Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words – 287 “Melting Your
Mommy”
Been a rough bit in a way or two. Got a bit dwangoed hard in
the car department. Yes, bought a minivan from a stranger ands he lied about
everything you could possibly lie about. I try to be trusting. Hopefully this
stunts that some, as I don’t wish to be this disappointed in people again any
time soon. It hurts.
So Lying Man, who tricked me by pretending to be kind and
with his phony smile, karma will deal with you. I know this to be true. Until
then, I hope to get my van on the road somehow some time soon. And to
harmlessly handle all the upsetting thoughts undertaken from this dreck, I am
“Melting Your Mommy.” Call it an early Halloween trick if you must. Relax. Your
mommy’s fine.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers – 287 “Sipping
Cider Through a Straw” by Unknown
Shock 1: What I thought was “The Littlest Worm” is actually
a song from 1894 called “Sipping Cider Through a Straw.” Shock 2: It was
initially about a girl sipping cider and not a stuck worm. I had no idea.
Apparently this song was hilarious in 1927. My version is uhhh, well, I’ll let
you decide, but by 1894 standards it may be incredible. It’s all subjective and
nobody knows for sure. Whoa.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals– 287 “What Is
Going Down”
Slightly despondent over getting ripped off on my new van, I
am coming back to the moment and regaining proper appreciation. Slight relief.
Here’s a little jam I made up at work Tuesday. I was feeling slightly prolific.
Maybe it was the nice shirt Blowski gave me. I miss that guy. So who knows what’s
going down? I just know I got this done despite feeling private and brooding.
It’s time to get over it. Tomorrow is a new day. Maybe one where I can finally
say the van I got ripped off on is my own. A lot of things are going down. I
won’t list them here though. That’s no way to turn a page. Dwelling on bad
things blows. And not in a good way. What’s going up? That’s the question.
Peace.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals– 286 “Happy
Tuesday Morning”
A perfectly pleasant morning, it was yesterday. I was
enjoying the October breeze. One of the many friendly people I encounter on an
average workday said “Happy Tuesday Morning.” I was inspired, straight up
moved. I felt the groove immediately. Then I had to take a couple minutes to
figure out what the chords were. Once that was done, the song was done. This is
it. Short and sweet. Like Dr. Ruth Westheimer.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers – 286 “Sitting,
Watching, Waiting” by Jack Johnson
One of the nice gals I work with requested “Sitting,
Watching, Waiting” by Jack Johnson. I never heard of that jam, but I figured if
it was a Jack Johnson tune, it probably wasn’t that hard. Yep. That’s the
story. I played it. It probably doesn’t sound much like it, but that’s OK. She
said it was “different” I’ll take it.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words – 286 “My People Are Frozen”
Some times, folks, imaginations, must run wild. We must refuse to get bogged down in the same tired, old tuts. Nosiree, Roberto. So today, we go sci-fi and script-free on the 365, to a world where folks are frozen and solutions must by sought. This is only a test.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words – 285 “Whoa, Capo”
Today I marvel at the mechanism known as the capo. Whoa. These devices do amazing things. They can literally take you higher and you don't have to ingest a thing. Superman wore a cape. Don't get me wrong. Capes are great. I've worn more than a few in my time. But capos... It was the great Governor Jesse "The Body' Ventura who said, in a colorful feather boa, if I'm not mistaken, "Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat. Are capos cheating? I say no, but I'll let you decide.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals– 285 “Something For Me”
I just remembered I wrote a song called "Something to Me" with Scott Baslaw for the Demarests' record "Embargo" in 2000. I would have come up with a different name for this one had I recalled that a short time sooner. Oh well. 'Twas a fun little on I made up early this morning. I don't know exactly what I sang about, but I remember spiders and their webs were in there somehow. Hot and tired today. Needing a l'il rest. Still feeling very fortunate, humble and blessed.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers – 285 “Isn't Life Strange” by The Moody Blues
No doubt. My mom loved The Moody Blues, so I was exposed to their tunes a lot as a youth. The soft soothing sound of Justin Heyward's voice is pretty great. I loved "For My Lady." I bet they have tons of awesome songs I don't even know. Maybe someday. “Isn't Life Strange” was always one of those ones I thought was weird. "Strange" was a word I didn't really get as a kid. I didn't know how bad a word it was so tunes like this one and "People Are Strange" were even more ooky than their already ooky music made them.
