Tales From The Coffeehouse

changeng @ 2007-10-02T16:05:00

2007-10-02T23:16:16Z

I just found out that Gabriel, DJZJ from KUCI has passed away. He was found in his bedroom about a week ago - the cause of death is not yet disclosed.

I performed on Gabriel's show numerous times with Carlos and all the dopey toys that I used in my shows. The shows were always cacaphonous, annoying and great fun. Some clips of the shows are up on my website, if you want to hear our nonsense as it beamed throughout Orange County (and on the Internet), go to www.stuartpearson.net . Gabriel was definitely an oddball, a thinker and a unique creature.

When you hear of someone you knew and loved has passed, it hurts your heart. When you associated that person with a special time in your life, when you were chasing fragile and precious dreams, it's like seeing that dream fade further still. This is a fragile place and we get so wrapped up in the game we play every day that when someone takes their piece off the gameboard, you stop and reflect.

Sadness is like soil - you wash it off your clothes yet still depend on it to nourish the earth so that new things can grow.

Fare well, Gabriel. Many of us will miss your madness.

HOKAY

2007-09-24T06:20:53Z

So a quick update. I just finished a summation on the conflict of psychotherapists serving as forensic witnesses, taking 26 pages down to TWO. That's for my new job as the sales/business developer and director-in-training for a group of psychologists serving as forensic witnesses for attorneys in court cases. Hopefully the boss will love the article and commission me to write more so I can buy myself a new bed - tired of air mattresses, espceially since my gurl won't sleep on them so we always end up in different sleep media when "sleeping together".

Kelly and I are doing better since the reunite and hopefully things will continue to improve. I did a wedding gig with her yesterday, which pays well. Her agency is picking up and my job should develop well, so who knows? Maybe I'll become an upstanding member of society after all. Hey Lisa and Paul - she's nice, right?

Also studying technical analysis on the stock market to get back into that crazy thing for the inevitable mid-october through december run. just need about $500 free bucks to get some decent option plays on the OEX index. then provided i do nothing stupid, i'll be on easy street in no time!

Haven't done any new music in a few weeks now - trying to get everything else up and running. Once the job is on autopilot, I'm gonna get back to my plans of hitting the Unity church circuit to perform and sell records. It can actually make a guy a modest living on it's own, so soon I'll be a psychologist-pimpin'-stockmarket-pumpin'-unitychurch-punkin' man of spinning plates.

AY YI YI my head gets hurty over all this.

Kulak's Woodshed TONITE !!!

2007-08-25T01:09:31Z

WOWIE !!!

Some of you may remember that I used to perform ALOT. Tonight I'm playing at Kulak's Woodshed for my first gig since January and I'll be in a songwriters-in-the-round, performing three or four new songs. Just guitar and me, the monkey is actually SICK. Tried him a couple weeks ago for a McDonald's Commercial and he sped up, slowed down. sped up, slowed down. Literally the definition of rusty.

I trade songs with Maureen Davis, Alana Sowman and Lisa Nemzo (the other writers) from 8-9 PM. If you're at home on a friday night and bored (or just curious to see if I've aged) tune in online at www.kulakswoodshed.com follow the prompts and never be lonely again.

HEY! You can even email in live to the show! Go on - embarrass me!

and so the saga continues...

2007-08-17T21:17:15Z

Well, a quick update from the other day...

Kelly and I had a gig saturday, which started very "don't touch me" and ended with her relaxing enough to talk friendly-like, much more as things were only a few days before. Her back and feet were hurting, so when we got back to her place I rubbed them both, enjoyed sweet, pleasant (tho guarded) conversation, then left. We had many emails between friday and monday, all about how I"ve disappointed her, she doesn't trust that I can take care of myself and that tho she hasn't completely closed the door on me as a friend, if a guy she found appealing and had his act together approached her, she wouldn't say no. Nice, huh? Then no contact for seeral days thil she emailed me to see how the jobhunt was going on wednesday - since then, some brief emails back and forth, lighthearted and stress-free.

So, in a daze, I've been spending about 10-12 hours a day answering job ads. May have found one or two interesting ones - don't wanna elaborate until they're done or dun. I've been going to CODA meetings all but one night this week and looking at life post-failure. I will not allow this to happen to me again. One grant came through and I'm waiting for word from the other one now.

