Bistro Bijou

[Anschul]

Well, reading all the stuff in here the last couple of days has been really fun. Hip-hop, back pain, Mantovani, psychology, Hommie's significant breakthrough, passing basketballs passing as an exercise in concentration or observation, or something, and all being juggled and woven in and out. It's a real concentration exercise to get through all of it.

Here's my take.

1. It's really wonderful to get back here--it pains me that I don't have much time these days to participate in the conversations--and enjoy the wonderful personalities that drift in and out.

2. This place is more theraputic to the mind than a roomful of monkeys...er...psychologists (sorry, LadyS--and BTW, Lady, some day when I'm north, we'll have coffee and you can tell me just what your sig name here means--I've probably missed the discussion already).

3. The gorilla confused me to death. I think it may be the drugs.

4. Global warming is going to get California (or perhaps more correctly, the people of California) long before the earthquake turns Las Vegas into beachfront property.

5. Back pain sucks. I have 2 herniated discs and degenerative joint disease. When my back fails (which it does about twice a year) I use a thing called a Steroidal Dosepak (six days of diminishing doses and quantities of Cortisone), lots of ice and painkillers. Hommie's suggestions about exercise are spot-on. I'd bet my new house that core-strength workouts when EE's feeling good would help. I have found that strengthening my core has made my back pain more and more infrequent as I gotten stronger in the middle.

6. How did we get through that whole music discussion (Mantovani not withstanding...Mantovani? T-man, I knew you were kidding all along) without mentioning the Gap Band? Just curious. I'm a hard-core rock and roller (some of you also know that I've had Grateful Dead blood injected by IV, so there' that...), and as far as I'm concerned, most of the music died after Abbey Road and Dark Side, but then Gap Band and NWA did strike a chord with me then, and I still think Bob and the Wailers WERE music (especially if you're considering lyrics and music as a musical whole, which I do...); I'd have thought that Steve Winwood was black if I hadn't seen him with my own eyes; that no discussion of black music by white people would be complete without at least mentioning the Rolling Stones (and David Gilmour, but that's an entirely different discussion for another day--he and I have discussed this one at length). But leaving out the Gap Band strikes me as an omission.

7. Prayers absolutely are needed for LadynS and Champie for upcoming trials, and for EE's wonderful recovery.

8. Hommie deserves special mention for an astounding breakthrough, and well deserved. Isn't a long ride in a car a wonderful thing?

9. Mantovani???????

10. Sassy, it's not "Cops" or "Fuzz" ... it's "Pigs" (although I've seriously reformed that view).

11. When I was in high school, I played the lead, Harold Hill, in a production of The Music Man. I'm not embarrassed by that. My parents took me to see every musical that came our way. My mom loved musical theater. I've never gotten the notion that in the middle of a crisis someone broke into song...

...got to go.... a kid crisis (not too serious) just occurred...I'll be back to continue this review...

 

[LadynStFreknBed]

(sorry, LadyS--and BTW, Lady, some day when I'm north, we'll have coffee and you can tell me just what your sig name here means--I've probably missed the discussion already).

my Lit username? Just listen to the song linked in my sig.
Listen for Ludacris' part...
He ends it by mentioning my Lit username...

 

[Homburg]

You are well within your rights to be proud. Impressive stuff. That's growth. My growth is a little stunted, as it were
I'm a little slow on that lesson. I have been able to dismiss/walk away from grudges, but depending on my level of piss-ivity, some take longer than others. Some never happen.

I'm generally a nice enough person. I never do anyone intentional harm. Try my best to right my wrongs.
However, I'm also the type of person that, if you shoot my dog, I'm coming for your cat...the parakeet....the fish...the hamsters....and if you have a pet rock, it's destined to become gravel. This isn't healthy by any stretch, of course, but, baby steps.

You did a good thing. Her response remains to be seen. If she can't get past it, it's on her.
It's worth it if it gives you peace of mind. I'm sure your friend appreciates it too, even though you weren't at fault.
Undoubtedly, you've got some good karma coming your way.

My mother is a champion grudge-holder, and never admits it. I swore at a young age that I would not be like her. It took something of this magnitude to make me hold a grudge even as long as I did. Ifeel better, more me, getting rid of it.

