Month: March 2020

What is Wut Javia?

The Mill Restaurant in Iowa City, IA has been an icon and landmark of the UofI night scene since before I attended school in the early 70’s. It began conducting open mic evenings in 1981. It’s been a goal of mine to play there since moving to the Iowa City area in 2010. I finally got up the courage to contact J. Knight in 2013 and was booked to play on May 6th. I gathered up a few friends and neighbors, so I’d be sure to have someone to see and hear me (moral support), packed up my Gibson 12-string and Alvarez Yairi, and went to play. But to my surprise, and just a little disappointment, the play bill listed me as Keith Javia instead of my real name. And so, the moniker “Javia” was born.

What? Javia? Yes, that’s how it came about. I officially coined this handle during a jam session with my friend Richard who also shared The Mill experience.

In 2018 I purchased a new travel guitar from Klos Guitars. One option I purchased was engraving. Now I have a guitar named Wut Javia. Later that year I took it to the Weminuche Wilderness in Southern Colorado.

So Wut Javia has become my sharing moniker since.

Where do the Children Play? March 25, 2020

Yes, it’s Cat Stevens.

I was walking my southern neighborhood, 4-mile route today. Many more people, adults with kids included, playing catch, walking dogs, some even cleaning out their garages. It’s Wednesday afternoon. These are strange times!

Midway through the walk I passed two young boys around age 10 sitting on opposite sides of the driveway where the approach meets the street. I overheard one boy saying, “You know the test only costs twenty-five cents”, followed by “But they really don’t know how well they work.” Clearly, he was parroting his parents or other older person “in the know.” But the parks are empty, save the sidewalks, and we go out of our way to stay at least six feet apart. Unspoken new rules that even the children recognize as part of our new reality.

Well I think it’s fine, building jumbo planes
Or taking a ride on a cosmic train
Switch on summer from a slot machine
Yes, get what you want to if you want
Cause you can get anythingI know we’ve come a long way
We’re changing day to day
But tell me, where do the children play?Well you roll on roads over fresh green grass
For your lorry loads pumping petrol gas
And you make them long, and you make them tough
But they just go on and on, and it seems that you can’t get offOh, I know we’ve come a long way
We’re changing day to day
But tell me, where do the children play?Well you’ve cracked the sky, scrapers fill the air
But will you keep on building higher
‘Til there’s no more room up there?
Will you make us laugh, will you make us cry?
Will you tell us when to live, will you tell us when to die?I know we’ve come a long way
We’re changing day to day
But tell me, where do the children play?

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Yusuf Islam

Where Do The Children Play lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Coronavirus Disconnect March 23, 2020

I haven’t even decided to publish this blog and I’m already questioning whether my motives are valid. At the start I wrote, “It’s my story. It’s my life. This is just an attempt to share it – and I’m not sure why it matters, but to me it does.” But as the Coronavirus pandemic is unfolding, I am reminded how insignificant a single life, with all of its ups and downs, interests and stories, really is.

Of course, as we look at our own lives, they matter to us! But how many thousands are panicked over their heath? How many of those are losing their lives as I write? So how can my silly personal musings matter? I guess they still matter to me and might have a positive effect on those struggling with the same insecurities as I, who read it.

Give A Hoot 03/20/2020

Now that the snow is melted and I’m taking longer walks again, I am dismayed with the amount of trash along my various routes. Not only do I see trash in people’s yards and along neighborhood sidewalks, but even more trash along the walking/bike paths that weave through this town.

When I was young (yep, way back when) our country and its states were vastly increasing our state and federal highway system to handle the exponential increase in auto traffic across the country. With this vast network and increased use, came the mindless tossing of garbage along our roads, in the ditches, in our parks, and along fence lines. Fast food packaging was probably the densest of items. The USDA came up with a mascot and tag line to spearhead its efforts to stop the continued mindless actions of our citizens and promote clean up of the existing eyesore.

I think it’s time to resurrect Woodsy the Hoot Owl and the Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute efforts across this beautiful land. It’s not enough to just adopt a highway. It’s a much larger problem.

A Great Memory 03/14/2020

I’ve been reminded by recent school closures (COVID-19) of one of my favorite memories from playing in a folk group. I was enrolled in Hubbell Elementary School as a 5th grader after moving to Des Moines in the middle of the year. During my high school senior year, our folk group went back to Hubbell to play for the youngsters there. I never had, nor have I since, experienced such fan enthusiasm! We played Peter, Paul, and Mary songs including Going to the Zoo, Marvelous Toy, and Boa Constrictor (I played that by myself, and still play it for young people whenever I get the chance). We played in the gym where 5th & 6th graders sat on the floor. During our performance, teachers brought the 3rd and 4th graders into the balcony. Full House! They clapped and cheered, and we had a great time. It was the best time. BTW, our signature song was Sweet Judy Blue Eyes by CSN (Stephen Stills).

Left to Right: Me, Sandy, Mark, and Alan