I am
constantly (regularly) astounded at my inability to see things the way others do:
different things are obvious to them than those which are obvious to me. This goes
along with a talent for original ideas; the ability to see things others don’t.
I endeavor to have this balance out my self-involved
behavior – and what has been called a condescending air. I have a gift (a eureka moment) or a skill (keeping
at it until the idea works), but the inability to put folks at ease – being
without tact - is no kind of skill, and an unwanted gift.
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PHILLIP SEYMOUR
HOFFMAN
This week brought more bad news. One of our best loved actors passed away, and
we are sad. We agonize over it, then we
get over it. I can see his face right
now. I can see all his roles in turn, playing
in a reel in my head. I’m re-watching
all his movies. I miss him.
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BAD ACCENT FIRST SPECIAL GUESTS 2/3!
I did the first of “First Mondays with Charlie Messing
and Friends” at The Monkey House, a rock and roll club with pool in Winooski, and no TV
which is much more vital to atmosphere.
Pool is fine – people played pool at CBGBs. They sure didn’t have a football game going
on over the bartender’s head! I saw Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon or Christian
Slater - one of those guys, playing pool low-key with a hat one night. People left him alone; it was cool.
They
moved the stage to a much better spot, but they’re still setting it up – the
monitors were a puzzle which eventually got solved, awkwardness in the speakers
or the board, who knows. But in a month
I bet it will run more smoothly. In a
way, it was perfect, because I was reminded of the way I am at a gig – some
things work and some don’t, puzzles are solved, time is taken. Heads are scratched. It was appropriate.
I tried out different types of material on the crowd
(okay, 20 people) to see their responses, paused a few more times (“the mids
down a bit more”). It’s a bit surreal
when your heart wants to be in the music and instead it’s like a dream where
you wander blindly, as if walking through sheets hung out to dry. (Could anyone ever forget what it was like to
walk through hanging, fresh dried laundry?)
So I wasn’t bad - some connected, but it should have
been a walk in the park. Everyone else
seemed fine. Some of the pool players
could not drag their attention from the table – they were mid-season in a
complex competition, so for them I was in the background – which was fine. Though I felt as if I had a transparent
quality, or a blurriness, I was well-received.
The band I’d invited showed up while I was playing. I
sort of hoped they’d watch me play, but they had their minds full of getting all
the equipment into the club, reasonably.
(Parking is tough there.) I just
wanted their attention because I’m selfish.
But I got some nice looks and smiles.
And later on I communicated a bit with Evzen, the guy who holds it all
together, husband of the lovely lead singer, the man behind the songs and
arrangements (I believe). He and his
charming wife Karine seem right away to be more used to French than to English,
which is why their band is named “Bad Accent.” I think it’s a really good name. They’re good, and just getting started. I was glad to give them what he called later
“a live rehearsal.”
[Andy Feltus, Drums; Jonah Salzman, Lead Guitar; Brad Olsen, Bass Guitar, Evzen
Holas, Rhythm Guitar & Accordion, Emma Cook, Vocals; Karine Poulin, Vocals] I think they want to be called Bad
Accent Music. They have a sign onstage. I think “Music” is just extra, but what do I
know.
I am recruiting for next month, for 3/3!
CM
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