Courtney and I set off on a busy North Haven adventure yesterday starting with an early morning at the annual Town Meeting. As the secretary of the Planning Board, Courtney was somewhat obligated to go while my motives were a bit different. My obsession with recording sounds does not stop at car horns and footsteps; it also includes what could possibly be audio gold that is a town meeting. Unfortunately, the days of olde are gone at these things. Apparently there used to be knock-down drag-outs at the meetings years ago. Now everyone is mostly civil and after sitting through nearly eighty articles to be motioned I was quite bored. Needless to say, this is probably how town meetings should be organized. I also setup the wireless microphone and PA system (which led to a couple of great feedback incidents; music to my ears).
Now the LOVEFEST:
After the not-so-exciting Town Meeting, Courtney and I headed to the Waterman's Community Center where we had a 2.5 hour (or so) rehearsal with some of our favorite folks The Toughcats. The Toughcats are Joe Nelson, Colin Gulley, and Jake Greenlaw...three of the best people we have met since we moved to Maine almost four years ago. These guys are incredibly talented musicians and have helped us with projects that would never have been otherwise possible (ie, the Milkman Ballet) and they constantly put out some great music.
I wouldn't place their art in any one category, but most folks would probably call them a bluegrass group though they are so much more. These guys have amazing artistic instincts and their musicianship is second to none. We would not do half of the things we have done out here without them. I could go on and on about Joe, Colin, and Jake and perhaps I will in a future entry.
After a brief stint at home (Courtney cooked, I took a nap, stoked the stove), we drove over to our friends' baby shower at an incredible and ancient farmhouse owned by another set of great friends. Courtney made Gougeres that were the hit of the party. The house has been very well maintained in it's original state (other than the normal renovations a two hundred year old+ farmhouse requires). Many rooms separated by maze-like walls and a sometimes disorienting layout. This is a good thing, though probably difficult to heat. Bill Bartovics (one of the owners) gave me a great deal of guidance and parts in repairing a bicycle I found at the town dump (below). I still use this bike now that it is in great working order.
On to the Toughcats performance at the Waterman's Community Center (hence the 2.5 hour rehearsal). Courtney and I performed a couple of songs with The Toughcats: One song we wrote called Die Schlange und Die Mädchen and one ABBA song called Knowing Me Knowing You. Courtney also took part in their usual Busby Berkley-esque introductions while I did sound and lights. I also recorded the entire show (audio only) and will post some highlights in the future.
After Party ---> Absenthe ---> Sleep
The Boys
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