None of us is perfect. Somewhere, in some way, each of us has flaws, and problems. Some of us have fewer than others, true, but still...

I have decided to come face to face with one of my flaws. They say that the first step towards fighting a problem is admitting you have one. Well, I admit it, though I have denied the truth to myself for years, it's time to face the facts.

I have dandruff.

For years, I blamed the hairspray and the gel for flaking off, and to some extent, this was true, But I haven't worn any gel for a few days, and still, the flaking is there.

I don't blame myself; I blame my father. He had dandruff, too, and not being content to suffer alone, passed it along to me. What vicious cycles we perpetrate, handing these problems down to our children.

Well, I'm making a stand. I'm using anti-dandruff shampoo. I'm not going to just accept flaking, oh no! I'm going to face my flaws with courage, integrity, determination, and an active ingredient of 1% selenium sulfide.

Pray for me, my friends. With strength, I will overcome.

Jester

Well, the hurricane that was going to wash away New Orleans didn't. Here in Metairie (the suburb of N.O. that I live in), we didn't even get a drop of rain. And all the people that told me I was ten kinds of idiot for staying, well... I hate to say I told you so, but - I told you so.

Not that hurricanes aren't something to fear, something to reckon with, and something to take seriously. I just knew this one wasn't going to affect me.

What was cool was that almost every friend I have called or emailed to check on me, and see how I was. That was pretty cool. It let me know which of my friends really care. Of course, they all thought I was a fool for staying, but that's okay.

Did you know that there's a breed of penguin called Macaroni? Neither did I. But there is. And now we both know.

I'm going to spend today learning college fight songs. I really, really hate college fight songs. But I get paid money to play them, and I'm a... What's the word... Whore. Yeah, that's it. I'm a musical whore.

Well, I'm going to practice for my whoredom now. I may post again later. Then again, I might just keep reading some more David Gemmel books.

Remember - Gravity; it's not just a good idea, it's the law.

Jester

Okay, so I’m ignoring the evacuation warnings, and staying here in New Orleans. Why? Several reasons, the first probably being that I’m stupid at times, and still have my naive youthful belief in my own invulnerability. Also, I haven’t heard any good reasons to leave.

I’ve been bored and cooped up in my house. Not that I’m locked in, but every place that I could go is closed down in anticipation of Ivan. So I’ve been reading, practicing, and the last few hours, experimenting with drinks. I found a great one; “Silk Stockings.”

1.5 ounces tequila (I use "Tres Generaciones" - very smooth)
1.5 ounces creme de cacao
1 ounce light cream
1 dash grenadine

shake real well with ice, serve in prechilled cocktail glass with a dash of cinammon on top. Most, most excellent.

My friend Mark and his wife are coming up at the beginning of October. I am looking forward to that, should be a blast. Also, I think I’m getting closer to persuading Lynnette and Janelle to come here some weekend.

I recently got the whole “All I want is your friendship” speech. Why do we say that, when what we really mean is “I’m not going to really talk to you much any more, and when I do, it will probably be brief, awkward, and trivial. But I hope you think fondly of me!”? I have often complained that virtually no relationships are based on true honesty. But virtually no brush-offs are, either.

Maybe I’m callused. But brush-offs don’t really bother me. God knows I’ve had enough of them, and I will in the future. But I hate it when they give mixed signals for long periods of time, because they’re “trying to let you down gently.” I’m cynical enough that as soon as I get mixed signals, I assume the worst (and it’s been true every time so far). But dishonesty just pisses me off, no matter what the motive is. I understand Billy Joel’s song “Honesty” more and more, the older I get.

I do kinda wonder, though. I thought last year that I could not get any more cynical than I already was. And now I am. Is there a limit to cynicism? If so, call me a Brave New Explorer, Going Where No One Has Gone Before.

Am I the only one that noticed that the Enterprise almost NEVER went where no man had gone before?

I unpacked some tapes of my first few months at “Howl at the Moon.” I sucked back then. I mean really, really sucked. I’m not great now, but damn... I threw the tapes away, of course.

I got tired of my haircut, so I grew my goatee again, and gave myself a buzzcut. I may post a few pictures of it.

I don’t know what to do with all this spare time. I’ve practiced 8 hours today. It’s the middle of the week, so all my normal friends are at work, and most of my non-normal friends are busy evacuating. Hmm... I think more alcohol is in order.

Remember, in Idaho, it’s against the law to fish for trout while sitting on the back of a giraffe.

Jester

I think if you took James Taylor, and kept him drunk on Rum for a few years, he'd be Jimmy Buffet.

Just thought I'd share that with you.

Jester

Had "Highlander" been written by Joss Whedon, I think it would have been the ultimate show. After all, it had gorgeous girls, frequent sword-fighting, cool cars, and immortality. Other than bare breasts, I can't think of anything lacking.

Anyway, I'm back from my Texas trip (obviously). For the most part, it went well. My house was seriously dirty, so I spent more time cleaning than packing, but through massive lack of sleep, I managed to get everything done in time. Now if only there'd been more bare breasts.

My friends Jacob and Maggie loaned me their truck to haul everything to Nawlins, and Maggie came with me to help unload, then drive the truck back. I think she enjoyed it here, but she was here less than two days, so I didn't have time to take her to see most of the sites. Oh well, maybe next time.

Friday night the crowds LOVED me. Saturday, they let out a collective "Meh." Tonight they were really into my show. It's like "Pat O'Brien's; the Roller Coaster." Of course, on none of those nights did I see any bare breasts. I think I'm suffering from withdrawals. If there are any ladies out there willing to help me with this, please let me know.

Since I've been back, I've been watching mainly "Sliders" and "Highlander." I think "Sliders" would have been better if John Rhys-Davies' character had been like his portrayal of "Gimli" in "Lord of the Rings." After all, what show isn't better off with a dwarf carrying an axe?

One of my friends just got a job as a nurse. While I applaud her drive, she's quit paying quite so much attention to me. I'm not happy about that. After all, am I not the center of everyone's universe? If not, why not? That's just how it should be. Well, maybe when I take over the world. And there'll be a lot more bare breasts, too, I'll tell you that much.

Well, I'm trying to think of news here. Still fixing up the apartment. Still spending most of my days trying to learn more songs. I'm not getting too much action on the women front here, but considering I've been working pretty much every night since I've been back, I guess that's to be expected.

As far as my female friends, they've all gone back to their loser boyfriends/husbands. And in most cases, the guys have done a "complete change, like he's a new person!!!" Meh. In a few months, they'll be complaining to me again. It's always bothered me how women keep falling for the same acts over and over. But then again, we're no better. Men manipulate women, women manipulate men, and all the while, both keep saying "I want somebody who won't play games!"

Not that I've grown even more cynical after my recent experiences, or anything.

But that's okay, 'cause I'm a musician. And what cooler job can there be than that? Other than Movie star. Or professional athlete. Or porn star. Yeah, other than those.

On that note, I'll try to keep this thing a little more updated. Keep writing to me at
pianoman@jessmills.com

And remember; panties aren't the best thing in the whole world. But they're right next to it.

Jester