Have Your Life and Feel it.

Last night I surprised myself and again went for a run. It was similar to the one I had the day before, only a tiny bit further. Already my lungs felt better, that doesn't mean my lungs are better, but to me it's more important to feel something to be than to have something be, but I'll take both if I can. I felt better about how i looked to myself when I finished and put on clean clothes. I know logically that after only two runs in two years of not running that I can't really look any different, but I felt different, and that was all that mattered to me at that moment.
It's been easier today to eat better. I didn't stop for any candy on my way to work, because I didn't feel like I needed it, and I can be certain that I didn't need it. It's been a good day and now I'm off to go rehearse with my band, which will feel fun. Fun is one of those rare things in life where feeling and being are one and the same, If something feels fun, it is fun.
Have your fun and feel it too.

I found this website today. Rather than play flash video games of no real merit other than a small feeling of fun, I read about this person's life, and looked at a few pictures of it. That was fun.

Last night at 6:50 I finally won a small battle with my person. I got up from the couch, put on a pair of shorts and laced up my new running shoes. My "new" running shoes are really no longer new, Amy bought them for me for my birthday this year. I just had yet to actually run in them, apparently I'd been too busy these last 5 months. My frustration with myself on this matter has extended beyond the casual I wish I could do better feeling, into desperate need to take some action towards making myself feel like a healthy person. Like I used to.
I'm older, and my years of rock star partying, sloth and gluttony have made running a monumental task. This is fact, and it bothers me immensely. These past five months, since the gift of the shoes, I have thought more and more about it. In fact, the gift of the shoes themselves came as an extremely thoughtful gift, from a person who was able to surprise me by giving me nudge in an area where I had been seeking one. Still it took five more months of thinking about it, of yearning for it. Five long months of remembering what it used to feel like to lace up shoes and run for more than 10 miles without dying.
I stretched first. I'm 28, and it's been too long. I headed south down orange grove at a walk first, not wanting to hurt my body by running on sidewalk. I headed for the Pan Pacific Park, behind the mega structure shopping center on third and Fairfax. There they have grass, and when you've been as lazy as I've been grass is important.
At first I started too fast, more than riding a bike distance running is remembered in the muscles. It was all too easy to begin at a ridiculous pace for a person in my condition. I had to remember that I'm not like I once was. I must start painfully slow or face unnecessary pain and burn myself out.
Soon I settled into my pace. I concentrated on my breathing and keeping a good efficient stride. My mind wandered. I looked around at the green grass. It was better than I imagined it would be. I felt like my life being on long string had been bent back on itself, giving me the ability to move in parallel with my self at younger age. How excellent it felt to sweat, and breath heavy.

If you get a giggle

Today Devin and I were talking about the Band Voice of the Beehive, we were talking about a cover of a Led Zeppelin song, and he said this, which I found hilarious:

"they used to play it live all the time on that old VHS tape I have of their live shows."

It's not so funny now that I look at it again, but I still get a chuckle.

The other day Amy and I went to the video store, then the convenience store next to it. The clerk at was having a hard time getting a bag for my items, so I told him I'd just carry it. He then told me:

"What happens when you force something unnecessarily?"

which due to his rather heavy accent prompted me to ask:

"Come Again?"

"What happens when you force something unnecessarily?"

This time I understood his question, but not immediately why he was asking it. After some consideration I realized his meaning and I said:

"It Breaks for no reason"

and he said:

"Exactly, I'll get you a bag"

Walking around the corner from the store I had a pretty fine smile about that exchange. I think I will go back to that store more often. What else might this strange man have to say?

Quiet Death

I found the following info on a Shitting Glitter fan site. After reading it I began to have a nagging feeling about trying to make a recording of it. I'm certain the original song is all but lost now, so a blank canvas of sorts is open before us.
Maybe blogging upon the subject will give my band mates a spur in the rear to collaborate on a revival of this song.

