Often the best part of travel for me is the plane rides, not the moments leading up to the plane rides but the actual flights, the moments when I am able to close my eyes and bathe myself in music. While music seems to be somewhat omnipresent in my life, it is often obstructed by my need to think. On a plane I am completely carefree, having relinquished control of the situation to higher powers and some guy that has only had 6 hours of sleep in the last 36, whose breath still smells of whiskey and the flight attendant’s breasts.
Awe shit, what just happened there, I am two stanzas away from a Penthouse Forum post, and I was supposed to be talking about music. Let's get back to that.
I had the opportunity to go to San Francisco this week which afforded me several hours of unobstructed listening time. I chose to swim in sounds that I knew would make me feel. I have never shied away from feeling. Actually I tend to embrace it, proudly tattooed myself with a purple tear drop signifying my reliance on emotions. Above thoughts and talent, emotions are what make me me. The worst part of my divorce was not the loss of her but the loss of me. This is a very strange concept to discuss because it is not physical. There is nothing specific that can be used to convey what happened to me after my divorce. The best way I have found to describe it is to say I was dead inside. I realize how awful that sounds, but in truth that is where I was. It is something I still struggle with some seven years later when I feel like I am sleepwalking (that word is going to become even more relevant in a few moment, so hang in there with me) through life, when I am not sure I will ever feel again, but then I turn to music and it stirs me in ways that help me realize I am alive and well. I may have built some walls to protect myself, but beneath the castles fortress I am as I have always been, tender, sensitive, and full of love and life.
In an effort to catapult myself over the walls, I listened to a lot of duets during the flights, something about the harmonies and the stories really helps me to feel the music. Here are a few that really resonated with me.
“Falling – the Civil Wars”
“Rootless Tree – Damien Rice w/ Lisa Hannigan”
“Low Rising – the Swell Season”
I could probably bury you in videos, but I would end up posting so many that you would be overwhelmed and end up not watching any of them. So, I’ll stop there and leave you with this poem I wrote as a response to the music and head words bouncing from frontal lobe to limbic system.
“Sleepwalking at 15,000 Angels”
As I listen to voices
Dance between melody
Always in harmony
I close eyes
Picture your face
Your smile
Its energy could fuel this mechanical bird
Floating between clouds and ground
Suspended between streams
Particles unseen but felt
Like spirits hold me
When I close eyes
Picture your face
But I am sleepwalking
Living in mind moments
Consumed by two dimensions
Unable to build bridges
Escape routes
Freedom tunnels
Rich
Vibrant
Graffiti
Guiding
Propelling
But I am sleepwalking
Numb
Flat
Darkness
Frightens
My only light
Your smile
When I close eyes
Picture your face
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
I Cannot Thank You Enough - Gig Recap
Throughout my career as a musician I have had the pleasure of meeting and playing with many great bands from other states. When I really like someone I will buy their CD(s) with the intent of following their careers and keeping in touch with them. Inevitably life happens and it is not long before their CDs are collecting dust on a very full CD rack, and the random appearance of a song on an iPod shuffle serves as a reminder of a great night of music in a life filled with these moments. Thankfully my experience with Patrick Bloom has been different.
Patrick and I met back in 2006 when Whiskey Daydream was just getting started. His band came down from Iowa for a show at Cicero’s and we were fortunate to open for them. I got a CD that night, and I have been a fan ever since…now my parents are fans…my friends are fans…and Patrick and I are friends. I have been up to Iowa to share the stage with him, and tonight he came down to St. Charles to grace us with an amazing night of music.
Why is it different with Patrick? A couple of reasons, first he is the embodiment of everything that I love about music. I cannot listen to one of his songs without finding a line in it that I wish I would have written. He is a writer’s songwriter. As a poet first songwriter, I hang on his words like a child clinging to his father’s shoulders on his first piggyback. Second, he is a great person. All too often these meetings are based on façade, band member’s stroking egos in hope of finding a friend to guide them through the tumultuous seas of the industry, but with Patrick and I the respect is mutual, genuine, and the relationship extends beyond words and music.
Here is Patrick playing my favorite song of his, “Brooklyn.” Enjoy!
Of course I played this evening as well. This is me doing “Feel the Sun.”
