somewhat restorative weekend, US Open & Harry Potter

I finally started the 7th book in the Harry Potter series.  The reason I waited a bit between reading the book and seeing the 6th movie was because I had a feeling I would get really sucked in.  And that’s exactly what happened.  I think I started it on Saturday and I’m nearly 3/4 done already.  I just couldn’t put it down.  It was even a weighty decision tonight whether to post something here or dive back in with Harry so close to finding another Horcrux.

That’s what I did all weekend.  Most of it.  Friday night, we ate a nice dinner (I made cashew chicken).  Saturday, we met with a woman who’s helping to promote a show later this month.  After that, I was reading and had the US Open constantly.  How about that Melanie Oudin?  I like that girl.  Good for her.  Saturday night, Han had a gig but I stayed home and continued reading and watching and just being mellow.

Sunday morning, the Acoustic Duo were on a local morning TV show to promote the upcoming San Diego Music Awards (Thursday!).  Both the Acoustic Duo AND the Rock Band are nominated for Best Album (Americana/Country for AD and Rock for RB) for their respective albums that we released earlier this year.  Plus a bunch of folks that Han produced are nominated, too.  It’s usually a fun, kind of weird night.  No one knows whether to take it too seriously or to just blow it off, but I think everyone secretly wants to win, for whatever reason.  I know I wanted to win when I was nominated way back when for Best Local Recording for my first CD (another Han production, his first actually).   Anyway, so Sunday was the TV spot, then it was home for a bit.  I went grocery shopping and Han had a session.  I had loftily thought I would make it up to Escondido to go to my dear friend Robt’s reading, but it was not in the cards.

That evening, I put forth the effort to recreate a recipe that our dear Louisiana friend once made for us: sweet smothered pork chops.  It came out pretty good, so I was pleased with it.

And Monday…a day off.  Slept in a bit, kept reading, more tennis.  Except, another weird health issue, so to speak.  My nose really hurt.  Like I’d been punched in the face (but I hadn’t been).  Tenderness across the bridge of the nose, and very sensitive should I “crinkle” my nose.   Monday was not the first day of this, it’d been like that for a couple days and it’s happened before, but on Monday, the weather changed, and with it came multiple sneezes and lots of congestion for me.  With a tender nose, this was not good times.   I took ibuprofen, I called the doctor (who said to take ibuprofen and an allergy pill).  I even tried the neti pot.  There was some relief but with the nose pain and the congestion, plus I took the one heavy duty allergy pill I had left, I wasn’t doing anything or going anywhere.  We’d been invited to Cathryn’s for a bbq.  Han went with DK.  I stayed on the couch.  I dozed heavily between chapters and matches.

On the one hand, it really sucked to feel laid up a bit.  But on the other hand, I relished it.  I didn’t email, I didn’t work, I didn’t busy myself.  That alone made it a good weekend.  I also tried to be really conscious of what I ate and drank.  Lots of water and single, smaller portions of whatever I was eating.  Han & I also talked about trying to walk every afternoon when I get home from work.  Small steps.

Today was DK’s first day of 7th grade at her new performing arts school.  She was not thrilled with all the rules and regulations that took up all of the class time, but her classes include theater, dance, English, world history, etc.  It’ll be good.

Han is up at another studio tonight working with a client on some piano tracks ’til late tonight.  Rafael Nadal just beat Monfils.  It may be time to get in a chapter or two (or five or six) and then answer some emails and do some other tasks for the music stuff.   Bona nit!

 

an extended break (with some pain)

It’s been entirely too long between posts for any self-respecting blogger. Sorry for that. What can I say? Life gets in the way much more than I ever imagined it might. Or I’m tired, or I tell myself there’s something else I should be doing. It’s a recurring story. What can I do to break the pattern?

That said, this won’t be a long post, as I need to get to bed. But a glimmer of me for you. For anyone reading (hi Mom & Sandy & Mia & Dad).

Han is on the road ’til Monday so I have some time to reflect and relax in different ways than when he is here. It’s not better or worse, just a different situation. I’m letting myself do some things I can’t (won’t) do while he’s here: have candles lit (he’s allergic to the scented ones) and watch guilty pleasure TV (ANTM re-runs anyone?).

