tag:ceraimpala.com,2005:/blogs/blackberry-bushes-come-to-beerlin?p=2Blackberry Bushes come to Beerlin2019-05-29T18:45:01+01:00Cera Impalafalsetag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/57723972019-05-29T18:45:01+01:002020-08-24T13:39:48+01:00Tick Tock. I'm getting younger.<p><span class="font_regular">I'm about to have a birthday. It feels like it might be the first big one. I'm trying to remember others if I can, but I really can't. At 2o, was I in New York or Washington state? I don't recall much about these years but I know that funnily enough I went into the same bar to celebrate my 21st that I'd been using a fake ID in Olympia WA in for the entire year previous. I'm not sure they let me hang out that night. Tick tick nine years later at 30, I was busy nursing my son Harlen in Berlin who impersonated a baby pterodactyl at the breast, demanding most of my time then. It was nice to have someone understand me, because I'm pretty sure Germans didn't, no matter what language I attempted, including my own. Lots has happened since then, some worth mentioning in another blog. But this is about the many moons I'm yet to see! Here I am at near forty, which feels a tiny bit surreal somehow so I've let those three closest folk in my life plan it. I plan a lot of things and at least 2/3 of them thought I might like to be partially surprised. Whatever the case, I'm sure they regret that decision now, but it's been kinda interesting to let go, -a challenge for me, I admit. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So. FORty. FARty. Where to STARt-y? People like to say out loud and often that an age is 'just a number'. Forty is a number that I used to think was old, but as it turns out, it's not. Course, it's not young either. It's also not 'just a number' since we all live to about 80 if we're lucky and not in the '<a contents="blue zone" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Zone">blue zone</a>'. There's only so much time we have on this beautiful spinning space rock, and if you have a uterus and want to use it,... time seems to tock much more rapidly. I heard the brilliant editor <a contents="Fran Lebowitz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran_Lebowitz">Fran Lebowitz</a> say recently "Everything you are gonna know in your entire life you know at 50". Sounds ridiculous, so reckon it's pretty accurate. I've noticed that my brain just refuses to retain certain information these days, and entire memories are no longer there that others remember vividly, even stuff that happened a month ago. This is likely a super-amazing-effective-defence mechanism I've developed over the years. As damaging as it is welcome, the chasm of things I don't recall is nevertheless concerning. That, and I've become more stubborn and distractedly lost in dreams as ever I ever was. I hope for me, this proves useful in the end, that, or I hope there is no end. What I know by now is that I'm the girl who doesn't take much convincing to dive off a cliff, take the pill, climb the hill and spend all day writing a song in a hammock even if that means I'll never be particularly employable, and always be scraping my pockets for a dime. I'd rather have time than money, every. single. day. I also do things with that most people are more thoughtful about, no matter what it is. I'm alive though, sometimes I think, barely. It's romantic. It's also not. It's a relief that according to Fran, I have ten big years to sort this shit out, still able to shift my swiftly hardening ways. In my heart, I ache to remain open and flexible, a tree bending in the wind, also I also hope to be firm and absorbent as the healthiest roots. Deep strong roots are never overrated. I've wanted them my whole life. I know this because I'm only just starting have them, and it's pretty darn great. Maybe it's a cause for celebration if anything, and why I'm jazzed to have a partial surprise party. Forty, here and now, is about having a solid crew in this magic place; family and friends and the hopeful golden future that might hold fast for all of us. I'm stoked, even if I feel a bit dizzy.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/fe782618da399233210b1fe9ba17ad119fc14ad4/original/lol.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/51160582018-03-07T19:02:56+00:002020-08-24T13:42:37+01:00...and Ricely Yours<p>Louie Armstrong, who famously signed his letters "red beans and ricely yours" in so doing acknowledged a long standing love musicians have for beans, or rather, <em>have</em> to have. They are, after all, -musical! Perhaps more to the point, it's a poor folks delight. They fill you up inexpensively and if done right can give your soul food too. While I personally have never met a bean I didn't like... black-eyed peas, navy, cannellini, cuban black beans and all sorts, red beans done southwest style are my all-time favourite. No one really taught me this recipe it's just something I've tweaked for years and explored different ideas. In New Orleans and parts of the south you may add chorizo sausage to the like to a similar recipe and everyone has their wee take on it. it's a bit like almighty jazz in that I've never played (made) the same thing once! So take what I say with a grain of salt.... but do make it sea salt please.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#ffff66;">Impala-style southwest Red Beans (and rice)</span></p>
<p>*from the indian places around Edinburgh (and the world) you can get large bags off red kidney beans. I generally use half of one of these big bags per recipe. I'm not fortunate enough to own one, but a huge enamel crock pot is ideal for this kind of thing. Le Creuset. </p>
<p><span style="color:#ffff66;">Take half a bag of beans put in large tall pot with lid. Fill pot more a little more than half way with water. Bring beans to a boil with a TableSpoon of baking soda, A TableSpoon of sea salt and an couple tablespoons of proper apple cider vinegar.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#ffff66;">I often cool this down and bring to a boil three times in a night with the lid on, let rest over night,... rinse the beans and now you have beans that are detoxified and easier to digest. They will cook down faster as well, using less energy. Bad beans will stay floating and can easily be removed.</span></p>
<p>Tablespoon of Sea Salt</p>
<p>and entire large head 1/2 of garlic (peeled) </p>
<p>A couple cans of tomatoes, </p>
<p>Tomato paste 1/3 of a tube </p>
<p>Half a jar of chipotle paste (or more?),</p>
<p>Five big squirts of Heintz ketchup</p>
<p>Splash of Olive Oil. </p>
<p>Splash of cider vinegar</p>
<p>Half a cube of lard or butter. Lard is preferred. </p>
<p>Couple Tablespoons of brown sugar</p>
<p><span style="color:#ffff66;">Bring to a boil,.. reduce temp. add salt to taste. Cook with the lid off to boil out the water making sure the beans have enough water (add if needed)</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#ffccff;">**Stir right, banish the negative,..Stir left invoking the good. I try not to stir without this intention, this will aid digestion and bring luck and creativity to those who enjoy it.**</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#ffff66;">after a couple of hours I add:</span></p>
<p>Jalepénos from a jar (to taste)</p>
<p>3 Tablespoon Cumin (I never measure this though and sometimes forget it</p>
<p>sprinkle of Tabasco (not a lot, folks like to dose their own adventure)</p>
<p>heaping tsp of powdered smoked paprika (not that important)</p>
<p>chunk of butter</p>
<p>splash of olive oil</p>
<p>sea salt to taste</p>
<p>You can vary this recipe by adding sautéed 2 chopped onion with 2 chopped green pepper and seasoned salted mincemeat for a hearty chilli. I sweat my onions with apple juice or wine. Always add the meat last to the onion and pepper and add all this last to the beans. I tend to separate them into two different pot in case I have hungry vegetarians about. </p>
<p>This pot of beans stirred and watched on the stove for five hours ....easily.</p>
<p><span style="color:#66ff66;">Served with fresh red sliced onions, grated cheese, dollop of organic yogurt. Make into fajita style burritos with Dr. Dirk's famous Salsa!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">ENJOY!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/9514e15aac3c936d1ddc13cb3117f1f8dd175786/original/img-2540.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>3:29Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/45208352016-12-21T21:26:56+00:002020-08-24T13:43:42+01:00You're not yoursMy heart aches tonight for a wee soul gone too soon; for those that feel alone and without community and purpose, for the most sensitive among us. We are living in dark times of collective and personal grief and isolation; open wounds around every corner. Tread lightly, be generous and forgive.,.. most of all, forgive yourself. Be heroically kind. Reach out tirelessly to those with a distant look on their face. There is no time like the present. <br><br>"The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up" ~ Mark Twain<br><br><br><strong>You're not yours</strong><br><br>Wrap me me in paper, c'mon<br>Wrap me in cellophane<br>Leave me on the corner,<br>Cause it's where you think I stay<br>Waiting for you<br>Cause I adore you, it's true<br>I do<br><br>But I'm a runner, lord knows<br>I'm the smoking gun and<br> <br>You're not Yours and I'm not mine<br><br>I'm your mirror<br>I'm your fear of her<br>I'm the void<br>I'm an old fashioned toy<br>Boy, I'm a princess <br>but I don't wanna get saved<br>I wanna surrender<br>Dressed as the court jester<br><br>You're not yours and I'm not mine<br>We'd see it in the stars,<br>If we could find them<br>There's nothing more<br>But to sweep the floor<br>That can be done<br>Tonight.<br><br>It's the old woman,<br>Whose beauty never fades<br>It's the perfect thing<br>You forgot to say<br>And my wee one,<br>With his toes in the earth<br>It's the ancient tree<br>Forever giving birth<br><br>It's not yours and you're not mine<br><br>It's a long story for a tall glass<br>It's the question you wished you never asked<br>Now that you know is it easy<br>Can you let it go?<br>Now that you know, c'mon baby just you just<br>Let it go.<br><br>You're not yours and I'm not mine<br><br>We'd see it in the stars, if we could find them<br>There's nothing more<br>But to sweep the floor that can be done <p>Tonight.<br><br>Wrap me me in paper, c'mon <br>Wrap me in cellophane <br>Leave me on the corner, <br>Cause it's where you think I stay <br>Waiting for you <br>Cause I adore you,<br>I do,<br>I do<br>And I would do it again<br><br>But<br>I'm not yours and<br>you're not mine<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/f23692ab5fed8f2397eb73242d76390da3196011/original/img-5391.jpg?1412171420" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>4:28Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/41562702016-05-05T21:56:15+01:002020-08-24T13:44:41+01:00A cash poor, creatively rich life: Freedom is spelled T-I-M-E<span style="color:#99ffff;">I have no TV and no smart phone. But they are what they are,.. and they are here to stay. I can't begrudge those that use them because these days, that's most everyone. I wonder though, every single day in fact, how are people are experiencing culture through these devices,...or not? Are we decent? Should we start to draw up some kind of ground rules for what's acceptable behaviour with these digital leashes especially in the sphere of performance? Does it go without saying? Because I feel compelled to bring it up. On the whole, devices seem to be the opposite of freedom; a trapdoor that allows a digital gravity to take over where we fall into limited spaces in our imaginations, or rather, the imaginations of other people. And it exhausts us. Where would that energy be better spent? I've made a choice not to have a smartphone for a lot of reasons but one is because as a performer I watch people watch things through their phones and not with their hearts,.. their faces lit up in digital glow, their eyes dim. It's nice to have a nice video,.. but it's the scientific principle: you can't observe something without changing it. and in some ways It's rude. But it's more rude to take a picture of someone and not to tip them. It's also rude to film a song or performance and not ask if it's ok,..and not offer to send the artist a link before posting. This seems like common sense,.. but apparently we need to start building into high school curriculum,.. because it's more often the younger generation that's abusing this big brother power,. and that is most certainly what it is. Power. But to what end? Without emptiness, space, boredom there is nothing to counter, and it would seem that we are forced less and less to confront our feelings, and this place of confrontation is where<em> true creativity emerges.</em></span>
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<br><span style="color:#FFF0F5;"><span class="font_large"><strong>is unconditional financial support what artists need? <br>.....or would we all become heroin addicts and make shit art?</strong></span></span>