In my life, there are two options. I either forgive someone and get over it, or I just excise them from my life. There really isn't a midground. So I am very careful about not forgiving. And I really try freaking HARD to make sure I really am over something when I say that I am. It usually works. If someone does the same thing again that pisse dme off the first time, it comes crashing back, but that becomes a "fool me once, shame on me" thing.

And I need some karma. Life has been shitting on me a bit too much lately. I'm starting to wonder what I did to warrant this bad karma...

Though I did get pulle dover by a sheriff yesterday for speeding and he just gave me some hell and a warning. Maybe I shouldn't piss and moan about karma.

----

UYS, ty for the haha...

Hom, I'm a blurt and forget kind of girl. I'm still occassionally set back when someone comes along and asks if I'm still pissed at so-and-so for whatever. I seriously can't remember most situations they're talking about.

It comes from inheriting trout shoulders. Shit may float in the current and hit me in the face, but it doesn't stick for but an instant and then just washes away with the flow. It's good to see other people can let it go and move on with life. Besides, dropping that load just freed you up to help lift heavier weight for other people .

Very true, Champ. Thank you.

----

2. This place is more theraputic to the mind than a roomful of monkeys...er...psychologists (sorry, LadyS--and BTW, Lady, some day when I'm north, we'll have coffee and you can tell me just what your sig name here means--I've probably missed the discussion already).

Yeah, it really is. this is why I posted my little story here. It seemed appropriate.

This thread is honestly about what is bright and good. Yes, it goes dark and sad, but we try to turn it around when it does.

To paraphrase Spider Robinson:


Pain shared is pain lessened. Joy shared is joy multiplied.

3. The gorilla confused me to death. I think it may be the drugs.

Drads are bug. Buds are drag. Um, drugs are bad. MMkay.

5. Back pain sucks. I have 2 herniated discs and degenerative joint disease. When my back fails (which it does about twice a year) I use a thing called a Steroidal Dosepak (six days of diminishing doses and quantities of Cortisone), lots of ice and painkillers. Hommie's suggestions about exercise are spot-on. I'd bet my new house that core-strength workouts when EE's feeling good would help. I have found that strengthening my core has made my back pain more and more infrequent as I gotten stronger in the middle.

Roger that. AP had chronic back pain too. Before he banged his back up again at work (doing something VERY stupid), he'd killed his back pain too. Lifting is your friend.

8. Hommie deserves special mention for an astounding breakthrough, and well deserved. Isn't a long ride in a car a wonderful thing?

I do them quite a bit, actually. I tend to work through them, or chat on the phone for hours, or sing along to various CD's.

 

[champagne1982]

my Lit username? Just listen to the song linked in my sig.
Listen for Ludacris' part...
He ends it by mentioning my Lit username...

If Anschul's a hardcore rocker, he won't get through that entire clip... The part of the song in question, (for chef's sake) is where Lude says, "We all want a lady in the street and a freak in bed". Abbreviate to LadynS' screen id and there ya go...

 

[unpredictablebijou]

Lovely busy day talking local politics in the shop, so I had time only to lurk in the bistro.

There's a whole riff on forgiveness that I'll save for another time. You people are fabulous. Homburg, so good that you've moved forward on this. You don't need that weight.

whoops, gotta go. dinner's here already.

bj

 

[loststar]

lose the trappings



playing in my own head
figureing my losses
counting my blessings
letting posion slip through my fingertips

I should go home
I have responsibilites to prepare
think slow
savor
this moment
before tainting it with thought

circle of death
painful pride
is better than ignorance
the varnish comes away
recognize the beauty
before it fades

enjoy life
keep the day
smile
that is your greatest acomplishmet

 

[Anschul]

If Anschul's a hardcore rocker, he won't get through that entire clip... The part of the song in question, (for chef's sake) is where Lude says, "We all want a lady in the street and a freak in bed". Abbreviate to LadynS' screen id and there ya go...

You're wrong about not getting through it...I still love and respect all kinds of music and musicians. But thanks for the tip. BTW, I married one of them...

Good on 'ya, LadynS

Thanks, Champ. You're a champ!!!

 

[Tzara]

P.S. We like you, too.

Well, that feeling is mootchial, dahlink.

OK. I think we're ready for some group hug time. And who better than the late Luciano Pavarotti to orchestrate this? I mean, really. The guy was Big Love personified. Like how about:

• Him hangin' with the Maestro, Mr. Barry White.
• Or with The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, Mr. James Brown.
• Or discussing astrophysics and sustain with Dr. Brian May.
• Or lovin' up life with Bono
• And finally, rockin' his way through Puccini's Nessum Dorma with a bunch of folks, including gut-busting Michael Bolton, who's a little thin-voiced, but actually not that bad for someone not classically trained.

