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Joined: Oct 2008
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"...I feel like this has been the longest Christmas of my life. I started working on this thing back in January 2013..."
My Aunt Charlotte, who works at WalMart, says the same thing. I confess, I'm always glad to see the back side of the holidays... although we still have New Year's Eve and Epiphany to get through, with hardly time to catch our breath before Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras will be upon us. And (if you live in San Francisco) Chinese New Year--- always good for a nice traffic tie-up. If people who express dismay that the tradition of holiday shopping had seen, as I did, two ladies getting into a fistfight at Barnes and Noble over a book, they would not wonder that so many just order online and have done with it.
Thanks for sharing your essay. You have such a wonderful gift for knowing just what to say, and it seems that it has come down to your daughter as well. I loved the photo at the end, too. How can it be, that the back of your head is so completely recognizable?
PS- Josephine Baker might have gotten an Honorable Mention on the list of American ex-pats, though she is certainly less-known generally and could hardly have made the list of finalists. And, she is, perhaps, an epicure's taste.
Best wishes for the New Year, Robin. Remember what I said about Eve and the serpent--- not many can say as much for themselves, at least, in recorded history.
Clef
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I LOVE Josephine Baker. I mentioned Chez Josephine (the restaurant where I heard a teenage Harry Connick a million years ago) a few posts back. It is owned by one of Josephine's many adopted children—a guy named Jean Claude Baker. At the time I was hanging out there—in the eighties and early nineties—I was also hanging out in Haiti, where Josephine also had a history—she had once been the lover of Albert Silvera, the previous owner of the hotel where I played. I think maybe this is too much information, so I'll stop while I'm ahead. Anyway, a woman who becomes famous for posing naked with a string of bananas around her waist is okay in my book. And her son runs a damn good restaurant. http://www.chezjosephine.comSo, I survived New Year's Eve at the castle. I lived through the dance band playing the world's longest version of "Smooth Operator," the annual Titans of Industry lizard dance, the pumpkin risotto, the ninety year-old close-talker who smells like moth balls, the blond-bombshell nipped and tucked soccer-wife who tells me things about her breast implants that I really don't want to know. I did it. Twelve years in a row on this gig. Home by midnight (the dance band took over at 11:00) and no one shot a rocket, a firework, or a missile at me. Happy New Year to all my PW friends. For me 2014 is The Year of Energy. I'll let you know how it's shaping up, but first I need to take a nap.
Robin Meloy Goldsby www.goldsby.de Available June 18th, 2021--Piano Girl Playbook: Notes on a Musical Life Also by RMG: Piano Girl, A Memoir; Waltz of the Asparagus People; Rhythm; Manhattan Roadtrip Music by RMG available on all platforms RMG is a Steinway Artist
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Happy New Year's to you, too, Robin. I'm catching up on this thread and saw that you went to Rome. I've only been there once, during the summer, and was completely enchanted by it... it was probably my favorite not-home city that I could see myself living in for an extended period of time. The Piazza Nevona was my favorite place to hang out. And the Villa Borghese... sheer loveliness. It still amazes me at how modern shops/streets etc. could be interspersed with sites that are literally over 2000 years old. Here in Lexington we get excited if a building is over 100 years old! Of course, the world's longest version of "Smooth Operator" probably makes 2000 old buildings seem like chump change. I loved your essay about being an expat. Every time my hubby and I think about ditching it all and buying a cheap villa in Mexico or Costa Rica, we think about what it would mean to leave the U.S. forever. You've given us a lot of food for thought.
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Nice to hear from you, Monica! I understand why you fell in love with Rome—it's certainly impressive. I also played in Berlin and Venice in the the same week—equally impressive for different reasons.
