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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 19, 2006 21:54:42 GMT -5
Hello Tim, I don't have a garden or a car. I live in a small apartment, but I love my home. Ming
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 19, 2006 22:48:08 GMT -5
Hi Rick - thanks for that bit of information....a gardner, eh? I want one of those some day. Then He/she can do all the backbreaking stuff, and I can just tell them what it is I want planted where. I always think of that Peter Sellers movie when I think of a Gardner - can't think of the name of the movie, but it starred he and Shirley McLane (however you properly spell that), and his name was Chance....he was a bit "slow", and he was mistaken for someone else - he ended up being called Chauncy Gardner (Chance the Gardner). It was a great, very touching movie. Anyway - Rick and Ming, that's JUST the kind of thing I was hoping to learn about you - so Ming, you live in an apartment. Very cool. I remember when I was younger living in an apartment too - no lawn, and no car. I find it interesting how our lives change sometimes. I never thought I'd even enjoy working outside,but it's become a sort of "refuge" for me....takes away my stress - as does making music. It was a good feeling today to come home and find my yard looking so nice....one of the things I really enjoy. Like you love your aparement, Ming. Isn't it great that we do like where we live and how our lives are going? Thanks for your responses. I wish you all the best from here in my corner, Tim
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Jun 20, 2006 10:56:43 GMT -5
Hi Tim, I think the movie you are referring to is "Being There." For those who haven't seen the movie, its premise is that the protagonist, Chauncey Gardiner, has the simple mentality of someone who has lived all his life through television, the "idiot box." He is a mild-mannered gardener who spouts seemingly obvious and innocent statements which people around him interpret as profound truths. Through a series of escalating happenstances, he becomes the president of the U.S., but the risks of being exposed for what he is and his potential downfall abound. (It was a surreal Henri Magritte moment at the end when Chance walks on water!) This sweet, subversive movie is wonderful political satire.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 20, 2006 11:08:47 GMT -5
Thanks Dreams....yes, this is IT! It's a beautiful movie - and I love it. Being There - rent it if you get the chance. I'd forgotten the ending where he eventually becomes president - and yes, the whole premise of the movie is that he makes these profound statements, based on things he's seen on a commercial, or some other TV show. Great story. I love your explanation of it - you capsulize things so well!!! Thanks my friend. I wish you all the best from here in my corner, Tim
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Jun 20, 2006 11:48:19 GMT -5
...What about Leo and GoodOld Dreams - Ming, O.E. - are there yards to maintain? ... Hi Tim, Yes, I DO have yards to maintain — and I enjoy every minute of it! In fact, my love of gardening and watching things miraculously growing and changing throughout the seasons started when I was a kid, which led to my first college degree in Plant Science. When I moved into the house I currently live in, one of the first projects was busting up the concrete in the front and backyards and putting in some plants I moved in pots from my last apartment. Inspired by the rustic cottage gardens of England and Italy, my yards are now well-established and are a great refuge for me to relax in as I listen to music and enjoy the wonders of nature in my little corner of earth. Tim, it's great that you have discovered your "green thumb"!
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Post by ps11932 on Jun 20, 2006 16:37:24 GMT -5
Tim, Thanks for generating these good discussions. Like Ming, I haven't owned a car for a long time now- one advantage of an urban area is being able to get by with bus and bicycle- plus I just love walking whenever and wherever I can- both recreationally and for transportation. We don't own a house either, so no yard. (Majority of my vocational career was overseeing facilities upkeep, so I guess I got a fill of indoor & outdoor maintenance on the job.) If I might make one brief observation, you mentioned how you listen and help people with their problems, Dave is skillful at fixing things, etc.- It sure seems like one of the common roots of this site is that everyone has a sincere care for helping and inspiring others (example- the young girl who got a thrill from hearing Dave's motorcycle.) Thanks for all the examples of service to people.
