Journal Archives
September 2007
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
Whistle Blower
Tuesday Apr 27, 2004 - Link to Entry
At Denman Middle School there are very few things worse than being a snitch. Well today I had to be the spy, the scout on the inside, the singing stool pidgeon. The details of said snitching must be kept some what under wraps because if the situation is not dealt with legitimately and in a timely matter law suits may arise. Just know I put the children first, okay.
Abrupt subject change...Weather is still amazing. Got to play 9 holes of Par 3 golf last night. Accomplishments of the round included losing 3 balls off the third tee at about 80 miles an hour deep right, one putting the 9th green with a 30 foot putt, scoring an average of 6.2 strokes per hole, and legitimately scoring a bogie. I want to play again but I don't really know how to play. So I'll go to the gym instead.
Guilty Pleasure...
Tuesday Apr 27, 2004 - Link to Entry
Often times when you are filling out a profile for something like Evite, or you get one of those rediculous emails from a distant acquaintance detailing every little nuance of their world that you don't give a rat's ass about every reading because you barely even know the smuck...sorry....anyway when you're filling these things out one question is always something like, "What is your guilty pleasure?" Though this could probably be taken in several ways like, "Express your continuous criminal actions here such as Cleptomania or Beastiality," the question has taken on more of an air of embarassement. Basically it is asking you, what do you not want people to know that you're into. Well why the hell would you share that information? Its secret! Its embarrasing!
Anyway today I realized I have a guilty pleasure...or do I? Well anyway, whenever the Jew-fro gets so unmanageable that I start to look like Krusty the Clown or a member of the Pistons I head over to my local Supercuts. Yes Supercuts. (Marla, my old hairdresser. If you're reading this I'm sorry I let you down. Its not you, its me). Now, in the past my Supercuts experiences have been quite different than those here in San Francisco. Mainly because the experiences I've had out West would most likely not take place in my Middle American youth. Here in San Francisco you walk in and you realize right off the bat a very scary thing; There will be no clear communication between yourself and your "hairdresser." This is for one reason and one reason only. The fine managers of Supercuts refuse to hire anyone fluent in English and/or Spanish. Now in the Midwest occassionally you would find yourself with a hairdresser well versed in the Spanish tongue. No problem, basic highschool French can translate into a semi-clear dialogue between yourself and the strange individual wielding the cutting impliments. But in SF, unless you know Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, and/or Tagalog, you're screwed.
I sit down and she says. "Short?" I reply, "Well I certainly don't want it longer." Silence fills the room. "Short?" I, realizing the joke has fallen upon deaf to English ears respond, "Yes, more so on the sides and back than on the top." And while saying all this I gesture to the corresponding parts of my hair just to clarify the international conference we have at hand. To which she responds, "Good, I make short for you."
"Good, I make short for you." Dear Lord....I have no idea if she has heard what I said. For all I know the next move is Full Metal Jacket opening credits. Goodbye Jew-Fro, goodbye everything. Next stop Michael Jordan-do. So I close my eyes and pray that she at least has the decency to make me look as good as she can instead of returning me to the hair levels of late July, 1980. And it is in this moment I drift on in my thoughts and find myself thinking of Guilty Pleasures. Is Supercuts my guilty pleasure?
A resounding, HELL NO, echoes through my mind, as I stay perfectly still feeling the tips of sizzors coming dangerously close to Van Gohing me up. Then what is it that brings me back. My Jewish need to be frugal? Not really as the Supercuts of SF is charging close to $15 and I could cut my hair for free or go to a real stylist for just about twice that. No, its not the money. And then it hits me. Why I keep coming back. My true guilty pleasure. More of a guilty pleasure than Matchbox 20, Barenaked Ladies, Musical Theatre, women's clothing (ooops)...I love when they sign my frequent haircutters card. In fact today's haircut put me over the top. Next time I start using the pick to style my hair I won't have to worry about digging up enough dimes to chop the fro, I'm supercutting for free!
Pray for me.
Its times like these...
Sunday Apr 25, 2004 - Link to Entry
A Glorious day in the neighborhood. With a very sunny 80+ degree day on our hands we got busy enjoying the weather on the porch playing cards, grilling up some grub, and enjoying some cervesa. Its times like these I realize that the job insecurity and unclear path of the future is coupled very closely with a lack of responsibility and a great degree of freedom. Its times like these I remember that I am still young and am just supposed to worry about doing my best and having fun all the while.
Thanks for some sunshine warm weather front. It was a much appreciated preview to a life in So. Cal.
