Cute Little Female . . .

. . . voice

So the cute, little female voice listens to my problem attentively and asks me very politely to hold on while she finds out exactly who will be able to help me. My problem is, in brief, that the rain gutter on my house was damaged by the roofing firm (where the cute, little female voice works) when they replace the roof on the house to our immediate right for the former owner.  Our row-homes are, needless to say, connected. So after a reasonable, yet not extremely short, time another voice, female-but this time not so cute or little, joins the line and says to me, "can I help you."  Since I had just explained quite succinctly, the details of my dilemma to the previously-mentioned cute, little female voice, the entire situation, I responded to the effect of 'didn't the prior representative tell you the nature of my situation or must I begin afresh?'  (Can you detect a certain 'attitude' exuding from the second person?  I DID!) She admitted that she was familiar with my situation, but in keeping with her general demeanor, she was sure to ask certain questions which prompted a repeat of the general story anyway, to which she responded in a tone of, 'what is it exactly that you are asking' and when told an insignificant (to a roofing contractor) $200 to repair the gutter that employees of her firm damaged. In keeping with her 'professional' (i.e. money-grubbing) disposition she then informed me that since the house next door was sold by the previous owner, who contracted the replacement roof, the life-time warranty so generously provided him was now null and void- a fact in which I have no (or at least very little) interest in relation to the reason I had called.  Then the kind soul berated me for the delay between the time the work was done and the time I contacted her [the roofer] to which I wish I had responded, "If only your workmen had left me a note informing me that they damaged my gutter system and specified the exact location and extent of the damage, I most certainly would have contacted you much sooner."

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak

My latest solo release, '2014' of original, instrumental piano music, can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Tweet

Passing the Bar . . .

 . . . or stopping in . . .

Tips for the bartender (from http://www.shakestir.com/features/id/571/10-tips-for-the-beginner-cocktail-bartender)

1) Focus on service, not just drinks.
You are a bartender, not an artist - you provide service above all else. If customers have a good experience from a very engaging, attentive, and accommodating service staff but the drinks aren't amazing, they are still likely to come back.

2) Taste everything.
A great chef would never serve anything without knowing that it tastes good, and neither should you.

3) Be knowledgeable.
Know everything you serve, not just the items that interest you. If you are all about cocktails, good for you, but you are still a bartender and will be called upon to serve beer, wine, and of course food.

4) Don't be pretentious.
Customers do not want to feel judged, but welcome and appreciated (because they are!). Remind yourself that you are here because of them.

5) Don't be lazy.
This covers a wide range of issues behind the bar (and every job there is). Old or store-bought juice will make a noticeable negative impact on your drinks, as will using stale vermouth.

6) Control your dilution.
Mixing too long can make your drink flabby, and it's very hard to get the balance back from over-dilution.

7) Don't adjust too much.
Once your palate develops you'll start second guessing your drinks a little bit while you look for the perfect flavour balance. Adding a dash of an ingredient for balance is fine, but making too many adjustments can lead to over-dilution and long drink times.

8) Don't shake everything.
Presentation is very important for both food and drink, and any discerning customer will not appreciate a cloudy Manhattan.

9) Measure your ingredients.
While many an experienced bartender can probably free-pour any volume very accurately, this style belongs in nightclubs and not in cocktail bars and restaurants.

10) Communicate!
Good service and good working relationships start and end with good communication. Keep everyone in the loop with what you are doing and make sure you know what is happening outside your station. Do not be afraid to ask for help, and offer to help others if you have the time. It is also important to call back orders, as restaurants and bars can get loud and miscommunication can cost time and money. If you are not talking to your co-workers behind the bar, you are not doing your job properly.

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak

My latest solo release, '2014' of original, instrumental piano music, can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Tweet

Mom, Girlfriend or Army Boots . . .

I'll be your Blood Brother
By your side through thick and thin
I'll be your Blood Brother
Just as long as I don't have to bloody
My hands hands

Bar rooms sure have a funny way
Of bringing loyalty out in a man
Buy a drink and tell a joke
And buddy you've got you a friend
But keep a good eye upon that friend
Because he really doesn't give two hoots
And don't say anything about his Mom
His girlfriend or his army boots

I'll be your Blood Brother
By your side through thick and thin
I'll be your Blood Brother
Just as long as I don't have to bloody
My hands hands

Walked into an auto-mo-showroom
I need some wheels but got no money to spend
When a guy with an ugly tie
Walks out and acts like he's my long-lost friend
I said hey Buddy I've a purpose here
And if you please I will accomplish my goal
So don't you slap me on the back again
Cause if you do I might just lose my control

I'll be your Blood Brother
By your side through thick and thin
I'll be your Blood Brother
Just as long as I don't have to bloody
My hands hands

So please be careful when you meet someone
Who'll make a promise at the drop of a hat
And don't provide them with encouragement
You will regret the day you offered him that
Cause everybody needs some empathy
But just how willing
And how far will they go
To really help you when the chips are down
Can they be trusted half as far as you throw them

I'll be your Blood Brother
By your side through thick and thin
I'll be your Blood Brother
Just as long as I don't have to bloody
My hands hands


Blood Brother
Live at Johnny's, Ocean City, MD-August 2014 [field recording by OHO - Jay Graboski, David Reeve and Ray Jozwiak]




What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak

My latest solo release, '2014' of original, instrumental piano music, can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Tweet

Beating . . .

