http://davidkav.com/blog.html David Kav: Blog Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:08:40 -0800 http://davidkav.com/blog.html/29day_giving_challenge__day_5_free_meal_leads_to_tip_leads_to_free_meal www.29gifts.org website. If you wanna friend me or join me on what will prove to be an incredible journey, please check it out at:

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I know. I know. You're looking at the title of this blog, scratching your head and saying, "....umm....Whahuh?!?" Let me explain.
So, I had a feeling that today was going to lend itself to limited opportunity of gift-giving since I was working this evening from 3pm to 11pm (during the Superbowl nonetheless.) I have watched every Superbowl from 2006 on (at the very least.) Therefore, this was the first year that I have missed. Truth be told, though, this hotel has granted EVERY Request Off that I have needed for shows, holidays and the like. So, did I complain (too much...if at all) or protest when they scheduled me for this evening? Not. At. All. Grateful for the other times when I DO need the evening (or day) off. Moving on from there.

If you go back to yesterday's blog, I did state that I got up very early. The night before, I slept less than 2 hours. So, at the time of writing the blog, I was 2 steps past overtired. For a few reasons, I did not go to bed that evening until 2AM. So, when I finally rolled out of bed at 1:30pm when I worked at 3pm today, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

Notwithstanding, I go to the coffee, write my Daily Morning Pages, and decide that a shower/shave is mandatory today. I do so, head out the door, put a 2-liter of Diet Coke into my bag and head out. I must state- the way that the bottle of Diet Coke shifted in my bag made it very uncomfortable on my back.

"Hmm, that's...odd" is what I stated. Already running way behind schedule, I dash out the front door. I have to make a stop at my bank to withdraw $20 for the cab ride and such. I was walking briskly (not running, mind you) to my next destination. In an instant, the load on my back felt much lighter. Then...

CRASH!

the 2-liter managed to become unzipped from the bag and crash right on the ground. "Thanks a lot. Not that I'm in a hurry. Now that's gonna be a fizz bomb. I really appreciate it." Seeing the enormous amount of foam in the bottle, I should've seen this as a sign. But, I proceed to put it in my bag.

"...nope. I'm fine. No worries. Not that I have to rush even more....Thanks..." 10 seconds later during my rant...

SSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...

"[censored!!!]"

Sure enough, the bottle was fizzing out and making a HUGE mess in the bag. I took the bottle out of the bag and put it on the ground in anger. I thought, sarcastically, "how's THAT for a gift?" Honestly, it was more of an abandonment deal. "You cause me trouble? FINE! Stay there!" is the idea that I had in my head. Not happy since I'd have to buy another one. "I am not not not not not not NOT giving up caffeine or Diet Coke if that's SUPPOSED to be the message," is the other thought that went through my head (just to "tell on myself.")

I would discover more of the mess when I got to 7-Eleven. In other words, there were vitamins at the bottom of my bag since i was too lazy to clean up and put them back in the bottle that overturned itself in the bag. In short, all vitamins were now ruined. I was not a happy camper. I was cursing and cleaning my bag loudly at the store. I purchased my items with a quieter tone as to not take it out on the clerk since NONE of this was her fault. "I'm almost gone," I muse since I know that they were probably wondering about my temper.

I make my purchase and hail a taxi down. I called the hotel to state that I Will most likely be late. So, my mood is foul NOT because of the mess (although that didn't help matters) but because (as I stated before) my pet peeve is being late. All in all, I really wasn't that bad because I did call to warn them. I stepped behind the desk at 3:03PM. Not too shabby in retrospect.

I must say: My message/lesson of the day: It is truly all about perspective and the fact that you really can change your mood in the blink of an eye. I was in a bad mood as I was getting into my suit and just before I got behind the desk. Once I was secure in my position, I saw that the person I was relieving, Rachael, didn't seem to say much when I was in the back. So, to get outside of myself, I ask,

"what's up with you? What's going on?"

"Oh, I just feel like someone sliced my knee open from handling bags all day."

"Eww. Sorry. How was it today?"

"Busy...crazy. I have to get my knee checked out. Probably gonna go home and take some Vicodin," I can tell she's half-joking.

"Ok. Well, take care of yourself."

Must admit - doing this simple gesture helped me to get out of my funk from what is, once again, a high-class problem.

The rest of the shift is non-monumental. I heard that this past weekend (both Friday and Saturday nights) were insane here at the hotel. In the back of my mind, I reflect to myself and think that I was gifted with the fact that I missed these crazy people and events. Needless to say, the blessings were being counted during the day.

As far as the Big Game goes, I made a statement on Twitter that said (to paraphrase:) "You know what's great about Twitter? It feels like I'm watching the game even though I can't." Save the fact that I couldn't see the commercials, this, I felt, was true.

My break landed tonight about 8:30PM CST. I head over to Chipotle (just two doors down.) I made up my mind as to what tonight's gift will be. I order my usual Chicken Fajita Bowl. Get to the counter where I am have a friendly interaction with the cashier, the guy cleaning the backline, and such (I'm quite a regular over there due to this job.) She pulls up the total. I pull out the 2 $10 bills in my back pocket. One $10 was the change from the taxi ride earlier (which included tip - I always give big tips to cab drivers - unless they are rude or insane drivers) and the other $10 was a tip from a guest with helping them with bags (which was quite unexpected around this time of year and was quite nice of them.) I pay my bill with one $10. With the other $10, I say,

"I'm gonna do something a bit weird. Take this $10, and, whomever you want to give this to, apply it to their next meal."

She looks at me and says, "why don't you just put it in the tip jar? That'd be nice." I look down.

"You know what? Why not?" I thought it was a bit selfish to ask. However, it's the next statement I hear that sold me.

"Yeah, and the next person, I can just give them a Manager's Comp."

"Ok. I'm sold. That works." I put the $10 in the tip jar.

"You are SO nice! Thank you so much!"

"Thank you," the guy behind the backbar bellows.
"No problem." We proceed to talk about the Superbowl. I stated that I wasn't able to watch it since I am working and the computer that I am on doesn't lend itself well to good Internet speed or connection. I stated that I was rooting for the Giants BUT I thought the Patriots would win due to the fire that was, most likely, in Tom Brady. At the moment that I stated this, the last score that I heard was Patriots: 17, Giants: 14.

I went back to eat my dinner on break. It turns out: I was able to see the LAST minute of the game. Giants take the lead and win the game. So, another gift to me - especially since I didn't expect that win. Overall, great night! :D]]> http://davidkav.com/blog.html/29day_giving_challenge__day_5_free_meal_leads_to_tip_leads_to_free_meal Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:08:40 -0800 DKav + KAVUS + Classical Blast = EPIC 2012! Stay tuned! - David Kav - Blog http://davidkav.com/blog.html/29day_giving_challenge__day_4__secretariat www.29gifts.org website. If you wanna friend me or join me on what will prove to be an incredible journey, please check it out at:

