Murphy's, Shinsaibashi, August 19th

Well, it was smaller than I expected. That's no way a knock on Murphy's Pub, I love Irish bars and was happy to swallow a stout and some Bushmill's before I hit the mic. Usually with WhyNotJapan.com events they're usually at bigger venues, but yet with the talent turnout last night, it was perfect size. Including myself, only four performers turned out and cozy, warm buzz fill the pub.
I walked in to a soulful rendition of Redemption Song, and since I got lost twice trying to find the place, it was unfortunately the last song of the first act. A lovely lady with great pipes followed singing in Japanese, Portuguese and French plucking away on a ukulele. The third act was a couple Japanese guys doing pop covers who I had seen at other open mics before.
I was nervous. The turn out was decent for the space and most of the people were there to see me play. I was playing a whole new set, new songs and a new cover(Bare Naked Ladies - Be My Yoko Ono - which went over well), and the jitters were there. Plus being last on the list I was the de facto "Headliner". After playing Doing Time(a song I hadn't played live in 3 years), the jitters subsided and I felt like I was having fun. Thirty minutes later, I left the stage having played the longest set I've ever played live. I still have a lot of work to do and the mountain is still high, but last night felt good. And I followed it up with fish and chips and my first Magner's in ages.
Cheers.

Brown Now How? Cow, Stop That Now!

There's always two questions I always get asked around these parts when people find out that I am Hispanic/Puerto Rican. #1: Is my skin naturally this color? Why yes, I don't tan. I am a natural shade of café latte/au lait/ mocha. And #2: How do I stop aguacate/avocado/アボガド　abogado(it means lawyer in Spanish, but somehow avocado in Japanese) from turning brown?
One way is the fresh lemon juice method, specifically when you make guacamole, squeeze some on top. Yesterday I made a Avocado Burger with homemade Potato Chips and Margaritas. Now, since I only used a couple of slices of aguacate, I had practically to whole halves left to make a salad, or eat local style, soy sauce and a fork. The old Puerto Rican trick that I learned is to leave the pit(big seed) in it. What would naturally keep it fresh and green than it's very own brown stopper. The picture I posted is of the one I cut then stored in the fridge for over night and as you can see, as enticing and edible as it was the day before. Hope this helps and remember, wear your sun block.

What to wear?

No, not what clothes I was going to wear on stage Sunday night when I played at Tin's Hall, Tennoji, Japan. No, what underwear.

First, comfort. I had enough to worry about with singing, playing and always the possible hostile crowd, because of my singing and playing.(Kidding, I do well up there). I didn't want to be shifting and fidgeting on my feet. I tried on about 5-6 pairs before I settled on a kind blue tye-dye-ish model I just got at the Gap. Good fit and support, and with no bra to match('cause I'm a guy, not cause I didn't buy or have a clean one or...got it?), the blue went well with my shirt and shoes. Boy's gotta match, no?

Before I sang, I took part in a little banter in Japanese with the MC of the event. Mind you, I went after a guy who air guitar-ed to "Danger Zone"(yep, Kenny Loggins, Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, you know buddy). I was calm.

After some pleasantries, the MC said something in Japanese, that left me aghast. Sighting the bit shock to my face, Mr. MC, in his best english translated for me, "You are very cute!"

Oh, I understood, in both languages. I guess the underwear worked.

Take it where you can kids, take it where you can.

April, 2007

Up coming Hanibal live events.

Just a quick note on when I'm playing next.

Next gigs: doing WhynotJapan.com open mic at Murphy's in Shinsaibashi on 8/19 and opening for a Bossa/Jazz band Nomad(great band and very nice folk) at Shushinkan Brewery in Kobe on 9/23.

It's hot, get of the house, come down, get a drink or two. Or for some of you, it's hot, get out of the country, we got some good sushi here.

Thanks.

Tarde y sin reservación.

La vida es una mesa larga donde muchos comen, pero pocos disfrutan. O sea, poco saben lo que están comiendo. Algunos piensan que es la calidad de la comida que que es lo mas que importa. Otros la cantidad, mas es mejor. Hay unos que tienen muy poca comida pero aprecian lo que tiene. Para mi es la variedad. La oportunidad de sentarse y poder disfrutar y entender lo que está en mi plato.

Bueno, piense, ¿en que lado de la mesa come usted? ¿Como mide usted el exito o el fracaso que hacido su vida?

(Esto fue una lección para todos, nuncas mezcles hambre, pensamientos de su existencia y vodka rusa. Pero si no tienes remedio, por favor, con moderación. ¿Y yo? Bueno, a seguir mi propio consejo).