Operation 365 2… Blog 371

Seated out in front of my house by the lemon tree, what a glorious place to me! I feel humble and blessed here on the penultimate day of 2016. Sitting around all over this little yard and filming little bits of life to share has enhanced my appreciation for my immediate surroundings. Yes, I know the beach is right down the street, but I am here and here is where I’m meant to be. Next? Who knows?

It is a sweet subtle thrill to sit down and pull letters off this laptop, the same one I used to record CDs, a darling decade ago. The familiar planes. A lingering raindrop hanging off a green limonito. I am tickled to have quiet and space. It’s a great time in Southern California. The Portugalia sign, my trophy, my momento, representing proudly in the corner. You want it? It’s yours. Doing an all-out reboot. Everything must go. Want an Elvis costume? I got one of those for ya. Some Heely’s. Men’s 9. Only slightly used.

The cool, fresh air, a homeless man recycling in an adjacent alley. The church mercifully silent across the street. It’s not a religious statement. It’s more about their pre-school. My cold nose and the tranquility, the only reminders that’s it’s December 30^th. Allow me to open my blog and return to the year 2011. Let us see what recollections await us in the future past, only a few clicks away,

Chrome shined on “Greased Lightning.” Now its just another button you push. Another anonymous window for the things we ant to know. What do they want to know? I try not to wonder. I’m sure I’m glad I think that they’re anonymous, those Google gangsters. They know about me and you, than either you or I will ever know. I wonder how much they make to know all that. Actually, I’d rather not wonder about money. It’s the opposite of the direction of the answers. Answers about it may well lead to truths, deeply disturbing truths, but the solution is not disturbing. Quite the contrary, it is aloe. It is salve. It is penicillin to infection. It is a mother’s love. It is a soft place to finally land. Solutions. Begat by discussions, Group humbly seeking answers to how we can best live and share our home, this planet. Let the corporate demagogues battle for the spoils. Let’s get about the dirty work of finding out what’s wrong and fixing it.

A few humble steps to start. It’s never about you. It’s always about everyone. We are all one. We share this planet. The sun gives us all life daily. So does the air. This is my proof. We all share a profound and common best interest, yet we learn to live like we’re completely unconnected. It’s nonsense. Stopping that is the beginning. Anyone who has ever worked in a team or thrived in a friendship or relationship knows the crucial nature of sharing, kindness, love and basic respect. These ideals are essential to thrive.

Instead, folks battle for pennies, step on each other’s heads on Black Friday, often times acting like a boatful of dopes. We are far from dopes. We are amazing, perfect, gifted empowered creatures with no limits to who we are and what we accomplish. That is way I am sitting here typing this right now. It is important for us to realize who we really are and to realize it is great. We are all precious jewels, each an individual and unlike any other, like a snowflake. That is the true beauty in who we are. It has nothing to do with how we physically appear. This is why we all age, to make that obvious. Still, some people feel the need to fight the effects of aging and try to be something that they’re not. Hat’s their freeness. I respect it, but it not necessary. They are perfect just they way they are .Always have been, always will be

This does not mean we can’t improve. Far from it actually, the opposite. It means it is our chance, our opportunity, our golden moment to shine. As a species, we’ve been underachieving severely in this way. Who is looking for the answers, Where is the public discussion held? On the floors of Congress? Please. We have an entire Internet. Where are we actively in search of answers? When? Why not now? I wanna know. It’s time. What the problems are, which solutions we seek… we decide. Bells are ringing in our collective mind. May we heed the call and actively seek answers in pursuit of the ideal world, one in which we all work together to be greater than we are, for the benefit of everyone existing. We can disagree on the way. With respect. That is what males the discussion. This is how we find those answers. I am pumped. Can you tell?

OK, Let’s give this 2011 time travel another try.

NOTE:. Thank you Google. I am well-aware you own YouTube, Chrome and a bunch of other stuff. There would be no Operation 365 to do without you and I am grateful, regardless whom you’re selling all my data to, with no regard for how I feel about it. I give you the benefit of the doubt, because I have just about no choice. Be gentle, please… and thank you.

Even though I only read a few words of this blog. It loves here. Hopefully this link works better than I one from yesterday. I aim to fix that one here in a few. Rivetting, huh?

http://jeffersonjay.blogspot.com/2011/11/operation-365-blog-363.html

So upon reading a few words of this blog, I realized I wish I read these essays before I started Operation 365 2 instead of just as I’m finishing them. It really brings me back there. Upon further review, it appears my essay from last time was that there was no essay. I told many a tale of friends of mine in the premiere Operation 365. Well, my friends told the tale themselves in the “Archives” and I narrated it in the blog. Apparently, I wanted to tell everyone what happens to everyone and decided against it. In retrospect, seems like a great call. Life changes every day anyway. The blog ends, “Nahhh, maybe next 365.” See? I told you I should have read it first.

Behind the Scenes

So, one can not live one’s entire life on screen. Reality television, be damned. So, what else did I do in 2016 when I was not sharing or working on this, which for these keeping score took an entire month straight, with on sleeping or rest. I’m glad I spaced it out though. Would have been a scarring month. So what else did I do?

I was married. My wife, Leanne, decided against participating on this 365 for the most part. She tolerated it and supported it fully from an arm’s length away, but decided against appearing often. I can’t blame her. I respected it. It made each appearance of hers that much more special, even for me. It’s too bad we never did our duet, “Life Provides,” but this happened,

Despite this, she was somehow not crowned champ. She is champ of me. I finished 5^th.

What else? I enjoyed many relaxing hours playing a fun card game called Palace with my friends. One day, I was kind enough to let you in.

Be real.

Somehow, in June or July, if I correctly recall, I got the impetus to write eight musicals, Episodes 9-16 of the ongoing saga of “The Hunt for The Great Christmas Tree.” I am jst now finding the time to reacquaint myself with them. Directing these original musicals with the special needs adults at my work has become and an annual highlight for me. They are amazing to work with and know. That project is rapidly ascending my priority list as I think staging the first ever TV show with all special needs actors is a project whose time is now, if not many moons ago. Regardless, it hasn’t happened yet, and as the kind of guy who enjoys doing things no one’s ever done before, this seems to jive perfectly with my brand. Thanks to President –elect Trump, who finally, after allthese years, crystallized for me, what branding really means. It’s who you are, It’s what you do, as least as far as the public knows it at as an immediate response to thinking of you. I am down to represent those maligned in our society: Peace has been plundered. Love has been laundered. Every awesome people have been sold for the right to sell them more things. It’s insane. We need to flip the page and Make Humans Great Again. It is much bigger than a nation. It is species-wide. We’ve got to reclaim love. If they need a face or voice for that, I’m down. Might not get me elected President, but I’ entirely OK with that. I just want to help make life more meaningful and rewarding for every day awesome folks, us. Anyone who’s down really…

So that’s what I’m excited about. If you do the math, each musical has about five songs, so that’s about 40 additional songs I wrote that I did not use for this except this one. I couldn’t resist. I like what it says about work.

I had some fun doing stuff with speeding up and slowing down videos. Here’s a couple of them. Then I think I gotta go, but XOXOXOXOXO

Imagine that was my real voice. I guess some people might think that. That’s OK with me.

This parting gift pre-dates the 365, but one of my special friends told me she thinks this is my funniest video. She called it “Richard Dawson.” I knew what she meant. Enjoy until tomorrow. I will be finishing this transmission soon. Only another day or two of blogging, I believe. I love you.