At the Rome airport I had a driver waiting for me with, get this, car buffs, an Alpha Romeo. The driver had a shaved head, wrap around sunglasses and was wearing a very tight black suit. He also had one of those phones that was attached to his ear. It was like something out of a James Bond movie (on location in Rome). Anyway, he said something like "Ciao, Bella," (I always thought ciao was for goodbye, but they seem to use it for hello, too), grabbed my suitcase and took off with me trailing behind him. Fine. But this guy was falling all over himself looking at the younger women in the airport. I felt like Great Aunt Edna on a retirement trip to Italy.
Once I got over the relief and disappointment of NOT being hit on by Italian men, I had a good time. I had my Nikes with me, so each day I took off on a long walk. There is so much to see. My dear friend Benedikt (former director of Lerbach) is now the director of the Hassler Hotel, a glorious place on the top of the Spanish Steps. They have several really great pianos in that location, and, as far as I can tell, a very nice cocktail piano job right in the cocktail lounge off of the lobby.
I don't have much on the books as far as concerts go for 2014—but I will be heading to Oslo (!) in October. Right now, a big break, and then back to my regular cocktail gig at the castle. And hopefully a bunch of weddings.
Robin Meloy Goldsby www.goldsby.de Available June 18th, 2021--Piano Girl Playbook: Notes on a Musical Life Also by RMG: Piano Girl, A Memoir; Waltz of the Asparagus People; Rhythm; Manhattan Roadtrip Music by RMG available on all platforms RMG is a Steinway Artist
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"...Once I got over the relief and disappointment of NOT being hit on by Italian men, I had a good time...
Robin, I think you may have gotten off the plane in the wrong country.
A million-and-a-half hits (or hit-ons) and change. Maybe it's time for "Lets Talk Bad Wedding Limericks." For there are no good limericks; good people stay away from them.
Well, ok, I know one printable one:
I've never been kissed by a manatee, The prospect's too much for my vanity. Her prickly moustache Would give me a rash, And destroy my last vestige of sanity.
Clef
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The planner of weddings stood next to me, Her clipboard a weapon for all to see, Her panties a-bunch, We all had a hunch, That hark! she would bark in a different key.
Robin Meloy Goldsby www.goldsby.de Available June 18th, 2021--Piano Girl Playbook: Notes on a Musical Life Also by RMG: Piano Girl, A Memoir; Waltz of the Asparagus People; Rhythm; Manhattan Roadtrip Music by RMG available on all platforms RMG is a Steinway Artist
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And you knew her panties were a-bunch because yesterday was No Pants Day around the world. I did not ride on BART, so I missed it again.
Semipro Tech
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A bride being chased by a swan, Cried, “Begorrah, bad beastie, begone!” As she fled down the lawn, And the cameras clicked on, She could but take the Lord’s name in vain.
But, of course, that is not a proper limerick. The scansion is off, and the rhyming scheme falls short of the classic method. We might call it a 'lame limerick,' though it is colorful--- and printable--- which many of its kind cannot say for themselves. Let us try again.
A Planner, with clipboard in reach, Dozed off while the minister preached. She stepped on a trap, Which closed with a SNAP, And drowned out the vows with a screech.
We think of fragments of limericks; a couple of lines' worth. Do you think we might allow these to be entered into our competition, in case someone might think of a suitable completion?
I would hate to think of Robin, bursting into irrepressible laughter, during a solemn moment in the ceremony--- and over nothing, as far as the celebrants can tell.
We would know, of course.
Last edited by Jeff Clef; 01/13/14 03:25 PM.
Clef
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I have a vague memory we've done this before, only with haiku?
gotta go practice
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There once was a bride who was burly, She was big-haired and snobby and surly, She scowled at her groom, As she skulked through the room, How she loved being nasty and girlie.
Robin Meloy Goldsby www.goldsby.de Available June 18th, 2021--Piano Girl Playbook: Notes on a Musical Life Also by RMG: Piano Girl, A Memoir; Waltz of the Asparagus People; Rhythm; Manhattan Roadtrip Music by RMG available on all platforms RMG is a Steinway Artist
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What's white and red and can't turn round in narrow corridors?
