Just a short entry tonight, but I must write something, because if I am not going to write about seeing Vienna Teng in concert, what *will* I write about?
Many of my friends and most semi-longterm readers of this blog will know that I have been carrying on a love affair with her music for quite some time, and tonight I had the pleasure of seeing her in concert for the first time. Johanna, Katie and I (Chelle, oh Chelle, we missed you so) made the trek out to a little coffee shop in north Lansing where she was performing.
Enchanting. Absolutely. She sings like an angel, plays like a virtuoso, and writes like a Muse (ok...maybe I am exaggerating a little...but not much). For those who have never heard her, for the love of all that is good and beautiful find one of her cds, and listen to it (in that order).
For those who *have* heard her: I think she is even better live. She has a wonderful stage presence, and she had a good rapport with the audience (though perhaps the small venue size helped), taking requests, telling stories (explaining how all her songs are like people, and sometimes they are not on speaking terms), and even had us sing the chorus parts of "Soon Love Soon" (when a cell phone went off at the end of a song, she told the unknown owner that they were "damned lucky it was in the same key"...though other than that the audience was wonderful, except for that somewhat annoying official photographer guy clicking away)(I just noticed that the preceding sentence was very long). She played some of her new, as-yet-unreleased material (of which the best was "Blue Caravan", our trio decided), and it was interesting to see how well she adapted some of the "bigger" songs to just her and the piano. She sang a lovely Chinese folk song acappella as an encore.
As we filed out, I bought a cd from her opening act (David Berkeley, a singer songwriter with hints of both Jim Croce and Damien Rice) and some Official Vienna Teng Stickers (one is for you, Chelle) because all her t-shirts were extra-large (why am I explaining all this? is it interesting? ok). As we walked down the street, we all agreed it was amazing. Amazing squared, even. It could have been amazing cubed, quoth I, if we had actually gotten a chance to meet her. What's that, Katie? She was at one of those tables autographing cd covers?
And so we skipped (figuratively...stay with me here) back to the car to grab my cds. When we got back, the line was almost gone. I even let some other chap go ahead of me.
At this point I feel the need to explain. I had actually thought of what I would say to her if just such an occasion were to arise (because this is how my mind works); it had occurred to me in the middle of the concert. I had just discovered her before I went off to Oxford (Days before, in fact). And during my semester, as I walked the miles and rode the buses with my faithful MP3 player and headphones, she became the soundtrack to my time there. Her songs are almost inextricably linked to those memories, and that part of my life (Chelle? Agreement?).
Now, the problem is that I didn't actually think I would meet her once we left, and when we rushed back inside and I actually did, I was caught off guard. It's a bit like going to talk to someone whose office is on the 11th floor, and suddenly the elevator on the first floor opens, and there they are, not where they are supposed to be, and your well conceived train of thought derails, and the stammering begins. Right.
Anyway, Johanna and Katie insist I did not *sound* semi-literate or developmentally challenged, but it felt that way as I managed an awkward "It's nice to meet you." (which she returned, with a handshake.) It was...odd...trying to connect this person to music and a voice I felt I knew already almost as a friend. Anyway I did manage to get out a sentence or two about the whole Oxford thing, we talked for a few moments and she seemed very nice, and she signed my cd covers before we left. (And let's be honest: I have a slight crush, and I just wanted to come off like Cary Grant...next time, maybe...)
So all in all a wonderful time was had by all, and, goodness, it's late all of a sudden. I never seem to have enough time for these things, though I suppose I was rambling anyway. Though I must be off, I know I have emails and/or comments to send out to people. Watch your mailboxes, and the comment section of previous posts, I suppose.
Grace,
Brian
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Monday, October 24, 2005
Well
It's getting to be that time again, that time when Mom asks me several times a day when I am going to update my blog. I suppose that is a reasonable request (for request we know it it), considering I have not posted anything substantive in quite a while, and not posted regularly in...well...ever.
