French Crime Wave: Pierrot Le Fou (August 24, 2008)

So I’m pretty sure I broke the second toe on my right foot because it looks like an “L” and it is talking to me a lot. Only now I am realizing how far away I usually am from my feet/toes… I really do ignore those little guys. And I have tripped over the cellar door handle outside my apartment for the last time. Message received.

Fortunately last night I was able to forget my little toe-problems and absorb 110 minutes of the brilliance that is Jean-Luc Godard. Right now (through September 11) the Film Forum is hosting The French Crime Wave, and as you might’ve guessed, I am very excited. I saw Pierrot Le Fou, which was fantastic. I almost feel like I can stake a claim in its epiphany just through witnessing it. The use of color was profound and, as we share national colors with France, the political/social relevancy was undeniable. I only wish we had a few more things in common with the French… c’est la vie.

Anyway it’s hard to think of a sore toe when there are people with scissors going through their necks.

I walked home, writing ferociously as I went (this is how I injure myself), and soaked up the city with new skin. I felt like I was on fire, if not like poor Ferdinand, then at least metaphorically. It is such a blissful event to disappear inside of a masterpiece of art and then emerge newborn. Ah, inspiration.

If you missed Pierrot Le Fou you can order it on TCM, Criterion, or you can get a used copy on Amazon. After watching it I highly suggest listening to some Serge Gainsbourg, and especially “Ford Mustang” and “Comic Strip” with Brigitte Bardot – POW!

I was all wound-up afterwards and debated making jam since the pluots I got earlier were mealy… but I settled on pluot tapioca, which is actually quite nice. (Soak 1/3 cup tapioca pearls in 2 1/2 cups freshly made almond milk* for a couple hours with 1/2 tsp cardamom and a bit of salt. Bring to boil and then reduce heat, stirring for five minutes. Remove from heat, add two cups of the chopped fruit and 1/4 cup maple syrup. Cool and enjoy. Sometimes I add fresh basil or coconut or whatever feels right.)

Now it’s back to walking around on an ice-pack. Have a great Sunday!

* For fresh almond milk: Soak 1 cup raw organic almonds in 3-4 cups of water. After a couple hours remove the almonds, peel off their skins, and place the naked nuts in blender or food processor with enough of the soaking water to cover. Grind. Then add remaining soaking water and blend smooth, strain with a cheesecloth/strainer, and you have yourself some delicious stuff. You can add a bit of salt or perhaps dates/agave to sweeten. I save the crushed almond bits in the refrigerator and use them as a facial scrub – just take a bit and make a paste with warm water. You’ll save a lot of money and you’ll smell/taste great

Tracks 21-23: Texas Flood (May 28, 2008)

“Texas Flood” – Stevie Ray Vaughan
“Hard Sun” – Eddie Vedder
“Take Me To the River” – Talking Heads

Best $3 spent – ever – is admission to Barton Springs Pool in Austin’s Zilker Park. Memorial Day was pushing 100 degrees with a heat index well-above, and my previous post’s cry for water was answered in a way I couldn’t have imagined. I had remembered there being water in Zilker Park when I was down here for ACL Music Fest a few years ago, and headed over with low expectations and visions of a sickly stream and hordes of people. Turns out there were hordes of people, but plenty of room – and icy water – for all of us. The first and last word that comes to mind is “glorious.” I cannot recall more perfect swimming conditions. The first contact with the water is quite a shock – the website says it averages 68 degrees year-round, which sounds pretty warm but it’s an intense contrast to the air temperature. The body acclimates quickly and it is very refreshing after literally dripping sweat. I discovered backstroke is a wonderful remedy for guitar-shoulders. Not to mention steering-wheel shoulders. Watching people go off the diving board was fun, too, as there is a constant line and stream of people doing everything from back-flips to belly-flops. I alternated reading a chapter and swimming laps all afternoon. Heaven.

(Note: you can get into this area for free – it’s on the other side of the fence/dam though not really deep enough to swim:)

It was a perfect summer day, and I decided to end the evening by seeing Iron Man, which seemed like a perfect summer movie. I’m not much of a comic book or super hero fan, but everyone I know who has seen it has raved about it. Apparently I wasn’t the only one with this idea, because every showing at the theater on South Lamar was sold out, but thanks to Dorothy (my trusty GPS) I found another theater nearby, which was nearly empty. I loved it. I thought it brilliantly incorporated contemporary issues – mainly the war – in a way that felt relevant and sincere. I wasn’t expecting that element of “truth,” for lack of a better word, from a film based on a comic book. I thought it was a tremendous success. The acting was terrific, the technology was incredible, the story was heartfelt – if you haven’t seen it, I really recommend it. I might go see it again. Interestingly, there are a lot of super hero movies coming out… a reflection of our desire for a real leader, perhaps? Someone to clean up after this mess?

Yesterday afternoon I returned to Barton Springs to once again seek refuge from the 100-degree heat. It was as splendid as the previous afternoon, with the added relaxation of much fewer people, yet far more attractive young men. I like Austin more and more In between swims I started talking to some girls from Jackson Hole and Atlanta, respectively, and when the winds kicked up and the sky grew eerie we headed to my car, where I eventually (miraculously) carved out room for all of us. On the way back to 6th street we swung into Whole Foods… where we remained… um… for over three hours. This may be difficult to comprehend. Unless, of course, you’ve been to the Austin Whole Foods. It’s triumphant. I’ve been to many Whole Foods stores, from Manhattan to Portland to Los Angeles to Washington DC to Omaha – and this one puts them all to shame. In addition to the sheer size, I was blown away by the amount of organic produce and the variety of prepared food – there are the regular hot and cold bars, but also a gelato station, a VEGAN restaurant (in Texas! – excuse my ignorance – I stand corrected), an Italian restaurant, a seafood one, a pizza station, a Mexican station, wine tasting (we partook), desserts, cheeses, confections, a coffee & tea bar – the variety was inspiring. I think it’s wonderful when people are passionate about food. After all, it’s what we’re made of.

On the subject of food – this is really embarrassing – as bad as “Freedom Fries.”

