Station to station...

When I was a kid growing up in the Bay Area, the radio was great. We had real DeeJays with real personalities who played good music because it was good and not because corporate handed them a playlist.

The station of choice for us during our High School years was KQAK (the quake). They were the first station to really embrace the Punk and New Wave format in the city and we absolutely loved them for it. For weird kids like us, it was like having an audio clubhouse that we could go to and revel in our own weirdness. It was comforting to know that there were other weirdos out there and that, maybe, everything was going to be alright. Of course, as it always goes, the Quake was bought out and changed formats at the end of our senior year. Kind of fitting really, but it was a sad transition for us to make. The last night the station was on the air we all sat around and listened as they played two hours of station Ids that rock stars had done during their studio appearances on the station. ”This is Peter Gabriel and you’re listening to the Quake”, “This is Joe Strummer and you’re tuned to K-Q-A-K, the Quake!”, “This is Elvis Costello and You’ve been Quaked.”, etc, etc. It was like standing on the sidewalk and watching your home being demolished by a wrecking ball. Some people even cried. O.k., we all did. That station was the soundtrack of our high school experience. Now it was gone. And with it, a little bit of our youth.

One hit wonders, the follow up singles...

BY JOHN MOE
How Are We Going to Get These Dogs Back In?
Bust an Additional Move
Seriously, Eileen, Come On
(Won't You Give Me a Ride Home From) Funkytown?
Remember When You Lit Up My Life? That Was Great
I Will Now Pass the Dutchie Back to You and Thank You for Passing It to Me Originally Because I Really Enjoyed the Dutchie
The Morning That the Lights Came Back On in Georgia
Everybody Was Kung Fu Making Up
Achier Breakier Heart
Whoomp! There It Continues to Be
867-5309 extension 2

Other people's pictures...

A few weeks ago at the flea market in Raleigh, I stumbled upon a guy who had about 30 boxes full of family photographs. All eras, all parts of the country. Whenever I see this, I always wonder how they ended up in a flea market. Was the person who owned them the last of the line of family and when they passed away they were sold at an estate sale? Was it uncaring grandkids cleaning out an attic? Whatever the case, I always feel a little responsible to preserve some of them, so I bought about twenty of them. The one in this post is my favorite. She sits on the shelf above my desk and gives me that sassy glare every morning, daring me to get some work done because she knows that, in my heart, I'm just a no good slacker.

It's nice to be wanted...

Lately I've been doing a little computer tutoring at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke. Just helping people get up to speed and be able to edit their pieces, then deliver them to the web. It's very gratifying to see people have that light bulb moment and really begin to understand the process. I think that's the number one thing that I miss about teaching on a regular basis. I don't get to see those light bulbs go off every week. I've often wished that a teaching opportunity would present itself at the center so I could get a little of that back.

(Enter guardian angel, Higher Power, Stroke of luck)

Today I was over at the center and found the computer lab full, so I walked upstairs to chat with the director about the WUNC project until the crowd thinned out, and she asked me to teach the Audio Documentary Intro class for the Winter semester. Just like that. No warning. I love how life works sometimes. Makes you think that someone is, indeed, keepin' an eye out for you.

Be BIG about it...

Yesterday I was checking in with my case manager, Andie, at Big Brothers/Big Sisters and I asked her how it was going around the office. She was busy as usual but told me that they still have 98 boys waiting to be matched with a "Big". Ninety-eight! Folks, this is a dire situation. So dire, in fact, that they have stopped accepting applications from children until some kids are either matched or fall off the waiting list due to the age limit. Now, I know you are busy. Probably busier than me. But, if you've ever thought of doing a little volunteering, now is the time. Your community needs you now.

By giving just six hours a month of your time, you will change someone's life forever. Just think about it.

Check out Big Brothers/Big Sisters here
and stories from real life matcheshere

Wireless work...

Wireless, in the Marconian sense, that is.

WUNC called me today and wants me to produce an eight minute piece on poverty in North Carolina as part of a two week series that will air in April. If anyone out there can think of a fresh angle on this much covered subject, I'd love to hear it and would even buy you a donut if it's a good idea. I'm currently leaning toward the psychological effects of poverty. Depression, emotional disorders, etc. I'd love something even less expected though, so throw me a bone if you have time.

Arrrrrrr...

Dammit! I've just realized that, once again, I've missed International Talk Like a Pirate Day. However, I was still able to find out what my pirate name is. So, you may call me Mad Sam Kidd for the rest of the day. Or whenever you like. Find out what yours is by taking the pirate quiz. Arrrrrr.

Scene...