Operation 365 2... Blog 370

Life is returning to normal, right about on schedule with how long it took last time. I have been looking back at what I wrote at the end of thew first 365 and comparing and contrasting. So far, I've learned I am lot more fired up and ready to go, than I was after the first one. I am adjusting back to normal life, just a tad bit more tired. I seem to have a slight hangover from all the compulsive sharing. I'm sleepy. Hoping to get some rest on this here New Year's Eve weekend. For many years, I've felt compelled to do something memorable or fun on New Year's Eve. This year, I don't care. I just want to be. It will be awesome.

My blog that I revisiting today is Blog 362 of the first 365, specifically a chunk I called, "The Best of the 365"

http://jeffersonjay.blogspot.com/2011/11/operation-365-blog-362.html

So I just read this essay. I fixed some of the typos. I would love to release both 365s some day in chronological order as eBooks with click-ability on the videos, sans typos. So, it's a nice essay. I recounted personal highlights, detailed other significant  or satisfying moments, did some I called "The Best of the Rest," which were things I wanted to do but didn't get to and finally, a brief bunch of thanks.

OK, let's play. Game on!

I'm not gonna lie. You get in a groove working every day and it can be very gratifying. It centers you. In 2011, I wrote, "It felt good to feel that there was something artistic to do every day. I have always dreamed of getting up in the morning and knowing I had to write a song or record a song that day. In my imagination, I was for money or a job of some sort, but those are peripherals. I was able to make the creative part of that dream come true. Every day, I had a musical project to do."

Amen! Preach on, brother. I still very much feel that way. The 365 forced me to play guitar every day. That makes you a better player. It forced me to write probably somewhere near 200 songs. That makes you a better songwriter. It can't not. The "Words" section, new to Operation 365 2, made me develop those skills, improvising banter, making it interesting, finding my voice. All of these things are very valuable and it took time. The improvement there was gradual. Now I feel ready for any challenge of that nature. Radio, comedy, hosting a a TV show. Whatever. I'm inclined to steer clear of comedy. My sense of humor can be extremely harsh. That darkness makes me dangerous. I'm inclined to abstain. I slightly miss the duty part of it, but for that, I have this, and a million other post-365 duties.

OK, so what were the best moments of this 365 for me. It is hard to say, much harder than on the first one. A few dramatic ones stood out then; the lady who told me I helped her and her child feel better dealing with some tragic circumstances, the two children with cancer for whom I wrote songs. There was nothing exactly like that in this one. Every day is different. Same goes for 365s.

So... January 1, 2016, stands out in my memory as a great day in 365 Land. Let's look back and see.

OK so the date on this video was January 2, 2016, but my man Russell was born on January 1.



I improvised this little number in his honor as soon as I found out and I think it was a sign of the great things ahead for both Russell and our giant project.

This one WAS on January 1, though and remained one of my favorite moments of the 365 'til the end. Thanks to Daniel Ratcliffe and my wife, Leanne pearl for all the hours of withstanding my 365 or as Dan once called it, "spinning my wheels."



What else happened that stands out? I pushed my self to some new zany lengths as a songwriter. On three occasions I dabbled in the dark art of bulk songwriting. I had an epiphany on a walk on night about how I could help make anyone a songwriter. I came up with this app and had the whole thing in my mind. That said, I couldn't do that right then. So I did the next best thing. I put the tools to the test and wrote 12 songs as quickly as I could, with my slick streamlining method. I think it took me about two hours. As I continued penning these ditties at a blistering rate, what they were actually about, was slowly revealed. I don't want to spoil it, but the last song was called, "Baby." Yeah, apparently, I want to have a "Baby." Those 12 songs showed me I think I'm ready. No news yet, but...



The penultimate tune in that chunk was called, "Bright," and it's one of my favorite tunes I ever wrote. It also foreshadows, "Baby."



Of course that wasn't enough for me, so on two separate, later occasions I wrote 24 tunes at once. I think in both cases it took about two days to finish them all. I used that technique there quite effectively and each batch featured a number of tunes that I like.

2016 may be best remembered for all of those who died. I had a few friends as well and I used this forum to pay my respects in my own way.

Hail Dick from Mariposa Ice Cream



Hail Dave, aka The Old Hermit Named Dave, 5 other names...

and David Bowie



We celebrated nuptials with family. Hail Erin and Dave, Tom and Leanne.



A little thing I like is covering my friends. I know how it feels to have someone play your song. It is a unique thrill. So I delight in doing it here and there for my songwriting amigos. I fit in a few this time.

Robin Lee (2)





Justin Mills



Don Truesdail. Hail.







Blowski (2)





Steve



Chris Scelzo



Dan Truesdail



Charbra



Derek Speredelozzi and this 365 recap I laid over his song



and

Tim Riley



and Matt Reischling



I love these people and I love their tunes. It is my humble honor and privilege to perform and pass on their music in whatever way I can here. I appreciate them as artists and I am delighted to get to push forward that appreciation in this manner. It is personal and humbling. You can feel the love. Thank you friends, for the gift of your music. It has moved me.

Hmm, what else happened?

There's this, of course.



A fellow wrote an article in this week's San Diego Reader about all my fine work.

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2016/dec/27/blurt-jefferson-jay-every-day-365-days-straight/

Is it weird that nothing is is jumping out into my brain right now. Well, speaking of weird there was this.



and this



and this...



Donald Trump was elected.



and of course, The San Diego Gay Men's Chorus Padres fiasco



Let's call those the highlights for now. I'll let you know if I think of more.

The Best of the Rest

Things I thought of doing but didn't included my tribute to Mike Warrington of "Love Hate Love and "Am I Inside?" by Alice in Chains. "Love Hate Love" was too mean, even though I learned it. I also learned, "Am I Inside?" by for some reason never thought it was good enough to record. I wanted to do "Mary Anne" by my man, Some Guy, but that song is also mean and I ran out of time. I love these mean songs/. It's just something about me singing them at this point in my life that doesn't entirely jive with the rest of what I'm doing. That's just not my brand of entertainment at this moment in time.

I enjoyed doing requests for some people and any and all feedback I received from anyone anywhere. One day I posted a song, "Sending Love Letters to the Moon," about my beloved and departed pooch, Angel.



Someone named Dennis wrote something nice right away after I posted it. I went to go copy that here now, but it is gone. Either way, it meant something to me then. Thanks to every commenter, every Facebook liker, (especially Hugh Gaskins, Naomi Nussbaum, and Dan Truesdail) and to everyone who made a request (Miz, Jonathan, Chris Sulit, Jason Patterson, Bruno, Micah, etc...), whether I fulfilled it or not. I fulfilled a bunch and folks' feedback made the hours of work feel less lonely. That sounds a little dark, but I don't mean it that way. It is what it is. I did this for me and that feels very empowering. That said, thank you!

Last time I said this same thing a bit more eloquently.

"So that was what was awesome. Being with my friends. Smooching Leanne at the end of the videos. Entertaining people. A lot of folks dropped me nice notes and said encouraging things on Facebook. That all meant so much. That is what kept me going, people's kindness and appreciation. So thanks to everyone who supported me, encouraged me and every said or wrote a nice word about the 365 anywhere to anyone. Thanks to Leanne, "



Congrats to the Cubbies.

I did a couple videos that a musician/friend Jonathan, aka Sheer, made his own and I was very moved by his results. You can check those tracks out here. Thanks Jonathan.

Go Cubs Go

City of New Orleans

Thanks to Nigel



Thanks to Paul Ruiz



Thanks to Daniel Ratcliffe



and thanks to you!

In 2011, I wrote, "For some reason. Some folks expect me to do another 365. I can’t blame them I guess. There’s truly no precedent for this. It’s never been done before and never will be again, most likely."