Before I close out of this post, I need to thank everyone for coming out. Seriously every aspect of my last 13 years in Missouri was represented: Jeff (my best friend and college roommate) and Patricia…folks from Verizon where I worked post Bachelor’s. People I currently work with. My morning workout buddies. Matt Kury from Revence who I have known since I was in EKe. Benjamin Ash who was in Whiskey Daydream with me. My Twitter peeps: Meredith, Jane, Louis, and Karen…my core crew: Stephanie, Julie, Vinnie, Jen, JT, and of course Ryan, Laura, and Aurora. It was amazing to see everyone, and I am so thrilled you came out for this show. I know I play way too much for my own good, so it is hard to come to all my gigs, but I was terrified Patrick would drive all the way down here to play for 7 people, but you packed the place, and I cannot thank you enough.
I love you all!
Patrick and I met back in 2006 when Whiskey Daydream was just getting started. His band came down from Iowa for a show at Cicero’s and we were fortunate to open for them. I got a CD that night, and I have been a fan ever since…now my parents are fans…my friends are fans…and Patrick and I are friends. I have been up to Iowa to share the stage with him, and tonight he came down to St. Charles to grace us with an amazing night of music.
Why is it different with Patrick? A couple of reasons, first he is the embodiment of everything that I love about music. I cannot listen to one of his songs without finding a line in it that I wish I would have written. He is a writer’s songwriter. As a poet first songwriter, I hang on his words like a child clinging to his father’s shoulders on his first piggyback. Second, he is a great person. All too often these meetings are based on façade, band member’s stroking egos in hope of finding a friend to guide them through the tumultuous seas of the industry, but with Patrick and I the respect is mutual, genuine, and the relationship extends beyond words and music.
Here is Patrick playing my favorite song of his, “Brooklyn.” Enjoy!
Of course I played this evening as well. This is me doing “Feel the Sun.”
Before I close out of this post, I need to thank everyone for coming out. Seriously every aspect of my last 13 years in Missouri was represented: Jeff (my best friend and college roommate) and Patricia…folks from Verizon where I worked post Bachelor’s. People I currently work with. My morning workout buddies. Matt Kury from Revence who I have known since I was in EKe. Benjamin Ash who was in Whiskey Daydream with me. My Twitter peeps: Meredith, Jane, Louis, and Karen…my core crew: Stephanie, Julie, Vinnie, Jen, JT, and of course Ryan, Laura, and Aurora. It was amazing to see everyone, and I am so thrilled you came out for this show. I know I play way too much for my own good, so it is hard to come to all my gigs, but I was terrified Patrick would drive all the way down here to play for 7 people, but you packed the place, and I cannot thank you enough.
I love you all!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
How Twitter Made April More Awesome…
Before getting into this, I wanted to let you know I did question whether or not it was appropriate to create a post exclaiming April was awesome when the same month brought storms that ravaged the majority of the Southeast and caused some serious damage in St. Louis and St. Charles County, which is where I live. What has happened is terrible. The lives lost in Alabama are shocking and disheartening, but it is events like I am about to talk about that help me to deal with tragedy, so I press on.
If you are a regular reader, you know that April = Awesome and was stacked with an amazing assortment of concerts. I was on-tap to enjoy at least four; however, before the calendar flipped to May, I was fortunate to have gone to 6 shows, two of them because of Twitter.
For those that do not know The Civil Wars, you should. They were coming to one of my all time favorite venues, the Old Rock House, but before I realized I was not alone in my obsession for Joy Williams and John Paul White’s breath-stealing harmonies, the show sold out. I fretted about it for a few days, and then started posting tons of The Civil Wars tunes on Twitter to console myself for missing this opportunity.
Without expectation, a friend from Twitter, Adam Houston, who I had recently met in real life (IRL as the cool kids call it), popped into my feed letting me know he had an extra ticket. Originally another one of our friends had claimed it, but her husband could not attend, so she offered it up. I jumped on it like Tigger jumps on Pooh. Aside from a gaggle of Wooh! Girls and their Bro boyfriends that thought it was completely acceptable to talk and cackle through the performance, it was amazing.
After seeing Company of Thieves (Yes I chose them over the Decemberists and Wakey! Wakey! and they did not disappoint) this Wednesday, I thought my concert going was over for the month, then I received a rather ominous DM (Direct Message for those that still scoff at Twitter).
Matt Riding is someone I have been following since the beginning but had never met IRL. He is a major player in the Social Media circuit, and while the bulk of our on-line conversations have been about music, we have had some professional exchanges as well. With that post coming in in the middle of the workday, I was a bit concerned that something had gone wrong and needed immediate attention, as Matt isn’t one to randomly DM me. I skeptically replied…
As it turns out, Matt had a spare ticket to Tift Merritt and Stephen Kellogg at, again, the Old Rock House. Admittedly I had never heard of Stephen Kellogg, but I have a few of Tift Merritt's CDs, so I was all over it. They both played acoustic, no band, just voice and 6 strings, and it was unbelievable.
