Let Me Reintroduce Myself…

Preface:

Since completing and releasing "A Fortunate Consequence" just a few months ago, I have exhaled the past and inhaled more deeply a brand new world before me than ever before. Call it insecurity, confirming to social norms or what have you, but the better part of my teen years and most young adult years up until this point have been littered with a desire to be more accepted. Though I've never thought myself a fake person, I would tolerate and even try to identify with people, places, situations and habit I was never previously interested in. I guess this would be the reason I would find myself in circles I didn't belong in. I do want to take a moment to clarify something before it becomes assumed, most of these things I never took part in or did myself, just was around and tolerated…I've still never done any sort of illegal substance and I rarely drink (actually, I usually try and make myself the designated driver and stay completely dry) but could be something as small as the kinds of movies others would like and whether to get coffee or a beer (I'm a die-hard coffee house rat). Regardless, the amount of time (be it minimal or great) I spent abandoning who I was, directly correlated to the amount of unhappiness I found in my life. Though the process of creating and exposing the music that became "A Fortunate Consequence" was my initial exhale, the events that followed would become the much overdue inhale. On this long road home, I'm getting to know myself all over again, before the world put these expectations on my shoulders. All of these pieces came together to show me these simple realizations:

1. Be proud of who I am and where I stand.
   
2. Strive to become a person I want to become, no one else.
   
3. Hold firm to what I believe in, even if the closest people to me try to take that away. Best said by Lloyd and Diane, "Nobody thinks it will work, do they?" "No. You just described every great success story."
   

So here I am in the blogosphere with this brief manifesto, a reintroduction…there's much more to learn as you get to know me, but here's a start…

===================================

My name is Rod Kim and my favorite painting is "Dance Me To The End Of Love" by Jack Vettriano. I know it's not considered "classic" by historical standards and isn't as contemporary as commercial advertising, but there is something about it that takes me away for just a moment at a time.

I am mostly a vegetarian but not because of any moral conflicts about animal rights, I just like the variety a garden can give you in a meal.

My taste in music varies from pop/rock to soul to jazz, but overall, I love any music that makes me feel something…whether it be joy, calmness, empathy, pain, deep thought or a tune that makes me feel like dancing. I envy musicians that are on greater spectrums of freedom with their music...those who posses not only talent, but inspiration.

I don't like being vain, though I know sometimes I am guilty of this sin, I like being well presented. There are days I aspire to suit up with the class embodied in greats like the original Rat Pack, Clark Gable and such. Other days, I wake up wanting to feel the wind over my face, sand between my toes with a guitar strapped to my back seeing the world through vagabond eyes. I feel at home in both roles.

I ramble. I know I talk too much, it's my thoughts getting ahead of my words and my words always trying to catch up.

I believe in soul mates, fairytales and happy ever afters… I just think most people turn their eyes away from the story of their life unfolding in front of them and try to write their own instead of letting it happen. What most people forget about fairytales is that between "Once upon a time…" and "Happy ever after…" is an eventful story of unlikely circumstances. Just because the story's not going how you would have it doesn't mean it's over yet, you just have to let it happen.

In the last few months I have learned that just because someone understands you, doesn't mean they want to and it's more important to be with someone that wants to know you.

I am a sucker for nostalgia, even if it's not my own. I love vintage music (Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, Dusty Springfield, etc.) as well as neo-vintage music (Amy Winehouse, Duffy, etc.).

I know that I don't know everything. In fact, I hardly know a fraction of what there is to know about the things on my block let alone the world…or universe.

Indiana Jones and Tristan are my silver screen heroes. There are others, but those come to mind and when it comes to a sweeping adventure, whether it be escaping ancient curses or journeying to rescue a fallen star, I can always count on these heroes to take me with them.

Unless it causes harm to others, I will never condemn those who take pleasure in frequent drinking binges, substance abuse or promiscuity, but it's not for me. For me, Rod Kim, to succumb to any would be evidence of cowardness, immaturity and lack of respect for myself and those around me. If I want to get to know you, we'll talk somewhere where you can be heard…not a noisy bar where I can technically be in your presence and feign social interaction with you. If I need to escape pressures of reality, I have the arts and expression…something that can reach out and potentially inspire someone else. If I love someone, I want to take the time to discover how (whether it be friendly, romantic or otherwise) not just the ways to get under the skirt.

I like a good loose-leaf tea and knowing the difference. Almost any type white tea is my favorite, but green tea is good for a quick sip anytime as well.

My name is Rod Kim and I believe in fairytales…I just need someone to believe in them with me.

Jenny and Tyler and...Aero!

Since the last post, there's been so much happening. Work kept getting busier and at one of the gigs I was managing stage for, I discovered what could possibly be my favorite indie band of the year, Jenny and Tyler. I'm not claiming they're changing the way music works, but they are the real deal and there is a priceless charm about their music. I hear dozens of terrible bands every day, every week, all year long, but these guys had me pushing my ear closer. Check them out at http://www.jennyandtylermusic.com/. My personal favorites are "Nashville" and "Season" but the whole project is great for a mild summer night with coffee.

Speaking of work, I guess I finally reached my limits. A couple weeks ago I was finishing at a gig and driving home when a pain shot up my arm and hit me like I had never felt before. I got home, tried to sleep, and the pain got worse as it got harder to breathe. I fought the night to wait for the doctor's office to open up where I was able to get in at the last minute where she promptly sent me to the hospital and then to a couple labs for blood work, x-rays, etc. The overall diagnosis: too much work, lack of sleep, excessive physical exhaustion and stress. There is one more test waiting to be done by a specialist if/when an attack returns to pinpoint exactly what it is, but the one thing that was made clear to me was that it was my body's alarm telling me enough was enough. I'm on light medication therapy now to ease the symptoms and trying to take things a little easier. I say this as I'm looking at two 12-16 hour days ahead, but at least I'm just trying to be more careful.

I wired my bed with a Bose audio system to whisk me away to a more comfortable sleep, trying to end the nights at normal (or as close as I can get) hours and with light reading and tea. We'll see how things go, I'm trying to accept the fact that as much as I love work, it isn't worth dying for...literally.

Last weekend, I drove to Baltimore's Inner Harbor to meet my good friends, Chuck and Kirsty Hornbostel. That ended up a story in itself. Just miles away, they had a tire blow and were stranded. I tried to get a tire jack and a way to get to them, but the crowded streets slowed that down. Meanwhile, they fought unhelpful locals and technical problems with the spare tire. Long story short, hours later we meet up at Arundel Mills at Damons for a brief dinner (after all that we had to make it worth something). This was the last get-together before they moved to Macedonia for Chuck's work.

Fast forward to tonight and I get home after a long day at work and see a package from whom? The Hornbostels! And what is inside? My favorite UK candy bar...AERO! THANKS SO MUCH CHUCK AND KIRSTY!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And now, time to wind down and try and get some sleep before an insane weekend of work.

Until we meet again,

-Rod