It's been how long since my last post?
Last Thursday...?
Highlights Of The Weekend
Thursday night, I discovered Harrahs Casino as a spot to watch football for free on my choice of TVs up to 60" across in size. |
| Leslie In His Garden |
Highlights Of The Weekend
- I Watch Football Instead Of Busking Thursday Night
- 40 Dollar Friday
- Doreens Jazz Band To Tour Iowa
- Leslie
- Jesse Attacked By Car Arial Wielding Madman
- Better Music Netting More Money
You just walk in and sit down where you can see a screen and watch; as security personnel walk past, probably following some kind of instruction to not profile anybody, nor tell anyone that, if they aren't gambling away money they need to leave.
I watched the entire Patriots game and then walked to my playing spot, where I decided not to play at that late hour, because I would only be making "Thursday" money; but would be risking putting another straw in the camels back; which would mean annoying one of the residents; who might be tolerant of late night sounds on the weekends; but maybe not every single night; especially when I would be breaking the silence created by the lack of very many people out.
Those in the know say that we have "one more week like this" when the subject of slowness comes up...
All The Way Across Iowa
I learned Friday that the entire Doreens Jazz Band has gigs lined up "all the way across Iowa" and will leave next week, to drive "for 2 days" to get there.
And to drive home the point that it is slow enough here, even for them, to look elsewhere for adventure.
Doreen merely rang up club owners along a certain highway and referred them to the bands Youtube videos. "Some said yes, some said no, some said call again when we're in the area," she said.
When I told her that I was thinking of doing some playing during the day, she said "Why? It's slow..."
I Play Better After Cutting Back On Alcohol
But I wound up making about 40 bucks on that Friday night; a lot of it from playing "Terrapin Station," by The Grateful Dead.
I've been checking myself as I move towards the beer store during my breaks, as if on autopilot.
I stop myself and ask; What is a 4th beer really going to do for you at this point?
Once I get back into the music I am fine and can go longer between "restroom runs."
I have been making decent money compared to comparable solo acoustic musicians
Leslie
I ran into Leslie, who was formerly known as the guy who promised to get his bongos from his pad and come back and jam with me, but who never did.
He is on "Section 8," and gets money from the government; and is able to afford a modest apartment with a pretty cool garden (which needs pruning) behind it.
He has a habit of asking the same questions repeatedly; even ones that have been answered a minute prior; but he is a cool guy; only, too generous.
When he gets a pocket full of money; he attracts people who unashamedly cling to him; because he offers to buy people beer when he has money; and so I don't hang around with him at those times (maybe long enough to join him in the first beer which he buys me, but, by the time we are finished; we are surrounded by the smiling "Will you be my friend and buy me a beer too?" faces of bums.
I leave before I puke.
Saturday
Saturday was pretty much forgettable; except for a couple encounters with Tanya, whom I got to smile as she was getting into her van to go home.
"I hope you're not going to be lonely," I said.
"I hope you're not going to be lonely either," she said and then, after an awkward silence of a couple seconds; smiled and drove off..
Jesse Attacked
He is mad at me because I even talk to the loud guy.
The guy told Jesse that he sucked and to leave.
A scuffle ensued and Jesse was able to run the guy off, with the help of a couple tourists.
But he soon was back, and charged like a rhino; antenna in hand and "I'm lucky because I had just taken my guitar and mic off; so I was able to fight him off..." said Jesse.
He got mad at me after I said that I didn't think that the loud guy who plays the fender had anything to do with the attack; because I have heard the loud guy put down Jesses music, but never sensed any real animosity.
Crystal Methamphetamine may have been a contributing factor in the attack; according to sources who shall remain anonymous...
Sooo .... you're resentful of the *other* bums who hang around Jesse for free beer? M'kay I get it.
ReplyDeleteThere's kind of a big non-secret right now that Disability is pretty easy to get if you're a working-class, middle-aged person. Esp if you're that and a guy because the only kind of work we can get is generally stuff that takes a strong back, which since we've been through a life of that kind of work, we no longer have. Thus, we're disabled.
Jesse is likely doing this, and Section 8 means his rent is insanely cheap.
You could do all of this if you kept at it determinedly. You'll have to play the system, doggedly, for a few years. You're already partway there since you've got food stamps and are registered to shower at the homeless shelter.
Then, rather than using your place and beer to buy friends, you can use your place to live in and set up a mini music studio.
Leslie is the guy on Section 8; and he really does have some kind of issues; It would be possible for me to use him for more than the first beer, which he offers; he has seemingly no memory at all...
ReplyDeleteI just can't stand the bums around him wearing dopey grins because they are goofing on the guy...when he forgets that he already got them a beer and say's "Oh, I was going to get you a beer; I almost forgot.." they are the types that wouldn't point out to him that he already had; they would stand around smirking; and in a sense, make sport of Leslies handicap
Well, that's bum society. Which you've immersed yourself in. The thing is, if you can work the system more, you can have a small place like Leslie does, and then use it however you want - be Lord Of The Bums with lots of hangers-on and admirers among the snipe-picking set, or use it to live decently and concentrate more on music.
ReplyDelete