. . . a dead horse. . . (also known as bitch, bitch, bitch) . . .
I really am an artist.  In most senses of the word.  I am very sensitive to everything.  But I am not however, one for melodramatics.  No false or exaggerated emotions and no pop-culture sentimentality. I find it infinitely amazing and entertaining how some folks can drivel on about the Emmys, Oscars or fartzies, or post endless arrays of kitten and puppy videos much the same as I marvel at the gullibility of some of the most intelligent people when it comes to Internet falsehoods, hyperbole or political hyper-spin. In this day and age when we all have an infinite library at our fingertips, there is simply no excuse to fall for such crap.

I also find no need to be a cheerleader.  First, I don't have the looks or the physique.  Second, I don't have the motivation.  Never did.  Never will. If a sports franchise happens to be based in my hometown I do not automatically feel a deep and immediate connection.  Guess I've simply learned through the years that my personal time is finite and I still don't have enough to expend it upon things in which I AM interested, let alone those in which I am not. I am not begrudging or criticizing those folks who do take an interest in professional athletics.  I have family members who do. But, much as in high school when the mantra of 'school spirit' was preached incessantly to my deaf ears, I simply am not feeling it (sports/pop-entertainment) and my life will be no worse off for any lack thereof.

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak

My latest solo release, '2014' of original, instrumental piano music, can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Tweet

Alternate Take . . .

. . . of Hunters & Gatherers . . .


Everyone is searching for the truth
Why and what's the meaning of this life
And are we living proof of anything
Long ago we lost our tribal ways
Centuries have passed so much has changed
But time and time again we think the same
Like hunters and gatherers
Like hunters and gatherers

Big machines and tiny circuitry
Airplanes buildings bridges fill the sky
Just look what progress brings to you and me
Scientific wonders do abound
Medicines cure many maladies
There's progress all around yet in some ways
We're hunters and gatherers
We're hunters and gatherers

And after only these few thousand years
We've ceased to look for answers in the sky
We can no longer live with all these lies
So long accepted without asking why

Whether we approve or if we don't
Everything we know and love will change
There's just no way they won't it has to be
Ours is not to run or disbelieve
Time to face the facts don't be deceived
By people clinging to the past
Like hunters and gatherers
Like hunters and gatherers


Hunters & Gatherers
Alternate Take(newly recorded music for a proposed 2016 solo release)



What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak

My latest solo release, '2014' of original, instrumental piano music, can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Tweet

Protocol . . .

(from wikipedia.com)
MIDI is short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard that describes a protocol, digital interface and connectors and allows a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers and other related devices to connect and communicate with one another. A single MIDI link can carry up to sixteen channels of information, each of which can be routed to a separate device.

MIDI carries event messages that specify notation, pitch and velocity, control signals for parameters such as volume, vibrato, audio panning, cues, and clock signals that set and synchronize tempo between multiple devices. These messages are sent to other devices where they control sound generation and other features. This data can also be recorded into a hardware or software device called a sequencer, which can be used to edit the data and to play it back at a later time.

MIDI technology was standardized in 1983 by a panel of music industry representatives, and is maintained by the MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA). All official MIDI standards are jointly developed and published by the MMA in Los Angeles, California, US, and for Japan, the MIDI Committee of the Association of Musical Electronics Industry (AMEI) in Tokyo.

Advantages of MIDI include compactness (an entire song can be coded in a few hundred lines, i.e. in a few kilobytes), ease of modification and manipulation and choice of instruments.

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak

My latest solo release, '2014' of original, instrumental piano music, can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Tweet

What Hath . . .

. . . we wrought? . . .

(from http://fox2now.com/2014/08/27/4-year-old-expelled-from-pre-school-for-moms-facebook-post/)
A Florida mom says her four-year-old was expelled from his preschool over a message she posted on her personal Facebook page. Ashley Habat says she and her son will were running late for school. It was picture day at Sonshine Christian Academy. “The administrator of the preschool checking him in she’s like “Well it’s picture day Will are you excited?” and you know he of course just went on to class but I had mentioned that they didn’t give enough notice. And she’s like, “Well we put it in his folder last week.” said Ashley Habat. So Habat says she took to Facebook, saying she just wanted to vent her frustrations. She also never thought the school would ever see her post. “They couldn’t see it, it was private to my friends only.” said Ashley Habat. The post read, “Why is it that every single day there is something new I dislike about Will’s school? Are my standards really too high or are people working in the education field really just that ignorant.” She tagged the school in the post. The next morning she received a call asking her to stop by when she drops off her son. “They just felt like we weren’t the right fit of parent relationship with the school and that they didn’t want him as a student anymore. He had done nothing wrong.” said Ashley Habat. According to the letter of dismissal, “Your relationship with Sonshine did not get off to a very good start the first day of school. You utilized social media to call into question not only the integrity but the intelligence of our staff. These actions are also consistent with sowing discord which is spoken of in the handbook you signed. “I was in shock. Why would you expel a 4-year-old over something his mom posts on her private Facebook page only people on her friends list can see.” said Ashley Habat. . .

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak

My latest solo release, '2014' of original, instrumental piano music, can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Tweet