tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325658712024-03-13T03:42:18.871-07:00Do Musicians Have Brains?What's going on in this head of mine-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-4793803138196183572011-03-30T20:57:00.000-07:002011-04-01T05:22:46.048-07:00Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Nuclear Accidents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iMBGQ4l9_7g/TZP7gca13aI/AAAAAAAAAUM/F_cvPnIA5NI/s1600/japan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iMBGQ4l9_7g/TZP7gca13aI/AAAAAAAAAUM/F_cvPnIA5NI/s1600/japan.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hi everybody. Just wanted to let everybody know what is going on regarding the major catastrophic events that has besieged my second home of Japan. It must hard to get an accurate picture of the whole thing by simply watching CNN, especially since I know many of you have never even been to Japan. As I watch both the international and Japanese news, plus the fact I was in Tokyo at the time of the disaster and still am, maybe I make a decent source of information in regards to this whole mess. This will be a long read by the way (I’m writing it while riding the bullet train to Osaka, a two and a half hour journey so I have plenty of time). It will take a while to get through the whole thing so you might want to get yourself a coffee or beer before you get started. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> A lot of you assumed that I was in the middle of the earthquake and tsunami and had water pouring in my fourth floor window. I appreciate your well wishes and worries but besides getting a bit shaken up and not being able to get home because of no running trains and damaged roads, I was never in real danger.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Let me also tell you that I am in no immediate danger from the reactor problems in Fukushima. Although I have been to Fukushima maybe a dozen times in my life, I now keep an apartment in Tokyo about 150 miles south. The earthquake was off the coast of Sendai, where I lived at one time and is a bit north of Fukushima. Sendai is actually the next stop from Fukushima on the bullet train heading north, taking about 90 minutes from Tokyo Station. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> The earthquake was simply massive, even in Tokyo. Yes, there was a lot of damage in Tokyo including fires and a few deaths as well but Tokyo fared much better than Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate. As you have undoubtedly seen on the news, the tsunami that followed shortly washed away whole towns and villages. The Japanese are well rehearsed and therefore prepared for any disaster, including this one, but it proved impossible to get everybody away from the four story wave that engulfed everything for a few miles or so inland. Men who volunteered for ringing the warning bells in their towns died ringing those bells, never giving up their duties. Many people didn’t want to escape, because being the middle of the day, family members were separated and couldn’t leave thinking that their loved ones might be heading back home after the earthquake. Others couldn’t leave their elderly parents. Some people tried escaping in cars and on bicycles but couldn’t outrun the water. Other’s tried to climb to their roofs but the water was too high. One man was found alive in his house floating nine miles out to sea. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> As many victims were dragged out to sea as the wave receded, I’m not sure we’ll ever know how many people died but I’m guessing it will be near 30,000. Anyway, it was tragic and there are hundreds of thousands displaced in makeshift evacuation centers with little food and in many cases no electricity while it snows outside. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Unlike you see in most tragedies, the Japanese haven’t turned into thugs, thieves, looters or rapists and I hope that if any good is to come of this disaster, it will come in the form of a lesson on how civilized people behave in the face of dire circumstances. Americans should reflect on our own behavior during the Katrina tragedy and ask ourselves what morals have we been taught and teach our children. The Japanese have showed us that compassion for others and a good moral compass should not be traded for anything in any circumstance.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Unfortunately, the tragedy of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami has been underscored by the reactor problem just south of Sendai in Fukushima. You see, when the electricity was knocked out by the earthquake, the cooling system in four of the six reactors was knocked out as well (the other two had already been in shutdown mode for other reasons before the earthquake). You have to understand that the uranium enriched rods they use to generate steam and consequently electricity have to be kept at a certain temperature and if left unchecked will melt down or burn and create all sorts of nasty byproducts, ones that cause cancer and radiation sickness. These byproducts have very long lasting power, some in the spans of decades and others centuries (maybe millenniums). That’s why 25 years after the Chernobyl Disaster, nobody, still to this day, is allowed within 30 kilometers or the plant and won’t for hundreds or possibly thousands of years unless scientists or engineers figure out some sort of solution. Anyway, when the electricity and cooling system got cut off, these rods began to heat up. Fortunately, TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Co.) was prepared for this problem and had diesel generators set up to take over when electricity failed. Unfortunately, the generators also failed when the tsunami obliterated them. Nobody assumed that a 9.0 magnitude earthquake would ever take place much less a forty foot tsunami. So there you have it, four reactors racing to meltdown, the water surrounding the rods boiling off and once the rods are exposed, will catch fire and basically become poison factories. So with no other choice, TEPCO had to use seawater in place of freshwater, which they couldn’t get anymore. There is some conjecture that TEPCO was slow in coming to this conclusion because saltwater would ruin the reactors making the plant unusable. