Summer 2011

Hello my dear friends and family,

I hope this message finds you well. It's been a year since the last Tien Beat, and I've spent the last year trying to find some type of balance living and working in L.A.

Yesterday marked the fourth anniversary of our loss of Kennedy and Maggie Fitzgerald. As I am reminded of them, I can't help daydreaming about having them here. Maybe Ken would be on Zak's road trip to California and I think Maggie would have been graduating from college. It's just not fair, and it's hard to tell if I am more sad for them or sad for myself and the rest of us. Sometimes it seems so cruel that such joyous people would so consistently be associated with sadness, but I hope you will agree with this sentiment: When you lose the ones you love the most, the ones with whom you've shared countless experiences and emotions, they are a special part of every beautiful landscape, every celebration, every moment of appreciation that you will have for the rest of your life. They are forever inscribed upon the definition of who you are, and they are somewhere in the DNA of your happiness as well as your sadness.

Right now I'm living in Santa Monica, about ten blocks from the Santa Monica Pier. I've been working at the airport for almost a year now, promoting Southwest credit cards, and I just got promoted to being a manager. So, my average work week is 3 days of sales from Monday-Wednesday, 2 days off, and then I sit on the computer in the airport doing schedules and payroll on Saturday and Sunday. It's a pretty good gig. I could probably do this for a while and still make progress on the musical front. I'm in a writing stage, composing my next album, but soon I'll be recording again. I started playing bossa nova songs regularly in an adorable family owned French restaurant, and I also organize an acoustic showcase in a bar nearby.

7 years after I moved away, I'm still trying to find the right mix to make it feel like home. I have amazing friends, lots of hobbies, a good job, and I'm following my dreams, but a big part of me still misses the shore and all my friends who live elsewhere. One of these days I'll have the freedom to go where I want, whenever I want, but for now, I'm doing pretty well, and I hope you are too.

Love,
Tien

Brasil: Primeira Semana

Festa Junina!!!!!! Celebrating the rural culture of Brasil (including dirty mustaches and unibrows)


Mini Tien Concert (Mic Stand: Lucas)

I'm having the time of my life. I didn't know what night life meant before this trip....seldom has the party ended before 5 a.m. I've met so many wonderful people, everyone is ridiculously hospitable and nice, and my portuguese is improving every day.

9 de Julho: (Rio de Janeiro) took the bus from GIG airport into Leblon. Called Felipe and Renato. Felipe met me at post 12 on Leblon beach. Renato picked us up, ate some Arabic food and had some mate tea. Met Felipe's family at their condo in Alto Leblon. Went to the lagoa (lake), then a Forro (traditional dance/music) club in Lapa (artsy area in Rio, lots of artists, musicians. Love it!). Learned to dance a bit.

10 de Julho: (Rio) got my cell phone working. Went on a walk, took a nap, ventured to Lapa on my own. Saw a band playing in a restaurant, met the guitar player, danced with some ladies. Came back to Felipe's place, talked with his mom.

11 de Julho: (Rio) left my keys in the condo. Went to the beach and worked out. Met Felipe. Internet Cafe, early night.

12 de Julho: (Rio) woke up super late, then took a nap in a hammock. Went to Lapa, met up with my guitarist friend Josemen, watched him play, met his friend (a capoeira teacher in San Francisco), saw a samba band, danced.

13 de Julho: (Rio/Juiz de Fora) Lunch w/ Felipe, took bus to wrong station (rodoviaria), finally got to Juiz de Fora at 8 pm. Met up with Breno, Vanessa, Veronica. Went to a gathering of Breno's medical school friends. Hung out at Republica Laje (Breno's apartment) with a bunch of folks.

14 de Julho: (J.F.) Lunch w/ Vinicius and Breno. Checked out UFJF, Breno's university. Medicina class party at Breno's, then samba w/ Breno to meet Veronica & Friends. My first strawberry Caipirinha. Dancing with beautiful brazilian girls. Sigh.

15 de Julho: (J.F.) Hung out w/ Veronica and Camila, went to the local Cristo statue and sang Backstreet boys songs. FESTA JUNINA!!! Traditional June party w/ Breno's Class. Played a couple songs, danced a lot, great party. Breno lost his glasses and wallet. It was a good night. (We found them)

16 de Julho: woke up at 4 p.m. More samba tonight?

