Bead Happily Ever After

Part 2 of Our Date with Rocket Man

Posted on March 15, 2011 by crystal

Seeing Elton was an emotional experience, the depth of which caught me completely by surprise.

Sure, I’ve been a fan and admire his charitable work, but on the drive to the concert, my only thoughts were that it would be a night of fun. I wasn’t expecting anything more.

The following day, I tried to explain to my daughter how deeply moved I was by the show, the music, and especially by Elton, himself. After listening to my attempt to put my feelings into words, her reply summed it up very well: “Mom, you were touched by his sincerity”.

It was true. This man is a mega star. After such an incredibly successful career, he could be jaded, bored, selfish, with an attitude of ‘just do the minimum, get off the stage, and count the money’. I’m here to tell you… that is NOT Sir Elton.

He was on the stage for THREE hours STRAIGHT. No breaks! Performing every number. After a couple of hours he gave the band a break but HE stayed and played alone while they were gone! He continually jumped off his bench after each song and ran to every corner of the stage and bowed and waved with animated appreciation for the fans. He played countless hits and each one with every bit of his power. No holding back, no “phoning it in”. It was amazing. He will be 64 this month, but his performance surely belied that fact. I realized we were witnessing something very special. He is at a place in his life where he is still in his prime musically, but has arrived at a point of peace with himself.

His conversations with the audience were so sweet. He had a little gesture – an unconscious way of softly brushing his hand against the top of the piano as he was speaking – giving the sense that the words were coming directly from his heart. He said that the last year has been his best musically. He introduced Leon Russell explaining that this was the man that he (Elton) had “wanted to sing like.. to play piano like…” It was very touching to see the pride and joy on Elton’s face as his old hero came on stage.

Towards the latter part of the show, I lost it when he sang, “Candle in the Wind”. Why? I’ve asked myself the same question. It isn’t even a favorite of mine, though I do like it. He sang it as if it were the first time – with his whole effort. It was incredibly beautiful. I suddenly thought how extraordinary it was to be in the same room with him as he sang this song, a song that the whole world could recognize and associate with a memory in their own lives. Tears were steaming down my face. To be honest, they are now as I write about it.

This is turning into a novel. I should add that when we first arrived, we decided to have a pre-show drink at the Elton John Premium Lounge. 😉

We figured it would be a good photo op for the memory book.

I liked the table decorations – a champagne glass with a tea light nestled amongst colored glass stones.

We only had the cell phone for pix. The tickets specified “no recording or cameras with extra lenses”. Imagine our surprise when they seemed to have been smuggled in all around us!

Our seats in the arena were good! We were above the stage, with a wonderful ¾ angle to see Elton and also his hands on the piano keys. In addition, the big screen was nearby, so we had great close-ups whenever we could pry our eyes from the stage.

I’ll end with a youtube clip from the show. In it, Elton has come back to the stage for an encore. You may want to skip the first few minutes in which he is signing autographs. If you move the red slider to about 3 minutes into the video, you will see him go to the piano for his encore song.

These are his words just as he’s about to play –

“Thank you, Worcester; thank you so much. It’s been an amazing year. It’s been an amazing life, and the thing I love about playing more live now than I ever did is that I really, really appreciate you guys so much more than I could ever explain… Thank you for buying tickets to this show, thank you for being so loyal, and so great. I’m a lucky man…. And I’m going to dedicate this song to all of you. I send you my love and hope that everything in your life is as good as mine right now….”

Hugs,

Our Date with Rocket Man

Posted on March 14, 2011 by crystal

I promised you a concert report. 😀

I was still a teenager when I first heard his music.

Funny how we remember the little details . . .

It was spring – one of those glorious days when it’s finally warm enough for the windows to be flung wide open. On such a day, deliciously fragrant breezes were billowing the curtains at my friend’s house. She wanted to play a new album for me. As the needle hit the record and the music began, I was mesmerized by the earnest voice of a young man who accompanied himself on the piano. His name was Elton John.

I don’t have to tell anyone what happened to him in the following years. While he rose to fame and had hit after hit, I met a prince and raised a family.

I’ve always had affection for his music and so has Sir Beads. Elton has the kind of songs that make permanent bookmarks in your memory – you remember what was happening in your own world when you first heard them.