Well, guess what? I was wrong. I did it again. What's next? Only time will tell. I wait on baited breath. #Excited

Peace

Operation 365 2... Blog 369

So, the adrenaline is finally subsiding. Yesterday, it hit me. No additional responsibilities, no extra work, no videos, nothing. And what I realized what this. I was tired. It takes a certain amount of extra spunk, gusto, if you will, to make it through so much work. The first couple days after, Christmas and Christmas Eve, I awoke fired form the cannon. I was ready to go. I was so motivated for this 365 that when I got home from work, I ran to the computer. I wasn't going to be slave to this Operation. I was going to bust it out and go on my merry way. Since then, I've been fatigued. Call it the end of the year, or whatever, but I just needed to rest. I slept a lot. No matter. I just took a nap after work. Now, I'm yawning. What can I tell ya? Whatever energy it is that a 365 brings into your world, mine is finally gone. It was a good, long run. Now I'm crashing

This isn't to say, I don't hear cover songs, and think, "How did I not do that one in two 365s." That isn't to say, I haven't cracked open the iPad and made up a song from scratch once or twice. These habits die hard, even as I put new ones in their place. New ones such as, hanging out with my wife, for instance. We spent the day together yesterday and while I managed to find a few minutes to collate my blogs into groups of 40, (long story), I did not find the time or energy to do this, reflect in writing. Well, I'm back.

I printed out some notes I took on one of the closing essays of the 365. I will fetch that now and share those thoughts and feelings.

In a section called, "Revolution of the Mind - Ideas for a Brighter Tomorrow," I expressed satisfaction that some long-awaited, much need social change appeared to b eon the horizon, while lamenting the price folks paid to get it. It almost seems like things paused after that moment in time, the end of 2011. It almost seems like they paused until right now. The election of Donald J. Trump to the presidency has some stoked, other alarmed, and some ready for action. I am one of the latter. Us social change lovers have spent decades in the closet, wondering why we weren't born in 1950, or whenever one would have needed to be born to participate in the activity of the late 1960's. It feels,, finally, that things are about to happen, that the world is ripe for change and I, for one, have been ready and waiting. I am not the only one. There are others. My rant ended in this essential truth, a fact I think we all should take a lot more seriously. "There are more than enough resources for everyone to survive."

Too many people in this world are only worried about themselves. The rich should consider how many people starve to death so they can have ten yachts, fourteen mansions, eight helicopters and a million cars. It is morally wrong and and not entirely unrelated to murder. Sharing is caring is how I'd put it if I was trying to say it nicely, which I hope to be when the time comes that folks are listening. People can have plenty without idealizing or having millions more than they need. That is just wrong. Americans, and probably some other have a grand misconception about this and I hope to help remedy this imbalance. We are all one. I resume quoting myself from five years ago, "It is an illusion that we are separated. You’ve heard of this, it’s conquer and divide."

It's simple. We pretend we're not "them," in this case, the people starving, and then we pretend to remove the need for us to care about how they are. The truth is they are you and you are starving and you don't even know it. Are all billionaires blissful? No chance. Money doesn't bring happiness. That we can only find deep within ourselves. Five years ago, I finished this section with this, " I ditched my TV two years February... We work together. It takes time." Seven years and going strong now. No regrets. Unplug and let the healing begin.. or at least recognize that it's an option. It takes time.

I then asked myself, "Why do an Operation 365?" My answers are very different this time than the first. I would like to return tot his question later.

Living history - A Breathing Art Project

I explained the roots of this 365 in this section five years and won't recant it here. Click below if you wish to read that

http://jeffersonjay.blogspot.com/2011/11/operation-365-blog-361.html

I will share one small quote from it though and some reaction, "when you do something each day, you become more likely to do it the next day. It becomes a part of what you do." That, I learned is true. It is why it was hard for me stop in a way, like I stated before. I want to thank Wes Davis, Dylan Avery, the 365 itself, and life, which gave me this opportunity to create and death which gives me another source of inspiration from beyond. I have many great friends, Wes and Dylan are just two of them, who are great artists and struggle to make a living on their art. To me, that is outrageous. I include myself in this category. "Great" is obviously subjective, but worth of making a living to me, is a no-brainer. Look at all the things I can do. To me, that's what the Operation 365 proves more than anything else. My point is art needs to be valued a lot more on our society and when folks have a ton to give and all they want to do is give it and survive, they should not have to resort to making 1100 videos and hoping people notice.

I will answer that "Why do an Operation 365?" question now. the first time. I had videos to share, and a history to tell, the history of my friends and I during an incredible era at a place called Portugalia. I wanted to reach more people. I had many many songs I had written but no place or reason to share them. Even though, I know, all kinds of people weren't  going to be receiving these videos all at once, barring some unlikely viral scenario, I like the thought that I had done what I could to keep them from living and dying in obscurity in my computer. The Covers served and continued to serve as a mechanism to bring more folks to the rest of it, a piece that people already love.

This time, the motivation was totally different. The videos had been shared to my satisfaction. They story has been told. Most of the tunes I had written got shared and many more got written. A CD containing the "best" of those, should be out in early 2017. Let's expand on my point of a moment ago in answering fully.

"The Operation 365 doubles as strange resume of some kind. It shows I can do a lot of entertainment things. I can write songs quickly. I can produce content prolifically with the best of ‘em. I can be incredibly consistent. I can do what I want to do, if I set my mind. Alright, it’s enough already with the “I.” It shows I do things differently. That’s a challenging task in this time. I can’t stop. I’m sorry."

When I reread that the other day, I thought this, the old expression misremembered by our 'ole President G.W. Bush. In this case, I reappropriate it, for Operation 365s, "Do me once, good for you. Do me twice, good for me."I laughed after I wrote that and not just cause of the silly sexual, (yet no less relevant) connotations. What that meant to me was the first 365 was for other people, to show them what I could do, to tell them my story, to share their story. This one was for me. To find my voice in the words, to sharpen my skills playing daily, to force myself to me prolific again. It worked. Not once did I look back, I looked forward. The first time was to see if I could do it. This time I knew I could do it. My confidence rose and now it may be at an all-time high. Maybe that's why I'm so tired, breathing that thin air up here. Who knows? A lot of people can do something once. When you've done something twice, you know how to do it. You're doing it with knowledge and purpose. It is over. I am still loaded with knowledge and purpose. I have energy to work and things to do. Am I coming of age? If so, it's right on time.

What's next for me? I aim to reach for something more. I want to empower people, help them realize how powerful, wonderful, valuable and unique, each one of us are. It is a crucial step on the journey to universal love and respect, which we need more than ever. I have written several musicals with a core of characters that I love called "The Hunt for The Great Christmas Tree." I directed "Episode 4" of this "saga," ten days or so ago and I would like to do far more with that future franchises. Yes, I want to do big things with that and that's just the beginning. "Episode 4" was a coming of age story for the young girl in the family. We are all one. So I am her ( and all the other characters in the all the stories) and it feels great. I managed to find time to write eight more episodes of this lovely musical quietly in the background of the 365 2, in June and July. Yes, I wrote eight musical in about 8 weeks on the side of these 3 videos a day and I didn't share almost any of it. Maybe two songs.



Maybe one. And I wrote the musical named after this one after I wrote and recorded this song. In fact, it may have helped inspired the whole push. I want HBO. Not a premium network, as an employer, as the people I'm meeting with, discussing this. Yes, I am fired up. In the last one, I wrote about how I was poor and how it was OK. I am graduating from poor. It is enough. With this 365, I am finished with all that. It is time to reach more people and do far more. I am pumped. Can you tell?

