The Musical Love of My Life

Travis:

How to do Everything: 101

Finding time to do everything is tough. Take it from someone who over and over again tries to do absolutely everything she possibly can in order to take in life. I do realize that you do not have to attempt to do it all to have a fulfilling life, but sometimes I think that if I don't I might miss something, or over look a precious opportunity that may never look my way again. Sure, my thinking is a bit extreme, but that is how I feel sometimes.

The first rule in attempting to do everything is: be open to possibilities.
Things don't always work out as we may have planned for them to. It seems as if every time I try to schedule myself back to back, something happens and I have to change my plans. Don't be afraid to just let things happen. That is the natural course of action, isn't it?

For example: Last night I intended to go to a free Paolo Nutini showcase after rehearsal. Because it was free there is the chance that I would not get in, but was I willing to take that chance? Of course I was. So I e-mail one of the sponsoring radio station's DJs to ask what time he was going to go on so that I could see if I would be able to make it when I got off rehearsal. He said Paolo was to take the stage around 9. It was definitely worth me taking the chance. So after rehearsal, I grabbed Josh and Megan and we hit the road for Ferndale. By the time we got there, because of snow and accidents, it was 9:10pm and there was already a line of people 20 deep waiting to get into the show in the event that someone left. BUMMER!
Plan one foiled, so the three of us walk around the corner to this little coffee shop that is having an open mic night. The performers there, though not the most talented, certainly proved to be entertaining. Josh now has plans to return to this coffee shop with a fo-whiny high school boy act. Said event will be hilarious.

I come to find out the next morning, when I re-mailed the DJ, that because of my initial e-mail I was put on a guest list for the show. This is certainly useful information for future events. So not only did this serve to be a fun adventure, but the River continues to Rock in my opinion.


In a way, no this is not doing everything... but it certainly is attempting to, and attempting can only open up future possibilities. In my mind the secret to doing everything is knowing that as long as you try, the possibilities are endless.

Latin Flare

Because one of Anita's coworkers works at the Music Hall, we were yet again able to get free tickets to a Dance concert. This time it was a Spanish/ Latin Dance Extravaganza... and there was food and dance lessons afterwards. Okay, I will admit that I will attend just about anything that is free with free food. Its a win- win situation.

I think the Dance was amazing, I loved that the dancers took on characters and then maintained the personality of the character through the dances. I am a character person, but I also think that it really displayed an amazing range of talent for the dancers. It is one thing to dance and be good at it, it is another thing to personify a character through the dance.

There were two dresses I thought were absolutely amazing, a yellow one, and a grey and red one. I don't know how to describe them, but the red and grey one had a little grey jacket that went over top of it so you could only subtly see the red underneath the jacket and in the pleats of the skirt. Then (the character was a slightly reserved or shy woman) as she opened up a bit the jacket came off to reveal an amazingly spectacular top. It was so cute. The dance was a bit of a love story in that they dancers were coupling up over a night of dancing at a club. There was this one nice but persistent guy who kept getting shot down by the shy girl, and at the end they finally had a few dances together and she let him walk her out... so adorable.

sorry about the little rant, but you know me and lovey dovey stuff, I can't get enough of it.

The food was yummy, as Mexican food always is... or rather I had Cuban food. In any case, it was yummy. I attempted to learn to Salsa dance. The attempts failed. I would need a MUCH slower class... one that is more than 5 min. For those of you who don't know, this white girl has no rhythm.

The next night I joined the JVs on their adventure to Pontiac to celebrate Pontiac Shannon's birthday. I had a few drinks with the Shannan's and Josh at the Pontiac house. We played a game similar to kings. I started of drinking Sangria, but after a glass of that flashbacks to New years came to mind and thus I switched to beer. I did not want a repeat of New Years day... maybe I will share that story with you later.

At around 11 the 10 of us go out to a Piano bar where they have dueling pianos on Friday and Saturday night. Basically its the 3 or 4 guys playing all the fun songs that everyone knows and loves. Pontiac Shannon requested Sweet Home Alabama and when they played it we all accompanied her up on stage to dance to it. Though we were sober, everyone thought we were drunk and so it was all good. Detroit Shannan and I had a bet going as to whether or not Detroit Megan and Pontiac Jeff would kiss by the end of the night. I was betting against her actually doing it. Shannan and I called off the bet when we found out that Megan really does like Jeff every so slightly, but she wasn't going to let it happen if there was a bet going. Nothing ended up happening, and I felt bad when I found out she did like him.... but I suppose there is always next time.

An I learned not to bet money on friends hooking up... you might just end up in a situation where they really like each other but wont let anything happen because of the stupid bet.

Until last night, i had forgotten what it was like to just lose yourself in the world around you. I accompanied JV Shannon to the cloud cult concert. I only just heard of them and yet there was something in their music that was just right. Had you been watching me, you would have thought that i was not enjoying myself. Quite the contrary, I loved it. There were several songs that just flooded my thoughts and opened my mind. I cant really explain it because its kind of a weird feeling, but just trust me that it was an incredible experience.

Here are lyrics to one of the songs that stuck with me:

I heard grandpa on my transistor radio,
Though he turned in his bones twenty years ago,
And he said, "Kid, theres something that I'd like to show you,
Get your things, its time for us to go"
So I grabbed my backpack, my flashlight, and a bag of caramel corn,
I got my bicycle, and the radio, and I had it on the road, I said
"I'm ready for what I'm about to see, Yup"

I headed north to rain that turned to snow
Through rusty towns and dusty gravel roads
And I said, "Grandpa, where is this thing you wanted to show me?"
He said, "Kid, you got a long way to go"
So I went through canyons, caves and catacombs, I sailed on bicycle boats
I slept in chapels and brothels, I met the nicest folks
I said, "I'm ready for what I'm about to see, Yup"

I heard grandpa on my transistor radio
He said, "Kid, its time for me to go,
And I know that there was something that I wanted to show you,
But its time for you to find it on your own."
"Let me tell you about rage when a signal died that day,
Theres nothing out there and I don't care; Its to take my life away
I'm not ready and I don't want to see, Nope"

Its been years since I heard my transistor radio
Yet I keep going to where it seems I'm meant to go
And I finally realized what he wanted to show me
Where I've been, where I am, its the show
Where I've been, where I am, its the show
Where I've been, where I am, its the show

Before and after the show, we met some really cool people, including the bassist. We all talked and chilled and then Shannon and I had to go because, alas, we had work in the morning. Stupid work.

I am starting to think about that dreaded question "what next?" Where do I want to be? what is my next step? What road will I choose? And, how will i get there?

I have a few thoughts, but i wont share them now... gotta keep you guys in suspense. How many of those, though, involve going back to Virginia Beach? to Virginia? Ideally none of them. Virginia I love you, but you're just not for me anymore.