Raggin' Piano Boogie
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Since 1987 |
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April 30, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada
We took to the streets today, no rush... to share a couple cases of cold water that I had stashed in my refrigerator. Also I wanted to share some musical fun, friendship and respect with those living on the streets. Saturday is a good day to do this as all the nature spots outside the city are filled with people. My friend Todd shares with me and also gives out bottles of water himself with wrapped bible sayings on them. He tells me that is his spiritual calling to do. Having no personal interest in spreading the word of the bible myself, I think it is better that people are given the choice to find their own spiritual meaning from the words on a bottle than possibly from preaching or a twisted, mis-directed human being with a personal agenda not fitting the truth of spirit. Intent is everything. Mo and I were out for a few hours, had some people on the Traveling Piano truck and I also created some music until it was dark. My prayer every day is to be able to stay clear in being directed by the truth of spirit from within verses what others say or do. That knowing of truth comes from practicing to stay in the present moment with humility, gratitude and... through the grace of God.
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April 29, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada
Through incredible brain fog, I continue to function. I've been backing up my data onto new hard drives. My old hard drive backups are failing... nothing lasts forever. That... takes an amazing amount of time. There is about 20 terabytes of data. Do you know how much that is? Also, I uploaded another three hundred photos to the galleries. As the journey continues to grow keeping everything straight and organized so I can remember how to find it, a major challenge. There are over a hundred thousands photos in the web galleries and about that many never used but filed and the photos are in several formats. The raw photos I have are the proof of ownership for me, I am the only one in possession of those. Everything is shared freely on the internet but any claim of ownership if needed is to be mine alone. Living in reality and as well online and keeping a check on the fact that I live for reality first... I mean really, people are losing a grip on that. In fact I am seeing people lose a grip on their sanity without knowing it, sourced from anger, confusion and frustration and that is mind boggling.
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April 28, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada
Looks like we will be signing the lease in June for another year in this place. There is no other choice or I just don't have it in me to create one. All rentals now need proof of at least twice the rent as income. That... a joke for people with low incomes. Also, I am sort of grandfathered in concerning parking and having Mo with me and my ext door neighbors are quiet. (please dear God, do not move out) These are big considerations off setting the rest of the crazies living all around me, the dirt, mis-management, no water pressure to take a shower, etc... Then there is the heat on its way... I'm just turning that over to God for right now. There is an option 2,200 miles away to go to for a few months which needs to be explored more but leaving while paying rent is such a waste of money. I just continue to stay grateful that I can do the Traveling Piano's work, have some security, friends, a sane mind (not to be taken for granted these days) and a power greater than myself the God of my understanding to turn towards for acceptance of all that happens in life.
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April 27, 2022Las Vegas, NevadaLast day of three posting comments, there are thousands more. Read two days ago what it is all about. Rest awhile, omg i would love to come across someone like that, i would love to just talk to him, Whelp my day just got made, This literally made me cry, I would absolutely lose it if I saw this, I’ve met him before he’s really cool, Some people are truly living their best lives, I want that dogs life, this is also inside my brain, What a fookin vibe, simple, I love this, this is amazing, i need this, Nice, this legit inspired me to keep going, He is amazing and my biggest inspiration, This is the dream, I just saw my future, My role model, Bro, he's living my dream, you know sometimes you just have to stop by the side of a road with a good view to play piano with your bestie, that's sooo dope, I’m in love with this, I SAW HIM A FEW DAYS THE PANDEMIC WAS ANNOUNCED. I CRY EVERY TIME I THINK OF ITThis is so cool, Woah, real, in love, He is distracting people from heisenberg, I feel like I’ve seen this in a dream, I wish I was that dog, love everything about this, ive seen him before at memorial dog was there too :), Views, piano, and a dog. Life is good, What a majestic man and his dog, this is what life is about, Love that, This changed my life, ok, i love this, yeah, whoa, slay, this is so cute, Good vibes in my book, that's an indie movie, why do i love this, I feel a diff emotion each time I watch this, mystery music man, This is def a vibe, Incredible, just had a sudden spiritual moment on the toilet at work, I can already see this as something we see before meeting the man upstairs, omg, i love, this not real, yo, dig it, I'm tryna be that dog, Transcendent, Omfg this. This is art, times like this I sit back and think maybe I do like people. this is what's good about humans, GO BACK!! GO BACK HE HAS A SIDE QUEST! Beautiful, 10/10 username, I feel like tiktok can peacefully die after this one, Thats a strong ass truck, dog, doppler, so beautiful yet so strange, Bless his journey, he was on Hollywood Blvd when I saw them :), was this supposed to make me cry? because it did, Imagine hiking and hearing this, I’d be like well this is “it”, Duuuuuuuuude, I wanna be this dude when I grow up, That’s a happy person right there, i need more, I love this, this is so slay, ARE U KIDDING, God I want this life, this is what i hope to achieve, How im tryna be, Um yes... 
