Episode 1 & 2

An illusion with a twist.
A certain kind of injustice.
Distractions and delays.
Coordinated and arranged.

Leaks, grease, and definately no glue.
Hi-fi rhetorical righteousness audio.
And video.

A Coke for the lady!
The happening described.
Therapy must work.
Mined the mind.
For time and place, episode 1.

Doctors and judges and polygraph testers.
Questions and speeches and interruptions.

Little things.
Took none of the bait.
Wormy hooks.
Then the callout.

Oz.

Dorothy's indignation and insight.
Messing with her friends.
Brain games.
Whirl up the fears and doubts.
Even the absurd.
And predictable, episode 2.

Stupidity leads to gullibility.
Literally.

Noticing Gravity

Look up there for 5 minutes.
Blow your mind.
The approaching trip.

Set into a future crown like a jewel.
Sparkling.
The way it reaches for you.

Hardly a day goes by.
Without noticing gravity.
The urge to jump to the moon.

Here and now we are here and it is now.
Cling.
The world is a place love can be found.

Calling all people of insight.
Those that think and understand.
The uncelebrated.

Open the curtains from your windows.
Know that light will always destroy dark.
The answer is up there.

The Junkyard Court: Square And Fair

     Her look is utterly unique.  She could care less and she's about to kick your inferior tennis efforts off the court.  And then she speaks.  The sweetest, most gracious, articulation set to a perfectly pitched A minor.  Naomi Osaka, Japan's native gal, America's Open Champion.  Relentless and motivated purely.  Fearless and situationally elevated.  Tireless and constantly offensive.  Excellent first serve.  Her victory over Serena in the finals was established within the lines of Arthur Ashe court.  Clearly, the cause was Osaka's beat down, the effect was the aftermath.  An aftermath that included her apologizing to the crowd for defeating the greatest athlete to walk the earth.  Square and fair.  Twice as many aces.  1 double fault to 6 for Serena, and so very Vantaggio with 4 break points won, how Champions slam the door.  Serena won 1.

     Of course, Osaka's emotional control was superior.  Until the podium, when she couldn't contain it any longer.  When the tennis playing was over.  When Serena's maternal instincts took over from the microphone and proper order returned to the ceremony.  Earlier, during the match, Serena needed an emotional rescue.  A knight in shining armour.  Ironically, the first slip started with her coach, paid to help her.  As he coached from the stands, which is not allowed and was witnessed by the umpire.  Video don't lie, Venus saw it too.  Serena defended herself, claiming the coaching the umpire saw was not received by her.  She didn't see it.  Does coaching need to be received to be called coaching?  A question for the next USTA board meeting. Maybe squeeze in a discussion between fee hikes and the subjective ratings calibration workshop.  Either way, the coach caused the first infraction, which didn't cost Serena a point, but left her emotionally vulnerable.

     Feeling disrespected is always challenging to overcome, but to a losing champion who destests losing, it becomes magnified.  Demanded apologies seem pointless and irrational, anyway.  Then the destroyed racquet soon after.  From experience, it is a rush of pure anger, uncontrollable and instinctive.  It is always self disgust.  It is completely irrational.  And it is against the rules.  And 2 infractions costs a point.  Then, still feeling like an apology from the umpire was needed, Serena spent an entire changeover arguing.  Eventually, another infraction for verbal abuse resulted in the loss of a game.  Osaka could've cared less.  She was cruising to victory regardless, despite, and for sure.  Serena got beat, got offended, got angry, and got the runner up trophy.  In that order.  She temporarily lost her cool.  But only temporarily.

**these are the observations of a male.

Space Trip

Completely activated, activated, activated.

My mind, my mind, my mind.

Throughout the day, into the night.

Only sleeping provides relief.

Going crazy on the vine.
Ready for good wine months ago.

The rolling and returning seasons.
Hanging on, going quick, hypnotized.

These people with these lives.
Billions of them facing a certain end.

It is merely a space trip we're on.
The world is a massive identified object.

Cast into the endless black.
Lit with exploding stars so all can see.

She seems like a supernova.
Cosmic, a shock wave, a molecular cloud.

All for the love of others.
Relations, associations, and creations.

Future Music

Arrived to the crooning.
The Balcony Club.
Rapping drums.
And keyboard smooth.
Led by the bassist.
Players in and out.
Guitarist from Wichita.
Berklee students.
A San Francisco cat.
In town for a visit.
Remembered the west coast scene.
Sweet singer came up for a standard.
Her voice was pure.
That backroom smell.
All the pictures on the wall.
A disorderly drunk kicked out quick.
This was an orderly place.
The chaos was in the music.
Within the confines.
Respect the structure.
Find the way back.
Clues and nods and taste.
Couples everywhere.
The Lakewood Theater looked sad.
Empty and still.
Future music will sound there.
We will hear it in the balcony.

Almost Friday

The low information people need us.
Distribution of righteousness must be orderly.
Our values, and all of our souls, are shook.
Shook to the core.
Crying that night, watching the returns.
Bewildered.

No one knows the future.
It is all unknown and scary.
The time has come for us to explain.
Our brilliance is required.
Even in the mid lands.
Austin comes to mind.
Now more than ever, our work matters.
The new fiber strategy is critical and important.
Evidently.

We're the real business people.
Taxes can't get too low.
World education depends on our profits.
Capitalism should be set aside.
Canada awaits.
The northern border is open.
Could slip right through.
Easy.

Don't wanna live like a refugee.
The pettiness.
We'll take that one about charity offline.
Dialogue is good.
Conversations.

Mums to words on the business question.
No answers.
Be assured, its ok to dig the don here.
No hostility at all.
Silicon it up in the valleys.
Thank God it's almost Friday.