Crazy Mae was Kind enough to provide the following information about this Shitting Glitter Rarity:
there was a song called "Quiet Death" that they performed at Rumors. This was when the band was only the three of them, plus they had Yvonne's sister, Aimee playing guitar, and I think that Denny might have been in the band at this time. Anyway, it was very atmospherical and dark, as the title suggests, and they wrote it and rehearsed it only a couple times immediately before the gig. After that they never played it again. Devin says "Amy was like a madwoman that day, demanding that we just whip up one more song, she wanted a new song to sing at this particular gig, and we only had a couple hours before the gig. If I remember right, we actually had quite a lot of people out to this gig, definitely a lot for those days, and we didn't have a drummer at the time. So the set was already weird enough and we were all drunk, and so we just threw it in at the end, very 'in the spirit of punk.' I didn't need to look too far into the crowd to realize that the people on the stage were just as confused about it as I was."

The Same website brought up this:

The Hit

"I was going through some of my notebooks and I have found some information that might be useful to you. This information came from one drunk afternoon at Beer Bust at the Palms, long long ago, when Yvonne was still in the band. I was able to ask a few questions and I wanted to pass this along to you for your "the music makes me smile" section. There was a song called "The Hit" that was the first song that was written by only Amy, Yvonne and Devin after Billy left. It was apparently about hiring a hit man and there was something about a bowling alley in it. Yvonne said they never played it live, but they did record an instrumental demo of it. "

Finally:

Zion

So Haircore:
The first item in the Shitting Glitter discography is "Step Into The Goddess Room", I've had trouble getting information regarding this Release, what can you tell me about it? Specifically the first song, Zion?
Devin:
It was the first demo that we worked on when Amy bought the 4-track. We were going to put it out but then we decided to go to a studio and do a proper demo. The song 'Zion' was a song that Billy, our original guitarist, would play and all four of us would sing in harmony. I remember doing it one night in the bathroom after A LOT of partying... and it was so beautiful. There weren't to many lyrics, I think it was just "if it makes you happy, live your life in Zion." It seems like there was a line before that but I honestly can't remember it. Amy didn't write the lyrics so it was never considered a true Shitting Glitter song.


*lyrics transcribed from a very poor quality audio bootleg (don't ask because I will not make you a copy)

Sweet oxygen
sweet disposition

if it makes you happy

live your life in zion

Dearly Departing for the Talkin' Shit Tour

Friday I have the pleasure of leaving work a bit early, to go home and pack up the car for a Mini Tour with Shitting Glitter. It's going to be a car load full of fun. We will be traveling with our band, one go go dancer and our manager, Marc Loren. All in one vehicle with all of our equipment. I'm excited as all get out. I love to be out on the open road with the people I enjoy spending time with, playing shows and meeting people and challenges.
The first night in Bakersfield is a bit of an Unknown. We've never played in Bakersfield. We are staying with the band "Three Chord Whore" who we only know from the few times we've played with them or gone to see them play here in LA. We don't even know for certain where we will be playing, and it's 4 days away.
Saturday we will stay with our good friend Carrie, who recently moved up north to attend Golden Gate Law School. That night we play for the second time at Kimo's, where we played on the Carriage of Goods tour.
Sunday it's back to Santa Barbara, to play the gay night at the Wildcat! I'm very excited for this night.
After that we pack up, drive home, I go back to work for 2 days then we play here in Los Angeles in 2 days.

These past 2 weeks we've been working on a song for the Dearly Departed 2 DVD. The song is called Rock, Scissors, Paper. It's a total sixties vibe tune with lyrics that seem to be about a familiar historical event.
A week ago Devin came over to Vincent Free Sound and we started to cut the track first using a very bare bones drum program from our Korg Esx-1.
He then played an organ part on his Roland RS-5. I have no picture of the keyboard part being played.
Next up Devin cut a flute track. You'll notice he's not wearing any headphones. I was experimenting with some playback bleed in order to give a sense of live feel. His flute part really added to the sense of the 60's.
I like to get the most out of Devin that I can, and so at the expense of the neighbors I then had Devin cut some Bongo drums. He was really enthusiastic. Look at those fast hands.

Finally I that first night I added a bass part. Look for this track soon, on the Dearly Departed 2 DVD.

Wish us broken legs.

