losing myself in music

Eva Cassidy is a helluva amazing singer. Her song arrangements are fantastic and there's something spiritual abt her. I don't know how to describe it. The arrangements and her style synergise and there's something absolutely magical about it! Every single song I listen to never fails to send down those tingling shivers down my spine or make my hair stand on end. AND her songs just tug at one's heartstrings and makes me start sniffling by the end of the song. It's so inspiring as well. Listening to her takes me to another world altogether. It feels somewhat floaty, dreamy, surreal. Also rekindles that extinguishing spark in me: the desire to want to live out my dream of becoming a singer/performer

Frodo finally has..... THE RING

My baby proposed to my last night. 01 March 12:15 am. (later I found out it was aimed at the 29th of Feb.)

Baby read me the 5 page long poem that he penned (with every 2 lines rhyming) that detailed what we've been thru in our 6 years together. Then he whipped out the RING and went on his knees. Aww.... I was absolutely stunned cos I'd least expected it! The poem was so sweetly written and I was already crying non-stop before he got thru the first page. And when the ring appeared, I was, erm, bawling.

I didn't say YES immediately cos I was really too stunned by it. Admittedly, there was some trepidation in me. Of the fact that this is gonna signify another step into a new phase of life. It felt strange, foreign, scary. Not that I didn't wanna say an emphatic and immediate YES but it just felt funny.

Even after 24 hours, the fact that I have just accepted his proposal has not fully sunk in yet. What does this mean? What is it going to be in store for me? I'm still looking at the gold ring box and the ring in a kinda strange light. I see it on my finger and ask myself... is it really happening to me? I accepted his ring, so this ring is mine and we're engaged?

My, have we really been together that long? Certainly doesn't feel like it. I'm really so blessed to have such a wonderful baby who has been through so much with me.

BTW my latest song obsession is the theme song of the musical 881. I absolutely love the lyrics. It's so plebian, plain and simple, makes 100% absolute sense and I can just relate to it. In particular, the short hokkien phrases. They should really have more of them! Listening to the song and thinking abt us just turns me into the sobby emotional sponge again. I also like the guitar strummy feel to the song. It has further strengthened my resolve to start my guitar lessons. Cos I wanna be able to play and sing and lose myself entirely in the song.

29th Feb - Lounge Lizards Gig @ Prince of Wales Backpacker's Hostel

Yes, you read it right. First time ever singing in a hostel. Well, it was at the bar at the hostel. Pretty cool place. Acoustics were surprisingly good. And the band played well. Considering the fact they've been playing together for so long and they are individually awesome musicians, they rocked. Me, I barely managed to scrape through as the only practice I had with the band was a 3 hr jamming session. I certainly feel honoured and fortunate to have such a fantastic bunch of musicians backing me up.

guitar: adrian
bass : qizhong
keys : howen
drums: hendri
trombone: kenneth

9:30pm-10:15
Vocals:
What a difference a day made (funk)
Killing me softly (rubato start progress to RnB)
The way you look tonight (swing)

10:45-11:15
Vocals:
All of me (swing)
Chega de Saudade (crazily fast)
Sway
Close to you
I will survive

And the usual instrumentals (cantaloupe, chickadee, spain...)

Surprisingly we were pretty well received by the crowd and the owner himself. He was rather pleased, or rather, SEEMED so. We were expecting boos and even to be told to leave perhaps less than half way into the 2nd set. Judging from the response, I guess it wasn't too bad.

Well, I'm certainly looking forward to doing more gigs with the Lounge Lizards cos they're such an amazing bunch of musicians. You guys rock!