I MAY be scoring a movie that's being shot in South Dakota right now - won't know till the end of the month. If it happens, I'll have to figure out how to do it while keeping the job (whichever one it is). Even tho I've probably lost Kelly, I still want to get the thing that broke us apart - STABILITY.

Looks like I didn't get the McDonald's commercial where I played spoons for a new burger being perpetrated on the French and Germans - yah, my cartoon life still makes occasional appearances, however faded and rusty.

LATE BREAKING NEWS: I AM EMPLOYED. The place is a start-up. It is, for lack of a better description, an agency for a group of Forensic Experts. Lawyers hire them for whatever case. I call the lawyers to let them know about the service. It doesn't pay tons, but since it's the owner/psychotherapist and me, if we make it work, it can be very lucrative. Lawyers need these people anyway and I'm calling them about specific cases. The job is five blocks from my house, so,... I'm taking it. Still hitting an interview on monday to make inkydinky sure, however it's probably a waste of time.

Now to make it work F-A-S-T and get my life/stuff/self-respect/girl back.

IT LIVES !!!!!

2007-08-11T07:24:20Z

For anyone with a long memory, hello! I am not dead. I am simply coming out of a long, painful coma known as 2007. It has been the most challenging year of my life so far and I'm sincerely hoping it gets much, much easier, like NOW.

I am currently filing for a grant to pay my bills as I have run out of money, work and girlfriend. I haven't played a "regular" gig since january and I'm just about to gear up and bring the monkey out of the shadows. ONe of my old places Shark's Cove, have called and asked if I wanna book and since I need some sunshine, it looks like I may relearn how to play slinky and toy piano.

This year, I embarked on two adventures; a girlfriend (and therefore an intense, turbulent relationship), and a career as a composer for film, tv and commercials.

Kelly (the girl) and I are currently not seeing each other since I'm a financial wreck and she's ascared of my lack of stability. Can't blame her - I'm pretty sick of dreading rent day while the rest of you get to celebrate it's arrival (or it's fancypants sister, the mortgage). I love her more than anything ever and I don't like the fact that she's on a date right now. In fact, it really sucks. She is a wedding singer and has just taken over her parents' talent agency - sometimes I sing on her gigs, standards mostly, like "Unforgettable" and "The Way You Look Tonight", stuff like that. I'm also helping her drum up business for the talent agency. We've also been writing material (she's a great writer and an amazing singer) to break into the Spiritual Church Circuit - which is huge and growing. Already getting a few calls to perform.
the composer career has been a blowout as well - I have been contacting 900 companies a month for the last 7 months to no avail. I've had two film soundtracks offered and then yanked. I've had several "almosts" in the tv music department and many compliments of how good I am without work coming from it.

So I've had a few day jobs that didn't pan out - one was as an executive assistant at a post production house for a very angry boos and the other was as a wine broker, where I was required to drink wine from 9 AM till about 5 PM - sure, sounds good at first, but... real gutbuster after a few weeks. Didn't sell enough, so out I go.

In a panic, asked several different people yesterday to help me pay rent before the three day notice took affect and made the mistake of asking Kelly - BIG mistake. The day before we were waking up late together and cuddling (yes, it's that kind of breakup) and now she doesn't want to talk to me and is on a date. Has a problem with rescuing people and I guess I'm a loser. Didn't actually say the last part but it's pretty much implied. Of course, now with the sky falling because I asked her to help me pay rent, I dont' know what's going to happen to all the projects we've started. If she starts seeing other guys regularly, I won't be able to work with her. Everyone who knows her, including a member of her own family, says I shouldn't bother , that I can do better than her. Hard to hear from a family member!

So today I finished paperwork for two "instant" grants that will hopefully cover things on tuesday. If not, a friend has offered to cover me while I get one/two/three real jobs. Another friend has been over here and on the phone with me every other hour to help me fill out the mountain of paperwork. Kelly? Outside of a reference letter she wrote for me, doesn't want to be near me. Yah - when the chips are down...

Anyways, I have to bear the responsibility of my loser ways. I'm hoping that working one/two/three jobs will not only take care of the money issues,but will bring her back. I guess only time will tell.

