A Journey Around the World

Your pal JPhoenix is about embark on a very large scale project. Today, marks the (on time) release day of the WORLD DJ MIX IN '06. Advertising has begun, and we hope to have our first DJ to mix by Feb 10th. I'm really excited about this. Tell all your DJ friends about it, this is something I am putting many of my precious free hours aside to handle, each week adding another DJ to the list.

I can't wait to see this thing come together, wish me luck!

In other news,
In the mobile world, SKM plays a major role in the Phoenix Bridal Fashion Debut, twice a year. Other than our large and commanding booth presence, we also are lucky enough to do both a promo for our service and actually MC during the debut fashion show. Our promo consisted of gettting the guests (brides, grooms, and friends) pumped up before the show, by leading them in some of our interactive dances, as well as handing out some pretty hefty prizes. Then, for the actual fashion show, SKM is asked to MC, giving plugs and reading copy for all the companies featured in the show.

The debut was this past weekend. It was gruesome - 5,000 brides and friends all open for booking and its up to us to grab their business. We're really doing them a favor, if you think about it. I know it sounds pompous and egotisticall, but there is really not that many great DJ services out here in Phoenix. SKM I would say in my opinion is one of the best, and has been voted that way several times prior to me joining the ranks. There are others that are worth the brides' time, but generally when dealing with a DJ it's either a hit, or not even close.

SKM is a hit. We have the ability to produce any wedding reception the bride and groom dream up. If they want refined and reserved they got it, or, if they want a party... done. The way we get people up on the dance floor is almost fool-proof, I have never once in the year doing this seen an empty dancefloor when we're involved.

But enough about that. So last week I got a call from SKM, they wanted me to MC for the fashion show on Saturday. I was like "huh?! You want me to w-what?!!" I was a little nervous, I mean this wasn't just MCing for a wedding, this was Justin, being the face of SKM in front of 5,000 potential clients. A little daunting if you ask me. But, I took on the task, confident that I would be able to handle it and make SKM proud.

Little did I know that I wasn't getting a script until the morning of the show.

Saturday morning came and I was nervous. Like nervous as if I've never been on stage infront of 5,000 peole before (which I have). It didn't help, that my fellow DJ coworkers were giving me shit because my tux made me "look like a homeless guy who stole a tux." I needed coffee, and the biggest thing that happened was the clip on my tux pants had broken and now my pants were falling down. Then no one had a safety pin. I ran around the building holding my pants up with one hand begging for a safety pin, all the while I should be practicing the damn fashion show.

Once I found a safety pin, it took me about 20 minutes to get the thing on. And even then it didn't work very well.

So then here comes the show. Now as a prior actor, I know "the show must go on." So, even with no real prior readings and pants that could burst at any minute, I took the stage. Sure enough, the first interactive dance the safety pin popped.... and there I was on stage about to be handed the mic in one hand, feverishly trying to fix the pin with the other. I fixed it on time before I began talking... but I'm sure EVERYONE noticed. So the second dance roles by, we're finished our promo, now onto the fashion show.

I pull out the script, and read through the first vendors featured. A couple words tripped but I made it. I cut the mic and ran back stage for the show to begin.

Then I thought - "hey, I'm back stage at a fashion show, they HAVE to have a good safety pin!" So I ran over to the tux ladies and I asked them for one, but they said that they didn't have one, BUT! They have suspenders!!

Oh thank heaven for suspenders. After putting them on, my pants being pulled up was like my spirits being pulled up. With my new found confidence I walked out onto the stage and nailed the rest of the show.

I was better. The first one was out of the way. My coworkers saw a new me after that and even with only a half hour at the booth in between shows, I still locked 4 brides scheduled for a meeting. Each show got better, as I got a feel for the words I was saying, and for the band that was backing up the models. I started playing off of them like David Letterman and I felt that way.

As the day went on, my third and last show I was getting kind of tired. Not to mention that a certain someone was sitting their, her eyes locked on her ex-friend, ex-boyfriend. I saw her during the day while I was pitching to a couple brides. I new Serena was going to be there, with her friends Nick and Nikki, who are getting married in May. I told them if they approached me that I would talk to them. They didn't. Ultimately, I didn't really feel like talking to any of them, they all hate me (or just really dislike me) and I know I wasn't going to get their business so I had more important things to care about. Serena's Blog mentions that I wasn't much of an adult because I ignored her, so be it. I had more important things to worry about.

As the third show began, they sat right on the end of a row by the stage. I was about 5 feet away from her. I had volunteers with me, who in my opinion didn't really care that my ex-girlfriend was there, so I made a point not to bring her up. Adrian and Juan talked to her, which is fine, they're not her ex-boyfriends. But, I'm the child cause I had more important things to do.

As the show went on, I could feel her eyes burning me. During the interatives promo she didn't dance, or get involved, she just stood there - staring. She stared at me the entire time I was on stage, keeping her eys locked on mine for any slim chance that I may look over there.

I didn't. In fact, as the show went on I almost forgot she was even there, except for the fact that she was like 2 feet away from the band I was playing off of. Plus I was tired. The words now began to jumble up and I felt as if I was slacking off a bit. I don't think anyone noticed.

Afterwards, I thought to myself for a second. And I remembered, I'm over her. I've been over her for months now and proved that notion this past month alone. And it's funny that I almost forgot that, like her presence alone made me have to remind myself of that. I'm confident again. I'm my own person with my own problems and my own friends. For all I know she's got her own shit going on. According to her blog she's doing rather well so I reminded myself that I'm just being rediculous. It's her, not me that causes these thoughts... her long emails and her occational text messages. I even emailed her a little last week. That was dumb.

She mentioned that she closed the door of me in her life. I say thank you. I think seeing her one more time was just that final reminder of my past. For her, it was one more notch in my belt of negative feelings that sealed her closure. I think that chapter is finally closed.

The rest of the show ended well. SKM did nicely during the two day period and I'm looking forward to the year ahead. In a couple weeks, we go to Vegas as a company and that will be a very fun trip. The new year is here. The bridal show marks a new height in my career, some great new exposure as well as a great experience. There's a new woman in my life, whom I will never talk about here on this blog, or any blog for that matter. I want to give people some respect by not bashing them over the internet. I think even good things should be saved for in person. Why share my feelings on this blog about someone when I can just email them, or call them, or talk to them? You're looking at a new Justin... well maybe not a new one, just - different one.

I'm also looking foward to *Finally* getting back in shape. My brother is taking me to the gym three times a week to kick my ass a little. Since I'm drilling in the reserves again I know a PT test will be approaching soon, so I think it'll be best if I'm prepared. Plus, I'm tired of hardly fitting into my nice Perry Ellis and Abercrombie Jeans. :)

I'm excited about Egle, who is one of my closest (and hottest) friends from the East Coast. She has confirmed her spring break trip here to Phoenix and she'll most likely be packing a couple of her friends along with her. The beginning of the week is here in PhX, then that wednesday we will head out to Sedona, the Grand Canyon (all that touristy shit), and then finally Vegas. That will be a lot of fun, and even more fun to see some of my old friends that I miss. She's not gonna want to leave. I think she's bringing friends so they can drag her back, lol!

I'm very excited about the world DJ mix. I've had ideas before, but you all know me, ideas are just something I do... it's action that's the big step.

Well, it's 1:00am now here at my favorite coffee place. It's time to pack up and leave, and get some rest for another day in the life of a DJ in Phoenix........