32, Alan Alda

Today I logged into KUOW internet radio and to my suyprise I heard what I thought was a familiar voice. I could have sworn it was Alan Alda. And I suddenly got a warm feeling in my gut. As he told about the horrors in overseas news, I felt happy. And when the corresponent chimed off I imagined he said :This is Hawkeye, for NPR News." I am sure the name they gave this guy was not the correct one.

Saturday I turn 32. And I looking forward to a lovely evening. I will be surrounded by good friends and I will be shaking a tailfeather all night long. It should be fun.

I have been listening to enironmental scientist after environmental scientist lately. And their reports are more than enough to inpire an earth-sized form of suicide lust. There were some positives. The new economy of the next decade will be the transistion of all energy sources. The Compressed air car. "Hot Rocks" in Australia. Well. I will hold off slitting my wrists and continue to drive less and recycle. And hope tha tin the next twenty years this world does something to reverse the trend. It might be too late. We might be on our way to living on a hostile planet. Or we might actually live up to our potential.

Heart,
Jeffrey

dreamburgler

I had this rather involved dream last night about living a this awesome college style house. lots of roommates and a practice space in the basement. Apparently we were a little to loose with the locks at this place and we cam home to someone having sotle stuff. More importantly they only stole my guitars. The only irriplacable things. Then as the dream continued I found everything that was missing. I give my imagination and subconcious a 1.5 on this dream. It bored me and stressed me out. I think I need to eat spicier food or drink more befor eI sleep. Maybe I will watch a horror movie and have some sort of childhood nightmare. I mean, really. If I am going to remember a dream it better be worthy of at least a mini series. This didn't even break gorund of a Fox News Report. Though if you added that it was the dream of as neo socialist commie pinko liberal gigilo it might make for better rhetoric.

In other news Elvis Costello is slowly sneaking into my songwriting. I am quite into hooks and the more I allow mysefl to write rock and roll and play into this catchy melodic frontier the more I sound like the brit songwriter. This is strange because people think I have his glasses and beard too. But, honestly. I do not own a record and I only hear him on the radio. I like his music, but do not idolize him in any way. I am more of a Niel Diamond man myself. or Serge Gainsborg. Or Patsy Cline. If I start looking like her, then god help you all.

Cheers,
Jeffrey

Birthday month begins...

I have started late this year in promoting my birthday month. Many good friends have been having birthdays and I have been trying to catch them all. I know way too many scorpios, libras and Sagitariuses. Anyways. The day approaches. November 3rd. And though last year it was amazing to have a CD release and see literally almost everyone I know in the Seattle area, I think this year will be on a slightly lower key. And by slightly , I mean this: I am not puting on a show. I want to participate in my birthday not organize it while it happens. My birthday also coincides with the clsoing of the Bus Stop and my 6 month aniversary with Sophie. So there are many sad and happy reaosns to celebrate. Plus, my birthday is on a Saturday which is spectaculous! So here is the deal. I want to have people over to make food at my place beforehand, or maybe even we can go out to dinner. and then I would like to gether at the Bus Stop by 9 or 10 PM to drink and dance like an idiot. The Bus Stop is not the perfect spot for dancing, but as I remember on my 30th it got pretty dirty and dancy in there. so let's hope someon is spinning some booty shaking music.

I other news, I have been writing songs again. Rosyvelt has been practicing consistently and some fabulous stuff is abound. I really like taking breaks in the band because it really allows you to start anew while writing for a new album. Practices have been creative and fun and while we are all learning to play our instruments again, I am throwing out tons of song ideas and gaining feedback and ideas for changes. When I come out of there my mind is racing and I have the energy of an 8 year old.

I am taking voice lesson with one the Seattle Opera Chorus members. We arte starting to look at arias for me. "Ecco Ridente..." from Rossini's The Barer of Seville, "Un Aura Amorosa" from Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutti, "Una Fortiva Lagrima" from mozart as well. I am in the hunt for more pieces that are not Mozart,.

ope a week ago in the Weekly and it put many frustrating things into perspective for me:

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You can probably forget being the best at anything. Chances are there's someone out there willing to devote such obsessive amounts of time and energy to your interest that you could never compete. Work on finding new standards to measure yourself against. Accept that you'll probably never be the best at any one thing without sacrificing everything else. That's so not your style; if anyone's into having their cake and eating it too, it's you. Let go of that whole concept. Instead, focus on being really good at several things you love. That'll open enough doors to keep your life interesting, and then some.
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Tis is hard to swallow and also very releiving all at once. Since being in the opera this Summer, I have vowed to improve my voice so I may wow the panel of judges during the next audition. And I am making steps towards doing this , but for the wrong reasons. I want to be the best in the opera. ANd I am sure I could get pretty good, but I would have to give up a lot to do it. Do I want to? Amd I capable of being that obsessed? Do I want to be? I have my ladel in a lots of pots right now and I enjoy each and every one of them thuroughly. How much to I ave to give up to get better at once particular thing?

I will let you know where I come down on that in the end...

Last night Sophie and I carved pumpkins with Susannah at my apartment. And they all came out well. I am pretty sure that if Sophie and I were pumkins we would looks like this:

If you do not know who I am referring to when I say "Sophie", then this is who she is:

FInally, It has come to Sophie and y attention that we are the cutest couple n Seatle. Not by our own decision. Oh no. But by the vote of random strangers on the street. It has seriously been serendipitous how man werid people have accosted us with compliments abotu how we are their favorite couple they see walking around on the Hill. Seriously strange. But I agree. So to all you other couple, eat our dust! You better kick it up a notch if you want strangers to praise your mere existence.

Heart,
Jeffrey

PS had this awesome sexy dream about some actress coming into town. I cannot remember much about her excetp she was brunette and gorgious and that I commented to her that she looked a lot like the mother from Gilmore Girls, who I have actually had a crsuh on for a while.

I think I need to go watch an episode of Gilmore Girls....