Tokyo Nights

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Tour...Day 15...Day-Off

Back to Tokyo. Sooooo damn tired. Day-off

Written at 11/30/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Tour...Day 14...Ashikaga

Left Wakayama this morning at 11am. Had a nice long sleep. Feeling much better. Arrived in Ashikaga at 5pm. Had a short meeting with Michiyo at Tokyo station around 3pm. That was nicceeee. Had a good gig in an old interesting club. I really enjoyed the train ride from Oyama to Ashikaga. It was a small train with only 4 cars. Ashikaga is really in the countryside. I enjoyed it sooo much!

Took this photo of Mt. Fuji as we passed by in the Shinkansen

Written at 11/29/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Tour...Day 13...Wakayama

Surprised! Wakayama is a cute little city on the coast. Had a nice LIVE tonight for a small but excited audience. We played a club called Lover Soul. Started checking my hotmail today...only had about 300 emails backed up. Had dinner tonight at KFC. The gig tomorrow night is in Ashikaga, Tochigi. Its about 2 hours north of Tokyo! The band is leaving now (midnight) and going in the van about 14 hours from Wakayama to Ashikaga. I'm staying here in Wakayama and taking the Shinkansen at 11am tomorrow. I'll arrive in Ashikaga about 5pm. I'm still having trouble with the infection and the driver was up all day today and working at the gig tonight. I think it's crazy to drive all night with people driving that haven't had any sleep. My life is more valuable than that so, I'll pay $200 and take the train tomorrow and arrive in Ashikaga rested and ready to play my ass off.

Written at 11/28/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Sunday, November 27, 2005

Tour...Day 12...Day-Off

The band went to Wakayama from Onomichi this morning. Took them most of the day. I left Onomichi this morning and went to Fukuyama and took the Shinkansen to Kobe. I spent most of today in Sannomiya. I met a couple of nice people and had a great visit with an old friend. Such a nice day off from the tour. I'll leave Kobe in the morning and take a train to Wakayama.

Written at 11/27/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Tour...Day 11...Onomichi

This afternoon we arrived in Onomichi. A quiet little port town. I had about an hour before the sound check. So, I sat outside the club on their deck overlooking the water in the sun and did a long, slow warm-up on the horn. Went back to the room and got a long nap. The gig was ok....nothing special happening. Had a nice french dinner afterwards. Went back to the room, made a few phone calls and emails and crashed.

Written at 11/26/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Friday, November 25, 2005

Tour...Day 10...Hiroshima

Today we had about a 6-7 hour ride to Hiroshima. We arrived just in time for a quick sound check, hotel check-in and back to the club. The club was packed and the people were up dancing like crazy to the music. I was afraid someone was going to hit the end of my horn while I was playing. After the gig, we went to SOHO. SOHO is maybe my favorite club in Japan. Tenor saxophonist Shimizu runs the house band. We had a great jam session until early in the morning. I got to sleep about 5am. I ALWAYS have a great time in Hiroshima!!!

Written at 11/25/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Tour...Day 9...Oita

Back on the road again. Today we drove a few hours to the coastal city of Oita. I have never been here before. Actually, I've never heard anyone talk about Oiata before. I really enjoyed the "vibe" there! People were extremely warm and friendly. I had some free this afternoon so, I did a lot of walking. Of course, I eventually made my way to Starbucks and some soy milk. I met a really nice woman named Satoko who works in Oita and Tokyo. We did a gig tonight at Cantalope II. Only a few customers. Not much energy or vibe happening. But, I tried to play my but off. Sound in the room was weird. We had a drink and dinner after the gig with an interesting who teaches shamisen in Oita. She was wearing her kimono. While she was talking I was looking at her her and trying to decide if I was older or if she was older than me. About 30 minutes later, we all got the shock of our lives when she told us that she is 71 years old!!! Her skin is so smooth and beautiful. She had sooo much energy (genki)! I'm lookoing forward to returning to Oita...SOON!

