browser, not wardrobe malfunction

So, don't get me wrong. I like this little blogger. and before I go any further, I just want to really invite you to post a message on the message board here on the site under the word, "forum." check it out.

anyway, back to the lecture at hand (I think that's from an NWA song). there's been a couple of times where I've started to post a message, or have actually completed a lengthy one, and then I lost it. so I just want to take this opportunity to tell you to always remember to copy your text before you attempt to publish a post.

so it's been a few days, and I apologize, but I did lose a post, and got frustrated and decided to make a head start back to MI, instead or re-typing a post... so after the UNF show, which kept the streak alive, I made this long trek to Mississippi, which I just realized I alread posted about...

so I thought the streak was in jeopardy, but then, and for the first time I believe, I sold some cds at Ole Miss... it was great, and even though I was disgustingly sweaty because it was a beautiful sunny day and outdoors, I didn't mind, because I'd much rather sweat outdoors than inside anyday. I might have acquired a little skin coloring that day, but it doesn't compare to the left arm driving tan that I had driving up there all day the day before. So after that I decided to drive prematurely down to new orleans to hang out with some buddies of mine called Hello Dave. they were playing two nights at the house of blues in new orleans opening up for pat green, whom I had never seen before, but heard much about from my visits to texas. so I went down there, and got to the HOB just before they went on. I hadn't seen these guys in a while. we kind of have a history. when I was first starting out in college, mike, the lead singer always answered my questions about music, singing, and before I was 21, he got me into select sold-out or otherwise age-restricted shows. i ended up befriending mike and the other members of the band over time. they let me share their stages on a couple of occasions...

we had a little reunion, and proceeded to all share our first pat green experiences with one another. this guy pat green put on such a show. he's not 100% country in my book. he rocks out, and he's is a country rocker, but he has a pretty elaborate band. about 3 guitarists including himself, and just a routy show all the way through. mr. green had to have done about 6 shots while on stage, and that was only what I physically saw. he was wasted by the end of his 5 song encore, and even before that, but the guy can perform. he steps on stage in new orleans, and says, "so... I guess this is supposed to be some kind-a party town..."

fun to watch, and thanks to the merch guy who hooked me up with a steel flask, even after I lied to him about being a drummer... big ups to freebies.

after the show, I went out with some of the hello dave guys. we first went to the foundation room in the HOB, apparently a place where members can go to impress women by treating them to a private restaurant/bar by paying an annual fee. it was pretty cool. some guy had to open an automated gate for us to get to the elevator, then he had to scan some kind of card to send us up there. we had a cocktail, and were on out way to the streets of new orleans. there we made our way to some strip club. I think it was called big daddy's or something. locals can confirm it. it was okay, I bought a round of drinks for $40, which was most of my cash. but it was the least I could do. the hello dave guitarist was pretty wasted by that time. apparently from a bottle of scotch he brought with him to NO. then we saw him a bit later, on the way back to the hotel and the next morning he didn't remember seeing us either time. so it was a good night for him I guess... I had fun, it was good to catch up with those guys. except per habit, I forgot something with them. my washington university (at st. louis) hat. hopefully I'll see them again in about a year or so...

so it was good to hang with those guys and that left me with one more final show in september. this was my first ever trip to play in alabama in Birmingham. it was an 'in-the-round' set, with two cuties from nashville, both of whom were married/engaged. so off limits. anyway it wasn't looking very promising in terms of the crowd... until a busload full of teenage girls walked in all at once. so I was delighted to see that, and promptly divided up my two mini-sets into songs from the first cd, and songs from cd #2. so during the little break between sets, I was completely famished, so I ordered up a quick order or bread and brie cheese. and i noticed some girls over by the merch table. so I went to hang out and see what all the hoopla was all about. they wanted to buy cds, so I gave them a deal, and most of them ended up buying both cds. they had me write things inside, and I still have to e-mail this one girl 'cos she wanted me to write something in both of the cd booklets, but she thought I could have written something better in the 2nd one. so I told her I'd e-mail her something good, or send her a check for $100. and I have both addresses. I intend only to utilize the e-mail, however.

