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Until recently, On Ensemble’s email server lived in my apartment.  By using all Free Software, we have been able to host the OnEnsemble.org website and email for the group on recycled computers, for only the cost of my internet connection.  The software is top-notch… the only limitation is knowing how to set up and administer everything.  I often need some guidance and help understanding the software.

This is where the gnu/linux community comes in, and my friends in the Los Angeles Linux Users Group.  We meet in an IRC chatroom called #lalugs, helping each other out.  You too can hang out here and ask questions: download Xchat or Colloquy, join the server irc.freenode.net, and join the #lalugs channel.  My nickname there is “xuxa”.

My most recent challenge was to move On Ensemble’s email server services to the new server.  For this, mail master Stu Sheldon helped me out at the SCLUG meeting.

The following step-by-step assumes you have a base installation of debian that is up-to-date (apt-get update, apt-get upgrade). If you need help getting to this stage, please contact me.

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The main portion of my performance at the National Theater was a piece called Kisen. Here is a bit of background about the piece with photos and audio recordings from the performance!

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Relaxing day of packing, jogging, talking. Final dinner in Japan: Tofu Ya Ukai with Yuika and family. Conclusion from trip: We have amazing friends and family in Japan!
荷造り、ジョギング、おしゃべり、のんびりと過ごした一日。日本での最後の夕食、由伊香（姉）の家族と一緒に、『とうふ屋　うかい』にて。今回の旅行でつくづく感じたこと、僕たちには日本にこんなに素晴らしい友達と家族がいる！

Thank you to Yuta and Taro-chan for our time in Hachijo.
Thank you to Yuika and family for hosting us in Tokyo.
Thank you to Hiro’s parents and brother, the Three Sisters, Kazuyuki, Hideyaki, Yuuko-chan and Ikki, for all the food and fun in Kumamoto.
Thank you to Yoshi for dinner at Sasa No Yuki.
Thank you to Tosha Sensei for bon-taiko and nidan-uchi lessons.
Thank you to Michiko and Osamu for the home-made meals.
Thank you to Saki-chan for the delicious lunch and Rakugo laughs.
Thank you to Yukie Sensei and Kineya guild members for the great music and shamisen inspiration.
雄太君、たろちゃん。八丈島での楽しい楽しい時間をありがとう。
由伊香おねぇ、道夫君、和也、雅也。横浜滞在中の温かいおもてなし、色々とありがとうございました。
浩香のお父さん、お母さん、お兄さんとお義姉さん、３人の叔母ちゃんと叔父ちゃんたち、裕子ちゃんとイッキ君。熊本の美味しい食べ物の数々、そして充実した六日間をありがとうございました。
ヨシ君。豆腐料理『笹の雪』での夕食、おご馳走さまでした。
藤舎先生。盆太鼓と二段打ちのレッスンをありがとうございました。
三茅子ちゃん、修さん。たくさんの家庭料理でのおもてなし、ありがとうございました。
佐紀ちゃん。美味しかったマクロビオティックランチ、面白かった寄席落語、楽しく寛いだ時間をありがとう。
幸恵先生、杵屋勝幸恵社中の皆々様。素晴らしき長唄と三味線の世界。一緒に演奏出来て、光栄の至りです。

Met with Sensei for last time this trip. High-class soba restaurant followed by swanky Japanese dessert in Ginza. Then dashed to see live sumo tournament. Two-person box seats were awesome… thanks to Hiro’s diligent research. Finally, a feast at Michiko and Osamu’s with interesting conversation. This post-performance free time can be habit forming!

I was one of the best of five drummers who turned out for the 2010 Guitar Center Drum-Off in Medford, OR tonight. I’ll be competing at the next level, store finals on October 14th. Wow! I barely found time to practice either. Following the next level are district competitions, regional competitions, and finally the BIG one. Man, I feel great!

Yamasong our short film collaboration with director Sam Koji Hale will be screening this Saturday at the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry’s “Evening of Puppet Film Shorts”.

Saturday Sept. 25th, 7 pm
Bob Baker’s Marionette Theater
1345 West 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Suggested Donation: $5 Members, $10 Non-Members, Parking $3.

Meidoko is performing at the Culture Festival here in Ashland, OR at noon on October 3rd, 2010. I will be performing with my taiko student Suzee Grilley and collaborating with local saxophonist Steve Davidson. This show will showcase my original material merging Capoeira/dance movement, Jazz and taiko. If you’re in the area come see the show.

The gaijin has left the building.

Today was awesome! An exhausting kind of awesome. A full 10 hours of shamisen, singing, changing kimono, and bowing to famous nagauta musicians. I survived Kisen! Performed sitting next to Iemoto Kineya Katsukuni, head of our school. (Eighth in the current line, replacing Katsusaburo VII, who died in April.) Was able to play out a bit. Well… as much as one plays out in Kabuki music. Felt great!

The perfect end to 15 months of preparation. Looking forward to 2014 – the next Kineya guild National Theatre performance. And shorter term, a night of stress-free sleep!

Hakodate crew, post performance