Written at 11/24/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Tour...Day 8...Fukuoka

Spent another day in Fukuoka. Went to Starbucks. Made a couple of new friends..Azusa and Aki. I was sitting at an outdoor table and noticed that Aki was sketching me. I was so surprised. Had a fun gig tonight at the new New Combo. They just recently moved to a new location. I always enjoy playing at New Combo. After the gig, we had some great food and sake.

Written at 11/23/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Tour...Day 7...Day-Off

Had a nice day-off today in Fukuoka. Fukuoka is one of my favorite places in Japan. A very hip medium size city. Did a lot of walking around today. Didn't touch the trumpet today. I'm still feeling kind of sick. Had another surprise visit today. Makes the trip a lot more interesting. Ate some traditional Fukuoka foods for dinner tonight.

Written at 11/22/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Monday, November 21, 2005

Tour...Day 6...Yamaguchi City

Long trip to Yamaguchi. One of those "all day" Teddy Kinjo van trips. A lot of stopping. A lot of ramen breaks. Finally we arrived in Yamaguchi and went straight to the club for set-up and a sound check. Played at an old club called Porsche. So many people packed into this tiny club. During the 2nd set, the power went out for about 2-3 minutes. Teddy and "Gon" were doing a duo on Autumn Leaves. Gon played a fantastic solo in the dark...never missed a beat when the power went out. Mama-san had soo0 much food and drink for us after the gig but, I was feeling pretty sick from an infection. I went back to the room and fell asleep.

In the photo above you can see Takano (sax), Teddy, Fuchi (drums), local singer who sat-in with us, Porsche master and "Gon" (bass).

Written at 11/21/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Tour...Day 5...Yatsushiro

Arrived in Yatsushiro early in the day. The trip from Kumamoto was easy. Actually, I slept the whole ride. We went to a little soba/udon shop and had brunch. Went to the club early in the afternoon and did the set-up and then checked into the hotel. The gig went really well. The audience was really full of energy. The 2nd set, they were up dancing and clapping. Had a surprise visit...made my trip to Yatsushiro a little more interesting.

Written at 11/20/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Tour...Day 4...Kumamoto

Had a long ride in the van today from Kagoshima to Kumamoto. Arrived in Kumamoto City and did a short sound check. I was told that we ere staying about 5 minutes away in a hotel. However, we got into the van to drive to the hotel and it took about an hour. Got to the hotel just in time to check-in and run back to the club to play.

After the gig, I hung-out for a while and talked with some customers and then walked back to the hotel and had a nice warm bath and went to sleep early.

Written at 11/19/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Friday, November 18, 2005

Tour...Day 3...Kagoshima

Had a fun concert last. I really enjoyed "Gon" Mizahashi's (bass) playing last night. He is the most soulful player I've heard in Japan in 7 years.

Today, I had a day-off. I slept really late (because of the after concert party...went to sleep around 5am). I took a long walk, did some shopping and finally ended up at Starbucks at Kagoshima train station. I stayed there for about 3 hours reading and taking care of business in Tokyo on the telephone and talking with the "cute" Starbucks staff. People are so warm and friendly in Kagoshima.....

The city of Kagoshima sits in front of Sakurajima (Sakura-cherry blossom...jima-island). Sakurajima is an active volcano. It is an island located in the bay of Kagoshima. It's very beautiful and there is a constant plume of smoke rising out of the top of the volcano.

Written at 11/18/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Tour...Day 2...Kagoshima

Had another long rehearsal and sound-check today. Did the evening concert in a big hall in Kagoshima. Had a great dinner/party after the concert. A lot of great Kagoshima food and sake. Went to the "after party" party at One Boy. We had a little jam session..I even did a little singing. I finally went to sleep around 6am.

Written at 11/17/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Tour...Day 1...Kagoshima

Took an 8am flight from Tokyo to Kagoshima this morning. Arrived in Kagoshima..went to the hotel and then had a long afternoon rehearsal. We had a nice "welcome" dinner/party in the evening. A lot of food and drink. Got to spend some time with "old friends".