Some Dude Named Amos Project Plan (2018)

Players committed, songs selected, here is the project plan for Some Dude Named Amos' unnamed debut.

1.  Into The Mystic--Van Morrison
2.  Jive Talkin'--BeeGees
3.  Sundown--Gordon Lightfoot
4.  Amie--Pure Prarie League
5.  Do It Again--Steely Dan

Session 1:  Initial Jam.

Players gather, the project plan is discussed and altered as appropriate so expectations are clear.  An initial jam of 20 minutes for each song.  Debrief, discussing arrangements, vocal assignments, instrumentation.  No recordings.

9.10.18 update:  

5 players showed.  Matt The Bassist, JD, Neme, Chad, and I.  Amie is out.  On the lookout for fifth song.  Warren Zevon has been mentioned.  Perhaps, but no Werewolves In London.  Maybe Ooh La La by the Faces.  The other songs are a go.  Will tighten arrangements, minimize space.  Crisp and out.  For the recordings.  Chad working out the Jive Talkin' guitar solo.  I'm on shaker.  JD will provide only vocals on Do It Again.  Sundown sounds great, mandolin needed.  Will shorten, maybe add our own lyrics towards the end.  Gordon Lightfoot would be honored.  Into The Mystic is a jewel.  Good vibe, confident the Some Dude Named Amos project will be successful.  Working title is now Covered Up.

9.22.18 update:  

Much has happened, the picture is starting to appear as desicions are made and music is internalized, alone, by all the players.  Ooh La La has been selected as the replacement for Amie, Matt The Bassist established as the lead vocalist.  The chorus should be a literal chorus, all of us wishing we knew what we know now when we were younger.  And stronger.  Sparse guitars, mandolin perhaps, shakers.  Into The Mystic vocals claimed by me, got a floating, slowed done, clean version.  Like way back in the days of old.  Jive Talkin' should be quick, with Chad's tight solo featured throughout.  JD with high harmony wails throughout.  Matt The Bassist hits the bassline big time.  Disco Punk.  Quick, and all in on guitars.  Do It Again will feature JD on lead lyrics and Neme will be counted on heavily to pull off the 'back jack' riff.   Sundown will be the highlight of the project in my estimation.  The E must be highlighted throughout and very important not to get behind on the lyrics.  Likely a sing along.  Logos being considered, FAYM has been invoked.  Draft recordings in two days.  Must finalize arrangements.  Will exercise producing duties.  

Session 2:  Draft Recordings.

Each song played and recorded 3 times.  Best versions sent to group for feedback, appropriate alterations, and further practice.

10.27.18 update:

The session went even better than expected, and it was expected to go very well.  Practice does payoff and Into The Mystic was proof.  It was the first song we draft recorded.  Drafts are recorded twice.  Roughly 80% of the time the 2nd recording will be superior.  Repetition begets confidence and confidence begets excellence.  Do it Again featured JD coming off the guitar and focusing on vocals.  My shaker work and Neme's important lead fit nicely as we went back Jack and did it again.  Jive Talkin' was taken over by Matt The Bassist.  Start, middle, and end.  Again, JD's vocal work gave it distinction.  High wails.  Still hoping for some Chad on this song, but my personal song choice indulgement is on track.  Sundown may be our best collective effort.  Neme's high harmony will come up in the final version, and as a general statement, his guitar work needs more volume throughout the final session. This is critical, his tasteful work is so tasteful.  Ooh La La, our bastard child, our 6th pick, Amie's replacement, is the enigma.  Two versions and arrangements being considered.  JD is being counted on heavily for rhythym guitar.  There is no bass.  Matt's incredible voice is not fully tamed, but almost.  Clear articulation and execution of the lyrics is a must.  Ditch the unneeded 'ands' in the verses and must be perfect on the chorus.  Likely, Matt will take the verses solo, and the chorus will feature our unique brand of intentional imperfect dueting.  Ooh La La!  The food was appreciated (cool that Luke left us 3 wings), Chad was missed, the drafts are encouraging, adjustments have been identified.  Sundown will be the 5th song.  Into The Mystic should open, just seems like the beginning of something, not the end.  Jive and Do It Again need to be split by Ooh La La.  It is all coming together.  Although, pre-release in Spur, Tx on track for October 12th, details of official Release Party TBA.  Just too early.

Session 3:  Final Recordings.

Each song played and recorded 3 times.
Best versions selected by Producer and Some Dude Named Amos.  Project released internationally on Soundcloud by Eldorado Suitcase Records.

A Hazy Afternoon

With connecting dots to lines.
Think ahead.

The possibilities.
With the end in mind.

Eyes in front for a reason.
Point that skull forward.

Navigation is usually about going.
Unless the storms cause a delay.

And there are always storms.
Wait them out.

A mindful person is rare.
Understanding the emotions involved.

The past is less connected.
It has merely led us here.

There are no dots or lines.
Just forgiveness and memories.

A hazy afternoon.
Time has gone, don't wish it back.

The Kicking Team

.all systems go, the ride at noon.
.send in the kicking team.
.put some points on the board.
.before we all lose heart.
.the easy way out is indifference.
.then the burden is light.
.like it should be.
.it is better that way.

.components have been upgraded.
.beyond specs, evidently.
.multiple gears only complicate.
.go all in and all out.
.til rest time.
.56 hours a week.
.easy sleep, tired and guiltless.
.even dreamless.
.save them for the waking hours.
.when something can be done.
.or, perhaps, undone.

.this building of knowledge.
.open at 10 am.
.books still got the looks.
.as our digital transformation continues.
.clouds, look to the clouds.
.they gather and build.
.they sneer.
.flash it some more.
.we are creatures of beauty.

.we like what we like.
.what I am is what I am.
.what we are is what we are.
.like the new bohemians.
.in that shallow water.
.way back.