Lunch with the Ladies...and Gentlemen...

I just got back from a wonderful day out with my friends Krissy and Sara. We went to the Highline Ballroom to see a wonderfully quirky group called "Conspiracy of Beards." They are a 30 Man a cappella choir that sings Leonard Cohen songs. There was a huge Bromance happening on that stage and I loved it! I've had "Chelsea Hotel" stuck in my head all day.

It was a wonderful afternoon. I got supremely silly while drinking a wee glass of Guinness (Sara and I declared that we aren't going to use the word "small" anymore). I was completely obsessed with the fact that my glass was, in reality, plastic and shorter than the Guinness can. It just seemed wrong. In fact, all the glasses were plastic except for the martini style...why do you suppose that is? And why am even wondering? No, I'm not drunk right now...just cheerfully spent after a wonderful day out with the girls.


I ate mini kobe burgers with potato straws and the house ketchup...delicious!


Everyone should have a silly day out now and then...and Spring is the perfect time to indulge a bit. There were new buds on the trees and lots of cute little dogs being walked...then we went clothes shopping. Spring has sprung.


XOXO

P.S. Krissy has blogged about the Beards...Here.

Leonard Cohen is Magic

I went to see Leonard Cohen last night at the Beacon Theatre, and it has put me in a reflective mood. The man sings his words gently, passionately and as if he's praying...even going down on his knees at times. He's 74.

His music and voice saturate my heart in such a pure and uncomplicated way...suffusing me with both mellowness and pensiveness. I am profoundly grateful for all these feelings.

So today I am re-grouping in a way and feeling very thankful for the magic that is Leonard Cohen.

Anthem
by Leonard Cohen

The birds they sang
at the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
has passed away
or what is yet to be.
Ah the wars they will
be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
bought and sold
and bought again
the dove is never free.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

We asked for signs
the signs were sent:
the birth betrayed
the marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
of every government --
signs for all to see.

I can't run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
a thundercloud
and they're going to hear from me.

Ring the bells that still can ring ...

You can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.


And now...like Leonard did last night (before skipping off stage)...I bow to, and thank everyone in my life who has helped me during my journey. I hope, at 74...I'm still skipping :)



*My good friend, Krissy, has written a lovely blog on last night's concert:

http://themisadventuresofmadamek.blogspot.com/2009/02/leonard-cohen-at-beacon-theater.html