In November, 2016 a routine MRI revealed a garden of earthly delights in my breasts which prompted biopsies, leading to the discovery of a 1cm non-aggressive carcinoma passively lurking in my left breast.  I named it Donald.  On January 23, 2017  Donald was extaordinarily renditioned (successfully, with clean margins) to a Black Site & held for interrogation by specialists.  Good riddance, Donald!

Thankfully no chemo was prescribed, just radiation.  Not a fan of western intervention, I dutifully met the radiation oncologist, but didn’t like her or the idea or the hospital, so I said no thanks.  Instead I spent March touring with my beloved Tiptons Sax Quartet, presenting two fabulous new recordings, COOKBOOK as well as the very special WE LOVE TO MEET AGAIN, a live recording of our ongoing collaboration with the 30-voice Michaelbeuern Stiftschor, in the Michaelbeuern Benedictine Abbey in Austria.

Upon my return, I found a different radiation oncologist & closer location, so for the last month have been receiving short beamings daily, Monday through Friday.  I have the weekend ahead of me, and my final 3 treatments after that.  I got to know a gracious lady going through the same ‘treatment’, and we became fast friends right away.  Last Friday she grabbed me and kissed me on the cheek, exclaiming ‘Happy Friday!  Now we have two days off!’.  I smiled at her kindness all weekend.  Her name is Cookie.  We are ‘zap sisters’, and laugh together easily.  She inspired me to make a piece for her, inspired by Zap Mama.  There are 19 vocal tracks.  Enjoy!

ZAP SISTAH

 

Took a spectacular sunset walk after a week of driving twice daily through rush hour traffic.

First there was the red bunny, leading me towards the sunset just past our house.

Then a perfect clanging bell.  Must…record…

Soon after that I passed a very drunken guy & another guy out cold; the drunk one told me the other had been beat up, and a hundred meters later I passed a clenched up guy muttering ‘it doesn’t matter’. I figured he might be a mate in the match.

At the corner store I picked up some bottles of water. I try not to buy plastic, but this was an emergency.

Started walking back, and the mysterious Saba’s salon was still open, filled to the brim with stupendous stone and glass sculptures and fine drawings. He was in there, grinding away on stone with a mask on. Since we’re neighbors, I finally introduced myself. Saba’s from Iraq, part Kurdish. ‘Touch the sculptures’ he said. I touched basalt & marble, and looked around. Really fine work! He’s a stone master. Told him of my heartbreak about Iraq since 2003, and of tonight’s mission to return to my own particular war zone with water to aid the downfallen. I continued on.

The same prone guy now had his head in the middle of the bike path, dangerous new position and still down for the count. I touched his neck, at least he had a pulse. I gently touched him and talked to him and he didn’t respond, so I poured water over his lips. Slowly he came to, hungry as fuck. I had no food, just water… After a while he raised his head, and stared blearily and confusedly at me. Who is this? Finally he sat up and moved to the side of the bike path, a little better out of danger.

I continued my walk home, big fat moon on the rise blasting me when I rounded the corner.

All kinds of parallel universes in the course of 30 minutes.

I love Seattle.

My bank is offering grants to businesses! When does that ever happen?

I’ve been running Spoot Music solo for 25 years and could use the help.

Please click here to vote for me, and to check out the many other amazing projects proposed. You can vote every time you go back to this link!  Competition ends on 17 July.

Thanks.

I entertained a visitor last night. Swift yet shy, just my type.

Arachnid season is a couple months early in my estimation.

Annie our pit bull was barking, especially agitated by a squirrel taunting her from a tree outside the window at eye level, so we went out for a special sunset walk uphill toward the blinding solstice sun on the horizon, her yellow head glowing, her breath audible.

We came across a decent freshly abandoned bookshelf, one of my wishes!

A few minutes later I rolled it lightly and it jumped in, balancing easily in my tiny car. Then miraculously someone was walking by our house just as I opened the garage doors. He helped me angle the bookshelf in, and all is well.

Another series of perfect moments, thanks to Spaulding Gray who introduced me to the possibility.

mercoledi il 24 giugno @ ROMA, Italia:

OU CD RELEASE PARTY @ ANGELO MAI!

Gli OU fanno una banda strepitosa, adoro tutti quanti chi particepano nel corso navigante degli OU. Vi saluterOU’ fra pocOU.

I’m ready to check in with Roma Italia on SKYPE tomorrow with my friends and beloved colleagues at la scuola musica di ANGELO MAI verso le 2000, al tempo locale a Roma. Ci vediamo presto!

As I am Queen of OU (la Regina!), Ersilia asked me to make a crown for the SKYPE visitation tomorrow. I used the pink pastry box Tom Dyer brought over the other day (formerly containing two perfect cakes with thinly sliced succulent strawberries).

A domani mi presento come la Regina che sono!

CHE BELLO!

Ecco la lorOU musica ~

http://amydenio.bandcamp.com/album/ou-scrambled

In honor of the life of my wife Elizabeth ‘Detonator Beth’ Lawrence, minor mayhem was enjoyed yesterday at the Seattle International Childrens’ Park in the International District, to the delight of more than one youngster.

Sun spilt down to make stark shadows and golf balls were handed out for music making ~ DB was in our midst!

I participate in the Immersion Composition Society when I’m home and available.

The ICS is comprised of ‘lodges’ all around the world who endeavor to compose twenty songs in the course of one day, and share results at the end of the day.

I composed 4 new pieces on Sunday, June 7, including the commissioned piece ‘Prostrate Before a Periwinkle’ for patron Kai Weber.

Click on this link to hear these lovely new songs!

The Cabiri‘s spettacolo EZID is premiering at Cornish Playhouse (former Intiman Theater) at Seattle Center 12-20 June.  Event Info

I’m honored to play bass, theremin, clarinet & sing with YESOD.
The acrobats/atheletes in The Cabiri are fearless flying around above.

EZID is created by Calibri founder John Murphy, who describes his 3 recent visits to the holy city of Lalish, Kurdistan.

EZID is inspired by Murphy’s time in Lalish.

We hope to stream our tribute to the people of Lalish, or even better to bring EZID there.

 

A month ago, on tour with the Tiptons, I shared my dream of parallel sash-wearing pageants, Miss whatever.   Miss Begotten. Miss Trial.
Miss Tle Tow, etc.  In Mantova I snapped this shot of Miss Construed.