Views in the Valley (Poet's Seat Greenfield)

In an attempt to showcase some of the great views and amazing lanscape that we are blessed to be surrounded by in the valley, I want to occasionaly post some of the interesting places I photgraph on weekend jaunts. Below are images taken at a recent weekend journey with partner Chris and on and off girlfriend (Just Kidding Erin) Erin Callahan. We were in town on a summer drive looking for a great place to enjoy ice cream when we stumbled upon Poet's Seat. It's only about a 5 minute walk up a trail. At the top there is a 1912 sandstone observation tower that overlooks the entire city of Greenfield.

Above: View from Poet's Seat Tower in Greenfield, Ma.

Above: Chris looking Pensive as he watches a hawk circle around the tower.

Above: Erin as if she were attempting to seduce the baseball players below.

Above: We would have liked to see the very top of the tower. Unfortunately it was not very welcoming.
Above: Me as if to say "I am the King of this tower."

Well excuuuuse me!

Anyone who has ever seen the movie "The Jerk" can remember the outrageous role of "Navin Johnson." Steve Martin's lillywhite character who was born a "poor black boy." The hillariously innovative classic marked only the beginning of Martin's highly-touted movie career. However, as doors were opening up on the big screen, Martin's nearly 15-year magic and standup career.

When I noticed the new autobiography "Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life" at the lazy Sunderland library, I was excited and couldn't wait to read the story of why one of my comedic idols walked away from standup while he was selling out stadiums.

I've always wondered what happened to his standup. I remember being a little kid and watching reruns of SNL and seeing Martin singing "King Tut" and dying with laughter. Later, Martin's timing in movies like "The Jerk" and "The Lonely Guy" always struck me as perfect for the stage.

I read the book in about three sittings (not something I often have the time for anymore). It was very frank and often very candid about Martin's borderline obsessive relationship with rehearsing standup, as well as his fond memories and nightmares during his stage comedy career.

Throughout the book Martin made no attempt to glamorize his story, or even curb any humiliating moments. He was honest about stage fright, depression, failures and successes.

Overall the book made me respect one of my favorite comedians as a true pioneer in his field. His contributions to standup, acting, directing, and writing are enormous, and I believe he has a great deal more to offer future audiences.

In short, check out this book.

But before you do that, use this classic video clip of comedy legends Martin and John Candy in perhaps the best holiday movie of all time "Trains, Planes, and Automobiles."





John Candy & Steve Martin - video powered by Metacafe

Folk'ing Awesome

Ok, so this is a little late since the concert was April 12th, but give me a break. I am just getting settled with this whole blogging thing and with 3 jobs it is sort of an intense undertaking. However, I am loving the ability to chronicle my life and the cool things I get to see and be apart of every day.

That being said, on April 12th Chris and I had front row tickets to the Dar Williams concert at The Calvin Theatre in Northampton. Now, anyone that knows anything about Dar knows that she spent a great deal of her time living in Northampton and now thinks of it as her second home. Therefore, whenever she returns it is a great occasion for people from the area to come out and celebrate their native daughter. Also, knowing that Dar wrote some of her remarkable songs right in the Valley is another reason to be so proud of this blessed area.

For this concert Dar brought along some great acts to open up.

This was our first time seeing a group called The Nields. The folk sister duo of Katryna and Nerissa Nields absolutely blew us away. The two girls, who are also local, took on the historic stage at the Calvin with an all acoustic set filled with optimism-charged pop folk, heavy blues, and amazing vocals. These amazing women actually took a moment to sing an acapella song dead center in the front of the stage. The moment really did wonders for setting the mood for the night.

Later that night Chris and I talked about the Nields for hours. We were sorry to say we hadn't explored their music much in the past, but something about them was stunning. Since I have to say I have purchased a couple of their cds and I am finding their music has elements of some of my favorite musicians. I hear some lyric and melody nods to Paul McCartney, I hear the humor and writing chops of Dar, and the sounds is like Eva Cassidy and Natalie Merchant had twin children together. Did I mention they were both beautiful as well? Oy, I'm gushing. Check these girls out ASAP.

Above : The Nields belting out a song during the performance. Katryna was actually singing to Chris.

So after the Nields we were greated by none other than Mr. "Rockabye" himself, Shawn Mullins. While I did just rudely introduce him by nicknaming him by his only Top 40 song, I must say that I do really enjoy some of his music. He has a few wonderful songs including but not limited to "Rockabye," "Anchored in You," and "Beautiful Wreck." He also ended his performance with stirring cover of "House of the Rising Sun" which he dedicated to the people of New Orleans. I think his performance was great, but I think that the crowds that a Dar concert attracts are not necessarily as receptive to an artist like Shawn Mullins. Fortunately we caught Shawn Mullins outside of the concert and congratulated and thanked him for the performance.

Above: "I've lost count of the times I've given up on you, but you make such a beautiful wreck you do."

