I'm living my life like it's golden...

So today was busy, but cool...I had a long talk with a friend straightening out things between us...things will never be completely clear, it's stupid for anyone to think that things are perfect between any relationship...

To Faith and anyone else that has been following this journal, yesterday I recieved a reimbursement check for all lost property...so I'm golden. Of course getting it was a bit agressive...I kept asking for it and everyone kept putting me off, so I finally snuck into the administrative offices after hours and plastered TONS of notes saying "WHERE'S MY MONEY? -Rod Kim" on doors, chairs, computer screens, desks, etc. I guess they finally got the hint.

I got the new Jill Scott CD, "Beautifully Human," tonight, and it is an amazing mix of soul and jazz...I love it..."Bedda At Home" is my favorite track so far...it has kind of a weird cover thought:




Download Jill Scott's "Beautifully Human" from iTunes by clicking here:

Everyone should give it a listen...good stuff...

So there are these twins here this year, freshmen, named Ashley and Hillary...and they are powerhouse vocalists...I asked them if they would like to work with me and they were thinking about it. I gave them a demo of a song I wrote (it was "Since There Was You And Me" for those of you who have been following) and they absolutely loved it! It's in their range and they're totally excited about recording, they told me they had the song on repeat for hours! Wow...what a confidence boost! This is going to be a good last year of school...

Anyway, it's a night, I gotta practice piano and head to bed, I gotta had to studio tomorrow!
-Rod

I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be, a reason to start over new...and that reason is you...

So I'm currently watching Björk's Live DVD and it is really cool. I've been practicing Tori Amos songs in the piano rooms and listening to a lot of Beatles ("Let It Be" is the shizzle...) but I can't get the freakin' song "The Reason" by Hoobastank out of my head!

Download "The Reason" from iTunes by clicking here:
Download Björk from iTunes by clicking here:
Download Tori Amos from iTunes by clicking here:

I've been practicing piano every night for at least an hour (which is hard when you don't have piano lessons anymore) and writing. Have you ever heard a "classic" song? You know, one that regardless of good or bad, just has that "hit me right there" effect for almost everyone. And those songs change something about the world and end up out living the writer? That song you can always stick in and everyone sits around saying, "That's a classic"? Have you ever had that feeling you were about to write one of those "classic" songs? I do...I have that feeling right now...it's like, anytime now, that song will come out of my fingers and I'll stand up on the piano and scream "THAT'S IT!" Granted, it hasn't happened yet, but something inside of me is burning and it feels like it's coming up...I can tell...although writing that song will be awesome, almost think that feeling of waiting is better, I feel awesome right now...all from knowing what's inside of me...I wonder if John Lennon had this feeling before "Let It Be" or if Tori Amos felt this way before "Silent All These Years" and did Beethoven have a clue what his 5th Symphony would do to the world? It's awesome...

Download "Silent All These Years" from iTunes by clicking here:

I've just put the Urban Derivatives guys on a band "time out" until they can get straight what they want to do with their band. No one can agree where to play and I have 3 guys telling me conflicting requests and I'm wearing myself out and wasting my time messing with this...so I told the guys I'm freezing promotions and gigs until they get their act together.

This coming weekend, I'll be heading to Indy for my brother's birthday...he's gonna be 17...which means one thing...I'M FREAKIN' OLD! Anyway, should be a fun trip...friends in Indy take note, I'll try to stop by if I can...

Anyway, time for bed...falling asleep to Björk... God bless and g'night everyone...
-Rod

Apple iTunes

Hello everyone, I don't have much time, but I'd like to encourage everyone to check out Apple iTunes...it's a music download service where you can purchase your favorite songs for 99cents a piece! I've used it A LOT...if you are an iTunes customer, and even if you aren't and have been curious, try by click on the link below and I'll get commission from the songs you purchase that will go into the Senior College Tuition account...I'll be writing more later, thanks for your support everyone!
-Rod

iTunes: The world's best digital jukebox, with the #1 music download store inside.

Did I mention Björk is a genius?

So I've concluded that if Björk and Tori Amos were in the same room with me and performing, I'd die and be happy. The freaking Björk CD is getting better the more I listen to it. So I'm working on more projects now...if I actually finish them, I'll have like a boxed set of music I've produced...which could be cool, but I may not be alive...hehe...

So in addition to Urban Derivatives, Nova Child, Katie O'Neall, and DJ Pop A Cap...I'm doing Terrard "T" Robinson's project, a wayward project called Cagey Bees, and probably more, I'm just not aware yet...I'm also working on Dexter Brank's website, click here to check it out!

On top of that, I start working at the school cafeteria next week...with all that, classes, homework, practicing and 4 audited classes, life is !VERY CRAZY! To top off the week, there's a HUGE Urban Derivatives show in St. Louis at Vintage Vinyl where the guys are doing an in-store performance. There should be some important guests in the crowd, so if you're in the area, come!
-Rod

Look at me, I'm 22...

So it's Sept. 3rd, and now I'm officially 22...I AM SO OLD!

Jacie came over and brought me and Nick a cake she baked us (it's awesome!) and I made a deformed pizza.

Classes started a couple days ago and signs are already showing it's going to be a long year, but that's kind of cool since it's my last year.

I got myself a birthday present the other day, it was Björk's new CD called Medúlla. It's totally vocal (like beats and instrumental parts are with her voice) and genius. It's not for everyone, but it's definately worth a listen! Click the CD cover below to listen to some!



I also got Passion of the Christ on DVD and the Garfield & Friends boxed set.

This semester I'll be working with some very talented musicians in the studio along with my own projects and Urban Derivatives. Some of them are Nova Child, Katie O'Neall, and DJ Pop A Cap...so I'm excited. Okay, so DJ Pop A Cap is a gimmicky parody, but's funny...It is kind of scary to think after this year I'll be done with school...unless I have excess money to do Masters work...which is not likely...OH WHAT TO DO?! Anyway, it's late and I have a College Retreat to go to tomorrow...yeah, I know, field trips in college?

Thanks everyone for your support, I'll keep in touch,
Soli Deo Gloria,
-Rod