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QB
Thursday Jan 29, 2004 - Link to Entry
I dropped back in the pocket. My line had been over taken and their was penatration into the backfield. I scrambelled to the left to find a receiver. Making his way across to the back corner of the endzone was my slot receiver. Throwing off balance I some how launched a perfect fade. He was able to shield the ball by catching it over his shoulder and getting both feet inbounds. Touch Down!!!
This is not a fantasy. It happened today. I threw two and caught one myself. It was a big game for me. Probably had something to do with the fact that I was playing against my students....
Dental Work and the News
Wednesday Jan 28, 2004 - Link to Entry
I put it off and I put it off but eventually I realized it was time. There were a few early indicators that this would be a successful visit with the dentist. Themost prevalant was that I flossed as hard as I possibly could before leaving with no bleeding occuring. See I think ever since I was 8 I've been lectured about flossing and I waited until I was 22 to even give it a shot. Today I was confident I would finally avoid the flossing talk.
And I did. In fact some how I managed to get the topic off of my teeth altogether and instead talk was focused around internet dating and the love life of my dentist. The funny thing about dentists is they have to be very confident in their ability to communicate because frankly trying to talk to a dental patient is like trying to talk to someone in a coma. With tubes, metal rods, and God knows what else lurking in one's mouth, it is a major risk and liability to even attempt to respond. Luckily my dentist is quite interesting and had some great stories to tell today. For the first time in my life I lost focus on the discomfort of being the patient and was able to enjoy our talk (her monologue).
Of course I now have to go back in two weeks for a filling, a re-bondage, and a night-guard for my ever clicking jaw. I hope she has more stories by then.
In other news...Window fixed, but now my car smells like the rasberry sauce that comes with some of the Great Starts microwavable breakfasts. This is due to my knocking over of my jamba juice berry lime sublime. Though I spent the better part of an hour scrubbing it away the smell remains. I guess its better than the odor of dog the car came with.
Just watched Finding Nemo again. And I still agree with my first thoughts on the film, Best Picture, hands down!!! Should have been nominated for feature film as well as animated feature. Cursed academy. Unless someone from the academy is reading this, in which case, I love you academy.
Kissing up...its part of the biz. Night night.
Theft actually...
Tuesday Jan 27, 2004 - Link to Entry
I woke up before the sun itself had arisen. We needed a motive to make a case and I knew that there admidst the broken glass of my beautiful car I would find one. That and I was blocking all other cars from leaving the garage since I did not want to park a car missing a window on the streets of the vicious land.
Long story short, they saw my briefcase. They went for it hoping it would contain a computer. Instead they ended up with some books, my business notes, and my reading glasses which I looked quite handsome in.
So it goes. Motive found, window being fixed, glasses lost. Moral of the story remains, I am so out of here.
Vandals
Monday Jan 26, 2004 - Link to Entry
Leaving a friendly game of texas hold-em, which ironically Ari was not that good at, he noticed that my car had been broken into. Well as we investigated further we found no actual break in but just broken glass. Yes some vandal found the need to shatter my rear left window and leave no trace of his/her method or even take something from the interior to suggest a motive. Well young vandal we enjoyed the ride home with open air so your attempt to ruin our evening fell short! Further irony was uncovered when I realized that it was 364 days ago that I got into my first car accident and pour Sari (my super mobile) was left in ruins. Well the moral of the story is, I'm moving. Time for bed since I have to get up at the crack of dawn to take her to the shop.
Night.
Learning Music
Sunday Jan 25, 2004 - Link to Entry
Well truth be told my basics have never been up to scratch. Sure I know all the chords, but scales, key, rhythms, well this stuff is a little below par. Until now. I have begun training with the help of musictheory.net and a guitar learning program to fill in those gaps of knowledge. That is how I will be spending my free time. Fun, no?
Chapter II of my novel
Saturday Jan 24, 2004 - Link to Entry
Chapter II is below. Enjoy. Click here to see the previous chapter if you need a refresher.
Ficticia
Rain poured from the mostly cloudless sky. Lightning was the only light the small town of Ficticia, Idaho could muster. Alone James and Bud awaited the brief flashes to make their moves. Bud moved his pawn only one step forward but James’ laughter was hidden in the roar of the thunder’s boom. These two young boys of only 13 and 9 were brothers, at least as long as they could remember. And where were the parents on this stormy night you are probably wondering? Sara, their mother, had disappeared over 6 years ago. Dad as he was known to them, Cal as he was known to his friends, Mayor O’Shay as his constituents called him, was out taking care of his mayoral duties in this powerless crisis. And of course Grandma was nearby, just next door in fact, so no worries.