Gonna start keeping the journal up to date now and reading everyone's entries. I hope everyone is okay! Time to see what you've all been up to...

dum deedum deedum

2007-03-04T20:50:49Z

Only new happy news is I found out that I'm in the Smithsonian Institiution - no lie. I played on a track by Lisa Nemzo some years ago (hurdy gurdy) that was picked for a Smithsonian compilation of new folk music for the 90's. Pretty crazy, eh?

Otherwise, nothing much going on - except that I'm working 8 - 12 hours a day sending emails, phone calling and occasionally sending packages to about 900 different ad agencies, reps, music houses. music libraries, etc. Slow progress, and it's crazy-making, however you have to believe in what you're doing at all times, so I trudge forward. Sure, I have moments where I'm in tears wondering about bills, progress in general, etc. however without steadfast conviction in what you do, you simply won't achieve anything substantial. How does rent get paid? dunno yet. car insurance? back of the line, pal.

Aycheewawa - D.E.D. broke. Sold my mandolin yesterday just so I could fill my car with gas and spend the evening with Kelly in Cypress. A very nice date night, where I blew my money on a pricey tho delicious meal for two in Huntington Beach (Sparks? i think was the name) Kelly is having a very hard time of things herself and getting together was wonderful for both of us. I don't quite know if we're a couple or not, tho last night was definitely a date and somewhat romantic. Of course, after the first month where we're telling everyone we've found our soulmate, a standard dinner date with the lightest of frivolity afterwards seems kinda "huh?!?" , I have to respect her decision to retreat emotionally for now while she figures her life out - she says this is the darkest time of her life. I can only be there as much as she wishes, even if she has older, close friends that she's keeping in better touch with right now. It hurts to pull back, it sucks and I don't care about that mandolin (barely used it anyway) it was wonderful to release eachother from our stupid money troubles for one evening. Seriously, tears-in-the-eyes good feeling to take a vacation of money stress. It was like waking up after a bad dream, even tho you knew you'd have to go to sleep again.

Dammit, I'm supposed to be wealthy at all times. And I will be again.

drums fingers impatiently...

2007-02-25T06:28:26Z

I'm still not used to saturday nights at home instead of playing somewhere in Orange County. It's not a good feeling, since Kelly moved back to her parents' house today in, yes, Orange County. We've had more stress this week - both are money- stretched and she has pretty much closed down emotionally to me for the time being. With as much as she's had to deal with lately, I don't want to push her, tho I do. Even a poorly placed grunt had turned into long painful dialogues about differences in philosophies. A lousy situation made lousier when she is also moving 50 miles away.

Might have some new composing work - a company named Epiphany Pictures emailed me friday about scoring a video called "Chicken Soup fo Golfers" - will know more this week. Also, may get another Disney Store assignment on monday, tho for smaller pay.

I can't remember a time when money was tighter - seriously. What a lousy time to meet the woman you wanna marry. I simply must get new gigs - I miss weekends in Orange County coffeehouses.

Okie doke! NOW A MEMBERS ONLY CLUB

2007-02-19T02:50:01Z

Haven't updated in a long time, so here goes.

I've taken this livejournal off of my website, since I'm not performing too much these days. The downside is I really miss performing. The upside is I can now get a bit more personal, which is something that always bugged me about keeping my journal out there for website visitors to see.

Nothing earth-shaking to report right now - the biggest news is the video of me playing "Hold" at Kulak's is now the #4 All-time top rated video on Youtube, which is pretty neat. Doesn't really mean anything, dammit, but it's nice to see when nothing else is all that shiny at the moment. Framistan is now on cdbaby and I'm looking into other ways of promoting it.

My new gurlie Kelly is saving some money up to buy a new house, so in the meantime she's moving in with her parents for several months. Where you ask? Why, Orange County, of course! This is not good news for me - her parents love me, however Kelly is having concerns over my financial situation (in other words, she's sane). Starting up a new business with this composing stuff I'm doing is verrrry hit and miss and I'm sure it will work out great in the long run, however it's all door-knocking right now. Disneystore pulled the rug out on me and about 20 other people, so that's gone. I've put out introductory emails to 800 production companies, ad agencies, music supervisors, etc last week and will start the followup letters tomorrow. About five or six companies showing an interest so far - so it's a wait and see. I don't wanna lose Kelly, at the same time I have to follow my heart and pursue music opportunities with all my focus. The payoff will be huge down the road, I just hope she's still around to see it. She's been great so far and only now is she showing the signs of stressing over it. dammit.