so that was the quick wrap up of the month of september for shows. I had a blast, and hope to return to every place I visited. I can't wait to go through the whole naca process, so I won't have to again in this capacity. at least as just a lowly artist, and not on anyone's roster.

if you've read this far, I'm sorry the entry didn't build to any type of climax or conclusion. big ups to b'ham, and big ups to everyone who let me crash at their crib, especially my slumber party in philly with my friends. we thought about building a fort, but there just wasn't enough room...

see you out in the pacific time zone... this entry is too long to proofread.

JA

happy _____________ day!!

I found out on the radio today that among many other things. today is no-artificial-sweetener day (only real sugar today), and dear diary day. so in honor of this occasion, I will add to the journal.

I haven't made many drives recently like the one today... I did in the early days when the space between shows was very great. I left jacksonville, fl area around 8am, and arrived here in oxford, ms at around 8pm... crazy. I did stop to eat, a couple gas fill-ups, but otherwise straight cruisin' and the occasional traffic backup.

so treated myself to a little home cookin' or the next best thing: Cracker Barrel, on my way down to Charleston a few days ago... and I was sitting at the table patiently waiting my meat and eggs, and I picked up that little game with the pegs which is on every table. it's something to pass the time. you know, it's a triangle, and there are a bunch of tees in every hole except one, and you have to jump the tees, and take them out one at a time, and you're supposed to only leave one in the end. well... if you do that, it says that you're a genius. so as expected, I figured it out, and am now declaring myself a certified genius. thank you very much. it's a small highlight for the trip thus far.

A great show at UNF last night, wow. I had a blast. I really went all out up there, and from early in the set with "one" by U2, hitting the Bono notes, I knew it was going to be a good one. I'm so glad to see that there were people who came out not only from last time I played at Wackadoo's, but the very first time I played at UNF in this little game room type place, and there was no PA, and it was an unique night. I forgot to do movie trivia, and some people were bummed, but I've got a new line that no one will get. I think the days of giving away cds for movie trivia are numbered.

I'm so disgusting from the driving today, that's all i can focus on, they should sanitize this keyboard after I'm done with it. and the entire unit, they might as well...

might as well...

JA

4 days elapsed & I be slackin'

wow, 4 days since the last post. and here I was thinking I had been on top of things with this cool new blogger. I got the chance to check out Jason Mraz's journal. I used to read it quite frequently, then I found other ways to occupy my time. but this was refreshing to read his lengthy posts once again. luckily there were only three for the month so it only took me about half hour to get through it. he writes a lot, but it sucks me in. I never think, "wow, this is soo long, I can't handle it." it's easy reading. this guy should publish all his journal entries and paperback it, to add to his merchandise sales. not that he needs it. but it's good reading. he poses some interesting thoughts. and he disclosed something about a mysterious Michelle Branch birthmark that apparently she always hides with makeup in the public eye.

well since the last post i guess the new england portion of the trip was wrapped up, and it went over pretty well with all the new venues and new crowds I got to meet. I was chillin in ATL last night after another one night stint in Charleston, SC. I made a new doggie friend, Jessie. we wore one another out. and it was tough to say goodbye even though we only knew one another for less than 24 hours. I don't want to spoil anything, but I just wanted to address it. there is a current streak going on. and for those who never read these journals on the old website, I used to keep track of many-a streak from my travels. this is the first addressed streak post-new-website and for the tour. I have sold cds at every single show since the low carb lp came out. I was so anxious before I left, like "what if no one wants to buy the cds?!" not only that, but people are also still buying time is right which is such a thrill, cos I thought they were just going to start collecting dust. after all, I only have about 250 copies left (give or take 50). I might have to get a little reprint on those. that would be nice; although not for my pocketbook. yeah I said pocketbook. I have a wallet, but there's never any money in it. just business cards, and casino cards so I can validate my parking any time I'm in the area, and I won't have to pay for it as long as I go up to the counter and flash my card. also there's a blockbuster card, some health care cards which I don't really know what they mean precisely. a debit card, and my old WMU ID. my driver's license, and finally some pictures of my kid sis, margeau.

