Operation 365 2... Blog 193

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words – 193 “Happy Freeness Day”

Happy Independence Day, y’all. Feeling freeness? I sure hope you is. Yous deserve it. Why, you ask? Because you’re human and you were put here on this planet. Not to be slaves to any person place or thing. You’re no noun slave. Not to feel trapped doing something you never intended to do as much as you do. There is life beyond the walls we have built for ourselves. Whether it is TV, food, video games or a bad relationship that trap you… Whether it is a thankless job, a drug habit, or any other thing you think you can’t beat, you can. I believe. If you weren’t powerful, strong, and capable, you would be here. We have all won to even live life as long as we have. Now, here on the 4^th of July, what do we do with it? I’ll be staying tuned, folks. Feel freeness. It is your birthright. Never infringe on anyone’s else’s freeness ands wear yours proudly into every bold night. Peace

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 193 “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood

I tried to play “America, The Beautiful,” Ray Charles’ version today, but it wasn’t exactly happening in the hot, early day, heat. I veered patriotically in this direction, playing this Lee Greenwood jam. One of my special folks I work with had been requesting this one for some time. I’d been resisting. I am more a God Bless Everybody type guy, and while I understand he is not saying “God Bless the USA” to the neglect of everybody else, he isn’t specifically including them either.

I’d think we have a big enough God to bless everyone regardless where our ancestors decided our nation’s boundaries should run. I feel the same way about “God Bless America.” I think I ran across some internet article earlier this week making a similar point, but I didn’t read it. Love everyone. That’s essentially my response. But the mandate of the 365 called for this tune and paved the way for this brief discussion on who we bless and why. Since when do we tell God what to do anyway. Please, perhaps… Respect your maker.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 193 “Another Great Day in the USA” by Jefferson Jay

“Another Great Day in the USA” is an alternate example of how you can sing a lovely song about your homeland without indirectly disrespecting al the other people of the globe. I am not completely saying Lee Greenwood does that in his “God Bless the USA” jam. He's not. He never says to heck with all those other nation's people, but GO'd blessing s and the enjoyment of a great day should be for all the people of the planet, not just any nation's inhabitants. I feel the same way about gender, religions, race, and creed, whatever creed is. We are all equal. We are all a great and everyone deserves a great day and God's blessings every day.

Honestly, can anyone imagine an actual God that loved the citizens of one land more than the rest of the world's people. Well, me neither, but I guess we can convince ourselves of just about anything is we're desperate enough.Love is for everyone. We are all one. There are only imaginary lines between nations, cities and individuals. we all have one common interest. Love. The freeness to feel love and to be loved and to be able to enjoy the glory that is the Earth we share. Peace. Happy Freeness Fest 2016. 

Operation 365 2... Blog 192

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words – 192 “First World Problems”

Today is a deep dark day on the 365 2. Why, you ask? I’ll tell you. I don’t look forward to too many things. Yes, the sun coming up every day. Yes, the loving embrace of my fabulous wife. Yes, doing this here 365 for you daily. But besides that, I try to take things pretty well in stride. I try. Well, today, that flew by the wayside. I am devastated, as in without pride. Why? I’ll tell ya why…

I thought my 39-39 Yankees, on only their third visit to San Diego since 2004 would be ready to battle the last-place Fathers, but no. Quite to the contrary. I have sat in there and watched in person while the Yanks disgraced generations of Yankee fans with their dismal performances this weekend. Shame!

So today, I have to gut out the third game of this three game series at Petco Park and pray that the most ignominious of outcomes, the sweep, does not befall us. I slept as late as I could, hoping I could dream away the embarrassment, but I could not. So, once again, I pulled myself up my the bootstraps and gutted out three sad, forlorn videos on dismal Day 192.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 192 "The Boy From New York City" by The Ad-Libs

So, I managed to muster up the strength in the face of the Yankees shameful ballplay, to attempt to bolster their sagging play with song. Yes, "The Boy From New York City," in a perfect world, should lead the Yankees to salvage at least one game from Los Padres in their three-game series here in San Diego at Petco Park. It has been rough. I detest losing and losing to the ‘Dres, that’s like ten times worse. Only losing to a team of tired children would be worse than that.

