Ink scribbles on the pillowcase from pens stuck in your hair when you fall into bed -- what an evocative image. You're making art even in your sleep, even in the midst of the city, the chill, the exhaustion.
Ooof, Vermont to NYC is a big change. Glad you're there making new stuff!!
I've had a doozy of a year--a sudden change that brought me and my nomadic ways to an abrupt and unwelcome halt in the form of a painful autoimmune disease was the catalyst. So I'm learning to throw myself small celebrations for accomplishments that have less to do with driving solo through vast empty country to find new vistas, climbing new ridge lines, and communing with wildlife and more to do with breathing deeply, accepting, pivoting, and seeing this as a new season that also has much to offer me. Thank you for asking. It's a good reminder that celebration is an important part of whatever we're doing.
You asked about celebrating small victories. I'm learning to do that. I took my elderly cat to the vet yesterday for a blood draw, and we both made it home - me without a panic attack! I congratulated us both. I am in my third year of recovery from PTSD and alcoholism; I worked in theatre and dance for 30 years, going from one production to the next, never acknowledging my hard work. Yes, pause, however briefly, and tell yourself, "Good job!"
Congratulations! Increasingly I feel like my job in the world is to help others feel good about what they make even though I don’t do it enough myself. One thing that always helps is to make things with friends so they force you to celebrate. You deserve all of the celebrations for being a committed and interesting artist when it is so hard to do so. We all hope you can enjoy your accomplishments soon.
I wish I COULD upgrade — but folk living on a meagre Substack income and a Canadian old age pension, don't have a lot of room to upgrade for the dozen-odd Substack writers I'd LOVE to follow fully. But I PROMISE I'll buy the new record when it (finally) comes out...
When I was a teenager in suburban Long Island, Times Square was where we went to get a $10 fake ID. I haven't lived in NY for 35 years now and haven't had a real reason to go back for 10. Sounds like I'll have a Broadway musical to visit for soon, though!!
I recognized the situational gap between victory and the new "set the world on fire," to steal a phrase from Emmylou Harris' song about two more bottles of wine. Celebrations are left until what made you feel that you have done something that at one point you despaired of the impossibility of the achievement that you let zip by. Odd thought, but Merle Haggard possibly nailed that phenomenon best -- https://youtu.be/temPS0mHCYA?si=NIGUPCAieXN2d3WK
Cities are exhausting. Lewis and I just came back from our anniversary trip to Portugal. We were in Lisbon and Porto. An amazing experience but walking on cobblestones for eight days is an unexpected feat, for the feet. This trip happened over Thanksgiving week. I had mixed feelings about leaving the girls to sort out how they might gather. In the end, it was kind of a relief to be out of the country for this awful holiday. So, perhaps counter to your prompt. I’m kind of happy we missed it. Can’t wait to hear and read all the goodies!
We, too, were just in NYC. (Saw the Rockettes AND Hamilton!) The crowds! Ei-yi-yi… So, I totally empathize with your feelings about the City. Makes coming home (also VT) soooo sweet.
Any time I cobble together a portion of lyric that I'm finally certain refines the thought in mind or heart. Finally conveys. Personal record is four years... It was exhausting and always niggling to scrawl on legal pads, and consult thesaurus. Fun too... It was a matter of perhaps 12 words but one day the combo tumblers clunked to place and there finally before me was what I was attempting to babble all those 4 years!
But as I knew my bliss was to forever be in solitude and no one would likely ever hear it in any produced music form. I woulda liked to just have a cup of coffee and conversation with my dear departed best pal Pete Wine at our fave coffee spot, in a Nordstroms in Fashion Valley shopping mall. Spring it on him with a "whattaya think?"
We drank endless coffee there, brainstorming movie concepts and art in general. The final time was autumn 1985. Ever since, still I feel I'm never sitting alone while having my cup of Joe.
Not in the budget to subscribe,at least not while still in the grip of the holidays.I WILL be purchasing the upcoming book,though,and vowing to see you play when you get out Austin way again.Cheers on the new LP,too.Happy holidays while I'm at it...
Neko with pens in her hair is a catchy hook, reflecting on last Tuesday we crazy packed and moved out of our house of 30 years and it was so exhausting we didn't really get to say goodbye. I ground myself aware of the privilege of having a new home and some food in the pantry.
I have lost my compass of celebration because I quit drinking and every part of my life was an excuse to drink.
The challenge is to put aside human time and sit in our old/new house listening to birdsong to the birds in our wonderful cottage garden.
I wish you and your pens could see it Neko it is not Times Square.
Well if you haven't heard it enough from others yet today, then CONGRATULATIONS! For finishing the new record, for writing a book, for working so much for the benefit of all of US (fans eager to hear the new record/read your book)! We appreciate you and all the creative energy you pour into us, and also wish you time to celebrate sometime this month too. xo
As for me, I did my first ever live improv show last weekend which I was terribly nervous for and then suddenly not nervous at all and had so much fun. Proud I did it! woo!
Ink scribbles on the pillowcase from pens stuck in your hair when you fall into bed -- what an evocative image. You're making art even in your sleep, even in the midst of the city, the chill, the exhaustion.