down to UNF now, I gotta get a move on. three times the charm. I'm glad to be back, even if they keep paying me less and less since the first time. i get some kind of tab at the little bar/restaurant on campus where I play. It's called Wackadoo's. I wonder if there's a wacka-don'ts. hahaha ooh, I'm so damn funny.

not.

my new shades work well.

I must be on my way. big ups to the lady who logged me in to this computer, wherever you are...

I need a laptop.

JJA

also worth noting

if anyone pays mind to the actual times that these posts are... umm... posted... you should know that the time attached to each post is about 3 hours and 19 minutes in front of the actual time. by in front of I mean earlier. I could have just said that...

earlier...

earlier...

Hurricane Pudge

so I'm no longer illin' and I'm just chillin.' but I'm not gellin' though. I'm not THAT cool... about the half way point to this months travels. I frequently use incomplete sentences when posting here... I'm in virginia right now awaiting a show that has treated me so well the past couple of years at JMU. this I think is my 4th time playing at JMU. and it seems like every time I play there, the weather is really crappy... I remember the first time. I guess in VA there's not that much snow. so what we would laugh at in MI, they got here, kind of a snow drift, so they cancelled classes. this was the first trip... a couple people showed up nontheless... then the 2nd and 3rd time I'm pretty sure, I recall some crappy rainy weather, and tonight will be no exception. I hope the kids realize that it's gonna pour tonight so you must stay indoors and I'll keep you safe. (I wonder how to spell: /belee'dat/)

as you may know, I always feel the inclination to talk about some kind of dining experience I've had along the way. yesterday morning I was in philly, visiting, and we went out to breakfast. I ordered what was called a "norwegian smoked salmon bagel plate" or something like that. which was good. but I also ordered a fresh fruit plate, and eww, that didn't really sit well with me jusy by looking at it. Number one, no strawberries, what's up with that? even my friend got a strawberry as a garnish for his breakfast. the canteloupe was all right, at least it was orange, and there was just not much of a color contrast to my fruit, which bothered me deep inside. the thing that scared me the most was that the pineapple was completely white. not off-white, not a little yellow. White. so I didn't try any of it. luckily after we left the restaurant, i got over it. but be weary of your fresh fruit plate my friends. or stick to smoothies... my, they are good...

I'm a little worried about all these hurricanes passing through the south. not only do I fear that some cities I'm scheduled to play in might no longer exist, but that they might exist, and I'll go to play there, and end up in Oz or something. oh and I finally redeemed my hotel points for a free room after like a year. they say most hotels only require "blank" amount of points for a free room, but in actuality, most of them require twice as many as that. but I found a rather cheap room, which for me is free, and I think it might be the best sleep yet. I got this new credit card that gives me hotel points too, as you can see, I'm like Leann Rimes, because I'm all about value.

I must think of a really tough movie trivia line for tonight and UNF, 'cos those crazy kids always want the free stuff. so they have to earn it, like I earned my free hotel room... BELEE'DAT. maybe my phonetic spelling of this word earlier is actually the way to spell it. (*Note: there is no way for me to find a character for the hard vowel sound with the line over it, sorry about the inconvenience, please voice all concerns to the suggestion box.)

(*Note: establish suggestion box.)