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VERY early start to my day today. I rose out of the futon after about one hour of sleep or so. I never fare well when I have to work a 1st shift. Not since the one time last June when I didn't read my schedule closely and thought that I worked a 2nd shift when, indeed, I was scheduled to work a 1st shift that day. Of course, I got a voice message along with a message on Facebook asking as to where I was. THAT was the latest I had ever been to work. I was 3.5 hours late for my shift that day. From that moment on, with my iPhone, write-up, my O.C.D, I made sure that that was the first and the last time it happened. Moving on...
I snoozed (per usual) and didn't rise out of bed until 5:25AM. We have an automatic coffee maker (for which I am completely grateful for. I already knew that I would be a mess and would need all of the help that I can get.) I had my book for Morning Pages already out on my desk in the living room by the window. I pre-dated it the night before. All I had to do was head to the desk and to start writing. So, I rolled out of the futon since Beth Ann was stirring in her sleep again and I didn't want to wake her up. I got up in the pitch-black living room sans the spill from the streetlights and the skyline outside. I poured myself a cup of coffee. I started immediately on my meditation known as Morning Pages.
Once finished, I got dressed, slammed a quick bowl of Raisin Bran, a yogurt, more coffee, a vitamin and headed out the door. After my ritualistic stop to 7-Eleven for the Super Big Gulp (was gonna need it today,) 2 bananas and the 1.5Liter of water (the drinking of the water the night before helped tremendously and, once again, I had learned my lesson,) I did grab a cab to work. What's one more day, right?
Got to work at 6:40AM. Enough time to stumble into my suit and muster up all of the energy that I could for the day. The night before, I had talked to Beth Ann about going to the museum after my shift since Thursday was a bust. Lucky for her, she had another day off and was able to sleep in. So, she asked me if I could call her on her break today in order to a) wake her up and b) let me know if I was still up for going to the museum since she knew that I would be tired today. So, in mustering up energy, I had to pace myself since I really didn't want to come home and just shut down for the day. I actually had some time this evening to recoup from yesterday and didn't have to be at work the next day until 3pm. Somehow or other, I managed to get through the morning hours. I had checked emails, Facebook, this website, responded where I could, took care of reservations, phone calls, guests, etc. So, once 12:15pm hit, I took my lunch break and bolted out to an Irish Pub around the corner that does a really great Breakfast Buffet from 9AM to 1PM on the weekends. Since I don't work this shift very often (and I can go for breakfast food at ANY time,) I didn't have to think twice about today's lunch choice.
I walk briskly outside with only my suit to wear (again, I reiterate what I have said from my previous blogs: It is ABNORMALLY warm this winter.) As opposed to "waiting for the perfect time," I instinctively call Beth Ann before I lose nerve and energy.
"Hello."
"Good morning, sunshine."
"Good morning."
"Good afternoon," I muse.
"Good afternoon."
"Are you just getting up?"
"Umm, I'm still in bed but I woke up about 15 minutes ago."
"Ok, then. Hey, I'm on my way to lunch. [I] wanted to let you know that I'm going to grab an energy drink just before heading back from my break. So, if you're still up for going to the museum, so am I."
"Ok. Umm, if, for whatever reason, you change your mind, text me and let me know, ok?"
"Ok. I'll talk soon. Love you."
"Love you, too."
I had just enough time to swallow down my glorious breakfast. I felt bad that I had no cash to tip either the guy making the omelette (they have a "Build-Your-Own-Omelette" station with a chef at the waiting,) Nor my waiter. I apologized to the latter, Miguel. I told him I'd have to get him next time. I can see his look of disdain on his face. It bothers me a little. However, I Have to forgive myself and just go. So, I did...and I do. There's my gift to myself today (or, one of them, in the Self-Love department. Also, working on my Gratitude List some more would help since I only came up with 10 items the last time. Joanna, if you're reading this, I lost the initial list. However, I KNOW that you would tell me, "no big deal. Maybe it's better because you can start another one." Message received.) :)
I quickly head to 7-Eleven to grab a Monster Lo-Carb. Get to work. I battle through the next 2 hours. Success. I am wired, overtired, but I made it.
Beth Ann calls me a few minutes after 3pm to tell me that she's at the museum. I call her back and tell her that I am getting out of my suit and I will meet her there.
"So, why don't you call me and I'll look at a few things...."
"What?"
"Why...Don't....You....Call....Me...I'll LOOK .... at a FEW...things..."
"You don't have to talk to me like I'm daft."

"I'm sorry. No. I'm just severely stuffed up."
"Aww. I'm sorry, dear. Well, I hurry as fast as I can."
I head out to the Art Institute. We decided to go there not only because Thursday was a bust. We decided to meet there because the Art Institute is just 3 to 4 city blocks from my work. How convenient! I call her when I'm outside.
"Hello. I'm at the Green Lion."
"The what?"
"The Green Lion." (For those who have seen the Art Institute and have visited it in the past, you can see the huge staircase in the front. You also know that it has 2 Green Lion in bookend fashion on either side of the staircase.)
"Well, come in."
I turn to my left and see her standing inside on the other side of the front door. She stands there in her cute purple plaid dress with her big black belt. Her hair is braided and she is wearing her glasses. She does her cute wave. I wave back. She does her cute wave again. I wave back.
"You are SO CUTE!" I give her the biggest hug.

From under my arms, I hear a sound from her that is likened to a steamer. I look down. She is laboriously breathing out of her nose.
"Aww... You really are stuffed up." She nods.
"This just happened right before I left."
"You didn't feel this way during the night, did you?"
"No. Just before I left."
"I'm sorry, baby."
"Wanna check in your jacket and bag?"
"Yes."
I go to coat check. Beth Ann checks both my belongings and myself in since she is a Member of the Art Institute and I am along for the day as her guest. Upon clearing the front gate, I say,
"ok. So, what do you wanna see?"
"Well, let's go to the touchscreen and see what there is."
"Ok."
In a matter of moments, Beth Ann points to the screen and says,
"I wanna see that."
We were both mesmerized by the view of Chagall's America Windows exhibit. In a matter of seconds, we were off. We had to go to the other side of the museum. As we walk, I hear Beth Ann's labored breathing. I'm feeling worse as we go but determined to make the best of this.
We get to the exhibit. Beth Ann finds a seat and we sit down. I sneak in a picture of the glorious windows. After 20 seconds, Beth Ann breathes hard and says,
"I need to get more Kleenex." She's not doing well at this point.
She goes to a trash to take care of herself. She has to go to the bathroom. Just downstairs, by the restrooms, there lies the Member's Lounge.
"Maybe if I get a cup of water..."
"Ok. That's fine."
Upon walking to the front door, she asks, "you've never been to the Member's Lounge, have you?"
"Nope." (The Member's Lounge was built after My membership expired. Only got it once back in 2009 and haven't renewed it since I got it on a discounted price from Groupon a while back. With the few times that I have visited, I felt it wasn't worth it to renew.) Nonetheless, Beth Ann shows her ID and we're inside.
I'm telling ya: The best accidents make for some great discoveries. The Member's Lounge is cool! Cushioned chairs in the center, couches in the middle, a bar at the other end of the room with Free Coffee, Free Tea, HUGE windows looking out into the outdoor patio (which was closed for the season.) I didn't mind this pit stop at all.
"I was thinking about grabbing a coffee."
"Ok. I should get something."
They were out of coffee. Beth Ann couldn't find any hot chocolate. So, she grabbed a hot tea to make the most of it. "Maybe if I can breathe in the steam and the scent of the tea..." We grab two seats by the bar and sit down. I really didn't mind to sit since I've literally been on my feet the whole day. She was, again, struggling with her breathing.
"You know, I'm thinking that you should probably put a very hot wash cloth or rag on your face to loosen up the sinuses." She nods in agreement. "Do you wanna go home?" She nods.
"I'm sorry I'm so difficult."
"What? You're not difficult. You're sick. No worries."
"Well, give me a couple of minutes. If I feel a bit better, there's the other exhibit that we passed that I'd like to see before we head home." (She was talking about the Contemporary Drawings from the Irving Stenn Jr. Collection.)
"Ok. Whatever you want. I'm going to take a few more sips of my tea and we'll go. It's a few minutes after 4pm now. Hey, we made it here today. We did see some exhibits, right?" She nods. "See?" She nods again. I take a few more sips of my tea and we leave.
So, she did feel up to the Irving Stenn Jr. Collection. We both found some fascinating drawings. At 4:45 (15 minutes before closing,) we felt that it was time. We got our belongings, headed for the train station and we headed for home. En route to our place, I already knew that playing Nurse to Beth Ann was part of the giving today. However, it wasn't Today's Gift.
"Hey, when we get home, we can watch whatever movie you want to watch."
Her eyes and demeanor lit up. We don't agree in movies much - at all. "Really?"
"Yep. Whatever you want. I'm taking care of you tonight."

We get home. She changes into her PJs for the day (as do I since we both conceded that neither one of us is in ANY shape to go anywhere else today.) I turn on the tap to the hottest water that I can touch. I run a wash cloth underneath it. Beth Ann props herself onto the bed in our bedroom. I give her the washcloth, put her leftover pizza from Lou Malnati's in the oven, and prepare our movie.
"Can we watch 'Secretariat?'"
I cringed on the inside as my first reaction. Beth Ann has wanted to watch this for the past week now. I have been skirting around it since I didn't want to watch "another horse movie." However, THIS was the gift for today.