</div><span style="color:#99ffff;">I had a student just come back from Cuba recently and when I asked her to spill about how incredible the music was she said "they're poor,.. but <em>they're not</em>." and from from there we got into a discussion about time and this realisation that if I had been born in Cuba, I probably would have played piano instead of banjo but more importantly, I would have gotten the opportunity to prove to a jury at some point that the government owes me a living. I would be paid to exist, with the internal logic that I will devote all my time to my art (which artists there do, and pretty guilt-free, as I understand),..according to the guardian "</span><a contents="Cuba's support for the arts should make us weep with envy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/apr/13/cubas-support-for-its-arts-should-make-us-weep-with-envy">Cuba's support for the arts should make us weep with envy</a>" <span style="color:#99ffff;">and it's evident in how they play; It's magic. Once you have proved proficiency to make your life a life of study in music or your art, you are supported without question. This concept of paying artists to exist is an unheard of idea in most of the rest of the world, but since Cuba has no real aim to participate in capitalism at large,.. and one of it's only unique exports is music, it makes sense artists would thrive. But can it make sense elsewhere?. Incidentally, musicians are some of the only people allowed to travel elsewhere and there is a great pride is what they do and how they represent Cuba. Herein lies the secret about just how 'not poor' Cuba is - rich with culture and music but above all? Time. They have time and without it you can't make music. In fact, arguably, it's the only essential ingredient to making music apart from passion. And it's better, note-ably better in Cuba, because while people might not have money,. they really have a lot more energy and time to sing, play and be together. Most people I've talked to who visit say they seem to have a higher happiness quotient overall,.. but it's a world turned on it's head to us -and of course has it's own problems because socialism is bad,.. right? YES. Keep eating your chemical sprayed snacky-munch, peasants! And whatever you do, <em>don't ask questions. </em></span><br> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFF0F5;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Buy! Buy! Buy! Sell, Sell, and sell yer soul while yer at it.</strong></span></span></div>
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<br><span style="color:#99ffff;">It's hard to think this far north, while it's snowing in April that we're west of anywhere, but it's about lifestyle, right? Here in the western world we live life differently. So differently, it's worth examining why. I suppose it's elemental because for one, we survive the weather. one kind of poverty replaces another because leaving people out in the cold,. it's not cool. It's super cold. We gather in pubs with varying degrees of a quality brew on tap and spend all the money we have in the warm glow of banter. We have little free time. We are suspicious of strangers. We protect our interests. We care about collecting stuff and buying things. Familiar in the way that contracting the flue is familiar. What can you do but let it run it's course? It's always going to run it's course,... until one day it kills us of course! btu more to the point, we live in a society that values money and the accumulation of money as the most important thing. and this is reflected in legislation because should you not happen to not be a citizen you are living a very precarious life. The rug can be swept up from under your feet at any moment. Social workers, teachers, parents, artists and the lot of you low payed nurses,.. Get Tae.. you are not welcome. <strong>Your worth is £ sign, and nothing more. </strong>If the Tories immigration plan of late is any indication of where we're headed at a society in Britain, the future is grim. just now parliment is trying to require just now that Non-EU folks married to Brit nationals need to make 35,000K per year to stay,.. no matter if you have dedicated your life to your children, your art or something other than money. But hey,... who am I to question the powers that be,.. just human,.. and one with no capital. Here's one of many articles on the topic you may want to read as this newly suggested legislation is sociopathic. Straight up psycho </span><a contents="http://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/mar/12/eu-workers-deported-earning-less-35000-employees-americans-australians" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/mar/12/eu-workers-deported-earning-less-35000-employees-americans-australians">http://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/mar/12/eu-workers-deported-earning-less-35000-employees-americans-australians</a><br> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFF0F5;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Got Milk? That biology that also equals less time </strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#99ffff;">I nursed Harlen a long time. longer than I feel comfortable telling anyone about in mixed company, because people are pretty judgy about that sort of thing. But this essay is about time. I had the gift of time to do this then because of the supportive German government which provided me, a freelance musician mother, support and then childcare without question. I hope the rest of the world begins to look at the gender equality in Germany, Denmark, Scandanavia and parts continental Europe and start to put into legislation as they have done. (I'm looking at you, Britain, -USA!) It's really made such a massive positive impact on my life and that of our son's, I can't really put it into words. But one comes to mind; that's what Harlen called it. "mama, can I have some time?" he would say,... yes. have all the time you want. As a result, he minds me very well. He's never thrown a tantrum. He's a very independent boy now and he HAS to be, because our life in music makes sure he's able to handle almost any situation. Of course, this also means I can't provide for him the things that other parents can. We don't have the luxury to put our son in a loads of classes,. in part because I cannot actually chauffeur him around (no car) OR actually afford them (we're delightfully poor!) But Still,.. I still, WE still need to simplify our life. Harlen, bless him, has more time than other kids to do nothing,..and with that nothing I am in a constant state of amazement as what he does. From 'boredom" comes his creativity. lookin at him I know,... if we constantly busy ourselves, we never hear what our hearts want us to do. His heart is really big, needs lots of crayons, time outside playing, and loads of cuddles. I make him practice guitar for 15 min a day,.. somtimes,.. but I'm no tiger mom. I don't reckon Prince had a Tiger mom,.. so I'm gonna risk it. I just want him to be happy and be happy myself. It's easy, when you know how.</span></p>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFF0F5;"><strong><span class="font_large">Time is money, but money will never give you what time does</span></strong></span></div>
<p><span style="color:#99ffff;">The artists and musician pals in my life, some -academic genuises performing essential tasks, others, -dreamy songwriters head in the clouds, intuitive harmonies, and the rest bouncing happily in the spectrum between the two trying hard every day to find time to make the best sound they can. The world seems pretty rigged against us, and no matter how hard we work we still can't seem to manage to find time. The common frustration I hear from everyone is that, we all wish we had more time to actually just play and experiment, practice and create. So how come living a life dedicated to music, making monies <em>from</em> music we struggle with having the time to be creative? At costs to our sanity, relations, personal maintenance and core beliefs we strive to continue to inspire in the environment in which we exist, an environment that isn't really suited towards offering us this time. An environment that regards our pursuit of this time as decadent indulgence an dI think that attitude has to stop. It's a herculean job just to convince our 'benefactors' that we deserve this time,..and there goes our time, time that would have been better spent practicing. Perhaps it's even ironic to spend the time telling you about it,.. because someone else just picked up my boy from the park, and now would be the <em>perfect </em>time to get in touch with my self away from this glowing screen,... But let's be clear about something. Even in a world where there is loads of free time,. very few people still have the discipline to be an artist of any type. It's not an indulgence and it's not for everyone. Individuals that require this time should be supported to create without scrapping from hand to mouth because it is so hard to live and create at the same time. It will improve society. It will improve the world at large. I guess just like everybody else,. we live in a world that requires us to reply instantly, be available</span> <span style="color:#FFFF00;"><em>now</em></span><span style="color:#99ffff;">,....so there goes that time (i'll give that a healthy 30%). We also live in a world of high rents and high costs which results in a lot of us taking work and even musical-work that we might not otherwise. At the moment. I'm in a simplifying phase of my life... and I'm willing to risk being poor to be rich in another way. That's the only choice there is. Poor and happy,.. and some days - lucky.</span></p>4:28Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/37815932015-07-17T18:30:14+01:002020-08-24T13:46:47+01:00Coping with the Weather<p>In Scotland, occasionally the summer just doesn't happen. This is one of those summers, where even the most optomistic pal is quite devestated. Yes, night feels like day and the cloud-cover is consant although sometimes the sun comes out,.. just to set. That's almost worse and what is there to do but put it in song? Put it in a poem. Put it down and then bring the sunshine into you face from some other strong but invisible place. It's therapy. Enjoy, indulge in your thoughts and leave me a haiku of your own at the bottom should you feel so inclined! Thanks, Cera<br><br><strong><u>The sun comes out just to set</u></strong></p>
<p>There’s no heading long-first<br>Fists full of Dynamite<br>Arrogant Anniversary fireworks<br><span class="text_exposed_show">Birthing Burnt summer hands<br>Instead<br>Steamed Charcoal<br>Choosing chatter,<br>Cool convolutions;<br>Billowing brain matter<br>Grey Sky<br>Laundry soap putting out the fire of<br>Poppy-red remembering<br>Jangly lost purpose<br>Squeaky left-over meaning</span></p>
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<p>I scratched it out of words for you<br>and reading is for those without sun</p>
<p>Who can recall what time it is?<br>With this soot-cave of clouds<br>So sweetly concerned with sheltering us<br>A too-cross Auntie<br>With two tight lace-up boots<br>She stands, a tower.<br>Shiftless<br>Looming just to loom<br>7 year-old dust on and<br>8 yeard-old broom</p>
<p>No boom,<br>No Thunder<br>No sign of the Gods or their lovers</p>
<p>It’s just us,<br>A wet hammock and<br>A want that cannot be called desire</p>
</div>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/37075392015-06-09T23:29:51+01:002020-06-16T15:34:17+01:00A love letter to America<span class="font_regular">Dear America,<br><br>It's been a long time, hasn't it? There is so much to tell you. We've both been through some interesting times, and it feels right to tell you now, I still love you; Your rivers run through my veins.<br><br>I never had the financial luxury to leave your shores in my formative years. The wide world seemed so impossibly far away and I resigned to never leaving. Things change and then they change again -and I now know to expect the absolutely unexpected.<br><br>In the time that I've been away I have seen the image of you darken, perhaps like never before. It's a confusing time to be a human in general, but as for us? What occurs to me is that excepting some musicians and some very driven hillwalkers, the world at large is somewhat lacking the voices of regular folk who can't typically afford the flight over. It's clearly, in part, that most people are so informed by TV, they comprehend nothing else....and those few who have seen you in the flesh have visited places like Las Vegas, Florida or New York, New York. I often have people tell me how much they dislike you and then come to find out they've only been to Orlando. Even worse, they judge you by the rare tourists that get to travel to Europe. American tourists do provide a special brand of stomach churning. Did you know that rich American tourists talk a LOT, and loudly? They also say random unintellectual things with some alarming regularity, and have no ability to read. It's a wonder their ancestors found you in the first place with map deciphering skills so lacking. It's pretty embarrassing. </span>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#40E0D0;">“The gentle reader will never, never know what a consummate ass he can become until he goes abroad.” – Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad</span></span></p></blockquote><br><span class="font_regular">I know you though. You are vast, and your size is something folks here can't really wrap their brains around. I love your chaos within chaos, your elephant cloud skies, your 300 mile drives to nowhere (as long as it's not to a gig), your fabulous gay pride parades and fancy cocktails. I miss your the lightning storms on the desert, your snaky sagebrush, your jalepéno poppers, worn flannel shirts, neon-lit seedy bars and Pow-wows. I miss mountains. Oh do I miss your mountains of absolute majesty -and the National Parks system that preserves them for everybody. I miss the pacific ocean, artful sushi, Organic farms, farmers markets and recycling programs that make sense. I miss more than I can actually tell you. Sometimes my heart hurts, and sometimes I wake up and realize I will have to build my own extended family from sratch.</span>
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<br> </div><span class="font_regular">I've now not had the luxury to be able to <em>return</em> and see you in eight long years. The world, in this time has found a comfortable place in my lap, out my loins, in my ear. It's kept me busy by scraping my teeth and itching my bones in unexpected ways. Berlin, previous to Edinburgh was crash course in European history, it's inhabitants ranging from the Spanish Vagabond, to African Refugee, Turkish immigrant to the Pinocchio run-away-with-the-circus type that seems to hail from all corners. Can you still remember what it's like to hear so many languages? It's not so long ago you too had your doors open to the world and reaped the rewards therein. Like my familia! My great Nana's, both Sicilian, never learned to speak English. They never had to, they had children, (AKA old-fashioned insurance). </span>
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<br> </div>