A few final notes for today.

"I want to spend more time with my girlfriend, Leanne." I wrote that five years ago. We've been married two and a half year now. "Although, she never asked me to, I told her I would not undertake a project of this magnitude without asking her, next time." I did. She said, "yes," and then quietly counted the seconds 'til it was over. I can;t prove that last part, but women like attention. Who doesn't? She threw a big surprise party for me at the ned of the first 365. This time, she didn't even know it was the last day. I can't blame her. It's a lot. My plan remains to spend more time with her and I had the pleasure of doing that, and not this, yesterday. I love this, but sometimes, one must choose.

"That was kind of tongue-in-cheek when I said it ‘cause I never intend to attempt a project of this magnitude again." Haha.

"For some reason. Some folks expect me to do another 365. I can’t blame them I guess. There’s truly no precedent for this. It’s never been done before and never will be again, most likely. That fact kind humbles me. I like being that kind of guy. It’s the same reason I’ve hosted “24 Hours of Free Music,” four times." Hahahaha.

I asked myself why folks were sitting outside, day after day, as part of that Occupy Movement in 2011. I answered, "It’s because we want change and it’s because we have something to say." Here'a few other things I am into that I wrote. Time is running out. Open Mic is soon and my pal, the greta Paul Ruiz, just showed up, so let's finish. Here's some final thoughts I wrote in 2011 about why I'm here and what I'm all about. I'll leave it at those for today. Much more finishing to come,

"Helping people find happiness in themselves.... As long as the message gets delivered... Each precious moment is a cause for celebration. Everything you have to offer is precious, unique and divine..."

That's the reason of the season to me. Believe that. This thing's over and we're just getting started.

Operation 365 2... Blog 368

The Sweet Past and The Magnificent Future

So these essays I wrote at the end of the first 365 are some pretty detailed, thick chunks of verbiage. I read almost the whole essay from 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Operation 365... Blog 361

It lives here if you’re interested, 

http://jeffersonjay.blogspot.com/2011/11/operation-365-blog-361.html

I decided it was worth it to react, chunk by chunk because it brought back many memories. The first Operation 365 was different from this one. I had overlooked that some. I mean I knew I could do it, because I had, but the content was different in some profound ways. First, 2011 was a very interesting moment in time. There was a list of things that happened that year in this essay. I wrote,

“There was Osama Bin Laden getting killed (allegedly,) the Rapture wacko, the tragic death of The “Macho Man” Randy Savage. There were work stoppages in the NFL and NBA. The NBA one ended today, they say. There was a lot more... The Occupy thing, The Great San Diego blackout, hurricanes, snowstorms, earthquakes, worldwide revolt, people awakening largely, by and by. What a great time to capture living. What a great time to be alive.”

At the end of 2011, it seemed change was just before us. The Occupy movement represented people waking up and getting involved in the world that homes them. I was thrilled by this development. It would have seemed highly unlikely that 2012 would come with those things returning to how they were all those years before 2011, and nothing changing much in that direction since. 2016 did finally bring some motion, although it came in the opposite way. The election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, culminating in Mr. Trump’s January inauguration has made some people realize a lot is going on. They are not in favor of all of it, and most importantly, something needs to be done. Nobody seems to know what. I do.

People need to band together in search of our long-term sustainable best interests. Those who believe we are all equal, those prepared to march forward in love, will need to lead the way. We will need to set aside the aspersions that have tarnished words that stand for our ideals like “peace and “love” We must reclaim those words and set our nation forward in their lofty, but very real ideals. I think once again, for the first time since 2011, the world is ripe, and hopefully, ready for positive change.

When I looked back to 2011, I noticed that a large part of the first 365 was about just that, looking back. It was important and told a story that I felt needed to be told. . In the years leading up to 2011’’ “Operation 365,” I had accumulated a large library of videos, filmed at my Open Mic and other shows I had hosted in the previous few years. I had all this video of all these great times. I wrote,

“I also had wanted to share the story of all these folks (my friends) and our experience. I didn’t realize how important that was to me until some time into it, but I am really glad that got done. It seems secondary whether people actually ingest that or not.

Exceptional things happen in this life and they are not always documented. They are not always shared. There are no less significant than anything else that has happened. No less interesting. I studied history. I think life matters, every second. It is important for me to share this story. I feel like it can help other people enjoy their lives. Having told it now, it’s something I no longer feel the need to do in mine.”

My reply to this is three-fold. One, I did want to share that story. It was important to me to keep this little tape out of mothballs and get them out there for those who cared. I felt better after I did this. Mission accomplished. I no longer felt the need to share all this, although I am sure there is much more in my kitty. I received the following comment on this video…

https://youtu.be/LDZTlsPWwIE

…just a couple of days ago.

Eric Weiss  2 days ago  Highlighted comment

”Just saw this for the first time in years. My 3 year old daughter loves to watch me play guitar, and I remembered these videos were floating around somewhere. She made us watch it five times in a row. Thanks JJ for making it happen in those days, and putting up these vids for posterity.”

My answer comment said this, “My pleasure to serve you and yours. Thanks for playing. Hope to see you soon.”

This is why we do things, folks. Who knows how long it took me to post that ten-minute video five plus years ago, all to get 64 views (so far, and counting)? However long it was, it was worth it. That is why I shared the history in the “Archives.”

I made an adjustment in this second 365 and it was far deeper than just not sharing “Archives” in this second go-around. In fact, I even stopped filming things for the most part, since then. If I film it, I want to share it. If I don’t film it, I save myself from that compulsion. It was good for then, but things have changed. That is the point, of all this so far, today. I am no longer looking back. The Operation 365 2 is very different form it’s predecessor in that way. It was far more about the present and how that is preparing me for the future. It was almost like the final graduate course in the ambitious undertaking we call life. I was less interested in telling old stories and more interested in today and tomorrow.

In replacing the “Archives” with “Words” I took the step toward finding my voice, talking in front of a camera, in a diverse array of circumstances. If I wind up in radio or on TV, I imagine these daily exercises will prepare me in a manner not entirely unlike the “Archives.” Living those experiences. Recounting and sharing them, prepared me to move past them. I am eager for a similar type of catharsis in the aftermath of this, here now.

Now we look forward, but I am humbled and honored to have had that chance to look back, both from and to the enigmatic year that was 2011. That’s my first take on the closing essays on Operation 365 2.

Then, in a chunk, I called “The Benefits of 365ing,” I advocated for anybody adding a daily component to their lives. Only a compulsive, loony bird with something to prove, could execute an actual 365, but there is plenty of room for folks, eat, think, read, write, dance, sing, or whatever moves them each day. We are creatures of habit. We do what we do. If you want to do something different, do it every day. Soon it will become second nature. It will be what you do. Look at me. I finished this thing and here I am, first thing in the morning, typing away to you. It is what I do. Not doing stuff becomes harder then do it. I want to make three videos. I haven’t played “In Your Eyes,” yet…

I expressed an awareness of my need to enlist others to help me reach my goal of reaching far more people with my music and message. I didn’t accomplish that to promote my 5^th CD, ‘Gift to Be Alive,” as I had hoped to at the first 365’s end. I also made a similar miscalculation after the next CD came out, “Hallelujah Expressway.” I hope to God I am finally ready to make that adjustment and align myself with a team of true professionals for our next assault. It is time, my friends. 

