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.
HELP! A new Carburetor is needed. SpotFund: Long Live the Traveling Piano Spotfund Venmo: Dan Kean @TravelingPiano 2156399378 - Paypal Direct: Paypal - And of Course this Website Contribution Page. Contribute Or email me for snail mail.
December 31, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
The temperatures are freezing here for New Year's Eve. I only had energy to do my Monday commitment at the field and nothing more. My friends at the field were all wondering if the people with the food were going to show up and also those with blankets and clothes. It was crazy cold but I got through it and being there was all about a show of care and support... my friends there on the street are my family. I can feel their love, respect and appreciation. It was a testament for those that did show up concerning commitment. Anyway, afterwards the good feelings did not last. I sunk into a bit of depression that a potato chip binge would not help. The old indoctrinated feeling of how New Years Eve should be spent set in. I wished I had a few friends to just hang out with. What? Yep... even though I have never had that reality ever... on any New Years Eve and I am now 63 years old.
Ahh... feeling sorry for myself even though I had what I wanted for three hours, earlier! Mo and I just hung out and cuddled in my room. Actually, I've had New Years where I performed as the main event in the center of 40,000 people, have had black tie tuxedo New Years... disco crazy partying New Years, One-on-One romantic New Years, Time's Square New York New years, and the worst, as bad as it can get New Years throughout life. I've never had a just hang out with a few friends quiet New Years. I guess I'll just have to live long enough to satisfy that feeling next year maybe. Please contribute for the Traveling Piano. I must find friends to help sustain the work. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 30, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Some people say, "your such a good guy doing what you do." And I think, what else would I do? I don't seem to have interest in much else, I'm comfortable in doing it and I get validation and appreciation. Of course I want to contribute, be helpful, nurture, create value, empower, inspire, have friendship, etc... but I don't deserve credit, its all about gratitude that I've been given the grace to have found a way, a path for life in which to operate, get through. Mo and I headed to Veterans village as we do every last Sunday to the food bank there. Having no money now, I use that food bank as well as share the Traveling Piano there. And... I need to stay honest that my going there is not about the food but about my work. My intent first and foremost is what stands. But I will tell you something. Motives and intent can easily change.
Like I say to myself, if I did not get food here would I still come? Same with the other homeless work, if something else more desirable comes about will I grab onto it and how much? A person can't know until the situation arises and... I want my life to stay fluid with what I do and why. People getting locked into a set life... well, that just would never work for me. I was taking pictures for an hour until I realized my camera card was not in the camera! Damm, I hate when that happens. All those pictures of people, I hope they don't email me for them as I do not want to disappoint. But, a few were still around so we did retakes. We've been at the Veterans Center now consistently every month for the last two years. Have never missed a month! Please contribute for the Traveling Piano. I must find friends to help sustain the work. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 29, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
With another year coming to a close and I think about this blog... do I continue with it? Especially in knowing how in some places the site is blocked because it is not commercial. Also, people rarely go off their social networks to read blogs anymore. I'm certainly not "peregrinating" anymore. Lol, as in the name of this journey... Flight of Peregrinating Musical Exploration, although I am still exploring with music and traveling around Las Vegas but even that... I have created set places, times and days. Thank God. It gives me structure which I need now in life, purpose, commitment, something to do. The question of what to do outweighs the fact that I have to do something. Thats the story of my life. But now at this point... no, its happened during several points of my life... this dilemma of not knowing what to do or wanting to do anything. I'd keep doing what I do if the funding was there but its not. More than half of this month was spent finding the money from contributions to pay my rent. This is not how I want to continue. It will lead me to where I was before this journey began... wanting to die. Please contribute for the Traveling Piano. I must find friends to hep sustain the work. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 28, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
At the rescue mission creating music today for the dinner all I could think about is what I am not doing that I need to do! Ha, I must get a smog test for the truck, reregister it and repair the back brake lights before the six of January. The cost, I'm trying not to freak out. And then there is the little kitchenette counter in my room that has needed a cleaning for the last four months that I think about every day but just won't do it. 2019 is coming, how the hell... what... its crazy I will be living in 2019, I wonder if we all will live through the year. And man, I'm old now when I look back at life! These are the thoughts that go through my mind while improvising music all the while staying aware of the music for the sake of everyone around me. Luckily people don't get my thoughts through the music but they sure can relate to the feelings of those thoughts, that is for sure. Please contribute for the Traveling Piano. I must find friends to hep sustain the work. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 27, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
At the rescue mission today I had to rein in Mo. He's getting out of hand. At first he would wear his service dog coat, no one could interact. Then as time went on I loosened up. No coat, people can now interact, no leash at the piano but... he's caught onto running under tables to get food scraps that people drop. Thats just not going to happen so, back on the leash. I took him to the dog park and a really nasty woman kicked him because she thought he was trying to hump her dog. I told her he was on the side of her animal to roll and tumble. People at dog parks are way more a problem than any dog these days. Dogs do not hump for sex in a dog park, they hump for play and fun domination! All the friggin' dogs are fixed anyway. When you take your dog to a dog park it is to let it be a dog... play, act and be a dog. If you don't like any of that... don't go to dog parks! Mo is my reason to get up every morning. His consistent love, patience, tolerance, gratitude, wanting to be close with me, enjoyment for life... all that, gives me all that.
