Standards - Tumblr Posts
The way you treat yourself is the standard you set for others.
Sonya Friedman (via quotefeeling)
Jazz Just Died
I couldn't help feeling, sitting in the audience in Carnegie Hall last night, that jazz was dying right in front of my eyes and ears. Of course, it was an illusion because all jazz or any jazz or any piece or subset of jazz is just nonsense: a placeholder for the experience I was having in that moment and nothing more. But let me just put it this way: Carnegie Hall isn't, for me, the ideal place to audition a jazz trio. It may be fine for orchestra, or even small ensemble, but jazz trio?
Well, let's bring the players into it. The ensemble in question is the Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette "Standards" Trio. The trio that has recorded a hundred albums or so and still plays live for the millionth time "Someday My Prince Will Come", "My Funny Valentine", "Answer Me, My Love". What was I expecting? More o' the same? Of course. But I had never heard Jarrett live in an ensemble setting before so I decided to try anything once.
There were moments of "beautiful" playing, of course. Especially in the ballads. Their attempts at up-tempo were strangely subdued. Everything felt like it was on crutches. OK so I didn't need to be there, but let's not allow that prejudice to get in the way any further. Most of the audience were anointed, faithful, and true to their god(s). Let me instead just say that the sound itself was oddly attuned, echoey and globular in a way I'm not used to in Carnegie. It often sounded as though it were being played in a natatorium, or at the far end of a long Holiday Inn hall. Like audio from the past. Like audio from The Shining. Creepy.
And then all of us sitting there in the audience respectfully watching the guys do their things. Ugh. This doesn't feel like jazz to me, or music, or anything. Forced to watch a funeral. And keep the tempo up. And tune the bass. And your high-hat too. Not for me. Jazz is about proximity, no matter the real size of the venue, you have to feel intimacy. Whatever the opposite of intimacy is, that's what I felt.
I've been listening to Mulgrew Miller only about 4 years, but I just think he's great and my love of his playing only grows.
gourmetgorman:
The brilliant Mulgrew Miller playing “I Hear A Rhapsody”.
Mulgrew’s combination of sublime touch, profound knowledge of the history of the idiom, and effortless technique and swing feel make him one of the modern masters of the instrument.
Why struggle with a man when you can just CHOOSE an already established man?
Cheat Code for Women:
Never waste your time & youth struggling with a man.
CHOOSE who's already at the finish line.
I deserve to be loved properly
Heal Wounded Feminine Affirmations
Never let a broke man make you feel guilty for being expensive
Reminder: Ladies, your body is a sacred temple. Don’t just give anyone access.
Women are a luxury.
How to receive Princess Treatment from men:
Raise your standards. Never settle for the bare minimum or less.
Expect the best. Have high expectations.
Act like a princess. Take being called "boujee", "high maintainence" or "gold digger" as a compliment. Not everyone can have access to you or afford you. You are a luxury.
Look the part. Looks matter. You have to look good. The reality is men will treat you better if you look good
Have a PRIZE mindset. Know that you're the prize.
Be Feminine. Feminine Energy is a valuable asset to have. Heal your wounded feminine energy and embody your divine feminine self. (My How to be more Feminine playlist)
Learn how to RECEIVE. Get comfortable with receiving. Say "Thank You" & express gratitude. (Learn to receive)
Never lower your standards because someone can't meet them.
One man's "you're asking for too much" is another man's "that's it?".
Somewhere along the line, we decided that a private indoor swimming pool was not a requirement for a standard house.
I think THAT is where we went wrong.