My Life in Boxes

As you can tell from the countdown over there on the right, my time here is growing shorter. Ticking down to take-off, that clock seems to be moving faster than any clock should. The last days, I've been boxing up the items I've accumulated over the last 34 years, and each item going into a box reminds me of some memory or some experience along the way.

And it's interesting, because I won't be taking these boxes with me. They'll go into storage, or be given to Good Will or somewhere. And like the people I've made these memories with, they'll stay here, unable to tag along. And like each item being stored away, with one more moment to hold it in my hand and remember, I've had all of these events and get-togethers scheduled to do the same thing with friends and family, and let them do the same with me.

Sure, we'll stay in touch, but things will be different. I know that. Just different.

I wonder how I'll be once I'm this disconnected, placed into a new world, all but starting over. Will I be like a plant that adapts and grows in a new environment? Or will I be a rock, staying the same, just getting rained on more and snowed on less?

I know I'm an adaptive guy, and I can be as sociable as the next, so I'm sure I'm going to have a great time, and get a lot done, and really refresh my outlook on life. But still, looking into the unknown, one has to wonder about the outcome.

I'm not trying to be melancholy here, or depressed. I just see this all as the downside to a really good step in the right direction for my life. And like my songs, it's easier to sit down and write about the sad stuff than it is to write about the good stuff.

I guess what I'm saying, while I still have a little time to say it, is that like my piano and my guitars and my bed, I'll miss you all.

Loose Change

Well, I guess while I'm pimping my friends' extra-curricular activities, I should mention Loose Change. My friend John has a band that plays out from time to time. I've been to a few shows, and they're quite entertaining. Keep in mind, these guys have real jobs and families, so you won't be seeing them out playing 68 times a week. But what you will see if you catch them (up in Ward, or at The Duke, or wherever else they might be playing), is a group of four guys who genuinely have fun playing music.

Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/loosechangernr

And if you get a chance to see them live, buy them a beer and tell them I sent you. :)

Race Walkers

There's an independant film called "Race Walkers" that was made in Denver that features several folks from around town that's having a screening at the Mayan next Monday.

For some info, check out http://casa-films.ning.com/forum/topics/race-walkers-screening?page=1&commentId=2477724%3AComment%3A21682&x=1#2477724Comment21682

You can also check out other info about the film and the studio here: http://www.yogadogstudios.com/films/racewalking.php

In case you didn't notice, the producer on this film is my good friend Matt (El Mattarino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing) Arnold.

This'll be my last night in town, so if anyone wants to come down and join us, the flick starts at 7, and anyone there by 6:30 should be able to get a seat.

Workshed's Big Bash

I would like to start by thanking everyone who made it to the party last night. It was a great CD release party, full of fun and good times with friends and family. Complete with door prizes (someone left theirs here, by the way), we had a very nice turnout, and everyone had a good time. Even the ones who slept through most of it. :)





Band recap:

Workshed handed out free (yes, FREE) copies of its debut CD, Optimism is for Suckers to everyone who made it by last night.




After some discussion and socializing, an announcement was made..... the band was breaking up. We'd reached the pinnacle of depression (confirmed by several guests listening to the music at the party), and since there was nowhere further to safely go, the decision to split up seemed the best choice.

Shortly thereafter, the band reformed as The Infinity Cycle. Delving into the realms of experimental music, and pushing the limits of musical ingenuity, a debut single was released on MySpace.

http://www.myspace.com/theinfinitycycle

Needless to say, the attending crowd did not know how to react. Reactions ranged from mild amusement to outraged mob riot (complete with torches and pitchforks and angry yelling).

I suppose the music was just too ahead of it's time.

So the band broke up again.

And then reformed again, this time as Trans-Pacific Soul Train.


The band released two more singles on their new myspace page:

http://www.myspace.com/transpacificsoultrain

The fusion of funk, soul, early rap, and squareness was a source of great entertainment for all, and will certainly send the record labels into a frenzy (and possibly a bidding war) trying to sign these guys.


The crowd like this new direction of the band much more than the previous incarnation as The Infinity Cycle.




All in all, it was a lot of fun with some great people, great beer, and great food. Thanks again to everyone who stopped by for our special evening.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Yep. John Denver had it right.

I've got a few memories of John Denver.... I remember him on the Muppet Show and visually I guess that's how I'll always remember him. But my strongest memories of John Denver (and more noteably, his music) will always be of those summer weeks spent at my grandparents' house, headphones on, listening to John Denver's Greatest Hits on the 8-track.



Today, upon finally purchasing my ticket for Hawai'i (I've had several people ask if I'd bought the ticket yet, and here's the answer), I found this song stuck in my head:

All my bags are packed

Im ready to go

Im standin here outside your door

I hate to wake you up to say goodbye

But the dawn is breakin

Its early morn

The taxis waitin

Hes blowin his horn

Already Im so lonesome

I could die

So kiss me and smile for me

Tell me that youll wait for me

Hold me like youll never let me go

cause Im leavin on a jet plane

Dont know when Ill be back again

Oh babe, I hate to go

Theres so many times

Ive let you down

So many times Ive played around

I tell you now, they dont mean a thing

Evry place I go, Ill think of you

Evry song I sing, Ill sing for you

When I come back, Ill bring your wedding ring

So kiss me and smile for me

Tell me that youll wait for me

Hold me like youll never let me go

cause Im leavin on a jet plane

Dont know when Ill be back again

Oh babe, I hate to go

Now the time has come to leave you

One more timeLet me kiss you

Then close your eyes

Ill be on my way

Dream about the days to come

When I wont have to leave alone

About the times, I wont have to say

Oh, kiss me and smile for me

Tell me that youll wait for me

Hold me like youll never let me go

cause Im leavin on a jet plane

Dont know when Ill be back again

Oh babe, I hate to go

(words and music by John Denver)

So there you have it. My bags may not be packed, and the cab may not be waiting and honking, but the reality of this is starting to set in.

On March 3rd, I'll be leaving on a jet plane.

Don't know when I'll be back again.

Optimism is for Suckers

The much-awaited debut album by the critically acclaimed Workshed is about to be released!!!
The album, Optimism is for Suckers, will be available at a CD release party at my house on the evening of February 21st. If you don't know where I live, call me. If you don't have my phone number, well.... I guess you're not invited. :)

Who: Workshed + Workshed's friends
What: CD Release Party
Where: My house
When: 2-21-09 6pm-11pm (or 3am....TBD)
Why: Why not?
How: It's simple socailization... if you haven't figured that out yet, you should get out more

***B.Y.O.W. <---bring your own whatever. If you wanna drink or eat, bring it with ya. Thanks.***


About Optimism is for Suckers:

Depressed Pop-Star Monthlyish: Optimism is for Suckers is thirteen tracks of subtle introspection into the darker spaces of the soul, contrasted with sprinkles of poppy crappy pap.

The Toronto Hoser Review: A good five dollars worth for me and my whole family.

Miss Sue Tribune: If these guys would just write happier songs, they'd probably meet some nice girls and start making me grandbabies.

I'm an Uncle!!!

Yeah, I know you all already know about all of this, but my sister and her husband had a baby on January 30, 2009, at 5:10 am. He weighed more than an apple, but less than my car, and was about this tall (I know you can't see my hands, but trust me, they're about as far apart as he is tall). <---I'm such a guy about all of this baby stuff

After some scary moments at first, everything worked out for the best, and now everyone is happily at home.

Welcome to the family, Hudson.

I know this is going up late, but I was waiting for some good pictures.