Category: Travel and review

Posted in Travel and review

Contracts are lifesavers

Posted on by res1der

I accepted a DJ gig with a local rapper because her last DJ was unavailable. So, we started to inform friends and figure out a rehearsal schedule. But a week later, she informs me that she talked her previous DJ and they agreed to do the gig together instead.
Okay, since I have no contract involved, I was not bound to do the gig. So, I withdrew.

But, in a few days, she has returned and requested me for her gig again because the previous DJ was not working out. I accepted but, I wonder. Should I draft a binding contract for her to sign? She released me once and I don’t fully trust her to not do it again.
So, I drafted a contract with a deposit to make it official. I was cautious not to fall into the same situation this time.

We had an excellent show and I have been the rapper’s DJ for all her show including the latest one in June 2019. But, I still draft a contract and send it to her to sign. So, she has proof and so do I.

Posted in Djing, Hip Hop Conversation, Performing, Travel and review

Christmas Misfit Mix

Posted on by res1der

I like Christmas but I notice that they play the same songs all the time.  These songs have become a commerical money grab for the artist or music label.  Singers just sing a list of well known songs and put out a christmas album.  Simple.  But what about the songwriters that want to make a new song, where do they go?  Ah, the misfits that create a new song for the masses that only a few know about because radio does not play them.  So, I created a mix that features a few of unnoticed songs from the Christmas Misfits.

Posted in Poems, poetry, Thoughts, Travel and review

Sushi (Day 8)

Posted on by res1der

Let’s have sushi

She shouts with excitement

My mind ponders the notion

Okay, let’s do it

Curiously, she asked;

What do you like?

I am not sure

I don’t eat a lot of it.

Well, let’s try some

Okay. Poof!

dishes appear

Dragon, & Tiger

Each roll decked with

vegetables, rice, meat, peppers, & fruit

rolled up with a seaweed wrap

Eat one, pass; eat one, pass.

design with color and flavor

An artisan masterpieces

We raise our chopsticks

Kanpai

Our Selections; strategic

Power plays; epic

Chess pieces for dinner

A pacific rim commotion

Rook takes queen

send them passed the lips

Storm my mouth castle

Godzilla of flavors rain down on my tastes buds people

Destroy my palette dynasty

Fight my tongue shogun

Drum of tears and sweats

Pour from my pores

My face: a kabuki mask

The demon, shogun, clown, crying baby.

My anime eye envision Geisha

With Wasabi swords slice my senses swiftly

Touch, taste, sight, sound, smell

Separate sequentially.

Kanryo

We set our chopsticks down

She look at me and smile

Says something in Japanese

Grabs my hand and we sprint into the night.

silhouetted shadows surface swiftly

We wisp between stopped cars.

Damn you, gaijin

Gaijin? Shit.

I’m a ninja.

Into the alley, ascending steps.

We stand on Mount Fuji

Apartments

Her presence opens the door

And a fog of Smoke greets us

She giggles and disappears into the fog

I follow.

Dazed and confused

judo thrown onto a bed.

I lay down bewildered

Until the smoke clear

She appears

Naked

in front of the bed

With Wasabi and sake

She said,

Sushi?

Posted in Poems, poetry, Travel and review

Silence at the railway station (day 5)

Posted on by res1der
SILENO EN LA ESTACIÓN DE FERROCARRIL
By Sergio Raimondi
Acostado de lado, con un codo incómodo
apoyado en el cemento y la cabeza
tirada hacia atrás, duerme. Rodillas dobladas,
pies contra el culo, al aire la panza enorme,
boca abierta al cielo, chata nariz.
Esto es obra de dos o tres tetra-brik.
Si fuera de mármol estaría expuesto
en un museo de Roma, Londres o París
como ejemplo de arte helenístico.
Y no le molestarían las moscas.

Translated by me:

Lying on his side, with an uncomfortable elbow resting between the cement and his head, he lies on his back asleep. Knees bent, feet against his behind, huge belly to the sky, mouth opened, nose flat.

This is the work of 2 or 3 bottles.

If he were marble, he would he would be displayed in museums in Rome, London and Paris as an example of Hellenistic art. Plus, the flies wouldn’t bother him.

#writing #writer #poems #authors #railway #station #Hellenisticperiod #marble #rome #london #paris #napowrimo #napowrimo2018

Posted in Thoughts, Travel and review

My Sherman Hemsley story

Posted on by res1der

When I found out that Sherman Hemsley has died last week, it made me pause and reminisce about him. His acting career has spanned most of my life. Even with 3 successive shows and cameos, his acting career was paramount and his celebrity status has kept him relevant in the entertainment industry.  His short stature has given people, like comedian Kevin Hart or Martin Lawrence, a positive role model to be inspire by and not let their height be a crutch to their success.

In 1998, I was in the Army and living in Fort Lewis, Washington. My mother and brother came up to visit me from California. We went to Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada.  I always liked going to Vancouver and I have enjoyed my experience there. We arrived at our hotel to find out that the boy band, N-Sync, was, also, in town at the hotel across the street with a long line of teenage girl were waiting for them outside.

My brother was tired from the drive so, he stayed in the hotel to relax.  My mother and I toured the city and explored several location.  We ended up at Virgin records to do some CD shopping.  I was searching in the Rap/Hip hop section, when I looked over and noticed a familiar person in the Jazz section.

I wasn’t sure but I followed close as they heading to the cash registers. I grab my mom, paid for my CD, and headed outside.  He was only a few feet away from us. I called out to him, “Excuse me, Mister!” He, then, turned around and it was none other than Sherman Hemsley.  My mom stood there shock and speechless.  I, on the other hand, was too excited that I started to charade my answer with dance and one-liner because I forgot his name. He smiled and asked me to calm down.  I was astonished that he was able to walk the streets of Vancouver without being rushed by the public.

He took a picture with my mom and gave his autograph.  Then, he shook our hands and departed down the street.  My mom and I still talk about that moment.  To Sherman, thank you for the Jeffersons and Amen episodes.  Plus, being in Vancouver for my mother first Canadian visit.  May you rest in peace.

Actor Sherman Hemsley has died.