Jimmy-Jam

daddy needs a new...

quickly now... my body's telling me that I'm late for lunch. i sure abuse myself out here...

went to freeport, ME yesterday with my friend, and we got to check out the first LL Bean store, and it's open 24 hours / 365. also, it's freakin enormous. it's like a compound, and apparently local college kids sometimes head out there late night and sleep off their adventures or stresses in the tents which are on display. you could never do that in kalamazoo. also worth noting, they do frown upon overnight sleeping on the display beds. it's a touch less subtle than inside a tent. pretty cool though, and a lot of cool stuff too...

i binged on a new pair of shades, 'cos I lost my 4 year pair (god bless 'em) when I was recording the cd. they are arnette brand, pretty cool... I think they actually make me look a lot cooler, so I'm never taking them off...

oh, and the amber alert for my flip flops is over. I also got a nice cheap pair which are not feminine in any way, also in freeport. so new shades, new sandals, and I'm ready to perform tonight now. I had to go to the university's website to find out where and at what time I'm playing. sweet manager dude...

JA

two under the belt

I bet after looking at the title of this post, you might be thinking, "man, jimmy got hit under the belt twice?? shoot, I bet he can't even walk right now, and all his singing is extremely high-pitched..." but no, fortunately that's not what I meant...

hanging in vermont. my first time in the state. one of those really unique towns. Burlington is the home of the univ. of vermont, and there's just such a collection of people herre. I would suggest this town for someone to visit if that someone were an avid 'people-watcher.'

mainly I was just looking over the last entry and the part about what I ate that day in NY didn't sit well with me, so I thought I'd compensate by telling you what I ate for dinner in CT. I had a salmon filet, baked, then broiled so it's a bit crispy on the outside but wonderfully tender and juicy inside, with a sherry honey glaze. also with sauteed spinach and asparagus. mmm definitely the best meal I've had so far, and it might hold up as the best throughout the rest of the trip. if any one is in or near Bridgeport, CT, check out Picasso's.

now that my favorite season is getting back underway, I spent some time watching college football yesterday. unfortunately Michigan lost to stupid notre dame, and my homies at Western Michigan lost something like 64-0 to virginia tech. but it was on the road. if we had 'em at Waldo stadium, it might have been 64-7 or 64-13. big ups to the Broncos...

two shows down, several more to go, that's why I must leave now and head to Providence. I'm excited to be visiting Maine (and actually playing there for the first time) after the show tonight. then I get to make my way southward where it's warm, even though the weather everywhere I've been so far has been killer.

i tried to go to the olive garden yesterday before my show cos I think they have some good deals now. last time I ate there was with my friend in Seattle, and they had been doing that mix 'n match pasta and sauce thing for like 2 months, and they day I went in there (since I had been craving it for the entire time, but just never happened to eat there), they said they ended that deal like the previous week. So I'm just trying to nip this thing in the bud (yeah I said it) before I have to tell any other 'let-me-down' stories in the future.

big ups to the garden.

*note, my friend called me (from detroit) to go out this weekend, and left a message. I called him back, left him a message, saying that I was on CT, on my way to VT. He called me again last night asking me if I wanted to go to the WAB, and I elected not to call him back right away. please my friends, listen to your messages before you call a brotha back...

this is paul harvey, signing off...

JA

wasabi

now the shows get underway. I just wanted to drop in a say hello. why? because I can. i'm out east now, and the new england region shows start tonight. I'm playing with this band called "the saucers." we met in atlanta, and we both were kind of outcasts from the eddie's attic shoot-out in june, so we consoled one another and decided to throw a show together. I didn't even realize it at first, but these first four shows are all in brand new venues and brand new cities. this makes it even more cool, and scary.

my illness is getting better every day. I guess the illness itself isn't getting any better, it's dying, but I'm getting better. Now I only occasionally cough up stuff that looks like wasabi, rather than frequently. made a stop in schenectady, ny last night and had possibly the best hot dog ever. it was one of those spicy ones, and then I had this little burger, but it was a sausage patty, instead of regular beef, and it, too, was fantastic. it was like a slider but with sausage and peppers and onions. so as you can see, I continue to eat well. this morning I woke up with some Auntie Anne's soft pretzel sticks. mmm. I guess it's a massachusetts chain.

well three straight with shows, and then I've got monday off... what should I do...?

any ideas, let me know... I'm still on a quest to find $5 black Old Navy flip flops, to replace my fallen pair which lasted over two years with excessive action. if anyone finds a pair, put them on layaway for me, I'll getcha back. if someone shows up at a show with a pair. I don't know what I'd do.

