Reflections of a Red Winged Blackbird

Okay, males can be dumb. No offense boys, you know I love you, and not one of my friends could be described as a bird brain.  But, this bird has been having a territory war with it's own reflection since Sunday! Here you see it sizing up its own reflection in the first image and then smashing into the mirror in attack mode in the second image. Maybe it's cruel of me to have the mirror out in the yard.

Reflect on that.

This Jersey girl is going to pick up her guitar now.

Peace, love and music.... That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

So tired, but inspired....

I slept a few winks today. The days merged together.... Had too much fun Friday night with the crowd I moved an hour away from in Montclair.  The music was great.  I danced and I sang along.  The musicians were awesome.  There were three bands, and each of the bands had at least one member that I've recruited into my own project.  Share the love!

There were times they were so in the zone.  The Fabulous Flemtones - man they have been playing together for over thirty years....  I've been following them for a while, but I heard them do something that I hadn't heard before. They did "I'm a Believer" with a "Wipe Out" jam.  If that didn't evoke adolescent rock and roll memories....



They are so eclectic in their choice of material. They do an amazing cover of "Bodhisattva" by Steely Dan. That alone won me as a fan.  Okay, I'm in awe of them, but what's even more amazing is the feeling is mutual.

I jammed with friends at an after party. The music gives me energy I can't get anywhere else.  At about four a.m. I drove my friend and former roommate, Ilsa, to her apartment, crashed on her couch for a while, got up, drank a little coffee, played "Two" by Ryan Adams on Ilsa's guitar (yeah, that song's become a new obsession) and drove back up to the lake to my sleeping dog, Cocoa.  Thank God, she was okay and hadn't soiled the house.  The rest of the day consisted of a little posting on Facebook (including a few moves in Lexulous), catching up with several friends on the phone, soaking up vitamin D outside and snoozing.  Tried to watch a little boob tube, but just crashed on the couch.

Now it's early Sunday and I'm a little nervous.  I could use some real sleep in my bed, but I've got chores to do. This afternoon, I'm going to meet with a woman, a producer, to go over a song or two and get her input.  I'v been doubting my ability to self-produce my own album, so I'm open to suggestion.  Although, since my brief meeting with Don from Mix-O-Lydian studios, I'm confident I will be able to make a very nice album with what I have.

After the album is made, I will be, God willing, be gigging more.  I have met some awesome local musicians and there are more collaborations in the making.  I want to act locally, but damn it if I'm not thinking globally! We'll see where the touring band comes from.  I just know, for now, I'm going to record with the project I've got.  (And when it comes down to it, I can present my stuff solo just fine - the only time I got a standing ovation, I had put it out there solo.)  Ah, but the luxury of having guitar support and leads thrown in -- and harmonies and a back beat -- and then, when people get up and dance....

I just wish I didn't have to work.  (Do you hear that, Universe?) The hours are preventing me from getting out to open mics and rehearsals.  I'm going to have to plead with my guys to come to my place on my schedule.  And that's when it's like herding cats - even if the cats are cool.  If my guys didn't have their own jobs, other bands, wives, and responsibilities (or in some cases a penchant for partying), it would be much easier to get together on a regular basis.  I'm grateful for them, nonetheless. Well, there are three gigs, a taping for a cable show and a session at the recording studio all in the near future.  Where are my shades?