me and darby at the gypsy den

         Darby, who happens to be one of my favorite people and also happens to be in my family, drove down from L.A. for a visit today.   Our tearful good-bye in June was even more poignant due to the fact that we both thought we wouldn't be seeing each other until Christmas (this is because I am not great at knowing my schedule beyond a week or two, as well as not realizing that Costa Mesa is not that far from L.A. (there's that geography thing again, or lack thereof!)); but low and behold, we realized that we could hang out again.  So hang out, we did; it was downright serendipitous. 

       There is a place here called the Gypsy Den, a crunchy granola, eclectic sort of joint that is known for delicious vegetarian dishes as well as rocking open-mic nights on Mondays and Thursdays.  Well, I thought it might be nice if Darb and I checked it out and played--I love Darby's music and love to hear her perform, so it was somewhat selfish on my part.  Not really, though, cause it's a gift for others too...

      And it was actually the best open-mic that I have attended so far on the West Coast.  Almost everyone who played was talented, only one song each--so if it wasn't great, you didn't have long to wait till the next act--and the kicker: NO COMICS!  Yep, just music, music, and more music.  I have no problem with good comedians--but I have a big problem with bad, awkward comics who make everybody uncomfortable and resort to making fun of whoever happens to catch their eye at the moment.  It makes you want to disappear--or at least not make any sudden movements so as not to attract attention.  And then I get antsy.  Yeah, I don't like that at all.  

   Also, the place was full with a nice, attentive crowd and had a cool ambience.  The generous slice of coconut cake didn't hurt, either.  Darby played this beautiful lullaby that she wrote for Lyric; the place hushed when she started singing, her voice is that rich and beautiful.  Then, I played Bono for President, with Darby adding some background vocals.  It was fun, really fun.  We stayed a while--long enough to recycle the set again, so I played one more song (Darby opted out because she hadn't prepared another).  I played a new song I wrote, a love song.  

   I have to share this with you: one guy came up and sang one of the most depressing songs I have ever heard.  Seriously. It was all about homeless people and everything about it was just sad, for lack of a more interesting word.  The chords were sad, the lyrics were sad, his voice was sad--you get the picture.  I am surprised nobody killed themselves before the song ended.  Actually, the MC was really a funny guy and after the song he thanked the singer for sharing, saying to him, The only thing that would have made that sad song even more powerful is if you had been electrocuted right as you strummed the last chord.  That would have been a fitting ending.  There was something about the way he said it that was so unexpected and humorous--I just laughed out loud.  And the singer was a good sport; he laughed too. Oh, and nobody really wanted him to die or anything. I mean, he seemed nice and all that.  

  Well, I am out of Sabrina's room, back in the little guest studio with Gabby.  No alien dreams as of late, so that's a good thing.  I am going to try to keep it that way.