You KNOW that Bubba's on here...

[VincentUlyssis]

How I have been missing out on all the fun lately! You all amaze me on some level of myself.

So here's a Bubba update: brother Joe (FDNY, Electrical contractor, funny little brother-41) gets us two last minute seats to MSG. I had every reason not to go as previously mentioned...a fourteen hour day after a long train ride home on a Sunday night...leaving the family on a weekend, finances, etc... We left at 3pm and had supper in a nice Irish Pub a few blocks from the venue. NYC is usually very ambiguous regarding large moving crowds of people (think Camera Eye). What was of interest to me were the many Rush fans in their black concert T-Shirts everywhere we went; on the train, on the street, in the pub...an identifiable crowd in an anonymous city. We connected...with smiles, fist rubs or whatever you call it, handshakes(break out the Purel) sharing concert experiences or what instruments we play.

Then we take out seats; 2nd tier first row in front of Alex. We can see everything including Bubba's both hands and dancing shoes. The sound was very good and the view "way above average." After a glitch with the intro video, the rest of the concert was great. The boys performed very well. The entire Madison Square Garden was a sea of packed NY, Long Island, CT., NJ, PA
fans. Very exciting!

At the intermission, we walked down to empty seats in the front of the first prominade. I situated myself full left where a smoke machine occupied roped off seats facing behind the drum kit. Now I was so close that I could not hear the processors assigned to the kit but rather the actual kit as it would be played in my studio with my son. There was no effect, simply the pure sound of the kit. I have been to many RUSH gigs, but this was a first for me. I could hear every strike, every kick, every cymbal as if I were stadning behind the kit. He did stuff I never knew he did. My brother who memorizes Rush drum parts realized that he had it all wrong. Only Jobee would know that exact rhythmic configurations!

After the solo, Neil sat at his little spot while the tech served him refreshments. It was a very human thing to watch. I don't think anyone was it but me. Everyone's eyes were on the stage. I nodded in understanding at the level of work this is for him and briefly closed my eyes to implore the Angel to impart strength, blessing, protection and salvation. I watched those hands and feet in awe as never before. At the end, before and after the encore, I waved at him though certain no eye contact had been made (unlike front row at Jones Beach with my French sign-he was struggling to read it). I left with a content yet empty feeling when friends part not knowing if or when they might see each other again. The ride home and following day, though hard, were tempered by the joyous adventure I had taken and witnessed. I will continue to pull inspiration from it.

So Bubba, I hope you felt something that night like I did. I know what you were dealing with that weekend and I feel that loss deeply as I have also suffered such loss. The promise of a little girl's sparkling eye in the small day to day experiences gives us the joy to counter the pain.

Speaking about little girls, my little one is 15 now. The most incredible 15 year old I have evenr known. She decided to serve one week at an orphanage in Nicaragua. She leaves Monday with a trusted group, many of whom are friends, to follow her very strong convictions. I have let my concerns go in faith, but am tempted to worry as would be normal I suppose. That little baby bird is flying free. I should have known when she was collecting money at our garage sale at five to send somewhere. She has been the joy to counteract the pain in my life.

Music. I have hit a brick wall it seems. Spring cleaning, nights out at work, lack of drive...whatever...Still hungry to record some compositions, but lacking the umph...it concerns me, but I have to have HOPE that the right time will become apparent to me. Gio and I have a drum lesson today. Most of it will be for his NYSSMA solo on snare drum, Tuesday at my festival. Over three hundred kids plus parents, teacher and judges will evaluate students on piano, voice, brass, woodwinds, strings and percussion. The schedule has to run smooth and all bucks stop here. It's more pressure than I want really. here's the irony: I am an excellent manager of budgets, coordinator or schedules, troubleshooter, stage manager, supervisor, complaint department, public relations...here's the irony-it stresses me out. I rarely get enjoyment out of it. It's work, worry and trouble.. That song "Trouble." It's me. You know that song! The one with the dog worried about his bone (it just was a perfect fit for that commercial). Ironic. I'm good but it gets me crazy. Go figure.

Ah, I think I feel better now. So before I blabber on about something new, I'll simply take this time to wish all "Feliz semana sancta!"

Vincent

PS: Far and Away has arrived and I will begin reading it on sunny spring days after I finish Atlas Shrugged-great book-a MUST READ!