After going days without writing here is my second Gord’s Gold in 15 hours. This is another incredibly happy entry with surprise extra happiness as David Wax Museum joined by Alec Spiegelman just started a pop-up livestream and that’s my soundtrack while writing.
For 20 years the most common element of Wise Madness has been live music. That has been for the most part missing the last 13 months, as has getting together with friends. Most often it’s live music with friends. That happened yesterday. I traveled down south, Brooklyn, to see Our Band do a porch concert and was joined by Carolann & Mark with a surprise appearance by another friend. That’s the teaser, you’ll have to read on to get the details.
Yesterday started not with music, but medicine, I had my Entyvio infusion. I was bad, this one overdue. It was my first time back at the local Montefiore campus since the pandemic started. The Moses campus was reserved for COVID-19 patients. The experience improved since the last time there. I got into and out of the other campus, which involved a long trip, faster than I did in the one that’s a ten-minute walk away. This time I had a much shorter wait, despite the fact that there was a delay because I was overdue; they had to contact my doctor to get him to prescribe it. The nurse who administered it was delightful. Getting infusions is much less stressful than it sounds. It’s basically sitting in a comfy chair. I listened to a podcast and then got a phone call from Katrina. Combined with the walk in beautiful weather it was a fine way to spend a morning.
When I got home I made breakfast, at what is for me a normal time, 12:30, and I always love breakfast. What did I eat? Oh right, sausageeggandcheese on an English muffin. One of the expected elements of Wise Madness is telling My Gentle Readers what I ate. I know what’s important. After breakfast I should have blogged, I planned on blogging, instead I fell asleep. You’d think after being out in the bright sunshine I wouldn’t get sleepy, but I guess I didn’t get enough sleep the night before and I didn’t have my usual nap during my infusion. When I woke up I headed out on my expedition to Ditmas Park. I remembered to bring my camp chair, water bottle, earbuds, and phone charger.
Google maps said I would get there 10 minutes early; that was perfect as that meant I would have time to stop at What’s the Scoop a great ice cream shop half a block from the house concert. Then the D train came late and ran local. I got there 5 minutes late which meant racing to get there. I was setting up my chair as the music started. My closest neighbors were a big, adorable dog and a gaggle of adorable gigs. Dogs and kids are my favorite people. One little girl was obsessed with the mesh cupholder on my chair. Her mother called her away, “That’s not yours honey.” I very much wanted to see, “That’s OK” but I get afraid that parents will misunderstand. I had the same reaction when the dog’s person didn’t let it come over to me. I’ve learned that when you tell people that their reaction is, “but the dog has to learn to not act that way with people.” I so much wanted to pet it. Later I petted another dog and talked to his person. There is nothing better than other people’s dogs and children.
As you can see Our Band is accordionist/pianist Sasha Papernik and guitarist Justin Poindexter. This gig they were joined by a bassist and a guest trombonist. Sorry bassist and trombonists, I don’t know your names. I’m not worried about the trombonist’s feelings, they let things slide. They are right in my sweet spot, conservatory musicians playing Americana, with a broad definition of Americana. There are standards mixed in, and even a Russian folk song that became a hit for Nawlins jazz band. They are also two of the most delightful people, so it’s well worth a trip to Brooklyn to see them. I kept looking out for Carolann and Mark but that was difficult because of my back. At intermission I saw them, got up and joined them. It was exciting seeing them after more than a year. The rush was like that first gulp of water when you are dying of thirst. I was dying of metaphorical thirst. I’m not sure if following a simile with the word metaphorical is a crime against grammar but I’m keeping it. Unfortunately thought they are both fully vaccinated it hasn’t been two weeks yet. That meant no hugs and they were masked. I wasn’t because I was outdoors and I’m still following CDC guidance. They say I don’t need a mask outdoors, so I didn’t wear it.
I feel I’m failing to convey how wonderful everything was. This was the best day ever. Well at least one of them. They had to go back and make dinner for their son and I returned to my chair. A little while later I saw out of the corner of my eye someone walking down the sidewalk that looked familiar. I said, “Erika?” it was. This was pure serendipity. I forgot she lived in the area or I would have invited her too. The best day ever got better. She couldn’t stay, she had groceries with her, but now we are reminded that we have to talk. I’ll remember to ask her to join me next time. Ditmas Park has a thriving Porch Concert scene and I’ll be making the trek down there again. Many of them are under the aegis of Operation Gig. It’s run by Aaron Lisman who lives right across the street. When I was approaching the house, I walked past Aaron’s and saw him on his porch and said, “These look like porch concert people.” It wasn’t the house, but they were the right kind of people. Then I looked across the street and saw the right house. I introduced myself to Aaron after the show as I expect to go to more of these. After the show I got to talk to Sasha and Justin. They have been fully vaccinated. I got my first two hugs since the pandemic started! I have already used a simile and a metaphor; how can I describe it now? I know understatement; it was nice. After hanging out with them I had one last piece of magic left, ice cream of What’s the Scoop. I had two scoops of chocolate chocolate-chip on a cone.
I listened to Met game until the train went underground and kept track of it when I entered stations. When I got off the train I heard the Murph Happy Recap. Bob Murphy was a long time Met broadcaster, right from their first game. He was one of the best there ever was. When the Mets won he’d say, “Here’s the happy recap” and Howie Rose honors that tradition. The Mets have been slumping, but they kept the great day going.
In the past two days I have seen more people I love than in the previous year. A big part of happiness involves focus. I could be thinking of lots of bad things now, in the world, and in my personal life. I’m not. I’m clinically depressed and focus makes all the difference, that, and Prozac 😊. After a great play Howie Rose says, “Put a circle around it.” That’s how you indicate a great play on a scorecard. I’m going to put a circle around yesterday.
Wise Madness 