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"We gaze up at the same stars, the sky covers us all, the same universe encompasses us. What does it matter what practical system we adopt on our search for the truth? Not by one avenue only can we arrive at so tremendous a secret."

-Symmachus, 384 B.C.

August approaches & I am find I'm completely enveloped by summer. Even the humidity is welcomed through my windows, at least for a couple of morning hours, lol! There's no better time to live on an island. The bay that I love to visit is full of little entities all making friends for the day or longer. Umbrellas brighten the landscape & island music graces the airways over the rippling waves. Of course, the draw back is that when life's daily routines must commence one can't help but think of what one's missing. Dishes?! Laundry?! How DARE they enter my atmosphere! ButT at least there is something wonderful to be missed. And after all, the hum drum aint so bad, either. There are doorways everywhere.

The recording has been slower than I hoped it would be, due to the gig schedule. But the bands I'm jamming with are fun & inspiring, and well worth the exchange. I am having a lot of fun on Wednesday nights playing with The Goods. And every other Sunday at the Beach Hut is something I really look forward to. I feel like I'm surrounded by awesome musicians, who I actually LIKE - even better, LOVE, too! Everything feels like it's happening as it should.

Sorry to be so boring & content! LOL! I'll have to be sure & write when I'm frustrated with something next time. Spice it up a bit. Just so you know it is indeed a human, or at least a humanoid writing here.

BB! ~Blessed Lughnassadh~ I'll be spending the day in my garden tomorrow. Hope you enjoy as well.

;) Jessie

7/31/08

Atlantic & Pacific

I guess I journal about Venice or more specifically the Pacific whenever I go there because it's a bit of a pilgrimage home for me. I grew up in LA & moved back to good old Long Island when I was 14 going on either 4 or 42, depending on my state of mind as I'm reflecting. I take a journey 'home' once a year now & find that my favorite place to start my visit is greeting my beloved old friend, the Pacific, specifically at Venice Beach because I did a lot of 'people watching' as a kid there with my 'surfer' friends Nelson, Patrick & Richard, who all went to 32nd Street USC Magnet School for the Performing Arts with me & my best friend Natalie. We'd sit on steps that are now poised for demolish to make room for super expensive condos. A very sad site to me for the last 2 years visits. (In fact, as a side note, last year our old friend Christy had to move out of her wonderful apartment, an upstairs one bedroom, hung with art of all kinds & many a flowering vine in the courtyard.... I'll never forget!)

Currently living down the road from the Atlantic, (sorry, that may sound a bit spoiled?) I've come to know both sides of America's coasts a bit. There are nuances unique to each to say the least. Anyone whose flown over either coast and paid attention to the shores will know what I mean. For example, leaving So Cal there were lighter waters, lighter skies reflecting on their waves, more boats below & generally more action. Even from the sky you get that California feeling. Yet there was also the peacefulness that only the ocean can bring. It is a living, breathing entity that I always marvel at & feel lucky to be able to embrace from such heights. Especially since I'm such a chicken shit in the water itself, lol! (This too I blame to the Pacific & Atlantic, but they are other stories!) 

Flying out over my beloved (here I want to add 'Eastern' & yet I am reminded it is only Eastern depending on which shore you are standing on!) Atlantica I am immediately taken by the immediate contrast & darkness of her surface. There seems to be a murkiness that makes me think of Brian Froud's web footed faery/frog, and an urge to dive into unknown mud overtakes me. But back to my original point! Since I learned how to swim on the Atlantic's shores, then journeyed West & spent many a blissful day making friends with little sand crabs, digging tunnels in banks & swimming in the shoreline waves of the Pacific, I feel a bond with both wonderful bodies of water - or at least their coasts - and have found that I know both by smell alone. And when I take my annual pilgrimage to the 'Western' shore I am immediately comforted by the crisp salty smell of my sweet old friend the Pacific. I know I am home.  My home town neighborhood of Echo Park is ever changing. The streets change, occupants, groceries & stores, my friends change, my memories even seem to change. But the almighty ocean stays the same & welcomes me with loving embrace over & over again. And as I said, I journey home & see the Atlantic & feel that frogginess. And when I go to my home on the Pacific I am greeted by little crabs. And as I've been writing tonight I realized something else pecular. I think of the Atlantic as female tonight - perhaps tonight only? And tonight I think of the Pacific as male. Perhaps at this moment I am feeling balanced, after many long years of feeling unbalanced between my too beloved homes. It's wonderful to think of both places in the now - at this sweet moment in time, with no regrets and perfect love. Neither are out of reach to me, both are gifts. And I will do my best to help keep the oceans as unchanging as possible. They have always been one thing I can count on.

