Everywhere and In Between

was where I felt like I was today. So I made a project for my piano and voice students to work on while I'm gone. They were given packets with stuff in them re: Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Though three separate generations of composers, their lives overlapped quite a bit, specifically in Vienna. So the packets contained information on the three, a CD of key songs that my students are playing in level appropriate forms and sheet music to study. They were, then, supposed to go through the packets and e-mail me questions and assignments to find things based on their research. They've come up with great questions for me scavenge out of the city... but what a day.

It began with a visit to the Haus de Musik which is simply that - a building dedicated to sound and how sound works and it's connection with music. A complete interactive exhibit. Next, a bolt out to Zentralfriedhof (the cemetary where Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms are buried alongside a monument for Mozart), made it back into the city for a walking tour of Mozarts life in Vienna, a trip through Mozarts last remaining house in Vienna where he wrote Figaro and the Requiem and then to see a String quarted perform the Requiem in a lovely old church. Whew... made everything right on time with none to spare. I felt like superwoman.

Tomorrow, visiting Beethoven's homes (not all of them because in 30 years, or something like that, he lived in more places that one can count...) but I'll see some key places where he composed some very large works.

On another note I ended up drinking bitter lemon at the end of my day which I'm crazy about. Managed to walk a whole 12 hour day without losing my pullover that was flung over my bag... to some a minor issue... but I drop everything I touch. Oh, and had a coffee at Starbucks because it's really the only place to get a coffee to go... yeah, and oh-so-Austrian... whatever. I just about hated that I was there.

Pictures are in this order:
Beethoven's Grave
Mozart Memorial
Map of Zentralfriedhof
Mozart's last home in Vienna

A Paddleboat

...is what myself and the teens rented this afternoon. I don't know that I explained what I've been doing while here this week, but I'm leading worship for a conference and then also hanging out with the teens for the week. Afternoons are free time. Today we went for a paddleboat ride. We probably paddled 3-4 Kilometers... In the middle of the ride a water skier came along and slammed water on us. It would've bothered me had it not have been done just so well. So I applauded instead. But we were very wet and still had quite a ways to go back to shore. When we DID get there, Eva and Josh grabbed the dock and pulled us in. However, Eva pulled one way from the back and the front of the boat went another. Josh, who was standing on the front of the boat and holding on to the dock started stretching out more and more until all of a sudden the things holding him up were too far spread apart and in the water he went. The picture you see is after this adventure, sans Eva - she was taking the picture. The others are just views from the lake.

Slovenia

Today I drove down to Slovenia. A friend and I borrowed a car and drove down for the afternoon to Bled (said "Blade") and just tripped around 'til about 10pm tonight. It took about 45 min to get there which just seems nuts. But it's true. I was a little disappointed at the border, though, when I handed the guy our passports and they just passed us on. I didn't get a stamp. It's EU's fault. Open borders.

It's a bit of a fairy-tale-esque sort of place with an island in the middle of a glacial lake in the middle of the Julian Alps with a grand castle way up high on a craggy cliff... just too much to handle. I'll post a web picture with an aerial view 'cause you'll get a better idea of it (the best one I could find has someone else's watermark on it).

There's a ton of history to this area as it the center of four main geological land formations. The castle in this town is also the oldest one in Slovenia.
View from the castle of the surrounding scenery.

View from the island looking towards the castle and St. Martens church.

The inside of St. Stephen's at night. Vienna, Austria.

Flight Wonderings

September 15 - flying from Vienna to Krakow. Flight time: 1hr.

"Last leg of our trip. Now in Vienna heading to Krakow. Moline - Chicago - Dullas - Vienna - Krakow... Not bad. All quick transfers. My body is in a tired place, though, where I'm hot, my breathing is tight and my mouth is dry.

I'm looking out the window at the surrounding Austrian Villages wondering if one of them is Rohrau. Little hamlets along the Danube. Each with their village church and tower that probably looked out for the Turk's at one point.

I'm right next to the prop of this plane and my butt is buzzing. I'm probably 5 feet from it... If it came off I'd be the first one dead. I wouldn't even make it to the crash.

So far this travel's been outstanding. Really not more than an ounce here or there of turbulence. Was so great.

