Church?

I haven't been to a church service since I was a child.  I've been to weddings, a memorial service my sons graduations but that's about it. Now in one weekend I'll be at two different churches in Jamaica for this performance/album launch. With few rehearsals, 5 artists to play for and about 25 songs it should be an interesting weekend.

The keyboard player, is delighted to finally have me in his church. He runs the whole music admin side of things here. I'm just curious to see how many people are going to approach me later tonight and try and convert me to Christianity.
I do love Junior's music though. Since his first gospel album. I actually worked on it. And now some 9 or 10 years later, here we are again.

So I'm here at the church, they're setting up the gear for the sound check.


On a different note...one of the guys in the band just told me he had chickenpox ..he saw the bumps on Thursday and didn't know what it was. He went to the doc yesterday and found out what they were. Wow..I caught it when I was a teen...maybe 5 of us in the house had it. It's very contagious. I'm not sure he knows  that. I should be immune though. I'm pretty sure I am.  Just thinking about it now and remembering, my skin feels itchy .... I really hated that experience.... And he looks fine now but I know pretty soon he's going to be ill...Cuz it's not just about the bumps/rash on the skin, it does make you feel really ill too.

Anyhow enough of that....Look for Junior Tucker's album online soon - GOOGLE IT  "Man Of God".
They edited a lot of the guitar parts out but there are still some nice guitars on there. The album overall has some nice songs. ....

Still getting the power together here, been here an hour waiting. The sun is beginning to come out from the clouds outside and I can feel the heat creeping up in here. Nope, no AC in this church..a lot of ceiling fans - non of them on at the moment.... and 95% of the windows are still closed.....*Sigh*


Note to self - Monday is less than 72hrs away. Rest and relaxation.

Peace, Love & Happiness

Rehearsals & Rehearsals?

Can you believe after going to rehearsals with Tessanne for two days and not resting, learning the music etc. the show has been canceled? She's really pissed. I'm not pissed but I could have used the money :-) I'm like, "life is like that"..it's the business, not expected from the corporate world at the last minute but, it is what it is.  I think there's some good from the whole situation though - it gave me an idea for something...when it materializes I will share it.

So my second rehearsal today, again, was for Junior Tucker's launch this weekend. Hmm, let's just say the world of gospel does have it's share of "human nature"...after all , that's what we all are, HUMANS. What do I mean? Ok, my perception of the gospel genre is as it relates to Christians - doing the right thing, the right way, the Lord's way or as HE would see fit.  But, as I said, we're all humans and we do what humans do - whatever pleases us.

Don't get me wrong, there is no real issue with Junior or anyone else. It's just that things aren't being dealt with in a manner that I had expected. ....That's it.

My mom came to my apartment today, first since I've lived here. Don't ask...Anyhow, it was hmmmm, how can I say this.....hmmmm, it was mom as usual. ..

I'm falling asleep here, won't elaborate on the mom thing.. Ahh, I finally can sleep in tomorrow, NO SCHOOL FOR THE KIDS!!!! The school system here in Jamaica actually wasted my time and energy this week though. Salim (my eldest) had only one class on Monday and nothing else this whole week. And each day the number of students in attendance would depreciate more and more. Today there were only two from his class present, including him. His form teacher has been absent since yesterday, yet they told all the students that it was mandatory for them to be at school Mon to Thur this week.. A fassy dem.

Anyhow, its bedtime for me...Love yah

Rehearsals and Rehearsals

Is it only me or whenever you have nothing to do there is just nothing and when something comes up to be done there is a whole lot of somethings to do?

Today I have two rehearsals, did one already and the other is in an hour. Same thing tomorrow. Then the gigs are on Friday Saturday and Sunday. And remember that I just came back from Mauritius and I leave for Nigeria next Sunday. Now you may think that tis the season to be jolly that's why I'm so busy but none of these gigs are related to the holiday season.

This is usually the trend with me though. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying instead of cramming all this in a week, it could have been a little different.
Anyhow, the rehearsal earlier was actually good. I'm rehearsing an acoustic set with another guitarist for Tessanne Chin, Fridays gig. The other guitarist is Andrew Simpson, great guy, awesome musician. If you've ever seen Morgan Heritage live or heard the live album that was recorded in Amsterdam, he's the one on lead guitar. I've never done a performance with him and its looking to be a fun one.

