Raggin' Piano Boogie
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Since 1987 |
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HELP! A new Carburetor is needed. SpotFund: Long Live the Traveling Piano Spotfund Venmo: Dan Kean @TravelingPiano 2156399378 - Paypal Direct: Paypal - And of Course this Website Contribution Page. Contribute Or email me for snail mail.
February 28, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaToday, trump with his little dog Vance attempted an orchestrated shakedown to extort Ukraine of its minerals to define the worth of Ukrainian blood. (I'll bet money putin was also in on it) It was also an attempt at psychological humiliation. Failure, Losers! Authoritarian scum has no understanding of power when it comes to love of family and country. As the scum was leaving the interview his last words... "well, at least it will make for good tv." I have had this kind of ambush happen to me in front of other people about four times in life. 
 There is no worse feeling than being in a state of trust and willingness and unable to respond with any sanity and rendered completely helpless in trying to relate. I can see the fascist playbook destroying America page by page. Create chaos, be totally inconsistent, lie, create falsehoods, live, screw everyone up the ass hard to create as much pain and suffering as possible until all kneel down in submission. Thank God I know who I am and I pray to God I can give my strength in character and truth of spirit to others so we all can hold on together through what is coming. |
February 27, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
Someone has been sending Cosequin for Mo. It helps his joints and is shipped automatically each time he is about to run out. The packages have no source address. It amounts to $40 each time and so that is a big help. I have a suspicion as to who it is but cannot ask because the relationship is too sensitive. On another note, I sent Mo's Birthday photo to a monthly contributor who means a lot and contributes a little more than a 3rd of what comes in. I knew it would remind them of their monthly automatic contribution. They become habit for people along with many other bills transferred out of their banking accounts each month. I was afraid they would respond with saying they were going to end the giving as it has been several years now. Well, that happened and the lose is unsettling as not only does it help financially in a significant way it helps emotionally. Manipulating people into getting money I realize is how most of the world works (the sell) but it has just never been my game to play. I'm not going to stop thanking people (the very few) for contributing because it might remind them that they are contributing. This is not how I roll. Never have, never will.
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February 26, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
I got a call today from Las Vegas News3, the top reporter for many years, she is retiring and I have been on her bucket list to create a segment before she leaves. How very good that felt! So its going to happen two days before she retires. Hope they do not see the criticism on line that I have been posting to their facebook page, lol. Went to meet with a guy doing a huge partnered event with the Sphere and Grateful Dead residency. He cancelled while i was on the way. I gave up my day, rearranged my plans, got up early in the morning... I am not going to chase anyone down and if they cannot show me the respect of following through with their interests, forget it. With the amount of work it would take to be involved, I need for that to be worthwhile. Falling for the idea of working with influential people, in the top Las Vegas venues and for potential situations that may be of benefit but not guaranteed and do it for nothing... it is all about weighing the fun verses exhaustion from work. Obligation, expectation and hard work... show me the money and... respect!
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February 25, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaLast night, I asked the reporters from the Las Vegas Review Journal who they were and when they told me, I expressed, "eww" with a gesture for them to create some space in a half hearted humorous way... I have major issues with that news source. Shocked they asked why and I told them it was an insidious, fascist newspaper. It is. Owned by the wife of a dead billionaire, zionist American jews supporting the genocide in Palestine and who are also your face trump supporters through media bias in support of the extortion of all Ukraine's (land of my family heritage) for the worth of human life. But, they had me sort of cornered so when they asked for a few words I thought the words has best come from me verses them. They recorded what I said. That was a good thing and when I looked them up online to see if they had printed anything about me at the event well, I lucked out big time. 
 What I said took up half the article. They got it all right and I came across as respectable. I was the voice for Las Vegas concerning the effects of gun violence on others. They referred to the Traveling Piano as what I use for "work." Aside from the politics, this rag has an attitude and ever since I arrived in Las Vegas has not given any support. They have never wanted to respect the Traveling Piano and have in fact ignored its work and presence unlike every other media source. I've not wanted to support them with content in any case. Online line, I've slammed their insidious propaganda with responses on social media. Now, I am on record in their newspaper in a legitimate way. Slipping under the wire like that feels real good! Lol This also happened with fox news after the shootings at UNLV a few years ago. |
February 24, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaA local bartender, a twenty one year old girl with a ten year old daughter was shot in the head while in her car and stopped at a corner while driving home a patron from the bar where she worked. When I learned of it knowing several bartenders from the establishment had been on the Traveling Piano in the past I felt drawn to the situation. My feeling instantly went for the ten year old and I knew I had to participate in the fundraiser the bar had for her tonight. It was at the oldest bar in Las Vegas. My friend Ann made two signs on a chalk board, I filled all the a-frame standing board signs I had with photos and headed over to the place. 
