Ramadan

 

Tomorrow begins the fasting month of Ramadan.  When a person declares to be Islam, then acts of regular worship must be performed to prove Islam which include the 5 daily prayers, regular charity, the Hajj ritual for those who afford it, and fasting from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan.  Above is the basic prayer known as "Al Fatihah" (The Opening) which is mandatory for all Muslims to memorize in Arabic.

I found my guitar pick, the only one I have had for almost 20 years!  It was where it's supposed to be.  Believe me, I looked there many times.

I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the rejected.

1.  Say, "God is Allah, One".

The Purity 112:1

Back where I started

 

Dammit!  I wanted to get more equipment before I go back to the studio, but suddenly I'm inspired.  I'm like back where I first played the guitar and multi tracked, but with a different perspective.  And a better singer.  I started off with a pick though, and I still can't find that damned pick.  I have to go downtown to get a new guitar pick.  I haven't bought a guitar pick in 20 years!  Oh, I guess I'm not in a hurry.

Another business suit gig for Mary.  This time it's a dinner party.

Blank slates

 

So are you still on that cruise?  I'm guessing you are.  You must be having a tough time, with the media blackout and all those men.  Hang in there, Honey.  It's never easy, but you'll get by.  I haven't touched my SG in over a year, and I played it last night for almost 2 hours.  Some really old riffs came back to me, by old I mean 40 years.  I wonder why I never used them.  It made me sad.  I think I'll start using a pick again, and avoid speed riffs.  It's because I only have a Belcat for an amp and no pedals.  But this point, I really don't care anymore.  I'll use what I got.

Where is that damned pick?  I only had one pick for the past 20 years, now I can't find it!

They want YOUR autograph, Gwen!

Each day is Valentine's day

 

Mary using 2 microphones.  A vintage copy dynamic and a lavalier mic going into separate amps completely flat.  My idea!

My generation too

 

I guess I was blessed with having a second teenage years!  Between the ages of 30 and 40 is when I got my heavy rock/metal influences.  Nobody specific, either.  It was all situation.  Phoenix, AZ.  Gag!  I don't ever want to go back there, except to make a donation at the Tempe mosque.  But I can do that from here!

Mary and Gwen browsing the spring festival.

My generation

 

This is what I grew up to.  Oh no, I wasn't there.  I was messed up in a completely different (but same) way.

So I suppose the JamCruise community is like a miniature Nashville.  But you can say that about any music community.  You have to be part of the gang to play with the gang, whether or not they play fair.  If you ever want to do the cruise ship gig again, I suggest a situation where you are buddies with the captain.  I might have encountered a community that tried to play fair with everyone including newbies, then the top dog got a heart attack.  Anything can happen, such is life.  You are carrying around your own Nashville, did you know that?  You can bet your ass that some folks are breaking their heads trying to get into the Grace Bowers gang, but they don't know how.  And would you want them there?  I don't know if I would. 

Spring festival gig.  Nice dress!

Louder

 

It's pointless to make a louder amp when you can just have a wall of Marshall full stacks.  And the Marshall stacks look better.  The real question is, who has the balls to crank up the volume at a gig anymore?

Speaking of louder, how's the music?  I'm sure they have a tight grip on all the media and noise onboard: you're not allowed to make a racket in your cabin.  I'm surprised if they let you stream, so I hope this gig isn't a huge financial loss for you.  But there has to be a lot of sleep and men there.  Please guard your chastity!

It's easy to look glamorous on a common cruise ship when everyone else is badly dressed!  I think Gwen is getting too good at her job.  But that's OK with me and Mary.