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors?</span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> As of today, the problem is still not under control. Probably at least one of the reactors is leaking water because the casing around the reactor has probably been damaged and the chemical compound in the leaking water shows that the rods have been damaged as they were assumed to have been uncovered by water for some period of time. They have also found plutonium on the site. Plutonium is a byproduct of nuclear fission and is much nastier than uranium. On top of that, the leaking water is a meter deep in the basement of the reactors and is in danger of overflowing possibly into the ocean or seeping into groundwater. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> What is going to happen is anyone’s guess. My guess is that they will eventually cool the rods, get rid of the water (where they will put it, I have no idea), and eventually clean up the area at the cost of billions of dollars. I also think that there won’t be anyone living within ten or twenty miles of the reactor for a while. As I mentioned, nobody lives within 30 kilometers of Chernobyl so I imagine this to be somewhat true of this disaster as well. Unfortunately, Japan is a pretty small country with a pretty large population. On top of that, the majority of Japan’s produce comes from that area. So this could have enormous consequences for Japan. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> What does this mean for your pal Chris Juergensen and his life 150 miles south in Tokyo you ask? I’m not sure really. But I can tell you that so far my life is not miserable, more inconvenienced if anything. I hate to say that I’ve learned something at the cost of all the ruined lives and deaths but I have. It is a little lesson really. I’ve learned to appreciate what I have and not to moan and bitch about things. I can’t get milk for my coffee, no yogurt for breakfast, eggs were a challenge for a while. I had to get up pretty early in the morning to get toilet paper. The government has banned milk and many other things like spinach that were produced in that area because of unsafe levels of radiation so farmers are screwed. That’s right, no milk in my coffee but not that bad compared to the farmer who killed himself two days ago. Or the other people within the evacuation zone who refuse to leave their cows, fields or bedridden loved ones. No telling what is going to happen to them. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Should you give money to Japan? I think you should give a little as a symbolic gesture. Why symbolic you ask? Because Japan is a very, very rich country. It is the third wealthiest country in the world by GDP standards and as far as personal wealth, it certainly is wealthier than its number two GDP rich neighbor China. Almost everybody in Japan has money in the bank and if the Japanese people not affected by the disaster reach into their pockets, they can financially take care of this problem themselves. As I’ve earned most of my income over the years from working in Japan, I’ve contributed myself out of a responsibility to the Japanese people and as a role model to other expats living in Japan. But you, as a non-Japanese, as a symbolic gesture, give a little bit but remember that there are people starving all over the world in countries that do not have the resources like Japan to take care of famine or other similar disasters (Haiti comes to mind). If you really want to help someone, donate money to the Red Cross who allocated resources to the most needy.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> What Does This Mean For Japan? I can’t be sure. Japan had its fair share of problems before the earthquake. They have enormous debt and an aging population with minus population growth. The Japanese are, or at least were know to be resilient. I mean, they rebuilt a completely ruined country after World War 2 and turned it into a superpower unmatched by only the USA. In all honesty, the Japanese have become quite apathetic over the last two decades so maybe this will wake up the 20 something generation. It could be a wake up call but only time will tell.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Anyway, that’s my take on things here in the land of the rising sun. I hope it was a good read and thanks again to everyone worrying about me. </span></span> <b><b><br />
<b></b></b></b>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-76313494678517384622011-03-26T19:14:00.000-07:002011-03-26T19:15:11.623-07:00Victory High-Ball Motorcycle and Chris Juergensen<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Victory Motorcycle is using "Love Dog" from my "Big Bad Sun" CD in their new promotional video. Check out the video below and go to their website to check out their <a href="http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Victory-Motorcycles/Pages/home.aspx">bikes >>></a></span></div><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="300" height="199" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/d_hiTwtjTIE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-87892689677478968332010-10-04T07:00:00.000-07:002010-10-10T04:02:21.357-07:00Harley Davidson - Blue Sky Heaven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/TKnYw0ZtQII/AAAAAAAAATY/yUGChx_mAIk/s1600/IMG_2596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/TKnYw0ZtQII/AAAAAAAAATY/yUGChx_mAIk/s320/IMG_2596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I played at Harley Davidson's annual event at Fuji Speedway in Japan on the 1st. I had a great time and the place was packed with Harley enthusiasts from all over the country. Harley wanted more of an American rock image to match their iconic bikes so my long time friend Keisuke Nishimoto set up the gig. I heard there were 30,000 in attendance and there were certainly thousands there watching my show. We played at a speedway which is obviously outdoors, so the weather is always an issue in rainy Japan for events like this, but the weather was perfect.