(written January 19, 2008 @ 1:57am)
Are you kidding me?
All I have to say is - thank GAWD my running children's party days are over!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
nirvana ... and not the music कंद
(written January 17, 2008 @ 10:40pm)
As I sit here smelling onions and garlic waffling throughout the flat, I wonder if the
smell is more enticing than the sit down.
Don't get me wrong, eating is one swell, finely established past-time.
But I'd be lying if my favorite part of each evening, isn't smelling my husbands lovely aromas floating
in and out, around and about, the kitchen, the hallway, the bedrooms, the living room....
And tonight, although I am a bit stuffed up in the nose department - despite such tragedy,
it still comes through loud and clear. *yum*
So albeit brief - a note to all the cooks in the world out there...
We love tasting your food, feeling it in our fingers if it's the right kind, twirling it in our forks
and scooping it with our spoons ... but please remember to slow cook those onions, keep the
wine flowing and turn the music up just a little bit louder.
I promise an even nicer desert will follow.
As I sit here smelling onions and garlic waffling throughout the flat, I wonder if the
smell is more enticing than the sit down.
Don't get me wrong, eating is one swell, finely established past-time.
But I'd be lying if my favorite part of each evening, isn't smelling my husbands lovely aromas floating
in and out, around and about, the kitchen, the hallway, the bedrooms, the living room....
And tonight, although I am a bit stuffed up in the nose department - despite such tragedy,
it still comes through loud and clear. *yum*
So albeit brief - a note to all the cooks in the world out there...
We love tasting your food, feeling it in our fingers if it's the right kind, twirling it in our forks
and scooping it with our spoons ... but please remember to slow cook those onions, keep the
wine flowing and turn the music up just a little bit louder.
I promise an even nicer desert will follow.
meanwhile back in Austria...
(written January 16, 2008 @ 14:34)
Perhaps going shopping, with my bike - one bag and a huge appetite wasn't such a great idea after all.
Of course, it would have helped if I passed the huge bag of almonds and the rice, the apples and the oranges and would have thought for even just a second - exactly how much does this stuff weigh?
Nope.
Like any good shopper will attest to - being reasonable, practical and right brained (or is it left?) will not help you in such situations.
Your tummy is growling and everything - absolutely everything around you looks scrumptious, delicious and exactly what the doctor ordered.
And of course, after my what should have been my ten minute trip to the supermarket - turned into one long hour as I squinted and guessed, hoped and took a gamble - that it really was almond flour and not corn, rice and not well, who knows.
And when it turned out after everything was rung up they didn't take ATM's ... and I hiked it to the bank to with drawl the cash - ahead of me still, awaited the daunting and extremely scary task of getting every last morsel into my itty bitty backpack.
After a harrowing display my fellow shoppers happily scoffed at and crafty I must say packing job of 30 kilos at the very least, of goods - I made my way out. And although my back instantly hurt, my shoulders about to break and my balance just a little bit off - I triumphantly headed for my bike.
...only to find a flat tire.
... ooh but so worth the trouble... ;
Perhaps going shopping, with my bike - one bag and a huge appetite wasn't such a great idea after all.
Of course, it would have helped if I passed the huge bag of almonds and the rice, the apples and the oranges and would have thought for even just a second - exactly how much does this stuff weigh?
Nope.
Like any good shopper will attest to - being reasonable, practical and right brained (or is it left?) will not help you in such situations.
Your tummy is growling and everything - absolutely everything around you looks scrumptious, delicious and exactly what the doctor ordered.
And of course, after my what should have been my ten minute trip to the supermarket - turned into one long hour as I squinted and guessed, hoped and took a gamble - that it really was almond flour and not corn, rice and not well, who knows.
And when it turned out after everything was rung up they didn't take ATM's ... and I hiked it to the bank to with drawl the cash - ahead of me still, awaited the daunting and extremely scary task of getting every last morsel into my itty bitty backpack.
After a harrowing display my fellow shoppers happily scoffed at and crafty I must say packing job of 30 kilos at the very least, of goods - I made my way out. And although my back instantly hurt, my shoulders about to break and my balance just a little bit off - I triumphantly headed for my bike.
...only to find a flat tire.
... ooh but so worth the trouble... ;
whiskey thoughts...
(written Dec. 7, 2007 @ 16:34)
I was in the green room in Vienna, Austria - after a show when I wrote Whiskey Night. That was 2004.
I'm not sure what the connection to whiskey and Austria is - but after having a nice dinner at my friend Lucia's last night, she brought out a bottle of Scotch.