At that exact moment in time I had never even heard of Ficticia. In fact after watching that famous Friends episode where they all attempted to write down the 50 states before they allowed themselves to eat thanksgiving dinner, I felt strangely compelled to follow suit. Jotting down my thoughts on triangle shaped post-its I had received in the mail as a gift from my insurance agent I kept arriving on the same conclusion - - there must only be 47 states. Yes shockingly, the intelligent and well-traveled fellow I am, I had forgotten three of our nation’s most humble offerings, Kentucky, Alabama, and the potato capital, yes you guessed it, Idaho. Point being - - Idaho and the city in which I would find her had eluded my conscious mind.
But all that was about to change.
Moving on.
Friday Jan 23, 2004 - Link to Entry
Spell check has been demanded for these entries. I guess I’ll comply. Moving on.
Finished my second book of this week today. I first read Orson Wells’ Animal Farm. Though critically acclaimed for its political influence and satire it was certainly not 1984. The characters lacked development most likely intentionally so that the metaphor could be universally applicable. But I’m a character kind of guy so it made the book harder to get into and enjoy though I did get a bit teary eyed when they sold their dying horse to a glue factory. Moving on.
The second novel I completed was Mitch Albom’s The Five People you Meet in Heaven. Definitely not Tuesdays with Morrie but I was not expecting that level from this book. Instead I went in hoping for a novel length chicken soup for the stressed out musician’s soul and that I received. This touching tale in a lot of ways reminded me of the new film Big Fish. It was incredibly visual and vivid as well as touching and episodic. Both stories make more sense in print but could lend themselves very well to making an Oscar worthy cinematography-focused work. Albom’s heaven was quite different than the one created in Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones. You were there to have questions answered and connect all lives into one logical puzzle, not to watch and bide time. There was no interaction with the world of the living, only afterlife found in memories and in dreams. Moving on.
I have been working hard on learning some great covers as well as creating some new music. From Barenaked Ladies to Dave Matthews to the Beatles the repertoire is expanding every day. The new tunes will also be to your liking. A little off the usual JRo-ness they actually are not all about me and/or about love/love loss. So that is something to look forward to. Time to get going. Moving on.
Two steps forward, one step back
Thursday Jan 22, 2004 - Link to Entry
With progress there are set backs. Some more devistating than others. Unfortunately I must report that Koala Jones is making some changes. With warm wishes, Joel and Curtis are parting amicably from the project. Curtis wishes to pursue something a bit closer to his home in the penninsula and Joel would like to focus on his own tunes.
Though this news is a lot to digest after such a festive and wonderful night on Monday we plan to roll with the punches. With gigs on the horizon and a decent repetoire already at our finger tips we move forward. Koala Jones, Two steps forward, one step back....Its time to move on.
The Weekend of Shows
Wednesday Jan 21, 2004 - Link to Entry
If you missed out on this weekend here are some photos to make you feel like you were there. They were all taken by the charming and lovely Eric Yaffe.
Jon, Joel, Moi
Curtis and I
Jon
Robin
Koala Jones at Red Devil
Olivera and I at the Saturday night show at Barefoot Coffee Roasters
Two shows this weekend. First show was Saturday night in Santa Clara at a cool little coffee joint. A bunch of friends came down from the city to support me and Gabe and my sister Cari were in town. Problem was that they I sent Gabe to go get her and well with about 15 mins left in the show they finally made it. No biggie though. Anyway, I did a pretty experimental set. I did some brand new covers including Help!/Blackbird combo, Stars from Les Mis, Hey Ya (didnt go so well), and I also added a Grave Digger interlude to Allie's song. The night was great for several reasons. A wonderful warm up for Monday's show, I felt my tempos were consistant and I had some fun with rhythms, and I really felt comfortable with my vocals and stage presence. Plus totally randomly an audience member, Olivera we soon learned was her name, asked if she could come up to sing a song. Trying to kill time to get Gabe and Cari there in conjunction with my curiousity about her singing skills led me to accept her idea. We of course did a Richard Marx duet of Right here waiting. Kills everytime.
