Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Rainchecks & Fetes

What a strange weekend!!

Mercury finally goes direct on Friday, but hey, it's only brought strangeness my way - kinda refreshing.

Rainchecks: Me and others trading rainchecks like baseball cards, for *all* kinds of things. Me with them, them with me, etc.

Loops I thought closed re-opening, to unknown end.

I agonized over the show I was supposed to play on Saturday because of inclement weather. Sunny/rainy, on and on. Finally I got the call that it was on for Sunday.

So with Joe's help I got my stuff there. But due to rescheduling, the festival had lost some performers. I had to start over an hour early. And *if* people come out, they are rarely early, so you can guess what happened. Several of my dearest friends and compadres missed my perf entirely. Some I had hoped to see no-showed. Others still were shockingly present.

So it goes.

Anyway, afterwards, I was feted by my friends. I was given a yummy Dove ice cream bar and then taken out for a nice meal. It ended up being a big party - 10 of us. We were seated in the Boston Room over at The Stockyard.

The night got very mysterious when a stranger some of the folks in the party met smoking out front ordered us all a bottle of Brut Rose, and joined us in the Boston Room.

MMMMmmmmmmm. J'adore champagne!!!!!!!

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Various Thrills & Chills

Various Thrills & Chills
Current mood: cold
Category: Life

Watched Tristram Shandy last night. I like that Steve Coogan, although the movie could've used more plot. His act gets a little old after too long...

sand in her toes, moonlight in her hair, stars overhead, sky in her stare

That's what I wrote after going skinny-dipping in the moonlight with some friends the other night.

It was at 2AM in Marblehead, Mass.

The ocean was truly dark, misty, and mysterious. It was a warm night. The effect of the mist on the water and the buoys...strange, haunting, mesmerizing. Had I been more intoxicated I could've walked into that ocean to never return. It can summon your soul that way.

I didn't want to wash the sand away the next day.

The other night I fell asleep while writing. Writing to a valentine of sorts who may never get the letter 'cause it's in my posession...

Looking forward to playing a festival in the sun on Saturday. I'll do the crown song and it will please the kids:)

I've got some pretty new melodies for the soundtrack I'm working on. Alas, they need titling. And though I've now accumulated hundreds of titles for new works, choosing one to perfectly suit a piece is tough.

Currently listening:
Filesharing
By Laub
Release date: By 27 March, 2003

Saturday, July 15, 2006

StopMakingSense

Woke up this morning knowing I had resisted crying in my sleep - not 'cause I was sad, but just 'cause sometimes I wake up crying for no apparent reason.

I was fighting back the tears. I think this was due to me being moved by what music can do - it's impact.

You see, I had read the day before about Thom Yorke's new solo album in my local paper. I think on a subconscious level I had been in awe of how much influence one human being can have over so many. And not in a tyrannical way, but an artistic one.

Now keep in mind I have never owned any Radiohead albums or music in any form whatsoever; I barely know their stuff.

But today, because of the dream, I decided to buy Yorke's solo thing. The jury is still out.

Oh, and I also related to how mournful his voice is, which is what has always struck me most whenever I've heard Radiohead in passing, or on friends' car stereos.

I went to see a band tonight. It was pretty good. On the way back, I ran into a friend with whom I am currently collaborating.

I told her I was a little disappointed to not end up at a party or something, though I had fully anticipated the probability of walking home after the show. I mean, I had my chance/s. I was invited to 2 parties tonight. But I didn't feel like going.

I mentioned to her how I had a fleeting thought about moving back to Houston...Scary, 'cause I know it wouldn't solve anything - just create different problems.

Cambridge is like ..5 on the Top 10 most expensive cities in the US, and Boston is like 8 or something - all this even ranking above NYC in cost.

Paying so much for rent is a crime. Just to hang my hat and store a little stuff?!

American nomad? Badawi? Bedouin?

Tonight, I did enjoy walking about in the summery weather. It reminded me of where I was this time last year - Prague. With the hedgehogs in the park and the weird sculptures. Nove Mesto, Stare Mesto. Prazsky Hrad. Meeting ex-pats. Internet cafes.