 I wore my tea shirt "We Can End Gun Violence" and began to hawk people hard for contribution. That was fun because I cannot ever remember doing that before. With my photos I pulled in $300 after a couple hours. It became too dark for people to figure out what I was doing so I had to approach everyone who came into the area. As I was the only entity around and the only visible anti-gun advocate in the area the Las Vegas Review Journal which is the monopoly news rag in Las Vegas stopped by. Two girls, a reporter and photographer that were enthralled with my presence and I responded to their smiles. 
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February 23, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaThe most amazing day in my life to date... is today. I am beyond excitedly happy and grateful, just full of life's emotion that Traveling Piano Pup Mo has reached 15 years of age! Happy Birthday Mo. |
February 22, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaSome days now, after just two hours the sun makes Mo's rug on the piano too hot for him to stand on! He lifts his paws when trying to turn around like hot, hot, hot. I'll need to get the umbrella going again for shade already in February? The setup needs to be getting easier considering my speed, strength and stamina. Needing to take the speaker in and out of the truck now which is heavy and carry it to storage everyday is becoming hugely burdensome. 
 I need that energy drain to create music and interact with people. And, I can not be spontaneous with the entire Traveling Piano operation this way. I need to go get the speaker, put it back every time, etc... The fact that just about everyone not only knows about the Traveling Piano now but where it is located has resulted in a huge lose of privacy not to mention safety as shown with the speaker stolen earlier this month, the first theft in forty years. Otherwise it was a really nice spring like day. |
February 19, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
Two city employees walked by and stopped to ask if I would be interested in participating in the Helldorado Days Parade here in Las Vegas. It is a parade that celebrates the roots of Las Vegas and is the biggest parade the city hols every year. I tried many years to be part of it and that was a no go with the same old, same old claim of no money. Same today, claiming everyone does it with out cost. I know that game and laughed under my breath while saying yes, I know how it all works. I made my living from performing in parades for twenty years. Of course they are paying people! And, is not the City of Las Vegas cannot afford to pay for whatever it wants or cannot find the money needed through sponsorship. I said I will make a deal and suggested they work with the city to help me park the Traveling Piano on the curb without paying the parking meter fees. I am always giving to the city freely and have for the last eight years. I heard a slight guffaw under the woman's breath and thought to myself yea, thats right, I am looking for compensation and/or to make a deal. Of course they were not interested which validated how much worth they have for me. I really LOVE to be able to call out a lack of respect for what I have to offer. |
February 18, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaThere is a guy running what is called the Shakedown here in Las Vegas an event with music and vendors running alongside the Grateful Dead Sphere Residency on the Las Vegas Strip coming next month. This is probably as big as it can get here in Vegas with any one event and he really wants me to participate, without paying of course. Problem is... I have nothing to gain from it. It would be all work for me, I don't need the fun. And, exposure to a bunch of deadheads, lol? If I was going to use the appearance as a showcase in some way that would benefit the Traveling Piano immediately or in the near future but... I know all too well that possibilities are worthless unless you work them more than I am capable of doing by myself. I could sell my photography but would need volunteers for setup, tear down and to sell while I am interacting with the Piano and Performing. And then the cost of a setup... 
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February 17, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
With the truck no longer secure as a result of the speaker theft from the back and then again supplies stolen from the back a few days later, two times in less than a week after almost forty years... I do not feel the ability emotionally or with strength to be carrying a replacement speaker in and out of the truck everytime I want to play some piano or interact with people. I am not totally ready to quit it all but at the same time, I am realizing that being in one spot with the fundraising gallery, I am now an easy target for violent responses concerning my outspoken stances on social issues and also thieves are easily "casing" the setup. For all these years no one knew what was under the tarp or that the piano and speaker was under there permanently and... I was a moving target never in one spot day after day. It is all distressing but moving me along in life as needed.