One of the difficulties is that I am, at times, a bit like Lizzy Bennett, and unlikely to say anything unless it will amaze the whole room. It seems there are lots of small things, tales or stories or musings I could write about, and even intend to at the time, but I tuck them away like little fireflies caught in a jar; when I come back to them later, their already meagre light has been extinguished, and there seems little point. Yes, yes, from now on strike while the iron is hot, and carpe diem, while Robert Herrick laughs maniacally, and all that...
Work continues to grind on, more good than bad, and the only real bad coming from things it cannot help, that it *is* work, and that it requires me to get up early, and sit reasonably still all day long, and so on. My boss continues to outsource anything deemed remotely "creative" to me, and indulges and even encourages my peculiar sensibilities. For example:
I made this
as part of a survey that went out to the *entire company*. And there are scads more examples, as I find myself doing web design, hints of marketing, recruiting...even an official cartoon character/comics strip (and I promise if I finally get Norman up and running, you will all [whoever 'you' may represent at this point in time] get to see him).
This past week we were at the Grand Valley career fair, meeting nervous college students clutching their resumes in their sometimes ill-fitting suits, hawking the Mill Steel Open House, and, of course, giving away kitschy merchandise (pens, mints, hats, etc). Things were a rousing success, and I was actually something of an evil mastermind behind it, in charge of all the promotional material (my handouts and fliers were deemed genius by...well...Nick, at least), our setup design, and the aforementioned kitschy freebees. Of the latter, the official Mill Steel socks (I am not making this up), my personal favorites, became the *absolute star of the fair*, in all their offbeat glory. We had other employer coming from across the hall to get some, because word had spread. The Aflac guy traded one of his talking ducks (which we christened "Socks") for two pairs of his very own.
Right. I was just going to summarize there, rather than tell the whole story. Seems I've managed something in between.
Oh, yes: Chelle and I are going down to see Scott and Sarah in Florida over New Years. We had been talking about it for a while, but in a fit of semi-planned impulse, we bought some (relatively cheap) plane tickets this past Friday (and before that, we even get to ride a train again). Old friends, a journey, and my birthplace...sounds like a fine idea.
--------
I feel this need in my life to simplify--everything--even as grad school looms and I continue to wonder what it is I really *want* and why and...But life keeps moving, refusing to stop, and give me a chance to think. But honestly, I don't know if that would make any difference. Here's to getting lost in fields of flowers, and finding your way home. *clink*
Well, more to say, no doubt, but it's getting late, and as I had no real point in starting, or destination, I suppose I can end wherever I want to. Which is right......
...here.
One of the difficulties is that I am, at times, a bit like Lizzy Bennett, and unlikely to say anything unless it will amaze the whole room. It seems there are lots of small things, tales or stories or musings I could write about, and even intend to at the time, but I tuck them away like little fireflies caught in a jar; when I come back to them later, their already meagre light has been extinguished, and there seems little point. Yes, yes, from now on strike while the iron is hot, and carpe diem, while Robert Herrick laughs maniacally, and all that...
Work continues to grind on, more good than bad, and the only real bad coming from things it cannot help, that it *is* work, and that it requires me to get up early, and sit reasonably still all day long, and so on. My boss continues to outsource anything deemed remotely "creative" to me, and indulges and even encourages my peculiar sensibilities. For example:
I made this
as part of a survey that went out to the *entire company*. And there are scads more examples, as I find myself doing web design, hints of marketing, recruiting...even an official cartoon character/comics strip (and I promise if I finally get Norman up and running, you will all [whoever 'you' may represent at this point in time] get to see him).
This past week we were at the Grand Valley career fair, meeting nervous college students clutching their resumes in their sometimes ill-fitting suits, hawking the Mill Steel Open House, and, of course, giving away kitschy merchandise (pens, mints, hats, etc). Things were a rousing success, and I was actually something of an evil mastermind behind it, in charge of all the promotional material (my handouts and fliers were deemed genius by...well...Nick, at least), our setup design, and the aforementioned kitschy freebees. Of the latter, the official Mill Steel socks (I am not making this up), my personal favorites, became the *absolute star of the fair*, in all their offbeat glory. We had other employer coming from across the hall to get some, because word had spread. The Aflac guy traded one of his talking ducks (which we christened "Socks") for two pairs of his very own.
