Take it in. Breathe. Eat. Sleep. These are phrases–no, commands!–that I am hearing an awful lot of recently. And I am trying; really, I am.
Would you like to know what, exactly, I was ‘taking in’ while I was playing and singing on the tv this morning? Why the heck did I write such a long song with so many words?! Those were my thoughts at the onset of the song. If felt like the song was impossibly long. A veritable marathon of music. Whoever thought ALL THOSE VERSES (two) and ALL THOSE CHORUSES (three) and a WHOLE FLIPPIN BRIDGE (one) was a good idea for just one song, anyway? Really, who wrote this crap?
Seriously. And now you know. Sometimes I feel afraid and sometimes I am not magical in my thinking and sometimes performing on tv feels like oh god oh god oh god oh god–help me not to mess this up! But then I get into the second verse and I start to enjoy it. And my new ukulele is singing along with me. And it didn’t hurt that the Super Cute Vampire From Twilight (does he go by any other name, really?) that was interviewed right before me said, “You sound really great.”
Vampires give the best compliments.
And now I can hear the sound of the rain against the window to my right. It’s falling and falling endlessly; like the universe lives generously; like the rain is a gift that will not run out. Reminding me that I, too, can live generously. That whatever is is that God has put in me will not soon run out, either.
And oh! I took a cab to get to FOX studios this morning. If you know my sense of direction and how it is comparable to the amount of times I’ve performed MC Hammer’s Can’t Touch This (um, zero), then, you’d understand. Probably a good idea to, you know, actually get to the studio, was the thinking that prompted getting a cab.
But I had to pay with a card, because I generally have no cash (so far we’ve learned that a). I generally do not perform Can’t Touch This and b). I generally have no cash. Moving on, class, excellent lesson today!).
So, I had to call the service that takes your card information, effectively allowing one to pay their fare. Anyway, the lady on the phone asked me for the reservation number–I asked the cabbie, and repeated what he told me. Then she asked me the name. “Name?” she said, just like that.
And this was a tough one.
I glanced at the name in front of me on the ID thingy that makes you realize this driver is legit and all that. Knowing I would probably butcher the pronunciation, I decided to just spell the whole darn thing.
“K-W-A-H-I-P-E-S-T-I,” I spoke into the phone.
“First name?” she asked me.
“I-T-L-A-N-A-R-I,” I said, nice and loud.
At which point the cabbie looked back at me and said rather urgently, “Hey! That’s MY name.”
Um, obvi, I thought.
“Sorry–I spelled it, cause I wasn’t sure I’d say it properly,” I explained, thinking he was upset about that.
“No–I mean,” he said, “Why are you giving MY NAME for the credit card?”
And then it dawned on me. And I started cracking up. “Hahahahahahahaha!,” I said. “I am so sorry–I thought that’s what the lady wanted–YOUR name.”
“No. She wants YOUR name!” he clarified.
And then he started laughing, too. And amid our laughter I managed to ask him two things: “Did you think we were related, when you first heard me spell your last name?” And also: “You didn’t want to pay for my cab fare today?”
We both laughed long and hard over that one. Which was a nice moment, actually.
And–funniest one liner I heard from a stranger yesterday, while he was walking off the subway car. He brushed past me and quietly said under his breath, “I tweeted your video.”
Hilarious.
And interesting that that sentence would have made absolutely no sense five years ago.
Wow, you wouldn’t have guessed you were thinking what you were thinking during the performance! Crazy… and that’s hilarious about the cab driver. Amazing.
yeah, Luckily, I didn’t think that way the whole time. Like, I did start to actually enjoy it and become present–probably somewhere around the second rap. And–I am glad that cab driver had a sense of humor!