When I left, she said she doesn't really drink Scotch and for me to take it home. *arm pull, arm pull *struggle* *struggle* .. gave in.
Uh-oh.
You see, I gave up whiskey drinking - ok, heavy whiskey drinking after the time I realized while giving an annual songwriting workshop in a small town in Louisiana - that I had maybe just a wee bit too much and searching through the night - in my pajamas, by foot - for fried chicken maybe wasn't such a great idea.
So it wasn't so much a surprise to me that when I got home last night, I had a stare down contest with.
It won and I drank some.
2 or so hours later and I have 4 songs about; whiskey, gold miners, more whiskey and a mountain man in a cabin, drinking whiskey. Yeah, I know.
Something about whiskey brings out this geeeeetar-pickin', foot-stompin, porch-sittin' girl in me. Um.
Today, as I pay for my sins, I remembered Whiskey Night and writing it some years back in Vienna.
So, yeah - I'm not sure what the connection is but honestly, I thought since it was on a tour in Ireland that I REALLY discovered the stuff (Bushmills if you must know, I mean - it is Christmas after all:-) it would be somewhere on those roads I let it go - or perhaps pulled out the notebook and geeetar and went at it.
Now it's off to drink Glühwein & watch the Krampus show with good friends at the Christkindlmarkt. Ok, maybe I will watch THEM drink.
Anyway, don't get me started on Glühwein.
Your whiskey thoughts to start off the weekend.
Advice for the day; Drink it sloooow.
I was in the green room in Vienna, Austria - after a show when I wrote Whiskey Night. That was 2004.
I'm not sure what the connection to whiskey and Austria is - but after having a nice dinner at my friend Lucia's last night, she brought out a bottle of Scotch.
When I left, she said she doesn't really drink Scotch and for me to take it home. *arm pull, arm pull *struggle* *struggle* .. gave in.
Uh-oh.
You see, I gave up whiskey drinking - ok, heavy whiskey drinking after the time I realized while giving an annual songwriting workshop in a small town in Louisiana - that I had maybe just a wee bit too much and searching through the night - in my pajamas, by foot - for fried chicken maybe wasn't such a great idea.
So it wasn't so much a surprise to me that when I got home last night, I had a stare down contest with.
It won and I drank some.
2 or so hours later and I have 4 songs about; whiskey, gold miners, more whiskey and a mountain man in a cabin, drinking whiskey. Yeah, I know.
Something about whiskey brings out this geeeeetar-pickin', foot-stompin, porch-sittin' girl in me. Um.
Today, as I pay for my sins, I remembered Whiskey Night and writing it some years back in Vienna.
So, yeah - I'm not sure what the connection is but honestly, I thought since it was on a tour in Ireland that I REALLY discovered the stuff (Bushmills if you must know, I mean - it is Christmas after all:-) it would be somewhere on those roads I let it go - or perhaps pulled out the notebook and geeetar and went at it.
Now it's off to drink Glühwein & watch the Krampus show with good friends at the Christkindlmarkt. Ok, maybe I will watch THEM drink.
Anyway, don't get me started on Glühwein.
Your whiskey thoughts to start off the weekend.
Advice for the day; Drink it sloooow.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Dear Mr. President...
I know it's 7am and I haven't gone to bed yet. I know I have to be up in a matter of hours for well, life. But well - I finally after much wasted time, managed to convert a PAL video from a house concert in Freiburg, Germany all the way back in 2004!
There is some fun footage farting around with my hosts and now good friends Regina and Thomas (I'll post that later) but for now, I managed to get the PAL converted to Mp4 and edit out this song - then make it small enough to get on YouTube and... well...
When a girl comes back to life - she comes full circle.
Even though I looked terrible in this video - hearing this song when it was in the early stages of both the song and the war, not only reminds me of what's important in the world but my life. I am back on the folk train - folks...look out!
* I wrote this song the day the war started - while hearing the war broke out on NPR. I was on tour just outside of Dallas, Texas *ehem* and pulled over on the George W. Bush expressway to write this.
I wasn't playing it in the US after being kicked out of a Border's Books & Music after singing it right when the war started - literally DAYS after. Wounds were fresh in Oklahoma and most of their boys were off to war - so I don't blame them I guess. Anyway, I have forgiven the beautiful folks of Oklahoma. Because after that show - I will admit I hardly played it anymore for fear of not selling CD's and be able to buy, well - you know, food.
