Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words - 164 “Operation 365
After Hours”
So, we are scheduled to visit our filmmaking pal in L.A.
soon. I thought I might be
doing myself a solid if I got busy late Friday night and
busted out a few highly entertaining videos without waking up my wife.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 164 “Thomas’ English
Muffins”
This first piece is based on a man’s love for late-night intimacies
with “Thomas’ English Muffins.” It’s hard to get more intimate than putting
those savory bread morsels into your mouth, chewing, and then swallowing ‘em
down, bit by scrumptious bit. I’m blushing just thinking about it. Maybe, this will
some day blossom into the greatest jingle ever. I think it could be remixed
thusly and the whole world would grow in the wake of the ecstasy that is “Thomas’
English Muffins.”
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 164 “The Facts of
Life” by Burton, Loring and Thicke
Folks, no one said it was easy, getting through life each
day, in an all girls’ school in Peekskill, New York or wherever you are, doing
whatever you do. The wisdom shared here by Edna Garrett and the girls has stuck
with me. Jo Polniaczek, Tootie… all of ‘em. Here I go sultry and acapella,
bringing you a stirring and stripped down version of one of the greatest television
theme songs in the history of human Earth, “The Facts of Life.”
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 163 “The 163”
by Jefferson Jay
Hello, Today was a tad of a tough day to do the 365. Some
days, you just don’t have that spunk. Some days you just want to be normal and
hang with your friends, have day off and not do three videos and blog.
Deciding, recording, dumping, editing, writing, bouncing, posting, social
media. It is many jobs in one. I love it cause it keeps my creativity sharp and
it forces to be stay in touch with all of you. I am here for everyone. This is
just the only way I’ve figured so far to meaningfully show that. I want what’s
best for the world. It’s a priority for me. Probably more than most modern
politicians, who seem more interested in scheming extra million out of
corporations and taxpayers for their personal gain. Boo you guys. You can do
better. We all can. So that is what I hope comes next after Bernie Sanders and
all this 365 business. I want to help. I want to provide the mechanism for a
conversation on what our world really needs, like Bernie Sanders has to some
degree. I want to keep things going and help people find ways to participate in
healing our world and leaving something beside to the future that we can truly
be proud of. Until then, until I figure what and how exactly that is, I will
continue to be there for you every day, even when it’s hot and sunny and
Muhammad Ali died yesterday. Hail The Greatest of All Time, a man who fought
for everyone and did what he believed in. A man of conviction and ironically, a
fighter and a man of Peace.
“The 163,” was fun and easy though. It tends to be that way
until it gets challenging and hard. Those who can maintain a calm and positive
mind frame when that part starts are far ahead in the scheme of things. I wrote
his jam late at night last night prior to crashing in honor of today, Day 163
on the 365 2 and in honor of that fine and scenic highway here in San Diego,
the 163.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 163 “Clint
Eastwood” by Gorillaz
I was rolling along nicely on today’s videos until I got to
the cover. It was a struggle. As I so eloquently kvetched in the “Words”
segment. I faced some adversity and even allowed to get under my skin for just
a sec. Then I gathered myself and hid in the bathroom until I was done. It is a
time-honored coping chamber of mine. A very private place, more often that not,
thankfully… So I managed to get it done. Hallellujah!
Cheers to my old friend Brian, then of Del Mar, now of
Escondido for all the wonderful and encouraging thoughts he shared with me
about what I’ve accomplished and his perceptions of what I represent. It was
refreshing to hear and means a lot Thank you.
I don’t normally litter the 365 with swears, but this song
is so nice and groovy, I thought I’d sing it like it is. One chord, too. Just
yesterday, I briefly contemplated covering Frank Zappa’s “Bobby Brown Goes
Down.” Then I imagined some of the people I work with watching that one and
their care providers having to explain a lot of highly unsavory circumstances
to them. So I don’t know where the line is, but as f today, it is somewhere
between Gorillaz and “Bobby Brown Goes Down.” I have not chimed in on the
controversy of the week with gorilla being shot to save a kid. I love gorillas.