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February 16, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
Damm it! I am sick again! This has become a once a month if not more happening for about four months now. It is a full blown flu or whatever and attacked, come in through the weakest part of my body, a bad tooth in the upper back left side of my mouth. Coming to grips with losing the complete ability to chew on my left side is horrifying but once that tooth comes out, three others will need to come out also because it is under a bridge and to have anything capped, etc... over $6000 that my insurance will not pay for. I am getting very tired in many ways. It all has to do with the cycle of life and so, it is ok? I need to heal fast because at the end of the week a morning news station in Chicago wants to create a live segment they have been after for over two months. I can't put them off any longer and wish I had just said no a long time ago. But, I am committed now and so it is, I follow through when I say I will.
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February 15, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaI woke up of course a little drained from yesterday and then my next door neighbor phoned and said lets go out to lunch. He works all week and then drinks all weekend. He had already been up and out drinking in the morning and wanted to get something to eat before taking in a few hours of sleep to go back out drinking, lol. I enjoyed the company and then took a walk to the gallery to find that Arron and Ann who has helped me in the past, they got my stolen case back minus the weapons like a hammer, scissors, etc... I don't know if what they told me about how they got it back was true or not but it was very comforting that I have at least half of it and that someone went to bat for me. Tomorrow I will be dealing with my two day delay concerning exhaustion which is fine with me. Whatever happens with the photo gallery... it is what it is. I can only do what I can do. The less pressure for my life the better not that I have ever allowed any to begin with. 
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February 14, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaMy God, I just had another huge THEFT! The money I made selling photos over the last month, it was a sizable amount, I invested back into the gallery for supplies to finish it. It has been a large investment with a lot of materials! Obtaining it all was fun but a lot of work. While handing out Valentines bags on the street today, I blinked and the entire case of supplies was lifted out of the back and gone... in a flash. Literally, in a blink of the eye. The full case was being used as a table in the back of the truck to put the Valentine Bags on. I did not realize it was gone until I got back to my place. 
 Many people will want to jump into the "people are rotten" script but that would be wrong to do. Fact is, I am beginning to slip up, my mind is full of clutter, I am getting older, shit happens, it has happened before. (just not twice in a period of a couple days) With my work not only with the homeless, it has always demanded I be as sharp as a tac. There has always been hundreds of happenings in any given moment that I must stay acutely aware of when working in a public environment. 
 I feel like I want to vomit. The challenge is to just let go totally of all thoughts and start anew. Without question, I do not want sympathy. I just want my friends to witness my life with me. Not fix it, not give suggestions, just be with me in support. What a perfect opportunity to ask for financial help, eh? But I have never rolled that way and it is not going to start now. I'll be asking just not when I feel as I do now. I have always wanted people give through support, not need. There is a difference. Need always was, always is and always will be. Support I want physically, emotionally and financially comes from a desire to simply "be" with and part of. 
 I absolutely love having been able to share my life journey and have people understand and trust my intent at the core and especially those who do that without hesitation or thought. There is no question about it, life is going to become as I can see it, either more difficult or just... it is what it is, move on through difficulty, do the best I can do, just keep going and demand a focus on the joy and gratitude to live in for myself. |
February 13, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
It rained today for the first time in almost a year. Is that amazing or what? And even then, there was no major drench. This was a day to enjoy doing nothing with some rain as rare as it is now and it would have been nice but my mind is cluttered with the not so good realities in life not only with politics and the genocide of humanity but personally with energy and how I am going to accomplish doing Valentine's Day with the Traveling Piano tomorrow. Acceptance is key. I can do what I can do. I woke up asking God to give me the feelings of gratitude needed to bring joy to people's lives while staying aware not to let fear consume my life energy. The theft of my speaker has really fucked up my brain. I must consciously stay with my truth of spirit in trust just not be stupid about it. As it is with relationships, everytime one fails what do you do? Do I close down a little more each time or consciously stay openly trusting as failures do not represent the whole picture. |
February 12, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaHolding fort so to speak at the gallery, it usually feels good, the wind is a pain in the ass, getting so little done so slow, doing it on my own, letting go of expectation form others, it is 2025 and I am still living! Hell, I'm still living with the Traveling Piano and Mo and doing this blog but not daily. Reminding myself that whatever happens in the future, in the end is not as important as the process of enjoying what is happening in the present moment. As I have said many times before life is about the process not the goals. It has always been difficult for me to focus on any goal. I can set them but then I often get lost along the way in doing whatever I am doing in the process. Some people would diagnose that as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder but I diagnose it as living in the present moment. Although not easy to live with the way my brain works, I would have it no other way. When all is said and done it has served me well in life. 
