Jewel and Meiko at the Lyric

Wow. I am really sorry I just busted out in that earlier post about the concert without any regard for the business of actually being there and enjoying it. I was just *so* tragically annoyed by the press and happy with Jewel’s response, but then disappointed again with others just accepting the reviewer’s very back-handed un-apology. For all that, you can read my previous post.

But now, let me say I was surprised I was able to take any photos at all. Take my meager point and shoot and add blindingly the bright spotlight being viewed from the 5th row and what you get is “angel” Jewel. The performance was very white and glow-y– which was fine for attendance but not fine for amateur photography.

Meiko opened for Jewel– and let me remind you why I am still primarily a theatregoer at heart and not a groupie. This business of skipping the opening to arrive in time for the headliner is just obnoxious. Perhaps not so in an arena– but when the show in a theatre, just come on time people. Many members of the crowd are season ticket holders which only adds to the hubbub and grumbling as people enter. Oh the confusion. And then there’s the fact that the Lyric Opera House has some of the narrowest rows and seats of any theatre I have ever been in. It did make things interesting. Thank god, dear Meiko confessed to not being able to see the house; because it was chaos. What is that much more irritating is that the ushers continued seating people through the headliner’s opening number. WHAT WHAT?! Now this I blame the theatre and ushers for because they should know better. Wait until the end of the number, at least.

Then, and I understand the performers’ desire to have ZERO flash photography, the camera nazis proceeded to FLASH FLASHLIGHTS in the direction of the perpetrators. Purpose defeating much?
I think so.

Despite how all this sounds, I was less annoyed by it at the time. More confused.

The music though, was impeccable. Meiko was a fun warm-up. She is quirky and self-effacing and sings out of the side of her mouth in a way that would be hideous for anyone else. But she is totally cute.

Her music is perky and catchy and I think a pretty good match for Jewel. Though I mostly get the idea that, from both sides, she’s there to kind of gain experience under an impressive and more experienced artist.

Jewel herself is pretty powerful.  It is difficult to not be impressed. It is not simply her natural talent, but her obvious dedication to the craft.  This is a voice that is controlled.  She has spent her entire life cultivating the ability to be able to do absolute gymnastics with her instrument.  I am sure the yodeling has helped.  But that’s not what you hear.  You hear strength and power.  I mean, HOLY BREATH SUPPORT BATMAN!  Until I heard her live I had no idea how sustained and clear and, well, supported her sound is.

And on top of all that I happen to like her music.  Nuff said.

 

Over a month of birthdays!!

It is so difficult to believe I have had 34 birthdays. That is over a month.
I had never thought about having had accumulated a month’s worth!

It’s funny, too, because in my house we celebrated “30 days of birthday”.
For a month of time before and/or after we call “30 days of birthday” when we want to get out of dishes or choose the restaurant! hahaha. It all started when my mom sent a care package to college with a month’s worth of little gifts to open one a day for the 30 days prior to my 21st birthday. I discovered that I liked an extended birthday!

I had quite a treat earlier this week when I went to see Jewel in concert at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore. She has a truly special voice and is so impressive live. The week before the concert she posted an interview that she did with a reporter for the Baltimore Sun. Isn’t it bad enough that they leaked the deaths in the Harry Potter books? Anway after posting this interview on her Twitter account, she followed up with “so Chris Kaltenbach isnt a fan? haha-luv when they r nice on phone, then dont fact check & offer dime store psycho analysis of career -douche”. In his interview he chided her for not sticking with a genre (honestly, in this music industry, what singer with a folk voice would find a secure home in either the pop or country world?) and he said she was dropped from her label (which was either a lie or terrible journalism. she wasn’t).

(Baltimore Sun photo by Chris Kaltenbach / October 28, 2009)

Little did I expect that after a stunning concert opening– her a capella “Over the Rainbow” is magnificent– and a quick joke about trying to be pretty when she sings if she knows there are photographers, she says out of the blue “Is Chris Kaltenbach here?” And then to a photographer house right of the stage “Are you Chris Kaltenbach?” She proceeds to correct him on the matters. It was pretty genius. As a reviewer his opinions are encouraged, but as a journalist he really needed to have checked his facts. I was proud of her for standing up for herself.

 

After the concert he posted his follow up review. In it he did not apologize. While his review was favorable, his statement regarding his previous error made his sound arrogant and unwilling to own up to his mistake.
“One note: From the stage, Jewel took exception to the introduction to my interview with her that ran Sunday. She was not, she said, dropped by her record label. Rather, she said, she had an album of country music to put out (2007’s “Perfectly Clear”), and Atlantic doesn’t do country albums.”

Perhaps he is just unwilling to state that matter of factly without confirming it with the label.
Another fan called him “classy” for “retracting” the earlier statement. But he didn’t actually retract it and an apology is what would have been appropriate.
I still think he should have apologized. My response is in the comment section there as well.