Later on tonight now its Junior Tucker's album launch rehearsal...I played on the album so he asked me to sit in. This one is kind of out of my usuall sort of thing because its gospel and the shows are at church. Should be interesting though. I know the band will be great, I know most of the guys so I'm looking forward to getting over with this weekend in a joyfull manner. With that said, its time to leave the house.

Peace
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Last night's trip from Montego Bay To Kingston

After three flights totaling roughly 22 hours with layovers between we finally arrived in Montego Bay.  Immigration and customs was a breeze, much better than I expected because I've heard stories about that airport. The custom officer I went to was really nice too, although she did search all my bags she was pleasant about it and only did it because they were watching her (so she said). So she hurriedly went through my stuff and sent me on my way.
Originally I heard we were supposed to spend the night in Mobay and fly to Kingston this morning but that plan had changed. Instead a bus was hired to take us into Kingston, which added at least another 3 hours to our journey home. Upon exiting customs we saw a guy who obviously was waiting for us, we identified ourselves and so did he, then he summoned "one of his drivers". First when the bus pulled up we were all dumbstruck because after all our travels the last thing we would have expected to be taking us home was this little beat up old bus that looked like it would only go about 55mph. Then on top of that, there was some confusion with the fee he charged. Our management had negotiated for $250usd and now he was saying it's $350 because he didn't know we were coming in at that time of the night. We called management, they talked to him, agreed upon a price and we were off. During the drive however we got a text saying we should only pay the driver what they had originally discussed, which was $250.

The drive wasn't as long as I had expected it to be. The bus actually went faster than 55mph although we had to try and withstand all the carbon monoxide fumes circulating in the vehicle. One of our members lives in Portmore which is on the way to Kingston so he asked the driver to drop him off and actually paid the driver (a sum that we are unaware of).  A few minutes before reaching our drop off point the person who management gave the money for the driver handed it to him.  While driving he started to check it. Then he became disgruntled because it was only $250usd.  We explained to him that this was what we had and what we were told it would be. He argued that his boss told him otherwise and he would not stand the loss so we had better pay up.  So we suggested he call his boss and clarify the situation. ......at 1am he was only getting voicemail from the only number he had for his boss. We continued arguing while directing him to where our drop off point was and upon arriving there, without stopping he decided he wouldn't drop us off but instead asked us where the closest police station was he could file a complaint and let them deal with the situation. Fine, we said, we'll direct you. On we went, and with each meter we drove he became more and more disgruntled. Suddenly as we were passing a gas station he pulled in and said "I'm not taking you anywhere, this is where you're coming out!" "I didn't get all of my money so come out here". Before I knew it, the other two members came out without a word. I wanted to stay in the vehicle and demand he take us to our destination because he had to pass it on his way back. But I said, you know, it's almost 2am and we're all tired and hungry, this is enough drama for one day. And I'm pretty sure that's how the others felt as well. All I said to him was, "this is where you're leaving us, after you already passed our destination?" He started rambling on, I came out, took our bags out, closed the door...not another word.

Mijanne & Ifidel (the two members I was with) had called their drives while this bus driver started his shit so they arrived on location within a few minutes of him leaving. My pick up on the other hand (my brother) was apparently sleeping because I called him around the same time and he didn't pick up.  But I'm truly blessed to always be around kind and really nice people, Mijanne took me straight home.  My phone rang when I was on the way, my bro still sounding half asleep "whe yuh deh now?" I told him I was fine and I sorted out a drive.

I am thankful that after everything we all made it home safely.

I'm here trying to think or come up with something bad to say about the driver and his boss and I just can't find the words...so let's leave it at...

I  AM TRULY THANKFUL FOR BEING HOME SAFE AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR FRIENDS THAT LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER

NUFF LUV

Home Bound

What am I up to today? 20 something hours of traveling back home. Mauritius has been enjoyable and somewhat relaxing. Time to go back to the hustle and bustle in the reality of being home - Kids, responsibilities, bills and the rehearsals I'm not prepared for.

