Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key

It seems like it's getting harder to type my inner and outer thoughts of the day. Especially since my darling Mia (who's currently asleep) has had some rough nights. Teething sucks. There should be many shirts sold with that statement. We did however, get a shirt with a shark on it from my bro in law that said "teething bites" so yeah...that works too. I'm not sure if Mia's got some coming in on her upper mouth, or if maybe the tooth next to her right one was fully emerging but whatever the case, she's been a monster lately. Sunday I worked 6am-2pm, and when Jill was making a delicious vat of dinner/lunch we'll eat throughout the week, Mia was turning into some sort of possessed creature that I couldn't for the life of me settle down. Jill had to eventually take her up stairs to feed in our dark room and I finished dinner. Yesterday too, she wasn't very happy, but today she's a lot better. Smiling more, and exploring the world as much as she can.

We played on my bongos today as well. Something I really really look forward to when she gets a little older is teaching her music and art. Music and art are such big parts of both Jill's and my life and it'll be beyond amazing if she picks up an instrument. Yes, I'm biased that I'd like her to play drums, but I'll let her pick anything. When you're younger in elementary school you pick something (orchestra/band/choir) and a lot of kids don't stick with it very long, but I am very happy I did because it brings me all happiness in the world to pound the drums with every ounce of passion. I can only hope for the same experience for Mia.

The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out

So currently, any 'free time' that I have that I'm not changing/playing with/feeding/rocking Mia, I'm brainstorming and researching ideas for Nick Berg's solo record; The Lesson & The Bandage. It's been tough and stressful, despite there is no rush on it. I always put the heaviest of pressure on myself in anything I do. Whether it be playing a show, when I recorded with Clean Hands, or simply any and every art project I do. It's just who I am. I think any great creative person tends to do that, otherwise we'd just settle on doing things half-assed. When I have to draw up a sign with some old-ass markers at work in between customers at the counter, I unfortunately have to settle most of the time, despite wanting perfection. So I've got about 7 different drafts and ideas I did in Photoshop, with probably 5 or 6 more to do. I want my boy Nick to be real happy with the finished product. I wasn't exactly thrilled with the Clean Hands cover EP. Mainly because the bassist demanded we use his friend's photography as the focal point. It looks fine, but I'm not sure it was GREAT, you know?

When we played shows every weekend, I was constantly going over my drum parts on the way home thinking "could I have done this fill better?" or "Did I rush this song?". Same thing when we recorded. I did a handful of takes and on the way back from the studio I kept thinking how I could have done a better job. Blah. Oh well. As Salvador Dali put it Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.

On The Way To Your Hotel

Been a busy week. Thankfully, I've been off the last few days and will be off Friday and Saturday for a wedding in Fond Du Lac. I think this is my first time there, and obviously Mia's. Jill's parents are coming up to keep an eye on her at the hotel, as Jill and I attend the evening.

Yesterday, my good buddy Jay came over and installed a new side garage door. It fell on top of me I believe last summer and since then, we had a ghetto tarp cover the hole and it was starting to look real real sad. Jay's been doing construction and carpentery for a very long time and could have probably done this with his eyes closed. Then he noticed something sketchy.

When we had our garage doors and the openers installed, the guy who did the left side didn't raise the top steel part as high as he could have, and when we picked up the side door, it would swing IN and hit the metal frame. CRAP! Luckily, Jay could take the door frame apart, and re-do the side door to make it work. Such a genius. Hole=closed. Door installed. everything looks great. In the future, we'll get him to rip up and put in new bathroom tile. The man loves what he does, and it's real inspiring to see this guy so proud after a great job. You aught to see his bathroom he worked on in his own house. While he was working, we caught up with what was going on in each others lives, talked about music, etc etc while Mia slept most of the time. When she was awake, she was cracking up Uncle Jay. Today, I stopped on my way to my parent's house by his place to drop off some beer and a gas gift card for a great job he did. I could easily recommend Jay to anyone needing anything done on their house.

Tomorrow, it's off to Julie (Jill's co-worker)'s wedding. Hopefully Mia behaves.

(NOTE) the picture in the corner was from when Mia was napping outside as Jay worked on the door. Cute eh?