 ...This is the first time I’ve wanted to like a video more than once, That’s an experience. I’d pull over and stay for awhile, More Americans like him, we live in such an interesting world, i think i would cry if i saw this, this made my day, the dog, the piano, the view, no flaws in this video, why did this make me cry, lovely, this speaks to me, What in the fever dream, Elton John in another life, hopefully he makes the sound into is home so we can listen longer, Our world is psychedelic gold, I am jealous of this man, im tripping tf out, There are cool people out here doing cool shit, keep doing what you’re doing, this has to mean something, Main character energy, I'm in love, aww, this is now my favorite video ever, need, this is beautiful, I love this, best vibes - this… God I fkn love these vibes so much I wanna explode, I feel moved, Dude, is life real? oh m gee that’s so cool, bruh i saw tjis so sick, ludovico einaudi vibes, Love, Whatever I scroll to after this is just gonna be stupid in comparison, i love this sound, someone make this into a song pls, This feels like the first time I listened to psychedelic music, I’ve never liked something so fast, i love everything about this, yes, this literally feels like a dream, that is incredible, just imagine, I want what they have, I had a dream that looked just like this, mans living my dream, I would donate in a heartbeat, I would play a whole game just for that side quest, This is how life is meant to be, This gave me chills. He’s playing to nature. I’m his zone. Okg imagine being one of those bushes or a tree nearby, Literally got the chills and said “Wow” …. Anyone else? This is my favourite video I have ever seen on this app, i want nothing else in the world as much as i want to be that dog, this is the best thing to ever exist, 100% agreed, Sounds so magical, This is incredible, This sound has some cinematic potential, I think that might be God, feels like a glitch in the matrix, Crying, This is a mirage, Fever dream, I’ve seen this man in Miami years ago, I’m glad they’re still playing, we live in such an interesting world, the dog, the piano, the view, no flaws in this video, I like this, please NEVER delete this, this is my favorite thing ive ever seen, this is now my favorite video ever. |
April 26, 2022Las Vegas, NevadaDay two of three, read yesterday to know what this is about... Never before have I seen the Traveling Piano with my improve in video from from my perspective, what I experience and even more to have over a million people have the very same experience, just about every comment, a unique expression... ...please release this (music publish) - amazing piece - what a masterpiece - this is so beautiful!!! - wow man what a beautiful concept! Thank you for doing this! - legend - nice - so beautiful - this is awesome! - omg I love this!! - sir ur amazing - I want a desert wedding and you, my friend, will be playing. the dog must be there too. - mesmerizing - love this, man - keep doing these - I love this so much!!! -absolutely lovely playin, also I love how your small friend there is just resting atop of the piano. love this! amazing - woah a dream - beautiful - this is amazing, - never stop - thanks for the good vibes - pup is living his best life - so cool - your music is so calming please post more - so pleasant - love this so much - i want to live that dogs life - that is a good dog - now this is good content -i'm about no ride my dirt bike around to find you come to... ny - come to... tx - come to... mn - come to... ca - sometimes human beings are okay - oh to be a traveling dog that sits on a piano as it’s played at every stop of the way - literally like a dream sequence, definition of a fever dream - if I ever come across the traveling piano I would cry - does anybody know what composition they’re playing - as a person who lives in the middle of the desert, this is such iconic desert behavior - you have somehow found a way to record a dream - wow this is insanely cool - Id like to understand his mind - perfection - doppler piano tho at the end - bro the doppler effect on the way out - that dog has no idea how lucky they truly are - i’d cry if I saw this irl - such a pretty sound - this is the gate to heaven - woah - incredible - she’s beauty, she’s grace - you guys go to their website!!! - so many cute pics you won’t be disappointed - I wish I could save this - this is the coolest thing - it has been looping over as I scroll - great video! - is this what you see when you get to heaven - ahh, to be a dog on a piano on a truck on a hill looking at the mountains - wow - niceeee, OMGGGG, Vibes, Life, Yes, Things you don’t see everyday lol, the website is so cute y’all, I just know this dude 110% happy, I wish I could see this in person, This is what my dreams are like, I’ve dreamt of this before, this melody is fire, What a life to live, this is the reason I have TikTok, This is why I have this app, Dreamy, I want to stay... 