For the chocoholics: After a few laps and much shameless sampling (and befriending several employees – whether they wanted or not) we settled into the warm evening air of the outdoor patio and chocolate tasting commenced. Natalie, one of the girls, got Newtree’sRenew – dark chocolate (73% cocoa) with blackcurrent (aka cassis – much sexier) – and Tranquility – lavender and milk chocolate. I am a big fan of Dagoba organic chocolates. The variety is astounding and it keeps growing – my favorites include the Xocolatl (74% cocoa with chilies and nibs), Lavender (59% cocoa with lavender and blueberries), and New Moon (74% cocoa), which I like to dip in tahini, chips-and-salsa style (try it – it’s outrageous). I just saw on the site they now have a Prima Materia (100% cocoa!) – and I’m psyched. Look for these at Whole Foods and lots of other grocery stores, as the prices on the site seem rather high… though worth every cent, buying them locally will also prevent further shipping emissions. I tried the Roseberry – raspberries and rosehips – and Green & Black’s Cherry dark chocolate, which is also organic, fair trade, and sustainable. The cherries are quite tart, which was a nice contrast. They are both 60% cocoa content, and I would’ve liked something a little darker – the Renew was actually my favorite of the night.

Today I came to Bryan, TX to play KEOS, which was a delight. Stevo, the DJ who hosted me, has phenomenal taste in music and a sparkling personality – I had a lot of fun. I also got to meet his lovely wife Mary, and the three of us had dinner in downtown Bryan (Main St has really cool buildings – a great feel) before my show at Revolution Cafe and Bar. I met some more wonderful people, and as if that weren’t enough goodness for one day, the station has put me up in a suite (sweet!), as you can see above. This is quite the upgrade from last night’s motel. And on that note it’s time to try out that bed… Thanks for reading. Tomorrow is San Antonio! I’m excited to see the Alamo. Dallas and Houston follow before I head further West. Join the mailing list here for updates.

The Ultimate Road Mix So Far…

1. “Escapade” – Janet Jackson (May 6, 2008)
2. “Cars Trucks Buses” – Phish (May 7, 2008)
3. “Heart of the Country” – Paul & Linda McCartney (May 8, 2008)
4. “Why Georgia” – John Mayer (May 9, 2008)
5. “Runnin Down A Dream” – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (May 10, 2008)
6. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd (May 11, 2008)
7. “I’m So Tired” – The Beatles (May 12, 2008)
8. “Tennessee Jed” – The Grateful Dead (May 13, 2008)
9. “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?” – The Beatles (May 14, 2008)
10. “Tennessee Blues” – Steve Earle (May 15, 2008)
11. “Consolers of the Lonely” – The Raconteurs (May 16, 2008)
12. “Midwest” – Sound Tribe Sector Nine (May 17, 2008)
13. “The Big Country” – Talking Heads (May 18. 2008)
14. “Everyday Is A Winding Road” – Sheryl Crow (May 19, 2008)
15. “Omaha (1994 – Live at Elysee Montmartre) – Counting Crows (May 20, 2008)
16. “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You” – Bob Dylan (May 21, 2008)
17. “Bandits” – Buck 65 (May 22, 2008)
18. “Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus” – Medeski, Martin, & Wood (May 23, 2008)
19. “Highway 61 Revisited” – Bob Dylan (May 24, 2008)
20. “Girl From the North Country” – Bob Dylan (May 25, 2008)
21. “Texas Flood” – Stevie Ray Vaughan (May 26, 2008)
22. “Hard Sun” – Eddie Vedder (May 27, 2008)
23. “Take Me To the River” – Talking Heads (May 28, 2008)

Tracks 17-19: Highway 61 (May 24, 2008)

“Bandits” – Buck 65
“Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus” – Medeski, Martin, & Wood
“Highway 61 Revisited” – Bob Dylan

There’s been something ominous in the air the past few days – Thursday night’s thunderstorm over Des Moines was fierce and last night there were more tornadoes in Kansas and Oklahoma. Now I’m down in Fort Worth, and having listened to all Dylan all day – Oh Mercy, Rolling Thunder, Highway 61, Royal Albert, Modern Times – I feel like arrived in a good place. At least mentally. I started to really lose it yesterday. Happy Birthday, Bob. Thank you for the music.

To rewind a bit – Thursday morning I had some free time in Omaha and I wandered in from the rain and into Second Chance, an incredible antique and second-hand store. It’s like your favorite grandmother’s basement times infinity. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed until I spotted boxes of old photographs, which I devoured. The night before I had seen La Dolce Vita at Film Streams, Omaha’s non-profit cinema. It was part of their European 60s series – incredible on the big screen – and the black-and-white characters were still with me as I rifled through the boxes of musty memories. I tend to favor the old movies because I think the cumbersome cranes and other old equipment required more thought… and the characters and story are usually more interesting, in my opinion. That being said I’m psyched to go see Indiana Jones in an hour

I headed to Des Moines in the afternoon to play Ritual Cafe, where I had the best meal of the trip thus far. It was a vegan roasted vegetable sandwich with homemade humus and balsamic vinegar… delicious. And the people who work there are so welcoming – their smiles positively illuminated the eerie evening. Afterwards I had the great fortune of staying with a soulful artist – a painter, bodywork therapist, avid music lover, and all-around renaissance woman. We stayed up drinking wine and listening to several of the many independent musicians who have nested in her guest room. Then I once again passed out. I don’t go to sleep anymore – I pass out. Which is kind of nice, as I’ve struggled with insomnia my entire life. Not lately! In the morning I was lucky enough to experience a shoulder adjustment before her first client arrived and I headed down to Wichita. Wow. My shoulders liked that.

I hauled down to Wichita and checked in with the kind folks of Kirby’s. I didn’t realize I wouldn’t be playing until several hours later, so I went looking for a motel where I could take a nap and, I don’t know, shower, maybe? No such luck. I spent an hour calling and driving around Wichita, but apparently there were huge sporting events going on and every hotel and motel in town – and in the surrounding towns – was booked. Impossible! I went back to Kirby’s, where Paul, the nicest bartender I’ve ever met, started calling around, too… nope. Every single area motel was sold out! I ended up driving on to Oklahoma City, where fortunately there weren’t any Olympics.

You may have noticed that yesterday’s song, “Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus,” is not your typical driving song. However after a day spent reading billboards along I-35 through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, I felt it was the only appropriate selection.

