A Narration of Melancholic Elation

On the plane, listening to The Unicorns- one of the new aquisitions from Timmy Lee. He threw some of his latest offerings onto my iTunes, via his Ipod, a couple days ago. But I’m a little irate right now that I forgot a couple albums by another band that I was digging- I think their name is Mirah?
This aircraft departed SFO around noon30 and is filled to about 1/3 capacity. A complete row being enjoyed by myself, the Wall Street Journal, some beats, and pad and pen.

So what happened over the weekend?…besides me running errands on the daily, Friday thru Sunday.
On Friday evening my sister Rochelle came back home from Santa Barbara. We grabbed a pitched of I.P.A. at Pinky’s Pizza, finding pleasure in just kicking back and chillin…like right now-
I finally feel the boulders from my shoulders completely lifted. I just put The Album Leaf’s “In a Safe Place” (courtesy of Reuel) into my discman. I saw them open for Pinback, a month back at Bimbo’s in North Beach and I recall hearing half their set with Nina and Lara thinking, “This is melodic and chill…I like this.” There’s that melancholic, introspective mood that intrumental artists like Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, and Boards of Canada evoke that I really love. But DJ Shadow’s “Endtroducing”, Miles’ “Kind a Blue”, and the music from “Amelie” have to be my favorite albums to write or study to.

So Rochelle and I polished off our last gulps, giving me the slight buzz I was seeking before heading to San Jose to pick up my Uncle Brian. While I was doing this, Roch would be waiting to snag Roy (another uncle, but who prefers not to be refered by as such) from the BART station.

By the time 1 a.m. rolled around, we were all back home grubbing on some Chicken Stroganoff and laughing away the early morning in the kitchen with dad and mom (and yes, she did get a surprise). Roy, if you would care to share the details of how you surprised Mom while she was sleeping, please do so.

Saturday was a morning and afternoon of preparation, an evening of stressing, and a night of partying. I forgot to remind a couple folks that the time of the function had changed- so three peeps showed up around 6. Oops. But it was the family friends I had invited, but had not informed my dad about, that threw him for a tailspin. He said, “You, me, garage, now.” I nodded and followed him down the hall, to the garage where he spoke bluntly. “You’ve invited too many people. There’s not enough food. As far as I’m concerned, you and I are done. You’re on your own tonight.” My reaction was calm and collected, though I too was worried that my lack of organization was going to backfire. I knew I had screwed up, but was definitley not willing to admit any sort of fault yet. You know how that is right?
“Look, everyone is going to have a great time tonight. If you don’t, then it’s your problem, not anyone elses.”
There were a number of people who had undergone hardships in 2004- Separation from a spouse after 35 years, death of a son…Thus there was the potential of some somber energy being brought to a lively atmosphere. But my perspective on that was opposite. These people are interesting, good people and I am providing a space for them to enjoy themselves amongst my parents’ animated, sparkling friends. Indeed, I do feel it were these folks that made the night.
As the beer and wine flowed, Rochelle & a few of my mother’s friends pulled together to ensure that appetizers and dinner were taken care of. I scurried to a neighbor’s house, whom I had spoken to in years (and ended up talking with her longer than I ever would have), to grb some more wine glasses.
The lamb biryani, lamb curry, tandoori chicken, Gordon’s appetizers, and so much other delicious food left people going back for fifths while ranting and raving. Soon after people finished dinner, the dancing started. Patrick, Alana, Stella, Eddie, Ali, Ashley, Sheila, Ruxana, Abi, my pops, sis, mom, and myself. It was happenin’! It was probably the first time I had felt comfortable dancing at my home or at almost any other occasion with my ‘rents. The abundance 0f Pyramid Hefeweizens and no dinner for myself (partly because of the fear of food shortage) might explain the case partly. A highlight had to have been when I put on US3’s “Cantaloop”. This track came out when I was about 16 and became one of the few tracks early on that bridged the music tastes of my father and I. The steady-jazzy beat with trumpets and saxaphones, along with the fluid flow of the lyricist, make this track one of the best hip-hop songs of the 90s. This song was followed by The Roots’ “Seed 2.0 with Cody Chestnutt which enjoyed equal love by the dance party.

To say that the party was a success, is to put it mildly. When at least five peeps come up to you saying “This was the best party I’ve ever been to. The variety of people and ages! Great job!” It was definitley a special evening.

I have felt a little exhausted with the question “What are you going to do in India?” It’s almost as bad as the “What are you going to do after college?” or “What are you going to do with that (Third World Studies degree)? But I have been truly touched by people’s warm regards, excitement for me, and even their envy. A handful feel so happy, that they say “I feel like I’m coming with you.” I don’t think I’ve ever felt like that for someone else.

I’ve been working a Global Exchange and Park Day School now for about four months (mid September-mid January). After struggling to find niches in both environments, I’ve found the connections established with some people to be quite incredble. I had thought that I would be in and out of both atmospheres without any sadness in leaving or any solid relationships with anyone. I’m happy this was not the case. And I’m happy my pops and everyone had a great time at the party. Happy birthday Mom and thanks for finally ENJOYING a surprise!

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