Her concert was a true mix of hits, new music and rarely heard material . . .

Over the Rainbow
Last Dance Rodeo
Down So Long
You Lied
Morning Song
Rosey & Mick
Stronger Woman
Stay Here Forever
Hands
Life Uncommon
Angel Needs a Ride
My Father’s Daughter
The Shape of You
Standing Still
Memoirs of a Housewife
Intuition
Foolish Games
You Were Meant for Me
Who Will Save Your Soul

Angel Standing By

No pressure.

That was the title for the “So You Think You Can Dance” Top 20 introductory special.

There is no silly quiz for “What famous SYTYCD routine are you?” But if there were. I would be this one.

On the Top 20 special tonight, Mandy Moore (picking up Mia’s choreo spot) set a contemporary dance to Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida”. Loved it right down to the costumes.

I am super bummed that Billy had to leave.

At the end of it– despite all the talent and promise of goodness to come– I am sad at the loss of Mia Michaels.  She isn’t planning on working on the American show anymore and had to be absent from the Canadian finale due to a back injury.

And I am even more sad that we won’t get to see Billy Bell dance through the season.  He has had to withdraw on doctor’s orders.  Apparently he is quite sick and continuing would be potentially fatal.  ew!

See what happens when there Glee is in reruns for two weeks? lol.

I fixate on SYTYCD.

Here’s Mia’s final routine for the Canadian show. *sniff* It is highly cathartic. 

“Why Do Birds Sing So Gay?” *

Today the president of my board of directors popped into my office and was nearly jumping out of her socks with joy.
“Heidi, there is this little bird perched on top of this giant tree just singin’ its little heart out!”
and on and on and on. I mean she was excited. lol.

I thought about that little bird perched atop this evergreen how-every-many hundreds of times larger than itself
just siiiiiiiinging. And I was happy.
Absolutely thrilled. For no reason.

When she was shaking out the rug she came back in and said, “That birdie is still there and still just-a-siiiingin’!”
So I crawled out from behind my desk and it was,
like a weathervane, first one direction and then the other, just SINGING.
And I mean, loud. Not a chirp or a tweet, but a SONG.

It’s like an ode to Fall, with the beautiful colorful mountain behind him,
like an angel on top of the Autumn tree proclaiming all the goodness of the season.

In reality, I know it’s more like a personal ad. (Though it isn’t Spring, so I wonder . . .)
It’s most likely a male bird declaring that this is his territory and he would very much like a mate to share it with.
“And hear how beautiful and clear and long my song is? Well, that is because I am healthy and strong.
There is plenty of food hear in my territory; won’t you join me?”

Oh that we could all know, not just in love, but in all of life that we are as strong as our song.
And our song should reflect our well-being.

So sing the song of yourself loud and proud.
That little birdie had no shame. Neither should you!

* “Why Do Birds Sing So Gay?” is a lyric in the song “Why Do Fools Fall In Love?” and was the originally the title!

Summer is Over

It’s clear.  I am making hot tea and watching television in my fleece polka dot pajamas.   But looking back, I had a terrific summer and I wanted to honor some of the highlights.

It began with rain.  Lots of rain.  A week of Florida downpours.

But Disney was *still* total magic.  It was our first real vacation as a couple.  After 9 years of marriage, I realize how odd that seems. 

We tend to vacation with family, but it was nice to have a solo getaway.  Because we had a longer stay and less people to keep track of, we did more restaurant visiting.  My favorites of the week were “Ohana” at the Polynesian Resort and “Sanaa” in Kidani Village at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. 

The restaurants are one way to enjoy an evening at a more expensive resort before retiring to your more modest digs!

I went to up to the city four times.  Food-wise I relied on the old standbys:  Tout va Bien, Shake Shack, Blockheads . . .  However, as shows go, I mostly stayed out of my box.  I typically repeatedly see shows I already love or know I will.  Haahaha.  I did see Next to Normal twice– but only twice.

And I saw HAIR, but just one time. But I also went to  see Billy Elliott, Bye Bye Birdie and Mary Poppins.  And genuinely enjoyed them all! 9 to 5 was a bit of a mess, but I went to see a friend.

Many of my weekends over the summer were spent visiting my friend Andy while he was doing summer stock.  They were great summer days and 4th of July was an especially good time.

Kevin and I saw Spring Awakening at the Kennedy Center.  I got to sit in my favorite onstage seats and just soak it all in.  I went back a few weeks later with a friend to meet up with his friends on the tour. 
Jim and I had a number of random nights this summer actually.  Most of them defy description, but are immortalized on Facebook an in my Flickr account.

The season was punctuated by my participation in the Mondo Beyondo ecourse and community.  Most importantly (not that dreaming big *isn’t* important) I traveled and met some really wonderful people as a result!