Right. I was just going to summarize there, rather than tell the whole story. Seems I've managed something in between.
Oh, yes: Chelle and I are going down to see Scott and Sarah in Florida over New Years. We had been talking about it for a while, but in a fit of semi-planned impulse, we bought some (relatively cheap) plane tickets this past Friday (and before that, we even get to ride a train again). Old friends, a journey, and my birthplace...sounds like a fine idea.
--------
I feel this need in my life to simplify--everything--even as grad school looms and I continue to wonder what it is I really *want* and why and...But life keeps moving, refusing to stop, and give me a chance to think. But honestly, I don't know if that would make any difference. Here's to getting lost in fields of flowers, and finding your way home. *clink*
Well, more to say, no doubt, but it's getting late, and as I had no real point in starting, or destination, I suppose I can end wherever I want to. Which is right......
...here.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
So I am quite certain
...that I have a good deal to tell: my trip to Indiana the weekend before last to see Scott and Chelle; the Tale of the Wallet that Was Lost and then Found; Oxford sorrows and joys; my grand journey back into the magical land of Academia; umm...internship stuff; uh, the Grand Awards on Sunday; then....shoot...(heck, I don't know. With regard to my own life I have the memory of that guy from Memento...you know....what's his name...)...
Right, but the *point* is I have neither the time, nor the energy, nor the inclination to go into any of those things *at this particular time,* ("I have no recollection of those events, Senator") though I have no doubt at some point soon I will. Or I will forget about them completely. I just wanted to let you all know that I am, in fact, alive.
News that is worth talking about at the moment is that my brother is going into the Army. (John, not David..what's the matter with you?). He took all his placement tests today, is sworn in (swears in?) on Friday, and heads out for basic training on the 26th of the month. After that, he will be stationed in Texas to attend helicopter maintenance school.
I would, and I'm sure he would, appreciate prayer in all of this. I know this is what he wants to do, and something he will be both proficient at and happy with. He is already ahead of the game, having scored the highest they've ever had on the placement exams (raise your hand if you are surprised...no? all right, then), and receiving one of the highest signing bonuses they've ever paid. Also of note, he is going *in* as an E5, which is one rank higher than Dad when he *left* the Navy. (but then, Dad kept getting busted down...but that's another story...) But all that aside, it is a very serious commitment, and for at least the next six years of his life.
Also an odd little bit: for those of you who know a certain Dan Kersey, he and John will be at the same base. Interesting, no?
And, on a completely pointless note, I filled out one of those little question srvey things that I found on Katrina's Livejournal. If you care for a momentary diversion, you can find it on my Livejournal account.
Right, but the *point* is I have neither the time, nor the energy, nor the inclination to go into any of those things *at this particular time,* ("I have no recollection of those events, Senator") though I have no doubt at some point soon I will. Or I will forget about them completely. I just wanted to let you all know that I am, in fact, alive.
News that is worth talking about at the moment is that my brother is going into the Army. (John, not David..what's the matter with you?). He took all his placement tests today, is sworn in (swears in?) on Friday, and heads out for basic training on the 26th of the month. After that, he will be stationed in Texas to attend helicopter maintenance school.
I would, and I'm sure he would, appreciate prayer in all of this. I know this is what he wants to do, and something he will be both proficient at and happy with. He is already ahead of the game, having scored the highest they've ever had on the placement exams (raise your hand if you are surprised...no? all right, then), and receiving one of the highest signing bonuses they've ever paid. Also of note, he is going *in* as an E5, which is one rank higher than Dad when he *left* the Navy. (but then, Dad kept getting busted down...but that's another story...) But all that aside, it is a very serious commitment, and for at least the next six years of his life.
Also an odd little bit: for those of you who know a certain Dan Kersey, he and John will be at the same base. Interesting, no?
And, on a completely pointless note, I filled out one of those little question srvey things that I found on Katrina's Livejournal. If you care for a momentary diversion, you can find it on my Livejournal account.
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