Written at 11/16/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Bio-Rhythms.....

What do you think about bio-rhythms? I'm just beginning to take a look at that subject. So far, it has been very interesting. I found two interesting websites with info:

Bio-Chart.com

Daily Biorhythm.com

I'm interersted in this because of the reading I've been doing about the effects of the moon on the human body and mind. I'm noticing some interesting things about the moon cycle and the cycles I see on the biorhythm charts.

Written at 11/15/2005 03:12:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Podcast #13

11/15/05 Early tomorrow morning, I'll be going to Kagoshima, Japan to start a 3 week tour. Today, I wanted to experiment with MOBLOG because I'll be doing updates using my cellphone or at internet cafes using SKYPE during the tour.

MP3 File

Written at 11/15/2005 02:30:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Starting A Tour Tomorrow....

Teddy Kinjo Quintet Tour
Teddy Kinjo-piano
Neil Stalnaker-trumpet
Takano-sax
Takashi Mizuhashi-bass
Tsuyoshi Watanabe-drums
___________________
November 16 Kagoshima (rehearsal)
November 17 Kagoshima (concert))
November 18 day-off
November 19 Kumamoto City (Club 25)
November 20 Yatsushiro (Jazz In First)
November 21 Yamaguchi City (Live In Porsch)
November 22 day-off
November 23 Fukuoka (New Combo)
November 24 Oita City (Music House Cantaloupe II)
November 25 Hiroshima (Ako)
November 26 Onomichi (Kitayama Rest.)
November 27 day-off
November 28 Wakayama (Lover Soul)
November 29 Ashikaga (Yaneuda)
November 30 day-off
December 1 Yokohama-afternoon (teach trumpet at Senzoku Univ.) Kinjo day-off
December 1 Tokyo (Miles Cafe) my band--EAST/WEST UNIT (8pm)Kinjo day-off
December 2 Tokyo Shinjuku "J" w/ Kinjo Tour
December 3 day-off
December 4 Tokyo (Kasai---Archemes)
December 5 Akabane (Green Eyes)
December 6 Utsunomiya (Jazz Spot Kingdaijing)

Watch for daily updates to the blog/podcast from the tour. I LOVE getting out of Tokyo and traveling around Japan. However, I might get a little lonely "out there". So, please keep in touch!!!

Written at 11/15/2005 12:40:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Monday, November 14, 2005

Sketch #11

Written at 11/14/2005 10:22:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Not So Simple.....

I don't think life is so simple. I want to live a simple life but, it often gets complicated. I don't think there is ALWAYS right or wrong....sometimes answers and solutions take time. Sometimes you can't rush things. Seems like there is a natural flow or process to everything. You can't force a flower to bloom before it's time. You water it three times a day and kill it. Sometimes people try to force me into a position that works "in their head". If I don't "go there", they think I'm trying to play games. I'm too busy living life. I don't have time for games. A lot of people don't understand that. How could they? They've never had cancer. Cancer is deep. The cancer experience is dark. I felt so much fear and loneliness on such a deep level. That's the main reason I like to be around so many people now. I saw a very dark side of reality that a lot of people don't want to talk about, don't want to know about and don't want to face until it's their turn. After having cancer, I haven't wanted to take naps in the daytime. Many times after a gig, I don't go home. I'll go hang-out at some other places and then when the sun is coming-up go and find some breakfast or go to a park or to the ocean or something. It has gotten me into trouble. My body gets incredibly tired sometimes from no sleep. I crash and get very depressed. People around me can't understand my lifestyle sometimes. It must be very difficult to have a relationship with me. I know life is sooo short. I want to live it 24 hours a day. But, I'm not entirely stupid. I know there's a limit. I had a lot of friends die from cancer. Sometimes I thought that was more simple. My life has been so difficult since the cancer. Cancer stretches your mind....like stretching a rubber band. It doesn't go back into place. Cancer forces you to meet life "head-on". You can't bullshit your way through cancer. The experience is too profound. Cancer will laugh at you if you try to fake your way through it. It will "slap you into the corner". It's great preparation for the rest of your life, if you survive it. After cancer-radiation therapy-major depression I found myself looking at a divorce and losing of all my money and material possessions (houses, cars, horns,etc). So there I am, sitting in my cancer doctor's office in Baltimore for a 4th year check-up with my new partner, living in New York in a "rat trap", no money, no gigs and asking this very "spiritually aware" doctor what is going on with me. He told me that it had been a very deep, disturbing and profound experience that I had been going through. People around me (although they were helpful and cared about me) simply weren't "in touch" with experience on the same level that I had been. He told me that I was now "on a journey". I commented that maybe I didn't want to "go on a journey". He told me that I could make that choice but, by repressing that experience, I could cause much more serious health problems for myself in the future. So, I'm on a journey. I'm living life. Making mistakes. Enjoying the beauty. Going up and down with the sadness and happiness of each day. My sisters boyfriend asked me (when I was in the middle of the cancer experience) what is was like to have cancer. I told him that I felt soooo free. Not worrying about all of the "usual" things that people worry about. Not worrying about time. Kind of a floating feeling. But, a REALLY free feeling. No, life for is not so simple anymore. But, at the same time it is easy to see through the bullshit. That does kind of simplify things at times. I have much, much more patience now for some things and absolutely no patience for other things. Not so simple.......