They were my favorite animal as a boy. That said, people lives come first and
if killing a gorilla may save a young boy, that’s what’s got to get done. It’s
highly unfortunate but I’m glad that boy is OK. Sane people have started
telling me they may vote for Donald Trump. Now, that I find alarming. That’s
how dissatisfied people are in this country with that status quo. I live for
positive change. People deserve love. That’s what I wish to help with. Let ‘em
all fight and gloat about money.
Love is the currency that counts.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words - 163 “In Honor of
Ali”
Here are a few words, expressing the Operation 365’s
condolences regarding the loss of “The Greatest of All Time,” American Hero,
Olympic Gold Medalist, Heavyweight Champion, Conscientious Objector, Muhammad
Ali. Few were as firm in their convictions and never in the history of sports,
with the possible exception of Jackie Robinson has anybody stood as confidently
in the face of fire for a cause they not only believed in, but lived by. I
didn’t live to see Ali’s prime as an athlete or any of his political actions
during the Vietnam War, but it didn’t matter. From the age I was old enough to
know who folks were, I revered Ali, He was larger than boxing. He was larger
than sport. He represented charisma and convictions as well as anyone who’s
ever lived. Hail Ali.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 162 “Sleep
Right” by Jefferson Jay
Here’s a little special something for today’s Operation 365
2. My pal Stephanie Geranio directed “Sleep Right.” She conjured the idea, produced
and edited it as well. I just threw my little curtain credits scene near the
end. The music in the beginning is “A Day” from my 2nd CD, “Red,”
available on iTunes, Spotify and www.jeffersonjay.com
Steph G did a great job, and we had a blast. I look forward
to working with her again on this here 365 and keeping tabs on her other
sure-to-be exciting adventures. Shout-outs to my family for participating on
and off screen.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - BONUS - 162 “Yakety Yak”
by The Coasters
So I was fairly stoked this morning, thinking I had my
videos done a day in advance and I could take my off day to work on some
different fun things. Then, I checked to see if I’d done “Yakety Yak” before. I
did, April 15, 2011, the day before my birthday. I spelled it with an extra
letter, but it’s the same song.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 162 “I’m Going
Down” by Bruce Springsteen
Then I ventured off on a mental odyssey, considering all
sorts of tunes in search of something fun to play and share. I considered Billy
Ocean, John Mellencamp, John Fogerty… I was wanting a baseball song as today is
Day 162 and there are 162 games in a baseball season.
The Padres blew the biggest lead in their franchise history
last night and I tunes in just in time to predict it and watch it come to pass.
In the future you’ll be able to bet on stuff like at-bats, played instead of
games. I would gotten rich last night because I confidently called the Padres
collapse. I’m a history guy, The Padres have been a dumpster fire for decades.
Like their owner Ron Fowler stated publicly earlier this week on The Mighty
1090, it’s embarrassing.
So “I’m Going Down” is in honor of the Pads epic self-defecating
defeat last night at home versus Seattle. I sing low on this one, but not
nearly as low as the percentage chance the Mariners had of winning down ten
after five innings. Perhaps not even as low as The ‘Dres winning percentage
will be by season’s end if they keep this up. I am a soprano compared to their
morale after a depth-defying new low for the boys in brown and yellow or blue
and yellow. They alternate between the two. How can you expect a team to win a
division when they don’t even know what color they wear? The one color they
always wear is yellow. More like yeller. Old Yeller. #kevorkian
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words - 162 “Come on,
Padres!”
Here I try to apply a trademark, desperation-infused
Jefferson Jay pep talk to the hapless lads from the Gaslamp, The San Diego
Padres. They set a club-record by blowing a ten-run lead last night. Congrats’
Dres. When you’ve sucked for so long, it can be a challenge to reach new lows.
Anything is possible. Never let anyone tell you it can’t be done. If you ever
mange to get a double-digit lead a gain in this young season, I say you blow
that one too. You can be the greatest team in history at losing unlosable
games. It’s not too late. Better to be the best at something awful than to not
be good at anything at all.
