10 Weekly Wonders

Ron:


10. The percentage of Steelers fans to Cardinals fans at the Super Bowl on Sunday. Also, tied for tenth is how sad will I be if the Steelers win their sixth Super Bowl. Ugh.

9. Sham WOW! Really?

8. How many times will I need to overcome my urge to watch VH1 reality shows? Celebrity Rehab, Sober House deserves an Emmy.


Heroin is SO glamorous... right Steven Adler?


7. How many years til Lenny Kravitz & Slash start a band?

6. What is my commitment level to finishing out this season of American Idol? If you’re scoring at home, take the under.

5. From all the comments I’ve seen on Facebook, I’m not the only one strangely intrigued by The Snuggie.


I hope my Snuggie comes with a helmet!


4. Would a Snuggie-sized, Sham WOW be as cool as I imagine it could be? You could keep warm, have the freedom to use your hands AND be able to clean up spills or polish any surface at the same time. C’mon... WHO’S WITH ME?!?!?!

3. Why does Barack Obama’s first week in the Oval Office feel like a year already?

2. What can I get my wife for Valentine’s Day? That’s your two minute warning fellas!!

1. Could it be time to tame (what's left of) my unruly hair?

Music Video: "Madness + Furniture" by Ron Rodriguez

Ron:

Thank you Ezra for your expertise, creativity and vision on this video. Thanks to Grant Varjas and Joel Hathaway for your song and your words.



Ron Rodriguez - Madness & Furniture from ezra ayala on Vimeo.

Welcome Kaci!

ezra:


Guest...Friends...as you can see, we have added another "freewiser" to our banner...so please welcome Kaci...and leave her comments on her posts.....oh...her first post is just below mine!

Visit here for Kaci's photography website!

This one is her blog!

Defining Success

Kaci:

Hello everyone! Let me first explain the tie that binds us all...Ezra! I met Ezra last year at a wedding and have been thankful ever since. He has been nothing short of amazing with his passion, commitment, consideration and awareness. Like Ezra, I have a family that I would like to completely support via my passion of photography. We share many of the same challenges, beliefs, stresses and inspirations...

Speaking of inspirations, Ezra has inspired us all (each one of us on the blog and those reading it) to share in this journey that we are on (the highs and lows) in taking the steps necessary to turn our passions into successes. But, to have success you must first define what your goals are (personal and professional). Making a list of goals is pretty easy, but measuring yourself and when it comes time deciding if you were successful or not is the tricky part...

I recently read a book (many of you may know it- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch) that talked a lot about goals and success. The key lesson was to create success from the stepping stones of failure. Now, failure is a pretty harsh term, but when applied abstractly by figuring out what worked/didn't work, what to do better next time, etc... it creates wisdom...wisdom that is necessary to succeed. So, if we take this idea and apply it to life no matter what we do, try, fail, learn...the key is to TRY and LEARN...only then will we SUCCEED at becoming (free)WISER, and that is what will make you great!

- KACI

Business Note #1: Treat your clients like Royalty!

ezra:

If you're running your own business or thinking of it, let it be known - Treat your clients/customers like ROYALTY...treat them like Queens & Kings!  

You should already be doing this with everyone, regardless.  It's good human ethic and good business practice.

You can advertise and market yourself or product on billboards, magazines, the web, TV, Radio, or on the moon...but if you don't treat your customers right, all that $$$ placed in ads will be totally wasted.  Word of Mouth is the most powerful form of advertising...it's even free...all you have to do is have a good product or service...and treat your clients like ROYALTY...say "Thank you" a lot!

Word of Mouth travels...so when you do a client good...it spreads....when you do a client wrong...it spread even faster and farther!

Treat'em right...yes, do this with everyone you encounter and you'll be alright...

First Impressions?

Ron:

“They are who we thought they were!”

Sound familiar NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals? Those words were infamously spoken by your former head coach but it certainly doesn’t apply to this 2008 team. I mean, you lose four of the last six regular season games and finish 9-7. OK. So where did this post season defensive effort come from? Larry Fitzgerald... five post season touchdowns? Seriously? You guys will have your hands full with the Steelers in the Super Bowl but please….don’t “let them off the hook!”


