Back in the Studio

It has been a very long time or pretty much never since I have gotten back to the studio. But I have started to write and get down some songs for the new Vitamin P CD. It has been almost ten years since I have done a recording that I would be proud of handing off to a stranger . Ever since my band mate Christian Bartesch died in a car accident on Jun 14th 2003, Vitamin P went our separate ways, and I haven't had much of a drive to put music down. I will throw a flow down anytime and any place but as far as completing a music project I just wasn't feeling it. I got the vibe again when Ben Hazard came back from NYC but that was short lived because he had other projects going on. And I am sure my own addictions killed that friendship.  I finally had to sack up and attempt this creative process on my own. And that is the new journey.

Pete Cole, Cashel, and Colin Bodine

A young kid by the name of Colin Bodine has provided some drive for me to complete my CD. He is a former rugby player that I used to coach at Rio Americano High School many years ago and now he is a local musician that plays a lot of small gigs around Sacramento. Just watching his energy and free spirit has put a pretty good impression on this old rapper. Helping him get some of his music recorded and seeing him grow has made me realize what it's all about. Another person putting in a lot of time and effort into the project is Peter Cole of Sanctuary Studios. He has been true to his word and provided a lot of insight of the best way to make something I am proud to call my own .

Ultimately it is up to me and I know this now. Talking is only good when you have something to show for it . Otherwise it is just hot air. Look for some tracks in the next couple months and I hope everyone enjoys them .

I am going to catch a Shark this weekend



The view from the house



        I have a Bachelor Party to attend to this weekend. This is one of the 1st real ones I have ever been on. I have attended a couple but I usually don't end up staying for the whole thing. But this one is for Nate Trivers, my sister's fiance, so I am going all out. We are going to go to Santa Cruz for the weekend and staying in a great beach house that was bought by Lloyd Bridges for his sister. It's called the Sunny Cove Retreat. It looks great and I am excited to be right on the beach. This will be two weekends in a  row that I have been able to stay on the Coast. Last weeks trip was in the 60's , but this one should be a little warmer, hopefully.

        Something I am truly excited for is the chance to go Deep Sea Fishing. I have never been so it could be a puke fest for me but I am excited nonetheless.  I have been talking about it for weeks. I am catching a Great White Shark. Say what you want but when I get that thing on my line I am going for it all. No catch and release here people. When I do land it I will tell my girl to clear a space in our 725 square foot house to mount my monster shark. Hopefully our boat doesn't end up like a scene out of Jaws. Have a good weekend everybody and hopefully I will have some fish stories to tell when I get back.





View from the Front of the House





Road Trip Weekend

Hydesville

         I just got back from a great road trip over the weekend . I travelled north from Sacramento to Humboldt County. My main purpose for the trip was to visit my Dad's family and to hit the horse races. My grandma and grandpa live up there as well as my uncle Chris, his wife Patti, and their two boys Payden and Parker .

         First, the weather was amazing. The highs were in the 60's and it was pretty cloudy except for a little sun on Saturday. I was excited for the cool weather because Sacramento has been in the high 90's for the last couple weeks . So it was time to break out the jeans and sweatshirts. I try to plan a trip to Humboldt County at this time every year because it is during the County Fair and the Horse Races. It has to be the biggest weekend for the county and the people watching is spectacular. I had to roll solo this time because my girl was at my sister's bachelor party .



Ferndale Horse Races



        I left on Friday morning and was excited for the sights. It is great to drive away from the big city into the wild. I usually take I-5 to Woodland , Go Highway 16 West through the Capay Valley, Link up to Highway 20 west around Clear Lake , and get hit 101 North and take that all the way to Eureka . I usually give myself 6 hours but I have made it in as little as 4 and a half hours . My plan was to hang out on Friday with my Grandpa Bob and Grandma Lois, and hit the Horse Races and Fair on Saturday with Uncle Chris and his family.

Joe Villa 1968

        Everything went great and when you're not drinking you have a ton of money for betting and fair food. I thought I had tried everything when it comes to fried foods but the Humboldt Fair had a half pound of fried bacon dipped in a brown sugar and mustard sauce. It was one of the most fantastic foods I have ever had the pleasure of consuming. Hanging with my family in Humboldt is like getting the VIP treatment. They know everyone and we had the hookups to it all .

        The best thing about the trip was I met a lady whom went to school with my Dad and she gave me a picture of my pop's senior high school picture. It brought a lot of old memories back and it made me thankful for the time in my life I got to share with him . So I  thankful to everyone that took care of me this weekend and put out the great hospitality. Until we meet again Humboldt !

Sade and John Legend next week

           It is almost surreal. Imagine growing up listening to someones music and passion for life for over 20 years and now having the opportunity to see them live. I get to see Sade live in concert next Wednesday at the Power Balance Pavilion or as every single person in Sacramento calls it, Arco Arena. I bought tickets last week after procrastinating about it for over 2 months . Thanks to being sober I have found that my bank account often stays at a monetary amount that can afford me small gifts for me and my girl to enjoy. We are both so excited and even if the seats are off to the side and in the nose bleeds we are to extremely excited to attend.

        John Legend will also be opening up for Sade. That would be like getting to eat your favorite Cake with a glass of the most delicious Root Beer. Both performers can melt your heart with their words and if you don't have it on repeat for at least a couple tracks then something is wrong with you . So if you see me at the concert , say what's up , and at least I know you have good taste in music.

         

Trying it Clean and Sober

     It has been 14 days since I made the choice to be clean and sober . It was a decision that needed to be made. I have spent so many years saying "Yes" to everything and that it has been a complete change to now say "No" .  I have been going pretty hard for the last 15 years. Alcohol, Weed , and Cocaine have been a major factor in my life for all those years. Some more than others but they all play the same role. They allow me to think that I'm God and in control of any and every situation .

     But life is funny that way. I am but a mere grain of sand in this enormous world. Just a small piece of this creative intelligence we call earth. God has played a huge roll in this ability for me to change . Now this isn't the God that used to scare me in Catholic Class . This is  "God" as I know it. Something much bigger and more powerful than  I can ever imagine . I will let him guide me. I am no longer afraid of the road but

    Now I am not a sucker by any means. I understand that anything good is worth putting in work and time . Anyone can say they are going to stop drinking. But it is the time after that matters. Living a good life and trying to be sober is my goal. I am excited for the future and completing the goals that I set forth. I used to just talk about what I was going . It was a waste but just having a fighting chance now is something i truly cherish.

If you know someone that may want the help of A.A. please click on the link and check it out. They are all over the world and you can most likely and ready to help anyone whom wants to stop drinking .

Central California Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous