Love me like a song.

The most flattering thing happened to me today. A friend and old lover that I haven’t seen in several years was chatting with me via instant message. I don’t quite remember how it came about but he informed me that a song on his last CD was about me. Granted this was recorded four years ago but still it surprised me because he had never mentioned it before. I, of course, wanted to hear it immediately and since I don’t have itunes at work I had to search sites for a sound bite. It was ten minutes of absolutely gorgeous and creative jazz bliss. I’m still blushing that anyone could possibly hear that and think of me. I only wish I had known then.

This isn’t the first time someone wrote/composed a song about me. I’ve dated more than a few musicians and some of them might be a little bitter. Some just share too much. I remember going to see an ex’s band at a big venue and standing with his current girlfriend watching her sing along to a song about our sex life. That was strange.

I used to beg Sky not to write a song about me because I was afraid of what he would say. Some of his stuff is hilarious but other pieces force me to wonder who they are about. He claims nobody. I have a hard time believing that. I remember he told me once that usually when he was dating someone they would keep asking for him to write a song. That’s a lot of pressure. Plus if it was any good he would be performing it at his gigs and all your friends would know. It seems so personal and yet you share it with everyone. See, this is why I don’t write my own music. I’m incapable of sharing my emotions.

Still, I’m so completely flattered.

Things That Move You

Today while I was walking down Broadway and listening to my Ipod on shuffle a song came up that moved me so much actual tears welled up in my eyes. It's funny how things sneak up on you like that. When I got home I had to track down a recording on YouTube. I found this version that was performed three months before I was born. That information is irrelevant and yet it amuses me.

Now I shall share it with you.

Perturbingly - Dictionary.com says it's a word.

This post will probably disturb some of you. What can I say? I'm a disturbing person. The sooner you realize that the better off you will be.

Several months ago I was introduced to a youtube video and song that I thought was amusing but forgot about almost instantly. It was catchy but I obviously had other things on my mind at the time. I heard the song in passing a couple times but it wasn't until a couple weeks ago (when a crazy bartender played it for us) that it got stuck in my head. Now it won't leave. I walk around singing this song all day every day.



Catchy isn't it? So of course I had to show Casey the video since I kept saying "It puts the lotion in the basket." It's one thing if I can't stop quoting the movie. It's another when a song gets stuck in your head. Or maybe they are both bad. I don't know. Anyway, he informed me that they made a musical of the movie. It's true. "Silence! The Musical". You can listen to tracks here. It's perturbingly funny!

I think I will enjoy some fava beans and a nice Chianti this evening.

He's Got Me Goin - meme

I'm doing a quick meme for my blog sis Ne. I don't intentionally do a lot of these but she implied very kindly that she would be happy if I did. So here it goes.
The “Rules:”

1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. After you've answered all of the questions, tag 5 other people and then let them know they've been tagged to do the meme themselves. NO.

- IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY? My Heart Belongs To Daddy (Julie London)
- WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? A Letter To Dominique (Louis XIV)
- WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Baby Face (Dean Martin)
- HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Trail Of Broken Hearts (K.D. Lang)
- WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? I Just Wanna Make Love To You (Etta James)
- WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? Call Me Baby (Raful Neal)
- WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS? Maria (Dave Brubeck)
- WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT? Don’t Forget To Mess Around (Alberta Hunter)
- WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Let’s Fall In Love (Diana Krall)
- WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Blinded By The Light (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band)
- WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? These Are The Days (Jamie Cullum)
- WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Wisemen (James Blunt)
- WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime (Dean Martin)
- WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Mrs. Robinson (Simon & Garfunkel)
- WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Band Of Gold (Freda Payne)
- WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Lilac Wine (Nina Simone)
- WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? My Man (Billie Holiday)
- WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Glad And Sorry (The Faces)
- WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Travelin’ Blues (Dave Brubeck)
- WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS? He’s Got Me Goin (Bessie Smith)
- WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS TAG? Happy Ending (Mika)

This really is the song order that came up. I didn't skip anything. Some are sort of fitting to the topic like Band of Gold for the wedding. Even though the song content implies a horrible wedding. I also found it amusing that my life's purpose is to make love to you. I guess I'm going to be very busy. Some of the answers don't make sense at all. In the end you at least get a peak into my music player to see what sort of stuff pops up. That was interesting. Thanks Ne!

