There is a storm within me... I'm not sure where it came from or when it first appeared, but it's raging now. And I don't know why, I don't know what it means or what it wants. All I feel is a great unsettledness, but not in a bad "oh, shit, what have I gotten myself into" way. More like I imagine a caterpillar feels inside the chrysalis. I feel sort of compressed and cocooned, like something major is happening on the inside that is going to emerge into the light of day. Somehow, and hopefully soon. It itches.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
And here ya go
It's December 31, 2012. So the Julian calendar, a totally arbitrary way of measuring the passage of time and organizing days into neatly manageable chunks (and oh, those Romans were fond of neatly organized chunks of nearly anything), is rolling over again, meaning we all have to go out and buy new calendars...
Maybe I'm just getting crusty and old, but for the love of Mike, Pete, Jove, Larry, Mo and Curly, can we please stop obsessing over keeping track of the flow of days? The Earth spins, so we have nights and we have days. The Earth is tilted on it's axis, so we have seasons. The Earth is circling the Sun, so we have years. And we mark the days in little boxes because we think what we do with time is going to matter. A thousand years from now, the great majority of us will not even be footnotes. The human race shot itself in the foot a long time ago, and now we're living on borrowed time.
Time is precious. Time is fleeting. Time is relative. Time is too big to contain in any ledger or chart. Time is too sacred a thing. We expect it to conform because we say so. But Time is bigger, and older, and smarter than we are. It flows on whether we want it to or not. We are linear. Time is... Not... Pure Time cannot be contained, measured, or even described. It sure as hell doesn't obey any rules. Time is as big as the Universe. Don't fuck with Time. Show it some respect.
So as you mark the throwing out of one Julian calendar and replace it with another, perhaps one with pictures of cute kittens or lush countryside, take a moment and try to suspend yourself in non-linear Time. Ignore your breathing and your heartbeat. Be timeless, in order to better appreciate Time.
May your next journey around the Sun be a pleasant one.
Maybe I'm just getting crusty and old, but for the love of Mike, Pete, Jove, Larry, Mo and Curly, can we please stop obsessing over keeping track of the flow of days? The Earth spins, so we have nights and we have days. The Earth is tilted on it's axis, so we have seasons. The Earth is circling the Sun, so we have years. And we mark the days in little boxes because we think what we do with time is going to matter. A thousand years from now, the great majority of us will not even be footnotes. The human race shot itself in the foot a long time ago, and now we're living on borrowed time.
Time is precious. Time is fleeting. Time is relative. Time is too big to contain in any ledger or chart. Time is too sacred a thing. We expect it to conform because we say so. But Time is bigger, and older, and smarter than we are. It flows on whether we want it to or not. We are linear. Time is... Not... Pure Time cannot be contained, measured, or even described. It sure as hell doesn't obey any rules. Time is as big as the Universe. Don't fuck with Time. Show it some respect.
So as you mark the throwing out of one Julian calendar and replace it with another, perhaps one with pictures of cute kittens or lush countryside, take a moment and try to suspend yourself in non-linear Time. Ignore your breathing and your heartbeat. Be timeless, in order to better appreciate Time.
May your next journey around the Sun be a pleasant one.
Monday, December 3, 2012
A beautiful, wild ruckus
December 2, Aunt G and the Stone City Nephews took to the studio to record the songs we've been learning and rehearsing. It was a monumental experience, honestly...
For starters, it was well north of 60 degrees, beautiful clear autumnal blue sky, gentle breeze... And we were recording in Pete Becker's converted corn crib out in the Iowa hinterlands south of Iowa City. I got there a little early and spent some time walking around the yard with my fiddle playing for what few birds were around. John Waite got there next, and we stood outside the studio and played fiddle tunes for 30 minutes until the rest of the crew got there. It was the perfect way to warm up and get in the mood for what was to come.
Once inside, Pete began the challenging work of setting up mics to record this motley crew. He and I conferred a few times, decisions were made, and things began to take shape. Once Pete was ready, the boys set up and began to play. I sat in an alcove slightly above and beside them, sort of "conducting" and keeping track of where we were in all the songs. One by one they dropped into the pocket, like wild, shining treasure. In a few hours, we were seven songs richer, and exhausted but too elated to stop. We decided to track the lead vocals.
