I got out into the field with the silence I realized how much noise I had been creating in my head. Wow, the peace of mind, silence, seeing how much Mo loves it as I do, we both hiked and sat on a rock for a while. We both really needed that.
| October 16, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I spent six hours in the dentist chair today while a crown was made and put on. Two teeth were filled and four bottom teeth where capped. How amazing that a dentist would do this for me. Two weeks ago a tooth was extracted for a future implant. Next week my top teeth will get done. As far as giving... this dentist and I are on the same page. She believes in giving to her community through service verses sending money to a charity. She has a digital machine that creates 3d images of the tooth and then the machine forms a crown in ten minutes, bakes it in fifteen, and then it is ready to insert. The machine costs the price of a house and will not make money for Dr. Cat but she wants to make her customers happy and give them one day service. This, verses the old style of taking pictures and then waiting for two weeks to have them made and then coming back for another appointment to have them put on. Dr Cat at is having a special dental day on Veterans Day offering free dental care for all vets.
I am helping her promote the event. Some of her regular customers are registering and even though she will lose money as a result, she told her customers she will still give them the free service but on another day as to not take away time from new people signing up for the promotion day. As of today she only has two spots left, over forty people have signed up already. There will be two dentists and three hygienists working from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon. So that no one is turned away she will honor "all" of the overflow people with an appointment on another day and if need be, set up another whole day of freebies to make sure everyone is included and gets free service. Is this a WOW or what!!! While she was working on my teeth I was in awe of how interested she was and how much she enjoyed what she was doing. She was humming much of the time, constantly attentive to my needs and creating the teeth was truly an art for her.
I felt so safe I actually fell into a semiconscious state of sleep. Tonight I realized a habit I did not know I had. I run my finger nails through a space between my teeth several times an hour. Now there is no space there and I now realize how much that space had bothered me. I knew it when I looked in the mirror but still it, never quite registered. Even though I was exhausted when it was all over I had to go express some gratitude. I drove over to the homeless area of the city to create music where a dinner is served every Tuesday night. Several people from last night were there and got onto the piano to play. Every week someone who has seen us over time and who has been too uncomfortable to come up and play some piano... they eventually feel safe enough to give it a try. I am living with a feeling of awe that this dentist has contributed so much of her time, expertise, effort, equipment and office assistants to help me pay forward the Traveling Piano journey. Pearly Whites Dentistry
| October 15, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
A cold snap has happened. It feels really, really good but I think about all the homeless people sleeping on the ground and how cold it will be for them. Mo and I drove to an area called "The Field" as we do every Monday and the environment warmed my heart. I am so very thankful that people care for each other. Many usually people who bring food and necessities every week... they were loaded with blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing to share. My usuals got into the piano to have there weekly session of playing around with music and then it got dark... fast. I've never seen as many people tonight and there were a lot of angry people around. Someone stole a carry bag from the cab of my truck. Luckily, they did not see my camera under it. They got an old big thermal bag which I will not need now that the weather is turning cooler. But still, it irked me. It happens, having things stolen from time to time is part of the deal concerning where I choose to hang out.
| October 14, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Today was a lay low day. Mo and I babysat my neighbors dog Koda. He's a six month old German Shepherd pup now larger than Mo with uncontrollable energy. All he wants to do is play with Mo. For periods of time Mo engages and then during other periods he tolerates incessant nudging and then sometimes when he has had enough, he lets Koda know. Then Koda lays next to him with his paw just touching Mo to be connected. I made rice kripsy treats, a lot of them and unfortunately they will not be around for very long because I cannot control myself. Not only are they good, they are mommy food. My mom used to make them as special treats and she made them, Oh so Good!