<div><span class="font_regular">I can tell you from a life made in music that it's those that take time to listen first that learn first. Please keep listening to the voices that call you home. With every new tongue -a new song to sing, a new food to taste, a new old way of doing a very common thing; living. You take the blame, but it's not just you, it's the world that's caught in its own reflection. We have all to some extent become Narscissus in the pool, forgetting our roots, fixing our face while losing our smile ....and a slower way of enjoying life. </span></div>
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<br><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#AFEEEE;">I know what I know, you know what you know. <br>Let's take the long way,<br>cause the highway, is just an illusion<br>you think you're goin somewhere<br>You're goin nowhere,.. fast</span></span><br> </div><span class="font_regular">It's not always been ideal to be American abroad. There are certain assumptions about any group of people,.. and Americans definitely get labeled clueless if not stupid right out the gate. That, and that we have good teeth (which I do, but they are coincidentally all natural, -thanks Dad.) Bush the II was still in office in 2007 when we made the plunge. I have been often asked by bewildered Europeans at a party and on the street with their arms in the air, their furrowed brows questioning.... "How this could happen?!" Jeez. What do I know? I don't know a single person that voted for that faux-Texan flagpin flaunting elite. I feel ashamed because I take it as a compliment that most people think I'm from Canada. I don't know whether to sigh or give them a 'her-story' lesson. Did you know that Canada is a part of North America. I guess that makes Canadians Americans to some extent. </span>
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<div><span class="font_regular"><strong><span style="color:#FFFF00;">You can go the same bar everywhere in the world and talk to the same people. I have gone to secluded islands and talked to inhabitants more worldy and open-minded, never having stepped out their front door than those world travelers in major cities accross the globe. It's as simple as this: Your sense of the macro-within-the-micro is in the palm of you hand,... and it's not your phone, it's you.</span></strong></span></div><br><span class="font_regular">I guess that's why I'm writing you. I have to tell you how beautiful you are, and what it seems you've got figured out. There is so much folks don't know about the wonderful you. You are me, and I am you, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm slowly seeking freedom in the old world,.. which reminds me, things are tough all over - but life IS better with healthcare.<br><br>I'm from a lot of places which I feel gives me some insight on some of the better things about you in the broader sense. First and foremost I'm from a gunsligin' red state, Arizona. Flagstaff AZ, that's me. I never saw or used a gun growing up, and I never had the inclination. Most people I knew kept them for scaring animals. 'A mountain girl knows how to love', or so the song goes, and there is no denying that lovely pure mountain air, water, trees, rocks and sky that I sometimes see when I close my eyes had something to do with my love of nature. My mothers Viginia-rooted Irish family ended up there because the car broke down on an experimental trip west; Route 66 in all it's romance. The Santa Fe train tracks and Ponderosa pine as far as the eye can see. At 14 I then moved to <a contents="Portland OR" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/portlandia">Portland OR</a>, one of the best cities on the planet. It's fair to say, I'd probably still live there if given the chance but I got a scholarship to a fancy-pants liberal arts college called Sarah Lawrence in 1997 and moved to New York,.. where, I put on the appropriate costume, boots and hat, loved it for a time, but became overwhelmed by the massiveness of the east coast,..not to mention the class tension that really felt very in-your-face me. I thrived in ways and New York taught me a lot of things and made me appreciate the mellowness of the west. I happily soaked up the truly unique theater, music and dance that was offered to me and New York, while I could never call it home, called me to it for a time and taught me limits. It showed me the bravery of generations. In the end it revealed a near complete lack of wild nature, and therefore brought me back to the Pacific Northwest to the rain, ...the quiet, lovely settling mist, fog, drizzling rain, ferns and evergreen trees as tall as your neck can stretch to look up at. I needed to be around trees and less people.</span><br> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#00FF00;">"Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><span class="font_regular">Olympia Washington. North of Portland and a similar vibe, but tiny. It was for many years I nestled into your sound, the I-5 corridor a road to everywhere at arms length. Mostly though, this is where I came to learn the ways of the organic farm, bluegrass circle, and Evergreen State mentality. The Olympic National Forest beckoned, and many a bog-party with questionable homemade blackberry wine. I reflect now on how people from all over the country ended up in your soft pocket with dreams of a better way and made it happen. Hippie-shit a-plenty to be sure, but a true haven for folks with some vision and know-how. The annual procession of species was a highlight, and I was fond of the brand of madness that ran ramnpant there.<br><br>Over the years I traveled all over California, Oregon, washington, the Southwest states, Texas, even Oklahoma and my favorite, New Orleans where I once had a dear uncle who stayed there on Dumaine. I was meant to move there, I fanatizised I would read palms and busk (what else?) -but that's a story for another day. New Orleans has so captivated me for most of my adult life, it's dark magic complex and dangerous; A bitter buttery cacao, with worthy stories underneath the paint peeled cobble . I hope one day to go back and drench myself in it's songs and wet warmth. Which brings me to the of the things you do best...<br><br>Music. Food. Fun. In no particular order, and all together at once,.. well, if you insist. And you do. This music is timeless and unique, it smashes and swirls an array of histories jettisoned out from the mouths of freed slaves, soldiers, housewives, hobos and murders. Everyone with their song to sing, a place from which they came and you gave them a common ground. Your competitive nature says 'Go hard or go home'. I love you madly. From here, I can taste your gumbo, your arugula, your Nappa valley wine, your expensive mocha cheescake, your home delivered box of heirloom veg, your free range quirk and wide open wonder because all of it is JAZZ. My favorite. Yes you with your nerd wit, crass one-liners, off-the-grid Do-It-Your-DAMN-self Earthships, hand blown glass, your Wrangler cowboy jeans, and and Life's too short to not say-what-you-mean attitude, ...you've taught me well. I'm still yours.<br><br>I'll see you in September<br><br>xXxCeraxXx</span><br><br> Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/32121212014-10-01T14:00:31+01:002017-01-14T15:03:06+00:00Kelburn, My inspiration comes a lot from the natural world and in the last year I've written of birds, blackberries, and wee wanders through the dense forest of my fears. Kelburn was such a reflection of this. We haven't made much time in ten years for escape and it began to dawn on us, if we don't make time, the mad-society we live in sure won't either. But all the time, the great and wonderful natural world is always arching it's back aching for us to come to it. Why did it take so long to find five days to lean gently into this love? I can't say, but it certainly won't take that long again.<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/6fae8dfc4fbde933a2ffc6f3c1c13d4a601f6c92/original/img-5407.jpg?1412169445" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></div>We had the pleasure of being a part of the Kelburn Garden Party this year which introduced me to a part of Scotland I hadn't yet seen. Between the New Prohibition and The Bevvy Sisters, pals and all the rest, it was impossible to carve out time to explore at the time then, so vowed to bring the fam-damily back and enjoy it in some in a separate peace. Not only is it the perfect place to bring an imaginative 6 year old (who got to ride a horse for the first time), it really did the job; it cleansed my soul in five days. I would love to go back soon. Our camper van, Eeyore provided a nice warm stay and while the van door fell off once in the middle of the night (kind of a buzz-kill), he was trusty enough. Thank god it didn't happen on a proper tour...
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<span style="color:#FFA07A;">There is so much to explore here</span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/7e2f3dbd75db973bd98c7b7f82c6749662312665/original/img-5247.jpg?1412169496" class="size_l justify_center border_" />The secret forest, the pet project of the Earl of Glasgow must be the result of some mushroom-infused undertakings.. it's a trip through a trippy wonderland. then there is the view to the islands and sea is breathtaking and a climb to the highest hill will lead you to a tree that was once struck by lightning and though only a shell, is still half alive. It's profile reminds me of the ghost mating of a unicorn and stag... i didn't have my camera that day, but I can tell you I relished climbing inside it's cavity and dreaming of what a beautiful future we might have. Most of all though, the Glen itself brought me to tears. it reminded me of home, the canyons of Arizona I would splash in as kid, vines draped down, water clear and cool,.. and a naked boy making mad soup for us all the while, content just to be together in this ancient place. It felt as thoguh for thousands of years people came here to celebrate fertility and life, and while we'll never know for sure, it's no surprise that one family has owned the place for 900 years and a wee magic festival is being birthed from it's loins. It's a place for people to come together and celebrate each other. -Or at least so the Rhodedendrons tell me.</div>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/03392305fbcf9b01532c2200ca356084e8d083b1/original/img-5279.jpg?1412170326" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>Until the vikings showed up for the festival at Largs on our last day, it was just us and the horses, perfect silence. They were nice vikings besides, but was time to go....</div>for those who didn't have the chance to go to the festival this year,.. here's a taster: <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvhmhcdxss4" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvhmhcdxss4">https:</a><a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvhmhcdxss4" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvhmhcdxss4">//www.youtube.com</a><a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvhmhcdxss4" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvhmhcdxss4">/watch?v=Qvhmhcdxss4</a> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/6bdcc8d96826cd0ab61396f45a5da32400648317/medium/img-5273.jpg?1412170394" class="size_m justify_left border_medium" alt="" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/4cbac45e3f7efb63eff8db4f58d74dd37d8e9e2a/medium/img-5272.jpg?1412170392" class="size_m justify_right border_medium" alt="" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/23698bf4a83bb3a5a1b578a3fcc8ff986c6bffd0/large/img-5274.jpg?1412170397" class="size_l justify_center border_thick" alt="" /><a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvhmhcdxss4" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvhmhcdxss4"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/f9ac94de4e1fae9d182eb19a8689b0dcc6d7f0f1/medium/img-5420.jpg?1412170032" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;">A thousand year old tree</div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/bd274555c083d2aa585c1b9272fcf0a3672a3a69/medium/img-5210.jpg?1412171326" class="size_m justify_right border_thin" alt="" /><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/0720e074ed9923a9cdb5bad5fa7afaf35789817d/medium/img-5321.jpg?1412171227" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /><br><br><br><br><br>Kelburn<br><br>the sound of forever in a cup<br>Canyon pool<br>Gargling glen<br>gold initials of the gods<br>dance on the surface<br>and find their way;<br>toes to stones<br>knees become thrones<br><br>Our bodies stretch<br>The canopy imitating<br>a mother's embrace<br>Ivy dripping<br>Granny's homemade lace<br>Sunset streams into the purpled corners<br>Locked light-ness from the tightening<br>Of too much work<br><br><br>To wander here is to speak truth with your breath<br>wordless you unhinge<br>mossy mist tickles, Fern, Fusia become<br>Friend<br>For What has come before us<br>We know, our bones the rites of passage<br>Calling out<br>We stop and listen to<br>Forever<br><br>once again.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/f23692ab5fed8f2397eb73242d76390da3196011/original/img-5391.jpg?1412171420" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/17395742013-11-05T04:20:00+00:002019-11-20T09:29:56+00:00PLAN B. The Bevvy Sisters hit the studio. WHAM-bAM-That's how it's done by MaDAMNes.<div style="text-align: center;">
<a contents='Go ON! "B" a Sexy Beast andSUPPORT THE BEVVY SISTERS NEW ALBUM PLAN Bhttp://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&amp;utm_medium=activity&amp;utm_source=twitter' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&utm_medium=activity&utm_source=twitter">Go ON! "B" a Sexy Beast and</a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a contents='Go ON! "B" a Sexy Beast andSUPPORT THE BEVVY SISTERS NEW ALBUM PLAN Bhttp://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&amp;utm_medium=activity&amp;utm_source=twitter' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&utm_medium=activity&utm_source=twitter"><span class="font_xl">SUPPORT THE BEVVY SISTERS NEW ALBUM <span style="color:#cc00cc;">PLAN B</span></span></a></div>
<a contents='Go ON! "B" a Sexy Beast andSUPPORT THE BEVVY SISTERS NEW ALBUM PLAN Bhttp://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&amp;utm_medium=activity&amp;utm_source=twitter' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&utm_medium=activity&utm_source=twitter"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/0047f1839d8256db5976e5d8f75b41d0d690aa75/original/bevvy-sisters.jpg?1381163493" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a>Photo by Sean Purser taken at the LoveBoat Fringe Show 2013</div>