Then while touring Europe and after some encouragement at a show in Cambridge, England, I sang it receiving a standing ovation & amazing response. I have you to thank for that John (John Meed - look him up, he's an amazing songwriter, good friend and beautiful soul) - thanks. You literally made me play it and from then on, it's been my closing song. I'm not afraid anymore...
There is some fun footage farting around with my hosts and now good friends Regina and Thomas (I'll post that later) but for now, I managed to get the PAL converted to Mp4 and edit out this song - then make it small enough to get on YouTube and... well...
When a girl comes back to life - she comes full circle.
Even though I looked terrible in this video - hearing this song when it was in the early stages of both the song and the war, not only reminds me of what's important in the world but my life. I am back on the folk train - folks...look out!
* I wrote this song the day the war started - while hearing the war broke out on NPR. I was on tour just outside of Dallas, Texas *ehem* and pulled over on the George W. Bush expressway to write this.
I wasn't playing it in the US after being kicked out of a Border's Books & Music after singing it right when the war started - literally DAYS after. Wounds were fresh in Oklahoma and most of their boys were off to war - so I don't blame them I guess. Anyway, I have forgiven the beautiful folks of Oklahoma. Because after that show - I will admit I hardly played it anymore for fear of not selling CD's and be able to buy, well - you know, food.
Then while touring Europe and after some encouragement at a show in Cambridge, England, I sang it receiving a standing ovation & amazing response. I have you to thank for that John (John Meed - look him up, he's an amazing songwriter, good friend and beautiful soul) - thanks. You literally made me play it and from then on, it's been my closing song. I'm not afraid anymore...
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Bush & Neil Young...
I wrote my song, "Dear Mr. President" while touring through Texas - on the George W. Bush expressway outside of Dallas, Texas - the day the war officially started. When they announced it on NPR, I pulled over and wrote this song.
I just found it somehow, someway ended up on Neil Young's site at at 200 on the "Living with War" charts (out of 3,000+ I think) so that's pretty neat. Although I admit the live recording of it doesn't exactly translate well - i.e the sound quality is terrible!
Nonetheless...cooooool. I love you Neil.
Here is the link:
http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/lwwsongspage.html
love,
Chris
p.s While googling myself tonight, I came my song (a live version) being played during this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ShBiyhxWsk
I just found it somehow, someway ended up on Neil Young's site at at 200 on the "Living with War" charts (out of 3,000+ I think) so that's pretty neat. Although I admit the live recording of it doesn't exactly translate well - i.e the sound quality is terrible!
Nonetheless...cooooool. I love you Neil.
Here is the link:
http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/lwwsongspage.html
love,
Chris
p.s While googling myself tonight, I came my song (a live version) being played during this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ShBiyhxWsk
lattes & garbage...
After a long beautiful day bobsledding with wonderful friends - I sit here at my computer trying to prioritize my life - my expat group, dibby out my career tasks - booking, publicity etc...
And whatta' ya' know - I come aross this - an article from a freelance writer in Austin, Texas I did side work for while I was living in Austin. Ahhhh side work. Sounds kind of naughty doesn't it?
As you my friends know, I have done everything from raising huskies in Alaska, fueling airplanes in Arizona to other goofy jobs like being a clown and having a dog-walking business.
So I guess this article is probably no surprise at all to you. But for me - to come across it while living in Europe, doing my music for a living and thinkin about "delegating" things in my life to make it easier - it was quite a hoot to find on google.
This appeared in American Airlines magazines. You know, those annoying magazines in the seat in front of you - you resort to reading because you didn't want to spend $5 on one in the shop.
Yes I know, my life is very glamarous. lol.
Although I have to say, getting a call from a best friend from my past that has since re-connected us - saying she read about me on the plane and was floored, was a nice little "side" effect.
Read down for the grub:
http://www.americanwaymag.com/aw/Lifestyle/feature.asp?archive_date=4/1/2006
Happy holidays from Christene & Helli... -
And whatta' ya' know - I come aross this - an article from a freelance writer in Austin, Texas I did side work for while I was living in Austin. Ahhhh side work. Sounds kind of naughty doesn't it?
As you my friends know, I have done everything from raising huskies in Alaska, fueling airplanes in Arizona to other goofy jobs like being a clown and having a dog-walking business.
So I guess this article is probably no surprise at all to you. But for me - to come across it while living in Europe, doing my music for a living and thinkin about "delegating" things in my life to make it easier - it was quite a hoot to find on google.