Tien Beat - Summer '10

TIEN BEAT - SUMMER '10

Dear Friends,

Today I encountered a group of children on the metro and they referred to me as "mister". Clearly I have entered the next stage of my life.

Yes, I have turned 23 years old, and the first month or so of my 24th year has been quite pleasant, thank you very much! I had a very nice trip to Maryland, during which I attended my sister's graduation from medical school, played 2 shows in Easton, ate a lot of crabs, helped my sister move to Cleveland (her surgical residency starts soon at the Cleveland Clinic), hung out in Chicago, and returned to Los Angeles, without taking a single shower (almost true).

I've moved out of yet another apartment in Los Angeles. I loved Echo Park, the culture, the music, the authentic Mexican tastes of the taco trucks, and so much more, but I did not love the smell of whatever died under the room I was renting, nor was I enamored of the fleas.

On May 14th, I graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in philosophy and a minor in theatre. I finished just short of honors with a cumulative 3.49 GPA, but I assure you, that hundredth of a point's worth of effort was well spent elsewhere, like the time I skipped a week of class with Peter to go see my favorite band Wilco play 5 concerts in Chicago. If you don't think this was a constructive activity, either you a.) don't know me well enough to be receiving this e-mail, b.) don't like Wilco, or c.) are my biological father.

Before my commencement ceremony at USC, I was a starry-eyed songwriter, ready to take over the world with music and big thoughts.

After my commencement ceremony, I have found that I am a starry-eyed songwriter, ready to take over the world with music, big thoughts, and a diploma (to arrive in the mail within 4-6 weeks). Hooray for ME!

I really enjoyed college, and I'll tell you what I got out of it when I become a huge success. That way I can describe my philosophy degree with gravitas and the dignity of retrospect, rather than regaling you with sophomoric, albeit gripping, accounts of how awesome I am at beer pong.

There are ways my life has changed a lot lately. In an effort to reduce my carbon footprint, I have built a snazzy road bike from used parts and have been using it in conjunction with L.A metro. In preparation for this noble effort, I totaled my car at the intersection of Alvarado St. and Highway 101, which was totally not my fault (according to my lawyer). Rest in peace, Sonia, 1993 Lexus LS400, a beautiful high performance machine powered by 8 cylinders of glory and hope. Remember when Garrett, Raymond, Jamie and I took you on that magical journey from coast to coast? Ever since we let that homeless man in New Orleans replace your battery with the wrong polarization, you've been a funky ride, but I've loved you just the same, if not more. You are gone but not forgotten, especially as the insurance claim is still in dispute.

Normally, at this point in the newsletter, you might expect me to say that I am curious how you are doing and what you've been up to. I certainly would like to hear those things, but I already know that, in this time of your life, your overriding emotion is anxious anticipation for my next CD(s). I approve of this emotion and I promise you it will be rewarded. We're going to be very proud of these products; every single track has surprised me with a level of enjoyment I wasn't sure was possible. Such is the wonder of playing with amazing musicians.

The next Tien CD will be done soon, the Dayplayer CD will be done less soon, and both will be released shortly or not so shortly after my return from BRAZILLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!

Sim, eu estou indo para o Brasil por um mês. (Yes, I'm going to Brasil for a month). My survival portuguese will be put to the test; I'll be there from July 9th til August 9th. My usual travel plans are in effect, which is to say I barely have any. Wish me luck and joyful experiences!!!!

Love,
Tien

Los Angeles, post graduation

was mildly concerned about life, but got a job and things have stabilized a bit. Thanks to randomness...made a friend at a Dayplayer show who hired me shortly afterward to be her accounting assistant. It's actually pretty fun. Working for a production company that does commercials and music videos. Also intern at Wyman records when I get the chance.

