Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?

Subject: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 09:59 AM

This would normally be my AM wake up time with TV news. That's why last year my eyes and soul were wide opoen as 9/11 images poured in, unfiltered. Today.... I don't wanna be there all over again.

I was thinking that relief from it must lie in music, and it occurred to me that I am way behind on offering music for others' relief from the awfulness. So I made a plan to go play tonight in what I expect will be an empty church, and several songs come to mind. I will leave the doors wide open, the sound system on, and the lights on. Maybe someone who needs to be lifted up will happen to pass by. At any rate I often pray as I play so even if it's "just me" there, it will have been a good thing.

Big Mick posted in another thread that he's headed for the hill with is Low D whistle.

For me, I think it's a GREAT day to work on Robin's press kit for Ten Penny Bit. That will entail listening to their tape and just soaking it up, first.

What's your plan, as a musician, today? Or, for later, how did you spend it, and what is it about being a musician that led you to spend it that way?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: InOBU
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 10:23 AM

I am taking Genie to Breakfast, I called mudcat's popular halfwit, then off to Quaker meeting. Larry

Subject: RE: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: Peg
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 10:26 AM

I am on the computer and have NPR on; the sounds are not as bad as the images but now the talk show is on and I may have to turn it off soon.

I will be working on my class preparations for tomorrow, and attending a film screening, (work as usual) and will go to the Singers' Club tonight! And in between have a nice meal somewhere...

Have a peaceful day, all.

Peg

Subject: RE: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: smallpiper
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 10:53 AM

Going to a session tonight and will celebrate life going on in the traditional manner. John

Subject: RE: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 10:59 AM

I'm at home watching something on TV that doesn't have brass bands, flags or VIPs. I'm waiting to hear the report my car, which died last night on the way back from a memorial service. It took 2 phone calls and an hour for the tow truck guys to find it. It was hiding - a bright red Japanese sportscar pretending to be inconspicuous at a Ford dealership. (Here's a map. Here's a flashlight. Find your ass.)

Sorry. I guess the point is that real life stuff, even "a month from now, who'll care?" stuff, tends to be far more important than intellectually significant stuff. I have far too much adrenaline floating around in my blood stream to want to deal with memories of worse things.

Subject: RE: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 11:10 AM

I'll be avoiding the strange and rather perverse hoopla any which way I can fugure out how to do that.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: Bobert
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 11:13 AM

This day is a most difficult day for me as it became very apparent yesterday that my father is is entering his last chapter here on earth. Though diagnosed with cancer two weeks ago he was still mobile and driving himself around. But in the last week he has become less and less mobile and yesterday it took all I had to get him up, dressed and loaded in and out of the car for his daily radiation treatments. I spoke with his doctor yesterday who explained just how sick my father is. Ther doctor told me that he had tried to tell my parents but. hey, I guess they were either not hearing or just couldn't deal with what they were hearing. I had to make my mother understand so that decisions could be made to provide my father with a level of comfort and dignity and this morning, we are getting him into a long term care facility.

His name is Ben Harrisn and is a good man. For those of Faith who, like myself, believe in the power of prayer, I'd ask that you include my father in your prayers this solemn day, that he may find peace.

As for music, I think I'll just go out on my deack, tonight, listen to the music of the trees and the voices on the wind and if inspired play some gentle slide guitar.

Thanks

Bobert

Subject: RE: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: pattyClink
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 11:15 AM

Going downtown to sing at the dedication of a memorial to fallen firefighters. We had a bloody shootout several years ago which claimed several guys.

I'd rather not have maudlin marking of this day, but our group offered services to the firefighters and they were accepted.

So I'm hoping there's some widow out there who will get a little moral support out of todays commemoration of some good lives lost.

Subject: RE: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 11:19 AM

Aw, Bobert. Look for all the unanticipated lovelinesses of this time in the life of a man. Have a long soft hug from me, too, any time.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 12:52 PM

Hi, Bobert: Your posting may be the most meaningful of all. Let's cherish the living, while we memorialize those who have fallen. My wife and I will lift up prayers for you, P-Vine and your Father... lift some up together in D.C. on Saturday if you still can make it.

What am I doing on this day? Just finished mowing the lawn. Grass don't stop growing for anyone. But, my wife and I stopped for a time of prayer coming up to 10:26 a.m.