| October 13, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Today was a day for me to hand out flyers for two events. The first, for my friend Alex's Non-Profit fundraiser next week. Alex has been including me in her life of musical friends and events, giving me a feeling of getting connected with a scene here in Las Vegas other than working on the streets doing outreach with homeless people. Any opportunity to help her is just full of gratitude for me. And then, the dentist who is paying forward major dental care services for me without cost... so I can continue paying forward my work with the Traveling Piano... she is having an event on Veterans Day where her office will be providing dental care for vets without cost for the entire day. On foot, Mo and I dropped off flyers at local businesses of every type. I'm not the "spring chicken" I used to be doing this stuff but I am very grateful for what I can do and for people who come into my life with personal support. Then there is one special person who pays my rent and a few others that fill my gas tank twice a month. I live 100% on contribution. Never with tips from the truck, fees or commercial affiliation.
| October 12, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
After creating music for about six hundred people coming in from the streets for dinner at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Mo and I raced down to the University of Las Vegas where there was an Art Walk. My friend Alex was playing music there. Alex is having a fundraiser next week for her non-profit. It is called Notes With A Purpose and creates musical out reach programs for at risk and underprivileged children and young adults in the community. I was there to hand out invitations for the fundraiser and sell it to people. I have not done that type of thing for a long, long time. It was exhausting. I become a passionate maniac when promoting anything in a positive way. It brought back memories from this journeys beginning when I was pursuing Oprah Winfrey's support. I had garnered by myself... 32,300 signatures in 33 days. It was a petition of support for Oprah to help me fulfill my Wildest of Dreams! Lol, yes I really did that and can prove it partly from the blog on this website.
| October 11, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I guy named Paco who I met randomly on the street the other day joined Mo and I at the Las Vegas Mission Center for dinner and he got to see what I do and for who. He is an intense guy from many mixed backgrounds, a disabled Iraqi veteran who is passionate about getting people out to vote. I hope to join up with him for the next few weeks going into neighborhoods to get people to VOTE with the Traveling Piano. Being political is a social responsibility. It always has been but now more than ever. As a child I was taught to not talk politics and vote privately. Now I realize that was a manipulative, an ingrained tool for authoritarian behavior and thinking. Speaking out politically in todays world is a must... if you care about humanity and people as a whole.
| October 10, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas has some of the best musicians in the world, home grown. In the near future this city will be seeing a remarkable rise in visitors who want to experience the arts and culture that this city has to offer just as much as the casinos. I've been feeling a steady growth in a city wide sense of community since I arrived almost two years ago. Wow! In December it will be two years!!! Tonight I went to a composers showcase mostly for local musicians. It was a night of high caliber musicianship and a variety of styles right up my ally. I feel inspired to help raise the community from the bottom up through its musicians. Music is a great equalizer for all people to relate with from differing communities and mindsets. Always, I look to include different musicians on the Traveling Piano as well as those who have never before created music.
| October 09, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Took Mo for a walk leaving through my back alley, midnight. The area was completely trashed with garbage, papers, crap... more than I've ever seen. A jerk had emptied the trash bins without cleaning up. I was pissed off while thinking, "what can be done, it was someone mental, thank God I don't have to clean it up." We returned from the front sidewalk because I did not want to see it again. Heard someone rumbling around back there, so I went back ready to tear into whomever. It was a homeless guy cleaning up the area. He said "its just a few who make it bad for all of us." 90% of homeless people care about the cleanliness of their surroundings as well as areas used by others. I see random people cleaning the streets up after others all the time. People need to know this. Today I went around dropping flyers off for a dentist in the area having an event on Veterans day giving free dental care for all vets.