So here, I desperately try to summon a Yankee win from The Baseball Gods. Make no mistake. There are Baseball Gods. Here I beg them for a Sunday win, with this song about the boys from the New York City. Go Bronx Bombers!

Hail Jimmy Valiant!

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 192 "Woe is Them" by Jefferson Jay

Wow, it’s been tough. Yanks lose Friday. I see it. I pay to see it. Yanks lose Saturday. Same. Wife gloats. I have to go back today, for what may be the ultimate shaming possible in sports, a three-game sweep at the hands of the last-place San Diego Padres. You can feel by woe. It is tangible. I don’t know how I even mustered the strength through my profound disappointment to say anything, much less sing and make songs. Well, here is a song I made. I hope it makes you cry, like sad songs do. Please God, make the Yankees win today.

Operation 365 2... Blog 191

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words - 191 "Thriving Thriving Thriving"

Oh, another day. Is it possible? Can we have done 190 of these already? And now more? One man’s trash, folks, Doing creative stuff for you with my time is my treasure I suppose. Hopefully, there’s some of that in there for you too. Merrily, we march on.

So, today, I said a few words to set up the mystery that was, at the time, the rest of my videos for the day Now, just a short while later with no concerns other than the one nagging one, the possibility that all my videos were assaulted by a most insidious on invader. Boogage. Yes, as humans, we all battle boogage from time to time. But fortunately, we are not always exposed to the whole world. This is why we have editing, so that any of you kind enough to take the time to watch my works are not overcome with nausea due to my boogage factor. Folks upon, further review, it wasn't as bad as I thought, but I left the worst part anyway. Is there any length to which I won't go for your amusement? It's hard to say. 

Boogage aside, there is a lot to live for each and every day. Keep thriving, folks, It’s why the sun rises. What would the sun do? Rise and shine and thrive.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 191 "Dr. John Sarno" by Jefferson Jay

I also considered “The Pain Free Song” as a potential title, but I went with the real reason for the pain-free season, my man, Dr. John Sarno. I was listening as a child, long ago, when Howard Stern was talking about this man who helped him battle back from years and years of debilitating pain. Talking to my brother form another mother, Scott Baslaw, Dr. Sarno came up last week.

I went as far as to get a library card so I could read his book, “The Mindbody Prescription” as quickly as possible. I rarely read, unless you count the interwebs, which for some reason, we don’t. It’s not a book, I guess. I ate up Dr. Sarno’s book. I am liberated from fear. I am opening myself to whatever feelings have been silently stressing me. And my pain is all but gone. Whatever lingers is leaving soon and I won’t miss it. It took one week. Thank you. Dr. John Sarno. I now know why Howard calls you a Saint I am deeply grateful. You have a new advocate and friend in me, Dr. Sarno, Jefferson Jay. Hallelujah!

If pain, or anything else really, is slowing you down, I can’t campaign strongly enough for you to seek out the written works of Dr. John Sarno and celebrate as you own your pain and sell it down the river for nothing. Let it run away. Good-Bye Pain. Hello Gain.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 191 "Mother" by Danzig

Cheers to the brother, Chase Livingston. I read this morning on the Facebook that today marks one year for him as a resident of Denver. What a great place. Congrats, bro. Glad you’re glad. Chase was a Jefferson Jay Band member and dear bud, during his years living here. He brought “Mother” to our band, which was fun, considering we play Mother’s Saloon, form time to time. I gave it the Jefferson Jay treatment, meaning, in this case, I made the verse funky and more or less left the rest alone. Cheers Chase. Hope to see you soon. Cheers to mothers everywhere, also. Without you, life would be a lot less.

