beautiful, funny, sad & true

This week is going to be completely crazy. Here’s what’s going on:

Monday: Work (one hour early), then first rehearsal with Steph and the new band members. Hip hop/jazz drummer and upright bass player. Frickin’ amazing, and it takes the band in a completely new and exciting direction.

Tuesday: Work (one hour early), then second rehearsal with the new band members. Came home, did a load of laundry, and practiced the cello while I watched a PBS show about synchronized swimming.

Wednesday: Work (probably an hour early), then leaving at 4:00 to come home, load up the car, and go to the first gig as this new incarnation of Steph’s band. We’re playing at Jimmy Mak’s, a very swanky jazz club, and we’re probably the only rock band who plays there. Oh, and my new glasses should be ready, too. I’ll post a picture as soon as I have a chance.

Thursday: Work, then I’m going to FlutistSusan’s to play cello at another sight-reading/rehearsal evening with her, myself, another cellist, and hopefully a handful of other people.

Friday: Daytime gig in Salem, Oregon with Steph and the band. Driving home, then going to work for a while. Yikes.

Saturday: Driving to Clarkston, Washington with Steph and the band to play the Rockin’ On The River Festival, and we’re driving back to Portland after we’re done with the gig. What? There are four of us; we can split the driving. It’s only four hours each way.

Sunday: Getting up early and going to work, if there’s anything left to do. Then meeting LittleBrother for lunch and a quick visit. After that, I’m packing up the car again and going to a third gig with Steph and the band at a private fund-raiser for autism research.

Monday: Work, then rehearsal with Breanna Paletta and BassistChris for our show in Salem, Oregon on the 28th.

Oh, by the way, I have two other gigs that weekend. I’m playing cello with Sarah Castro in Portland on the 27th, and accordion with Susie Blue in Gleneden Beach, Oregon on the 29th. After that gig, I’m driving to Cannon Beach, Oregon to meet Mom, Stepdad, LittleBrother, SisterInLaw, Niece, and Nephew. After they go to bed, I’m driving back to Portland to go to sleep and start the week of work.

I need to clone myself. Maybe my clone could go to work my job for me, and then I could go do all the gigs, but I have a sneaking suspicion that perhaps I should consider TWO clones.

Here are some pictures of Alyssa’s last night in town, just before she drove off in the opposite direction from the sunset. Thank you, Todd Sabel, for the great pictures!

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.

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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.