For those who enjoy the philosophy of Star Wars (Spirit as The Force, and so on) here's a news story on NPR about a new Star Wars based church:

 A Gospel According to Yoda: the UK Church of the Jedi

"We don't have a deity, we have the Force," says [church founder] Daniel [Jones]. "It's more like self-belief. If you believe in yourself, and you manipulate the Force, you can achieve great things."

"The first part of the sermons we do 'Theory of the Force.'" The group then moves on to classes. "It may be lightsaber training, one month. The next month it may be technology and mind control." 

Read more or listen to the story here.

See the church's website here.

I'm singing a major solo this Sunday. Not an original song this time, but a big solo nonetheless-- I'm doing the whole song and the choir acts more or less as my backup singers. (Notice is short because I just got assigned the solo yesterday.)

I've you've been wondering how I sound as a singer, this is the Sunday to check it out. I'd love to have support from friends.

Three services, 8 am, 10 am and noon.
Directions and info about the East Bay Church

If you decide to attend, please let me know in advance if you can. Otherwise, save me a seat and grab me when the choir comes off stage, and I'll sit with you!

Best friend. Sushi. Baseball.

Oh, wait, that was yesterday. But still.

My new favorite sushi place is owned by an amusing Japanese chef who is crazy for baseball. He has had either an A's game or Baseball Tonight playing on the TV over the sushi bar when we've been there. This is cool.

Tonight is salad followed by home made ice cream and some reading. That's good, too. :-)

I simply can't put into words how much I love this city.

Dirty. Unsafe. Notorious. Also beautiful, vibrant, diverse, alive.

The neighborhood I live in has so much beauty. It also can be unsafe to walk around in at night. But I love it, I do. I love the lake. I love it that so many members of my church live around here. I love how much wonderful stuff is within walking distance -- as long as I don't go far after dark.

And I love that I can work at home. I love that people who live in this building talk to one another. I love how cozy my place feels. I love growing my own tomatoes. I love living without a television.

So much is good. It's so amazing.

Yeah, happy people are still boring. I love being happy and boring.

I hadn't meant to let it go a whole week without reporting back, but, as usual, I've been doing lots of things.

The song debut went really well. People at church were still talking about it today. Several people told me they've been sharing the song with friends, family and coworkers, and others said that it had been stuck in their head all week. It's a really sticky song.

Much appreciation to veryloki, grynz and lewistotle for being there.

Practitioner class starts in a week. This is a two year commitment and I am both excited and nervous. The group has some of my favorite people in it and is shaping up to be very powerful.

God is good. What else can I say?

The debut of my original song will be this Sunday at the East Bay Church of Religious Science, 4130 Telegraph Ave. in Oakland, CA.

Three services, 8 am, 10 am and noon.
Directions and info about the East Bay Church

( Other details for those thinking of attending )

The concert went really well, at least from the choir's point of view. Friends in the audience said that the sound team did not do a good job, so they couldn't hear the singing very well over the band until the sound was fixed for the second half. But we had fun. The 1000 seat venue was filled to overflowing, with people standing in the back.

Quite a few people said I did a great job on my solo. --Of course, if anyone hated it, they didn't tell me. Which I think is pretty cool, because I get to savor the compliments and not worry about what anyone else thought.

Tomorrow the Women's Ensemble starts learning and rehearsing the song I wrote and arranged. It will be presented at the church services on Sunday, August 5th. So that's what's next, at least as far as music goes.

Why didn't I tell everyone sooner about our choir concert this Saturday? For starters, I didn't know about this concert myself until three weeks ago. We got offered the venue late, I guess. We've been in rehearsal almost every day since.

Then, I didn't think that most of my friends would be interested, so I didn't say anything. Our choir's music truly is wonderful, but so many people have negative judgments about songs of worship and praise that I've given up talking about it. However, lewistotle made it clear to me that I should let my friends know when something significant to me is happening, so I thought I'd post about it after all.

And I really didn't know I was doing a solo until last night. I'm still surprised. Our choir has so many amazing professional singers-- as in, people who actually get paid to sing-- and many of them are, indeed, doing solos. But, apparently, the directors also decided to feature a few of the dedicated singers (like me) who show up to every rehearsal and always know our parts. It was a very emotional moment for me last night when I was asked to solo a verse in one of my favorite songs.