Operation 365 2... Blog 190

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 190 "Strawberry Moon" by Jefferson Jay

A couple of weeks ago I was relaxing watching Dodgers baseball listening to the wit and wisdom of the legendary Vin Scully. At age 88, Vin has called Dodger games since they were the Brooklyn Dodgers back in 1950. Awesome. And he’s still the best ever at it even at 88. So, at some point, Vin’s broadcast showed a beautiful shot of the “Strawberry Moon” over Chavez Ravine. I got out of my bed where I rested and my wife and I stared into the sky at the first "Strawberry Moon" in 70 years. I thought it sounded like something from a song.

So the next morning I arrived at work early and set up in our little gazebo and pulled this little gem out of my head for you. I almost forgot it existed for a sec before I stumbled on it. Now I want to learn it. That involves making sure I remember the chords, D, Bm, F#7, G7, or something like that. I think I tried a change at some point too. Then I have to transcribe all the lyrics. Maybe a few adjustments later, I’ll have a tune. In any case, this video posting here is to help me make that process a bit smoother. It’s easier to find Cover 190 on YouTube then it is to dig it out of my massive mound of movies in my compubox. Love to you. I look forward to finishing "Strawberry Moon" and then playing it again and again forever.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 190 "Elvira" by The Oak Ridge Boys

“Elvira” brings back a million warm feelings from when I was a boy. This song is catchy and irresistible. My special folks I work with must agree ‘cause like me, they can’t stop themselves from singing along whenever I bust it out.

I can’t recall but I winder if the The Mistress of the Night, Elvira was one of the first ladies I thought was sexy; Charo, Ginger and MaryAnn from Gilligan’s Island and Elvira had to all be in the running. I liked the ladies from The Magic Garden too, but I was younger then and I think that was more in pure and sweet little kid way. Whatever that meant. The Oak Ridge Boys, I learned, are still on the road touring and singing “Elvira” no doubt, all these years later. Hail, gentlemen. Way to ride the road and keep getting the job done.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words - 190 "Soul Man’s 98^th Birthday Salute"

When you’ve been friends with someone as long as I’ve been pals with Soul Man, it’s hard to say simple things, like “I appreciate you,” especially publicly with the proper scope. I met SM in 2001 I believe and we hit off about as well as an 82 year old guy and a 26-year old guy could. Which is very well. We hung, did gigs. He joined my band, We were called Brainstorm at the time, but essentially it was The Jefferson Jay Band. When we officially changed the name to that, he was there then too.

I started going to Soul Man’s birthday parties shortly after we became friends. They were always big festive events, kind of like bigger versions of what it was like hanging out with The Soulmeister any other day. He enjoys life. That’s how you get to 98. I’ve witnessed.

I was thinking about digging up some clip of him from 8 years ago when I used to film stuff all the time. There are tons of those in the first 365. I decided against it. Then I started looking for pictures. There are so many. Too many to pick from. So, I picked a day, one day, that sums up The Soul Man and what he’s all about as much as any other I’ve shared with him. He cooked Filipino feasts for our friends and I on my 30^th and 40^th birthdays. He drove with me to my wedding in 2014. He was one of my groomsmen.

The date, I had to look it up, we February 1, 2007. Three years later to the day, I wrote one of my all-time main tunes, “February.” I think… On Feb, 1 2007. my band and I drove to The Sunset Strip and checked off one of the few things on my Lifelong List of Things to Do. I prefer that to Bucket List. Not that it flows off the tongue as well, but it’s less morbid. Any Soul Bro rolled up with the four-piece band I brought to that gig. And he stole the show. The band of 18 year-olds that played after us asked if he would sit in for their whole set, because he’s so cool. He said yes and he rocked it. Hard.

In an unrelated but equally awesome story, the drummer at that gig’s family found him through me and postings I did about that gig for the first 365. They then introduced him to a grown child he never knew he had. Are you kidding me??!?!?!? Life is zany. That’s how Soul Man still sips IPA and shoots tequila at age 98. He fought Nazis. He defended America in Korea and he calls me the best friend he’s ever had. Extremely humbling.