In 2011, I was a relatively new relationship. I lived alone. Now we are married and have lived here together for almost five years. Returning to the words of 2011, brings this home in a warm and touching manner. I love you Leanne. May CD #7, featuring Leanne on drums will be the one. Either way, it’s OK. There are many theaters, in which to make advance ourselves.

Powering Through.

So I’ve read and responded to a good chunk of the initial two essays of the 365. Gosh, those suckers are long. OK. So I’ve made it half way through Essay 2. Well, I think I’ll take this one chunk forward and if my essays carry me all the way to New Year’ Eve, I think that would be OK. 2017, we start fresh again. Well, I guess I’ll do this ‘til I’m done even if we limp into 2017 a tad.

Some final thoughts for today, I would like to ultimately release all of this as a book, or a series of books, “Operation 365 Presents: 40 Days and 40 Blogs.” This has fallen further down my priority list than it was five years ago, but it would still be cool to get this out here. Like last time, I will go through all of the original tunes and evaluate them. Many of them will be reborn as new Jefferson Jay tunes that I play from time to time when I feel like it. I even hired someone to help me with that this time. This task is both time consuming and tedious. Thanks Nick.

“Maybe I'll eventually make a CD of Operation 365-penned tunes.”

I wrote that in that essay five years ago. Finishing that, five years later, is the main thing on my list to do for this day and this week.

See you tomorrow, furthering our review of Operations 365, 1 and 2. We resume with “Revolution of the Mind - Ideas for a Brighter Tomorrow.” See you then. XOXOXOXOXO

Operation 365 2... Blog 367

Merry Christmas!!!! And a Happy Hanukkah! No videos to do today for the second day in a row. But, I am here and excited to continue the post-mortem on the enormous affair that was The Operation 365 2. I will now pull open my blog, out on the rematch of last years NBA Finals and see what I have to say to you today. Thanks for you time attention and love. It is beyond reciprocated.

A brief return to…

http://jeffersonjay.blogspot.com/2011/11/operation-365-blog-361.html

…shows so much about the passage of time. At the end of the first 365 it was late 2011, and the things I blogged about were 2011 things. Beavis and Butthead’s brief return… my wife still smoking. It transports you back in to the mindset you had then. You thought it was forgotten but, it was really right there, as if on pause, captured, a moment in time. I guess that’s one point of an Operation 365, I have already gleaned from the earliest parts of the post-365 essay experience.

When I began all this Operation 365 business on Thanksgiving 2010, it was little more than “The Experiment To See What Would Happen.” I figured I’d share some songs I’d written, some videos of friends playing I’d accumulated, and some covers to bring more ears and eyes to the fray. I had no idea if I’d finish. It was an ongoing plot beneath it all. I learned from that, I could do it. I knew I could this time. I had built my confidence, my own belief in what I was capable of doing. I think I did that more than anything else in this one. I feel like I have finished a graduate degree in everything I’ve done up to this point, and now I am ready to do something else, to truly reveal what I am capable of doing in this world. I have done two Operation 365s, 4 24 Hours of Free Music (’03, ’05, ’08, ’09), recorded 7 CDs, and written over 20 scripts and 1000 songs. Does this make me great, unbelievable or amazing? Perhaps it does, but no more so than anybody else. What it really makes me though is ready, ready for the next challenge. I have proven I can do these things I do, even if no one else on the planet has even attempted, much less executed, many of them. Others are more standard things artists do, (scripts, CDs), but all in all, these things have finally readied me for the great beyond, the holy next… doing something else.

Making money was never a primary goal of mine. Happiness and quality of life were, Giving back, helping people out, spreading positivity, these were main goals of mine and I feel great that I continue to live them as much as possible, I want to reach people. I want to change the world or at less help foster a discussion that leads to the world changing. Every time anybody does anything, the world changes. Any time anybody does anything., kind, loving or positive, the world changes for the better. Well, now. I want to reach a bunch people. I want to bring another person into the world with my wife and I want to me, there is no one else like me, professionally, and with gusto. Technically, I already do this. In my mind, I can finally see it now, feel, smell, touch and taste it. It’s time to do it much, much bigger.

The world is sad right now. I would be too, if I had a bunch of problems that I hid from and refused to even have a n open discussion about. You know everything you say, write, or think is projecting in some way and if you think it, you can be sure it somehow relates to you and where you’re at right now. Sometimes, you can record a whole CD and still manage to miss that mirror right in front of your face. Anyway, even If I’m doing this myself in some way, and I must be, I don’t feel that sad and I want  to approach the world’s problems as a people, as if they matter.

Seems lots of folks are worried about themselves. I can understand. The world is challenging place to exist in. Jobs, family, grumpy folks, parking tickets, alcohol, misery. It’s all out there and can conquer your freeness if you let it. I can’t help but return every day to the fact that we are all together on this planet. And nowhere that I can see, are people putting their heads together to figure out a way to make it exist and thrive. Yes, we like to pretend, politicians are working our behalf towards these ends, but we know, that’s not gonna cut it. Real people need to get involved in the real world around us. People need to adopt the ideals we teach small children and have a meaningful, considerate, compassionate, respectful dialogue with the goals of seeking, finding, and then employing real long-term solutions to the matters that muck up our world most. We, as a people, should decide what those are. All the people who believe that everyone is worthy, that everyone is valuable and we are equal, should be the ones who initiate this discussion. Those people are the ones who are most apt to find a solution other than the ones lobbied politicians choose. Those are the folks who are most likely to maintain a discussion with decorum where folks inevitable disagree and not to work through that.

Facebook is porn. People go there to show themselves or some part of them, like their dinner. Where is the deeper level of it besides just petty bickering and look-at-me trivia. Facebook is fine. Like porn, there is probably a place for it, somewhere in existence. That it substitutes for a real discussion of anything is a myth at best and sham, more likely. Twitter, Snapchat, the same thing. There is a place for this, but instead of a mega-city, it should be, perhaps, a room, in a house somewhere with the windows closed. In it’s place, I would like to see people work their brains, push their limits and demand far more. Don’t settle for that tiny bribe or self-gifting. Don’t be distracted by your favorite little shows. Don’t miss life battling everyone and everything. We only battle ourselves. We can choose not to fight, not to spectate, not to take the bribe, not to ignore our future and our children’s future with plowing through our present on auto-pilot. It is not you. It is not me. It is endemic to our society and it is time we make the change we seek, the dream we dream of, the change I can finally taste, smell, touch, hear and see.

Let Facebook, TV, presents, superficial things like how people look all find their rightful place in the world, way below the things that matter most. Who we are, what we believe in. what’s wrong with the world, what we should do about it, how, what, where, when and why. Let’s disagree. Let’s mix it up. Let’s come back, wiser, humbled, simpler, smarter and let’s hug it out. Let’s disagree respectfully, with a common goal, sharing the amazing universe we inhabit. That is our true gift, our only gift. Home. And it is everywhere, everyone, all around us, always. It is inside and outside you and everything else.

Happy Holidays! I’ll celebrate when we all know every day is holiday. Every day, like every person is a great, a great chance to make the change the world needs, the change we all need, to be free.

I don’t feel like reading “The Experiment To See What Would Happen” today, after all. Ahhh, sweet tomorrow. I know what happened. I want to know what happens next. I want to help decide. I feel free. Thank you God.

Excerpt from a “Letter to a Friend”

YO. Another awesome email as usual. I am so happy you power through and find creative ways to continue the conversation. I can't wait for your return. I am thinking of it more and more these days. I spoke to Soul Man about you for while yesterday. He talked about what a great person you are and all the fun times from back then. People who were around refer to the Portugalia with reverence around here now. A little kiss with the Wild Wild West. The tip of the iceberg. You could write 12 amazing books if you felt like it and you'd just be getting started.