I Won't Blame You

The title is from a new SG tune called "Hopeless Romantic", a tune which I am attempting to stop listening to. The recording is a rough premix of the song, which is mainly to be used for rehearsal of new parts. I need to stop enjoying it so much so that I can maintain some level of objectivity.

Saturday Amy went down to long beach to work a children's party with our good friend Ginny, she needed the extra scratch and Ginny needed the help.
While Amy played bingo with children I watched a great documentary on Charles Bukowski, called "Born Into This". It was inspiring. Makes me want to read through his body of work just as soon as Buck can.
Later that day I went to the store, I purchased the Sun Tea jug pictured above. I've kind of decided to swear off other soft drinks. We'll see how this goes. Doesn't the beginning of the tea here appear appealing?
I then did laundry, which Henry found to suit his needs of a nice place to rest for the afternoon.
Then I got a call from Devin, apparently an interview with Amy just came out in DOT magazine. Under Celebrity Profile!


Maybe I'll find the text of the article online soon. If so I'll link.

Saturday night we journeyed with Carrie, visiting from San Francisco, to see Bett in her new, temporary digs. What a fab pad! We talked of words and writing and what not well into the night. Bett had been struggling to write a piece about corn for her new book. Apparently after we left she bashed it out. Kudos. We have in mind now to collaborate on a new song called "Lot Lizards", which is supposed to be about truck stop whores. Bett's current work in progress is about the American road and Truckers, so it seems like a match.

It's pretty exciting to get some of the caliber of people we are getting involved in our album. Should all of them come to pass, we will be thrilled and delighted. More on these as they materialize.

Sunday was a lazyier day. Breakfast with Carrie at Barney's. Amy and carrie pictured below. Carrie has to black eyes because she fell off a bike.
you know that joke: "What do you tell a woman with 2 black eyes?"

"Nothin, you dun told her twice" of course that's not funny at all...

Stacked Deck

SG's new song stacked has proved to be a difficult monster to reconcieve. It didn't help that the demo was pretty much all magic and no structure. I delivered a mix of the first draft last night, hopefully there will be time to make some adjustments tonight. Speaking of adjustments, you will notice Amy shown here in the kitchen of Vincent Free Sound studios making some last minute adjustments to her lyrical stylings.
I really don't work with this poor of posture. I was just attempting to get in the frame with my work. I have spent a good portion of my life in front of a little box like this. I'm not complaining mind you.


Devin stopped in last night on his way home from the grocery store and cut his vocals.
Amy catches a few last minute lines of backup, while Ani looks on over her shoulder.
The cat Noon, totally impressed with all our toil.

Are You Tellin' Me ta See the Sign?

I just went to the bank, on the way back I saw 2 signs I loved. This first one you cant read in the pictures. Trust me, the white sign on the door say's "The Universe is Friendly"
The Sticker probably looks great on the back of a Prius headed north bound on the PCH in Malibu, here in the valley it just made me laugh.


Not a quater mile away is this sign, which I've always meant to photograph. It's outside an LAUSD Bus Depot, and it is in my opinion the best comment on Bush's education program.
"No Child Left Behind.
Check your Bus for Children"

Blog Birthday Missed

I totally forgot my blog turned 4 on June 4th. I just now noticed that. I'm slipping. Maybe I'll have a big blog party for it's 5th special day next year. Then my blog will have to begin school, and learn how to grow up and be a real blog.

Pra ha!

So now maybe you other blogging slackers will take up the task.

Devin's Blog turns 4 next month! 8/30/04 began his blogging saga

Scarlet come lately, you've got a ways to go, you began on 4/19/07.

Oddie also come lately, but not as bad as Scar, you began 2/7/07.

I've Never Passed a Bar, Without Stopping for a Drink

“I don't like jail, they got the wrong kind of bars in there”
Charles Bukowski


Yesterday and the day before my dear sister toiled away in Jefferson City, Missouri, trying her best to pass the Missouri Bar Exam. She either passed this time or she didn't, but I'm proud as fucking hell either way.

Way to be. Keep it up. Now go and have some fun, you've earned it.