Last week, I was home, inflicted by a good 5 hours in urgent care that resulted in some extra-strength ibuprofen and some vicodin to relieve some harsh pain from what they could only presume was some kind of muscle tear in my rib cage. I took Tuesday & Wednesday off, and had already requested Thursday & Friday off to go to Las Vegas with the Acoustic Duo. Instead, I stayed here and Han went to his gigs. It was for the best, but it was a bummer. But the rest was good for me, though I didn’t do much else other than watch movies, sleep, and try to book some shows.

The week before that, I was in Iowa for work. I enjoy going out there. I did pretty well with the travel too, thankfully. My co-workers were cool and we got along well. Our meetings were good, and what’s better than a summer night watching minor league baseball in Iowa? It wasn’t heaven, it was Iowa.

This afternoon I got a wild hair to “friend” a lot of folks from my high school graduating class. Next year will be the 20 year reunion and I had a major moment of nostalgia, just wanting to know what everyone is doing now, and more surprisingly wanting them to know what I’m doing. So I filled out some more info on my profile and posted some photos. Many have already accepted and written a note on my wall, and it’s nice. I can’t quite explain my shift in attitude, but there’s an interesting fondness I’m feeling for these folks, a true wish for their happiness and success. Maybe my jaded heart is softening.

In other news, our dear Barbara has taken off for Austin. At her farewell party that we hosted, I drunkenly sang “Miss Celie’s Blues” for her, a song that she & I bonded over very early in our friendship. It probably sounded terrible, and it ended in tears, but it was still a truly beautiful moment between us, and one that I’ll think of often. Many of our friends already have plans to visit her, and she’ll be back periodically to do some shows with Flan during his music season so I know we’ll stay in touch. I hope Austin knows what it’s in for.

I’ve made some small steps toward getting my health/weight on track. I’ve started the process of receiving phone consultations with a health coach. Our next talk is on Monday when we’ll discuss more of my weight loss goals and start figuring out how I can achieve them.

My dad is recovering from some surgery and I’m glad to say that he’s doing well. My mom’s getting ready to head back to school. They’re also remodeling the kitchen.  I can’t wait to see it! My sister’s doing awesome (best.sister.ever) in SLC with MT, T, and the new puppy Osi.

DK turned 12 and has spent the last month visiting Han’s folks. She’s up in Washington now and loving it. Han’s sister took some photos of her after doing her make-up and she looks 16. It’s pretty crazy. But she was really able to capture her personality. She’ll start 7th grade at a performing arts school in September. I hope she excels.

Do check out the flicks link and the flickr stuff. Both have been recently updated!

So much for a short post! I’ll wrap it up for now. Until next time!!

 

the Sunday edition

Sleeping in a bit…Denver omelettes with toast, hash browns and bacon…reading in a recliner…a cool shower…

That’s my Sunday so far and there’s not a thing wrong with it. I’ll be here with the family the rest of the afternoon, then I’ll be heading back down to San Diego in the evening.

Last night, we went to dinner at Panda Inn which was pretty good.  After that, we got home and took our requisite family photos in front of the house.  By the way, Sandy looks great.  Slim and smiley. I told everyone these would be my “before” pictures.  Now to create a program and stick with it.

Later, Sandy & I went to the store for a 6-pack of Coronitas, then I tackled the garage.  I went through some boxes of old clothes (my old tennis uniforms!), but also found some old pictures from when I was 4-H, plus a bunch of my old concert shirts.  One is of The Cure, I’ll see if DK might want to wear it.  Then I shuffled back & forth between Sandy & Dad chatting on the back porch, to talking with Mom in her room.  It was a pleasant evening.  T was happily playing on his DS.

Got a text from Han before I went to bed saying the Acoustic Duo gig that night had gone well, which I was glad to hear.  That’s all for now…until next time, consider everything I’ve written about in this post to be my daily joy.

 

goodbye 2008

So this year sucked in a lot of ways. Every year always has its ups and downs but this year seemed like every time there was an up, the down was like a swift kick in the gut followed by a pummeling that left me exhausted for weeks.

As so many other blogs are doing (and why wouldn’t they), there are various re-caps, summing ups and favorites lists to send 2008 on its way. I will not deviate from that much, but I’ll first give my thoughts on some things I’m thinking about as the new year is but hours away for me.

