The joy of an evening of music

It is Erika, here.

So, this no tv thing has really brought out my creativity, as I hoped it would. With so much time to twiddle your thumbs, you have to fill it with something. As you know, I went out on my own and started my own little business. With this business, I began another blog - A Passion for Play- this one caters to parents, their children and finding ways to spend time together. Trying to think up new things to post has not only kept me busy, but Beckett, too since we have to try everything out together first.

I think the best part of this creative-boost has been that I have reawakened my love of writing. The feedback I have received from my friends and family has been wonderful and really encouraged me to keep at it.

There was a particular incident this week that really made me think, "Oh! I have to write about this!" Steve bought us tickets to see Andrew Bird for our anniversary. We have been listening to so much music and have been exposed to so much new music since the big switcharoo, but Andrew Bird has been part of our musical venacular for a few years now. The details of this concert I just have to share:

This was the end of Bird's tour and Chicago is his hometown, so he chose to do something a little different. Instead of playing at the Riv or the Aragon, he chose the 4th Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue. You know that huge gothic church from My Best Friend's Wedding? Yep, that one.

The evening was a "Gezziligheid" a dutch word that translates to "social cozy."   Instead of playing a variety of songs from his new and old albums, Bird wanted to be "cozy" with the audience and just play whatever his mood suggested.  In his words, "I have a pretty cool audience that lets me do what I want." 

He played without a band - just him, his violin, guitar, xylophone, his lovely voice and his haunting whistle.  Bird looked like a University of Chicago classics professor with his tweed overcoat and tie.  I didn't doubt that he was sporting argyle socks in his loafers.  The stage was framed by twenty or so 3 foot high vitrolla horns with four 7 foot tall ones standing at attention like golden daffodil trumpets on either side of Bird.  (You can see them in the picture above.)

He had this knack for orchestrating and recording his own sounds to layer behind him as he played the melodies.  At times, Bird looked like a one-man band ala Burt from Mary Poppins.  He had a Les Paul-esque guitar on his back and a violin under his chin which he played while singing or matching the tone of his xylophone to the tone of the whistling coming from his lips.  His voice often was reminscent of Jeff Buckley without the ridiculously high falsetto.  His whistling is what has always attracted me to Bird.  (If you know me, you know I love whistling and when people clap in their songs.  Bird does both.)  He whistles with such ease - it sounds like a mix of the whistling heard in a Morricone western and when someone plays a saw.  Awesome.

Seeing Bird just standing up there in front of us experimenting with his plethora of instruments was awe-inspiring.   He not only played his music, but he moved with his music.  I guarantee he can't cut a rug (he moves in that uncoordinated, nerdy white guy way), but you don't really care because he felt his music like a whirling dervish - head shaking, hair messing and hand wagging.

The previews of his new songs make me incredibly anxious for the new release.  Two songs stood out: Breeding Desperation - the lyrics were "Without bees - breeding desperation - stealing respiration from the tender trees"

and

Lazy Projector which is about how our subconscious picks and chooses our memories - it is a "forgetting, embellishing, lying machine."

The venue made the experience all the more special.  The acoustics were incredible and hardly anyone stood up the entire performance.  I have to say that my bum was especially thankful he hadn't chosen a Catholic church because the Presbyterians know how to cushion a pew!

You may think I'm nuts for going on and on about this concert, but I don't really care.  It was a night that I enjoyed just for the sake of music.  It's something that television could never have offered.

(This pic is from last year's concert.  Couldn't find a shot from this year's.)

The No-TV Bliss Effect

Best part of no television right now?

NO POLITICAL ADS!!

I am sure all you tv watchers are jealous that I have not seen ONE political ad for this round of elections.

One less big annoyance I have curtailed.

The tortoise always beats the hare

A miraculous thing happened yesterday.

I stopped moving.

I guess I did even more than that.

I stopped moving and had an acute awareness of what was happening around me.

I was playing outside and in the midst of play had to fall down onto my back in the grass. It was then that I looked up to see the most amazing blue sky, long white clouds gliding swiftly by, branches full of autumn colors and leaves gently falling down with the wind.

It was literally breathtaking. I may have even let out an audible, "Oh."

And, it was in that moment that I thought, "I should really slow down more often."

Now that I have stepped away from that moment, I suddenly began having these realizations that lack of television has sped us up in many ways. We, obviously, don't really stop and sit down for hours at a time watching something. I find myself on days when I am home with Beckett needing to go out and do something so that we don't get bored. I try to make it more than just running errands - we have a plan for some sort of adventure.

Now, I will get all philosophical on you. By speeding up our lives to fill the time haven't we really just provided ourselves with the opportunity to slow down and enjoy one another? I would answer that with a resounding, "YES!"

