It was a magnificent morning today...sunny, calm, green-green-and more green. The volcano was resplendent against a azure sky.
And we slept in because we watched a movie till late last night. (11:30 pm is unimaginably late for us!)
I have been having many "I am so lucky to be retired and living in paradise" days.
Maybe because I am working about 75% of the time and I feel useful once again. Or, maybe just the natural cycle of up and down that life takes at will. Or maybe I finally let in how fortunate I am to retire early, with my health in tack, my marriage working at it's best and adventure around every corner.
For whatever reason, I have been ecstatic to be here.
A couple of things...
As I was driving home, approaching the Wilson Bridge, I saw 6 teenagers standing around a guy crumpled on the bridge with a pool of blood around his head.
Uh oh!
Here's how my mind works....a sorry thing at best.
I thought, "Damn, I had a relaxing afternoon planned that I don't want to interrupt, and I don't want to drive all the way to David to the hospital to get this kid help and get stuck with the bill and lose the entire rest of my day helping this little shit."
Ok, don't worry too much about me...I also thought, "Shit, looks bad, I'll stop and do whatever I can."
A pulled up next to the group. Before I could say anything, one kid in perfect english says,"Don't worry, it is a movie!"
These kids were staging an accident for their homemade movie. And having a blast scaring the crap out of all that were driving by!
Are we the next Bollywood? Or Boquetewood?
Just kidding.
I drove to my favorite hike this morning. I have been avoiding it because they started to charge $3 for the hike. But it is the best in Boquete, and the morning was so beautiful that I decided to splurge and cough up the $3.
I hiked, it was great and I thought I was going to get away without paying because there was no one on the trail, no guardian of the gate, no money taker. As I was walking the final 100 meters of trail, a lady calls out from a house about a block away.
I play dumb by waving cheerfully and walking on. As I got to my car, I hear her calling me.
Ok, I got caught.
So I walk back to her. She introduces herself and tells me I have to pay $3. But she does it so enchantingly that I am charmed. We chat a little in Spanish. She even compliments me on my Spanish, a clever ploy to disarm me...that works very well.
In the end, I was happy to pay. And I felt a little foolish trying to beat her out of $3.
Later this afternoon, we will go hear the newest band in town. Reportedly, they are very good.
Then back home for dinner and a MOVIE!!!!
Movies are a big deal here. We haven't seen a movie in many months because they are hard to download and run on our equipment so we kind of gave up.
But NOW, Yella has figured out how to download for our stuff.
Yay!!!!! MOVIES!!!!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Battle of the Bands Benefit
Last night, our band played a long set at the Boquete Community Players theater for a fund raiser for said organization.
They have never had a dance with live music so this was new and risky. To take some of the risk away and boost the attendance, 2 bands were playing at the event.
For the last 9 months, there have been two bands in town.
We have been playing for a year and a half, and the newer, upstarts have been playing for 9 months.
There is, of course, talk about which band is better.
Let me regress for a moment about the event.
I was reluctant to do it. If we were going to play a set and that was it, I was fine. But, noooooo, they wanted to put the 2 bands together for a set so we would play together.
It is a lot of work to play a new song. I didn't want to put all that work into learning not one but 6 new songs that we would never play again.
A waist of time, in my world.
The real reason is that the other band has one of the best guitar players in rock anywhere in the world, much less our little berg of Boquete. There is no way I wanted to step on stage with a virtuoso.
What, you think I'm crazy? Who would want to do that?
So there I was, enduring 3 long, long, long, long rehearsals, learning new music that I knew would end up sounding like crap because it is really hard to get new stuff to sound good right out of the box. And having all my inadequacies exposed by a much better guitar player.
Now back to which band is better.
As is typical, the comparison is not apples to apples.
They are a blues band with better musicianship, playing for themselves and the spirit of hot licks.
We are a dance band with a great singer/entertainer out front and we shape our music to the crowd with compelling, hot dance music.
There is no doubt, we are more popular. No contest. Playing to the crowd always trumps quality unless you are in a special venue set up for avid music buffs and listening.
And, the competitive situation never was present in the event with the musicians...mainly with the patrons.
And, I hate to tell you, I was right. Several of our joint songs were pretty bad.
In the end, our band had a ball, played fairly well, the crowd loved us. We got to play in a more professional environment with a big sound system and sound man...always good to play in an upgraded place.