I finished my Operation 365 2 Monday. 3 videos and a blog a day, again, for a year. I am fired up about "knowing (my) conscious of (my) responsibility to everything," as you put it. I feel empowered at this moment. It's like I'd been loving life on the sidelines, in palatial OB for these years and now it seems the world might be ripe to converse. I am so glad. You know I love a good talk from time to time. You are amazing. I love you. What a tremendous blessing our next embrace will be. My eyes get glassy imagining it. I can feel it now. It must be getting sooner. This is my mantra, for the upcoming whatever it is…

Finally.

Love and Kisses,

Operation 365 2... Blog 366

How to End an Operation 365.

First thing you do is wake in the first morning after and immediately get back to work. Habits are hard to break. That is was one of the first big lessons tested and proven by the first Operation 365 in 2011. People tend to do what they do. We just need a little push in the right direction and Voila… 365 days later, 100 videos.

As I attempted to drift of to bed this morning after 2, I did math in my head, computing how many hours it was, this odyssey of expression. Was my prediction of an entire month of my year devoted to this correct? Oh, we’ll double check, but I am very much afraid so.

So, to me, the process of finishing one of these Operations included a look back and what happened, how long it took, what it meant, etc… Thank you for joining me on this trek. Let’s go to the video tapes. Thank you Warner Wolf.

So ultimately, this quest will lead me back to Thanksgiving 2011 and the end of the first and until yesterday, only Operation 365 in World History. Moments form now I will visit

http://jeffersonjay.blogspot.com/

More specifically,

http://jeffersonjay.blogspot.com/2011/11/operation-365-blog-360.html

In the first 365, I started the blog component 5 days into it, so that made me want to take the blog through 365 days, which I did. The last 5 blogs looked back at what I’d done. I will read those and use them as my guide for this happy ending.

First, let’s look at what a day of Operation 365ing entailed. If it took me two hours a day, which it probably did, then 2 hours a day, for 365 days is 730 hours. Divide that by 24 hour-days puts as at 30.4166667 days of work. Woo hoo! Now you may be saying, two hours a day, really Jim? I hear you, but know I spent about 8 hours yesterday just finishing Day 365. We filmed Day 365 for four hours on Monday. That is spit in the ocean. Here’s what a day of 365ing entailed. You decide for yourself how long it would take.

First step, making the videos. 3 of ‘em. Some go quick, like some words one, or the occasional improvised song. Other were covers I had to learn, songs I wrote and wanted to play right, covers I felt compelled to play well, etc… There were many ways for a video to take 5 minutes each to do, but the real figure was probably closer to ten or fifteen minutes each.

Once, the learning/writing/recording part was done, we get part two, Importing. So all the videos need to jump for the iPads (or whichever device) into iPhoto in my iMac and then form there into iMovie. Each of these steps takes time and there’s no way to speed it up. I should add. I did all this, both 365s with a 2009 iMac. Slow going sometimes, Extra steps are necessary. A newer machine would suck that stuff straight into iMovie and save me a step or two. I got to enjoy that during our week in Jersey on Dr. Bobby Brown’s newer unit. Once thumbnails are done generating, this step alone can take 5-10 minutes, we’ve probably spent another, we’ll say fifteen minutes to be conservative.

Then what happens? This is fascinating. Well, maybe not, but it’s real. Fascinating is in the eye of you. OK, videos are in, I can start, but first, I must prepare the blog. Step Three. I open the one from the day before. I change the date of the blog and prepare it for the new day’s details. In this period, I also often open a few YouTube windows and my blog page. I then log in to the blog and prepare that as well. Five more minutes maybe…

Step Four. Editing the videos. So now I have to go into all my flubs and get them out, meanwhile grabbing what I want and preparing it for few. Perhaps some video, clip or audio adjustments are made. The info screen is prepared. Then each video needs to Export. Each one takes about five minutes and I can’t work on other ones til it’s done. Once the first ones finished I can upload that one while I prepare the next ones, so things start moving a little quicker at that time. Multi-tasking is crucial to pulling off an Operation 365. So I prepare, edit, and bounce three videos. How long does that take? The bouncing alone takes about five minutes each. Let’s pretend the rest of this takes five minutes each for a total of ten minutes each in Step Four. These are all relatively conservative estimates.

Step Five. We’re bounced. We got to write that blog now, some words that make this all make sense, a context. We’ll call writing it, copying and pasting it, not only into my videos, but into the Microsoft Word back-up I have of each blog. We pretend that only takes ten minutes.

Step Six. Upload, They all upload to YouTube. This took less time than it did in the first 365. Still at least ten minutes here too, probably closer to fifteen or more.

Step Seven. Letting people know you did this, a.k.a. Social Media. I probably could have been a lot better that this part, but there are only so many hours in the day. They all go to Twitter, through a share link in Youtube. Most of them went to Facebook. I even dabbled with Reddit early before giving up on that one. Sometimes, and I had good luck with this, I would load the videos straight to Facebook. That took more time, but seems to gather more views much faster. Somewhere in there, I started uploading this all to my website, www.jeffersonjay.com too. Let’s say this final chunk took ten minutes.

So what did I write here? Step One, 30 minutes. Step Two, 15 minutes. Step Three, 5 minutes. Step Four, 30 minutes. Step Five, 10 minutes. Step Six, 10 minutes. Step Seven, 10 minutes. All conservative estimates. Some days, like Day 365, I spent much more much longer. I’ve already been typing here for half an hour. So, 30, 15, 5, 30, 10, 10, 10  = 1 hour and fifty minutes a day. It could easily be over two hours a day, hence 30 days straight, sans slumber, this year.

I didn’t have that clear in my mind when I made my 365 2 compilation to this song last week but maybe I should have.

OK, in a bit, I will read what I wrote last time, and begin my completion activities like it’s 2011. Thank you. Now, I think it’s best I brush my teeth.

OK. I brushed my teeth, had most of a day... Leanne is trailing badly in her Fantasy Football Championship game. Second place… could be worse. I am off to enjoy Chanukah and Christmas Eve with Leanne her dad and the dogs, Nigel, and Stanley. It will be festive family fun and I can’t wait.

I read entry one into the post-365 blog. The first one was an exhale, a breath of relief. I feel no such relief this time. I feel a quiet sense of accomplishment. I am happy, but I am looking forward instead of back. I am excited for the next adventure. I am not thinking about yesterday, only today and tomorrow. So until tomorrow… Excelsior!

Operation 365 2... Blog 365

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – BONUS – 365 “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by Bruce Springsteen

The Boss did not write “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” A fella named Coots did. John Haven Coots and Haven Gillespie. Cheers, gents. You made it into The Operation 365 2. Sometimes, with love, you just can’t stop. I just got so in to the Christmas spirit. Giving time, my friends. So in addition to 365 full days of this fun, I’ve been adding BONUS videos all week. In fact, two BONUS videos decorate the glorious tree that is Day 365.

How will I stop tomorrow? I won’t in a way. I intend to clean up the data diaspora that is the this project and I intend to continue the blog, for roughly a week or as long as it takes me to reflect and share what the Operation 365 has meant to me. In the mean time, Santa is coming and we will all celebrate together.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – BONUS 2 – 365 “Everything Happens for a Reason”

“Everything Happens for a Reason” is one of my favorite maxims to live by. I think about that all the time. It helps me make sense of a world that often seems to defy it. I even named a words video on Day 74, “Everything Happens for a Reason.” This here is an original song, an improvised or freestyled song, if you prefer, done in the classic Operation 365 manner. Hit record. Make a song. That’s it. I hope to continue using that method without the urgency injected by the 365.

