I posted this entry on my profile at the www.29gifts.org website. If you wanna friend me or join me on what will prove to be an incredible journey, please check it out at: www.29gifts.org/profile/davidkav ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PREFACE: I had seen a comment or two on my last blog asking me to be careful since the forecast did call for snow. I will say that Beth Ann and I didn't go to bed until very late because of my depressed state and my fear for the upcoming day. By the time we did go to sleep (around 4:30AM,) there was still a "white-out" of sorts that I could see out my window. We had a weather watch throughout the evening until 9AM CST. "Shit," I thought. "WHY does it ALWAYS snow EVERY time I have a gig set for the next day?!? What? It's been 50 f@#4ing degrees Fahrenheit all throughout the season save, say, 7 days or so. So, on the day off when a show is set, it snows? FML!" However, upon opening my eyes, I look out the window to notice that the roads were clear for driving and only a minimal amount of snow covered the curbs and sidewalks. So, this would be the first thing that I was wrong about today: This day had a rocky start only because I brought it upon myself. Why? I blew off Potbelly last week and today would be the day that I'd have to go back in and "face the music." I had thought of telling my manager that I'm putting in my two weeks notice AND making today's shift "on me." The latter? Ok. Beth Ann and I both agreed that by offering to make today a Freebie since I dropped the ball is a noble move. The former, however? Not so much. The former is just another way of punishing myself. Therefore, when I Finally got out of bed a little after 11:30am, I took a taxi cab and thought, "I'll just let the day's events unfold and see what happens." Regardless of the outcome, I knew the Flight option would only make matters worse. Therefore, I went with Fight - Fight through my Fear. That I did. I got to my post. I had the music turned off on the main speakers and I played my set per usual. Had a member from the audience/house throw up two quarters at the beginning of my first song. Seemed a bit Odd but not totally crazy. I couldn't tell. I Think he liked the music. Notwithstanding, it did make me smile which is something that I needed at the moment. This helped me throughout the rest of the set. I was so relaxed that even when I went on my 15-minute break to get a coffee across the street at Starbucks, I wasn't rushing or stressed while getting said coffee. I actually had a pleasant conversation with the gentleman at the register at the coffee shop. I came back to my post and finished up my 2-hour set. Throughout most of the set, I went on my iPhone and pulled up the lyrics to most of the new songs from my website/FAWM website (www.fawm.org.) I used this very show as a rehearsal for this evening's show with Jeff Brown at Let Them Eat Chocolate for the WTF Friday series (www.letscoco.com.) Was I nervous? Naturally - through both shows on this day. Who wouldn't be playing brand new material? But - just like getting through the fear of facing the consequences of the unknown, I also faced the fear of the new material and as to how it would be received. The good news? No negative feedback. In a Potbelly Sandwich Works store, I'll take it (www.potbelly.com.) After the set, I went into the back office and found my General Manager, RuthAnn. "Hey, there!" "Hey, David. What's up?" "Nothing much." "Were you here last week?" "Nope," I said. This was the moment. "That's actually what I want to talk to you about. I...uh...dropped the ball last week. I know that I usually call but I didn't last week. I'm sorry. Since I know that that was the wrong thing to do, ... this one's on me." I shut up and waited for her response. In a heartbeat, she laughed under her breath. "I don't care." She says. "Really? I mean - I know it's wrong. And, I want to do what's right." "No, I know you usually call [when you have work/you can't come in, etc.] I just couldn't remember..." "Ok. Are you sure?" "Yeah. No worries. So, what's new? How's life?" "I'm...good. Just doing this project for FAWM...writing 14 songs in 28 days...keeping busy with the new band. Yeah. How are you? How's Dubai?" (There's a new Potbelly store in Dubai. Her husband, who also works for the company, has been to this store several times. She was recently sent over there herself.) She takes a deep breath. "It was...wonderful. I hate to say it - It's too bad that I'm back." "I've heard Nothing but great things about Dubai," I state. "That is cool. Definitely on a bucket list. How about art? Anything in that regard?" We talked for a good 5 to 10 minutes before she had to be "back on the line." During our conversation, Beth Ann called with news from the doctor. She needs yet more medication. BUT - this should "nip it in the bud." Here's hoping. With her phone call, that jolted me back into reality to rush home before her shift started at