So, again, as part of this music class I'm in, we get to go to different venues and see some cool sets. Last wednesday we went to Yoshi's in Oakland. I rolled with my friends' cousin. As we were walking on our way to the venue, we spotted a place that had burritos, so after we had our class at the venue, we had a break so we could eat before the show. Chris and I ended up at this weird burrito spot that was actually a bar that just happened to serve burritos and tostadas. There was a lady bartender, two doods at the bar, and two other guys a couple tables over. As Chris and I were waiting for our food, I quickly noticed the place had a juke box, and this thing had a whole bunch of good soul and R&B music on it. One of the guys noticed I liked the music so much, he started talking to me when I asked the bartender for some quarters. He was a pretty cool guy. He said he was a retired physicist, but he could have been a couple sheets to the wind (since I don't know how long he had been sitting there). But this guy who's name was Jimmy Lee had a lot to say to me and a lot of encouragement for me. He had asked me instantly if I like music and then if I played an instrument. I mentioned to him that my father had played in a blues band (think blues brothers, like the movie) back when I was little. And Jimmy Lee encouraged me to contribute to the things I was interested in and enjoyed. I agreed fully because I already do a lot of band photography for the bands I love, but have not actually played in a band myself (well technically, I was in a band for one show, and I think there's only one person who has a tape of it, and hopefully that never sees the light of day). I've thought of the idea, many times, of starting a joke cover band or just having a band and incorporating all the styles of these other bands I love, but my only snag was that I don't have confidence in my lyric writing abilities. And this guy Jimmy Lee told me to start a diary and write down all the things that are important to me. All the little things. This way people (specifically family, or any kids I might have down the line for example) would know who I was and what I was about when I wasn't around any more. This man Jimmy Lee encouraged me to pick up an instrument and play and to write down my dreams and aspirations. which was all very weird because I had either herd all these things said before or even thought them myself. So now that this guy was telling me these things, I thought it was very cool. So, overall I had a great night. It was just Chris & I, the two guys at the bar, the bartender, and the juke box. And at one point we were all singing some James Brown. This was probably one of the nicest moments I've had in a good while. Also, all the while this stuff is going on, Jimmy Lee's friend is plotting to get with the lady bartender by playing as much baby makin' music as he could basically. After Chris and I ate we went over to Yoshi's a caught Hugh Masekela play an awesome show, and then took off.
On a bit of a sad note, my mom had to put our dog, little missy belle, down. I don't know for certain, but it was possible she had cancer. So to say the least, I was incredibly bummed out and didn't want to do much. She was probably the nicest dog I've ever known. It's hard knowing I didn't get to say good bye, and I won't be able to give her a big hug anymore.
Overall, the night out was a much needed escape, physically and mentally.
alright, time for bed, good night.
