Yesterday

Last night Woo sent me a picture message of Squirt saying that he didn't feel well. I get home that evening after work he seems to be feeling somewhat better. So, I go on to the gig at Baker Peter's Jazz Club. It was a pretty good night and all I can think of is getting back home to Woo and cuddling with her.

Well, that is until I get home. Squirt is bawling. Except for about 3 or 4 half hour periods where he sleeps between 1 and 6:30 in the morning. The rest of the time he is crying his butt off! At 6:30 we decide to take a car ride to see if that'll get him some rest. It worked! He slept for about 2 hours and woke up in a great mood. It allowed Woo and I to take turns napping. 

Well end of the story so far is that he has been a happy, happy boy today. He has been hungry but feeling much better. We may get some sleep tonight.... and hopefully some cuddle time.

Paulie

Midnight Ramblings

You know, this next post is going to make me sound overly dramatic. So be it.

I feel like I have been exiled. I saw what I felt was an injustice and acted. Here's the story:

The year was 2005 and I was playing music in a theater in Pigeon Forge. Hell it's closed now, I was at American Jukebox. Some of our regulars were there. The crowd was loud and into the show, it was wonderful. Then I see an usher hand the regulars a note and they look sad and hand it to the couple next to them. From there on out the crowd is dead. No life at all. After the show I ask the usher what the note said. He told me, "It asked if they could keep the noise down as the singers are having a problem hearing themselves." 

I know who sent the note, but I go ahead and ask. My suspicion is confirmed. After meet and greet I walk back to the dressing rooms with the singer. For the next 20 minutes I proceed to read him the riot act. I lay into him with a tirade question his professionalism and his ability. I cuss alot. ALOT! I never call him any names or anything like that. I just use the words to add emphasis to my point. 

The next day the owner flies in to have a talk with me. He asks me to apologize. I inform him of what happened, thinking he'll see my point and agree. After I get through he tells me to apologize. I refuse until he apologizes to the audience. 

I felt justified, I felt I had done the right thing. That night it was like it had never happened between him and regulars. I'm crushed. My boss decides after three years of employment that he doesn't like my bass playing, singing, or entertaining and I am let go.

From the one act of self righteousness I lose the career that I had made for myself. I learn my reputation means nothing. I begin to wonder if entertaining people is worth it.

I try to sally forth to new gigs, new adventures to be shot down at every turn. I honestly feel like I have been exiled because I stuck up for the audience. My penance? A corporate job that I can honestly see no future in as no matter how qualified I am and how much I show that I can do the job I cannot get promoted. How long will this last? I expected a year. We'll see.

-Paulie

My First One

Well, my first blog on this new website. We'll see how it does and have fun with it while it exists.

I guess I should introduce the main players in this blog. There is me, of course, Paulie. My wife Woo, and my son Squirt. I'll probably talk about our cat Babygirl and the band I'm in, the Doug Harris Band.

I'll probably post some stories about Squirt and Woo. Blog about some gigs I have. Who knows?

Paulie