If you seriously want to go to an amazing acoustic show, go to the Old Rock House for one of their Listening Room Series. The venue is PERFECT for singer/songwriters. When they first opened, I played there, solo, every Sunday for a few months, and I was always amazed at the sound of the room, even pushed it fully unplugged a couple of times. While rock shows are also great there, I am excited to see they are also using the room to display its natural gifts.
The video I shot off my phone was weak, but I found this one YouTube so you could get an idea of what Tift was like live.
All this talk of singer/songwriters and acoustic music reminded me that my friend Patrick Bloom is coming in town from Iowa to play the St. Charles Coffee House with me this Saturday, May 7th. It’s a pretty hefty drive to come down from Iowa, so I really want to pack this place. If you are reading this, please come to the show and bring some folks. I guarantee the music will leave your heart feeling warm and loved, and the coffee will keep your mind up for hours (Note: fear not they do have a nice selection of beer and wine).
See you all on Saturday!
If you are a regular reader, you know that April = Awesome and was stacked with an amazing assortment of concerts. I was on-tap to enjoy at least four; however, before the calendar flipped to May, I was fortunate to have gone to 6 shows, two of them because of Twitter.
For those that do not know The Civil Wars, you should. They were coming to one of my all time favorite venues, the Old Rock House, but before I realized I was not alone in my obsession for Joy Williams and John Paul White’s breath-stealing harmonies, the show sold out. I fretted about it for a few days, and then started posting tons of The Civil Wars tunes on Twitter to console myself for missing this opportunity.
Without expectation, a friend from Twitter, Adam Houston, who I had recently met in real life (IRL as the cool kids call it), popped into my feed letting me know he had an extra ticket. Originally another one of our friends had claimed it, but her husband could not attend, so she offered it up. I jumped on it like Tigger jumps on Pooh. Aside from a gaggle of Wooh! Girls and their Bro boyfriends that thought it was completely acceptable to talk and cackle through the performance, it was amazing.
After seeing Company of Thieves (Yes I chose them over the Decemberists and Wakey! Wakey! and they did not disappoint) this Wednesday, I thought my concert going was over for the month, then I received a rather ominous DM (Direct Message for those that still scoff at Twitter).
Matt Riding is someone I have been following since the beginning but had never met IRL. He is a major player in the Social Media circuit, and while the bulk of our on-line conversations have been about music, we have had some professional exchanges as well. With that post coming in in the middle of the workday, I was a bit concerned that something had gone wrong and needed immediate attention, as Matt isn’t one to randomly DM me. I skeptically replied…
As it turns out, Matt had a spare ticket to Tift Merritt and Stephen Kellogg at, again, the Old Rock House. Admittedly I had never heard of Stephen Kellogg, but I have a few of Tift Merritt's CDs, so I was all over it. They both played acoustic, no band, just voice and 6 strings, and it was unbelievable.
If you seriously want to go to an amazing acoustic show, go to the Old Rock House for one of their Listening Room Series. The venue is PERFECT for singer/songwriters. When they first opened, I played there, solo, every Sunday for a few months, and I was always amazed at the sound of the room, even pushed it fully unplugged a couple of times. While rock shows are also great there, I am excited to see they are also using the room to display its natural gifts.
The video I shot off my phone was weak, but I found this one YouTube so you could get an idea of what Tift was like live.
All this talk of singer/songwriters and acoustic music reminded me that my friend Patrick Bloom is coming in town from Iowa to play the St. Charles Coffee House with me this Saturday, May 7th. It’s a pretty hefty drive to come down from Iowa, so I really want to pack this place. If you are reading this, please come to the show and bring some folks. I guarantee the music will leave your heart feeling warm and loved, and the coffee will keep your mind up for hours (Note: fear not they do have a nice selection of beer and wine).
See you all on Saturday!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Casualty of Conflict - Taylor Comes Home
Taylor, my angel, was a casualty of conflict, a prisoner of war, and by war I mean a fairly amicable divorce between two people that loved each other, respected each other, and didn’t want to hurt each other. Like any child, Taylor was the one piece of the separation that we could not agree on, and ultimately I caved, a decision I have regretted since 2004.
Taylor, you see, was my 1996 Taylor 412. I purchased her from my good friend Rob Woerther for $500 back in 2000, right after Angela and I were married.
