It started out as usual, with breakfast and walking, which for a change here lately wasn't miserable because it was overcast and not even in the 90s.
How quickly we lower our standards!
And then not long after I got home, I heard it: the unmistakable sound of rain outside.
Without a moment's hesitation, I picked up the morning's Washington Post, which I had not yet started, and moved to my back porch which overlooks the yard.
And with the sound of the rain on the metal roof and the occasional raindrops hitting me in my rocking chair, I savored my morning newspaper.
I read about three different books I must read. One was about the art scene in L.A. in the sixties, one about the generation that started the California wineries and one about the most beautiful walks in Paris.
Any or all would make terrific beach reads, not that I'll wait that long to find out.
It was so pleasant on the porch with the rain falling all around me after the heat of the past few weeks. Just as I was nearing the end of the paper, it let up and started to get brighter.
Seemed like a good time to take a nap, so I went inside and did.
After lunch and some actual time devoted to work, I decided to take another reading break, picking up the beach read I have still not finished since returning home.
After 70 pages or so of "Showman: The Life of David O. Selznick," I realized it was the perfect time for a nap. Again.
Can't say I know what got into me today. This is how I behave at the beach, reading and napping at will, but it's not my M.O. at home.
I finally left the house around 8:30 this evening for music and to make sure I still knew how to talk to other people.
The Camel was hosting a Singer/Songwriter Night and I only recognized one name on the list, so I figured it would be interesting.
Obviously anticipating a small crowd, the show had been set up on the bar side of the restaurant with the folding door to the main room shut.
Within no time, they adjusted the plan, opened the door and brought chairs over for the overflow of people standing, like me.
First up were Miriam and Jordan of local band the Kindling Kind, whom I'd never heard of.
Miriam had a distinctive voice which reminded me of English singer Lauren Christy.
Her songs were confessional in nature and Jordan's guitar playing added a nice richness to them. I'd be interested to hear the whole band.
Robert Lacey, originally from Charlottesville but currently living in New Orleans, was up next and began with a song inspired by Tom Robbins.
I wasn't sure about him after the first song, but his intensity and voice got progressively stronger until he was riveting to hear.
Favorite lyric: "I wanted to believe in the curve of your freckled hip between my knees"
The crowd was respectful and hushed for both the first two sets, so I should have known it was too good to last.
No sooner had organizer Paul Wilson begun his set when the noise of the crowd became offensively loud.
After his first song, he addressed the problem. "If everyone would be quiet and listen, it's an awesome thing when you just listen."
And people were quiet when he said that. And as soon as he went back to singing they went back to shouting over him. It was a shame.
Lydia Ooghe dueted with Paul on a couple of songs, teasing the audience since she was the next performer.
The rudeness continued during Lydia's set of mostly new material.
She has such a delicate voice and although Paul actually went up to some of the worst offenders and asked them to move to the back and keep it low, they quickly forgot.
Lydia mentioned a recent singer/songwriter showcase she'd done in C-ville where all the performers were asked to write a song based on another song.
She had chose one called "If I Could Play a Piano" and redone it, using similar music elements as "If I Could Sleep."
Starting a song, she said, "Oops, there goes my capo! Technical difficulties!" and a quick audience member responded, "Don't fret it!"
I laughed out loud and he looked pretty pleased with himself.
I enjoyed major bliss when she covered David Byrne's "Everyone's in Love with You," easily one of my very favorite Byrne songs and quite a tribute to someone.
I introduce you to my friends
& that's the last I see of you
All the world's discovered my big secret
Everyone's in love with you
They're fascinated by your smile
They copy all the things you do
I wish that you & I could be together, but
Everyone's in love with you, yeah
Everyone's in love with you
God gives, God's wise
The way that she smiles
It should be no surprise
At work, at home
I'm introduced to so & so
But you're the one they want to know
I'm jealous & a little proud
I want to kill & kiss you too
You belong to everyone who meets you
Everyone's in love with you
God gives, God takes
Don't misunderstand I'm a satisfied man
So sweet, so strange
I guess I'll never understand the things she does to all my friends
Hearing a song written and sung by a man performed by a women gave extra poignancy to the lyrics, which I appreciated.
It was a stellar choice on Lydia's part and she did an outstanding job with it.
And the crowd shouted on. Even though there were more performers to come, I was tired of the drunken rudeness and left before I got to hear the remaining singers.
It may have felt like a day at the beach all day, but this evening made for a solid return to normal life in RVA.
Otherwise I'd be typing this from the porch swing overlooking the ocean.
Jackson Ward has much to recommend it, but no ocean.
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