A lengthier hiatus than I realized. This past week found me preoccupied with several unrelated things; some good, some bad, some in between. Lack of time and energy prevented me from writing, even though I had stuff to write about.
The beginning of the week was devoted to rehearsing for Wednesday's show in Manchester. I say rehearsing, but it wasn't so much that: it was mostly writing lyrics for three songs I wanted to play. I do this all the time, this last minute rush to complete songs. I could have taken it easy and whipped out a set of older songs that would have required little or no preparation, but I chose a different path. Hey, it got me to finish up some songs that I feel pretty good about. I'll probably post some lyrics on the other site.
The performance went well. Besides myself, Scott and Shane from NSI, and Nikki Farr and her band played. Jewell and Beanstalk (or is it just bean?) is a cozy little eatery in Manchester and everyone who worked there was really laid back. Scott and I were the first among the performers to arrive and we were given spinach pie and lamb filled grape leaves to tide us over before we played. The food was excellent. Our waitress told us a cute little Greek man makes it fresh everyday and brings it in. Based on her description, I envisioned a cute, little lawn gnome and I asked her if he was the type of guy you want to pat on the head. She gave it some thought and said, "You know, he's actually like six-five, so even if he was sitting down, I'd have difficulty doing that. So, I guess I didn't describe him that accurately. He is a cute old man, though."
I went on first. What served as the stage was a cleft in the narrow space that divided the front and back of the restaurant. A tight fit, but it enabled everyone to get a view, or at least a semblance of one. My set coincided with the dinner rush, and while it wasn't the most attentive audience I've played in front of, there were enough people listening to make it worth it. I don't always mind this scenario and I didn't that night. I always like playing whether people are listening or not.
What made the night really worth it was hearing the other performers, who were excellent, and spending time with friends. Kim and John, Kevin and Janet, Rachael and Mike, Jenny, Shane, and Scott: a solid lineup if I ever saw one.
Last night was Michelle's surprise birthday party at Martha's in Nashua. There was a 70's theme and funk and disco poured out of the monitors all night. A good amount of attendees were decked out in regalia appropriate to the decade. Heath, with his giant afro, mustache, vest, and tight burgundy pants, was hilarious to behold. Rachael wore roller skates and shared them with anyone willing to brave the experience. She tried, in vain, to get me to put them on. It was enough that I was goofing it up on the dance floor for a good chunk of the night. A great time! I love my friends.
I was exhausted when I left the party and it took listening to the first Cheap Trick record at a high volume to keep me alert. By the time I got home, I was so jazzed from listening to them, that I went up to my room, plopped on a pair of headphones, and blissed out to At Budokan.
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On the home front, trouble has been brewing. It will be addressed shortly. It's been a thorn in my side for days. As things develop, I will go into more detail.
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Hit the jack pot yesterday. I found a site that has free downloads of every episode of Ricky Gervais' podcast. I've listened to about five episodes already. He and Stephen Merchant make me laugh and laugh and laugh. Speaking of Ricky, I hope to watch The Invention of Lying tonight. Ebert gave it a positive review. Doesn't matter, I'll watch anything with Ricky Gervais in it.
Today's playlist:
1. Lhasa De Sela - Lhasa
2. Nirvana - In Utero
3. Sandy Denny - The North Star Grassman and the Ravens
4. Richard and Linda Thompson - I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
5. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
I'm off to watch a little of the Celtics game, play some music, read from Carrion Comfort, watch that movie, and maybe, just maybe, I'll start a religion. That last one may take some time.
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