I offer concrete proof of our mutual enjoyment:

Many, many trips to the zoo.




Trips on the train... just because trains are incredible to a 3 year old.



Letting a 3 year old make a bed on the kitchen floor.




















Catching a cicada in fake teeth.




Due to my old pal, Darcy's suggestion, becoming a nature explorer.



Nurturing our home-grown superhero.



Honestly, I don't know if it is lack of television that has provided me the opportunity to open my eyes and absorb the flora, fauna and familial fabulosity (A+ in alliteration, btw) or if it is just being a parent to a child who is taking it all in for the first time, but... wow... it is glorious.

So, please, go outside, lay down in the grass and look up. Bring your kids.

The party question

"How is life without tv going?" Steve and I are asked this as we begin almost every conversation with friends and family that we haven't seen in a while. Most often, we answer, "Great! We've just gotten so used to it, that we hardly even think about television anymore." But, for those of you who want the more personal answer...

It's... just... okay.

There. I said it.

Sometimes, it's boring.

There. Now I really said it.

There are some weeks when Steve and I watch more than one movie in a week. We have Netflix streaming through our Wii, so we have a plethora of movies at our fingertips whenever we feel the urge. This is dangerous. Especially now that it's getting colder outside.

We also allow Becks to watch shows on the computer in the morning so we can get ready for work, get the house in order, etc. Do I feel guilty about this? Well, yes, actually. I know that a 20 minute episode of Yo Gabba Gabba isn't harming him. But, it's more the feeling that we need this "thing" to occupy our son so that our lives are easier for those 20 minutes. Let me be honest here. I understand that I am being unduly hard on myself. He is spending way less time with his virtual friends than he used to, but I guess all moms in this day and age suffer from what I can refer to as a "Mommy Complex." This feeling that we need to have a successful career and then when we are not working, we have to then entertain, teach and engage our children for the rest of our waking hours. It's exhausting. And, frankly...

Sometimes, I'm just tired. And, that's okay.

But, we are trucking along. I am filling hours upon hours of time with work for the new biz. Beckett and I are finding new adventures every week to consume our extra hours together now that I am setting my own schedule. And, I'd be happy to tell you what Steve has been up to, but, he has stopped blogging!!! I am asking all loyal followers to beg him to get back on it! I love seeing his posts, and would love for all of you to get a load of his intelligent and witty perspective on life.

In the meantime, I'll be back soon with some pictures and tales.

And, we'll only watch one movie this week.

Television free is good for me!

Howdy trusty followers - it's Erika.
I remember when we started this blog, and I had a goal to blog at least once a week. Well, once a month is looking to be what is possible at this point. However, it is with good reason. That reason is...

(drum roll, please)

I have started my OWN business!!!!!!!!



Yes! Larson Learning and Play, LLC is a reality! I have been planning for quite some time now, but couldn't release all details due to my previous work commitments. But, I have, with a very heavy heart, left my previous place of employment and am now out there on my own. I have an intense passion for the work I do and being able to move forward without boundaries while being able to make a direct impact by making use of all my energy and creativity is...just... wow.

I have many people to thank for making this dream a reality - Steve, my utterly supportive and dear husband - and also my parents... particularly Dad.

In addition, I do have one thing to thank. My television. My quiet, dark and unalluring television. This may sound insane, but I don't think I would have had the impetus to make all of this happen while watching television. It took up too much of my time and energy. For the past 4 months, I have spent countless evenings working to get everything in order. When television was in my life, my evenings were dedicated to my shows - not ideas - not imagination - and definitley not entrepreneurship. No tv has also helped me to not stay up late watching silly reality shows, so I have the energy to handle the stress of leaving a fantastic job of the past 6 years, as well as the stress of being a business owner. Don't get me wrong, I've had my meltdowns. But, I like to think that they would have been worse if I had been tired.

So, here I am. Doing what I love. Helping children and families whom I love. Loving my husband and my almost-preschooler (2 more days!). And loving that I listened to Chopin this morning instead of Meet the Press.

A (long) comment on hipsters

Hello, there! Remember me? It's Erika!

Oh, blog friends, we have been busy. It is summer time which means more time spent enjoying the glories of flora and fauna, along with the occasional street fest and constant evening and weekend hours with friends and family. We also have some professional endeavors in the wings that will have to wait to blog about just a wee bit longer.

I could bore you with descriptions of all the fantastic adventures we've had over the almost 2 months, but I'd rather just highlight a few and then get into my thesis/diatribe.

Highlights:
Prom Fundraiser for Holy Covenant Church celebrating their 20 years of being a reconciling congregation (meaning they accept GLBT folks and us, too!) Dressed up in crazy 80's prom attire and danced the night away at Hamburger Mary's.