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">To make the whole thing even more interesting, the lighting engineer coincidentally turned out to be a grad from the college I teach at (check the photo album link below). </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">There is nothing like getting called fo</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">r a gig that is perfect for you, where you can play what you like, dress like you like and still get paid like a professional. Long live Harley Davidson!</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_17833646"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=998702&l=7f8ceadfad&id=1666740287"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Check the photo album here >>></span></a></div>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-32372186890831350452010-07-06T01:16:00.000-07:002010-07-06T01:17:28.960-07:00Double Nutty T-Shirts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/TDLlvHFEUeI/AAAAAAAAASw/SPmfm6rMo0M/s1600/P2010_0706_164904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/TDLlvHFEUeI/AAAAAAAAASw/SPmfm6rMo0M/s320/P2010_0706_164904.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/TDLlcZ9wm0I/AAAAAAAAASo/ZkN1MWg9J_0/s1600/P2010_0706_164904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A double dose of nutty t-shirts. One on my right:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>FAST FOOD</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>NO BURGER</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>NO LIFE</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>HAMBURGERS </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>FOREVER</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And the one on my left:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Legalize Gay</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I didn't know it was illegal to be gay.</span></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-77620340512374415132010-06-30T23:59:00.000-07:002010-06-30T23:59:53.101-07:00And More Nutty T-shirts<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/TCw7k9z5qwI/AAAAAAAAASg/R4skEJ7GP94/s1600/P2010_0701_141347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/TCw7k9z5qwI/AAAAAAAAASg/R4skEJ7GP94/s320/P2010_0701_141347.JPG" /><span style="color: black;">I</span></a><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I found another nutty t-shirt today. This one says:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">AT EVERY TIME AND</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> IN EVERY WAY IMPOSING</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SPEECH WITH THE SPELL</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">IT THROWS OVER US</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PREVAILS OVER THAT</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">WHICH AIMS AT PERSUASION</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">& GRATIFICATION</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anybody have a clue?</span></div>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-88553720395793369852010-06-16T05:26:00.000-07:002010-06-16T05:26:19.300-07:00More Goofy T-Shirts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/TBjChliis-I/AAAAAAAAASQ/_RFx7eh0vgc/s1600/P2010_0616_193546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/TBjChliis-I/AAAAAAAAASQ/_RFx7eh0vgc/s320/P2010_0616_193546.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yes another one. This one says:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">WONDERFUL</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">SCENE</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">YOU HAD </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">LOOKED IT!</span></div>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-44445965249016405952010-06-13T01:48:00.000-07:002010-06-16T05:33:31.131-07:00Moving Relaxable Space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/TBScYV5meaI/AAAAAAAAARs/Co5BEN69FPI/s1600/P2010_0613_165502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/TBScYV5meaI/AAAAAAAAARs/Co5BEN69FPI/s320/P2010_0613_165502.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Japan, we call a bus a:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Moving Relaxable Space</span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">And that's just the way it is! </span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-47518989849464715232010-05-16T21:10:00.000-07:002010-05-16T21:10:34.396-07:00More Nutty Japanese T-Shirts and other Daily Occurances<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/S_DBFGKvooI/AAAAAAAAARU/X7icJd5KD-0/s1600/P2010_0517_121314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/S_DBFGKvooI/AAAAAAAAARU/X7icJd5KD-0/s320/P2010_0517_121314.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Another good one I found on one of the Japanese students at the college here in Tokyo:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Crystal</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Super Haze </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">With a big pot leaf in the middle. What the 88 and 24 mean, I'm not sure. It cracks me up because even thinking about drugs in Japan is enough to land you in the slammer but a T-shirt like this one you can find on any innocent teenager. </span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-55168154457064744202010-05-09T19:11:00.000-07:002010-05-09T19:11:14.088-07:00Monster in the Bathroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/S-dq8-HckAI/AAAAAAAAARM/B9Dobndpbkk/s1600/P2010_0509_113432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/S-dq8-HckAI/AAAAAAAAARM/B9Dobndpbkk/s320/P2010_0509_113432.