Drum Lesson, RDO, The Cops

I think you can pretty much put money on the fact that if I’m writing something here, Jules must be having a drum lesson. What? Because that’s what’s happening now. Last week he had a substitute teacher, but today his usual guy is here, making him count and stuff. I know I get more excited about these lessons than the kid does sometimes, but I see myself in there, one day. He does seem a little tired, so his energy level is pretty low, but his teacher is so peppy and fun, I’m hoping he wakes up a little.

He finished up karate camp last Friday, and since today was my RDO, instead of doing something awesome and fun, I took him with me to my massage appointment and made him wait for me in the lobby. I know! What stories he’s going to have to tell on the comedy circuit someday. I also took him for a Slurpee at 7-Eleven afterward, and then we went home and had grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. THEN I made him watch two episodes of “Classic Albums” on PBS with me - the one on Dark Side of the Moon, and the one on Rumors. The funny thing is, he watched it while also watching anime on his iPad and while wearing headphones! What a multitasker. Later, I cleaned the hall closets and made him listen to Rumors, the Red Album by Weezer, and This Year’s Model by Elvis Costello. As I said elsewhere, I listen to music so loud they can probably hear it in space, so some of that probably sank in. Also, he’s heard all of it before, AND my singing.

I’ve seen both those episodes of “Classic Albums” before, but there’s something so poignant and terrible about John McVie’s sadness when talking about Rumors that I almost can’t stand it. I should probably do some additional reading. I know that was filmed a long time ago but he still seemed so broken by whatever he did and whatever was done to him. And yet the playing he does on those songs is so recognizable and so happy sounding. How did he do that?

I’ve been listening to that album for a long time - as one would have to, as it’s existed a long time - and as I get older, the Christine McVie songs grow on me more and more. I used to get very wrapped up in Stevie’s witchy weirdness, but Christine’s songs and her voice are just as good.

Oh, did I mention that someone called the cops on our flute rehearsal yesterday?

Patty moved a few blocks a few months ago, and one of her neighbors is apparently not a fan. She received an anonymous note, complaining about the music. It sucks, because she’s a flutist, and teaching and playing is her main source of income. Practicing and rehearsals all go with the territory of a professional musician. I’m sorry if this guy disagrees, but I think everyone is entitled to make a living. And you may not have noticed, Cowardly Neighbor, but there aren’t a lot of gigs for professional musicians right now. Anyway, I never saw the note, but I know it wasn’t pleasant. Yesterday, I was told (because my back was to the street; we were playing out in her back yard) that the neighbor suspected of writing the note walked by, and then a few minutes later, the police drove by. They stopped at the corner and sat there, and Patty’s other neighbor (a nice lady named… Irene) asked them what was up. They said they’d been called out because of the music, but they chose not to even talk to us because we weren’t doing anything wrong.

No shit. If playing the flute is illegal then I guess I’m in a gang.