Amazing show

Last night I played a show (we had NO audience) in Providence that was amazing. It was one of those nights where the world just sort of stood still while I played with a fellow musician, and it was amazing. It was a connection that rarely happens in performance, but when it does, you just know it was the best.

Now, maybe, next time we'll get an audience.

A home!

I think I found my home today. I'll move in on Friday if I am correct.

Back in Providence

I got back to Providence yesterday. If anyone has any leads on a shared apartment within biking distance of Wickenden Street, please let me know (I'm homeless!!!)

amsterdam

Kneipe

Last night I went to the most amazing little Kneipe near my flat in Essen.. This was one of the best nights ever in my life, but not because it was exciting or different. It was amazing and wonderful because it wasn't any of those. It was, to put it simply, home. The bar felt like home- I was just me. I was a woman who spoke bad german talked loudly and drank too much (way too much) beer. I made friends, and was just me. It is one of those funny things that we take for granted, that we can just be ourselves. The freedom to have my own identity for an evening, to not try to make an impression on anyone or anything, was so wonderful. The whole time I've been here I've been acting as professional and proper as I could. I am not often unprofessional, mind you, but I have been keeping my own self private, even my work. Last night I was me - a composer/artist post-punk queer, plodDeutsche speaking American. It was nice to have that feedom, one that I hadn't even realized I'd not had, until then. I haven't been able to even be my usual 'artist' self here because I am in a different department at the University here, in the Germanistik department instead of the Music department.

It is great how just being myself with other people is rewarding. I liked that. I also liked that the bar played only good music, music that I actually like enjoy- I found myself singing along (quietly) to the music in the Kneipe.

Ruhrgebiet

This place is kinda awesome.

When I got here last Sunday, all I could think of was Detroit and Oklahoma mashed together. Now I can only think of this place, as none of my comparisons work.

There is a serious amount of amazing visual art here. Not so much digital, but dang, the visual stuff is awesome. There is an intense classical music scene. It's beautiful. I'm overwhelmed with what to say, so I'll leave a few photos and call it good.