Please help with a vote of confidence for my continued work with the Traveling Piano through a monthly subscription, any amount will help. My funding stopped on the first of the month. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 26, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I had plans for today, wanted to make plans, things I wanted to get done but... nada. Mo and I went to my friend Alex's house. She is away. I camped out all day watching television talk shows and did nothing else while all other necessities in life other than just shutting down for a day also just shut down. Its all good. Please help with a vote of confidence for my continued work with the Traveling Piano through a monthly subscription, any amount will help. My funding stopped on the first of the month. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 25, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I may have once again broken my record with this blog entry concerning the length of it. For a few days I was wondering how I was going to get through Christmas. I decided that rather than be on the streets, I was going to take the day for myself, maybe go for a hike in the desert or stay in bed and hide under the covers, maybe watch a movie on my computer. But, I was drawn to work. Then last night I heard that the field where people have been sharing gifts and food over the years would be open without cops giving out fines for sharing with the homeless. So I had to go check it out. The journey takes precedence over my hiding under the covers in bed. Well, the person was wrong... no one was in the field. So, I pulled onto the skid row street full of people and as I drove down the street people who know me were calling out "Merry Christmas Piano Man". Then I drove up and down the street with people wanting me to stay. Then I said fuck it. I'm staying to create some Christmas spirit with everyone, period.
I did not care about anything bad happening like my getting a fine for parking on the street which almost happened three days ago. It is Christmas, the birthday celebration day of my soulmate Jesus Christ. For me there can be no better way to honor the day than to do what he liked to do. I want to keep his spirit alive here on earth. And... that means for today sharing his peace, love, joy and happiness with everyone here on the streets of Las Vegas, Nevada... specifically with the homeless and poor. A couple I know living on the street decided to renew their wedding vows with a street preacher and friends present. They climbed on top of the Traveling Piano with Mo to do it. We took pictures and shared in the fun. A really black guy with a really white snowman flannel one piece came by and so for sure, I had to get him onto the piano. Many friends were there.
After a while I decided to drive to the other end of the street but as soon as I got there a Marshal (cop) on his motor bike turned the corner looking for trouble and so I got out of there quick before he caught me. I had enough time, mission accomplished and so I drove looking for another spot. There were a bunch of people sitting along a wall on a busy avenue and so I decided to check it out. The wall was to a woman's shelter which demands everyone be out on the street from morning to night. So there were all these women, some with several kids huddling in the cold with no where to go just sitting there waiting... It was a perfect spot to share some love and also on a street where many homeless people travel on. Several people passed saying they could here the music from a great distance and it was just great and thanked me for being there.
One special story... I had just played a Boogie Woogie, an Improvisation and a Ragtime piece of music. Shortly thereafter a women with her two kids came up and said I just played her favorite song, would I please play it again. I assumed it was the Entertainer, the Ragtime piece and she said no. I said it must be the Boogie Woogie. She said, nope. I then told her it was not a song, just my musical improvisation. She said it was a song she knows and asked the name. I told her I was improvising my spirit of love. Then, when I began to improvise she said emphatically, thats it... thats it! I said again... this is just my improve. She said no, she has heard this specific song at the Rescue Mission when she was there for dinner. When she heard it for the first time it lifted her up and took the weight of the world from her... it was so beautiful, peaceful and healing! That blew me away. I told her that was me improvising at the Mission Center. She had not recognized me or Mo from the Mission Center but she new the music of my soul very well. It was all just awesome, awesome, awesome. The journey took the day from my self-centered neediness concerning Christmas and I am very grateful for that.
