Broadway baby that I am, jazz has never been on my regular playlist. Well, maybe a bit of Ella now and then, but that would be it. A few years ago, however, Eva Cassidy changed all that. This amazing singer died much too young at age 33, strengthening my belief that it's not the number of days we live on earth that matters--but the number of people we touch and change for the better while we're here. I really can't explain it--how an artist's voice can be so pure that it can transport you to a place so deep inside, you probably didn't even know that such a place existed. I can only conclude that music's true artistry lies far beyond one's instrument. When you sing the blues, baby, you just gotta have soul...

You've Changed


What A Wonderful World

Lunch with Rony and Lana! Missed these two so much, you have no idea. I've accepted the fact that things will never be like they used to be--when rehearsing and doing shows together were fixtures in our lives, where pooling our barya together for food was a too common occurence (giving the term "starving artists" a whole new meaning!), where we had a blast simply jamming backstage, or hanging out at a mall or at one of our favorite hotel rooms. But its great to know we can always continue where we left off in these preciously few moments we do have together now. I love it that although we've pursued very different paths, music will always be there to bind us, the language of theater, and a host of shared stories (gossip is more like it!), memories and adventures. The saga will continue no matter what, guys!

This isn't my first Shameless Swipe entry, and it certainly won't be my last! Found this too funny not to share with all the poor souls in the blogging world who have never visited Pond Perspective. . . aww, you know who you are--the both of you! Hehe.

The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are the winners:

1. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
2. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
3. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
4. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
5. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.
6. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
7. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
8. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
9. Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.
10. Osteopornosis: A degenerate's disease. (This one got extra credit.)
11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.
12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
13. Glibido: All talk and no action.
14. Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
15. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
17. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.
And the pick of the literature:
18. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and is an asshole.

(Dunno about you, but # 7 has always been in my vocabulary! Hehe. Hey Peach, I'm guessing you're the one that sent in # 15...)