Appreciations #2: Ludwig van Beethoven, Or Ode to Ode to Joy

Give it a listen, and maybe you'll see what I mean. Start at 41:00:


I think it's safe to say that, at any given time, three or more of my students are working on one or another version of the song, "Ode to Joy." There is the simple, one-hand-at-a-time, two-line melody that kids learn before they've even seen a staff of music. There's the slightly more complicated two-handed one, which involves the right hand moving up high on the piano for the second run through the main theme, then back down for the victorious ending. And there's the most complicated version, the one that imitates the basses and cellos in original orchestral composition, playing the familiar melody in the bass range of the piano, then developing into a more complicated accompaniment with the theme on top. Ode to Joy is probably one of the most recognized classical works ever; kids and parents know it, non-musicians recognize it, most people can hum along with little-to-no help.

So it may be a surprise that Ode to Joy is one of my absolute favorite-ever pieces of classical music. What a common, ordinary song to choose as a favorite. And this, after years of my parents having my siblings and I listen to the diverse selections on NPR Morning Classics, spending four years as a music major in my undergrad and two more in my Masters program, again in music. After seventeen years of piano lessons, as well as two years of clarinet, some harpsichord, voice, guitar and drum lessons, and countless years of choir. After learning to analyze, identify, and pick apart any and every kind of classical music from Bach to Stravinsky to Philip Glass, I still go back to Ode to Joy. Every time, I find myself back there.

Every time...well, that's somewhat of an exaggeration. Every Moody time? Every Emotional time? Every Sad, Thrilled, Confused, Restless, Blissful, Crabby, Exhausted, Calm time, is more what I mean. There is no bad mood that Ode to Joy will not help, there is no height of emotion that Ode to Joy will not exacerbate; it is the perfect soundtrack to any moment or feeling in my life. It grasps at every corner of my brain and soul, catching little bits of conflicting feelings and shoving them all together, so that I all of a sudden catch myself driving through the country at 7:45 on a Thursday morning, singing in German at the top of my lungs, windows wide open, arms and face freezing, big stupid smile on my face as tears roll down my cheeks. Ode to Joy is all of it. Ode to Joy is everything all at once. Hopelessness and hope, resistance and unity, faith and freedom, all rolled into one. All at the same time.

I've been lucky enough to get to dedicate my life to music. As a child and teenager, I was a reluctant performer. As a college student, a slightly-less reluctant performer, as well as a budding and curious music theory nerd. Post-college, I finally embraced my love for teaching and was privileged enough to combine teaching with music and form my current career. The musical opportunities in my life have been numerous, rewarding, hilarious and humbling. I've opened for Dar Williams's opener, I've played for a large crowd at a feminist bookstore's open mic, performed at a fundraiser for my sister's law firm, played in a ridiculously fun punk band with my best college lady friends, followed a piano-cello version of "November Rain" with an encore of "Time After Time" with my BFF, played a hymn at my grandfather's funeral, and shared the stage with my insanely talented and lovely piano students, among many other experiences. But no performance compares to getting to sing in a choir to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in the "Ode to Joy" movement.

My friend Katie and I spent a year in choir together, giggling and laughing and making up nicknames for our fellow singers. There was Ursula, who looked like Ursula from The Little Mermaid and had the most perfect German pronunciation. There was Wally, who, well...he looked like a Walrus. And he was the loudest tenor in the group, always overcompensating for the small group by over-singing and making a show of himself. And there was The Lumberjack, who, as Katie reminded me this morning, always came to choir in a flannel shirt and suspenders. It was not much different from the rest of my college years, all the laughing through class and nicknames (shout out to 819!), but when we all came together to sing with the orchestra, everything sort of settled. We calmed down and stood up straight and proud, followed Ursula's tips for proper pronunciation, and sang our hearts out. We must have sang through the entire movement at least fifty times, and I loved it every single time.

I always wonder if I am able to appreciate certain pieces of music more if I've had the chance to play or sing them, or really look at the music. Maybe I can hear the intricacies and details more when I get a chance to see them in the sheet music, to feel them with my fingers as I sight-read for the first time, to discover what is actually happening in the music. To feel why I will later get a chill when that measure is played, and why I will later smile when I hear that particular ascending chord progression. I feel so fortunate to have this. Musically, Ode to Joy is pretty difficult to sing. For an alto who, when harmonizing with her brother, always chooses the lower part (to be fair, he has a truly magnificent falsetto), the higher notes in the Ode to Joy were a giant stretch.

Here, have a listen or watch to another version (incomplete):
Watch the orchestral section beginning at 13:16, and wait for the part at 14:32. Look at the anticipation. Listen to everybody - the orchestra, the choir, the audience - waiting, almost wincing, ready for what is to come. Watch the conductor's face as the music nearly disappears, and then swells into this incredible moment of relief and bliss. I just cried again while watching this video. Chills. Every single time.

