Thursday, September 9, 2010

jazz and beer

There is something about vocal jazz I just adore.  I am always in the mood for it.  Part of the reason, I think, is that my musical ear is normally quite bored and just soaks up the refreshing sounds of jazz and the variety of instrumentation.

I have, over the last few years, realized that I am constantly dissecting tidbits of musical information in my subconscious.  Sometimes I will suddenly realize what I have known all along -- what key a song is in, what the musical chord pattern is, or most of the time, both.  My awareness of this occurring on a daily basis is usually minimal, but occasionally I will acknowledge this activity going on in the background of my mind and smile.  I never know what to do with this information, but at the very least, I am reassured of my musical brilliancy.

However, I think this talent has been dulled a bit by the radio.  Pop music is, after all, the most predictable and most boring of all genres of music...save for country.  Bleh.  It's so unchallenging, I'm sure my mind has been going crazy with boredom.  (I think this explains why rap irritates me.  Now don't get me wrong--I do have an appreciation for talented rappers and their art, but the lack of musical diversity in the "music" part of their songs is nearly insufferable.)

So...jazz.  The unpredictability of jazz is so sexy, yet it still adheres to some type of structure or form.  The good kind still resolves in some way.  Jazz vocalists are so talented, so ridiculously sultry, and I envy their skills with a passion.  Privately, I've tried to pull off a few riffs, but I always end up feeling ridiculous.  I will never be Ella or Billie.  It just won't happen.

Nothing could be better than relaxing to jazz -- accept maybe listening to it with a martini in hand (or beer if you're broke like me).  As I sit on my couch, I can close my eyes and feel like I am dancing or gracefully eating a decadent meal in candlelight.  I can roll down the windows of my car with the stereo turned up and feel like I'm on a beach or twirling in a gorgeous red dress.  Jazz has to be the most sexy and romantic sound in the world.

And speaking of romance, I really enjoy weddings so much more now that I'm married.  I wonder if every woman feels that way.  It's like being the bride all over again but without the stress of the wedding day.  I just can't wait to get home to be adored by my own husband as soon as possible.  (And of course, I know he won't protest.)

Sean and Abbie's wedding was fantastic.  So classy, and so them.  Every wedding should be that way ... casual but classy.

It was a crazy couple of days.  I mean, staying in a two bedroom vacation house with more than ten people for three days is fun for the first couple of hours.  And, of course, it has its moments of hilarity throughout.  But when you are getting 4-5 hours of sleep a night (if you're lucky) and you have 19 hours of being on the road on top of it, it's a bit tiring.  But, so worth it.  I am so in love with all of my family.  My heart feels like overflowing sometimes, and I can't imagine feeling anything less.  I had such an amazing time.  It's good to be back, though, even though normal life isn't quite normal yet.

Now on to the next great adventure ... our home.  Wow, I like how that sounds.