 ...Dream Life, i wanna see this, Gotta love life sometimes, dream world, Love this, we must find him, let’s live freely, good stuff, THAT is a vibe, This is everything, This is the stuff, once in a lifetime memory, if i saw this i’d start crying, I saw the video the other day and lost my mind when I saw you followed me. Much love to you and the sweet doggo, omg, A legend, he is the main character, oh my gosh, Good for him, best ever thing i have seen, He figured it out, Real, Damn, I need to see this in person, Ok but this is so cool and creative?? Love this to infinity, literally brought me to tears, He’s living his best life, pls i’m crying, Enjoying life, he knows something we don’t, why did this give me serotonin, what, I really needed that and it was random too, This kind of thing makes life cool again, hope we see this man and dog on the road this summer, Hell yeah, I’ve met this guy! He let my little brother and I play his piano, wholesome dude, Saving this audio, So random and amazing and beautiful, What a life, Thank you, oh to be a dog sitting on top of a piano on the side of a hill while my human plays tunes for me, Omg I met this guy before, he was so sweet I have on my page lol, This is what i needed, Living their best life, “Yup that’s me. I bet you’re wondering how I got here..”, Absolutely Divine, the strangest occurrence ever, The Doppler effect making the piano sound dreamier, this is all I want, this video made me emotional, This is his world and we’re all just living in it, this is the most wholesome thing, Absolute heaven, I don’t know what’s happening but I love it, The sounds remind me of interstellar for some reason, This is ethereal, just perfect, This the life I’m tryna live, Why am I crying? the life to live, magical, what a vision, This man (and his dog) got it figured out, so we really can just go and live our dreams, This is so cooool wtf, What a fucking vibe, This feels like a dream and I don’t wanna wake up, Oh this is lovely, What in the, This is probably the best video that has ever been posted on this app Why am I tearing up, cries, this, I just unlocked a bonus level in my brain, want, To be a dog on a traveling piano in the middle of a desert, I would keep driving and think about that for the next 2 hours, Yeah, the final boss is just up ahead. Have a seat... |
April 25, 2022Las Vegas, NevadaThe last time I posted something like this was when Piano Dog Boner passed away. I wanted to share the care, the positive, the love received... with everyone. So it is with the seven second TikTok video that is still going viral. With over a million hits and thousands of comments only two have not been positive. "kinda lame and look at meeee" and "is anyone else terrified by this." So now, I'm just going to post a few of the positive comments for three days and then I'm not going to post anymore about this viral TikTok, lol. Never before have I seen the Traveling Piano with my improve in video from from my perspective, what I experience and even more to have over a million people have the very same experience, just about every comment, a unique expression... ...please release this (music publish) - amazing piece - what a masterpiece - this is so beautiful!!! - wow man what a beautiful concept! Thank you for doing this! - legend - nice - so beautiful - this is awesome! - omg I love this!! - sir ur amazing - I want a desert wedding and you, my friend, will be playing. the dog must be there too. - mesmerizing - love this, man - keep doing these - I love this so much!!! -absolutely lovely playin, also I love how your small friend there is just resting atop of the piano. love this! amazing - woah a dream - beautiful - this is amazing, - never stop - thanks for the good vibes - pup is living his best life - so cool - your music is so calming please post more - so pleasant - love this so much - i want to live that dogs life - that is a good dog - now this is good content -i'm about no ride my dirt bike around to find you come to... ny - come to... tx - come to... mn - come to... ca - sometimes human beings are okay - oh to be a traveling dog that sits on a piano as it’s played at every stop of the way - literally like a dream sequence... 
 ...definition of a fever dream - if I ever come across the traveling piano I would cry - does anybody know what composition they’re playing - as a person who lives in the middle of the desert, this is such iconic desert behavior - you have somehow found a way to record a dream - wow this is insanely cool - Id like to understand his mind - perfection - doppler piano tho at the end - bro the doppler effect on the way out - that dog has no idea how lucky they truly are - i’d cry if I saw this irl - such a pretty sound - this is the gate to heaven - woah - incredible - she’s beauty, she’s grace - you guys go to their website!!! - so many cute pics you won’t be disappointed - I wish I could save this - this is the coolest thing - it has been looping over as I scroll - great video! - is this what you see when you get to heaven - ahh, to be a dog on a piano on a truck on a hill looking at the mountains - wow - niceeee, OMGGGG, Vibes, Life, Yes, Things you don’t see everyday lol, the website is so cute y’all, I just know this dude 110% happy, I wish I could see this in person, This is what my dreams are like, I’ve dreamt of this before, this melody is fire, What a life to live, this is the reason I have TikTok, This is why I have this app, Dreamy, I want to stay, Dream Life, i wanna see this, Gotta love life sometimes, dream world, Love this, we must find him, let’s live freely, good stuff, THAT is a vibe, This is everything, This is the stuff, once in a lifetime memory, if i saw this i’d start crying, I saw the video the other day and lost my mind when I saw you followed me. Much love to you and the sweet doggo, omg, A legend, he is the main character, oh my gosh, Good for him, best ever thing i have seen, He figured it out, Real, Damn, I need to see this in person, Ok but this is so cool and creative?? Love this to infinity, literally brought me to tears, He’s living his best life, pls i’m crying... |
April 24, 2022Redrock Canyon, NevadaWow, my pup and I had an amazing few moments of togetherness, contentment, peace and appreciation in nature today. We headed out to Redrock canyon not really sure what we were going to do or be able to do. As soon as I got out of the truck, I knew it was to head for a dry river bed many thousands of years old, away from all traffic sounds where we could be alone and meditate. After finding a spot in smooth sand we laid on the raw ground in full sun not too strong with a cool breeze and with my iPhone turned on the meditation music where I practiced chanting gratitude for forty minutes. Mo laid in my arm by my side and when done we looked into each others eyes knowingly. 