I stole a blanket today from Austrian Airlines. it's a great green with red trim. Quite striking and fun. Does this make me a bad person?

Flying over England at early morning today was beautiful. I noticed in the darkness warm orange glows of light. Rarely have I had a chance to SEE England every time I fly over it.

It's been so interesting to look below me at the land thinking "this is Europe" - like, countless armies have marched these lands... The Moors, the Mongols, the Ottomans, the Hungarians, Alexander the Great... the Romans. How deep do footprints go in this soil. Plots of land that have remnants of life before lying ferral that perhaps were once Roman camps, battlefields, temporal town. It fascinates me endlessly.

All this below me was once the Eatern block, ruled by Communism... the U.S.S.R. I imagine we're over the Czech Republic right now.

Land formations also blow my mind... the general geology of places that you see from a plane. Rivers that used to flow here now flow there, but left a trace with a dry bed. Mounds in the ground. The natural shape of uncut forests. Even some of the man-made things like roads that followed the natural walking route of past people groups, in and out of hills, towns, forests... and the roads that took their place... before blasting away the earth was possible. The towns that developed around natural resources. Towns that never grew into each other so they really used to be able to say, "the woodsmythe three towns down the river..."

Pictures of Krakow and Vienna

Church of the 12 Apostles in Krakow, Poland



Cafe light in Krakow's Market Square



Vienna: St. Stephens Cathedral at night

Charlie & Lola

I am absolutely crazy about this show. I have been watching kids for a particular family a few days this week and they have two DVDs, 6 episodes each. I'm in. I love it.

It was introduced to me a bit ago and for some reason I never really got it. Shameful really. I should've. I should've really understood. I did not. Now I do.

Lola is small and very funny... and she loves pink milk. Charlie is the reasonable and ever caring, sometimes frustrated, older brother. Lotta is Lola's best friend. Marve is Charlie's (which, everytime they say it I think they're saying Mauve). Marv has a dachsund named Sizzles that Lotta and Lola love. Lola has an imaginary friend named Soren Lorenson. And they all have these lovely Brittish accents.

Aesthetically, the illustrating and writing is incredibly clever and witty and just so fabulous. And any show that could carry Badly Drawn Boy type music has got to be wonderful.

Clearly, I am enamored and I am ok with this. I may actually go rent the DVD's myself. "Do your kids enjoy this show ma'am?" they will ask me at the counter. I may lie or I may tell the truth... or I may just borrow the five kids I've been watching and take care of that completely; allay any question.

You may one day hear me speaking like a four year old Brittish child. At which point you may intervene. However, until then, I will be attempting to see as much of this show as possible. Carry on.

Odds'n'Ends... but mostly odds.

I'm glad that last post's behind me. Staci... thanks for taking the "no one noticed" route for me. You're a good woman.

Steve Erwin died... yesterday? How 'bout it. Thanks NPR for bringing the sad news... however, TODAY they followed it up with this guy, John Hodgeman. He's the guy from the outstanding Mac commercials. Apparently he's written a book and he is funny regularly... and he has a blog... "Areas of my Expertise". He used to be a part of "This American Life" which is really about my favorite of my many NPR shows.

Please listen to the interview... not because I sound pathetic asking you to, but because you believe me when I tell you it's funny... and the radio host can't contain his laughter. That's enjoyable.

Click on THIS and
from here go "listen"... and then do so.

Two sets of super good friends moved town last week. Packed one friend up Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for her to leave and then packed another Thursday and Friday. Wow. Hate that. I spent a fair amount of time actually mourning those losses. Very good people. When good people leave it makes you wonder what you're still doing around. I know what I'm still doing around... but you still have to entertain the thought if just for a few days. It's healthy.

In other news I leave for Autria and Poland in... 8 days? Something like that. Next Thursday. I'll be better at posting next week.

Play it again... Jenn

I have a regular gig of leading worship for the fine young people at our church every week. I love what I do. I love these teens. I love the band. It's an honor to do what I do. I mean it. However, I might be kicked out tonight.