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February 11, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
THEFT has come to the Traveling Piano for the 1st time in almost 40 years and for the last 8 years outside my door in the same spot here off of Main Street in Downtown, Las Vegas. Sadly, the sound speaker ($1200) has been taken. It happened in the middle of the night, cover surgically lifted, secure wiring cut, they knew what they were doing and it was planned. As a special fuck you, they left a lollipop in a gesture of exchange. This is the 1st time ever that the Traveling Piano has had visibility almost daily in one spot while creating a showcase, The Traveling Piano Fundraising Showcase Photo Art Gallery. People walk by daily seeing and studying how it all works and now know that is has worth in its equipment which makes it sound as good as it does.
No, I will not downgrade to continue, financing is not possible, yes I tried to file a police report (not that they cared at all) visited all the pawn shops in the area, asked residents if they saw anything, my peeps in the alleys, no surveillance cameras on my property (not high rent enough) insurance will not cover the lose, it was an Elcro-Voice EKX-15P 2 way powered loudspeaker and now... onward?
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February 10, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
Some people would say I am resistant to change. Sometimes that is not a bad thing. When new ways appear I must ask myself if it will be good in the long run, how it will affect my life and the live's of others, what will I be letting go of. Most people just see convenience and go for it without any sensibility. This is how we all lost our democracy. People will not realize that until it is gone and in todays world may not realize it at all. They will not know they lost ability to decide for one's self, they will not know of choices, they will lose the gift of individuality and diversity, personal growth... the list goes on and on. What this is about is that even my closest of relationships in life are now preferring to find out what is going on with me through internet social platforms. The days of communicating via letters, visiting in person, then communicating through email all turned into texting and now social internet platforms. Fuck no. I am holding out as much as possible first and foremost for privacy and then for true intimacy. Intimacy is an illusion in public forums. |
February 9, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaIt has been a long while since we got out into nature. Mo was beside himself when he realized where we were going. The joy he gives me as we share life is absolutely overwhelming. We needed to be very careful with where we walked, (no sand or rocky desert floor) and for how long in each area without a rest. (water is most important). He needs to concentrate because his back legs will just fall out of place with the slightest twist. We were in Calico Basin next to Redrock Canyon just outside of Las Vegas. Traveling Piano Pup Mo will reach the age of 15 in 2 weeks. As many people know from the past few years, what a miracle! 
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February 8, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
An artist I know from being around town who sells larger than life painted hundred dollar bills that have been altered, he spends his time getting them sold and put into local business establishments. An event was set up at Hola Habibi where my gallery is. It is my day off but I took the Traveling Piano there to give him support anyway. Strangely enough it turned out to be fun and I met a few other artists in the area that I enjoyed. A guy who has a mobile recording studio, a local influencer DJ, a woman from LA who has an art therapy studio in town, a Las Vegas podcaster and others. There were actually only a few attendees other than those supporting the event but when all the posting online was done it came off as a major event because... that is how the internet works. It is an illusion. Like when the news reports with a photo making the situation look like there are a thousand people around when in fact it is really just a close up shot filled with people so it creates that illusion. It was really nice to hang with people socially. |
February 7, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
I am updating this blog today, the first writing entries since January 28th. It feels like when in the beginning when I took the Traveling Piano down to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when there was no time to make posts and get online. I have not even been making notes each day. Back at that time I spoke into a tape recorder to remember what had happened each day and then filled in the blog a month later through that information. These days, there is not time for anything other than trying to think, and then doing a limited amount of work. But... at the same time I am doing more than I can remember in many years. Getting up mid-morning everyday, out and working with the truck five days a week, taking care of most basic necessities... adjustments are going to be needed |
February 6, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaA local influencer saw us on the street and posted a short reel on Instagram about the Traveling Piano being the best thing she has ever seen in Las Vegas. That added about 50 new followers to my account, lol. There was a trail of positive comments afterwards on the post and only one not perfect. "There are a lot of strange things to see in downtown in Las Vegas." All the others were about the great work I do, how people have experienced me in the best of ways, how they know the Traveling Piano, etc... it was validating. Also, its creating a presence online that I do not have the time to do myself. Hopefully it manifests into something for the gallery space that manifests into getting the truck rebuilt and some security for myself. There needs to be allot more exposure for what I am presently doing in order to accomplish anything and I mean allot, allot, allot. The bottom line is that if all feels right and good if not confusing as usual. |
February 5, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
Once again, twice in a week now... a woman named Myrna from Pawsitive Dog Rescue who orders all of Mo's food and vitamin needs turned eighty today. As a present she wanted an organizational fundraiser and so I was there for her. They we're selling 50-50 tickets to incentify people to give a little. Even though everyone giving had the chance to win half of the money people were buying just a couple dollars worth. I purchased enough for twenty bucks. Half would go to the rescue and I put Myrna's name on the other half. I mean, it is her Birthday celebration for Christ's sake not an opportunity to win money for myself. I asked her the next day if she had won. She said no. I replied she just should have taken the winners money saying it was her birthday and it should be her present. After all, they were all getting fed too! People can be so cheap that it hurts! God forbid one of them would give ever to support the Traveling Piano, lol.
