Here's a brief musical debriefing after my first NERFA (Northeast Regional Folk Alliance) conference. Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Nice Universe
Just got back from NERFA -- the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conference -- in Sullivan County, NY. I’m a singer-songwriter, among several other things, and I was at NERFA to work on the craft and business of that rewarding and maddening pursuit. It was my first time there, and I was at various times overwhelmed, exhilarated, triumphant, defeated, crystal clear, confused and just about any other adjective you can think of. I was feeling a little vulnerable on my last morning there, partly due to lack of sleep and partly because there were a couple of things I’d hoped to accomplish but, alas, did not. To top it all off, they ran out of caffeinated tea at the continental breakfast -- and I’m not a coffee drinker these days.
As I stood in bleary-eyed disappointment, an empty cup in my hand, Sonny Ochs -- sister of the late folk legend Phil Ochs -- noticed my dilemma. Realizing that she had gotten the last bag of the “real stuff,” Sonny did not hesitate for a moment: “Here,” she said, taking it out of her cup, where it had been steeping for less than a minute. She placed it in my empty cup with a smile.
In the grand scheme of things, it may have been a small gesture. But in that moment, it felt huge. Moments later, Lara Herscovitch, another wonderful singer-songwriter, offered me her slightly used teabag as well. Soon I was sipping a delicious combination of orange pekoe and green jasmine tea, grinning at how the universe always seems to find a way to come through for me.
Somehow, the items I hadn’t been able to cross off my "to do" list didn’t bother me so much anymore. There was no doubt in my mind that all those good things were going to happen eventually. In a universe like this one, how could they not?
As I stood in bleary-eyed disappointment, an empty cup in my hand, Sonny Ochs -- sister of the late folk legend Phil Ochs -- noticed my dilemma. Realizing that she had gotten the last bag of the “real stuff,” Sonny did not hesitate for a moment: “Here,” she said, taking it out of her cup, where it had been steeping for less than a minute. She placed it in my empty cup with a smile.
In the grand scheme of things, it may have been a small gesture. But in that moment, it felt huge. Moments later, Lara Herscovitch, another wonderful singer-songwriter, offered me her slightly used teabag as well. Soon I was sipping a delicious combination of orange pekoe and green jasmine tea, grinning at how the universe always seems to find a way to come through for me.
Somehow, the items I hadn’t been able to cross off my "to do" list didn’t bother me so much anymore. There was no doubt in my mind that all those good things were going to happen eventually. In a universe like this one, how could they not?
Monday, November 5, 2007
Suweet!
Sigh.
If only there were something sweet that was actually good for you. Something natural -- something that came from trees, say -- that could stop cavities, and maybe even repair them. While we're dreaming, let's give this sweet stuff the ability to enhance remineralization, promote healthier gums and prevent ear infections. Now we need a name. I've got it: Xylitol!
Yes, xylitol does exist, and it really does do all those nice things. The stuff's been tested six ways to Sunday -- go ahead, Google it -- and it's way safe for humans (but not dogs, interestingly). It's been around for a good long while: Xylitol was first derived from Birch trees in Finland in the 19th century.
The coolest thing about xylitol is that it's incredibly easy to use: Chew some xylitol gum a few times a day and you're golden. If you don't like gum, it also comes in the form of mints, candies and breath spray.
I'm working on setting up an affiliate account with a big xylitol gum manufacturer, and when I do, you'll be able to purchase it through this blog, thereby supporting my humble attempts to provide you with cool, practical health info.
But if you just can't wait, Google away till you find some xylitol products you like. Happy chewing!
If only there were something sweet that was actually good for you. Something natural -- something that came from trees, say -- that could stop cavities, and maybe even repair them. While we're dreaming, let's give this sweet stuff the ability to enhance remineralization, promote healthier gums and prevent ear infections. Now we need a name. I've got it: Xylitol!
Yes, xylitol does exist, and it really does do all those nice things. The stuff's been tested six ways to Sunday -- go ahead, Google it -- and it's way safe for humans (but not dogs, interestingly). It's been around for a good long while: Xylitol was first derived from Birch trees in Finland in the 19th century.
The coolest thing about xylitol is that it's incredibly easy to use: Chew some xylitol gum a few times a day and you're golden. If you don't like gum, it also comes in the form of mints, candies and breath spray.
I'm working on setting up an affiliate account with a big xylitol gum manufacturer, and when I do, you'll be able to purchase it through this blog, thereby supporting my humble attempts to provide you with cool, practical health info.
But if you just can't wait, Google away till you find some xylitol products you like. Happy chewing!
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