Kurt Warner - divine intervention?


I guess the same could be said for me and my music. Perception can be everything.

Locally, I’m perceived as an acoustic artist. I’ve been playing solo acoustic gigs around Jacksonville since 2002 so it seems natural. Mostly it was out of necessity. I went a long time without playing in a band and solo gigs were easy enough to come by.

However as a musician, I have a wide range of musical interests…. sounds, style and instrumentation. For 2009, I’m conscientiously moving away from that sound in my original music recordings, to bring out a more hard rock sound for people to sample. I hope to develop that sound in a new song I’m currently working on. The song is being built in stages. Over the next few blogs, I will attempt to explain the process of writing and recording this song.

I started with a chord progression that I’ve had lying around for about four years now. It was originally inspired by the song “Lady Picture Show” by Stone Temple Pilots, if you know the song.

Here are the different sections of the song:

1st section:
D / A/C# / G/B / A7

2nd section:
F# / G / D/ A

3rd section:
G/B / A/C# / D / G

4TH section:
C / D / C / G / D



That’s the framework I’m building the song from. I’ve titled them “sections” because lyrically, I’m not sure what will be a verse and what will be a chorus. Digital technology allows me the option to move sections around on the fly. I’m building drums tracks right now, working mostly from what I hear in my head. I have a general idea of where the different rhythm accents are in each section. Once I’ve built “skeleton” drum tracks, I can start tracking the guitars. I have the ability to go back and tweak each drum track later depending on how the song develops.



Game over Washington.


Regardless of political affiliation, there’s no denying history when it knocks on your door. That is what our nation is living today with the inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.

History. Change. Can you believe we’re going to have a black president?

It hasn’t really struck me that he’ll be the first not because I haven’t thought of the weight and significance of the event but mostly because his race is less of an issue to me than whether he can deliver on his promise of change.

In the end, will it really matter what color he is if he can’t turn our economy around? This is a proud moment in our nation’s history, don't get me wrong. The past two days have been a celebration… from King to Obama; from “The Dream” to reality. We've come a long way and today we celebrate.

As a person of color (mostly brown), I’ve been privileged to have had close relationships with both Caucasians, African Americans and everything in between. I guess I don't perceive race as sensitively as maybe some do. For that, I am fortunate for my life’s experiences. I guess it’s a reflection of my life as a Filipino American.


"Help us Barack Obama. You're our only hope."

Feature film

Marc (aka: Boese)

So, I've started on my path to producing my first full-length feature film.

New horizons up ahead. First casting call went well. Such great talent here in Jacksonville. Whenever people start breathing life into words on a page it's exciting. Next step will be an additional casting call and callbacks. Meanwhile we are searching locations for those words on the page. The script is written by Executive Producer Mary Davis-Johnson. I'll keep you all updated.

How to stay FREE in shitty climate conditions

Rayshawn:

First off I love Chicago. A couple of summers ago my wife and I had about 6 or 7 friends move to Cali in a span of a year. We were tempted...but I love Chicago and I'm not goin anywhere. With that said how does one, one being me, stay creatively inspired when you wake up to this in the morning.






Here's how I cope:

1. Listen to depressing music in the morning...No really it works. You have to embrace the sadness before you can send it off packing. Peace to the Smashing Pumpkins and Bon Iver for holding me down during the morning commute.

2. Meet a friend at the end of the day, have one of those stream of consciousness conversations that don't go anywhere...No really it works. Human contact can be/is a powerful thing, if the contact you are having is positive. Avoid the wet blankets until winter breaks, that way when they start bringing you down you can break out. Then you've got a bike ride home to look forward to instead of a snow trek.

My poor/forgotten Peugeot. We will know each other again. Soon.

3. If you drink, find the crappiest dive bar you can and drink for cheap. The patrons of dive bars make for good conversation and can be inspirational. Bring your sketchbook/journal/switchblade If you don't drink, make it a coffee shop, minus the switchblade.