JA

illin' (part deux)

*please note that in addition to the content of the below post, the original of this post was lost, so I had to re-type it, and I received a speeding ticket today.*

so I'm still sick, but recovering. I got to hang out with a couple of friends in Ohio over labor day and yesterday. a couple of things occured throughout my departure from the D that are worth noting.

-half way down to OH, I realized I forgot my atlas. I need atlas, so I turn around.
-get back home, find atlas in garbage. oops.
-on my way out the door, I take a glance at my computer. computer breaks. no time to worry about it. I call my younger brother and let him know.
-step outside, my flip flop breaks. it is beyond repair.
-I still be illin'
-I arrive in Ohio in one piece, cool...
-it rains. I can't sleep, cos I'm illin'
-I get a call from brother about computer: "I turned on your computer, but it started burning and smoke came out... good news is I took your hard drive about before said burning"
-I say "wow"
-he says, I have some spare parts that I can replace for your defective ones. they are used. "beggars can't be choosers," he says. he is correct.
-computer is temporarily fixed. I contemplate buying a laptop.
-next day I spend three hours looking around town for new flip flops. no one has any. I am referred to an old navy about 20 minutes away.
-HARK! I find the Old Navy.
-Old Navy is out of flip flops.
-I settle for a new zip-up hooded sweatshirt. *note, nothing will ever replace my gray WMU hooded sweatshirt which was lost in san diego last time I played there*

so the initial signs for this tour were not so welcoming. I'm just waiting for my car to blow up or something. otherwise, I'm looking forward to these first 4 shows all in cities and venues that I have never before visited. so it should be interesting...

I also missed out on beack volleyball cos I had to waste time getting the atlas. but I need the atlas or else I'd never find the beach.

all right. soon you will have updates or actual performances...

JA

Labor Day and I be illin'

a chipper labor day morning to ya. I'm delighted to be leaving the friendly confines of the great lakes state later this afternoon to embark on yet another stint with my good friend, the taurus. per usual, I did not prepare myself one iota for this trip until today, the day of departure. again my actions to this regard are common and consistent with previous trips. usually this is why I forget something relatively important, but hopefully I won't this time...

also on my departure day, I have fallen quite ill. this past weekend consisted of some rehearsal, and playing on two nights, and going out on three nights, so I believe that this has taken a toll on my body, specifically from the neck up. I've got the congestion, the sore and irritated throat, and all the rest. this happened to me once before. I believe about two years ago, my first fall tour. I had my first show in K-zoo, and I was feeling much the same as today. I was worried, and was drinking much tea before the show. This was the first ever show featuring the 'guess how many times my voice will crack' contest. I seem to recall some people guessing 12, 10, 5, 4, and like numbers. but I think one person had faith and guessed either 1 or 0. and for whatever reason (my guess is an act from God), I intentionally went for every note, just so someone could win, but didn't seem to miss any of them. So nobody won, however, immediately after the show was completed, my voice proceeded to disappear for about two days (luckily there were no shows for a couple days). I mean it was completely gone, I couldn't even whisper. so I really hope that doesn't happen again. I'm just going to slam the Nyquil, 'cos it always works for me, and take it easy on the speaking, etc. In fact, I may need to cut this entry short, 'cos I'm losing my voice as we speak...

oh, and I'd like to say thanks to everyone who came out to the D-town shows this past weekend, the festival, and the cd release show. I hope y'all enjoyed it as much as we did... someday everyone will get a chance to hear Bubs sing.

I get to visit some friends before the extra-michigan shows commence, so I'm pumped, I may even get to play some beach volleyball.

bump-set-spike... there's no other way

JA

CD Release-izzle

all right... good afternoon. I'm delighted to assume my position on the couch this afternoon to sip on some tea, and watch some long-awaited college football. Unfortunately on this side of the state, Western Michigan doesn't get much tv coverage. so I'll have to settle for some U of M or MSU on ABC.