Lazy Spring Morning

Riding with the Queen of the Fey

Through moonshines watery beams

Through airy mountains and above

Black feathers whispering sweet dreams

Coaxing the stifling air to set us free

into glimmering light as wings are born

From the black murky lake to the moons dark side

and back again

How I love mornings when I can move slowly as I please & ease from the nights dreams into the days dreams.

These days seem to come when I am already relaxed, no matter how chaotic the times have been. I feel so grateful right now for everything in my life. And everything is more than I can say. To my left & to my right I see nothing but positive ... nothing but good. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. And this makes my morning cup of coffee as good as Prince Charming to Cinderella.

SUMMER July 2007

Some of my favorite summer memories are of my first day on the beach, Memorial Day weekend. I love being there and breathing in the sensation that I have the whole summer lying ahead - full of sun, green green grass, my garden, days at the bay with my little girl, and afternoons & evenings of music with my band & friends. I got to start this summer season that way. I am savoring the feeling. And you'll forgive me if I turn the computer off now so I can continue the dream! The sun is out, there's a pool party today, a gig at the Beach tomorrow, and a musical BBQ Monday. I think these may be the 'new' good old days!

THE PATCHOGUE THEATRE

March 1st brought the official release of The Secret Life of Cinderella. The CD Release party was held at the Patchogue Theatre at their "Live in the Lobby" series. When I arrived I met Chris Capobianco, who organizes the event for the first time. He was such a nice guy... really genuine & I was surprised to find out that he volunteers his time organizing this monthly night for local original artists. Not only that, he seemed so happy to be there. It was really refreshing! It's a night worth supporting! That said...

It was so nice to play the new songs with a full band. Phil did a great job.. it was his first bass gig with us. Johnny B was awesome on guitar as usual & I especially enjoyed doing "Dark Skies" with him. Rachel did an excellent job singing backgrounds, although I have to admit that having a background singer in this particular room made it a bit hard for me to hear my vocals. Sometimes it's a breeze and other times the way the sound works in the room it just is impossible to hear. Okay enough complaining!

It was a great time!!!! I was surprised to see a few really old friends... even from our Sweet Little Sister days. And I even got to see my 'name in lights' on the marquee lol! The theatre photographer, Walter Petrule, was kind enough to come down & volunteer his time as well, and captured the marquee as well as the whole show. There were some teenagers there who recorded it as well, but I haven't had time to get in touch with them to see how it came out.

Chris has asked me to come back in July to do a benefit for the Live in the Lobby Series & I happily accepted. I'm also hoping my friends, "The Bossa Nova Beatniks" will be playing there. I haven't seen them in a long time & it'd be a great show, for sure!

OPEN PATH GATHERING - SHANA YOUNG -March 2007

Another Open Path Gathering evening has come & gone & it was an excellent night. Shana Young was my featured performer & she had a really nice crowd of people that came down to see her. She's doing a set of new stuff that she call's "The Post-Partum Stuff," with a wary look to all. It's fantastically written. You can hear a pin drop when she plays. Everyone in the room are so drawn into her lyrics. She reminds me a bit of Lori Carson in her approach. There's a professional casualness to it that grabs you & sucks you into her world. I think she's got some regular dates going on now & we're talking about doing a show at Borders together in the near future. I don't know what I look forward to more.. playing at Borders or listening to Shana at Borders. It's a win-win situation for me!

    The last gig had the opportunity to do with the Aqua Girls was at Buckley's... this restaurant/pub in Hampton Bays. It was Erin's birthday so it was a really fun gig. I wasn't going to be able to make it originally cause my schedule was so nuts, but when I realized it was Erin's birthday I knew I had to celebrate by playing with her, and bringing her some muppet dolls in retro clothing. Kermit has a green afro. It's awesome.