Written at 11/13/2005 12:05:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Friday, November 11, 2005

An Amazing Day......

Today was an amazing day. Don't want to talk about. But, it was just......amazing.
Tokyo Days-Tokyo Nights....(^_-)

Written at 11/11/2005 11:54:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

EAST/WEST UNIT @ Miles Cafe 11/10/05

Tonight, my band, EAST/WEST UNIT had a really fun gig at Miles Cafe in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Thanks sooo much to all of you that came out. We are really looking forward to our next gig 12/01/05 also at Miles Cafe. Here is a 7 minute video of Jeff Curry's original, "Call From Tokyo".

Written at 11/10/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

My Sister Jacquie..........!

Here are some recent photos of my beautiful sister, Jacquie. These were taken in Las Vegas and St. Thomas. Recently, we've been talking on the phone a lot. She helps me sooooo much!

Written at 11/09/2005 10:53:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

EAST/WEST UNIT Rehearsal

Today, I had a rehearsal with my band, EAST/WEST UNIT. We haven't played together since October 10, the last day of our Japan tour. I couldn't believe how good it felt! The groove...the communication between players...the space everybody gave each other to be themselves in the music. This band is still in the early stages but, I'm more excited about this situation than any I can remember.

We are playing this Thursday night at 8pm at Miles Cafe in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. I strongly urge all of you to come and catch this band. The energy is really something special! And any of you that know me knows that I'm "all about the energy and the passion".

MILES CAFE
Hakuei Kim - piano
Jeff Curry - bass
Masashi Tomikawa - drums

Written at 11/08/2005 09:10:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Monday, November 07, 2005

My Son!!!!

A newspaper photo of my son Louie. This is from one of his recent playoff games.

Written at 11/07/2005 02:32:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography

Last week, I went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. This is one of my very favorite places in Tokyo. It's in the Yebisu Garden Place. A lot of shops, cafes and plenty of wide-open space outside to sit and relax and get away from the crowds in Tokyo for a minute.

Written at 11/07/2005 02:25:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Sunday, November 06, 2005

"The Elevator"

what is it with elevators? i think there is a kind of "elevator psychology". it's one of the most bizarre places in the world for me. everyone facing the door....looking up at the numbers.....that polite whispering that everyone can still hear. at one of the hotels here in tokyo, they have gone one step further and put mirrors on all four walls (including the elevator doors!). so, now you have this strange dynamic going on in this little space....people staring at the floor..people staring at the numbers of the floors being displayed...people trying to catch a peek of someone they think is attractive or strange or whatever. recently, i was in an elevator that stopped for about 3-4 minutes. that was an experience. after about 60 seconds, i started to hear whispers that sounded like panic in their voices. it was a crowded elevator. i was just imagining if we had to spend 3-4 hours in there together, how crazy it could get. once in new york, i went to pick up my girlfriend at jfk airport. we hadn't seen each other for 3-4 months. we went into manhattan to the hotel. my room was on the 17th floor. we got into the elevator and went up a few floors and the thing stopped. we were in there for over an hour............(^_-)!!!

