Cracks In Sidewalks

“What the heck is going on?  She’ treating me like some sort of cat.”

So I have to admit it I should be in a sticky note 12 Step program.  I am confessing to you that I am a sticky note addict!  Yes computers are great, contact management programs are helpful and necessary, calendars are good too, but I could not live without my yellow sticky notes.  My sticky note of preference is the 3M yellow 2 7/8”X2 7/8” square “Post-It’s.”  My world revolves around them.  They are almost as important to me as food and water and have been for a number of years.

I organize my life with these beautiful yellow creatures and I have friends, relatives, coworkers past and present who will testify to that effect.  I always have to have a pad close by.  I’d be lost without them!  Anything important that I need to remember, appointments, to do’s, sometimes as simple as “wash hair,” “clean litter box,” or “do laundry”, it all gets written down.  At work it use to be “call so and so,” “contract musicians for session,” “call back the drummer and see if he’s solid,” “get string player referrals.”  Yes most of this was in my computer on ACT, but if it was really important it was also on a sticky attached to the side of my computer.

At home they are organized by the day in my kitchen.  I write something down so I won’t forget it, then put it in the pile under the day it needs to get done.  Every morning then I look under that days sticky notes and I feel that much better.  I have back up.  My sticky notes act like my own personal assistant reminding me of what “really” needs to be accomplished that particular day.  I have managed multi million dollar projects this way without dropping the ball.  It’s quite humorous to my friends and co-workers, but it works for me.  Did you ever see Lily Tomlin’s “in Search of Intelligent Life?”  There’s a scene with sticky notes and the woman is so obsessed with them that she has them posted all up and down her arms, well that’s me only I have them posted in my kitchen, on my computer, and on rare occasion on my desk chair so I remember to do something or call someone the second I return.

Today I have confessed.  I have come clean with you.  This is one of the things you have now learned about me, a little something that grows between the cracks, a discovery so to speak.  I endorse whole heartedly with all my being the use and utility of using 3M yellow 2 7/8” X 2 7/8” Post-It’s.  My life would be a mess without them and I don’t plan on giving them up anytime soon.  This product can be found in most drug stores, stationary stores, grocery stores, and office supply stores.  And I swear to you 3M did not pay me to write this, although I would be an amazing spokeswomen for them if somehow by some chance, they read this post.

I read that new British sensation singer/songwriter Duffy will be touring with Coldplay for six shows this coming fall.  If you don’t know who she is you would recognize her hit single, “Mercy.”  “I’m beggin’ you for mercy….” It’s funny because one day she was an unknown and you thought you made this wonderful discovery and then two weeks later you were hearing her and seeing her everywhere and realized that not just you but the world had all suddenly discovered her.  I think the music supervisors in LA thought this too, that they had found this well kept secret that was about to burst and licensed her song “Mercy” for their TV show.  I can’t imagine how surprised they were to hear it being played on three or four other shows including “ER”, “Smallville”, “Women’s Murder Club”, the season finale of “Grey’s Anatomy”, and also the soundtrack for the movie “Sex and the City.”  And this all happened within weeks of each other or at least it seemed that way.  I know I was shocked because I couldn’t believe the news had spread so quickly.  I too had thought I had been turned on to a new little known talent.

Duffy’s debut album, “Rockferry”, was released on 3/3/08.  Her hit single “Mercy” a week earlier in February, and by this summer the album was a multi platinum seller.  With a number of other worthy songs besides the title track of the album, such as “Warwick Avenue” and “Sleeping Stone,” I think the CD is worth a purchase.  Duffy is a singer almost reminiscent of a 60’s throwback.  She is sexy, soulful, and talented. Born in Wales as Aimee Anne Duffy, she is the first Welsh female to achieve a number one pop single in the past 25 years. She is also a twin, just in case you can’t get enough of her.

Duffy is touring and will be playing The Orpheum in LA on October 10th and Webster Hall in NYC on October 10th.  These shows are not with Coldplay.  Her tour with Coldplay includes Cleveland, Baltimore, DC, East Rutherford, Boston, and Philadelphia.  To learn more about Duffy and to see some of her videos from her debut album “Rockferry,” check out her official website.  I’ve included the link below.  I’ve also included a YouTube video to my favorite Coldplay song, “The Scientist.”  My indulgence.  ☺

http://www.iamduffy.com/index2.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3Kd7IGPyeg

Thor, “Yikes what’s happening to me!”  (First time out in a harness.)

This is a weekend entertainment alert for NYC.  For those of you who will not be heading to the beach or the mountains this upcoming weekend, I highly encourage you to take advantage of the free concerts at Lincoln Center in the South Plaza and Damrosch Park.  This weekend they will be hosting their “Annual Roots of American Music” concerts on both Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday they will be starting the day with the “Pinettes Brass Band,” and “Hot 8 Brass Band” at 4pm in the South Plaza.   The musical festivities will continue on at 5pm in Damrosch Park with some soul and funk bands from New Orleans ending the day with songs from NOLA’s best male vocalist John Butte & The Hot Calas to be followed only by the infamous Irma Thomas & The Professionals.  It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Irma sing, but she is a legend!