4. Do something creative everyday. This one is difficult for me. Sitting on the couch staring at the TV is so much easier to accomplish. I didn't ever really play sports but I guess I look at being creative in the winter as training during the off season. When Spring hits, I hope to have some creative muscle.

5. Listen to music that gets you hyped in the evening. In past winters, I'm in the bed at like 9. 9 o'clock, people!! I'm 32 years old,what business do I have being in bed at 9. None. Peace to that QUALITY hip-hop that keeps me amped and inspired!

enjoy the snow! so sorry for all you folks in semi-tropical and desert-like climates.

Happy Born Day Ron! freebiiirrddd!!

out

Business Note:

ezra:

Ron just had a Birthday!!!

Choose Wisely

"Freebird!!!!"

There's always one in the crowd. Seriously. At least once a night, I can expect to hear someone scream that out because you know, it's original and no one has ever thought of that before. Curious enough though... how come it's never "Karma Chameleon!!!" or "Dancing Queen!!!” ?!?! Not that I know how to play either of those songs.


So is this good karma or bad? Talk amongst yourselves.

Anywho…

Song selection and knowing certain requests is another dimension to being a local musician/performer. Your song selection can set you apart and get you noticed. There are many ways to approach this so it is subjective depending on your taste and sensibility. Here’s what I consider when selecting a song to cover:

1. Can it be translated/ be performed as a solo acoustic song? Acoustic trio?
- A song has to work within the instrumentation you have. For me, the song has to be performed well in a solo format and in a band format.

2. Does it fit the demo for the people I play most to?
- A simple business principle… KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE/CUSTOMERS.

3. How much mileage can I get out of the song? Is it a song that I can play in most settings?
- I play in all sorts of environments… bars, restaurants, private parties, wedding receptions, social functions, business mixers and everything in between. The song has to be versatile enough to work in most settings. Also, I try not to having anything too obscure in my setlist. I'd rather entertain with a song that everyone knows then to please the music elitist laughing to himself in the corner because he's so clever. Just sayin'.


I play a lot of different places. Seriously, I'll come set up in your driveway if you want. I can rock a house party with the drop of a hat.

4. Is it unique or overplayed?
- To me, unique is the unexpected not obscure. Overplayed is “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Margaritaville”.

5. Is it something I naturally enjoy?
- First I will say there are plenty of songs that I play that are naturally outside of my personal taste. To me, that’s business. My preference would be to play songs that entertain me but it doesn’t always work that way.


Here’s my current setlist… oh, for the record, I don’t know “Freebird” so don't ask. ;)

Original songs:
Outloud
Senseless
He Knew It All
One More Day
A Thousand Miles
Angel
Free
Wasting All My Time (capo 1)
Color (Capo 2)
Madness + Furniture