I welcome any thoughts of love and support sent my way by those who can't make it, but anyone who does go will experience a high energy evening of rockin', foot stompin' joyful music. It's going to be so much fun!

Concert info is in this post or here. I can still get the great two for $10 discount for anyone who contacts me before 6 pm this evening.

I just found out this evening that I will be doing a solo at Saturday night's choir concert. That's a 1000 seat venue, y'all. Now I really need some support from friendly faces.

I also found out that the two for $10 discount ticket special has been extended through tomorrow evening. Anyone who wants discount tickets should let me know by tomorrow (Thursday) evening at 6 pm.

Concert info is in my last post or here.

Those of you who know how much dancing means to me may not be aware that singing, especially with the East Bay Church choir, means even more to me. But if you ever see and hear me perform with them, you can't help but realize how I feel about it. Every friend who has visited our church has commented on how great the music is.

This Saturday evening at 8 pm is your opportunity to hear our fabulous choir rock the house, without having to go to a church service to hear us. We will be at the Marriott's Jewett Balroom in downtown Oakland.

I would love to have my friends attend, not only to support me, but because the music will be fantastic and you will leave inspired and happy.

The concert is free with the purchase of a Black Expo ticket. Tickets are $7 per person in advance online, or $10 at the door. Those lucky few who contact me before 6 pm this evening can get special discount tickets at two for $10 (you must buy two.)

Buy tickets and find Black Expo info online here

You don't have to attend the Black Expo to attend the concert, but you still need to show a Black Expo ticket to get in. Our choir gets no money from the ticket sales. We will be taking a love offering during the concert, but you don't have to donate.



Please be aware that this concert is not the same event as the performance of my original song. That will be at the regular Sunday church services on August 5th. I'd love support for that, too.

I promised I'd tell you what was up once I knew for sure it was happening.

On Sunday, August 5, the Women's Choral Ensemble at the East Bay Church of Religious Science will debut an original song written, arranged and (it looks like) directed by... well... me.

This is the first time that one of my original compositions will be performed by a choral group. It's only 3 1/2 minutes out of a 90 minute plus church service, and it's just our little local church venue, but it's a big deal to me. I'd be very pleased if some of my friends would be willing to attend my church that day to support me.

Three services, 8 am, 10 am and noon. 4130 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA.
Directions and info about the East Bay Church

Those who come to the noon service can arrange to have lunch with me afterwards.

Thanks.

Frank Deford's Morning Edition commentary, on NPR this morning, is worth a listen if you're a baseball fan.

Aren't We Tired of Watching the Pitch Count?

Don't read it. Listen to it. Don't even glance at the text; ignore it and go straight for the "Listen" button.

Graffito seen this morning on the way to the Lake Merritt BART: "Will dance for paint."

Wow. It really is going to be A's-Tigers in the ALCS. The Yankees are out of it. Wow.

Sweet!

Must have a viewing party for the ALCS. Not here, I don't own a TV. Who's got a great place to sit and watch baseball? Maybe do at least one game at a sports bar. Like the Englander in San Leandro.

I realize it's unlikely, but I do purely hope that we end up facing the Tigers. On account of I can't stand to watch the Yankees play. And on account of I want them humiliated by Detroit and knocked out early.

Free BART and transit rides again tomorrow. The Spare the Air program got allocated funds for three more free transit days.

It is wonderful to contemplate
The mental attitude of people who are
Not afraid to believe their prayers will be answered.
---Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind, page 161

I have discovered the science fiction collection at the Oakland Main Library. Someone knew what s/he was doing in making those selections.

I've also discovered that the produce at the Jack London Square farmers' market is cheaper than at the Grand Lake farmers' market, a switch from a couple of years ago. I got an indecent amount of produce for my weekly market budget.

Between reading and cooking I may not be around here much...

It's cherry season, and Amma's coming soon. These things are not related, except insofar as they both make this time of year special.

Varieties of cherries that I found at the market over the weekend: Burlat, Tulare, Brooks, Big Red, Black Garnet, Rainier, and Mystery. The Brooks are my favorite each year; they're an early cherry, so they're almost done already. Bings, the cherries that most people are familiar with, are a late cherry, and very prolific, so they will round out the season.

There was a hummingbird just outside my window yesterday! Feeding from the lavendar I have in a pot on my tiny balcony.

Part of what the Internet is about for me: I'm listening to C9 radio out of Paris. I'll have to find and switch to a German station soon, because I want to start brushing up on my conversational German.