"Sure."
"REALLY?"
"Yep. That's fine."
We got her dinner ready. I got hummus, pita chips and my snack (still full from the big lunch from earlier,) got the movie ready and proceeded to watch.
So, umm, for those of you who are participating in the 29-Day Giving Challenge (and even for those of you who aren't,) you know what has been said when it comes to receiving is inherently part of the giving process. I had no idea what I was in store for when I agreed to see this movie. A great cast to include Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Dylan Walsh and others is a great start to the surprises. Before seeing this movie, I really knew nothing of the true story that the movie was derived from. However, not only was it a gift to Beth Ann for us to watch this particular movie this evening. It was a gift to me as well for many reasons: The story line resonates with me Even If the main character was the horse, Secretariat. The horse was looked down upon as novice. The odds were stacked against him. Even the husband of the housewife who takes it upon herself to look after her dying father's farm, his horses and, ultimately, Secretariat (or "Big Red" as he's nicknamed throughout the film) was not supportive of her firm faith and belief in Secretariat at first. However, with Faith, Drive and all of the odds against them, Secretariat, won the Belmont and the Triple Crown - which was stated hasn't been done in years. The end of the movie is what floored me.
Seriously, folks. My taste in films is very jaded and tainted. I am VERY CRITICAL when it comes to films. In short, it was Totally predictable and I KNEW that Secretariat would win the Triple Crown (that's akin to saying we KNOW that Jesus is going to be crucified when reading the Bible. It's a "given.") However, at the Kentucky Derby, after the great setup to get your blood flowing, the feel of the horses with the excellent camera angles, the look in the eyes of Big Red and his opponents, the race is off. I mean - you KNEW that Big Red would win. However, I did NOT expect him to win like we did. He didn't just win. He SMOKED the competition. No comparison. This is a horse that would ALWAYS start out of the gates last in other races. The Kentucky Derby is the farthest that Big Red had ever raced. He went against all odds and he won the race - not for anyone else...but himself. As foolish as this may sound for some, it completely resonated with me.
Therefore, it wasn't just a gift to Beth Ann that we saw her choice of movie tonight. I received many gifts in return: The wonderful smiles on her face throughout the film, pinching her cheeks and cheering on Secretariat with her head in my lap during the film. Most importantly, the message from The Universe stating, "see, David? If you KEEP going, get past your obstacles and believe in yourself and surround yourself with loved ones, your success is waiting for you - better that you have EVER dreamed. It's there. Now - go get it!!!"]]> http://davidkav.com/blog.html/29day_giving_challenge__day_4__secretariat Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:08:25 -0800 DKav + KAVUS + Classical Blast = EPIC 2012! Stay tuned! - David Kav - Blog http://davidkav.com/blog.html/29day_giving_challenge__day_3__fawminternational_justice_mission www.29gifts.org website. If you wanna friend me or join me on what will prove to be an incredible journey, please check it out at:

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DAY 3: FAWM/International Justice Mission

No "Morning Pages" today. I woke up with barely enough time to make it to my Potbelly gig this afternoon. To quote the Indigo Girls from their Huge Hit "Closer To Fine:" "...and I woke up with a headache like my head against the board..." Or rather, that's how my eyes felt upon waking. I did go to bed at about 4 or 5 AM (finished the stories in the back of the "29 Gifts" book and I attempted to meditate.) Beth Ann was stirring in her sleep. I tried not to disturb her since her day started much earlier than mine was going to. Beth Ann is an actress and has the lead role in the Chicago Kids Company production of "Little Red Riding Hood - The Musical." This is her second season with the company and she is reprising her role from last year. She has SUCH fun in performing the part and is adorable to watch when she becomes Little Red. So, I tried to leave her alone as best as I could with the occasional "...could you move over a bit, please?" et al.
So, where in as her day started at 7:45AM, my day started at 10:45, then 11:00AM, then 11:15, then 11:30 (I have a HORRIBLE habit with hitting the snooze button. I have to get that out there Now!) I rolled out of bed, got dressed, grabbed my guitar and backpack with my other accessories (i.e. capo, harmonicas, harmonica holder, extra strings, etc) and got out of the house. As I may have mentioned before, I have a horrible habit of taking the cab every day. I know that I mentioned that we live in the Beautiful area of the Gold Coast. With that being said, I do have a limited budget (or rather, I should have. I spend Much More than I should.) Although I am a LOT better than I used to be, I do tend to eat out every night that I work. BUT - I bring my supplies to work via groceries which consist of a 2-liter of Diet Coke (I consume a LOT of this - THIS is my main vice,) a 1.5 Liter bottle of water (which I didn't have yesterday. Hence the headache that I mentioned at the beginning of this blog,) 2 bananas, a yogurt, and a Super Big Gulp of Diet Coke from 7-Eleven to "start out the day." Yep. THESE are the items that I take with me religiously to work. But, I digress.
I usually take a cab to work. However, even though I was running late today, I managed to take the subway to the shop (the shop is RIGHT off of the train.) I made it exactly at noon (which, to me, is late.) I believe that you're supposed to Start your job at Noon (or, whatever the specified time may be.) To be honest, I wasn't too upset (this is HUGE progress for me.) I grabbed a huge cup of water, a coffee, set myself up and played my set.
I will admit that it was cool to see that the Illinois Governor Pat Quinn was amongst the crowd today. It HAD to be him. He has that undeniable look. I am a supporter of this particular governor (as opposed to the last one we had. You know, the one that put Illinois in a much more Infamous light on the radar? Yeah - that one.) :O I wanted to ask if it was really him. However, I really wasn't feeling well and it felt awkward since he had two younger guests with him (his kids? Interns? I dunno.) So, I let it go and thought, "you know? It little things like this." At this particular Potbelly, I see many local celebrities, news reporters, come into that particular shop. This is one of the Many reasons I have kept my gig at this particular store (besides the obvious reason of, well, umm, it's a music gig.) ;)
So, I was a bit disappointed since I had (again) pre-meditated my gift for today. I haven't given blood in a long time and I really wanted that to be one of my gifts during this particular month. However, after my gig, Beth Ann called me at the stroke of 2pm (exactly when my gig ends,)
"Hello."
"HelLO!" Beth Ann says with her ever-cute voice.
"Hi, cutie pie," I squeak out. I am really not feeling well at this point. "How was your Opening today?"
"Great! Are you coming home right after your gig?"
"Umm, I wasn't planning on it. I was going to give blood as one of my gifts. However, I'm really not feeling well. So, that and the fact that you called, I'll take it as a sign that I shouldn't."
"Yeah. You can totally give at another time when you feel better. I wouldn't give today. ... I ... I was hoping that you can bring home lunch." (I get a 50% discount of anything I buy at that store as an In-Store Musician.)
"Sure. Just text me what you want so I'll have it in writing and I'll pick it up."
"OkBYE!"
"Bye," I laugh. "I love you."
"I love you, tooBYE!"
THIS is what I supposed to do. I wanted to check my gut instinct about something that I already knew in the first place. I looked up the blood donation center on my phone and called them. Just as I had suspected deep down: They were closed already. They close up early on the weekends (at 1:30pm.) If those aren't multiple signs from the Universe, I don't know WHAT are!
So, I came home with lunch in tow, Beth Ann and I watch our episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond." (I got the entire series on DVD as a birthday present last year.) Beth Ann and I have this thing where we watch entire series from start to finish. As far as "...Raymond" goes, we're currently on Season 9 and we're We've done this with "Will & Grace," "Pushing Daisies," "Doctor Who (from 2005 on,)" and many others. I've never really done this activity with anyone else (I took pride in the fact that I didn't watch much television prior to being in a relationship with Beth Ann. However, this is fun with her (and it sure beats reality TV!) So, we eat lunch, watch our episode, and Beth Ann proceeds to get ready for her job today at Godiva (she worked this evening from 4:30pm to 9pm...and just got back a couple of minutes ago if we keep this blog in Real Time.) At that point, I go to take some aspirin, drink some water, and lay down. Again, I'm really not well.
I DRAG my butt out of bed around 6:15 or 6:30 pm. With my To-Do list, I notice that re-working the piano tracks, layering guitar, harmonica and vocals for my 1st Song Contribution for my songwriting challenge at www.fawm.org is on the list (you can see my profile there if you'd like.) :) So, with not as much pressure as the day before BUT being on a limited schedule because I wanted to get this all done before Beth Ann gets home, I get straight to work.
The parts are a bit sloppy but I try to do the best that I can to "fix it in the mix" with my Very Novice skills on GarageBand on my MacBook Pro. (I've never crossed over to iPad. Don't see the point - at all. I like buttons and my MBP suits me just fine.) :) So, the mixing is done, I record a video to be placed onto my website (or a VLOG, if you will) about THIS particular challenge, the FAWM challenge, 29 Gifts (the book) and a Kickstarter page that I'm about to start within a couple of days to defray the cost of mastering, graphic designer and production costs Since the Sun Studio EP will have ALL of its proceeds go to St Jude's Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org)
(I got a 2-hour FREE session at the Legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, TN in 2010 WITH the understanding that I donate the proceeds to the charity above.) Therefore, I am a man of my word and I'm going to honor that cause. I do need some help in doing so (isn't that what giving AND receiving is about? I'm learning.) ;)
So, as of right now, the song and the lyrics are up at my web site IF you want to listen to it: www.davidkav.com. I posted my 1st song on FAWM.
Now for today's gift:
I knew that donating blood was out of the question early on today. I didn't want to just Give something to Beth Ann today. I can't exhaust that resource because It Might start to feel like an obligation to me and she'll think that I'm doing it merely "to give a gift," ya know? So, I thought: I haven't called my Aunt Judy in Colorado in quite some time. THAT'LL be nice to talk to her. Voice Mail. No luck.
So, it just so happened that, upon posting my "Zong" (they're called that because you can't post Audio to the FAWM website. Just the lyrics and the info,) I saw the area where they take donations to keep the site up and running. I also noticed that 10% of the donations collected go to the International Justice Mission (www.ijm.org.) Upon research in going to this site, their mission is to combat and stop human trafficking. Sold me, this did (there's my Yoda speak for the day.)
I was thinking of my limited budget. I was going to donate $5 at first. However, upon remembering the book, I remember when Cami was talking about Mbali's words stating that we must pay attention to the times when we feel we should give the thing that we should hang onto the most - the place that feels scarce. Right. Before I hit the "Donate" button on "PayPal," I literally said out loud,
"Today, I give with abundance!"
So, it MAY have felt like an obligation at first. However, if you want your world to change, you've got to change your actions. So, after that affirmation, I KNOW that the money will go to a good cause. In addition, it only made sense to contribute to that which I've donated my time for the evening, no? No harm, no foul.
Now to make it through tomorrow ('cause I truly don't have anything pre-meditated for tomorrow's gift. It Could be a latte to my co-worker, Rachael, tomorrow morning.) We'll see. We'll start with that. That work? ;)
Whatever you do, make it a great weekend, EVERYONE! :D]]> http://davidkav.com/blog.html/29day_giving_challenge__day_3__fawminternational_justice_mission Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:26:05 -0800 DKav + KAVUS + Classical Blast = EPIC 2012! Stay tuned! - David Kav - Blog http://davidkav.com/blog.html/29day_giving_challenge__day_2_pbj www.29gifts.org website. If you wanna friend me or join me on what will prove to be an incredible journey, please check it out at:

