Cello Madness at the Makeout Room

I've seen quite a lot of concerts over the years, at both small and large venues. Last month I attended Cello Madness at the Makeout Room in San Francisco (in the Mission District). It was an event very unlike most concerts, and one I am going to see again.

I walked in and four cellists and a violinist were setting up chairs in a circle in the middle of the club. The audience was arrayed around them. The whole event had the feeling of being in on a working session. Each player was asked to lead a song, to give a theme and a key. None of the music was rehearsed. Each piece had its own color and tone. There were elements of classical music, of country, of Irish, and of modern music. Other musicians trickled in: three more cellists, another violinist and an upright bassist. More chairs were found, the circle widened, the music broadened.

I walked away feeling very inspired. I hope I get to a point where I could plug into a circle of cellists and be able to hold my own. Here are some recordings I made with my iPhone:



contrast-and-dissonance.aiff (one of my faves)
funk-sparkle-foreplay.aiff (named for words shouted from the audience)
happiness-and-sadness.aiff
Perpetual-motion.aiff
pizzicato.aiff
d-and-c.aiff
getting-in-the-mood.aiff

There is another night of cello madness tomorrow night, April 27, again at the Makeout Room. I hope you can join me there!

He's Just Not that Into You

Saw this movie last week. It was very well done, smart and funny, and also poignant and, at times, cringe-worthy.

A scene from the movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScWKul0JXp8

And here is the actor, Bradley Cooper, explaining his character (the married man who couldn't make a decision):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhENFIQx0RY

There were some very good points made. At one point, the single girl comes up to her two friends (one married, one in a committed long-term relationship) and announces that she has figured it out: whenever a girl is in a situation with a guy who's a jerk, or won't commit, there is invariably a friend who says something like "oh, i knew a girl who was dating a guy just like that, and now they are happily married!" The single girl says "But that girl is the exception. In reality most of us are the rule." She was trying to point out that we all give each other false hope instead of grounding each other in reality.

I also liked the fact that it was an ensemble cast. You don't see many movies like that these days. Go see it!

My name is Calypso

This Suzanne Vega song came up on shuffle. I performed this song with my friend Leslie, LONG time ago at an SSG company retreat. Those were the days! Each year we had a retreat, and the retreat included a talent show. We had some very talented folks, and I was pleased to get the opportunity to get up on stage with a friendly audience.

Leslie played guitar and I sang. I was very nervous. Hearing the song today, I am reminded of that moment. I also remember I was at a dark place in my life, although not as dark as recent years.

What I take away from the song now is the beauty of the protagonist, and the strength she showed in letting this man go, even though it would mean she would be alone again. I get pictures in my head of garden islands on the sea, a woman on the shore, standing in the wind. I might be inspired to paint that scene, in my copious spare time ;)

Calypso
by Suzanne Vega

My name is Calypso
And I have lived alone
I live on an island
And I waken to the dawn
A long time ago
I watched him struggle with the sea
I knew that he was drowning
And I brought him into me
Now today
Come morning light
He sails away
After one last night
I let him go.


My name is Calypso
My garden overflows
Thick and wild and hidden
Is the sweetness there that grows
My hair it blows long
As I sing into the wind
My name is Calypso
And I have lived alone
I live on an island
I tell of nights
Where I could taste the salt on his skin


Salt of the waves
And of tears
And though he,pulled away
I kept him here for years
I let him go


My name is Calypso
I have let him go
In the dawn he sails away
To be gone forever more
And the waves will take him in again
But he'll know their ways now
I will stand upon the shore
With a clean heart


And my song in the wind
The sand will sting my feet
And the sky will burn
It's a lonely time ahead
I do not ask him to return
I let him go
I let him go

Dream vs Reality

I dreamed last night that a man I knew said "I love you" to me, in this terribly sweet and hushed way. The alarm went off at 6am and I promptly forgot all about it. I was toweling off in the locker room later that morning and it came back to me in a flash. I stood there for several minutes, trying to remember who it was in my dream. It never came back to me, so I guess it was someone I knew only in the dreamtime. You know, when you feel like you recognize someone, but when you wake you know you don't. All I remember is the impact of the words, the way my heart felt hot and dark at the same time.

Earlier this week I found myself on the other side of rejection. I like to think I let him down compassionately. He was a sweet man (and an amazing kisser), but it would have never worked out. I just wasn't feeling it like he was. Ahhhhhh so THAT'S what that feels like!

Through it all, I still remain a hopeFUL romantic, if more cautiously optimistic these days. Mostly, I'm enjoying being on my own. I've got plenty to occupy me what with work, and Skyler, and cello, music, and the gym. As my dad would say: "that'll keep you off the streets".

Save Me - k.d. lang

This song came on this morning as I was getting ready for work, I haven't heard it in a couple years. It has such a languid guitar, and her vocals are sooo smooth. Lyrics are good too :)

Save Me
k.d. lang
(save me mp3)

Save me
Save me from you
But pave me
The way to you
Lead me upon the captive free
Gracious and tame like love can be
Lead me upon

Spoil me
Spoil me with you
And sell me with the world of you
Watch over me with a mother's eyes
Judging my worth only to glorify
Watch over me


Save me save me
Save me save me
Carry
Carry me through
And bury all my doubts of you
Clothe my desire with spell or prayer
I'll shroud every sign of need I swear
Clothe my desire

Save me save me
Save me save me
Save me save me
Save me save me

how will you go

Listening to Crowded House:

How Will You Go
by Crowded House
(mp3)

scape is on your mind again
Escape to a far away land
At times it seems there is no end
To long hard nights of drinking

How will you go, how will you go
Drive through the wind and the rain
Cover it up, cover it up
I'll find you a shelter to sleep in

I fell over on the couch again
But you know not all sleep is wasted
Your dreams are alcohol inspired
I can't find a better way to face it

How will you go, how will you go
Drive through the wind and the rain
Cover it up, cover it up
I'll find you a shelter to sleep in

And you know, I'll be fine
Just don't ask me how it's going
Gimme time, gimme time
'Cos I want you to see
'Round the world, 'round the world
Is a tangled up necklace of pearls

How will you go, how will you go
Drive through the wind and the rain
Cover it up, cover it up
I'll find you a shelter to sleep in

my new year's resolutions

1. be good
2. work out
3. avoid making the same mistakes
4. lighten up :)
5. create more music
6. enjoy being 38 (ooo my birthday is coming up!)