This morning I went to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum before heading out of Oklahoma City. I did not know what I was getting into – this place is remarkably comprehensive, from videos to artwork to mock campsites to hundreds of samples of barbed wire, guns, saddles, costumes… I was feeling a little overwhelmed (did I mention screaming children?) until I saw a clip of Clint (sigh) Eastwood. Oh, Blondie…

Just my luck, today the museum was hosting a Chuck Wagon Gathering and Children’s Festival, so with the (increased) price of admission I got to check that out. However, as I apparently am not a child – and have not a child – and I don’t eat animals, I wasn’t able to participate in any of the festivities. I asked a woman if I could have a bandana that all the kids were decorating and she said no, so I went to another lady and made up a niece. If you are going to charge me for a festival and then not let me partake, I’m going to get something for it. And I’m sure one day I’ll have a niece – just thinking ahead.

Have a nice holiday weekend!

The Ultimate Road Mix So Far…

1. “Escapade” – Janet Jackson (May 6, 2008)
2. “Cars Trucks Buses” – Phish (May 7, 2008)
3. “Heart of the Country” – Paul & Linda McCartney (May 8, 2008)
4. “Why Georgia” – John Mayer (May 9, 2008)
5. “Runnin Down A Dream” – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (May 10, 2008)
6. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd (May 11, 2008)
7. “I’m So Tired” – The Beatles (May 12, 2008)
8. “Tennessee Jed” – The Grateful Dead (May 13, 2008)
9. “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?” – The Beatles (May 14, 2008)
10. “Tennessee Blues” – Steve Earle (May 15, 2008)
11. “Consolers of the Lonely” – The Raconteurs (May 16, 2008)
12. “Midwest” – Sound Tribe Sector Nine (May 17, 2008)
13. “The Big Country” – Talking Heads (May 18. 2008)
14. “Everyday Is A Winding Road” – Sheryl Crow (May 19, 2008)
15. “Omaha (1994 – Live at Elysee Montmartre) – Counting Crows (May 20, 2008)
16. “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You” – Bob Dylan (May 21, 2008)
17. “Bandits” – Buck 65 (May 22, 2008)
18. “Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus” – Medeski, Martin, & Wood (May 23, 2008)
19. “Highway 61 Revisited” – Bob Dylan (May 24, 2008)

Winter Tour Blog 12: Home (March 21, 2008)