www.29gifts.org/profile/davidkav



Today was my day off from the hotel. Heck, today was a day off from Everything! I'm still used to the fact that I used to play (at least) 4 to 5 Potbelly gigs a week. For those who don't live in the Chicagoland area, it is quite easy to make a decent wage playing guitar and singing at Potbelly Sandwich Works shops during the lunch hour (sometimes dinner hour - depending upon the neighborhood and the area.) They are starting to "take over the world" and they are becoming quite known throughout the United States. However, Chicago is the place with the most saturation of this store (naturally - since it is a Chicago-born business:) www.potbelly.com However, as the year at the hotel progressed (and as did life itself,) my body would take a toll and a stand against me. Now, I only play One store One day a week (Friday afternoons from Noon to 2pm.) Therefore, no hotel, no Potbelly, no other extraneous music gigs (as this is a slow season for music,) I had the day off.
I woke up around 1pm (which isn't too late considering the schedule that I have.) No biggie. ;) I woke up, wished my girlfriend, Beth Ann, a good morning (she had the day off as well which is even More rare that we both had the same day off.) I made some coffee and proceeded to write my Daily Morning Pages. I may have mentioned it in the last blog. If I haven't, I went back to the old ritual that I picked up from "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. For those of you who are familiar with Ms. Cameron, you know that the One Thing that Ms. Cameron harps on religiously is the Daily "first thing in the morning" ritual of writing 3 non-stop pages of ... anything. These pages Aren't to be thought about. These pages aren't meant to be censored. They're not meant to be ....anything but 3 long-hand pages of whatever comes to mind. In a sense, one could call it meditation since you are taking a visceral approach to "emptying yourself" onto the blank page. For those who haven't tried it, I highly recommend the 12-week program: http://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/
In my set of morning pages, I was thinking about what I could possibly give for my gift during my second day. I wanted it to be different. Unlike yesterday, I didn't want this gift to be pre-meditated. Don't get me wrong. I KNOW that the recipient will like her gift. However, I felt robbed of the joy from gratitude. So, I set out and told myself that I was going to let the gift come to me. I was determined to let the day unfold and show me the gift itself. There was one constant that I had throughout the day EVEN before the day began: My focus on today's gift was to and for Beth Ann (this sounds pre-meditated again, doesn't it? Glad we're on the same page.)
One thing that Beth Ann wanted to do today (and we planned on this last night) was that she wanted us to go to the museum today before our 5:45pm appointment to look at condominiums with her father. To explain the appointment, Beth Ann and I have lived together exclusively for the last year under a lease in our current apartment. We live close to downtown Chicago. We pay most of the rent while her parents pay for a portion of it. This was an agreement made from her mother since her mother wanted her to live close to work and in a safe place. In the past month or two, Beth Ann was talking about the frustration of throwing our money away on rent to an ungrateful property manager (that's a completely different story altogether.) She has enough money saved and with her father's financial wizardry (since he works in Sales for a Huge Corporate Franchise,) she believes that she can go in for a condo. In this situation, I told her that I wasn't sure that I was comfortable making a huge leap in signing my name to a property. I also don't have any savings (different backgrounds, different upbringing, all excuses.) ;)
Anyhow, Beth Ann really wanted to go to a museum and our schedules were fixed. I asked her if I could sleep in for a bit today since I wasn't able to the past couple of days. She seemed ok with it. However, upon my waking today, I felt a twinge of guilt that I was moving slowly. We also had someone come in to the bathroom to fix the radiator (or shut it off since the knob itself didn't seem to work. In truth, since we live on the 19th floor, the bathroom can get QUITE WARM.) That, in itself, was fine. However, Beth Ann nor I could take showers nor do anything in the bathroom because of this. In short, we couldn't get ready. At this time, I was writing Morning Pages. So, my time was accounted for. Beth Ann, however, was going to get ready. She couldn't.
By the time I was done with Morning Pages (it usually takes me 30 minutes to do so,) he still wasn't finished with the job. So, the overall tension was building. However, did I recognize this to be the problem? No. I was still determined to go to the museum. Beth Ann Did get in the shower. I took the few minutes to listen to the piano riff that I layed down yesterday for the FAWM song project AND to tunes on Spotify (I like Spotify since musicians can get royalties from mere listens. Including myself. Guilty.) ;)
After she got out, it was my turn. Went in - upon getting ready, I came out of the shower and asked if she was hungry because I knew that neither one of us had eaten. She said that she knew that she should eat. I asked if she wanted cereal. I did as well.
In the time crunch, I mentioned that the table wasn't cleared. "I'm SORRY!" She yelled this from the living room. A couple of comments before this, I had mentioned that the couch wasn't cleared as well (in our defense, we both live full lives - myself with the hotel and the moonlighting music gigs/projects; Beth Ann has 2 jobs at retail stores and is studying American Sign Language at Columbia College. Beth Ann also had a car accident about a decade ago which ruptured her C6 vertebrae. In short, it is very easy for Beth Ann to get fatigued quickly.) These comments sent us both over the edge. She threw the jar of peanut butter on the floor because I pushed buttons. In turn, I started yelling. At the end, I said,

"ok. This is what's going to happen. I am going to eat my cereal, take my vitamin, go for a walk. When I come back, we are going to have a good day if it kills us. Ok?"
"ok." Beth Ann went into the bedroom to cool off from the argument. I angrily ate my cereal, took my vitamin, threw on my jacket and proceeded to go out onto the sundeck of our 20-story building.
I must admit: This has been the most ABNORMAL winter that I have ever known in my life - especially for Chicago. I was reminiscing on last year's winter where we were recovering from a 22-inch blizzard the day before. Today, it was closer to 50-degree weather. VERY sunny and no cloud in the sky. I walked up to the ledge of the building where the view was facing East. In between the two buildings, I see a Very Clear view of Lake Michigan and the bend on Oak Avenue that swoops around and steers East and North onto Lake Shore Drive. I stared at this for a bit. After 15 seconds, I shifted my view a bit more west to Tavern on Rush. Anyone who knows Chicago knows this: I am in a RICH AREA! For someone who grew up in Grant Works, Cicero, IL with little to no money growing up on welfare with my alcoholic mother, my brother and sister living on Food Stamps and the like, this is STILL uncomfortable for me and the lifestyle that I had chosen. I had moved in with my girlfriend a year ago because I was over at her place so much and it didn't make sense to pay the meager rent that I had for a space I was hardly in. Even after over a year, my head was still in my forepoint of contact.
"What am I bitching about?!?" I thought to myself. "LOOK at this view!"
I rushed downstairs, went into the bedroom. I HAD to show this to Beth Ann. She was on the bed reading a textbook for her class. I waited until she was looking at me.
"Come with me. I have to show you something. Get your jacket."
"Are we going far?"
"No. Not at all."
I took her up to the sundeck, waited until we got to the same spot, pointed out towards the Lake and said,
"You see that space out there where the Lake is between the two buildings?"
"Yeah."
"I want you to take a look out towards the Lake and Lake Shore Drive and tell me what you see."
She was looking really hard. "...traffic?"
"Nope."
"...the city?"
"Yes. Where are we at?"
"The Gold Coast?"
"YES! I came up here and looked out at the city. I looked out there and remembered a time over a decade ago when I was driving to work at 2am on my way to UPS as a Package Handler. I remember that I was still a bit intoxicated from the night before and, more so, I was sleep deprived. The road was wet. I was going 60 MPH in a 25 MPH zone. I realized this fact too late. I slammed the brakes and skidded into that wall down there. I damaged my ex-wife's tire rim pretty badly. A decade ago, I never, EVER imagined that I'd be up here on a high-rise in the Gold Coast looking down on that exact same spot. I didn't even envision myself this far into the future. I still don't know who I am or what I want. The point is: There are so many people down there driving right now who will NEVER have this opportunity and prestige that we have! WE are the lucky ones. We are bitching about high-class problems."
She nodded in agreement and said, "I'm cold." She said this twice and it wasn't until the third time that I heard her. I said,
"let's go."
"No! I mean..." She motioned for me to go towards her. I was a bit slow in this regard. I responded with a huge hug.
After a few moments,

