another year older

Swell performance from the duo at the coffeehouse last night. Those who attended were treated to yummy carrot cake which pal Shawn baked. The owners of the coffeehouse, Jon and Stephanie, were there working -they are such lovely supportive folks! Went out to Mickey's for a bevvie with Greg and Jolanda afterwards. Amazing that it is still nice enough weather to sit out on their patio.

There's a recording to check out at some point, after the glow subsides. Finally pressing the Gemini iKey into use. A great 'bit of kit' it is for cheap (and green) recording. I have a funny relationship with recordings of my performances. They are certainly useful as a reality check and tool to discover what worked and what needs work at far as the mechanics of drumming. Missing is the otherness of the experience. That is, the connection between audience-performer-music that exists outside linear time. Often the recordings seem hopelessly one-dimensional for the most part. But they are a way to represent oneself at a future date. Sometimes the notes and beats stand the test of time.

Heading down to the Farmer's Market shortly. Waiting for the sun to get up a little higher so the biking isn't so cold.

From the older and perhaps wiser dept:
I bailed on the teaching job. It was the wrong place for me to be. As I get older it sometimes seems like my life is defined by what I no longer find acceptable. I bet that sounds crotchety to you, but to me it's minimizing the potential for falling into traps. I have been trapped by career moves that seemed great on the surface, but once you dig a little deeper the truth of what you are about to be involved in becomes clearer. In this case, the truth is that I do not feel qualified to teach the subject. It would be a struggle to maintain authority and inspire the students. After looking under the hood, talking with folks who have been involved with the school, the red flags were waving at me. Not right is not right. I'd rather be on a tight budget and devote time and energy to the positive pursuits of my life.

Looks like the sun has risen. Time to get some fresh produce.

listen:
The Bears
Joni Mitchell - Blue
Monk - Alone in San Francisco

read:
magazines
Facebook pages and News (online)

in anticipation of the anniversary of my arising

Buddies at the Madison Media Institute recruited Tom with words of encouragement to teach a class and I officially accepted the job yesterday. My first class is on the 26th, which is also my birthday. Mixed feelings about that, but I'm going where I'm needed and hope to earn something resembling a decent living with the addition of this part time gig. As with anything new, it's a little frightening.

And speaking of gigs, Friday at 8PM will be a duo performance with Gregory Taylor and myself at Mother Fools. Huzzah!

I usually don't make a big deal about my birthday, in fact I have kept it a secret some years. This year I'm gonna treat myself to this night of music making and cake and coffee as opposed to getting obliterated. I was planning on some of that Thursday at midnight, but with an 8AM class the next morning (and my 1st one!) that's not going to happen.

listen:
the voices of my friends
the drumbeat of time marching on

read:
MIDI info on the web
National Geographic
Handsonic manual

The first falling leaves from one tree in my 'hood are a gathering on the porch. Some cool nights, good for reflection and much needed deepness of sleep.

Discovered the ease of shopping for victuals at the Wednesday Farmers Market on MLK Jr. Blvd. It has everything I like, without the crowds. The Saturday Farmers Market on the capitol square is OK if you can get there super early.

Passed on a job offer from pals this week. It was kind of them to send this my way, but it was not a place I want to work or a job I want to do. And the commute would suck. Anything that makes me have to drive any distance, especially with winter coming on seems precarious.

2 weeks without a working TV, and it's really not so bad. Reading on the porch and getting through some household tasks.
from the paper 'journal':
make your home a welcoming space
Getting there.

Pal Gregory and I are making with the electro-acoustic duo coming up on Friday 9/26 at Mother Fools.
This day is also my birthday. Task for today, on this re-re-built computer, is to make a poster and some flyers, so this rare gig is not a secret from those who may want to be there.

Tonight is going to be the end of 8 days straight of work. Short shifts for the most part, but a day of nothing scheduled will be nice.

Monday will be a drumming night with Sam and Patrick. Man o man am I looking forward to that! They are good pals and we have a strong connection moving air together. And I need to drum sooo bad. Feel like I'm on a fast or something..

listen:
Xiu Xiu live
High on Fire
The Beatles

laugh:
Pleaseeasaur live

read:
Milan Kundera - The Joke

eat:
spicy Red Beans and Jasmine Rice
Walnuts, Golden Raisins, Romain Lettuce
Golden Beets

the feeling returns

Last night after work, googling a significant name, connected to a significant language of origin:
PURE
lol

Other thoughts congealing in the restless little brain:

First seeing in others and verifying in my self-observation that human nature is to grow weary of and discard what once seemed like THE THING as soon it's 'used up' for us. So the thing is to fight the "taking for granted" with acknowledgment of the continuing inspirational qualities that may still be present after the passing of time. To express gratitude, mostly through action and not words. To remember.

Anything, any person that 'wakes you up', even if my immediate emotional reaction is confusion or anger, or maybe a more positive emotion, is a gift.

A promise is not a gift. The gift is when the promise is kept.

Irish whiskey has a way of shaking loose some odd thoughts..

Down to less lofty affairs, the fall season of cool nights is arriving and I am sleeping much better. Last night I slept over 6 hours strait through for the 1st time in months.1

Sunday marks a 30 day anniversary of the last meal containing meat. The vegetarian diet is really alot easier to keep with than I thought it would be. Wait till I go to Baraboo for meal with Mom! That'll be a test.

Having trouble finding a day Sam, Patrick and I are all free to play music. Patrick is busy finalizing the addition to his house and I am working many nights. That's fine though, cause I need to work as much as possible. Drumming has to take a back seat. Practising on pads in the apartment a bit, to stay loose and not lose the recent return to form. I do need to rock. So much is expressed from cooking at the drum stool that has no other outlet. It's a good hobby.

Tonight, Happyoke with the Gomers early (the return of Biff!) and Xiu Xiu later.

listen:
King Crimson - live at Park West 8/7/08
Heartless Bastards - Stairs and Elevators

read:
Milan Kundera - Life is Elsewhere

view:
___ (TV is dead)

numb

ahhhhh