Care for a boat ride, anyone? (A “lake” in Alabama)My 14,000 mile journey came to a happy ending when I pulled into my mom’s driveway in CT a couple days ago. It’s amazing how slippery time is – as soon as I saw the people I love the two months of schlepping around become about as significant as the granola crumbs all over the inside of my car. Which are no longer there, thankfully. The first thing I did, after giving/receiving kisses, was vacuum my car for an hour and a half. It was that bad. I unpacked, cleaned, and rearranged the furniture in my room (an ongoing thing with me) before nightfall. Due to the tasty mix of exhaustion, momentum, and adrenaline, I didn’t really know what else to do with myself. Promptly afterwards, I crashed. I am still crashing. I feel like Ozzy.The furnace is broken so I’ve been dividing my time between soaking in the bathtub and walking around with a microwaveable bag of corn in my pants. And, of course, sleeping. And eating. I’m about as useful as Garfield and I’ve decided that I don’t need to do anything productive until Monday (as if that’s an option at this point). But before my memory completely fails me, I’ll share some pictures from the last couple weeks of the tour…Decatur and Athens were a real treat. The audience at Eddie’s Attic was shockingly attentive and I was lucky enough to spend the rainy evening on a cozy couch nearby. Georgia skies are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. There was a tornado watch going on the following day as I drove to Athens in the sheets of rain… maybe this had something to do with it. But every night that I was in GA the clouds (which are enormous, as clouds go) blazed magenta. I had a night off so I finally went to Juno, against my will. I was sick of people telling me to go, so I finally caved. (And I was curious as to why people told me, “It is so you” – Huh?! I don’t remember that whole high school pregnancy bit). Anyway, I didn’t like it. I didn’t hate it, but I’m kind of indifferent to the whole thing. I found the dialogue grating after a while and I just couldn’t care about any of the characters. Except Vanessa. It was too “cute” for me (and “cute” is different than cute. The quotations add a little syrup).Enough about Juno – Athens is a quirky little town, and I liked it a lot. I wandered into a cool vintage co-op called Agora where I couldn’t resist adding to my ever-growing instrument collection. Then I played an in-store at Borders, where I was surprised by a girl I hadn’t seen since high school! She graciously invited me to crash on her floor for a couple nights, and came to cheer me along at the Farm 255 show the following night (they have excellent food! And if you sit at the bar you can watch them cook in the immaculate kitchen – I love that).Friday I was up and out early since I had to be in New Orleans Saturday morning. The drive was really boring and this is when I officially began running out of juice. I arrived in New Orleans as the wind howled – the white caps were crashing on themselves and I couldn’t help but wonder how terrifying the hurricanes must have been/be. I didn’t discover that my motel window was cracked until the next morning, so when I say the wind howled I mean it HOWLED. I felt like I was going to shoot off to Oz at any moment and I didn’t sleep much.New Orleans:The Crescent City Farmers Market was an easy gig, though after two hours of playing in the shade I felt like an icicle. I warmed up at yoga class and then spent a half hour or so walking around the French Quarter, but I have an aversion to drunk tourists so I hightailed it out of there pretty quickly. I played at Neutral Ground that night after a ridiculously talented bluegrass band (all the bluegrass bands I have encountered on this tour are ridiculously talented, in fact). I spent Sunday in my motel room. I just couldn’t really move I was so so exhausted. Night at the Museum was on, and I actually really enjoyed it. I also watched Banditas, which was kind of absurd, but Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz are so beautiful I couldn’t help myself. Then I finally summoned my strength and played Fair Grinds. The people were lovely and very supportive. It’s in a cool spot – the older buildings are stunning! It’s kind of a mystical place. I kept getting lost because of missing signs/detours, but then I’d keep driving, becoming more and more frustrated (anything involving driving at this point is frustrating), and all of a sudden I’d be at my destination. It’s strange. It’s as if every road feeds into one or something. Or it’s like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – I felt like I was on a track, rather than controlling where I was going. However I just really wanted to be home, so I was glad to leave. The people who are working to rebuild the city are remarkable – there is so much to be done. I can only imagine their frustration and heartbreak. If you’re planning a trip, go to New Orleans. Give them your money.Buried alive:Monday I drove from New Orleans to Charleston, SC, where another one of my cousin’s lives. I stopped outside Jacksonville to buy grapefruit at one of those Indian River stands and some guys from Ohio and I decided that this grapefruit was, indeed, the best grapefruit we’d ever had in our lives. I bought a half-bushel, afterwards thinking that there’s no way I could eat all this grapefruit – of course four days later it was gone (yes, it was THAT good. Wish I had a truck.) By Charleston I was feeling sewn to my drivers seat, and my cousin was pretty concerned/disgusted by the state of my car.Angel Oak:Charleston is a lovely city, and I had the ultimate tour of downtown as well as the Angel Oak, which is seriously impressive. I usually avoid people in my pictures, as you know, but I included them here for scale – check out how big this thing is! It’s remarkable how many of the roots are out of the ground. All of the oaks in Charleston have a lot of personality (we chatted) and distinguish the city. Whole Foods was a welcome stop on our little tour. When a guy working there noticed me admiring the lilies on my way out he chased us out to the car to give me the below flowers. Guys: never underestimate the power of fresh flowers! I swear to you I was in love on the spot.My lilies:This is where my cousin graduated:I was impressed and amazed by the uniqueness of this pink flower (all one plant):Downtown Charleston:The next morning my cousin drove me to ABC 4 to film my segment on Low Country Live! It was SUCH A HOOT! The anchorpeople were a riot and I wished I lived in Charleston so I could be on the show every week. Next time I’m going to shoot for a cooking segment. (I have videos I’ll eventually post, including a juicing episode at my cousin’s condo). I was so exhausted (what else is new) because we were up half the night stalking people on Facebook that I can’t really remember what I said/did but I know I played “Atlantis” and “The Road”. I’ll post a copy of the show as soon as I get it.Outside the station:In the newsroom:After one more trip to see my Whole Foods boyfriend and a good long stretch I rode up to Wilmington, NC and played the Juggling Gypsy, which was a great community of people. I think I had six or seven offers of a place to stay by the time I finished. I ended up going with a group of people to their motel room, and when we got there I realized that it was last night of spring break for these college kids. Needless to say, our priorities were a little different, as I had been up early for Low County Live and they were ready to go out with a bang. We hung out for a couple hours, playing guitar and hanging out on the balcony overlooking the beach (so pretty), but I couldn’t sleep so I decided to forge ahead and drive to Lexington. I drove through the night, which had become preferable because the inside of my car was so wretched that it depressed me to look at it. I pulled over to sleep in a gas station parking lot around six in the morning because my eyes couldn’t take it anymore, and then I pulled into Lexington around ten. The Econolodge was really nice and I took a bath and laid around because that’s basically all I could do. I had to get up and yell at people to be quiet, and I was quite horrified to discover they were a group of middle-aged adults tailgating in the parking lot. Of the Econolodge.Friday night finally rolled around and I played Patisserie Cafe, the most perfect way to end my tour. The room was packed and very intimate on yet another cozy rainy night. And I loved playing for this group of people. My goodness! The audience was so attentive and silent and generous that I felt my songs flourish right before my eyes. My little babies have grown up on this trip. As have I. I am very grateful to ALL OF YOU, and there have been a lot of you these past ten weeks. Thank you.After the show I hung out with Kayla, the owner. She’s a very skillful energy healer, as I was lucky to discover, and a beautiful soul who works hard for the right reasons. Then we said our goodbyes and I headed up to DC to crash with my sister for a couple days. When I got there we were dragging anything of value up to her apartment and yelling at each other as we do, and then she stopped and looked at me, dead serious, and told me I look “like a woman”, which I half got a kick out of and half disbelieve. Again, I definitely grew up a lot the past couple weeks. But doing what I love, I also feel a hell of a lot younger and more energized. Of course I immediately passed out on her floor, and she lovingly pulled my shoes off and tucked me in.Saturday and Sunday were really fun. I don’t get to see my sister very often, so any time we get together is special, bickering and all. Because I was as lively as vegetable pulp there was a lot of movie-watching this trip. Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day was great fluff and Amy Adams is possibly the most likable actress in Hollywood. (If you have Lee Pace’s phone number please share). We also saw The Other Boleyn Girl, which I expected to be really bad, but I must say, it held my attention. I’m not claiming this is great cinema, but both films were entertaining, though the ending of TOBG was not the happiest way to end a weekend.Ok, I am typed out. I’ve been on computer-hiatus and this is more than I was expecting to write. Here’s my winter tour superlatives. Enjoy the pictures and please keep voting! Only one month to go and then I’ll stop bothering you about it. We’re still in the lead! Woohoo!* Most Amusing Billboard: “You Just Passed Gas!” (Alabama)* Most Amusing Homemade Sign: “You Loot, I Shoot” (Oregon)* Most Fascinating Radio Program: Craig Masey’s “What a Wife Owes Her Husband” (Alabama)* Most Played Album: Joni Mitchell’s “Travelogue”* Most-Eaten Food: Granola Bars (a whopping twenty boxes in ten weeks. Gross, I know)* Most Delicious Venue Food: Cozmic Cafe (2nd Place: Farm 255)* Most Vile Motel Room: America’s Best Inns, Athens, GA* Most Delightful Motel Rooms: Motel 6 in the Southwest (Flagstaff, Santa Fe, Phoenix – superior to all others)* Most Scenic Accommodations: Santa Cruz* Most Beautiful Tree: Angel Oak (Charleston)* Most Beautiful Highway Tree: Anonymous (I-80W, Iowa, one mile before Exit 118 on the left)* Most Attentive Audience: Patisserie Cafe (2nd Place: Eddie’s Attic)* Most Sick-of: Glenn Beck (Motel cable… not so good)* Most Horrifying TV Show: “14 Children & Pregnant Again” (I caught an episode in Omaha and The Duggers were up to seventeen kids!)* Most Desirable Place to Live: Los Angeles (Yes, I’m serious)* Most Appreciated Time Away From Car: Snowshoeing in Santa Fe* Most Treasured Article of Clothing: Fleece Pants* Most Beautiful Road: US 1 Pacific Coast Highway* Most Tragic Moment: Hitting bird on I-40 W in Moriarty, NM* Most Looked-Forward to: Bathtub* Most Wretched Smell: I-5 near Fresno; I-40 near Amarillo* Most Enjoyable Drive: 101 through the Redwoods* Most Infuriating Drivers: Texas (and all of The South, for that matter… I think it’s a cruel joke that the Entering-Texas sign reads “Drive Friendly-The Texas Way… Former Home of George W Bush”. Quick review: The PASSING LANE is meant for PASSING and the TURNING SIGNAL is meant for SIGNALING TURNS.)* Most Delicious Tea: Fair Grinds (New Orleans, LA – thanks, Gingerbread!)* Most Exciting Roadside Spotting: Grazing elk* Most Tempting Store: Powell’s City of Books (Portland, OR)* Most Clever Venue Set-up: Brainwash, San Francisco* Most “Wow, I feel old” Moment: Crashing with spring breakers in NC* Most Adorable Detour: Auburn Humane Society:

