Saturday, March 31, 2012

Life

No matter the things that happen, life keeps rolling right along. Today marks the beginning of Spring Break for my university. We're off for a week. I gave a test yesterday but managed to get it graded. I also got rough drafts from my writing students so I'll be working on those over the break. But that will still leave me with some time to relax, and sleep. I'm always appreciative of such opportunities.

When I got home yesterday afternoon, Lana's friend, Katya, was visiting. We had some good talk. I drank a couple of beers. After Katya left I didn't want to stop having beers, so I had another six pack of 16 ounce Red Dogs. I topped that off with a bit of Jack Daniels and some Vodka. It's been a very longggggg time since I've done anything like that. Lana sat up with me and we listened to music until about 3:00 in the morning. A lot of ZZ Top for me, and Pink Floyd for Lana. We debated the merits of Billy Gibbons and David Gilmore, both of whom are phenomenal guitarists. I'm feeling surprisingly good, this morning, considering. And I don't think I'll need to do that again for a few years.

I also got news that my "Under the Ember Star" has been sent to the publisher and will be out soon. It's going to be a "Double" with another writer named Mark Burgess. His piece is a high octane tale that I think is a good match for mine.

Once I get a good nap today and put some protein in my belly, the week will begin, and we'll have to see how everything is going at the end of it. I'll let you know.
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28 comments:

eric1313 said...

The Reverend Billy Gibbons and the illustrious David Gilmore... among the still-living guitarists, it is difficult to find anyone better than those two. Not that they are technical wizards Like Eddie Van Halen or someone of the ilk, but their emotional styles that comes through without the need for words is what I admire. That is what I like and I have always tried to emulate them and others like them with my own playing.

Wishing the best to you both! Hope it all works out for the best.

Randy Johnson said...

Gibbons and Gilmore are two of the greats in any context.

And, hey, a chance to relax with what you two have gone through is a good thing. Enjoy it.

Merisi said...

Good to know that you both were able to take time out.
Carpe diem.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You needed that time together.
Me? I would've fallen asleep after the second beer. Such a lightweight.

Charles Gramlich said...

Eric1313, yes indeed. Great guitarists with such feeling.

Randy, exactly!

Merisi, indeed so. I hope we can get out for a walk today. beautiful here today.

Alex, normally I would have too. Guess the adrenaline I've been running on lately had to be dissipated.

the walking man said...

Hot Woman, good music and booze...oh I wish--for the booze, got the rest. Have a good break Charles

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

Charles, I am glad you both had time to chill out. Congratulations, too, for "Under the Ember Star". And I hope you and Lana enjoy the break.

Chris said...

Two great guitarists, no doubt. What I like about both is that they have such signature styles; you hear either guy playing, no matter the context, and you know immediately who it is. Especially Gilmore. Gibbons maybe less so, if only because so many people have built careers aping him.

I really need to get some old Pink Floyd back in my collection. May rectify that today. I have most of the ZZ Top stuff I like, which is primarily the first 3 or 4 records. Anything after got too pop for my tastes.

Deka Black said...

Greats tastes in guitar. Lately, i'm listening a lot of mark Knophler and dire Straits. Put me in the mood for some stuff.

have a great break ;)

Adventuresfantastic said...

Good to hear you're getting some down time. Have a restful, relaxing, and yet productive week.

Ty said...

Man, I can't even imagine drinking like that now. I wouldn't be worth a darn for days afterward.

Gibbons vs. Gilmore ... hmm, personally I'd give Gilmore a slight edge, but only slight. It really depends upon my mood.

LoveRundle said...

That sounds like such a romanatic way to spend the night. I'm going to borrow this idea.

You're lucky you didn't have a headache. We all had wine last night and everyone, but me, woke up with a headache.

BernardL said...

A very good window of time, my friend.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Been thinking about you all week. I did a reading today and I was going to read the story about the motorcycle rider. But you had a very bad week and the other guy who helped me with it was almost killed in an accident last Sunday. He'll be in the hospital for weeks. It seemed like bad karma to read it. But you were both in my heart as I read something else.

Charles Gramlich said...

Mark, I’m kind of in need of it.
Prashant, thanks. I’m definitely wanting to get some rest and this will be an opportunity.

Chris, My favorite Z Z. Top is Tres Hombres. They had some really great gems from later on, but you had to pick through some lesser stuff to find them.

Deka Black, I know Dire Straits, not Knophler, though. Will have to check them out.

Keith, I’m sure hoping so.

Ty Johnston, It’s a hard choice between the two. Gilmore is more complex. I like Z. Z. Tops tunes so much, though.

Christina, I didn’t really get much of a headache. Felt a little blah today but not too bad.

Bernard, I love when that happens.

patti, I’m glad your friend survived. I’ll hope for a quick recovery. I have a friend who was seriously crippled a couple years back in a motorcycle accident. It’s pretty scary.

Ron Scheer said...

I put myself under the spell of guitarists recently as well...Paco de Lucia, Al Di Meola, and John McLaughlin. They take me to another realm. A soul place...Enjoy your break and another late night real soon.

Lisa said...

This is beautiful and a beautiful write too. I love your personal posts.

Cloudia said...

Glad you had such a night - together.
Need that once in a while. . .


be well-

Warm Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral

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Snowbrush said...

An every "few years" indulgence, now that's forbearance.

X. Dell said...

You know you're getting old when spring break is a time of rest and relaxation.

At least you're indulging in the drinking part. That's important. It's traditional.

Charles Gramlich said...

Ron, Guitar is definitely an instrument I really enjoy listening too. Was listening to Joe Satriani yesterday. Amazing stuff.

Oceangirl, thank you.

Cloudia, indeed so. Lana was good to put up with me as well. But she is a sweetheart. (don't tell her I told you.)

Snowbrush, that is solely a product of age, not necessarily of wisdom!

X-Dell, yes indeed. Most breaks are about rest for me now. kind of sad now that you've pointed it out to me. Thanks, man. :)

Oscar Case said...

A good sleep-it-off inebriation - and now back to work. Congrats on the story!

nephite blood spartan heart said...

Looking forward to "Under the Ember Star" I sure enjoyed your prose for "Harvest of War"
All the best with things Charles

Travis Cody said...

Billy Gibbons and David Gilmore...indeed.

Charles Gramlich said...

Oscar, sleep heals much.

David J., thanks. First story I've ever written in the present tense like that so I thought it was an interesting exercise.

Travis Cody, a dynamic duo

Tom Doolan said...

Glad you took some time to relax, my friend. We all need that. Also glad you avoided the hangover, apparently. After what you describe, that sounds like quite a feat. :)

laughingwolf said...

no question you needed the libation, charles... glad you and lana had some time together, as well

hope you two get good snoozes, as well... you both need it

blessings to you and yours

Charles Gramlich said...

Tom Doolan, I was very surprised. It would be nice to think my body had recovered some of it's old form but that might not be true.

Laughingwolf, Been sleeping pretty well.