Happiness is...

a new computer!

After the power supply died on my Flamingo gig last Friday, it became obvious that I could not put all my trust in one machine for gigs, so I picked up a new laptop on Friday. Got it fired up last night at Bouldin Creek Cafe out south and it is awesome so far. Later today, I will install the DJ software and see how it runs. Having a backup machine available at all gigs is like insurance in case something happens with my main PC.

Here at Unity this morning and getting ready to mix the morning service and play bass on one song.

RJ

Friday!

This has been a busy week with projects, client meetings, class and preparation for the weekend. I'm doing a graduation house party in South Austin tonight. Monday, I am doing a wedding ceremony & reception at Star Hill Ranch in Bee Cave. This place is awesome! Looks just like a wild west town with old churches and buildings. Very cool place for those of you looking for a reception hall.

Wishing you all a great weekend!

RJ

Weekend Update

So we did Catch A Fire at Flamingo last night and had a great time. I did a hop-hop set that went over very well. "Smile fo' me daddy Let me see ya grill" We met afterwards at Burger King for some veggie burgers. We had a tailgate party in the parking lot and even pulled out the table we had used on the gig. OMG, it was hilarious @ 3am!

Today I am going to the Tribe CD release and then a meeting at 4:00 with my fellow KAZI webmaster to talk about the site and moving it forward.

Later this evening, I'm off to run sound at Ruta Maya down south.

Life is great!

RJ


There is a place in the HEART
where THOUGHTS become WISHES
and WISHES become DREAMS.
It's a place where anything is possible
if we only BELIEVE.
There are 6 things to believe in
for a happy, successful life:

Believe in your FAITH...
Believe in your LOVE...
Believe in your GOALS...
Believe in your FAMILY...
Believe in your FRIENDS...

And most importantly,

Believe in YOURSELF!

If you believe in these 6 things

You can't go wrong.

Unified Tribe - Saturday

They are some of the sweetest, kindest people I have met (and funny too!). This is FYI to check them out on Saturday if you can. Unified Tribe

Have a blessed weekend! 

Working Way

Being Happy With Your Job

In our search to define ourselves, we often look to our job to show us our worth. Society does not judge all professions equally, however, and it is not uncommon for the individuals who hold what others may consider to be ordinary or menial jobs to feel that they themselves are ordinary or menial. Yet, in truth, many wonderful and wise people throughout history have held what have typically been perceived as ordinary jobs, and this in no way has had any bearing on whether or not they have managed to contribute their skills and talents to the world. Whether you work in business, education, medicine, retail, or another profession, you worth is inherent to who you are and not what you do for a living.

A job that you enjoy, lets you meet your needs, and allows you to live in accordance with your values will always be more gratifying than a high-status job that you dislike. But while experiencing professional satisfaction can be a vital part of being fulfilled by your work, it is important to remember that it is possible to find happiness in any job. This is because what you do is often less important than how you do it. Your attitude and intention can turn a mediocre job into work that fulfills you because of the way that you approach it. If you do your job well and what you do benefits others, then you are doing work that is making this world a better place.

If you are happy in your current line of work and feel that it allows you to be yourself and live authentically while meeting your emotional and physical needs and allowing time for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor, then you have found a job that adds value to your life. If you are a waitress, then be the best waitress you can, take pride in your work and others will notice your passion. You can contribute your talents and skills to this world while doing any job. It is not the kind of work you do that allows you to be of service. It is you who must choose to be of service through the work that you do.

Ruta Maya

Last night I started working at Ruta Maya running sound and had a great time. It was open mic night and there were lots of talented and interesting performers on the bill. I will be helping out here when my schedule allows, maybe 2 nights a week. I know it will be a great learning experience and I'm looking forward to working with lots of different people.

RJ

Picasa es Tu Casa

Trying out this new software from Google called Picasa. It's a new photo editing software and it's very very cool. If Photoshop is too much for you, you will prolly dig this. It even ties in to your blog! Big up to Markis for turning me on to it the other day over lunch at Mother's Cafe.

Going through some old folders and digging out some photos and thought I would include this from a seminar I shot for Patrick Timpone in 2003. Patrick is the host of an excellent radio show on KLBJ on Saturday nights, which I used to produce for awhile. Patrick is a great guy and I am real excited for him with his new ventures, one of them being Timpones Market out in Dripping Springs, TX.

Had a great day hanging out with my mother and my beloved and her daughter.

RJ 

Elektric Weekend

Saturday morning and I am preparing for a meeting with a client and doing some things around the house, laundry and cleaning out my closet. So liberating to get rid of things that are no longer serving where I want to go in life.

Last night, did a wedding for Lynn & Blake out by Lake Travis and it went great. They sang "I Got You Babe" as their introduction karaoke style and people loved it.

Tonight another wedding at Shoreline Grill for Mark & Caroline. We have a great songlist ready to roll out so it should be a great party.

Tomorrow morning, we will be playing a new song at Unity called, "Open The Eyes of My Heart."

Musically this week, what is really kicking my butt is the new one from London Elektricity called Power Ballads. Intense, intelligent electronic music with lyrics too. Seems like I have been playing it continously for the last week or so. Check them out! Also got turned on last night to Raúl Midón who plays acoustic soul. Got to dig a litle deeper as he has me curious...

To all the mommys -- Happy Mothers Day!!!!

RJ


God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.
~Jewish proverb

Weekend !

Hey y'all,

just a quick post to say hey. Glad the weekend is here. Did some production at KAZI today and supposed to go swimming later and then play some bass.

Musically, what is moving this week is the new CD from Austin's own Unified Tribe, "Funktional Family." It has already gone to #1 on the The Hip List of Blues & Soul Magazine in the UK. Congrats to the Tribe! They're are the sweetest band I have ever met.

My friend Mark sent me a funny video!!!! Check it out and see how many dances you can remember.

Have a good weekend!

RJ

Boating....

Well the boat party fell through due to somebody wanting to do it for less $. So it goes with the DJ business some time. Often you can find somebody to do a job for less, though you might often have to compromise in the quality of the service that is delivered.

Had fun playing bass at Unity last night. We finished working up a song that we will perform for the first time on Sunday called "I could sing of your love forever."

Tonight, another edition of the class I am almost done with called The Soul of Entrepreneurship with Dana Lynn & Sylvester Becker. This class has really helped with developing the business and creating the vision for what I want to Music4Life to be, which is providing quality service and great music to my clients.

RJ


You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
~Kalil Gibran

Let's Go Boating !

So today I hooked up a boat party that I will be playing Saturday night for Caribbean Students Association at UT. I'm excited about it. Unfortunately it's invite only...

Started training my replacement for The Dad Show tonight. Another KAZI veteran is taking over, Chris Carrington, who has been at the station almost as long as I have.

Had lunch with my beloved at Curra's on Oltorf this morning. The nopalito tacos were great!

That's about it for today.

RJ


"The measure of your life will not be in what you accumulate, but in what you give away."
~Wayne Dyer