2005-03-29 - 12:23 a.m.
What I'm listening to: Marrakesh Express-Crosby Stills and Nash on vinyl, original pressing bought by one of my uncles in July 1970 his first summer in Canada.
Just had a dinner party in honour of a friend who just came back from Israel. I think his dad was receiving an award from a left wing zionist organization or something. I think he was involved in the Middle East peace process and had access to the #2 man in Palestine or something-the person who didn't get elected. But jeez, being known as the '#2' man, that would be pretty shitty. That's like naming your kid Sphincter or something...oye... Well, the former secretary of defence was Colin (pronounced colon) Powell. "Hey Sphincter, come here you're dinner's ready!" 'Bet the stuff looks better on the way out', sphincter thought as he paused to take a breather through his squinted red-eye.
We ended up sitting at the table, so I brought around some extra chairs. It was a nice group, and I haven't had a dinner party in some time. I like kicking back after a meal, and just casually looking at my guests (ok that sounds bad, but read on and it'll be more palatable). Anyway, after dinner, over tea, people looked relaxed, comfy, cozy, at home. After the reel to reel tape finished (I like it, very domestic and it has really cool lights and needles that move and wheels that turn) I moved the music over to the turntable, and played Abbey Road, much to the enjoyment of my dinner guests. That album always seems to go over well. I switched then to The Hollies, but in hindsight should have gone to Crosby Stills and Nash afterwards. It's good lazing around the sofa, chatting and laughing with tea music.
That felt really good, seeing everybody so peacefully content and relaxed at this time of year. The conversation flowed, food went over well (it was a pot luck but my contribution was butter chicken and a Thai mushroom soup with a coconut base) overall a nice evening. This apartment has good karma that way. I felt that vibe when I first saw it. This could be home, I remember thinking.
A mixed crowd, all grad students, but from different areas. I've never had this group over before, but there is always good chemistry. I left the table and retired to the easy-chair in my living room for a puff of the pipe when all the ladies (at the table, I was outnumbered by a ratio of 4:1) started talking about how it's somehow possible to ovulate twice a month. I think I'll leave them their privacy...
On another note, I won the auction for a really cool tube amplifier from the 1960s on Ebay. I had sworn to bite the bullet and buy a new one, but this one is vintage cool and works. I'm not sure if it has the magic eye or not. It's in Montreal too, which makes it easy to pick up. The seller and I will meet somewhere for me to pick up the amp. Can't wait, my first tube amp. I still haven't decided what album I'm going to listen to first. Probably Bebel Gilberto, or Sarah Vaughan. The female voice is supposed to sound even better on a tube amp.
It should arrive sometime this week. For the geekier of my readers, there will no doubt be a play by play account of the first use when it arrives, including the sound of the tubes warming up and the sight of them sparking to life.