Cover songs:
4 Non Blondes – What’s Up
Akon – Right Now (capo 2)
All American Rejects – Move Along (capo 2)
Avril Lavigne – Nobody’s Home (capo 2)
Bare Naked Ladies – Old Apartment
Better Than Ezra - Good
Black Crowes – She Talks to Angels
Bob Marley/Eric Clapton – I Shot the Sheriff (capo 1)
Brandi Carlisle – The Story (capo 2)
Bush – Comedown
Bush - Glycerine
Chris Daughtry – Home (capo 3)
Chris Daughtry – It’s Not Over (capo 2)
Chris Issac – Wicked Game
Coldplay – Clocks
Coldplay - Yellow
Coldplay – The Scientist
Cracker – Low
Damien Rice – The Blower’s Daughter
Damien Rice – Volcano
DMB - #41
DMB – The Space Between
DMB – Crush
Dishwalla – Counting Blue Cars
Dylan/ Hendrix/DMB – All Along The Watchtower (key:Am)
Eagle Eye Cherry – Save Tonight
Elton John/Fuel – Daniel
Fastball – The Way (capo 2)
Foo Fighters – Big Me
Foo Fighters – Everlong
Foo Fighters – Learn To Fly
Foo Fighters – My Hero
Fuel – Shimmer
Gavin Degraw – Follow Through
Gin Blossoms – Hey Jealousy
Gnarles Barkley – Crazy (capo 4)
Goo Goo Dolls – Name (capo 2)
Goo Goo Dolls – Slide (capo 1)
Green Day – Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)
Green Day – When I Come Around
Guns N Roses – I Used To Love Her
Guns N Roses – Patience
Howie Day – Collide (capo 4)
Jack Johnson – Sitting, Waiting, Wishing
Jack Johnson – Upside Down (capo 2)
Jack Johnson – Flake (capo 1)
James Blunt – You’re Beautiful (capo 1)
Jimi Hendrix – Hey Joe
Jasom Mraz – Right Now
John Mayer – No Such Thing
John Mayer – Waiting On the World To Change
John Mayer – Why Georgia
Journey – Lights (capo 2)
Kelly Clarkson – Since You’ve Been Gone
Kenny Wayne Shepard – Blue On Black
Kid Rock/Lynard Skynard – All Summer Long/Sweet Home Alabama
Lifehouse – You & Me
Live - Lightning Crashes
Live – Pain Lies By The Riverside (capo 2)
Maroon 5 – This Love (capo 2)
Matchbox 20 – 3am
Matchbox 20 – Long Day (capo 4)
Matchbox 20 – Push
Metallica – Nothing Else Matters
Michael Jackson - Beat It
Nickelback – Leader of Men
Nickelback – Rockstar
Nirvana – All Apologies (drop d)
Nirvana – In Bloom
Oasis –Wonderwall/ Boulevard of Broken Dreams (capo 2)
One Republic – Apologize (key: Am)
Paolo Nutini – New Shoes (capo 1)
Pearl Jam – Black
Pearl Jam – Elderly Woman
Pearl Jam – Yellow Leadbetter
Pepper – Ashes
Peter Gabriel – In Your Eyes (capo 4)
Poison – Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees
Radiohead – Karma Police
RHCP – Otherside
RHCP – Snow (Hey oh!) (capo 4)
Seal – Crazy
Seether – Fine Again
Seven Mary Three – Cumbersome
Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun (drop d)
Staind – Outside
Stereofuse – Everything (capo 1)
Stone Sour – Bother (capo 6)
Stone Sour – Through Glass (capo 2)
Stone Temple Pilots – Plush
Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song
Sublime – Badfish
Sublime – Santeria
Sublime – What I’ve Got
The Fray – How To Save A Life (capo 2)
The Killers – Mr. Brightside
The Killers – When You Were Young (capo 4)
The Nixons – Sister
The Outfield – Your Love
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – Face Down (key: Am)
The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses
Tom Petty – Last Dance With Mary Jane/Dani California
Tom Petty – Free Falling (capo 2)
Tommy Tutone – 8675309 Jenny
Tonic – If You Could Only See
Tonic – Open Up Your Eyes (drop d)
U2 – One
U2 – Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (capo 1)
Vertical Horizon – Everything You Want
Vertical Horizon – You’re A God
Violent Femmes – Blistur In the Sun
Weezer – Beverly Hills
Weezer – Say It Ain’t So

Advertising...???

ezra:

It's been a whole week and I'm still contemplating how I should advertise. I have done my homework...talked to vendors...talked with other photographers...read books, etc... There's no clear cut answer...just a gamble...

See, I have serious trust issues with advertisement...there's a lot to lose...a lot of risk...there's no test drive...there's no samples...no trial period...there's nothing to soothe my greatest fears...I am buying the invisible!

I wonder if this is how brides and grooms feel when they are searching for a photographer? I'm sure it is. So I have decided to rid the fears of my possible clients - I am offering free engagement shoots! Yes, FREE...with no obligations! Why? So my clients know they are making the right decision. Brides and Grooms want to know if their photographer is going to deliver on their Big Day...they want to know if they're going to feel comfortable around their photographer...they want to know if their photographer is going to make them look good. So free engagement shoots...if you like me, my photos, then hopefully you'll book me for your wedding!!!

If the various advertisement resources I have sought out gave me a test period, I wouldn't hesitate working with them...I wouldn't be so stressed or worried...