This appeared in American Airlines magazines. You know, those annoying magazines in the seat in front of you - you resort to reading because you didn't want to spend $5 on one in the shop.
Yes I know, my life is very glamarous. lol.
Although I have to say, getting a call from a best friend from my past that has since re-connected us - saying she read about me on the plane and was floored, was a nice little "side" effect.
Read down for the grub:
http://www.americanwaymag.com/aw/Lifestyle/feature.asp?archive_date=4/1/2006
Happy holidays from Christene & Helli... -
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thanksgiving...
Here I am, yet again - abroad and far from America on Thanksgiving. *sigh*
I can't say I am terribly homesick for it but that is only because I have grown accustomed to Thanksgiving and every other holiday (except Christmas) away from my family for many years
now.
Last year I spent Thanksgiving touring England - and before my show that night, had a chicken wrap from KFC. Exciting I know. :)
In any case, next year I will be hosting a big, fat Thanksgiving to introduce my Tyrolean and International friends that don't celebrate, to the food portion of the tradition.
But this year - this year is going to spent with friends, tonight - in a matter of minutes actually, down at the Christkindmarkts...i.e Christmas Markets.
Helli and I went down last night for the first time and were completely blown away how much further they went with it this year. It seems this awesome tradition only gets better, more organized and more spectacular as each year passes. yay!
Here is a link if you'd like to see what it's like and looks like here in Innsbruck during my absolute favorite time of year here. Honestly, when winter comes and we browse the markets, drinking Glühwein and eating roasted chestnuts, I have not one ounce of homesickness or regreat for living here. :) I hope someday you my friends, will be able to join us in December for this magical time.
http://www.christkindlmarkt.cc/
In the spirit of feasting everywhere - Happy Turkey Day my beautiful friends. I love you.
love,
Chris
p.s On that note, tomorrow - I am hosting a big South Tyrolean traditional dinner called Törggelen! I have invited good friends and new friends (some becoming good:) from my Innsbruck Expats group I started. It's a full house and should be great. It will replace my Thanksgiving as the feast is just as large, if not larger! :) Here is link to the restaurant where you can find the link to see the crazy menu & also a link about what exactly Törggelen is.
Restaurant: http://www.buzihuette.at
What is Törggelen?: http://www.suedtirolerland.it/suedtirol/siteSLenSLe2wSLarticle.phpQMQidEQQ4787NNDcategory_idEQQ138.html
I can't say I am terribly homesick for it but that is only because I have grown accustomed to Thanksgiving and every other holiday (except Christmas) away from my family for many years
now.
Last year I spent Thanksgiving touring England - and before my show that night, had a chicken wrap from KFC. Exciting I know. :)
In any case, next year I will be hosting a big, fat Thanksgiving to introduce my Tyrolean and International friends that don't celebrate, to the food portion of the tradition.
But this year - this year is going to spent with friends, tonight - in a matter of minutes actually, down at the Christkindmarkts...i.e Christmas Markets.
Helli and I went down last night for the first time and were completely blown away how much further they went with it this year. It seems this awesome tradition only gets better, more organized and more spectacular as each year passes. yay!
Here is a link if you'd like to see what it's like and looks like here in Innsbruck during my absolute favorite time of year here. Honestly, when winter comes and we browse the markets, drinking Glühwein and eating roasted chestnuts, I have not one ounce of homesickness or regreat for living here. :) I hope someday you my friends, will be able to join us in December for this magical time.
http://www.christkindlmarkt.cc/
In the spirit of feasting everywhere - Happy Turkey Day my beautiful friends. I love you.
love,
Chris
p.s On that note, tomorrow - I am hosting a big South Tyrolean traditional dinner called Törggelen! I have invited good friends and new friends (some becoming good:) from my Innsbruck Expats group I started. It's a full house and should be great. It will replace my Thanksgiving as the feast is just as large, if not larger! :) Here is link to the restaurant where you can find the link to see the crazy menu & also a link about what exactly Törggelen is.
Restaurant: http://www.buzihuette.at
What is Törggelen?: http://www.suedtirolerland.it/suedtirol/siteSLenSLe2wSLarticle.phpQMQidEQQ4787NNDcategory_idEQQ138.html
"Arnold" the Incomparable- written Nov. 20, 2007
Ok - this is just too funny! While shopping at our local supermarket a few month back, we saw this. We passed on buying it - figuring a euro was too much. Boy was I wrong! The fun factor alone is worth the box. Ah well. Danke to our Oregon and Italian friends David and Ilenia (by way of Oregon, Padova, Italy and now here in Innsbruck) for buying it and posting this photo and text... Enjoy!