Steve's birthday on 7/8/78. I took him to Hopleaf - we drank uncommon and tasty beer, while discussing religion.

Went to Big Star with Kyle and Amanda - finally tasted the $3 pork belly tacos by Paul Kahan. Heaven!

We both vigorously read through all 3 Steig Larsson books - you know, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. Officially want to go to Sweden, but still don't want to eat their food.

Listened to a ton of NPR. What else do you do without TV?

Another highlight, and lowlight, frankly, was heading out to see the band, She & Him, at Millennium Park for a free Monday night concert.


Do that many people love She & Him like I do? I guess so, since the place was packed to the gills. Even though we had our picnic on cement and couldn't even see Zooey D. or M. Ward- let alone hear them, I walked away with much to discuss and ponder... mainly - the ever present and abundant... hipster. The concert was mainly hipsters, and this isn't the first time that Steve and I have arrived at an event or restaurant surrounded by hipsters. So, I began to ask myself, "Am I a hipster?" Herein lies the thesis/diatribe I discussed above. (I know I'm supposed to be talking about our life without tv, but I think we're beyond that at this point. I think we can be permitted to discuss the thoughts and discussions that arise from the consequences of living television-free - such as attending concerts, like She & Him. K?)

Steve and I have been discussing the definition of the hipster for a while now. However, it really came to a head after visiting New York in January. We were in Williamsburg, a part of Brooklyn, and were forced to coexist in the land of hipsters for a day. Everyone, I mean everyone, was dressed exactly alike. The uniform: Plaid scarf, side swept hairdo (a bit scruffy looking, but coifed to the nth degree), Ray Ban Wayfarers and skinny jeans. Steve and I had to laugh at the number of men wearing what were obviously women's jeans. I kept imagining them in the dressing room wearing these women's skinny jeans and thinking to themselves, "Wow. I look cool (in women's jeans)." The conformity in this subculture was quite ridiculous especially when the whole hipster vibe embraces a departure from the norm. So, I decided to do a bit of research to not only figure out what it means to be a hipster, but why Steve and I kept running into them at events that interested us. Was our term too broad? Were we indeed hipsters???



Research is quite a laughable term in this case, since it really only consists of a Wikipedia search. But, I digress...

The term "hipster" was revived in the 90's and 2000's to describe "young, recently-settled urban middle class adults and older teenagers with interests in non-mainstream culture and fashion, particularly alternative music, indie rock and independent film." Hipster culture is described as a "'mutating, trans-Atlantic melting pot of styles, tastes and behavior[s].'" Hipsterism "'fetishizes the authentic elements' of all of the 'fringe movements of the postwar era - beat, hippie, punk, even grunge,' and draws on the 'cultural stores of every unmelted ethnicity' and 'gay style,' and 'regurgitates it with a winking inauthenticity.'"

Okay - so based off of that... young? recently settled? I think we are beyond that at this point with our 32 years. However, one article did say that hipsters can be 18-34 year olds. Do we have interest in non-mainstream culture and fashion? Within terms of music? Yes. Film? Yes. Food? Yes. Fashion? No. Although I like to think that I can appreciate thrift store shopping and used to when in high school and college, I am now a mom. Clothes are best when clean and tolerated on a consistent basis when new. The "'winking inauthenticity'" is, I think, what Steve and I were picking up on in Williamsburg. Let's keep studying...

Hipsters embrace a "lifestyle revolving around thrift store shopping, eating organic, locally grown, vegetarian, or vegan food, drinking local beer (or even brewing their own)" and "listening to public radio." Uh-oh. We hit under a number of those categories. If in question check out my love for farmers' markets, my comment on NPR above and Steve's beer blog on tasting craft beer and brewing his own at beernaked.blogspot.com. Yikes.

Continuing Wikipedia research states that hipsters borrow from past trends. Time Magazine states, "'Take your grandmother's sweater and Bob Dylan's Wayfarers, add jean shorts, Converse All-Stars and a can of Pabst and bam - hipster." Okay. I don't wear my grandma's sweater, but I do wear her earrings and drive her car. As for Wayfarers, I have them and love them to death. Steve wears Converse All-stars, but we have grown into more evolved beers than PBR.

The Hipster Handbook states, "You graduated from a liberal arts school whose football team hasn't won a game since the Reagan administration and you have one Republican friend who you always describe as being your 'one Republican friend.'" Okay. This is getting scary. I really don't want to be a hipster, but Steve and I both graduated with our undergrads from a liberal arts school that doesn't even have a football team. We also have few, if any, Republican friends. It's almost to the point that we don't even admit we have Republican friends, unless it is to rehash something hilarious and dumb they said on facebook.