For those that are wondering, did your ex play guitar? The answer is no. For those that just shook your heads in disgust, thinking why the hell would she take your guitar, I will explain. At the time, Angela was interested in learning to play guitar, and I needed a second acoustic for live shows so I could keep one tuned to DADGAD which is an alternate tuning that I often use when writing songs. That being said, in the 4 years we were married, she played the guitar for a grand total of 11 hours, 17 minutes, and 34 seconds. I may have been a bit generous there. While I understand that she wants to learn to play, if you are living with a musician who is more than willing to teach you, and you don’t do it, you are never going to learn. In her mind it was her Taylor because she was bought, in part, so she could learn to play. In my mind, she was my kid. I was the one that held her when she cried, changed her diapers, kept her hydrated and fed…she was my go to guitar. I wrote 3 albums on her, toured over 8 states with her. She is me.
However, when it came down to it, I turned my back on her to keep the peace. I mean she is just a guitar, right? I have tons of them. Well, the problem is, of all my guitars, Taylor is my favorite. I even have another Taylor. It is a 410CE from the same year, but there is something about this guitar. Maybe it’s the combination of Rob’s energy and mine that has seeped into her beautiful mahogany. I don’t know. She is just a very special.
To her credit, Angela offered to let me buy her several times over the years, but I wouldn’t do it. It was a matter of principle for me. She was my guitar, like paying to sleep with your own wife (yeah, I know what I just said…it made sense in my head. I am just going to leave it alone), but I just could not find a replacement. The number of guitars that I have bought and sold in an attempt to replace this beauty is staggering…seriously. At one point, I bought a brand new Taylor 412ce. I mean it is the SAME. GUITAR. Right? No. Again, there is something special about her.
As you may or may not know, Angela now works at my office (yes, I knew she was applying, even helped her through the process and served as a reference…we have never not been cool to one another, this is the kind of people we are). We bump into each other from time to time, so sometime around September I decided I needed Taylor back. I just couldn’t be without her, like she had been held in some P.O.W. camp, and I was determined to free her at any cost (well any may be a stretch). Angela and I went back and forth. I told her what she was worth; she had some “people” give her an assessed value; I busted out the Blue Book value on her, and it seemed like we were at a stalemate. But I had to MalcomX the situation, by any means necessary. So a couple of weeks ago I shot her one final offer. The text read, “$XXX (all you need to know is I bought her back for more than we paid for her) for Taylor…what say you.” She took a few days to respond. I had almost lost hope, but she rolled into to my office on Monday to let me know we had a deal. Taylor came home on Thursday, and I couldn’t be happier.
Rather than post a poem, I thought I would post a video so you could hear her. I recorded this this afternoon. Thought it would be good closure. "Picture Frame" was written on Taylor a few months after my divorce. Enjoy.
Taylor, you see, was my 1996 Taylor 412. I purchased her from my good friend Rob Woerther for $500 back in 2000, right after Angela and I were married.
For those that are wondering, did your ex play guitar? The answer is no. For those that just shook your heads in disgust, thinking why the hell would she take your guitar, I will explain. At the time, Angela was interested in learning to play guitar, and I needed a second acoustic for live shows so I could keep one tuned to DADGAD which is an alternate tuning that I often use when writing songs. That being said, in the 4 years we were married, she played the guitar for a grand total of 11 hours, 17 minutes, and 34 seconds. I may have been a bit generous there. While I understand that she wants to learn to play, if you are living with a musician who is more than willing to teach you, and you don’t do it, you are never going to learn. In her mind it was her Taylor because she was bought, in part, so she could learn to play. In my mind, she was my kid. I was the one that held her when she cried, changed her diapers, kept her hydrated and fed…she was my go to guitar. I wrote 3 albums on her, toured over 8 states with her. She is me.
However, when it came down to it, I turned my back on her to keep the peace. I mean she is just a guitar, right? I have tons of them. Well, the problem is, of all my guitars, Taylor is my favorite. I even have another Taylor. It is a 410CE from the same year, but there is something about this guitar. Maybe it’s the combination of Rob’s energy and mine that has seeped into her beautiful mahogany. I don’t know. She is just a very special.
To her credit, Angela offered to let me buy her several times over the years, but I wouldn’t do it. It was a matter of principle for me. She was my guitar, like paying to sleep with your own wife (yeah, I know what I just said…it made sense in my head. I am just going to leave it alone), but I just could not find a replacement. The number of guitars that I have bought and sold in an attempt to replace this beauty is staggering…seriously. At one point, I bought a brand new Taylor 412ce. I mean it is the SAME. GUITAR. Right? No. Again, there is something special about her.
