Finding Your Own Rhythm

Posted on November 15, 2006 by DJ

While playing a CD of Thelonious Monk’s classic recordings on the way home from work last night, I reflected on something Dave Chappelle said in his documentary Block Party – that he had discovered a whole new world from listening to Monk’s music, and that it still has a profound influence on his comedic timing and his improvisational freestyle sense of humor in general. And it struck me that this ability to allow yourself to color outside the lines, to play the notes outside the beat, could (and should) be applied to all artistic endeavors – and probably scientific ones, as well. Continue reading →

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A Simpleton Goes Shopping

Posted on September 5, 2006 by DJ

What I learned this weekend:

  • When buying things, it helps to have either money, checks or credit cards with you. There I am at the store, I spend about 15 minutes hunting down a new shirt, tie and other sundry items, then proceed to stand in one of the longest checkout lines in the history of mankind, get about two places from it being my turn, then realize I don’t have my wallet along. I tell the guy behind me, “Oh, I forgot something. Go on ahead.” He says to me in a thick south-of-the-border drawl, “Okay. I’ll hold your place for you.” Continue reading →
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Java Jive

Posted on September 4, 2006 by DJ

Slip me a slug from that wonderful mug…

The newest addition to my household is a home espresso machine, and I’ve gotta say, nothin’ comes close to a fresh hot shot of espresso in the morning — not a percolator, not the best drip coffeemaker, and not even my French press.

Never underestimate the power of caffeine. Continue reading →

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The Right Reasons?

Posted on August 31, 2006 by DJ

Here’s one from the archives…

Originally posted on a meager acting website I had way back in two-triple-aught, before I even reserved my own domain name.

I’ve gone through a lot of changes in six years, though my basic feelings remain the same. I may have had that “fresh off the bus” twinkle in my eyes & spring in my step when I wrote this, but I’m still loving the path I have chosen, still in it for the long haul. Continue reading →

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Running On Fumes

Posted on August 22, 2006 by DJ

Or, as the song that’s been running through my head all day today goes, “Running on empty… runnin’ on… runnin’ blind…”

Let me just say that being in acting class for 9 hours, immediately following an 8-hour workday, is a little bit draining. Juuuuuust a little. But in the words of Dave Letterman, it’s a good kind of tired. Continue reading →

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Big Bad Music for Sleepy Boys

Posted on July 26, 2006 by DJ

Sure, I may have eclectic tastes, I may appreciate intelligent lyricism and sophisticated rock, but sometimes you just gotta put on “Cold Gin” or “Rock And Roll All Nite”, crank it up to twelve (because eleven isn’t loud enough), and just drain your mind of any civilized thoughts whatsoever. And suddenly all the garbage in your head and minefields surrounding you fade quickly but not-so-quietly away. Tonight is one of those times.

So if you happen to see me in my car on the way home tonight, pay no attention to the man banging his head behind the wheel.

© 2006 DJ Holte

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It Ain’t Gotta Be Perfect

Posted on January 1, 2006 by DJ

…or, The Zen of Starting

What better time to start a blog than the first day of the year, eh? Continue reading →

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