 Unlike in the Valley of Fire, the desert here is very green right now and while the wildflowers are not big and thick they are still everywhere interspersed throughout the desert brush. You cannot see that from a distance, you have to be walking through it all. What heaven we we're in. The walking was not too much, the spot was not that far from the road. A little more than a half hour away we can be in total nature verses the Las Vegas, downtown urban everything we live in. The desert verses forest, verses the ocean... each environment is equally special in it own ways. |
April 23, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada
In the spirit of taking it easy today Mo and I first headed west to meet up with a painter who is willing to create a watercolor of us to be compatible with the painting I have of Bo and myself. It was a photo shoot. The painting of Bo and myself is my most valued memory and possession even more than the Traveling Piano's archives. It had been in my minds eye to have since Boner first came into my life. And now, to have one with Mo... of course! Then I went over to my new friend Pat's place for dinner and to hang out some. Once back I ended up binge watching a television show which has not happened in a long time. For how long? Until five in the morning, I watched the entire series!!!
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April 22, 2022Valley of Fire, NevadaAs soon as we could get going, we headed to the Valley of Fire. There were scattered rain showers and cool temps today. We need to take advantage of every day possible before the heat hits. Rain in the Valley was in the morning and not much so the ground was perfect for Mo to walk on, the temperature perfect for us to explore in. We really don't hike much any more but we do walk and climb some. I knew when Mo came into my life that at this age we would both slow down physically at the same time and so it is. We rested, I took some photos, we moseyed around, meditated and I thanked God throughout the time for this wonderful earth and to direct all our thoughts in living here. And also, to send a lot of money my way, lol. It was too cold to create music and that was just fine for today. 
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April 21, 2022Las Vegas, NevadaThe seven second TikTok video posted four ago by a stranger... has hit about a million views with thousands of comments, 99.9% all positive. I'm working to keep my place in it all and not get lost or overwhelmed. Never before have so many people seen and experienced the Traveling Piano, the experience "I" have wanted for others... what it is about, the feel, the message, the spirituality of it, the music. It has never been portrayed in video or online so perfectly and clearly that everyone seeing... "gets it" from my perspective in seven seconds!!! My personal mission with the Traveling Piano is something different. That is where personal relationship with people enters the picture with human interaction. Humility is found in the personal mission. We went out to the street today as someone wanted to meet us from online. 
 I hope I never lose the personal aspect of this journey in being able to respond to people from online. Right now the numbers are still managable. While on the street creating music, a guy who was on the piano a couple days ago came by so appreciative of the photos I sent him. A couple I met and have not seen in a while, the guy is a piano player, they we're ecstatic to tell me they now have a home together , settled in and secure. They had been on the streets for almost two years. Nothing fills me with love more than hearing that. These people are living miracles and they know it. Just as I know I am a living miracle in being about to offer myself, the Traveling Piano and Mo to share with the world. The person I have become is beyond my wildest of dreams and the person I never thought could be but always knew, the person I would want to be. |
April 20, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada
We took it easy today as the video posted (damm I wish it was on my account) went over a million hits. My account is doing ok, tho. I cannot allow this to suck up all of my time and energy, need to just pay some attention and let the rest go. I was checking out my guestbook which somehow was put back into the website and saw a slew of emails from the Rachel Ray show that I never saw. Responding to everything takes time and I wonder if I will reach the point where it is just not possible to be personal with everyone who reaches out. We went for a walk in a park, created some music, did not interact with anyone and the wanting to eat food today like in the old days was difficult! I've been doing an ensure and a regular meal for three days with lots of water. I miss eating lots of food and I enjoy food and the treating myself with food must stop. I can enjoy food while treating myself in better ways.
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April 19, 2022Las Vegas, NevadaI woke up from a ding on my phone. Someone sent me fifty bucks via Venmo saying they saw me on TikTok and wanted to send support. Of course that felt good and realized something was going viral. Then I thought about the Rachel Ray show last month... "there's my one in a million. Lol, wouldn't it be great if everyone who learned about the Traveling Piano sent some support? It has always been literally... one on a million. Thats just the way it is. So, I went onto TikTok. I have an account created several years ago but have never used it. I could not get in so I signed on via Google which created its own account for me without my knowing. Bastards. Someone had created a drive-by video of like seven seconds when I was playing in the Valley of Fire on Easter and the views were over 100,000 in less than twenty four hours. I left a comment saying, "Look what it took to get me on TikTok."