I wrote my very first ever Christmas Message last night: Whether we realize it or not, we all live the paths of others. Be it our parents, our peers past and present, through the moral compass of the leaders we support, channeled words, observations of people we experience... my individual path has been created from bits and pieces of all the mentioned aspects... of others. The most influential path I have experienced in the past as well as the present through other people is that of Jesus Christ. He proclaimed himself the son of God and said that we all are one with him in that fact. Jesus was on earth as a man to live and die with us all through God the father. He never stated that God was a person or a being, but... without question a power greater than all of us together...in love, God as we understand. Jesus showed us that God is at one in us, as we are within him. This was his clear message. So, as well as with many other things, I call myself a Christian. I trust the path of Jesus Christ here on earth first and foremost. He was all for the good of all and... he proved it through his words and actions. Today is the day of the year that I celebrate his Birthday. Merry Christmas!
When I got back to my place just as I closed the door my phone rang. It was a number calling form the UK and I remembered that I was scheduled to do a radio podcast broadcast for the Paul Ross overnight show on talkRADIO in London. The timing of that happening was insane. I had completely forgotten about the scheduled interview. Had I not been where I was at that exact time I would have either not heard the call or ignored it. In fact my first impulse was for it to be a spam call to ignore. Anyway, I did the interview and ten minutes felt like thirty seconds. I said "shit" several times, lol and was a little heavy on the Jesus with Christmas talk. I got a short blurb in about the Traveling Piano fundraiser but it was short and quick. I cannot imagine anyone would have been able to latch onto it. That was the shows original intent, to help me raise funds. I was friggin' difficult to interview because I kept talking over the guy, lol! It was fun, I'm glad I did it... would like to do more podcasts to raise some funds. Please contribute for the Traveling Piano. I must find friends to hep sustain the work. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 24, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Wow, its Christmas Eve. I found some old pictures at Christmas time from the house I owned and sold for this journey. As I looked at some of the decorations I found myself traveling back in time to the feelings of owning them. After taking them out of storage and putting them back into storage every year for thirty years you can bet I will always have feelings of emotional love with every single decoration. I enjoyed everyone of them individually for all those years. As I was driving to interact with people I came across a woman named Brenda who has been living on the streets for years and plays the piano. For the last two years has been sinking deeper and deeper into herself and not in good ways. I stopped in front of where she was crouched in a corner and prodded her up to play for a bit. She came out of herself and created some beautiful music. Her not wanting to have her picture taken unlike in the past was a "tell" to how she has been feeling about herself. My heart goes out to her.
At the field were we hang every Monday a woman who is amazingly fun and creative, she made a reindeer decoration for me and it is perfectly awesome. All the materials were found on the street... yarn, ribbon, fallen palm pieces, fern, paper, etc... It took a lot of thought and time to make... for me! Random people played on the piano for most of the time and I just hung out and talked with friends, my family. Everyone was not sure anyone would show up with food but they did. The volunteers were telling me that they would never miss a week even with Christmas Eve as think think of all the people poor and living on the streets as family for them also. Please contribute for the Traveling Piano. I must find friends to hep sustain the work. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 23, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Today I didn't quite know what to do with myself, where to go, how to create some musical fun, friendship and respect. Without question my comfort zone has been affected as a result of yesterday. While moving on and finding myself open to new and better places to interact with people would be best... I have always had difficulty in letting go of what I know and feel and am used to just... move on. I drove around and around while forgetting that I don't look for people to interact with. They find me. The spots I have been going to for the last few months are just too easy because there are always many people around. But to be fair, they are also where all my peeps hang out. Anyway, I parked and created music in an old spot by the mission center on the street.
Please contribute for the Traveling Piano. There are no sources except for individual contribution and my one contributor of over ninety percent of my bills has dropping out from giving. I must find other friends to hep sustain the work. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 22, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I'm hurting. I feel violated. The Las Vegas marshals descended on the Traveling Piano today in the skid row area of Las Vegas. They used me to send a message to the homeless, to intimidate them... using me as an example, to get rid of me or anything good for others to enjoy. They did it through the fact that no vehicles are allowed to park on the street. In fact on Christmas they will be closing the street down so no people can come and share gifts or food. The homeless are being criminalized, forced to become wards of the state for the sake of non-profit payoffs. Worse... those like myself relating to the homeless in any way are being fined large amounts of money in order to force us to detach and to create fear all around. Mo and I drew 4 Marshall vehicles, 2 Metro Police vehicles into our space, lights flashing... all at the same time today... just to intimidate. We will not be deterred. I really feel hurt because I know how much people on the street enjoy, need and want us there. The marshals were using the Traveling Piano to punish people. Those living on the street all began to come up to defend me and I just kept saying don't, it will make things worse. One guy came up and said don't worry if they fine you, we will all pay collect the payment for you together. Fact is, the cops had nothing on me and I wasn't doing anything illegal except being parked on the street.