Just been doing the odd overdub sessions lately and finishing up work I was paid on ages ago, so money is ti-hi-hi-hi-ight. dammit.

Record Release show for Framistan last night

2007-01-27T22:33:58Z

Such a nice time I had. Lisa (of Lisa and Paul fame), Pam, Darcy and Bobbie trekked all the way up from O.C.. Twelve wonderful songwriters played a song apiece for me (Jason Dean even wrote a song called "Framistan" for the occasion!) and then I launched into a nearly complete version of "FRAMISTAN !". Kelly (my gurlie) filled in for Laura who lives in San Fran, Julia sang and Deb sang their respective parts on the record. Carlos was quite reserved, only playing on "Happy" (and such a luxury, having Julia AND Kelly sing the chorus the way Nature planned). Kelly even busted out her sk-1 skills for "The Truth Gets Done" and "Love Theme from Framistan". Then she sang Kerry Getz's parts on "45" which was so strange to hear another voice (albeit a freakin GREAT one) doing it, after hearing Kerry sing it for three years (still plays it at her shows sometimes). And the luxury of playing "What Can You Expect" on a baby grand piano AND having Julia and Kelly sing the parts I can't sing was pure Hebbin. Deb Tala dressed like a mom (apron, hairbun) and sand her parts on "Rubber Room", which turned out to be one of many highlights of the evening. Kelly's folks emailed during the show and said they love me and welcomed me into the family and I got a little red-faced. it was a swell, swell, evening.

Now on to Framistan's World Domination!

Tonight's the Night !!! 8 - 10 PM Cali time !!!

2007-01-26T16:29:12Z

Tonight is the record release party for "FRAMISTAN !" at Kulak's Woodshed. There is no cover charge (which means it's free, tho they pass a bucket around for donations to keep the place open - (i gets NONE of it, so be generous). I will be the master of ceremonies tonight. There will be a bunch of my songwriter friends performing before me (one song each) and then the most glorious event in western civilization's spotty history: the performance of "FRAMISTAN !" in it's entirety. Just me, a guitar, a monkey, a gurdy, a HUMP-288, some christmas ornaments, some cheesy 80's keyboards (thanks Jeremy!) and some great gurlie singers to help me.

If you can't make it to Kulak's in North Hollywood, you can watch it online LIVE LIVE LIVE at www.kulakswoodshed.com . The show runs from 8 - 10 PM, with me going on around 9-ish. Aw, come on - you KNOW you wanna watch !!!

and "FRAMISTAN !" will be available at www.cdbaby.com later today -just click the "search" button and type in framistan .

OH WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY FOR ALL MANKIND !!!!

Update into 2007

2007-01-12T06:06:36Z

Haven't updated in a couple weeks - been actually living a LIFE for the first time in years.

Hokay - here's the news that is fit to print.

Buried in work - scoring a movie called "Game Face" while finishing up mixes for Jay's project and starting two recordings for Deanna.

I am having the record release party for "Framistan!" on Friday, Jan 26th at Kulak's Woodshed. A bunch of friends will perform a song or two apiece until me, Carlos and the gang storm the rug and play this stuff. YES, CD'S WILL BE FOR SALE. YES, YOU CAN COME. No booze allowed, no full frontal nudity.   Since the pornstar next door to Kulak's now routinely checks my journal, I 'd like to wish him a happy and satisfying new year, full of peace and purpose.     Spread love, dude, not hate.

To add cartoonyness to my cartoon life, the video of me playing my song "Hold" at Kulak's Woodshed is #11 on You Tube's all-time top-rated videos. I shit-you-not. 9000 views and counting. YIKES.   http://youtube.com/browse?t=a&p=1&s=tr&c=24&l=EN    Univeral Music Group had YouTube ban my video of "When Doves Cry" for copyright infringement. - if Prince turns round and rocks a gurdy, I shall scream foul.

On the personal side, tho clinical studies showed it was impossible, I am officially in love. Her name is Kelly and I think she shall someday be my wife. Possibly the best singer I've ever known, beautiful and everything I thought I'd never find.

2007 is starting off real swell.

SANTASTAN !!!