Our route home will be the same we took to get here but in opposite direction and a slight twist at the end. Instead of flying from Miami to Kingston, I heard that after landing in Miami we drive to Fort Lauderdale, fly to Montego bay and spend the night, then leave for Kingston on Tuesday Morning.  It's Sunday now and that's what I'll be up to for the next few days.

The wife is abroad for the holidays between NY and Baltimore so it will be just me and the boys (did I already say that in a previous blog?).  Should be interesting, I've only been with them alone once a few years a go when Des went to NY for two weeks. This time it's three weeks, but realistically I'll only be there for about a week and a half because I'll be leaving Dec 26th for Nigeria - not one of my most fav places to be. But I'll try to let the boys enjoy the holidays and our time together.

Ok off to packing and stuff.

Peace

Finally In Mauritius

 Where do I begin? Do I say after 19 plus hours of traveling we arrived in Mauritius without luggage? Or do I say after finally getting to my room the air conditioning didn’t work and it took them 2 hours to find me another room. And this is after I actually walked all the way back to the lobby when I already called the reception twice to follow up on the room change which the maintenance guy had about when he realized he wouldn’t be able to fix the AC in my room. Or do I say I seemed to have lost $100 form my per diem and don’t ask me where or how.

Ok, so I won’t complain about the luggage because the airline actually got it here within a few hours of me checking in – while waiting for the room change. And based on a comment made by a friend, I’ll stop thinking about the $100 because maybe the person who finds it needs it more than I do. …although in my head, I’m thinking that I’d do well with that cash now.  But the hotel won’t escape the wrath of my blog J

I’ve actually been here once before La Plantation Hotel in Mauritius - Two years ago. It’s seemed like a fairly new place. The grounds were kept nicely the rooms spick and span, clean. Now, I donno what to say, lack of maintenance maybe. I'm thinking in another two years it’s gonna be …hmmmmm, not so great a place to stay. There is still no internet in the rooms, I have to go to the lobby area. There are no travel adaptors at the front desk for guests. For a hotel that houses international acts all the time you’d think they would have those because not all travelers expect to see European style electrical outlets here. I actually have an adaptor but it’s configured a little different so it would have been good for the hotel to provide one (I had to go “MacGyver” in here).

And the attitude of the staff isn’t the friendly tropical vibe I’m used to. Or maybe that’s just because I’m pissed about waiting two hours for a simple change in room and there seemed to be no urgency to accommodate me. When I went to the front desk it was almost as if the receptionist didn’t believe that I had issues with the AC and she acted as if she was doing me a favor, and with no apology for the inconvenience. 

We had lunch upon arriving because the rooms weren’t ready, no one was really thrilled about their meal…One person likened it to bad sex, it just wasn’t gratifying.  I had a grilled chicken with fries, they messed up some of the orders – some people wanted baked or mashed potatoes and got fries instead and Ifidel’s chicken and mine were undercooked.

Ok I’m done bitchin’.

Just got a knock on the door…gift package with some kind of exotic rum, teas and other stuff. I guess I’m supposed to feel better now..Oh and the guy who brought it was quite polite and friendly.

You know what let’s see what dinner looks like after I’ve taken a shower and listened to some tunes.

 I’ve never had an issue with Mauritius or it’s people, it’s just a really far way to travel and I’m lacking rest, food and ………...(you work it out). So I can bitch a little, you think?

Peace, Love Ya!

Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport

Sitting here in terminal 2F at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris in a sort of limbo isn't what anyone of us expected after coming off an eight or nine hour flight. We had expected to just get our on going boarding  passes and move towards the boarding gate, have breakfast and kill the time browsing the stores etc. But, or original flight was canceled so now we have to wait in 'limbo' till the airline works out another flight and or arrangements for us.
I'm not upset or anything, just cold and hungry. Everyone here seems fine so far, just cold..Apparently it snowed last night here, upon our approach everything was covered in white for miles and thus I assume the reason for our outbound flight being canceled, even though our flight would have been around 8pm tonight. So we would still have a long layover but now we just aren't sure how long of a layover it will be.

The flight from Miami was ok, I slept for most of it as usual. Just looking forward to getting to Mauritius, having a good meal, some rest and a workout. ..Oh...and brush up on all the tunes :-)..Look out for the new blog "On The Road With....." to see what's up when I get to Mauritius, just as long as I have a good internet connection.

Peace