Flashback

Tuesday July 12, 2011

5:00am- Alarm goes off

5:09am- Alarm goes off

5:10am- I get out of bed

5:30am- J and I arrive/workout at the YMCA

6:50am- I arrive at Kowalskis to get Drain-O for my bathroom sink.  Also purchase 2 frozen burritos, a bag of cherries, a 12 pack of soda water, and a newspaper.

7:00am- "You Got It" by Bonnie Raitt plays on the stereo (at Kowalskis)

7:01am- I am brought back to when I was in 5th grade and listened to the "Boys on the Side" soundtrack on repeat.  It makes me smile.

7:58am- Getting dressed and ready to go to the bank to see about a loan for a houseboat.  

7:59am- Wish me luck.

If you feel sad....bounce.

A friend of mine always says "Bouncing makes everything better."  I saw this video today and thought of her. 

This video is dedicated to her, and to all the people in the depths of a winter depression right now.  Go on and bounce around.  Maybe you'll feel better.

Oh Em Gee - Mahalia is dead!

OMG stands for Oh My God, which is what people say when things are good, bad, or shocking. I'm having an OMG moment as we speak.

Today is Sunday, which means that while some are out to church, and others are tailgating, I am home, in my pajamas listening to Mahalia Jackson on vinyl. I often joke that I listen to Mahalia on Sundays in lieu of going to church. Well...today, it's true. Besides, I don't really go to church. I mean, I have. When I was little we went to a Unitarian church. But then pastor (?) moved, so we followed him (or her, I don't remember, I was just a kid), but it was too far of a commute, so we quit going to church.

Over the last 2-3 years, I've gone to church a few times. I went with the ever-speedy Ladia a couple of times. She would go in big part for the music, but also because of her dedication to God. I went with her to hear the music, to learn more about her, and to learn more about Christianity. I went to a mosque with my buddy Aziz a year ago. I was taking a class with Jim Laine (hilarious man, if you ever get a chance to take a class with him, I recommend it) and we had to go to a service/place of worship that was different from our own. I wasn't able to participate in the service at the Mosque, because I am a woman, but I was able to observe, which was really cool. (Note: before you judge, keep in mind I wouldn't be able to take communion at a Catholic service either).

I also went to a couple different Evangelical services with my friend Shari. Girl can sing... which is mostly why I went. One of the services we went to was in Bryn Mawr, at a school auditorium.... I remember taking notes (which are in an old journal somewhere), and being really pleased with the messages being shared. To me, they were less about God and more about people. I felt like I could relate to a lot of the things being said. (This is weird, because when I think of Evangelical, I think of people trying to push their beliefs on to me...but when I was there, I didn't feel that way).

I used to live half a block from a Presbyterian church...so I went there a handful of times. I figured since I'd been to all the other places in the neighborhood (bars, coffee shop, etc), I should check out the church as well. The people there were very nice, and welcoming...yet they didn't push their religion on me. One old woman (probably in her 80's) asked me what my home church was, and I said I didn't have one. She asked what religion I was raised with, and I said I wasn't. She still served me a cup of coffee... and didn't feel the need to preach. I appreciated that.

I live close to the cathedral, but have not been there for services. I went once on a tour with one of my group home girls, and that was interesting. I stopped and talked to some protesters a couple weeks ago over there, who were upset about the DVD condemning homosexuality. I don't know what difference protesting makes, but I think it's good that they came together and had a physical presence.

This weekend, I declared it "Pajama Weekend". That means no church clothes... only pajamas and gym clothes. Feeling like I should "embrace my spiritual side", I tried playing some Mahalia Jackson this morning. It didn't work. It was warped. I yanked a few other records from the stack, and they were also warped. This initiated the OMG response...the OMG Mahalia is warped, dead, done, over. Ugh. What a terrible feeling. I hollered at my boy Adrian and he agreed with my plan to put each record under my heavy set of speakers for a while so they flatten out. Andy Wilbourn told me the same thing too, a while ago, when I was in denial of any record warping damage.

