Sunday, August 21, 2005

Happy Weekend!!!!

Ahh Sunday mornings in the ole' Paul W. Household. The washing machine is running loudly (it's about 12yrs old), the two youngest rug rats are "cleaning" their room (fighting over the other one not doing his share), the oldest one is complaining about having to do chores, the wife is griping about doing 6 loads of laundry yesterday and yet there is another pile today. Come to find out, the 14yr old wears some clothes for a few hours and then deems them as "dirty" laundry. I've got the smooth jazz digital music channel turned up to drown out the washing machine. Now our two pet birds are making a ruckus because they see each other. AHH Sunday mornings....

Today is the first day over my summer cold. I feel great again. Friday night I didn't get to bed until about 5 am Saturday morning. I was at my jam pad playing drums till about 3am. I had a chance to jam with a bass player who lives in the basement of the building. I had been playing by myself for an hour or so, but the building was giving off spooky vibes as it does every once in awhile. For those of you that don't know, my jam pad is in an old building that was a hotel in the 40's. The second floor is vacant except for my jam pad. The third floor has never been renovated.

So anyway, I was getting spooky vibes and decided to take a chair and go downstairs to the street and sit outside to take a break. It was about midnight. It was so quiet and peaceful. The historic part of town is a ghost town late at night. The homeless people and police were the only ones out except for me. However, the mosquitoes were eating me alive after about 20 minutes, so I decided to go back in. Well just as I was going back in the entry way, I see a guy coming up the stairs from the basement (thank God it wasn't any ghosts). It's my drum instructor's brother. They live in the basement. He couldn't sleep and was going to go walk around town. Instead he brought his bass and a small amp up to my place and we jammed for a bit. It was great fun.

So I get home at 3am, and am so pumped up from our jam session that I'm not even close to being tired. Now I can understand why so many music Celebes have drug problems. The rush of playing stays with you even after the session has stopped. I'm not saying they are cop outs, I'm just saying I can understand how they might turn to something to "keep the party going".

So anyway I was up at 8am cutting the yard before having to be at the music store for 10am. I was dead on my feet most of the day yesterday. I sold a guitar yesterday for one dollar below the minimum allowable price My boss just told me to be careful and not exceed my MAP any more. I didn't tell him I threw in a free strap and set of strings. On a positive note, I put together a Roland electric drum set, and a well to do regular customer watched me build it and loved the features it had while I tested it out. He took it home as soon as I got done with it. He spent the $1500 like I would spend $15. I was stunned. I didn't have to even pitch the sale. I simply handed him the sticks and asked if he would like to play around with it. He did for about 15 minutes and he told me to ring it up. WOW.

I will get my first commission check on the 15th of Sept. We get those for sales the month before. I've sold $3,000 in just two sales. Then there are all my little sales. It's gonna be a nice first commission. However I've already began ordering my new cymbals, so Tarpley Music is going to be getting their money back.

It's all good in this capitalistic world isn't it?????

13 comments:

MomThatsNuts said...

Hey Paul!!

Just wanted to clear up a couple of things for you...lol like I am the keeper of all blog knowlege or something....
so HNT (Half Nekkid Thursday) was started by Obasso...he has a list of rules and stuff on his site. Anyone can join...just make sure if you join, that you post it on his COMMENTS cuz thats where the HNTers go to find everyone else...Here is where you can find the guidelines and information...although I dont know that the guidlines are always followed..lol
http://osbasso.blogspot.com/2005/05/guidelines-for-half-nekkid-thursday.html
sorry you will probably have to cut and paste that addy....

as for a "hearton"...the ETK (evil troll king aka my husband) works in the CVOR (cardio vascular operating room) at a couple hospitals here in phoenix. When ever they call him in , the say "Hey ETK...we have a heart on for 10am" or whatever. SOOO that turned into him having a "hearton" and having to run off in the middle of whatever family thing we are doing. Its just a play on words.....so to speak...hehehehe I hope those 2 things are clear as mud now....
one of the troll~ings wants to learn guitar, he plays drums, but I am going to have to get him a little electric with a small amp to start out with. I can teach him a few tabs and chords, then he will have to figure it out on his own....more music in my house YAY...lol last year I had a cello, trumpet, bass guitar, electic guitar, acustic guitar and piano...no cello no trumpet this year...YAY...ok enough rambling already..Im OUTTA here, have fun cleaning, thats what I SHOULD be doing....

Mom

Wendy said...

Good story. I like the whole going outside to chill and getting away from the ghost thing...I am still hoping to hear a real ghost story...hehehehe you being scared will be my entertainment. Sick yes?

That dude Paul said...

LOL Wendy.. You will be the first person to hear about any ghosts I run across.
Peace

ida said...

Paul,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Always. I wish we could swap places; I could use intense PT-induced motivation!

For five years, I worked in a building that partially dated to the 1730s. People were always claiming to have experienced the paranormal there. Since I often worked late-- and by myself-- I refused to believe the stories. There were a couple times, though, when the air felt creepy.. and I've never run so fast in my life. And then this one time when paperclips flew through the air....

Ha!

P.S. I captured that photograph, which is a sunset in truth, at my cousin's wedding in Santa Barbara exactly a year ago. It was a beautiful affair.

MomThatsNuts said...

AWESOME...thanks for the link up dude!! lol sorry been talking to teenagers for hours. Hey I am reading this series of books, and the main character is Richard, and he is the SEEKER and he carries the sword of truth (he is also the bringer of death and a couple other things, he is a War Wizard after all) everytime I see your name it makes me think of my book...

Mom

Phil said...

Great story, I like being up in the wee hours too. Wow, $1 under MAP...I could use another guitar ;-)

mr. schprock said...

My daughter plays a bass guitar and is looking for a new one. Where is this music store you work at? Maybe we'll go on a road trip!

Thanks for commenting on my blog. You sound like a good man.

Anonymous said...

Hi Paul, morning to you, this is the second time I tried to send you a blog, I messed up again, so I hope you recieve this. Paul, your brother isn't the only one keeping up with you, Dad,GG,Me,KathyJo,we enjoy your thoughts, we love you. Chris is visiting this week with us, and we are enjoying having him home, wish you were here too. Paul, again let me say how greatful and proud of you we are, "3years C&S". Congratulations, and Thank you. Now, just wanted to let you know we're reading. Have a Great Day, and God Bless. Love, Mom

That dude Paul said...

Thanks for checking in MOM (my mom).

Mr. Schprock, We have 4 stores in TX (I'm in Wichita Falls) and one in New Mexico. Tarpley Music Co. is the name of my employer. If you are ever in WF, please stop in and say hello.

jenbeauty said...

Wow sounds like a full weekend! The music thing has to be a huge rush!

Dave said...

Doesn't it suck to have a hobby that constantly tempts you to spend more and more money? As I've told you before...this is why I rarely go into guitar shops...I don't have the money to drop on that Martin or Taylor..and it just depresses me. If I were to work at a music store...I wouldn't bring home a dime.

Phil said...

Holy Cow!
I'm visitor 666 and my middle name is Damian...

That dude Paul said...

uhhh, geeze Phil You got any funny shaped scars in your hairline???