As for music, I'll probably pull out my banjo today and dust off some old songs for this weekend.

Even in sorrowful times, there is still much to rejoice in.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 01:28 PM

I'm occasionally thinking, I'll be glad when I'm dead, and I won't have to hear anything else about Sept. 11th...

If I do turn the TV on, it's going either on Galaxy's folk music channel, or one of the porn networks, where I can be POSITIVE I'm not gonna get any "Year Ago Today" crap...

Musically, I'm working on cleaning up a couple of songs for an upcoming Christmas Compilation CD recording...

Stay tuned to oddenough.com for further details...

,-)

Subject: RE: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: Wesley S
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 01:31 PM

I'll most likely sing a few songs to my little one before putting him to bed tonight. Hobo's Lullaby for instence. It will be a few years before I have to explain to him what happened. In the meantime I hope he gets a chance to just be a kid. Until then he'll have a steady diet of Teletubbies and Dr Suiess, thank goodness.

Subject: RE: Musicans: How RU Spending 9/11?
From: Kim C
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 01:58 PM

Well, hello Wesley! Ain't seen you about in awhile. How about those Teletubbies?! I caught a glimpse of them while I was channel surfing (a short ride since I don't have cable) - TinkyWinky had found a crown in the pasture, and put it on his head, and proclaimed himself King TinkyWinky. Kinda cute. I see where the little ones really like it.

Tonight, Mister and I are going to the State Fair with a couple of friends. We'll go look at the quilts and the farm animals, then we'll eat cotton candy and caramel apples, and I'll ride the Tilt-a-Whirl till I feel all dizzy. (I usually end up on that one by myself.) I might even see if I can Fool the Guesser - I just turned 35.

Last year, we all went to the Fair on September 12. My friend Samantha remarked that it seemed strange with no planes going over. Several of the acts that were scheduled to appear then obviously didn't make it.

However, I am pleased to say, that Herman's Hermit's, and Paul Revere and the Raiders, will be at THIS year's Tennessee State Fair. But I think I'll have more fun on the Tilt-n-Hurl, I mean, Tilt-a-Whirl. :-)

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 02:13 PM

Hey Kim! I'll ride the Tilt-A-Whirl with ya!

I love that ride!!!

;-)

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: greg stephens
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 02:22 PM

Just back from an Anglo-Kurdish jam-session at the opening of Behjat's exhibition at Hanley ArtGallery. Now listening to the Archers. Thinking of Bobert and P-Vine

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 02:29 PM

I just came back from a performance of Mozart's Requiem (I was in the audience with friends, but a neighbor's daughter was in the chorus) which was part of the worldwide Rolling Requiem. It was beautiful.

The words of Leonard Bernstein quoted in the program and before the performance: "This will be our response to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before."

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 02:37 PM

Playing in a session, after today at school where we held our own quiet time to remember.

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 04:01 PM

Oooh, Becky that's a GOOD one.

~S~

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 04:04 PM

Went to work, shopped around for a new dentist for some bad stuff going on, had a going away barbecue for our summer students. Tonight I will go to the ocean. mg

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 04:12 PM

Bobert, your prayer request has gone out to the PRAYER CHAIN, as we discussed via PM. I sent them your post as above, and indicated that updates would occur here.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Kim C
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 04:54 PM

Wow, Clinton, finally somebody else who likes the ol' Tilt-a-Whirl! That has been my favorite carnival ride since I was a wee lassie. Well, weer than I am now, anyway. The older I get, the less straight I walk after I get off. :-)

And Bobert... I was there just a couple of years ago. My best thoughts to you and everyone.

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 04:59 PM

"The older I get, the less straight I walk after I get off."

I love it when ya talk dirty Kim!!

,-)

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 07:14 PM

Bobert, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I will remember you all in my meditations and when I play my dulcimer there will be a special tune for you and your dad and mom.

Quite by chance my sisters, the twins, came to town today. I took them to lunch, then we went over to the local Unity Church which was participating in the annual World Prayer Day for Peace, which is always held on the 11th, if I remember correctly. They started at 630a and will go until 930a. It is a metaphysical church which welcomes people from all religions.

For the few hours I was there, I participated in an African drumming and dancing circle for an hour. Then we had a Kundalini yoga session with meditation which was wonderful, esp. the closing song; then there was a woman who played flute and recorder with a woman on Celtic harp and THAT was gorgeous, really beautiful, contemplative music, all focussed on peace within and throughout the world.

