Yesterday was my second day in the studio. It is a lot less scary than I thought it was going to be. Even the song selection for the record was easy. Well, it helped that I spent the last month working on brand new songs. As a result, five of the ten songs to be on this record are new.
So maybe I should stop tensing up, like I am prone to do, because – and this is a blessing not to be taken lightly at all – as long as I do my best (or my near best), and I am prepared – things fall into place. Maybe it is just that time in my life. I am not used to this. I am used to gigantic effort and the big, big stone that waits there to be pushed up the hill. But perhaps sometimes this does happen, when you follow, fall into your stride, and then the landscape just comes to you? I don't know. I am just now getting familiar with the possibilities.
It does help that I feel very comfortable in Greg's studio. It feels incredibly familiar and not at all like a place I needed to get used to. Same with the piano. The dread of being in the studio, being recorded, that experience of being exposed and then having to listen to myself and cringe, as I am prone to do: it is not quite there anymore, either. But that, perhaps, is because quite simply I have gotten heaps better at what I do: play, sing, write – since my last time in the studio. Yes, practice makes perfect. And there is still lots of work to be done, and practice, too, as was evidenced by my (very) sore shoulder and arm from yesterday: laying down piano tracks for a new, upbeat song of mine, and realizing that my technique needs..well.. more scales and exercises. Or else.
I also think I know what my first single is going to be. And, what's more, I think I knew this when I wrote that song six weeks ago.
I now have a few days off, because of scheduling, which works out just fine because I have managed to – almost – catch a cold. This morning is bright and sunny and my bike awaits, and so does the weekend, and Monday, which is Labor Day, and when I am throwing a little party to celebrate a bit. I can't help but look back over the past two years and realize how different this Labor Day is from the one two years ago, or even last year. A year ago was the half-way point, for sure. But now.. everything is different.
We are so hard on Time and it's habit to pass and move on. But without it, how would I be able to fully appreciate this moment? I know the goal is – especially according to the new age gospel – to be completely in the moment, 'be in the now'. But right now, part of my enjoyment of the now is looking back a bit, too, realizing that where I am is the result of my past effort. And without the past, how would I be able to recognize that I have changed, evolved and moved on?
So I would like to thank my Past and tip my hat to the ever-gracious Future. And the Now and I are about to have another tasty coffee (alas, I have fallen off the wagon AGAIN) and ride the bike like the wind that we are related to.
The video at the link below is the result of Google's collaboration with Arcade Fire. And it is very much fits this journal entry.. I suggest you watch it.
