Sun is shining and you're feeling fine...
Time for me to check in, I think. ~waves~ Still here, still busy, still really happy. I've actually been a little hesitant to post because I really don't want to be annoying in my sunniness, or disrespectful of the issues people are facing. I'm just... really happy. I apologize in advance for being chirpy.
I hesitate to even comment on how beautiful the weather is today, because we have been more than lucky so far this autumn. What is usually a resolutely grey and damp time of year has been, by and large, quite sunny and dry. Today is no exception; it's gloriously bright and... not quite warm, but definitely not as cold as it should be for November in a place where you have to go south to get to Canada. *g* I know it's only a matter of time before it goes away (the freezing and snow flurries on Friday proved that), but I'm enjoying it while it lasts.
Besides, as I discovered this weekend, I am thisclose to a perfect fit on my very favorite car coat, which I haven't worn in years. It's green and swishy and has a fuzzy collar, and by the time I really need it, I think it will fit like a dream. I didn't dare hope this would work out, but I'm thrilled that it has. So let the snow fall where it might! I will be prepared... in style. :D
The weekend was, overall, pretty fabulous. Some of the fun parts included a bit of shoe shopping (score: desperately needed new slippers and not-so-desperately needed-but very-cool new clogs, the trying on of many lovely hats, and the enjoyment of watching MSU beat Minnesota, to improve their record to 9-1. (Sorry, Minnesota fans. I know it's been a rough season.) Next stop Rose Bowl? Maybe, maybe not, but the ride's been a lot of fun so far.
Saturday afternoon/evening was devoted to an extremely cool event, all made possible by the miracles of modern technology. This weekend marked Frank Zappa's 70th birthday celebration at the the Roundhouse in Camden, and the centerpiece show on Saturday night was Zappa Plays Zappa, with the Boosh Band in the support slot. This is, more or less, one of my dream concerts, and the fact that it was in London would normally have me feeling pangs of envy... but thanks to the fabulousness of the Roundhouse and the aforementioned technology, I was able to watch the entire show, streamed live over the internet. No interruptions, no problems... just lots of laughs and fantastic music. Better yet, they'd set up a way for all the viewers to chat over Twitter while we watched the show, which effectively made us a real, connected audience. It was like being at a giant global birthday bash for Frank Zappa.
It was, in short, one of the best concerts I've ever seen or heard. Amazing music, great fans... and nobody could spill their beer on me over the internet. *g* Zappa Plays Zappa were absolutely on fire all night, premiering a few numbers they've never before performed live, and I adored every surreal musical minute of the Boosh Band set. (I think I audibly squealed when I realized that yes, they really were going to perform Willie the Pimp as a Zappa tribute.)
So. Much. Fun.
Sunday's highlight was musical fun of a different sort, as I went to watch Younger Brother's brass band in concert. I've always been fascinated by brass bands (sociologically and musically), and it really is a pleasure to hear this group play, because they're very good. There's something intrinsically warm about the sound of brass instruments that makes them appealing, and the musicianship here is... very impressive. (For perspective on just how much, I'll tell you that they played this piece, and it was good.) The big highlight was their performance of Resurgam, which they hadn't originally planned to put on the program but instead assembled over the last two weeks, in order to dedicate it to the memory of a fellow student who committed suicide on Pride Day.
I'm not going to lie. I was very moved. The music is beautiful enough to give goose bumps on its own, but the personal emotion that went into the performance made it very special, and the entire audience was transfixed. Was every note as technically perfect as it might have been, had they been working on this for months? No. But that wasn't necessary. The meaning behind it made it gorgeous. We were so spellbound--and moved--that when the piece was finished, we all actually forgot to clap. I've never experienced anything else quite like it. But it was an incredible moment, the kind you want to fold up and file away for safekeeping, so you can bring it out whenever life feels tired and ordinary and mean. It felt... sacred, like the noise of applause would somehow break the spell.
