Breakfast

Among the many things I miss back home are my turntables and records. I could sit for hours browsing through my vinyl. When I miss them most is on weekend mornings. I can't tell you how much I love waking up on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning, dropping the needle on something like Earth Wind & Fire's 'That's the Way of the World', and cooking a huge breakfast with eggs, potatoes, toast, fresh fruit, and a tall glass of orange juice. Pancakes are optional but always welcomed. Of course, spending this time with family and friends makes it all the more special.

Some people like to go out for breakfast and wait an hour in line to eat a not-so-creative version of scrambled eggs and potatoes. That's fine and it has its place, but I prefer sitting at home with the window shades open, my pjs and glasses still on, and my own music and food that is sure to delight.

Breakfast doesn't really exist in Korea. People tell me they eat rice, but the western eggs and toast just aren't part of the routine here. It's too bad. They're missing out. Sure, a lot of people have adopted western culinary ideas and cook breakfast, but it just doesn't seem to be the same as back home.

Even though I don't have my records here, I have managed to start DJing at a club. I had been trying to get in this place for the past few months and finally got the call up to the big leagues. I DJed this last Saturday, and, I'm proud to say, I tore it up. I was more nervous than I'd been in a long time before the start and even made some rookie mistakes in my first two songs. Things like wondering why I couldn't hear out of the headphones and finding out they weren't plugged in. But after a rocky beginning, I quickly lured a few people on the dance floor with the funk. By the end of my set, more people were dancing than sitting, and some of those that weren't on the dance floor were still rocking in their seats. Spending the last couple months downloading a lot of the music I have on vinyl but not on cd paid off huge and should get me another gig soon.

Rotation?

That's the Way of the World- Earth Wind & Fire This song came on my itunes when I started writing and inspired me to write about breakfast. I was only going to write about the DJ thing when I start. It may be the best tune ever on a Sunday morning.

A Deeper Shade of Soul- Ray Barretto Just a nice tune with a great feel. I don't know what to call it, but I love the collective chorus sung in a lot of latin grooves. Urban Dance Squad sampled this tune on their early nineties hit of the same name.

Liego La Banda- The Spanish Harlem Orchestra I never really got too into salsa, but this tune and the album it comes from, Un Gran Dia En El Barrio, is full of great energy that makes me want to get back to SF for Sundays at El Rio. I never went, but always heard it was fun.

Only So Much Oil in the Ground- Tower of Power 'There is only so much oil in the ground. Sooner or later there won't be much around. Tell that to your kids when they're driving 'round downtown, that's there's only so much oil in the ground.' Written about thirty years ago, I think it's still a very appropriate song today...

I'm Payin' Taxes, What Am I Buyin'

Apparently, now diplomacy is how W. deals with countries who might carry a nuclear threat. All I can remember is three years ago when diplomacy was not an option in Iraq. I guess now, when we have to raise the countries national debt to $9 trillion, it isn't as easy to start an unwarranted war with a country that may posses weapons of mass destruction. When there are glaring problems with destruction from a natural disaster that still haven't been taken care of, it's hard to convince a country that starting another war is necessary. It's bad enough that we're stuck in a complete mess that shouldn't have ever started in Iraq. It seems that whether we stay or go, this mess won't get any better any time soon.

What really concerns me most, though, is where our money is and is not going. I couldn't help but think what a few dollars withheld from my federal tax return would do. While we continue to spend billions upon billions of dollars on a war we shouldn't have ever started (I never even considered supporting this war), a city ripped apart by a hurricane seven months ago still hasn't been cleaned up. Education, health care, and other human resources are issues that largely seem publicly avoided now because of the glaring problems with the war and lack of clean-up in New Orleans. My question is, if a few dollars were taken away from my tax return or added to those who already owe money to the government, couldn't we fund efforts to actually make some progress cleaning up that city? I'm neither a political nor an economic whiz, and I've been away from the states and all the talk there since before the hurricane, so I may be missing some ideas. But why can't American's pay a little more in taxes to take care of its' own various messes? Why do we support leaders who chose to cut federal funding from domestic programs and resources to either support a war or put money back in the people's pockets? Would it really ruin a nation if they had to spend a few extra dollars a year on something useful? I don't know, maybe I'm out of line, but I remember W. mentioning fiscal responsibility when the US economy was at its worst; shouldn't he too worrying about fiscal responsibilities and spend tax dollars on something useful and warranted? If he still believes we should 'stay the course' in Iraq, then he shouldn't feel bad asking the American people to spend a little more to support this so other things aren't neglected. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to pay for a war I never supported, but I'd rather give a little more so we don't have to leave cities like New Orleans and its' inhabitants to the wayside in the name of National Security. How can we really be secure from foreign forces if we're not secure within?

