You've got questions? We've got answers. Or not.

Yes, It's been two plus months now since I joined you here. I'll remind you (again) that I'm my own boss in this particular endeavor- setting my own schedules, tasks, and deadlines. Sometimes (oftentimes) life interrupts what I have (or had) planned and, well- as the saying goes- "it is what it is."

The week after I left the SNK gig, I developed a cold. No biggie, I thought. In the middle of it, I managed to nick my ear canal enough to draw blood. I also "bumped" my ear drum and was terrified that I'd punctured it, so I headed to the doc in the box up the road to get checked out. The good news was that my ear drum was fine. The bad news? I didn't have a cold, I'd managed to catch COVID (which, I imagine, means that one of the patrons from that last night at the Tavern had it and passed it on to me). 

Five days at home and I was able to go back to work, but the general malaise and shortness of breath worked at me for a good six or eight weeks before I finally shook it. That lethargy has been compounded by a new drug I'm taking as treatment for my cancer (which- allow me point out- has not recurred, this particular drug is  a precautionary treatment). So, yeah, I'm still tired as hell. But, I've gone to work, done what I needed to do, and enjoyed doing fuck-all on weekends.

♫♫♫♫

All that's to show (in a long-winded way) that I still haven't approached any venues to inquire about "peddling my wares" with them. I've given a couple of thoughts to where I might do so- but nothing serious.

My process, (if you're interested) will be something along these lines:

• Asking friends in the area for their suggestions. I've already gotten a few that I've considered. If you have any, feel free to pass 'em along here, or over on Facebook.
• A Google search of possible locations in my area. (And, let's do keep in mind that I consider "my area" to be within 10 miles, at most.)

Combining the results of those two into a list of targets, then whittling them down by:

1. Asking people about the place. Is it a "nice" place, or do they have a bunch of customers who are assholes, problems with fights breaking out, and that kind of fuckery that I have no interest in.
2. What nights/time do they have available? I've mentioned this before, but I work a full time job. I have zero interest in being "out" until all hours of the night on a weeknight. If they don't have a Friday or Saturday night available, then it's not really gonna work for me. 
3. What's the crowd? I don't fool myself- I'm old. I don't care much for country or hip-hop. If the "regular" clientele leans far into either of those categories, I'm not a good fit. And most modern music sets my fucking teeth on edge. (Personally, I prefer a "mix" of genres- a little something for everyone who might be wanna hang out.)
4. Is the place physically "suitable" for karaoke? Ie, do they have the room for me to set up and for people to stand when they perform?(I'll be the first to admit that right in front of the door is, by no means, ideal, but it's what I had to work with). 
5. Do they do any other sort of events during the week (trivia, bingo, live music, whatever) that can help "push" karaoke? It's tough (but not impossible) to be the only event the place features, unless they lean into it. Hard. 
6. What do I need to bring to do the show, equipment-wise? Yes, I have everything I need to do a show, but I'm happy with not having to schelp every-damned-thing I have with me.

Once I narrow things down that way, I'll work on the specifics. As I said, it's a process. Will it work? Absolutely maybe- that's the best I can do.

♫♫♫♫

All that's to show (in a long-winded way) that I still haven't approached any venues to inquire about "peddling my wares" with them. I've given a couple of thoughts to where I might do so- but nothing serious.

♫♫♫♫

I'll skip adding anything else for now. I just wanted to let you guys know what's going on. Hope you're all doing well.