My sister already has her “resolutions” in place. I put that word in quotations only because it’s become such a cliche. They are goals, things to look forward to, simple accomplishments and major ideas. As she said, “I have everything from “Eat at the Red Iguana” to “end the year lighter than I started it.”” I have not yet committed anything to paper or planner or blog, but the overall sense I have for 2009 in relation to making it a good year is self care. (did you see that, Mom?) I want to be more aware of the ways I can take care of myself so that I can be more joyous, more free, more loving, etc. These things, like so much in life, are big and small. A pedicure, a walk, a guilt-free day of reading, a movie, health…

There are other thoughts I have for ‘09 but that is the one that has been resonating the most these last few days. And the more I think about it, the more I realize that I have not fully committed to that concept this year, as much as I thought I was at some points. I need to find a way to integrate it into my daily life so that it’s not just about “me” time, but a shift in how I tackle all of my tasks. This realization has been slow-coming but, if successful, will help align a lot of things that frequently seem out of whack.

So on to the ‘08 re-cap. And speaking of “resolutions”, let’s look back at what I envisioned for this year:

1. Reduce my impact on the earth.
2. Read 20-25 books.
3. Get back to my poetry roots.
4. Better prepare for the holidays.
5. Take a couple trips.
6. Release “Best of Meeting Grace” volume 2
7. Acoustic Duo goals:
- book and route tours of TX, NoCal, Northwest and midwest
- book locally
- help coordinate recording of 5th studio album

8. Rock band goals:
- work to increase visibility of band
- help coordinate recording of 1st album
- book locally and potentially regionally

9. Studio goals:
- develop word of mouth campaign to attract new clients

# 1 (Reduce my impact on the earth.) was not as successful as I’d hoped. I do remember to take my own bags to the grocery stores if I’m planning a shopping trip, but the impromptu trips after work were not as “green” as I’d hoped. I also did not lose any weight, but instead probably gained some.

I got very close to accomplishing goal # 2 (Read 20-25 books.) I read 19 books this year which I’m thrilled about. I finished both books I was reading (The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and The Almost Moon) on Monday and thought I could speed-read one more to make my goal but it’s not going to happen. Still, I loved this reading goal and it will make a return appearance for ‘09.

Goal # 3 (Get back to my poetry roots.) started out strong. I had some readings this year, I wrote some new work, and I was published a couple times. All of that in itself is really great and I’m proud of it, but I guess compared to my more prolific “early” years, I may have been a bit too far-reaching in this goal. I need to understand that my place in and my stamina for the poetry scene I once flourished in is a journey that’s come to a close. That is not to say my writing is finished or anything, but I just need to shape it into something else. Maybe it’s not about attending readings, maybe it’s about being published more and finding a new connection to other poets who are out there. I have some ideas about this one as well for ‘09. Stay tuned.

I think I did pretty good with goal # 4 (Better prepare for the holidays.) Throughout the year I kept a list of gift ideas and a wish list (sometimes they overlapped). I also completed a homemade poem-a-month calendar (limited edition) for my immediate family which had been a goal of mine in ‘07 that crashed & burned. The CD we did for our family and friends was also really fun and very well-received. My shopping was done by early December and I didn’t feel overwhelmed. I will admit that I never felt the Christmas spirit and I’m sad about that. That is not to say I was unhappy or ungrateful, but there is just something in the season that I usually always feel and this year it did not shine through. This was another good goal and I bet I can improve on it for ‘09.

# 5 (Take a couple trips.) was accomplished. I heart traveling and wish I had the disposable income to back it up as much as I would like. And although some of the trips we thought we’d take at the beginning of the year didn’t actually happen, the fates still played roles in taking me (and sometimes Han & DK) to some interesting locations. Places I went in 2008:

- Las Vegas (June)
- Julian (June)
- Mansfield, Missouri (July)
- Clinton, Iowa (October)
- Redding, CA (November)
- Chico, CA (November)
- San Francisco, CA (November)
- various trips to LA over the year

It looks like there will be Texas, at least, in 2009, and maybe (hopefully) more.

# 6 (Release “Best of Meeting Grace” volume 2) was accomplished and with it came the close of Meeting Grace itself, the house concert series I had started in 2000. I miss it in some ways, but don’t in a lot of others. The compilation CD is awesome and I’m so glad to have the memories that each performance brings.

The Acoustic Duo goals for # 7 were mostly accomplished. They toured in the midwest and NorCal and made appearances at conferences in Texas and Arizona that will help boost their schedule in ‘09. Their local bookings all were great and they are still at work on that 5th album. It will be a high priority in early ‘09.

The Rock Band goals for # 8 were general and thus more “easy.” They played regularly in town, but LA is still a tough nut to crack. They are also still in the process of recording that first album which will make ‘09 a year for release parties and hopefully some good press.