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<span style="color:#DDA0DD;">Life has sure handed me a lot of sweet serendipity,..or (ehem) Cera-n-dipity if you will, since arriving in Edinburgh. </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-BEVVY-SISTERS/73556608508?fref=ts"><span style="color:#DDA0DD;">The Bevvy Sisters</span></a><span style="color:#DDA0DD;"> are high on the list of wonderful friends & collegues I have made here. As we are now making our first studio album together, I'd say we're in like Flynn. How it happened? In short, I had only a couple pals in Edinburgh over a year ago, one was </span><a href="https://twitter.com/HouseConcerts42"><span style="color:#DDA0DD;">Doulgas Robertson</span></a><span style="color:#DDA0DD;">, who seems to know every darn acoustic musician I can think of on both sides the Atlantic! (I'm thrilled to tell you that he and his magic house have just won Holyrood reprieve -YAY! Douglas may continue with his legendary house concerts to which we have been lucky to perform in.) Douglas and Jane-Anne for Prime Minsters of the Arts!! It's not just us musos who love him though,...Here's today's article from the scotsman giving them a nod for "venue of the year"</span>. <a contents="http://www.scotsman.com/what-s-on/music/douglas-robertson-s-house-gets-venue-of-year-nod-1-3173219" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.scotsman.com/what-s-on/music/douglas-robertson-s-house-gets-venue-of-year-nod-1-3173219">http://www.scotsman.com/what-s-on/music/douglas-robertson-s-house-gets-venue-of-year-nod-1-3173219</a>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#FFA07A;"><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/7369064964725321082958230328eba239e4fa63/thumb/starhand-for-inside-album-higher-place.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="123" width="125" /></span></span></div><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#FFA07A;">But this is about The Bevvy Sisters! The <i>other</i> person of interest that I knew here in Edinburgh was Roberta Pia, a then Bevvy sister who I had met through some pals in Berlin. About Roberta- She's a doll, and damn good song writer and fronts her own band, The</span><span style="color:#ff33cc;"> </span><a href="http://www.thebananasessions.co.uk/"><span style="color:#ff33cc;">Banana Sessions</span></a><span style="color:#ffff99;">. </span><span style="color:#FFA07A;"> Who are completely dear bunch of musicians unafraid to not take life too seriously. It's inspiring stuff and it's a contagious attitude to have. I had seen the Banana sessions but also wanted to come to hear the reknowned Bevvy Sisters play, and having just arrived was totally skint. I knew the contact at the club as New Prohibition had played there before, so I asked to come in free (<i>cheeky, eh</i>?) Well, the feller was willing to comply on the condition that I open the second set with three songs of my own, and of course I did. One of the Songs I played was </span><a href="./music.cfm"><span style="color:#FFFFE0;">"Row My Boat"</span></a><span style="color:#FFA07A;"> off our last album, a sexy nautical number that comes to, erm,..</span><span style="color:#ff3333;">full climax</span><span style="color:#FFA07A;">. In other words, a perfect Loveboat tune. Much to my a-flattering, Heather thought it was on old jazz standard, and asked if would I play this tune at the Love Boat Fringe show with she and Gina doing backing vocals. This would be for the opening of the second set at the Queeens Hall….and of course I would!! As excited as I was, I really had no idea what an epic event it would be, the Loveboat frenzy, but jeez were they nice- and everyone so stylish! I was on of three guest performers getting to share the stage with even Amanda Fucking Palmer jet-settting in from god-knows where,.. Japan? I wore a real starfish in my hair and felt like a banjo mermaid with the lovely ladies singing sweetly with me,.. you could say we 'came' together too. </span><span style="color:#FF0000;">ahem</span><span style="color:#FFA07A;">. It was the seed that planted what has now grown into quite a thriving life-force. As they do in bands, things got topsy-turvey for The Bevvy Sisiters when beautiful Bob went off to the golden city of London town. The plan A was to truck her hill and dale to make gigs, but when things got real it seemed less and less realistic keep the band a-float this way. It was time for </span><span class="font_large"><span style="color:#cc00cc;">Plan B.</span></span></span>
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<span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#FFA07A;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/f79455e095ee7afc824ff09fafe7b12aef501f4a/large/img-3069.jpg?1380502654" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="800" width="600" /></span><br><span style="color:#cc00cc;">Who's Shadow is that on THE BEVVY B??<br>**Highlands and Islands tour in MAY 2013**</span></span><br><span style="color:#FFA07A;">I was of course quite tickled to be invited to Bevvy-fy my life,…. and oh boy, how my wardrobes sequin collection has grown since joining the band, I really can't begin to tell you. (At least now I have an excuse!) </span><span style="color:#cc66ff;"><i>Being in a band, it's not any normal job,....it's a bit like dating three other people and, by the time you make and album together, that's when you've said, "I do".</i></span> In my other band, the New Prohibition, I really did marry my bandmate. (in fact, we've been in a band together so long we have a five year old son) but I'm happy to say, there's no danger of procreation with the Bevvy Sisters, which is a relief. </div>
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<span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#FFA07A;"><img src="//content.bandzoogle.com/users/CeraImpala/images/content/IMG_3474-300.JPG" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /></span><br><span style="color:#cc00cc;">The Bevvy Sisters back stage after an "Electro-Bevvy" gig at the fabulous INSIDER FESTIVAL</span></span><br> </div>
<div><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#FFA07A;">In the month of September we traveled out to the Borders to record at the Heriot Toune studio with </span><a href="http://mwah.biz/"><span style="color:#FFFFE0;">Mattie Foulds</span></a><span style="color:#FFA07A;">, a truley thoughtful engineer and musician (who clearly must have the patience of a saint to deal with the likes of us) He's got a keen ear for detail, but also knows when you've taken it too far,... and how to tackfully tell you that you probably shouldn't be listening,..you need a break. I've was impressed with the space itself to boot. </span><span style="color:#FFFF00;"><em>The valley the studio looks out onto gives your heart-cave 10 minutes to replenish,.. that might take an hour at home.</em></span><span style="color:#FFA07A;"> It's hard to express how important and necessary this is to have when recording 14 tracks in four days. It's paradise, and the weather has been unreal. But yo! Nevertheless It's been intense folks, and we've done the bulk of it. The sequin sparkely light is shining at the end of the tired-tunnel exciting all four of us equally, and bringing us together like never before. Nothing like studio time to show you what people are made of,.. and I'd say we're a pretty hearty soulful bunch. Demus (more formally known as "David Donnelly") has proven very valuable throughout and shown a great deal of know-how and ease in the studio. He's got ideas and executes them before I can tune my banjo (but hey, it's a banjo.) </span></span></div>
<div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/994e7c59cbfec368068e7d16d4a0e8bcdd6db786/original/the-bevvy-sisters.jpg?1383755872" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_small">Photo by Sean Purser</span></div>
<div><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#FFA07A;">The ladies have remained positive, supportive and even though Gina threatens to kill me when I slurp my slippery elm (yeah, it's a thing) I live on,.. WE live on!... and the album itself it's a </span><span style="color:#cc00cc;">cracker.</span><span style="color:#FFA07A;"> It's Mastered by the Master producer himself Tom Bancroft who is full of valuable insights,.. and is genuinely behind us every step of the way. The Album has got loads of the good stuff that Bevvy fans are going to dive into head first. There is so much in it for our fans. AS we wind into the home stretch and finish up the last bits and bobs, artwork and pressing, I can't help but feel like we've really accomplished something wonderful. Folks like to complain about the state of music these days, but we live in rare times! It really is exciting in this day-in-age how connected we are to the people that </span><a contents="listen to and support" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&utm_medium=activity&utm_source=facebook"><span style="color:#ffff66;">listen to and support</span></a><span style="color:#FFA07A;"> our music. Our fans will make this abum happen, and we owe it to them to make it 'B' great. With Mz Heather, Gina Rae, and Demus I feel I have a new musical family of sorts. There's always a </span><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Plan B </span><span style="color:#FFA07A;">and sometimes,.. it's the best one.</span></span></div>
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<br><a contents="The Bevvy Sisters pledge campaign on YouTUBE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR1DU-TKlMk">The Bevvy Sisters pledge campaign on YouTUBE</a>
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<iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ZR1DU-TKlMk" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ZR1DU-TKlMk/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZR1DU-TKlMk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><span class="font_xl"><strong><a contents='Go ON! "B" a Sexy Beast andSUPPORT THE BEVVY SISTERS NEW ALBUM PLAN B' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&utm_medium=activity&utm_source=twitter">Go ON! </a><a contents='Go ON! "B" a Sexy Beast andSUPPORT THE BEVVY SISTERS NEW ALBUM PLAN Bhttp://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&amp;utm_medium=activity&amp;utm_source=twitter' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&utm_medium=activity&utm_source=twitter"><span style="color:#cc0099;">"B" a Sexy Beast</span></a> and<br><a contents='Go ON! "B" a Sexy Beast andSUPPORT THE BEVVY SISTERS NEW ALBUM PLAN Bhttp://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&amp;utm_medium=activity&amp;utm_source=twitter' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&utm_medium=activity&utm_source=twitter">SUPPORT THE BEVVY SISTERS NEW ALBUM <span style="color:#cc00cc;">PLAN B</span></a></strong></span><br><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&utm_medium=activity&utm_source=twitter">http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thebevvysisters?utm_campaign=project7961&utm_medium=activity&utm_source=twitter</a><br><span style="color:#FFA07A;"><font style="">as of Nov 6th were underway at 60% with 30 days left to reach our target</font>! help us get to 200%!<br><span class="font_large">xxx THANK YOU!!!</span> XXX</span>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/6b98cf72c25dabf130b2f6fb780530b8bfb71cc4/original/img-3046.jpg?1380503156" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><span class="font_regular">Where was this hostel? Somewhere in the Skye! You can tell we don't have any fun at all.</span>
</div>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/5575862013-04-18T17:45:00+01:002018-03-05T13:43:58+00:00Oh yeah, I'm a mother.<span style="font-size: large;">"Puss-in-Boots/Buzzlightyear/Tig-ger/Pirate" aka my son Harlen (who downright refuses to be called by his own name almost every day) comes barreling into a rehearsal with "Mom, I'm hungry,.. and I don't want an apple." We're mid-song, and he knows to wait,.. but he's genuinely hungry. When's the last time I fed him a proper meal? I can't remember. He's eaten though, surely. I've got beans on, but that's not good for him really. OH what to give him! "just a sec hun" I say during the instrumental break, my brain multi-tasking away. Dirk is fiercely digging in, fiddle lines are slaying the stratosphere of our insanely colored tenement parlor and I look over to see Harlen rolling his eyes..and I mean rolling them. He's 4, not 14 but this life is giving him a certain perspective on life, no doubt about it. The song is finished and Harlen has gotten engaged in a full-on imagination game with his toys, he's lost in a world all his own,...he's forgotten his own need.. and who could blame him? Certainly not me, in fact, I was just like him in that way. I'm not so sure I've changed much. The cold and startling reality is that his parents are awfully distracted people. When we're here, we're often not here, and when we're gone, we're far-gone. I live in a constant state of guilt and a strange pride about the whole thing. The truth is, Harlen is one of the people in my life I respect the most. He's a lover, a forgiver, a remarkably generous spirit but above and beyond that, he puts up with the collective compulsive disorder we call music with such grace and patience,.. I have to remind myself at times that he's just a wee boy. He has a late bedtime,.. but he always goes without a fight. In fact, sometimes he tells me to go to bed... which is weird. I am struck by his loving wisdom almost at every turn. He is my superhero...</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/f89a5202e626d5ff583c6086322c39e942bbd3b7/large/IMG_2229.jpg?1366295006" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="927" width="600" /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;"> </div>
