Live

Hi,

Our weekend here in Chiang Rai was very pleasant. The weather was not too dramatic, so we didn't have to hide from the storms. I went to a band rehearsal, Lisa did art, and Daku turned into a brat.

There's nothing like a jazz classic to bring old friends out of the woodwork. Our 'Old School' song was "Moody's Mood for Love" by King Pleasure. The history of this tune is pretty unique. Sax man James Moody developed a solo for "I'm In The Mood For Love" and a few years later Eddie Jefferson wrote lyrics to the solo. That style is called vocalese. A few years after that King Pleasure recorded it, and it became popular. There are many recordings of the 'song', but Pleasure's is the stand-out. At one point, the original writer of the song sued Moody, but they came to an agreement on royalties. Now you know.

For our 'Easy Monday' song, it's time for something everyone will know. "Why do birds suddenly appear, every time you are near? Just like me, they long to be __ __ __." Hint: Are you kidding? You get no hints on this one. (555)

A few weeks ago we went to a party where I met a man from Puerto Rico named Eddy. He has a group of kids that come to his house on the weekends for English lessons. About four months ago he started a 'band' with five of the kids. He supplied the instruments, and they use his big downstairs room for rehearsals. His housekeeper is the manager, and her 12 year-old son is the drummer. The kids are taking music lessons and when I met them, they all stood and introduced themselves. They range in age from 11 to 17 and are very enthusiastic. They know two songs so far, and they played them several times. There is great potential there, and Eddy wants me to be involved in developing the band. They're working on a name, and logo for the group, and so far the name they like is 'The Secret'. I'll keep you posted as things move forward.

This weekend Lisa began work on a large scale project. It will consist of four panels that will be one work when finished. It's brand new territory but it looks like she's up to the task. One panel is done and now it's all about continuing the flow into the adjacent panels.

Mr. Daku has become very curious about trash. He makes a point of sticking his nose in all the waste-baskets whenever he enters a room. Tomorrow we're getting a trashcan with a lid. Today he ate the toe off of a pair of canvas/rubber shoes that I wear in the yard. That means he'll probably get sick in the middle of the night. Oh joy. It happened last night after he ate part of a plastic bottle. Outside, he will look right at me, and then run over to the little flowering trees, and bite off a flower. Welcome to the terrible twos. (and he's not even two)

Have a Great Week.

Peace,
Danny

"Live out of your imagination, not your history."
~Stephen Covey

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
http://blog.risingstardom.com/
www.lisamosesgallery.com