It is the same dentist that has been paying her work forward with my teeth to help me to continue paying my work forward without cost for others. Along the way while visiting veterans apartment buildings, state buildings, the library, post offices, etc... we met people with the Traveling Piano. As the sun set we stopped at a place where dinner was being served on the street for people and created music there. Someone asked for me to play at their church festival and that is always a dilemma. I told them as I know the person... if they had been inclined to make a contribution over the last few months even as small as twenty bucks on my website, then... they would have had my time, effort, talent and I would have gladly given obligation and/or expectation for the request. But as it presently stands, no less than six hundred an hour would create some interest. Lol, it is what it is. I know most people will not understand that from my point of view. They don't need to.
| October 08, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
The weather, what a relief!!! The sun is not as strong, the temperatures are cooling down, I'm being able to work again. Of course I was working through the heat of summer even though it felt like I was not. At the field where we are on Mondays, people love Mo so much. His presence alone brings joy to the world. Myself, I realized as I have periodically before through the years, but now specifically seeing as I visit the same spots on the same days with the same people... that, those who get onto the piano to play repeatedly... I need to give them attention for that time period. I've been getting lazy.
When they get onto the piano to play, I just say "go at it" and leave to do other things in the immediate area as they know from past weeks what to do for themselves. Some people want to be left alone and others want attention. But deep down, everyone wants attention so, even if they are in their own space my just being there in their presence without interference is important. This journey is not just about giving people a piano to play. It also involves relationship, interacting with the people paying... creating fun, friendship and respect... reassurance and validation... empowerment and inspiration.
| October 07, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I've been freaking out a little, lost... adrift. Financial issues are building... ah, its a life story for most people, eh? Financial security has always been and always will be probably, an issue from time to time. Some times more than others. I must re-register the Traveling Piano truck with the Dept of Motor Vehicles because as a vintage vehicle I'm about to go over the milage limit for the year. The insurance for the truck is coming up and then there are ongoing expenses. GoDaddy is trying to rip me off hundreds of dollars by raising my website fees. There is much more, and I could go on and on. It is a dilemma for me when it comes to keeping it real with my life. People so much want for me to have it nice and they want to feel nice through my life and its work. So the tendency is to want to keep it all upbeat but thats just not the real me. I'd rather people see "all" of me. I need for people to see all of me, it is selfish to an extent. But mostly and at the bottom line, my intent is to be helpful for others. I am not out to entertain or to specifically make people feel good. I am out to contribute to life on as many levels and in as many ways as possible for everyone while trying to be as joyful as possible with it all.
| October 06, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
The temperature is now in the 70's during the day here in Las Vegas... down from the above 100's for months! I celebrated by going for a hike with Mo in the desert! We needed that, equally. We found a little space away from everything where no one would find us and just sat inside a mountain of rock. I took some pictures and am appreciating that I can do that as my eyesight has been fading through time. There were clouds and even a rain shower through sun. Before heading out this afternoon we stopped at a neighborhoods shop yard sale and played a couple of songs. When the hike was finished later I did not feel like creating music for anyone at all... but then stopped at a lookout on the main road on the way back. While recording some music, people of course came by and we had some fun.
There was a wedding at the other end of the parking lot and the idea of hiring out the Traveling Piano for weddings surfaced. Going back to work and getting paid so much less then what I used to get paid for... with more work needed than ever before as I am much older... I just don't know. With the truck now old and beat up, I know I cannot command as much compensation as in the past, especially when my price had been built up to what it was through twenty years of performing. If it could be fun there is a little part of me that would want to do it... but I cannot find that fun for myself, by myself. Did all that, done it and had burnt out so bad that I wanted to end my life and that fact... created the journey as it has been.
| October 05, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Playing for the dinner at the Las Vegas rescue mission today really brought my state of mind from rage and anger into a loving, thoughtful, peaceful and appreciative state of mind. With all the destruction to my countries social system, our way of life, the deceit, disrespect and down right evil happening as well as the confusion and gas lighting of vulnerable minds by trump, his cronies and people who just don't care about anyone but themselves supporting him... when I began to create music today, it was like an automatic button had been pushed through people all around me. All the shit transformed into a sense of normalcy that I needed very much. It is amazing how the truth of spirit can function in all its glory through the worst of our minds thought and transform our minds into the reality that is our being in all the best of ways.