Finally, one quotation said that hipsters possess a "not-quite passive aggression called snark." I love this quote - really just because it uses the term "snark."

Okay, so beyond the Wikipedia research, I have my own conclusions. Yes, we fall within some of the categoical descriptions of hipsters. However, my own quantitative data reveals conclusive evidence that make us fall beyond the hipster definition.
First, we have a child. Hipsters don't have kids.
Second, my clothes are colorful and from stores like Gap and J.Crew. Steve would never, ever wear skinny jeans. (Yet, I do own a pair... maybe 2... shhhh....)
Third, we are not apathetic, passive aggressive or snarky. Sarcastic? Sure. Would love to find jobs in Europe and move away from the tea partiers and right-wing fundamentalists who call themselves patriots? Yes. But, we are hopeful, do-gooders, and do everything we can to help those less fortunate with compassion and candor. I don't think this is a hipster quality in the least.
Fourth and finally, we are too old for this. It won't be long before we have a house in the suburbs. We also believe in other boring and yuppie-like things such as upward mobility and saving for retirement.

But, we won't give up our need to continually educate ourselves on what is hip and cool. We won't stop listening to good music no matter how old we find ourselves. We won't stop shopping for the freshest, sustainable foods. And, we won't stop eating at the restaurants with all the other "foodies" and, probably, hipsters, too.

Therefore, I deem Steve and I "yupsters" - a combo of yuppies and hipsters. I looked it up on Wikipedia, and the term is officially mine.

So, here we go. Yupsters unite.

Another hurdle overcome

Erika here...

Steve is busy training for the marathon, so I thought I better blog. ((Btw, Steve now, without tv, has the time to train for (excuse my language) a friggin' marathon!! My husband, The Uber Runner!))

Let's see... where did I leave off?

The Hamptons was incredible. It truly tickled me to see my mom galavanting in East Hampton and getting all googly-eyed at the homes while also searching for her culinary idol, Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa to all you non-foodies). Yet, of course, I was doing the same thing. I bought Beckett a Polo at the East Hampton Ralph Lauren store and managed to convince myself that I didn't need a pair of Tory Burch ballet flats. We traveled with one of my besties, Lindley, and her mom to visit our other bestie, Suellen and her new babe, Beatrice. In case you were wondering, there was no television watching at all the entire trip. Yet, I did manage to get some gossip out of Serge. Serge rents the cottage behind the house we rented and also waits tables at the lovely Pierre's in Bridgehampton. He regularly waits on the Real Housewives of NYC when they are summering in the land of the rich and farmer's markets. I asked his opinion of the Countess LuAnn. He replied in a very thick french accent that he thinks all "those ladies have man-ish faces." Perfect. Oooo... also... a non-tv related moment was when we were visiting the Bridgehampton T.J. Maxx (let's just say Gucci, Fendi, Alice&Olivia - cater to demographics much?). As we were going in the doors, a couple approached behind us. The man reached for a cart and his wife stopped him remarking, "Oh, no cart, dear. We're not going to buy anything. We just want to see what this place is." Got to love the Hamptons.

Here's a pic of my Mom and I in Montauk.


And another of Suellen, Lindley and I at Wolffer Winery.



The other two major events that have occurred this month were, obviously, Lost and American Idol. Steve and I were invited to the neighbors, Scott and Beth's house, to watch the Lost finale. Steve will likely disagree, but I thought the entire thing was ridiculous and a cop-out by the writers. What is it? 7 years of build-up? And, it ends with answers that are still questions. Everyone who watched is still debating as to what actually happened... I wanted definitive answers, people!! Frankly, I was more interested in watching the commercials to see what new stuff they were advertising. Classic consumer in the house.

And then, there is my favorite show for what seems like forever - American Idol. No. I didn't watch it. Not one episode since March. I tried to get my neighbor to watch it and invite me down, but as I sheepishly asked what she was watching last Tuesday, she replied Dancing with the Stars, and I opted out. (Let me note that in the past, I would have spent hours upon hours on a show like Dancing with the Stars that annoys the crap out of me.) So, without invitations from friends (don't you love me?) I did not watch the finale of American Idol. With all the candor in the world, I will tell you that I wouldn't have it any other way. If I am giving up television for a whole year, I shouldn't be able to watch the end to my favorite show. That is one of the sacrifices. Did I or do I care about Lee Dewyze? Maybe in February but certainly not now.

What did I do instead? Learned how to make homemade gnocchi, finished another book, built some solid muscle with the Wii Fit, was awe-inspired by my son's ever-growing imagination and planted some darn cool flowers and herbs. Take that Ryan Seacrest.