Holy crap. I've just had one of those nights. Improv class was unbelievably bad for me. I've never had a whole night where I felt like I was sucking the life out of every scene I was in, but tonight I was the life sucker outer grande. It's not a good feeling.

Now, before you write a bunch of pitying comments, don't. I'm fine. I'll get right back on my improv horse tomorrow. It's just disheartening when you have one of those classes that tells you, in no uncertain terms, that you have a lot to learn. Guess that's the life lesson this week.

The universe says: "Deal with it."

New Spinoff Blog...

I've decided to do a new blog that is just about the Ukulele. There you can find some history, some music, and anything "uke" that I choose to publish. You can find it here.

Cheers.

One long day...

Yeah, my day started at four a.m. due to the fact that my improv team was performing during the 6am slot at a 24 hour improv comedy benefit. The show was fun, I think, but most of it is kind of fuzzy. I think the audience enjoyed it. After the performance I had a very pleasant breakfast with my teamates, Andi, Chris and Lyda. Afterward, Sharon and I took our friend Diane to the airport, then went to the flea market and bought nothing.

In the afternoon I went to pick up my little brother A.J. On Thursday I had started teaching him how to pick out the melody to Camp Town Races and today he was playing it without even looking at the instrument. Kids are incredible. I know I keep going on and on about how lucky I feel to have been matched with this kid, but he just continues to amaze me in such wonderful ways.

Well, I should probably go to bed now, owing to the fact that I'm now in my 20th hour of conciousness and I'm making no sense. Ciao.

Comments please...

For some reason the "only registered users" button was checked in my preferences, making it difficult for people to post comments. I've now changed that, so please leave comments if you like.

From the Indes to the Andes...

While at the Uke Expo I picked a four cd box set featuring The Hoosier Hotshots and I've been listening to it non stop since I got back. Check out Like a Monkey Likes Cocoanuts and From the Indes to the Andes in His Undies. Silly to be sure, but I dare you not to smile.

Scribblin'...

I scream, Uke scream...

So, yeah, more stories from the Uke Expo.

Drove 10 hours on Friday and got to the Poconos around 4pm. Found myself a parking spot/campsite and had about an hour and a half to have dinner with my friend Robert before the festivities began. 5:30 was the first jam session/sing along of the weekend and it was great to see people of all ages playing and singing together. I love it when a twelve year old kid knows all the words to "Ida, sweet as apple cider", and he's singing it right next to someone in their eighties. Always makes me smile. Also, it was funny to see octegenerians singing the theme from SpongeBob Squarepants.

Onward...
The guys at the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum asked me to record all the concerts for them which was cool except that I was stuck in the sound booth which also happened to be the place that the hotel staff came to smoke. So I ended up with a splitting headache by the end of the concert on Friday night. Not to mention that it was storming like crazy outside. Like, Noah's Ark kind of crazy. Which would have been fine had I not been sleeping in my car. So, moral of the story; If you have a migraine and there's a thunderstorm, you might want to rethink the sleeping in the car thing. Second night was better. No headache, but the temperature did drop in to the forties at night so I was butt cold.

For all the adversity, it was still worth it. The workshops I went to were great, the folks I met were really nice, and now I'm inspired to practice even more.

Uke stories...

As you can see in the picture, my little brother AJ has taken to the Uke. This is not something I forced on him. He really digs it. Problem is, he didn't have his own Uke to practice on at home and I didn't have an extra one lying around to give him. So, one of my goals at Uke Expo this weekend was to try to either find a Uke for him or at least get some ideas about how to get a donation or something. Enter, fine human being, gentleman, and scholar, Geoff Rezek. Geoff was leading a workshop about organizing Ukulele clubs that I went to and when I posed the question about where to find people willing to donate Ukuleles, he had some great ideas and then cryptically whispered "see me after class". When I walked up after the workshop, Geoff led me over to his vendor table and started loading me up with Ukuleles, Tuners, Music books and chord charts. I couldn't believe it. I hadn't gone to his class looking for a handout, but I ended up with everything I needed to get AJ and two other kids started on the road to music. How cool is that?

So, Cheers to you Geoff! Many thanks for your incredible generosity!



Geoff and his wife at Uke Expo 2004

Uke fest...

This guy had two of my favorite ukes at the event.

It's dark...

Because it's 5:42 in the morning and I'm about to pack the car and split for The Uke Expo. As much as I'm not a morning person, I do like to get up before the sun rises sometimes. Gives you that false sense of being an overacheiver for a minute. Everyone needs that once in a while.