There is a section of the song, a fugue (almost like a round), found at 59:25 in the first video posted above, in which all four voice parts are singing repeated lyrics, but different notes, all at the same time, growing and developing into a beautifully monstrous rolling pile of voices. I might never have paid much attention to this part of the movement had I not sung it. And, had our conductor not insisted that we do this section ridiculously fast and precise. Never before this moment had I experienced something "hard to do" in singing. I always just sang, man. But with this fugue, this tiny minute-and-a-half piece of music, I had to focus intently, concentrate on every note, on breathing at the exact right moment, at pronouncing those umlauts like Ursula taught us, at increasing the volume of my voice just right, and then, at the crazy high note, singing as soft as possible while still projecting. I don't think I'd ever really worked that hard to make music before.

And then, in a tiny and beautiful moment, all the hard work turned into pure joy. When I could truly lose myself in the music, be a little less focused and a little more floaty, losing myself a bit among the notes, I realized I was surrounded by about 80 other people singing the same song, the same words and notes, and we were all singing together to create the most beautiful piece of music to exist, at least in that moment.

I have found myself, as of late, saying that I've "just been more emotional" in the last year. I'd love to blame it on, first, the tumultuous political atmosphere of the city in which I live, the personal attacks on teachers - especially my friends and the man I love - the vitriol and hate and polarization to which people in Wisconsin have been driven. Or, I can easily say I've been far more emotional since the sudden death of one of my best friends, followed closely by the loss of my dear grandfather. It could be true, and it most likely is. But really, I've always been an extremely emotional person. And I know that music goes hand-in-hand with all of this emotion. But which came first? Does the music just enhance all the emotion that's already sitting in my body, waiting to arise at just the right moment? Or does my emotional self make me hear the music a little harder, feeling physical reactions to just the right combination of sounds? What exactly is it that causes me to find myself on a Thursday morning on that country drive, crying and smiling and singing as if absolutely nothing else in the world matters or even exists?

Maybe it's just Beethoven. His music has and always will bring out the truth in me, tells me my own emotions when I have no clue how to identify them, and explains what I've been feeling all this time, simply through music. What an amazing individual, to be able to affect complete strangers living in different centuries who'd never even heard of him until years after he died. What a full and beautiful and insightful person. Much gratitude, Beethoven. Thank you.

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne! Sondern laßt uns angenehmere an stimmen, und freudenvollere. Freude! (men's chorus: Freude! ) Freude! (chorus again: Freude! )	Oh friends, not these tones! Rather, let us raise our voices in more pleasing And more joyful sounds! Joy! (Joy!) Joy! (Joy!)
Freude, schöner Götterfunken* Tochter aus Elysium, Wir betreten feuertrunken, Himmlische, dein Heiligtum! Deine Zauber binden wieder Was die Mode streng geteilt; Alle Menschen werden Brüder, Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.	Joy, beautiful spark of the gods* Daughter of Elysium, We enter, drunk with fire, Heavenly one, your sanctuary! Your magic reunites What custom strictly divided. All men become brothers, Where your gentle wing rests.
Wem der große Wurf gelungen, Eines Freundes Freund zu sein; Wer ein holdes Weib errungen, Mische seinen Jubel ein! Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund! Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!	Whoever has had the great fortune To be a friend's friend, Whoever has won a devoted wife, Join in our jubilation! Indeed, whoever can call even one soul His own on this earth! And whoever was never able to, must creep Tearfully away from this band!
Freude trinken alle Wesen An den Brüsten der Natur; Alle Guten, alle Bösen Folgen ihrer Rosenspur. Küsse gab sie uns und Reben, Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod; Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben, Und der Cherub steht vor Gott. Vor Gott!	Joy all creatures drink At the breasts of nature; All good, all bad Follow her trail of roses. Kisses she gave us, and wine, A friend, proved to the end; Pleasure was given to the worm, And the cherub stands before God. Before God!
Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen Durch des Himmels prächt'gen Plan, Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn, Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen.	Glad, as His suns fly Through the Heaven's glorious design, Run, brothers, your path, Joyful, as a hero to victory.
Seid umschlungen, Millionen! Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen. Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen? Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt? Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt! Über Sternen muss er wohnen.	Be embraced, millions! This kiss for the whole world! Brothers, above the starry canopy Must a loving Father dwell. Do you bow down, millions? Do you sense the Creator, world? Seek Him beyond the starry canopy! Beyond the stars must He dwell.
Finale repeats the words: Seid umschlungen, Millionen! Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen. Seid umschlungen, Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Freude, schöner Götterfunken Tochter aus Elysium, Freude, schöner Götterfunken Götterfunken!	Finale repeats the words: Be embraced, you millions! This kiss for the whole world! Brothers, beyond the star-canopy Must a loving Father dwell. Be embraced, This kiss for the whole world! Joy, beautiful spark of the gods, Daughter of Elysium, Joy, beautiful spark of the gods Spark of the gods!

