Hey guys- well, I've certainly gotten a first hand look at depression with my dear H. And I'm headed out to the weight bench in the garage right now to work on those arms
Bridget - I'll post on your thread too - but as it happens, I will be in Monterey for one short day later this month - want to drive down for lunch?
as for:
Quote: Can I just dose him with my leftover Prozac?
Don't think I haven't thought about keeping an emergency supply to sneak into my H's orange juice (no really honey, if you're reading, I would never do that to you).
Hi all - lovely morning at the beach yesterday with my H and two youngest kids and some friends - I got some surfing in - H was in heaven.
Saturday night went to a party - they had a nice piano and D12 was persuaded to play some of her original songs - she got a really positive audience response!
Now today I get to take her for her first experience in a recording studio. How exciting is that?
Ellie, Cant you visit me in Cincinnati? Very comparable to San Diego....ok maybe not. You sound like you have a really cool D, I have mine in piano lessons- one of my list of things that would make me happy. Kids need some refinement like this other than soccer right? Hope your H is doing OK. I know how that feels and it feels like you are sinking. LOL Shay
Hi Shay - No business trips to Cincinnati in the near future, but if one comes up, I'll keep you in mind!
H is doing well, thank you - we actually had another little chat last night about his depression (he initiated) - he seems to be really accepting the fact that he has this and how it colored his perceptions of things. Since he started back on the Prozac 3-4 weeks ago he is doing SO much better. And he commented last night about how he feels he can think more clearly and focus more effectively at work.
Had a fabulous day yesterday with D12 at the recording studio. This was just an informal session for these two guys to hear her music and hear her sing with a mike and decide if they wanted to work with her. I think they were suitably impressed. And she was thrilled to hear her voice on a decent recording, even though it was just a rough unmixed track. We have to do some critical thinking her about just what we want right now - I think I want her to learn how to transition from a song to a recording - decisions about arrangements etc.
Thanks Kip - been there already. Didn't really get to finish my last post. What I was saying about D - Not really looking to make a demo to take to record companies - she's only twelve, after all! And who knows where she will be musically a year from now.
Primary goal is for her to learn how to go from a song to a recording. I think this will also turbo-charge her writing (scary thought - she already writes 2 - 3 songs a week!) when she can visualize how it can sound on a recording.
Secondary goal - would like a recording that is of good enough quality that she could sell a few at performances - she will start playing open mic nights soon, would be good to build a fan base (Jewel started by playing at a now-defunct coffee house a quarter mile from our house!).
Tertiary goal - although as a performing artist she would like to keep all her best material for herself - she does have some songs that are commercial enough that they could be sold, and they tend to be the ones she doesn't like as much. So would like a recording that is good enough to use to pitch a song to music publishers if she should decide to go that route.
Then of course there is the money issue - don't want to spend a fortune on this recording, especially for these purposes - but still need decent enough quality.
What a lot to learn!
I forgot to mention, the two guys who recorded her Monday, thought she sounded a little like Laura Nyro and Rickie Lee Jones! My twelve-year-old daughter!
It will be a challenge to find the right balance - supporting her, but making sure she takes things slow and giving her time to grow.
I went last night with my D12 to an open mic night. She wasn't planning to perform (because she whacked her chin Tuesday on a kayak and it's really bruised and sore) but we were going to check out the venue because we'd heard it was the one coffeehouse open mic nite with a piano for her to play.
Well, D and I got there (H took the boys out to the movies) and D just couldn't resist the urge to perform, so she signed up. When her turn finally came, she got up, introduced herself very confidently to the audience (Hello, my name is M, I'm 12, and I'm an aspiring songwriter) and played beautifully. Her voice just filled the room in a way nobody else had all evening. I could tell people were very impressed. And later when the emcee got up to do his own set, he took the mike and said "Marisa, you said you were an aspiring songwriter. Well, you'll have to set some new goals, because you've already achieved that aspiration". Very sweet.
And D just loves performing. No second guessing, "oh, I could have done better, I hit that note wrong" - none of that stuff. Just sheer glee at having an audience. The girl has stage presence.
This is so amazing to watch. I am humbled by her gifts and her sheer intelligence.
Ellie: it's great that your daughter has so much confidence. Wonderful -- no stage fright. She'll go far. What song did she perform?
Wanted to say thanks for your posts on my thread. Especially about depression and meds.
Also wanted to get back to you about Monterey on Aug. 22 -- sorry, have plans that weekend. I'm giving my sheepdog a birthday party -- might be her last. Hope you understand -- I'll be baking carrot cake with hamburger (hee hee) and won't be able to get out of town.
However, I do want to see U in San Diego someday. Good friends there keep inviting me to visit, so possibly we'll connect later this year.