Odd, will soon be moving into a great home in Kansas City, where she will soon begin her working career. I'm just thrilled for her.

Good world.

Stoned

This past week I've been stealing little bits of time to take in a movie called "Stone Reader". It's a documentary, and since it's about a book, and reading books, it's a difficult film to get many people involved in. The pacing is also not up to the moments attention span, which is to say it's actually a really great film to watch.
I began my viewing on Monday night, getting 12 minutes in before I realized I was creating boredom in my household. I picked it up again on Tuesday, and I was able to watch a good 45 minutes or so. To have to stop viewing was very difficult, but I had family in from out of town and didn't feel right about forcing everyone to sit quietly with me while I finished another 40 minutes of a documentary about books. Finally last night I was able to finish it, this time even my other found herself drawn in. It was really a moving piece of work. It reminds a person about the beauty of difficult tasks. It's reminded me why I like to blog in the first place and why I should be doing it when I have the opportunity.
The film focuses on a man named Mark, and his journey through life as a reader, and in particular his love of a book that seemed to be very near to dissapearing. The book, by Dow Mossman, "The Stones of Summer", was published in 1972, it recieved rave reviews then began to slip from the eye of most minds. "Stone Reader" chronilces Mark's quest to find the author, and other people who have been similarly touched by "The Stones of Summer" or even by other nearly forgotten books. You can view the website for the film at:
www.stonereader.net
Or Mark's non profit foundation for lost books at:
www.lostbooksclub.org

If you are so inclined, buy me the book, I can't afford it and really want it.

Transfer of Risks Pt1

As I was crawling into bed last night I made to move one of Amy's numerous journals, it happened to be open, and since Amy is a very public journalist, I read what was on the page. I was suprised to find a poem, relating to the title of the SG album, Free Alongside Ship. I thought that I photographe it in entirety, but I see now that I only got the first half. So here, for your pleasure, more from Amy on what the title might mean.

Watching Weeds Grow

The second season of the Showtime program Weeds came out yesterday and Amy was on the ball in going and picking it up for our enjoyment. I arrived home from work to a great plate of Spaghetti, Salad and little bread balls. We immeadiatly began the viewing of the program. Hour after hour we watched, because that is the best way to watch Television, commercial free and in extreme dedicated concentrated bursts. Lovely. I was reminded of last year when we rented the first season without really knowing anything about the show. I recall the way the bedroom was set up, and how enjoyable it was to take in the whole season in one night, because we are after all extreme freaks.
After about 3 episodes our wine supply dwindled, so we took a short jaunt up the street to Golden Rule Liquor, where we drink unto others, as you would have them drink unto you. I make it a point now to go to Golden Rule Liquor, because they sell Vampire wine and because their staff is fun in a creepy sort of way. I don't even have the luxary of choosing Golden Rule Liquor by virtue of name alone, as the other option is Liquor Time Liqour, How can I be so lucky as to live betwix two of the greatest named liqour stores of all time? It's not that I don't enjoy the staff at LTL, because believe me I do, once an old man was kicked out of the store for accusing me of cutting in line, cause they know I'm a great customer and a balanced human being. Forgive me, I have run on. One other great thing about GRL is that they face the wonderfully bad mural portraits of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean that you see in the background of the photo. Arriving home I was taking notice of the room around me, then I took a photo of the room around me, so I could share that with my future self, and you dear reader.
Weeds is a fun show to watch, our living room was a fine setting to watch it in. Drinking Vampire wine from Golden Rule Liqour adds to the over all feeling of fine in this situation.

Pride, Fun, Music & Wine in Santa Barbara

SG just played a Pride Festival in Santa Barbara the weekend before Gus slipped loose the mortal coil. It was a wonderful time. We played first, which was a bit annoying because we had played late the night before in LA, and then had to wake up at an impossible hour to arrive on time. The show was wonderful, our second show playing with Drummer Alexa. She was very spot on, as were the rest of us. had there been more people around at the time we played the show would have been near perfect.
After the show we had occasion to wander around the grounds and get acquainted with folks from Santa Barbara, which in my opinion were not all that easy to get acquainted with, a prevailing snobbishness being on the surface so common. I like this photo of Coco, standing by her special ladies room drinking beer while listening to the sounds of DJ Billdup!