The other band was also well receiver, played very well, and the crowd appreciated them.
All in all, those attending had a blast. Another crazy, fun night in Boquete!
As a side note, when the Jazz and Blues Festival was here in March, the other band was invited to play several times during the event. We were not invited. Clearly, this type of event required better musicianship favoring them.
If I am honest, it did sting a little not being invited.
They have never had a dance with live music so this was new and risky. To take some of the risk away and boost the attendance, 2 bands were playing at the event.
For the last 9 months, there have been two bands in town.
We have been playing for a year and a half, and the newer, upstarts have been playing for 9 months.
There is, of course, talk about which band is better.
Let me regress for a moment about the event.
I was reluctant to do it. If we were going to play a set and that was it, I was fine. But, noooooo, they wanted to put the 2 bands together for a set so we would play together.
It is a lot of work to play a new song. I didn't want to put all that work into learning not one but 6 new songs that we would never play again.
A waist of time, in my world.
The real reason is that the other band has one of the best guitar players in rock anywhere in the world, much less our little berg of Boquete. There is no way I wanted to step on stage with a virtuoso.
What, you think I'm crazy? Who would want to do that?
So there I was, enduring 3 long, long, long, long rehearsals, learning new music that I knew would end up sounding like crap because it is really hard to get new stuff to sound good right out of the box. And having all my inadequacies exposed by a much better guitar player.
Now back to which band is better.
As is typical, the comparison is not apples to apples.
They are a blues band with better musicianship, playing for themselves and the spirit of hot licks.
We are a dance band with a great singer/entertainer out front and we shape our music to the crowd with compelling, hot dance music.
There is no doubt, we are more popular. No contest. Playing to the crowd always trumps quality unless you are in a special venue set up for avid music buffs and listening.
And, the competitive situation never was present in the event with the musicians...mainly with the patrons.
And, I hate to tell you, I was right. Several of our joint songs were pretty bad.
In the end, our band had a ball, played fairly well, the crowd loved us. We got to play in a more professional environment with a big sound system and sound man...always good to play in an upgraded place.
The other band was also well receiver, played very well, and the crowd appreciated them.
All in all, those attending had a blast. Another crazy, fun night in Boquete!
As a side note, when the Jazz and Blues Festival was here in March, the other band was invited to play several times during the event. We were not invited. Clearly, this type of event required better musicianship favoring them.
If I am honest, it did sting a little not being invited.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Back in the Saddle
I am now "Back To Work."
I am ambivalent about it.
Tuesday, I wrote a 12 page report about our work in Colombia. Every time I looked up, several hours had passed.
Now that hasn't happened in a long time. To be so engrossed that time literally flies.
.
That is the good part of working again. It is fun to be part of something exciting. And to feel useful once again.
I like that!
However, my idyllic life style has taken a big hit.
No more time for leisurely breakfasts with friends. Followed by a couple of hours at the spa and gym. Moseying on to lunch followed by a nap. Then some guitar practice. And a heavy evening of TV or movies.
No more.
I do feel the loss. I don't suppose there is any balance between the two readily available.
I am scheduled to back in Colombia in 10 days for 2 weeks. I have to admit that being away from home for more than a week is not my cup of tea.
The work is stimulating. We are at that place it creating a business that is intoxicating. Full of energy and hopefulness. Plus, I work with some pretty awesome people. That always helps.
I sure hope we make some money!
Back to work...
I am ambivalent about it.
Tuesday, I wrote a 12 page report about our work in Colombia. Every time I looked up, several hours had passed.
Now that hasn't happened in a long time. To be so engrossed that time literally flies.
.
That is the good part of working again. It is fun to be part of something exciting. And to feel useful once again.
I like that!
However, my idyllic life style has taken a big hit.
No more time for leisurely breakfasts with friends. Followed by a couple of hours at the spa and gym. Moseying on to lunch followed by a nap. Then some guitar practice. And a heavy evening of TV or movies.
No more.
I do feel the loss. I don't suppose there is any balance between the two readily available.
I am scheduled to back in Colombia in 10 days for 2 weeks. I have to admit that being away from home for more than a week is not my cup of tea.
The work is stimulating. We are at that place it creating a business that is intoxicating. Full of energy and hopefulness. Plus, I work with some pretty awesome people. That always helps.
I sure hope we make some money!
Back to work...
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