This weekend should be interesting, and not just because I'll be surrounded by 200 other Ukulele dorks, but because (drum roll, please), I'll be sleeping in my car! Haven't done that since, since...well, ever really. At least not intentionally. So, yeah, I've decided to forego the $90 a night hotel rooms at this joint and just camp in the 4Runner. I figure it's like practice for when the revolution comes and we have to be on the lam. That made no sense. F*ck it, it's 5:54am, it's not supposed to make sense.

Alright dear readers, I must go. Keep your noses clean. Look out for Ivan while I'm gone. and stay beautiful.

-Ukeboy

M-O-N-E-Y...

I think it's really interesting that I've just turned 37 and I still have to wonder where the next paycheck is going to come from. Most months we're fine, some we aren't. We've made some great financial strides in some areas, and yet, we're still broke most of the time. Which only bothers me because it bothers Sharon. AND because it makes me want to take some form of stupid action like getting a job that I don't really care about. Although, I'm getting better at ignoring that impulse.

The real question on the table now is "What do I want to do?" Unfortunately, most days, the answer is still "I dunno." I'm excited about a bunch of stuff right now. Passionate, even. The creativity is flowing and I'm digging the scene and I don't want some dumb ass job to screw all that up. But on the other hand, I'd like to keep my house.

It's not like the wolf is at the door or anything. It's more like he's lurking near the Hydrangeas or napping in the driveway. We have options. We'll be o.k. It's just that sometimes I have this overwhelming urge to be more than just o.k.

Then I have to lie down until it passes.

Just for Andi...

It's a Paris thing. You wouldn't understand.

Ukein' in the Poconos...

This is the weekend I've been waiting for. Pathetic, isn't it? No, it isn't. So, screw you. Just kidding. Not really.

I'll fill you in upon my return.

Big stuff with little brother...

My little brother A.J.

I cannot begin to tell you how great it's been for me to get back in the saddle as a Big Brother. A.J. and I have been having some great times together and I really look forward to every meeting.

On Saturday we went flea marketing in Raleigh and then headed over to the Fiesta del Pueblo (the Latino culture festival). The flea market was fruitful. I scored some vintage luggage and some sheet music and AJ scored some books, then we went to get some food before the Fiesta started. At noon we hit the festival and AJ immediately went for the games and "funland" type stuff. I was struck, right off the bat, with the amount of branding going on. "Ninolandia", the play area with blow up bouncers, slides, and games was sponsored by Mc Donald's. Greasy beef=FUN was the message in ninolandia. But who am I to deny a ten year old a ride or game based on my political views? Yeah, that's what they count on.

From there, we headed (read=were assaulted by) the "Pepsi Zone" where kids can play games for prizes imprinted with the logo of America's favorite beverage. Blah! What bastards (Pepsi, I mean, not the children)!

And, of course, the political parties were out in force. For some odd reason the Republicans had a larger booth in a high traffic area and the Demos were stuck in back next to a man selling puppets. WTF!

Thankfully, the rest of the festival actually had something to do with Latino culture and we had a great time looking at the art show, doing some science projects, and listening to some Salsa bands.

I'm continually amazed by what a great kid AJ is. He's so open to things and he doesn't seem the least bit interested in material stuff. Kudos to mom for that. Makes my job really easy.

Coasting ups and downs...

Greetings Blog fans! Happy to be back in good ole Durham for a minute. We had a wonderful time in Boston and New Hampshire doing our thing.

The camp in New Hampshire had to change locations this year and we were all a bit worried that the vibe of the camp would be too different and disorienting to the camp veterans. Well, it was different, but I think it came off really well in it's new location. Still rustic, still dusty, still funky. Sharon and I were mostly worried about our new digs. Usually we get an apartment to share with our friend Virginie. We have a kitchen and couches and it's a great place to be away from the madness that is swing camp. This year we were put in a B and B about ten miles from camp in Bristol, NH. I don't really go in for the frilly-frilly nature of most Victorian style B and Bs, but this place was awesome. Oh, it was frilly, but it was also cool. The place is called The Henry Whipple House and is run by a hilarious and warm Britsh ex-pat named Sandra and her husband Clay. Two nicer people you have never met. And the breakfast, oh, the breakfast was incredible. Warm scones and some incredible egg dish every morning. Made me want to jump out of bed, which, as you know, I am not prone to doing.

The camp itself went off pretty well for us. We had some mediochre classes and some flashes of brilliance. We were able to connect with some old friends and make some great new ones as well. I had a good time hosting the cabaret and got to play some ukulele on stage with my uke homies Richard and Esther from Rochester.

After camp we dragged our sorry asses back to Boston and imposed on our friend Marilee for one more night of hospitality before heading back to North Carolina, beat up but satisfied.