Thanks to David

This photo comes to us courtesy of David, a fellow blogger with an affinity for random linking. Every week, rain or shine. Thanks Dave!

Without Internet Access...

Can I just say that I've gotten way too dependent on the internet? I haven't had access at home for the past three days (our DSL is broken!) and I am feeling the loss! For example, today I wanted to make cookies for Mary Beth, who's working at Camp Tall Turf this summer, and there is a great double-chocolate-chip recipe on AllRecipes.com. I couldn't get online...so I had to (Oh, the horror!) use a cookbook.

Speaking of "Oh, the horror!", can I just say that there was a little boy at school this year who, whenever something was surprising or wrong, would put his hands on his cheeks and say "Oh, the horror!". I'm not sure where that came from, but it was even funnier because he can't pronounce the "r" sound, so it came out as "Oh, the ho-woe!".

Anyway. Digression over.

Back to the topic at hand. I love the internet. So many things at my fingertips. I"m at school now, checking email for the first time in a while, and have a) gotten an email from a friend in Iowa, b) paid two credit card bills and my phone bill, c) checked the weather forecast for tomorrow's trip to the beach, d) gotten updated on the Detroit Tigers, and e) written this post on my blog. And that's just the beginning, folks.

On the Outs

After watching this movie at Film Forum last night, and seeing the story take place minutes away from my neighborhood...I'm just blown away. I'm not going to try to write about it right now...but I'd recommend this to anyone--living in Jersey City or not.

Crooked Still

Crooked Still was probably the band I'll listen to most often as an after-effect of going to Falconridge. I saw them there twice--on a workshop stage (several bands trading songs and jamming together informally), and then on the mainstage, and they're awesome.

The cellist (Rushad Eggleston) is an absolute maniac. He's so fun to watch, and has a quirky sense of humor that definitely contributes to his stage presence. The lead singer (Aoife O'Donovan) still needs to work on her presence a bit, in my opinion, but probably that will come with experience. I bought the CD (as did Meg and Gayle and hopefully many others at the festival) and am currently listening to it. It's also available for download on iTunes...

Many good tracks on this album, but my favorite so far: Orphan Girl (an EmmyLou song...I actually like CS's version better than EmmyLou's!)

They're playing in NYC next week at Joe's Pub...I might try to go, although my family will be in town then.

The Boston Herald reports that "Crooked Still manages to amp up its ancient American tunes in unplugged yet groove-crazed ways. Melody lines and rhythms crossbreed and shift focus. An expressive sense of dark, wild life ensues. Unlike most bluegrass, the bravura playing deepens the mood.

"Eggleston's churning [cello] rhythms and dark tensions meld wonderfully with Gregory Liszt's bravura banjo playing and Corey DiMario's expressive bass."

*I did not take this picture. I nicked it from CS's website.

Falcon Ridge

Meg, Gayle, and I just got back from the Falcon Ridge Folk Music Festival...which turned out to be a great time. Pictures to come soon...

But while the pictures are developed (yes, I reverted to the arcane 35mm technology) I wanted to share some new bands that I encountered there.

Amanina Grace and more

amanina
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

After returning from Michigan, my days have been filled with all of the things that I never had a chance to do during the school year...and now have been able to take the time to do.

For example, today, I baked chocolate cookies (some for the Sheetzeses (a family in our neighborhood community), some for the Narramores, some for Rick), then visited the very new (1 week old) and very beautiful and very alert Amanina Grace Sheetz and family (proud sister Coriella, proud brother Phillip, as well as Thane and Cathy, the proud Papa and Mama).

After that, I dropped off several bags of excess stuff at the Goodwill. I sorted through three months of bills (thank goodness for MyCheckFree...I don't have to worry about paying bills on time by my own volition!)...then began to prepare potatoes for this Sunday's breakfast at my church.

Most of the afternoon was spent at the Liu's house, babysitting for Isaiah. (He napped the whole time, so I got to get caught up on my reading of the New Yorker, Real Simple, and Calvin and Hobbes!)

However, when I got back, I finished the potatoes, and went to the backyard to spend some time watching the Narrakids in the wading pool. Thomas and I spent several minutes observing a tiny spider weaving a web...and now here I am, typing this blog, contemplating my supper plans.

Yes, my life is terribly exciting.