2006-12-25T02:37:57Z

Just a reminder, today and tomorrow are your last chances to listen to "SANTASTAN!" while it's still pertinent. After that, you still can, but you'll feel oddly out of place. SO GO LISTEN NOW !!! AND TELL GRANMA !!!

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=603911

and merry happy everybody. I wish you brilliance in the year ahead.

Happy Almost!

2006-12-24T05:53:50Z

Happy Almost, everybody!

The Through the Woods reunion at Highland Grounds last night was a righteous success. We rocked SO. HARD. The three original members just kept smiling at each other - every note was right where we left them. David Garza filled in for our FBI-missing-in-action bassist and he was brilliant. Our old manager Alan introduced Brett Perkins who then introduced us. The reason was, A) Alan deserved to say hi, since he started one of the larger showcases in Hollywood back in the day, and B) Brett had a history that needed irony. Back in 1996, when the band was voted Band of the Year by the National Academy of Songwriters, Brett was the president. Brett HATED the band. Liked us as people, just did NOT like the music. So at a NAS event at the Troubadour one night, he couldn't bring himself to introduce us as band of the year, so he said, "There are alot of bands in town with three word names. Here's another one: THROUGH THE WOODS." We were SO PISSED at him at the time. Now it's a guaranteed giggle every time it comes up. So we had him do that to cheers in the crowd.

After the show Bob the drummer gave out copies of our old cd to everyone in the crowd, which made me cringe. I do not like that cd. But hopefully I'm in the minority on that. Harry Connick Jr. was there but wouldn't take a cd - can't blame him. I remember the waried look on Tom Waits face when I forced one on him way back when. Heck, I hate it when people shovel their stuff on me unasked. Anyways, a great, fun evening even though it was also very sad. Goodbye Highland Grounds. I will miss you. ALOT.

Played at a private party today which was kinda fun, just exhausted through all of it. And Kevin from the Warped Tour showed up toward the end and it looks like I may be back on that tour next summer. Got good reports from everyone, so that's swell.

This has been the best christmas week EVER.

a quick summary

2006-12-22T08:03:59Z

Hokay - so i've been bizzy lately. Here's the highlites of my cartoon week so far:

Just found out a portrait that was painted of me this year playing accordion was sold for $900 and is now in a hotel in Acapulco. This makes me feel pretty!

Universal Music Group made Youtube.com remove my version of "When Doves Cry" for copyright infringement. Is Prince threatened by a man and his gurdy?

I haven't slept in a couple days and my radio show today was a bit wobbly - some things with Kerry were unrehearsed and really showed their seams. My niece called in before the show, which was great! The first actual phone conversation we've had in eight years, even tho I couldn't stay on too long. And Kerry sold a cd to a listener right after the first song.

I played at the last Highland Grounds open mic tonight and it was a fun night, tho a little sad. Tomorrow night Through The Woods reunites for the final music night there. Then i will cry. and then sleep.

HAPPY MERRY !!!

2006-12-21T05:06:10Z

Some of you are on my email list and some of you aren't and some use AOL so you probably didn't get my newsletter/state of my brane bulletin, so here it is (pretend this came in your email box):

Hey everybody!

Stuart Pearson here. The guy with the toy monkey from www.stuartpearson.net

I want to wish everybody the happiest holiday they choose to celebrate. And
if you don't celebrate one, I wish for you the genius to create your very own
holiday and to dance around till you fall over and giggle.

This week is such a beautiful summing up for me, as my life starts to go
through subtle and not-so-subtle changes. A radio show, two musical reunions
and a sad goodbye or three. It has been a glorious year, even with the
dramas I insisted on playing.

Over the past few weeks, as clouds appeared, I found myself stressed for the
first time in months. A few days ago, I was at a red light, cussing at every
car that just danced with me and stopped at a light. I looked at the faces
of the drivers who wizzed by me, as well as the cars going every which way on
the overpasses down the street and I realized that there are SO MANY people,
all little wizards, running around with plans, hopes and dreams and all
(hopefully) loving other people who have hopes and dreams. And all they
really want to do is make each other happy. I smiled for the first time in
several days and went home. Awaiting me were phone messages for new, paying
music work as well as all the money I had been waiting on. It's almost as if
by changing my mood, the dam broke and GOOD finally prevailed. Odd, eh?

I wish for you that same happy dam-break.

