8.05.2006

What a Ship IS...

Well, I told H’n’B I would post once more before turning over the reins for a week. So I don’t have a whole bunch to say. I had this whole thing written up about how I think sometimes I can be overbearing about my enthusiasm with certain things, but it ended up sounding far more self-deprecating than I wanted it to, so that’s out. I’ve saved it, and I’ll post it later. Thoughts?
Tonight will be my first GSAM in about a month and the AM part is actually out because I can only stay for dinner. I have to come home, mow the lawn, and finish packing. This time, I have a list. I’m only packing a backpack of essential travel things, so I’ll have my music, my reading material, some Russian reading, some Urdu reading, a few dictionaries, a change of clothes (for a two-hour flight, I know, but you can never be too careful) chargers, some foreign literature incase I come across some cool foreigners at the airport (because everybody knows that’s where they hang out), and my shaving kit (which I kept with me because [first of all, I need most of the stuff in it, but also] it saved room in my suitcase. I need to round up some things in my car (like the new [old] sunglasses) and some hats and ocean type stuff. I’ll definitely be bringing my running shoes, incase I feel ridiculous enough to run (even half) a mile in the scorching heat of summer down there (but again, one can never be too careful). All of that (and more) can fit in my backpack, and that’ll make for a nice non-lugging-luggage flight.
I was asked today (because apparently I’ve become the authority on these things) what happened to Story & Clark, a piano manufacturer that has apparently changed hands a number of times. Anyway, this sister that has one thought the people went out of business, but as you can see, they did not.
What is it about the piano? I know everyone’s sick and tired of me talking about this, but I’ve got a week away from Foreign Words, and I’m going to try to figure this one out. There’s something regal or charismatic or significant about sitting down at a piano and playing something (even a little something) and having somebody go “oh, I recognize that!” Or not even people being around… just the fact that you’re at a piano, especially if it’s a larger piano, like a grand. I tried to relate to H’n’B my fascination with these things, and since she always grew up with a pool table, and we now have one, I tried to explain it in those terms. A pool table serves a purpose: it is entertainment, yadda yadda yadda, but it’s also far more than that. (like was put so well by Capt. Jack Sparrow “That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs. But what a ship is... what the Black Pearl really is... is freedom.”) It’s THE thing in the room, the main focus, and it’s also a piece of furniture. It’s stained and is carved and colored and demands a certain sense of respect, a pool table does, even if just a tiny bit, if for no other reason than that it is such a large, heavy piece of furniture. A piano, on a far greater scale, (aside from uprights or console or whatever you wanna call them) carries that same attitude… yes, attitude, because if you ask CERTAIN pianists (real pianists) they’ll agree that the piano is a living, breathing thing. A piano is carved and sculpted and designed and created and has a certain ~-~ about it, without even being played. It’s true. Harpsichord, (cool sound but) nah… Organ (super cool sound but strange looking and complicated so)… nah. It’s the piano. Check out some of the other links about three posts ago and look at their big, mean pianos, the concert grands or artists’ series… oh yeah.
Anyway, I’m to finish off a few things before I head to GS and then pack and then mow the lawn, etc., but I’ve got someone at the helm for the time being, and I’ll check out all the hilarity and chaos while I’m gone or after I return. I bid you all a happy adieu!

11 comments:

Horse N. Buggy said...

Rubbing hands together in anticipation ...

Horse N. Buggy said...

And, you would have gotten much further convincing me of your argument if you had compared it to a ship than a pool table. I still don't agree with you because I just don't enjoy piano music. But I definitely understand the mysterious attraction that ships (and ruins) hold. But how do you fit a ship (or a ruin) in your basement or front room?

Alan said...

And that, my friend, is why you have a piano... because you can't get a ship (not in a bottle) or ruins (not in a jar) into your front room.

Alan said...

I'd like for you to tell me a few if you would. I'd love to hear some... I'm sure you know a great plenty

Affable Olive said...

I told you I do enough self-deprecating for all of us, and...well, we'll talk about that later.

Wouldn't it be hilarious if your old-new sunglasses ended up "at the bottom of the ocean" again? If they did, I found two other pairs and a crab that you can have.

Piano stories!! So unfair!! I'm missing out! My greenmother's piano has some stories, but mine doesn't...yet. I don't know what it is about the feeling that a piano gives off, but you have to be intune with it, and not just the instrument, but the music you play. I feel far different playing Fire Sign vs. what I have to practice for my lesson. You (Poly) are also far more steeped into the feeling that a piano gives off than I am, but that's just your enthusiasm, or more of a passion for things. (I can't use the word I really want to here.) The feeling is hard to understand, since it's kinda otherworldly but a ship is better than a pool table to liken it to. People would have an emotional attachment (love affair of sorts) to a ship like a piano, but might not to a pool table.

Anonymous said...

AREN'T YOU JUST STFITSING FROM THIS WEATHER!?!?!?! IT'S HOT!!!

Horse N. Buggy said...

Can I just say...I love Mehsha. People are posting all this deep introspective crap about pianos and ships and how attached and sentimental you can get over mere objects and she comes in and yells in Yiddish about how hot the stinking weather is. That's perfect.

Affable Olive said...

Living with her makes life hilarious. She immediately came to me and asked what the word was I was going to use in this very Eloise manner. You'll love even more right now that she's watching Boomerang, more specifically, the Smurfs. They're all new to her though.

Backa...my word verf says that. It speaks to me.

Horse N. Buggy said...

Methinks she probably likes the fact that there's only one girl smurf.

Affable Olive said...

She asked mom why there was only one girl smurf. (Isn't that as puzzling as how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop?) You could see it in her eyes that she was thinking that girl smurf has a sweet deal there...except papa smurf always creeped me out.

Anonymous said...

(Isn't that as puzzling as how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop?)


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