I chose music over fitness tonight.
I drove to Downtown Joliet planning to run this evening. It was after 6. I was driving around looking for a spot to park, when I saw the marquee for The Rialto.
Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt!! Playing tonight, 7:30 p.m.
And decided I can run anytime– but this was not a concert to pass up. I had to try.
So I found parking and rushed to the theatre. At the window I asked if it was sold out– it wasn’t!
I was NOT dressed at all appropriately. Running pants and shoes, a hoodie over it. Bad hair! I wasn’t expecting anyone to see me running solo in the dark. Certainly no make-up. I felt a little ridiculous in the midst of all these threat-going people, mostly dressed up. It was definitely an older crowd— probably mostly ’40s and ’50s. Mostly couples.
I was able to get row M, which is a pretty great seat.
Sadly, I had left my hearing-aids at home. I missed out on a lot of the banter.
And once they began, I was smitten by Lyle. They were great together– very comfortable and respectful of each other’s talents. They sang and played together a few times and also allowed each other to shine with solos. The audience was laughing often as Lyle mostly spoke and told stories.
John got better as the eve wore on, but there was not a single Lyle song I didn’t adore. Tragically, I have no idea what most them were that he played. I was able to look a few up on my phone by guessing at lyrics.
Lyle radiated this easy calmness. His songs were so much more inventive and varied, I couldn’t get over it!
The couple directly in front of me was having a wonderful date. She frequently put her arm around the back of his chair and stroked his hair. They leaned in together to whisper and laugh– they kissed a few times. Their shoulders were always touching. Several times, she leaned her head on his shoulder and relaxed. She swayed in her seat, seemingly an equal fan of both. I couldn’t see in the dark if they were married and wore rings– but they radiated the kind of love I imagine most couples would aspire towards. I wanted to ask them how long they’d been together. She had on a leather jacket and shoulder-length hair.
I hope one day I’m part of a couple so unable to hide their affection! It was sweet to behold.
Tonight was something special. Even from where i was sitting, I could see Lyle’s ears sticking out! He had a on suit.
They ended the show, and then re-emerged for an encore. I yelled my song request, along with others I heard.
Luckily, John Hiatt obliged! He did sing “Have a Little Faith,” but it was a bit anti-climactic. I was just happy that I got to hear the song which motivated me to take a chance on tonight!
It felt so luxurious to be out on a Thursday night enjoying such a wonderful concert.
After that song, I left. It had started circa 7:40 and was nearly 10 and still going! I wanted to beat the crowd. In the lobby I stopped and bought one of Lyle’s CDS: “Release Me.” I played it in the car on the way home. I was a little bummed that more songs weren’t written by him, but all the songs are great regardless.
One thing is for sure! I’ll see Lyle again if I get a chance. And I’ll definitely be exploring his catalog.
What an incredible surprise. Thank you, Mr. Lovett.
I’m getting a lot done lately, and I love the feeling of accomplishment.
I’m realizing that as much as I admire minimalists, I’ll never be one of them! Yes, I’m a sap.
A friend just pointed out to me that I’ve invested a lot in my books. Good point! I got rid of the ones I bought but accepted I would never read, or on topics I’ve already absorbed. Let someone else enjoy them. I have more space now. I kept my favorites, including some from childhood. Now I get to buy MORE! Mwahahaha!
I love it! I can’t believe I got rid of probably 85% of my movie collection. But CD’s are harder. They are attached to a time period in your life, memories and emotions. I’ve never used digital music. I have no files on my computer or songs on my iPhone. I am a decidedly old-fashioned lady when it comes to technology. I still love my cassette tapes. I even have a few vinyl records. I don’t listen to music often at home, but always blast it in my car. At home I enjoy silence or watching TV and movies.
Being single, I’ve learned to appreciate quiet. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable.
And I’ve made an executive decision to keep my writing. Some poems and things that aren’t relevant, I’ve shredded. But I have notes and papers I wrote in college. Old newspaper articles. Old school assignments, they are mostly in binders. They are a record of my life. They show how much I’ve grown. What I felt back then.
But what I’ve learned through this purging is that when you dispose of useless things, you leave room for something better. Something ELSE that will bring you joy.
If it doesn’t bring you joy, why keep it? Pitch it.
As I de-clutter and purge, I’m feeling more relaxed in my own space.
I’m watching “Fame,” the 1980 original.
I haven’t rented it in years– but it’s always deeply stirred me. The first time I saw all the students rush into the street and dance, I cried!
But this time, I’m connecting with a a different character: Bruno Martelli.
He writes music– but it’s all electronic. He mostly plays in his basement with synthetic keyboards. Coco wants to work with him– but he refuses emphatically. She wants him to be in a band with her, but he hates the idea.
This time watching, I realized another component.
When the students all run amuck into the street and start dancing and erupting into joy, it’s BRUNO’s song that entices them. His father, a cab driver, had stolen a tape of Bruno’s– his music with Coco singing.
“THAT’S MY SON’S MUSIC!!” his Dad shouts to anyone in the vicinity.
Inside, Bruno hears HIS music and rushes to the street in horror.
Bruno comes outside– and immediately is furious.
The entire street is throbbing with Bruno’s peers, who have made traffic impossible to the point that other drivers become aggressive.
But all Bruno notices is that his father exposed his work without his permission. Instead of standing outside and allowing himself to ENJOY undeniable proof that his work IS ART– and that it’s certifiably “ready,” he just shuts down.
And it’s sad. Because Bruno had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see his art VALIDATED in a way most never will– if he had allowed it. If he had gotten over his ego and noticed that even if he thought his work wasn’t important, everyone else did.
My Dad is a lot like Bruno’s. Always encouraging me. He made copies of every column I printed. I’m always the one saying I don’t have anything to say, that I’m not ready to go back to it.
I’m like Bruno when it comes to my writing. I never feel it’s “ready.” I don’t publish the majority of it.
But one post and one poem and one story at a time, I’m getting over my fears.
Thank you for being those dancers in the street! For the likes, subscriptions– and especially comments.