Monday. The Red Devil Lounge. So I missed sound check because I decided to get cleaned up for the show after load in. Bad Choice! But once I arrived for good everything went smoothly. As soon as the curtain went up and the lights were on us we just rocked. Playing with a band for a sizable audience was absolutely amazing. Though I struggled a bit with hearing on stage, the general reception was that we sounded fairly polished and people were impressed. I definately didn't have my best show just due to nerves and discomfort but the fans were happy, and well its all about the fans.
Thanks fans! Click Here for More Great Photos
What a feeling!
Tuesday Jan 20, 2004 - Link to Entry
Koala Jones makes its premier at RDL on Jan 19th 2004 and receives a very warm reception and review. Much more to come later but I just wanted to say that if thats the closest I ever come to the dream it was well worth it!
Come back here for show updates, photos, etc in the upcoming days...now its time to rest.
Some Devil
Monday Jan 19, 2004 - Link to Entry
Red Devil
Tonight!
Don't miss the Goodbye Project CD Release Party and the premier of the newest San Francisco band Koala Jones.
Just be there.
Vonnegut
Thursday Jan 15, 2004 - Link to Entry
Yesterday I completed my fifth Vonnegut work. Cat's Cradle was ever bit as clever and wonderful as his other writings. I can't get enough of his post-modern voice, his dark but thoughtful humor, and his slightly scientific bend on his life perspective. In so many ways reading his books is like being able to have a conversation with another part of myself. Thanks Kurt, thanks!
It is bedtime as I must rest up for the weekend of music. I've been getting alot of new traffic as predicted. Come back often. Write me about things you want to hear about. Don't be shy! Oh and feel free to visit the store (hint-hint).
Gnight.
A tick tick tick tick tick...
Wednesday Jan 14, 2004 - Link to Entry
The clock is winding down on time to prepare for the weekend's performances. The sets have been put together. A permanant practice space has been reserved. Now all that remains to do is PRACTICE LIKE CRAZY!!!
Fact remains that we still have a long way to go before Monday. My hand still hurts when I play bass. I'm not used to using amplification on my vocals and guitar. A lot of things need to become old hap before Monday rolls around. Lucky for me I have a great warm up opportunity with the show on Saturday night. I am really looking forward to this show as an opportunity to really groove out my songs and experiment a little in front of an audience. This weekend promises new cover tunes as well as a few new interpretations of my old stuff.
And as Jon has reminded me, those lights get in your eyes and suddenly you're blind to all the world except your music. You can hear the faint rumble of the audience between songs but beyond that, you're intoxicated by the energy, the heat, and the stage. Monday night is a dream long in the making. I must savour that moment for all it is worth. Even though it is an early step on a lengthy and seemingly never ending flight of stairs, it is one to be proud of. I've come along way and I can't wait to be blinded by those lights.
Back to the guitar for more practice....a tick tick tick tick tick tick...
New Visitors
Tuesday Jan 13, 2004 - Link to Entry
With the wave of upcoming shows there are quite a few new faces snooping around jeremyround.com.....Welcome one and all and please come back often. Feel free to click on all of the links and get caught up on the in's and out's of the RoundRecords label and the budding musical career of the label's owner. And of course feel free to order as many CD's as you'd like.
Tomorrow brings the promise of a quality entry, but now I am at the end of a very late evening so goodnight and sweet dreams.
My Novel
Sunday Jan 11, 2004 - Link to Entry
I'm working on a side project that I've yet to mention here...my first book. Here is the beginning of it. Let me know what you think. And if you're wondering about rehearsals and all that...its coming along. Here's the book.
Productivity- a novel by Jeremy Round
Chapter 1 - The Rules
I’m much more productive when I’m single, I’m just not as reproductive. And her? Well She is a myth. A figment of my never ending imagination. The ideal her. The wholesome she. The one with which I am to spend this lifetime.
Hi and welcome to my tale. I’ll be your narrator through these pages. If you’re one of those movie producer types and you decide you like this stuff, I may let you make it into a movie, but no Voice Over for my clever voice. Got it? For the rest of you out there, just a few things. One, make sure you have a bookmark. I’m sorry but bent pages look sloppy and they ruin this perfectly neat and crafted work. Two. If you have bad vision like I do, reach out and grab those reading glasses. Lets face it, its better to look uncool then to destroy the only way you have to see this world. Three. No eating around me alright. I only come to life when you browse these very pages and to finally be awakened only to be doused in mustard or coffee, well it makes story telling a bit more challenging. Now that you know the rules, lets begin.
