Espresso Shot of Inspiration

    It has been a while since I have taken the time to write anything and that is mainly because I have felt like I have had nothing to share and so much draining me that writing has taken a back burner. Today, I read an article that bothered me. It stated:

    “Because the CIFC (coffee is for closers) principle can come off as harsh and negative, today’s parents and educators have neglected to alert their children and/or students that it is still the core of every business.  They’ve instead chosen to advise them to “follow their dreams,” “find a job they love,” and “do only that which makes them happy.”… Thinking they’ve set young people on a journey towards career happiness, what these well-intending adults have actually done is send millions of young people into the workforce with the misguided perception that they are entitled to their “coffee” simply by virtue of getting hired and reporting to a job.”

    Now I know what you are thinking, “Damn Jim, normally you post uplifting and positive things in hopes of inspiring the world.” Well hold your damn horses there Mr(s). Negativity, pump the fucking breaks because the magic is coming!

    I agree that nothing is entitled in a job and takes work but I dis-agree with the “misguided perception” that we should just work to live outside of work. This has been a real struggle for me lately and I had lost that passion to do what I love with hopes of turning it into something more than a hobby, but last night someone struck a chord and reminded me of what my mission had been for the past 8 months.

    Last night I was present for the release party for West Albaladejo’s newest CD and managed to get my hands on a copy (which I now owe West $5.00 for) titled “Feeding Time.” I am not the kind of person who writes about music all willy-nilly because for me to put an honest stamp of approval on a song or album it has to stir up an emotion inside of me and create pictures in my mind and this is exactly what West has accomplished with “Feeding Time.” It is an album that reminds me that no matter what happens, “life is not half bad.” Listening to this masterpiece of moving words and melodies creates a magical menagerie of memories and mesmerizing moving pictures in my mind that make me want to sit down and write a script that his music could be the soundtrack to. I have been unable to decide on which track has been my favorite thus far because a track like “Not ½ Bad” inspires me to play it for my hypothetical children that I hope one day exist when I put them down for the night where as “Chili Dogs and Cigarettes” make me want to wander down memory lane and just think about everything I have seen in this life and the people I have shared the world with.

    I can defiantly say that without a doubt this entire album and the work West put into it inspire me to work towards those passions in my life that I love and make me happy, the kind that make me say fuck your coffee because every day is filled with passion and brings on a new adventure. I advise anyone who feels lost in the day to day or even just loves good tunes to check out West Albaladejo’s “Feeding Time" and see if it inspires you to go after those passions in life!

 

For more information about West Albaladejo check out www.facebook.com/westaa

For information about other local acts or just some down to earth entertainment check out www.zaboysmedia.com

photos "courtesy" of West Albaladejo (sorry for snatching them off FB but I didn't have any to use)

To read the rest of the "coffee is for closers" article follow the link below and witness how easy it is to cut peoples words from something and twist them around for your own use.

http://www.revivingworkethic.com/coffee-for-closers-in-2013/

That Moment of Clarity-What I Got

    There are times when you have been dragged through the mud, kicked while you are down, spat on, and left to lay there in the pouring rain. When these moments occur in life it is hard to see the bright side of things, it is hard to appreciate who we are. Often, in these times or hardship, something right in front of us finally comes into focus and we can finally understand what it really means.

  I have recently had one of these epiphanies and it has really opened my eyes to a whole new idea. This may sound dumb to many of you or even pointless but in all honesty I never truly understood Sublimes, “What I got” until recently when things came together and the words became clear.

 

"Early in the morning, risin' to the street

Light me up that cigarette and I strap shoes on my feet

(This is truly how I feel every morning, this obligation to get up and go out although I would rather sleep just an hour more or kick back all day)

 

Got to find a reason, a reason things went wrong

Got to find a reason why my money's all gone

(I constantly find myself worrying if I am broke, and if I am, how I plan to survive the next week. I over analyze every little thing that happens to me as if it is the biggest failure in my life)

 

I got a dalmation, and I can still get high

 I can play the guitar like a mother fucking riot

(No truth here, I have a dog, Akita/Shepherd mix, and I suck at Guitar)

 Well, life is (too short), so love the one you got

 'Cause you might get runover or you might get shot

 Never start no static I just get it off my chest

 Never had to battle with no bulletproof vest

 Take a small example, take a tip from me

 Take all of your money, give it all to charity

 Love is what I got

 It's within my reach

 And the Sublime style's still straight from Long Beach

 It all comes back to you, you'll finally get what you deserve

 Try and test that you're bound to get served

 Love's what I got

 Don't start a riot

 You'll feel it when the dance gets hot

(The chorus, this is where it all finally makes sense to me. We have such a limited number of days to enjoy this world and none of us knows when that time is up or what will take us out but we can make the most of it and prolong it the most we can if we don’t stress, live every day to the fullest, and openly accept the world with love. Once we have lived our lives for ourselves and show compassion and love to others we create a brighter world and in doing so good fortune will fall back on us.)