Years later, today, “Isn't Life Strange” pops in my head. I sang it a capella for a minute, but then I looked it up and decided to go all the way. So here it is and I was really feeling it.
Life, well, I don't think it could get much stranger than that. Donald Frikkin' Trump. Then again, there is still so much unknown. To marvel is magic. Bring on the strange!
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers – 284 “Teenage
Dream” by Katy Perry
It came time to do my videos today. I thought, “What could I
do that might expand my experience? What can I do that might make someone
happy? I remembered that a few people have suggested covers to me that I either
forgot or didn’t get to yet. This one is for my man, Chris Sulit, a.k.a. Carlos
Soriano, a.k.a. Some Guy. He is a die-hard Cub fan so good luck here in the
play-offs.
I listened to your favorite Katy Perry song. I still wasn’t
sure if I would do it, (probably the whole skin tight jeans part) but I figured
I’d give it a go anyway. It was kind of fun to play. I immediately liked the
pop appeal of the song and Katy Perry, well, she’s pretty. It might have made
the video have more appeal. I tried not to watch. I listened instead, easier to
focus on the song.
So that’s it. I played it. Hope you like it, Chris, rest of
the world. Boom Shaka Laka. I just realized I played two covers and zero originals. Maybe I can find
one in the annals here somewhere. Nope. Back to work.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words – 284 “Ways, Shapes,
and Forms”
It’s a shame folks can’t be naked. Let me rephrase. They can
be naked. It’s a shame we are an immature people here in modern day USA,
because many times, it feels better to be sans clothing. It gets hot. I sit
here topless and unwilling to share my bod, ‘cause it just seems unnecessary
and inappropriate. How did we get here? What’s the big deal? If only the world
were the beach, where everyone can lie around in the underwear or less, and no
one acts like they’re in a Cuban brothel. They have brothels in Cuba, right?
Freeness forever!
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals– 284 “One That I Can Count On”
On Christmas Eve 2012, the first year I owned an iPhone, I was sitting in this very room, writing songs about my family. I wrote a song for my then-girlfriend, now-wife, Leanne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jk8IRN46Dg
my long-time pooch, Angel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTgTzILdEmc
my newer pooch, Nigel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYF5wMpfBvw
And then I wrote one for our newest family member, my iPhone. here it is.
Then I wrote a birthday song for Jesus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOOxJAuz6Ro
It was a great day. If anybody knows Apple personally, and they want to license this song, please let me know. Thanks.
I don't want to say anything too outrageous, anything that might blow up my deal with Apple but, do you think people use their phones maybe a little too much?
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals– 283 “The Vin
Scully Tribute”
One of the great artists of the last 100 years hung up his
microphone moments ago. The humble brilliance of Vin Scully can never be
duplicated. Those of us who savored our opportunity to enjoy his wit and wisdom
will be forever enhanced by the experience. He thanked the fans and insisted he
needed us more than we needed him. It is bigger than baseball. The world needed
and still needs folks like Vin to show us what matters most in the world.
It is not baseball that matters most. It never was. It is
respect. It eloquence. It is communication, family, appreciation. It is
humility and gratitude and transcendent perspective. It is wishing the best for
everyone and doing your best at whatever it is you do.
On September 23, 2016, I had the honor of attending my first
game at Dodger Stadium. I entered as dignitaries approached the mic and shared
their love and respect for Vin Scully. Vin sat and smiled, and rubbed the
occasional tear from his eye as the Mayor of Los Angeles, the Commissioner of
Major League Baseball, legendary Dodger lefties Sandy Koufax and Clayton
Kershaw, Oscar-winner Kevin Costner took turns honoring him. Finally he spoke.
As always, it was perfect.
Tears fell on scorecards in the crowd at Chavez Ravine. The
sun set and no one noticed as silence filled the venerable ballpark. I sat and
jotted down some words. I picked a key, D, for Dodgers. Today, while Vin’s
final game was underway, I pulled out those words and played some pretty chords
on my Gibson. I wound up and released a melody, high and outside, inside and
low, right down the middle, I can only hope. It was all of these things. Just
like Vin. Sharing a century of history essentially, each day, all between talk
of strikes and balls.