Our story takes place the day after tomorrow. It was an unseasonably warm day and the air had a new smell. It was not like one you or I had ever felt in our lungs before. Twas not foul nor delightful or savoury sweet. Just different and unnerving. See the town we live in, you and I, is a small town in rural Idaho. The normal odors range from that deep and wonderful clean soil aroma after a summer rain to potato harvest sweat in the air to of course my favorite sent of them all. Rasberries.
[Insert musical number here]
Delightful, no?
This book is missing something. Setting? Check. Time? Check. Ahhh, yes, Characters.
Daryl, 37, handsome, medium stature, sharp as they come will not be a character in this story. Shawna, 81, a grandmother of 13 will be. She will come back when you least expect it and change everything.
Twas dark...
Sunday Jan 11, 2004 - Link to Entry
but I could finally see
the power taken by a tree
moon making harsh shadows fade
night almost lighter than day
it took this lack of power to see
that when we lack electricity
the world is clearer, simpler, to me
for everything can just be.
without these amenities that we need
without microwaves, internet, and tv
we feel lost, imprisoned, not freed
yet it took darkness for me to see.
yet it took darkness for me to see.
Curtis is alive!
Friday Jan 9, 2004 - Link to Entry
Finally heard from the drummer today so if you were panicked, you can now breathe...Night off before a working weekend so I'm taking it easy. Change some strings, get some dinner, see some friends.
Happy weekend (freedom!).
Band on the Run
Thursday Jan 8, 2004 - Link to Entry
10 days till showtime and our drummer has gone MIA. Mission rhythm section has re-opened for business. If the band, which we believe to be named Yardsale, were a football franchise this is what the ESPN article about the situation would look like.
Late this afternoon sources close to Yardsale member Round confirmed that the drummer who had been named starter for opening day had gone missing and that the band would give him until 10:00pm pst to make contact. The time came and went without any contact from the drummer in question. As a result we here at the network are forced to conclude that the band will march on without the beat of their drummer boy. However with only 10 days now until their unveiling at Red Devil Lounge, Yardsale will be pressed to make a quick decision to fill in this very important role. From speaking with a source close to Brandon we have learned that the band has a few options they will be exploring. Though he spoke under the veil of annonymity he chose to not reveal the names of the potential candidates but did say that one would be a permanant solution where as two of the others would merely sit in until further notice. Look for Yardsale to make a huge move trading cash and perhaps players in the minor leagues for the necessary talent to compete. We'll keep you up to date with all of the latest on this story.
So thats that. Find a new drummer we must. Hey you, got any rhythm?
How did I do that?
Wednesday Jan 7, 2004 - Link to Entry
Looking back on what I've created on my first two albums I cannot help but be a bit overwhelmed. I rarely if ever pick up the guitar these days and have a song pour out of me. It seems the more I learn about music and the more I understand the less creative I feel. I'm hoping its just a phase and that if I stop self-editing and over analyzing songs will come. For now its a drought in songwriter's ville.
But new material is the least of my worries. With gigs lined up and more coming through everyday, mastering the set and building a strong repoire with my bandmates is where my energy and focus lay. There are a lot of opportunities and I need to remember that the Goodbye Project is finished in terms of recording, but really it is just beginning.
First Day of RoundRecords was a bit slow and organizational, but I can already see quite a bit of progess has been made. I am starting to believe more and more that I will be able to be self sufficient (self-employed) before years' end. To a hard worked and well progressed year! Cheers.
"Good Morning, RoundRecords, this is Jeremy..."
Tuesday Jan 6, 2004 - Link to Entry
Yes thats right, tomorrow marks the official first business day hours of RoundRecords. From 9-5pm tomorrow I work for none other than Jeremy D. Round. Of course when your business space is in your home this means organizing and cleaning your home counts as business work. So that will be the beginning of the morning agenda. This will be followed promptly by clerical work till I go blind. I need to clean up the end of last year and get new records up for this year...But that is of little interest to you Joe Q Reader of this website, so I digress.
I played bass for a good 2 hours tonight. I'm definitely getting more and more comfortable with it. I need to pick up a strap so I can used to playing it standing as I have been rehearsing sitting down. Tomorrow evening Curtis is bringing his drums over to my pad for a mini run-through. Should be interesting. We'll see how long the neighbors tolerate all this.
Well I should get to bed. My boss doesn't like it when I'm late to work! And hell, if he fires me, we're all in a lot of trouble.
Whats in a name?