In the rotation:

I'm Payin' Taxes, What Am I Buyin' The JBs An excellent question raised by the JBs on a great album, Damn Right I Am Somebody. The title track to the album is also one of my favorite JBs tunes.

Super Freak

I'm getting used to sitting in a classroom with a bunch of Korean kids, and it takes a lot to surprise me or throw me off while I'm teaching. While motoring through a lesson with my class of half-wits, I heard one of the funniest things ever. It had just gotten quiet as the kids were completing a page in their workbooks when I heard, "She's a very kinky girl." For those of you familiar with Rick James, you may recognize those lyrics from his hit, Super Freak. You can bet that this eleven year old Korean kid was singing it too. After class, he pulled me aside to hum the signature bass line of the tune--also sampled on MC Hammer's U Can't Touch This. I still can't get over the fact that he knows the tune, and the fact that he chose to sing it in the middle of class is amazing. He's my new favorite student.

I saw the gay cowboy movie yesterday. I haven't been in the states to hear all the hype, but I don't think it measures up to what I have heard. It's a good movie, but it could have been cut short by about a half hour to forty-five minutes. Is it just me or does every movie seem to go on for over two hours these days? What ever happened to the art of editing?

What's in the rotation?

Love and Happiness- Monty Alexander and Ernest Ranglin This is a tune that a good friend put on a mix tape a bunch of years ago that I finally found on Soulseek (a great place to find rare music, my ID is dbrick405). This is an amazing instrumental of one of Al Green's greatest tunes. Great Fender Rhodes work from Alexander complimented by Ranglin's brilliant solos on the guitar.

Vivre- Zap Mama Off the album 'Ancestry In Progress,' it comes in strong with great energy that maintains till the end. I've been listening to this because it's something I'd play if I ever start DJing here. Some people might compare Zap Mama to Les Nubians just because some of the lyrics are in French, but Zap has a vibe all her own that shows throughout this album. The tunes with ?uestlove on drums are especially strong.

De Alegria Rajou O Dia- Carlos Dafe Yet another tune introduced to me through a mix from a friend. This is one that I'll never skip when I'm shuffling through songs on my iPod. Seu Jorge does a version of it on his album, Carolina, but I prefer the Carlos Dafe version. The drums that start the song drive the tune.

Get On The Ground- Arthur Adams I just found this one on Soulseek too. It's a tune that my band in the Bay plays. It's a real funky little number, but after listening to it a few times--both the original and my band's version--I think my band may play it a little more funky than the original...

Ooh That Smell

It's always pleasant to walk into an apartment that smells like a stale fart. I hung laundry this morning which had my place smelling of flowers and cheap fabric softener, but while it dried today, it must have let out all the excess gas the wash didn't get out. Since I don't like to be out-done (especially in my own home), I am now letting my flatulence go in the direction of my clothes. I'll teach my pants a thing or two about real stink. They messed with the wrong man and are in way over their heads. They don't know what's coming for them when I put them on tomorrow. I had a pasta with a heavy cream sauce tonight that is sure to be potent when it comes out. If your reading this, pants, you are in for a world of hurt.

I've smelled something rank in my apartment before and can't figure out where it's coming from. I'll clean the entire place from top to bottom and still smell something weird. The weird thing is, it just comes and goes without any consistent pattern. I have a fear that there is a rat living in my mattress, stinking up the place, and getting ready to gnaw its' way out of my bed, through my sheets and into my skull where it will control my brain waves and change me into a nocturnal, blood-thirsty man-rat. Something like Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but really evil.

Tracks in heavy rotation today:

Looking Up To You- Michael Wycoff It's a nice late seventies tune with plenty of strings, a strong back-beat, and background vocals that bring it all together. Zhane sampled it in the early nineties on their hit, Hey Mr. DJ.

