Rocking a good crowd at Hotel Chelsea in Second Life. Photo by Kat.
You Can See Us?
Of course I can. I am very perceptive and have powers of which you cannot conceive. First of all, at this very moment, you're sitting in front of a screen of some kind, possibly a computer monitor or some kind of mobile device that's connected to the Internet. And your eyes are moving back and forth as you read this word, and then the next one.
Whoa!
I told you. Here's another thing: you are not, at this moment, completely naked. Nor are you slathered in maple syrup. Now, you might be fully nude and/or coated in some type of sticky sauce at some point in the near future. Just not now while you're reading this. And while I don't spend any time considering the immediate status of every single one of my readers — I have so many better things to do, I promise — there are a number of generalizations I can make at any given time about all of you as a whole that are nearly always 100% accurate.
Here's looking at you, kid.
What The Fuck, Man?
Yes, I know. You came here to read about my live music show at Hotel Chelsea in Second Life. That's fine. I'll tell you about that in good time. But what's your rush? Why be in such a fucking hurry? There are plenty of things we can talk about, and I always end up telling you about the show at some point.
Let's Talk About Activism
Most of you know that in addition to being a musician and songwriter and father and business owner and many other roles in life, I am also what I would describe as a slacker activist. If I was a serious activist, I'd be devoting way more of my time and energy to trying to save the world. And I have nothing but admiration for those who indeed do just that, in every aspect from being a community organizer to leading a movement to running for office.
That's not me. Like most people, my time is valuable, and I have to spend a considerable amount of it trying to earn a living and keep myself and my dependents alive. But I do what I can within the scope of my lifestyle, and anyone who sees this blog on a regular basis knows that I compile my daily "Zak's Random News" in bullet-point format.
But I don't just bitch behind a computer keyboard in the safety of my home. I am 100% willing to take to the streets when sociopolitical events occur that require my direct intervention. I was active at a good number of rallies and protests and marches during the first Trump term, and I'd have greatly preferred for that to be the end of it so I could spend what little free time I have doing things I'd rather be doing.
Me at an action event on May 3. Taking it to the streets is often the only solution that gets attention, and tells people that they're not alone in being willing to stand up to evil.
But No
You know what it's like? Every single weekday morning at 7:58am, I stop what I'm doing and change into some sweats, and go downstairs here in my home to work out. Do you think it's because I love exercise and I look forward to it every morning? Fuck no. I can't remember one time that I couldn't wait to do start stretching and moving and sweating. Never once.
But I do it every day and I never miss a day and I've done it now for going on 15 years straight... because the alternative working out is so much worse. Back pain. Joint pain. Mental pain. Body image issues. Insomnia. Poor stamina. Poor overall physical health. Early death.
So I got out and protest with the same mindset. It's not that I want to be out there. It's that someone has to be out there. And I don't assume that someone else is going to fix shit for me, so I do it myself. As a very wise person once said, when bad things happen, look for the helpers. And if you can't find any helpers, then be the helper.
And this is a good place to say that for those of you who can't protest for legitimate reasons — physical limitations, fear of local and familial reaction, job loss or whatever — then I am more than glad to represent you while I'm out there with my signs and my chants and so on.
Next Up: No Kings
As anyone with more than half a brain can see, things are far worse in the second Trump term. The unacceptable actions are myriad, ranging from severe damage to our economy to inhumane treatment of immigrants to actions that ignore our Constitution and our entire system of checks and balances that has helped define and maintain the USA since its start.
While I continually stay involved in near-daily action itself to help resist the descent into fascism, the next in-person event in which I'll definitely participate is the "No Kings" movement. It's another nationwide day of activism, purposefully scheduled on the day that Trump is planing a giant military parade for his own benefit... on his birthday. That's June 14, by the way.
Join us for a No Kings event on June 14 and make a difference in the world.
And while Trump is spending $100 million (or more) or the taxpayer's money to watch some tanks and a forced march of military personnel, we'll be having our own event. No Kings is a nationwide day of mass mobilization and defiance to fascism and authoritarianism. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject Trump's criminal bullshit — and show the world what democracy really looks like. There will be hundreds and hundreds of events on that day, and it's likely there will be one near you. So mark your calendars for June 14, and get signed up for a local No Kings event.
Hey, How Was That Show?
Oh, it was great. We had a lively crowd and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I don't ask for more than that. I was very happy with the set list, which included a number of tunes that I haven't done in a good long while. you know I like keeping it fresh, both for myself and my audience.
Virtual me on a virtual stage, looking pleased with myself. Photo by Kat.
My "first Tuesday of the month" show at Hotel Chelsea has been rolling now for over four years. I have never had a bad show there. Not once. I credit the good vibe of the place and the people who run it. Photo by Kat.
One funny side note: while I have good vision and don't wear glasses or contacts, I am at that age where reading things up close, or in somewhat small print, or in low light, is a challenge. This is pretty typical for us Gen X and older types. So while I'm doing my shows in SL, both for having a reference to lyrics and to see my screen to interact with people, I do my shows with a pair of cheap-ass reading glasses.
But about halfway into my show on that Tuesday night, I went to pull my glasses off in order to wipe the sweat off my face, and I sorta forgot I was wearing headphones (which is weird, because I always have those on during SL shows). And the frame arm of my glasses — the cool ones with the black/green gradient plastic frames — snapped like a twig.
Me, finishing my show with the glasses I snapped. Shit happens. Goodbye, cool glasses. Photo by Kat.
Hotel Chelsea set list...
Swing Lo Magellan (Dirty Projectors)
Pancho & Lefty (Townes Van Zandt)
Saved by Zero (The Fixx)
Carry Me Here and There (They Stole My Crayon)
The Right Thing to Do (Carly Simon)
Fade Away (Zak Claxton)
Nobody Home (Pink Floyd)
Daniel (Elton John)
Rikki Don’t Lose That Number (Steely Dan)
Games Without Frontiers (Peter Gabriel)
Are You Experienced? (Jimi Hendrix)
Everyday I Write The Book (Elvis Costello)
Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie)
Thanks to every single person who spent some time at my show, and super giganto thanks to the following who helped support it!
Richy Nervous, bundy Xue, Dean Xochitl, Trouble Streeter, Irishk9 Aeon, Kat Claxton, my terrific manager Maali Beck, Hotel Chelsea manager Shyla the Super Gecko, and Chelsea's great staff!
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