I love Soul Man. You’re the best. Enjoy some pictures from that great night and a bit from a really old version of one my hippest tunes from back when, “FATSO,” before Soul Man even joined the Band. Thanks to all my band-mates present and past for everything. I still appreciate you very, very much. Hail to His Soulaciousness on his 98^th. 

Oh yeah, one last thing. Here's a bunch of links to videos I had filmed at Guiro Grass's show at The Athenaeum last Spring. Guiro Grass is Travis Oliver and The Soul Man. He still has it. Check it and see. Peace.

Operation 365 2... Blog 189

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 189 "To Be the Fool" by Jefferson Jay

So I’ve improvising so many tunes these days, I sometimes forget I even did some. "To Be the Fool" is an example of one of those. A few days ago or so, I was improvising jams. I forgot about this one. Reviewing some things, I found "To Be the Fool" and thought it was OK. Not bad for pulled from thin air for you. So yesterday, I got a bit ahead and bounced it down for ya, and here it is, once again, a new tune. Hallelujah!

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 189 "Tears on My Pillow" by Little Anthony & The Imperials

Yesterday, I was playing the music for some of the special folks I work with and somehow, "Tears on My Pillow" came out. I loved “Grease” as a kid and "Tears on My Pillow" was one of the many awesome tunes and that seminal musical. I mentioned "Tears on My Pillow" to my wife today and she busted into song. Gal sure loves her musicals. Old hits as well. So, who knows where this ranks on the all-time great versions of "Tears on My Pillow?" It’s been around since 1958 and played many a time so I’m glad it’s not my job to figure that out. Love you, fellow humans.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words - 189 "Trading Licks"

All kinds of interesting creative things happen at my work. I was playing some “licks” of some sort and one time, one of my peeps started responding. Next thing you know, we have a little call and response thing going, punctuated by laughter and other assorted good feelings. Yesterday, it happened again and it was a fine enough example of this yukking it up that I decided to share it here with you.

One last thing, what is perfect? Are any of us perfect? Yes and no, in my opinion. We are exactly what we’re meant to be. If we can embrace ourselves as such, we can really enjoy life. When we are occupied with perceived slights and feelings of superiority to others, we miss out on a lot of the love that life has to offer. Each bit of it is precious. Love, learning and light. What it’s all about on the road to happiness and truth.

Operation 365 2... Blog 188

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 188 "Spiderman" by Paul Francis Webster and Robert “Bob” Harris

I love my job working with the special needs folks. I have a particularly fun time with the seniors. They regularly school me on stuff that was popular when they were kids, during the 1950s and 60s. It’s pretty cool. YouTube enables me to take them on a walk down memory lane while I get exposed to some black and white hits for the very first time. I have discovered many cool tunes during this process.

Occasionally, we find common ground, often in the theme song of TV shows that remained on the air in syndication when I was growing up in the 70s and 80s. The fellas in my group have a love for superheroes and this is how we wound up at “Spiderman” today, a song I always loved.

Another old friend, Ryan Smith, played a cool jazzy guitar version of this tune, long ago, I recall. I’ve been missing some of the folks I haven’t seen in ages, lately. I’ve had some folks we went to school with die in the not-too-distant past. Maybe that is why. Cheers Ryan. Thanks for the continuing inspiration. Hope to see ya soon. Peace.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 188 "Fifty Dollar Song" by Jefferson Jay

From time to time, I get a big business idea. Some are better than others and few are acted upon. Even less are followed all the way through. There are too many jobs. I don’t know what to do. I’m an idea guy. A partner or two away from a true entrepreneur. At least that’s how it seems. So much so, that I’ve sort of stopped cultivating these ideas. They tended to rest in a folder anyway. There’s no dust in a folder…

One or two of my great ideas have become successful led by other people in no way connected to me. Healthy fast food. That’s one that still could be huge. It will. Some day. A lot of my ideas are like that. Unused. I own domain names for some. I have “resting creative projects too. A screenplay about steroids in baseball. A musical about a revolution of the mind that goes along with my last CD, “Hallelujah Expressway.” I have probably close to 1000 tunes. What does it all do? Little. That’s why I’m compelled to share it here with you. At least it doesn’t die on the vine then. Some day I hope to share much more with you. Maybe even make some money too.