    Erin sang her ass off as usual & we all had a great time. Susan made a giant smiley face cake which we spread around the packed bar. Jen & Jan of FOE came down to celebrate, too. My favorite moment of the night was when one of the more intoxicated members of the crowd made some comment about the 5 seconds in between songs. Erin 'put the guy in his place' as they say & he didn't even know what to say! She wasn't nasty... not at all... everyone had to laugh at the way she did it and the guy wisely kept his mouth shut after that. It was really funny & also quite satisfying - I'm sure any musician out there would understand what I mean completely. Queen Erin!

REMOTE CONTROL WHOOPIE CUSHIONS, FLAMINGOS ON ECSTASY

AND DRUID PRIESTS January 2007

Our first Open Path Gathering went off with a "bang" last night. Though the crowd was small it was an absolutely great time for all. My new PA arrived 2 hours before I had to leave for the gig. hehe I was only mildly surpised to see that not only did the UPS carrier have my PA, but my new CD's arrived as well, seeing as I had a dream that they came @ the same time about a week ago. Funny thing was, according to the online tracking, the PA was due to arrive, but the CDs were not coming for another 4 days or so. Dreams can be so helpful.

TOYS FOR TOTS 2006

Friday night was our 3rd Toys for Tots Toy Drive. I arrived at the Steakhouse around 6:30 & found 2 1/2 flights of stairs outside, and inside a private party w/about 30 drunken women dancing like 8 year olds at a slumber party, which was really fun. Sadly the music was beyond loud, and we had to set up right next to the speakers. John kept rolling his eyes & restraining himself from unplugging one of them. When Alex arrived I helped him w/his drums on the stairs from hell & said "I don't know what's worse, the volume of the music or the fact that I just bought these jeans & every time I kneel down the crack of my ass comes out." (Whose designing these jeans anyway?!) Alex thought that was excellent of course.  And I'd expect nothing less from our dear king of plumbers ass. LOL! There was a while to go before the private party was over. To cope w/the noise & music selection Alex banged to the beat wearing a Santa Hat complete w/lobster pasted on it. Me, Erin & T went to the bar.  I was planning on doing a CX set w/some originals but seeing that the girls were only forced off the dance floor by the DJ turning off the music we changed tactics & opened w/an Aqua Ecstasy set instead. No one danced but it felt much better than mellow music would have. And T was sporting her electric, which was a nice sight for a change. Carl was there & played sax and a killer penny whistle. He's amazing! Johnny B & Rodney got up & jammed, and our friend Jen. Alex hit the djembe & sang backgrounds on "Always something there to Remind Me." I could actually hear myself singing & loved that! Carl began playing Christmas tunes over our extended jam version set list. It was very "us" as they say. And I must add that Erin sang her ass off! A new bass player showed up to jam & me & T asked Alex if we could keep him. LOL  He said we could! Gotta call him & see if he has time to join another band?! The best part of the night for me was Alex, T & I had some good hang out time. That hasn't happened in so long. Made me wanna book more gigs. Oh yeah, and also a young singer/songwriter named Jordan did a few of her original songs w/Johnny & Rod.... they sounded really fantastic. I love her music!

At the end of the night we looked at all the toys we brought. Despite the small turn out we managed to fill one entire box (and these boxes are huge!) with toys & got some cash donations as well. And a great time had by all.