Amy found it shocking that this bench was dedicated to Happy & Pill!

After wandering todder and frodder in the festival grounds, Amy, Marc and I decided to get a break from being so queer and walk over to the pier. It was much further than we thought, so we all got in a long line in the shade of a Palm tree and took respite from the toils of our gay. On the way back we happened to spot this woman. Her jacket says "Swine are Fine"

Our accommodations for the weekend were provided by Billdup and Theo. This is their computer work station area, which is pictured here because this very chair in this very corner was filled by Billdup when he was creating his fabulous remixes which grace Sidesaddle Sweet Talk. They had a rad upstairs apartment right near the beach and bars. After the festival we all sat out on their balcony and slowly chugged Bud Light & Corona like it was going out of style. After while everyone else wandered inside to take showers & harass the cats, I sat out on the balcony having a moment with myself. I pondered the flight of seagulls. I gazed at the mountains which separate Santa Barbara Valley from the Santa Ynez Valley. I could be wrong on the actual geography/topography of the area, but at the time that is what I was thinking, and since it was my moment even if I'm wrong I'd just as soon preserve it the way it was that day. It was a very special few minutes. When traveling in a group one often prizes a few moments spent alone.

Our nightlife began at a place called "Couchez". Billdup was spinning and we were all ready for drinking. We were lucky then to be joined by a special odd human Bett, who is always a bundle of fun. Growing tired of Chouchez; Bett, Amy and I finally made it to the end of the pier which had seemed so much further away in the harsh light of day. At the end Amy and Bett posed for this picture.
Evening turned into night and we continued to walk, stopping by the odd bar here and there but most often finding ourselves going back to the roots of what is apparently a historic fig tree. Bett, a Santa Barbara native brought us much laughter with the passing on of a quaint upper crust Santa Barbara bogey-man; apparently bad children were led to behave by being told that if they were not careful, they would end up living under a fig tree. Those of you too lazy to click the fig tree link need be informed that apparently the fig tree has in times past been a very popular bed of the homeless.

The next morning I awoke on the floor, happy to have slept in a place that didn't have a number in the title. slowly our band of "mary" travelers found our way washed and fresher to the annual French Festival. We enjoyed a very delicious crepe breakfast, and took in a few of the Poodles, who no doubt starred later in the Poodle Parade which we missed. After breakfast, Devin, Dylan & Marc hit the beach. Amy and I instead skipped across town to the Kalyra Tasting Room, where our wonderful host Billdup proceeded to take us on a journey through the wonderful wine of the Kalyra collection. It was all SO good. I had never been able to get into desert wine until Bill introduced us to their Orange & Black Muscats and the Tawny Port. My Lord. Heaven. We left with a bottle of 99' Australian Shiraz that I am so excited to enjoy with a nice steak or lasagna. Bill was just wonderful to talk with all weekend, but when he's holding these special bottles of wine he is just dandy and half.

We spent the rest of Bill's shift at the Tasting Room, then decided to repay his grace with a bit of food at a place across the street which I think was called enterprise fish company (I can't be arsed into finding the link since they were ever so busy as it was). Bill entertained us with deep see fishing stories, and a fun little tale about a deposition. Always fun to talk and drink and eat.

We ended the evening in Santa Barbara back at Couchez, finally getting out of town around 11pm. It was by far the best time I've ever had in Santa Barbara.


From the wiki:
Santa Barbara's Moreton Bay Fig Tree
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Santa Barbara's Moreton Bay Fig Tree located in Santa Barbara, California is believed to be the largest Ficus macrophylla in the country[1]. It is believed the Moreton Bay Fig Tree came to Santa Barbara via ship from the Moreton Bay region of eastern Australia.

Originally planted between State and Montecito Streets, the tree was transplanted, by Hannah Crabb and her daughter Adeline, when it was "as tall as a walking stick"[1].