Tomorrow (thursday) morning, I will do a two-hour Holiday Special radio show
on KUCI 88.9 FM in Irvine from 10 AM till noon.. You can hear it online at www.kuci.org . Along with me, Carlos and the whole gang will be
the fabulous Kerry Getz (http://www.kerry-getz.com), in our first performance
together in about three years. We'll perform songs from her beautiful cd
"It's A Wonderful Life" as well as some of the songs from my own (tragically
illegal-to-sell, but you-can-hear at
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=603911) "SANTASTAN !"

As if THAT isn't earth-changing enough, my semi-legendairy (enphasis on the
dairy) band THROUGH THE WOODS will reunite for the first time in NINE YEARS
to play three songs friday night at Highland Grounds in Hollywood. Why?
Because it will be the final night for music at HG, which over the last 16
years has become an L.A. institution. This is one of the three goodbyes the
next two weeks brings. TTW will play two old TTW favorites ("Wax Paper" and
"Red Motel") as well as a track from "SANTASTAN!" featuring the vocal prowess
of Maureen Davis. We practiced last night for the first time in 9 years and
we SMOKED. Astounding. We're going on about 8 PM for 10-15 glorious
minutes. If you're in town, it will be the best 15 minutes you spend ALL
THAT HOUR.

Then on saturday, I'm performing for a three-hour private party. The only
reason I bring that up is since I don't have any other shows booked, it could
well be the last three hour nonsense-athon I ever do. I dunno! Life is
moving me in new places and I want to embrace the changes it brings. (tho
feel free to find me new gigs - I ain't dead yet!)

Kulak's Woodshed still hasn't received the city's blessing (yet) so it could
be shut down as of 12/31. Highland Grounds closes 12/31. Diedrich's
coffeehouse chain starts closing most of it's retail stores on 1/2. So many
goodbyes.

Anyways, I love you all and thank you for all the support you've given me
these last three years. I'm expecting to hear exciting stories about how
surprisingly fantastic 2007 is treating you.

much love,

Stuart
www.stuartpearson.net

dum dee dum dum...

2006-12-16T03:56:10Z

Well, seems like the Agency got SOME of the money from the Disney Stores they've been waiting on since November and will be paying me at least some if not all of the money I'm owed monday (or tuesday really - monday is packed with rehearsals).

THAT MEANS EVERYBODY GETS ACCORDIONS !!!!

Been doing some scoring for a new movie called "Game Face" but so distracted over the Disney thing that I haven't been nearly as productive as I usually am. BUT BUT BUT I got a last minute christmas party gig on the 23rd in Alta Dena (actually, for the same people that hooked me up with Kevin Lyman from the Warped Tour) that pays real american money, so the dawn is starting to break. HUZZAH ! HUZZAH I SAY !!!!

Monday rehearsing with Kerry Getz for our radio show thursday, tuesday rehearsing with Through The Woods (!?!) for the Highland Grounds final music night friday and wednesday re-learning my dopey solo stuff (it HAS been a month) for a christmas party on saturday. WHO SAYS YOU NEED A LIFE TO BE BUSY ?!?

I can't wait for 2007 and the new cartoonyness it brings.

HAPPY BORFDAY substitute

2006-12-16T03:32:04Z

may your hovercraft fill with eels

Kulak's Woodshed Tonite

2006-12-12T00:17:43Z

Going to one of the last open mics at Kulak's tonite. I'll be playing "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" with Carlos, the Souls of the Damned Chorale and the Lady Lump Dancers. It's Kiki Wow's last night as host (she's moving to the wine country) so it will be extra special. If you're bored with teevee, you can see the open mic live at www.kulakswoodshed.com from 7:30 - 10 PM. It's a weepy nite, since saying goodbye to Kiki AND in two weeks the Woodshed. If you haven't watched the open mic before, you should - the talent ranges from splendid to ghastly, sometimes during the same act.

mmmm. enDORPHinseses

2006-12-03T03:56:48Z

Just took a bike ride up the beach to Malibu - haven't done that in at least 6 months, tho it feels like it has been much longer. Polishing off a bottle of Trader Joe's Cab/Merlot blend to come down off that endorphin high. DAMN ! I forgot how good it feels to exercise.