Ah, Europe.

Next summer I hope.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Benedetta My Love

Gerard Malanga wrote poems about Benedetta Barzini, and he was obsessed with her long after they split. He even went to visit her father in Italy, when, unbeknownst to her pop, they were already split. A little strange, non?

So I have a poem I'd like to share about a lover past and the passion we shared/I felt. The title's got me hung up, though, 'cause it would give away the farm. Soon perhaps. It's pretty goth, actually. Some antiquated language.

My lovers are my best muses. Some more of a force and more inspiring than others, naturally.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

So Warhol connections abound. Edie and Aubrey Beardsley, via one her lovers. A Harvard boy.

And now Sinead & Warhol, via an interview in his Interview mag...Om, Warhol is all. Omnipresent.

I read a bit about Sinead today online.

She called one of her producers "a fucking old hippie", but it seems like she was/is more of one herself.

Earth mama. Spiritual. Shapeless clothing. Children by several different men. Strong activist bent...

Anyway, I think some of the controversy she stirred up legitimately questioned outdated modes of thinking, but some of it was ill-placed. And what's this about her outing herself as a lesbian then retracting it and doing the same over and over??

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Been listening to Underworld a lot the past few days, and Boards of Canada.

Ahhh, B, I miss you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RE:Gaelic Phase
Today, I also tried to research a little about who it was that settled Turkiye in BC times. When I was 17, and traveling around Turkiye, I would hear Celtic music on distant radio stations. And a few years ago in Turkiye, we had an awesome regular cab driver who played Enya a lot.

I shall research more when time permits.

Currently listening:
Playing with a Different Sex
By The Au Pairs
Release date: By 29 August, 2000

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

The Countess

I got the invitation yesterday.

I knew what it was when I saw it, and I had been waiting...

It was for Cynthia's wedding celebration in NYC. I knew it would be a nice package and it was. Heavy weight paper, embossed, letter-pressed, with a pretty ribbon.

My favorite part is seeing how long her name is now.

Mrs. Cynthia Carrozza von Buhler Farhang

So many lovely extensions. Kinda like Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.

Her name is truly like a countess's, now, especially.

I am so proud of Cynthia and wish her sweetest happiness.

However, I'll probably have to miss the celebration because I'll be playing an outdoor festival.

-----------
Spent some time in Gloucester yesterday with a gentleman.

------------

More dreams of a local rocker. {Dream} Last night, she stopped by my rehearsal space and was playing my keyboard when I walked in.

She seemed jealous, though it's I who should be, of her career...

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Love In Absentia

Overall, I've had a good weekend, and there's still even one day more.

This is despite:
attending a memorial for a dead friend
getting jilted by Warren

Yes, I feel like I'm waking up from a long dream. Not pleasant or nightmarish - neutral yet confusing. Flummoxing even...

He's seeing someone else, which is fine 'cause we weren't exclusive. But I really hoped we could work it out and that one day he would be nice to me again.

There's not much to miss, honestly.

I was hanging onto gossamer, hoping it would become hemp rope or something.

Plus, he's seeing someone we're both working on this movie with, and that makes it hard for me to want to stay involved.

I suspected something was up when she snapped at me in a meeting last week...she barely knows me, and she acted hostile where previously she had been quite meek.

I'm so tired of talking about all this, so I'll let it rest here for now.

After all, there is much else going on in my life. Much that is positive and forward moving.

Scott is in town for a few days. We hung out briefly yesterday. He was supposed to attend the memorial with me, but at the last minute he felt too sick too go, and as a result I was late. But I made it soon enough.

I cried a lot, but I was seated in the back so I don't think many/any saw my tearflow.

There were two large posterboards covered with pictures of the deceased in various stages of her life, from small girl to married woman.

The memorial was in the same space as their wedding, to which I was invited but didn't go.

I felt sad that I had missed it - such a happy day for them, both on their second marriages, I believe...And I remember the invitations, pretty with gold ribbons...