Sunday the festival begins at 11am in the South Plaza with legendary American folk singer and political activist Pete Seeger.  If you’ve never seen him play I suggest not waiting.  The man was born in 1919.   Then take a break in Central Park or go out for an afternoon brunch in the neighborhood and return at 4pm to Damrosch Park where the day continues with the Music Maker Blues Revue, The Knitters, Charlie Hayden, and more ending the weekend festival with famed punk, poet, songwriter, artist and activist Patti Smith and her band.

It’s quite a festival and quite a lot of music and it’s ALL FREE!  For more information you can call Lincoln Center at 212 LINCOLN or look online at LincolnCenter.org

Jess Chalker “You and Me Said the Raindrop to the Seed” (The You and Me song)

I guess it’s somewhat perfect to follow the Joni Mitchell posting with this one.  A friend of mine just turned me on to this unsigned singer/songwriter from Australia who got featured on YouTube for her song “You and Me Said the Raindrop to the Seed” (The You and Me song.)  And in trying to get some info on her and give you more than a YouTube link I came across her Myspace page.  Under influences the first person she mentions in a very long list of influences is Joni Mitchell.

So what have I learned about Jess Chalker after watching about 8 of her videos that she has posted on YouTube, I feel as if I discovered a disarming talented singer/songwriter whom I bet will be signed by years end.  A&R guys, check her out!  She’s posted about 15 to 20 original songs on YouTube, just Jess and her guitar to whom you’re about to be introduced.  To me she seems like the complete package.  Her videos are very simple, mostly Jess in her living room singing solo, playing acoustic guitar in a contemporary folk style.  There’s nothing fancy, just a pure voice, simple guitar styling, and a beautiful girl singing smart lyrics with meaning.  Besides the song I’m posting below one of my other favorites was “He Kissed Me Twice.”  I also liked “This Little Heart.”

So, good luck Jess.  I hope this posting wins you a few more fans, and better yet a contract.  If it does, be sure to let us know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AW-LgDx_Qk

I recently attended a wedding upstate in the Catskills at a resort called the Full Moon.  It’s located in Big Indian, NY.  This ended up being a wonderful wedding option for a number of reasons.  First of all it was affordable for the couple and we all know how expensive weddings can be, especially in New York and California. Secondly and more importantly it allowed both families and both sets of friends to truly commingle, get to know each other and bond.  It also allotted old friends the time to reconnect.  You see when you rent the Full Moon, you have the option to commit to renting the entire resort, and you can have it for one or two days and nights, or more depending upon the event you want to hold, but the entire place will be yours for that length of time!

In the case of the wedding I attended, we started out the first night with a giant BBQ for all the guests who arrived that first day and we ate our dinner in a big festive covered tent.  I might note that a number of other guests were staying at other hotels/motels close by and not at the Full Moon, as I believe the Full Moon can only sleep 80 people.  Don’t get me wrong this is not for everyone as both the setting and the place are a bit rustic, no AC, etc.  My sister and her husband stayed at a place called The Alpine Inn which is about a 5 minute drive from the Full Moon and I have to say their accommodations were a bit more plush.   But we made the decision to stay where everything was happening and were fine with our accommodations.  Back to the food and the first evening.  After a very satisfying dinner everyone gathered for a big bon fire where we roasted marshmallows and made s’mores.  At that point we knew we had arrived at wedding camp and were happy to be there.

The property that the Full Moon is situated on is a beautiful piece of land and there are lots of places to hike close by and lots more activities on their own property including swimming, a pool table, and other outdoor games.  Actually on the morning of the wedding the bride opted to take a yoga class in their big barn, and the groom lead a group of guests on a hike to a nearby giant ledge.  Personally, I decided to take a drive in the area with my date and explore some of the little towns close by.  While other guests including my sister drove to nearby Woodstock.  Point being there was something for everyone.

The wedding took place the second evening we were there in a secluded area of the resort overlooking a creek, which you could hear running by as the ceremony commenced.  After the nuptials there was an open bar, a lovely sit down dinner and dancing, and around 11pm those who wanted to party on went to another building on the property where there was another bar and dancing til about 2.

The Full Moon is a great place for a large group to take over so I want to help spread the word.  I also know from their site that they rent out the resort to musicians who run their own music camps too.  For example in August, Medeski, Martin & Wood took over the Full Moon for 5 days and Jorma Kaukonen seems to run a guitar camp out of the Full Moon for a couple of weeks in the summer as well.  I’m pretty certain if you have the money their facilities could be rented for just about anything reasonable and legit.  It’s also very homey and they do a good job running the place.  I guess I’d have to say that the place breeds intimacy and good will.  So if you have an occasion coming up, want to create an occasion, a friend or family member or you are planning a wedding and you’re looking for someplace fun, but reasonable (by Manhattan standards), check out the Full Moon Resort and consider it an option.

For more information:

Full Moon Resort
Valley View Road
Big Indian, New York 12410
Tel: (845) 254-5117
Web: http://www.fullmoonresort.com/