As you may or may not know, Angela now works at my office (yes, I knew she was applying, even helped her through the process and served as a reference…we have never not been cool to one another, this is the kind of people we are). We bump into each other from time to time, so sometime around September I decided I needed Taylor back. I just couldn’t be without her, like she had been held in some P.O.W. camp, and I was determined to free her at any cost (well any may be a stretch). Angela and I went back and forth. I told her what she was worth; she had some “people” give her an assessed value; I busted out the Blue Book value on her, and it seemed like we were at a stalemate. But I had to MalcomX the situation, by any means necessary. So a couple of weeks ago I shot her one final offer. The text read, “$XXX (all you need to know is I bought her back for more than we paid for her) for Taylor…what say you.” She took a few days to respond. I had almost lost hope, but she rolled into to my office on Monday to let me know we had a deal. Taylor came home on Thursday, and I couldn’t be happier.
Rather than post a poem, I thought I would post a video so you could hear her. I recorded this this afternoon. Thought it would be good closure. "Picture Frame" was written on Taylor a few months after my divorce. Enjoy.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
April = Awesome
For those in the winter weather weary Midwest you probably think that this blog is the official announcement of sunshine's arrival. Well, you are wrong. Not that I am not stoked about Old Man Winter going into hibernation for several months, but this post is about the alignment of stars, about all things that are great in this world, including Cool-Whip and Cherries, taking the passenger seat to the Month of Rock.
Without a doubt this April features the best line-up of shows I have ever seen in one month, so I thought I would do a little video collage of the concerts I will be attending.
Up first Queens of the Stone Age at the Pageant. Unless you have your tickets, you are out of luck...SOLD OUT!!! This concert is extra special for a couple reasons. 1) It is my first time seeing QotSA 2) I graduated high-school with the lead singer, Josh Homme. I know you all just thought, how is this your first QotSA show then? Well, I was actually a bigger fan of Josh's first band Kyuss. That was the band I grew up with, the band I saw at generator parties in high-school, the band I listened to every time I took a trip from San Diego to Palm Desert.
Now, were Josh and I good friends, absolutely not. In fact the last time I bumped into him was when I was home on leave from bootcamp. I approached him to tell him that I saw the video for Green Machine, and I thought it was awesome. He was a total cocky ass. But whatevs, I am quite sure he would have no idea who I was today. We played football together, and maybe had two classes together. But, it is still cool to know that you can accomplish what he did with his life, and the reality is, as a musician, I have the utmost respect for his playing, producing, and for the fact that he essentially created a new genre of music called Stoner Rock.
Year book photos:
"Go with the Flow"
Flowing up this rockfest we have the 1st Annual Pajammy Jam. I put together a great line-up of performers: Brian Sowinski, Loza, and of course my band So Much Closer, the Koken is a super cool space, and my good friend Vinnie Saletto is running sound. Plus our friends My Molly are going to be joining us for two songs. SO COOL!!!
Flyer:
This show is NOT sold out, and actually we could really use some support. I mean you get to wear your pajamas, who doesn't love that? Here is a little commercial we made for it.
The following Thursday, April 14th, the Damnwells are coming to town. I think my love for this band has been made very clear through the course of this blog. If you somehow missed it, read the Epic Roadtrip '09 series. Trust me, if you are in St. Louis, and want to see a great show, you will want to come to Off Broadway on the 14th.
"Werewolves"
April 22nd has me over at the Old Rock House for the Black Angels. I am new to the Black Angels, but the Old Rock House just implemented one of the coolest things any venue has done, local musicians, in current bands, can get in free to any show at ORH. To say I am going to be spending a lot of time at this venue is an understatement. I have asked them to just put a cot up for me.
On April 27th I am in a HUGE quandary. I have a ticket to go to the Pageant for the sold out The Decemberists show, but there is a conflicting show at Off Broadway that has Company of Thieves on the bill. It is hard to say for sure, but Company of Thieves probably put on my favorite show I saw all of last year, and seeing them at Off Broadway would be amazing...What. To. Do.
The Decemberists "Down by the Water"
Company of Thieves "Oscar Wilde"
If someone can please let me know what they would do about the 27th, I would really appreciate it. Here is to an AWESOME April!!!
**Update**
SHIT!!! I just remembered Wakey! Wakey! is going to here on the 27th too. I think the booking Agents need to start working together this is crazy. Three shows I would LOVE to attend all on the same night. DAMN!!!
"War Sweater"
Without a doubt this April features the best line-up of shows I have ever seen in one month, so I thought I would do a little video collage of the concerts I will be attending.
