The Conical Glass: Swell

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Swell

The puppy has taken a brief field trip to a local family that is interested in adopting him. The big question: will he get along with their cat? I hope things work out, because I'd like to see him find his "forever home." I thought if I fostered a dog and helped him to find a home, it would help me get over my grief. I really do want to help homeless animals, and I owe a lot to the rescue folks. But after Ace is placed, I think I need to take a break from dogs for a while... I still miss Hobie so much, and Ace has been fun to have around, but he's also made me realize how rare and special my relationship with Hobie was. When this comic ran in the Chronicle a few months ago, Joe said I needed to clip it out because it seemed so appropriate. He was right; Hobie did complete me, and there's an emptiness now. I know someday I'll find a new companion, but it's not time yet.

One of my clients sent me an article she had written called "Finding a new best friend." It says: "Here's what I would like to say to anyone whose heart is aching: Believe in your fur angels. They won't let you pine for too long. They're interceding in pet heaven on your behalf to send you a new companion." OK, that sounds a little dorky (I'm not a big believer in heaven for either pets or humans), but it does provide me with some comfort. My new dog is out there somewhere and when the time is right for both of us, we will find each other.

In the meantime, life goes on. Joe and I went to see the Swell Season at the Paramount in Oakland on Saturday. Since I was an early adopter of the duo (better known as "the guy and the girl from the movie 'Once'"), you'd think I'd have seen them on one of their other appearances around town before they became Oscar-winning superstars capable of selling out the 3,000-seat venue. But those appearances weren't conveniently here in the East Bay. Anyway, Glen, Marketa and their band put on a nearly flawless 2-hour show, which started off with Glen coming out on stage and played one song solo acoustic, unamplified. Even in the huge theater, it was easy to hear him, as long as every person in the room sat quietly and listened. Which they did. I didn't even see a single cell phone flicker during the entire concert. The audience was so rapt that Glen even commented favorably on it towards the end of the show. Sometimes I worry with "trendy" bands (and I think one that just won an Oscar qualifies) that the room will be full of people more interested in making the scene than paying attention to the music, but Swell Season fans, at least those in the Bay Area, obviously know how one should behave at a concert.

I'm also trying to decide who to root for on "Dancing With the Stars" now that my second-favorite twosome, Shannon and Derek, have joined Adam and Julianne in Eliminationville. I'm mesmerized by the hunkiness that is Cristian de la Fuente, the sexy Chilean actor I will admit I'd never heard of until DwtS. But will his arm injury (a ruptured tendon) cause problems next week? I might root for Kristi Yamaguchi, who has suddenly been thrust into an underdog position after a couple of low scores placed her below Jason Taylor for the first time. Really, I can't believe how hooked I am on this goofy show, but no matter how low I may be feeling, it never fails to cheer me up, and what more can you ask for?

posted by 125records @ 5:43 PM

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