Top 7 of 2007 (December 31, 2007)

As I type this, I sit in the Atlanta airport on New Year’s Eve – trapped, actually – with the flu and an increasingly-delayed flight home. It is in this sorry state that I look forward to 2008 with longing and high hope for better days ahead. To pass the time, I have compiled my Top 7s of 2007 – by no means comprehensive, and especially given the fact that I listen to an embarrassingly small amount of music, and I see an even smaller amount of movies. I guess as a songwriter I’m in the business of listening to the silence, but in the new year I would like to make an effort to listen to more music, and especially contemporary music. Therefore I hope you’ll feel welcome and inspired to post your own favorites. Here are some of mine…Favorite Songs:”Little Cream Soda” – The White Stripes”Hey There Delilah” – Plain White T’s (This song is so beautiful it could’ve been written by Paul McCartney).”Ah Mary” – Grace Potter and the Nocturnals”Killing Him” – Amy Lavere”While You Were Sleeping” – Elvis Perkins”What Goes Around” – Justin Timberlake”Imitosis” – Andrew BirdFavorite Albums:Live at Massey Hall 1971 – Neil YoungIcky Thump – The White StripesShine – Joni MitchellInto the Wild – Eddie VedderEchoes, Silence, Patience, & Grace – Foo FightersAugust & Everything After Deluxe Edition – Counting CrowsArmchair Apocrypha – Andrew BirdFavorite Music Videos:”Conquest” – The White Stripes. I was a little horrified at first, but I should’ve known Jack is a lover; not a fighter.”Read My Mind” – The Killers. One of the most beautiful singers – er, songs – of all time. There’s something about it that makes it sound almost like a prayer… the earnestness; gentle desperation. This one stopped me in my tracks the first time I saw/heard it and I don’t think I breathed or blinked for four minutes.”Runaway Love” – Ludacris featuring Mary J. Blige. I love these two, and I was very moved by this video.”How Far We’ve Come” – Matchbox 20. This is a great song. It’s difficult to make one of these historical montage-type videos without being really cliché or contrived, and I think this one works.”1 2 3 4″ – Feist. I want to be in this video. The song definitely belongs on my favorites list, but I was trying to stick to the 7 of 07, you know?And, of course, the Foo Fighters always have the best videos. Embedding is disabled so I can’t post them, but I love The Pretender and I think Long Road to Ruin is hilarious.Favorite Movies:Into the WildRatatouilleEnchantedI’m Not ThereHarry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix3:10 to YumaThe Assassination of Jesse JamesFavorite Books:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – JK RowlingBlood and Thunder – Hampton SidesHere, There & Everywhere – Geoff EmerickBob Dylan: The Essential Interviews – Jonathan Cott(Ok, I have to cheat because most of the books I read in 2007 were published in years prior – here are two older books I read this year that I really enjoyed)Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement – John LewisThe People, Yes – Carl SandburgFavorite TV Shows:Flight of the ConchordsThe Daily ShowFlight of the ConchordsThe Colbert ReportFlight of the ConchordsReal Time with Bill MaherFlight of the ConchordsAs a holiday bonus, here are two seasonal videos – one which endears and one which horrifies. The first, “‘Tis the Season” is a wonderful short film by Bob Giovanelli. It’s only a few minutes long, so after you love it please vote for my buddy Bob here. Once you’re feeling all warm and fuzzy click here to see what happens to people who have too much money, and perhaps too much eggnog. I think we should tell this guy about climate conservation… starving children… ah, he means well…Ok, I still have three hours to go, but thanks for killing time with me. Such an awful expression – killing time – but when it feels like an alien is taking a vegetable peeler to the inside of one’s stomach and one is stuck in a airport, well, a girl feels like killing time. Thank goodness for technology. It really does make one disassociate oneself from one’s body, and I forgot about my little alien friend for these minutes of typing, however long it’s been.Happy New Year! More info on the new album (hopefully finishing recording this week!) is coming soon.

Casting A Glance: London Film Festival, The Troubadour and Arriving in Paris (October 27, 2007)