# 9’s studio goals was solitary as it is a work in progress. The name changed and a new website is in the works. Clients have been steady and should only continue as Han continues to produce amazing sounding records. All of the music business goals will remain in place with hopes to be more strategic and prepare sooner for 2010, especially with regard to the Acoustic Duo.

And that’s that. Of course, aside from the goals I set for myself, there were some other happenings (minor & major) of 2008 in my small world.

- we staged two large Acoustic Duo shows with 350+ at each (February & August)
- I volunteered as a community reader at an elementary school in Chula Vista (February)
- hosted last Meeting Grace show (March)
- we moved (April)
- Rob & Paulette’s wedding (April)
- new babies for Laurel & Lee (April), Devon & Anna (July) & Rob & Paulette (September)
- hosted a fundraiser benefit show for Eric Lowen of Lowen & Navarro who has ALS that raised over $2,000 (April)
- all the family (including Mia) visit (April)
- Junior Theatre performances with DK : Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (crew – May) and CATS (pit singer – November)
- meeting many of Han’s close friends from high school at a memorial for his friend Paul (May)
- Jonny & Cathryn’s wedding (June)
- Robert Plant & Allison Kraus concert (June)
- Jenny & Brad’s wedding (July)
- Han getting Amy Tan’s autograph for me (September)
- visiting Alcatraz and seeing Lucinda at the Fillmore (November)
- Disneyland twice while it’s decorated for the holidays, once with S, T, Han & DK and again with just Han (November & December)

And in the larger world we share, the economic fall-out has been the story of the year, but I’d rather focus on the jubilation of electing Barack Obama as the next president of the United States and look forward to 1-20-09 when he is inaugurated.

Finally, I can’t possibly sum up this year without speaking about the deaths of family and friends, acquaintances and others that all happened this year. As of today, the count is 11 as another soul left us yesterday. Julie was a close friend of DK’s mom and a very special person to DK herself having known her since she was a small girl. I had met Julie a couple times when we had gatherings for DK’s birthday in the past. May she rest in peace along with:

Paul Lowry
Craig Yerkes
“Papa” Herman Light
Brendan Moran
Dan Ely
Wanda Light
Scott Zensen
Lorna “Doone” Hamilton
Cindy’s mom
Dave “Smitty” Smith

This ended up being a very long post but hey, I’m re-capping a whole year! Here’s wishing you (and me!) a more prosperous, more health-filled, more life-affirming, more positive, more productive, more rockin’, more loving, more blissful new year and may it all start right away!

 

a post of many thoughts

Actually, I don’t think my ass is giant. I think my stomach is but you get the idea. It’s time to get in shape and really try to hit that goal of reducing my (physical weight) impact on the earth. I’ve made an appointment to check out the gym called Curves. Anyone know anything about this? There is also Exercise TV, great weather for walking, biking. It’s all there for me, I just have to take advantage of it. The other part of the equation, of course, is eating. My problem is portion control. I can get a little crazy with the snacking.  But I’m doing better with taking lunches in to work and thus avoiding the dreaded fast food.  My sister is in a similar frame of mind, so we’ve briefly emailed about being there for each other. My mom and I also talked about this and she wants to get in on it, too. It would help to know that these important women in my life are pulling for me and that they’re also on the same track as I am. Let’s do it ladies!

Some of you have asked how the recent house-cooling party went. So glad you want to know! It went very well. With the mix of people, I wasn’t sure how much ‘entertaining’ I’d have to do. But it turned out that I didn’t have to worry about it all. People very naturally migrated to different areas of the house throughout the evening so that there were always people in the kitchen, in the living, in the studio and in the backyard. They all had their own conversations and then easily would drift to different parts of the house or strike up new conversations with people coming to where they already were. They all also brought just the right amount of food and drink. We hardly had any leftovers which was awesome. The whole thing began at 6pm (though some folks showed up at 5:30 pm before I’d had a chance to brush my teeth!) and went ’til about midnight or so. Clean-up in the morning was quite a task and I still haven’t gotten around to the backyard, but I need to do that today since we’re hosting another get-together tonight, a pre-party / bachelor / bachelorette party for our friends, Jonny & Cathryn, who are getting married this weekend in Julian. Han volunteered us to host since no one could think of a better idea to do anything for a bachelor party. Han is completely against boy-only or girl-only events so this is a co-ed fiesta.