Hi Jessica, rooting for you here in France. My 2-year and 3-year old boys and I have danced to your song a few times
By the way, the tv performance needs to be added to youtube, and the original video (almost 1 million views – go go go!) needs to be ‘tagged’ by more key words, because now, if I type “girl subway ukulele” it’s not easy to find…I had to add “jessica” then “ain’t your friend” and it still wasn’t easy. I don’t know much about these technical terms but I remember in a past job the multimedia guy talking about how to tag things in youtube and on google so that it would come up within the first few finds. Maybe if you have an internet-savvy friend, or ask someone to volunteer? I am sure that there are loads of people who don’t have the direct link, and go on google and type “girl ukulele subway” or “ain’t my friend”, and if they don’t find it right away they give up….which is a shame, to lose those fans! I’ll keep watching, and looking out for that recording deal – - I’m sure they’re discussing you in some NYC office, trying to figure out how they could market/ “label” you – before they offer you a deal. They’ll probably wait to see how the single sells? Bonne chance! (= “good luck” in French) Anne-Marie B
Hi Anne-Marie! THank you for the lovely words all the way from France! And amazing that you and your boys have been dancing to my song–what a compliment:) And those are good suggestions about the tags and stuff; I actually have no control over the youtube video, though. It’s my friend Matt’s (well, he was a stranger when he took it; but since, we’ve become friends). I will try to pass these suggestions along to him. Thank you so much for your encouragement and all the best to you and your sweet boys!
The TV appearance was posted to Youtube 30 minutes after the performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvIE42Ou0_Q
thanks for putting that up there, Rod! You ALWAYS have my back, and I appreciate it SO MUCH. Also–I enjoyed being on speaker phone with your co-workers last night. Haha they’re hilarious.
haha, you made their day. also, an entire office now seems like it’s full of snow white’s dwarves working a little happier and all whistling “ain’t my friend” haha
This is hilarious!!!! so great about the cab driver!!!! so cool about the guy from Twilight, too!!!! I loved watching you on that show- It makes me so happy to see such beautiful and joyful things happening for you!!!!!! cake sometime soon!!!!!!
CAKE?! you had me there. Of course, let’s do cake soon! <3
These blogs are going to be such great reference material for the screenwriter of the movie “based on a true story” that will be called “Pigtails and the A Train.” (Or some artsy Hollywood title.)
I have mentioned this to Jason eons ago…do “my life in writing” as a series….
“pig tails and the A train.” Who’d've thought that’d EVER be a magical combination?!
Jessica,
You have made my week! And the week of a few other hundred thousand people…btw…the video is so close to a million hits…it is crazy! You may not always be magical in your thinking, but you are always magical!!!
Jump and Soar!!!
your Vampire friend in Portland.
Tony
lol, it’s always good to have a vampire friend on the west coast! And do you know that I LOVE portland? LOVE IT. You are lucky to live in such a magical place, Tony, my vampire friend!
Portland is just a 6 hour flight away Jessica! It is a thriving, artsy, green, creative, progressive, funky, weird, place…you are always welcome…you would fit right in. You can make music anywhere. We would LOVE to have YOU!!!
I love this post SO much!!! I was hoping you would post some behind the scenes details
Can’t wait for Jason to write your movie!!
yep, Jase would do it up right, that’s for darn sure.
What the stranger said to you wouldn’t have made sense 2 weeks ago!
What a hilarious story about the cabbie’s identity! FUNNY!
And, what else would a Mom say: are you sleeping and eating?
haha that’s true, mom! I guess I meant that twitter wasn’t around five years ago, though–that was my main point:)
and you’ll be happy to know I slept a full night last night and have already eaten some peanut butter, honey, and bread today. WIN.
Jess – I was so incredibly nervous the whole time watching you. I was just thinking – “man I hope she doesn’t feel like I do right now!” You really looked to at ease and like you were having fun. But I was saying to Jonathan those same things. “If I were up there I’d be thinking, “don’t play a wrong chord, don’t play a wrong chord….shoot what’s the first word to the next verse???” Of course I’ve never written my OWN song, so maybe its different. But anyway, I was feeling your pain from far away – and honestly you killed it. Yesterday at my house EVERYONE was walking around singing your song, humming it under your breath…it was really cool.
that’s so adorable–thinking of you and mandy and the kids singing my song! love it. Also–I was happy with the performance–and pretty glad when it was over, too! thanks for watching and praying and stuff, Christian (but just don’t be proud–NEVER that!) .
You know, Jessica, when I first saw you play last summer, I instantly recognized that you have a rare combination of a number of different traits that lend themselves well to a lot of fans and a successful music career. I mean, I’m no industry expert, but I listen to enough music to sort the wheat from the chaff. And you, Jessica, ain’t no chaff (song title allusions FTW). At any rate, I was happy to see that you have recently gotten the attention you deserve.
Oh, one humble request – when you’re putting together your album, don’t forget your back catalog. I am thinking, in particular, of Something Kind and See It All With You. The latter has made my day on many a work trip.