You can believe they looked through the records and especially was trying to figure out if I was busking. Where I was, can an idea like that get more ridiculous? In order to fine me they would have had to get the Metro police in on what was going on and they don't like to work together. Metro could not come into the situation because the Marshals got to me first. They just walked around ignoring the situation and making a presence to intimate the entire area. The marshals let me off without a written warning which is all they could have done. A warning that they would have had to fabricate, like loitering or something like that. Everyone there living on the street is loitering. Anyway, before all that we were having fun. A couple got married on the street yesterday and they got onto the piano with their pup. Another woman just wanted her picture taken with Mo. Friends I know stopped by. The guy thrown out of the mission center this week found me and got onto the piano for the piano lesson he missed. Between dinners I was giving him five minute lessons on improvising music. Please contribute. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 21, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Today felt like crazy town. Like, I lift something up that knocks something else down which cascades into a huge mess with a plant turning over, the wet dirt falling out of the pot in the most difficult, unaccessible spot possible kind of day. And events like that are constant. Every move had to be with care and consciousness and... slow as he goes. It took me back to early days of the journey how I wrote about days when I could only accomplish one thing only but... I accomplished. As I was driving to the Rescue Mission today I saw it was a full moon and that explained a lot as I am usually affected by a full moon. Same with many other people because all night the sirens in town were running with cops, fire engines, rescue vehicles constantly racing in every which way.
At the mission I could not play most of my standard pieces of music. The where with all just wasn't there. Good thing I can just feel my way though with improvising my own music although it was exhausting. I didn't think I would get through the second hour but somehow I just got into a therapeutic zone, a musical rhythm and it was quite nice. People were absolutely affected by it in a good way and that makes everything about my creating music complete. In case you have not read past blog entries. My funding has ended and I must create sustained income through contribution. Please create a subscription for as little as three bucks a month, the price of a cup of coffee. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 20, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Christmas is coming on fast. There is a part of me that wants to make it special but thats not going to happen. Oh well... it will most likely be a day as usual. We headed to create music at the Rescue Mission and passed a row of trees ready to drop their leaves. I've been enjoying them for a few weeks. They are past the high color but still, amazing. Autumn leaves at Christmas! I had a few friends make a short video testimonial to help in raising funds and the experience served to remind me how much i am loved and wanted. I need to know that, especially at this time of year. And, asking people for money is such a pain in the ass but it must be done. I'm in trouble and need to raise enough to last at least a year so I do not have to be doing this fundraising all the time. Please create a Traveling Piano subscription: Subscription/ Contribution Link. Make a one time contribution: PayPal Me for the Traveling Piano. Contribute via Facebook: Facebook Fundraiser Contact me for other alternatives via my email address found on this link: Contact Me.
December 19, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Originally I was going to take the Traveling Piano out but I am in an emotionally messed up state of mind, way to much to be giving. I started to feel nostalgic about the holidays and then needy for the reality of those old feelings once again manifest. Ain't gonna happen. Then I realized I needed to take care of myself, take a day off just for me. Mo and I drove out to the desert to sit on huge boulders while looking at a mountain of huge boulders for about an hour. Mo and I are in heaven together in nature. Then I headed to get a pastrami sandwich from a deli that has been on my mind literally for over a year. It was a high quality sandwich place which I was saving for a special time and damm, it closed months ago. Mo and I went to the movies and saw Mary Poppins Returns and it was just perfect, uplifting and nostalgic in an emotionally wonderful way. I cannot remember a movie where I said to myself I must see this again. Then we stopped at my friend Adam's work called The Bar which is south of the Las Vegas Strip and he treated me to a... great pastrami sandwich. So now after this day... I feel a little better. PayPal Me for the Traveling Piano
December 18, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
My mind was feeling negative today. We drove anyway to our usual Tuesday spot across the street from the Salvation Army and created music until the speaker battery went dead. Then I just felt exhausted, took Mo for a little walk and then invited people to contribute online until I fell asleep. "Just keep going Danny." This is what so many people have said throughout the journey and they will never know how significantly empowering, inspiring and supportive they have been in saying that. There is only one thing more so all that... actual contribution. PayPal Me for the Traveling Piano
December 17, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
At the field tonight, the speaker went dead several times. I just kept finagling with it each time until it went back on. Many people wanted to play on the piano and as a result I did not get much playing time in. I decided to try something new and wow, is it going to be fun, it already has. My friends on the street are going to give short testimonials for me to help with my fundraising. It will be spontaneous and really, really funny because most people will be on the spot without knowing what to say. They just want to support me. I did it with four people tonight included the priest who began Monday nights at the field eighteen years ago. I posted the first one on facebook and will begin posting them on Youtube... so I can post them here on this website. It brings me back to the beginning of the journey when I got almost everyone in my life to post on a video for Oprah to help with my wildest dream. Oprah ignored it but the process, the validation, the personal reassurance was wonderful. My main contributor's well went dry. Now I'm pulling in less than a hundred a month from five other people and that is is. I get no government assistance and have no other income. So, I need to for you help keep this journey going. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 16, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I attended the Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas performance today with guest artist, Canadian Ben Smith playing the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto #2 which is one of my all time favorite pieces of classical music. It was awesome and made me feel so good to see so many young musicians creating such quality music. I really love Las Vegas in so many ways and on so many levels and want to help the communities living in the city to grown in self respect and appreciation for one another. Tonight Mo and I took our usual walk downtown. One blanket a night goes with us to give to someone sleeping on the cement sidewalk. I did something really gross. Someone told me where a guy was sleeping who had no blanket so I went to look for him. Just as I gave up and put the blanket on a woman sleeping who looked like she could use extra cover...