I am humbled to have heard and delighted I decided to listen
to as much of you as possible from the time I got that MLB.TV four years ago,
or so. It was a perpetual education and a constant reminder of the beauty of
the game I love. When Vin wrapped his last good-bye and wished us a great a
final time, MLB.TV summed it up succinctly with a flashy graphic. “Thank you
for watching. The game has ended. Yes it has. Yes it has.
The regular season is over. Yankee baseball will hibernate.
Vin has retired. The play-offs continue. On another majestic October day,
baseball again demonstrated why it is out national pastime and will always be
The Greatest American Game. Go Dodgers.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words – 283 “Fantasy
Football Frustration”
And then there’s this. Ugh. I somehow overlooked the
concussions and broken bodies of the gridiron greats when friends asked my wife
if she wanted to play Fantasy Footbnall this year. She immediately answered, “Absolutely.”
What choice did I have left?
Leanne, my wife, hates football, or she did before she had a
rooting interest. I couldn’t let her play and hang on every play in every game
and sit idly by, disinterested. No, we are competitive when it comes to games
in this household. This meant I had to play. And I had to win. And my win, I
mean do better than her.
It had been a perfectly fine 18 years since my “The Future
Champions of This League” took down a terrific team led by the iconic Michael
J. Warrington in the Finals. I have abstained since 1998 and had no plans of
joining the litany of gamers dabbling in these duels. So much for well-made
plans.
So here on a Sunday, with nothing in the world to object to.
I bang my head against the wall instead. Why did I cut Matt Ryan? Matt Jones?
“Cause he’s a Redskin and they have a racist name? That’s not his fault! Why
did I think Matt Stafford would have a better game against the Bears then Matt
Ryan would against the Panthers? Why is every body named Matt?????!?!?!?!?!?!
Yes, it is maddening and about as irrelevant as anything could be. I felt
better when I couldn’t watch guilt-free ‘cause I was concerned about player
safety. Ugh. Ugh, indeed. When is Spring Training? How many weeks ‘til
mid-February…
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers – 283 “(Won’t You
Come Home) Bill Bailey” by Hughie Cannon
One day, not too long ago, I was walking down to the store
to get a beverage. On the way back, there is the house that has a little “library”
of sorts in the front yard. I noticed a book teaching folks how to play songs
on the AutoHarp. I have an AutoHarp. I don’t use it too much, but I figured what
the heck, let’s bring this book home and see what she says.
Today, cover time came and first thing I found was this
book, whatever it’s called. It’s a very old book. I cracked it open and took
some stabs on a few tunes with my guitar. It was pretty fin, but I didn’t find
any that checked the box until I got to “(Won’t You Come Home) Bill Bailey.” A brief
bit of research lets you know that Patsy Cline, Aretha Franklin, Louis
Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald played this tune. Some fella named Arthur Collins
had a number one hit with it in 1902. I didn’t even know that that charts ands
hits back then. What on earth did the listen to them on. How did anybody know?
Maybe they read about it in the paper? A little more looking uncovered the
sheet music for that back then. You can see it here…
That is some awful racist stuff. Yuck. I could break that
down for a whole hunk of time, but I’ll pass. No need to deconstruct
century-old ignorance and race hate. I prefer to enjoy the day and this tune.
If it’s racist past, didn’t dissuade the Muppets, the Smurfs, The Jetsons and a
million other giants from the history books, I too, can teach and old song a
new trick. Love and respect will get you everywhere. Vin Scully knew this. Change
is omnipresent and people can always grow and learn new ways. It’s never too
late. No way.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals– 282 “Time on
the Record (2033)”
Hello my friends, Last night featured another great bunch of epic
performances at Acoustic Evenings at The Athenaeum. Charbra, Annie
Rettic and my newest amiga, Patricia Jetton, the lead singer for the great reggae group HIRIE, all played great. Deeply rewarding stuff.
It is going to be a great night for the women of California
acoustic amazingness. I am fired up. Tired out too though. Oh, the dichotomy.
Here, I rocked out on some Chain of Fools.” Folks, let’s never act like fools.
May we carry ourselves with grace, respect, humility, and love always. Peace.