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February 4, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaI am beginning to peter out a bit with the gallery concerning energy and stamina. There is the working of it and the Traveling Piano, relating with people as well as finishing it with structure and signage, the promotion of it and no matter how much I try to build a maintenance free situation that is just not possible. The wind, dust and trash from the street constantly needs attention, the photos need to get cleaned all the time and as well the ground and furniture. As I replace photos that people take from the display boards, other photos are falling off all the time so something needs to get figured out for that issue. I tell myself, this is just a process and to remember I have a photo gallery in the Arts District of Las Vegas and it is in the center of everything. How cool is that! 
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February 3, 2025Las Vegas, NevadaI do not think there has ever been or will be anyone in public life with a one hundred percent success record in everyone liking or approving of them. I do not think it is humanly possible. It is not the way of nature. As awareness of myself intimately, who I am and what I stand for on every level becomes more visable via internet social platforms as a result of my postings, there will always be those jealous because they feel they cannot live their lives as I do or think they deserve my life for themselves. There are those who cannot handle someone else's truth, those afraid of anything different, those just basically emotionally stunted as an adult for whatever reason. In olden times they mostly would just keep that to themselves. More and more they will attack openly be it with friends, contacts, in counter social posts and try to destroy something in my life in some way. Also, random acts of negativity exist having nothing to do with me. 
 In fact good or bad, most none of what anyone feels is about me collectively or personally belongs to me. It all belongs to the universe. But... I can say with wonder, gratitude and joy that I have had time periods in my life where I have been aware of only one hundred precent positive feelings from all of humanity in my path. I have had moments personally in life for example when I had an accidental viral video with over ten million hits and as I read through thousands and thousands of comments I'll never forget it... only two not glowing in the best of ways. "he's just looking for attention" and "that scares me because its strange." I must accept that shit happens. My job is to just keep going and practice the focus on goodness while accepting and enjoying support that helps my life. This has never been easy for me. I can see the one shithead out of a million and fall apart completely for days and even weeks. Always tho, everything passes in life just like shit does. |
February 2, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
I am feeling excited about the Valentine's Day project for those living on the streets. Getting everything together is a very slow process but it just is what it is. With the first attempt at creating bags I was hoping I might be able to sell a few to pay for the costs for $25 each. No way. I doubt people would pay six bucks which is not close to the worth in actual cost and time to make. I had to put them together in four different ways to make them even acceptable in presentation as gifts. Still, its going to be fun with the decorations and everything else. Creating this along with everything else, it is a constant reminder that I can no longer do as much as I used to. Life is a constant adjustment to that fact now. |
February 1, 2025Las Vegas, Nevada
My friends at Pawsitive Dog Rescue were having an event today and asked if I would attend. Absolutely, of course! They have basically adopted Mo's needs and on a constant basis now for several years. They take care of doctors bills and his blood tests, his ongoing medicine for arthritis and his liver. They purchase most of his food. All this is a major expense. It reminds me to stay constant with gratitude for the support people give me to keep the Traveling Piano going. I will be forever grateful for everyone that helps without any agenda and with no obligation or expectation. There have been many people in my life who give in this way. I thank God for them. And then there is the new veterinary hospital they teamed up with for the event who without solicitation offered to send a contribution for my being there. As usual, that gesture was full of air and disappeared ten minutes after it was made.
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