By then, I needed to rest, so I came home, but they were going to have a guy with guitar, later, along with other musical groups from different cultures. I was sorry to learn that I missed a banjo player and his tribute to world music this morning.

All in all it was quite positive. Those two sisters of mine and I have not always seen eye to eye in the past few years, nor have we lived close enough to visit very often, so it felt like a bit of healing went on between us, too.

One of the things which struck me was a sign mentioning that we have to believe there can be peace in the world because it's pretty hard to work towards something you can't believe in.

Great thread, Susan, thanks.

kat

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: GUEST,emily b
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 07:23 PM

I too attended a Rolling Requiem performance in Houston, Texas. Leading up to today, I wasn't sure how I wanted to or should handle today. I knew I didn't want to go near the TV. This morning, though, I felt I needed to do something in memory of last year. The Rolling Requiem was exactly right. No flags, no goverment, in fact very few spoken words. The Rice University Chorale looking very alive as regular college kids dressed in whatever they chose to put on early in the morning. Not much was somber. The chorus was great. I was so proud of all them for being able to perform given how their emotions were running. At the end, we all stayed so still and quiet, savoring the last hour of getting wrapped up in the music. It was certainly an experience I will cherish.

I too will be happy when all the coverage disappears again. But I'm glad today there was effort around the world to commemorate Sept. 11, 2001, the victims, the survivors and the whole world.

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 07:25 PM

Chopin's Waltz in E was the only thing that touched me today. I heard it on the radio then had to dig it out and play it at home. (I saw all the pencil marks on the music where I had once learned it.)

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: smallpiper
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 07:29 PM

Hey Bobert, thinking of you.

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: GUEST,Walking Eagle
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 08:18 PM

I'm sending good wishes your way Bobert.

I've decided to try and find out why much of the world doesn't seem to like us Americans. Since I work at a university library, I have an opportunity to do some reading. We also have many foreign students working with us, so maybe it is time to ask questions.

I'll play a few tunes and just reflect. Terry Gross did a very good job on her NPR Fresh Air show. She interviewed an African American poet who seemed to express my ambivilence about this day. She also had some singer song writers on.

W.E.

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 08:21 PM

I was feeling bad about the car. They still have it, and it may take a big pile of money to fix.

The wind's been fierce all day. The power went out about 5 PM. I was puttering around the house and heard a loud crack. I looked out a window and saw the top of a tall pine tree across the street falling through the branches. Went over to talk to that neighbor. Another neighbor said he'd seen the top of a tree 50' or more back in the woods break off and fly until it hit the tree I saw it tearing branches from. I eventually came home again and puttered some more.

In the basement, I found The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson. I didn't even know I had it, but it was sitting on top of a box. I brought it upstairs and decided to read the poetry. I WAS looking for something appropriate for the day. Flipping pages, I found a 1958 church bulletin stuck in, and read the pages it marked.

Music

Let me go where'er I will,
I hear a sky-born music still:
It sounds from all things old,
It sounds from all things young,
From all that's fair, from all that's foul.
Peals out a cheerful song.

It is not only in the rose,
It is not only in the bird,
Not only where the rainbow glows,
Nor in the song of woman heard,
But in the darkest, meanest things
There alway, alway something sings.

'T is not in the high stars alone,
Nor in the cup of budding flowers,
Nor in the redbreast's mellow tone,
Nor in the bow that smiles in showers,
But in the mud and scum of things
There alway, alway something sings.

The cancellation stamp on the church bulletin was for The Heart Fund. Their slogan was "New Hope for Hearts."

Here's to perserverance, and here's to the hope that keeps us going...

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Amergin
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 08:25 PM

am lighting three candles...

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 10:10 PM

Woah, Jeri!

What a screwed-up day it was. My elbow and hand tendonitis were SO BAD by evening, I decided not to go play at that church, telling myself the meeting with a local coffeehouse organizer had been enough for one day.

