MY VEGAS TRIP (nutshellversion)

I was invited down to Las Vegas earlier this week by Ms Sherry St Germain. Sherry and I became close friends and musical muses over the past 6 months while jamming at Greenhouse studios and making incredible music together.

Because she’s so mega talented, she was asked by Cirque De Soleil to move to Vegas for the next year and perform in a brand new show soon to be announced.

Although it was sad to hear she was leaving, an agreement was reached allowing us not let our musical ambitions fall wayside, and therefore decided that numerous trips to Vegas would be arranged to keep the energy alive!

First of all, Vegas is crazy. I know some people hate it or whatever, but I really enjoyed myself. I mean, Sherry is like my sis now, and we basically hype each other up when we hang out so it feels like being on a constant sugar high, but I had SUCH A BLAST.

After checking out her new digs (which are quite cozy) we decided to go out to the strip on Friday. Sherry doesn’t drink, which made me feel like an alcoholic, but I didn’t care. We started at New York, New York and hit up this club called ROK.

The music was shiny! We danced, but mostly couldn’t stop laughing and taking photos. Somehow a conversation was struck up between us and some girls from LA. They were super nice and we ended up partying with them for a while.

Here is a pic with a chick (RHYMES) I met…i think her name was Liz. She’s a macktress (model/actress). She was teaching me how to do poses. Apparently how you look in your mind, isn’t actually HOW YOU LOOK…. I have MAD respect for people with that insight and talent ;P

Here is Sherry checkin’ out a dancer. I think she’s just bi-curious cuz she actually doesn’t SWING “that way”

But honestly, she was really cool. After enjoying their company, we departed and made our way to Diablos (i think) which smelled like a septic tank that had over flowed. The house band was playing Akon “Smack That” which translated surprisingly well live. I’m positive Akon would probably have been proud. …..and then we left.

I was quite hammered, so we went home and passed out.

The next day we explored Vegas a bit more but stayed away from the strip (which apparently all the locals hate). Sherry and I ventured with her friend Evie (who was verrry nice) to Lake Las Vegas and walked around a Farmers Market and resort. FYI – Las Vegas is a dessert, so everything you see in this pic is MAN MADE, including the lake.

We then made our way to the MUSIC STORE!! I was our goal to set up Sherry’s new home studio over the weekend. With 10 minutes to spare before Guitar Center closed, we arrived and purchased the cables we needed, plus the brand new MICROKORG (total IMPULSE buy) which left us both broke.

But at least we had the keyboard!

We headed back home, set up her studio (which looks flyyy as you can see) and JAMMED the night away!

Staying up all night + taking ridiculous photos =

This picture is rich with metaphorical depth!

On my final day, we woke up late to visit the outdoor pool and hot tub located in her gated community complex. As we were sunning ourselves (lol) Sherry received a call from the musical director of her Cirque show inviting us to come chill at a TOWER OF POWER concert.

We were all “OHHH HAILLL YESSS” and got ready quick, flying out the door to the South Point Casino, where the performance would take place.

Upon our arrival, it was revealed that our tickets were not together. Not to be deterred, a spot was scouted by the bar inside the amphitheater. We actuallyended up having a better view than most people and were joined by BB King’s drummer, as well as Dennis Chambers who is like, the greatest drummer ever.

We all danced around to funk music for 2 hours. It was CRAZY!

I used to bump Tower of Power during my 70’s FUNK phase, and it was amazing to see them perform live. Absolutely incredible musicians. Sorry about the out of foooooooooocus shot.

After the show ended, I somehow began talking to this black dude who had TWO wives, and an Audi SUV with RED RIMS. He invited us to a strip club with his posse and we followed.

SO RANDOM – – – I can’t remember the name of the strip club, but I walked into VIP and ordered a rum+coke. Sherry got *just* a coke, and somehow the bill came to $30 – – BUT HEY – It was VIP! One of the topless dancers and I got into a conversation but I can’t remember what it was about….

Sherry didn’t think the strippers were HATT, and I was indifferent, so we left and met up with some of the other musicians from Cirque. They took us to OLD LAS VEGAS, which I thought was wayyyy cooler than the strip. It looked more seedy, but the people were super nice.

One of the establishments had an open mic and a piano, so YOU KNOW we got all on that. Sherry killed it (as per usual) and although I played briefly, switched it up by playin’ drums on the top of the piano.

It was 4 AM by the time we got home, meaning I had to get on a plane to depart back to Van in 2 hours.

I slept on the couch for a bit before making my way to the airport, and here I am relaying the story to YALL as we descend into Vancouver.

Vegas was SOOOO FUNNNN, and I can’t wait to come back. I’m especially surprised at how nice everyone was. I’m sure it’s not that big of a deal cuz it’s a touristy town and all, but I’m constantly reminded of how snobby people are in Vancouver when out partying, so it was a nice change of pace.