Written at 11/06/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Podcast #12

11/2/05 Music and News Updates From Tokyo Trumpet Player Neil Stalnaker and His Website www.neilstalnaker.com This podcast includes trumpet/drum duo, And Now The Bad News and Bossa For Ariana (cuts from Neil's recent CD release, "...And Now The Bad News".

MP3 File

Written at 11/05/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Friday, November 04, 2005

"LIVE" at KENNY'S 11/5/05!!!!!

OLD/NEW "live" @ Kenny's

Neil Stalnaker - trumpet
Taiki Imaizumi - piano
Shinobu Ito - guitar
Tsutomu Kuroda - bass
Kenichi Nishio -drums

KENNY'S
Ikebukuro 2-63-6
Palace Garden Milano Building 1F
Tel: 03-5391-1073

8pm (1st stage) 9:30pm (2nd stage)

music charge ¥2500

This Saturday, I'll be playing for the first time with some friends. I really enjoy playing at Kenny's cause it has the "jazz vibe". This session is going to be very relaxed...just a jam session. We aren't playing any originals this time. I want to just play some tunes that we all know and don't have to look at any music. Musicians are welcome to come by and sit-in with us. Hope to see you there!!!!

Written at 11/04/2005 02:10:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Hey! Check-out Jesse McBee!!!

Jesse is a high school senior at my old high school, Elkins High School (West Virginia). He's playin a lot of trumpet!!! He sent me a link to his site where he has some samples of his playing.

Check him out! He's doing really well and preparing to go off and study music in college.

JESSE MCBEE (click here)

Written at 11/04/2005 01:57:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Can You Handle This.......?

Got Nerves of Steel? Take Your Vacation Here!

COULD YOU HANDLE THIS ONE???

New Grand Canyon Skywalk

Scheduled to open Jan. 1, 2006 Hualapai Indian Reservation

Juts about 70 feet into the canyon, 4000 ft above the Colorado River

Will accommodate 120 people comfortably

Built with more than a million pounds of steel beams, and includes dampeners that minimize the structure's vibration.

Designed to hold 72 million pounds, withstand an 8.0 magnitude

earthquake 50 miles away, and withstand winds in excess of 100 mph

The walkway has a glass bottom and sides...four inches thick

Written at 11/03/2005 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Lucky.......

I'm soooo lucky.........!!!

Written at 11/02/2005 12:09:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Tokyo...An Early City

last night i found myself at a cafe in ikebukuro around 11pm. just finished taking a chinese herb bath at a public bath house (sento). no gig. just hangin out. i was thinkin about listening to some music. i wanted to walk into a club and hear some cats really "gettin down". but i'm sorry to say, at 11pm i couldn't think of a single place in all of tokyo. most of my gigs finish at 10:30-11pm. it's driving me crazy!!! i'm a night person. i loved walking into spots in washington, d.c., pittsburgh, baltimore, buffalo, and new york at 1:30, 2, 3am and listening to cats playin. or if i had my horn to play a little too. until 2 years ago, i could go to roppongi and jam or just hang-out at pickford. just recently i was in hiroshima and hung-out and played at soho until 2 or 3 am. why hiroshima and nagoya and not tokyo? in october i hung-out and played at gary's in nagoya until 3am.

i'm sorry but it's tough for me to get into this thing of leaving my house at 2pm for a rehearsal for a jazz gig that starts at 7pm and then I'm finished by 10 or 10:30pm. my clock is just set-up differently i guess. seems like everything here is constructed around the "salaryman's" life. train stops at midnight or 12:30am. got to get everybody home and tucked into bed.........