What else have I been up to? Last weekend, we went to Las Vegas where Han’s acoustic duo sang the National Anthem at the minor league baseball game. It was awesome! They did such a great job and they got so many compliments on their performance. The following night, they played a house concert there. Yes, real people live there! It was also a great success. In between that, we hung in our room at the lovely Golden Nugget, I tried and failed twice to find a place to take in the sun at their busy busy pool complete with a shark tank, drove up and down the Strip and talked about getting back there with DK and one of her friends for a vacation. On the way out of town on Sunday, we had the buffet at Mandalay Bay which we both really enjoyed. My favorite things I got from it were piles of fruit and cheese. Yum!

Even though it’s already the 12th of June, there are still several things I want to accomplish this month, from the mundane to the visionary. Weather-proof the gate my dad built for us, write emails or letters to long-lost friends or relatives, plan the next Meeting Grace show(s), plan a get-together for Han’s family here in San Diego to come see the new house, exercise routinely.  We’ve started planning the trip to Washington in August by purchasing the plane tickets, so we need to build on that.  As for business stuff for Han, there’s also a ton to do: promotion for July shows, plan for James Taylor tribute show in August, plan gigs and trips for September (midwest again), October (Arizona) and November (Northern CA), open a new bank account under the new studio name, schedule recording time for the rock band plus all the routine, everyday stuff of scheduling studio time with his various clients and coordinating other stuff like DK’s school (she’s done on Monday), her vacation and JT.  Oy!

And then there’s writing.  Both here and for new poems.  I actually have an idea for a new poem but I’m not sure how to get going on it.

And then I’ll ponder the most random things like are pamie & stee still together?  They don’t mention each other on their blogs anymore but there also wasn’t anything posted about them splitting.

Here’s a quick list of the other activities that have taken place in the gaps of my May to June blog posts:

Memorial Day weekend: We took it literally and attended a memorial get-together for one of Han’s friends from high school.  It was sweet and had its weird moments, but it was good to see Jeff with these friends of his from almost what may seem like a different life for him.  I also went to Sea World with DK, her friend and her friend’s mom.  It was pleasant enough, I loved the dolphin show.

Went to the doctor on 5/28.  I never look forward to these annual visits, but it does remind me now of another goal: set an appointment to get my bloodwork done.

Han has had day and evening sessions or gigs for nearly three weeks with only ocassional time off.  In that time, I’m on my laptop doing all the business stuff you saw listed above.  On Wednesdays, I take DK to church and instead of coming all the way home, the last couple weeks I’ve chosen to hang out in the neighborhood where her church is or do some errands.   This is good for at least two reasons, I get some alone time and it saves a little gas (which is $4.49 here at Arco, the cheapest place). Last night I went to the Urban Grind in Hillcrest.  I had a Sanpellegrino Aranciata and a shortbread cookie and attempted to get caught up in my Franklin/Covey organizer.  It was awesome to have that time to myself.  It’s only about an hour but it beats driving home to be there for 25 minutes until it’s time to go pick her up again.  But there was something else that struck me as I sat there.

I used to go to the Urban Grind nearly every Sunday to co-host the San Diego Poetry Slam that my good friend, Robt, used to host.  The UG has certainly gone through some upgrades since it played host to the city’s poets some years ago.  They serve wine and beer now along with a pretty extensive menu.  The decor is updated, too.  More laptop-user friendly with curtains that separate the higher tables against the wall.  There are pillows and cushions for the hard chairs and back where our “stage” used to be…there is actually a raised floor with a couch and table on it, perfect for the college student to find a home to plug in and get shit done.  I used to know the baristas and they would score me a mocha or two.  I can’t for the life of me remember any of their names but it meant something to go in to this hip place and have the person working there be happy to see you and to know what your drink was going to be.  It was strange to sit there in a place with which I was once so familiar to now be just another patron, anonymous, no ties to the place.  It made me recall one of my other old haunts where I would most likely not be known at all anymore: the pub at UCSD.  I spent a lot of time there and knew the owner and bartenders while I was in school.  Then there’s the Ould Sod, though it’s safe to say there’s bound to be someone in there who still knows me.  Of course, Java Joe’s, though it doesn’t exist anymore so it’s a slightly different take on the theme.  It’s good to have these kinds of places.  I don’t know if I have one in my life right now.

That’s all for this post.  Probably won’t post again ’til next week, but I’ll give you the low-down on the wedding.  Cheers!