We took off to Bellingham on Friday, as soon as the ink was dried on my new drivers license, and spent the afternoon tracing our old roots, before we headed to see Ben Folds. We moved up to Bellingham in 1997, soon after we started dating, and laid down some roots while we were there. Bellingham is where we became a married couple, where we found Martha, where we figured out to be homeowners and remodelers, where we learned to grieve a lost baby and, later, give birth to our family. Bellingham is where I decided to become a teacher. It’s where we figured out that Bradley should be our stay at home while I should support our family with my job.
But Ben Folds? Holy cannoli. I’ve long loved Ben’s funny mix of off the wall hilarity with deep sentimentalism and sensitivity. I like how he sprinkles swears throughout his songs making me grasp my pearls. I like his stroytelling. I like the way he describes situations with metaphor and story rather than just saying it:
Next door, there’s an old man who lived to his 90’s
And one day, passed away in his sleep
And his wife, she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away
I’m sorry, I know that’s a strange way
To tell you that I know we belong
That I know that I am
I am, I am the luckiest
Who doesn’t want to be a part of that couple, I ask you? The show was just amazing. It was literally just him and the baby grand on the stage for two and a half hours. For the second half of the show we were invited to write our song requests on a paper airplane to throw it onstage. This prompted a lovely second half full of wonder and explanations and backgrounds of songs from Ben. As it was a season ticket option for the regulars, Ben had to explain a few songs and allow for leaving if needed, but my kids sat through it all. Toward the end, I was worried that the kids were bored from the length, but I heard Jude exclaim how much he loved Ben Folds and Gigi was sitting next to me singing along. Fantastic. Even through the marvelously horrible and cringeworthy B*tches Ain’t Sh*t. Sit next to your kid through that for a growing experience… aiyiyi! I tell you! It paralleled my New Kids experience, which Ben would hate to hear, but I thought it was interesting that the two shows could exist in such a similar space even though the product is so different. But holy cow if Ben Folds isn’t just an amazing musician and songwriter. I’m obsessed with all of his albums again.
On my actual birthday I was lazy! I opened some presents, did some crafts, went to Target and Ross to exchange a few gifts then home for a delicious eclair, love, snuggles and of course my birthday wish. I’ve wished for the exact same thing every year since I started my body project. So far so good and the wish magic seems to still be working. I wanted to try a run but decided to hold off for a while longer. Our busy day left me a little sore yesterday as we walked the streets, revisited three different trails, danced at a concert and visited the old Kobs Farm. It seemed appropriate to skip it for one more weekend.
Today we made up for all the playing we did all weekend. We cleaned house, we cooked the meals for the week, planned outfits and carved pumpkins. I’m ready for the week… I think. Keep me in your thoughts. As my boss said:
2016 has been ok for me, but a Monday Halloween is difficult when you’re a teacher. I almost added ‘of second graders’ but I think even high school teachers have a tough go of Halloween!!!