Stay tuned to see how I choose to advertise...

RE. solution

Rayshawn:

I was feeling sort of lame trying to think of some resolution to hold myself to. I never stick to resolutions. In fact, I was looking at a list I made 10/31/07. Out of the 7 things on the list I've completed 1/2. I'm impulsive! That's my problem. And I'm rebellious. I don't like having to do things on a schedule or because 'I have to.' I'd like to get better at completing things that I start. Including ideas. I think what makes a good artist is the ability to organize ideas and see them through completion.

Perfection is an idea killer.

Peep some definitions of resolution: the act of analyzing a complex notion into a simpler one: the act of answering: the passing of a voice part from a dissonant to a consonant tone: the point in a literary work at which the chief dramatic complication is worked out: a measure of the sharpness of an image or of the fineness.
Synonym: COURAGE!!!

So if you're like me and you hate resolutions, we can do this together! I'm putting myself on blast and posting my 3 resolutions to the world! I'm giving the world permission to call me out if I'm slippin'. Here we go:

CREATE SOMETHING EVERYDAY: This includes-writing/visual art/something that exist from an idea...

VISIT AT LEAST 3 ART GALLERIES A MONTH: Chicago has so many art galleries that I never visit. My idea is to get a better understanding of art by spending time looking at art. Makes sense to me....

MAKE A BLOG POSTING ONCE A WEEK: Give my thoughts/ideas a place to live. Hopefully, this will hold myself accountable...

Not subject to change...

peace

Define Ur-self

And being free isn't dumb.

That's how it was explained when Ezra shared with me the concept of being freewise. It's a play on words. The state of being free is freedom but it sounds like free"dumb”. So Ezra changed it to free”wise”. And a freewiser could be anyone who is doing something they love and not being constrained to certain things that this world traps us into. Dig? So, not only will I be sharing with you my freewise life as a working musician in this blog, but also I hope to share with you my life as a whole. Family, church, movies, sports, video games, random thought and things that make me laugh... it'll all be in here in some form.

Currently I am working on new songs and have felt a fresh spirit of creativity come upon me. The last original song I wrote, "Free”, was written about a year and a half ago. The last track I recorded was "Madness + Furniture". It was recorded in late 2008 but the song dates back about 20 years to a band I was in during high school called “the new originals”. "Madness + Furniture" is a moody, dark, floaty and slightly weird kind of song, unlike its first incarnation. I’m definitely due for some new tunes.

You can check out "Free" and "Madness + Furniture" here.


the new originals circa 1989. AC Slater called and said he wants his mullet back.


the new originals performing “Madness + Furniture”

I record all my tracks at home with my Boss BR-1600 and an assortment of reasonably priced mics. It's basically a digital recording device with 10 inputs and a hard drive. It’s crazy to think how songwriters use to manage. Fortunately, we have the technology.

My goal is twofold:
1. Creative expression
2. Songwriting

Anyone can go into an expensive studio, drop tons of cash just to record a mediocre song. This setup allows me to try a lot of different ideas in a cost efficient way. Plus, as I’ve mentioned before, my recordings are selling on iTunes.


The Lab


It’s either “Stairway To Heaven” or “Ice Ice Baby”… not quite sure yet.



In other news… this is the time of the year when we get the "Best of This and The Best of That" lists for the year that was 2008. As a sports fan, this one jumped out at me and I had to share an excerpt from it:

2008 Absurd Quote Power Rankings:

2 . "That's my teammate ... (sniff) ... that's my ... (sniff) ... quarter ... (barely audible) ... back."
- Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens talking about Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo following a playoff loss to the New York Giants.

Only number two? This by far is my favorite quote of the past year. It goes in my Top 10 of all time favorite sports quotes, you know, since we're making lists. There he is... the quintessential poster child for the modern-day, egocentric, selfish athlete coming to the defense of his embattled teammate. It’s as believable as Tom Cruise portraying an eye patch-wearing Nazi.



And the academy award goes to…


To see the rest of the list, click here.

Peace!