| October 04, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Mo and I were at the rescue mission today for the dinner, usually about six hundred meals are served. As I played, I watched many people physically responding to my music. They sat with their eye's closed soaking it in. With some of the music they moved to the rhythm. I watched them respond with physical movements without knowing it. Never in my life would I have thought my playing of music would affect people internally. It is healing for them. Damm, never in my life did I think I would be creating music without thought. Being able to just automatically infusing my spirit with the environment and choosing how to interrupt it musically is just awesome. When I used to perform in the old days I remember the music creating dance moves for people but I was never able to appreciate that fact.
| October 03, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
It was a very slow day for me today. I've been thinking how there are tools I now have in my life that I draw from. I began in life with only a few tools that worked. Most were dysfunctional for me. Now, I have many and the dysfunctional ones, I have learned to benefit from. The strongest tools come from friends through the examples of how they have lived their lives. There are friends who's lives I witness and have not met who influence my life. Then there are friends who I relate one-on-on with on a regular basis. Most of the influential friends in my life have passed on. Traveling Piano dog Boner he was also a huge example for how I live my life, as is now Traveling Piano Dog Mo. My parents each gave me different tools, the best and worst. The strongest tool I have in life is sharing though gratitude.
| October 02, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Well, finally it is done. I had my tooth extracted and felt very good in the hands of the doctors. An implant and fillings will be next. Mo is an unbelievable amount of support for me. Pearly Whites Family Dentistry ...I've been feeling good about this place and how thorough they are with their work. The extraction was not bad although the tooth would not let go of my mouth! There was a significant amount of wiggling and pulling. The fact that I had no sleep over the anxiety of having it done, and all the work I did yesterday at the field and for the anniversary of the Las Vegas massacre, playing music there... all that kept me pretty calm as a result of exhaustion. I was going to get a picture of myself in the dentist chair for this blog but as time goes on I'm less interested of taking pictures to document every little happening in my life. I slept all day. The mountains today in the distant were more beautiful than I can ever remember seeing today. Maybe because it was early morning and I am never up early!
| October 01, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
It was a tough day for me, the anniversary of the worst mass shooting in the history of the USA. Almost 851 innocent people shot and maimed, 58 killed here in Las Vegas. There has been a small healing park created and the city was making a big show there. Music, cameras, lights, media #hashtagging that it was all about the city and the park being in the newly renovated arts district for the sake of those affected, blah, blah, blah... I wanted no part of it even though I did need a respectful, quiet place to be with people. I'm sure there are not many people reading this blog now after all these years who know my history with gun murder and mass killings concerning this journey. Bottom line... at these hoopla events you will never see messages such as "We Can End Gun Violence." You'll see every scapegoat way to say people care that avoids actual caring to prevent it from happening again. So I had a tea shirt made saying, "We Can End Gun Violence" and wore it while we created music for our weekly commitment at the field. A friend modeled it for me so I could take a picture. After the field I drove to the Mandalay Bay casino area where it all happened.
I had to use a tremendous amount or restraint in dealing with fucking nationalists riding around in their pickup trucks waving flags as if this was a fucking party for them to get drunk for. I had to deal with jerk offs dressed in Americana clothing and carrying flags, looking like slick NRA types thinking they are hot shit. Mo and I found an empty street nearby and I just sunk into my soul and created music with my eyes closed for the sake of humanity as a whole and people revisiting the incident with friends in the distance. Someone came by while I was on the piano and wanted to pay me to use my music as they filmed for a television show on the discovery channel with all their flags. I asked them what time it was. It was a few minutes before the actual shootings. I told them "no, do not bother me now, show some respect, maybe if those flags you all are waving were at half mast I would have been interested." Afterwards, I walked among a couple hundred of them with my tea shirt on saying "We Can Stop Gun Violence." Mo and I stood in their mists saying nothing and they did not know how to respond. I say, if you really care... do something more than say it, or wear hats promoting a city strong... while leaving the vulnerable to die.
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