Life really is beautiful, often in unexpected ways.
So, on the somber and reflective note, I'll leave you. Unlimited hugs for those who need them!
I hesitate to even comment on how beautiful the weather is today, because we have been more than lucky so far this autumn. What is usually a resolutely grey and damp time of year has been, by and large, quite sunny and dry. Today is no exception; it's gloriously bright and... not quite warm, but definitely not as cold as it should be for November in a place where you have to go south to get to Canada. *g* I know it's only a matter of time before it goes away (the freezing and snow flurries on Friday proved that), but I'm enjoying it while it lasts.
Besides, as I discovered this weekend, I am thisclose to a perfect fit on my very favorite car coat, which I haven't worn in years. It's green and swishy and has a fuzzy collar, and by the time I really need it, I think it will fit like a dream. I didn't dare hope this would work out, but I'm thrilled that it has. So let the snow fall where it might! I will be prepared... in style. :D
The weekend was, overall, pretty fabulous. Some of the fun parts included a bit of shoe shopping (score: desperately needed new slippers and not-so-desperately needed-but very-cool new clogs, the trying on of many lovely hats, and the enjoyment of watching MSU beat Minnesota, to improve their record to 9-1. (Sorry, Minnesota fans. I know it's been a rough season.) Next stop Rose Bowl? Maybe, maybe not, but the ride's been a lot of fun so far.
Saturday afternoon/evening was devoted to an extremely cool event, all made possible by the miracles of modern technology. This weekend marked Frank Zappa's 70th birthday celebration at the the Roundhouse in Camden, and the centerpiece show on Saturday night was Zappa Plays Zappa, with the Boosh Band in the support slot. This is, more or less, one of my dream concerts, and the fact that it was in London would normally have me feeling pangs of envy... but thanks to the fabulousness of the Roundhouse and the aforementioned technology, I was able to watch the entire show, streamed live over the internet. No interruptions, no problems... just lots of laughs and fantastic music. Better yet, they'd set up a way for all the viewers to chat over Twitter while we watched the show, which effectively made us a real, connected audience. It was like being at a giant global birthday bash for Frank Zappa.
It was, in short, one of the best concerts I've ever seen or heard. Amazing music, great fans... and nobody could spill their beer on me over the internet. *g* Zappa Plays Zappa were absolutely on fire all night, premiering a few numbers they've never before performed live, and I adored every surreal musical minute of the Boosh Band set. (I think I audibly squealed when I realized that yes, they really were going to perform Willie the Pimp as a Zappa tribute.)
So. Much. Fun.
Sunday's highlight was musical fun of a different sort, as I went to watch Younger Brother's brass band in concert. I've always been fascinated by brass bands (sociologically and musically), and it really is a pleasure to hear this group play, because they're very good. There's something intrinsically warm about the sound of brass instruments that makes them appealing, and the musicianship here is... very impressive. (For perspective on just how much, I'll tell you that they played this piece, and it was good.) The big highlight was their performance of Resurgam, which they hadn't originally planned to put on the program but instead assembled over the last two weeks, in order to dedicate it to the memory of a fellow student who committed suicide on Pride Day.
I'm not going to lie. I was very moved. The music is beautiful enough to give goose bumps on its own, but the personal emotion that went into the performance made it very special, and the entire audience was transfixed. Was every note as technically perfect as it might have been, had they been working on this for months? No. But that wasn't necessary. The meaning behind it made it gorgeous. We were so spellbound--and moved--that when the piece was finished, we all actually forgot to clap. I've never experienced anything else quite like it. But it was an incredible moment, the kind you want to fold up and file away for safekeeping, so you can bring it out whenever life feels tired and ordinary and mean. It felt... sacred, like the noise of applause would somehow break the spell.
Life really is beautiful, often in unexpected ways.
So, on the somber and reflective note, I'll leave you. Unlimited hugs for those who need them!