Last night I went and saw stand up comedy.   It was soooo fun!   I laughed alot and remembered how important and good laughter is for one's health.  I want to go to see comedy more often.  I tried stand up comedy right before I got signed to a record label in Japan.  I entertained the thought of becoming a comedian and then was swooped away by a music career.  The lyrics from the first 3 album illustrate that I had a hard time not trying to be funny, clever and silly.  When I actually did stand up, I got a few laughs but it was really hard and nerve racking back then.  I didn't have very much stage experience.  I want to try comedy again.  
     After being back on stage with Van Oodles I would like to put together a 5 minute, even a 3 minute act and go from there.  Watch out world I might be coming out of the comedy closet!   Someday!  Not now-said the part of me that shares the dread of public speaking.  The comedian Gutter Mouth told me.  You just have to get up there and do it.  You will fall on your face over and over but that is the only way to do it is to 'just do it'.  He wore adidas.

1) Periwinkle
2) Salmon
3) Sunglow
4) Raw Umber
5) Neon Carrot
6) Hot Magenta
7) Eggplant
8) Asparagus
9) Electric Lime
10) Inchworm

 I have chosen to write about this topic because today i have writer's blog.  (excuse the pun)  I sat down to write this blog and didn't have a topic and didn't feel like digging and suddenly the subject of writers block popped up.  As a songwriter when I have writer's block and don't feel like composing, creating or coming up with something new, which is often, i don't force it.
     At the moment I am not under contract to write anything.  When I am, I make it happen by just doing it, by just sitting down and trying.  When I get stuck and feel ''stuck'', I take a break.  Taking breaks and coming back continually I would say is the secret to going through or even around writer's block.  The breaks vary in length depending on the deadline.  Just make sure when you are on your break you lose yourself in the moment and completely forget about what you have to write.  Your unconscious mind will take care of all your problems for you while you play:) 

 I was looking forward to Easter since last Easter.  Getting together with family, eating the usual Easter food that is often some of the best that people have in their cooking arsenal and enjoying it all under clear and sunny April skies in Vacaville, California (where we have been celebrating Easter for over 30 years) is what I had to look forward to.  It didn't happen.  I had the flu.  Instead I took care of myself by, taking warm baths, drinking as much fluid as I could, watching a steady stream of Netflix and sleeping 12-16 hours a day.  Its the day after Easter and I feel fine!  Why?  Why?  Oh why?  Nevermind why.  I am just grateful for what I have and that is what I need to focus on.  What I have right now.  My health, my family, my friends, my job(s), my place in this world.  Not what I want (what I intend is slightly different) or don't have.  
   Speaking of giving thanks, I also want to give thanks to Lookwhatmomfound.com for checking out Van Oodles, and helping get Van Oodles out to all those moms out there who could use some quality entertainment for their kids and themselves as well :)

 1) Shabu Shabu 
2) Ramen ( sapporo or tonkotsu {kyuushuu style}
3) Curry Rice
4)Miso soup
5)Tonkatsu
6)sushi
7)Onigiri
8)Tsukemono  (even though its a pickled topping I would eat it on my Cheerios
9)Tempura
10)Yakiniku

     Van Oodles' isn't your average kids music.  It has ''pop'' to it.  Some would even say it's ''edgy'' or ''alternative''.
Whatever it is, the sound of Van Oodles certainly isn't traditional.  In my opinion, traditional children's music in this day in age would be folk based and sung in a manner, the same manner, that you would talk to a child.  It would be sung in a soft mannered, extra-animated, enthusiastic, adult to child way that would certainly be enjoyed by many children and even some parents, which is absolutely fine and absolutely the way many children's song's are often presented.  It also seems that the sound of traditional children's music is either folk sounding ( using an acoustic guitar etc and sounding like folk music) or incorporates synthesized sounds that are very, lets say dated.
     I am not saying traditional sounding children's music is bad or inferior.  There are so many fantastic artists out there who have children's songs that are wonderful, traditional and non-traditional alike.  I am just saying it seems to me that Van Oodles' sound appeals to most children and most adults and captures something different.  What is that difference?  What do you find upon listening to Van Oodles?   I am asking you :)  Feel free have a listen to Van Oodles and let us know what YOU think! 

     Although how I decided to start making children's music/ kid's music as a career is explained in my bio, I would like to share with you what it is like to be Van Oodles, here and now in spring of 2009, trying to share my music with as many children, parents and families as I can.  
     I launched my career as Van Oodles exactly 4 weeks ago.   I wrote the first song for "Van Oodles" titled "Washing Machine" in 2005.  I intended it to be used in Japan, where I had been living for the past 10 years as a recording artist and performer.  "Washing Machine" is an important song for me as it landed me dozens of jobs writing music for kids with different japanese companies, but it was never actually released in Japan.  I find it ironic that ''Washing Machine'' was the first children's song I had written as a solo artist and it is the last song (track) on my debut album "Van Oodles".              
     The rest of ''Van Oodles" was written between 2007-2009 when I had returned to the United States after spending eleven years and eleven days living in Japan.  In the coming days and weeks I will share more with you
how the rest of the Van Oodles' album came to bee.  ( i hope puns don't bug you)
Until then, Ciao !!!