Anyway, the posterboard was so humble. I was struck by it - like that's all you are in the end. Pictures, memories...

I was very disappointed in Scott for not being able to go with me. Yeah I felt bad that he was sick, but he hadn't gotten enough sleep the night before and hadn't eaten enough the previous day either. In short he hadn't taken care of himself, and he let me down. I was so glad he would be able to go with me and he let me down.

Will I ever learn?

On a positive note, I went out last night with my friend Dorian. We dressed up in summer's best finery and went over to the Lizard Lounge. The Boy Joys were playing two sets. They're a Bee Gees cover band starring Ad Frank, Paula Kelley, and Aaron Tap. The drummer kicked ass too - Jeff Norcross. And my engineer at Moontower Studios, Mike Quinn, did a stupendous job on keys.

They did two sets - like 20+ songs???!!!!

Need an interrobang!?

The second set was worth sticking around for.

On Friday, I went to see A Scanner Darkly. I had asked a few friends to come along, and it ended up being like 10 of them. Nice to be surrounded by (mostly) happy friends.

At least out of the Warren thing I've gained some very real friends.

But as far as the movie, the book/detail gave me more to mentally chew on. However, I enjoyed the rotoscope effect. Trippy. Big. Graphic. I loved the way Winona Ryder's hair moved.

It was like a videogame.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Blowout

Cool fireworks last night. The big booms and pops made my heart skip. Poweful. Potent.

Lovely shimmers and sparkles. Such fun watching the lights shoot up off the barge.

And the cute kayaks afterward, shuttling folks home. Some with but a simple glow stick to lead the way in the dark.

Ach, to be near the water after spending the day at home alone.

Near the water at night.

___________________

I broke a mirror a few days ago. I had that Oh Shit feeeling when it happened, but I'm only partly superstitious.

___________________

I'll likely be attending a memorial service on Saturday for a friend's wife who passed on. Wearing black for real.

___________________

Mercury is now comfortably settled into retrograde for the next 3 weeks.

___________________

Saw some of Guapo's set. Whatev. At least I got to catch up with Yuri and hear some new Enuma Elish.

Ecclesiastes. Nothing new under that sun. Such an important concept in my intellectual development. 9th grade. I didn't have to go to art school to learn that one.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Gaelic Phase

Forgot to blog about this the other night:

I'm going through a mini-phase of Gael and Celt. Knowing me, it's probably just the mournfulness that appeals...and the longing for one's lover.

But anyway, I'm gonna cover a traditional Scottish/Irish parting song acapella.

OH and a song by Sinead, too.

And The Moors!!! Can't say enough about how powerful their music makes me feel. It builds me up. When love and lack thereof shatter, I have soul sisters with brassy voices and Moorsian strength...

I do feel a spiritual strength returning. I hope to try to maintain it. It's been about 12 years since I felt like this.
________________________

Started recording Model Cafe last night, with Joe's help. We were gonna record some harpsichord but the evil elevator man decided to lock up early and refused to let us in.

I recovered over some sorbet and tried to assemble a new plan.
________________________

Boston is a ghost town right now because of the holiday, etc. Though it will swarm soon. Don't like how it feels. Like Providence or something. Empty.

I always feel a little weird around July 4th.
________________________

Today I felt not so good upon waking - in my head and heart, I mean. Funny how sometimes it can be so hard and others you breeze through.

I feel a little melancholy, but part of it is because of all the news of sickness. Bad news comes in 3s, and that rang true for me this week certainly.

I just returned from visiting my piano/harpsichord teacher at a rehab facility. She had brain surgery 2.5 weeks ago and thought she'd be out by now, but no.

She seems to be doing pretty well, and I wished her the best. Met her daughter, her husband, and grandchildren.

Kathy and I talked about love, life, parents, etc. She's getting remarried in September, and she's like 66 or something.

I told her how a good friend/ex-boss of mine always teases me about getting a starter husband.

Anyway, this is where the record repeats, so I'll be cutting out.

Currently listening:
I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One
By Yo La Tengo
Release date: By 22 April, 1997