Kill Bill Vol. 2
Saturday Apr 24, 2004 - Link to Entry
Not to give anything anyway but man what a difference in body count from the first volume to QT's new release. Then again one must take into account the fact that these "films" were intended to be just one piece and not sliced down the middle. But nonetheless still enjoyable just not as farcical or post-modern as its predecesor but it did almost bring me to tears and have me shielding my eyes with disgust and terror all within the same sitting. Not bad, not bad at all.
I worked a six day work week. Unbelievable. I guess its nice to make money right?
I have this Fountains of Wayne song stuck in my head. Its a short nothing sort of song like the Beatles' "Her Majesty." I'm not even sure of its name but I want to extend it for it is lovely.
'In about an hour the sunlights gonna fade and you and me will
divey up the wine. Like everything else here, yours and mine.'
There is another verse that is seemingly alluding my memory at this moment and google isn't bailing me out of this by finding the lyrics for me. Anyway after that second verse there is a small woodwind solo and the song ends. Its so beautiful and yet so brief. Probably like the life of "little Mickey Castle '67 to '75 he rode his bike like the devil until the day he died. When he grows up he wants to be Mr. Vertigo flying on the trapese, oh. 1940 to 1992." Gravedigger - Dave Matthews.
Elton John knows what he's doing on that piano. You know?
I clearly have adult ADD. And for that I am grateful.
Seal
Tuesday Apr 20, 2004 - Link to Entry
"I need love. Love's divine. Please forgive me now I see that I am blind." --Seal
The Warfield, Monday April 19th, 2004 -- 8PM -- Seal.
I have to admit I was still fatigued from my whirlwind time off and from my first day back at work. I even suggested that if offered the right amount of money we should sell our tickets and just go to the movies which I have been known to do in the past*.
When push came to shove, I am glad we went through with attending this performance. For those of you unfamiliar with the Warfield it is an old theatre converted into a modern concert hall (ie. The Riveria, The Vic, and thousands of others just like them). The intimacy of these venues in conjunction with the star power that performs within their very walls can be explosive. Last night was no exception.
Arriving what we perceived to be late, the roommates and I made our way all the way up to the equivalent of third row center. The opening band took the stage shortly thereafter. They were a talented group of grove-funkers who sang songs that had bluesy overtones. Very strong musicians, not incredibly entertaining though. And then he took the stage a half an hour after they cleared it. Completely back lit he looked powerful and yet completely humbled by the roaring ovation he received. Something very honest and true eminated from his body language throughout the performance.
I kept wishing to myself that I knew his music a little bit better. I'd say I knew about 60% of the songs which left me just waiting around the other 4/10's of the time. Truth be told, Seal is not the greatest entertainer. He rarely speaks with the audience, has very little interaction with his band mates, and his songs are often a bit too 'adult contemporary' to really create a fun atmosphere. A Seal show is more like an art show with brilliant vocals and beautiful lighting effects and music. The whole show was made more amazing by the fact that we were so close to him. He could see us and we him so very clearly. It was the closest I have been to an artist since I saw Dave Matthews play solo at a Church in London.
The highlight of the show for me was during his encore when he played a solo number on acoustic guitar. It was completely stripped down and yet his vocal and instrumental dynamics were just that, dynamic. It was a very honest and moving moment especially on a key change when he missed his chord and paused for 20 seconds while the audience roared. Everyone had been in a deep mesmorized silence until his faltering instance and his error created space for the audience to thank him for sharing this trully brilliant song in the form in which it was originally developed. He then picked up the song at the exact same dynamic, tempo, and intensity as if he had never stopped at all. Seal, I do not love all of your music, but your positive messages, vocals, and ability to perform are truly incredible.
*Highschool. Rosemont Theatre. Radiohead was playing a small show. They had not quite reached their global status as they were touring OK Computer at the time. I had a fight with my friend who bought the tickets and when the offer was made for 1000% profit on the ticket for a band I was not yet enamoured with I accepted it and crawled off to sleep in the van. At the time the money was very valuable to me, in retrospect the concert would have been much better. But in bordem after my nap I was able to sneak into the concert hall and catch two songs of the encore. The lights were amazing, but I think that perhaps I wasn't ready for that concert.
Los Angeles
Sunday Apr 18, 2004 - Link to Entry
As previously stated this past week was spent in Los Angeles. During these times the following occurred:
I saw Lady Killers
Spent time on the beach in Santa Monica
Met up with a very old friend from high school, Matt Siegan
Did very well on my no-wheat diet only breaking it in the past 7 days a total of 3 times with very small amounts
Went to the taping of the Price is Right and was almost a contestant...or so I'd like to think
Went to 3 quarters of a clippers v. sonics game at the Staples center with the Gabe
Went to a comedy show featuring Sam Greenspan
Went to Disneyland and California adventure with the roomies
Went to a party and reconnected with old friends
Drove home on very little sleep yesterday and worked a Kareoke party last night.