Business Note:

ezra:
Alright...now here comes the learning stuff...hold on tight everyone...
I'm really getting nervous...(yes, I'm sharing my feelings...I am human!)...back to nervous...I had a busy month in November...December was pretty quiet...you know the holidays...but it's still quiet...see, for the first time, I'm really nervous...I have to say, I'm experiencing some thoughts of doubt for the first time since I decided to take the plunge...

To make matters worse, I also took a major risk last week by increasing my prices, significantly...I chose to raise my prices because I need to make a living out of this...I need to provide food, shelter, you know, the basics...and I need to maintain my equipment, get more equipment, and MARKET my business! Yes, I also raised my prices b/c of something I read in a book called, "Selling the Invisible." Sometimes your price can say things you don't want it to say...like your 2nd rate...cheap...the generic brand...knock-off...poor quality, etc....

So with the market the way it is...I decided to raise my prices...now I'm real nervous...so hang tight...

I'm also looking to start marketing freewise fotography a little bit more seriously...Word of Mouth is the greatest, but other forms of marketing can't hurt...first stop - Folio Weekly (young hip crowd...& some with $)...second stop...probably a local magazine...a little more sophisticated than the Folio...but this Marketing thing isn't going to be easy...it's another risk...I'm going to be putting $$$ into something that isn't guaranteed to pay itself back...kind of scary...

So this is it...a new era in my adventure...come along...join the ride!

focus, focus, focus...

Rayshawn:

Why is it so hard sometimes to tell people about yourself? Most of us have been told at an early age not to brag about ourselves. But if you don't know yourself, who will? If you can't tell people what you love about yourself, then who will? I'm dedicated to youth, specifically, so called ghetto kids. Cause if it wasn't for a few slight blessings I wouldn't be who I am. I am them and they are me.

I received my degree in History in 2000. My first job after college was working in a Juvenile Correctional Facility as a youth officer. One day I realized that I loved to listen to kids and they liked listening to me. I was building teacher student relationships intuitively. In retrospect, I probably understood that if you didn't have a good relationship with the kids you were toast(youth officers were locked in a unit with 27 kids for 8 sometimes 16 hours.)

In the Fall of 2001 I started teaching in the Bronx, NY. A hard-knock education. I failed a lot as a teacher. Made mistake after mistake, inside and outside of the classroom. Left New York with my tail between my legs. Moved to Chicago where I've been working in Non-Profits as a community-based educator.

Right now I'm teaching Peace Education to 4th, 5th and 6th graders, coordinating an after school program and moonlighting as a Graphic Design Intern in the evenings. This month I start studio art classes and my journey to freedom as an art teacher!

Peace to Ez for inviting me to participate in this experience/experiment. Peace to my new brothers Marc and Ron. And Peace to you for entertaining our journeys.

God Bless,

r

Getting Started!

Greetings all and Happy New Year! I'm glad you stopped by and I hope you continue to visit.
The concept behind this blog is to charter the journey of a few bloggers into a free lifestyle! That's right...here on this blog, you'll witness the failures and successes of our attempt to create a job we all truly love and enjoy!
Each blogger has a different focus...Ron is a musician...Marc (who we all call Boese) wants to do film....me...I want to be a photographer...and the 4th blogger, Rayshawn...well, he'll have to tell us what he wants to be when he grows up....I know it has to do with art and the youth!
Each blogger will start with an introduction...so enjoy the ride with us...we hope to inspire you to do what you love...and we hope you learn from us so you don't repeat the same mistakes we're going to make!

Boese here

I am a professor of Video Production and a Digital Filmmaker. But first and foremost I am a painter. There's not a thing I do in my work I do not like. I am liberated by my daily life. I will be producing many short films and possibly a couple full length features this year that I'd like to keep you all in tune with. My classes get back this next week and I am fully dedicated to preparing myself for the new semester. After this, it's casting calls, script breakdowns, and all that fun preproduction stuff that goes into filmmaking. I look forward to sharing these experiences with you. Keep your eyes looking around at the wonderfully improving world, but come back here every now and then to get some updates. -Late