Capitalize on hot air, soar like an airplane

~Matisyahu (Fire of Heaven/Altar of Earth)

In the month of August alone, I purchased or was given 10 CDs. And I wonder why I can’t save much money!! Actually, yourmusic.com (see link at right) and itunes have made my increasing addiction to new music decently affordable, so it’s not all bad.

Now, if you know me very well, you know that I have always been musical with my love of singing, the guitar, piano and even a little-known one year stint as an accomplished 5th grade clarinetist. My brother (the real musician in the family) taught me how to play the clarinet the summer before 5th grade, so I was already rocking “Hot Cross Buns” and dropping words like “embouchure” before any of my classmates knew what instrument they wanted to attempt. The piano ended much too abruptly and my journey with self-taught guitar has been less than impressive over the last 7 years. Ah, but singing – that’s something I tried to stick with, but as my pattern would dictate, after a moderately successful high school choir experience, I only lasted a year in the SPU choir system.

In college however, I realized a new love of independent music, much to the credit of many friends and the help of the shared music network. Sadly, many SPU students have limited music selections: Third Day, Stacy Orrico, Avalon, and maybe a little Michael Buble for diversity. (insert vomit here) But, there was a group of indie-loving folks that opened my eyes to smaller labels, undiscovered bands and even some fun local groups.

Since college, I have realized my absolute passion for international music. Anything with a latin flair, and I’m a happy girl. I recently discovered a group (through the amazing outdoor concerts here in Bend) from France that hits you with equal parts latin, Yiddish, gypsy and flamenco jazziness that will blow your mind. An accordion has never rocked so hard. Les Yeux Noirs. Check them out. As you can see, I have cultivated an odd and varied taste in music over the past few years. I never thought of myself as an “art person” as some like to boast, but I can truly say that I’ve learned that music truly is an art and has the capability of speaking to me, completely altering my mood and inspiring me in many ways. I’ve needed all of those benefits dearly this last month.

So, whatever your taste – find new groups to enjoy, try some different genres, see some live shows and appreciate musicianship!
I leave you with that long list of new CDs to me:

-Splendour Hyaline (Hope, a sliver, like the moon)
-Matisyahu (Youth)
-Jonathan Lipps (Suite Apocalyptique)
-Matisyahu (Live at Stubb’s)
-The New Frontiers (EP)
-Aqualung (Strange and Beautiful)
-Miles Davis (Kind of Blue)
-Roy Orbison (Greatest Hits)
-John P Kee (Strength)
-Blue Scholars

you'd be so perfect with me but you just can't see

~Aqualung ("strange and beautiful")

I may or may not be experiencing a bout of “unrequited interest” currently...it’s kinda killing me.

Maybe it’s because I just realized I will have gone to seven weddings solo in eight months by the end of October, and several friends and family are also very close to taking “the plunge” within the next two years. This is a crazy era of my life. I have to admit, I love weddings – especially when I get to see people I haven’t talked to in years.

Last weekend was no exception: two weddings back-to-back...and yes, I managed to eat salmon and steak at both of them (now THAT’S what I call a success!) and hang out with my brother and sister in between. A busy but fantastic day. My good childhood friend, Jennifer, who I played softball with from 3rd grade through high school got married to her high school sweetheart, and being an only child, her wedding wasn’t kidding around! The wedding was at St. James Cathedral in Seattle – gorgeous. The reception was held at the Fairview Olympic Hotel (I’m told it’s the most expensive hotel in Seattle, and that’s saying a lot). Let me paint the picture for you: open bar for 250 or so people for 6 hours, unlimited wine at dinner, a fancy four-course meal, nice favors and a dance-hall dripping with roses, candles, white linens and several drunken high school friends making passes at the bridesmaids by the time dinner was over.

Essentially, this was a 5 year high school reunion for me – it included about 80% of the people I’d want to see at my actual reunion and I was so happy I had come up for it! It was unbelievably wonderful to catch up with so many friends I hadn’t spoken to for 5 years (did I mention I’m terrible at keeping in touch with people?) who had come from all over the states for Jennifer! Unfortunately, the inebriation kicked in after the dancing started and I missed out on really catching up with several people who were feeling a little too screwed up to have a normal conversation. Nevertheless, these friends astounded me! Several are in grad school, most have good jobs and have traveled and experienced neat things, and a few are already married or on their way. The level of maturity shocked me quite a bit (in a good way).

The only downer of the night? The bill for valet parking at the hotel = $24. Shit.

"I've been watching your world from afar,
I've been trying to be where you are,
I've been secretly falling apart, unseen
To me, you're strange and you're beautiful,
You'd be so perfect with me but you just can't see,
You turn every head but you don't see me.

Sometimes, the last thing you want comes in first,
Sometimes, the first thing you want never comes,
I know, waiting is all you can do, Sometimes... "