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Post by Rick Henry on Jun 20, 2006 21:51:43 GMT -5
Many things to comment on again. So where do I start... Hi Tim, I think the movie you are referring to is "Being There." For those who haven't seen the movie, its premise is that the protagonist, Chauncey Gardiner, has the simple mentality of someone who has lived all his life through television, the "idiot box." He is a mild-mannered gardener who spouts seemingly obvious and innocent statements which people around him interpret as profound truths. Through a series of escalating happenstances, he becomes the president of the U.S., but the risks of being exposed for what he is and his potential downfall abound. (It was a surreal Henri Magritte moment at the end when Chance walks on water!) This sweet, subversive movie is wonderful political satire. I vaguely remember seeing this movie when I was a young kid. I don't remember much about the story line, but definitely remember the name Chauncey Gardiner. I will have to rent it and watch it again. my yards are now well-established and are a great refuge for me to relax in as I listen to music and enjoy the wonders of nature in my little corner of earth. I will usually recline in my chaise lounge beneath the shade of a tree.
I also get outdoors when I do my two mile power walk - that's very relaxing for me.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jun 27, 2006 16:35:39 GMT -5
Hey All You Carpenters Music Lovers: Can you believe another week already? And, we're well into it so far. Tuesday, late in the day, and I just had to "muse" a bit about the past week and everything that it held. Miss me? I've been to Chicago - yup, took the puppy (Scruffy) by my daughter/son-in-law's in St. Louis on our way up to see our son Jon. What a great weekend that was. It went by quickly in some respects, and the pace was leisurely in other respects. Having been to Chicago many times before, I saw it through different eyes this time. Things seem much different when you're going to visit "someone" especially if you know that "someone" as well as I know Jon. But we were excited to see Jon in this new "element" if you will. My wife and I have always had someone to visit in Chicago, as one of our good friends is one of the Curators at the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) there. She has been there for many, many years - and though we got to see her as well, it was just different, seemingly seeing Chicago through Jon's eyes. It was a treat. I just have to tell you this story - it's a proud parent moment story....We had prearranged with Jon where we were going to meet once we arrived. His building is across from Daley Plaza, and he told us which coffee shop he'd be waiting in. There he was, in the window of this coffee shop, all "dressed-up" for his M-F gig (Jon is strictly a tee-shirt/jeans kind-o-guy, so this outfit was highly unusual. NO EARRINGS, either). That floored me. But, I digress - so here he was all spit N' polished, sipping a latte and waiting for us, but not really watching for us - he was, obviously, just enjoying being in the city. He was watching the people go by outside, with a smile on his face that I don't think he even realized he was wearing - and seemed very relaxed, and this at the end of the day. Watching all those folks hustling and bustling by, well, it just made me proud to be this young man's father - here he is, working two jobs, in order to do what it is he really loves doing - making music in one form or another. He had to make sacrifices to do it, but he's never complained about them. He lives in a very small place, but it's okay with him. And he's happy. I got all puffed-up and proud....it was a great moment. We went for some Chicago stuffed pizza - great stuff, no pun intended - then after a walk through a concert in one park, we began walking up then down Michigan Ave. I love the part of the city where there are several bridges and you can see the tall buildings on one side, and the other side, and the lake is in the middle. Very, very cool. (it's the shot you see in the movies when they shoot in Chicago).... At any rate....it was a wonderful, and even quite cool evening there in Chicago - I believe the temperature was about 57 degrees. And being as it's the Windy City, it got kind of cold being out only in short sleeves. The next day we got to visit with our friend, and ate at a restaurant in Wicker Park called Toast. O.E. - you live in Chicago, right? If you want a great breakfast out sometime, and you haven't visited Toast yet, give it a try. It's just off North Ave. about 500 miles, (I mean a few blocks)....Chicago and New York - two places where one must walk, and walk, and walk, and...... It was a nice visit, and I saw the house where they filmed the Chicago Real World. It's a Fitness Center on North Avenue. It's always BEEN a Fitness Center, even as they taped The Real World there - and it absolutely does not even resemble what we watched as viewers on TV. Yes, I watched the San Francisco episode of TRW, the New Orleans episode, and the Chicago episode, as I enjoyed seeing any landmarks