It was a busy and somewhat rough night before our services began (plural because Middle School is first, High School is second so we play twice in a row) I had a run in with someone that left me unsettled, a few things weren't normal... it was just an odd night. So Middle School went well. No complaints. Was really proud of two newer students band peeps that were great on the fly. Good. Senior High moves right in immediately following. We open with the first song that one of my Jr. Highers lead - her first time. We play two more songs... and I flake. I tell our drummer to start song X... again... it was the song we began the night with... but in my head I had placed that first time in Jr. High's service... in my head we hadn't done it for Sr. High yet... except that we just had 10 minutes before.

My poor band of new people, so confused, not sure... looking at me like "are you sure" - so that made it more awkward... Everyone knew it. Everyone. The band. The teens. It was one of those moments and you just keep going because, well, because... But I just felt dumb. Not dumb like "I don't want to see anyone ever again. I quit!" but like... "Oh my gosh, I really just did that... that's funny.... and... dumb"

One of the band kids caught me afterwards and started opening his mouth with a question on his face and I just said, "I know... and no, it wasn't intentional" and we laughed and I said "It was just dumb"

I can't wait to go to bed.

ATM Madness - part II

I went to the ATM the other day... again, since I had done such a fine job of sidling up to the machine so as not to be the person that has to open the car door, unbuckle their seat belt and play a modified game of twister to gain access to the machine,I - when I dropped my credit card onto the pavement beneath the car - I couldn't properly open the door to retreive it... So while I'm reliving my experience with the money tube and vaccum at the drive through a few months ago (see post from May 1st) I'm looking for whatever I can to reach for the card through a sliver of open door, appearing to be playing a modified game of twister. I find a mechanical pencil with the eraser NOT rubbed down to be flush with the writing instrument and try to move the card with that. It worked. I got the card. At this point, knowing my reocurring issues with banking facilities, I may opt for the first scenario instead of shimmying right up to the venue. However, I won't know until my next visit if my lesson's been learned.

In A Pink Room

So from time to time I will paint murals or rooms for little kids. I'm working on one right now with sweet little whispy grasses and fun animals will make their addition soon.

I did a room about a year an a half ago and the request from the three year old was that the room be pink. I really liked how the room ended up and we were glad it would be one she'd stick with into her elementary years. Sadly the family just moved, though, and wanting the room to be preserved for posterity the following is a visual elegy for the pink room...

Just to explain... I used a gloss pink over the Satin pink walls which makes the swirls on the wall pop out if hit by the light just right. Head on, though, you can't tell they're there. There's a box window seat as well that I painted into a tree swing that hangs from a large branch painted on the wall under the tree canopy. Also, I love chalkboard paint... so the closet doors have a lemonade stands and an a-frame sign that the little girl could draw on. Every child will eventually draw on their walls... I just gave her a place to do so.

I cannot stop listening to this CD.

My first exposure to Imogen was in the group Frou Frou a couple years ago. Then I heard her song "Hide and Seek" and was sold. I can't pick up enough of her stuff. But this CD in particular is amazing. It's the kind of music you listen to that has you finding new things everytime you do. There are so many layers to her music. And it has a kind of magical charm to it... it glows. That's the best I can come up with. Somewhat cheesy, but there really is this sort of effervescent quality to it.

A guy at West Music (same home sort of feel as Dick Blick... if these guys go under, I'm through with it all) and I now speak of her everytime I go it. One day he said "You've got to have more of her stuff" so he gave me Frou Frou's "Details" CD. (Just like when Dick Blick offered me coffee). And now it's a cornucopia of Imogen.

I guess her shows are amazing. She reproduces all of herself solo. Amazing. So if you hear she's anywhere near you, let me know... I'll be taking a road trip.

Have you ever...

...seen someone somewhere, and they go to give you a hug and as you are hugging you realize... and you know they must too, "we've never hugged each other before" and then it's kind of awkward. Someone just gave me an awkward hug.

Where am I gonna get paint now?

This is a story about the first time I walked out of a store and cried... I was fairly emotional for a while. Dick Blick art store closed at 5:00 last Saturday for good. The thing about Blick was that I loved going in there because it ignited a certain response from me; a sense of familiarity from mixed smells of paper, brushes, paint, canvas, pastels. I also knew the staff there pretty well. Yesterday I turned a corner and Bruce, the store owner, turned from the opposite direction and all I could say was, "Bruce! I'm speechless". He's a very dry and thoughtful man with wonderfully crazy hair and he responded in his sort of whispery voice, "You need a hug" - seriously, he did.