So, like, peace out, people.

 

[loststar]

I do them quite a bit, actually. I tend to work through them, or chat on the phone for hours, or sing along to various CD's.

I would love to hear homburg singing! perhaps some day

 

[Homburg]

I would love to hear homburg singing! perhaps some day

I sing MIS to sleep every night. Sing to viv when she wants it. Sing to the cats occassionally. To an extent, not getting voice training is a regret. I'm a mimic, with a lot of vocal range and a good ear for accents, phrasing, etc. I sort of wish I'd done something with it.

*shrug* If I can make those I love smile and laugh and feel better, my voice is a good thing.

And I officially sing the worst songs ever. When youngest daughter was a baby, the only way she would go down for the night is if papa sang to her. I don't know lullaby one (odd considering how many kids I have, but kid songs just don't tend to stick in my head), so I sang soft, slower tempo songs. I finally made a playlist of sorts that she liked, and stuck with it. I can be exhausted, half-asleep, headache, whatever, and still sing these songs.

1) Long black veil - in the style of The Chieftains, sort of. I use some of Mick Jagger's style, but have carried it far enough in my own direction that it really is a different version. My tempo is very different too. (this is the song I sing to MIS)
2) Song with No Name - shane McGowan (and I do a pretty good shane impression when I do it)
3) MacPherson's Lament - a la The Town Pants
4) Ballad of Carrie Brown - Steve Earle
5) Seven Drunken Nights

1) A song about a man who goes to the gallows instead of admitting that he was boinking his best friend's wife, and how she still visits his grave ten years later
2) A song about an emotional sadist that misses the love that he ruined
3) Song about a half-gypsy Scottish brigand, and how he was hanged unfairly by a political enemy
4) Ballad of a young man that falls for a girl and murders her boyfriend
5) Drunken swirl about a drunkard coming home and finding progressively more blatant evidence of his wife cheating on him

Yeah, so cheating (and dying to protect one's love, and love extending beyond death), broken relationships, brigandry and political murder, jealous murder, and more cheating. Great songs to sing to a baby, right?

I really camp up Seven Drunken Nights too. I've sung it in groups and had them all singing along and doing the proper call and respond by the end. Really fun song, totally inappropriate for kids.

 

[Tzara]

10. Sassy, it's not "Cops" or "Fuzz" ... it's "Pigs" (although I've seriously reformed that view).

Yeah, actually, if you want to be historically accurate, Chef Z has it down. I'm not sure where "fuzz" came from, but the only people I ever knew to use that term as a synonym for "police" were some friends who were campus cops at one of the more überliberal campuses in the country, The Evergreen State College. They liked to patrol grounds wearing jackets which labeled them as "The Fuzz."

Anyway, that "pig" thing was unfortunate, considering it was just people trying to do a job, but it was an adversarial time.

 

[myinnerslut]

I sing MIS to sleep every night. Sing to viv when she wants it. Sing to the cats occassionally.

to be fair, i sing to him also

 

[loststar]

Homburg, I am now officialy "in love" but dont take it the wrong way, I love everyone, just ask bjiou



my favorite nickname for cops is BACON! said in the same fashion as the dog treat commiceals for begging strips

 

[Homburg]

to be fair, i sing to him also

And she sings far, far better than I do.

Tiny gal, BIG pipes.


----

Homburg, I am now officialy "in love" but dont take it the wrong way, I love everyone, just ask bjiou

LOL, thank you. Glad to know I make the list

 

[Tzara]

Bad, bad uncle. You better hope mom never finds out you showed me how to roll my first doobie

It was just my oral history thing about the 70s. You know, perserve cultural stuffiness that otherwise is lost in that murky thing of time.

Plus, it's just damn hard to get the paper to stick closed, you know?

I mean, future generations need to know.

In The Mood is my favorite Glenn Miller song! This is my favorite Benny Goodman cut.
*looking for my box of Kleenex*
This is a beautiful moment. Look at us, relating to each other. Porn brings everyone together.

Yes, sniff, it does. I am so feeling the emotion here.

And trying to feel you, as well. But, for some reason, you keep moving away.

