Goodbye to first Sunday of the month

There are many times I have looked at this sign. When I sing I sometimes have to have a focal point to go back to. This is a sign at the Royal Bean in Yarmouth. We have played there for about 3 and a half years. This was our last Sunday.
We opted to part ways after an email was sent to us a few weeks ago. It advised that they no longer would be paying musicians however we were invited to play for tips oh and half price coffee and food.
Survey Says.........ennhhhh

By the way, did I mention this was a coffee shop. What does a cup of Joe cost them. Really?
So when Ingrid and I started back in 2009, we decided that we would not do this for the money, but we wanted to have fun. We are not the best singers in the world and no illusions about "hitting it big"
(although we did win the Maine finals of Xfactor and were sent to Rhode Island. We had 3 auditions here in Portland and I think 4 in Providence, the last with the executive producers. It was SO surreal. Someday I will tell that story. It was hilarious.)
Ingrid and I rehearsed 2 nights a week for 3 months before our first gig. You don't sing these harmonies without practice.
As we picked up the three other members of our group and spent more time and money on rehearsals and equipment, it became a bit better monetarily,
Sometimes we do well however we mostly end up making nominal amounts that pay for gas and a beer.We also do charity things that offset any profit.
That being said, the expectation that we would play for free and provide them a draw of our fans, free advertising on our Facebook page and two hours of music, is wrong.
Any establishment that does this is wrong. You don't get rich doing this however, you expect a level of respect. I know people talk about paying your dues however there is a level of professionalism we bring to the gig. It should be reciprocated.
So we parted ways, today being our last gig there. Normally it would be bittersweet but, we left with a bad taste in out mouths today. It wasn't the coffee.

Thanks for listening to me rant I am usually not this serious so........

On the other hand I learned today I should never again be allowed to carve a chicken. I will not scare bore you with the gory details however it was not a successful endeavor.
In the end I just ripped off the legs and ate them. Did you know there was string involved. Surprise!
That was almost my blip for today, I made the choice to do this one as Blip is about my day. This was a big thing for us. I wanted to record it.

Back to living the dream work tomorrow. I think I will watch the puppy bowl tonight. The Super Bowl is not to my taste.
Rock on with your bad selves.