i will sing, sing a new song

Last night was an IMAX premiere, fundraising night for the Tennessee Aquarium sponsored by Big River and Blue Water. They opened the new show last night U23D, a U2 concert video in 3D! filmed in Buenos Aires! The show also premiered last night at Sundance. It is scheduled to open in select cities across the country on Jan. 23; so this is a fantastic opportunity for Chattanooga!!! It will be here for 3 months. MUCH OBLIGED, BIG RIVER & BLUE WATER!!!

The film is fantastic. Simply amazing how 4 young men could become such a sensation. How many decades are they going on? Incredible how four men can fill a stage with just their bodies, instruments and personalities.

The stadium was huge! How could Bono not feel like a god? He could easily influence the actions of that bobbing sea of humanity present at the concert. Just as Christ could calm a sea of water with a word, Bono can create a sea of synchronized clapping from thousands of waving hands with only a simple gesture! How must that affect his self-perception? Yet, he has not been selfish with the power he wields. He uses stage theatrics so effectively, but at the same time neither music nor ideals have been sacrificed. Their music isn't "all sex and drugs".

I cannot imagine having talked to heads of state, presented at the UN, traveled the world as an ambassador, been an instigator and promoter of products whose sales will go to aid in foreign countries... They are such a phenomenon! I was drawn into the cult of personality... the sense of awe and worship captured in the humble actions of a stage hand, in slow motion and a mysterious cloud of smoke, dressing Bono in a fresh jacket. But at one point the camera pulled back, and the audience could see the set list taped to the floor at Bono's feet. The realization hit, "Wow, they really are still just a group of 4 men. They are a band!" Then there was the confirmation in the mad, hectic changing of guitars between songs to make a smooth musical transition. The Edge is simply amazing in his non-glamorous, simple stage presence. Such a great foil to Bono's over-the-top ego. Adam Clayton still annoys Michael. I think that is funny.

Bono Vox
Really rocks
Reminding us to wonder
When Johnny'll come home
And ponder how long
He must sing his song
Marchin' all alone
But the drunk man dancin' 3 seats down from me
Makes me laugh cause we all can see
He's thinkin' he's gonna get laid
All because his cash paid
For the girl rolling her eyes
As he bullets the blue skies


HELLO, HELLO (¡HOLA!) THE IMAX GIVES ME VERTIGO!

table (for) two

Upon opening the door, I was reminded of what had impressed me the first time I visited table 2 back in August: a beautiful, well-designed interior beginning with an enchanting entryway which I have not seen anywhere else here as we do not have cold winters which chill a restaurant each time a customer enters. The draperies, though not necessary for keeping out the draft, create a sense of transition from work-a-day to something special. An exotic welcome in rich tones, the foyer sets the mood and expectations for the rest of the evening.

As we entered and soaked in the bar, kitchen and dining room, I was disappointed to note that the curtained tables along the back wall were all taken. I had hoped that on a Tuesday night we would have run of the restaurant and those magical tables would be clear for a private dinner with command of the entire hall. As it turned out though, I preferred the small square table close to the bar at which we were seated because it afforded us a perfect vantage point to enjoy the jazz trio.

Our server immediately greeted us and presented us with our menus mentioning the special menu additions listed separately as well as the wine lists: by bottle or by glass.

We started the evening with a bottle of Artazuri Grenache Navarre 2003. Throughout the evening, as conversation waxed and waned, we raised 3 toasts: to a good year 36, MLKing Jr., and Macintosh.

The meal:
Scallop cakes made for a mild, warm start. I always try to do a scallop dish or crab cakes wherever we go. This was the best of both worlds.

We followed the cakes with a mixed greens salad topped with walnuts and goat cheese. I appreciated that the salad was not drowning in balsamic vinegar dressing. A few more walnuts and perhaps the server's pouring the dressing over my salad would have made for an even more delightful presentation. The quartet of garlic, herbed drop biscuits were a tasty complement to the salad.

For my entree, I chose the stuffed roasted pork loin. The loin was stuffed with a delicious spinach and pecan filling and was served over a fantastic creamy polenta. The dish was topped with a thin drizzle of a surprisingly delicate blue cheese sauce. The herbs were just right, but there were some bites which surprised me as overly salty. Though the flavors were an interesting and pleasing blend, the meat was dry. I concentrated on the spinach stuffing and the polenta.

The 10oz. Bison loin (rare) over garlic mashed potatoes, however, was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! Perfect texture, soft and flavorful, seared just right with a nice smokiness that permeated the meat but didn't overpower it. Just as polenta complements pork flavors, potatoes make red meat sing. Asparagus and carrots made for pretty accompaniments, but it was the potatoes that carried the vegetables.

