Cabos Celebration

Nearly a week since Andrew and I returned from the celebration in Cabos, Mexico, honoring the marriage of Matt and Suzi. As we learned a few months ago, Matt and Suzi married in Florida, December 11, 2010, this, in anticipation of a celebration originally scheduled for February 2011. Beheadings in Mexico combined with a transfer to Phoenix delayed the celebration. In November when plans were finalized, we got the word: The party was on!  February 9-12. Dreams Resort, Cabos San Lucas, Mexico.

The wedding party and guests formed a small but hearty group, each committed to the proposition that this was to be, first and foremost, a ‘celebration.’ A celebration of Matt and Suzi, their marriage, their characters and lives and all they bring to the ‘marital’ relationship.

It’s a truism in photography that ‘proof sheets don’t lie.’ This past week as I edited and arranged photos for a slideshow of the event, this thought struck me: Marriage is not for children. 

The proofs revealed the fact that the two principals ‘joined together’ in the bonds of holy matrimony were both adults. Here were two grown, mature individuals who know who they are and what they want. Footwear told the tale: Suzi sported jewel-bedecked, four-inch spiked heels; Matt wore flip flops. Suzi gusssied up in a strapless, full-bosomed bridal gown; Matt wore a plain linen shirt and slacks. The point being, that both presented themselves as they wished--both comfortable with themselves are they are.  This feeling of ‘ease’ settled upon the whole party, allowing all to jump in and enjoy. And that we did! Each in our own way. Ole!

Another factor in the joy of celebration was the interaction between/among the two supporting characters--Best GF, Maggie, and Best Man, James. Both enlivened as they stood second to bride and groom. Case in point: Shortly before the ceremony was to begin, I found Suzi at the spa with Maggie and hairdresser, Laura. Things were not going well in the arrangement of the bridal ‘do.’ Too much chlorine in the water. Too little humidity. The curls were NOT laying down as they should! Crisis! Here we were, an hour before the ceremony! Two years of planning! Hundreds of hours, thousands of dollars expended! Every detail planned, checked, cross-checked. Every possibility considered. After all this! Disaster! Suzi was on the verge of tears!

Laura was firm. “Don’t cry. You’ll ruin your make-up.” Maggie was right there. She threw her arms around Suzi. Looking in the mirror, she said, “You are beautiful. Matt loves you. Don’t worry about the hair, just smile.” Laura attached the veil; the smile appeared. All was well. 

P.S: After the ceremony, I recounted this to Matt. His reply, “I didn’t notice the hair. All I saw was the DRESS.” Ole! 

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Society’s Child: my autobiography  by Janis Ian (2008). 

Singer/songwriter Ian’s autobiography tracks the ups and downs of her tumultuous career which began at age 15 with the release of her mega-hit “Society’s Child,” a song that Ian describes as “the best of songs, the worst of songs.” The ‘best’ of songs because it launched her career; the ‘worst’ because it nearly got her killed. The same could be said of Ian’s career--a wild ride from the top of the charts to down in the gutter and points in-between. 

Ian writes candidly about her career--the hits and flops; love affairs; bigotry; the music business; life on the road; fellow musicians; therapists; FBI and IRS; the devils who betrayed and the friends who stood by her. The narrative includes stories behind her greatest hits, including “Society’s Child,” “Jesse,” “At Seventeen,” “Between the Lines,” and “Tatoo.” Some came easy, some came hard. Creativity, like everything else in her life, has its ups and downs. 

The one thing that can be said about Janis Ian is this: her career was her life. Life and career appear seamless, inseparable. She lived her career, body and soul. Her best songs reflect this ‘lived life’ quality. Other artists have recorded Ian’s songs,; but, for me, the renderings aren’t the same. Her songs resonant through her voice. We hear the celebration, confusion, surprise, perplexity, wonder, sadness and the joy. It all filters through.

Sometime in the late 90s, Ian performed at the Dead Dog Saloon in Salt Lake City. I sat up front, close enough to watch her as she sang and conversed with the audience. She seemed curious about the audience, as curious about us as we were of her. Curious about these women her own age, living in the heart of Zion. 

Something else struck me about Ian’s performance. She seemed detached, split--the performer reveling in the limelight while the introverted writer shivered off-stage.

Glad to read that Janis Ian has achieved resonance in her career and personal life. It has been a long time coming.