30 Days of Change: Day One
I've been pretty bored lately and I've pondered the idea that a place isn't boring, the bored person is. I'm not sure if I agree with that, but I figured there are some things I could do while I'm in Toledo that might make my life more interesting. So I decided that I would do one new thing everyday for 30 days and see what happens. Now, since I'm still financially strapped, most of these things should be free/cheap, but luckily I've got my buddy the City Paper to help me find those events. Day one was Wednesday, so I got my hot little hands on a copy of this week's edition and devised a plan...
Day One: I had to work in the morning, but I had the evening free and the next morning off, so I had lots of options (including beer!). Most of my friends have different schedules than I do, so I'm by myself on most days off. This is an integral part of enjoying myself and my time more here. There have been more than a few times that I couldn't find anyone to go out with, so I stayed at home. This usually happens at night, because until recently I'd never been to a bar by myself, with no one coming to meet me. Anyway, it's one of the things I'm out to correct. So I've been running around town by myself more, enjoying my time alone more...usually. But this first mission was a good mission.
I found myself at the Barnes & Noble seeing Ashton Allen play in the music section. I chose this because it was a twofer. I'd never seen Ashton, nor had I ever seen anyone play in corporateville. Now, some seem to think this doesn't sound weird. And I will grant them that it was cool and I would go again for another free show, but it must also be said that listening to this guy sing John-Mayer-esque songs of love and heartbreak was a little weird under the all-too-bright glow of flourescent bulbs, with his guitar, mic stand, and piano tucked neatly between the hip-hop and classical sections. But it was especially weird when the store's manager got on the horn saying "Attention Barnes & Noble shoppers. We'd like to direct your attention..."
One interesting thing I learned about live music and small shows, is that if the music is intensely personal (and it almost always is, I mean, even Wally Pleasant sings some love songs) I can't look at the singer's face. I had a hard time making eye contact that's for sure. It just felt rude, like I was crawling into a private moment to take a look around. There were only 20-25 people sitting/standing there, and the lights were so bright, it was very intimate although shockingly lit. And perhaps more so because of the lighting. Everyone could see what was happening on everyone else's face.
Anyway, the music was damn good, even though that tour is potentially killing the man. He was losing his voice to a cold that day, it was his second show of the day, his 39th of the tour, and they'd been on tour since like the 8th or 9th. Dude. But, if that's the quality of free show I'm gonna get at the B&N, well corporateville be damned, I'll be back...but maybe I'll special order my copy of the music from Culture Clash Records.
All and all a good first run. If you have any ideas about free/cheap events let me know.
Day One: I had to work in the morning, but I had the evening free and the next morning off, so I had lots of options (including beer!). Most of my friends have different schedules than I do, so I'm by myself on most days off. This is an integral part of enjoying myself and my time more here. There have been more than a few times that I couldn't find anyone to go out with, so I stayed at home. This usually happens at night, because until recently I'd never been to a bar by myself, with no one coming to meet me. Anyway, it's one of the things I'm out to correct. So I've been running around town by myself more, enjoying my time alone more...usually. But this first mission was a good mission.
I found myself at the Barnes & Noble seeing Ashton Allen play in the music section. I chose this because it was a twofer. I'd never seen Ashton, nor had I ever seen anyone play in corporateville. Now, some seem to think this doesn't sound weird. And I will grant them that it was cool and I would go again for another free show, but it must also be said that listening to this guy sing John-Mayer-esque songs of love and heartbreak was a little weird under the all-too-bright glow of flourescent bulbs, with his guitar, mic stand, and piano tucked neatly between the hip-hop and classical sections. But it was especially weird when the store's manager got on the horn saying "Attention Barnes & Noble shoppers. We'd like to direct your attention..."
One interesting thing I learned about live music and small shows, is that if the music is intensely personal (and it almost always is, I mean, even Wally Pleasant sings some love songs) I can't look at the singer's face. I had a hard time making eye contact that's for sure. It just felt rude, like I was crawling into a private moment to take a look around. There were only 20-25 people sitting/standing there, and the lights were so bright, it was very intimate although shockingly lit. And perhaps more so because of the lighting. Everyone could see what was happening on everyone else's face.
Anyway, the music was damn good, even though that tour is potentially killing the man. He was losing his voice to a cold that day, it was his second show of the day, his 39th of the tour, and they'd been on tour since like the 8th or 9th. Dude. But, if that's the quality of free show I'm gonna get at the B&N, well corporateville be damned, I'll be back...but maybe I'll special order my copy of the music from Culture Clash Records.
All and all a good first run. If you have any ideas about free/cheap events let me know.
posted by CJ at 5:00 AM
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