Godiva. She was set to work this evening from 4:30 to 9:30pm. Therefore, Beth Ann would not be coming out to the show this evening. So, if any time was to be spent with her, it was now. I rushed home but not before stopping at Walgreens to pick up CD sleeves for the gift that I was giving away today. I had a few CDs to burn for tonight's show. However, no sleeves to protect them or to accompany them. No sense in rushing out twice for the same product. Here's the funny thing. Since Tuesday of this week, I have been wished a Happy Birthday on the wrong day - starting with my drummer, Nik. I stated, "well, it's not until Saturday. But thanks. Haha." Today - at Least 20 people wished me a Happy Birthday. I couldn't answer them right away. So, just before tonight's gig, I Tweeted this: "You know, this is where I make snarky comment saying "My bday is tomorrow but thanks." But I won't. Gr8ful 4 wishes (cool 2 have 2bdays.) ;)" I stated this Tweet a little prematurely because I felt that the birthday wishes really did give me quite a boost. You have to understand: I am someone who has downplayed my birthday the past few years - especially as I get older. All I have done for the past couple of years is planned a Small dinner at Pequod's Pizza. So, I really didn't expect an evening with a lot of people along with more than 4 people (if that) for pizza this evening (even though I had put it "out there" on Facebook as an invite.) Back to home with Beth Ann. I felt Really bad because I could see how tired Beth Ann was. It was written all over her face. Even though I am the older one, I can withstand severe sleep deprivation MUCH BETTER than Beth Ann can. This is because of the car accident that she had back in 2007. Her C6 vertebrae was damaged as the result. Through Feldenchrist (sp?) classes and physical therapy, she experiences daily fatigue and minimal pain. Doctors have stated that she is a walking miracle (no doubt.) BUT, when she's tired, she Really "Pays for it." I knew better. This made me feel even worse to see her the way she was today. We had time to watch One episode of "Switched At Birth." That's our new series. We are Almost caught up with the first half of Season One. Last night's episode really struck a chord with me from my own past. I was trying Not to watch another episode and to let "sleeping dogs lie." Big. Fat. FAIL. Hence the late night. Yes - I am getting that into the series. Thank God for Hulu. That's ALL I have to say in that regard. :) So, after the episode, I had Beth Ann's head in my lap as she closed her eyes for 10 minutes. I promised her that I would walk with her to the pharmacy to pick up her medication. However, as soon we reached our apartment building, I would have to "haul ass" to get ready for this evening's gig. I had another song that I wanted to "lay down" in order to get it onto the CD for this evening for tonight's guest. Two reasons for this: 1) It would knock out another song in my total of 14 songs (the new song would bring me to 10 songs if done...which I did, by the way.) 2) I thought it was a good First song to put on the compilation of songs for the EP, if you will, for tonight. By the time I finished laying it down with recording and with the mixing, it was 5PM. The show started at 7PM and it was WAY North of here. "WHOA," I told myself. "Let's GO!" Multi-tasking was the name of the game this evening. I started to burn CDs while I shaved, showered, dressed, the whole nine yards. I also found out that my mentor would be coming this evening along with 3 others. This was HUGE because of her newly sprained ankle injury in addition to the fact that she has a 3-year old kid to account for. So, the fact that she made room for my gig this evening was a huge gift in itself. My heart was full and warm. But - because of this, I started to proverbially sweat a bit. I was hoping to take public transportation to the gig. However, since I would be the first act this evening, it was becoming abundantly clear that this would Not be a wise option if I was to make it on time - if at all. $30 later - I actually made the gig in PLENTY of time. I consider this the grace of God and the Universe (especially since I had to deal with Friday Rush Hour traffic.) The cabbie insisted that Lake Shore Drive would NOT be bad considering where we were.) He also stated that side roads (which was my suggestion) could cost more money. Thank GOD that I had an open mind and heart to follow his advice. As we were moving quickly, I profusely apologized for my error. He laughed, "no need to be sorry. Just wanted to say, you know, that the other way wouldn't have been so smart AND- this saved you time and money." "Oh, no doubt." I stated. "Hence, again, I am grateful. Thanks." It was close to $20 for the ride. I had to pay him with a credit card. Therefore, because he was gracious enough to accept my credit card (by law, cabbies here in Chicago HAVE to accept credit cards. However, a LOT of them will make