2006 has been such a wild ride. Since the divorce in 2002, each year has been quantum leaps forward and 2007 looks like it's going to be wonderful. That said, when winter approaches, I can't help but think about holidays past, and so I've looked up my ex-stepchildren on myspace. My split with the ex was B.A.D. and in case the kids ever look me up I won't go into details here of what their mom did. I'm not in touch with them anymore (by demands of their mom) and it has been a great cloak of sadness for four years running. They're now 17 and 14 and are beautiful young women. It's the first time I've seen pictures of the youngest in 4 years - such a huge difference and I hope they somehow know that I still love them and miss them. I won't contact them tho - they have to do that on their own - I'm just a footnote in their lives at this point (for four years early in their lives) and it just feels inappropriate the chime in uninvited.

read more      .It's odd - while waiting on the Disney money and the next assignment, I find myself the same kind of crazee broke I was when I first moved away from Alhambra. I left that family with the house, the car, everything. I moved here with a few pieces of furniture and my music equipment. I didn't even HAVE a bike. Okay, so I'm not THAT broke this time, just things feel like they're being wrapped up right now - coming full circle, like summing up the end of an era.

In fact, being in a mood about all this, I'm not even attending the goodbye party that Diedrichs is throwing for their entertainers tonight in Brea.    And tonite I work on an arrangement for Jay Friedmann's project instead of seeing him perform in Hollywood, or seeing Carrie Wade perform down the street, for that matter.   Just digging a burrow and hiding my head right now.   I'm feeling lonely while blowing off many functions, even one sorta in my honor.

It's not that I'm not grateful for my place in the world - for the first time in my life I know exactly what I'm supposed to do in the big scheme of things. I'm confident in the good of the Universe and that I'm always in a state of grace, as long as I focus on being the best Stuart I can be and making people feel magical whenever possible.   I just wish the next steps were clearer.   In the film "The Secret", one speaker said something I love (paraphrasing) " In life, you're driving from New York to California.   You can only see 200 feet in front of you at all times.   You'll get there, just don't get troubled that you can't see all 3,000 miles at once.   Probably good that you can't".   I agree.

So many wonderful things are happening.   I'm scoring a movie in April called "Miracle Desert", several Through the Woods songs are going to be in a movie called "Game Face", I'll get more Disney Store work (as well as other companies requesting my scoring abilities), and it looks like I'll be on a Target Stores compilation cd of crooners (including Elvis Costello, Michael Bolton and others. Probably next to the checkout stand, but so what?) and the Santastan! xmas material is out to 60 different movie and teevee houses.   I even get to end this year by saying goodbye to Highland Grounds with a reunion of Through the Woods for two songs.   With so many things suddenly wrapping up and so many things beginning, my life feels like a bus station.

Maybe I'm not sad, maybe I'm just overwhelmed. I've seen photos of my ex-stepkids for the first time in four years, I'm back in touch with my birth family for the first time in eight years, I'm in better health than I've ever been in my life and slowly becoming a Wizard in this magical, wonderful world that I used to think was so cruel.

Still I feel a little empty right now - I have no new shows booked (for the first time in almost three years) and tho I really want them, something keeps telling me to hold off for now - dunno if I'm just being lazy or if something bigger is at play.   There's just this odd feeling like I'm about to be swept up in something that I have to have LOTS of time for.   Like after three years of big winds the air has suddenly gone dead still. Odd.

I love my odd cartoon life. I just wish it came with a "coming attractions" feature.

Silversun Pickups

2006-12-02T08:46:46Z

Just saw Silversun Pickups on Letterman - this is the real deal. Haven't seen a band that got me like this since Arcade Fire. and from L.A. ?!? http://www.myspace.com/silversunpickups think Pixies/Velvets

Highland Grounds 11-30-06

2006-12-01T07:56:41Z

Geez, I'm gonna miss this place. Went down to the open mic tonight with Carlos and the HHO. Carlos got to do a sit-in with a 75 year old rapping grandma named Gimmet? Gimlet? Gillet? Something like that. She did a rap about living in a jewish community retirement home and the call and response was to "Oy Vey! Oy Vey Ist Mir!" while Carlos banged away. She was oblivious to Carlos's rhythm and he was oblivious to hers. Lotsa lines about jello and bingo. It's reasons like this that have made this one of my most beloved locations since 1990.