Come on Pads, I was maybe going to go tonight too, but I
prefer to watch professional baseball games.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 161 "The
Theme for Motel 6 " by Tom Faulkner
I can’t believe how easy it was to find out who wrote this
song. I changed the words a little to make them more real for me, but the feel and
idea are the same. They change the words each commercial anyway so it’s fine. I
wish I had used a little more forethought and shared my song “Six,” about how
much I love the number 6, today. Another day for the other 6 song.
Good job, Tom Faulkner. That guy wrote “I Want My Baby Back,
Baby Back, Baby Back” for Chili’s too. I like Motel 6. Thanks for existing,
Motel 6 and thanks to Tom Bodett for leaving the light on for us. It wastes
energy but it’s a nice sentiment all the same.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 161 "June
Haze" by Jefferson Jay
So I finished busting out my “Motel 6” jam and my iPad died,
so I had no choice but to bust out some original composition from my cerebral
cortex I think that’s where they live… I’d made up a couple of cool tunes on
the spot today earlier at work when iPad died, but those are kind of gone now.
One was about a bee and flowers and one was an educational type song about the
letter C. Kind of like my own different, “C Is For Cookie” song. I found myself
entertaining the notion of making a bunch of fun, educational videos for kids
and special needs folks. So many ideas. We’ll see what happens.
With those songs in thin air, I made up this one. I thought
it was OK, but I kind of wanted to do better, but perhaps this is fine and that
is nonsense. Most likely. So I spoke some words about the pros and cons of
keeping this song and then fruitlessly tried for another fifteen minutes to get
all the way through another of my jams from memory before dragging my butt back
inside knowing I should have just gone with this one in the first place.
A little hazy in the brain lately, so many thoughts all at
once. Perhaps I’m just reflecting what we call June Gloom here in Ocean Beach.
No gloom on this guy, but there is haze in the air and beneath my hair and this
song manifests some of that probably.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words - 161 Will This Do?”
Here, I literally wonder aloud as to whether the song I’d
just created was worthy of this big honking 365 project. Ultimately, when I couldn’t
play any other ones, that became an overwhelming “Yes!” Hey, I just want the
best for you and everyone else on the planet. Seriously. Now to discover how to
turn that compelling, captivating things to see and do. Like the Diggers did in
San Francisco in 1966. I have a long awaited date with my Alinsky book. Hail
Bernie. Our time is now.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 160
"Raquel and Justin" by Jefferson Jay
We had the most fabulous time up in Tehachapi this past
weekend celebrating the sweet, sweet nuptials of our friends "Raquel and
Justin." It was majestic, marvelous, emotional and huge heaping tubs of
fun. Huge congratulations to the bride and groom, their great pooches and their
fabulous families and everyone we had such blast celebrating with.
Hours before our departure north for the festivities, I felt
I needed to something to honor this excellent event. So I penned this jam. I
put it on a flash drive and brought it up to them so they could preview it
before it got shared for all the world to see today. They seem to have enjoyed
it. That’s a relief.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words - 160 "Words for Raquel and Justin"
So I was forced to take an artistic liberty or two in
writing "Raquel and Justin," mainly because I don’t know all the
details of their courtship. This video details the nature of those liberties.
What was nice though was some of the parallels I unwittingly (or intuitively)
stumbled upon. I saw a rope swing and jumping into the space above the water as
a metaphor for marriage. Justin has built all kinds of awesome wooden things
for this event, including a huge rope-swinging bench. He also told me there was
a rope swing where you leap into water nearby and that they did that shortly
after moving into their incredible new abode. I am so happy for them and
equally grateful to have been included in a great, great weekend near the river
in Tehachapi.