The Window Is The Door

Well, this weekend was choked full of coughing and sneezing and stuffed noses and amazing times. My recent illness (which I'm pretty over with now) spread to my darling Mia and my better half. Luckily, they're both doing better but Thursday evening Mia was super stuffed up with hardcore crying from the teething and Friday night, Jill was sick. After some much needed sleep this weekend, we're all doing much better. Mia's dealing with teething on her own terms. I've got stacks of art projects coming. 1/4 sleeve for a co-worker, Marine tattoo for another, I've got a fun sketch I'm planning on doing this week of every one's favourite punch-line, Milhouse from the Simpsons, an Arcade Anonymous logo for etsy, and of course Nick's solo album. A lot of these projects aren't major do-or-die things. Just art projects. While we're on the subject of art, it reminds me of why I do it in the first place.

Art, is one's expression when words won't do. Words can sometimes confuse and over-step a feeling, but art is something for the mind and the heart. I love love love going to art galleries and shows with Jill. Every place we've ever traveled, we always stop somewhere and look at art. Most of the time, we buy something. In New York through a small art sale, we picked up a neat piece. In Hawaii, we met the nicest local painter that sold us three beautiful pieces that was super friendly to talk to. In California (I think Monterrey) we looked at some expensive galleries (obviously, we didn't buy anything) Looking at other's art, inspires me in so many ways. I may not paint that day, or week, but I know every time I look at it'll spark up some creativity down the road. The creative mind never dies, and I hope mine can stay sharp for as long as I live.

Spotlights

Running on fumes as I type this late night blog post. The last few days I've been feeling ill. Tuesday night at work I felt like my throat was dragged across a cactus. Wednesday was my day off and I didn't feel much better; more stuffed up and congested. Which sucks because I had the entire day with Mia and she's the LAST one I want to get sick. So last night I spent the night in our guest bedroom. Jill told me that if I cough once I'm otta there and I'm not mad about it. I don't want to wake anybody up, nor get them sick. Mia's got TWO teeth coming in now. Twice the angry cries. Yesterday she was so freakin upset when she ate. She didn't even want a bottle anymore. Just something for the pain. Hopefully she can pull through it and we can move on to the next few teeth.

Tomorrow (despite the fact that we don't really celebrate it because we're married) would mark our 7 year anniversary when we started dating. 7 years is a long long time, but it's totally gone by so fast. One minute we're studying for an accounting test, the next we're giving Mia a bath. It's pretty nuts. I can't imagine my life with anyone else. When I hear from other guys how great it is being single and how they can do whatever they want (or whomever they want), with no one to answer to, it just sounds like a shallow meaningless life. I, however enjoy coming home to my family at night. Waking up with a happy baby, and spending my off nights just simply relaxing with Jill and Mia. Walking with Remi in the morning is the ultimate way to relax before starting my day. I miss playing shows every weekend, but I can't wait till Mia's older and can watch me play music live or paint in my studio. When I see how curious and interested she gets in everything, it just makes myself and Jill smile, and that's what really matters.

Landed

So this weekend was pretty busy. We had Jill's parents visit over the weekend. My one day off on Saturday, it rained all day so that was of course absolutely amazing right? Poor Remi (our dog) spent the storm trying to find a good hiding place. Today, they headed back home, which of course made Jill cry. She always tears up when they leave. Even though I was at work before they left, I knew on my drive to work it would be a tearful goodbye. Every time we either leave for WI, or see them head back to IL, It's always a hard goodbye, and every time I always feel bad for my wife. After college, she stuck got hired full time in Wisconsin instead of going back home and of course, we moved in together. I sometimes wonder if it would have been better to have moved to Illinois so she could be closer with her family...but she reassures me that she is quite happier in Wisconsin and doesn't regret the decision on staying here. I defiantly love being close to my family, but I think I could have lived with living 2 1/2 hours away. It would have been tough for my parents being far from Mia, but I know it's tough for Jill's parents as well. They have told me in 5 years, they'd like to move up here, which would be great. They are without a doubt, some of the nicest people I've ever met. Her Dad let me marry is only daughter for crying out loud! Her brother is a witty, creative and a caring guy that I will always treat as another brother. Of course her mother gives unconditional love and support only a mother could.

My parents came over today for a Labor Day brunch we kinda threw together. I always love it when they're all here in one place; getting the chance to hang with Mia and visit. Well, enough of all that seriousness for now. Fall seems to be coming quicker then usual. Which means that dreaded Winter will be here before we know it. Good grief.