I on the other hand, did a dignified version of "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin with Carlos and had the HHO take a solo. People screeched along and young girls screamed "I Love You!", probably to Carlos, who got a screaming ovation when he hit the stage. It stinks to be the wingman for a toy monkey.

Highland Grounds closes forever on Dec. 31st. Rich the owner turns it into a fulltime restaurant called "The Dive", without music, on Jan 2nd. It's like someone just sold my parent's house. Rumors of a Through the Woods (my former, semi-legendary band) 2 song mini-reunion are in the air for Highland's last night on Dec. 22nd.

KULAK'S WOODSHED TONITE

2006-11-27T20:40:38Z

Going to Kulak's tonite to play at the open mic. It's a hootful of fun, even to watch. It starts at 7:30-8:00 Cali time and goes til 10 PM and is webcast at www.kulakswoodshed.com . If you're bored, tune it - unless a solution comes quickly, this will be one of the last Kulak's open mics.

Because of all the change going on right now, with people leaving my life and places to play closing all around me at a rate I've never seen before, I'll be playing a new song called "There Is No Goodbye"

EDIT: Now with video suppplied by hersheyjumper!!! (on the comments page). The lyrics go

Just because there’s something leaving
Doesn’t mean it goes away.
Everything returns in its season,
To see another day.

Time rolls by,
There
Is
No
Goodbye
Seeds grows inside
There Is No Goodbye

No one sings obituaries,
Empty glasses never fill.
You can eat a slice of heartbreak,
But if you don’t, nobody will.

You can only see a foot ahead,
You don’t know about the miles instead,
That await every new face
And every dream that you thought died
Goodbye?

LAST DIEDRICH SHOW 11-25-06

2006-11-26T09:25:03Z

So the last D's show was tonight in Orange. It went fine, tho the guy with the five Carloses never showed up (dammit!) hersheyjumper and ahhhlisaaah had a bunch of real cool t-shirts (some glow in the dark) made up with my picture on the front and on the back it says "The man with the most toys wins!" and my website. They're super cool. THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU !!!

I got a little weepy at the end of the night. There were songs I played tonight that I will probably never play again. Some people took cell phone photos. I didn't know how to end three years of weekends in Orange County, so I did "Here Comes Your Happy" with Carlos and the HHO since I was close to tears (yeah, I'm a puss, I know). I loved the Diedrich's experience and all the oddball stories it has contributed to this diary.

So next comes planning a tour, either of the west coast or across the country. May team up with an artist named James Hurley (freakin brilliant) who does tours quite often. May try my hand at the house concert circuit across the country. And there's always the Taste of Chaos tour in february, if Kevin asks me to jump on the bus.

So if you're in San Fran or anywhere in between L.A. and San Fran and would like to see a guy holler with a toy monkey,find me a place to play! (and if they pay, that would be ginchy)

The time has come to annoy new peoplebles.

EAT DAY !

2006-11-24T18:30:57Z

Yesterday was a happy eat day. Started at Laura's house and ate turkey, taters, cranberries, and stuffing - met some nice American peoplebles. Then I went to Julia's house and ate turkey, taters, carnberries and stuffing - met nice European peoplebles - only three Americans and 15 Euros, so we got to explain thanksgiving to them, which is kinda like explaining baseball to a foreigner. Then I went to Kulak's potluck and ate turkey, taters, cranberries and stuffing and saw peoplebles I know and discussed Bush, Clinton and the porn guy next door.

And I have a leftovers plate in the fridge so I can eat turkey, taters, cranberries and stuffing today befre my recording session starts.

I now know that thanksgiving, tho yummy and fun, makes no sense whatsoever.

you may burp now.

btw - the new Beatles album is quite fun - excellent technically speaking, and I'm sure sacrilege for many, but as a guy who does mashup stuff, this is well done and will make you wanna hear the originals all over again. You can hear the whole thing online if you want at www.thebeatles.com

SAD

2006-11-23T00:39:45Z

Sad.

1) Laura, one of my dearest friends, just called me to tell me she is moving to San Francisco - like, NEXT WEEK.

2) I play my last Diedrichs gig EVER Saturday in Orange, which may also mark the end of monkey-driven coffeehouse shows.

3) Kulak's Woodshed is scheduled to close December 31st.

4) Highland Grounds is closing on December 31st.

I'm rarely sad. I'm sad now.