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Found this on the bathroom door today. It says:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">You cant go in the bathroom because</span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> there is a big monster in the bathroom.</span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is my daughter's way of saying: don't take a shower, I want you to play with me.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But it had me thinking. She is just six years old and in Kindergarten. When I was her age, I could hardly write my own name in block letters much less full sentences with abstract meaning. </span></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-61406008363071273682010-04-15T17:28:00.000-07:002010-04-15T17:28:09.575-07:00Yikes..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/S8euR5o7MvI/AAAAAAAAARE/9n0VfrgdQu0/s1600/horse_meat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/S8euR5o7MvI/AAAAAAAAARE/9n0VfrgdQu0/s320/horse_meat.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sushi is Japanese for "vinegar(ed) rice." Of course most people associate Sushi with fish but not all Sushi has fish on it. Sashimi is the fish or other thing without the rice. A dab of soy sauce and maybe a dab of wasabi and in it goes. One Japanese delicacy is Basashi, see it over there? It is raw horse meat Sashimi. Raw garlic, ginger and green onions go on top, a little soy sauce and its ready to eat. Sorry Mr. Ed.</span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-14191402613195040972010-01-17T22:20:00.000-08:002010-01-17T22:48:05.293-08:00NAMM 2010 Report<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/S1QC_BTj_QI/AAAAAAAAAQk/Lr9Bzjz4ypE/s1600-h/namm_2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 292px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/S1QC_BTj_QI/AAAAAAAAAQk/Lr9Bzjz4ypE/s320/namm_2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427966732593790210" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Well, the NAMM Show is done. If you didn't know, NAMM is the acronym for National Association of Musical Merchants. Basically it is a trade show where equipment makers sell their stuff to music stores. Endorsers are expected to show up at the booths for signings, performances and demos. So you get to see everybody from Steve Vai and Joe Satriani to just about everyone. And you get to see all the new products for the year. Unfortunately it also draws crowds of crazy people who have no interest in doing any business and wannabees. It is inescapable for professional musicians and as usual I was there for three of the four days. It is pretty much my image of what hell is like. I imagine when I die, god will send me the a NAMM show where all the doors are locked from the outside and it runs 24 hours a day for all eternity. So basically I will have to spend infinity listening to crappy, loud guitarists playing various versions of "Smoke on the Water," "Sweet Child of Mine" and "Stairway to Heaven" and sweep licks coming from everywhere played on out of tune guitars. Anyway, here is my top five impressions of the 2010 NAMM Show (with photos as well, just so you will get the full imagery):<br /></span><br /><br /><ol><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Fat, 40 something, tattooed, long haired guys everywhere.</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Basses with more strings and frets than guitars</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Butts</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Cheap girly guitars</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Giant crowds of people with nothing better to do.</span></li></ol>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-78616122016694908742010-01-09T23:46:00.000-08:002010-01-09T23:51:15.289-08:00Tea for Professionals<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/S0mGQXVpxRI/AAAAAAAAAQc/F3DDqM7X3sI/s1600-h/P2010_0106_192840.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/S0mGQXVpxRI/AAAAAAAAAQc/F3DDqM7X3sI/s320/P2010_0106_192840.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425014841845335314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Is this funny? I was trying to make myself a cup of tea at a college I was doing a seminar at and gave myself a good laugh. It's not just any tea bag, it's a:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;">Professional Tea Bag</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">-CJ</span></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-66160295823442735602009-11-17T20:55:00.000-08:002009-11-17T21:07:48.332-08:00Played at the Japanese Marijuana Smokers Convention<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SwOARVbBeAI/AAAAAAAAAQU/f9hEYaP9V-c/s1600/P2009_1114_095455.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SwOARVbBeAI/AAAAAAAAAQU/f9hEYaP9V-c/s320/P2009_1114_095455.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405305013071345666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Just kidding, I really played at a giant high school here in Tokyo last week. It was funny because that big gold leaf, which is the official school leaf, next to the Japanese flag looks exactly like a marijuana leaf to me (take a good look at the photo). It was hanging up behind the auditorium stage. Japanese schools all have an official leaf (go figure). I wonder what they would think if they found out theirs looks like a pot leaf. Maybe it is. It would be more fitting for my old high school really... </span></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-6039782696703356592009-11-15T22:06:00.000-08:002009-11-15T22:08:54.296-08:00One of Those Days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SwDsTDwzK6I/AAAAAAAAAQM/YEmWtwjGn90/s1600/chris_and_katsuta.