Apparently, someone has decided to use Arnold Schwarzeneggers's image to sell Austrian apples for a Euro a piece. On the side, they write:
Healthy and Strong
"Arnold" the Incomparable
This apple grows and ripens at the foot of the Austrian Alps in Styria with the fertile soil and unique microclimate of warm days and cool nights. Lovingly tended by skilled and dedicated fruit growers in their small and medium sized orchards it is a rich natural source of health, strength and flavor.
Apparently, someone has decided to use Arnold Schwarzeneggers's image to sell Austrian apples for a Euro a piece. On the side, they write:
Healthy and Strong
"Arnold" the Incomparable
This apple grows and ripens at the foot of the Austrian Alps in Styria with the fertile soil and unique microclimate of warm days and cool nights. Lovingly tended by skilled and dedicated fruit growers in their small and medium sized orchards it is a rich natural source of health, strength and flavor.
Ramblings ... Written Nov. 16, 2007
Hallo!
Greetings from snowy but lovely Innsbruck, Austria!
I just wanted to update everyone...
I know it's been sometime. Danke for being so patient and sending such sweet emails. It means so much to me. <3
The new CD is FINALLY (I swear, you can mark my word!:-) coming in the New Year - along with "Tumbleweed... the live album" and a live DVD of a sold-out Theatre show in Scotland in Nov. 2006!
I will at some point before my touring madness begins, be launching a new web site - as well as new merchandise; pins, t-shirts, you name it. :)
Life is beginning to make sense again for me - after quite some time of unfortunate and always unexpected health issues.
I apologize deeply for the continuous cancelations of shows this past summer/fall - and promise to make it up to you with both new songs and stories and CD's you will hopefully keep on repeat!
Life in Austria is amazing and slowly, I am beginning to acclimate and adjust.
I am in German school now and can have a reasonably good converstion which definitely helps in making this home! :)
I don't know if you know - but I actually got married this past April. <3
It's pretty common here to have 2 weddings though - so the BIG official wedding isn't taking place until July 5, 2008!
Between that, new touring schedules, CD's and merchandise, web sites, family - holidays, travels, home remodeling and my Innsbruck Expats group, I am keeping well and happily busy!
While going through my mac and deleting old emails, answering the backed up email (sorry) waiting forever etc.. I came across so many journals I never posted. I thought about saving them to include in my book but instead, I will begin to post a select few of them in the next few days.
It was intersting, sometimes bittersweet, to read some - dated back over a year ago before Helli (my husband) even entered the picture. Wow, life sure moves fast.
I hope you are keeping well and loving life & those close to you. It's so precious & beautiful.
with so much gratitude and love,
Chris
Greetings from snowy but lovely Innsbruck, Austria!
I just wanted to update everyone...
I know it's been sometime. Danke for being so patient and sending such sweet emails. It means so much to me. <3
The new CD is FINALLY (I swear, you can mark my word!:-) coming in the New Year - along with "Tumbleweed... the live album" and a live DVD of a sold-out Theatre show in Scotland in Nov. 2006!
I will at some point before my touring madness begins, be launching a new web site - as well as new merchandise; pins, t-shirts, you name it. :)
Life is beginning to make sense again for me - after quite some time of unfortunate and always unexpected health issues.
I apologize deeply for the continuous cancelations of shows this past summer/fall - and promise to make it up to you with both new songs and stories and CD's you will hopefully keep on repeat!
Life in Austria is amazing and slowly, I am beginning to acclimate and adjust.
I am in German school now and can have a reasonably good converstion which definitely helps in making this home! :)
I don't know if you know - but I actually got married this past April. <3
It's pretty common here to have 2 weddings though - so the BIG official wedding isn't taking place until July 5, 2008!
Between that, new touring schedules, CD's and merchandise, web sites, family - holidays, travels, home remodeling and my Innsbruck Expats group, I am keeping well and happily busy!
While going through my mac and deleting old emails, answering the backed up email (sorry) waiting forever etc.. I came across so many journals I never posted. I thought about saving them to include in my book but instead, I will begin to post a select few of them in the next few days.
It was intersting, sometimes bittersweet, to read some - dated back over a year ago before Helli (my husband) even entered the picture. Wow, life sure moves fast.
I hope you are keeping well and loving life & those close to you. It's so precious & beautiful.
with so much gratitude and love,
Chris
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