I saw the guy and went back to pick the blanket back up off the woman without waking her. And then I took it across the street to the guy who had none. Lol, it felt so gross but... it is what it is. Also, I noticed two blankets people were using that I had passed out to other people in past nights. I asked one guy where he got it and he told me another guy gave it to him. That feels really good to know that people in such need are sharing with each other. Right outside my apartment door last night, in the gated parking lot a car was stolen. This was a first and makes me feel a bit angry with management because they have not been caring about security! My funding has stopped so I need to ask for your help to continue with the Traveling Piano. It is a good and worthwhile cause. Every penny goes directly into the work. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 15, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I feel good about this fundraising. Did I just say that? Although, it is very, very difficult keep track of correspondence and details of who I sent requests to, from what source, who responded and how... who I need to followup with... the constant updates, keeping them interesting and where I updated online... it is allot. And then there is the actual Traveling Piano work and other everyday stuff. It was a beautiful day. Mo and I were driving to the Las Vegas version of skid row while thinking how I'd like to find someplace different. And then, we passed a park where there were about fifteen people from the streets hanging out. The city took the benches out of the park so "those people" will not hang around. That really bothers me. The moronic thinking and behavior... "we would rather have no people using or sitting in the park then have any homeless people so lets make it uninviting for everyone." They are too stupid to realize that homeless people have no problem sitting on walls or on the ground. Anyway, I had some significant musical fun, friendship and respect with several guys there. Then we drove to the skid row area where the police were trolling to ticket individuals several hundred bucks each... who were trying to share food with anyone.
They want the homeless to become wards of the state concerning food... stand in line, get stamped, eat at certain times or don't eat at all... the shitty food provided by Catholic Charities and other "non-profits" who in fact profit ten bucks from each meal compliment of the city... for meals worth two bucks. But thats not what gets me mad most. What bothers me about that is how the "system" is disempowering individuals in society like myself from having any personal responsibility in caring for others. Corrupt authority figures are trying to force not only those in need but those who have a desire to nurture humanity, into giving the control and responsibility over to institutions. People are finding ways around the new laws as people do. I found community members tucked into private property with permission to give out food and necessities. I tucked the Traveling Piano into one of those places until the police left. When they came around again they, thank God... ignored me and just stood making their presence known. These literally poor people I was with... they all live in fear all the time and just want to be left alone to find their way and get along in life with others. This is the fact. There are always a few "other thans" but they are few. Please help me to keep sharing love and care. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 14, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Good Morning Las Vegas ABC Channel 13 Action News created a segment to help with awarness about the need for sustained funds in order to continue with the Traveling Piano. Please Contribute and share the link.
A guy came up to me on the street and was telling me how he was having a really bad day last week while hoping I would come around to create some music to help get his head sane. This is just so amazing, it always will be for me. I never thought of music as healing and even more... never thought before this journey began that I'd be creating my own music that would be healing for others. I've enjoyed music immensely. I've had some "wow" moments with it and many "I needed that" moments. But I've never thought of music as healing as many people tell me all the time. I know my music has helped my sanity, it has been a release for me and inspiring in a spiritual sense, miraculous even. Being a channel for healing well, so be it.