So....I now have a year long task ahead of me.... flatten out these records. Some I don't care if they get fixed. Some I can repurchase for a dollar at Landfill Records. Others, a digital version will suffice. And there's a few yet...that just can't be replaced with MP3/digital versions. A few like Mahalia, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, etc...

We shall see what happens. Maybe this is a sign that I should sell my turntables, and use my desk for studying, rather than spinning. Truth be told... I don't spin records. Well, sometimes I mess around with mixing, but that isn't very often. Mostly, I just let the record play itself...which usually is enough to make me happy. Today though, I am not happy... because as you know, music makes my world go 'round, and while sure I have a lot of music on my computer, nothing compares to the sounds of Mahalia, Marvin, Stevie, Janis, Joni.... on wax.

steve kenny

I've been going to the Artist's Quarter for 9 years. Actually, I first went 9 years ago, but had to take a short "leave of absense" after being busted for boozing down there while I was a few years shy of legal drinking age. Since B3 organ sensation Billy Hollman left for Vegas (and ended up in Philly), I've been back to the AQ only a handful of times. Each time, I am greeted and graced by Davis, my friend, honorary uncle, human encyclopedia, and go-to guy for advice when life throws those bastardly curve balls.

My friend steve kenny plays trumpet, and we met several years ago (during my underage "spree"). Aside from a small mid-week gig some months ago, it had been over a year since he last played at the AQ. That all changed this weekend, as steve played with Dave Kerr, Kenny Horst, Tom Lewis, and Mikkel Romstad for a "Kind of Blue" weekend.

I went with camera in hand (Jen in the other hand) and was blown away by the talent that stood in front of me on stage. Steve sounded better than I'd ever heard! The whole band sounded great. It was an honor to listen to his performace, laugh at his quirky ways, and see how much he has grown as a friend and a musician over the past few years.

A few shots from the night....

"a kind of blue weekend"

mikkel romstad (piano), tom lewis (bass)

dave karr

steve kenny

steve kenny (muted horn), dave karr (background)

steve kenny (flugelhorn)

heiruspecs (3.14.09)

just spent hours trying to figure out how to add watermarks to my photos. alas, i have not figured it out..... so go ahead a take em while you can.

show last night was dope! missed mayda..... sorry dude. cabs were running behind, and it took us a while to get to triple rock. thanks to devon for giving jen and i a ride home. and thanks to chris, for clearing up the lil "mishap" of my name getting crossed off the list....wtf?

here's some of my favorite photos from the night...enjoy!


chris

mastermind, sean, chris

sean

chris

devon

chris

devon and chris

dvrg

dessa

muad'dib and dessa

dessa

my favorite photo of chris

hockey teammates (from 10+ years ago)



Was a fun night.... got home at 3 something, fell asleep at 4 something.... woke up at 7 something, made my way to bed shortly after... and finally drug my sorry ass out of bed at about 3pm.

Can't wait till next time.

St Paul's Finest (musicians)

Big show tonight.....I'm pumped!!

Mayda Miller is releasing "The Interrogation", a full length album, tonight at the Triple Rock.

(www.myspace.com/imaydasong)

Heiruspecs is headlining tonight. Chris (felix) said he's gonna add a new verse (see his blog for details).

(first ave: 12.13.08)

It's gonna be a great show. 14 bucks at the door. Well worth it (although I'm on a "list".... holla!)

Hip-Hop Studies Diploma

Okay, my boy, Mr. Toki Wright has done something amazing. Actually, he's done many amazing things (just google his name), but his latest has moved mountains from hip-hop to the academy (something you don't see too often).

Last thursday, february 26th, Toki announced the country's first ever "Hip-Hop Studies Diploma" program, which he is coordinating, at McNally Smith College of Music in Saint Paul, MN.

Taken from the music industry report I quote:

"Students will develop creative writing skills, learn techniques in beat production and engineering, as well as undergo hands-on experience in the art of DJing and turntablism. They will also get an in-depth look at the behind-the-scenes aspects of hip-hop in the music business. Hip-hop has a monumental global impact on television, cinema, alternative media and more."