-from Wikipedia

Appreciations #1: Jeremi Blowfish

So I started writing this in early February, before Alex died, before my grandfather died...of course. Brains might be psychic sometimes, I don't know. Anyhow, I thought this would be a good one to finish, and hopefully continue the plan in the future.

It may be because I can't sleep and my brain is being a crazy person right now and not leaving me alone to lay down and breathe and sleep. Or it may be because I've been thinking about doing this for a couple of months now. Either way, I think it's time to throw around a little recognition. So...a bit morbid, yes, but maybe we need to be writing eulogies (or do I need a different word?) for people we love and care about while they're still alive. Hear me out. I'm trying, really trying, to be vocally loving and thankful to people in my life for what they've done, how they've affected me (or others or anything or the world), the beautiful little things they bring to life. I wish we did this all the time. I wish it was a part of every day life. Maybe even some sort of rule. Maybe one to live by. We need to appreciate more out loud, recognize the amazing people in our lives, and tell them. And tell everybody. So, my new project is to tell you all about some of the remarkable people I've had in my life, to share some appreciation for those people, and to tell stories about them so even more people know.

But at first I wasn't quite sure where to start; it all felt a little random and overwhelming. So, since I haven't talked this person in a really long time (but, of course, have connected on facebook recently) and I really do appreciate him, AND I've been hearing a lot of Rammstein lately, I thought I'd start here. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you...Jeremi Blowfish!

When she was in high school, my sister had a job at a camera store in Glenview, IL, where we grew up. She worked with mostly creepy older men, but there was one person there close to her age. This was Jeremi. He looked like a cuter version of Silent Bob. He always wore all black, often band t-shirts, and he listened to a lot of industrial music. He worked in the lab at the camera store, developing pictures. He is the most talented photographer I've ever come across in my entire life (have a look around his website here). He started hanging out with Sara, and then with Sara and I, in our parents' basement, as that was pretty much all we were doing in the early-to-mid 90s.
Landscape photo by Jeremi Bialowas

One summer afternoon, Jeremi called into a radio station to request a song (perhaps some Rammstein, Jeremi?) and he told them his full name: Jeremi Bialowas. The DJ, naturally being sort of an ass, was all "Who? Jeremi Blowfish?! What's this?" And thusly, Jeremi Blowfish was born.

Jeremi came to the Spice Girls concert with my cousins, Layla and Lameis, and I. The four of us sat surrounded by a giant field of little girls and their mothers. I think it's safe to assume that Jeremi was one of the only men there, and definitely the only one who hadn't been dragged there by a 7-year-old - yep, he went voluntarily. Behind us was a group of four girls and three moms. Each mom had a girl up on her shoulders in order to see better. One girl was standing on the ground, up on her tiptoes, straining to see. Jeremi, in his heavy accent, said to the mother, "Would you like me to peek up your leetle girl so that she can see thee Spice Girls?" The mom gave Jeremi, the tall, bearded, long-haired man dressed all in black (let's say he was wearing a KMFDM shirt), the once over before deciding, "Sure, why not?" Jeremi held the little girl on his shoulders for the rest of the show. He bobbed up and down and back and forth, holding on to her legs for her safety, while she raised her hands in the air and cheered for the band. Later he said that he didn't mind it at all because it gave him something to do with his hands. He didn't want to stand around with his arms crossed like at all those other shows, you see?

My father's office is full of Jeremi's photographs. I think they're from the Grand Canyon. The pictures are giant and framed and have been hanging on the walls of the office since probably 1996. They set a peaceful scene in the office of the urologist. They provide a calm that might not be present otherwise. Time in the urologist's office can be anxious. I love that those pictures are still there.

When Jeremi was working on a project for one of his photography classes at school, he had an assignment to use a special kind of camera. Please forgive me, Jeremi; I have no idea what it was or what it did. But he asked me to pose at the piano. For several Saturdays in a row, we'd hang out around the piano for about 4-5 hours each time, me sitting, sometimes playing, and Jeremi turning knobs and flipping switches and changing little silver things I had no idea about. He'd say "just play and I'll take pictures when I need to," and I was probably very difficult, being the extremely self-conscious teenager I was at the time, but Jeremi managed to get his shots. When we were done, we'd get these microwave cheeseburgers out of the freezer and eat in front of the television in the family room. We literally spent hours and hours together, and I never got sick of him. He gave my parents one of the prints of me at the piano and they still have it in their house, hanging on the wall right outside their bedroom.