The Ghetto- Donny Hathaway This is just a song that gets me amped every time I hear it. I like the studio version, but the one from Donny Hathaway Live has so much soul, it has made me cry before. It's one of those songs that I'll make special time for when it comes on my ipod.

This Land Is Your Land- Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings I listened to this today for the first time in a while. I forgot how funky it is. I love the end of the tune when the drummer switches things up with sixteenth notes on the hi-hat.

Something That's Real- Quantic Soul Orchestra It's playing right now. I love this tune. Alice Russell brings strong vocals to this well layered track full of biting strings, subtle horns, and a keyboard line that holds things together.

Subway Encounter

Some people say it's a small world, but it's also a weird and freaky world too. I always thought, and still think, that I'd run into a random person from my past here in Seoul. I thought my big moment came the other night. I was on the subway talking with a friend when a Korean looking fellow interrupted me mid-conversation. I'm always surprised when I hear an American accent out of a Korean's mouth here; I'm not used to talking with Korean-Americans. He said, "Let me guess. Kansas City, Missouri?" Stunned, I asked him if I knew him, but got a negative reply. I told him I was actually from the Kansas side of the city, but he was very close. He told me I just sound like I'm from KC, MO. He's from Seattle. Do I really sound like I'm from Kansas City? From what I've heard, I tend to have a more of a twang in my voice than most Kansas Citians. My only rational explanations for this strange and short encounter are that he is either a linguist or works for the CIA and is tracking me because of my blog in which I called Babs Bush a cunt. I had to get off the subway before I had a chance to find out his business. The only other time I was this amazed was when some freaky girl came up to me at a New Years party and said, "you're a Scorpio, right." Apparently, I have a force field around me that gives away my sign.

I'm going to add a new section to each blog that may get me to write a little more. Music has always been a huge motivator and passion in my life, so I'm going to start listing the tracks that are in heavy rotation in my place. You'll notice that the smooth grooves have been dominating my listening lately. It could be because of the Korean influence or just because I like silky, soulfully cheesy music.

What You Won't Do For Love- Roy Ayers I like the Bobby Caldwell version too, but Roy adds a special something that makes it extra smooth. He abandons the horn riff that made Caldwell's version so popular and it makes Roy's a whole new song.

Here We Go- Minnie Riperton A nice one featuring Peabo Bryson in the duet. I've gotten more into Riperton's stuff lately and am able to look past her signature high note in every song to appreciate the excellent song writing and musicianship that anchors her music.

This Journey In- The Rebirth One of the best new bands I've heard in a long time dishing out nice helpings of chilled out funk. This title track to their album of the same name is a real killer.

Remind Me- Patrice Rushen I just can't get over how nice the separate vocal parts blend together at the end of the song. A beautiful tune with a classy solo on the Rhodes in which Patrice shows why she was and still is one of the baddest women in the business.

Long Time No Write

I had a thought while I was watching the Academy Awards this morning. If the dead are capable of watching the activities of the living, don't you think those who get less applause than others during the remembrance segment of the recently deceased get a little jealous of those who are crowd favorites? I think it's a little funny that Hollywood decides to list out every person that has had any remotely significant involvement in a movie and then measure their popularity with applause when they're listed across the world. If I ever have any involvement with a movie like Adventures in Babysitting and the Academy wants to recognize me after my death, then I want ushers on the red carpet passing out flyers with my face, my bio, and a 'clap for Brick' slogan on them. At least I can go out with a little worldwide love from from Hollywood.

It's been a while since my last post, but no one seems to be that upset. Does anyone read this? I had a lovely visit from my special lady friend last week and was, thus, doing more important things than blogging. You can see now that I'm back to my lonely and boring ways of sitting on my bed, downloading music, and typing away about anything that comes to mind. Last week was a refreshing break from the monotony and a great relief from the frustration that comes with a long distance relationship. I wouldn't recommend voluntarily leaving your special someone for a year, but it does help knowing that it's only temporary. Of course, if I didn't think it was worth it, I wouldn't be doing it.

It looks like I'll be keeping myself a little more busy in my last five months here. I should be djing a few times a month, my new band has some gigs coming up, and I'm going to be teaching some lessons outside of my school. As long as I can keep busy for my remaining time in this freakish country, I'll be happy. More to write later...