A bride with a spear in her back.
It happens more often than you might imagine. ................
An unpleasant lady was Jane, Three marriages ended in pain. But she never gave up And the guests at her nup- -tials would sing "Here we are again!"
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I have never seen a bride with a spear in her back, but I have seen a bride carrying a spear.
"Achtung!," said Monsieur, one of my co-workers. "Zee bride is here and she's carrying zee weapon. Looks like zee harpoon, or zee spear, or somezing."
Actually I think she was going for a royal sceptre-look—sort of an ornamental staff meant to enhance her queenly attire. It was winter, she was wearing an ermine cape and a tiara. How I wish I had photos, but alas, I was stuck at the piano.
Robin Meloy Goldsby www.goldsby.de Available June 18th, 2021--Piano Girl Playbook: Notes on a Musical Life Also by RMG: Piano Girl, A Memoir; Waltz of the Asparagus People; Rhythm; Manhattan Roadtrip Music by RMG available on all platforms RMG is a Steinway Artist
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I'm not sure I'd find that theme encouraging, were I the groom.
"Don't let the devil fool you - Here comes a dove; Nothing cures like time and love." -- Laura Nyro
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I've heard of a 'shotgun wedding,' but never a 'speargun wedding.' But, if there was ever a topic for a limerick...
Clef
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There once was a bride dressed in ermine, Who scowled through the nuptial sermon, We trembled with fear, As she picked up her spear, Her target was hard to determine.
Robin Meloy Goldsby www.goldsby.de Available June 18th, 2021--Piano Girl Playbook: Notes on a Musical Life Also by RMG: Piano Girl, A Memoir; Waltz of the Asparagus People; Rhythm; Manhattan Roadtrip Music by RMG available on all platforms RMG is a Steinway Artist
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She tugged at her Vera Wang veil, And danced down the banquet hall trail, Shamu was her name, Which was sort of a shame, For she slightly resembled a whale.
Robin Meloy Goldsby www.goldsby.de Available June 18th, 2021--Piano Girl Playbook: Notes on a Musical Life Also by RMG: Piano Girl, A Memoir; Waltz of the Asparagus People; Rhythm; Manhattan Roadtrip Music by RMG available on all platforms RMG is a Steinway Artist
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A lace-covered Governor Christie, She jiggled and wiggled, all twisty, She took the band down, When she ripped off her gown, On the bridge to their version of "Misty."
Robin Meloy Goldsby www.goldsby.de Available June 18th, 2021--Piano Girl Playbook: Notes on a Musical Life Also by RMG: Piano Girl, A Memoir; Waltz of the Asparagus People; Rhythm; Manhattan Roadtrip Music by RMG available on all platforms RMG is a Steinway Artist
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As her bridesmaids looked on, horrified, Jane slipped Vibrating Love Eggs inside. As she walked down the aisle They remarked with a smile "That's a new take on 'Here comes the bride'!"
I may have killed this thread... :-)
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The bride's dad was cheap, it was clear, For instead of champagne, they served beer! The guests were aghast, And proclaimed, "It won't last;" And they fled, with their gifts, Fleet as deer.
The pianist was good, I suppose, Although, with all the racket, who knows? The bride danced her fill To a saucy quadrille, And she then made the groom Rub her toes.
Clef
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(I am aghast. Aghast! Gotta love this thread.)
Though her dress was all fancy and fluffy, The bride's feet were both stinky and scruffy, As the groom rubbed her toes, The best man held his nose, Then the bride got unusually huffy.
Robin Meloy Goldsby www.goldsby.de Available June 18th, 2021--Piano Girl Playbook: Notes on a Musical Life Also by RMG: Piano Girl, A Memoir; Waltz of the Asparagus People; Rhythm; Manhattan Roadtrip Music by RMG available on all platforms RMG is a Steinway Artist
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