 Lovin', is what I got, I said remember that

 Lovin', is what I got, I said remember that

 Lovin', is what I got, I said remember that

 Lovin', is what I got

 

 (That's) why I don't cry when my dog runs away

 I don't get angry at the bills I have to pay

(I don’t cry when Tazz gets out, I honestly trust him to come home once he gets tired of sniffing around and I know that in order to enjoy the things I do it will cost money, so why fret or get upset about it? Why curse at the bill collectors if you get hit with a late fee, you knew you had to pay it so shrug it off and keep going.)

 I don't get angry when my Mom smokes pot

 Hits the bottle and goes right to the rock

 Fuckin' and fightin', it's all the same

 Livin' with Louie dog's the only way to stay sane

 Let the lovin', let the lovin' come back to me

( I have nothing for this part, luckily my moms are both very straight laced people who don’t depend on toxins in order to feel well but as someone who does smoke and drink I must say that it is part of my young adult years so no reason to get mad at myself.)

 Lovin', is what I got, I said remember that

 Lovin', is what I got, I said remember that

 Lovin', is what I got, I said remember that

 Lovin', is what I got, I got I got I got 

    Now after that I am sure many of you are rolling your eyes because I am that late to the party or I sound like some hippie talking about living a care free lifestyle. Honestly, I am just trying to say that if we quit sweating the small stuff we can enjoy everything the world has to offer.

    When 2015 began I made a resolution to live every day to the fullest and be there for those who truly want me around. It is now February 4^th and I can honestly say that I have kept up with this resolution and experienced some very crazy nights, some oddly inappropriate nights, and even nights of pure relaxation. I have spent more time with family and friends than I have in the past and have even taken on new goals. What I am trying to say is if you share happiness, respect, and love with the world, good things will happen, you just have to know how to accept them.

    Also, just in case reading the lyrics weren’t enough hit the link below and enjoy…or hell, just turn your damn IPod on because we all have this song!

http://youtu.be/0Uc3ZrmhDN4

 

 

The Musician Mashup and Zaboys!

    Sitting here tonight, drinking nothing (I can’t always be
drinking something people, come on!) and thinking about music. I spent some time tonight at The Musician Mash-up hosted by West as J.Gilligans here in the lovely Arlington, Texas and I always appreciate it. In this day where the radio just regurgitates the same bullshit over and over it is nice to hear new aspiring artists and their takes on the hits. I’m not saying I am a big Indy
music fan because even the term Indy has lost its meaning. If you don’t believe me then turn on Pandora and listen to the Indy station, it is the same shit youget from 102.1 The Edge!

 

    The Musician Mash-up is an open mic night hosted by West
where any and all local musicians can come out on Monday nights and play anything from covers to originals for the bar. It is free to join in, all you have to do is put your name on the list. Tonight we had some great tunes from West himself which got the whole ball rolling.

   

    West is a young local artist with a great deal of original
work too and all around one of the most down to earth guys I have met. His original work is some of the best lyrics and melodies I have heard and honestly I catch myself singing them in the car and in my head at work.

    After West we had Tristan who brought some new life into some modern hits that really got the bar going. My favorite was his spin on Bruno Mars new song Uptown Funk. It was a fun set and defiantly something worth catching some night.
   
    I have to say that The Musician Mash-up brings a new spark of life into J.Gilligans on Monday nights that most bars do not see and if you are ever looking for something to do on a quiet Monday you should check it out. The show starts at 10:15 and rolls until either close or the list is done. A good number of local artists have rolled through the Mash-up and if you really dig on
the idea of hearing what DFW has to offer music wise or are a local act looking for some extra recognition or play time then defiantly check this spot out. Also, good number of these local groups are gaining more recognition thanks to a great Podcast that is locally produced here in Arlington by the guys over at Zaboys! They put out a new episode every week and put a great deal of heart and soul into what they do. If you enjoy a good laugh, some thought provoking conversation, or just a great way to kill the silence then defiantly check out Zaboys radio show at:

www.Zaboysmedia.com
Be sure to check them out!