(Tate Modern)(Parliament)(St James Park)(Tate Britain)On Tuesday morning I went to the Tate Britain. It is much smaller than the Tate Modern, and so it only took an hour and a half or so to flow through. The Blake room was closed, as was another, which was too bad. However, the JMW Turner exhibition was incredible, and I loved watching his sketches and watercolors progress into enormous oil paintings. Though I think I enjoyed the watercolors the most.In the afternoon I went to “Casting a Glance,” a gorgeous homage to Robert Smithson that is part of the London Film Fest. I began following Smithson’s work a couple of years ago, and “Spiral Jetty,” the subject of this film, has had a profound effect on me, personally and artistically. Because of this, I approached the film with a mix of excitement and also heightened judgment, for James Benning was treading on sacred ground. What followed was eighty minutes of prolonged shots of one of the most beautiful sites in North America. It delivered the SPACE that I have neglected the past couple weeks as I have sped around trying to do/see/conquer like the good little tourist I am. I would divide this trip into Pre-”Casting A Glance,” and Post-”Casting A Glance,” for the film has altered my way of moving through and observing these cities. There’s a little more room for breath. Because of the intensity of the film’s focus (which was really quite simple – I mean it when I say the entire film was of prolonged close-ups of coastal scenes), it stimulated my senses. Kind of like eating a really good, simple meal makes you more aware of the subtleties of taste/texture/etc. verses eating lots of sugary treats, which, after a while, numb the taste buds. My eyes have been binging on sugary sweets (I’ll get to my mouth later), especially since arriving in London, which is overflowing with museums and stunning sights. So I am very grateful for this film. I loved it. The sound of rushing water was hypnotic and very soothing, too.Afterwards I went to Acoustic Lounge only to be told that the show was cancelled because of an emergency in the family! I was very disappointed, although the circumstances put the cancellation into perspective. Walking home I thought I’d take a nighttime bus tour that I had seen advertised, but I couldn’t remember where the pick-up location was. It was getting late so I decided I might as well go to sleep, something I haven’t seen much of lately. Then a very nice man named Terry struck up a conversation on the sidewalk. We chatted for quite some time while he smoked his cigarettes, and then he invited me to be a guest on his nighttime bus tour of London! Yes, he was the driver I had been looking for. Funny how things always work out.Wednesday morning I meandered before heading to “Great World of Sound,” which was kind of like American Idol with heart. A little Office Space-ish, too. It’s a very funny movie that traces a made-up record company and its inevitable doom, and I thought it was a little more bitter than sweet. The first hour or so is very light-hearted as we get to watch aspiring musicians audition in ridiculous circumstances (ie. nasty motel rooms with spray-painted “gold” albums on the walls). But the humor is like the little old lady who lures us children to her gingerbread house, only to gobble us up in the middle of the dark, dank forest. Yes, the film is a slow-moving snuffer headed straight for the candles of these poor, struggling musicians. The name of the company/film recalls not only Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound” for me, but our current president, for the evil record company president and con artist is “GWS” (GWB?), who steals the people’s dreams along with their money. I suppose the subject matter is of particular significance for me, but anyone can relate to the characters’ desire to make a difference – or at least a better life for themselves. Again, very funny and highly recommended, though may cause depression for aspiring artists. Like a catchy pop song that leaves you feeling empty….How appropriate that I left the theater and headed straight to The Troubadour! It’s a wonderful venue steeped in history. I was one of five acts (the only solo one) so there were a lot of musicians, record company people (legit ones), and miscellaneous people to hang out with during soundcheck and a delicious dinner (you really need to check out this spot). It was a really enjoyable show and the highlight was making a bunch of new friends and reuniting with an old friend I hadn’t seen for over two years! A perfect ending to a perfect week in London. I will be posting footage when I return to “the States.”Thursday I saw “The Unpolished”, which was stellar. The images sucked me in immediately, as the film opens with close-ups of a hard-looking woman hurriedly cut her daughter’s hair by the side of the road while her daughter holds her cigarette. By the chemistry of the two characters, as well as the woman’s approach to the task (blunt scissors and a bottle of water), it is apparent that something is very wrong. The film follows a tumultuous path, but maintains a bit of detachment, as many German films do. As also with German films – lots of sex. Don’t bring the kids.On Friday I finally arrived in Paris by train after a proper Wagamama and wine send-off Thursday night, courtesy of my friend, Greg. I splurged on a cab and I am SO glad I did because I had the coolest cab driver in all of Paris. I was actually disappointed the ride to my apartment was so short, but he gave me all his info in case I run into trouble or whatnot while I am here. As we chatted along the way, my eyes scanned my surroundings and they couldn’t help but flood a bit. Goosebumps surged across my skin as every cell in my body let out a sigh: home. Yes, some things cannot be explained. I have wanted to live in Paris my entire life – an obsession which began with filling my bedroom walls with anything and everything Parisian when I was a little girl. So this is a big deal.I was starving by the time I dropped off my things, and even if I hadn’t been, the first thing one must do upon arrival in Paris is eat. So I went to Tesime and had the most delectable m’semen, warmed and smothered avec miel (honey). I nearly wept. Every other store in Paris is a pâtisserie/boulangerie. At first it was almost comical, but this is no laughing matter. I just didn’t know food like this existed!!! With every bite I see stars, just like in Ratatouille (you STILL haven’t seen it?!). After I devoured my pastry I made it just over two blocks before I was lured in by another shop, where I had a tarte des tomates, fromages, et herbes de Provence. I swear I heard angels singing.I waded through the streets, drinking in the sounds of traffic and passersby, while my eyes led me from pastry counter to baker to fruit stand to flower market. I walked through Place des Vosges, the Marais, and along the Seine to the Louvre, where I got a museum pass to use in the future. I can’t confine myself to a museum quite yet, for the real attraction in Paris is on the street.This morning I woke up and headed to the market at place d’Aligre. I purchased two enormous bunches of grapes (raisins) from Italy that transported me to a place I had only visited in dreams. Mangoes from Spain, local sweet potatotes, carrots, garlic, herbs, zucchini… how have I been living without this? When I stopped into the boulangerie on my way home and picked up a baguette that crunched so perfectly it might as well have come from heaven’s kitchen, I was almost expecting to wake up. Reality came calling after I devoured the entire thing with fresh fromage (cheese), though, for I had a vicious stomachache. A small price to pay.I walked to Notre Dame. It was an overcast day and swarming with tourists, so I wasn’t as impressed as I had expected. I honestly think I was more impressed with the pastries. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true.I took some pictures and walked along the Left Bank. I love the tiny Ile St Louis. Every time I think to myself, “I’m not taking one more picture of a building,” I turn the corner and I have to catch my breath, or at least my camera. It’s surreal. The streets are like portals to another time; a totally different way of life that is deceptively similar to my own. The small Deporation Memorial is architecturally very interesting. I headed towards the touristy Latin Quarter, and on Blvd St Michel I was stopped by a man who began hugging and dancing with me. That’s one way to get yanked out of your dreamworld. He kept saying all I needed to know was “je t’aime” and wouldn’t let me weasel away. This is kind of funny because I told my friends before leaving that I was coming to Paris to find a husband so that I wouldn’t have to leave – joking. I officially retract that statement.(Deporation Memorial)I walked through the Jardin du Luxembourg, which was beautiful. I am so glad I am here to see the leaves change, though I look forward to a bluer sky. It’s been very gray the past few days. Although it’s cozy and well-suited for the city, the pictures fail to capture the beauty of these great sites.Ok, I can’t write anymore. At least now I’m all caught up. Bonne journée!

