Much has transpired since my last entry. I am referencing my holy calendar to ensure that I don't miss anything. Often times when such a span of time has passed I forget some of the gems along the way that have fallen far from my immediate memory. Such is the case with my podcasts when it hits a streak of unfortunate back-to-back cancelations.
 |
| Figure A - "Large Grid Calendar" the only way I can cram all my shit in. |
According to the calendar, the fourth week of April was spent being sick. How do I know this? I actually write that kind of stuff down on this holy calendar. It may sound silly, but my calendar is my secret weapon in successfully orchestrating the lovely chaos that is my life. So, if/when I look back I can see the circumstances as to why there was so much white out (cancelations) on my calendar: I was sick.
 |
| Figure B - The Good, the Bad, and the Haole, costume that won me a free tattoo! If you zoom in behind the right side of my hat you can find porn! Hello Easter egg! |
Apparently on the 30th of April I got tattooed, so that must of been my ode to the vegas shoot out. I won a tattoo from tattoo artist friend for winning his costume contest for his dirty 30 birthday party (it was around Halloween). Shout out to Little Chris.
 |
| Figure C - Gettin' Ink Done! |
In early May for Japanese Golden Week my home-stay friend from Japan visited me with his family here on Oahu. Last time I saw him was in Seattle like 5 years ago! That was a lot of fun and I got to practice my Japanese. His English has much improved too. I think we're the only two of the homestay exchange program from Kapa'a High School that still stay in touch with each other to this day. Now more than ever I want to go to Japan!
 |
| Figure D - 2015 in Waikiki |
 |
| Figure E - 2009 on a bus in Seattle |
Shortly after this little stay-cation with my JP friend, I was off to Kaua'i for a gig and a mother's day hello to my mom. Only reason why I'm mentioning this is because I mentioned it in my last blog entry half a year ago. B.R.G.A. has been expanding!
 |
| Figure F - Number 4 baby! |
The podcast has been fun and interesting. As of the episode on May 24th, 2015 the podcast now has visual content via the webcam I bought to expedite my video upload process for my guitar lessons. Yeah, after the "straight to YouTube" fail of the samsung camera I bought and then returned, and extensive research for cameras, a higher quality webcam was the best bet. So, dual purpose now at this point.
Figure G - N3 Podcast Radio episode 11 staring Reid and Ikaika
I now know that the show has a maximum capacity for coherent dialogue movement. That number is 5, because with 5, you can only have as many as 2 independent conversations going on which is much more manageable than 6+ which could theoretically hold 3+ independant conversations; not good for singularity. One day I can be the Hawaiian Howard Stern. The King of all Coconut Wireless.
I also came to find out that my podcast did indeed have a listener at one point much to my own disbelief. This listener didn't like what was heard and we have since stopped meeting eachother. So, for better or for worse, the show has indeed become a part of my life!
 |
| Figure H - The last the listener was every heard or seen of again |
Ikaika sensei (a friend turned language tutor) has been loosely training me weekly in the way of Japanese conversation to supplement my academic study of the language. In addition to the tutoring, he jokingly has "field days" wherein he has Japanese friends visiting and I get to meet and practice what I've learned in a real conversational setting! Too cool!
 |
| Epic meal planning / once-a-week cooking! |
Summer came and took a shit on me in the application of a surf instructor at the surf school, as it does every year, but, this year wasn't so bad. Get paid to dork around with tourons and get some sun and extra and keep up on my surf chops. Not so bad.
 |
| Figure I - The signature shaka |
Vegas had appeared on the horizon once again, and this subsequent trip was to be a pivotal one. My previous trip was dismal. I got pounded, and had been reeling from that defeat till this point. I was either to return with my shield or on it. It was either going to be my last gambling venture, or, the reignition of global domination.
Figure J - "Come back with your shield, or on it." All or nothing...
I had traveled with some friends of mine from back at home this time, so at least I had witnesses to the madness that is blackjack Brian, and I was able to put those casino comps I earned for sitting at a blackjack table for 20 hours straight to good use. I hooked my boys up with a hotel at the MGM Grand and, I, of course resided at the the cosmo, which was rad, as always.
 |
| Figure K - The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas |
I had fought tooth and nail, and I was able to regain some financial territory that I had lost on my previous Vegas campaign. And so now, blackjack Brian returns, and I have my next trip slated for early October where I'm going to watch my ATF (All Time Favorite) guitarist Marty Friedman! I got 2 tickets if anyone would care to join me!
Figure L & Figure M - Epic Marty Friedman song and Tickets!
Leviathan Hawaii my heavy metal hard rock band successfully played a show at Hawaiian Brians a couple weeks ago. It was a great success for how marginalized the rock scene is here but that's okay. Labor of love! Doing it for smile(s).
Figure N & Figure O - Leviathan Hawaii live at Hawaiian Brian's on August 14th, 2015
With this impending show however, I was in full blown recording mode! I was able to record the entire catalogue of current originals and get everything tracked with drums. For those who don't know, recording is an incredibly tedious, meticulous and frustrating process. but yet again; labor of love.
Here's the download link to the demo catalogue if ya wanna rock out!
 |
| Figure P - Tracking Andy on bass |
A week later I was on Kauai for a gig at PMRF. PMRF!? WTF? I hadn't been there since the Bernabe brothers took me there fishing. It had to been in 1997 or something. Stayed on Kauai for 4 days, just enough. Saw some old friends. Went on the Na Pali coast Kayak tour, something I hadn't done since 2005. Overall a very fun and enjoyable trip in light of it being a "work trip."
Figure Q - Na Pali coast kayak adventure with "Island Style" as performed by ME! playing in the background.
And now, it's my second week of taking Japanese 201 at UH Manoa. Much more expensive, much more difficult, but much more convenient! Summer has come to an end. Guitar lessons are booking up, and the Blow N' Go get's removed next week!
Phew, now that I'm all caught up I think I can stay on top of the blog more easily now (I hope).
No comments:
Post a Comment