Also, I know how empowering the Traveling Piano is for those that have never created music before but more and more on the streets I am witnessing how those who can play really need a piano to play on. It gives people a feeling of worth, self-respect and a way to connect. One guy was playing while another says to me, "wow, I've seen him walking around for weeks and would never have thought he could play music like that." As soon as the guy was done playing, the guy talking to me had a reason to connect and went right over to began talking. The Traveling Piano through the years has often been a vehicle for connecting strangers together but in todays world never strangers so in need to connect with each other. Please make a contribution to help keep this going. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 12, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
There is a tooth crown that has been bothering me for over a month since I had it put on so I went back to the dentist today and she filed it down some. It had been driving me crazy, enough that I would rather have had it pulled then deal with it any longer. Now, I keep anticipating the problem that does not exist because the constant dealing with it over the last month became a habit, lol. I still spin at the reality that this dentist has contributed over ten thousand dollars of dental work for me without cost. Later I went over a new friends house and hung out with him and his dad in their garage "man cave." The friendship felt really good. The guy, Adam is a bartender who has a patron who brings him a hoagie from New Jersey every time she flies to and from the east cost.
I got the hoagie tonight and could not believe how good it tasted. There is no way to duplicate a hoagie from back east anywhere else. I forgot the distinct taste of one and it brought back a very homey feeling. A friend from back east sent me some cash, a niece and nephew sent me some cash as a Christmas present and my new friend used me as the recipient of his tithing. This all helps, gives me hope, makes me feel good but what I need is sustained income to keep going so I don't have to constantly fundraise from new sources that I need to find. Anyway, never will I take for granted the feeling of being loved and appreciated. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 11, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
Channel 13 Las Vegas connected with me today concerning my need to raise funds and sent a reporter with a camera out to create a segment. It is the first time I've granted an interview for the media since 2014 because I got fed up with people spinning who I am and what I am about as a novelty and just plain using me without for example saying I have a website to view. But the interest was specifically about the fundraiser and I do need to let people know I exist, especially the las Vegas community now that this is my permanent home. I was very convoluted with what I was saying and as the reporter was videotaping I know how I looked from past experience, how I was holding myself, etc... and well, it is what it is.
A few people who live on the streets and who really appreciate me stopped by and that might help whatever segment is being created if in fact they end up publishing anything. I'm just letting it go. I almost don't even want to see or know anything about it. I can't imagine they can even broadcast a way to find me on facebook except to say search for the Traveling Piano. In the afternoon I went to a museum with a friend and almost could not stay awake from exhaustion. Came back to my room slept for a half hour and then headed over to our Tuesday spot across from the Salvation Army as a food truck served a couple hundred dinners to people in the dark.PayPal Traveling Piano Gift.
December 10, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
The Traveling Piano taillights need to get replaced. I can't just replace the bulbs as the one unit is broke. There are not many 1987 Toyota's around any more for parts and so they are pricey according to supply and demand. And then the bill for my registration renewal came as well as the truck insurance. And then the rent for January, gas, food, etc... My donor's well has gone dry. Seriously, please create a subscription as little as three bucks a month can help. I do not use government assistance and have no resources other than personal contribution, my choice... Lets keep paying forward the worth of the work! Mo and I were at the field as usual every Monday night. It is more scary in the dark with winter and the cold. Every season has its uncomfortably. Mo and I just deal with it because people are so appreciative. Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 09, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
We headed out to the skid row of Las Vegas today and as we drove down the street at least ten people called out to us with a hello! Mo was a real star today. People love seeing him constantly alert moving from one end of the piano to the other. So many people just need to get a hug with him. He's major therapy for many and really good at it! Also, I take pictures of other dogs with him and people love to see their dog being with Mo because that is a natural reality... for dogs to be with each other. The opportunity rarely happens on the streets. A guy got onto the truck and began to play some Bach... real good! After he got off, his smell was, well... when I got back to my place I had to fabreze the piano seat as well as the seat of my pants! Ugh, it happens. It has only happened about four times in the last ten years. But when someone smells bad enough, the smell does not dissipate.
Another guy came over to say hello and told me he was sleeping all day because he is feeling sick but woke up in his tent to the music and it made his day. My playing was unusually strong and clear today maybe because I have not been playing so much and feel rested from it. I zoned out with improve for about twenty minutes and when I finished a guy from across the street yelled that he almost forgot where he was while listening. The validation, reassurance, musical fun, friendship and respect that transpires for myself and everyone through the Traveling Piano and Mo... there is nothing that can compare. It is all good! Please create a subscription... Subscription/ Contribution Link.