LONDON! Palaces, Parks, Film Festival & More (October 22, 2007)

London has felt a bit like the above picture: a whimsical whirlpool of sights and sounds. It is paradise. Here’s a summary of the past few days:I started out early Saturday morning and walked past Buckingham Palace, through Knightsbridge, and into Kensington Gardens. Stopped to admire Mecca, the Royal Albert Hall (reflection of Albert Memorial in glass):The leaves ignited amidst the gilded monuments as the sun stretched towards the sky:I continued on through Kensington and Notting Hill, where I reached Portobello Market. As it was still early, the market was just getting into gear. I went to a class at Jivamukti to realign, as I’ve begun to feel like Atlas with all my schlepping and whatnot. Afterwards I headed back down Portobello Road for lunch, and I was blown away by the masses of people and things – fruits, antiques, clothing – I have never seen anything like it, as it goes on and on and on…After lunch I took a tour of Kensington Palace. It makes the White House look like… a white house, I suppose. You can’t compete with royalty. This picture faces the rooms that were inhabited by Princess Margaret.First there was an exhibit dedicated to Princess Diana. It mostly consisted of film footage and a few of her gowns. Then were the empty apartments of Princess Margaret (no furnishings or anything – just little historical blurbs) and wonderful scrapbook albums of media clippings and personal photographs (I especially enjoyed the photographs taken by Lord Snowdon – you can probably look them up online). Finally a self-guided audio tour began, which included all sorts of decorations and costumes (including armor) from the 17th-18th century. My favorite was the grand marble staircase, and I imagined what it was like to swoop down and make a glorious entrance before the court (though I doubt the “ladies” were allowed to “swoop”).Next stop was the Natural History Museum, and I thought the building was as impressive as the exhibits. I skipped over the dead animals, but I found Plant Power very interesting/informative. There was a great exhibit on Earth Today that covered pollution and climatic change. Some of the exhibits seemed a bit dated, which was an interesting study in itself – kind of like seeing movies from the ’50s where they show humans as robots in the year 2000. Here are some pictures of the museum:Then I walked towards Piccadilly Circus:Harrods:There’s a great place called Tokyo Diner in Chinatown. Very good vegan bento box for under 10 pounds:I don’t know what got into me, but I bought a discount ticket to Spamalot. It was all they had left, and I guess I was desperate to escape the madness of the streets (of all the beautiful buildings in London, I am astounded by the people who line up to take a picture in front of the neon Coke/TDK sign in Piccadilly Circus – what is that about? Of course, many people would be baffled by some of the pictures I take, but ?!?!) Anyway, the Palace Theatre was worth the admission; the play was not. I made it until Intermission, but I was just not feeling it. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying herself (and the booze! – I have never seen so much alcohol consumed in a theater setting – there were bars at every turn!) so I think it was just my mood. I took a lovely (and chilly) stroll home (no, that’s not my hotel):Yesterday morning I got a little dressed up, since a few days meandering around Knightsbridge, Kensington, and Notting Hill has given me the impression that everyone in London is very wealthy, very beautiful, and very well-dressed. The least I could do is change out of my jeans and crocs, which have become second skin (my mother is shaking her head in disgust). It didn’t take long for me to regret this, though; while I hoofed around town my (very cute) shoes began to fill with blood (hehe). No, mere mortals can’t afford taxis.This one’s for Pats and Eddie:I arrived at the Wallace Collection to rest my feet a bit. Little did I know that this family collection would be the highlight of my trip. I would urge anyone who visits London to make this a destination. The paintings, Sèvres porcelain, Italian earthenware, furniture, and armor far surpassed anything I have seen – anywhere. Much of it was from the 1500s or earlier, but I didn’t get the sense that Sir Richard Wallace acquired the oldest and most expensive antiques he could just to slap them together and impress everybody (though, surely, that is bound to be a result); what really separated this experience for me is that the pieces flowed together so artfully, so that the “collection” itself became like a novel with each room as a related, though independent, chapter. At every turn I found myself catching my breath – the lavish upholstery, vibrant wallpapers, gilded chandeliers, engraved desks and cabinets – the woodwork!!! – such a treasure. I really could not conceive of such an extensive collection belonging to one family (or, for that matter, humankind). I would love to visit one more time before I head off to Paris. It was very difficult to leave!Afterwards, I meandered over to Leicester Square. London, with proper shoes, is entirely walkable, though the Underground is very user-friendly, if not fool-proof (ditto the buses). There is a lot to be learned here about how to organize a city: First, there are attendants and signs at every turn, and local maps and schedules at every underground station. Also, it is very clean; the city has a neutral smell (the air smells like air). Street cleaners are hard at work everywhere and the gardens and greenery are exceptional. (I am very impressed by the street cleaners, especially after I saw more than one gentlemen puking after the rugby match Saturday night. Yes, there was puke splattered everywhere, and then it was magically erased!) I also love that there remains an element of formality. I can’t remember the last time (if ever there was a time) I saw hordes of people in three-piece suits, gowns, and hats headed for the theater, ballet, or concert. When streets signs begin “The Royal Borough of…” I suppose it makes one walk down the street with added dignity. Yes, “if I had a million dollars…” (singing a la Barenaked Ladies) I would move to London. In a heartbeat. It is that wonderful.I arrived in Leicester Square for the 51st London Film Festival. I saw “Flight of the Red Balloon,” starring Juliette Binoche, a favorite of mine. The theater, Odeon West End, was lovely, and the movie synched perfectly with my mood, my trip, my taste. It didn’t really begin or end – it was like a DJ cross-fading real life into fantasy. Not much happened in the film, for it was very soft, subtle, sensual, sensory… very French. There were ripples of tension, but Binoche’s character kept swallowing them down, so the film maintained a quiet delicacy. The color theme was visually appealing and gorgeously sequenced.This morning I woke up to see the sunrise out my window:After breakfast I walked over to Westminster Abbey to take a ridiculous amount of pictures. Here’s a picture of a statue by Rodin in front of the Parliament:There was a lot of sudden police activity around the British Intelligence building, so I had to take a wide detour on my way up to Tate Modern. I crossed the Thames and walked along the Albert Embankment, where I could admire the Parliament and Lambeth Palace:Parliament:Sneak attack:TS Eliot on the way to Tate Modern:The night is calling so I want to wrap up this recap, but here are my highlights from the Tate Modern:“Adam” – Barnett Newman“Head of a Hostage” – Jean Fautrier“Tree of Fluids” – Jean DubuffetMark Rothko room“Untitled” (1953-4) – Joan Mitchell“Untitled” (1950-2) – Mark Rothko“Summertime 9A” – Jackson Pollock“Untitled” (1992) – Guillermo Kuitca“Otaïti” – Francis PicabiaCy Twombly roomThere was a great film on the 5th floor that covered the different artists/exhibitions. I particularly enjoyed watching Nikki de Saint Phalle fire off her “Shooting Picture.” Bad ass. However, my absolute favorite piece was Steve McQueen’s “Drumroll,” a film composed of the simultaneous shots of three cameras, positioned at different angles, rolled in a barrel around Manhattan. The resulting piece is the most accurate portrayal of the NYC experience ever captured on film.There you have it, a weekend in London, fueled by chocolate (current pick – Green & Black’s Dark Chocolate with Crystallized Ginger – vegan and organic!). I am in an alternate universe where time evaporates before it touches ground. Therefore I leave you to go catch a few more drops on my tongue before it’s time to leave this beautiful place. Thanks for reading, and if you happen to be in London, come to the Acoustic Lounge show tomorrow, Tuesday, October 23rd! AND come to the Troubadour on Wednesday!!! I’ll post a review of the show, as well as much more about the film festival, very soon – so stay tuned!

