Brand New Day

It's a brand new day. I've got a brand new opportunity. I had a really great 3rd (the math's confusing, go with it) rehearsal with a new band yesterday. As I loaded out my gear and packed up, I expected a "tied up in a neat bow" moment... like in an old western where the range boss approaches the dark outsider and sums him up a hard worker and offerers him a job... but it wasn't. It was more like the end of a really awkward date. Awkward doesn't mean 'bad' more like a date with 2 awkward people. You know it was a good date, there's chemistry and attraction, but because they are 2 awkward people they share a "well goodnight" exchange a 'go left, no right, no left, crap... on the cheek' kiss and ass-out hug and walk away while making the phone gesture to you ear and mouthing the words "call me" as the other can't wait to hear the door click to figure out what the hell just happened for the last 3 hours.

See, it wasn't bad at all. Grooves were thick, pockets were tight, the drums, 2 guitars and myself all communicated in that "yeah this is it" musical connection. If you've felt it, you know what I mean... smiles were exchanged, "I like what you're doing" was said, that part just fits was overheard. All good signs right...

So my ego wanted to hear "so can you make it out_____", "We need to get you in for photos", "What size purple velvet tuxedo do you wear" but alas I got nothing... "Thanks for coming out again" was about it. I drove home and was confused. What did that mean? I had talked with a couple of the members before and felt sure that if things went well I'd be asked to be a part of the band, and things had gone very well. Why didn't they wax eloquent on how I was the best fit for their group, how I was their man...

Because I'm not the only person in the world.

The guys wanted to make sure that everyone agreed that I was the choice they wanted to make, and wanted to decide how to address things with the bassist I'd be replacing. It was the best way to handle things both for me, for the group and for my predecessor. Really, would I have been happy down the road if that had been the case? Knowing me I would probably began to doubt things, wonder if they were just blowing smoke or if everyone agreed in my being asked to be there.

All in all it was a good ending, within a half an hour of getting back home I received a call offering me the opportunity. It was a good day, and I'm really looking forward to working with these guys.