There's the big cd release show tonight. and by "big" I just mean special. Xhedo's is a great room that I've been playing for a little while now, and it's so intimate and sounds so good... so it's the special show tonight. I don't know who's going to read this before tonight, so I don't feel I'm spoiling anything, but I made up these cheezy little programs for the evening. In honor of the new cd, it just says a few things about the songs, and about the night, and is just a little momento for people to possibly hold onto to remember the night, or to use as something to start a campfire with when nothing else works...

We played our second ever band performace yesterday at the Arts, Beats & Eats festival in Pontiac. It featured Jeff George (perch) on guitar, and Bubs (bass) on the good old hand drums. I am known in a small circle as "catfish." I don't know why, but if you hear it, then I guess it's stuck. We have some kind of fishing theme applied to our ensemble... it was cool though, to play outside, a nice breeze blowing, in addition to THE CYCLONE. this set featured for the first time Bubs singing a couple harmonies, and when you meet the guy, and hear his deep voice, you may think it's not going to sound good, but believe you me, it did.

we went to this piano bar after our set, and stayed there for hours. it brought me back to a couple years ago when I was in college. Underneath the piano bar is a little dive bar downstairs. it's separate from the piano bar, but they share restrooms. anyway, it has a couple tvs, a golden tee machine, and a pool table. and is just a really small place. well a little while back I used to play at this bar, one saturday a month, in typical solo bar-guy fashion. playing 3-4 hours, bunch of covers, some originals, usually with not many if any people listening. Needless to say, this monthly gig I used to have didn't break me onto the local music scene, a scene of which I still feel I have not officially become a member. it did help me though. it helped me to figure out what types of shows I didn't like, and which types of 'venues' I didn't want to play. shows like that inclined me to set up these shows at cafes, and coffeeshops, and small rooms around the country. because at least I'd be playing somewhere where getting through to someone was a possibility. I used to get about $200-$250 per night at this little bar. I used to drive two hours from kalamazoo and play for 3-4 hours, and then drive back in the middle of the night, never telling anyone I was coming back near home, cos I didn't want them to know. I was just making the trip to collect the money, so I could create a cd called "time is right." one day my older brother was hanging out at my place my senior year, and he saw an invoice laying around from the studio with about a $900 balance (believe me, just one installment), and he just dropped a hundy spot on my desk and said see ya later. we're all millionaires.

little things like that helped me to be able to complete that project at the time, and the little project gave me the inclination to travel around and play shows, cos someone might be interested in purchasing one, or at least accepting a free or drastically discounted copy, and little discounts like that allowed me to eat before heading to the next town, and the fact that I could survive for a month or two or three on the road made me want more. This new cd is the next installment, hopefully in the long run it'll end up being a small installment, just like that invoice was, and mean much more in the big scope of things.

tonight is for the people who saw a progression when I was just playing the low E string, cos I didn't know any chords, and then the ones who bought the cd, or told their friends about it. or the ones to came to the show, just cos they hadn't seen me in a while, and saw a listing in the metro times or something. and I sit here and drink my green tea so I can do these people justice. I want the performances to be better than the cd, and if it can't be that, then let it at least be something that you haven't heard before. cos then then at least either the cd or the performance will be better, and you'll go to bed at night having heard something new, whichever one it may be. time is of the essence, and although I never thought I'd be patient enough to stick around these two and a half years which have flown by, I know that if I had to, I could stick around for another installment, and as long as the juices of creativity continue to flow, I don't see any recession coming.

well well well well well well...

let the floodgates open for september journals... I leave on labor day...

JA

error

just so all parties will be satisfied... I do have a lack in knowledge of fishing gear and other paraphernalia... I'd like to make a spelling correction on the "weighters" mentioned in the previous entry, which I thought was a good guess... apparently, they are spelled "waders."

thank you sir, may I have another...?

JA