Click here to watch on tiktok.com And then people began following me with no content and at number 900 I realized it was the fucking Google account so I had to delete it all and lost all those followers!!! Finally I got into my own account and learned that TikTok take ownership of all the videos so I can't download and re-share my own material. This was the same for the Rachel Ray show. Fuckers. Anyway, I figured out how to download the video and upload it again onto the site, on my account and now we will see what happens. I stopped reading the news and am giving myself a two week break on facebook, instagram and twitter only to get sucked into tiktok! Lol... the best thing about the video is that it passes clearly by the back of the truck with the www.travelingpiano.com showing. A lot of people will be able to find this website and find out about the mystery piano man. The clip has a doppler affect which is what makes it so awesome and wonderful. I've never before had my music or the Traveling Piano captured so perfectly. You can find me on tiktok by searching for the account name travelingpianoman. |
April 18, 2022Las Vegas, NevadaThree days ago I began to think about a large cook-off for people living on the streets. It less than two months shy of a year since I stopped because it was too hot to drive the truck, serve the food and for Mo. So I visualized each night how I would do it with food I have around in my incredibly small kitchen space. I had canned pork, chicken, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, creamed corn with fresh carrots, onions and potatoes. I had some cooking sauce from last week, ketchup, sugar, sea salt, cayenne pepper and lots of parmesan cheese and mixed everything to use for spaghetti. It came out good, took all day to make and it was five gallons worth. I had the cups, lids and utensils under my bed stored away and out we went. We made some people very happy, always more happy just to see us after a long while and met some new people living on the streets. On woman, she had been rolled up in a ball on the sidewalk and wow did she come to life. I played music for her and got her onto the piano and she was past elated. 
 While sharing the food with another guy walking down the street, there was a couple nearby talking and the guy came over to give me forty bucks. When people do that, it really makes a difference. They are giving to me so I can give to others. The woman was from St. John's, Newfoundland which has a special place in my heart from Traveling Piano time we spent there and the guy was from the other side of Canada in Edmonton, Alberta where we also have visited. I've really been to a lot of places through this long run! I've cut down on my food intake big time, two days now which is a big deal. I need to see if my energy improves with less weight. Like I don't already know, lol. This journey began in becoming lighter and now it will end becoming lighter? I went to purchase water for people on the streets. A gallon of water at the mini marts cost $5!!! What a fucking rip off. It has been proven over and over again through the years that it is just tap water in plastic containers with a label slapped on. That will be tough on people in another month who do not have an option. |
April 17, 2022Valley of Fire, NevadaIt was a beautiful day and it just had to be enjoyed. I'm still burnt out from driving anywhere and its been a week but I just pushed myself. Mo and I drove to the Valley of Fire to outside of the park where we could be away from all the people and spent lots of time in the truck cab for the first time ever, just sitting. There is not much energy these days. We would go out for short explorations. It was hot, the sun was strong, Mo gets dehydrated easily from walking on the hot stones and sand with his paws. We both meditated in the truck. The cab was in the shade, enjoying the scenery of one of our favorite spots on earth. I felt the urge to create music to honor life. We were on the edge of a cliff right off the road where people we're driving by. I tried not to encourage anyone to stop while knowing I was feeling needy. 
 The goal was to just be comfortable with the simplest of musical notes and nature with my pup, and to be fulfilled in gratitude with all of it. We were. We did. Then a vehicle pulled up and people began to file out, kids and adults heading straight for us. It was a Mormon family from Idaho and back east in New Jersey and here in Las Vegas. The guy started with, "we don't want to intrude." That was the vibe I was giving out and why all the other vehicles did not stop. I said, well you already did, now you are all going to have to get on the truck to create music and have your picture taken. And so it began. Another couple stopped and joined it. That was it for the day and it was so magical. The experience was full of joy, fun, friendship, respect, music, empowerment, inspiration, love, strangers becoming less afraid of each other, sharing, relationship, babies, boys and girls and parents, nature, Easter. Mo and I ended the day totally fulfilled. |
April 16, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada
No obligation, expectation, do not need to do anything, this is what I keep telling myself along with not tuning in with the news or facebook or anything social online... two weeks. It was a beautiful day but extremely windy. I thought, it has been almost a week since I created music, I need to go... opps... "need'. I wanted... to go create some music to keep it in my hands and also I was feeling a little lonely and I'm conscious that tomorrow is Easter. Also, there is a void with not being on the social and news platforms online. Lots of good memories, times passed from early childhood. It is also a full moon so that coincides with my frame of mind. The cities of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas are shoving the homeless around so everyone is dispersed and pretty much alone. I stopped and played for individuals and simply spent time and also played across the street from the Salvation Army where people we're waiting to get in. I am very appreciated, loved and people tell me so. I need to experience that to help myself and continue onward. I hear stories all the time. Some confide in me for my thoughts on matters. One guy was telling me how the city directs them to withdrawal their disability checks from machines at their homeless centers where they can take up to ten bucks in fees! That is so disgusting. I told the guy where the free ATM's are and the limit with each withdrawal for no fee. I took out some food with me. Not a lot. but enough and it felt good to have something for everyone who asked.