For my high school graduation, Jeremi gave me a picture he took in a cemetery in a north suburb of Chicago. It is a close up picture of the face of a statue, gray and speckled, with a pink flower next to it. He said that when he returned to this place just a couple of days after this picture was taken, the statue had been demolished and it looked like it had never been there. Sort of magical, if you ask me. Well, that's Jeremi Blowfish for you. Sort of magical. Also? He gave me a limited edition Barbie (Prom or Princess or something) for that graduation. Yep. Magical.


And so, let us recognize, and let us appreciate Jeremi Blowfish. I'm extremely appreciative for his strong musical influence in my life, as well as his artistic influence which majorly helped feed my love for photography, and the fact that he'd totally take me to Denny's any time. Do you even know how cool I felt, Jeremi, driving late at night, windows open, hanging out with the cool older kids? Do you even know?? Damn. Jeremi now works in the Chicagoland area as a photographer and teacher, so maybe you should call him up for your next photography-related need, eh? He'll do great photography and make you feel cool. What a combination!

Thanks for reading, readers! Let's continue to appreciate often and loudly. If anybody else wants to jump in on this, I'd love a guest writer or two! Let me know. xo

Thank You Note in Blog Form

Um...do any of you know my friend Lia? Holy crap. If you don't, you're missing out. Lia was my partner in crime in several hilarious Madison adventures when she lived here. For starters, she was my synchronized swimming partner in the summer of '05; we practiced in secret - in Lake Monona - to choreograph and learn a synchronized swimming routine to the song "Simply the Best" by Tina Turner. For reals. It included headstands under water! We were so awesome. We invited all our friends and prepared a picnic, and performed our routine pretty wonderfully, if you ask me. Here's the adorable invitation that Lia made (and found recently, and texted to me!):

Another favorite Lia-based adventure was when we were in a French Dip Club with her boyfriend, Elsworth. We'd go to a restaurant, each order a French Dip sandwich (sometimes with fries, sometimes with a side salad), and then rate them. We'd all take a few minutes of silence to write our notes, then discuss and compare our results. We included the price, size, and gave it a grade at the end. I guess we were pretty serious about it. Here's another picture Lia sent me the other day - it's her notes from one of our French Dip meetings:

And, Lia doesn't know this yet, but I also recently found my notes from French Dip Club! Here you go:



Yeah, she also has much nicer writing than I do. She's pretty great.

One of my favorite things about Lia is this one game we play. We play when we're together, over the phone, via text; it's really a game we can play anywhere at any time. The one thing is: You must be familiar with the Ani Difranco catalog. Yep. I said it. I'm outing the two of us. Lia and I both had a very long and extensive Ani Difranco phase. The game, in short, is this: Integrate any Ani Difranco song title into every day conversation. Sounds easy, eh? Well, it is very easy if you're boring. But Lia and I, we're not boring. We're awesome and creative, so the game can be a bit more challenging at times. Here are some of my favorites (this probably won't be funny unless you know Ani well. So, get ready Tara, BFF Sarah, and my sister, and probably nobody else!):

Several game plays have taken place on facebook. Here are some examples:

• Reem TaraLia Carman

  Wow, I almost missed that one! I definitely had a few eating superheros at my Thanksgiving dinner. They were pretty shameless. By the way, we nearly hit rush hour when we were on our way to my cousins' house. It was a close one, but I guess you end up living some days imperfectly. A few other families joined us at dinner; one mom was there with two little girls. They wanted me to do their nails, but I told them they were cute as is. Also, we played this game on the Wii called Just Dance in which you have to anticipate dance moves - super fun. Even my parents played, which is really out of habit for them! Anyhow, all and all, it was a great celebration of gratitude, and I'm happy to be the joyful girl that I am.
  Sincerely, Fanny.

  November 26, 2010 at 10:09am · ·

  • Lia Carman likes this
  • • 
      

• Lia CarmanReem Tara

  I got on my wii fit this morning after a delicious Thanksgiving meal yesterday. The results were not good. You don't know how sorry I am about my meal choices.

  November 26, 2010 at 9:21am · ·
• 

  Reem TaraLia Carman

  Well. Done. I'm not even worthy of you.

  November 16, 2010 at 11:28pm · ·
• 

  Lia CarmanReem Tara

  I just wanted to let you know I made it home. The plane was delayed due to a fuel issue. But luckily it was resolved and we were able to take off a few hours late. It is so nice to be back in DC! When I got in I really felt like I had my hand on the pulse of the city. I can't wait to see you again this weekend! Again, I want to extend my gratitude to you for letting me stay with you!

  November 16, 2010 at 8:39pm · ·

Um, yeah. We're pretty great. Here are some examples of our awesomeness that came out in person:

Lia: Hey, Reem. I've been taking swimming lessons, and I think I'm getting really good at this one move...a Swan Dive!

Reem: Lia, do you like food?
Lia: Yes.
Reem: Do you like pizza?
Lia: Yes.
Reem: Do you like a certain kind of pizza from Chicago?
Lia, Oh, you must be talking about Deep Dish pizza!

