2004-03-06

IMPORTANT NEW NOTES FROM JUSTIN:

I�ve been traveling for 203 days! I'm in Washington, DC. Life is busy, as I am working very hard to find an entertainment management company to work with on the release of my album. And, my new web site: http://justinwinokur.com is very close to complete.

I�m converting the diary entries and photos of my travels into a book. I�m still collecting content, too. So, I�m looking for nice, fun people who can put me up for a few nights, host me, feed me, and show me their unique flavor of America. I�m looking forward to learning about your world and writing about our times together! If you think it might be fun to host me for a day or two or three, email me.

Please make sure to include your address and phone number in your email.

I am especially looking for places to stay anywhere on the East Coast north of Virginia.

Please contact me ASAP if you want to hang out!

If you believe in what I am doing and want to help support me, please do so! You can donate money to me using PayPal or with a credit card. Email me for more information! Make sure to check out my photo sales page!

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US Tour Day 174: Winter Music Conference, Miamia, Florida

So much happened yesterday that it's almost good that I got too drunk, blacked out and can't remember part of it. I never thought of that aspect of intoxication as a feature, but maybe now it's time to start?

Very drunk, I have no recollection of the events shown in this photo. I don't know who took it. I don't know who these women are. And, who am I talking with on the phone? Where has my shirt gone to? All mysteries.

We started out at Niki Beach where Paul Oakenfold, Audio Bullies, Amanda Ghost, and other featured BBC artists were spinning for free. Platforms with linen covered beds dotted the landscape, punctuated by palm trees and teepees—all set up for maximum leisure.

The music at the BBC event wasn't really floating my boat. It was all very euro and housey. I imagine it's like peanut butter for Americans or vegemite for Australians—you have to be raised with it to really get it.

But, the environment was just beautiful. Eighty three degrees, beautiful almost–naked people filling my eyes, and some of the world's most talented DJs spinning thirty feet away from me.

I'd never seen so many barely clothed people, all so good looking, so sculpted. The bikinis were so much smaller than bikinis I was used to. Sexual tension hung in the air, and I was glad that the women were wearing tiny pieces of clothing rather than being naked—which they almost were. I like when something is left up to the imagination—it allows an electric charge to build up between the wanter and the wanted. I basically knew everything about these women's bodies except for maybe the color of their aerolas or the exact topography of their inner labia.

I met UK DJ Tony Thomas waiting in the queue for the toilet. I asked him what he was doing here and we fell into a very real, very fulfilling conversation about his life and his spiritual path. I asked him what his reason for making music was and he replied that it was solely to make other people happy. Tony told me that he has over 200 releases of his music—that makes him one of the most prolific artists I've ever met. When asked about the best moment in his life, he told me that it was a time when he helped someone else. "I have this friend in Croatia who I helped get a record deal. I remember he called me on the phone and was crying he was so happy. He told me how I'd changed his life. That was the best moment for me."

Clearly a buddhist, Tony was all about helping others and spreading love and compassion in the world. When asked about his biggest influences, he told me, "There are so many. But, of course, the Lama."

Niki Beach, Miami—prepare for some serious beach leisure.

It was hard for me to relax, even with vehicles for relaxation almost cluttering the landscape—fruity drinks, beer, towels, comfy chairs, pools, music, couches, white sands. I don't know how to relax. I started to take pictures and talk with people, meeting spectators and musical participants from around the world.

If my first few hours of the event were the tip of the iceberg, then I am surely in for the week of my life here!


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