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April 15, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada |
April 14, 2022Las Vegas, NevadaMy original goal with life was to go out with a big bang. I no longer think that will happen. But then again also, I have always known sometimes we are not in control of life or death. As my world disinigrates I want to remember that "its all good." I want to enjoy and appreciate and be thankful throughout the disinigration process while not being in denial of the actual disinigration. This happens through acceptance and gratitude and remembering "it is what it is," the goodness in that and the ability to constantly re-focus as needed. I am taking a two week hiatus from the news and social media, a first. I did a week of no news back a few months ago. Driving for so long and pushing myself like I did the other day is taking its toll both physically and mentally. Add the emotional turmoil worldwide which I cannot ignore, and my state of being well, it is as fragile as it can get. I'll probably continue this blogging here and stay in contact with a few friends, do email but with zero pressure. 
 I can put a lot of pressure on myself. There is a feeling that if I disconnect from the internet, my work will be forgotten even with as short a time as two weeks! Crazy, I know. But... of course that will all happen in a matter of time anyway. People will remember and then slowly forget. That is what happens in life. Even with those we love most, the thoughts, feelings, memories always fade without constant attention. We sometimes remember and feel aspects of a person or their work but eventually it all becomes objectified and nothing more if anything. I've been living in an "I have to do" mode or else. That hold on me needs some release. My monthly contributors (not many but they do help keep me going) and other random contribution will stop is the fear. Yea... I just need to let go and trust, have faith that everything is and will be ok. Nothing stays the same and life will continue to ebb and flow... as I disintegrate, lol. People have been losing everything they have known and own in the blink of an eye since life first began. |
April 13, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada |
April 12, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada |
April 11, 2022Sacramento, California to Las Vegas, NevadaI almost can't believe the last five days, am really glad they happened. And, I'm writing this blog after ten hours of driving back. The Traveling Piano truck made it with no problems as did Mo and me! My body hurts and is still traveling at 70 miles an hour. It was a good call to leave today having purchased the room for tonight and then canceling it. The expense was worrisome. When I woke up it was cold and drizzling with rain so we got going as soon as possible. I would not have been able to play music today with the rain. Back in the Las Vegas area we went through a sandstorm in the dark. It was like a snow blizzard with low visibility... kind of fun. I was thinking how the room cost $320 and the gas $240 (ouch). I had brought some food along but today went on a junk food binge. The truck took four quarts of oil. All and all it was $600 and only $225 came in to help. 
 When I got back someone from Sacramento sent a $100 and that felt very comforting. So with $325 I'll still need to find $275 to break even and if I do not... so be it. Something always works out. I'm posting a few photos from the rose garden I visited there. As I look at the photos of people I think how I wish I could have given everyone more attention. It did not feel like I could match the level of enthusiasm and gratitude they had when we we're interacting as I was so focused on everything going on around us. If you would like to help: This Website: Contribution Page ... Venmo: @TravelingPiano ... PayPal Direct: PayPal Me for Sacramento If you want to mail cash, please private message me for the address. |
April 10, 2022Sacramento, CaliforniaWe got out and going, spent the day in the one spot, some interesting things happened. A short gust of wind came and blew over a few candles and it was unusual, only in one spot. Without going into full detail, it was on the spot where one guy died. I felt his presence then his sister came over to the truck. Most all of the people today visiting where just family members and friends of those who died. Same as before. The guy who passed had been associated with a gang and it brought back a crazy memory from 2007 when I drove into a cemetery late at night back east to create music by myself when a couple of cars came in behind me which was really strange. They following me all the way into the back of the cemetery until I finally stopped as I did want to go in too deep without knowing what was what. When I stopped, the cars stopped and people began to get out. It was friends and family there to visit a guys grave who was buried a week before. He was a gang member and they we're not allowed to attend the funeral. I stopped with the Traveling Piano by coincidence exactly on top of the guys grave. We all had a moment of music and photos in the dark. It is blogged with the photos on this website way back. 
 An old cranky white woman came up full of blame and shame, saying she was a christian, what happened is because of how kids are being raised, blah, blah, blah and it only took a few words to shut her up and send her on her way. Those kind of people are worthless. No family or friends present we're into a blame game... too much sadness and numbness and loss for any of that. A young family came up to the Traveling Piano... refugees from Moscow, Russia. They spoke enough English to have some fun on the piano, having just arrived five days ago. I found out that Sacramento has the most Ukrainian immigrants of any city in the nation. The woman's mother was Ukrainian. They told me how difficult it was to escape and how long it took to get here having had to travel through Turkey all the way to Pakistan, then to Mexico through to the USA. A restaurant from across the street treated me to their Brazilian, Salmon Rice and Vegetable dinner and WoW! That was very good. Before heading back to the motel, I drove around a little and this city is very interesting. Mo and I stopped and we took a walk in a beautiful, large rose garden in a city park. 
