Operation 365... Blog 25...Merry Christmas

Special to Operation 365 ~ A Jefferson Jay Original ~ From the Archives ~ "My Christmas San Diego Movie"

Part 1 ~ Jefferson Jay (as Daddy), Wes Davis and Angel in "Angel Gets A Gift"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=758-S3XvJcI

In this episode, it is Christmas Eve and and Wes Davis and I enjoy some music while Angel opens up her first Christmas present of the year

Part 2 ~ Jefferson Jay and Tim Clark in "My New X-Mas Tune"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_LCTdk4c18

In this episode, Tim Clark films as I share my brand new Christmas tune.

Part 3 ~ Jefferson Jay and Angel in "The Incredible Talking Dog"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PulNMmvMnW4

In this episode, Angel gets another gift and thanks me for it and tells me she loves me.

Part 4 ~ Jefferson Jay, Tim Clark, Maddie Moon and Dudley in "Neighborly Celebration"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDyri3DuEo0

In this episode, Tim, Maddie and I hang out with Dudley the poodle, kicking it, OB Christmas style.

Part 5 ~ JJ, Don and Nancy Truesdail, Justin Mills, Wendy, Roger and Aunt Linda in "Christmas with the Truesdails"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g6TbmPF8ms

In this episode, viewers get a window into one of the great Christmas celebrations of of all-time, the 2008 Christmas with the Truesdails.

NOTE: 12/26/2010: The "Part 5" video has been made "Private" at the request of family and may be shared at some point in the future. Thank you for your understanding.

This is one of the most special days of the year in the Operation 365 calendar. Operation 365 is all about footage and sharing it and some of our very best footage comes from Christmas 2008. Christmas 2008 is destined to go down as the best Christas of all time in many ways in large part because it was the final one we got to spend with out beloved amigo, Don Truesdail. I described in the blog yesterday (jeffersonjay.blogspot.com) some of the details of the Truesdails CHristmas fest that I attended. When I went to review the footage today, I recalled how many other special friends and memories were part of the fabulous holiday two years ago today. A scene of people is never about one or two individuals but a community of friends who support each other and create family even when our blood relatives may be miles away.

I recalled the Christmas Eve adventure of me and Wes chilling with Stout beert and watching Angel open a gift. I recalled Tim Clark educating and inspiring me into all this video stuff, me trying out a couple of my brand-new Christmas-spawned songs. I recalled kicking it with Maddie and Dudley and Tim, my awesomely talented next-door neighbors for four years and yet more gift-opening chatter with my beloved Poochesa, Strangellica (long for Angel, of course).

Sooooo... I decided to share it all in a little five-part movie I just threw together called "My San Diego Christmas" This was all filmed in 2008, one of the greatest years of all-time. THis is a lot of my life and I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas!

The conclusion features bits from our fabulous X-mas dinner at the Truesdails. In a way, these clips are the most valuable to me out of all my videos because they are the only place where I can watch what it was like to just hang out with Don again. As great as it is to have filmed some of his performances and as much as I loved watching and hearing him play, I valued him far more as a friend, and this vid, to me, is such a happy reminder, of what a great friend he was (and still is) and how much fun I always had when we got to spend time together. I thank God that I had the privilege of getting to know as closely as I did. Honestly, I cherish that every day. It is a gift that never dies. I love you Don. Merry Christmas.

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - "Happy X-Mas (War is Over)" by John Lennon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHxKuOiXp3c

I was contemplating not doing an original or a cover today, figuring a five-part movie is enough contribution for one day, but I'm not wired that way. Now that I'm rolling and I think 30 days and 100 videos qualifies, I am a locomotive that won't subside easily. I just won't. I plug. I'm a plugger. Ask those who know me. They'll tell ya. Anyway, Don practiced this jam up with his high school students in 2008 and they were gonna do it at a big assembly but it got postponed by weather. I recall Mr. T, as his students called him (and how great is that) was a bit bummed that performance never happened.

I remember walking around OB (Ocean Beach, where we live) with him weeks earlier debating the relative wisdom of doing this thinly disguised anti-war anthem in the military hot bed that is San Diego County. Don relished the opportunity. He essentially licked his lips and made that "we're about to drink Absinthe face" about the whole thing. I cautioned him but he would not be dissuaded and good for him. He ran it by the authorities at the school and they were down. Maybe they knew it would rain... or more likely they just had no idea what John Lennon was really saying in this tune. No matter. Salutations to Mr. T for his bravery, his convictions, and for as always, choosing great music for people's listening pleasure.

I recorded two versions of "Happy X-Mas (War is Over)". The second one was probably technically a little better, but I chose the first one to share, cause I was still having more fun and I think it comes across in the vid. Merry Christmas everyone!

Operation 365 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 31 "Enough Is Enough"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTpMtJqB19A

Now I gotta say. I keep reading Facebook and stuff like that I read people complaining about other people being stupid and other kinds of stuff like that and I all I can say is.. come on. You should be used to that by now. Haven't you been paying attention? How can anybody still be surprised or even slightly disappointed when other people are out there acting like idiots? Now I am an optimist. I believe in people and their potential and that anybody can do anything, BUT... this is not the world we live in right now. People have been terrorized and continue to be terrorized by the news and everything else each day. To expect everybody everywhere to just be cool all of a sudden somehow is beyond unrealistic. It takes work and it takes tons of individuals making these decisions for themselves... doing the right thing... appreciating life... being kind to others. If people don't make these decisions for themselves on a daily basis then they have no right whatsoever to complain, plus complaining doesn't make a difference anyway. It just makes things worse. If people act like an ass to you, be thankful, be thankful you're not them and that you have the perspective to not be brought down by some yahoo whose upset about their life. Even though they may be taking it out on you, it is about them and not you so you should get over it... quickly. Don't take things personally. There is far too much to celebrate, not just this time of year but every day. Fresh air (more or less) food, love, health, a million things. And if you need me to explain that to you then maybe you're the one you should be complaining about, not whoever you are whining about on facebook, in real life, or anywhere else. This is message comes only from love and my desire for everyone, especially you complainers out there, to enjoy your blessing of life,. Happy Holidays! This song is a testament to everything I have just ranted about.