who woulda thunk it?

Well, I know I was skeptical about my new job, but now that I've been there for a little over a week now, and I'm basically considered the "top recruiter," I think maybe I like it. It's amazing what that does for my morale, being good at my job, and getting recognition for it.

First: The Music

Yes, Bobby Yang is the best violinist ever. Yes, he's a diva, violinists just are. We're conditioned into that very early on in life. I'm pretty sure every song they played was a cover of a hard rock, metal, or other genre song. Essentially, the show looked like a group of friends (who happen to be KICK ASS talented musicians) rockin' out to their favorite songs. The guys sometimes sang along the words, but never into a mic. I recognized almost all of the songs, but I could only name one. And the pick up he used was so cool. Re-verb on a violin is awesome! I've amplified my violin before, but all we did was attach a clip-on mic to my bridge. I was nervous it would scratch my violin, and it wasn't the best sound. But it worked. I played an electric once. It was fun. I agree with Bobby Yang, though, it's not the same quality of sound and action. It was hard to tell what he was using exactly, but he talked about it a little. It looked like he had the pick up strapped into his F-hole with a rubberband. And of course, he was wireless.

The Brilliant Inventions: as always, a light mood, highly entertaining, super music. I'd say the appeal of a TBI show is about 75% musical talent, 15% relaxed, comedic, and improvisational stage personality with audience participation, and 10% adorable crushability (I kept my swooning to a minimum seeing as I was on a date:)). Eliot's new haircut (or lack thereof) makes him look like Ringo Star. Most of Josh's songs and presentation are cutely and sadly bitter about relationships gone bad.

They never fail to look like a couple preppy boys who try their damnedest to not be as pathetically clean cut as they appear to be. I missed hearing the new band sound that they tried out back at the Five Spot in February. That was a sad show b/c the sound guy didn't get their sound out very well at all. So the coolness of expanding to a full band on a good chunk of songs was lost in the whacky loudness of the drummer.

I was seriously fascinated by the poor representation of TBI fans. I mean, it was Eddie's Attic, which is definitely "their venue" so to speak. It was a packed house, and they certainly had their typical lively banter with the audience and plenty of people requested songs. So the fans weren't MIA. But Bobby Yang really owned the crowd. I didn't figure it out 'til he came on, but it made total sense. It's the first TBI show EVER where the crowd didn't demand an encore. And Eddie's almost always attracts crowds that respect the music and don't fuckin' talk. But not this one. Some guy at the bar even stood up toward the end of TBI and said, "Shut up!! I hate to be that guy who stands up and yells, but SHUT UP!!" :) And it only worked for a few songs. In a way, it seemed like the two bands were too different b/c the Bobby Yangers couldn't respect TBI and listen. But oddly enough, the bathroom talk disproved that theory. Everyone in there had come to see Bobby Yang, but they also said they were thoroughly impressed with TBI.

So.....while I am totally enthralled with Bobby Yang's talent and majorly high energy, my loyalties lie with TBI. They're local, and they're growing. I always root for the underdog, and that's how they seem b/c they're trying so hard to make it in a near impossible field. And I appreciate the value of getting in front of new audiences, but that's all this show was for TBI. It's hard being exposed, and having to re-prove yourself and gauge an audience EVERY time you perform. I missed hearing my favorite song, but it totally didn't fit with the evening. I even requested it, lol, Eliot said OK, and other chick/bitch from the audience said NO. Whatever.

HOLY FUCK.

More to cum 2mro: music, date, brazil. but for now, Bobby Yang rocks my world. where was Jam Mr. Fuckin' Rock Trivia when I needed him? couldn't be more different from TBI or any other previous Eddie's Attic artist I've ever heard. another rare reasonable first date. and reasonable is a high compliment. downers were driving 30 mph on dekalb and moreland, as well as.....ya know. (jam--shut your trap.) I give a B-..... generously. yes, he was nervous. aren't they all? not a question. they are.....always. get your mind out of the gutter. I'm being discreet, polite, and elusive. get over yourself. strange conversation with the Mom about my adopting my car while I'm in Brazil. and I need to know more about epidemiology and Conservative Judaism. anyone? ok, H4H tomorrow, 7:30AM. the bed is calling my name.

Psych!

I am pumped for the Bobby Yang/Brilliant Inventions show at Eddie's Attic this Friday, August 11! Check 'em out. I also started my new "telerecruiter" job today. It's a lot less dreadful than I expected. I think it'll actually be fine. The people are totally cool. Yes, the money sucks, but alas, I will survive. And I have two super awesome neighbors! 'nough said.

Bummer!

Well, now I have to wait. I heard back from Mauro with La Caravana, and he said the group would convene in September to decide whether to accept a new member, and if so, when that could happen.

La Caravana Here I Come!!

Wow, I totally can't sleep. I talked to a former member of the Caravan for an hour tonight, and I am so pumped. I connected with everything she had to say about her experience. She was there for FOUR YEARS!! I'm so psyched to really think about details and logistics now. I've barely told anyone that I'm even considering int'l travel at this point. But it feels so right. Now is the time in my life to do this. October 1. That's my goal. So I'm creating this mental checklist of how to wrap up my life here. I certainly want this to be a yearlong leaning towards indefinite time commitment. I need to learn Spanish or Portuguese. I'll have to defer my student loans. Heidi recommended taking a digital camera and an ipod. I also need a tent and a pack. Talk about exhilirating!! I'm so ready to make this happen!

carless dating?

Ok, so Mr. 2.5 Months Just Like Me got date #2 last night. It was nice. His skin is better than I remembered, and I enjoy talking to him. But is this crazy, or what? After a very short stint with short men, 5'11" just feels weird. I mean, I used to always gravitate toward to the six-footers. He's not chauvinist or anything offensive, domineering or whatever. Just walking down the street with him, I was thinking, "Wow, I feel short." Like, we couldn't kiss or be eye-level unless we were sitting down. Anyway, though, he was cool about my idea of not driving in the month of August. He even volunteered to do it with me. We'll see if I stick to it. Already, I drove to my Dr. appt, and I cancelled a date tonight, telling myself I didn't want to bother with biking back from MARTA at 10pm. But this date wouldn't be worth breaking my "no-car ITP" commitment. Whatever.