What follows is a list. It carries with it all of the advantages and shortcomings of every list that has come before and will come after. The order is now called "amorphously chronological," which essentially means absolutely nothing. A week feels like a year in LA traffic. Hopefully this will feel like 716 words.
1. New tattoo. Whilst interviewing Kevin Hinton, a tattoo artist in Venice with his own shop, I decided he may like to give a free tat. So we put the mic on him and he tattooed Quam minimum credula postero on the inside of my right bicep. It is the line that finishes Carpe diem, which I did consider including in the tattoo, but felt a passé suicide could have only appropriately followed. A certain mother in my life may say she was promised no more tattoos until after she died; I was not willing, however, to wait for what will certainly be a long, illustrious life for my mother. Translation? Google it. Or ask Jim Carlson. It's a highly interpretive language.
2. Class Project's Field Trip 07 Mixtape. We recorded two songs in LA Jay's various artist friends, including Dione the R & B singer who will more than likely be the next official member of the band. The kid sings beautifully and is a creative inspiration. Our recording sessions were amazing and the final product equally impressive. It also did not hurt to be recording in a five story beach house in Malibu, on the PCH. Songs will be on Myspace.com soon.
3. Malibu Inn. Great show on the 11th at the Malibu Inn. Nice spot overlooking the ocean right off the PCH. We went on first, a blessing in the unknown music world, and absolutely stole the show. It was fun. People went crazy. We sold a bunch of CDs, got some numbers (of artists), and were asked to do more shows in the area which is about the highest complement an opening act can receive. Dione, the aforementioned R & B singer, came out and sang the song Use Me Up with Jay and I. The house fell down. Who knew Bill Withers could reach such a young and diverse audience.
4. Dr. King's daughter's life coach. Brett and I traveled to Watts to interview Wanda Marie, the life coach of the late Yolanda King, daughter of the one and only MLK Jr.
I usually save reverence for children and the elderly but she was profoundly spiritual in a grab-bag-east-meeting-west kind of way. It was beautiful to hear her speak. She was pregnant at 16, mom drank, step dad raped her, and here she is, running Higher Ground Productions, which essentially decides the best way to use the King legacy all over the world.
A side note from the South American Apologist: When you think Watts, Crenshaw and Slausen, think nicer-than-most-of-Tucson. Not the hood, which we did visit some 40 blocks south while lost. Even LA people heard we were in Watts and acted amazed we got out alive. Not only did we get out alive, but Philip's BBQ on Crenshaw and Adams supplied me with the finest pulled pork sandwich I've ever had.
5. Class Party. Carol and Scott Whiting help a Class Project/Pursue the Passion fundraiser for us last night. Really just a huge BBQ with family and friends, and somehow there was money involved. We sold nine CDs and received generous donations from various friends and family members. Jay's nana, who competes with Bibi for cutest not-so-old-but-little-lady ever, promised we would be her prayers and gave us all personalized gifts (I got a business card holder, it will be stuffed with newpaper until I can buy some REALLY expensive business cards, none of that print off the internet business. I don't even want a title on my card, just something nearing cryptic). The night was closed by a sunset performance of two of our songs over a bucket and a saxophone, played by two of Jay;s childhood friends, in front of the 30 or so guests. It was beautiful.
Hope all is lovely in the 520. It is currently 74 degrees on the PCH on the way to San Francisco. I open to suggestions as to how to spend the next week.
Until soon.
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