they might traverse that I'd been to myself. I like watching movies made in places I've been, too, with one I especially enjoy - Under The Tuscan Sun. I hope to get back to Tuscany someday very, very soon. Throughout the weekend, I contemplated what I would write in Tim's Corner about this adventure. I did think of you all - and wondered who had been to Chicago, etc. I saw a banner for the Joffrey Ballet while walking down Michigan Ave. and wondered if they were still using Palma's music?! I saw a huge record store and thought about Enigma and Rick, and as I was riding the L - (elevated train) I wondered if Dave could please have a word with the CTA and tell them the ride needs to get smoothed out a bit. Man.... We got the nickel tour at Electrical Recording Studios. Nice. Jon is definitely in his element there. He worked this weekend, of course, so while he was there, we went for a little sneak peak. We got to meet the owner, Steve Albini - I believe he's pretty famous for having recorded Nirvana at one point in time. Jon thinks very highly of everyone there at Electrical, and I can see why. It's a great studio - and we got to see the collection of microphones that dates back to who knows when. Those old timey microphones like they used to use on the radio, where they'd cup one hand over one ear and talk into them - both the rounded kind (like on Larry King Live) and the square kind. I couldn't begin to tell you what they're really called, but it was very, very cool to see all this equipment. I even got to play one of the baby grand pianos in Studio B. I thought that was pretty cool - and then I spotted a Wurlitzer over in one corner, that WAS JUST LIKE RICHARD CARPENTER USED TO PLAY ON when Carpenters first began. We were in the middle of someone's session - they were breaking, so we got to see Studio A, and I spotted this keyboard. Went over and played it, too. Jon noticed and asked me about it later. I told him the fascination I had with it, and the connection to music I "used" to listen to.....ha! We'd been invited to an actual "garden party" Saturday evening there in Wicker Park. It was at the home of another artist. My, oh my - the things I learned there. It was a rather interesting evening, to put it mildly. Put 50 artists in one place, with plenty of wine flowing, and great food, and it's pretty amazing the things one can learn if they only listen.....and listen, I did. There were plenty of conversations to join in on, as well, but the listening part was way more fun! My wife stayed in St. Louis - I picked up the dog and drove back home. It was a VERY long day on Sunday. But, that trip was worth it. I'm so proud of my son. Many of you are sons and daughters of fathers just like me who are so proud of whatever it is you have done in your lives. Stop and think about that. When I realize what Jon went through to get where he is - and he's just starting his career, well, it really did make me proud of him. I didn't think of myself as being especially adventurous, until I stopped to think that I did a lot of the same type of thing - I left home just after high school and went on the road with a 3 piece jazz trio and a lead singer. We drove the countryside in a car, week after long week, for a year or so. It certainly was an adventure. I never knew I wanted to work in HR until I started back to school after that year. I thought I wanted to be a musician - and though I really did - I knew I'd never make a living at it being a school teacher. I hated teaching private lessons - tried it and hated it. So, I was happy that the HR thing came along. I bet you all have similar things that have happened to you, as well. I'd love to hear about some of them. I suppose I'm done rambling for now - here I am, back at home (thank God), trying to catch-up from just being gone a few days....that really is telling, let me assure you. It's amazing what all needs to be "caught up on" when one returns home from being gone, even for a short time, yes? I hope this week has been good to you so far, my Carpenters family. I've thought about many of you, and wondered how things were going in your lives - Ming how are things in Hong Kong? Leo and Carps 1000, what about the UK - keeping it in shape, I suppose? Leo I know got a sun tan this week doing some outside work....what about your music - making any??? Dreams, how are things in my other favorite city, San Francisco? I'm looking at a picture of Seal Rocks that is hanging on my wall, even as I write. Ah yes, the city by the bay.....things going okay there? Enigma, what about you and Canada? Katt, Mary Ann - what's going on in your worlds? Palm, did you get your submission done and sent off? Holding crossed-fingers for that one. Rick - I love my corner. Thanks for providing it. I love hearing your thoughts, everyone - ramble away as I do - it's fun, and it's therapeutic, too. Until next week, I wish you ALL the best from here in my corner, Tim
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Post by Ming on Jun 29, 2006 10:30:01 GMT -5
Hello Tim,
I am doing fine in Hong Kong. Thank you. But it is very hot recently. Somtimes it is 34 °C (93.2 °F)!
