Los Kabbages

In early March 2009, four friends decided to turn a causal interest in music into something more by performing their original music and lyrics live as The Kabbs. The acronym, derived from the members’ first names, included Kyle on lead guitar, Adrian on rhythm guitar, Brandon on drums and Brian as lead vocals. Originally content to play in front of friends or at house parties around their North Park neighborhood, The Kabbs quickly realized they were gaining admiration from fans as well as fellow bands. By suggestion from members of the progressive post-punk group, Earthman and Strangers, The Kabbs played their first real gig at The Kensington Club just weeks after forming.

Along with playing venues like The Wave House and Soda Bar and festivals like JJ Rad Fest and The North Park Music Thing, The Kabbs were also gaining attention from the media. “My guess is that these guys were friends for a long time prior to this project—and will remain so for long after it. Nothing wrong with playing some rock ’n’ roll in the meantime, though, especially with the repetitive pseudo-rockabilly guitars of ‘Golden and Blue’,” wrote Todd Kroviak from City Beat. By summer 2009, The Kabbs were settling down nicely into their musical niche when they experienced the shock of their lives. On the night of July 4, 2009, rhythm guitarist Adrian Vusich was killed in a freak biking accident near Ocean Beach after being separated from his friends. This incomparable blow not only affected The Kabbs, but Adrian’s many friends, family members and admirers. Later, a memorial would be constructed in Adrian’s memory where all those who knew him could read stories about him and reflect on his life. All profits of The Kabbs merchandise, currently available at all shows, goes to Adrian’s son Mason’s college fund.

It has been about six months since members of the retro garage rock inspired band, The Kabbs, experienced personal tragedy, yet today, new songs continue to flow and they are racking up more gigs than their start earlier this year. Wanting to preserve Adrian’s memory and to continue making the music they love, The Kabbs introduced bassist Chase in late October 2009, adding complexity to their garage rock roots while maintaining their original style. Currently, The Kabbs are still going strong and will continue to, as long as North Park, Adrian’s memory and their throngs of fans have anything to say about it.

The Kabbs will be playing at The Ken Club on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2009 at 8 pm with No Bunny, The Atoms and Jungle Fever. You can also catch them at Whistle Stop on January 1 at 10 pm. To learn more about the band, listen to awesome tunes or view show photos, check out their band page at www.myspace.com/thekabbs.

To read tributes, add stories or view photos of Adrian Vusich or to donate to Adrian’s son Mason’s college fund, please visit http://www.tributes.com/show/Adrian-Vusich-86295088.

Waste of Time

Eyes meet, blushed cheeks
a rush of blood from handshake to heart,
soft scent, breathe deep
a future lived before it's start.

You could be the one,
before love ruins it
and I'm left stabbing my lime in a bar somewhere.

The Things I Don't Have and Don't Want

I absolutely love the change of seasons. The weather, the activities, the general attitude of people around you – it is something that can only be felt at a certain time of year. Every month lends a different feeling – January is full of the optimism of a new year, February produces that familiar gooey, sometimes cynical feeling and the summer months are all about fun in the sun. So, it only makes sense that when November rolls around, self reflection and giving thanks seems to be on everyone’s mind. This month is important in keeping things in perspective and recognizing priorities, something that is especially hard for a poor, unemployed full time student with no job on the horizon and one step away from choosing death over eating peanut butter and jelly another day in a row.

November is a time for gratitude and counting blessings, no matter what your situation is. The other day, my boyfriend called me to ask if I could give him a ride because he was having some car trouble. I whined to myself the entire drive out to meet him, about how school is too hard and I don’t like being unemployed and how there is nothing good to eat at home, like I had the worst life in the world. Yet, when I got to the gas station where he had been stranded on his way home from a long day of work, he greeted me with a smile and cheery disposition. Even after we headed back to my house, the impending car repair fees and future rides to work weren’t enough to shake his good attitude. He was happy to get some dinner, watch something random on TV and just hang out. He was grateful and content with his life, no matter the hardships encountered.

That experience really resonated with me. Who am I to complain about the things I choose to include in my life and am in total control of, especially when there are others who don’t even have such opportunities? Yeah, college is difficult, but I chose to attend and by working hard I will be able to solve my unemployment issue in the future. I have a car that runs and is paid off, I have a home I love and can afford, I have food in my fridge, health care should I need it and am surrounded by the people I love. So, from now on, when I start thinking that my life is a chore, I will always try and remember the saying “if you haven’t got all the things you want, be grateful for the things you don’t have and don’t want” and continue to be astonished at how much I have to be thankful for.

Zzzz

My admiration is deep
especially after we've been kissing -
while watching you sleep
I realize exactly what I've been missing.

Your eyelids flutter softly
hinting towards the subject of your dreams,
studying your expression
wondering what each movement means.
Matching my breathing
to the rise and fall of your chest,
a further connection
as I slip slowly into silent rest.

My admiration is deep
especially after we've been kissing -
while watching you sleep
I realize exactly what I've been missing.

Spooning your sweetness
enjoying just lying here hushed,
my arms around you
this relaxed state can't be rushed.
At this peaceful hour
when another day is starting new,
our two forms serene
how fortunate am I to be loved by you?

My admiration is deep
especially after we've been kissing -
while watching you sleep
I realize exactly what I've been missing.

Wait ...

Where do I apply?! This position posted on Craigslist sounds perfect.

Personal Assistant needed
Looking for a assistant to help in texting duties -
replies
deleting texts
alerting of new texts
reading texts
filtering text
I get 40 – 50 texts an hour, I cant handle my workload plus texting responsibilities. My phone gets too full and needs deleted every couple hours. This is a full time position and you must be where ever I am at, because my phone is always with me. Serious inquiries only.

* Location: XXXXXXXXX
* Compensation: Full Time – 15.00 hr plus snacks

SNACKS, Y'ALL!

Our Union

I consistently have crazy dreams, but lately I've been having ones about getting married or attending a reception or trying on wedding dresses - you know, crazy dreams. I don't know if it's because I've recently seen episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress" or because I've been getting all gooey over romantic poetry lately, but these dreams (or nightmares?) have been happening for the past week or two.

I had another one last night and woke up this morning, thinking about a poem I read yesterday that I really love.

Our union is like this: you feel cold, so I reach for a blanket
to cover our shivering feet.
A hunger comes into your body, so I run to my garden
and start digging up potatoes.
You asked for a few words of guidance, and I quickly kneel
by your side offering you a whole book as a gift.
You ache with loneliness one night so much you weep, and I say
here is a rope, tie it around me, I will be your companion for life.

- Our Union, Hafiz

This doesn't have to necessarily refer to a wedding union, it could be any kind of commitment, really. I just love romantic poetry that isn't all "I'd die for you" all the time. Sigh ... so sweet. These dreams need to stop, I'm giving myself a toothache!

The Times

"The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'."
- Bob Dylan

One more week. The times, they are a-changin'.