"I'm hungry."
"ok. Let's fix that."
We got back down to our apartment. I asked if she wanted cereal. In the cutest face and frown, she looked at the peanut butter jar that she threw. The lid had cracked in the aftermath.
"I ruined the jar."
"It's no big deal. We'll take care of it. We'll buy another one."
"I...I was hoping," she was going into her usual child-like demeanor which, after over two years, it STILL wins me over, "I was kinda wanting peanut butter and jelly..."
"Ok. Do you want me to make it for you?"
She just nodded. This was it. I didn't want this to be the gift itself because I felt that this would be cheating. However, I was MORE than happy to make this particular sandwich for her - especially after the moment that we just had. I put the plate down in front of her.
"Thank you...I was wondering....it's kinda silly....but..."

"Do you want me to cut it for you....4 equal pieces, right?"
She nodded to me even bigger. "yes. Thank you!"
It's the little things, right? Later on as the day progressed, I was kinda aloof when we were going to look at properties. I felt emasculated since I don't feel I have a say in the decision-making process since I'll merely be paying rent for a property that isn't mine. As soon as Beth Ann's father dropped us off, we smelled a pizza from delivery on the elevator. Again, I was in a mood. We got back to the apartment and I said,
"I was hoping we can go out for pizza. My treat. I'll tell you what's bothering me but I kinda want to go out while doing so since it'll take a bit for our pizza to be made."
"Ok."
She was worried about me since I was quiet. For those who know me, they Know that I am loud. I was quiet for 90% of the time that we looked at properties. I explained to Beth Ann that I grew up in a very different background and mind frame that she and her family did. I explained that my ego was getting in the way and that it was a concern. She explained her frustrations at me and stated,
"you always think that I am in a competition with you. That has been your biggest problem with us. I don't want to win with you. I want US to win....for us to work together."
At this moment, I saw Beth Ann's eyes get teary. I put my hand on her face for affection. How I lucked out to get this woman? I really don't know. I can tell you this: My gift today is to continue my list of gratitude: My mentor gave me an exercise stating that I have to list 100 things that I'm grateful for. Until I list them, I am NOT allowed to complain. I can probably find them in the blog above to be honest with you. You know ONE person who's going on the list. ;)
In closing, I also mentioned that I wasn't sure as to what today's gift was going to be. I had thought that the dishes would be good (but I do those every night - so that's cheating.) I had also mentioned the PB&J from above. However, I felt that was cheating as well. (Beth Ann knows a bit about my 29 Day Gift Challenge.)
"But, I felt that the PB&J came from such gratitude and was one of the nicest things you did for me today."
Right. I can stop right there. In fact, I think I will for today.]]> http://davidkav.com/blog.html/29day_giving_challenge__day_2_pbj Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:24:09 -0800 DKav + KAVUS + Classical Blast = EPIC 2012! Stay tuned! - David Kav - Blog http://davidkav.com/blog.html/29day_giving_challenge__day_1__music_via_usps www.29gifts.org website. If you wanna friend me or join me on what will prove to be an incredible journey, please check it out at:

www.29gifts.org/profile/davidkav



Day 1 - Music via USPS
Posted by davidkav on February 1, 2012 at 8:10pm
View Blog
.While I was reading "29 Gifts," the idea of Not giving pre-meditated gifts is what struck me the most. It makes perfect sense to someone like myself since I'm an extremist by nature. I've been getting MUCH better about it as the days go forward (especially the days and/or moments I take a good, Hard look at myself.) "Easy does it" is another paradigm, if you will, that resonates with me. Again, it is up to me to implement the aforementioned. When I do follow these rules, all goes according to plan (not mine, of course. I'm talking about The Universe at large.) It's when I Don't follow these rules, however, that my serenity can go awry.



Let me preface this by saying that today Really wasn't a bad day - at all! It started earlier than usual for me since I had an appointment at 10AM which, all in all, isn't too bad if I had a regular sleep schedule. I'm a highly caffeinated individual (only drink/drug that I do) and, well, you can fill in the blanks from there.



When I'm NOT performing and/or writing music, I work a Full Time job at a hotel in Downtown Chicago. I've been there for almost a year now (it'll be one full year as of March 20th.) I usually work the 2nd shift (3pm to 11pm) which DOES leave some time for me in the morning (when I'm usually sleeping) and in the evening which I love (I am a night-owl at heart. I have been since I was a kid and it stuck with me. Since I am a performer, it tends to lend itself well at times.) ;)



Anyhow, I must confess that I had my 1st Day gift in mind as of last night. I had some difficulty logging into my account yesterday evening after receiving an email stating that I was approved. When I went to log in, the website stated that I didn't have an account which puzzled me. I wanted to make sure that I had an account since I wanted to start my 29-Day Giving Challenge today since this particular months has 29 Days. The timing couldn't have been better, right?



I sent an email to ask about my account. I was a bit worried so I called Sharon who was Gracious enough to pass me down to Elly - the Tech Support at this very site. Elly looked ALL over for my account history, info, etc. She stated that I wasn't flagged or denied and stated that she remembered approving me. Needless to say, we were both perplexed. The conversation was quite friendly and we talked at many intervals since I was at work at the hotel at the time (just like I am now as I write this blog.) It was at one point in the conversation when she mentioned that she did peruse my website.



"I really enjoyed your music," Elly said.



"Why, thank you!" I stated through a cheesy grin. This made my evening.



"And see? You gave your first gift - you've been so nice to me."



"Well, I appreciate your time."



As soon as she gave me the compliment about my original music (which I LOVE when people comment on my original music, by the way. I play BOTH covers and originals - the former "pays the bills" if you will;) I knew right away that I would give her a copy of my album AND a Dropcard of my band, KAVUS', latest album.



I did keep and mind (and still do) that the gifts should come from a place of gratitude and love as opposed to the obligation there in. However, my schedule was tight today since I had the appointment earlier, I had to catch-up on my daily ritual of writing my Morning Pages and I had to lay down a piano/keyboard riff (of which my skills on the keys are limited - I'm more of a guitarist. I played the latter for over 15 years and fake what I know from the guitar on the piano. THIS aspect I get from my estranged father.) I layed down the riff today because, just like the 29-Day Challenge, today also marked the start of another challenge that I signed up for - 14.5 original songs in 29 days via FAWM (February Album Writing Month:) www.fawm.org. I signed up for this challenge before committing to the 29-Day Challenge. No pressure. ;)



With the above tasks, my time was a bit crunched. However, I was determined to get my Gift sent out Before I started my shift today to ensure that it is shipped off today. So, I got to work early via cab (which I've been doing more often than I care to admit to make sure that I get to work on time. Being Late is one of my most recent pet peeves.) I rushed into work, rushed into my suit, and I Ran to the nearest Post Office. I had only 20 minutes until my shift started. All I had was the gift. It had yet to be packaged, labeled and stamped. On the edge - that's me. :O



I purchase a cushioned envelope at the Post Office and seal the other package that I had to send. I get in line and get to the counter. Where I was, I felt that I would have been in a blind spot with the layout of the Post Office. So, I creep up into line. I get up to the counter and anyone would seen, with my shortness of breath and demeanor that I was Clearly in a hurry (in my "humble" opinion.)



"Do you see that white sign back there?"



(catching my breath,) "I'm sorry?"

"That white sign at the front door right there?"

"No, I didn't."

"That's where you need to wait until you are called to the front."



With dripping sarcasm, I state, "I sincerely apologize for that inconvenience."



"That's...that's ok. Just letting you know for the future."


"Can I please..."



She interrupts me and shakes her head to signify that she's going to start with her birage of questions. All I'm thinking in the back of my head is, "I'm on a tight schedule here!!!"



"Are there any flammables in this package?"

"No."
"Are there any liquids in this package?"
"No."

"Is there anything fragile in this package?"
"No" (Since I was sending CDs, I hope that this wasn't the wrong answer. Only time will tell...)
"Would you like to purchase insurance today for this package?"
"No."
"Would you like to purchase a confirmation guarantee for this package today?"

"No."

It looks as if I am all done, however...

"I need a signature on the back of this card, sir." The back of the card says "ASK FOR I.D."

