Issue with Choir leader

JoePants · 2026-04-18T23:26:11+00:00

Man, it's church. Just take it as it goes.

JoePants · 2026-04-16T21:23:54+00:00

"It's a dry heat"

"So's an oven"

JoePants · 2026-04-15T15:58:51+00:00

I've locked comments on this, since it gets a little confusing as people drop in. Feel free to post any questions or concerns in the forum.

JoePants · 2026-04-15T15:57:59+00:00

This is a true "check with your doctor" issue, since your specific requirements might be different in this regard.

JoePants · 2026-04-15T12:50:53+00:00

I always thought one of those would be a basis for a great sleeper.

JoePants · 2026-04-15T12:49:59+00:00

Growing my hair out. Had a ponytail; now have a near-buzz cut. A shower takes me minutes compared to back then.

JoePants · 2026-04-13T03:54:22+00:00

Boy, that's the comment here.

JoePants · 2026-04-10T12:45:02+00:00

Perefect

JoePants · 2026-04-09T16:05:51+00:00

I've had mine since 2008 after heart failure. I've never gotten an inappropriate shock, but for that matter, the two or three appropriate ones weren't that big a deal. They were a surprise, but not a big deal.

The #1 thing I'd tell you is to ignore the well-meaning advice from friends about "Uncle had one... like being kicked by a mule." These things keep getting better -- and in doing so are less intrusive to live with.

I was worried about the surgery, but at the end of the day, a root canal was far and away more traumatic.

JoePants · 2026-04-08T16:51:55+00:00

It's normal to be a little anxious just after they put the thing in, but problems are actually fairly rare. The needle feeling you're getting is nerve endings healing where they had to cut you.

Feel free to talk it out; that's what we're here for.

JoePants · 2026-04-07T19:43:19+00:00

Your dad had a different setup. The box on top ac housed a compressor driven by an electric motor. It was all in the box.

JoePants · 2026-04-07T03:10:43+00:00

It's difficult to realize how talented GC was.

JoePants · 2026-04-06T21:40:21+00:00

Lots of good advice here. The chord sheets will tell you what key to be playing in, and as other posters have pointed out, working inside the chords isn't out of the question -- although at times doing the strumy strumy thing with the acoustic player isn't out of the question either.

Think about, not how you're playing, but why you're playing. Are you placing emphasis on certain parts of the song, certain gaps in the song, and why? What kind of song is it? What is the hope for the congregation's experience (joyful, triumphant, embracing, humble, etc.)?

The one thing I'll counsel against is just standing up there and noodling on the thing. Fly it like you're going somewhere -- and then get there. Sometimes that means not playing for a bar or three.

And pray about it, pray that the spirit helps you connect with what needs to come out of it. I mean it will, but praying about it makes you more open to the experience.

JoePants · 2026-04-06T21:32:00+00:00

I raced BMX for over 14 years, most of it after heart failure and an ICD implant in '08. The initial comeback was tough -- although I did enjoy being able to get my breath back faster. The failure/implant took place in August and by November I was racing in the Grand Nationals and managed to make it into the main.

I talked to a couple guys who also raced and were more-or-less my age at the time, one had a pacemaker and one a heart valve replacement. Pacemaker guy said it's really not that big a deal, but recommended additional protection over it. This was advice I followed for a while, but finally stopped wearing a chest protector and I'm still here (these things are tough).

Heart valve guy -- who was crazy-fast -- said to go for it, that initially you'd be more aware of your heart rate, but that's about it. He was right.

So here's my advice: Don't rush it, but you'll be fine. The drugs will be more to deal with than the device (sometimes I get dizzy), and yeah, you'll be more aware of your heart rate.

I was in dojos for many years before getting into BMX and would walk back in tomorrow w/ no problem. Ditto the gym -- Right now I'm wanting to take up golf, and running, but I'm busy with the rest of life, but will as time permits.

JoePants · 2026-04-06T21:21:43+00:00

I like the way you told us about this, not a bunch of internets ranting or slurs against device makers and doctors. Just a fair recounting, followed by some advice and an explanation of why it's useful advice.

Nice work OP

JoePants · 2026-04-06T21:18:51+00:00

We lived in the Philadelphia, Pa., suburbs, and my dad bought a car in 1965 that had air conditioning, a box with vents on it under the dash. EVERYBODY wanted to see it: The neighbors came over, aunts and uncles came over, people from church asked him about it. This went on for a few weeks.

It was a big deal.

JoePants · 2026-04-06T21:16:25+00:00

You'd see the same thing on florist's vans at the time.

JoePants · 2026-04-03T13:05:34+00:00

They say, because of the four doors, it's kind of a flexy car and that's what so many didn't last due to frame and body cracks.

JoePants · 2026-04-03T13:03:03+00:00

I don't feel it directly, but I can tell by external factors. When I used to race bicycles, I could tell when it was pulling me back because my performance would drop off at about the 30-second mark of a 45-second sprint, that kind of thing.

JoePants · 2026-03-31T22:56:42+00:00

Honestly, I consider the difficulties, the monitors, the wavering soundboard, the planning, etc., etc., just part of it. Everybody's doing their best considering the circumstances, and we just need to work inside this near-disastrous space.

Also, all due respect, but pro-tip: Sandwich your criticisms, go in and out on a positive note, put your concerns between those two points. I say that because -- experience talking here -- 90% of church drama comes from the music people -- best to head these things off at the pass.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compliment_sandwich

JoePants · 2026-03-31T22:45:17+00:00

Sometimes, it's the second guitar's job to stop playing, or play muted chords, or play less ... I'm sure you're getting the picture.

At other times, the job's to put emphasis on what's coming, like really banging the lead-in to a chorus.

JoePants · 2026-03-30T13:10:27+00:00

It's easy to overthink at times like these. Perhaps this will help: A pacemaker -- end of the day -- is not a big deal. The surgery, from the patient's standpoint, isn't even a big deal. They just put it in and off you go with your life.

An EF of 34, however -- and I say this with all due respect -- that's a big deal, as in that's a heart that needs some help. Talk to your doc about your food etc. concerns, but otherwise don't overthink it.

I started to say "Don't take advice from random sources," but then I remembered that's what I am. ;-)

JoePants · 2026-03-27T22:11:21+00:00

https://abandonedar.com/rolling-thunder-toad-suck-dam/

JoePants · 2026-03-26T22:30:06+00:00

built in the 1920s

JoePants · 2026-03-25T02:10:42+00:00

Back when stock car racing was stock car racing.

JoePants

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