I stayed in the same spot, and the Nephews sat on the ledge or on chairs below me. And I sang these songs like I had never sung them before. Their playing gave me so much energy and inspiration. We all had goosebumps at least once or twice. It was magical. Perfect. And it all happened out in a corn crib in the middle of Iowa...
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/187535541/aunt-g-and-the-stone-city-nephews-cd-and-band-laun
For starters, it was well north of 60 degrees, beautiful clear autumnal blue sky, gentle breeze... And we were recording in Pete Becker's converted corn crib out in the Iowa hinterlands south of Iowa City. I got there a little early and spent some time walking around the yard with my fiddle playing for what few birds were around. John Waite got there next, and we stood outside the studio and played fiddle tunes for 30 minutes until the rest of the crew got there. It was the perfect way to warm up and get in the mood for what was to come.
Once inside, Pete began the challenging work of setting up mics to record this motley crew. He and I conferred a few times, decisions were made, and things began to take shape. Once Pete was ready, the boys set up and began to play. I sat in an alcove slightly above and beside them, sort of "conducting" and keeping track of where we were in all the songs. One by one they dropped into the pocket, like wild, shining treasure. In a few hours, we were seven songs richer, and exhausted but too elated to stop. We decided to track the lead vocals.
I stayed in the same spot, and the Nephews sat on the ledge or on chairs below me. And I sang these songs like I had never sung them before. Their playing gave me so much energy and inspiration. We all had goosebumps at least once or twice. It was magical. Perfect. And it all happened out in a corn crib in the middle of Iowa...
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/187535541/aunt-g-and-the-stone-city-nephews-cd-and-band-laun
Saturday, November 24, 2012
The Aunt G and the Stone City Nephews kickstarter campaign is launched!!!
http://www.kickstarter.com/
Dear Family, Friends and Fans -
I am very excited to announce the launch of the kickstarter campaign for the new Aunt G and the Stone City Nephews CD!
It has been quite an eventful year for me, with some tearful goodbyes, job loss, and several injuries. But the good has far, far outweighed the bad, and one of the best things that has happened has been meeting up with, and becoming part of, the fabulous Kodiak Flats family. John Waite, Jake Niederhauser and Jim Leland have filled my life with music and mischief, and now have consented to be my honorary nephews. This CD will be the culmination of a couple years of hard work and great joy.
We hope that you will want to join us in this project with a pledge of support. Please visit the Kickstarter site to learn more about what we're doing, and how you can help.
Best wishes!
Gayla (aka Aunt G)
PS to family and friends - Yes, I know my birthday is coming in a few days, as well as Yule, and for those of you who usually include me on your gift lists, ALL I want this year is your support for this project. I do NOT need more stuff! But your support of my creativity and livelihood with a pledge to this campaign would mean the world to me. Love, g
Friday, November 23, 2012
In praise of practicality
I am a practical person. This is news to me, so I'm kind of excited about it. I am level-headed, I see the big picture, I can look at things dispassionately and see where my best interest is, even if it is far far away from the shiny things. This is one of those awesome but utterly dull qualities that gives me an edge. I know what fucking matters and what does not. I know how to wait. I know how to bargain. I know how to negotiate. I know how to use language to my advantage. Oh, I do. Don't fuck with me. I am a wordsmith. I can hurt you.
But I digress - and I KNOW I digress, because I am practical. Practicality means being painfully honest. Practicality means "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you might find you get what you need."
Guess what. I'm buying a new violin. Because I'm practical. There is a huge difference between the $1800 violins and the $5000 violins, and I have progressed beyond what the $1800 violin is capable of. Since the violin is responsible for about 85% of my income at this point, I must upgrade to a violin that will deliver the performance that I am capable of. Because I am clever, I asked the Universe to make it possible. The Universe said, "Of course! Yes! It is now possible!" Not free, not painless, but possible. Thank you Universe! I can make possible work. Because I am PRACTICAL.
Somewhere in The OtherWorld, my mom and dad are having a great laugh, because their ridiculously bohemian youngest daughter is one of the most practical people on the planet. Hi, Mom and Dad! See you in a few decades. Don't wait up. I'm having a really good life. Because I'm PRACTICAL!!!
But I digress - and I KNOW I digress, because I am practical. Practicality means being painfully honest. Practicality means "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you might find you get what you need."
