I'm baaaack!

[PeeWee]

What's been going on here? I go away for a short time....OK, 9 months, so sue me.......and it's even more deserted that before I left???? Sorry for the disappearing act but our PC crashed really hard back in May and we just replaced it with an new i-Mac this weekend. Took a bit longer than we thought due to a few emergencies and unexpected expenses.

So.......how is everyone.......both of you?

[MelvinDale]

More than well PeeWee and you?
Tom and I are pretty much it as of late, guessin' we could plan some major trouble and no one would ever know.
Did get a response on my Detroit ampfest question last month (thanks again) - so there are others.

I do see folks peeking in, or so says the board (2 viewing) but no posts - alas.

Sorry to hear of your setbacks - hope all is well now.
Gigging?

[PeeWee]

Not much this year. I played close to 200 dates in 2008; this year I've been lucky to get 5 per month. Sad state of affairs.

I also have to go in for gall bladder surgery at the end of the month.....ah, age is a wonderful thing!

[sliding-tom]

So.......how is everyone.......both of you?

Funny as ever; PeeWee! :D Good to see you back here. Might develop into an oldtimers (boring old farts) forum - why not?:cool: Received your e-mail today and will be answering soon. Bad news about your health - hope that everything will turn out well for you.
Now for you and for Melvin ( I owe you a reply for your inquiry lately): lots of bad news over here - the worst being that last saturday my dad died (one day before my 54th b-day) after being hospitalized in intensity care for a week. More bad news about the health of band members but haven't got any details yet. When it rains, it pours - and it seems to be raining sh... this year. :(

[PeeWee]

Tom, man, I'm really sorry to hear that. My heart goes out to you and the family. :(

It seems that '09 is just turning out to be a bad year for a lot of folks. One of my best friends is going through a lot himself. My brother is broke and was evicted a few weeks ago and we're just scratching to keep our heads above water here. Since the economy tanked, it's been one thing after another not just for myself but for thousands of people.

The county I reside in has been hit pretty hard - we have the highest foreclosure rate in Northern Virginia and we've all lost value on our property. My wife and I have lost over $100,000 on the value of our home since '06. We're able to pay the mortgage be we're dangerously close to owing more than the house is worth.

I can tell you this much; if things continue to lag or start to worsen, my days of gigging full-time are done and it's back to the work-a-day world for me.

[MelvinDale]

Tom,
You have my heart felt condolences, I've been down that road, but what an unfortunate time to have have it happen as well.
Give a shout out to your band member as well - one of our drummers (welcome to Spinal Tap) has had a bout with mouth cancer 2 years ago - now has a bicycle chain jaw and then lost part of a lung this year - and for all that he still speeds up when he plays. Whats up with that?

PeeWee - I have several friends that are full time musicians and are looking for as many teaching gigs as they can possibly muster - that or multiple bands. 'It's Bad Ya Know"

I'm a weekend warrior so as long as I can keep my job and in Detroit - that ain't easy, I feel pretty blessed.

Good to see some action here - I'm getting cramped up from typing:D

[sliding-tom]

Hi,my dear friends! Just a couple of words to let you know that I'm still around. The week was pretty busy with everything that had to be done regarding my dad plus we needed to find a new place for my mum because the one they lived in til now is too expensive. We found an appartment for her with no stairs into the building and an elevator that takes her right to her floor and into her new appartment with a balcony and a nice living room, so that burden has been taken off from us. My wife has been busy checking ads and offers for dwelling for three days and we are relieved that mum took a liking to the place and doesn't feel hurried (well in a hurry we were) or not being not involved in it.
I'm tired and feel wasted with all this stuff going on and while we've been busy I was distracted enough to not think about things too much but yesterday evening was too much for me, when the images started to creep into my head. I knew it would be coming but you'll never know when.

[PeeWee]

It gets easier as the days go by, Tom. The only advise that I can give is to remember all the great times that you enjoyed with your father. When it all comes down to it, that really all we have anyway and those are the most valuable possessions that any one person could ever own.

My dad will have passed 5 years ago come the first week of June. In all honesty, it doesn't seem that long ago and I think of him often. Hang in there, my friend; you're doing just fine.

[MelvinDale]

PeeeWee - it's official, March is over. How did your surgery for gall bladder go?

I assume you're home recuperating?

MelvinDale

[PeeWee]

All went as planned! I'm still a bit sore around my navel (one of 4 entry points) but other than that, I feel wonderful! No stomach pain, no diet restrictions - it's great! I had a two week post-op follow up this AM and have another 2 weeks from today. All is well in PeeWee land!

[sliding-tom]

Well finally some good news, PeeWee! Glad that everything seemed (or better: did) turn out to be good. :)

[MelvinDale]

Glad to hear it PeeWee - thought about you a lot in past month or so - good to know.

Tom - I think you often too - don't want you to feel left out :rolleyes:

[sliding-tom]

How can I feel being left out? It's only three of us left...:D Hope you're doin' alright, Melvin ! :)

[sliding-tom]

Happy Easter, Mike and Melvin! Enjoy the days! :)

[MelvinDale]

Thank you Tom - spent the weekend visiting my aunt in Holland - no, not that Holland.
Holland Michigan - if I had been that close I'd stop by for a chat and a jam.

How's mom doing?

MelvinDale

[sliding-tom]

How's mom doing?

MelvinDale

Much better than we'd ever expected. She's O.K. for what she's going through.