"I've never had a problem paying for it with credit card."

She points to a sign at the desk, "we need a signed credit or debit card in order to accept it for purchase."



Frustrated at this point, I reach in my back pocket to pay for the transaction and pull out a $10. She grabs my package and throws it over her shoulder onto the conveyor. I am holding in my temper.



"$6.11 is your change."



"Thank you so much!"



"Thank you."



"Have a good day."



"You the same."



I felt cheated out of my good experience from giving with the rushing and the above experience. However, since time has passed, I realized that it really didn't have to do with the fact that I thought of the gift last night. It had to do with the fact that it was rushed.


Nonetheless, I KNOW that the gift came from gratitude since I know that the receiver will be more than happy with it upon receipt. And, since this month is the month for Self-Love, the gift to myself is: Forgiveness for rushing through the moment.



Tomorrow is another day. :)]]> http://davidkav.com/blog.html/29day_giving_challenge__day_1__music_via_usps Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:15:59 -0800 DKav + KAVUS + Classical Blast = EPIC 2012! Stay tuned! - David Kav - Blog http://davidkav.com/blog.html/i_really_believe_this__mr_trent_reznor_thank_you
Artists/musicians, I challenge you to read this and to NOT nod your head to a LOT of what is said below. Please read and pass this down. I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

On behalf of myself and for ALL artists out there, thank you SO MUCH for your love and never-ending support. Most of all, thank you for reading this!

Peace, love, music, laughter, life, charity, art,
David Kav



FROM www.theprp.com - January 27, 2012. For the full article and the proper site, go here:
http://www.theprp.com/2012/01/27/news/trent-reznor-nine-inch-nails-etc-speaks-on-leaving-the-record-industry-and-what-needs-to-be-changed/

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, How To Destroy Angels, etc. fame recently took part in a very insightful (and admittedly lengthy) interview with Tunecore.com. Along with his recent film score work, Reznor shared his thoughts on upcoming projects, the state of the record industry and more.

When asked why he originally parted ways with Interscope Records and abandoned the traditional record company models, he offered:

“Well [pauses], that time would’ve been about two thousand”¦eight-ish, somewhere in that neighborhood, and, the true reality of that situation was: the record deal that we had signed years and years before had escalating advances based on the current state of the industry when that was negotiated. Meanwhile, the industry has collapsed, and those advances didn’t make any sense for the record label at that point.

They were astronomical compared to what an expected return would be. We were kind of presented with the situation of, “Hey, if you wanna stay here, let’s renegotiate something that’s more realistic for us in terms of an advance, or, do it on your own.”

Now, at that time in my life, it felt very much like, “OK. The record business is broken. The model is broken.” I’d go through periods of having to look in the mirror and say, “Let’s see. I just made an album I spent a year working on. I turned it over to the record label to get manufactured. It leaked, and I’m online, just boiling furious, at fans who’re talking about how much they love this new album, that they just stole.”

And then I’d think, “Wait a minute. They’re not standing outside my house, bootlegging copies out the back of their van, y’know, to make money. They’re sharing their excitement about songs I’ve written, and music I’ve done. And they’re excited about it. And I’m pissed off at ”˜em, because what?

They didn’t wait until a month from now, when they’d have to drive to a record shop (if they can find one,) to buy a piece of plastic they don’t want, then rip it back to their computers, to”¦man, this sucks.

Ok, something’s not right.” Or they can buy it from iTunes at a lower bit quality, which at that time was also copy protected, which I was strongly against.

It becomes very clear, if you can remove the emotion from the equation, that, OK. The delivery system is broken. And the relationship between fans and artists and record labels is also broken. I thought I was smart enough to get that right. What I learned is it consumed”¦ The following years coming up to the present, have been spent trying to experiment with different business models.

First and foremost, spending time paying attention to what consumers want. You know, it all sounds like market research and boring marketing-type crap, and it is, but it also became clear: nobody else has figured it out. And managers aren’t gonna tell us what to do, and record labels, it’s clear they don’t know what to do.

And the internet at large, their proposition that everything should just be free? That’s great if you’re a kid at home, it’s not so great if you’re a content provider that’s thinking “OK, how am I supposed to keep doing this if everything is just free?” That’s not right, in my opinion.

But nobody wants to be Metallica and, stand up and [say] “Hey, on the one hand look how rich I am. On the other hand hey man, you should be paying me, poor college kid.” Nobody wants to be on that side of the argument, including them.

So, between putting out Saul Williams’ record and experimenting with the pay-what-you-want kind of model, which led to pretty eye opening and kind of sad results, in my opinion, to rethinking how one makes money. If I’m gonna go on tour, and here’s a concert ticket, I’m hoping you come see, you know what? I’’’ throw the record in with that, it’ll all come into the same pot.

Rethinking different ways to get your message out to people, and also trying to be consumer friendly. What do people want? They want stuff that’s not copy protected. OK. They want to be able to share it with their friends? OK. They’d like higher quality digital files? OK. They’d like to feel like they’re getting some sort of value for their money? I understand that. OK.

How do we make that all make sense? You know I’ve spent a lot — more time that I would like to spend in the last few years — trying to figure that out.

And, where I’m at right now is realizing that it’s a tough road, and I think that we are in between business models. It felt clear to me that labels didn’t know what they were doing back then. But I’ll say, on the other hand: doing everything yourself? When we went independent, we went independent-independent. We didn’t go, “Let’s go with an indie label,” which has the same business model, but can brag about being an independent rather than a major label, as if that means anything.

We went direct from us. That’s it. There is no label. The label”˜s me and my manager, as loud as I can shout on twitter or anywhere else. And you realize the shortcomings of that, that you’re only as loud as people that want to listen to you. It is helpful to have people supporting what you do, and getting the word out, and, y’know, I don’t know what the cool record shop is in Prague.

And therefore my record isn’t in that store in Prague because I didn’t know about it. I care about Prague, but I don’t care enough to go to Prague to ask somebody what record shop, and then strike a deal with, you know what I mean. It’s beyond the scope of what I want to personally do.

So, there’s another long answer saying: I don’t know. I’m not disenchanted by things. I think in a lot of ways it’s the wild west right now, and it’s wildly exciting, and it’s interesting when something’s been disrupted this greatly, the record business. There’s limitless potential, but it also requires a lot of effort. I have to do a lot of things now that I didn’t have to do back in the day”¦”

On what needs to be changed with the publishing aspect of the music industry:

“”¦I started my career in the late eighties, where the template was: sign on with a record label. That’s you’re ticket to admission. You have to have distribution, they have it tied up — promotion, all the team in place.

And then just try to work as hard as you can, and over time, what I was hearing when we were first getting signed was, by your third or fourth album if you get your audience, that’s what we’re aiming for, and we look at you as a Prince type character, with a career like The Cure, or Depeche Mode or bands that’ve been around for a long time and that will continue to be around. Ok, all right, I’m ready. I’m in for the long haul; I’m ready to do this.

Then you start to learn as you see contracts. Wow, whoever went along with this contract originally, it’s not a very fair contract. Let’s see, you as a record label lend me some money to make a record, and then I have to pay you back all that money. And after I pay it back, you own it forever. Wow.

And then I get to make this little sliver on top of that, if I’ve recouped. But you get to control how much I spend on marketing and other things I have to pay you back for. So, wait a minute. I could sell this many records and still never recoup? And you do all the accounting?

And then when you don’t pay me, ever, then I have to spend twenty-five grand to audit you, for you to then tell me “Oh, yeah, we do owe you this much.” That kinda sucks. And then [there’s] the mysterious, purposefully convoluted and tangled world of publishing, and how confusing that is. And a lot of musicians, myself included, that just wanted to work on music, and hoped someone had figured that out.

And you realize — just what you said — some of the unfair business practices and precedence that’s been established. And I’m not saying that no one should benefit from songs I write, or that I do all the work and I should make all the money. But I should make some money, and I should be able to clearly see where that money is coming from, if I did all the work, essentially. I wrote the song, I came up with the idea.

But then when you see the industry start to collapse, which means you’re kinda happy to see some of it collapse, but then you’re sad because also my livelihood is in danger, and I think how am I going to support myself and a family in an industry where we’re essentially making typewriters, you know? Nobody wants typewriters anymore. Everybody will reads, and everyone still writes, but they don’t use these clunky machines and, ah shit. OK.

I think the promise, and what I would hope more than anything, is that when we get to this new business model, whatever that is, on the record label side and also on the publishing side, [is] that somebody is strongly speaking up for artists’ rights when that starts to get figured out. And that in an age of potential transparency, that the actual content creator has a seat at the table, and it’s not ALL the things glomming on to it that are carving off their parts.

Now, what have we seen happen? Is the iTunes payout model fair to artists? Not in my opinion. What I consider, from a consumer point of view, the next good business model, the next thing that makes sense, is if there were mass adoption of music subscription services, like Spotify.