Now you're all caught up :)
So the move to LA is officially on. I plan to move in on August 1st of this year. Employment is still being sought. I have a few things in the works, but if you know of anything in the Film/Music/whatever industry, let me know. I am very excited to get down there and have a chance to really kick music into another gear while futher developing my film career. Plus with family and so many friends and great weather, the move has so much to offer. I just hope I stay this positive about it after I settle in.
White Sox are in FIRST PLACE!!! Nay sayers who do not believe that the begining of the season matters, don't talk to me. GO SOX!
If the weather ever gets above 50 degrees here and the sun shows its face I'll start playing down by the Haight. I'll let you know. Take care.
Ladykillers = killer boring
Tuesday Apr 13, 2004 - Link to Entry
From now on I stick to my first instincts when it comes to cinema. Originally I had zero intention of checking out this film but Sandye and Wayne gave it a rave review and Sam went on to confirm their joint love of this picture. So I gave it a shot. Sure the film had its moments but I felt like Tom Hanks gave a better performance in movies like The Money Pit and Big which should give a clear picture of how annoying and pitiful his character was. I mean this really made Joe versus the Volcano Oscar worthy.
Not only was the film dissapointing but there was an issue inside of the theatre as well. This, being a Coen Bros. movie, was of course rated R. Well that didn't stop the idiot mother in the back of the theatre from bring a young toddler to the flick. The child was screaming through half the movie, and I don't blame bad parenting for the screaming, just for the presence of the screaming in the theatre. If I was 2 going on 3 I would have been screaming of bordem myself. Well I'm 23 and I screamed something out. During a quiet dialogue scene when I was actually thinking about starting to like this movie the child reached new decible highs. I quickly calculated in my head the cost of everyone's movie ticket versus the cost of a babysitter for an alotment of 5 hours (yes time for both dinner and the movie). Here are the numbers:
Approximately 45 people in the movie not including super mom and dad in the back. 45 x 9.00(an average of the price between children, students, and us "adults) = a modest $405.
Babysitter for 5 hours. I'd charge $20 an hour, but the going rate is probably somewhere in the $5 - $8 an hour range. So at worst $40.
$365 this woman wasted.
Finding I could not resist the urge... I coughed two low fake coughs and muttered "Babysitter." According to my pocket laugh o meter that was one of the top 3 funniest moments during the film. Wa hoo!
Well $365 isn't bad when compared to the several millions spent on this cinematic piece of trash. If you are debating whether or not to see this film please trust me and save your $9. Thanks.
Quality
Sunday Apr 11, 2004 - Link to Entry
I am basking in the glory that is the White Sox thus far this season. Though I am preparing for a loss tomorrow I feared we would begin the season slow and weak and instead got through a very tough little part of our schedule not only with some wins but playing great baseball. Notice I will use we when the Sox are winning.
and the winner for shortest entry ever goes to........
Braggin' while the braggin' is good...
Friday Apr 9, 2004 - Link to Entry
9-3 the White Sox took down those Yanks today! Awesome.
K, before I lose readers, moving on. Its Spring Break! Which to me as a part-time teacher basically means less money. So it goes.
I do not have much to report. Went to the doctor, feel a bit better. I'm going to Los Angeles first thing Monday and Disneyland most likely on Friday. I've been practicing my accapella quite a bit and I'm starting work on two build-your-songs that keep getting put off due to a lack of creative energy. I like the direction of one but I'm not making huge progress.
On the positive, I've gotten a lot of positive reinforcement lately from friends/fans including a stern talking to from both Nichole and Steve (fans) who have been encouraging about my work thus far. Fact is I've become quite unhappy with my music, but its just a frustration that is natural. Luckily LA, that is LA en permanance - not this vacation, will bring a very fresh start and new energy and excitement will accompany that re-birth. Speaking of re-birth happy Easter...
Final word goes out to the Family Guy. Great program. Glad it has done so well in syndication and I look forward to its re-birth. Go Sox.
Flu and Allergies...
Wednesday Apr 7, 2004 - Link to Entry
So I'm not dying...phew! But it looks like I'm nursing a flu and I've been having bad seasonal and food allergies. Fun times, I know!
