beautiful, funny, sad & true

Alyssa, my great friend and ‘partner in crime’ is moving tonight. She’s going to Cincinnati for an internship as part of her doctorate program, and at the same time, she and Luke are moving there together. You remember Luke; he’s the guy she met while he was living in New Zealand. It’s a great story, and you can read all about it here.

These last couple of years have been tumultuous and eventful for both of us, and we’ve really seen each other through some tough times. She’s really great, and Portland isn’t going to be the same without her.

The good news is that now I’ll have a cool new city to go explore and hang out in with my friends Alyssa and Luke. And where I once had just one friend, now I’ll have two.

But there’s certainly going to be an Alyssa-shaped hole in the universe now.

You’ll be glad to know that Two is alive and well. Got out of the hospital after a couple of days, and that’s about all I know at this point. Staying with family for the time being. Recuperating and seems to be in good spirits, but please continue to send all your good thoughts her way.

One: You doing okay?

Two: No, I just ate an entire batch of cookies.

One: I really wish you wouldn’t do that. Makes me feel sad, and sad for you.

Two: I think I may need to go to the hospital. I’m not safe. Just drank H2O2 to try to induce vomit. Not working. Don’t know what else to do.

One: What’s H2O2? Jesus. Call 911. Seriously. You’re gonna do permanent damage to yourself.

Two: Hydrogen peroxide.

One: Jesus Christ. Do you want me to take you to [Hospital Name] or something? I’m not fucking around, and I’m not gonna sit here and watch you destroy yourself.

Two: I don’t want you to see me. I’m disgusting.

One: I’d rather see you alive. Want me to e-mail your mom or aunt then?

Two: No, I don’t want them to know. I’m ashamed. I’m sorry I told you. You shouldn’t be burdened with this.

One: Obviously you don’t want them to know. But either you contact them or I will.
(30-second pause)
E-mailing your mom and aunt now.

Two: No, they’ll freak out!

One: They should! This is serious. I told you I wasn’t fucking around. It’s cause we all care about you so much.
(30-second pause)
E-mail sent. If you’d prefer, I can take you to [Hospital Name].

Two: (two minute pause) I’m going to [Hospital Name].

One: Really? Good. Maybe they’ll take you seriously this time. You going right now? I just sent another e-mail saying that you’re going there.

Two: (eight minute pause) Yes, I’m here.

One: Good for you; I’m glad you did. That’s very brave. I have my phone on if you need anything.

* * * * *

p.s. – It wasn’t easy to post this. I only did because I didn’t want to be the only one who knew about it.

Yesterday I scored big time at the record store. I originally went there because I somehow lost my copy of “Neon Golden” by The Notwist. Well, they had it, and for only six dollars. So I scrounged throught the DVD’s, and came across the second season of Da Ali G Show. I already have the first season, so I grabbed that too.

I also found the special edition of This is Spinal Tap, not for myself–I’ve seen it a zillion times–but for Stephanie and her long-time guy Tony, who have both been professional musicians forever, and who have both somehow gone their whole lives without ever seeing the movie. So I told Steph that was unacceptable, and that I was going to get them the DVD as a housewarming present.

But the ultimate score was the soundtrack CD to Goodbye Lenin, by Yann Tiersen. Surprisingly difficult to find, I’d been looking for it for ages, but somehow it turned up yesterday. Yay! I think I have all of Yann Tiersen’s recordings now.

Yeah, I’d say it was a successful trip.

After months of hard work, I have two new songs to share with you. Turn up your speakers, click on the links, and enjoy.

The first is one you’ve seen me mention here in my blog before. It’s by Crystin Byrd, and it’s called “Blue Angel,” from the upcoming independent film of the same name. She wrote the song, sang, and played acoustic guitar, her cellist Scott Allen played the cello parts (that I wrote), and I played drums, bass, electric guitar, and keyboards. The weird sound effects that show up occasionally were all done with electric guitar pedals. Believe it or not, we recorded it entirely in her basement.

The second is by the Young Immortals, and it’s called “The Fever.” It’s not the same version that’s on the Starbucks CD, which is me and Jake playing everything. This version is from the band’s album “When History Meets Fiction,” which just came out on Wednesday. On this song, I played piano, organ, keyboards, and the electric guitar solo.

I hope you enjoy these songs. I’m glad to finally be able to share them with you.