I think that I like weather reports very much because, in a way, they are a small glimpse of what my life will look like in the future.
And yes, I realize it’s the very near future–and a faulty prediction at that. But, still. At least when the ladies gather round me in the church bathroom, pointing their questions at me like it’s some kind of hold-up, I will have an answer. I will smile and say, Oh, I am not sure how, exactly, I will be spending my time in the fall, but I do know that it will be in the low 80′s and sunny on Friday, so I will most likely go on a run in Fair Hill.
And then they will stop looking at me like I have no plans. Cause a run. Outside. In warm weather, baby.
And don’t worry, there haven’t been any hold-ups in church bathrooms since I discovered the private bathroom in the nursery. And if that bathroom isn’t a picture of God’s grace, I don’t know what is.
Okay, I guess a lot of people would mention Jesus. And a cross. But you gotta admit, that small, private bathroom is pretty darn good too.
And speaking of good, I’ve got a good quote for you. A bassist who was kind enough to play with me and Shane today said it. But before I tell you what it is he said, let me give you some background. Shane had heard from a trusted source that this guy was a very good musician–specifically, a bassist. So, Shane asked him if he wanted to join us as we played this low-key gig today at the UofD Trabant building, and the guy accepted. Shane gave him a cd of his own songs to listen to and arranged to meet him at one, right before our one-thirty start time, in order to go over some more songs with him.
Well, Bass Guy didn’t show up until right at one-thirty. And when Shane asked him which songs he was familiar with from his cd, he had a blank look on his face and managed to say something about none, really.
Great.
And then Bass Guy proceeded to play with us in such a way that you wondered if he was even listening to what we were playing at all. We were playing folk/indie; he was playing straight up blues. We were playing an Eminor; he was playing anything but. We had ended the song; he was still going strong. It was pretty awful. Finally Shane thanked him very kindly and told him that we were gonna play the last songs with just the two of us.
And the best part? Right before we started playing–and after he had just totally missed any and all the time alloted for us to practice–he said, “Think I can handle anything you can throw my way. Also, I wouldn’t mind you throwing a couple of solos my way, either…”
Hilarious.
Oh, and here is a song I just recorded tonight. It’s called Tryna Remember My Song. Listen, if you like.
*Thanks to my friend Peaj who did some fancy editing that got rid of the silence that ensues from the time I press record at the back of my church and the time I actually sit down at the keyboard at the front of my church, among other things.
Haha, well it seems he waited long enough for you to toss some solos his way and decided to intercept some on his own. Can you blame him? You know, I’m just going to say that you should stay away from bass players from here on out.
Love the song, sounds great. I like the piano alot. Vocals aren’t bad either, of course!
the thing is, I bet he would have sounded GREAT soloing–the problem happened when he was trying to play WITH us!!! And yeah, good point…:-)
And thanks about the song!
really think the words are powerful jessica….loved it!
thanks so much! it’s good to see your words, as always;-)
In “tryna” remember your song, you have created another beautiful one. Thanks for sharing Jess!!! The words are powerful and wonderful all at the same time!
thanks so much for listening, rach! that is so kind of you…:)
Pretty song, which, I know, is kind of a weird way to describe it, what with the gravity of the lyrics and everything, but musically that’s the word that comes to me. Tough and honest and strong lyrics. But I love the keyboard and your voice holding the note on the word “same”.
oh, I’ll take pretty any day:) and hey, thanks for first of all understanding the word on that higher note (sometimes I’m not great at articulating up there!) and for the compliment:)
Pshaw, from where I sit you always rock the high notes.
Well, “always” is quite generous!! Thanks so much:)
And “pshaw” kinda sounds like another version of my last name or something!
I was playing your song while i was sitting on our couch with the laptop and Corin was running around..when all of a sudden, he stopped what he was doing and ran over to me and said” Me”..:) he climbed up onto the couch to hear your song:) So very beautiful. I LOVE the piano playing and your voice is so strong..and the lyrics..wow..soooo good. im looking forward to buying your cd when it comes out:)
Sare–that’s so sweet! Thank you for sharing…And man, I’m looking forward to you buying my cd someday, too (though I’m thinking I will be GIVING you one, but nice try:)).
good times.
good song; i like this recording of it.
Thanks, Shane!
A little better than what I recorded with my phone, huh?:)
Your little footnote made me chuckle, ’cause, really, ’tweren’t too fancy. I just had a little Audacity.
Well anything other than the basics seems pretty darn fancy to me!
Heheeeee!!!!! The first part of that recording where you crack yourself up because you actually can remember your song made me very, very happy.
Also – THAT SONG. IS AMAZING. Totally radio-worthy. Beautifully written and performed.
PS – What kind of people assault somebody in the bathroom? Sigh. I’m glad you found a private one.
Thanks so much, Mandy! What a compliment.
And people in my church are super nice, actually. I’ve just had a not great experience in the bathroom cause of statements or questions…so I just like to avoid that possibility now, if at all possible (enter: small private bathroom. Bam.).
Oh, I’m sure the people in your church are very nice. But people are nosey. Nosey nosey nosey. Dear world, stop being so nosey.
BAM.
Bam (of course).
And I think women (god love ‘em!) are naturally nosier than men–and bathrooms (at least for me) tend to only have women in them…so can be a little dangerous…
you know….if there’s one good thing you can take from this terrible ordeal you never should have had to go through…it’s beautiful songs like that…songs with lyrics that can reach into your soul and maybe…just maybe heal it a little
And don’t worry about not having a plan…I don’t know why people always think we need a plan…I frankly don’t have a plan for my life either…you’ll figure it out, cause you’re strong and smart like that. To heck with the concept of a “plan” I mean really!
Yea–even the things we “plan” are only an illusion, in a sense; I mean, goals are great and necessary, but we really only have today and tomorrow will bring with it what it will, I suppose.
And this is true–about the songs, I mean. I am grateful that I’m able to see glimpses of beauty– such as music that would otherwise never be–as a result of this. Thanks for pointing that out, J9!
Jess…I hardly have any words…some tears…and I just had to listen to it again…it’s so, so beautiful…God truly gives us beauty for ashes, doesn’t he?!
yes yes yes yes yes he does…thank you for those kind words:)