Nine of Clubs

My friend Noelle just sent me this link to James Teitelbaum’s memoir on the Nine of Clubs. I did not know James, but we may have run into each other. We obviously ran in different circles. I only knew about half the people he mentioned. I was coming from the suburbs, Twinsburg to be exact. In those days (1985-1990) I it was kinda unheard of to be traveling so far to visit Cleveland. But in my blue 1964 Chevelle I would travel to the best destination in the city: The Nine of Clubs.

I did not know much about alternative/punk or 70’s rock’n’roll growing up. My dad listened to country and my mom was a pre-Beatles rocker. When I went to High School (Walsh Jesuit) I was introduced to a whole new world. I made friends quickly with what I would call the outcasts. Those that did not know each other from previous schools and those that were not jocks (although I should have possibly been in the jock group – since I was involved in multiple sports). I remember meeting Adamak who first introduced me to The Clash and The Cure. Dennis Schroder caught me up on The Who and some 70’s rock. Dennis later becoming a alternative listener himself. This music explosion to me was an eye opener. I could not get enough of music. I started to live it. Colored hair, teased hair, make-up, punk styled look, and whatever I thought was a cool look. And I bought and consumed music like crazy.

I hung out in Kent mostly at JB’s Down Under for punk and new wave shows. I hung out in the back right corner of the Akron Agora on teen night to wait for the 30 minute set of alt/punk music. Meet many good friends there (remember one girl particularly, another story). But for dancing Nine of Clubs was the place.

For those of us that remember Nine of Clubs it is still talked about and has become a cherished time in our lives. It was a gay club that was open to the straight crowd (well those of us that would go). They played the music no one else was playing and played it all night long (I still hear Shriekback’s “Nemesis” in the back of my head). It was the place to just be. There was even a group of us Sea World employees that called it home.

Well these music days ended at “The Club” and I moved to The Lift. I moved to more live music. I moved to Toledo to attend University. I started a local radio show on WXUT that played music from unsigned artists in Ohio and parts of Michigan.

Nine of Clubs helped shape me. It opened my mind. It gave me a sense that others knew what I was going through in my early years. It was mine and many others ‘safe place.’

Read James’ memoir for great details on his Nine of Clubs days.

Maybe later I will add details to this writing, but for now like most good things it will stay embedded in my memory.

Star Wars Christmas Wish

"Remember a Tauntaun is for life - not just for Christmas"

Have a good Christmas no matter what galaxy you live in.

See the movie Christmas Tauntauns. George Lucas 2002 Select Award

Christmas in Taiwan - 2005

Need some photos for this section. It could make for a nice pictorial. This is now my 5th Christmas in Taiwan. The Christmas spirit kinda drains from you here. The Taiwanese try to make Christmas a holiday, but it really is not part of their culture (Chinese New Year – now that’s a different story). So what do I mean: (1) stores basically advertise the Christmas holiday. However the Taiwanese without the original religious overtones can not create what the West now know as Christmas. So, stores advertise, but people are not buying gifts – they are buying sale items for themselves for the Chinese New Year. Money and food are typical gifts a Taiwanese would give, not perfume and household items. (2) Christmas cards are given because “isn’t that what you do for Christmas.” Cards are high priced high ($2.00 to $3.50 I would say average) and personally I believe a very small minority actually send them. Plus you work on Christmas day. It is not made a special time. There is no snow. Kids are not looking for Santa. People are not rushing out to buy gifts. I will receive maybe one Christmas card from this region. I have even let Christmas gift giving come to a crawl. Life goes on……. There are a few nice Christmas displays --- need to get pictures up to show you. Have a good Christmas and enjoy your family time.

People I Miss Series: Pamela Popovich

A fantastic friend of mine that taught me the meaning of relaxation. During our time together she never saw the relaxed side of me. That is something that has happened in the past few years. I feel bad she never got to see that side of me. I did not understand vacations or family time in that stage of my life. I just understood work, work, work -- and I was kinda rude when other people relaxed or did not see life as constant work. Pamela introduced me to exciting times that I will never have again. She also taught me how to see beyond the person that is in front of you. Sunday mornings are always a time for reading the Sunday paper in bed.

XBox 360 Class Action - Silliness

Did I read this correctly? A Robert Byers has filled a lawsuit again Microsoft’s Xbox 360 because it sold a “defectively designed” product. He claims the unit and power supply overheat and affects the heat-sensitive chips causing lock-ups.

 

In this America-gone-crazy-world I am amazed any company can survive with people wasting everyone’s time and money. Robert if you are so upset why not return it for a full refund and go buy something else or better yet don’t buy anything and you will not have to worry about some company trying to screw you. By the way in the future “Robert Type” people should not buy the first version of any product. “Robert Types” need to educate themselves on what they are buying and not walk around with blinders on.

 

If I am not mistaken Microsoft is providing a very good return and replacement policy. Check their site and follow their directions.

 

Makes me sick.

People I Miss Series: Edward Shimborske III (ES3)

ES3 is one of my three best friends and business partner. We were very close before my moving to Taipei. My moving to Taipei has really hurt our personal relationship and the Sin Klub business (and others he is growing). Ed likes to work close and obviously the distance and time have played its toll on us. I know I have let ES3 down. I feel bad about it just about every day. Every time I walk into my home office I have reminders and in our living room pictures. I have not become numb from the reminders, but rather feel strange to try and rebuild the relationship since I am so far away. I’m not so certain it could be build up with me in Taipei.  Maybe it needs to wait until I move back to the states. The point is Ed is the hardest and best working person I have ever known. He does not let anything get in his way. Determination, well-studied, mind like a trap, his dedicated long hours and a will to survive make Ed Shimborske III a true hero in my book. Plus I miss his growing family.