Random random, thanks to the metro as well. Started taking the bus to and from work. A few nights ago heard a bunch of people speaking what sounded like portuguese sitting behind me. as you might know i took a semester of portuguese and I happen to be in love with Brazil. started a conversation, made friends, invited them to hang out. Breno, Renato, Evandro, Felipe, Kalen, and Paula. met up with them at their hostel and took two of the guys, Renato and Felipe, out w/ my buddies Trevor and James. Went to gold room in Echo Park. Felipe is passionate about education reform, gets along great w/ James. give him my copy of Theatre of the oppressed by Augusto Boal. He is studying theatre in order to become a better teacher. Had a great night, Renato played a bunch of brazilian songs, I played the only bossa song I know, rosa morena, sang together, I played shaker, a good time had by all. Next day we pile the 7 of us into my car and hike griffith park, eat delicious indian food lunch, play in malibu, roll through beverly hills, nap at hostel, take all but evandro out to danceism. Huge dance party, awesome DJ's, renato and felipe get some beijinhos on the dance floor, felipe disappears, he shows up later at the hostel. Had such a great time. They gave me a big brazilian flag blanket at the beach, told me I should have been born in Brazil, open invitation to visit them in Rio/southern brazil. I cannot wait. They introduced me to Roberta Sa and now I'm madly in love. Amazing Brazilian singer...her voice connects with me on a personally unprecedented level...I can't explain it. Need to learn how to speak better portuguese and how to samba!

Jan 2010

"TIEN BEAT" the sporadic bulletin detailing the life of Tien

January 2010

Hi everyone!
I hope the new year is treating everyone well. I finally graduated from college, with a degree in Philosophy and a minor in Theatre. I loved USC and I'm glad I went to college, grandiose debt notwithstanding. I just moved to Echo Park, a vibrant locale near downtown Los Angeles. Plans: to get a day job, finish my latest acoustic album (Starboard Sessions) and the debut Dayplayer album. I'm really excited about both. I want to TOUR TOUR TOUR...that's the main overarching goal right now, career-wise.

I'm tempted to say that there are many things I figured out in college, like who I am, what I believe in, what is right, what is REAL...but I don't know if that is really the case. If anything I am more confused about all of those things, but I will claim that I am more at peace with their indeterminacy and impermanence. I just take comfort in the notion that my perspective on these things has grown, and will continue to grow. The more I contemplate the vastness of the universe, the brevity of life, and the uncertainty that envelops all of our actions and experiences, the more it seems I find myself in a place of acceptance, wonder, and gratitude.

Happy birthday to Maggie Rose Fitzgerald, whose presence I am so fortunate to have enjoyed, in the short time we had. Every moment is precious.

Love to all, and I'd love to hear from each and every one of you.

Best wishes,

Tien

TIEN BEAT june 2009

TIEN BEAT june 2009 "the unreliably periodical account of Tien's life and musings"

This is the best summer EVER....

I've been having such a crazy awesome time with life over the past month or so. School ended well, I was on TV, I've been enjoying the outdoors, I'm working on my new acoustic CD, I had a great trip to Maryland, bouncing around the northeast, and I believe I am getting paid to go to Vietnam in a few weeks. I only wish that I could have spent more time doing everything, but there's always next time.

I've had so much fun being a human jungle gym and sedan chair for everyone's kids the past couple of weeks, but now I'm back in California, laid out on my dad's couch with a sore back, catching up on a week of unlimited blockbuster rentals.

I've also had some enlightening, intellectually probing conversations lately with old and new friends; I will always treasure those as the truly priceless moments of travel and friendship, not the sights or activities. For those of you who I missed, or didn't have the time to connect with, let's whip up some arnold palmers on the porch and chat next time...please!

"The mystery of the future will always enthrall while the wonders of the present stretch infinitely into the past"

-Tien

After the first couple weeks of school

A couple of weeks into the semester, here's what's going on. We officially have a new president.  I will be following his actions closely, with optimism.  Classes are really great, I have a monkey class, a class taught by the current state treasurer of California, a class about what happens when we do things, and a class where we're currently learning about what people think about the meaning of words.  In other words, I have an anthropology class, a political science class, and two philosophy classes.  

I went to the beach today and swung on the rings.  This will be a regular occurrence this semester:  taking advantage of the proximity of beaches.  Why not do homework on the sand?

I'm at my dad's house right now...I haven't seen him in about 6 months, and it's the Vietnamese new year!  Hooray!