Easy Breezy

Yesterday it arrived: the Tokai Tele my brother gave me 18 years ago. [correction: Todd gave the guitar to me on July 6, 1991, when I was back in Chicago for a week; I just checked this against my journal. 2/22/08] The guitar is a replica of a late ’50s Fender Telecaster — though some say Tokai has equalled or ever bettered (!) the original Tele’s sound and tonal quality. Whatever — it’s a nice axe.

The guitar was with me in California throughout the 90s and went into hibernation there while I was off in Japan for three years teaching English. In late 2003 it migrated east to Wisconsin; more specifically, to my dad’s basement in Madison.

Lately, however, I’ve been feeling pangs of music withdrawal and a longing to play (electric) again. I asked Todd if he wouldn’t mind having the Tokai (and its “BreezySound”) looked at, tuned up, and sent to me out here in Hawaii. Anyway, it’s great to have her back again. I’ve only messed around for a couple of hours and already my fingertips are throbbing. (Admittedly, I haven’t play much at all during the past 4 years…)

As an aside, The Police are in town, probably having dinner a few miles from here. In less than three hours Adam and I will be there when the jams begin. Bring on the night!

Update (2/19/08)

From the research I’ve done on the Tokai Registry website, I’m fairly certain that my guitar was made in 1984 in Japan (the “BreezySound” headstock from that year matches my own). Todd says he bought it used at, well, here’s what he told me:

I picked it up the other day from Dad’s. It doesn’t seem to have sustained any damage. The plating is starting to show a bit of light pitting. I bought the guitar from Snukst Music in Chicago’s Polish district. I found a pick that I got when I bought it and I will put it in the case. It wasn’t cheap when I got it and I knew nothing about it. I just figured that you get what you pay for. I was cheesed off to have to pay extra for the case, but there you go.

Update (2/22/08)
(photo of me with the Tokai a week after I received it from Todd)

Adrian Cardoso Crain

I just found out this morning that Chad and Denise became parents on December 31st, and to prove it, here’s Adrian Cardoso Crain! I’m so happy for the two of them, but was surprised (and a little ashamed at myself) to learn that Denise had even been pregnant. (!) Guess it has been a while since we last spoke… In any case, this is great news. Here’s one little boy who has a lot to look forward to with Chad and Denise for parents, don’t you think?