You can bet it will not be long before I find myself flying back to Sin City.

But 4 now, the work begins. I’m REALLY looking forward to tackling the next few months!

BIG THANGS (lol).

-ZF

p.s check out Sherry online:

http://www.myspace,com/sherrystgermain

VEGAS=CRAZINESS

It’s been a BLAST with Ms. Sherry St Germain out here! I’ve taken a ton of pics, but unfortunately forgot the camera cable. Basically, I can’t upload any photos until I get back!

Maybe that’s a good thing…..

-ZF

FARSHAD IN MONTREAL*

Farshad is in Montreal for the week learning French. This is him trying to be more French.

This is Farshad with his sister Arezou and his Persian horse “clip clop”.

In Montreal, you spend your days eating poutine, drinking La Fin Du Monde, and dancing in the rain!

There are random large gatherings of French people in Montreal! Here is an example of a crowd reciting the French alphabet over a loud speaker!

Here is Farshad singing and jamming with a French bongo player. It’s a known fact that their rhythm is questionable.

We miss you Farshad – Can’t wait till you come back….

-ZF

Too much gaming… S.T.A.L.K.E.R

Alright… normally I wouldn’t be looking for an excuse to spend more time parked in front of a computer, but amidst all the audio/video editing I’ve been doing lately, I developed the desire to do something ‘fun’ – gaming! I generally  avoid this urge (I get addicted way to fast), but my PC got the best of me ….how you ask? Well, I installed a 2 year old game called STALKER – Shadow of Chernobyl that I had laying around annndddd  big surprise … I couldn’t stop playing it til I’d beat it every possible way (thankfully it’s now out of my system… time to catch up on sleep!)…

Obviously, STALKER isn’t the most amazing 1st person shooter out there (tons of bugs to report, stagnant AI, etc), but I still dug the missions and I’m big-time into the story…  For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, the game is based in the area (Zone) around Chernobyl (most famous for the 1986 nuclear power plant disaster)…  The game is modeled on the actual area and is super creepy …  radiated and abandoned apartments, schools, vehicles, zombies, mutated animals, and every man for themselves…  Anyways, here’s a few images from the game as well as the real town for comparison…  *sigh* I’m over it, back to real work now ….  -AD

Oh!  By the way, for anyone that’s interested in Chernobyl in general, I found an amazing blog post about it with photos – this dude traveled through there recently and snapped some eerry shots.  Check it at http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2007/02/02/nuclear-winter-in-chernobyl/

SO, YOU MADE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT RELATIVELY UNSCATHED

Last night was  a blast! – BUT DIDN’T NECESSARILY END WELL.

I’m still chillin’ in Maui (I re-enter reality sometime next week) and most evenings are spent relaxin’ and hangin’ out at our pad overlooking the beautiful beach. At some point last week, we decided that we would take ONE NIGHT ONLY and make a valiant effort to go out on the town!

Keep in mind – this particular Hawaiian Island doesn’t have much of a nightlife scene going on. We headed into Kihei to a biker bar called Kahali’s. What a dive…. Think of the ultimate spot for your 50+ parents to party it up. Were talking DAMAGED GOODS. A lot of the clientele looked like they had a life story to get off their chest, but it didn’t stop them from getting down. I’m making it sound like it’s lame or something, but it couldn’t be more than the opposite – FUCK DJ’s. Remember when clubs used to have live bands? EXACTLY.

It was a bonus that the band playing was SUPER DOPE. The drummer was an ex pro from New York, and the (fat) bass player kept it just as tight. The night however, belonged to the androgynous guitar player. HE SLAYED IT.

4 REAL – He looks like a cross between K.D. Lang and Thurston Moore from Sonic Youth. He was playing the craziest shit I had ever heard. Dude was ON FIRE. They did a Jimi Hendrix cover of House Burning Down (one of my personal faves) and the guy nailed it NOTE FOR NOTE, plus his own sexcellent embellishments! Think of getting 100% on guitar hero, except he’s playin’ the actual instrument.

After drinking like 7 Mai tai’s, we headed across the street to the Elevated SALSA Bar called Lu Lu’s. My (fabulous and fine) GF is a REAL dancer, and therefore helped me get my Salsa grind on. She made me a pro in no time. Of course, she herself totally tore up the dance floor herself and had everyone on their knees in the dust.

We became even more drunk and then decided we would head back to our place and retire for the evening.

When we arrived home, my (exceptional and elegant) GF demanded I make her a plate of “after the bar” nachos. I complied, and went to work. During the process however, I accidently knocked a giant knife off the counter. It richoceted off the cabinet and stabbed me in the foot. Luckily for me, the alcohol I consumed numbed the pain as I limped up the stairs yelling “BABY I JUST STABBED MYSELF”.

She wrapped the open cut up in a spare maxi-pad, and we both passed out.