As it is right now I can hear him making airplane noises from the living room. I told him I wanted to write for a while, and he was off with and "ok, mom!" He's relieved. He doesn't want to get out of his pajamas or leave the house today. The apple deon't fall too far from the tree, and like us, he's content without a playmate, playing with ideas and adventures more than anything else. But, It's gonna be one of those days. I had to get an overnight sitter to attend and late night rehearsal with the Bevvies while Dirk is on the road with another band (The Southern Tenant Folk Union). The season is just warming up,.. and I'm a little weary. It will be the bussiest year yet, and while that's a good thing, I already miss him,.. and his Daddy. Harlen sings and soars, stabs and straightens thorough every page of our book, and I wouldn't have it any other way. He has informed my music and my life,... and everyday I'm forced to examine whether a negative thought should take up any headspace-for his sake. I'm not a very conventional mother, but if Harlen is any testament to alternative means,..I feel hopeful for the other freaks out there. He's just come up behind me, put a blanketon my back and said "There mama, you are now Bat-man-mom!" Fitting... but I wonder if there is a snack-bar in my tool belt.<br><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/0977cae74e8d53eb3596c7db5c8a097dd6318acf/large/IMG_2615.jpg?1366295165" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="896" width="600" /></div>
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/4301372013-03-28T16:52:00+00:002020-05-17T11:52:07+01:00Michelle Shocked shocks in worst possible way EVER.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br>
Michelle shocked blog coming soon: <br>
in the meantime here's the audio from the Yoshi's show that has caused such an uproar <a href="https://soundcloud.com/therealtofuandwhiskey/michelle-shocked-2nd-yoshis">https://soundcloud.com/therealtofuandwhiskey/michelle-shocked-2nd-yoshis</a><br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/4e7e090456fd587d4a87312a32145ab42d95aa44/large/IMG_1779.JPG?1380559585" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="343" width="600" /><br><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Her backdrop as painted by her husband featuring herself alongside frida Khalo, Marylin Monroe and Billie Holiday</span></span>
</div>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/2843102013-01-20T01:25:00+00:002018-06-14T13:15:04+01:00Taking the Electric Sabbath; a weekly pledge to ungoogle and unwind<span style="font-size: large;">We may not longer go to church, believe in a white bearded father figure, confess our sins or pay a tithe, but it doesn't mean that there is nothing sacred left in the world. In fact, it could mean that we are taking back what has always been sacred, human and spiritually important for ourselves, in our own right. It's the day after yesterday again with more powerful and tempting Gods wining and dining our subconscience . One of them has ironically taken the form of an apple; my apple PC. What an interesting twist of fate that the tree-of-knowledge allegory has seen such literal and permanent place in our collective consciousness. It got me thinking; it's true, I fill myself up on way too much on information, *burp*, stimulation (omg), and all the five billion things this apple-knowledge can give me. I'm so grateful for it, but honestly- I'm absurdly addicted to it, and I can't imagine my life without it. But today listening to some great music it occurred to me; Janis Joplin, Mississippi John Hurt, John Lennon and a host of my favorite Saints never needed one minute of the cyber-mess. It's become really clear that I need to rethink how I am using my time; I need an Electric Sabbath, a cleansing period of non-use. <br><br><div style="text-align: center;">A peaceful heart isn't found on a search engine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/d09f7732750329a8e431ab127df1609c109c2c4d/large/IMG_9299.jpg?1380559585" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1464" width="600" /></div>
Because as far as I can tell, being constantly connected certainly doesn't bring any more happiness to most people, but does bring a lot more pressure to everyone to be everywhere at once, answer even the smallest request within 24 hours, and be on call for God-knows-what at the drop of a dime. After all, being human is a pretty far-put experience no matter which way you slice it, and it's hard for me to completely disregard the magic living in the everyday ether, it's just that I can't experience it when I'm glued to the screen. Magic isn't a google-able, and I DON'T need to read every article on 'The Dailybeast' post before I go to bed. There is a great cost to this I am starting to feel, and though my life is an open Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Cera.Impala.Music) wherein I have personal and professional page aside from my own website..(oh brother), I even have a twitter account I've been told is eventually the holy grail of all (https://twitter.com/banjomama) Why? Well, it seems there is no escape,..It's the business, it's what I'm supposed to do, but on top of this I manage three separate email accounts and three bands, engage weekly students, rehearsals, gigs, a strict songwriting regiment I am truly religious about, and most of all we a have child that lives apart from his entire extended family..(imagine the Skype dates we have to keep up with). It's insidious how sometimes small things stack up to one banging reality; I've been sitting at my damn desk ALL DAY! The balance of my work and private life is complicated and I need break. I NEED to spend more physical time with my son, my husband, my kitchen, my books, my music, the artful albeit rare silence I prize beyond all things. I NEED to stretch more, walk more, meditate (at all). It's time for me bring back a sacred space in my own life without the omnipotence of any organized religion. If that means letting go of a few gigs or a few fans, maybe it's all for the best.<br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">The Pledge:</span></div>
So from now on, for me, this means that once a week for a 24 period <br>
1. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I WILL NOT</span> use the internet <br>
2. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I will not</span> make phone calls, <br>
3. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I will not</span> send or receive emails or <br>
4. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I will not</span> watch anything but the occasional family movie <br>
(if that's what the family collectively decides to do in the late evening). <br><br>
Instead I <span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 0);">will</span> focus on my breathing and my family, play music, games, make art, listen to the radio, go on long walks, chat, cook, craft and adventure. <br><br>
Wish me luck- although with all this free time I may just have my eyes open enough to see the first four-leaf clover of the year.</span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br><br>
“We join spokes together in a wheel,<br>
but it is the center hole<br>
that makes the wagon move.<br><br>
We shape clay into a pot,<br>
but it is the emptiness inside<br>
that holds whatever we want.<br><br>
We hammer wood for a house,<br>
but it is the inner space<br>
that makes it livable.<br><br>
We work with being,<br>
but non-being is what we use.”<br><br>
― Lao Tzu </span></div>
<br><br>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/2609692012-12-04T06:15:00+00:002013-12-02T08:55:08+00:00Immigration! Show us your papers- you dirty German lovin' Yank.<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Anyone that wants to talk about immigration but hasn't experienced it's churning wheels, coggs and grinding machine from the inside, is akin someone that's watched an ER marathon and then thinks they're a doctor. <br><br></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Even being married to a European citizen isn't quite enough these days to stay in Europe, especially great Britain and The UK is supposedly "cracking" down. As of July 7th, if your visa application isn't in, and you are a non EU individual married to to a European/Britton, AND most importantly you make less then 22,000 a year (more if you have a child, as I do), then <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"><i>you don't get to live here</i></span>. Which, as pointed out by a member of parliament, would bar over 40% of the United Kingdoms citizens ability to have their spouse join them in their home country should their spouse not be from the European union. Sounds completely bonkers, but somehow it passed, and guess what? I still (insert nail-biting here) haven't received my paperwork back from Liverpool saying I'm cool to stay. It's been there for four LONG months,.. and while we would have applied before hand (and tried to) you can't fill out the paperwork online as suggested because they don't give you enough space to answer the questions, and more importantly it involves sending off your personal papers (in their original form) including passport, marriage certificate, birth certificate,.. etc and so on. it's a bummer, but I need those papers to, you know,...go anywhere, for any reason. You have to hand them your life, and not step on or off a plane until they say so, which is difficult if your business involves travel. Besides, we only made the decision to leave Berlin as late as May, when the Dirk's job offer came through, and since were native english speakers and felt our opportunities (long term) would be better in the UK, we logically made the leap. We understood at that point in time that the coutries in the EU must all abide by the same treaty laws... oh yeah, the UK is clever,..they only made public this little hiccup in June of this year, <i>after</i> we already decided to leave everything behind. I wonder if they will reimburse me for my newly aquired addiction to valerian root and "The Good Wife" I now need just to calm my nerves.<br></span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);">We left the best flat in the world, proof that we had to have thought it through and not just impulsivily left our life. It was a big decision.<br></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <br>
Just to be clear, I am not a convicted criminal, Dirk and I are both university educated (not that that should matter, but it does) and I am not only married to a European citizen I am MOTHER to one. I have held over five years in permanent working residence in Europe and I have only returned to the states <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 204);">once</span>, for less than two weeks to visit my Nonnie, in California, (a place I do not call home). To boot, we came here for an official "by- the-books" job Dirk was offered (sound engineering for the Fringe & Jazz festivals- Spiegal tent). We knew it the job wasn't permenent, but it was a foot in the door- which for Dirk and Harlen, it has been. They both have been accepted in the NHS health care system (for instance), while I have been rejected. AND they (the border agency) can now send me back to the US at <i>my own cost</i> once my passport stamp has expired on December 29th. They can force me to go away from my son for three months while they decide if I should be allowed to stay and If I intend to stay here, and If I do not return to the states it can damage my ability to re-apply for my visa, or citizenship, (which as you can imagine- I am greatly interested in as to avoid this mess). <br></span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In short, it's a catch-22 nightmare. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <br>
The biggest of all the problems being, while I contribute to society/culture (don't I?), my contribution isn't monetary (which is the only thing they care about). If they do not inform me of my immigration status by December 29th, and I overstay my temporary visa,- I have no choice but to go on living, cooking, beathing with my family, working here in the community and carrying on, but it may damage my future application, which has caused serious anxiety in my household. Dirk is concerned we will have to move back the Germany (which would be very difficult for us, as a family, and to be honest- It would be the wrong thing for the world, not just our family and I think it would be traumatic for Harlen). Not only that, but practically speaking, it is almost financially impossible. We have invested everything,-- <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 204);">'hook, line and sinker' </span>our hearts and fincances on the dream that, long-term, this would be the right place for us. We are poor, but not in spirit and if ever there was a class-warefare goin on, it's happening now by rearing it's ugly head through immigration laws... and it's getting worse. If you have powere to vote, or make an influential call, begin a conversation or not be apathetic in whatever way you can.... please do.<br><br></span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);">California and Mexico are the same land, <br>
Least it would be if it weren't for some man<br>
Came along with other men, and some big guns<br>
to draw a line, right there in the sand, oh yeah they said<br><br>
California, we just know we have to own ya<br>