Monday Jan 5, 2004 - Link to Entry
Wow, people really do read this site. I got several responses to last nights' post about the band's name. The highlights included: The Gabes, Erection, Nervous, Tad, and The Beatles II. I'm still not sure what we're going to end up with. We're waitting until our rehearsal on Sunday when we finally have all five guys together at last (only 8 days before the show...plenty of time.....eeek!!). Anyway keep on sending your suggestions. Let me know also what you think of my new current front runner - racecar.
Tonight Jon and I got together and ran some tunes, got a rehearsal schedule together for the next two weeks, and had his roommate Emily's lasagna. Delicious. I also wrote a Dave Matthews style song for a laugh tonight. I may record it next week and post it for your enjoyment.
The grind chewed me up and spit me out today, so early to bed...Plus I'm sorta sticking out in front of someone's driveway and I do not want to get towed so I better wake up before they do. Wish me well.
Friday, Saturday, Musicday
Sunday Jan 4, 2004 - Link to Entry
So Sunday has quickly changed from sleep until noon, run a few errands, and make out of state phone call day to simpy - Musicday. From 1pm until about 9pm I was either in rehearsal or on my way to and from a rehearsal. The day began with a trek down to lovely San Jose with JB to meet up with Robin. We played through the set for the 19th for 2+ hours. Then it was back to SF to meet up with Sabela, the accapella group. Unfortunately I was late due to mis-timed Chinese Food. I do not have a reason for capitalizing food in the previous sentance. There is a strange high pitched hum that sounds about every 22.8 seconds and lasts for a little under 1.68 seconds. My friend Dayna heard it last night and now I cannot stop hearing it.
That was a tangent. Did you enjoy?
Moving on, I'm exhausted and ready for bed. Tomorrow its back to Denman MS for more wonderful times doing someone else's job. I really hope a teacher has been hired so I can get out of that situation. Its not that I don't want to help, its just not what I bargained for and I do not have enough time and energy to do the job the way I'd like to do it. So its torturous to me to be stuck literally lead teaching someone else's class.
The band would like to make a few announcements:
Number one, we have a drummer!! We've had him for awhile, he just didn't know so we didn't want to spoil the suprise. Put your hands together for Curtis Funderburk. Curtis has been a part of many projects in his time but cites back-up road drummer for MC Hammer as his most prominent experience. He loves all kinds of music but speaks most highly of Gospel.
Number two, we're getting close to having a name. Finalists include: Robin' , Doc Brown, Bigfoot, and Flux Capacitor. Suggestions? Send em.
Musicday is over, time for Monday. Goodnight Folks.
Just some thoughts...
Saturday Jan 3, 2004 - Link to Entry
I've been on the road quite a bit for the past two weeks. In that time I have run through my plans time and time again. I keep coming to the same conclusion...Stop thinking and keep on moving forward.
Now that I have finally caught my breath in the wake of the release of the album and my multi-job life I think the world may slow down a bit and let me actually savor the moments. Since the internship has come to a close I will now have my wednesday's "free". Instead of stressing about RoundRecords and my music when I cannot do anything about it, now I have a designated work on my career day built into my schedule so that my weekends can actually be used for socializing and resting. Woo Hoo!!
Two weeks from now the big shows start. I have a super long set in Santa Clara on Saturday the 17th which I'm actually really looking forward to. I've gotten away from my songs for awhile while learning bass for Joel's and in the wake of the Hugemongous show that Monday, I think Saturday's show will be a laid back fun experience. My sister Cari will be in town for her seminar in Santa Clara so she will be bringing a large chiropractic crew and Gabe will also be in town to visit and support the efforts.
Then of course will be the show of all shows, The CD Release Party at Red Devil Lounge. Over an hour of live full band music at one of the best spots in San Francisco. We're headlining after all!!
Well, I promised myself I'd join the gym today. So off I go to join in the new years fitness craze. Hopefully it won't be the waste of money I'm predicting. Keep on me to work out, okay?
Oh, and if you're reading this and you do not own The Goodbye Project or Forcythia, what are you waiting for?!?!?! Go Here now.... Don't be the last one on your block. And if you are looking for a special original song, go to build your song. I have already taken over a dozen orders in the short time this has been available. Great for gifts or any musical need you might have! Build Your Song
Happy New Year!
Friday Jan 2, 2004 - Link to Entry
Short post.
Congrats to the Buckeyes!!!
Love Actually is an amazing movie.
talk to you later :)