Durga Das is going to be recording and filming a live performance of Kirtan chanting. That's the kind of music I've been performing with The Temple Bhajan Band. I'm on his email list, so when I got the email to reserve my spot, I responded right away. It should be a really cool experience. He's going to have about 50 people in a "choir" to chant with him. I just think it will be an awesome learning experience and who knows who I will meet. He knows Donna Delory who is one of Madonna's backup singers and she sings kirtan as well. She has some solo albums. And another Kirtan singer, Girish lives in LA and he's worked with him before so I think he might be there. I met Girish last month and heartbeatocean knows him too.

Also, I got my computer last night... I'm picking it up today after work. They are going to set it all up for me: remove spyware and hookup the Norton anti-virus software and set the printer up for me. Less work for me. Thank goodness, I've been without a puter in my room (and a way to record my ideas) since Thanksgiving. Here is what I got: http://www.circuitcity.co...tDetail.do

I had some cool gigs last weekend. I'm getting more comfortable so I sang louder, harmonized and played a gopichand. (It only has one string and you squeeze the bamboo sticks together in different spots to change the pitch.) We played at the grand opening of an Aikido studio and at Golden Bridge Yoga, the same place I saw Jai Uttal (my favorite) play on October 1st. That was a cool feeling. There weren't many people there, but it was still cool. We got invited to come back for a groovy New Years Eve gig. There is gonna be a DJ, acrobats, phychics, astrologers, vegetarian food... sounds like fun to me!

Another great highlight was getting a private harmonium lesson from Sura. It was so awesome to learn a few songs from him so I can lead kirtan here in San Diego. There is a group of people that gets together once a week to chant and whoever wants to can take a turn and lead. I lead my first chant on the 12th and it went fairly well. I felt a little awkward since it was my first time. I sang a chant that I wrote and I got a lot of compliments on it. It was my first time playing the harmonium in front of a group of people and my groovy friend Colin was on tabla. I gotta record this stuff so you can hear it and hear me. My voice is so much more stronger now since I've taken up chanting. It's amazing how it frees your voice.

Anywho, I just wanted to update you guys.

Alright Vina!
Keep us posted on all the details. I'm very exited for you in all your new endevors! We all have a happy dance or two to do in getting some things together this year.

Now down to business. I'll expect at least one song completed by the time we get back from our holiday break. Anditgotstobefonkay.

can't wait to see it.

Awsome!
/peace Manki

Congrats on all of these new developments (and the computer). I just love when change happens around the same time and it's fitting when it's around the first of the year.