This began when I saw the Sarah Bush Dance Project perform “Reach” at the Cascade at Joaquin Miller Park accompanied by The Anita Lofton Project. You can see some of the dance performance here - https://youtu.be/-eBLGMaiFEQ You can see the video of the song I Wanna Live Forever here - https://youtu.be/frPBgTMPczk Zhalisa Clarke is the violinist for The Anita Lofton Project. The following weekend, I attended a live performance at The Rio in the city. I have never seen a musician become one with an instrument until I saw Zhalisa play that evening.  

Next, while looking for a video of All of Me by John Legend, I came across this version with Lindsey Stirling - https://youtu.be/xwsYvBYZcx4?list=PLQJig0K78V7jdodRVl2RnvDi_pafWqj9m Oh my! Lindsay's North American tour starts soon and yes, I will be attending at least one performance... at the Fox Theater.

Then, I attended a performance at Freight and Salvage - Lisa Koch, Vickie Shaw, & Roxanna Ward w/ special guest Barbara Higbie. I have known Lisa Koch for over thirty years and even lived in her spare room for a bit in Pittsburgh, PA. So I was attending the event for the comedy not necessarily the music, though I did have high expectations. While this performance was years ago.... it shows Barbara's skill, versatility and love for the violin - https://youtu.be/hW4cvFs0Ue8 It's also some kinda wonderful to see the old Freight and Salvage. I already have my tickets for Barbara's solo performance at the Freight in October.

Finally, I attended Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI. Specifically to see Alabama Shakes and that was mind blowingly incredible. And, interesting... the studio version of the song Guess Who has a violin. Here's a live version of the song - https://youtu.be/T42VSsdEOY8 

The following day, we saw The Indigo Girls and yep, another female violinist. This time Lyris Hung. A favorite Indigo Girls song, not one I saw performed at Summerfest, but one with Lyris - https://youtu.be/GZDjP7-6U9w 

I am absolutely open for what's next musically!

Yesterday during my workout with Sequoia at Body Mechanix, I told her about pain and discomfort in my left clavicle and shoulder area.  I wanted the bones to crack or snap into a more comfortable place. Something had to just had to give. She had me use a massage ball, similar to a lacrosse ball to apply pressure to the area. Which means, putting the ball exactly where it hurts the most and then pressing the ball against a wall to apply deep pressure to the affected spots. Imagine.... I am standing inches away from the wall with a small ball just under my left clavicle with my face pressed against the wall as I inflict deep pain on spots that already hurt. Yea, exactly. As I moved the ball from sore place to sore place, the sounds I was making were not pleasure sounds. It did loosen up the area and it seemed like there was less discomfort when I moved my arm.  Though, compared to the pain... of course there was less discomfort. :)  Next up, she had me roll my back on a stiff Styrofoam roller. As she said, just in case it is rib out in your back, opposite from where the pain is appearing. Also, not fun and painful. I was able to complete the workout she had planned.

Then, today I went to my schedule chiropractic appointment with Dr. Brett at The Source Chiropractic, he went about the usual adjustments and then pressed on a spot on the left side of my upper back and said, Now, there's something new. I knelt on the bench and explained the pain and discomfort and what I had done in my workout yesterday. He had me sit in a chair for the next part of my treatment which I don't usually do. After spending considerable time investigating my neck, he found the spot he was looking for... he positioned my body in the chair and as always, encouraged me to trust him and to relax my head into his very capable hands. The adjustment was very loud, of course it's my neck which is quite close to my ears. The amazing part was the heat in my left clavicle and shoulder area. It was immediate and intense. My original description was heat like fire, but after some thought.... it was incandescent heat. That area of my body "lit up" as the nerves were freed. It's a good day! 

Is an Intellectual Crush a thing?

This morning, I had a very interesting realization. I have an intellectual crush on my Epic technical support person. I did not know an intellectual crush was a "thing" and maybe it's not... but it is my experience. I have weekly calls with Alex to dive deeper into issues I have with assigned tasks. He is brilliant and accessible. He listens actively and intently. He is humble and helpful. He freely admits what he does not know and allows for his own learning on our calls. There is always something we find to laugh about. I believe we both look forward to our calls. He's like me in personifying the idea that the miracle is not in the knowledge we have but in the knowledge we share. I am grateful for the experience of Alex and how this relationship is informing other relationships in my life.