Lia: Hey, Reem! Did you hear Ani Difranco had a baby? I wonder how it went when she had to Dilate.
Reem: Yeah, I heard about that. I wonder if she'll use Both Hands to hold her baby?
Lia: Probably. Maybe some day she'll have another baby, and then she'll have Two Little Girls.
Reem: Yeah, and maybe her daughter will have long hair, and Ani will be Fixing Her Hair, you know?
Lia: I bet she will! And I bet she's got a lot of baby supplies and will bring them on tour with her. You know, Cradle and All.

Sometimes Lia will start talking and I won't even realize she's playing the game:
Lia: Hey Reem, do you ever go into that Felly's Flowers on Regent St.?
Reem: No, not really. Hey, are you hungry?
Lia: I was just wondering if you ever went in there.
Reem: No, Lia. I said I didn't. So, where do you want to go for lunch?
Lia: Well, if I could just refer to that Felly's Flowers once more...
Reem: Dude, I said I've never been.
Lia: ...because I was once in there and I saw This Bouquet...
Reem: .....OHHHH!!!

But my favorites are the ones that have a very long pre-story to them:
Lia: Hey Reem. You know how there are those cops on horses?
Reem: Yes Lia, I know about those.
Lia: Well, I was just thinking about how they have a little more flexibility in their movement, like, especially as compared to cops who drive cars.
Reem: Oh really? How do you mean?
Lia: Well, cops in cars can really only drive in the street, you know? Whereas cops on horses can really go on any sort of terrain in any area. Like...they could go between Buildings and Bridges, you know?

There were also some references to the song "Pale Purple," but I don't want to talk about that because I think it's gross. Look, it's about nipples. Ugh.

Oh Lia. You slay me. One of my favorite Ani-related moments with Lia was driving around Madison on her last visit and listening to the song "Both Hands." Come on man, it's really beautiful. Don't hate. We decided that it would be hilarious to act out the lyrics, like to hold up a telephone when she sings "listening to the low moan of the dial tone again" and then to write graffiti on an arm when she sings "I am writing graffiti on your body." You know, hilarious! Well, as we were talking about this and laughing hysterically, I had a brilliant idea. I was going to do it. I would map out the song and take pictures of myself doing everything in the lyrics and put it into a slideshow for Lia for her birthday. It was pretty much the best idea ever, and I couldn't wait! I was also excited that I had a ton of time to execute this amazing project and do a thorough and wonderful job on it. Wooo, so excited! Lia is going to LOVE this birthday present!

Well, guess what. Lia's birthday isn't until September 5th.But you know when mine is? March 28th. That's in 3 days. And so, guess who beat me to the punch? That's right: the one and only LIA.

I came home tonight to a large package at my door. Inside it was a lovely card, a nice gift certificate, and a photo album. I think I knew what it was before I even opened it. "Oh no!" I exclaimed out loud, a smile on my face and a flip in my stomach. "She did it." And she did! Look at this genius. Look at what Lia did:

I am walking out in the rain

And I am listening to the low moan of the dial tone again.

And I am getting Nowhere with you

I am writing graffiti on your body

I'm recording our history (haha "herstory") now on the bedroom wall, and when we leave the landlord will come and paint over it all.

And in each other's shadow we grew less and less tall

I am drawing the story of how hard we tried (how cute is this? Also, it actually happened about 6 years ago - true story)

Both Hands.

Okay, Lia. Alright. You win for the best Ani reference of all time. This gets you like a zillion points in any Ani game. I seriously cannot believe you did this, and I am forever thankful to you. My Gratitude for you knows no end. I'll just have to offer you a Rain Check on your birthday gift, I guess. Next time I'll have to Anticipate better. But really, this gift was better than 32 Flavors of ice cream. You have truly made me a Joyful Girl on my birthday. Sorry I Am going on and on about it; I'm just really Shameless about my love for you.

Okay, I'll stop. But I'm telling you, it's pretty difficult. Thank you, Lia!!!

Vanilla, aka Ice Cream Face, and Others

Since every post I write about my students is something to the extent of "Stories About the Kids," or "More Stories About the Kids," or "Even More Stories About the Kids," I thought I should try a little harder and get a little more creative. Also, although all the kids have ben great and hilarious lately, tonight's main character is one Vanilla, the 5-year-old. Now, what parent would name their kid Vanilla, you ask? Well, probably no parent. See, Vanilla named himself. You can read about it here in the 4th to last paragraph. But enough about Vanilla for now - I'm gonna save him for last this time. Here's how a couple other kids are doing:

E, age 16, got his license a couple of months ago. It's weird, man. I've known him since he was nine and in 4th grade! And now he's driving. Weirds. Anyhow, today he was practicing a 4 measure section of the song he's working on, going slowly with the metronome and repeating it over and over again to get it right. He was actually doing really well until he stopped suddenly and exclaimed, "How do you do this every day?!" I looked at him. "Do what everyday?" I asked. "Sit here and listen to kids do the same thing every day, over and over again, and do it week after week?" I, of course, started in on a speech on how much I love it and how I love watching how kids learn differently from each other and blah blah blah. After a minute or so, E interrupted me with this: "You're really nerding out right now. Whatever, I could never do it." and kept playing. Fantastic.