12/17/06

List upon list in the pale light of morning

You’re sitting in an armchair, sipping, soothing

Hot water calls blue ink splattered on my thoughts

Finger paints of red blue & yellow

Grating under the umbrella’s sheltering protection

The sun gently rises in the East

Slowly illuminating everything in sight

And it seems so obvious now

Which I find exciting

Because it’s never been obvious like this before

Still the tent lays waiting for its occupants

To take the time to figure it out

Years have left it faded & a home for spiders

Its October & July’s candles are still ½ burnt

But I’ve been burning the candles at both wicks

So frankly my dear I don’t give a rat’s ass

Flowers wilt in the cool air

Bright vibrant purple morning glories

In the glorious morning

Ahhhh how I love Saturday!!!    10-06

RECORDING

I went over to Trina's house last night to get some recording done with her. We set up my equipment in her huge basement, right on the old olive green couch. In the corner I noticed Trina's old Sweet Little Sister "bowling jacket" as we lovingly call them. Years ago a dear friend, who sadly passed away quite unexpectedly, gave all the girls in SLS a black satin jacket that said "Sweet Little Sister" in swirly hot pink letters on the back. It was the softest, most comfortable jacket to wear to gigs. It's hanging in my closet as I type. I should go get it out & put it on for old times sake, & in honor of the memory of our old pal, Shawn Abbey, who I miss all the time! And whose daughter, oddly enough, just happened to appear in my daughter's preschool class this season as one of the Teacher's Aides... My skin tingled all over when I hugged her & I knew that Shawn was enjoying that hug, too!

Back to recording... Trina hasn't had much time for the new CD's I've been handing her. Talk about super mom... she's got a day job, a teenage son & has been gigging regularly with The Aqua Girls. So we had a gentle start, getting to know the tracks & getting one song done, which I think sounds great. I am trying not to be too demanding on my band mates because I know they are booked up as it is.  But the recording will never get done, if I don't step it up a notch. I want the experience to be enjoyable for all. There is no deadline except the one we make for ourselves. Or I make for everyone. And let's face it, no one's gonna set a deadline but me ;)! There is no reason not to have a good time doing it. But I have to admit that it's hard to keep myself focused if too much time lapses between sessions. I'm looking forward to holding a copy of it in my hand & booking some gigs!

On Sunday before the beloved Beach Hut gig I went over to my dad's studio & added backgrounds to 2 songs for him. Mine were some of the last tracks to complete the collection. It's a new CD for the KPM library that my father has written for for many years. I have to say that I really love this one the most! And I'm really grateful to have had the chance to sing on it.

As for the Beach Hut, there was one point when the sun was going down on the water that everything just seemed to glow... it was absolutely beautiful! And I'm finally starting to learn some of Erin's repertoire. I felt a little more comfy with some of the songs at least, having never had a rehearsal & only a handful of cheat sheets from Trina. We'll be playing again this Saturday at "The Cove" as we call Indian Cove now. More music on the water... it's a rough life! And it's my birthday, so I imagine I'll be high on well wishes & chocolate cake (??!) as well! I sure hope fangs are involved somehow. Cheers!

7/26/06

Alex was away for a couple of weeks & we had to put the drum tracks on hold. So I've been doing all the recording that I can on my own. But I've felt myself drawn away from the music room by the green green grass & the ability to put my bare feet on it. Winter sure does take it's toll! It's June & I still seem to be whining about it!

Myspace has been an interesting place lately. It seems to be growing & growing in popularity w/all types of people. It's fun to logon & see who I find, look at photos & the funniest part to me is finding dead rock stars to be 'friends' with. You gotta love it!

June 2006

On a musical note, I've been doing a lot of recording & not much gigging. It seems like there aren't many exciting places to play these days on Long Island. I miss the days of "The New Scene" when we used to gather at the Hansom House, which had the most amazing atmosphere, with a big stone fireplace & stained glass, an antique carriage, art & sculptures of all kinds, decoupage on the walls, and in the powder room, a painting of Michael

D 'Angelo's "David" that sported a fig leaf you could pull up & peek under, which would trigger an alarm out in the main room. There was even a pet tarantula behind the bar. The New Scene was run by a friend, Anthony & myself. Anthony booked the poets & I booked the featured musicians. And my band was the house band, as well. All sorts of people came down to hang out, listen & play. You'd never know it was a Thursday night in the dead of winter by the crowd.

Perhaps some day we'll find another place to do something like that. I hope so!

4/23/06

1/31/05

9/05

The sun is rising on my old pal, the Pacific ocean here at Venice. When I was a teenager we lived here in LA & me & my friends loved to come here to lay on the beach, shop & roller skate, (that's right SKATE, not blade!),  on the boardwalk. So when I come to LA Venice is one of my staple stops. It turns out this time me & my girlfriends have a room practically on the boardwalk & ocean. And since I'm on NY time, I'm awake long before the rest of the gang. So I get the pleasure of a west coast sunrise. I love California. It really is my 2nd home. I'm so glad I came! Today we'll be skating on the beach & then later we'll be headed over to our old 'hood', Echo Park. 4/2005