Until then, or in case I don’t, here is one last endeavor into this rewarding pond. Built for you, another bonus on Day 365, “Everything Happens for a Reason.”

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Covers – 365 “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and The Papas

“All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray.
I’d be safe and warm if I was in L.A.”

- California Dreamin’, The Mamas and The Papas

It’s the stuff dreams are made of for small East Coast children. It gets in your head and it never goes away, the stuff of make-believe. Warmth and sunshine all year long. Beautiful women. A paradise so far, yet just a drive away. Los Angeles. The City of Angels.

It’s a thrill half my life later to still me here living the California dream. Kind people. Respect. A wide variety of individuals. Acceptance. The kinship folks find when they are far away from home. I am humbled to have a home here, just blocks from the beach. Even a gray San Diego day in the end of December has a little bit of sunshine.

It is up to us to decide what happens. That’s what I’ve done here for 365 days. And I’m just getting started.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Originals - 365 “People”

Some say, “save the best for last.” Who’s to say what’s best… or even last for that matter? We never know. One day at work, a colleague, Pam, asked me to write a song for the folks in the Seniors department. I did. It was called, “Seniors,” and they loved it. I realized soon after that song was about far more than the “Seniors,” and deserved to be about all the people. And I changed the chorus to “People.”

I love this song and I think it has a very clear and positive message.

“Everyone is equal. Everyone is great. We all have things to offer in brilliant different ways.” – People, Me.

I really believe that. I think we are all great and are limited only by limitations we allow into our mind. Here is my pledge to finally shed those limitations. They are not mine. They never world. Whole world, here I come. It truly is a gift to be alive.

Thanks to my friends and my wife for putting up with me doing videos all the time every day for a year… again. Most of all my wife Leanne, who still here , in this 365’s finally 66 minutes, really wants to me put this down and go to bed. Soon, hon. Very soon, here I come. Thanks to anyone and everyone who watched, enjoyed, glimpsed, pondered, giggled, or even thought about watching any of these 1100 labors of love. My video children.

A final thanks to my dear friends, The Hunseys, who once again welcomed us into their heavenly home and collaborated on another unforgettable Operation 365 finale. Endless thanks to all my special partners at work and to Orion Boucher, Steph G and Anthony “Tony Rod” Hernandez for their instrumental help in nailing down the Operation 365 2’s last act.

Peace and love to everyone everywhere. We are all one. Until real soon. Kisses

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Words – 365 “A Fond Farewell”

Sometimes a simple good-bye is best. In fact, it’s no good-bye at all. It is a farewell, as I believe we will be seeing much more of each other in the days, weeks, months and years to come. Thanks and see you soon! Happy Holidays. Onward and upward.

Love,

Jefferson Jay

Operation 365 2... Blog 364

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – BONUS – 364 “Deck the Halls” by Thomas Oliphant



I think this is a truly adorable video. It offers a glimpse into everything heartwarming about my job doing music with special needs adults. This is a huge part of the direction I wish to continue to go. My big goal for next year if to produce my Christmas musical as the first ever show with all special needs adults. It's about time the world gets to see who these people really are. We are all one and I think we're about to find we're a whole lot more lovable and charming than we realized.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Covers – 364 “Soul Man” by Sam and Dave

So, I was going to use "Deck the Halls" as my cover for today, but I check these to make sure I'm not just repeating the same several tunes over and over again without remembering. Well, it's good I check, 'cause I played "Deck" on Day 181 of the first 365. So, this created another opportunity to add something else to the soup that is this 365. 

My dear friend The SOul Man is 98 and he fought in World War II and The Korean War. He is a great guy. It humbles me silly each time he tells, I'm "the best friend he's ever had." It seemed incomplete to do over 700 covers and not play the song from which his nickname  comes. As legend has it, and there's nothing but legend as it pertains to The Soul Man, legend has it that Lenny Kravitz dubbed him with that moniker at Croce's in the late 90's. I met SM just a few years later at that same place. We were young men then. I was 28 and he was 82. 

Well, cheers to you, brother. I plan to come out and watch you play some tunes tonight. Peace, love and friendship. It's a wonderful world in which I get to be brothers with The Soul Man. 

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Originals - 364 “Berserk”

Well, this big chunk of work is about to take a backseat to the rest of my life here real soon. "Berserk" is about loving your work and taking it seriously, but not letting it make you “Berserk.” This is a song from some distant episode of my Christmas musicals, "The Hunt for the Great Christmas Tree." Although, I've been keeping those arrows in the quiver largely, I thought I'd shoot this one, as it seemed quite relevant to the tasks at hand.  

I am pleased with how this 365 has gone. Honestly, it has been far easier than the first one. It almost flew by, as much as doing 1100 videos can. The first time, in 2011, I had serious doubts if I was going to complete the marathon. This time, I never had doubts. I was resolved to not let it take over my life and not let myself spend a whole year feeling "up against it." WHo needs that pressure? Just doing all this, is enough. 

So, while I didn't let my work make my life “Berserk,” I could have. Moving forward, I plan to work even harder on all sorts of things. May this serve as my ongoing reminder to myself to keep a level head and never allow the allure of activity and occupation to interfere with what matters most. Life, love, friends and family. Life can be complicated, but it doesn't have to be. 

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Words – 364 “Hibernation”

“Hibernation” is kind of two song ideas I had jammed together into one. What can I say? Time is running out. It is clear, with all these daily BONUS videos, that I just can't get enough of this good thing. Idea One emerged in the aftermath of the election. I got this little descending melody that accompanied the lyrics, "It's recreational, oh." I hung with that one for a bit.

Then, some weeks later, I started thinking about the life of a bear. “Hibernation." How interesting is that? Huge animal, sleeps for months, wakes up refreshed. I love it. After all this work, that managed to not drive me berserk, if any human had a “Hibernation” coming, it very well may be me. Who's to say Either way, I don't want to hibernate. As I only I can, I chose bear-y chords. B  E  | B  E  A. Yes, it can be that easy. Let the songs write themselves. Hibernate. Recreate. Repeat. Like Lenny said, "Let Love Rule." Let life live. Whoa, Bears!

See you all tomorrow for Day 365!

Operation 365 2... Blog 363

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Originals - 363 “Another Christmas Song”

It’s like I can’t say good-bye. I guess this is OK, ’cause I’ve got three full days left. Yesterday, I prepared the videos, more or less, for Days, 362, 363, and 364, all to leave mew more time to make the videos 365 a bit more special. Yet, for some reason, I still found myself recording videos all day at work as if I needed some. For what purpose? Habit? Perhaps I was hoping to improve on one or two of these, but at what cost. I have two jobs today, two jobs tomorrow. What time is there to continue to make extra videos like I did yesterday. What can I say? I’ve got some sort of work ethic, I suppose.

One thing, I’m afraid I’ll miss most about 365ing is hitting record and coming up with a song from scratch. Perhaps that is why I kept the camera handy today. Not nearly as much song fishing (I just conjured that term) without an Operation 365 to execute. Well, here is one of those; one last improvised Christmas song for you in the final act of Operation 365 2 and the final few days before Christmas.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Words – 363 “Fill That Cup”

Yesterday I did an original song called “Fill Rivers.” Here is another one, an improvised one, named “Fill,” well, “Fill That Cup” if you wanna call it by it’s full name. I think I may be addicted ‘cause I’m busy and I can’t stop thinking of ways to squeeze another video or two in as BONUS without taking too much more time. What can I say? It’s the season of giving and I don’t wanna stop.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Covers – 363 “Sexy Sadie” by The Beatles

I am a pretty loyal, appreciative son of a gun. In fact, that’s the context for this here video. They all become more meaningful as we approach the end of this delightful marathon. So, I haven’t gone back and checked yet, but I would venture a confident guess that The Beatles were the most covered artist in this here Operation 365 2. So, one more of there incredible jammerinos seemed fitting to fit in before the final on Friday.