We did shake our heads whenever stories surfaced that Elton was playing the role of spoiled rock star but, at the same time, we accepted him for what always seemed to lie just beneath the surface – his very kind heart. His work with charities has always been exemplary.

Lately, we’ve been especially touched by events in Elton’s personal life. For example, his current tour is the result of his wish to help his old “mentor and idol” Leon Russell, a man legendary in the music business who had fallen on very hard times. Elton put the wheels in motion to record a duet album with him – as a tribute, as a thank you, and a means to provide for Leon’s golden years . . . a very generous gesture, indeed.

And then there was Elton’s desire to adopt a Ukrainian child with aids, but the application was denied. Though he was crushed at the news, Elton pledged to provide for the child (and his brother), anyway! Eventually, Elton would become a Dad – on Christmas 2010.

I believe it may have been during a discussion of current news concerning Elton that was the spark for an idea our daughter had this past December. She heard that Elton would be performing on March 12th in our area and was on the phone placing an order for tickets the moment they went on sale in December. She surprised Sir Beads with them on Christmas morning! They were perfectly disguised to enhance the experience. She handed her Dad a gift-wrapped Elton CD, and he, assuming it was the latest release, put it in the player to hear. After a few seconds of Elton music, our daughter’s voice suddenly boomed through the speakers with the announcement that Sir Beads would be going to the upcoming show!!!

We were incredibly excited. It had been years since we’d been to a concert – and never to see Elton John. As the day approached, our excitement grew. We were in no way prepared, however, for the emotional experience ahead . . .

To be continued.

Hugs,

Crystal, A Wild Child? ;-)

Posted on March 11, 2011 by crystal

Remember I made some paper beads several weeks ago?

Well, I wanted to do something a little different with them, but I actually surprised myself with the turn my design would take.

Now, you know me. The “Crystal-Style” of jewelry is kind of glitzy, usually very feminine and sometimes it might even be classified as elegant.

So, imagine my surprise when I ended up with something “artsy”!

Dare I call it “funky” and betray my flower child roots?

(Ok not ever truly a “hippie”, but my early adult years were during that era.)

click photo twice to enlarge

Wish you could hold this through the computer screen! It has such a nice weight and a wonderful drapey-ness (Is that a word?)

It would be stunning with white pants and a cotton shirt. I can also imagine it looking very festive worn on a cruise. 🙂

I strung the necklace on waxed linen cord and it has no clasp – will easily slip over your head. This back-view shows how you can adjust the length by simply pulling on the hanging beads.

I’m not sure; I may add a few more dangly things to the front of the necklace. I’m hesitating because I keep hearing the words of Sir Beads’ Dad, who was an artist (a painter). He always said, “Know when to stop.”

Smart fellow! Often you can ruin something by fussing with it too much.

So there you have it – my walk on the wild side.

And who knows what’s next?

Perhaps breaking my “home-by-midnight” curfew?!? 😉

Hugs,

P.S. Have a relaxing weekend! See you Monday with a concert report! 🙂

To be Continued

Posted on March 10, 2011 by crystal

So here are my choices . . .

~ Should I talk about the things I’ve been making but haven’t had time to photograph?

~ Or should I mention that I bought new yarn for a project that I am just dying to try?

~ Or perhaps I should tell you about the concert that Sir Beads and I will soon attend that has us giddy with excitement?

Maybe I should just be honest and admit that I am too exhausted at the moment to write in detail about any of the above.

I’m sorry! I promise I will soon.

In the meantime, feel free to start the conversation here, today. 😀

Love you, kids!

You’re Worth It

Posted on March 9, 2011 by crystal

Isn’t it a shame that we sometimes get so busy; we don’t take the time to treat ourselves well?

Carpe diem and all that stuff . . .

What on earth are you talking about Crystal? (You ask.) 😉

Well, I have this lovely little collection of bone china teacups, cake plates and even a few teapots. I’ve collected them one piece here and another piece there, for years. It’s not a matchy-matchy set, which is what I love most about it. I can’t set the table with the same dishes for each person but that’s ok! It means I can enjoy a whole array of pretty designs all at same time!

Very nice, but what’s the problem?

Ok, what I’m saying is that I often find myself settling for my plain old everyday dishes instead – because it’s easier. The bone china has to be washed by hand and most days I’m looking for shortcuts in the kitchen.

But this week, I made Irish bread and it’s especially wonderful fresh from the oven with a cup of tea.