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Posts Tagged ‘hrabowski’

And the award for worst updater ever goes to…

27 Nov

Yup, it’s been 3 weeks since I last wrote on this joint. My bizzle.

Quick rundown…Happy Belated Turkey Day to all. Been running around like crazy.

  • Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the name of the site has changed…no more je-music.com, we’re now joeplays.com. Easier to remember, less dashes, less confusion. One dash caused a lot of damage…
  • Some more folk have asked about the video of me playing with Walter Beasley. Decided to move it to the front page…it should be to your west / north west? I never was good with directions. Thanks again to Walt for the opportunity
  • UMBC’s president Dr. Freeman Hrabowski got named as one of Time Magazine’s 10 Best University Presidents. It’s a well-deserved honor…Dr. Hrabowski is the man, and he’s worked tirelessly on the school’s behalf. The story is here. I’m really looking forward to seeing where UMBC goes in the coming years.
  • This winter some serious recording is being done. I can’t wait for this semester to be over.
  • Thanks to all who’ve bought my albums…just got an email from somebody in Turkey who found The People’s Gathering on iTunes. Who would’ve thunk it?
  • Sarah Palin disgusts me. Random, but it must be said.
  • Also, gotta keep mentioning Ndelible’s new site, designed by drummer Ron Byrd…ndelible.net.
  • Lastly…I still have faith in my Redskins. I hate their name, I hate their playcalling, and I hate this season…but one day…in the next century…at some point…we will rise again. Like the south? Saw how that worked out…

Hope everybody’s doing well.IMG_0423

 

Random Thoughts–Volume 58.74

23 Sep

As I walk around campus I always try to say hi to anybody doing maintenance, cleaning buildings, serving food etc…especially the older workers. I feel like they’re due respect simply by virtue of their age. On the whole, they’re really nice people. More than that, though…most are extremely encouraging. They check in on me…ask how classes are going. One saw me dressed for an interview the other day and wished me luck. They’re just good folks.

But every time after I interact with them I can’t help but wonder why I’ve been granted the opportunities I have. What makes me any different than them? Why am I in college while many of them work grueling 10+ hour days, bringing home a salary that’s hardly a testament to the difficulty of their work. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given…don’t get me wrong, but part of me wishes I didn’t have them. Wouldn’t wanna sound like a communist (like our Muslim/terrorist/secretly gay cannibal President…according to Fox News), but sometimes I yearn for a society with a little more even wealth/opportunity distribution. I think that’s why I feel so called to public service…feel like I need to do something with what I’ve been given.

Anywho…

  • Still working up new song ideas for this next CD. And practice wise I’m stuck in modes…and their numerous variations.
  • Oh and lastly…the producer of my first two albums, Phillip Carter, has been nominated for a boatload of Stellar Awards. His new project “Songs from the Storm” has been getting a lot of attention…it’s still moving up billboard’s gospel charts as well. I’m definitely happy for Phil’s success…couldn’t be happening to a better person. If you get some time, please vote for Phil here.