December 08, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
I spent the first half of the day contacting people asking for sustainable contribution to keep going. Everyday, reality is setting in more how I have no security and no prospect to pay the basic bills. On some level I realize none of us has the security we think exists. For the last few years I was constantly assured that my back would be covered but I am too smart to put all my eggs in one basket with that idea but still... there was comfort in the idea. As I began to go crazy with the process of raising funds I just stopped and zone out for the second half of the day. God it is difficult to ask people for money and even more to deal with the rejection. It is my choice and I do enjoy giving people the opportunity to contribute. The Traveling Piano is a way... a worthwhile opportunity to give.
As I said on the first of the month, my funding stopped. There had been one main contributor for the last two years. The well has run dry. There is no reserve, no external income. I must sustain the ability to share the Traveling Piano without obligation or expectation while paying for living expenses such as rent. More about that can be found on the November 24th blog entry. In any case, please set up a Traveling Piano subscription: Subscription/ Contribution Link. Make a one time contribution: PayPal Me for the Traveling Piano. Contribute via Facebook: Facebook Fundraiser Contact me for other alternatives via my email address found on this link: Contact Me.
December 07, 2018
Snow Mountain, Utah
We headed back to Las Vegas, I really wasn't ready... the hassle a few days ago helped because now I have a bit of a bad taste in my mouth that will need time to dissipate concerning Zion and then I remembered also, I have no money to stay! Being frugal is now an art for me. In three days I spent $6. Lol, it was for a Subway hoagie. Mo and I stopped at Snow Canyon on the way back. I had absolutely no desire to create music. We hiked and on returning to the truck as often happens, an exchange began with a guy and then the sharing of music began. I improvised for only a minute and thought... "what the hell am I not doing... its a beautiful day, I have time, I'm at Snow Canyon... I must create some music." We drove to the overlook and I got about a half hour in before another vehicle appeared with three guys hanging out. They were blown away because down in the Canyon they had heard the music and it was driving them crazy wondering where it was coming from and then... they spontaneously and synchronistically found us! Thats the way it works and it is a lot of fun, full of wonder and relationship.
December 06, 2018
Hurricane, Utah
For some reason... yesterday did a number on my head as in it twisted me up. I need to remember when I am stimulated, no sleep is needed. I had only six hours yesterday, did all that hiking, dealt with the police and ended up processing some of the pictures until 2am. You would think I would have been exhausted and able to get to bed early? Then, I couldn't sleep so I got back up and wrote a complaint letter to the cops which I decided not to send. You know, nothing is really different... ever. Back when I began the Traveling Piano when it was called Raggin' Piano Boogie in 1987, there were several times I was stopped by police. Once was at a bus/train station. Literally, they thought I must have been crazy doing what I do and held me there for over a half hour trying to find something on me to justify their simple mindedness, lol!
I got a Facebook email from a local Las Vegas television reporter expressing interest in my fundraiser. I called as requested and now we are playing phone tag. It was cloudy today. I did not want to go back to Zion because I'm scared of running into the police again! I tried to get my brake light fixed, it is an electrical problem I'll need to look into when I get back to the city. We found a hiking trail nearby that was just perfect with amazing views! Now, I'm getting some work done on my computer. Tomorrow morning we head back to Las Vegas. Yesterday's peaceful time in the park erased a lot of need for negative thoughts in my head. Today, they have been trying to re-enter but I just don't want them. Negativity can become automatic with my thinking. It can attach itself to everything good. I'll just need to become hyper aware of that, eradicate negativity as much as I can from my being.
December 05, 2018
Zion, Utah
Wow, in Zion National park today I fell into a zen-like state. It was so beautiful, big, magical, stupendous and more. Walking along streams with babbling water. There was practically no one around. We took our time. Climbing down rocks is getting difficult! Ha, I still do it. At a certain point I realized my cell phone was not with me. I was positive that it was when I began on the hike. Then all my coping skills came into play. There was no way I was going to destroy the moment with fear, drama, beating myself up worry that I'm losing my mind, etc... I got back to the truck. It wasn't there. Ok, I resigned myself to walk back through the trail as in, just to the footsteps, do something no matter how little the chance of finding it. We were rarely actually on the trail. We walked along streams through grass and rocks. I shot up a prayer to St. Anthony being conscious of intent. I needed to have 100% belief in my intent that St. Anthony would find the phone for me. It worked! Immediately I got the message. "Its in your backpack."