On the positive side of things the White Sox finally pulled it together (Read: they only lost once but I'm just that impatient with them). I'm sure it won't last, but at least I have the comfort of knowing that everyone on earth except the people of Japan and New York will be rooting for them as they take on those putrid and evil Yankees. Hate those Yanks!
Next week is another L.A. trip. I'm going to start interviewing hopefully and just enjoy some nice weather while there is no teaching to do. I will not be too specific about the job search here since potential employers may be reading so I'll just say I have thousands of offers and I'm really just trying to sort through all of them (Read: unemployment is still at a high and that isn't helping my cause).
I have recovered from Monday's failures and last night was able to enjoy a wonderful seder at Tamra and Anne's home. All of the finest homemade Passover staples were part of the meal including new additions "crying eggs" and "crying potatos." Its a Jewish thing. OH AND GET THIS.....I FOUND THE AFIKOMEN!!! Its been since 1987 or something horrible like that since I found my way to the hidden treasure. Oh I'm sorry, for all you non-Jewish folk out there, the afikomen is a piece of matzah that is hidden during the seder and retrieved for a prize. Now this task is supposed to fall upon the children present but we were all of adult age so I was brought out of retirement and found a way to end that ugly ugly dry spell. Thank goodness for Matzah!
And finally...on an eerie note...I brought two yalmukas (thats Jew-hats to you Goys), and it turned out they were from Dan Singer's and my Bar-Mitzvahs way back in 1993 (the sixth anniversary of my afikomen drought). Anyway later in the evening I was inspecting mine more closely and realized that my Bar-Mitzvah took place on September 11th, 1993. Very Eerie. Which of course can mean only one thing. Absolutely nothing.
Off to buy vitamin C, Zinc, and veggies....ewwww :)
Ouch!
Tuesday Apr 6, 2004 - Link to Entry
Well sequels usually are highly inferior. Tonight was no exception. I bombed. I think it was just today. The planets were lined such that things weren't meant to go my way. Luckily I had plenty of warning earlier on in the day so that I wasn't expecting any level of success on stage. The signs included being hit with a major tax debt for all of my independent income this year, the Sox allowing 6 runs in the bottom of the ninth, our family dog needing to be put down, and well, you get the picture.
Anyway, I'd like to take a more objective standpoint on this performance so that I can learn from my mistakes. My first problem was I was totally and completely out of practice. The strings hurt my fingers, I couldn't feel my way around the guitar neck, I was getting lost in vocals and not even hearing myself. So practice, practice, practice. Second problem; I made a game plan to treat the show with a rock humor edge. I barely spoke to the audience and stayed inside my head. I wasn't tight, but I wasn't loose either. It was like I was watching myself and wasn't happy with what I saw. I need to be present and have a good time with my songs. Really take ownership and be proud while I have the time of my life. Third problem; I let myself get unpsyched by having an amazing act on before I began. He was absolutely amazing and it made me see simultaneously what I want for my music which is an unique intimacy and depth and at the same time how damn far I still have to go to get there.
Truth is I'm a bit discouraged. I mean was this RoundRecords experiment, just that an experiment? Ask me six months ago and I would have told you that I would have been selling cd's left and right and that I could make a full time living off of music. Now I can't even listen to my album without cringing. Sam, my comedian friend, says this self doubt lurks and follows everyone no matter how far they go professionally. I love music so much...It'll be interesting to see where it takes me.
I want you all to check out Eoin Harrington. He's the fella that opened up the evening at the Red Devil Lounge. His music is inspiring. www.ehlive.com copy and place in your browser and listen to some of his songs!
Also check out my new friends, Shaken at www.shakenband.com . They were a lot of fun both on stage and backstage before the show. Really great people!
Alright, its passover, and its been 10 years since Kurt Cobain took his own life. What a strange day.
Show tomorrow, job search, sars?, photos
Sunday Apr 4, 2004 - Link to Entry
Tomorrow night is the big solo show. The set list is as follows:
Projectionist (Forcythia)
Must Be the Weather (The Goodbye Project)
Allie's Song (TGP)
Soft and Tender (F)
Scar (TGP)
Dayenu (Passover tune)
Alone Again (TGP) *
Forcythia/Goodbye Combo
* indicates, if time allows.
Should be a fun show. I am planning on just going nuts on stage and letting people think I'm crazy.
Job search. I may as well have a torch and machete as I make my way through the rain forests with just half a map. Yet for some reason I have a good feeling. Hope my gut is right on this one because I do not want to deal with the insecurity of the unknown for too long. I am making good connections though and feel very comfortable about the move, I just wish the employment situation would clear itself out sooner rather than later.