The day things went poorly with my house around Christmastime, I went there because I needed to be around something that made me feel at home. Bruce offered me a cup of coffee... in a retail store... I was offered a cup of coffee.

They were so good at what they did and I always found what I needed. I got advice on pieces I was working on, good thoughts as they related to arts and life and always a very hearty welcome when walking through the door. It really was an extension of home for me. It is no longer there.

I know this all sounds just ridiculous, but I'm quite broken up about it. Someone saw me after my hour and a half final roam of the store and stock-up of 50% off meterials and asked how my day was. I said, "It sucked and I'm a little sad." And then I started tearing up, and then laughing because it was a ridiculous story to tell. And yet, quite a few who know me, who knew the store was to be no more, have seriously come up to me and with every depth of sincerity have said, "I'm sorry for your loss." - I know it's not a person, but it was a personal entitiy that really brought something specific to our community. *sigh*

Thanks for letting me get that out.

Great followed by great.

What a good day. Gave a really good art lesson today… not as much as my teaching was out of this world, but rather a good lesson, good learner, good synthesis. Just good. Followed by a great night out. Got to extend my birthday out a month and had the pleasure of eating dinner with “homefolk” (a term penned by Sadie and Bessie – You must read “Having Our Say” by these two centarian sisters) and seeing “Cars” - what a surprise, loved it - lumbered over to Borders following the movie… was gifted the book I made mention of a few posts back – In the Belly of the Green Bird. Great. Just super enjoyable.

Got a call later this afternoon from a friend saying “Michael Buble’s band will be just gigging down at Hunter’s tonight. Matt (said friend’s husband, our media director and about the best gig/session pianists I’ve ever heard) will be sitting in with them.” So, went down around 11… what a great night. Michael Buble is in town tomorrow night and his musicians got here today, looked around for some places to jam I guess, Matt was called and then the angels sang because it was some of the best live music I’ve heard.

The Quad cities has a really good open-mic/live music thing going for it. I will frequent some places that I know have some good stuff from time to time, but tonight was just really good professional musicians doing their thing and just jamming everything from funk to fusion. I love watching music happen and take place and be given the space to be made in front of you. To watch the give and take, especially in jazz, where people get their moment to create music with these other people that are going to same direction, but have no idea, along with you, what will sound next. This is such an interesting thing to observe and be a witness to… this genuine moment where humanity says to each other “I don’t need to be in control right now because this is your moment and I want you to have it” – funny how music can help create a safe space to be vulnerable. It’s interesting to me.

Anyway, great followed by great. What a good night. I will be tapping my toes in my dreams.

One River Mississippi - weaving together art, ecology and community

"To put your hands in a river is to feel the chords that bind the earth together." - B. Lopez, author

The "One Mississippi River" event will take place this Saturday, June 24 @ 7pm.

If you are in or live near any of the following 7 locations, try to make it to this event.

Itasca
Minneapolis / St. Paul
Quad Cities
St. Louis / E. St. Louis
Memphis
New Orleans
Plaquemines Parish

The event will unify cities from the mouth of the Mississippi all the way down to its Delta with participating communities. It is an event that will incorporate the arts community of each location with a sense of greater awareness for ecology. The arts culture of just about any community is almost always exclusively the community that walks hand in hand with issues of social and global concern.

The Mississippi has quite an amazing role in the history of America economically, politically, socially. I've only lived on it for about 5 years and have been amazed even at it's meteorological significance as well. It's amazing to watch storms come through this area and, on the new, see a large storm cell divide and roll around the Mississippi and the Quad Cities, only to reconvene on the Eastern side of the area.

I think this event will be cool and I'd love to have any of you who can attend try to and share your thoughts here afterwards.

Mississippi River Meander Belt

Follow-up

Friends came by and confiscated my book.

A Cry For Help

I can't stop playing this game. Someone needs to take my book away. I need an intervention.