The Dress

All the talk about "The Dress" over the last weeks - and for what? In my opinion, it was flat. 


Yes, it was a royal wedding and no, I didn't expect Kate should wear a Lady GaGa-esque design, but isn't there such a thing as too safe even for an occasion such as this?  And this was also not reminiscent of Alexander McQueen - no trend, no edge, nothing controversial or risky...there was no statement to be made. 


If I were marrying into the royal family,  I would likely choose something also elegant but with more dramatic touches than an interesting neckline (the best feature of Kate's dress actually).  I would certainly choose something more fashion forward - its a pivotal moment in fashion history so I would step up to the challenge. 


Royal fashion disappointment aside, thank you Prince Simon and Princess Caroline for the wonderful gala to honor the wedding of Kate & William. I am pretty sure you are wondering who invited this Yank anyway.  I do apologize for not knowing the difference between the Queen and the Queen Mom, drinking too much and insisting jelly does not belong in whatever that dodgy pudding" was....and of course not saying a word about MY dress - fancy hat with cowboy boots and a jean jacket :-)


Long live the Queen

Price Simon and Dinner

Princess Caroline and Lordship

From the dark heart of a dream

I did not have a very good guitar lesson tonight. I am learning Death Cab for Cutie, I'll follow you into the dark and while it doesn't have lots of chords, the changes are tough and the strumming pattern is somehow difficult for me. So i am frustrated. This on top of some theory which is probably pretty simple but I just don't get it - B, C, C#, D (what happened to B#)? ugh.


Afterward I went with Yahtzee to City Winery to watch a Bruce documentary about the making of Darkness on the Edge of Town. Unf, Bruce was not there...but I thought the film was excellent and getting inside the process of a creative type like Bruce was pretty profound. 


Of course I am a huge Bruce fan. So to watch old clips of the band in the studio over the making of this album was just neat, especially as it was a bit of coming of age narrative. Bruce says in the film that he realized that "life is not wide open but it is full of possibilities" and he was beginning to find himself compromising more as an adult but also realizing that there are some things you dont compromise. This album was a homage of sorts to the beliefs he held true to - family, work ethic, a way of life - and the albums was its "sound picture". I like stories and this one is so genuine and it really does come across in the rawness of the songs.


I also realized that continuing to learn and play well is a real process even for the very talented. Finding your voice, your words, your voice and words together- not just recognizing a good sound and song but making it true to your story - this is the thrill but also the real work.  Being able to tap into your gut as to how it all feels and how it "fits". Truly inspiring and motivating.


Will I ever be a gee-tar rockstar? Will i ever write kick-ass song that resonate with folks of all walks through the ages? Probably not . But in the darkness there will be hidden worlds that shine - and now i have The Promise of churning out my own story some day in the form of music.  And I definitely have the The Promise of playing DCFC with a bit more heart by this time next week. 


Dasha Breedlove

This guy Breedlove.

I started playing guitar on August 28th.
Inspired by many, it was this guy who finally got me to take the plunge.

Since I started, I have been playing with this guy's guitar.  He has been playing for a few years and since he moved on to electric - was happy to lend me his acoustic.

And it was this guy who has motivated me from the point of inspiration, to the point of frustration, to the point of hope and now to the point of buying my first guitar...my very own Breedlove.

Now in the spirit of being fashionable, I was initially checking out all the colorful guitars in the joint. I really wanted red or yellow, but also saw a nice aubergine Ibanez that caught my fancy.  Lucky Adam came with with and taught me that things like tone, craftsmanship, string type, having a very cool hard case that makes me look like a real musician and size do matter.

And I can tell you, its been nothing but Breedlove love since I brought'er home.  I just love this guy.

Be on the lookout for my video short soon - I am playing already covers from Poison and Extreme, and eyeing up the Death Cab for Cutie song "i will follow you into the dark"

....PS - let me not forget this guy, who has had to be my audience day in and out. 

Brother rocks NYC

I received a text last night with this photo that read...Missing u in the burgh, never too busy for a txt hug! xoxo sis n bro

If I had one wish, it would be to make the travel time between Pittsburgh, NYC and Walluf instantaneous.  I really wish I had family nearby -  for nothing more than to sit and talk and laugh more together. Those moments when we do have family around, I savour every moment.

Such was the case last month - my brother came to visit for a week. We had a plan - simply to watch Pitt kick ass at the Big East Tournament at MSG (now please read - On being a Pittsburgh Fan, quickly).  But this was not to be. Not even one game.

Of course all was not lost. Because Dasha never has just one plan, she has plans. And brother, you better believe it.

In between the comedy show at Eastville, music at Rockwood Music Hall and Sunday brunch with friends, we managed to squeeze in also a little Burlesque at Parkside Lounge. Here we watched Miss Coney Island put on a show to the little ditty, "I'm Naked, so what?"by Stereo Total.  It happens now to be a little ditty I can't get out of my mind so if you want to run around with a fun song in your head have a listen

And in between watching new graduates put on an improv show at UCB theater, chillin' to jazz at the neighborhood club Jules Bistro and getting "jaggy" at Snugs St. Patty's Day party, we found time time to sit and talk on more than one occasion -  and usually with a bottle of red. The first night we were up till 6 am. Now I know there are many dying to know what we were talking about for so many hours (my brother is not so much known to be a man of little words as much as a man of selective words) - for those in question...we were talking about you (smile).

And, seriously, not done yet (see, this is what I love about him - he is as tireless as me!) in between lounging at favvie fav haunt Ace Hotel Lobby Bar, playing darts at my local Thirsty Scholar (I am known as Princess there, should save this story for another blog) and going with bunches of friends to see a very cool interactive theater based on Macbeth called Sleep No More (where we wore blank masks and went from room to room in abandoned hotel watching play acts, including a "witch orgy" first hand), my brother and Yahtzee stayed on track with their 1/2 marathon running preparations. And trust me when I say, the average person cannot rock this headband look.

Bret Michaels

or this "whatever is going on below the waist" look of my husband.

And in between going out and exploring new things about the city, we definitely found time for talks and laughs that I miss so much, and enjoying the moments here at Urban Disco  -  playing guitar, ordering in S'mac and watching March Madness Selection Sunday  (again, see blog post)

a natural

We miss you already and always enjoy your visit with us!
So please come back again soon.

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