Up first Queens of the Stone Age at the Pageant. Unless you have your tickets, you are out of luck...SOLD OUT!!! This concert is extra special for a couple reasons. 1) It is my first time seeing QotSA 2) I graduated high-school with the lead singer, Josh Homme. I know you all just thought, how is this your first QotSA show then? Well, I was actually a bigger fan of Josh's first band Kyuss. That was the band I grew up with, the band I saw at generator parties in high-school, the band I listened to every time I took a trip from San Diego to Palm Desert.
Now, were Josh and I good friends, absolutely not. In fact the last time I bumped into him was when I was home on leave from bootcamp. I approached him to tell him that I saw the video for Green Machine, and I thought it was awesome. He was a total cocky ass. But whatevs, I am quite sure he would have no idea who I was today. We played football together, and maybe had two classes together. But, it is still cool to know that you can accomplish what he did with his life, and the reality is, as a musician, I have the utmost respect for his playing, producing, and for the fact that he essentially created a new genre of music called Stoner Rock.
Year book photos:
"Go with the Flow"
Flowing up this rockfest we have the 1st Annual Pajammy Jam. I put together a great line-up of performers: Brian Sowinski, Loza, and of course my band So Much Closer, the Koken is a super cool space, and my good friend Vinnie Saletto is running sound. Plus our friends My Molly are going to be joining us for two songs. SO COOL!!!
Flyer:
This show is NOT sold out, and actually we could really use some support. I mean you get to wear your pajamas, who doesn't love that? Here is a little commercial we made for it.
The following Thursday, April 14th, the Damnwells are coming to town. I think my love for this band has been made very clear through the course of this blog. If you somehow missed it, read the Epic Roadtrip '09 series. Trust me, if you are in St. Louis, and want to see a great show, you will want to come to Off Broadway on the 14th.
"Werewolves"
April 22nd has me over at the Old Rock House for the Black Angels. I am new to the Black Angels, but the Old Rock House just implemented one of the coolest things any venue has done, local musicians, in current bands, can get in free to any show at ORH. To say I am going to be spending a lot of time at this venue is an understatement. I have asked them to just put a cot up for me.
On April 27th I am in a HUGE quandary. I have a ticket to go to the Pageant for the sold out The Decemberists show, but there is a conflicting show at Off Broadway that has Company of Thieves on the bill. It is hard to say for sure, but Company of Thieves probably put on my favorite show I saw all of last year, and seeing them at Off Broadway would be amazing...What. To. Do.
The Decemberists "Down by the Water"
Company of Thieves "Oscar Wilde"
If someone can please let me know what they would do about the 27th, I would really appreciate it. Here is to an AWESOME April!!!
**Update**
SHIT!!! I just remembered Wakey! Wakey! is going to here on the 27th too. I think the booking Agents need to start working together this is crazy. Three shows I would LOVE to attend all on the same night. DAMN!!!
"War Sweater"
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Still Thinking of You...the Unsolved Mystery
Those that follow me on Twitter or have "Friended" me on Facebook, may be aware that on Friday I came home to a rose on my doorstep.
This is probably a totally normal event for most you, or at least an event that has happened to you before. Not me. Except for when my dad forgot my birthday and sent the obligatory "Oh Shit" flowers, I cannot recall ever being sent flowers. That being said, it was completely anonymous. So, if the sender is reading. Thank you. You have no idea how cool that was for me. I was already on a post-gig high from playing an incredible 4 hour set with So Much Closer at the Brewhouse, and then I get a rose. Inced my cake indeed.
Of course, I have a curious mind, so I have used some deductive reasoning to narrow down suspects, but ultimately all I have are theories.
My first concern was was it intended for me, I mean I do have a roommate, and it wouldn't be the first time I received a neighbors mail. Well, unless there is another Eric in the house, I think it was for me, and they obviously know my address, which isn't really very hard to find on-line, so this has not helped me to narrow things down at all.
Now, I do not know Dierberg's delivery policy, but I couldn't imagine them rolling a van for a single non-vase rose, so who ever it is is close enough to do a drive by.
It would appear to be someone that I know but haven't talked to in a while. And for the doubters, a girl. No boy writes like this, unless my roommate planted it and purposefully girlied up the handwriting in some weird attempt to boost my self-esteem. Maybe since there has recently been a role reversal, he is WGF (with girl-friend) and I am SGF (sans girl-friend), he thought I needed a pick-me-up. Previous to his WGF status I would have never thought him capable of doing something of this nature, but I saw him turn into Betty Crocker over Valentines Day, so it is not outside of the realm of possibilities.
The reason I think I haven't talked this person in a while is the use of "Still." I am actually pretty friendly with most of my ex's, so we talk (sometimes) daily, weekly, definitely monthly. I'll see them at shows or other functions. If it were one of them, I would expect them to just put "Thinking of you" as opposed to "Still thinking of you!" There are a few that I have lost contact with, so they have just moved up in the rankings.