Long As God Can Grow It, My HAIR!

Holy love making musical gloriousness my friends! Last night I saw the musical HAIR at the Public Theatre in Central Park. It was incredible! I left with such a buzz from the excitement I was wondering if they somehow slipped drugs to the audience.

I'm a theatre snob so every time the directing seems a little off or the character isn't totally there I take notice and ruin the moment for myself but I have to tell you, this story is so damn good you love it no matter what.

Let me tell you the set up of the stage. The Public Theatre is outside and is fairly small. The stage is level with the first row of seats making the whole show feel very intimate. All you see on stage as far as a set goes is grass and at the back a little paint splattered raised section for the band. The cast spent a lot of time running around the audience and getting you involved. At the end it turned into a giant dance party. It was one of those moments where my head spins in circles and I keep saying "Is this really happening?" Only in New York!

Before the show began the director gave a speech saying how this is the 40th Anniversary of Hair and so much has changed since the original production. He went on to compare the war we are in now to the war we were in then and gee do they sound similar. It certainly brings a whole new perspective to the show. The draft may be gone but we are still watching children die for us. That isn't completely what the show is about though. It's about bohemian life, sexual revolution, poverty, racism, religion, environmentalism, politics, and the youth of America. Just to name a few.

I truly love this show in every way. I think it can be summed up pretty well in the following quote:

"...be free, no guilt, be whoever you are, do whatever you want, just as long as you don't hurt anyone."

Why can't we all live by that? Why do we get class, skin color, religion, and various other crap in the way? I better not get started on that topic. I will leave you with a video of one of my favorite bits from the show. This is from the movie version.

Insomnia & Delirium

Can't sleep. Can't sleep. Must sing and dance and write. Check e-mail every five minutes. Check other e-mail every ten minutes. What should I do? My mind is racing and I can't focus on one thing. I bought a book today. Once I finish a paragraph I have to go back and read it again because I can't stay focused long enough to retain the information.

I have tried writing several different posts and half way through I forgot what the point was or where I was going. I should have just posted several half finished ideas and waited for someone to react. My guess is that a lovely reader would directly say, What the hell is wrong with you? I would appreciate that.

I need a piano.

Or medication.

They are putting on a production of the musical Hair in Central Park right now. I HAVE to see it. One of my dreams in life is to perform in that show. Nude scene and all. I love everything about it. I have a phone alarm that goes off at the same time every night playing the song "I've Got Life" with Nina Simone singing. Every time Casey hears it he makes up the words. Not to be funny. He really doesn't know them. Anyway we both want to see the show but you can't buy tickets. The tickets are free. You just have to stand in line all day. Who has that kind of time? Turns out they recently created a virtual line. You put your name in like a lottery and then find out by 1pm the day of the show if you got them. I hope, hope, hope I'm in the park watching an amazing show tomorrow night. Cross your fingers for me. Or, do something actually productive. Whatever.

UPDATE: I did not receive free tickets in the lottery so I was pretty bummed but then, low and behold Casey calls and he GOT THEM! I can't wait!!!

Sharks and Serenades

Going back to work sucks! Two people from my group called out sick today and another is coming in a few hours late. It's just me and Brad covering the desks. Sadly this is normal here. Thanks to the fact that our website runs slow I'm able to write a little while I wait for things to load and leave voice mails. Hopefully all the business will make the day go by faster and the next thing I know I'll be at the beer garden eating kielbasa. Mmmmm.

I promised Matt-Man a picture of the tan. I'm pretty sure he was hoping to see a little more than back but this is all you get today.

You can see how pale I used to be in this old WWC post.

I promised Spazoid Mike a shark. Here is one from the Atlantis Aquarium. He was nice.

Speaking of sharks. They scare the crap out of me. Casey wanted to swim with them and I think he is bat-shit crazy. At the water park they had a predator aquarium with two slides that went through it. They were great. One was a body slide that from the top as you get on looks like a huge drop directly into a pool of sharks. Of course it just takes you through a clear tunnel in the middle of the shark pool. It went so fast you couldn't really see the sharks surrounding you. The second slide required an innertube. You went down a drop and at the bottom it goes really slow through the clear tube and you see sharks swimming all around you. Not a good idea if you are claustrophobic. Some were lying right on top of the tube about a foot from our heads. That was pretty cool.

