Between Thursday and Monday of this week, Shane and I have three shows.
That’s the good part.
The sad part is that after that, it’ll be a good five months before we get to play another one. And yes, I said a good five months because I am determined to stay positive right now. Determined to imagine that there could just as well be good things instead of disappointing things up ahead.
And the reason for our little time-off is that Shane is going to be studying in South Africa, which is so very lovely for him, but have you heard? That’s a whole other continent from this one, and so the playing of shows together will be on hold till December.
But tonight was a good one. We played in the East Village in NYC and I suppose it is a good rule of thumb to always bring your own toilet paper to such events. And you’re smart; I am sure you can imagine how I learned this. And you’re right. But moving on.
There’s nothing really like performing, is there? There’s something about giving all of you to a song or a dance or a scene and suddenly your body, mind, and spirit–they’re in this fantastic kind of sync. It’s like finally, all of you is pointed in the same direction and there’s just no room for confusion. Not anymore. I have a dear friend who likens performing to falling in love, and I think I know what she means. Because you might feel down or rather like the little runt of the litter that nobody wants to buy for their seven year old who has finally proven they can handle a puppy, but then you sing; you wonder where singing has been all your life.
And you stand there and the words, they pour out of you like a light you didn’t even know was inside–not when you were sure there was so much darkness lately. And then the melodies. They fly and you can’t help but go with them and in this moment, life is so good.
And you are smiling and giving of yourself and it feels like this could be a clue as to what life is all about anyway.
And you feel like God is smiling and you give him the kind of sideways glance that can only come from the very surprised birthday girl after she has walked into a roomful of HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!!! all around. And once she sees a certain someone tickled pink, she gives them a look as if to say, You planned this, didn’t you? You knew all along…
At which point the person smiles and nods quietly in response.
But right, the show was a blast.
I’m gonna miss all this business come Tuesday, that’s for darn sure.
I was recently talking to good-friend-Rob about faith and the phrase that came out was When I worship I am perfect. I was thinking about when I lead worship and sing those mighty words of my devotion as a prayer of faith and all the world is possible. There is something about physical intensity and getting your lungs involved in what you are doing, I think.
But leading worship isn’t the same as performing. But it maybe is a little.
yes, I know what you mean. and yes, it’s not the same exact thing–but it is something that takes all of you and so it feels like you are in perfect sync with what you are aiming to do–so maybe that is where the whole perfect thing comes in.
i love that you feel so much life when you perform..and you are giving so much life, too..it is an amazing thing. i am sad i missed the nyc show, but i am excited that i will hopefully get to hear you guys tomorrow night:) i am going to miss hearing you guys for the next few months..when do you think your guys cd will be done?!:)
I’d love to see you at the basement show, sare!
and we are pretty close to being finishing with the mixing side of things; we just have to figure out artwork and stuff like that and then get the things made. so maybe we’ll be done in like a month or so!
I am sad that you will be without your partner for a bit, but I know that your musical collaboration will be richer and more fantastic when Shane gets back! Especially since neither of you will stop with the music-making… I wish I had heard you guys play! Just comes with the parental territory, I guess.
Emily–how sweet! maybe it will work out that you can hear us when Shane gets back:) and yes, we will both be writing, for sure–that isn’t going anywhere; we both have some adventures to live for the next five months and who knows what kind of songs will come out of that? thanks for the reminder:)