 We we're driving through streets of houses, not one the same, all unique and the streets are lined with sycamore trees a hundred years old. The neighborhoods we're exactly like back east in suburban Philadelphia where we were last July when a tornado destroyed all the sycamores just like they have here. There is an amazing amount of things to do in Sacramento, lots of culture, different types of restaurants and hangouts, parks and I mentioned two days ago how much trees and greenery. I found out that the slogan for Sacramento is "City of Trees." There are a lot of homeless here well, everywhere. But, they are not all shoved out of the nicer areas as in Vegas. They are everywhere. It is very sad to see. The city is urban, relaxed and educated with lots of diversity and neighborhoods, definitely not a republican type of city. If you want to help out with my motel expenses and gas money: This Website: Contribution Page ... Venmo: @TravelingPiano ... PayPal Direct: PayPal Me for Sacramento If you want to mail cash, please private message me for the address. |
April 09, 2022Sacramento, California |
April 8, 2022Sacramento, CaliforniaI'm seemingly ok after the ten hour drive yesterday. I am focused. As soon as I could get it together we drove to the spot we're the gun massacre happened last weekend. We found a non-intrusive spot under a tree in the shade with a small shrine area across the street from where we were parked. The police quietly parked a utility vehicle beside us as a buffer from the street traffic. It was a good spot for exactly what I wanted which was to create some musical energy for the environment. I watched as people who knew someone killed, came to show respect. I felt extra sensitivity from the homeless in the area although one drunk really got on my nerves like a nat that just would not stop bothering me. He was incessantly aggravating with screaming and noise and trying to get at me, hitting the piano keys, wanting to sing, ec... for at least forty minutes until I left. The other homeless there, several began to cry. My music did that. They were very comforted. They would send me small signals. Like, stand in a spot for ten minutes, not looking, then breaking down into tears and as they left would turn to thank me. I was thinking how they always live in extreme fear. What happened was like an intruder coming into their home and killing everyone. It was not until I left the area that I found out one of those murdered was a homeless woman from the area. They are all traumatized and of course knew her. 
 A few people got onto the piano. There was an amateur video guy I spent time with. He got a lot of footage of my music and photos. That situation was a bit weird, especially since he left without saying goodbye. He lives a few blocks away. We might connect tomorrow where he will take me to the roughest part of the city but I'm not holding my breath on his following through. Mo and I drove to another spot a block away and had some really good interactions with people. It is astonishing how only ten years ago when a mass murder would happen there were thousands of people out to show respect, to validate and reassure the strength of human spirit. Now... the shrines are made and frequented by just friends, families, work mates and people who have been personally affected. My energy ebbed and flowed and I can feel a little infection in my throat probably from the driving yesterday or lack of water in my system but all is good and so much better that I thought it would be energy wise. 
 One couple wanted to engage with some gas-lighting. I was careful to not get triggered. They were there to tell everyone it was the governments fault. I reminded them that as citizens of the USA, they are the government and if they think the government is 100% corrupt which they in fact thought... I told them, they have a problem and they are the problem. They had best find the good and the good people working in government and give them due credit and support them and the fact that they exist. I reminded them that yesterday Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first black women ever was appointed to the supreme court by good people working in this instance, good government. Of course they did not want to see any good at all, hence... gaslit. Then I told them I was going to play some music for them and that helped all of us to detach from the negativity and sick mindedness. There was three media oppportunities with television, streaming and local bloggers but I did not engage. If you would like to make a contribution: This Website: Contribution Page ... Venmo: @TravelingPiano ... PayPal Direct: PayPal Me for Sacramento If you want to mail cash, please private message me for the address. |
April 7, 2022Las Vegas, to Sacramento, CaliforniaEveryday I get into these mind rants about life and the world and I write them down. 98% of them do not get published. They are hardcore and blunt. I have been called the "terminator" with my words online. The good stuff in life is more important. Keeping a balance in my life between the joy and other than, constantly I must stay aware. So anyway... yes we did just drive ten hours from Las Vegas, Nevada to Sacramento, California in Ye Old Traveling Piano Truck with Ye Old Pup Mo and Ye Old Piano Man Danny... to share the Traveling Piano's Musical Healing Energy in honor of the 18 people shot last weekend in a mass shooting on the street, six dead as a result. The world is not as exhausting when you respond to all the horror with some loving kindness and care. How was I able to do this drive!? I just let go... had to let go of all thoughts and jump off the cliff so to speak. I've been saying for years how driving five hours a day is a stretch. Then, when coming back to Vegas from the cross country journey last year, seven hours was just a wow! Now this. I was amazingly ok after it all. So was Mo. The changes of scenery and temperatures helped. 
 First it was over a hundred miles of hot and dry Mojave desert. Then going through Bakersville CA was pure hell. It had to be over a hundred degrees (in early April) driving in my old truck with the windows open and all the noise! This, because the air-conditioning no longer works. Then everything opened up to a breezy cool spring with green trees, it was perfect. We found rolling green mountains and hills with different colored flowers. After that I discovered the most boring highway ever. We stopped a few times to stretch. Mo, in the past he would never miss an opportunity. Now I open the door and as an old guy he just says "naa, I'm good" while staying in the truck. I've never been to Sacramento before. It is full of green downtown trees and it has an almost east coast feel. The motel we are in... at first it was not going to work out but the desk clerk let us go through four rooms until I got upgraded to something workable. The outside walkways and walls are disgusting. Some of the rooms could knock your socks off with the smell. 