One idea I had awhile back was that I’d write and record personalized songs for people for fifty dollars a tune.  On second thought, that seems way too low. I still never sold any. This song was the example type tune for the idea. I think I even owned fiftydollarsong.com for awhile. I’ve since heard of a guy who charges hundreds of dollars to write “custom songs.” I hear he sells a lot of them too. What are you gonna do? Call for back-up? Call who?

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words - 188 "The Soul Man on His Birthday Party"

Today is The Soul Man's birthday party, at my Winston's Open Mic from 6-9. I have been to more Soul Man birthday parties than I can count. Some time, long ago, I started hosting 'em. Soul Man is one of my oldest friends and not just cause he's turning 98 on July 1. No, he and I go back a long ways, to Croce's right around the year 2000. He was in my wedding. Said it was the first wedding he was in 50 years. We've been to ballgames, played L.A., lots and lots and lots of stuff. The Soul Man stays young through love, family, music, and faith. i've seen it. Imagine how much a person goes through in 98 years. It's amazing. He's a veteran of WWII and Korea and has as fun-loving and positive an attitude about life as you possibly can. He's one moth younger than my grandpa would be if...

Nobody loves their birthday more than The Soul Man. He'll start thinking about the next one next week some time. When you're The Soul Man, that's what you do. I'm sure it helps to have goals at that age. I know he's aiming for 100. He'll make it if he wants. I was going to say a few words about his birthday and I guess I did here, but I decided to share his birthday enthusiasm with you directly. It rings through. Hail you, brother. Love you. See you in a few. 

Operation 365 2... Blog 187

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words - 187 “Love and Pray”

I wish there was something I could do. I made a video. One close friend made a comment. It was late and not real nice. Another close friend received the not nice comment and decided to blame me. He wasn’t very nice about it either. I do these videos. I try to entertain people and make folks happy but it just goes to show once again, you can’t make everyone happy. In fact, no matter how hard you try, you’re still going to make some people mad. It sucks, especially when it’s some one you love. Love includes acceptance. This is a lot of work to make friends angry. I guess I just have to trust that the positive in this outweighs my sorrow in this moment. Speechless, sadly. 

I am learning not to repress my feelings. That is why I am expressing them here and moving on as best I can, I hope. Otherwise, I would just stuff them in and have back pain. Thanks Dr. John Sarno, for helping me heal. Love heals. I don’t know much, but I know that.

So the point of all this is, no matter who you are, no matter what you do, all you can do is hope and pray that the people you care most about respect that and each other and that you’re able to enjoy you’re friendships with these loved ones as much as you can for as long as you can. You can’t really control that that, but you can love and pray that nothing muddies up these love-filled simple goals you care so much about. “Love and Pray.”

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers - 187 “Last Train to Clarksville” by The Monkees

I don’t know if The Monkees wrote this and I don’t care. It’s a catchy number. Hope you dig.

Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 187 “The Love Bus”

All we can do is love and learn in this life. Yes, it would be great if we were born knowing everything and it was all easy-peezy from then on, but no, that’s not how it goes. On second thought, maybe it wouldn’t be so great. You’d never learn anything. You’d never have any break-throughs. You’d never grow or improve. You’d just know everything always and die. I guess some people are OK trying to live life like that. I am freed by my humble nature. I can be wrong and then I can learn and be right. If it takes me longer than I might like I can choose to accept myself and love myself, or I can cry and fight. Acceptance is love. Without acceptance, there can be no love.

Live and learn and love. Accept and embrace what is. Humble truths I work to live by. Every day. With varying degrees of success. Tomorrow is a chance to try again.