California, thing is- we don't know if we can offord ye,.. on no.</span><br>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">These words are a snip-et from one of my first ever songs found on the album "Before Berlin". I learned later that California is/was name of an amazonian princess. One has to wonder if she would have immigration isssues in today's political climate. It never fails to amaze me how things always work their way back into your life in the most unexpected of ways....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">fingers crossed we have no reason to worry, and this time next year Santa and I will be sipping whisky sours on a rainbow.</span></span></div>2:27Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/2594392012-11-30T21:05:00+00:002017-01-14T15:03:05+00:00Santa revealed: Almost as Cool as Douglas Robertson, A Non-profit Businessman, Jolly Toker<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus, Mary and Joseph, let's face it- Santa's got it in the bag, and his "good" list is the list to be on. It's the gospel truth if you're mother to a four-year old, and while I might be racked with guilt for using it, I find myself referencing said list at least once every two days and it's not even December yet. After all, where's the harm in a little extra good-behavior inducing magick? I can't help it, I merrily and eagerly surrender to the other-world at every turn in life, and now I have very persistent reason that wants a kid-kitchenette for christmas. <br></span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Hands down, Santa is the best drug around and more effective than chloroform.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> He is, without question, the ever-forgiving, double-checking, animal loving, kindhearted, hot-toddy drinking saint we all wish was our real grandfather. Kris-Kringle is the image of perfect love; a jovial red-cheeked, non-judgmental soul who genuinely KNOWS what we've been up to, yet STILL always asks us how we are. </span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/a15373bad37d9ef77effda7a625626cc3dcd19b7/medium/santa.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" width="300" /><br>
what's more?<br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">His omnipotence doesn't ever seem to get in the way of his open interest in our lives, naughty or nice. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> He's got a cuddly attentive velvet lap ready and waiting for us to just talk. Come to think of it, maybe we could all save money on therapy if we just visited Santa every now and then because he doesn't ask for money and wants to know above & beyond anything else how he can make our lives better. He's a role model not just in his generosity, but in his organizational skills, time and elf-management, a successful marriage (although I daresay that Mrs. Clause could use a film or two of her own). It's not a surprise that he gives us a second chance from time to time, he's a flawed one himself. If his waistline is any indication that he caves to temptation, so is the smoke habit of his that oft encircles his head "like a wreath". I wonder if Santa didn't lobby against prohibition in the 20's and is part of the Colorado & Washington states most recent merry legal attitude toward the occasional green indulgence. Recently I came across a new a politically correct version of "Twas the Night Before christmas" omitting references to a smoking Santa, but let's be honest<br></span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 204, 0);">Allowed or disallowed their green, Elves will be Elves.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Given the time of year, we are looking for some escape from the dim reality that lies beyond the front door. Scotland is dreary and dark this time of year and Edinburgh is just shy of the Stockholm's latitudinal line. I must confess that it's been an adjustment even from Berlin whose wicked winters will slap you till you forget your name and now it's an hour darker for us, even still. It's no difficult task to see how the tradition of Santa emerged from Scandinavia; A mysterious jingle-jangle of a sleigh and promise of a few sweets from a jolly old Elf holds just enough magick to give the sun-starved, if not all together translucent babes a reason to see through another period of darkness. Vampires probably get more rays (and make more friends on account their lack of raw-garlic diet that keeps my immune system ticking this time of year). What with my 3:00-in-the-morning creative schedule I'm lucky to catch a few hours of sun at all, -but then, there are other ways to feel the glow, right? Right.<br></span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 0);"> Being creatures of habit, we all need reason for the season.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> ...because maybe that whole baby-mama knocked up by a "god"-stranger born in a manger thing just isn't enough. I went to Catholic school and I recall a certain uptight Mrs. Wetzel in the third grade sitting us down a week before christ-mess holiday to dispel rumors about Santa. She had overheard us chatting during rehearsal for the school play (I chose to be a rainbow that could only go through doors full on sideways, not much has changed) She wanted to not-so-sweetly "put to rest" and blasphemous notions we might have that would grant us no more than a one-way bus ticket to that most undesirable place further left of Death Valley than any 9-year-old should care to go,- if we knew what was good for us. (If you think this is bad, you should see what she showed us before Easter. "Good" Friday should be renamed "grim and bloody gruesome Friday"). I needed to hear no more; then and there, I was sold on Santa, and like anybody subject to prohibition, this know-it-all lecture inspired my most romantic ideas about Santa. Behind door number 1: A virgin (yeah right) in eternal service to her son, listening to voices, with no dreams of her own completely satisfied with an offspring that once having left her nest disappeared for 10 years without even so much as a letter to his poor mum- Oy vey. pass the birth control. Whereas, behind door number 2 there was Holly-hopped-up St. Nick, and while he can't offer me eternal salvation,.. a ukelele wouldn't hurt me reach that very close-to-ecstatic meditative state, which is the nearest I'll ever expect to come to heaven. Besides, wasn't Jesus just saying we should all have lunch together, make an efffot to be kind, and that heaven and hell are possible right-here-right-now as a result of our actions? Let's concentrate on the former, because heaven is a place on earth, it's now, and it's up to us. There is no doubt we make the world what it is, see what we what want to see, and angels walk among us.<br></span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 0);">He's isn't perfect, but Santa not only has a generous heart~ he acts upon it, & that's a role-model enough, if you ask me<br></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">NOW IT'S TIME FOR US TO ACT</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of Heaven-on-earth and selfless Santa-types, the most kind and generous persons in all of Edinburgh are in trouble and need our help. Douglas Robertson and Jane-Anne the Mr. and Mrs. Claus of 42 Royal Park terrace are being told by the jobs-worths of the city council that they are no longer allowed to hold house concerts in their own house despite the fact that concerts are 1. acoustic, 2. over by 11pm & 3. don't bother residents (in fact, the lady upstairs<i> loves</i> them, and many neighbors attend shows regularly). Let's get together and stick a LUMP OF COAL in their stuck-up stocking by sending off as many emails to them as we can. EMAILS GO TO andrew.burns@edinburgh.gov.uk "subject" ALLOW HOUSE CONCERTS @ 42, with an emphasis on the fact that it is first and foremost a house, and there is absolutely no profit going on, only donations for the musicians (who really need it, because venues don't/can't pay musicians fairly). Please help us tell these drones what the cultural significance of these concerts in your life, how the concerts are special because they are NOT in a formal venue, how your existence would change if they were to stop. ** THANK YOU** in advance for supporting live music, magic and culture- the little things that make life worth living. I'll put in a word with the big man,.. and I don't mean Yah-weh.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/ef84e64a9a7222e78e92104eb08a2eb781a2ecc6/large/santa-2.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="939" width="600" /></span></div>
<br>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/1966132012-08-05T06:35:00+01:002017-01-14T15:03:05+00:00Faceboobs, Real Boobs, Real Friends & the Success of "Others"<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Here's the spiel: I have a decent sized handful of dear friends who aren't on facebook, which inspires me in essence (and I love them)- but they consequently haven't a clue what's on tonight. They must know by now how much I love them, because we're still freinds despite having to clue them in,... ad nauseum. Let's be clear here, they're not living in a tree without internet scavenging for food in the forest without electircity and indoor plumbing, they just aren't on the faceboob and fail to get invited to things often asking me seperately what the post is and if I could text/write them emails and keep them in the know. What's more annoying is that <i>I'm the one that </i>actually feels guilty about being an unorigional drone because I'm on it. Is it my imagination that they feel pleased with themselves about this?...Especially when asked the question <span style="color: rgb(153, 204, 255);">"Are you facebook?"</span> To which they get to reply "nah" with that cat-that-swallowed-the-unbelieveably-delicious-canary" look, or if and when they get to be the first to tell you a juicy little tid-bit in real-time. <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">"Ooooohh"</span> friend X says..<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">" and d'you know what the best part is?! I'm telling you this in PEAR-SON, oh NO- you didn't hear this shite from FACEbook!,.. you heard it from ME ...PEaAR-SONALLY!!"</span> (X is from Glasgow if you hadn't guessed) Yes X, agreed. It <i>is</i> cool to drink from the well occasionally, but frankly,- I'm grateful just to be watered at all. I'll take what I can get. And, too be fair to myself, I hear <i>most</i> things that aren't <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 204);">status updates</span>; e.g. The voices in my head, songs, my sons voice telling me that I'm NOT getting any ice cream (I've been <i>bad</i>, you see), the GREAT intangible wanderings of a mind that can never be fully related on paper of any kind, not to mention the basic stuff like my grocery list etc. (whew, at least I'm not one of those).<br><br></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">
<div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: large;"><font color="#cc99ff" class="Apple-style-span">In the end, no matter what choice we make- we all just wanna be liked.<br>
Sometimes we might consider taking a big step back for a spell and try to feel what it's like to just be.<br><br></font></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> I'm not cool like my friend, I am a full-fledged faceboob cause take it or leave it I personally just can't knock it. ..But it is like a <span style="color: rgb(153, 204, 0);">garden</span>, you have to weed and there are conversly worthwhile blooms worth a gaze- that much is clear. I feel astonishingly somewhat dependant on it; I've lived in three countries in five years, and before that I lived in five states permentantly in 25 years. I've made some tracks, and I think without the internet most people would simply believe the rumors. (which, by the way are true *wink*). While I too resisted joining this cyber-slavery for significant chunk of time, I've learned to use it so that it's only mildly annoying and incredibly useful for me. After all, I can post pictures of my kid and advertise for a show all in one go say wha?! (the ol' 'two birds with one stone' operations get me every time) I also <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 204);">really do feel</span> the genuine <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 204);">love</span> of people who want to be kept up to date with us, and I genuinely <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 204);">LOVE </span>that <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">I can see them raise their families and succeed at their passions</span>. YIPPIE for <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 204);">Love!!</span> YAY for the fact that's it's <span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);">free</span>! Oh yeah,.. btw- When did everything become free,... like, for instance- music? (I used to save up for two weeks to buy an album...and now -argh! but that's another rant isn't it?) In a nutshell Facebook has made it possible for me to <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">share</span> my thoughts and feelings with a group beyond my immediate surroundings and hear from them in return. Wow. Way to go technology, if only we were evolving at the same speed. <br></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <br>
So yes, please do notice I said it is "mildly" annoying. To the point: I ran into the worlds sweetest gal at a super-rad party recently (in Morningside ~Dahling) who was hashing out that she felt torn about re-joining the "social network" because she said while she was feeling left out, uninvited etc-- that facebook made her <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);">depressed</span>. Gosh, depressed <i>I thought</i>, about what? This gal really has it all.. she's a doll with youth, a darling fella in her life, a camper van, really super-duper loving friends...etc. "it's just," she sighs.." everyone is doing such amazing things with their life,.. and i'm just, well,.. <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);"><i>I'm just me</i></span>." Oh dear. <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Stupid faceboobs</span>...listen up <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">chicka!! Y</span>ou are everything you need to be. You are beautiful, you are an inspiration to me and I just met you. SO on behalf of her, and myself and all the others out there that don't want to un-join or even ignore good friends posts, there are a few things that will make it hard for me to "like" you or even worse, will make me hide you or unsubscribe from you on faceboob. </span>
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/052296d2c7c98ea4b56ecaca74d14631236a59f4/medium/IMG_1383.JPG?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="206" width="300" /><br>