you feel bad and/or give you attitude about it. True story:) I gave him a $10 cash tip. Hence, the $30 cab ride. I got there in time to see Kat (the host,) Jeff Brown, Debbie and a Huge fan, Kelly! The people started to pour in shortly afterwards. Nik pulled in (he had to combat heavy traffic himself from Aurora, IL) shortly after 7pm. Luckily, Kat stalled the start time of the performance. With Joanna and company in house, Jeff's guest, Kat and the gang, it was a pretty decent house for the show overall. I had my merch in tow, the Gift of the FREE CDs ready (with Kelly helping out with marking the names of the songs/tracks by hand since I was running behind,) I started my set. Nik was Quite the trooper. He hadn't heard 99% of my songs. However, he added quite the beat to my songs - never missing a step. THIS is the magic of KAVUS that makes me run back to the group - even though his eccentric behavior and quirkiness can be cumbersome (and this is ME saying this - for the record...for I KNOW that I am quite the eccentric one.) :) I played my set (or rather, stumbled and trembled through it.) I admitted during the show that I was quite nervous about this set due to the fact that they were ALL new tunes and quite fresh. So, both Jeff Brown and I had the added edge of uncertainty. I think, in hindsight, this added to the excitement and to the quality of excellence there in (if you get my meaning.) After the show, I took a count of all of the people who would be coming out to Pequod's Pizza. There would be 6 of us - including BETH ANN! She called and stated that she would meet us there after work! This day and evening was getting better and better! We got to Pequod's - lots of fun, lots of good food and good friend. What more can one person ask for? I am truly a blessed man. The blessings kept pouring in when we got home. I was in the process of preparing Beth Ann's medicine in order to put her to bed since her day tomorrow starts at 9:30AM, once again, at Godiva. However, as I pass the closed bedroom door, I hear from within, "donasdgalin..." (that's what it sounded like.) "What?" I ask. "Don't come in here." "Why?" "Just don't." Took me a moment to register why. "Oh. Ok." I didn't think that she would have the energy to muster up to prepare gifts for this evening. However, I KNEW that that's what she was doing. So, I decided to gather up my iPhone to see if I could listen to the set-list that I made for the guests this evening on the CD that was given. However, Beth Ann "beat me to the punch." "Happy BirthTime!" she said and ran out of the bedroom with a BIG bag (same one that I packed her BIG teddy bear in a couple of weeks back.) I laughed heartily. "BirthTime?" I asked. "Yeah. Happy BirthTime! I timed your gift to be given Right at the moment that you were born." She was right. My actual birth time was 12:44 (or 12:48AM.) Can't remember which. "Thanks." I gave her a big hug. I received two things (both of which my party at Pequod's knew about.) The first gift was a new Winter jacket. This was because I had really worn my Blue Columbia jacket in for quite some time now. I had had the Columbia jacket for, at least, 4 years at this point. Even after washing said jacket and with all of the major gig bag carries, the white areas are permanently black. So COOL for Beth Ann to be observant. The second gift, however, is too risque to mention here in this blog. Let's just put it this way: There is NO DENYING that Beth Ann is quite secure and comfortable (not to mention that she trusts me implicitly) in this very relationship. NO OTHER GIRLFRIEND has given me such the gift. Hell, my ex-wife was quite the opposite (hence the divorce....but that's another set of blogs altogether.) "Wow. Just...wow. Is THIS what everyone knew about?" She laughs, "yep." "Wow. I'm floored...beyond belief. And SO lucky! Thank you!" With the above stated, with the gifts from her mother to include a new brown dress shirt, a new black V-neck sweater, another bag/set of black socks, and a $50 check from my grandmother ALONG with the GREAT times, food and friends mentioned throughout the day, I feel like Sam Malone in the last scene of the Very Last episode of "Cheers" when he looked around the bar that he was now the owner of when he said, "I am the luckiest son-of-a-bitch on Earth." That's PRECISELY how I feel right now. Here's the kicker: Today wasn't even my birthday! My real birthday is tomorrow! If I feel like this now, my God: What is in store for the coming day?!? I am eagerly excited. Truth be told: I never thought I'd see this day. And, I KNOW that it is in part because of BOTH the 29-Day Giving Challenge AND the FAWM challenge! Both the giving and the creating has done wonders for my spirit and has convinced me to start over again with another 29 Days of giving once this cycle ends. Why not? As the old adage goes, "if it ain't broke..." But first, sleep (especially since there are NO plans tomorrow!) WAHOO! G'day/G'night all! :)