This video includes the song “Raquel and Justin” but
is flanked by the sweet words of love and explanation that accompanied the
version of the tune I gave them. This is that version. The words before and
after the tune are the “Words.” The tune in the middle, in context and BONUS.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 160 "The
Wheels on the Bus" by Lydia Ulsaker
"The Wheels on the Bus" is far and away the
deepest song of in the world ever, hands down, by far. Here, I connect with
this tune at that hellaciously deep level and get down. I really turn my soul
inside out for you guys bringing you seminal soul classic. I can only that it
brings you the climactic catharsis that it brought me. Life changing stuff.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals – 159 “Angel
Swan Song” by Jefferson Jay
“Angel Swan Song” was the last song I wrote about my beloved
super-pooch for over fifteen year, Angel. This is not the ultimate version of
this tune I had hoped to post ideally. I wrote it on and for piano. I had to
get piano lessons to even be able to play it a little. I can barely even play
it on guitar really,. It’s an ambitious tune. I wanted it captured for the
record. So this way, in case, I never get around to playing it right on the
piano. At least, it’s here in case anyone ever want to know how it’s kind of
supposed to go. Thank you for your patience.
This song helped me heal after losing Angel. It will likely be the last tune I
ever write about her. I am so glad she remains with me every day in our own
way. I love her forever.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers – 159 “Ring of
Fire” by Johnny Cash
“Ring of Fire” is an extremely popular tune with my senior
–aged special needs folks. They love it. One of my friends only says a few
words and two of them to me, every week, are “Johnny Cash.” She says with gusto
too. Then she dances, more like conducts the tune. Gives me five and on she
moves. I love life and I love my job too.
Was this song written about marriage? Just kidding. No
seriously, I really wanna know.
I love my wife. XOXOXOXO, Honey. I was just wondering.
My wife says it’s not about marriage. I don’t even know how
she knew I wrote this. She said it’s ‘cause she’s psychic. I’ll bet it’s ‘cause
she saw. So, it’s definitely not about marriage.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words – 159 “Of Aunts and
Angels”
Immediately upon concluding my “Angel Swan Song,” I received
a round of applause that warmed my heart. They must have felt the emotion I was
bringing ‘cause it doubt it was the flawless the performance they responded to.
Who knows? Self-criticism is almost completely pointless. We’re in way too
close to see anything as it is. It’s best just to love and let things happen.
Enjoy those around you like I do my friends talking her today. Great folks. I’m
blessed to know them.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals – 158 “The Wild
Card” by Jefferson Jay
Some folks just keep you on your toes. Maybe that’s what
they’re meant for. Maybe that’s just how it goes. I appreciate folks like that.
We always lear n stuff from each other, but we can learn from folks like that
more quickly. It’s like that’s their destines role. To us, for a moment anyway.
Perhaps.
Charlie Kelly. He is the self-professed wildcard in the
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” world. I love that world. Those guys crack
me up. He is a classic wild card. There’s always a lot to learn. There’s always
a road to hoe. Stay alert, my friends. Sometimes these roads have sharp turns.
In Palace, it’s a two or a ten, or four of a kind. In life,
it’s a state of mind.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers – 158 “Daydream
Believer” by Neil Diamond
Yes, Neil wrote this Monkees classic. Much fun in this one.
I’ll have to play it more ‘cause it is pretty.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words – 158 “Late Night
Writing”
Last weekend, The Jefferson Jay Band played at Mother’s
Saloon in OB. It was much fun. It always is when we play. That is why we do it.
That and it feels good. The two are related. Then after we closed the bar, we
played til 1AM, we returned to the abode form some after hours band socializing.
More fun was had. Dan was Ultimate Champion. Long story. Not really. Palace.
It’s a card game.
Then I laid my head in bed, but that only lasted a second
‘cause a song instantly popped in my head. It was and now is called “This Is
How Kings Live.” What can I tell ya? I feel blessed. It’s certainly not about
giant castles or royal jewels. It’s about simplicity and appreciation. It is
about humble gratitude. So I got up and wrote the tune. I left my glasses off,
so I couldn’t really see and I did it on keyboard because that’s how the song
came to me and it was enough guitar by 3. I love rhyming. I wrote the tune and
then another. The versions weren’t share-worthy. In fact, the video mainly
exists so I don’t forget everything I do real late. It’s good for that. And
then I wrote another tune too.
So here’s a teensy taste of me at 3 finishing doing what I
do. Existing. Creating. Appreciating. You.
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