The park cops interfered with my Zen like day in Zion National park... again! As always, total jerks. My brake tail light went out so that was their excuse to close in on the Traveling Piano man being a possible terrorist. Dic: Do you have any guns in the back? Me: No. ...Dic: Why are you in the park today? Me: To enjoy it? ...As I am looking for my papers in the glove compartment... Dic: Is that a knife I see in there? Me: Come on officer, how threatening can an old guy with a sweet pup and a piano in the back of an old truck look to you? As they held me there for ten minutes looking for trouble so they could search under the tarp... a wild turkey came out of the brush and stood directly in front of the truck. I took a picture of it through the windshield. They could not find anything on me other than the tail light so they had to let me go. I was not going to let them search without a probable cause. This was at the end of the day and it really put a damper on it all. Hate when that happens.
All in all, it was just fantastic and validating of how much I needed to be in nature such as this. Most people have no comprehension of the reality, the beauty that exists in nature here on planet earth so for me to be able to feel the wonder and see it all... I am very blessed, grateful and awe inspired. It was healing in the sense that it opened me up to the grace of God, miracles... they happen in the present moment. So does the crap, like the cops. Learning to live life on life's terms, is a challenge that will go to the grave with me. Thank God not so much for the day but for Zion park and my ability to enjoy.
December 04, 2018
Hurricane, Utah
We drove to Hurricane, Utah today. Mo and I are being treated coincidentally, providentially to the same motel room we were in at this time last year for the same majorly low discounted price. If I think about it, I can cry. I've not been away for over a year. It is so needed! Also, I just need to get out of being on the streets with people living on them all the time. But... I don't know what to do with myself. As I drove today, I was thinking about how Las Vegas like other cities, is now not only rounding up the homeless in preparation to make them wards of the state through profiteering non-profit agencies... they are forcing city residents to not feed or help them by handing out $200 tickets for those caught feeding a homeless person. Not only that, they are creating fear mongering propaganda articles for the media to scare people away from each other. It all makes me as angry as I can get, and so very sad. My tendency is to lash out with a major media blitz of my own asking if we are all going to get fined for smiling at homeless people. Of course there will be no need for concern because they will all either die or become institutionalized, out of sight for the sake of profit. So the answer, just keep doing what I am doing. Whenever possible break the law if I see a need to. I'll keep creating validation and reassurance for everyone I meet through the truth of my spirit and music. If only one person, that is enough. Please help me to continue doing that.
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December 03, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
It feels very strange on Mondays now. A few months back the sun was so strong I needed an umbrella over the truck. Now, the sun goes down at four and by the time we get to our usual spot, it is pitch black. Also, its cold. A few months ago the temperature was more often than not over a hundred degrees in the dark. Now its dark and cold and also, I have been developing night blindness over the last few years. So... I never used to close my eyes when creating music because I needed to see what is going on around me. Now... it does not matter because I can't see anything either way! A woman came up to say, "when you create music all the angels gather." And that... is why I do what I do in the dark and cold, in the sun and heat, whatever. We were at our Monday night commitment at a place called the field.
December 02, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
After spending hours today working intensely to create some semblance of order concerning my raising funds not just to keep going but to live the basic life I presently have, Mo and I took a walk and spent time in a dog park. Getting my head set to go away for a few days this week also consumed time. Then there are many pictures to process, always. I like spending time with myself. With the outside world I see that as I get older, respect from people who do not know me gets less and less. Appearance is what gives many people value and I'm too down to earth to play a game that I am "somebody." So, as I look older and frumpier and fatter and I interact with people who know nothing of my work or accomplishments in life... I'm forced to go inside and find my own self-worth for myself and then continue onward. PayPal Me for the Traveling Piano
December 01, 2018
Las Vegas, Nevada
November flew by faster than any month I can ever remember. It was a beautiful day today and up the street from where I live a fundraiser was happening for homeless teens. Its been awhile since I've spent time with anyone other than the actual homeless on the streets. So, this was fun for a change except for the dodging of people thinking I was there to perform or entertain. I was there because this was in my neighborhood and I wanted to share relationship with people, music being the catalyst. Also, I wanted to contribute to the success of the event even though the people holding the event could not have cared less whether I was there or not, lol. Supporting local neighborhood events is important. Bringing people together is important. Any opportunity for strangers to become less afraid of each other... important. Now what I have to say next... very important.
My funding stopped today. There had been one main contributor for the last two years. The well has run dry. There is no reserve, no external income. I must sustain the ability to share the Traveling Piano without obligation or expectation while paying for living expenses such as rent. More about that can be found on the November 24th blog entry. In any case, please set up a Traveling Piano subscription: Subscription/ Contribution Link. Make a one time contribution: PayPal Me for the Traveling Piano. Contribute via Facebook: Facebook Fundraiser Contact me for other alternatives via my email address found on this link: Contact Me.