“song title allusions FTW”–haha nicely done, Peter! made me laugh.
and thank you–you have been kind enough to take an interest in my music before many other people have, that’s for sure, and I really appreciate it. Will you be able to come to Wilmington when I’m there? I hope so-but no presh, of course! Thanks for your amazingly kind words, as always.
Girl, please. You know I’ll be there.
yesssss.
haha! I think those things during every performance!
Thanks so much for posting this, it boosted my mood this morning. <3
P.S. Did you get the vampire's number?!
UGH.
NO! I didn’t not get the vamp’s number.
But, honestly, relationships between humans and vamps always seem a little angsty, anyway.
haha true dat.
“I didn’t not get the vamp’s number.”
So… you did get his number?
ain’t no way I didn’t not get that vampire’s digits!
(clearer?)
Jess, we are so delighted all over again! And yes, thanks for the backstory narrative–it enriches even more the experience for us who see it “from the outside.” You looked and sounded so great: the first of many adventures in front of TV studio cameras, no doubt!
thanks, pop! I am so glad you and mom are enjoying this experience as much as you are!
a HUGE thumbs up on the jersey shore.
thank you, Anthony; I’ll take it!
I went to the 2011 CMAs and was amazed that Taylor Swift sat down on a sofa, by herself, no band, and play a song for 30,000 people. I have no doubt she was thinking the same things!
yes, and wow. But I think there is something beautiful about a song standing on it’s own with just the bare minimum, you know? Not all the tricks of the studio (not that those tricks are bad, when used right). But a good song is a good song and should be able to be sung and played in a minimalist way and still be good, for sure. Taylor Swift writes some good ones, for sure.
I have had people telling me for the last two years “You need a band.” I think these things just prove them wrong. Amen?
I’m not saying I wouldn’t want a band, but (like a relationship) I’m not just gonna settle for *anybody* just to have *somebody*!
very true–on both counts!
Great performance yesterday Jess. You looked so cute. A movie about your life??? You know who looks a lot like you??? I think Molly does!!!!!! Hahahaha. I’m just so proud to know you, and watch you go through this journey, and receive all the blessings that come your way.
Thank you, sweet Karen! I really appreciate you saying so…I’m feeling quite grateful and overwhelmed:)
It’s been so long since I’ve read any blogs, and now I recall what a delight yours always is to read. Hilarious. All of it. But the guy whispering under his breath that he tweeted your video? That’s like a movie scene right there. Good stuff.
…And you were just fabulous yesterday. Absolutely fabulous.
thank you, Nina! you enjoying reading anything I write is a HUGE compliment, since you’re such a stellar writer. I appreciate you so much.
Hi Jess,
Bit of advice for you; I know times are tight and your boots are safety pinned together & all but you really don’t need to resort to identity theft to make ends meet!
J/K
I just want to say congrats on your pro performance on television yeterday. Both you and your Uke sounded fantastic. You were extremely poised during your song and the banter with the hosts. You didn’t look nervous or uncomfortable at all. I guess your years of performance have served you well.
This crescendo of good fortune is building beneath you. Enjoy riding this wave wherever it’s taking you.
When is the iTunes release?
haha thank you for that. And, I promise: no more attempts at identity theft.
And thanks so much for you kind words, Yanick. SO NICE of you. As for the itunes release: it’s been submitted and will be live as early as tonight or as late as tomorrow or the next day, so I am waiting to see along with everyone else.
peace!
You looked calm, cool (very cool), and collected in that TV performance. You killed it.
Let us know when you are coming out west and be sure to include Eugene on your tour. Friday night Eugene show and you can still hit Portland on Saturday.
Congrats on your well deserved success.
Cheers!
I’d love to play a show out west–absolutely! thank you, Dylan, for your very kind words:)
Would love a recording of Lady of Shalott as well, when you get around to recording an album!
It’s definitely on the list, Chris–thank you!
Jess, this is beyond hilarious! Love the cabbie story, can relate. And, thank God for his sense of humor! I think it could be one of those blonde moments! hahahah Your TV performance was wonderful, but I missed your pigtails, your special mark! Much congratulations to you sweetheart.
haha don’t worry, Sandy–the pig tails have not been retired forever–just can’t wear ‘em every day, is all:) and thank you for your super sweet words; YOU are such a light! xo