I started writing this last night coming home on New Jersey Transit. My computer doesn’t like traveling. I suspect the hard drive is not seated properly. My computer went down while I was writing, and nothing is left of what I wrote. It was the most brilliant work I’ve ever done and would have won the Nobel Prize in literature.
This has been a Shawna Caspi weekend. I saw her Friday at the American Folk Art Museum and Saturday at the Old Franklin Schoolhouse in Metuchen. I have been made aware that people mispronounce the town’s name, it is meh-touch’-en. It was the final show in the Schoolhouse Songwriters Series that Sharon Goldman runs. Metuchen is not exactly convenient for a carless person in the Bronx, but Sharon forced me to go by also putting Budgiedome family member Martin Swinger on the bill. The fourth person in the lineup was Colleen Kattau, who I was not as familiar with. I met her at NERFA and she marched with Carolann, Bev, and company at one of the protests but I had never seen a set by her.
I have therapy on Friday and have to race to get to the museum on time for the first act of the Free Music Fridays series; Shawna was the first act. I told her that I might be late, and she told me that she’d start with a bad song if I wasn’t there. I arrived as she was being introduced by Lara but as usual when rushing there after therapy had to go straight to the bathroom. I missed the start of the first song; it was one of my favorites, The Devil’s Rolling Pin. I’m giving Shawna the benefit of the doubt that she saw me come in so felt she could start with a great song.
I had a seat saved down front by Ellen. She and Shawna had met at NERFA. Shawna keeps becoming friends with my friends without me having to introduce her. We have the same taste in people. It’s how Shawna and I became friends; we met commenting on a mutual friend’s timeline. I never made that connection before but it’s true.
Shawna keeps getting better, especially her songwriting. She has always been a great guitarist and she sings like an angel. I’m thinking about it now but it’s more than the songwriting, it’s her interpretation that keeps improving. Even though old songs sound better. There is so much more to singing than the voice and the technique. Billie Holiday had a one octave range but could express more in that one octave a host of singers with pyrotechnics but lacking in soul. Shawna has soul. Love when I realize things as I write.
After the show we went out for dinner at Big Nick’s. I haven’t been there in ages. I thought they went out of business and I couldn’t even think of the name. Good thing Ellen remembered, and Google remembered where it is. I had a garlic burger! The burger was covered in garlic sauce. It’s pretty much a given that would be great.
We took out time eating but I still had time to go Trader Joe’s which closes at 10 and was only a few blocks away. We parted ways, not very tearful as I knew I’d be seeing them on Saturday. I loved many things about City Island but every time I come home I appreciate living someplace more convenient. I might live at the end of the line but it’s an express line. I get home in less than an hour if I’m in the City. It’s just like living in Briarwood.
On Saturday I made my way back to the City, Shawna gave me a ride to Metuchen. I navigated. Even for me with google maps giving directions, it’s not always easy. Manhattan is complex and New Jersey confusing. When in Jersey your lane can keep disappearing so even if you are staying on the same road you have to be careful. This is the reason that Grover Cleveland was the only president born in NJ. The rest of them couldn’t find there way out of the state.
I thought I’d have time to write when I got to the schoolhouse, but it didn’t work out that way. I did get a few things done on my computer before Paul arrives. I was impressed that Paul drove up to the show from the Philly suburbs, but his drive was no longer than hours. I’m still impressed and was very glad for the company. We ate at a French Restaurant, Café Paris. I saw they had crepes, that was enough for me. I had Galette Paysanne (Ham, egg, potatoes, grated cheese). That’s essentially a buckwheat crepe. For dessert I had . Crepe A La Mousse Au Chocolat – Homemade chocolate mousse, chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream. That was as good as it sounds which is impressive.
Our timing was great, We got back shortly before the music started. It was a songwriters in the round format, Sharon, Shawna, Colleen, then Martin. They were a great mix, no two had a similar style but they fit well together. Now I have to listen to Colleen’s albums. I have no idea which of her songs I loved. It’s tough enough for me to remember the artists I’m familiar with.
I had to rely on Jersey Transit to get me home. Paul drove me to the train station. I could have walked but it was raining and was glad for the ride. It’s New Jersey Transit so pulling into the station only 10 minutes late counts as being early. The worst part was that it was 65°F and wet and I was in a t-shirt. I got home in less than two hours which was great. I have lots to do today, I wish I hadn’t slept through most of the day. I’m still spinning my wheels. I hate being like this. Maybe I’ll be able to get my laundry done. I’m worried the laundry room will be busy on a Sunday. I can use that as an excuse to wait until tomorrow. On the bright side if the rain holds off I will be able to watch the Met/Yankee game on TV. When their closer blows the lead I’ll rant how they traded Familia for two non-prospects.
Wise Madness 