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SwDsTDwzK6I/AAAAAAAAAQM/YEmWtwjGn90/s320/chris_and_katsuta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404579365016251298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Have you ever had one of those days when you show up to work and the guy who sits next to you has the exact same look going on? I showed up to teach my classes at college here in Tokyo and the music business guy was my twin.</span></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-3339275897857661332009-09-26T22:43:00.000-07:002009-09-26T22:47:29.027-07:00Guitar Tools pt.2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/Sr78W_tFDjI/AAAAAAAAAP8/_6SU2fBlPwI/s1600-h/java1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/Sr78W_tFDjI/AAAAAAAAAP8/_6SU2fBlPwI/s320/java1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386019676369522226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">My second installment of the column I write for guitartools.co.uk. This one is dedicated to treble boosters and especially the most famous one, the Rangemaster. </span> <b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br />Treble Boosters</b><span style="font-family:verdana;"> – As we learned in part 1 of this column, guitarists in their quest for rock and roll tone often turned to fuzzes to push their amps to the breaking point, but another group of guitarists used a different device. To add some sparkle to the dark British amps in the sixties, many guitar players turned to treble boosters. In addition to adding more high frequencies, they also helped drive their amps with a dbl boost and some added distortion. Although a very 60s sound, the treble booster sounds completely different than the fuzz but if you want and need a varied classic type sound, having one of these in your bag is a must. </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.guitartools.co.uk/features/chris-juergensen-effects-columnist/gain-shaping-devices-part-2-treble-boosters">More >>></a></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-38196099869865932872009-09-25T23:32:00.000-07:002009-09-25T23:36:11.666-07:00More Nutty English in Korea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/Sr22Qzn1EMI/AAAAAAAAAP0/WItzgksakJY/s1600-h/lad_man.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/Sr22Qzn1EMI/AAAAAAAAAP0/WItzgksakJY/s320/lad_man.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385661129256407234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I recently played a show in Korea and look what I found on the door in front of the bathrooms:<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >LAD<br /><br /></span></span><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class=" on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Add_Image" title="Add Image" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="addImage();" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);;ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" class="gl_photo" border="0" /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >MEN</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Does this mean you have two bathrooms, one for grown men and one for boys? Pretty funny..</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">-CJ</span></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-30145429344385614952009-09-16T06:08:00.000-07:002009-09-16T06:18:20.557-07:00A T-Shirt With a Message<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SrDkCrgbRpI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y7WMzHfMCN8/s1600-h/Photo-0056.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SrDkCrgbRpI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Y7WMzHfMCN8/s320/Photo-0056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382052289397343890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">This is a lot of message for one small T-shirt. Pretty funny. It even has a title:</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Everything that</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1975</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Irritates us</span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">and then goes on:</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Everything that </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Irritates us</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">About Others</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Can Lead us</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To a Better</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Understanding</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Of Ourselves</span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-40902693603528594812009-09-16T01:16:00.000-07:002009-09-16T01:20:18.593-07:00Don't Push my Buttons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SrCfnw0wxoI/AAAAAAAAAPc/oPotZR1ZsPQ/s1600-h/buttons.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SrCfnw0wxoI/AAAAAAAAAPc/oPotZR1ZsPQ/s320/buttons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381977060177659522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I don't know, is this funny? It sort of cracks me up. I mean it sort suggests that you choose the button you like best rather then the coffee:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br />Please Push Your Favorite Button</span></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-60226051204921155762009-08-20T00:51:00.000-07:002009-08-20T00:56:36.247-07:00More Nutty Japanese (English) T-shirts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/So0Bahzu9bI/AAAAAAAAAPM/IztXQPHhJ04/s1600-h/Photo-0056.