A few weeks back, I got an odd burst of inspiration as I
prepared to head for bed. I wound up writing about six tunes. The first couple
stayed in my head and I typed them up and played them for you promptly. The
rest kind of faded further back in my mind, only surfacing now when I needed a
quick original. Surprise. This tune is good. At least I like it. Subjectivity
reigns. Some people like Trump…
So this morning, when I rediscovered “Time on the Record
(2033)” I was more than pleasantly surprised. I even played it three times out
in the October heat. It gets hot in San Diego this time of year. I’ll have to
type this number up soon and assimilate it into the collective. Hail George
Takei.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers – 282 “Wake Up
Little Susie” by The Everly Brothers
“Wake Up Little Susie” is popular number amongst the seniors
at the Special Needs place I work. Probably cause there’s like four Susans, but
also ‘cause it’s a catchy happy tune from a simpler time. Ahhhh, a simpler
time. Don’t get me wrong. I love me some now. But simpler sounds so soothing…
Like a dip in a lake. When clouds were clouds and phones were tethered to walls
and desks with long, coily cords. I like to reminisce here and there, but the
world moves forward. There is no place to go, but up. Onward and upward. I love
that phrase.
A dab of research taught me that Felice and Boudleaux
Bryant wrote “Wake Up Little Susie” in 1957. Pretty neat. I think those dudes
wrote “Rocky Top, Tennessee” too. Let me check. Yes indeedy. They don’t call me
Mr. 365 for nothing. Well, actually, they don’t call me Mr. 365… yet.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words – 282 “The
Portugalia Sign”
What once was a beacon to lure folks from the streets into
the adventure, is now a hunk of scrap metal I hope O don’t have to pay someone
to take. Just no room anymore for the old girl and the line to take here is
shorter than I thought. It’s OK. It was fun having her here awhile anyway. A
trophy. A souvenir. Well, we can only live in the past for so many moments. We
should never carry grudges or any unsavory memories any further than we
absolutely have to. Nothing but love here but, I left Portugalia April 20, 2010
I believe. I will always be there with those friends in some spot in my heart
and mind. It is truly a spiritual space to me. That said, anybody want a giant
sign? Free! Lord, the times, always changing. So blessed to still be in the
game.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Covers – 281 “Chain of
Fools” by Aretha Franklin
“Chain of Fools” is actually by Don Covay, for those of you
keeping score at home. Busy days. I subbed for music today at a local junior
high. Tonight our Fall 2016 edition of Acoustic Evenings at The Athenaeum kicks
off. I am very excited. My long time friends Charbra will be featured as will
my pal, Annie Rettic and my newest friend Trish, the lead singer for the great
reggae group, HIRIE.
It is going to be a great night for the women of California
acoustic amazingness. I am fired up. Tired out too though. Oh, the dichotomy.
Here, I rocked out on some Chain of Fools.” Folks, let’s never act like fools.
May we carry ourselves with grace, respect, humility, and love always. Peace
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals– 281 “Happy
Halloween”
Clearly, I jumped the gun a wee tad on this one, but it’s OK.
Like in my seminal classic “Killing’s Wrong,” I improvise the lyrics every
time, so maybe I’ll offer up another version in the “Words” section on Oct. 31.
We shall see. Until then, here we are having some fun with this little jam, I
concocted at work about four years ago. I’ve had a ton of fun playing it over
the years and think if I ever become known by a larger group of folks, this
could be a song with some real legs. It’s fun, just like Halloween. That’s why.
Dig it. Boo!
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words – 281 “Chargers Lose”
The San Diego Chargers returned again to their Charger-y
ways, charging their way to another pathetic defeat last Sunday. Compared to
San Diego, Indianapolis is the City of Champions, but that’s nobody’s fault
besides the Chargers and Padres. Plenty of winners here, just none of them are
on out professional sports teams. So here, we laugh and make light of it a
little, ‘cause it’s not like there’s some magic words we can say to make them
winners. Instead we swim in a little reality and tell it like it is. The Chargers
could move next year, and they might, and it would have no effect on how many
Super Bowls San Diego ever gets. Sad, but it sure beats real problems, like
having a self-absorbed hatriarch (copyright Me, 2016) tied in the race to lead
out land. Vote Phil Rivs, the true Father of our Country.
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