D, age 7, tells me all about her day every Thursday. Like, a little too much, probably. Today she talked about eating an apple turnover at school. In complete seriousness, she said to me, "I turned it over, but nothing happened, so I just ate it anyhow." Then, as she was doing some theory work, she meant to write an E but wrote a 5. She laughed, erased it, and wrote another 5. She laughed harder, erased it, and wrote a 3. She then laughed too hard for it to even matter anymore.

L, age 9 (who you can also read about in the above link to Vanilla - she wants to give her sister a high five in her face), is very excited to go to the dentist next week. She thinks the dentist is going to send her to the orthodontist, who will tell her she needs braces. She is so excited to get braces. She says, "I am going to look so cute with braces." She also kept laughing at everything I said and clapping me on the shoulder for some reason.

Okay, are you ready to hear about Vanilla? Here is all the stuff he did and said today (keep in mind this all happened within 30 minutes):

There is a quilt on the wall that shows animals from all over the world, he shows me his favorite fish. He shows me the path that the fish swims, all the way down the river into the ocean. He's very sweet and gentle, and then proclaims, "This fish is going to punch the earth!" He then punches the wall and laughs hysterically.

"Today I made a dinosaur picture. He's the kind with the spiky face. I don't know his name today, but it will change every day. Tomorrow it will be called Benjamin Franklin."

"I had a dream last night about a little girl who got so many presents from Santa Claus!"

He made up his own words to the tune of Dynamite, which is his favorite song. They go: "Reem likes to throw up in the air sometimes. Likes to throw up, she likes to throw up!" Then he switched to his own tune and sang "She throws up like a club throws up!" When I ask him how much throw up is in a club, he tells me "Throw up the size of a million people. And that's a lot!"

Last thing: He called me mommy when he was leaving and his mom tells me that he's been calling everybody Mommy lately. I don't care, I'm still flattered. Thanks, Vanilla!

ARE YOU READY TO LAUGH!??!?!

A year or two ago I made a blog that consisted solely of internet pages and videos that made me laugh. The purpose of this collection was to make me chill the hell out when I wake up crabby. I haven't exactly been crabby for the last ten days...no, more so exhausted, tense, sad, confused, crazy-lady, delirious, achy, hysterical...and I haven't even spent the night in the Capitol yet (Props to Shane in that video - nice job getting "nestier," my friend)! With all that's going on, it's been a challenge to remember to take good care of myself, take breaks, not overdo things, and not become consumed. It's really difficult. So, with the goal of being a well-balanced person once again, I give you...

MORE HILARIOUS INTERNET THINGS!!!

Those of you at the Capitol night and day, I strongly salute your badass-ness and hardcore-ity, and sincerely dedicate this to you. You're doing amazing things, and for that, we all thank you times a zillion. So much respect. Now, if you feel so inclined, take a couple minute break and have a laugh!

If you read my last entry on hilarious internet thingies, you probably noticed my affinity for voiceovers. Yeah, well...they're funny. For example, have you heard of Randall's Animals?
The honey badger is definitely the most hilarious by far, but I also suggest watching The Jesus Christ Lizard, The Gross and Disgusting American Bullfrog, and The Gang of Flamingos one. You know what? Eff it, watch them all. Every single one.

Okay, once you've watched all of Randall's videos, why don't you come on over to one of my favorite websites called Totally Looks Like? This is basically a site of things/people that look like other things/people. Yep. That's it. Check this genius move - Cee Lo Green totally looks like Raphael (my favorite Ninja Turtle - ooh, that temper!):The whole website is pretty genius. Have a lookie!

Okay, let's get back to videos. Ever heard of Legion of Rock Stars? Um...it's basically more voiceovers. But with popular songs!
I cannot hear "Mother" in a regular way anymore. I can't even sing along to it because all I remember is this hilarious version. I also highly recommend The Lion Sleeps Tonight and I'm On Fire by Bruce Springsteen. Oh god, Bruce, I'm so sorry!

Let's see, what else is hilarious? Oh, I know. Go to google images. Google "smiling dogs." Tell me what you think of that! Here's a sneak peek, in case my mere suggestion doesn't entice you enough:

Yeah. That's what I thought.

Now, this next one isn't exactly hilarious, but it may very well leave you laughing with joy! Check out Bel Biv Devoe's brief reunion on Jimmy Fallon here. Oh BBV, you totally get it.