And if you think this is some kind of "easy A"... see this (also from music industry report):

"As part of the Hip-Hop Studies Diploma program, graduates will complete a final project that includes a recording project, a live performance and a portfolio that includes a business plan. This final project will bring together each of the different areas of expertise in the hip-hop business learned through the program."

To you, Mr. Toki Wright, my friend and inspiration, I say thank you for your hard work, and for your commitment to youth, hip-hop, and academics. You are an amazing man, doing amazing thing, and the twin cities community, the hip-hop community, and the larger community would be several steps behind if it was not for the love and dedication you continue to put forth.

toki and i enroute to a "masquerade ball"

the bewitched

Last week I was asked to photograph "The Bewitched" at Byrant Lake Bowl. I took about 1100 pictures. Because school and work are keeping me busy.... I've been hesitant to dive into editing, because it's so easy to get consumed and lose track of time.

Here are a few of the shots from the show...
(click to open....they look better larger)

Bryant Lake Bowl

The Bewitched

Musette

Musette

Musette (scaring the shit out of Mary)

Eric (of Bewitched)

E.

Mary (of Bewitched)

Mary on autoharp

Support local music... check out The Bewitched Myspace page.

And as always for my words and my photos, feedback (+ or -) is always welcomed, encouraged, and appreciated.

untitled.

I'm in the market for a new camera. A dSLR. I've got a decent "point and shoot" camera right now, but I borrowed a friends "Nikon D60" a couple of months ago, and I loved it. Right now, I'm leaning towards the Canon Rebel Xsi. It's probably the most popular right now, and while I like the feel of the D60 a little better, I do like the software that comes with the Canon. Both are wicked expensive (when you consider bills that need paying, etc...). So we'll see what I end up getting.



The heiruspecs show is on Saturday. I'm flippin stoked! They've been all over the media, including the cover story of City Pages. I kind of want to have a new camera by then, so I can get some good shots of the guys.

Speaking of the city pages and good photography....here's a photo worth noting. Click here to see the whole slideshow.




The Kredentials are playing tonight at Turf Club for reloaded wednesdays. I'm thinking of heading that way, if I can get my brown ass to the Y and on a treadmill before hand.

Last sunday, after the Vikings game, I perused the bar and got 15 of the "regulars" to sign up for "pub secret santa". I'm pumped. It was a fun day, until lil Jim had a 5 minute long seizure. It was really scary. I will say however, that everyone at the pub did a really amazing job of reacting fast and getting help. I had trouble sleeping that night... but I think I am getting back to normal. That's good, since I'm a total bitch when I am not well rested or well fed.

Oh yeah, also worth mentioning.... yesterday was my last day of classes (for the semester). I've got a couple of papers due next week, and that is all.

I really want to go to sakura right now, for their kick ass happy hour.... but I really should do something more productive with my day. Something like...?

heiruspecs, peace bracelets, and the magical runner.

Couple of things to note:

1. Heiruspecs is releasing a record on December 13, at first ave. Mayda, Big Quarters, and DJ Anton will precede them. It will be fun. Be there.

2. I made a peace bracelet with some 4th and 5th graders, while helping out at a school today. There are 5 beads on it (a leather piece of string). Yellow = honesty (to others and yourself). Red = respect (others, yourself, places and spaces). White = sharing (passion, items, hope, time, conversation). Black = Kindness (to others, yourself, intentions, etc). A blue bead holds it all together, which represents peace that starts from within us. I enjoyed doing this little project (twice), because it made me think about the things which I can do that are honest, respectful, open, kind, and peaceful. And it was nice to see some kids in the same mood, really thinking about what all these concepts mean and how to apply them to their own lives.

3. I've been reading a book that forrest recommended to me, many years ago. It's called the magical runner. I recently found it at half price books, and have begun to read it. I like it, as it's (much) more than just running.... it encourages a holistic approach, and helps you be accountable to yourself with your training and follow though. I wish I would have gotten it earlier, but perhaps it is in my life now for a reason. Anyhow, thanks Forrest.

4. I've got a ton of shit to do today, before the wild game. I should probably get on it.

peace,
asha.