To close our meal, we asked for a tasting of the house-made rosemary ice cream drizzled with balsamic vinegar. The ice cream had a taste I can only describe as clean, but it left my mouth with an oily coating. So, my palate sufficiently cleansed and ready to be done with the strange sensation left by the ice cream, I opted for the low-flour brownie (the server described this dessert, when paired with the chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla, as "the perfect man substitute"- I chose vanilla as I had already enjoyed the Jack Daniels Chocolate Ice Cream when I visited in summer). I was gratified by the generous square of dense brownie served with a very light, soft ice cream zigzagged with chocolate sauce... not too sweet... a perfect pairing with my decaf coffee. Mi esposo had an espresso.

I look forward to visit 3 at table 2.

Whiny Over Water

Downtown, that's where the lights are bright.

Friday evening I was finally able to take my sister out for her birthday. It was sort-of last minute. I picked up an Enigma Magazine at the urging of Jessica P. Wallin, and noticed that Milele Roots was playing at R&B. I have been trying to see them for over a year. The last time I had seen them was with my sister. So we made a date for later that evening!

I took her up to the Hunter- she's not been since the addition. I told her how I missed the special hidden spot at the end of the parking lot, behind the dumpsters- a friend had shown me a long time ago. He and I played in the aquarium fountains when they were new and then climbed through the woods to sit there. We watched a few people enjoying the river walk and we listened to the tree frogs. I wish I could remember our conversations... philosophy, religion, our histories. Strange how when we are with a close friend just hanging out we simply expect we will always be enjoying the same rituals for years together? Unfortunately, we lose those ordinary precious experiences if we do not pay close attention; because eventually we are no longer close, and those moments become lost in history existing only as a rich velvety colour in our memories. I no longer remember our conversations, but I do remember how much fun we had. So much laughter mingling with the trickling sounds of the fountains and pools- gurgling. Content as we played on the terrace of the Hunter Mansion, looking out over our home town. There were so few people around downtown at that time. Just our voices echoing against the empty buildings. Splashing out across the river. So many years ago. To be remembered again while I was enjoying anew with my sister. Reminiscing over sitting on the retaining wall and the soft green grass, watching Limpopo take the stage during Riverbend. I still remember the child playing next to us- the father keeping a close eye on him. I still can see how strong and agile Yuri was, dancing like a clown on stage and how large that balilika seemed, thumping out it's melodies. Before the Feists moved to Birmingham. Before life became complicated. Before we made choices that changed all of our directions. Before we all lost each other.

I do not want to forget. I do not want to be forgotten.
But more so- I want to remember. I want to be remembered.

bathing in star showers

It is hard to see the stars from inside.

That says it all, doesn't it? It is hard to see most things when you are surrounded by silent walls and ceilings, both physical and psychological. Ooooo... I think I hear the sonar trying to find a soul! Ping. Ping. Ping.

The night sky has been beautiful for the last few days. Found a spot 5 miles or so past Covenant College, climbed atop the VWEurovan and watched the best show in Chattanooga! The Spheres were performing!!! The Perseid Meteor Shower (St. Lawrence's Tears) peaked this weekend. Fantastic. Perseus was tossing some lovely stars out of the sky. Though from my perspective, it appeared Cassiopeia was doing most of the work. Perseus was kind of lost in the Chattanooga glow. I was actually able to capture Jupiter on my iPhone- nothing else obviously- its a camera on a phone for crying out loud! but I had to prove to my friends just how bright he has been. How bright is he? Insanely so, he is so bright that the van was reflecting his light. Jupiter Victor. He has conquered my heart!!! Quite literally- he was right over it! helping Sagittarius target my (Scorpio's) poor blinking heart. Capricorn- which really looks more like a Big Chicken or Partridge- was trudging along infront of Aquarius who was laboring quite seriously as the twirling Fishes were playing in the tree tops. The Milky Way was extremely bright on Thursday night, but lessened in intensity as the weekend progressed. We could scarcely see it tonight. The moon is on her way back to take over her place in the sky, but she will be eclipsed (by Earth, of course) at the end of this month. Even terra firma wants a piece of the heavenly action, if only just through the casting of her shadow.

The star studded shows we saw this weekend were definitely worth the stiff necks the following mornings.
Speaking of falling stars, cannot wait to see Stardust, the new neil gaiman movie!!!!
Transport me, I am ready to go... anywhere but here.

Random Thought: Do you suppose, if we shot a rocket between us and the moon during the lunar eclipse, we would sever the Earth from her soul?

Hurled by Perseus
To this mad, mad world
The stars were falling
I heard them calling
Calling us to catch them
One by One
We could have made it
If you had run
Guess you were having
Too much fun
Inside



"SURFING ON A ROCKET, SURFING ON A ROCKET, SURFING ON A ROCKET"