Back to hilarity. Here's a picture of Dawson from Dawson's Creek crying:

Poor guy.

This next one will probably take you a little while, so maybe it can be saved for a more substantial break. Go to Yearbook Yourself and upload some pictures of your damn face, and watch yourself travel through the decades. Oh lord. I'm such a sucker for these things. If you don't have time to do your own, you can just check out some of my albums (you probably have to be my facebook friend and signed in to view these. It's worth it, dudes). Here's a good example:
Yep, that's my siblings and I in Chess Club. Classy times.

Hey, there's always trailers for legitimate movies! Like Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus, starring, who else, Lorenzo Lamas and Debbie Gibson:

Totally legitimate.

Aaaaannnddd...let's close by revisiting a classic: A Giant List of Hobo Names. Good ole Whispering-Lies McGruder. He's a classic, he is.

I do hope I've brought a little laughter into your lives, my friends. When I was a child, my father taught me to laugh when I felt scared. So maybe that's really what's happening here. Whatever the reason, I know I've appreciated taking breaks, turning off a couple of switches in my brain (and that one was me mother's idea - what smart parents I have!), and finding a little hilarity in life. Whoops, I mean in the internet. Much love to all you awesomes who have been working so hard - you are amazing!

Feeling Lucky

Dudes, it truly has been a Rocktober this year. There have been many other Rocktobers in the past, but this is the first Rocktober during which I've really taken full advantage of all the amazing music that has come to Madison, or close to Madison. I wish I had the attention span and patience to write up each show I've seen, but I don't think I do. I also never take pictures or video anymore because my camera battery is busted up, and I don't write anything down because I feel real busy while the bands are playing. You know, listening. Rocking. Instead, please enjoy some videos of some amazing bands that I feel incredibly lucky to have seen in the last month (or couple of months - it's been a few months worth of rocking).

August 27, 2010 - Ozomatli at The Barrymore, Madison WI

This video isn't from the show I saw (probably none of these will be), but it's my favorite song by them. Ozomatli is incredibly fun and upbeat, passionate and musical and full of love and life and joy. Getting to stand just ten feet away from them, and then to experience them coming out into the crowd and forming a messy conga line with their instruments, right next to me, was just amazing. This band inspires me like not many others can. And sometimes they have some choreographed dances. Yow!

August 28, 2010 - Rodrigo y Gabriela at Ravinia, Glencoe, IL

This was my first time seeing Rodrigo y Gabriela, and although the venue wasn't ideal for a first-timer (think mid-size outdoor venue catering to families and picnics, along with 32 cousins-and-cousins'-friends being louder than anything you've ever heard), it was amazing to stand by myself under the stars on a warm night and close my eyes and experience this phenomenal guitar playing.

September 28, 2010 - The National at The Orpheum, Madison, WI

I already wrote all about this one here. Lovely show, and topped off by the fact that the band had played at the Obama rally in town that afternoon, so they were super excited and happy. The whole show was in a good mood.

October 1, 2010 - David Rovics at Tex Tubb's Cadillac Ranch, Madison, WI

I've been listening to David Rovics for years. My sister met him a long time ago and showed me so much of his music, and although I don't listen to him too often anymore, his songs still strike a huge chord with me when I see him play live. This song in particular makes me think of the revolutionaries in my very own family, my history, my family's history, and it makes me so sad and so proud and joyful all at once. David is a really important musician. See him at some point. I mean it.

October 1, 2010 - Valient Thorr at The Frequency, Madison, WI

Okay, so the reason I picked this video is mostly because you can get the full effect of the duel guitars at the beginning, as well as the whole energy of the singer when he gets all up in your business. Ugh, they're so hilarious and great! The sound isn't so great on this video, so check out some others if you're interested. I'm sure many of you are. That's why I had to go to this show alone, right? Because all of you love Valient Thorr as much as I do, but you were just "busy" that night, right? Yeah, that's the ticket.

In other news, seeing Valient Thorr on the same night as David Rovics was a bit of an emotional roller coaster for me. I went from teary-eyed and inspired and hopeful at the first show to ridiculously blissful and nearly stunned by hilarity at the second show. I don't know what it is about bands like Valient Thorr, but they make me clap my hands together like a toddler. My cheeks and stomach hurt that night from smiling and laughing so hard. They're just so great and funny and ridiculous. But, still a strange combination on one night.

October 5, 2010 - King Khan & The Shrines at The Annex, Madison, WI

These guys were pretty great. They're a ten (or so) piece soul band fronted by a guy who wears a gold lamé cape onstage and there's a go-go-type dancer in the band as well. I mean, yeah, that's probably going to be great no matter what, you know?

October 6, 2010 - Muse with Passion Pit at The Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
Passion Pit

I love Passion Pit. I put them on before work if I'm having a crabby day and my mood instantly changes. I'm amazed that the singer managed to use his high voice for almost the whole show. He sings 8 zillion times higher than I ever could.

