I'm getting ready to leave now for my regular Sunday night gig in Shinjuku. I was just thinking about my gig last night at Mahoo no ryu in Oizumigakoen. After I finished the gig they gave me a beer and 2 plates of food...no charge....just a service...an appreciation for our efforts. I'm going to do this gig tonight at a rather famous place...very expensive..a lot of famous customers...etcetc. I've played there over 300 nights in the past 2 years. Last Sunday night I was kind of hungry after the gig so I decided to have a small pizza and a beer. One tiny little pizza and 1 beer. My bill was $40!!!. Don't misunderstand, I'm not looking for a "hand-out". But, come on!!!!