WHAT NOT TO DO IN MY VIEW</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> 1. <img src="//bandzoogle.com/common/FCKEditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/thumbs_down.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Get all angry and political even 50% of the time</span>. Sometimes,.. ok. I'm curious? Has something happened to you personally? Because I reckon you are you not coping with unchannaled rage. Believe me, I'm the first to tell you America has a few legislation-ally enhanced problems,.. why do you think I <span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);">crossed the ocean</span> and haven't returned? Please be nice and try hard to refrain from making judgements about things you don't have personal experience with like welfare, guns, drugs, medicare, immigration... for all you know someones favorite uncle was shot in the head. So maybe just keep it inspirational..? Yes!! example: "I went to a protest today,..It was rad!... and I farted MEATLESS lentils,.. whoo!! rock!!!"<br><br>
2. <img src="//bandzoogle.com/common/FCKEditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/thumbs_down.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">a. Post pictures of girls with big boobs and their mouths agape every day, ALL the time.</span> Once in a while everyone needs a good tit- but come ON. I have a substantial rack, and yes they are awesome. I have even used them for the purpose intended for them (making me even more sick of them than the average gal). Food for thought, eh? Like,.. er,.. really dude,.. they are food. Really beautiful food. consider that many small breasted women see your posts, what would you feel if giant cocks were out here all the time. Would it aid your self esteem in this image crazed world we live in? <br><img src="//bandzoogle.com/common/FCKEditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/thumbs_down.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">b. reward women for being only women e.g. beautiful, mothers, nurturers, boobs/piece of tail, cooks.</span> If a women is a professional in her field but gets exponentially far more attention for pictures of her with kids than posts about her professional success, it can send a clear message that her main value to society is that of a mother, and not much else. It isn't bad to love women as mothers and beautiful ladies but consider also supporting "like" ing the whole person, not just the signature female part. Encourage brains, heart and beauty alike, which of course goes for everyone, men, women and those blessed to play with both color toys.<br><br></span><span class="Apple-style-span">3. <img src="//bandzoogle.com/common/FCKEditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/thumbs_down.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Ignore another human being as only the internet allows.</span> When someone writes you a letter/email that requires response...respond to it. You have time. The worst thing you can do is make idiotic posts about your mundane-ness letting the person know who wrote you 'I'd rather collect 2 likes for getting out of my IKEA bed this morning than let you know I got your message. Furthermore, I don't <i>care</i> that you took the time out to think of me and actually connect with me" It's a smelly symptom of a society that is self obssessed and simultaneously lonelier than ever. Sad... but not because it has to be. ps. boycott IKEA they are chopping down old growth forests in Russia.<br><br>
4. <img src="//bandzoogle.com/common/FCKEditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/thumbs_down.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Be fake.</span> No, be real as morning breath. Oh yeah babes, It's exciting AND interesting to be vulnerable once in a while. Without throwing a pity-party, let people know a broader perspective of your life. No one believes that everything in your universe is perfect/ guru-esque figured-out, and that you are always in glowing halo of Greta Garbo worthy light (unless it really is,.. in which case, Jesus- don't rub it in- it's insensitive to us humans down here!) SO,.. for my cute friend at the party, and for everyone out there that feel "depressed" that they are just them, be.. just you once in a while. Not <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"><i>you</i></span> squared on top of the empire state, not <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"><i>you</i></span> looking like a rockstar meeting with your agent on a beach... tell me something I don't already know. I've heard it said "It's nice to be cool, but it's cooler to be nice." Be both, or our imaginations will work overtime filling in the gaps, especially if you were kind of a jerk back in the day. You know what they say about dudes with big cars,.. well the same could be said about Facebook posts intended to lead everyone to believe your life is flawless. No one is likely very jealous, but they might be naive and depressed- or like me, increasingly cynical. Either way, I'm not sure it was the outcome you imagined. Consider sharing things that aren't "<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">You</span>"-centric all the time, even if no one likes it. It <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">humanizes you</span>, and that's a good thing.<br><br>
5. <img src="//bandzoogle.com/common/FCKEditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/thumbs_down.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Be Boring.</span> No wait, please log out and Get A Life, THEN share it- <i>maybe</i> once day, With, (now that I'm dreaming) a squirt of humor, a teaspoon of old fashioned community spirit, and a pinch of humble-pie. We are all (by nature) self promoting creatures of habit- <i>offline, online, at the cafe/bar, at work, on the stage, to our friends, to our foes, to our who knows-who. </i>It's a survival mechanism, and it's not all together unfortunate, it just <span style="color: rgb(153, 204, 255);"><i>is</i></span>. Folks like to blame this self-evident douche-bagerry on modern times but I can assure you,.. it's not a new party were at, it's just a new venue. Straight-up- If your friends online or off don't inspire you, get new ones! Don't wait!! Unsubscribe TODAY from people who make you feel icky. I've even unfriended a few, and you know- I feel lighter, happier and more enthusiastic about seeing what everyone is up to when I log in. Maybe in the long run these folks took a wee look at their questionable interactions with the cyber-silly and made a modification for the better. Maybe. If it gets noticed and someone is bewildered by your choice, tell them the truth, invite an old fashioned conversation over an old fashioned beverage. Progress made.<br><br></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="//bandzoogle.com/common/FCKEditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/heart.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Here'e hoping</span>~ for as hippie-indoctrinated as it may sound, we are indeed each other- there is no real "<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">other</span>". -It's science, yep. -it's magic, sure. -It's friggen<span style="color: rgb(153, 204, 255);"> faceboob</span> even. When we support and share the successes of others, we are celebrating and encouraging the positive energy in ourselves. We then in turn can ride the this tubular wave and be supported by it with less effort than it takes to swim this vast ocean alone. The social network is a great example of how <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 204);">all things are connected</span> and not as seperate as we may feel they are in our dark and dangerous illusions and fears. <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">It is what we make it- so let's make it something that doesn't suck. </span><br><br>
Here's an remarkable example of community spirit and actual literal web I witnessed at the Big tent Festival in Fife last weekend. Folks weaved examples of the cellular structure found in trees and then wrapped this beautiful evergreen in their collective artistic effort. Unbelievable doesn't even begin to describe what it felt like to stumble upon this with a hot-toddy in hand and the boy Harlen by my side. .......Inspiring does though.<img src="//bandzoogle.com/common/FCKEditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/lightbulb.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /><br><br></span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/61d5f4a2bb6f24afcc5dc82e7143878bf71caf0a/medium/IMG_1382.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/5c3ac25e0288d8ad500bc6c9cefebc0beb55b828/medium/IMG_1391.JPG?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="300" /></span></div>
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CONFESSION: I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I hide what I "like",.. because I "like" so much and I have self-judged this to be 'too much!' and therefore embarrassing and uncool. So now that you know, ...will you think less of me, or do you "like" me too? (cheeky, huh?) XXX Cera<br><br></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/Cera.Impala.Music"><span style="font-size: large;"> <img src="//bandzoogle.com/common/FCKEditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/thumbs_up.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" />www.facebook.com/Cera.Impala.Music </span></a><br></span>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/1763582012-06-09T02:35:00+01:002017-01-14T15:03:05+00:00The Love Book<div style="text-align: center; "> <br><span style="font-size: large;">The LOVE Book<br><br>
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/bf07fbb9ec2f4c472eb12389ce9c681bd392dd4f/medium/Photo-on-2012-06-09-at-00.32.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/a3f81fe0d6685350684609f88685b61c06418ac4/medium/Photo-on-2012-06-09-at-00.322.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/e6a9b6501ca67a46623d87f439b9bedb3b0c2745/medium/Photo-on-2012-06-09-at-00.326.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /> <br>
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<div style="text-align: left; "><span style="font-size: large;">Love. Who knows what it means anymore? It's a word that gets used to sell dishwasing detergent as much as it is a word that defines your life, your lifestyle and your definition of yourself. The Love book came about in a dark month of the year when Berlin ceases to smile in an especially unfriendly sort of way. I had just played what I would call a "burn-out gig". The moon was hidden, and so were everyone's manners. I had brought my best friend, my man, and my babe along with me only to find out there was no PA, and I was just supposed to stand in a corner and play for tips to the rudest most rubbish arseholes in Prenzlauerberg,.. which is why I now have the saying "I don't go to Prenzlauerberg unless I get paid". It's fair to say in retrospect I perhaps overreacted (who me?) and did have some fans in the crowd, as well as an apologetic waitress who was awful nice... but I had the overall feeling of soul-crushing exhaustion. Years of work for this? To have them smack their gums while Dirk plays insanely brilliant lines that slide in and out of this dimension? No shit, It sucks to be a musician sometimes. FREE BEER will never make up for the fact that you are often tricked into situations by venues, grossly underpaid and made to feel that if you don't lick their arses you are some kind of diva. Maybe I get it worse because I AM a lady banjo-diva of sorts. (no, old man, I DON'T know how to play Dixie- and I don't care to learn songs from the confederacy any more than you want to wear a swastika, ok?) I am not a jukebox, I'm an artist. Oh yeah, I'm an artist- I'd better act like one and start cranking out that lemonade, eh?<br><br>
That night I went home, took off my brown boots, had a soothing lavender candle-lit bath and had myself a nice long think. Berlin is this huge city and apart from New York the biggest I've ever lived in. In most ways it knocks me out... I can't help but draw the *insects to humans* parallel when watching that centipede of a train slip by on the horizon,... it all seems so regurgitated. On top of that we live in the digital age, no one writing with a pen anymore, not really. Everything seems to be stuck in a fancy-pants microsoft-apple cloud... nothing tangible. In it's simplest form- I love the intangible made tangible whenever and however possible. I love, I love to love, I love to write songs that are about love because it's so clear that's what the world is aching for from the inside of every marrow & every seeping, sweaty pore. If I could just collect five things of LOVE from every individual I ever met at a show, I would at the end of my days really have something worth something, no matter what. And you know what? It's also a great way to engage people in their own thoughts. Everytime I write a song, I am examining life as I know it- and my duty as a muse is to bring that out in people by hook or by crook... but there is more than one way to tickle that tired old teddy- and I'm gonna use every trick in the book.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 204);"><br></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 204);">Love<br>
What do you love<br>
Specifically<br>
unscientifically<br>
Eternally<br>
Oddly<br>
Plainly<br>
Gratefully<br>
What? What? What?</span><br><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Tell Cera one thing you love for each of your five wits and please- for once take up space, take up time!</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 204);">ps. Everyone loves cheese, beer and sex- if you love these things please be as specific as possible and sign this book with your super un-super power+animus.<br>
for instance: "Pontificating Panda"<br></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/cd60af83bf10a881e15d4096fecdcb2463875993/medium/Photo-on-2012-06-09-at-00.332.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/f356bdff9885133a6eebb5e0c5b255b529217397/medium/Photo-on-2012-06-09-at-00.325.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/f21b27d502eb3ff7b194c02653ac9f6e3961b0de/medium/Photo-on-2012-06-09-at-00.323.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left; "><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/1282102011-12-13T10:25:00+00:002017-01-14T15:03:05+00:00Tinsel, trees, & trash-bins a Ho-Ho-Holiday romp<div style="text-align: left; "> <span style="font-size: large;">Well the season is upon us, on top of us, dining at our table nearly uninvited and yes-- most folks would do anything to slip out from under the gooses axe right about now. Time as it would seem is running out! The economy is in ruin, Rick Perry is a powerful rich guy and The Mayan calendar begins in mere weeks to tick-tock tick-tock! Not to mention no one has a clue how to act around their own mother, sister, old friend or dreaded ex. Let's be fair though, there<i> is</i> polio vaccine, indoor plumbing and if you are reading this, chances are you ate something today and were provided shelter with wi-fi to boot. <br>
