SHARON JONES AND THE DAP KINGS PREMIERE!

Man, I am so glad I finally discovered SJDK.  We listened to so much great soul music when I was a kid.  I can't believe that modern day soul is out there today.  It's sooooooooo goooooooood. 
Here is SJDK with their music video trilogy premiere.  When the last song started, I had chills running up my spine.


SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS PREMIERE!

A better day (a quick blurb).

The past month has been insane.
I had not been feeling well pesonally for quite some time. 
A recent nervous breakdown had me re-evaluating my life's routine.
I have sought out some help, and after 3 weeks, I am feeing much better.
I am learning to manage my anxiety, fear, and depression in a healthy manner.
My mind has felt like a broken record playing upon on a continuous scratch.
Today the record played through sweetly.

I am working through what I have feared and repressed the most: growing up in an alcoholic home.
On Saturday I saw Everyday Sunshine; The Story Of Fishbone.
Any music fan must see this documentary on the legendary ska/funk/punk/metal band Fishbone.
In the movie there is a line about how to find peace and create our art, we must walk trough our pain and come out on the other side. 
I understood.  This "walk" has been my goal lately. 
Confront.  Grieve. Release. Live.
I am doing it.  I feel great.

I wanted to remind myself about what a great weekend it was.
There were so many moments of inspiration. 
Many of these moments were simple yet so important to me.

I took my brothers out to Tucson Meet Yourself.  We had a really great time together. 
I spent time with my grandmother.  I adore her. 
I spent time with my best pals at Congress.  Friendship makes the world a better place. 
I bought some new clothes.  A girl has to feel good about herself right?
I did my hair up in a pomp.  Confidence.
I did not have a drink.  Control.
I watched Angelo Moore rip up Rialto Theatre.  Inspiration.

All of these things seem so small and typical, but they meant everything to me.  I am fortunate to have come this far despite the obstacles my family has faced.  Living in the simpleness of life feels really good.

Words of advice:
Allow yourself to live in the moment. 
Fear, worry, and depression never solved any problem.
You deserve to feel happiness and inspiration.
Be only an observer of your past; no longer participate in the pain.
Keep your head to the sunlight.  There is always a positive.

Workin' them new Jaime J. tracks.

Here is a little teaser of my new/reworked song "Community College," with Frank and Dan:

It's been a while.

I haven't written in here in a long time. WOW! My last few posts were so dramatic. It's funny to me, because I don't really remember those times anymore. Amen.

I'm working on my music right now. Expect some sort of professional release from me in the future. I want to call the release, As Far As The Sun. That sentence serves as a declaration as to how far I dream of going in my music career. My fingers are crossed.

I am still DJing for 91.3 KXCI FM Tucson, and today's pledge drive was awesome. Thank you to all the people who called in! We reached our goal of $30,000 during my show! That is the first time in 2 years that I have ever reached a goal during member drive. Being a part of a non-commercial radio station is amazing. So much incredible music is played on KXCI. You really can't get it anywhere else in town. Call 520-623-1000 to make a pledge or visit KXCI.ORG.

My dear friend Becky S. bought me a great book a while ago. It's all about growing up in an alcoholic home. I would like to thank Becky for getting me this book; it is really helping me out a lot lately.

You should know that my current musical OBSESSIONS are Ra Ra Riot and Janelle Monae. Check them out!

Ra Ra Riot's new album is titled, The Orchard. This band plays sweet indie pop with a beautiful string section. I am in love with Wes Mile's vocals. His voice is gorgeous!

Ra Ra Riot's "Boy" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKGfQCOyCCA


Janelle Monae! I love you! Her latest album is titled, The Archandroid. Oh Janelle. What can I say? Her performances are so high energy; she really blows me away. Her vocals are WONDERFUL. Her looks are insatiable. MAAAAAAAN. My love for Ms. Monae is deeeeep.

JM's "Tightrope": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMyc148Do_Q

Our movie, L'Abandon by Marriane Dissard premieres at The Loft on October 14, 2010 at 7PM. Please come. We are going to laugh, get wood, and love on each other. Please join us.

L'Abandon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMyc148Do_Q

J.J.

Anger.

Anger.
Frustration.
I feel lied to.


I feel too hurt to want to pursue it any further.

Give heart and soul.
Be committed in every fucking sense of the word.
And the compensation is that of
departure, separation, and the discovery of small secrets that hurt.

The tiny casualties have added up.
The sum is too much to swallow.


No more.
And NEVER again.

In the Reins.

I felt truly lucky to be together.

"He Lays in the Reins," played in the background.

Just us. No other person. No other thought.

Nothing else held importance.
Just us.

I will remember him for a very long time.
And tonight I felt it.
I felt what had been missing for too many years.

"He Lays in the Reins."
This feeling is so articulate in the song.

Words cannot be expressive enough, but words with melody...

Growing Up

I don't have many people around me anymore.
I have distanced myself from friendship.

I feel lonely when I think about it.
I also worry that I can no longer co-exist with friends that I have had for so many years.

I just feel differently.

I don't drink so much.
I don't go to bars as much.
Social status doesn't feel so important anymore.
What changed?

I want to make something of myself.

I feel tired with what I have known.
I want to know a deeper meaning to living.

"Departure, Fulfillment, Return."

I am definitely in departure.
I want fulfillment.
I want it so badly.

Feelin' Hella Low.

I don't get relationships.

I don't get why I act the way I do in relationships.

Somedays I just don't want to have anything to do with romance.

Today was one of those days.

I need a personal day.

When constants aren't so constant anymore.

Shit.
This four letter word is a summation of how I feel.
The economic failure of this country has been a hot topic.
I have always felt at a distance from the hardships others are facing across the U.S.
It just hadn't hit me until now.

I am beginning to see my friends lose their jobs.
I feel terribly. No matter how badly I feel, my friends are facing even tougher emotions and questions.

The American state of paradise we have lived in is crumbling.
The constants don't feel so constant anymore.

I can't keep from wondering when this crisis is going to directly affect me or my family.
Is this truly the beginning of the next great depression?
It is progressively starting to feel like it is.

Who is truly safe right now?
I am worried, but willing to take the necessary actions to provide for my family.
I will move back home.
I will take ANY job available.

Paradise crumbling.
Is life as we have come to expect it in for a drastic change?
Are the next generations of Americans going to learn true survival?
Will convenience and technology become true luxury for those in secure finances?

Shit.

2008

It was a great year!

The Low Points:

1) Increasing tension amongst friends
2) Breaking up
3) Shingles

The High Points:

1) Increasing tension amongst friends (sticking up for myself)
2) Breaking up (working through the issues)
3) Shingles (learning to slow down)

4) Jeans got tighter
5) Performing again
6) Getting back to school
7) Screenwriting
8) Opening up to grandma
More later........

Have a safe night world!