Finally, The main event came in the form of the incomparable Dar Williams. I am writing to you as I listen to our favorite album "The Green World" (2000 Razor and Tie). This album and its honest lyrics about growing up, relationships and what its like to become and adult, helped to get me through being a teenager. Flash forward a few years later and Chris had a very similar and even more intense experience with the same album. It would take about 10 blogs to explain the where, when and why, but you should know that this is a powerful album and is worth your money and more.

In a nervous moment Dar stumbled during her first song. She explained that the emotion of standing on that stage is always a little startling for her. I think the moment was honest and humbling. A well-known daily newspaper out here (cough the Republican) chose to pan Dar for the performance because of the moment and the fact that she spent some time between songs tuning her guitar. The review was ignorant of the crowds enjoyment of the set, as well as the intricacies of Dar's intimate performance.

During the show Dar played songs from each one of her 7 studio albums. Personal favorites included "After All," "We learned the Sea," "The Babysitter's Here," "As Cool as I am," and even a cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" with the Nields and Shawn Mullins.

All together it was sort of a magical night.

Stay tuned in July when Chris and I will head to the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival for four days of great concerts including Dar, The Nields, and one of my favorites Vance Gilbert.

Above: Dar doing some of her signature tuning that apparently ticked of some lame entertainment writer who apparently didn't get his money's worth for his free ticket.

Above: Dar Performing "When I Was A Boy" at the Calvin Theater.

Summer is Coming

Living in Western Massachusetts I've learned that you can't really commit to the seasons changing by the weather. For example, today it is 70 degrees, while last Sunday it could have snowed. So in an effort to try to rid myself of the chronic seasonal depression that such manic weather patterns can cause, I have begun using the quality of life around me to gauge when the Valley will be warm and green again. Here are a few things that I have noticed that strike me as positive.

1. For the past couple of weeks I see young girls practicing softball at the field at the base of Mount Sugarloaf on my way home from work. Granted, sometimes they are wearing winter coats, but nonetheless, there is that New England sense of urgency to follow everyone else's sporting schedule.

2. The few students I know have begun to move their fingers toward the panic button. As a lifelong procrastinator, I know that feeling of waking up for Spring and realizing the task you have ahead of you. There is really nothing to prepare you for the feeling of finally feeling capable of doing your work, but not really wanting to do it because you would rather be barbequing (is that a word) or playing whiffleball.

3. Summer vacations are being planned. I have been working diligently to put together my summer schedule so I can fit in enough challenging and fun things that I feel like I have been productive. (See future posts....)

4. I have found myself on multiple occasions uttering the phrase "let's go do something." I mean, I know that our lives are full of doing "somethings", but usually when I start saying that phrase again it means that my endorphins are again high enough where "something" doesn't consist of a "Flavor of Love" marathon and a Blue Wall burrito. I actually rode a bike to get dinner the other day!

5. Now this one may sound rude, because it is, but people are starting to be less bitchy. I don't know if it is the 6 months of shoveling snow, or the endless repetition of the phrase "I'm going to go warm up my car," but people just start getting very Tyra Banks during New England winter. It feels like every time I go to the grocery store I bump into the lady who wants to cut me off in the "10 items or less" line with her cart chock full of Hot Pockets and Lean Cuisine. She is also the same woman who later decides to cut me off so she can use the Red Box for the first time. Don't even get me started on these people. You know the concept of Red Box is great, but it is executed sort of like communism. In theory, renting a movie for a dollar a night is wonderful, but as a greedy must-have Americans we feel as though we deserve to make others stand in line for 10 minutes while we browse through the same selections of B Sandra Bullock Movies and American Pie spinoffs. You know, sometimes I think the problem with America is that we are so passive aggressive. Nobody wants you to stand in line in front of them for 20 minutes, but we sure as hell aren't going to say "just watch 'You, Me and Dupree' again and get the fuck out of line your Lean Cuisines are melting from your cheese covered calorie-teeming Boston Market Meal". Not at least until we freak out and whip the ladies copy of "Saw 16" across Stop and Shop. It is a lifelong goal of mine to become more direct with people, especially these people.

Considering that rant, I would like to ammend my earlier comment about people being less bitchy. I guess you should know that this does not happen overnight.

The important thing to note here is that Spring is coming and it will not be long before I am attempting to grill breakfast lunch and dinner. Yes, it is just a mere week or two before I will shamelessly ride with my windows rolled down no matter what speed I am going.

Spring and summer in the valley are full of promise and optimism. It's not whether or not you can do something, it is how much you will do it. Everyone becomes ready to help each other again, and have fun doing it. It truly becomes a rare feeling that comes from a love of home and a value of life.

So join me (my two readers at this point) in welcoming Spring and summer. Let's grab a glass of iced tea, put the Sox game on the radio, and all go do some work in the yard.

Today is my first blog.

Blog completed.