Last night I went to a Singer/songwriter showcase. It's a free weekly song club that a co-worker friend of mine is guest hosting this month. I had to check it out because Gustavo is one of those unfairly talented people that can do everything. Just a couple of years ago I was at his movie premier and last night I sat in the back of the crowd with my beer while he amazed the room. Not only can this guy play some guitar like you wouldn't believe he has an incredible voice. Sometimes it's a little Elvis Costello, sometimes it's Elvis Presley, most of the time it's unique Gustavo vocals. When the featured artist of the night started playing Gus jumped up to do some great harmonies and tambourine. His talent never caps.

The best part of the evening was when he announced the next song was for a friend that came out and it would be a late birthday gift. Next thing I know, he breaks into a beautiful rendition of Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime! That's right! He sang DEAN MARTIN'S biggest hit for my birthday gift! He did an amazing job. The whole time I had a huge smile on my face. I looked like a little kid. Good thing I was sitting behind everyone else so they didn't see how insane I looked. That was so unbelievably cool of Gus. It made my entire week.

Anybody want to go next week?

The BIG 25

This is my last post for the next few days. Tonight is another dinner with Casey's Fam. Then Saturday is DURAN DURAN.

Sunday is my b-day party in the park as long as Jebus doesn't pee on us that day. Interestingly enough, there are times where NYC rain is yellow and sticky just like some large giant in the sky was urinating. What a gross thought.

If it's nice I'll post pictures of the party.

Monday is my real birthday and I'm not coming to work.
Happy Birthday To ME Happy Birthday TO ME!!

I don't like cake but feel free to celebrate with flowers and liquor.



Quarter Life Crisis Time!!!!

School Memory Number One

My first school memory is in kindergarten. We sat on a colorful carpet for music time and our music teacher Mr. Kermit Wells was attempting to teach us rhythm. He taught music class K-6 Grades for the entire district. To help teach us the song they drew out the lyrics in pictures. We were little, we couldn't read. I loved music time. Some of the kids would roll around on the carpet and drool. I sat in perfect Indian style facing Mr. Wells with his keyboard in his lap. I was in my hot pink t-shirt with the teddy bear holding gold heart shaped balloons. How can I possibly remember that detail? The teacher was playing and wanted us to clap along. I clapped. I knew where the claps went without thinking. The other kids were lost. They had no idea. Then Mr. Wells stopped and said. "None of you are getting this right. I want you to watch the teacher (our regular class teacher whose name I don't recall) or you right there. You've got it right. Raise your hand so everybody can watch you" He pointed at me! Out of all the kids in the class he pointed me! I was so proud of myself. Take that freak kid that knows how to multiply already. You don't know how to clap properly and I do. Yay for me.

I have wondered several times throughout my life why this memory stands out to me so clearly. I remember what I was wearing. I know I was facing north when it happened. I remember a lot about that teacher but then again I did see him once a week for seven years. I wonder if I was already musically inclined or if that small bit of positive reinforcement nudged me in that direction. It's really amazing what a teacher is capable of in a child's life in just a brief passing moment. Something adults should remember.

Man Of My Obsession

It's been awhile since I last went off on a tangent about the love of my life. Long time readers know exactly who I'm talking about. That's right, I'm talking about the king of cool and the sexiest man to have ever lived DEAN MARTIN. Oh my beautiful Dino, my obsession with you gets stronger all the time. Wait, I just remembered Jay and Jo were going to drive across country with me so I can lay across his grave. Remember Jo? You promised to pack snacks and not remove my leather boots. *Sigh* what a wonderful trip that would be.

This is one of my favorite Dino songs. He is such a goofy bastard he screws up the whole thing and it's perfectly delightful that way.

Hilarious. It makes me want to sit in his lap.


Here is another little bit of gorgeousness for you.



Rowrrrr!

Well, my day is much brighter now.