Ooof, Vermont to NYC is a big change. Glad you're there making new stuff!!
I've had a doozy of a year--a sudden change that brought me and my nomadic ways to an abrupt and unwelcome halt in the form of a painful autoimmune disease was the catalyst. So I'm learning to throw myself small celebrations for accomplishments that have less to do with driving solo through vast empty country to find new vistas, climbing new ridge lines, and communing with wildlife and more to do with breathing deeply, accepting, pivoting, and seeing this as a new season that also has much to offer me. Thank you for asking. It's a good reminder that celebration is an important part of whatever we're doing.
You asked about celebrating small victories. I'm learning to do that. I took my elderly cat to the vet yesterday for a blood draw, and we both made it home - me without a panic attack! I congratulated us both. I am in my third year of recovery from PTSD and alcoholism; I worked in theatre and dance for 30 years, going from one production to the next, never acknowledging my hard work. Yes, pause, however briefly, and tell yourself, "Good job!"
I managed the washing up today. ❤️
Congratulations! Increasingly I feel like my job in the world is to help others feel good about what they make even though I don’t do it enough myself. One thing that always helps is to make things with friends so they force you to celebrate. You deserve all of the celebrations for being a committed and interesting artist when it is so hard to do so. We all hope you can enjoy your accomplishments soon.
I wish I COULD upgrade — but folk living on a meagre Substack income and a Canadian old age pension, don't have a lot of room to upgrade for the dozen-odd Substack writers I'd LOVE to follow fully. But I PROMISE I'll buy the new record when it (finally) comes out...
When I was a teenager in suburban Long Island, Times Square was where we went to get a $10 fake ID. I haven't lived in NY for 35 years now and haven't had a real reason to go back for 10. Sounds like I'll have a Broadway musical to visit for soon, though!!
Nice!!! Great room. Must have been a great thrill. 👍🏻
I recognized the situational gap between victory and the new "set the world on fire," to steal a phrase from Emmylou Harris' song about two more bottles of wine. Celebrations are left until what made you feel that you have done something that at one point you despaired of the impossibility of the achievement that you let zip by. Odd thought, but Merle Haggard possibly nailed that phenomenon best -- https://youtu.be/temPS0mHCYA?si=NIGUPCAieXN2d3WK
Cities are exhausting. Lewis and I just came back from our anniversary trip to Portugal. We were in Lisbon and Porto. An amazing experience but walking on cobblestones for eight days is an unexpected feat, for the feet. This trip happened over Thanksgiving week. I had mixed feelings about leaving the girls to sort out how they might gather. In the end, it was kind of a relief to be out of the country for this awful holiday. So, perhaps counter to your prompt. I’m kind of happy we missed it. Can’t wait to hear and read all the goodies!
We, too, were just in NYC. (Saw the Rockettes AND Hamilton!) The crowds! Ei-yi-yi… So, I totally empathize with your feelings about the City. Makes coming home (also VT) soooo sweet.
my mind is madening over the fact that ti may not see you play with The new pornographers again? is this so? please respond? jewels faithful fan!
Any time I cobble together a portion of lyric that I'm finally certain refines the thought in mind or heart. Finally conveys. Personal record is four years... It was exhausting and always niggling to scrawl on legal pads, and consult thesaurus. Fun too... It was a matter of perhaps 12 words but one day the combo tumblers clunked to place and there finally before me was what I was attempting to babble all those 4 years!
But as I knew my bliss was to forever be in solitude and no one would likely ever hear it in any produced music form. I woulda liked to just have a cup of coffee and conversation with my dear departed best pal Pete Wine at our fave coffee spot, in a Nordstroms in Fashion Valley shopping mall. Spring it on him with a "whattaya think?"
We drank endless coffee there, brainstorming movie concepts and art in general. The final time was autumn 1985. Ever since, still I feel I'm never sitting alone while having my cup of Joe.
Not in the budget to subscribe,at least not while still in the grip of the holidays.I WILL be purchasing the upcoming book,though,and vowing to see you play when you get out Austin way again.Cheers on the new LP,too.Happy holidays while I'm at it...
Neko with pens in her hair is a catchy hook, reflecting on last Tuesday we crazy packed and moved out of our house of 30 years and it was so exhausting we didn't really get to say goodbye. I ground myself aware of the privilege of having a new home and some food in the pantry.
I have lost my compass of celebration because I quit drinking and every part of my life was an excuse to drink.
The challenge is to put aside human time and sit in our old/new house listening to birdsong to the birds in our wonderful cottage garden.
I wish you and your pens could see it Neko it is not Times Square.
Love your work Neko.
Well if you haven't heard it enough from others yet today, then CONGRATULATIONS! For finishing the new record, for writing a book, for working so much for the benefit of all of US (fans eager to hear the new record/read your book)! We appreciate you and all the creative energy you pour into us, and also wish you time to celebrate sometime this month too. xo
As for me, I did my first ever live improv show last weekend which I was terribly nervous for and then suddenly not nervous at all and had so much fun. Proud I did it! woo!