I think in an age of broadband connection being everywhere, everyone having powerful computers in their pockets, this sense of feeling- normal people feeling comfortable with the idea of the cloud, and their data’s somewhere but it’s is secure, it’s somewhere, and they have access to it, having all the music available in the world available to you at your fingertips, anywhere you want it all the time, that’s pretty cool.

That requires some education on the part of those companies, to help people to understand what that is. But I think that could make sense. But is it fair to the artist? Not really. Look at the checks you’re getting paid from those services. It’s not an inspiring amount, and it certainly doesn’t replace lost revenue.

But I think what you’re doing is a huge step in the right direction. On the publishing side of things, shining lights in those dark corners, and transparency, and the always-painful overhaul of when it’s time to shift business models. When something becomes outdated, there’s a lot of resistance to the painful realization that things have to change.

In my case several year ago, sitting around realizing “Hey, that kind of hazy dream I had, of sitting around getting checks for record royalties for the rest of my life? From work I did years ago?” You know, Eagles style, “Hey, Hotel California, another billion dollar check shows up.” It’s not gonna happen.

Being able to make a sizeable amount of money from selling a record. It’s not gonna happen anymore. That’s a bitter pill to swallow. Music is free. I don’t think it should be free, but music is free. I can right now search in Google for any music that there is, and find it free. And so can anyone else with above-rudimentary searching ability. That’s a fact. That’s what you’re competing with.

I’m not saying it’s right, but that’s what it is. To not acknowledge that is being foolish. I think we’re in a time of transition, and I really hope that when the dust settles, and it starts to become clear, ”Hey, this makes sense,” that someone has had the balls and the integrity to speak up for the side of the artist.

Without the artist, as you said, there’d be a lot less jobs around the music industry. It’d be nice to see, for a change, that the artist is represented in that. To many people’s surprise, not all artists are rich. Everyone that puts out a record isn’t driving a Bentley and living a Cribs lifestyle, in fact that is far more mythology than it is fact.

And artists are good people to have around, making stuff that can embellish people’s lives. It would be nice to try to establish a new paradigm where there’s a sustainable lifestyle.”]]> http://davidkav.com/blog.html/i_really_believe_this__mr_trent_reznor_thank_you Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:59:26 -0800 DKav + KAVUS + Classical Blast = EPIC 2012! Stay tuned! - David Kav - Blog http://davidkav.com/blog.html/not_liking_this_shaking_things_up
Or so I think.

For those who have read my past blogs/writings, you know that there is a very central theme to it all. In fact, I don't know the difference between objective and subjective thinking at times. I have the same conversation with Beth Ann many times stating that I am wasting time with my hotel job that is not being put into my musical career.

"But hon, that's not true. We've talked about this over and over again. You actually have more time to dedicate to music since you've had this job."

"That's NOT TRUE!" I bark. "You don't understand. [This job] will suck you in. I have to dedicate myself to this job. With the high turn-around, you never know..."

"Dear, even when you had 'more time,' you actually spent more time worrying about how to make ends meet, worried about your debt, bills, and so forth. Since you've had the job, you have your spending/debt under control, you've been more relaxed and you, Get This, ACTUALLY ENJOY PLAYING!"

I will give Beth Ann that much. She is right about the latter. Ever since I've taken a "day gig" and have played a CONSIDERABLY less amount of Potbelly gigs (I'm only down to one day a week - Fridays at State/Lake...for now,) I have really been grateful and enjoyed almost EVERY MINUTE of singing and playing my acoustic guitar. However,

I have felt very little movement in the area of creating music. I have defined myself as a singer/songwriter for more than a few years now. I have seen my singer/songwriter friends move themselves with much considerable success by ways of shows, tours and so forth. I, in comparison, have done more shows by my new innovative (yet cover) band, Classical Blast.

I don't feel that the two compare in respectable terms - at all. I know (without a DOUBT) that I will be busy this coming summer (and throughout 2012.) I also know that the money will come in in droves via Classical Blast. Seriously, it is a privilege and an honor to be a part of such a conglomerate of talent. With the likes of Petar Kecenovici on the cello, Alin Cernaianu (sp?) on violin and Glen Kosche on drums, we have an undeniable chemistry that can't be faked anywhere. For more info, check out www.artswarrior.com and click for our band in the Entertainment section (our very own website is coming quite soon.)

In the likes of KAVUS, we released an album in July 2011. We have moved VERY LITTLE copies. It is VERY HARD to sell CDs anymore. Not to mention, very hard when it feels like you do most of the work (which, for independent artists, you ARE doing most if not ALL of the work. But still...) Very disconcerting.

This is NOT where I wanted to be. This is NOT what I signed up for. In fact, I am losing motivation. I am becoming....jaded.

I feel that I am even losing friends. However, I have learned that there is a difference between burning bridges and merely ending a relationship. In my eyes, it's the latter. Where in as I am aware that people are entitled to opinions and in setting boundaries for themselves, I must have my opinions and boundaries as well. I should make it more frank by saying:

While I've become very comfortable (if not, complacent...which is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS) in my comforts of my g/f, my living space, my job, food, much clothing and shelter, I have become out-of-touch as to what it was I was striving for in the first place. I have lost sight of what it was I was going for. I was making a name for David Kav. Besides my job and the clients at Comfort Suites, hardly anyone knows who David Kav is IMHO.

Or is that true? I dunno.

I'm currently reading the book "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell (also recommended by an old friend...if not, acquaintance. Never had the feeling that Steve liked me...rightly so in hindsight...) The main idea is: What we feel in the first two seconds of seeing an object, meeting someone, entering a situation, etc. is about as accurate as doing intense amounts of research on the person, place, situation and coming up with the same results...sometimes. There are times when our instincts can backfire due to distractions, charisma, what have you.

With that stated, I feel that I'm wasting away...or am I being distracted? I like that my friend, Joanna, writes Heartfelt blogs. And I truly mean...HEART...FELT...BLOGS. No bullshit. No fluff. No "come see me and my ritzy friends." Real shit. With that said, I think that my resolution for this year (besides my dragged out 30-day songwriting challenge...which has been spread out now for over 3 months) will include a daily blog (or every other day blog.) Why? I have to hold myself accountable. If I want change to happen, I have to work for it.

First things first: If I want the life that I am seeking, I've got to make the change to make it happen. Why CAN'T I be on the "A-list" in Hollywood? Nashville? USA? for Music? For Films? Why can't I be featured on Conan O'Brien as the musical guest....and again as an actor/comedian for an upcoming movie/tour? Why can't I have my own TV Special? Why can't I have screaming, adoring fans...beautiful young women that I have to beat off with a stick (not too badly that I can be sued...but just enough?)

Or do I want the above? "They" say that you have to visualize it, see it, FEEL IT in order for your dreams to materialize. Maybe that's the problem (check the question at the beginning of this paragraph.)

I'll close with this: I was with a group of friends while getting pizza after a late-night gathering of sorts. My mentor (at the time) pulled me to the side and said,

"David, when I was your age, I had Brilliant things to say...BRILLIANT things to say. I remember being SO PISSED when no one would listen to me. Then I realized, I had to figure out who I was and that I had so much to learn."

"Hell, I still don't know who I am," I replied.

"Exactly! So, how the HELL can you impart the knowledge that you have for merely 5 minutes to a group of peers who've been at it longer from 2 years up to 30 years?!?"

Duly noted.]]> http://davidkav.com/blog.html/not_liking_this_shaking_things_up Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:24:13 -0800 DKav + KAVUS + Classical Blast = EPIC 2012! Stay tuned! - David Kav - Blog http://davidkav.com/blog.html/change_is_in_the_air_blog_posted_on_the_local_tourist
http://www.thelocaltourist.com/blog/david-kav/change-air

(Please visit and support www.thelocaltourist.com. Dear friends of mine and a Great site to navigate through! Thanks!) D Kav

"Change Is In The Air"

Antsy is my right leg as I type out this blog post. Yep. It's 2 minutes to 3 AM on an EARLY early Saturday morning. I'm wide awake. Truth be told: I LOVE this time of night. I don't get many of these "inspirational" nights, anymore. Why?

"Life is what happens when you're busy making plans." Truth. This is where discipline comes in. Check out my last blog, "Efficiency But HowWhaHuh?" for more about this:

http://www.thelocaltourist.com/blog/david-kav/efficiency-howwhathuh

Anyway, before I get TOO side-tracked, I was "pocketing" my plan for 2011 (well, this one, anyway.) Why? Meh. I dunno. Thought it would be safe to keep this "close to the chest." However, an idea like this Needs to be aired out in order for it to become a reality. Not to mention that since I am the one who's a Self-Employed (via Potbelly and elsewhere) Musician/Singer/Songwriter, I Can and WILL make this happen. Here goes:

David Kav (to include KAVUS...and the fact that I started this sentence in the third person...) will have 3 major releases this year!!!