It's a Drug

Last night I went out to dinner with my good friend A. She was coming from her big screen premiere that she didn't invite anyone to but from the sound of it everything went beautifully. She was in good spirits as was I so after some humus and a drink or two we headed to Union Square where we sat on the steps smoking cigars. We talked about plenty of things but mostly about our mutual love for the city. Around twelve thirty I decided I better get home and wash the smoke off so I could get to work on time the next morning. She went downtown to sip juleps with her lover. We were on a seasonal city buzz. It's the energy. It takes over you like a drug. At one point in the evening A. introduced me to this song:



I was hooked immediately. First of all I have always been a fan of George Orwell's 1984. This was an interesting twist of what he was saying. I thought I should share it with you all in the off chance someone might find it as amusing as I did.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." -George Burns

April Fools! WWC3

I'm not going to try to blog prank anyone today. I thought about it. I had some ideas but they might have been scary. So that was a no go. I'm a fan of a good joke but it's so easy for them to go horribly wrong. So no pranking from me today.

Earlier today I got a shocking text from my boyfriend. He spent twenty minutes giving CPR to a man on the train this morning while waiting for the paramedics to come. The guy was probably dead. Casey is a nursing student right now and was on his way to class. He and one other woman stayed with this guy and performed CPR until someone came. I really admire the hell out of him.

Today is Weekly Words Challenge hosted by Tink of Pickled Beef. This weeks words were Shiny and Era. I will admit I didn't try very hard this time but at least I played. This is a shiny platinum curl.
It is on a wig from another era. See the Marilyn Monroe style below.

These pictures are a little darker than they should be but you can click to see the enlarged version.

Here we have Jazz and Blues music covering the last century. See how nice the look in the shiny cases?

Toodles friends and freaks. Have a lovely harass others day!

Noise

If all the people of the world could agree on one perfect song that is the most wonderful song of all time what would it sound like? What would be the meaning? Would it even have one? Would there be words and a voice? There are so many options of sounds and stylings throughout time and space. Anything that creates sound can be considered an instrument and each person could play them in a different way so how would we choose? How could we ever possibly agree? Let me digress to religions, cultures, and governments. The world will never agree that any single one of them is perfect. Some will be more popular, more powerful, more effective than others but that doesn't mean it's the best for all people. I think maybe the best song is the one already playing. We can't hear it because we are all so busy making our part of the music. What would happen if we could step back and take in everything around us? Maybe we would all agree that together, without doing anything but live our lives, we have created it. The perfect song. Or maybe it would just be a loud horrendous, intolerable noise that we can only survive by exposing ourselves to small portions. Perspective I guess.

Provoking Emotion

I spent about six hours sorting through my playlists on itunes last night. It doesn't look like I did anything. Mostly I uploaded music folders hiding throughout my computer. Listening to all these old songs that have specific memories and moments in time attached got me all emotional and sentimental. I realized I attach a lot of baggage to specific songs. Songs I will always love for what they evoke. I'm sure some tunes I listen to now on a regular basis will always be associated with this period in time but I wonder what I will remember most. Hopefully all the good things. At one point last night I teared up and couldn't for the life of me figure out why this song in particular still had that effect on me. The song playing marked the end of a love. I'm very certain I no longer care for the person so this confused me but then I realized, it wasn't them. I was able to bring back what I actually felt inside at that time regardless of who else was involved. The same thing happened with memories of graduation, moving to New York, saying goodbye to close friends, and all kinds of things. I'm hoping that I can use this as a singer to bring more honesty to whatever I'm singing. Hopefully if I associate the songs I can pull some real emotion without losing myself. I've always had a problem with disconnecting. For most of my life I have been very cold and built walls to avoid expression. That has decreased significantly in the last few years but deliberate expression is still hard. So unbelievably hard. Maybe I have found some sort of key.

Needed Time

Just found this video today.


That is some beautiful classic blues.

And So It Is

I can't get this song out of my head and it's killing me.


Every now and then you come across a song that fits so perfectly in the moment. Then you can't get it to leave. It's haunting me.

Hugh

I wish I knew more about the British TV comedy series "Jeeves & Wooster". Mostly because I heart Hugh Laurie. Now let's listen in on him singing Nagasaki all clean shaven. *swoon*



Jazz and Hugh. I'm in love.

Reprimanding Myself

I've been pretending for a ridiculously long time that I am going to do a cabaret. The thing is, I have no idea why I'm not just doing it. I know what songs I want to use. I have the basic outline and idea of the show. I have the music for all but three pieces that I am considering. What in the hell is wrong with me? Why don't I just hire someone to play and get to it?
I guess I can't get it out of my head that if I fail at what I love I have nothing left to live for. That's scary. What's even more terrifying is that I can trick myself into believing that crap and therefore never even try. Anyone know a pianist?