ahh but stress is as stress does. We must enthusiastically wash it, dry it, and comb into a managable and presentable shape, for now, for mom. (and don't mention the tattoo!) In truth, since I live on the other side of the planet , I have much less to worry about than I used to. It's pretty nice really, I have happily avoided the notion of social obligation and in my adult life I have taken up the practice of celebrating Solstice instead. It's not just for the sake of convienience though, ...it's my truth. This Truth bam-bam-banged on the door incessantly for a number of years before I answered it. For me, the "knock-knock" "who's there?" was the "er,..hello, it's me the <span style="color: rgb(153, 204, 0);"><i>Law of the land"</i></span>. Not <i>our</i> land, or any land that man can claim , name and spray with Monsanto's Round-up ready- but the true wild land, and the nothing-but-noble voice of it's residents; trees, plants, birds and rare beasts. Much like Santa- the real magic of these spaces resides within us, without us and responds to us positvely when we are good.<br>
If you need any evidence that the world is a cooky misguided place, look no further than the dumpster bins lining every street in every state in suburbia shortly after the big bang of new years. Who can walk by these swollen overfilled crates of memories with half dead young fir trees that never had a chance- and NOT heave a perplexed sigh? What a way to celebrate the birth of the christ-child, but by killing a tree-child... what a way indeed. so Bah- humbug to that. <i>There</i> I said it. The "rudolf ralph" (as I like to call it) or the christmas binge, and tinsel purge is a very real and tragic metaphor for the way modern life has gone. Our need to bring nature to us, and our lack of ability to respectfully go into it with wonder, light and love is alarming at <i>best</i>, and a failure to make good on our promise to maintain the earth's creature's at <i>worst</i>. <br>
When I was 17 I first had the pleasure of listening to Dar Williams, and later saw her live at my college campus. Enchanted by her non-pretentiousness and sweet simplicity, storytelling and wit, i went to get my CD signed. For a brief moment, I saw a piece of my future self in her, and and remember thinking, <i>'now there's a gal after my own heart!'.</i> She gave me the strength to be more me than I was willing to let others see. She gave me hope that strength doesn't always dress to kill, and sometimes has a flower in it's hair. At the time I was embarking upon a life in the big apple, New York, abandoning my normal west-coast thrift store attire for a "chic" pleather jacket, tall black boots and facial expression to match. I'm not sure that I ever pulled it off. Now that I'm in my 30's I wear what I like, and I like what I wear. Of course I'll still try anything once- be it instrument, color, food, look, sitting nook or pair of sunglasses... magic is in the learning.<br>
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* May all your days be merry and full of Magic *<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"> </span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left; "><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/1023452011-06-09T19:20:00+01:002020-06-25T10:24:30+01:00Two Ears and One Mouth<div style="text-align: left; ">
<span style="font-size: larger; "> </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was Ghandi who said, "You have two ears and one mouth", which I interpret to mean that we ought to listen twice as much as we talk. When it comes to musicians, I think we might square this and multiply it by infinity. The best music makers I know don't just noodle along in a jam, they figure out the bass-line first, they know the foundation before climbing to the attic, don't play over vocals, know their time to shine, enjoy finding new music, encourage and appreciate every level of discovery, and above all- they **listen.** listen.**listen.** This requires most humble genius, patience, and a deep and unfettered understanding of our various musical roles. <br></span>
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<div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: large;"> MY RECENT GOOD LUCK</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left; "><span style="font-size: large;"> I had a concert at the Schokoladen scheduled for yesterday (Wednesday) but as the fates would have it- they are having noise compliant issues and the ordnugs amt is breathing down their neck...they gave me the choice to opt out of performing (or go on at 9:00) and I chose not to play....which was the most fortunate choice I could have made. In place of performing myself I attended a konzert at the GlassHaus here in Berlin. What use the performer made of time and space, the loop station, the sparse Tom-Wait's-eqsue piano accompaniment, not to mention the handsome black bow-tie under spotlight was<i> truly</i> stunning. There are rare artists out there who have the ability to transform energy, and inspire peace by relieving us the constant burden of hearing our own incessant woes. They give us something much higher. They are ambassadors for a better and more perfect world we tirelessly strive towards. All musicians to some degree or another are chasing the tail of this most elusive dragon, and last night I was transported to a place of pure inspiration. Thank you for this, and thank you *universe* that we have ears to hear at all.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: large;">.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/d9482ccb7928257c0bbe63a88f40e9374e960a6f/large/red-banjo.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="800" width="600" /> </span></div>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/996702011-05-16T02:45:00+01:002018-05-12T14:33:03+01:00Why blogging is like singing in the shower<span style="font-size: large;">Blogging is like singing in the shower; best without clothes on, can be a refreshing experience and should be done as if no one is listening. I find my self lately wondering if people care to read it, and why? (perhaps I wouldn't) The inside scoop is that this blog was not my idea, it began because of a suggestion from a fantastic college professor of mine, Sean Williams. Her encouraging theory being that it is indeed interesting for folks to get a glimpse into the artists process. Well Mz. Williams- I'm not so sure my blog will clarify anything and honestly, I didn't want to do it- which has stopped me in my tracks--....yup. It might be just the thing I <i>need</i> to do for what ever as-yet unknown reason (as is so often the case). But jeeez- I've always figured it's better to let ones workings be a mystery- right? To challenge myself I've drummed up a few notions as to why maybe I was wrong.... and here they are: 1) it's fun,..and fun is good (or at least so says Dr. Seuss). If we only write to perform, and not for the bigger funner no so serious self- we lose what is essential about why we write in the first place. We have to write for no reason, or there never will be a reason. 2) It's therapy, for both parties the writeer and the reader. Why pay a psychologist when you can ask yourself every week,..how do I feel? In theory if we share candidly what we think and feel with others (and really listen to them in return) we might just end up in the end with a more colorful world view with a juicier more nuanced palat to boot ,..and be all the better for it. 3) it's a flexible multi-media platform that allows pictures (which I take almost every day), and video- god help me (it's new hobby), and whoo-hoo** if I'm feeling saucy I can just leave a poem or a piece of scanned artwork. I say this is waaaay better than the old methods of show and tell.... </span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of which-After this crazy weekend, a major bike accident (I will resist from showing you the pictures I took of this) and Dirk having been attacked in the park by some dumb hooligans leaving his fiddle shattered... you'd think I'd be feeling shaken up and defeated. ahh but no. I've never felt more (OUCH!)+(OH**no!) Alive! Yes, alive is what we are except when were not...and I feel woken up in a big way. Things couldn't be better. We have it all, everything we need- and there's nothing like an incident as such to bring out the best in everyone. Thank you to all of our beautiful friends who have supported us with not just words, but actions and true love. We are going to get Dirk the fiddle he really deserves and I can't wait to hear it.... can you?<br><br>
Take a listen to Dirk playin' his heart out on "Orange Blossom Special"- the bonus track we'll send you when you download our new Album "Higher Place"<br></span><a href="http://joe-czarnecki.com/dirks-violin/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://joe-czarnecki.com/dirks-violin/</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br>
Thank you JOE for being such a true friend. Only good can come of this*<br>
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</div>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/984502011-05-03T01:10:00+01:002020-03-21T16:59:09+00:00Time and Space<div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: large;">I often contemplate the concepts of the great and tortured Virginia Woolf. This week, her specific observation about the necessity of having "A room of ones own" to achieve professional success has grabbed me. hmmm. (insert exasperated sigh here) Yep, that chick never had kids. I'm embarrassed to admit I spent many a college seminar really wondering publicly why so few women become engineers, ,..and now it's hit me like a cartoon piano. Careers that require a lot of alone time, paper work, and cocktail after parties are near impossible if you've got a wee wonderful monster underfoot. For those without kids,.. take heed---bringing a toddler with you anywhere is like traveling with an untethered goat.<br><br>
You've heard it all before but YES,.. Moms across the board, and nursing mothers in particular know the challenge of finding a bit of personal space and time to ones own. (It's been ages since I clicked a door shut and was able to just breath my own air!) Sometimes *agh* I feel like my life is just damage control. BUT- and here's the big and beautiful 'but' here; motherhood has made me appreciate the time I have SO much more. I don't waste it as much and I'm less likely to obsess about things I might've before. No use crying over spilt milk, I can always make more.<br><br>
I found myself telling a friend the other day that nursing was like forced meditation, and as is often the case, once I said it- only then did I realize how true it is. It is the time when the mind must go quiet to make it work. When I can do nothing else but <b>let</b> my body work, I find myself unknowing going over the chord progression to the "Tiger rag" or what have you- ha* thank god dirk finally got a fiddle mute! He calls this the "marriage saver", ... I imagine because he's become aware that diminished scales are fun for a half an hour,...and then not for everyone!,.... I digress~ The point is,...you can travel the world without leaving your sometimes crowded room, Thank you George Harrison! I argue the accepted notion that you need a silly old room to center yourself, though I admit it's a bit more challenging. A recipe for success is a dash of proper patience and a good stir. It's true- at times you can achieve better practice <i>not </i>playing your instrument than playing it (and I really wouldn't say this unless I had seen some results). A room no doubt can be an aid, but either way (with one or with out), silence takes effort, discipline and the benefit of a healthy challenge. <br><br>
In my most silent moments the best songs come on. So for all the rest of us fertile-myrtle's Mama's out there,..don't worry! The room in your heart and head can always be expanded upon, renovated, redecorated -plus it's private, and there is plenty <i>of</i> it for ripe-and ready for your amazing mind tingling, earth shaking, creations.<br>
oh boy I had better stop typing and,...<br><br>
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/500a53588ae35cd8e50637d74beeda798acd402f/large/berfore-berlin-WEB.gif?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="600" width="600" /></span></div>Cera Impalatag:ceraimpala.com,2005:Post/975282011-04-15T19:25:00+01:002017-01-14T15:03:04+00:00Blackberry Bushes come to Berlin<div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: large;"> After four years, it happened! the stars aligned and for a brief moment in time (about 6 days) Cera and the Blackberry Bushes reunited. It was sweet and wonderful wednesday/thursday we managed some time for a song share, a food share,...and just got to breath the same air....whew. and what a breath of fresh air it was*, ...well ok- after that first shower off the road!<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/2584d8a5ff83186d90a3399f6c2e033caff824d7/large/blackberrybushes-poster-berlinWEB.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="600" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: large;">We performed a lovely Haus-party on friday the 8th at Max and Molly's tree-top paradise and Saturday hit the hip-scene that is the SOULCAT. I can't wait till next time.....<br>
As their rental car pulled away from Oderstrasse wet stones too proud to call themselves tears came to visit in the Blackberry Bushes absence.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/0c0f4e37460f1a6b183ffe3bc16c5972d32f07a6/large/P1010063.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="600" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8739/cbc3804e92e83c11376e026060505e714db72ad7/large/P1010037.jpg?1380559584" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="323" width="600" /></span></div>Cera Impala