My television watching:

the Glee pilot. over. and over.  And then the season started and my DVR has been smiling ever since.

FAME– the 80’s TV series

lots of Law and Order: SVU

Indian School on LINK

the National Parks doc on PBS

I am most proud of getting my husband addicted to So You Think You Can Dance

and most enjoyed the premiere of House (with Lin Manuel Miranda guesting.  It was genius.)

I only went to the movies a few times.  I only remember Bruno (I am still scarred), UP (because I loved loved loved it) and Julia & Julia (which actually lived up to the hype for me).

There was sooooo much music.  Maybe it deserves its own post?

Oh! and books.  SO many books. Definitely a books and music post soon!

settling into a new season

My foot is firmly planted in Autumn.
It doesn’t take much since I am always so eager to enter my favorite season.
It holds so much.

This year it holds more.
I have reached that place where you realize suddenly,
“Oh look, I have grown.”
Much like being so intimately acquainted with the daily life of a small child
and then one day you notice the child is, well, much less small.

I am sad that I haven’t taken much time to account for all this change,
but I suppose that is the price for being busy making it!

During the last month I was supported in the equally frivolous and vital act of dreaming in the first of Jen Lemen and Andrea Scher’s beautiful Mondo Beyondo classes– where I might add I was a much more regular blogger.  If you are in the community (and you probably are if you are reading this because I believe it is the only place I have actually shared the link to this blog) you can read those 15 posts HERE.

But allow me to admit how much I learned about myself during that time– mostly about just how resistant I was to dreaming.  How sad, but how true it was!  Well, I am on my way now and wishing more and more and bigger and bigger every day.

Allowing myself to Fall into Fall has happened only as I have thoughtfully and somewhat reverently honored a very full Summer.

Retrospective coming next . . .

Rereading . . . dreaming

I am reading Julie Andrew’s first novel–
a children’s book about a little orphan girl who finds an abandoned cottage and carves out this lovely beautiful peaceful place for herself.

For the first time she gives herself permission to dream big.
And she puts so much love and effort into cultivating her sanctuary.

I need Mandy to inspire me!

I’m not a kid.

Though I act like one quite often.

But I don’t think I can get away with dressing *this* much like a little one.
I did have someone tell me once that I looked dressed for a taping of Sesame Street.
(Very kid friendly: Long braids, orange long sleeved fleece fitted top with a red fleece vest and flared jeans.)
I was at an audition. Funny enough; I got the part.

But the Fall pictures are out for the H&M Kids line.
FUN!

The sum of all parts.

So I may have done the wrong thing moving all my public entries from multiple sources here, to one place.  But I am tired of feeling divided in one more way.  I wrestle continually with both the urge to compartmentalize and organize my life and the desire to be ONE, to integrate all my beliefs and fully present what is uniquely me.

I have always done this with paper journals

– had periods where I had separate journals for ranting . . . morning pages . . . poetry . . . scheduling . . . lists  . . . sketching . . . collage . . . spirituality . . . inspiration . . .

– and had periods when, frustrated, I would buy one giant multi-purpose journal, only to re-fragment at the first signs of messiness or inconvenience.

So, try try again.  For better or worse, this shall be my one blog.

Since my goal at this time isn’t acquiring faithful readers (not that I am opposed to it– just not my sole intent), I don’t feel obligated to narrow my focus or establish a niche.  I am not choosing just to promote my art, or review movies and plays, or write essays about spirituality, or tell stories, or collect neat things from the internets . . . just to be me . . . which may include all of those things

Another thing I may as well confess to– as though it is not plainly obvious — is that I am not very disciplined.

Looking through my archives I see many attempts to present a “united front” or “appear professional” for no reason really.  Without natural discipline (which I do not possess) or intent (which  don’t have for this blog *right now*) any sort of “weekly” or “daily” whatnots are doomed to fail as they have in the past.  While I am interested in what it means to be a blogger who cares about hits, and branding, and maintaining a readership– I am not necessarily ready to BE one right now.

So instead of posting “this” one day and “that” the next,

instead of lining up “guest bloggers” when I need to be MIA for too long,

instead I am going to try what I never have– be me and be okay with a promise to write as frequently as I can and want to.

If I set unrealistic expectations for myself I will retreat.  (One more version of “If I can’t do it right, I won’t do it at all.” or “When I can say this perfectly, I will speak.”)  All of those messages have kept me silent or inactive far too often.

I have finally decided I would rather be a bad blogger than never post out of self imposed hesitation, fear or shame.

So I guess I am happy I moved my past here to meet my present and future after all!  Maybe someday I will tidy up old entries — reformat, tag, etc.  But for now they can stay as they are in celebration of starting fresh in the middle of what feels like a mess!

phases- not unlike the moon

I go through lots of phases.
Right now, I am in a “not really on the internet much” phase.
But I am sure it will wax again!