The death of Kevin DuBrow yesterday had suddenly awakened my memories of Cali. I have been away from what I call my true home for about seven years now. And as much as I hate to admit it, I really miss the time I was there. Fifteen years. Fifteen years of In-N-Out Burgers, bohemian coffee houses, Venice beach bonfires, pink-haired neighbors, playing music and good friends. Those were fun times. Oh yeah, and the 24-hour taco stands. They’re the best!
Not that I don’t like where I am now. I love the peace and quiet that this town offers. It’s just different. I guess it was just time for a change.
But today, I miss L.A. I was reminiscing about the fun things I used to do there. Like performing at open mic nights in Santa Monica. Twice a week. For years! And playing countless gigs with several bands. Rock bands. Reggae bands. Jazz bands. Funk bands. You name it. It was a lifestyle and I’m lucky to have lived that part of my dream.
On the radio this morning, I heard an old Eagles song. I immediately thought of the acoustic group I used to be a part of in the mid 90’s. I can still hear us playing Love Will Keep Us Alive. The beautiful vocal blends on the chorus and the fantastic arpeggios on the guitars. The name of our band, though, was such a schlok. I mean… Acoustic Harmony? Come on! Just because we were playing acoustic guitars and singing harmony vocals doesn’t mean we should call ourselves just that!
Anyhow, here’s a little picture of us playing at a club in Hollywood. Can you tell which one is me? Clue… I play the 12-string Yamaha. It’s been at least ten years and my hair has long been cut short.
Speaking of being cut short, there were two other activities in particular that I was involved in back then. Very special activities. These, I wish could have lasted a bit longer than they actually did. Thoughts of the events have stayed with me all these years. It’s all flooding back to me just now. It’s overwhelming. They’re real heartbreakers and I think I would need to take a little breather before I’m able to start expounding on them.
You can wait, can’t you?
Chris Alma José 
twelve years playing…you must be a musician…
I decided to read part 1 first before commenting on part 2.
On Acoustic Harmony – there are worse names. 😀
Your life in LA sounded very exciting. I wonder why you had to leave since you did call it your true home. (I’m just wondering — you don’t have to tell me.) And because I can’t really see your long-haired look from the picture because of the shadows, I’m imagining long hair on your ‘me’ picture. 😀 Did your cutting it coincide with your leaving Los Angeles?
I understand your friend. Any group of people can form a band but to find the perfect fit takes a lot of trial and error. I had bands before but I just haven’t found the right people to stick with.
I’m sorry to hear about your marriage. She’s very beautiful and reminds me of Julianne Moore.
Thanks for sharing, Chris. 🙂
I’m really sorry. 😦 I have some thoughts on the matter but I know I’ve no right to say them since I’ve never been married and know that, no matter how deep a relationship is, the union of marriage goes much deeper, and is much more complicated.
Hi, Chris. I wrote you back using that ‘contact’ box. I don’t know if you got it because it doesn’t have any record saying it was sent. I don’t have that box, you see, so I don’t know how it works. I hope you got it. Thanks. 🙂