My lovely wife, Leanne’s old car, a Toyota 4runner was named after this tune. I have had some car tumult this year. I had to bid adieu to my dear devoted VW van, The Tealmobile. I embraced and continue to embrace his replacement, a Toyota Sienna, affectionately named, Mohammed El-Shabazz… or Megatron, “Meg” for short.” To me a car is far more than just a car, regardless of whether it happens to be a van. Our cards keep us alive with the proper functioning. I am grateful and loyal, even to hunks of metal. Cars have soul too. We all do. I believe.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – BONUS – 363 “Oh Chanukah” by Hirsch Kopyt

OK, it’s official. I’m addicted. Addicted to you. Yes, it appears I aim to inject entertainment into the vein of this universe with an all but reckless abandon. Yes, apparently 1100 videos is not enough. That’s why God invented to BONUS. That’s right. BONUS. More holiday hits. More fun for the family. The great World War II vet/World Series champion Yankee second baseman/Hall of Fame broadcaster Jerry Coleman exclaimed “Oh, Doctor!” on the rare occasion that a Padre ballplayer made a great play. Today, with hopes that I’ll stay silent, at least until tomorrow, I exclaim “Oh Chanukah!”

The Operation 365 2... where too much is never enough.

"We are all perfectly fine. Thank you." - Happy Bear

Operation 365 2... Blog 362

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Words – 362 “I Say a Prayer for You”

Somehow this morning, I tweaked my neck slightly. No big deal, but my friends at work noticed and expressed their concern about my well-being. How sweet. I reassured them as best I could that I was fine, but not before one amiga said a prayer for me. That led me to this little touching song. Hail love.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Covers – 362 “The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler

So via request, here is “The Chanukah Song.” I love making people happy. Fulfilling their requests is one little way to get this done. There are many. I am friendly to folks working at cash registers. I try to bring light where there is darkness and this is a pretty fun song.

So, here goes that. Plus, it seems proper to do a Chanukah song when I know I’ve done plenty o’ Xmas tunes as this project wraps up. Love to everyone, everywhere, no matter what you celebrate. We all deserve love.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Originals - 362 “There Comes a Dance”

We all have a time in our life when something’s got to give. I feel like I’m at that point in my life in a myriad of ways. It is nice how it all wraps up right here at the end of the year, as easy a time as there is to regroup and take the next measures.

I am getting extremely fired up for whatever follows this Operation 365 2. I feel big things on the horizon and I feel I am finally ready. I was sure I was ready at 19. I wasn't. I thought I might be ready at 30. I might have been right, but this is the path I was meant to walk. Now I am eager to put myself in a position to make more things happen. 

We all await some special event, a dance, if you will. Many call the NCAA college basketball tournament The Big Dance. I heard New york Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz on the radio earlier today referring to the NFL play-offs as a a dance. My simple point is, anything can be a dance. Something big that you go to, put forth your best effort, and try your luck. That's what I am talking about. It feels good to feel like I am on the precipice of something big. 

Finally. 

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – BONUS - 362 “Fill Rivers”

I must have a knack for this stuff, ‘cause this big beast of a project is all but done and I keep coming up with more reasons to do more. What can I say? I couldn’t let this funfest end without a few last words on the NFL’s most enigmatic leader, San Diego Chargers quarterback Phil Rives. Phil has a bit of a pouting problem when things to quite head his way, which is often. In this tune, I opine that Phil sheds enough tears when things don’t go his way to “Fill Rivers.”

 So, this little number that I wrote for The Scott and BR Radio show on The Mighty 1090AM (www.mighty1090.com). I don’t believe this one ever made it to air and I think it’s kind of funny so I thought I’d include before there was no point to this song whatsoever. For all we know there won’t even be a San Diego Chargers by next month. Phil Rivs!       

Operation 365 2... Blog 361

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Originals - 361 “Bigger Ponds”

Been thinking a lot and writing some neat tunes here as the Operation nears its close. Final week action here brings you this new number, "Bigger Ponds." Those following closely know I have been sharing my premonitions of big things to come real soon. Well, we songwriters, put these sorts of sensations to song and here is what it sounds like when we do. Well, when I do, in this case. 

Yes, I love San Diego. I love Ocean Beach, my little neighborhood in San Diego, but I don't think I'm going to be reaching any additional people too much by staying. So I am going to have to expand my wings and fly, at least 90 minutes north. I will be visiting The City of Angels far more frequently I imagine as I aim to get a toe into the machine... my wife just found my secret conditioner. Doh!

Yep. I guess that's about enough for today. In doing these projects, especially the songs I like, I want to get them as good as I possibly can. Alas, time does not permit such luxuries. We must accept the fact that we can get it done as well as we can get things done in the amount of time allotted to us. So, that is about hat. Cheers to my new tune "Bigger Ponds" and the subsequent stellar versions I will add to this one, the premiere, in the future of life, ideally, in some much “Bigger Ponds”

Oh, when I got this idea for this tune Saturday night, I thought, ""Bigger Ponds," well, let's see "Bigger" has B, G and E, in that order, so that's how my song should go." The point is, I guess, that there are many different ways to do stuff and sometimes, if you pay attention, these things can sort of start to do themselves. We can make things much more difficult that they actually are. Perhaps that's some advice to myself as I swim off in search of like-minded folks and the rest of the world.  There are many savory ways to butter a biscuit. You don't even need butter... or a biscuit.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Covers – 361 “Been Thinkin” by Blowski

Trying to prepare a little something special for the folks for the finally of the ole Operation 365 2. As you mighty've guessed, it takes a bit of effort to prepare 3 videos a day, much less three more that require an actual video shoot. At least, a couple of us have the day off to shlep to what I'll call, The Home of the Operation 365 Finale. Thanks to everyone making time in their bust schedules to allow my vision to play out roughly like I have it in my head. Yes, lots of thinkin'

Hail to my brother Blowski, settled in the Hawaiian sun. I think often of the great days and our unique and powerful bond. The times with Acoustic Booze, Blowski's band, which I was proud to serve on drums, were incredibly special. Shout-outs to my other fellow Boozers, Dylan Avery, Patricia "The Militia" Mueller, Adrianna Martin-Morningstar, and extended the family of Boozers, Nancy Truesdail, Paul Ruiz. and the one and only, Soul Man. I love "Been Thinkin'."

Cheers, Hail, and Hallelujah. Boozers 4 Life. 

 

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay – Words – 361 “How a Champion Moves?”

My wife is very excited. If you've married or have ever been married then you know, that's the best of times. She is excited this moment because she just realized that not only is she going to the Championship game of our Fantasy Football League... ( I continue to hang my head in disgrace, shame and dishonor for losing to her last week in the game that got teams in to the play-offs, Season ended rough for Dick's SportingGoods. That was my team name, in honor Mariposa Ice Cream's Dick Van Ransom Magana. Hail Dick. ) ...but it will be on Christmas, we will be celebrating it with all of our friends who are in the league, her opponent who lives in upstate New York, Ali, will be there and here I present, her Championship football dance. 

Only one game left to win. Amen sounds like I'm in. Here's to bigger ponds.