The next clue could be a completely random occurrence or could be indicative of someone that really knows me. This card was also attached to it:
Roses are without a doubt my favorite flower. So the person either got really lucky, or we have had enough discussions that this random tidbit of information came up, and they remembered it. Because I don't want to read too much into it and the fact that the rose is a fairly common place instrument used when showing interest, we'll say it was a random occurrence, which still leaves me with an open list of potential candidates, and an unsolved mystery.
Besides being just an incredibly cool gesture (albeit somewhat stalkeresque and creepy) it also made me do a little writing. The concept of "still thinking of someone" hit home sending some random flourishes of thought into my frontal lobe, so I released them here for you. It gets kind of racy, so you are warned.
I Still Think of You
You
Whose energy ignited social sparks and summer skin
Like solar flares exposing a fragile atmosphere
You
Whose genius and creativity caused curious moments
Like humming baroque movement melody on first date
You
Whose sunshine smile and intoxicated laughter released daydream-desires
Like pre-teen magazine-moments as he dreamt of what it would be like
You
Whose youthful kisses are still seared on wanting lips
Like Sigma stains shoulders of black brothers
You
Whose intelligence was only usurped by insatiable passion
Like mammalian brain absent Leptin leads to death by gluttony
You
Whose full breasts found my fingers kneading them
Like my thickening self needed to feel your warmth
This is probably a totally normal event for most you, or at least an event that has happened to you before. Not me. Except for when my dad forgot my birthday and sent the obligatory "Oh Shit" flowers, I cannot recall ever being sent flowers. That being said, it was completely anonymous. So, if the sender is reading. Thank you. You have no idea how cool that was for me. I was already on a post-gig high from playing an incredible 4 hour set with So Much Closer at the Brewhouse, and then I get a rose. Inced my cake indeed.
Of course, I have a curious mind, so I have used some deductive reasoning to narrow down suspects, but ultimately all I have are theories.
My first concern was was it intended for me, I mean I do have a roommate, and it wouldn't be the first time I received a neighbors mail. Well, unless there is another Eric in the house, I think it was for me, and they obviously know my address, which isn't really very hard to find on-line, so this has not helped me to narrow things down at all.
Now, I do not know Dierberg's delivery policy, but I couldn't imagine them rolling a van for a single non-vase rose, so who ever it is is close enough to do a drive by.
It would appear to be someone that I know but haven't talked to in a while. And for the doubters, a girl. No boy writes like this, unless my roommate planted it and purposefully girlied up the handwriting in some weird attempt to boost my self-esteem. Maybe since there has recently been a role reversal, he is WGF (with girl-friend) and I am SGF (sans girl-friend), he thought I needed a pick-me-up. Previous to his WGF status I would have never thought him capable of doing something of this nature, but I saw him turn into Betty Crocker over Valentines Day, so it is not outside of the realm of possibilities.
The reason I think I haven't talked this person in a while is the use of "Still." I am actually pretty friendly with most of my ex's, so we talk (sometimes) daily, weekly, definitely monthly. I'll see them at shows or other functions. If it were one of them, I would expect them to just put "Thinking of you" as opposed to "Still thinking of you!" There are a few that I have lost contact with, so they have just moved up in the rankings.
The next clue could be a completely random occurrence or could be indicative of someone that really knows me. This card was also attached to it:
Roses are without a doubt my favorite flower. So the person either got really lucky, or we have had enough discussions that this random tidbit of information came up, and they remembered it. Because I don't want to read too much into it and the fact that the rose is a fairly common place instrument used when showing interest, we'll say it was a random occurrence, which still leaves me with an open list of potential candidates, and an unsolved mystery.
Besides being just an incredibly cool gesture (albeit somewhat stalkeresque and creepy) it also made me do a little writing. The concept of "still thinking of someone" hit home sending some random flourishes of thought into my frontal lobe, so I released them here for you. It gets kind of racy, so you are warned.