Uncle Tz, for even knowing of NWA's existence, you get another 5 cool points.
Though, if you'd known any of their songs, I'd have been worried

I know at least one album name. Does that count?

I dunno, though. These cool points seem just to chill my personality. Maybe I should just go back to my own 60s experimentialist bent and have done.

That, by the way, is a very abbreviated version of one of the coolest spoken word pieces I have ever experienced. Though, truth to tell, it probably works better in a dark room when you're really stoned.

 

[Angeline]

It was just my oral history thing about the 70s. You know, perserve cultural stuffiness that otherwise is lost in that murky thing of time.

Plus, it's just damn hard to get the paper to stick closed, you know?

I mean, future generations need to know.
Yes, sniff, it does. I am so feeling the emotion here.

And trying to feel you, as well. But, for some reason, you keep moving away.
I know at least one album name. Does that count?

I dunno, though. These cool points seem just to chill my personality. Maybe I should just go back to my own 60s experimentialist bent and have done.

That, by the way, is a very abbreviated version of one of the coolest spoken word pieces I have ever experienced. Though, truth to tell, it probably works better in a dark room when you're really stoned.

I just want to say that I don't think of you as an uncle, just a guy. A man I like. A Tzara. Also, I kinda missed everything musically from oh about 1975 until well still. In fact, the music I listen to most now was written between 1920 and 1960. Or earlier. Though I do like Talking Heads. And Jay Farrar. That's about it.

I have a great affinity with you on this point (on many points actually). But I don't want anyone to call me Aunt Angie, k? I'll accept "Mom," but only from the two people I birthed.

 

[Tzara]

But I don't want anyone to call me Aunt Angie, k? I'll accept "Mom," but only from the two people I birthed.

Let's just say that so long at least as you have that kissy face av up, I am not thinking of you as Auntie Ange.

Not that I would anyway, but that let's me say something mildly flirtatious without (I hope) causing Mr. E to start out of his chair and reinjure his back.

Maybe I should just put up some music thing, eh? How about my much loved Chet Baker? Did I ever say that I walked past the hotel in Amsterdam where he fell out of the window and died? There's a commemorative plaque on the side of the building. It's very near the train station and right around the corner from the Red Light district, though that probably has nothing to do with anything.

And Ms. Sassy can call me "uncle" anytime. Heh heh heh.

 

[sassynyc]

It was just my oral history thing about the 70s. You know, perserve cultural stuffiness that otherwise is lost in that murky thing of time.

Plus, it's just damn hard to get the paper to stick closed, you know?

I mean, future generations need to know.
Yes, sniff, it does. I am so feeling the emotion here.

And trying to feel you, as well. But, for some reason, you keep moving away.
I know at least one album name. Does that count?

I dunno, though. These cool points seem just to chill my personality. Maybe I should just go back to my own 60s experimentialist bent and have done.That, by the way, is a very abbreviated version of one of the coolest spoken word pieces I have ever experienced. Though, truth to tell, it probably works better in a dark room when you're really stoned.

LOLZ on all counts. And your personality needs no temp adjustments. Perfect as is. I mean, none of my uncles ever taught me squat about papers and rolling technique.

I don't want anyone to call me Aunt Angie, k? I'll accept "Mom," but only from the two people I birthed.

Nah. You shall remain Poet Chick/Jazz Sister to moi.

 

[Angeline]

Let's just say that so long at least as you have that kissy face av up, I am not thinking of you as Auntie Ange.

Not that I would anyway, but that let's me say something mildly flirtatious without (I hope) causing Mr. E to start out of his chair and reinjure his back.

Maybe I should just put up some music thing, eh? How about my much loved Chet Baker? Did I ever say that I walked past the hotel in Amsterdam where he fell out of the window and died? There's a commemorative plaque on the side of the building. It's very near the train station and right around the corner from the Red Light district, though that probably has nothing to do with anything.

And Ms. Sassy can call me "uncle" anytime. Heh heh heh.

I don't think Mr. E minds a little mild flirtation here and there. Nor do I where he's concerned. In fact, I think he rather likes that others like these avs of mine. Uh probably more than "rather," as in it titillates him. And me.

His back is eternally a work in progress. It's sort of like a separate creature that lives with us. We try to keep it happy and relatively pain free from day to day. He's sleeping now (I've been highly nocturnal lately), but he'll wake up and stretch a few times before morning. I can set a clock by him.