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/So0Bahzu9bI/AAAAAAAAAPM/IztXQPHhJ04/s320/Photo-0056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371951485786453426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hmm... A young girl with a Despot shirt on. If you didn't know, a despot is:</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >des·pot</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >n</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1. a tyrant or ruler with absolute powers</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />2. somebody who acts in a tyrannical way towards people</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />3. a minor emperor or prince of the later Roman, Byzantine, or Ottoman empires</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Makes you wonder....</span></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-81585034175063557092009-08-18T19:06:00.000-07:002009-08-18T19:15:25.952-07:00New Column on GuitarTools<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/Sotf5T7T1AI/AAAAAAAAAPE/c1g-pIQYk-Q/s1600-h/fuzzy-drive2_cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/Sotf5T7T1AI/AAAAAAAAAPE/c1g-pIQYk-Q/s320/fuzzy-drive2_cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371492418775667714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I've started writing a monthly column on guitartools.co.uk focusing on guitar effects. I write about how they work, the history behind them, the ground-breakers and new ones that I like. It should be a lot of fun and it gives me an opportunity to showcase some of the manufacturers that deserve more recognition.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Link:</span> <a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.guitartools.co.uk/features/chris-juergensen-effects-columnist/gain-shaping-devices"><br /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.guitartools.co.uk/features/chris-juergensen-effects-columnist/gain-shaping-devices">effects on guitartools.co.uk</a></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-31443630609172150712009-08-07T03:04:00.000-07:002009-08-07T03:10:16.036-07:00Hershey Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/Snv8V5-lUoI/AAAAAAAAAO0/aBXdml9f5mU/s1600-h/Photo-0052.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/Snv8V5-lUoI/AAAAAAAAAO0/aBXdml9f5mU/s320/Photo-0052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367160834212844162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I know this is a real T-shirt because there is a Hersheypark PA. But I can't help it. It's sort of funny. How can I say this without insulting anyone. Well, let's just say the word Hershey sort of gets used in a lot of gay jokes, so HERSHEYPARK IS FOR LOVERS with the hearts and that thing I'm pointing to that, well, um, sort of reminds me of a butt hole, gives me the crack-ups. Plus, his face is also making me laugh. This photo was taken backstage at a show we did, the Hersheypark lover guy is Kenichi Fujisawa, the bass player in my band. </span></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-62368963146276264402009-08-05T04:28:00.000-07:002009-08-05T04:36:11.173-07:00Podcast Interview<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SnluUvItK5I/AAAAAAAAAOs/AGpbpjLzdCY/s1600-h/384tmb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SnluUvItK5I/AAAAAAAAAOs/AGpbpjLzdCY/s320/384tmb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366441733518076818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I did another interview on the "One Minute How To" podcast. If you'll recall, the last one I did was on how to eat Sushi. This one is on how to avoid jet lag, obviously something I've learned to do considering I fly about 100,000 miles a year. The "One Minute How To" podcast is a fun way to get the word out about my music and books and I get to talk about something other than music (barf). Anyway, it is sort of goofy so have a listen if you have a chance but especially if you are going to be doing some traveling. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Link:</span> <a href="http://oneminutehowto.com/Shows/Shows.asp?How_To_Avoid_Jet_Lag"><span style="font-family:verdana;">"One Minute How To" Podcast</span></a></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-74206087363185796952009-07-21T04:12:00.000-07:002009-07-21T04:32:11.088-07:00Kei Akagi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SmWnCleAPpI/AAAAAAAAAOc/vWc-u2jgzBY/s1600-h/kei_akagi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SmWnCleAPpI/AAAAAAAAAOc/vWc-u2jgzBY/s320/kei_akagi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360874594313977490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kei-Akagi/e/B000AQ3NPS">Kei Akagi</a> came to the college to do a seminar today. I was thrilled to meet him (2nd time) and it was a pleasure to hear what he had to say about playing with some of my heroes, like Miles Davis and Allan Holdsworth. I originally saw him play with Allan years ago in Hollywood. He is a complete genius. For those of you who aren't familiar with who he is, he was born in Japan but grew up in the states. He has played piano with </span><span class="justify" style="font-family:verdana;">Miles, Joe Farrell, Al DiMeola, Airto Moreira, Art Pepper, Blue Mitchell, Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, Charnett Moffett, Tom Harrell, Bobby Shew, Eddie Harris, Slide Hampton, Steve Turre, Robin Eubanks, Jean-Luc Ponty, Jeff Watts, Allan Holdsworth, and others.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> He is currently the Chancellor Professor of Music at the University of California, Irvine. It was a very exciting day and I usually don't get very excited about things like this, last time was when I met Jeff Beck.