Written at 11/01/2005 06:13:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Roy Buchanan

When I was in high school, I was very lucky to run across a Roy Buchanan LP. Until today, I hadn't listened to Roy for over 20 years. Mannnnn he played the s--- out of the guitar. I don't mean runnin up and down the board like a lot of cats now. No, he PLAYED. He could play a blues with sooo much passion and soul and sustain it for chorus after chorus....cause he was tellin ya about his life. Check-out Roy if you're interested in the "real deal".

Today, I've gotten a little more in touch with my roots.....soooo happy....and.....unhappy at the same time.........

Written at 11/01/2005 06:04:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Connecting (4)

but....why the desire to connect soooo much after having cancer?

i have always been told that i'm a "loner". always off to myself. that's true.

after the doctors told me i had cancer, i sat down at home and made a list of the people that i felt a deep connection with. some of these people i hadn't talked to in many years. so, i called all of them. told them what was happening to me. it was really beautiful to have these conversations with all of the people that i felt that really deep connection with. although 1 bass player hung-up on me in the middle of the conversation. months later he told me it was just too much for him. he couldn't handle the "thing" i was giving him.

i connected with these people because i felt fear. i was afraid. deeply afraid of the cancer and of dying.

but, after 48 hours, i made a decision to fight. the doctors told me it wasnt going to be the operations or the radiation treatments. 80% was going to be my able to mentally fight this thing.

so...i started to form my team...my army...to do battle against the cancer. i found that the more i connected with people, the stronger and more confident and happy and secure i became.

and.....it caused me to "focus out" to others and their lives. we can "focus out" or we can "focus in". when we "focus out", we project good, positive energy ("ki" or "chi" in japan and china). when i "focus in" on myself, i tend to suck everyone's energy from them into me...cause i'm down and/or depressed or no confidence.

so...i've been on a never ending mission to connect with people since september 1991.

Written at 11/01/2005 09:28:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Connecting (3)

so.....i've spent the last 13 years connecting with people. last year, i played for 3 months at the new york bar and after every set, the band went back into the stairway next to the kitchen (the most disgusting conditions i've had in 25 years in the music business) to hang-out. sometimes i did that also. but, i just couldn't go back there so much. i wanted to stay in the club and talk with people.

i've been perceived two ways because of that. some people have told me that they think i am so great with people..connecting..meeting ..talking with people that are enjoying the music. others have said they think i'm a playboy or the word the japanese like to use is sukebe (often used as a derogatory term to mean playboy).

i'm aware of all of this. but, it doesn't really matter to me. i'm operating or living on a level that is much deeper than what the critics can imagine. i'm not angry. i just know that if they knew what i know, they wouldn't be making comments and/or criticizing me behind my back.

maybe some it is jealousy. maybe it's fear....fear that they have in connecting with people. resentment....maybe....maybe they want to be more sociable..but..maybe it seems impossible.

on some level, i think my desire to connect with people (as a result of having cancer) and my desire to be a creative artist that wants to bring happiness and feelings of love to others through music is part of the same thing.

Written at 11/01/2005 09:12:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Connecting (2).........

during and after cancer, i felt myself change. laying in the hospital one night around 4am i realized that my mind was the same as always. my mind felt alert and healthy. but, my body seemed to be dying. it was a scary and terrible feeling. i wanted to escape from my body. i felt trapped.

this caused me to feel alone. different than others. i was having an experience that people around me couldn't relate to. i found it very, very difficult to have a conversation with close friends and/or family about any of this.

after the 3rd operation, i had this huge scar on my face and neck (of course, i still have it). i remember traveling by car from baltimore back to my home in west virginia. we stopped and went into a 7-eleven. i thought i saw so many people looking at my face and neck. even now i see people trying to check out my neck. i feel like the beast in "beauty and the beast".

i am so surprised when i play gigs and people say, "oh you are so handsome". i'm thinking, "are you blind"?

Written at 11/01/2005 09:00:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

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