Beautiful Inside And Out

 

A Fashion Experience

I was blessed with one child in life a happy child that was extremely easy to nurture and raise. She is beautiful inside as well as outside and is not easily forgotten when first introduced. She carefully picked a suitor and married this handsome and most loving man from Spain, they reside in Madrid. She speaks fluent Spanish and some French, she just became a Spanish citizen and teaches English to children in a private school. It is a very unique experience having your only daughter living in Europe with a six hour difference in time, and so very far away. At first I didn't know how to respond when she decided to do her Masters in Spain. Finding the perfect job, the announcement of her engagement, then marriage a year later would all spell out a more permanent stay in Spain. My days of going shopping, meeting for lunch, or watching our favorite British romantic film together seemed like a lasting memory.

I said to myself, Donna you taught her to be independent. This is where she chooses to live, and the world she wants to create for herself. You worked and sacrificed so she would have all the tools necessary to survive. She and her husband travel the world together, and they are not quite finished yet. Every week there is something new happening in her life and perhaps she may or may not choose to return back to the states. Try and understand if her husband would be able to adjust to the demands of the American ways. The freedom of loving life with much less stress, the advantages of many religious holidays, socialized medicine, close family ties, and the beautiful ways in which this culture enjoys living their lives. At first it was overwhelming and I was unsure of what type of relationship I could possibly have with her. Such distance could I continue to watch her grow? Over time I realized she was truly happy. I sought a new found place in sharing her many delights. I also realized that ours was going to be a different kind of mother and daughter relationship. You know, she tells me everything, and when she goes away on a trip I experience it through her. Whether it's short videos, photos, Skype or Whats App the communication is always available.

Last evening she shared something new and exciting that was right up my alley. Fashion week for a particular Boutique store she happens to love. To put it mildly she is a devoted customer and shops there quite often. Over the years many of my unique clothes for Christmas and birthdays come from this lovely store. When you regularly shop there for six years the store records a percentage of what you've spent. The total amount is evaluated and if this figure falls into a higher bracket then this is known as being in Circle 5. Believe me she has certainly earned this title. She wears their clothes with exuberance, has excellent taste, is physically beautiful to look at, and has a warm, bright and social disposition. Lets just say they called and invited her to their exclusive fashion event. 
When she first arrived she was welcomed by one camera man, a spokeswomen for the store and the manager. She was surprised by this sudden unrehearsed interview, but was delighted in being chosen as their exclusive representative of their new Spring collection.

The name of this store and brand name of this clothing line is Desigual. The premiere took place in several spaces on Calle Santo Tome' Madrid. These places were Creme Delacreme, Piloco and 98%yu. They set up manikins in odd positions in these places draped with their creative ideas and designs. Colors, fabric textures, and original graphic designs were displayed to show the creative process in designing their most innovative fabrics. The fashion statement this Spring was bright and colorful. They introduce a unique way of mixing and matching different design patterns presenting Desigual with their own signature look. There is a bohemian sense of style yet they take it to a whole different level in the way they accessorize, and uniquely combine fabrics and textures. This was indeed a once in a lifetime experience to be a part of. My daughter shared this experience with me every step of the way. I in turn felt her joy and excitement as I reminisced over the splendor of bi-annual Fashion Weeks spent in New York. I was ecstatic for her because as a little girl she witnessed me leaving for New York while she patiently stayed behind. When I'd return home she would ask me“mommy how was it, what was it like, did they like your dresses, did you see any celebrities”? Looking at those big doe eyes I would try and explain what it felt like to be there, but the magic was hard to describe unless you experienced it for yourself.

Last evening she finally knew what this experience was like. After her last text and photograph was sent via Whats App, I cried tears of joy. All that hidden guilt was slowly oozing from my heart, I was free and unmistakably the fashion shoe was finally on the other foot...

Roy Owen Haynes - Jazz

 

All That Jazz

Roy Owen Haynes born on March 13,1925. Roy is an American Jazz Drummer. His career lasting for more then sixty years. During the fifties his nick name was "Snap Crackle." He has jammed with more greats then you can possibly imagine. Roy celebrated his ninety first birthday last Thursday evening on March 10, at The Blue Note Jazz Club in NY city. He played with his band members, Jaleel Shaw on sax, Martin Bejerano on piano, David Wong on bass and special guest Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny. I know because I was there for the 10:30 evening show. I sat close and personal as I watched in awe as these great musicians jammed together. The place was packed, and you couldn't put a piece of thread between each persons chair. The music, and the sound was an experience all it's own. To watch Roy perform is something you will never encounter in a lifetime. Music is within his soul he is the music. He simply never missed a beat!

Pat Bruce Metheny born on August 12,1954. Pat is an American Jazz Guitarist. He is noted for his electric guitar, acoustic guitar and guitar synthesizer. Jazz lovers know him as The Pat Metheny Group and Pat Metheny Unity Group. Pat delivers a unique quality and style to his music. If you follow jazz the name Pat Metheny will ring loud and clear. He made his first appearance on the jazz scene in 1974. I know because I bought his first album as soon as I heard his signature sound on a Smooth Jazz radio station out of Boston, MA.

Pat tells a story through his musical arrangements. He writes and composes all his music. When a song begins with Pat it starts off slow soft and simple, not all the instruments start at the same time. He begins with his acoustic or electric guitar, drums, and piano. As the song develops more instruments are added to the story and his guitar takes on a specific lead. He builds the music up like a crescendo and he switches to his signature guitar synthesizer. Now all the instruments in the group are playing louder and more vigorously and his guitar begins speaking to the listener. His Guitars musical vibration reaches it's peak, wildly hitting higher notes as the sound transcends into a strong message. The background music is blending in perfect harmony with all the instruments playing together in unison. Pat then brings back his acoustic or electric guitar and ever so controlled he slowly winds down. Each individual instrument making its last attempt to ring out before eventually coming full circle back to its beginning, softly and rhythmically ending the story. 
Brilliant orchestration!

Pat's storytelling through his music has been told in so many different arrangements over the decades. His signature sound resonates deep into the soul. No other Jazz guitarist writes, arranges music and puts on a jazz performance quite like him.

To watch an artist who you admire in itself brings great joy. Especially one who you've listened to your whole adult life. An artist/musician who's music influenced and inspired you as a struggling artist, helped you cope through good times and bad times. This dreamlike vision was playing no more then a few feet away and it was overwhelming for me. I never dreamed in a million years I'd ever have the unique pleasure of finally experiencing Pat's artistry. I was at the right place at the right time.

Watching Roy and his band with Pat was truly magical that eventful evening. They literally fed off each other and you could feel and see the enormous God given talent flowing out of their bodies down their arms through their hands to the tips of their fingers.

My only regret is I did not have the chance to shake Roy's hand, thank his band or introduce myself to Pat. The opportunity did not present itself. I still left The Blue Note happy and quite content as I had witnessed a musical birthday celebration to a very special jazz legend, and a unique jazz musician who will always have a special place in my heart... 3