Sunday, January 08, 2006

New Year in Paris

Well, of course, it is a bit late, as seems to be my style, for Holiday Wishes Thanks for yours , your timely Wishes. The end of the year and the beginning of the new always seem to coincide with an intense protest from my body. The age old association of pine trees, candles, jingling bells, children's laughter, snow, ribbons, mittens, and rosy cheeks has been for me almost predictably replaced with headaches, runny noses, ball-ed up used tissues, steam, the clatter of pills in plastic containers, orange juice, the fuzz of water soluble medicine, coughing, raspy whispers, and sniffling apologies for canceled appointments. Leaving me to contemplate permanent abandonment of lattes and chocolate in my new year's resolution.

Why I don't learn to plan ahead for a cold after three years is beyond my simple mind. Perhaps, I fear it would interfere with my carefully sculpted spirit of improvisation and spontaneity ??
Well, I am happy to say that at the end of my one week quarantine, I have recovered and discovered that new joy of living and breathing that most aquire from the third glass of champagne at 3 am on January 1st. Ahh!. But I was always a late bloomer 'Why try to change me now?' - Sammy Davis Jr.

Pre- Christmas was spent in crisp Manhattan air hustling amongst the crazed gift- buying- american citizens. Though New York has always lured me with the promise of grand Broadway entertainment, smoky Jazz Clubs, twinkling store windows and Christmas trees, expensive and elegant restaurant cuisne, a smorgasbord of buying pleasures and shoes purchases.. it's hustle after 5 years of Amsterdam living proved too much for my Dutchess' tempo. But jet -setting to New York for a private party and organizing the whole affair long distance was definitely worthy of an adventure and a check mark off my list of pleasant experiences.

My week, leading up to New Year's, in Paris was yet another adventure. My voice (most likely induced by my carefree hustling in New York and jet lag), reached an all time low. If ever an Alto lived in me than it was during my week at Caveau de la Huchette in the Latin Quarter.



I sang, I murmured, I spoke in low hazy tones (Eartha Kitt meets Dinah Washington style) to the delight of dancers and listeners in this Cave of Paris's die-hard swing crowd. At the mercy of ibuprofen and a miracle drug Superol (gargling 5 times daily) I was able to hold my voice's thief at bay and produce notes even if through a thick fog.


Leah at Caveau de la Huchette

And presto magico on the Eve of january 1st, back home in my beloved Amsterdam, it hit me..
everything my voice was displaying but had yet manifested in my sinuses...That cold. My body permitted, and i obeyed. Laid out comatose, the first week of a promising 2006 was spent contemplating things very close to home. All hopes,dreams and schemes personal and musical on my horizon to be put on hold for the duration of my vacation. 'Just me..... and my Baaaaathrooobe' ( to the tune of "me and my shadow")

So my dears, with my beloved Latte in hand, back in business; the business of sharing voice and thoughts, I and mine wish you and yours with delight a joyful, peaceful, loving auspicious 2006.

As always I shall keep you up to date of my adventures as I can (personally or via my website)

Much Love

greetings from Amsterdam,
Leah (Dutch-ess)