Ming
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Post by smoothie2 on Jul 2, 2006 0:03:40 GMT -5
;Dhi Tim ..glad you're back safe and sound....I love reading about your trip to Chicago. and what a wonderful thing to have such a son to be proud of. Thought I might be taking a trip down south to be w/ my sister, but other plans kicked in for her. May still go down south to see my brother and his new house, but it's not finished being built quite yet. Did you fly to Chicago? I've never been up your way. ............................................................. I've not seen the movie mentioned "Being There"..sounds interesting. .....GARDEN>>>well, we have or rather mom has, a big back yard, She loves working there. Flower garden...many roses, cannas, but our 2 fruit trees (apricot) produced very little, We have a yard guy though who does the hard stuff, mows, cleans up, etc.... and THANK THE GOOD LORD AMEN for that... We live in a house, actually my parents house. ....Living in an apt. is easier, no garden or grass to worry with. I lived in 2 different apts. in my lifetime. 2 yrs. in one that had a pool. 15 in a duplex apt. .......well, guess I better check in now...or out that is....
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Post by ps11932 on Jul 2, 2006 14:01:18 GMT -5
Tim, Great to hear about your time with your son and the trip to Chicago. Thanks for the restaurant reference- no, I've not heard of it, and will have to check it out. Though I've lived in this big city a long time I guess I'm still country at heart and was in fact, hiking (among other things) in southern Indiana when you were here. Always look forward to everyone's interaction generated by your wiritngs. Thanks! O.E.
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Dave
Ultra Emissary
"sleeping in the arms of the cosmos..."
Posts: 1,515
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Post by Dave on Jul 2, 2006 20:48:18 GMT -5
I was out there a few weeks ago, Tim. I had to go to a plant in Morris, IL, just west of the I-55/I-80 junction. I had a Blues Brothers CD with me, because there's nothing like cruising I-55 blasting "Sweet Home Chicago" on the rented car's system. They gave me a "full-size" car, which today means a Hyundai Sonata. I'd have rather been riding my Sportster...
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jul 2, 2006 21:12:23 GMT -5
Hello Everyone Yet, another week has passed. It's once again Sunday evening. Today has been a sort of odd day, if you will, for me. I was all pumped up this morning, because I did a song from The Broken Cup that is really not an easy song to sing - very wide range...it's called "The God Who Loves Me." O.E. and Rick, I know you're both familiar with it. Actually, I think the sequencing went okay, and the solo came off okay this morning - at least, the congregation seemed to love it. I'm thinking I need to get a weekend gig somewhere. I'm just not singing enough. I was discussing this with Palm the other day - I need to be singing more because I just enjoy it....like in a coffee joint (I played in a juice and java cafe most recently on a very expensive electric grand piano - the owner had purchased it - coupled with my two sequencers, it was sweeeeeeettttt, believe me). I could and did do a lot of Joel/Carpenters/and lots of those old standards on that keyboard (weighted keys), etc....it was just nice. Need to find me some rich old dude who owns a nightclub and just wants someone to come in and entertain a couple nights a week. Okay, enough of that.....I now have a myspace page, too. Never thought that would happen. I haven't done much with it, but the ODDEST THING HAPPENED TODAY, and it was kind of one of those things that I just can't wrap my mind around, yet. I don't know how, but I connected with Billy Joel. At least, it said it was Billy Joel. Had Billy's picture there - had his name, had several clips of music, and he was online. It was filled out with lots of stuff about Billy, but of course, anyone could have done that. I can't know whether or not it really was Billy.....but... I emailed him, since he was online. He immediately emailed back. I told him I bet he was proud of Alexa Ray - bursting at the seams, as any parent would be. He replied that I'd hit the nail on the head, and that he was very proud of her. He thanked me for my "kind words" about his music, as I'd raved about 12 GARDENS. He was nice, his message short, but he signed his name -Billy Joel, and told me