Friday, January 27, 2012
I quit smoking and drinking
alcohol, 10 years ago today.
I haven't had a cigarette, since then,
and I don't miss it.
Mostly I've quit alcohol-
But I'll have a taste,
on the rare occasion...
I feel better, and sing better.
Food is my thing, now.
I love to shop for, prepare, cook, learn, and sample good food.
There were earthquakes this morning...
At least 3; a jolt, and the up and down shaking...
Near to Mt. Fuji (and me)...
Farewell and RIP
to the legendary
Etta James.
She was a singer I could relate to.
Her no-bullshit attitude to life and music,
resonates in me.
I recorded "At Last" in respect for her,
on my first CD, "How About You?".
I love most of Etta's works.
But this particular song,
with Etta's special mix of grit and truth in her delivery,
inspired me to perform it
at B-Flat Akasaka
a few years ago...
It is one of my favorites :
VIDEO "Out of the Rain" (Tony Joe White) From Etta's CD "Stickin' To My Guns" (1990)Etta James January 25, 1938 - January 20, 2012
Till Next Time...
Labels: 10 Year Anniversary Quitting Smoking and Alcohol , Etta James , Jazz Vocalist Pamela MacCarthy , Meladramas , Out of the Rain , Tony Joe White
9:22 PM
Friday, January 20, 2012
Today, it snows!
The first, of the season, in Tokyo...
It started as a drizzle last night, and this morning,
big, fat snowflakes were falling.
I enjoyed riding my bicycle through it,
on my way to the train to my monthly Etegami session...
Our group's leader and organizer, Hamada-sensei,
brought fresh tulips, Setsubun items; oni-masks, beans, and knick knacks,
as possible subjects for today's session.
What caught my eye were a pair of miniature
barley-grass woven Japanese Fuka-gutsu (snow boots).
They measured about 2 inches (5.1 cm) tall :
© 2012 Pamela MacCarthy All rights reserved Snow Boots (Fuka-gutsu )
I chose this as my subject, today...
I captured the detail of the woven straw,
with the adorable red canvas bows...
© 2012 Pamela MacCarthy All rights reserved"Snow Boots" Black Ink, Watercolor on Washi Postcard
Till Next Time...
Labels: "Snow Boots" , Artist Pamela MacCarthy , Etegami , First Snow of 2012 , Fuka-gutsu , January photos , Meladramas , Tokyo , Watercolor Paintings
2:30 AM
Sunday, January 08, 2012
Today is Seijin Shiki, ( 成人式 )
or, "Coming of Age" Day, in Japan.
This is my son Michio,
at his Seijin-Shiki,
in 2006 :
© 2012 Pamela MacCarthy All rights reserved Michio Yves Ueda Seijin-Shiki 1-9-2006
The title of this day takes on a whole new meaning for me,
as it's also my birthday...
© 2012 Pamela MacCarthy All rights reserved Pamela the January Girl 1-9-2012
I plan a quiet day, today.
On Friday, the 13th January,
is my concert/party, at HALF-TONE, TACHIKAWA!
Till Next Time...
Labels: January photos , Meladramas , Michio Yves Ueda , Pamela MacCarthy Birthday Live 2012 , Seijin-Shiki , 成人式
7:50 PM