</span></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-22998062789510396042009-07-13T05:17:00.000-07:002009-07-13T06:47:49.642-07:00Even More Nutty Japanese (English) T-shirts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SlsmbCN-r2I/AAAAAAAAAOU/1qPTaRci5fc/s1600-h/drugs_not-_hugs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SlsmbCN-r2I/AAAAAAAAAOU/1qPTaRci5fc/s320/drugs_not-_hugs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357918427581165410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I think they got the message wrong with this one:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Drugs</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Not </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hugs</span><br /><br />Probably backwards....<br /></span></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32565871.post-48392864436497060632009-07-10T03:42:00.000-07:002009-07-10T04:07:35.416-07:00Dedication to my Father<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SlceJFC3pLI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Y-PaZ116sCI/s1600-h/Dad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4aRypRKZsfc/SlceJFC3pLI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Y-PaZ116sCI/s320/Dad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356783423102362802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Dear Dad,</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Sorry to be late again. I had actually forgotten Father’s Day this year. Since I became a father myself, I don’t particularly like Father’s Day, matter of fact I hate it. I love being a father, but during this time of the year, I’m in Tokyo and being separated on Father’s Day from my daughter is especially difficult for me. While all the other fathers in Japan are getting cards and presents from their kids, I’m stuck by myself. So I was actually trying to forget about Father’s Day.<br /><br />But a few days ago, one of my old highschool friends, told me that he had gotten the guitar book I wrote as a present for Father’s Day and it reminded me once again of you.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">I did a lot of soul searching over this and wanted to tell you something, something I probably never said before. Although you never talked much about it, I know you grew up in way worse times than me. You were fourteen when World War II ended and having grown up in Hamburg, probably the most bombed city in Europe, had your share of tragedies. I remember you told me once that your home got bombed while you were out during the day, and you told me of the sirens going off in the middle of the night and rushing to the basement of your building to put on gas masks. And you told me that you would go up to the roof of your apartment building after the air raids were over each night to count the fires in the city. I recall you once told me that you had no place to live and lived on a boat for a while.<br /><br />But usually these stories only came when I asked you about your childhood, you never once gave me that; “You kids have it too easy, you know, when I was a kid we….” type of talks. I remember a story you told me about the war, how you kept a goat for milk and cheese and how it got stolen. And that the thieves were decent enough to leave the head behind so at least you could make soup. I never knew till Mom told me that your father had been away in the war for years and years and your family thought he had died till he finally came back after the war was over.<br /><br />You never got the chance to go to college and become an architect like you wanted but because of you I had the chance to become anything I wanted. Sorry I became a musician, even you never complained about that either. You never said you had a miserable childhood and never complained about the bad set of cards you got dealt in life. I know you had your demons to deal with and unlike so many people, you kept it a private battle.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">When you got in your twenties, you packed your bags and looked for a new life in America. You came on a boat from Europe with a couple hundred bucks and a German/English dictionary, landed a job, got married to a beautiful American woman and raised a family. You took good care of us and your spirit of adventure rubbed off on me. Because of what you did; leaving home to find new opportunities, I could find the courage to do it too. First Los Angeles, then Tokyo.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">I suppose you never wanted us to have the kind of life you did and we didn’t, we grew up never knowing of such things. Matter of fact we were spoiled, we never wanted for anything. We never knew what it was like to not have three meals a day, to not have new clothes when we needed them. You worked six days a week, gone before I got up to go to school and back home at nine or ten at night. You were never out drinkin’ it up with the boys like I do. You had only Sunday off and you never failed to take us somewhere, to the beach or to the car races. We had a nice family vacation every year in Ocean City. You taught me how to tell time and to tie my shoes. You bought me my first guitar. And I never said thanks for anything. Even though I spent the last few days of your life with you in the Hospital, I didn’t even tell you then.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">So let me take this chance to say thanks to you Dad. I’m so sorry I didn’t say it while you were alive. And I’m sorry I had to post it on the internet, but considering Heaven must have an internet connection, it is the only way I figured you’d be able to read it. I can’t help but wonder if your goat that they stole got to heaven too?</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Your Loving Son,</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Chris</span></span>-CJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18270341539211116396noreply@blogger.com1