Guess what. I'm buying a new violin. Because I'm practical. There is a huge difference between the $1800 violins and the $5000 violins, and I have progressed beyond what the $1800 violin is capable of. Since the violin is responsible for about 85% of my income at this point, I must upgrade to a violin that will deliver the performance that I am capable of. Because I am clever, I asked the Universe to make it possible. The Universe said, "Of course! Yes! It is now possible!" Not free, not painless, but possible. Thank you Universe! I can make possible work. Because I am PRACTICAL.
Somewhere in The OtherWorld, my mom and dad are having a great laugh, because their ridiculously bohemian youngest daughter is one of the most practical people on the planet. Hi, Mom and Dad! See you in a few decades. Don't wait up. I'm having a really good life. Because I'm PRACTICAL!!!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
One last night
Tonight is the last night in my little apartment... My refuge and haven for this year of healing and recharging. It's been a wonderful place, peaceful, quiet and safe, in the best possible location for this stinking town... And I will miss it.
But... I am so excited about moving to the Iowa City area, moving to The City of Awesome, being close to so many more progressive, creative ideas and opportunities. And moving in with Michael, who loves being part of my crazy musical life (and vice versa), has so far been the easiest, smoothest, and funnest move of my entire life. The closer we get to the move-in date the happier we are together. And isn't that exactly how it's supposed to work?
So today I am grateful for this little space that has nourished and protected me for the past year-and-a-bit, this space where I have discovered just how capable and resourceful and smart I actually am. I have made my own decisions, and remarkably few mistakes. Through the end of my marriage, my mother's passing, a broken ankle, the loss of my job, my step-dad's passing, yadda yadda yadda, this little place has sustained me, and allowed me to grow into quite comfortable confidence. I've been blessed more than I can explain.
Thanks to all the helpful spirits that have been with me this year, helped me get there, helped me get through - thanks to my sister Annie, to my faux-daughter Rachel, to Michael, to DJ and Tommy and Kodiak Flats and Bart and Java Creek and The General Store and all the music fans who have supported us... And to Gary and Robin, for being fantastic, responsive and understanding landlords.
But... I am so excited about moving to the Iowa City area, moving to The City of Awesome, being close to so many more progressive, creative ideas and opportunities. And moving in with Michael, who loves being part of my crazy musical life (and vice versa), has so far been the easiest, smoothest, and funnest move of my entire life. The closer we get to the move-in date the happier we are together. And isn't that exactly how it's supposed to work?
So today I am grateful for this little space that has nourished and protected me for the past year-and-a-bit, this space where I have discovered just how capable and resourceful and smart I actually am. I have made my own decisions, and remarkably few mistakes. Through the end of my marriage, my mother's passing, a broken ankle, the loss of my job, my step-dad's passing, yadda yadda yadda, this little place has sustained me, and allowed me to grow into quite comfortable confidence. I've been blessed more than I can explain.
Thanks to all the helpful spirits that have been with me this year, helped me get there, helped me get through - thanks to my sister Annie, to my faux-daughter Rachel, to Michael, to DJ and Tommy and Kodiak Flats and Bart and Java Creek and The General Store and all the music fans who have supported us... And to Gary and Robin, for being fantastic, responsive and understanding landlords.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
When beauty happens...
I rehearsed last night with The Stone City Nephews (John Waite, Jake Niederhauser and Jim Leland). We have had a few ups and downs, some cancellations, some illness, other conflicts... But we're really gelling as a unit now, and the music is becoming beyond beautiful. I could not have imagined anything more perfect than this mix for these songs.
When this kind of beauty happens, the heart gets happier by the note. There were wonderfully pure moments where everything was just right, and even a few wonderfully horrid moments where we all managed to laugh at ourselves. But this music is now becoming what I meant it to be, and it's like watching your child grow up and get a Nobel Prize for Saving The Planet and Being Nice to Puppies. I'm even playing better, finding more right notes than wrong notes and playing some really pretty licks once in a while.
And so, life is good.
When this kind of beauty happens, the heart gets happier by the note. There were wonderfully pure moments where everything was just right, and even a few wonderfully horrid moments where we all managed to laugh at ourselves. But this music is now becoming what I meant it to be, and it's like watching your child grow up and get a Nobel Prize for Saving The Planet and Being Nice to Puppies. I'm even playing better, finding more right notes than wrong notes and playing some really pretty licks once in a while.
And so, life is good.
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