Vienna Teng at Mission Coffee

Jen and I just saw Vienna Teng perform tonight at Mission Coffee House right here in lovely Fremont. It was a Katrina relief charity concert, so I felt good about paying a bit more than the "recommended donation" to the Red Cross. And Amanda's jealous since she missed this concert. Haha! Finally got around to purchasing Vienna's second album, Warm Strangers, so that was productive, too! Her hair's longer than it used to be--I think it suits her face more. Good times. And thanks to Jen for going with me so I wouldn't look like a creepy loser :D

Last night, we [Jo, Deb, Cher, David, Mike, Steven, and I] learned the helpful lesson that Cheesecake Factory is not the ideal pre-drinking dinner venue. The food was better than normal for me since I discovered the Pasta Positano (sauteed chicken, crimini mushrooms, asparagus, spinach, all in a creamy tomato sauce over fettucini), but when topped with a slice of Toblerone Swiss Almond cheesecake, there was no way I could fit much of anything else into my stomach. This meant no vacancy for even one beer at V Bar afterward. It practically took me an hour to stuff a Grey Goose tonic down my gullet. I think I'm still full.

The rest of September's been interesting. Going out more on the weekends these days. I'm glad Jo was back to go out with and that Amanda came home ;) This led to two consecutive weekends of errr...fairly smashed Chrispy. Let's not delve into that too deeply. But good times again! Having Amanda home is always fun--although I need to remind myself to never go shopping with her. The money just vanishes once you're within a ten-foot radius of a mall and Amanda.

I'm in a good mood because of Vienna and Mission Coffee mocha, which is funny because most of Vienna's songs aren't exactly cheery. But the piano playing is brilliant, the lyrics are evocative, the back stories to her songs are entertaining, and having a leg fall asleep is worth it. It's amazing how that "Blue Caravan" background story cracks me up, and the actual song turns around and makes me feel angsty/achy/wistful. :) Must remember to get her song sheets when I have more disposable income.

And I just discovered the best site! Cooking for Engineers! Great tested recipes with accompanying photos--and each recipe is in an engineer-friendly grid format! How cool is that?!

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"Enough to Go By" -Vienna Teng

I'm at your back door
with the earth of a hundred nations in my skin
you won't recognize me
for the light in my eyes is strange
it was years ago, god knows
when you strained to tell me your whole truth
that you were not mine to save
that you could not change

would it be enough to go by
if we could sail on the wind in the dark?
cut those chains in the middle of the night
that had you pulled apart
would it be enough to go by
if there's moonlight pulling the tide?
would it be enough to live on
if my love could keep you alive?

I've built a lot of castles
built a lot of blazing speed-of-light machines
but it doesn't matter, you know
they all crumble in the winds of change
so I turned back to breathing
I learned a few good reasons to cry
and I finally called home
praying you weren't out of range

carry the weight
I'll carry the weight of you, I swear
carry the weight
I'll carry the weight of you

so will you let me come in?
the mosquitoes have found me
and they're crowding 'round my blood
at least offer me a drink
or a breaking of the ice
I'm wanting your anger
I only want to see if I can shake you out of sleep
and bring you out under this flooded sky
at any price

so carry the weight
carry the weight of me in your heart
carry the weight
carry the weight of me