Stardust
I had nothing on my calendar yesterday. My favorite kind of day. Maybe I’d finally have time watch that PBS special honoring Joni Mitchell that my pal Brendan O’krent sent me a link to — The Gershwin Prize for popular song — the nation’s highest award for influence, impact and achievement.
But first…my one cuppa morning coffee — I breathe it in for 30 seconds before taking a sip in order to “pre-extend the experience.” If you limit yourself to one cup you have to make it last.
Then…Wordle. I’m quite pleased with my game. Then…I read a piece about AI and got really depressed. Not gonna let that ruin my event-free day.
Then…I headed to Fryman Canyon. Played ‘Musical Cars’ in the parking lot vying for a spot. Paint Paradise! Next life I’m gonna live somewhere where the thought of parking doesn’t give me anxiety. Ran 3 miles while listening to the cast album of Sweeney Todd. I decided I have no desire to see Sweeney Todd nor do I ever have to hear those songs again.
Which made me think to text Brandy Clark and congratulate her on Shucked — a new Broadway Musical for which she and Shane McAnally composed the songs — it’s getting great reviews. She texted back that she’d get me friends and fam tickets if I wanted to go. Yes I do! Thank you, much.
When I got home I went out on my deck in my birthday suit to get some rays only to discover a bevy of helicopters circling above me. Not that I’m of the age where they’d want to hover but it wasn’t the Zen I was imagining. A hiker fell off the edge of Mulholland. But after they were lifted to safety and the copters dispersed the warmth of that sun (post all the recent LA rain) was insanely glorious.
And then…I did something I’ve been meaning to do for months. I addressed my closet. After 2+ years of covid…what the hell is in there? How do I look in real clothes? I’m embarrassed to say some things still had tags on them. “Fantasy items” I call them. They were great ideas in the store.
I put on a good support bra and started trying stuff on. I was in there for hours. Stuff was flying. I got rid of stuff. I put other stuff I’ll never fit into again on Layla’s bed. I moved the promising stuff to a more favorable position…front and center, so I’ll think to wear it.
I experimented with violet tops under burgundy blazers, ribbed sweaters and floor length satin skirts. My fashion sense has been way too safe. No more! Thing is I knew I’d forget these exciting combinations soon enough so I Sharpie’d notes-to-myself on Post-its and pinned them to the garments to remind me of what it paired with so I wouldn’t waste time trying to remember in the future!
Also, yesterday I had no idea what I’d wear to the She Rocks Awards where I’m being honored later this week, or when I’d shop for something new and fancy But today I realized I don’t need anything new. In fact I have options.
Come 5PM Adam went to a hockey game. This meant I could make something for dinner that I love and he hates: chicken livers with red peppers, onions and mushrooms. How can something so gross taste so Divine? Poor man’s paté. I poured myself a glass of red and enjoyed my dinner while…I FINALLY WATCHED THE JONI SHOW. They got right to it.
First up is a joyous and emphatic Annie Lennox singing “Both Sides Now” from the perspective of the back half of life as opposed to having it all in front of us, as Joni did when she wrote it. “Shine” from Brandi Carlile and “Carey” from Marcus Mumford. James Taylor. Angelique Kidjo, Diana Krall. Graham “Our House” Nash gives us “A Case of You” and tells about the time he first met Joni and she brought him home and played him a bunch of original songs. I mean, can you just imagine his face 😳? Cindi Lauper is a little off-key but who cares? Herbie Hancock accompanies Ledisi on “River.” A muted trumpet. A cello. Take that, Taylor Swift.
Carole King video’s in a message about how her approach to songwriting was always so different than Joni’s and how she reveres her. But c’mon, Carol! Nobody writes like Joni Mitchell. She’s otherworldly. She is Stardust.
Her songs have no time. No color. No lines. They sound good on everyone.
The audience of boomers have perpetual smiles — they’re not simply posing for when the camera points their way. And then, from that audience Patty Murray, Kevin McCarthy, Amy Klobuchar and Susan Collins are called to the stage for the award presentation. Everyone applauds. Left and right. Blue and red. Talk about both sides now.
Then…Joni sings “Summertime.” Rich velvety, vintage of a voice. And of course the ensemble closes with “Circle Game.” “And the seasons they go round and round. We can’t return we can only look behind from where we came.” But alas, we did DO just that tonight, Joni. We went there — behind from where we came.
Can I just give PBS a bunch of money right now?
The show was way better than anything on Netflix. Better than the Grammys. I had to press pause intermittently to catch my breath. To grab my heart. So thank you, Brendan for sending the link. I have since forwarded it to about 20 friends. Watch it!
Dishes are washed. Sun is down. Closet is immaculate!
Except for that AI article and fact that my Fb Musician Page is STILL hacked with no end in sight it was pretty much a perfect Saturday.
And what did you do?
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