to write any time. He thanked me for my "kind words." Later in the day, he was still online, so I emailed him again to invite him to my myspace page (since it's mainly complimenting HIM, anyway), and told him I hoped I wasn't "bothering" him, but that the night we'd met in KC, I'd forgot to say "thanks" for having been such a generous and gracious person to have had us backstage, and for all the years of music he'd given us, well, ME - and how his music touched me in lots of ways, to this day. I also asked him if he was going to be touring any more in the near future. I got another almost immediate response from him. - Very nice, but...something struck me as a bit odd this time....he made the statement that yes, he was going to tour, and that he "hoped I'd be able to get to another show, even though he knew tickets were expensive ,because he'd like to talk to me again." Now folks, I don't know about you, but I doubtVERY seriously that Billy even remembers meeting me, much less wants to see me again, (unless Crystal has mentioned me or something).....but I sort of thought that was a bit odd. I do know that one thing that really gets to Billy is the expense of the tickets. So - for him to mention that, in particular, I thought was a clue I was really emailing with Billy, and getting my message to him. But the other mention of my coming to another show again was a bit mental, in my estimation. Next thing I know, the whole Billy Joel myspace page is GONE, and both messages are gone as well - poof! All gone. No more Billy. His picture was added as one of my "friends" and if you look at my myspace it will tell you I have (all of ) 2 friends - one is Tom, who is EVERYBODY's friend on my space, and the other WAS Billy....now I've been MUSING all afternoon, what the HECK happened? Part of me believes that I actually had a connection with Billy today - the other part of me thinks it was NOT him, because his myspace is now gone. But then, did he just decide he didn't have time to mess with it? That could be it. I have the email in my regular account from myspace that says I have messages in my myspace account from BILLY JOEL. But his myspace, and my messages disappeared at some point between that second message and when I signed on this evening. I cannot figure out anything except the person, Billy, OR NOT, decided not to continue. What I'd like to believe is that Billy just didn't want to spend the time it was going to take to keep up with his myspace account. What I tend to believe, however, is that someone was pulling one of those "pranks" that we all know people pull from time to time. This is really interesting because, as you can see, I am modifying this post, as something every bit as interesting has happened once before to me......with RICHARD CARPENTER. I remember when I first got AOL - it was when it was relatively new. EVERY ONE I KNEW that was online had AOL. So, one day, I did a search for Richard Carpenter, and sure enough, here he was....member of the Carpenters (they used to have those profile thingies...do they still?) - brother of Karen, age was right, living in Downey, etc. His signon name was DowneyCa. Think I sent him an email? OF COURSE. I may not have gotten out of the car that evening I saw Karen there, but have NOT passed up an opportunity to communicate with these celebrities since. So yeah, I sent him an email, and next day, I get a nice, short reply, just like Billy's - thanks for the kind words...glad you enjoy my music.....I appreciate all my fans. Richard was online for about a week after that, and POOF! HE was gone, too. I know, now, that he had to get off line because it was too easy for people to email him, due to the profiles. He just couldn't stay on and be "identified" as who he was. At least, that's what he tells me. So....does that mean that sometime today, Billy decided this just wouldn't work? He was too "popular" still, and people like me would go right ahead and email him? I don't know - what do YOU think? Think I really did get to the Piano Man today? If nothing else, and it WAS truly Billy, I hope he at least did look at my myspace page. If you go there, you'll see why I say that. Okay gang, here it is, www.myspace.com/pianomansfan That's the URL. I really don't intend to use the myspace page...I signed up mostly to get to interact with my son, and some other folks who don't frequent email, but do have a myspace account. It's late Sunday nite, and I'm tired. I have a busy next two days coming up, but I'm off work, so that'll be fun. I hope everyone has a wonderful 4TH. And if you haven't visited our friend Prisoner_Walking's (Leo Tarring) myspace page, do. www.myspace.com/leotarring It's awesome, and his new song Hijacked....well, it's too Darned cool. You'll enjoy the listen! I wish you all the best from here in my corner, Tim