Into the Wild (October 7, 2007)

I just returned from seeing “Into the Wild.” It is a devastating story you probably know, and, had it unraveled chronologically, I do not think I could have endured it. But the masterful sequencing both intensifies and alleviates the tragedy by interspersing episodes of remarkable love, beauty, and fulfillment. To open a film with Lord Byron is to make a strong declaration and “Into the Wild” swells to meet him in the stratosphere of epic poems:There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,There is a rapture on the lonely shore,There is society, where none intrudes,By the deep sea, and music in its roar:I love not man the less, but Nature more…For me, it succeeded as a complete masterpiece. I feel as though I shed many skins in that theater. The breathtaking landscapes, the passionate Alexander Supertramp, the primal call of Eddie Vedder – I don’t feel as though I watched this film as much as I lived it. If any movie should be experienced on the big screen it is this one. I strongly urge you to go see it in the theater. It will probably change your life.Check showtimes onMoviefone.Bring tissues. LOTS of tissues.

New York, Cowboys, and Other Things I Love

Thank you SO MUCH for those of you who came to the NYC shows this weekend! I am still coming down from it all…. It was truly magical to share music with people I love and to meet new friends along the way!For those of you who couldn’t make it, here’s a recap…Friday at Caffe Vivaldi featured Linda M and myself, and WOW was she smoking. A songwriter’s songwriter, to be sure. She inspired the entire room to join her in a truly memorable rendition of that Oasis classic, “Wonderwall” (you know it’s a kick-ass song when everyone can sing all the words after ten years) and her originals were every bit as compelling. Check out my top friends to visit her Myspace page AND come see us play Girls With Guitars Fest this Thursday (9/27) at The Rivoli in her hometown, Toronto! Give “Gravity” a listen to see what I mean.Friday also featured my piano debut (!) and a few new songs I’ve been cooking up over the summer. Thanks again to the guinea pigs for screening the new stuff and to our new friends from England for the wine and cheer! Yes, Friday was a perfect example of what makes NYC so enchanting Saturday I found myself caught in the rain, so I blew off my errands and spent the day at the movies. And when I say “day” I mean it – I did a Western double-header. It was heavenly. First I saw “3:10 to Yuma”, which was quite good, though I was less than impressed with the acting of the female characters. (Although there aren’t many options available to women in Westerns beyond suffering wives and prostitutes, a lot more could have been done here. Not to mention that the two female characters looked and acted like they were right out of 2007. I eagerly await a Western which accurately portrays the physical, mental, and emotional perseverance of these pioneer women, and I am more than willing to fill the role, if you happen to be reading this, Mr. Eastwood). That being said, Christian Bale was captivating. I fell in love several times. He has come a long way since his Newsies cap (“Santa Fe…”). The chemistry between him and Russell Crowe made up for the other’s shortcomings. Definitely worth seeing, with minimal pangs for Josie Wales.Next up was “The Assassination of Jesse James…,” which I have found myself revisiting many times over the past twenty-four hours, as the best movies inspire one to do. I don’t know if it was one of the best movies, but very ambitious and unexpected, stylistically and otherwise. I think I need to see it again, especially because I hadn’t digested “3:10 to Yuma” before diving into this one. Casey Affleck delivered some of the best acting I had seen since… Christian Bale (hehe). (Again, I fell in love many times.) In all seriousness, his portrayal of Robert Ford was so consuming that I can already feel there are some songs hatching. The complexity of his character cut deeply, as there was something very tender and delicately endearing about his soulless deceit. I love movies that succeed in stirring conflicting emotions, and both of these movies did succeed in this way. Very moving film; beautifully sequenced and highly recommended. Brad Pitt is always good, but I was a little distracted by his “Brad Pittness.” E! and US Weekly have poisoned a lot of roles with their shenanigans.After my eyeballs were just about rolling out of my head I made my way down to the LES to play Googie’s Upstairs at the Living Room, which was a VERY pleasant surprise. The crowd was attentive to the extent that I was a bit unnerved, quite honestly. Quiet audiences remind me that – oh, yeah – I am standing at a microphone, singing my secrets to a room full of active listeners. Gulp. (Haha). Honestly, it was a treat, and I look forward to returning to Googie’s as soon as I am back from Europe!I hope you enjoyed this beautiful equinox weekend! As I am operating on very little sleep I am no longer seeing double, but kaleidoscopically, and I shall cease to spew my opinions here. Sleep is a good thing.Happy Autumn and see you in Toronto!(Oh, yeah. I chopped off all my hair! You’ll see it soon. For now, I can’t stop rubbing my head. So nice…)