 Most of the rooms have not been cleaned because there is only one housekeeper for hundreds of rooms. The house keepers have been calling in sick. They do not want to work because people are leaving the rooms in a state too disgusting to clean. The murders... one of the gunmen had shown video of himself with the gun earlier in the day from a parking lot in Northern Sacramento and I am willing to bet it was from the parking lot of this motel where we are staying. What can I say? It is what we can afford. I could not stop to take photos along the way... one hundred percent of my focus was on getting here. Same thing with people who show interest when we stop to strech or get gas. I used to engage but not now... on a mission, need to focus on the end game. Lastly, Mo looks different with a few of his front teeth missing but what is actually different is that he is MUCH happier! He has big smiles now, all the time. What a goofy pup! He brings such joy to the world. A special thanks to everyone who has helped to make him happier |
April 6, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada |
April 5, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada |
April 4, 2022Las Vegas, NevadaWith our time, Mo and I want to make the most of it with the Traveling Piano. Our work serves significant purpose for the world and this is why Bringing the Beat to the street has been continuously happening for over 35 years now. The Traveling Piano serves not only for musical fun, friendship and respect with empowerment and inspiration... the Traveling Piano, Mo and I serve as a "space holder" for musical healing. This has been proven over and over through the years beginning with the gun massacres in Virginia Tech, VA and then in Sandy Hook, CT, after the police murdering on skid row in LA, in San Bernardino, CA at the elementary school and several other places and as well in Las Vegas where the Traveling Piano is based. Music helps to change perception, it bonds us together in relationship and has a way of finding people when they need it the most. 
 The Traveling Piano is a spiritual practice that helps to validate and reassure a "knowing" that all is well and that we all, are loved. We will be heading for Sacramento, CA on Thursday to create a presence for the community in response to the mass shooting of 18 people over the weekend, six of them now dead. Do you know of anyone who can host us, anyone we can stay with Thursday through Sunday (or Monday night) or has reward points, a timeshare or spare room? Better than just thoughts and prayers, if you would like to support us concerning gas, food, lodging, parking expenses etc... you can do that in several ways. As you know we work with zero profit and 100% of your contribution pays for the most basic of living expenses to get the job done. If you would like to help out: This Website: Contribution Page ... Venmo: @TravelingPiano ... PayPal Direct: PayPal Me for Sacramento If you want to mail cash, please private message me for the address. |
April 3, 2022Las Vegas, NevadaWhile feeling in an amazingly foul mood today, I forced myself out into some nature and drove into the desert thinking the temperature would be ok as it is only the beginning of April and especially as it was supposed to be cloudy today. The first spot we found had too much trash. It was too close to the city and so we drove deeper into the desert. The next spot, damm it was too hot for both of us. I started the engine again to drive in deeper and the oil light came on. This, a signal to not drive further and to head back to the city. On the way back, I decided to check out a boating cove area as we were in the Lake Meade recreational area. As the truck reached the huge empty launch area... it shut down. The engine turned but... nothing. Thank God for where it died. At least I had cell phone reception because of the boat docking. Then I realized my phone battery was about to die. 
 Hoping it would last long enough to call for a tow I thought at the same time, here goes a 40 mile tow back to the city. Knowing it was going to be a long wait I began to meditate with my gratitude mantra to throw off all negative thoughts in my brain. Amazingly, in about thirty minutes the tow guy appeared. We tried a couple things. Nothing worked. Then, when about finished trouble shooting he says, "oh look." it is the ignition coil. It is unplugged and needs to be reconnected. It must have jiggled loose when driving on the dessert stones. Problem solved. And then, some Traveling Piano Musical Fun, Friendship and Respect. Tonight I removed Mo's metal staples from his operation last week. It was a little difficult and hurt some but we got it done. I hope all the pieces are out. The area is very red. I gave him a pain killer and put some liquid bandaid on it. He is such a champ, a good dog, cooperative and patient. I have never known respect, care and love as much as I have for my pup. |
April 2, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada |
April 1, 2022Las Vegas, Nevada
Only three more days next week of this absolutely amazing commitment I have kept for over a month of getting up in the morning five days a week to greet my friends Mary and Eric at the medical center where Mary is getting her cancer treatments. Mo and I are there when they arrive and we stay until they leave with music form the Traveling Piano. Mary loves Mo, so does Eric. They will take stewardship of him if anything ever happens to me. Once again, it seemed daunting at first, absolutely over the top, unrealistic but once I made the commitment, easy peezy. Also, today I met with an artist who may paint a personal watercolor of Mo and myself like I have with Traveling Piano pup Boner. It would be a painting to compliment the other, the most valued possession I own. I always wanted one of Bo and me and that happened when the journey first began down in Louisiana after hurricane Katrina in 2006. We shall see if she follows through and if I can afford it.
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