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Post by Palma Pascale on Jul 3, 2006 0:02:11 GMT -5
Wow, Tim. I think you had a "BRIEF ENCOUNTER" with Billy Joel for real. I'll tell you why...because you are a REAL FAN and I think sooner or later, the universe rewards you with a visit with the musicians you so love and support. I bet Billy Joel is just a regular, curious guy, who checks into the internet from time to time to see what's doing in "his world." Anyone who knows you, knows you are not just some "KOOKY FAN!" If Billy Joel knew what a great reviewer you were, he would probably be calling your house! So I vote YES! It was a fleeting visit from your favorite MALE singer/composer/lyricist, just to keep you wired, inspired and motivated to make all those connections you are so good at. I think eventually you are going to have to accept your new position as a mover and shaker in show business, managing and promoting careers. I see how much you've done for ME already!
New topic: the old movie BRIEF ENCOUNTER...black and white, starring Leslie Howard. Anyone know it? Just LOVE it, and I'm not a fan of old movies. Would love to write a musical about that. Palma
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makapipi
CERTIFIED GOLD MEMBER
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Post by makapipi on Jul 16, 2006 15:04:30 GMT -5
Tim thanks for mentioning Mark Geisler and the dvds he sells. I ordered the Carpenters video collection vol 6 1974. The orchestra behind the Carpenters at the 1974 Live at the Boston Pops is awesome, instead of the 5 or 6 instruments playing there is 40 or so going to create a wall of sound.
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Post by beaner on Jul 20, 2006 10:46:42 GMT -5
Tim,
Enjoyed reading about your using the electric keyboard stuff. I work with a woman who sings and her husband plays the keyboards/piano. Most of his work is Billy Joel's. His wife tries to get him to learn more so they can expand their repertoire. She works in the office here where I do and he is a corrections officer but on the side they perform on two weeks and off two weeks at a local restaurant as the entertainment.
When I heard you speak of Billy Joel, I guess I just connected you to them, especially her husband, Kirk. However, they only do ONE Carpenter song cause apparently Kirk either doesn't like the Carps or just never really got into them.
Have a great day!
Beaner
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jul 20, 2006 11:11:04 GMT -5
Hey Beaner - funny you should mention this, today. Through this myspace connection, I have come across an individual who is actually looking for single acts in the Springfield area - so, it looks like I might be playing a couple nights a week, like your friends, at a new joint here in town, if we can work out all the details. I think that will be great for a little while - can't do that and a full-time gig for too long, but have done this seemingly all my life off and on, so it's time for a little "on" again. The one thing I do get to do with this gig is pick my own music...that won't be dictated - so I can do whatever artists I wish - and of course, that will include CARPENTERS, Billy Joel, Palma Pascale (nice to have another artist that I can do more original tunes), and those great standard tunes from long ago. I think it will be fun. It sounds like your co-worker and her husband must have a good time at getting to play every so often. That's wonderful. It can sure be a great stress reliever; at least, that's how it works for me. Thanks for sharing that! I wish you all the best from here in my corner!~ Tim
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Post by ps11932 on Jul 20, 2006 16:18:11 GMT -5
Congratulations, Tim, on another opportunity to perform in your area. On those occasions when I am in a place with entertainment, I always enjoy being able to briefly talk to the musicians between numbers, and I bet that you, and Beaner's friends, and anyone else who plays and/or sings, can have some good and influential conversations when conditions are right.
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