I think you feel about Chet the way I feel about Billie. I'd say Lester Young, but I lust after him in addition to adoring his music, and I don't think that aspect is part of your Chet equation. I think you need to help me like Chet more. I've never really warmed to him the way I think I should. Wanna hep me?

And in the meantime, I know we can agree on this guy.

And Sassy, you jazz princess, you hit just the right notes with me!

 

[sassynyc]

Let's just say that so long at least as you have that kissy face av up, I am not thinking of you as Auntie Ange.

Not that I would anyway, but that let's me say something mildly flirtatious without (I hope) causing Mr. E to start out of his chair and reinjure his back.

Maybe I should just put up some music thing, eh? How about my much loved Chet Baker? Did I ever say that I walked past the hotel in Amsterdam where he fell out of the window and died? There's a commemorative plaque on the side of the building. It's very near the train station and right around the corner from the Red Light district, though that probably has nothing to do with anything.

And Ms. Sassy can call me "uncle" anytime. Heh heh heh.

Gorgeous selection. I love his recording of Everthing Happens To Me. Couldn't find it on YouTube though.

And, well, thank you dahling.
*batting eyelashes*

 

[UnderYourSpell]

I think I've gone invisible *whispers sadly out through the window frame*

 

[sassynyc]

I think I've gone invisible *whispers sadly out through the window frame*

Not by a long shot missy.

 

[unpredictablebijou]

Indeed, my brit witchling. You're not the least invisible.

And if T becomes Uncle Tzara, I'm going to have to step up as That Kinky Auntie Bijou. And I'll teach you why joints are a ridiculously inefficient operation, and how to make a bong out of an apple and a gum wrapper.

My birthday Week continued last night with an amazing performance called the Victor Continental Show. He has a myspace page here. It's a variety show with lots of references to local politics and such. Brilliant stuff.

But the most important thing is that I actually got an autograph last night.

On a naughty bit.

To say wOOt doesn't even begin to cover it. I've been a huge fan for years. Moral: always carry a permanent marker in your purse. Just in case.

I'll be possibly putting up a picture later on, after I negotiate with the camera and do a little judicious cropping.

So Homburg, we're going to be scheduling you as a vocal act on Friday nights from now on, right? The Vocal Stylings of Homburg the Singing Dom? Shibari and Song?

Bet it'll be a big, big hit.

bj

 

[Angeline]

Indeed, my brit witchling. You're not the least invisible.

And if T becomes Uncle Tzara, I'm going to have to step up as That Kinky Auntie Bijou. And I'll teach you why joints are a ridiculously inefficient operation, and how to make a bong out of an apple and a gum wrapper.

My birthday Week continued last night with an amazing performance called the Victor Continental Show. He has a myspace page here. It's a variety show with lots of references to local politics and such. Brilliant stuff.

But the most important thing is that I actually got an autograph last night.

On a naughty bit.

To say wOOt doesn't even begin to cover it. I've been a huge fan for years. Moral: always carry a permanent marker in your purse. Just in case.

I'll be possibly putting up a picture later on, after I negotiate with the camera and do a little judicious cropping.

So Homburg, we're going to be scheduling you as a vocal act on Friday nights from now on, right? The Vocal Stylings of Homburg the Singing Dom? Shibari and Song?

Bet it'll be a big, big hit.

bj

I can make bongs from a potato, an apple, a carrot, and tin foil. Or just tin foil. But my favorite bong was one a friend made years ago that we called the Lab Standard. It was four feet high. Great for parties. Eagleyez taught me the potato trick, but after a while the smoking end looks a little too much like well a butt. And I don't mean cigarette.

 

[unpredictablebijou]

It seems like any time talk turns to the subject of mary jane, it immediately moves toward the stories about crazy smoking technology, have you noticed?

Everyone's got that story about that friend who made a pipe/bong/whatever out of a fill-in-the-blank.

It wouldn't be a good survey question for in here, cause, well, it might be TMI, but for an anonymous survey question at My Bar, it would be excellent: list all the objects you or your friends have used as pot-smoking equipment.

Reminds me of that old joke:

I had to quit smoking dope. It wasn't so much that it was bad for me,
but I just couldn't take the carpentry.

bj

eta: ooooooo those lips. those lips. Might look pretty hawt sucking smoke from an apple.