All of a sudden I wanted to go. And I know that playing numbs it out till I stop, so what the heck. So it was gospel pieces I am too nervous to do with the people, because they are SO personal and SO bluegrass/Louvinesque.... after a few rousing things like Long, Long Ago and Down in the Valley and All the Pretty Little Horses. Sang my ASS off, what a great time! Some kids weree playing outside and listening through the open door. Coming home there was a HUGE crescent moon just coasting on the hilltops, I mean HUGE.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Mudlark
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 11:19 PM

Susan...just came home with that same moon myself. I spent the day visiting Mudcatters Bev and Jerry for the first time...we talked a lot, played a lot of good music. It was a good day.

I have totally avoided all media for the last week. I cannot bear the circus that is being made of this, in the name of meaningful pomp and circumstance. But I held a good thought for the whole world in hopes of nothing too bad happening today, not just here but anywhere.

Bobert...I'm not a praying type person, but I've lost both my parents and know how hard it was for my mom when my dead went. You will have my thoughts.

Kat...in regard to believing in peace...there is an old saying, something to the effect that you don't get what you want, you get what you believe. Peace is something we can all hope for and work at...and ultimately, believe in.

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 11:34 PM

Remember the story someone posted in some thread, maybe it was Auxiris, about the wolf who wins is the one you feed? It is about the two wolves inside us all, and how they battle each other. Anyway the one who wins is the one we feed-- either the good wolf or the bad wolf.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 11:34 PM

Well, nothing as, uh, exciting as Clinton Hammond's day, but I spent most of it working, while avoiding cheesy-ass "remembrance" coverage. I took some time off to eat a shawarma sandwich and some hummus with my roomate and her slave, and attempted to watch a Seinfeld re-run (no luck). Now, I'm sitting around, typing, and listening to Mary Timony. Rock and roll.

Oh, yeah: And I played my Jew's harps for a while this morning, making me a musician, in a sad way.

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Peg
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 11:54 PM

I did not make it to the Singers' Club after all; had a lot of reading to do for my classes tomorrow and knew it would be a late night...provided anyone else showed up (they didn't last time I went).

I hope to start going more this fall and winter; I am reminded by this thread of how important and life-affirming musical gatherings can be!

peg

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Sep 02 - 03:37 AM

Tonight I went to music; each week Wednesday six of us get together for three hours. Good stuff, good harmonies. Tonight I learned a gospel song that I somehow missed learning along the way, Where the Roses Never Fade". I'm going down to Oregon for a few weeks and I'll teach it to my family.

It was more muted and reflective tonight, I think, plus the fiddler played Spring Creek, a tune that deserves a more descriptive name than that. It's somber and all-encompassing and off in the distance you can hear the funeral drums...

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: Willie-O
Date: 12 Sep 02 - 09:33 AM

Nothing special really. Went to school, got held up in traffic so I did hear the 8:46 a.m. minute of silence--broadcast on the radio it was, an odd concept but it was really "ambient silence", quite emotionally charged. Spent the day in the technical writing program I am enrolled in, then went for 2 pints with classmates. Got home and got grumped at by Nearest and Dearest for being later than expected due to unplanned pints. Agreed from now on I will make supper on Wednesdays, and the kids will do it Tuesday and Thursday, what a great plan.

Tried to tune an autoharp someone gave me for my birthday. Acquired appreciation for the art of autoharp tuning, and figured out how to do it when I have half a day to spare. (ha). That was the closest I got to playing any music.

I heard a lot on the radio, some of the CBC "Loss and Legacy" special, but only when in the truck.

Watched Buffy. A rerun, fortunately, cause I am disturbed by the newly vengeful Willow and her black lipstick. I like the old Willow. Gosh, a metaphor for something?

Bobert, sorry to hear of your troubles.

Willie-O

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 12 Sep 02 - 10:27 AM

since the introduction of the Euro there is no way one can spend 9/11

Subject: RE: Musicians: How Are You Spending 9/11?
From: JedMarum
Date: 12 Sep 02 - 08:29 PM

I did my best to avoid the network crap (although PBS has some surprisingly good and tasetful pieces over the last few days; including a comment from a 911 widow who said, "How will I mark the anniversary? I don't need the anniversay other people need the anniversary. I live with 911 every day."

I did take my thoughts and sat on the banks of the quiet lake ... watched a few hawks and the odd fisherman or two ... let the sun bake my ankles while the cliff behind me offered precious little shade ... a few tourists wandered by ... I bought a cheesburger from the local bait shop and returned ... the fries were pretty good, but the fish probably enjoye 'em more then me.