Check out the wound (morning after).

OK OK OK so it’s not horrible or anything, but I am SOOOO lucky that’s the only damage that was done. Check out the knife.

I could of lost a toe (or 2).

Anywayz, I’m kinda depressed cuz I wanted to go play in the waves today and now I have to wait until the wound heals enough to go back in the ocean (boo fucking hoo).

Do you ever wish life had a re-wind button?

I would of HIT that SHIT!

Overall, I was extremely pleased with how the evening progressed, and enjoyed every moment until the final few…I’m also very lucky I have a super hot nurse taking care of me.

Back in Van on Tuesday…..First order of business – release the new SEX-ED MSTRKRFT REMIX….

-ZF

BEACH MUSIC (ta freak ta)

I recommend these songs while sipping champagne and sitting on a beach staring at the waves and blue skies (transforming into an orange haze as the sun sets).

(This song gets bumpin round the 20 second mark)

-ZF

BURNED (beach) SHOULDERS !!!

I got wiped  out by THE SUN.

Yesterday I ventured down to Makena beach here in Maui with my (incredibly sexy) GF and began frolicking in the waves and baking in the hot hot heat (middle of nowhere). I think that sun tanning is pretty much a white person thing to do, although here is a picture of an AZN dude getting his tan on.

There were some AZN’s at the beach, as well as tons of Hawaiians (locals) and lots of White people (like myself). I didn’t see any black people tho, because I don’t think they tan (correct me if I’m wrong). That shouldn’t stop them from coming to the beach tho! With massive waves, and baby blue skies, they would think it’s DOPE…..personally, I had an incredible day at Makena, and despite the monster (SCARY) waves, I spent most of the morning and afternoon swimming while my (insanely gorgeous) GF tanned on the sand.

By the time we left, I could feel my sun kissed shoulders and face….however, I failed to notice just how sun kissed they were…..

OK OK OK So they were not THAT BAD – but now I have to chill inside today with Aloevera smeared all over my back and shoulders. IT’S NOT FAIR. I want to go back outside again…..

Here is a picture my (sensuous and delactable) GF took of the beach we chilled at.

This is me carrying all our stuff

We had to climb this giant ridge to make it over to the NUDE BEACH.

So worth it tho……

-ZF

GOING THE DISTANCE

Yes yes yes.

This blog has been in slow motion lately.

No No No, we have not given up.

Usually, blogging is something you do to try and give others insight into your mind and situation. When it slows to a trickle, readers must just accept that things are therefore happening in REAL LIFE.

JUST HANG ON!
REMIX UPDATE:

I apologize (one republic) regarding this BNNGER track we’re cooking up! It’s taking a mighty long time to complete. Attribute this to conflicting schedules and work opportunities (other than music) that must be pursued to keep the lights on. It’s NOT cuz were lazy.

In other words – It’s almost done.

Also, It’s DOPE.

OH OH OH – WHY DO HOTELS HAVE SUCH SHITTY INTERNET ACCESS???
We live in the year 2009 FOR GOODNESS SAKES.

It should be mandatory to have a super quick connection. This boggles my mind. Kind of like how we don’t have a contraption that makes things instantly cold (think a microwave in reverse) or a camera that says “GOOD JOB” when you snap an awesome pic.
Sheesh.

Just know everyone here at SEX-ED is doing our best 4 U. We want to make you dance. sing. shout. scream.

We want to lend a helping hand while you’re enjoying life.

After all, summer is here, so let all your worries float away….

HOW IS YOUR SUMMER SO FAR ANYWAY?

P.S. – I can kick your ass at Street Fighter 4

-ZF

CAR FREE DAY – VANCOUVER 2009

Well it’s time to give the car a rest for the day and head down to Commercial drive – can’t beat walking around in the streets eating ethnic food and listening to a storm of drummers slam away in the hot sun.  We’ll probably hit up a couple block parties as well, but for more details, go here:  http://www.carfreevancouver.org/

OUT WITH A BANG-**

The final night spent in L.A. was probably the most enjoyable, simply because copious amounts of alcohol were involved, and we found ourselves at a super dope hotel rooftop party. It was straight out of an Entourage episode! Props go out to our friend Benjamin who invited us out. We were mucho impressed with his hotel room, which sported a mirror/television/stereo system hybrid. Nothing beats pumping your record full blast and jumping on the hotel beds!

The people were amazing as well, and the party continued into the wee hours of the morning. Props to the two girls we met from London who taught us how to say “literally” with a British accent, and once again to our friend Benjamin, who is dope in his own right. We had just enough time to stumble home and sleep for 2 hours before we dragged ourselves to the airport to catch our 8 AM flight home.

Yes L.A. – we will be back

-ZF
BONUS PIC OF ANTHONY TRYING TO FIT THROUGH THE WALL*****