Lately I've been really tired and as I spoke of in my last entry having eye issues. I decided that perhaps I have Sars, or that I have made one too many alterations to my diet, uncertainty plagues my thoughts, I've been travelling constantly, and I'm not working out enough. One or the other.
Japan Photos!! Yay! Enjoy. And come to my show tomorrow night, or suffer the ten plagues...In reverse!
Jeremy San
The Park
Sachiko and Floppy head guy
Wild Monkey!
Castle in Kumamoto
Pachinko...Gambling for the ADD
Sunset on Monkey Island - Yakushima
I'm known everywhere...here's one of the many banners of tribute we found to my music in Japan - Jayro out!
Glasses and more
Thursday Apr 1, 2004 - Link to Entry
Last November my eyes began to become irritated very easily. At first I just thought it was a simple night of bad sleep or perhaps pink eye. Time passed and the eyes did not return to their brilliant white shine. Sandye suggested that perhaps a visit to the Doctor would be in order. The appointment was made. After sitting in front of a huge fish tank and being surrounded by about 300 men and women with walkers, I was taken in and told that my problem was allergetic and that I was going to need a "contact vacation." I was also given eye drops and was told to use them until the red was out. 4 months later I wear glasses more than contacts and everytime I return to my beloved frameless corrected vision my eyes turn as red as a tomato. I think I'm just going to go get cute glasses so at least I will feel good about wearing them.
I love Los Angeles. I understand this is an extreme 180 from where I used to stand on the issue, but at different times in our lives we need different things. Right now I need a place that has other people my age, warm and comforting weather, and tons of friends for support. San Francisco is simply too old, too flaky, too intermittently warm weathered, and too stressfull for me at this point. Right now I am eager to roll up my sleeves and get to work building a career and a life that I enjoy and want to work hard at. Working in music up here is like running against the wind. I'm more than willing to run up hill, I just want nice weather and other people to run with.
Japan review never was completed. I was rushed in and out of SF for my weekend in LA. Some final thoughts on Japan: Sachiko and I were able to enjoy an onsen (public hot spring bath) on the side of Sakurajima, a beautiful active volcano just to the Southeast of Kagoshima-Shi. The view was breath taking, the water hot, and my robe -- well it wasn't quite tied right. See there was a tie on the inside and the out, and I was not aware of this internal robe securing device. As a result a breathtaking view was being enjoyed by the Japanese business men I was trying to stay clothed in front of. Oh and yes, in case you are confused, we were all sitting in robes in the water looking out at the ocean. Alot of water...Alot of robes.
What else? Well a couple days later we ventured off on a four hour ferry ride to beautiful Yokushima, island of monkeys and old old cedar trees. Here I was the driver!! Which meant sitting on the right side of the vehicle and driving on the left side of the road. We almost died 3 times. En route we were able to see well over 45 monkeys sitting next to the road, hanging in trees, jumping off cliffs, attempting to enter our vehicle, etc. Yes we saw one jump off a cliff. I was asking it questions and it seemed rattled. Everytime I pointed at it, it jerked suddenly. The last jerk resulted in a plummet out of our site of range. The sound of my voice lulled this poor primate to take its own life. Shame.
Besides the brilliant monkeys, trees, waterfalls, deer, there was an amazing Ryoken that we stayed at. It resembled a log cabin, only in Japanese style. For bathing there was an outdoor house with a stone bath heated by a fire. In our room we met another one of nature's friends: what i nicknamed The Japanese Huge Ass Spider. This spider was about the size of your hand and thick like a tarantula. I was not happy about his company. The owner assured us that they were not harmful and were actually necessary to keep the foot length centipedes at bay. I am still getting the shivers thinking about this.
Japan was an amazing adventure and I am thrilled I had the opportunity to go. Sachiko was a great host and we had an amazing time! Top Highlight/Worst Moment time:
Bad News first...The worst moment goes to my return flight. I was aboard United's Asiana Airlines, their Korean brand. I struggled to fall asleep for most of the flight. When I finally did I was awoken moments later by the turning on of the lights and a screaming voice saying something about breakfast. I figured I would at least get something good in my stomach and then fall back asleep. "Monkfish or Shrimpfried rice?" In my head I thought "F. U.!" but instead I just shook my head and went back to sleep.
Top moment/highlight. This is hard because I really loved so much about the trip. I think I probably had the most fun singing Kareoke but I also loved the restaurant we ate at the last night that had Beatles lyrics on the walls. And seeings monkeys was amazing too. So its a toss up.
Alright I feel a little bit more caught up now. Time to get back to work.