Yes. This is true! The first release will be the long-awaited debut album from KAVUS with many thanks to Michael Teach, Ellis Clark and the great folks at CAUDog Records (it's SO COOL to say that KAVUS has a record label. WAHOO!) We are Almost Done with Mixing (still need another session) and will be off to getting the art work together very soon. Tentative release for the KAVUS record will be April 2011. More details TBA.

Another release will be one of a solo project. Truly....Solo...Project. I need to keep myself busy once summer rolls around (for reasons, outside of myself, that I can not divulge as of right now. Sorry.) Expect this release to happen Summer 2011.

Finally, many people have been bugging me (and rightly so) about the recordings from Sun Studios via Writing The Rails: Memphis II. That WILL be released this year - come Hell or High Water. Let me state this again: The Sun Studios recordings WILL BE RELEASED IN 2011! Along with that, Writing The Rails WILL make its return with more tours (with KAVUS? Still working out the details. Again, more TBD.)

Funny - years ago I'd've been "down in the mouth" towards the fact that I am at computer at such a late time, by myself, typing out blogs, thinking about and creating music at 3 AM on a Late Friday/Early Saturday morning. You know something? I gotta tell ya: It Doesn't Get Better Than THIS!!!! :D

Speaking of music, I thought I'd attach a song that I've had for almost 10 years but have never released. It's an instrumental called "Along The Way," a tune that was played at my wedding (yes, I was married. The first marriage didn't last. The song, however, did.) ;) Hope you enjoy.

Make it a great weekend!

Peace, love, music, laughter, life and charity,

D Kav]]> http://davidkav.com/blog.html/change_is_in_the_air_blog_posted_on_the_local_tourist Sat, 12 Feb 2011 01:43:01 -0800 DKav + KAVUS + Classical Blast = EPIC 2012! Stay tuned! - David Kav - Blog http://davidkav.com/blog.html/reality_vs_fantasy_dr_jekyll__mr_hyde www.thelocaltourist.com)

This is the part where I tell on myself: I was asked to contribute as a writer for The Local Tourist over a month ago. Completely flattered and honored that the Emmy-Award winning Theresa Carter (whom I haven't seen in a LOOOONG time, for the record) asked me to be a contributor for this very site, I had found myself falling for the very traps that I have trained myself to avoid during my time as an artist/actor/singer/songwriter (that too long? Meh.) I was making excuses for putting off writing my first blog post for TLT. Procrastination came in the form of, "this may not be a good time for me to write. Not doing much in Chicago. Dealing with family issues," etc.

In short, I was petrified.

That may seem funny to those who know me well (or semi-well, at the very least.) It's true. I laugh about it (or, give a mere chuckle) as I write this. Acting in a show as a lead role and/or learning a part with only two weeks' time? No problem. Writing a song the night before (or hours before) and performing it - I'm up for the challenge. Being a weekly contributor for The Local Tourist, on the other hand, ...

"SURE! It'd be an honor! Thanks for thinking of me!"

David's inner dialogue: (place cricket noises here) Ummmm.... Now what? What do I write about? What could I possibly contribute if I'm not regularly playing gigs at the moment? Can I find interesting, quirky topics on a weekly basis that will be up to par for such a site as TLT? I mean, for crying out loud, I KNOW the hits that this site gets. Jeez!

David's conscience: Snap out of it!!! If you weren't (or aren't) interesting, TLC Wouldn't have asked you to contribute, for crying out loud! She mentioned (to paraphrase:) "I thought it'd be cool to have a day in the life of a singer/songwriter living in Chicago." So, write and let the rest take care of itself.

Funny: Looking at the above, that's basically what goes on in my head on a daily basis. Worries can subside at this point (saying this for myself as well) that I'll make these postings more interesting. Furthermore, TLC did state that I can write as often as I wish. Heh heh heh. I'll leave the snickering at that. ;)

Here's the thesis for my first contribution to TLT: I have always struggled (as I'm sure most of us do) with the fantasy world that I create for myself and the reality of what life is - for me and for my loved ones, my friends and family. I am fully aware of how lucky I am to be making my living as a singer/songwriter/musician/artist here in this beautiful city of Chicago. I am truly blessed and grateful. However, with my bombastic, negative wiring and upbringing as I was growing up in Cicero, IL as a kid and teenager, I go back in forth in a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde fashion of feeling like God's gift to the world to the opposite extreme of not meeting the standards from the bar that I have raised into the stratosphere... while touching the ground... with cement shoes.

Wherein as I am happy to report that the former paradigm is becoming more of a reality than the latter, it is truly (if you'll pardon my French) a bastard when I find myself in the doldrums. However, equipped with the tools to get out today as opposed to yesterday, I find that I can shift my thinking and attitude faster and faster as time goes on.

Case in point: My girlfriend, Beth Ann (whom I can say, without a doubt, is the love of my life as I write this...and I am truly thankful that I found her,) and me were having a heated argument. She was at my place at the time. I must state here: It was very late in the evening - definitely past midnight. Amidst the sea of passion that I find myself in too often, I stated in a fiery tone, "get out!" Without hesitation, she walks out of my room and heads towards the front door. Ladies and gentlemen, this was Not the response I was looking for. So, I chase after her and stop her before she walks out. She says, "let go! You told me to get out!"

Folks, something swept over me at that moment. The passion shut down and I had a moment of clarity where I said, "Baby, I'm sorry. Really. I have to ask: What are we arguing about? Is it something between us... or is it other b.s. underneath the surface? Is it us or is the argument about something else?" She stopped and looked away to think about that. I truly don't remember what happened after that. I can tell you that she stayed and the evening was peaceful and wonderful as we fell asleep in each other's arms for the rest of the night.

The aforementioned argument is a struggle that I find myself in whenever I have a grudge, a gripe or a problem with someone else. I once heard a great adage from an old mentor: "If you spot it, you got it." In those instances, I really have to ask myself, "what am I not doing at this moment to better myself? What is it about this person that reminds me of myself that I don't want to face? What truth(s) am I trying to avoid?" For those who know me well enough, you know that I am all about The Truth. I believe that lies are absolute poison. In short, if you lie to me, we're done. This ultimatum has to doubly be enforced upon myself in order for me to function everyday.

All in all, You are the only person who knows yourself - unless you're lying to yourself. If that's the case, then no one knows you. No one knows you and they will never know you until you get honest.

The above rule of life is My secret to success. It is within those commandments to myself that have led me to this point in my life. Those paradigms above are what keep me going, keep me strong, and keep me growing.

Not to mention, the truths that I find give me some Damn good songs!

More to come...

Peace, love, music, laughter, life and charity, D Kav

www.davidkav.com

www.facebook.com/davidkav

www.twitter.com/davidkav]]> http://davidkav.com/blog.html/reality_vs_fantasy_dr_jekyll__mr_hyde Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:48:55 -0700 DKav + KAVUS + Classical Blast = EPIC 2012! Stay tuned! - David Kav - Blog http://davidkav.com/blog.html/wtr_detroit_still_a_go_details_are_still_being_worked_out
I was hoping to post information about Writing The Rails: Detroit sooner. However, due to complications, the details have yet to be finalized. I highly assure you: WTR IS going to happen Wed. Feb. 10th through Sun. Feb 14th and we WILL be going through Michigan - touring from Chicago to:

Kalamazoo - Wed. Feb. 10th
Ann Arbor - Thurs. Feb. 11th
Royal Oak - Fri. Feb. 12th
Detroit - Sat. Feb. 13th

We are 90% sure that it will be a coffee shop tour. The franchise/company is being confirmed as I type this. Once the details are confirmed, you WILL get the news. Stay tuned here and at www.writingtherailstour.com for more info.

As always, each tour that Writing The Rails embarks upon will benefit a local charity. The charity that we are raising money for on the forthcoming trip: Friendship Circle of Michigan. FC recently won a $100,000 prize through the Chase Community Giving contest via Facebook. Many congrats on your 4th Place prize, FC! Folks, $100,000 is a lot of money - but it is merely a start for the expenses, staffing, and what FC needs to keep their services going. For more information, check out their web site at: www.friendshipcircle.org

Again, you can follow all of the happenings on Writing The Rails: Detroit on FB and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/writingtherailstour
www.twitter.com/writingtherails

Peace, love, music, laughter and life,
D Kav

p.s. I'm posting this as a blog as well. Click on the blog section and feel free to leave any comments if you feel inclined to do so (I'm very, very new to the world of blogging. Please be gentle. ;D)]]> http://davidkav.com/blog.html/wtr_detroit_still_a_go_details_are_still_being_worked_out Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:24:12 -0800 DKav + KAVUS + Classical Blast = EPIC 2012! Stay tuned! - David Kav - Blog