Yada What?

A couple of weeks ago while Sofia was at work and I was trying not to burn dinner, Ellie and I were watching Seinfeld on TV. I had figured that this was not a very interesting show for three year-olds, but that doesn't mean they stop trying:

Ellie: What is George saying?
Me: [How does she know his name?] I dunno, let's listen....
A bit later...
Ellie: What's Kramer doing?
Me: [???!] Well, let's watch and see....

She knows Jerry too, but seemingly not Elaine.

Wonder if she'll learn it as "Eeelaaaaaaayne"?

The Village Vanguard

Sofia and I got out to celebrate our anniversary Friday night and ended up where we usually do for a birthday, or when someone is in town, at the Vanguard. Thankfully, this was after a so-so Italian dinner in the meat-packing district, where pretty much all the other diners were born AFTER the Michael Jackson songs being played were released. (And, yes, too loudly.)

Anyways, the Ed Simon trio was playing in front of the red velvet curtain. Among us and the Japanese tourists (ok, and a few others), there were just piano, drums and this guy, John Patitucci:


Wow. For some reason a great bass player can really steal a show. They played several of Patitucci's compositions -- he's at least as much a composer as bass player.

Simon's playing is something like Bill Evans -- lots of colors and pretty. But after about ten minutes of Evans playing I always end up thinking "this guy can't swing to save his life!". Anyways, Patitucci can, and it was a solid show.

Made me come home and think about the other bass players we've heard over the years, and found that Ron Carter will be playing in April at the Blue Note. Can't wait.

Back Seat Accompanist

Just a few minutes ago, while playing (practicing?) Shubert's G-flat Impromptu:

Sometimes I think Kuzia had a past life in a nineteenth century concert hall or opera house. She always a willing audience for classical music.

It's One of Those Years.....

Cute. Really. Makes the dot-com burst feel nostalgic, knowing how it ends.

But the bloodletting is trickling down. There were actually layoffs within trading and technology, much closer than the article suggests.

That said, all is well personally. It's times like these that I'm glad I ended up in plain old interest rates. Stuff that was supposedly "done" 10-20 years ago and many consider "boring".

Must be my laid-back Midwestern style. (Funny, I'd mostly forgotten about that till the reunion last summer.)

So it seems like another 'season' is underway, and it certainly looks like it'll be plenty exciting -- re-orgs, new priorities, the works. Will have to enjoy it while it lasts. Seems the sports analogy is apt: very few go out winning their last game, on their own accord. Thinking back on the people who are out of the industry, mostly it's a tap on the shoulder and the manager asking for the ball. Or spending too much time on the bench and getting the hint.

It ain't a walk through the tulips. But I guess that's a fun part too. Especially seeing how I suck at sports.