A few things I have in mind, not in any particular order or priority;
1.) Spend more time with my parents and a nephew who lives with them. I'm not finished frustrating them, and just getting started good corrupting the knucklehead. Seriously, as I myself age, I am aware there are fewer days ahead than behind, and we just never know. On the other hand, my Granny will be 100 years old in Spring. How'd she do that?!
2.) By January 1st 2022, have a Big Red X on the calendar denoting my last official day of public service. Maybe it's 2024 before the departure happens, but it is time to plan the exit, put things in order and get on to Chapter 3 of Greg's Book. (I am hoping it's more like Chapter 1 was, except I am a lot smarter now) I also need to remember that Big Red X is not a liscense to be a smartass... save that for the exit interview.
3.) Whether there are gigs or not this year, I'm going to continue to play as much music as I possibly can, while I can, and try to balance the time between bass and guitar. (by golly, I can play one of those idiot-things if I work at it!) With the lack of paying jobs last season, I really focused on things I wouldn't have here in my little practice space, and it's paid off in ways I never imagined. Here I am almost 52, still learning new things. Weird-o-rama.
4.) I was serious about that weight thing. I need to get a little more muscle mass back, something completely unforeseen that came up after that last operation. I lost almost 100 lbs, and got pretty frail there for a while, then slowly built back up. There's another fusion surgery coming, most likely later this year (it's kinda' up to me, the rockstar neurosurgeon sez) but timetable-wise, Fall of the year works a lot better... much less outside work to be done. One thing all my Docs agree on - I need more meat holding these bones together. Gotta' work on that.
5.) I was a hermit long before the Corona Virus came along. I need to be less of one. I think as a musician I just sorta' gave myself a pass on the weirdness, but I have realized that even I need some degree of interaction with people. It was one thing when it was by choice, and quite another being deprived of the ability to go do the simplest things. So when I can, I will.
6.) Man, I miss my Shop. The 'Real Job' situation has been such this year that I haven't had any time at all to spend in there, but I am hopeful that soon the schedule will straighten out and I can get back to work in there. I have two Alembic-related projects, the Starfire bass and a guitar with Telecaster activators, plus the Hyak scroll-body fretless to complete restoration of, thanks to a complete new-old-stock set of electronics from a Club Member here. There is also a 1930's National Duolian metal-bodied guitar up there, 75% finished. There are three banjos in-progress too. I just need time.
7.) There are at least three dead trees in the yard I need to cut down this year. One, threateningly close to my shop. Ain't big enough to do real damage, but I can save myself some trouble and shingles if I drop it first. Neighbor can burn it in the stove.
That's an awful lot to get done in 364 days... better get busy.