I Still Think of You
You
Whose energy ignited social sparks and summer skin
Like solar flares exposing a fragile atmosphere
You
Whose genius and creativity caused curious moments
Like humming baroque movement melody on first date
You
Whose sunshine smile and intoxicated laughter released daydream-desires
Like pre-teen magazine-moments as he dreamt of what it would be like
You
Whose youthful kisses are still seared on wanting lips
Like Sigma stains shoulders of black brothers
You
Whose intelligence was only usurped by insatiable passion
Like mammalian brain absent Leptin leads to death by gluttony
You
Whose full breasts found my fingers kneading them
Like my thickening self needed to feel your warmth
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Anointed by Soul and Spirit
As I was driving home last night, planning this post as mile markers disappeared into darkness and headlights provided my path for safe travels, I couldn't determine when I actually started to like dance. I know I was really into break dancing. My floor work was mediocre at best, but my popping was pretty good. Still I am sure it was before that, those Sunday morning cleaning sessions with Mom and Dona Summers or Al Jarreau or Lionel Richie or some other R&B artist improving the chores. Inevitably there would be a dance moment, a moment when mom took my embarrassed hand and taught me to shimmy or jive or twist. Dance is another one of those taboo interests that are not taboo to me because I was raised by my mom.
Of course, there was my senior year of High-School when I participated in the G.A.T.E. program, which was focused on making the performing artists multi-disciplined, Singers danced, Actors sang, Dancers acted, etc. There were also some high-school musicals when I dated my first dancer...ah, Cecilia, but I think my passion for it happened in college. Lindenwood had a really great Dance program. While I was in school I took every opportunity I could to learn and grow. While others were passing out drunk under trees, I was at dance concerts, art shows, and theater performances. This is also how I met my ex-wife. She was an amazing dancer, moved with passion and power. She spoke through movement, and I had open ears. During our relationship I learned a lot about the history of dance and dance companies. Her favorite was Alvin Ailey for every time she mentioned another company like Pilabolous, she mentioned Alvin Ailey 15 times. Though we have now been divorced longer than we were married, my passion for Dance has never wavered. For the last 3 years I have had season tickets to the Dance St. Louis presentations and am completely addicted to So You Think You Can Dance.
I got to see the Alvin Ailey Dance American Dance Theater for the first time a few years ago and finally understood why Angela was so enamoured with the company. Dance St. Louis brought them back this year, and I was fortunate to have front row seats for yesterday's matinee. The piece that affected me the most was "Anointed" which was Choreographed by ex-Ailey dance Christopher Huggins.
While I do not have the words to adequately explain this piece, I will speak through the language I know best, poetry.
Anointed
They
Bestow blessings
Control movements
Evoke emotions through limbs and lungs
You
Fly effortless
Absent wings
Extension resolved into contraction as you engulf him
He
True David
Breathes life through arms and fingers
Saves you from gravity as bodies become one
I
Feel God
Experience Grace
Leave anointed by soul and spirit
I couldn't find an image of the exact moment I am talking about, and it was not in the preview, but here are some shots from the dance that I liked.
If you have never been to a professional dance concert, I encourage you to seek one out and experience a silent emotion that has the power to change lives.
Of course, there was my senior year of High-School when I participated in the G.A.T.E. program, which was focused on making the performing artists multi-disciplined, Singers danced, Actors sang, Dancers acted, etc. There were also some high-school musicals when I dated my first dancer...ah, Cecilia, but I think my passion for it happened in college. Lindenwood had a really great Dance program. While I was in school I took every opportunity I could to learn and grow. While others were passing out drunk under trees, I was at dance concerts, art shows, and theater performances. This is also how I met my ex-wife. She was an amazing dancer, moved with passion and power. She spoke through movement, and I had open ears. During our relationship I learned a lot about the history of dance and dance companies. Her favorite was Alvin Ailey for every time she mentioned another company like Pilabolous, she mentioned Alvin Ailey 15 times. Though we have now been divorced longer than we were married, my passion for Dance has never wavered. For the last 3 years I have had season tickets to the Dance St. Louis presentations and am completely addicted to So You Think You Can Dance.
I got to see the Alvin Ailey Dance American Dance Theater for the first time a few years ago and finally understood why Angela was so enamoured with the company. Dance St. Louis brought them back this year, and I was fortunate to have front row seats for yesterday's matinee. The piece that affected me the most was "Anointed" which was Choreographed by ex-Ailey dance Christopher Huggins.
Anointed from AlvinAileyAmericanDanceTheater on Vimeo.
While I do not have the words to adequately explain this piece, I will speak through the language I know best, poetry.
Anointed
They
Bestow blessings
Control movements
Evoke emotions through limbs and lungs
You
Fly effortless
Absent wings
Extension resolved into contraction as you engulf him
He
True David
Breathes life through arms and fingers
Saves you from gravity as bodies become one
I
Feel God
Experience Grace
Leave anointed by soul and spirit
I couldn't find an image of the exact moment I am talking about, and it was not in the preview, but here are some shots from the dance that I liked.
If you have never been to a professional dance concert, I encourage you to seek one out and experience a silent emotion that has the power to change lives.
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