In July 1997 the circumference of the tree at 4-1/2 feet above ground was 498 inches (41-1/2 feet). The average crown spread was 176 feet and the total height was 80 feet. Measured in November 1991, the branch spread was 167 feet with a total height of 76 feet. The trunk diameter above the buttress roots is 12.5 feet[2].

Stacking the Agenda

Over the past few weeks we've been writing on a song called "Stacked", which will be featured in a documentary about the book tour the author of this book went on. The song is really a bit different from our normal work that people would be familiar with. Those who really know our band though could tell it's lineage. It's int eh vein of our B-sides like "Nutragen" or "Zero Cool". I've been enjoying working on it and imagining it finished.

Here are a few shots of me working on it, because I never post pics of myself at work:

The photo in the background as painted by SG Associate and former member Von. It's called "Julie Can Too". I like it.

It was a warm day yesterday. Amy and I had gone to see that rat/food movie at Dyldog's theater on Saturday night, with Dylan, Bernie, Leah & Bun. Devin attempted to catch it but instead he ended up being 2 minutes late, and at the academy theater that means no go go for Devin.
The movie was very cute and I enjoyed it. Very much in fact.
Actually the evening kicked off well when Amy and I decided to leave a bit early and have Dinner at Pit fire Pizza, which happened to have a fricken' line out the door. Well, we though that was not worth waiting in so we strolled down the street to The Eclectic Cafe where we dined on Stuffed Mushrooms, A strong cheesy pizza and drank Pinot Noir. YUMS. I was a happy lad.

So to complete the skewing of the timeline in this post... After the movie we went home, watched 1 episode of the 4400 and went to bed early. This was nice. It allowed us to awake early the next morning, and begin cleaning our messy hole of an apartment. Amy is more effective at cleaning than I, so I was promptly dismissed and sent on a mission to retrieve Bagels from Noah's on Larchmont, and Champagne and OJ fro Mimosas from Golden Rule Liquor.

We were joined in our bagel feast by Devin, Dylan, Von, Jessica, and Marc. We ate, chatted and then watched the film "Flirting with Disaster", which I very much enjoyed. It was Ben Stiller when he was still capable of displaying relate-able human emotions.

Speaking of that, and while my timeline is fucked, I should mention that last week Amy and I watched "Zero Effect". This has got to be one of my favorite 90's movies. I used to watch it every 5 months or so, and usually by myself. I don't know why no one else ever likes this movie as much as I do. I will now go read about it after this and find out whats up with that.

Anyway, bagels, mimosas and movie finished all peoples departed. Amy continued to clean I began doing what I'm pictured above doing. Playing guitar and taking pictures of myself. I'm playing an Ebow on my trusty Fender Telecaster. It was warm. I drank iced tea.

The song will be in develpment further this week. We shall see what happens.

My agenda is stacked.

One Last Voyage, The Good Ship Gus

At 6:30 pm, 7/18/07 the Gustavo Crosby-McElroy met with the rest. He was a great Cat, and his soul implied something deep and meaningful. He hunted, for food and balance. He purred, as a leader. He lead with the hand, followed by the teeth, all guided by the gut and heart.

His ears and face showed signs of the years. He bore scars, but he left more than he took. He was orange.

Gus began life in Santa Monica. He adopted Amy at the shelter for people in the same municipality. He helped Amy on her way, until he realized he could help Christopher more, and that soon Amy would need help from Arthur & Henry.

Gus is survived by a song, a story, and many the many lives he touched and scratched.

Blog Neglect

I've been very bad about blogging. To make up for it I'm typing 2 sentences on a Saturday. YAY! We are at work today on a song called "Stacked", which if liked by the filmaker, will appear at the end of a documentary.

It's a nice day. We are at Devin and Dylan's. There is a breeze. The sun is shining. I slept a rare 14 hours last night. Devin fixed what our family calls "Chinese Cassarole" for lunch. It was good.

It's a good day.

One Street Over

Yesterday as I was heading towards the apartment from my recently parked van, I was inspired to take pictures of the street next to mine. I thought to myself: "This will be a special compliment to the blog I wrote yesterday." And so it shall.

Enjoy