Mbira
Thumbs 20.02.01.16.11
COVID-19
Saturday was Alaina's birthday. We had a fun party planned in Brooklyn, but the rapidly unfolding coronavirus situation led instead to us packing up and leaving the city indefinitely. It has only been a few weeks since the first case was discovered in the US but it has progressed exponentially and 48 hours ago, all major sports leagues were suspended and Broadway closed; schools across the country including my various work establishments were shut down, leaving me without scheduled obligations for the forseeable future. The general, worldwide consensus for this disease seems to be "duck and cover and prevent its…
2020
I have highest of hopes for this new year but it began with the death of my Uncle Tom. He had been suffering from cancer for several years and was struggling with immense pain recently, yet somehow found the energy to travel from his home in Naples, Florida to Washington, DC to visit family for the holidays. His health deteriorated rapidly upon arrival and he was placed in hospice at his sister's house. I made the journey to see him as soon as we returned from Vermont but arrived a few hours after he passed away... It has been a…
Falling
Summer is always a sweet yearly pinnacle of family time and travel, every one surpassing the last on the list of best Summers, so returning to Fall can be a bit rugged. The annual educational calendar that I abide brings me back to work and my rhythm is re-calibrated. I love my work, but freedom and family are what I live for. This summer has to rank as one of my best ever. Miles and Ivy are old enough to entertain themselves (best friends) and appreciate our travels to familiar haunts. Every summer entails most of the same destinations but…
Four Months
Time felt rapid and compressed for the past four months and I haven't found (made) time to post here, but I am about to embark on a two-week excursion to visit Buckland family in Warwick, then Taylors in Cape Cod and Maine. I have about 150 minutes before I leave without anyone home to distract me, so I figure this is my chance to put something down here before it becomes five months... I don't take a lot of notes on my daily activities so I'm looking over my photos from the past four months to see what happened and…
Then and Now
Life was different before kids! I lived for myself and the activities I loved, especially music, skiing, sports, travel and friends. Children can make it harder to find time for hobbies and passions, but they can also make those activities even more enjoyable as you teach and share your joy with a beginner. My career has been a training ground and now it's personal: I'm doing everything I can to instill a love of music in Ivy and Miles. I just really hope they are inspired by melody, harmony and rhythm. Likewise skiing. I absolutely need them to like skiing…
New Year
I think 2019 will be a good year and I look forward to living in the future! These recordings are from the past but they were played in the present.
Music is Fun
I am entertained! I've enjoyed some incredible performances over the past few months! Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Parts 1 and 2. Required a full day and night commitment (with thanks to Grandad for the childcare) but absolutely worth it. A captivating and magical show that establishes a new standard for Broadway. Awesome music by Imogen Heap. Jon Hopkins at Brooklyn Steel. Great sound for an audio wizard. Simple solo set up with great lights and projections. San Holo at Terminal 5: An extensive performance with guitar and vocals. Melodic and emotive. Circus Abyssinia at New Victory Theater: Extraordinary Ethiopian…
Door to Door
From my point of view, we are in a dire political situation in this county that requires an immediate correction. The stakes are incredibly high in this midterm election and races all around the country are converging on election day, November 6, to determine our future vector. Beyond reading Twitter and freaking myself out, I have not personally made any effort to convince anyone else to vote until today. Luckily, Alaina has been fully committed to the cause of encouraging citizens to make good decisions at the ballot box and today she brought me to Mastic Beach, Long Island, to…
Fall From Summer
Autumn is undeniably here. The air is cool and my scholastic schedule returns. The shift back to work mode can be a bit bumpy and this year it has been inflamed by an infected corneal laceration sustained by my own fingernail while getting Miles dressed for the Sean and Kate’s wedding in France. But after a few weeks of adjusting to classes and schedules plus eight opthalmologist appointments, I am pain-free and ready to play music with kids! Sometimes it takes a break or an injury to come back and appreciate how wonderful it can be to work and be…