Muse

I had to include this video because it's from the show I was at, and also because of the most amazing start to a show I've seen probably ever. There's about three minutes of "intro" stuff which was actually really cool - there were three giant pillars, probably about 30 feet tall, made out of screens that projected images throughout the whole show. But if you start watching right around 2:45, you'll see the amazing moment where the curtains drop and each of the members is standing on his own pillar, totally separate from the other band members, but yet coming together in one of the hugest sounds I've ever heard from a 3(sometimes 4)-piece band. Something really struck me about how far apart they were from each other, yet how together and amazing and big they sounded. Oh lord, I get such chills!

Here is another video of them doing the same song, because that's how much I love this song.

I love Muse. I have since I first heard them on the game Guitar Hero. You heard me. I am constantly amazed at the singer and his gigantic voice, mostly because he's a tiny little man. And they have beautiful piano parts too. Probably one of the best shows I've ever been to ever in life. In LIFE!

October 9, 2010 - The Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Conductor Ascher Fisch
Video of the Beethoven Symphony (performed by The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie)

Well, I obviously went to this one with my parents. The conductor had to step in only a week before this performance (it was supposed to be Riccardo Muti, but he was seriously ill and couldn't do it) and handle two really obscure and non-crowd-pleasing pieces besides the Beethoven. He did it with amazing style and grace, which is no easy feat with a snobbish Chicago Symphony crowd. I'm just sayin'; these people are uptight. But it was a lovely show.

October 11, 2010 - Youngblood Brass Band at The High Noon Saloon, Madison, WI

See this band. Just do it. If the video doesn't explain enough, then come visit me and I'll smack you upside the head, and maybe you'll get it then. Oh, also, the snare player is the guy who runs the drum line that one of my students plays piano in, and he's great.

October 14, 2010 - The Walkmen at The Barrymore, Madison, WI

I'd love to sit here and write about what a great show this was (because it was!), but right now all I can think about is Genia pointing out that the singer was wearing a watch and how weird that was. Anybody? Wearing a watch onstage? Sort of strange, right? He also kept his jacket on and kind of looked like somebody's dad. But yeah, great show. Wonderful.

October 14, 2010 - The New Deal at The Majestic, Madison, WI

Alls I know about this show was that Lynn and I showed up, got out of paying the $22 cover, danced for either 5 or 25 minutes, and left. It was wonderful.

October 16, 2010 - Devotchka at Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL

If you've met me, you probably know that Devotchka is my absolute 100% favorite band of all time. I've seen them four times now, and I always have trouble deciding which show was the best one. This last one, for example, was interesting because I felt a disjointedness within the band; they didn't really interact with each other much, and seemed a little separated during some of the music. But during the last song, "Such a Lovely Thing," they came together with more force, energy, and intensity than I've ever seen from them before. It was strange and wonderful.

October 22, 2010 - Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem at The Eagles Ballroom, Milwauke, WI
Hot Chip

My favorite song by them, which they don't play live very often.

LCD Soundsystem

You know who you should hang out with at dance-y shows? Crazy People. They are really, really fun. I'm serious. Find yourself a Crazy friend or two, and take them to see this band. You'll have a ridiculously fun night.

October 23, 2010 - Phantogram with Josiah Wolf at The High Noon Saloon
Josiah Wolf

Please recognize that the guy is playing his guitar and his drums at the same time - very little looping used live. And the woman's voice is just lovely. I had to pick this video because, duh, they covered "All of Me," but at the show, it was amazing to watch him play everything at once. Really, go see them if you can.

Phantogram

I think Phantogram might be my favorite show out of all of these, or at least a close tie with Muse. And that feels funny to say, seeing as I have seen two of my all-time favorites in the last couple of months, but really. This band was amazing. They have a screen behind them to project video, which really enhances the already innovative music. On this tour, they were playing with a drummer who I think is from The Mathematicians, and it made the sound full and complete. It was mellow and beautiful while also being exciting and unique. Amazing show.

October 24, 2010 - DJ Rekha at The Majestic, Madison, WI

DJ Rekha does not disappoint. Her music is called Basement Bhangra, which is basically Indian music mixed with other beats and dance music. It's so much fun to dance to, and all these Indian kids come out to the shows; half the fun is watching them dance.

So...maybe this is why I'm so tired lately. Or, it could be because I haven't been eating enough protein. No, it's probably all the rocking I've been doing. Yeah. That sounds way cooler.

I'm feeling very fortunate as of late to be able to live in this life surrounded by and made up of music. Whether it's teaching, working on writing a music theory reference guide (my new project!) with one of my coworkers, playing a bit myself, or seeing all these wonderful artists, I am so grateful to be able to have this be my life. I will not get sick of this. All I want is more. Good job, music.