I failed to document anything from the month of October, so let’s rewind.

Oct. 3 – MTT Conducts Mahler’s Symphony No. 5

Michael Tilson Thomas, the SFS Music Director, made his conducting debut in SF in 1974 with Mahler’s Symphony No. 8. His opening talk conveyed a deep-rooted passion for Mahler’s music, which made this evening seem the perfect first introduction to Mahler.

However, the evening opened with Scelsi’s Hymnos, an airy, meditative work which took my unsuspecting ears by surprise. Before the first note, what was immediately special about this program was the layout of the orchestra, in that there were two full orchestras on each side of the stage with an organ in the center and percussion lining the back. It added to the ethereal feeling of the music which felt much like a Tibetan chant with disconnected rhythms and repetitious notes which lingered and grew without really changing. It was unlike anything I’d ever heard and it’s strangeness was beautiful but felt out of place amongst a room full of strangers. You can read more about the piece and the composer’s madness in the program notes.

I barely recall specifics of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 as my mind was so focused on understanding what it had heard previously. I only remember that it was more inline with my expectations, full of volume & powerful crescendos.

Oct. 6 & 15 - Views

The sky was just too pretty not to play tourist on my walk home on the 6th.

I was able to leave work early but the bus didn’t arrive fast enough for me to catch the full glow of the amazing sunset on the 15th with the fog rolling in. I had to snap the layer of fog anyway.

Oct. 17 – Itzhak Perlman plays Bach

His name sounded familiar but I lacked context for how I knew it. Wikipedia labels Itzhak Perlman as one of the “preeminent violin virtuosos of the 20th century.” A weathered man with a spray of Einstein-like gray hair, Perlman slowly worked his way across the stage (diagnosed with polio at age 4, he depends on crunches), and conducted/lead Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 2 from his place in first chair. With the small collection of strings circled around a harpsichord, it was easy to imagine some 16th century socialites might wander on stage at any time. That association made it hard for me to embrace the music, despite the quality musicianship.

I welcomed the change to an allegedly rare performance of Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro movements. It was dark & beautiful. Elgar has won my appreciation.

The evening closed as Perlman conducted Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Pathétique. I fear it’s impossible for me to dislike anything this man composed, so it was no surprise that I loved it. His last symphony ever written, he debuted it nine days before his death and it was received with some indifference. The reaction was quite stronger at the second performance which followed a month later, twelve days after his passing. With a new conductor and the posthumous morbidity of the occasion, the true somberness of the piece was finally felt. Those are the suspected reasons for the change in reception, at least. I was able to find escape in this final music of the evening. I like music which I can imagine being able to physically crush me were it to materialize in to some kind of matter. Being in B minor just gave it that extra hint of threat. It gave me goosebumps.

This performance was my first in my official seat for the rest of the series, and I was pleased with my neighbors. The row in front of me was filled with older couples who seemed to get tickets together every year. I hope I have such friends at that age. There was a Russian woman and very tall red-haired guy, both about my age on each side of me. It was nice to not be the only one alone at the symphony. At the close, the woman turned to me and said, “Is that it?” It seemed an odd question following a standing ovation and bows by musicians selected by Perlman, but I nodded anyway. I always try to imagine the rush a musician must feel to be singled out for recognition by a conductor. It must feel wonderful. 

Oct. 22 – Birthday calls

I have no intentions of reciting the details of our call, but I wanted to make mention of a lovely birthday call I had with Amy. I’ve actually been leaving work on time for a couple weeks, which gave us time to talk for a couple hours that night. It was wonderful and I laughed until it hurt. My mind is still grasping the idea that she will have a real baby in the world in the near future. She told of the first time she felt it kick and other changes associated with the pregnancy. With no intention to go through this process myself, the researcher in me is full of curiosity to learn what it’s all about.

It was appropriate that the following day I had lunch with Cerra & Ryan, which seemed to pay homage to my wonderful work lunches with Amy & Adam. It was CRD Formal Friday so Ryan and I joked that we should go on a date because our outfits worked so well together. We ate outside at Paragon to fill our mutual cravings for a cheeseburger and Cerra’s for grilled cheese. It was such a lovely day to be outside with friends.

Oct. 25 – Bridge School Benefit

Since Cerra was called in to work last minute for the weekend, I struggled to find someone else to join me for the Bridge School Benefit at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View. At last, hours before the show, I posted the ticket on Craig’s List and amazingly had a buyer within an hour.

I spent the morning setting my hair in pin curls, practicing for Halloween. I had some serious curls which had simmered to waves by the time I got to the show after a detour to the Mission to drop off the ticket.

One couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to enjoy a show. I settled on a spot in the shade and enjoyed the cool breeze in the 80-degree sunny day. I rolled out my blanket and picked through my snacks (which I well definitely up a notch after scouting what others brought, silly me for following rules).

I was an hour late, so I missed the opening Neil Young set & Gavin Rossdale. The musicians were ants from my spot, but it didn’t matter. Wolfmother took the stage soon after I sat down and played a Neil Young cover, new material, and some top songs from their first album like “Woman” and “Joker and The Thief.”  I was impressed they managed to rock with an acoustic set. Next up were Fleet Foxes. I definitely prefer them in a more intimate setting, but they still managed to make me laugh from afar. I stand by my statement that I would attend their shows even if they didn’t play music. They’re on the mental list of bands to be friends with.

Monsters of Folk followed. They were the reason I found out about the show. I had conflicting plans the night of their show in Oakland, so I jumped at the chance to see them here. They were my favorite part of the day. In addition to songs from their new album, they played “At the Bottom of Everything”, “To Save Me”, and “Bermuda Highway.” The latter was the highlight. It made me melt. I hope they return to San Francisco so I can see the full 3-hour show.

I was thrown off by the intense reception Sheryl Crow received for taking the stage. Moms were standing and dancing everywhere. It was out of control. She has a beautiful voice, but I guess I’ve never really gotten attached to her music. I had forgotten about “Soak up the Sun,” which made everyone lose their mind.

Adam Sandler and his band delivered the most unexpected set of the day. He took the stage and broke in to a cover of The Doors’ “Break on Through”. Everyone around me shared my shock, but they were quite good and it was great to hear some Doors. After playing through some of his own songs like the classic “The Hanukkah Song”, he closed with a cover of “Powderfinger” for which Neil Young joined. I never thought I’d see that combo on the same stage. Surprisingly good.

Chris Martin’s solo act of Coldplay songs was enjoyable, as he played nearly every song I knew, along with a violinist. It was a bit of a slowdown after the antics of Sandler’s set, though. The closing number “Earth Angel” was pretty neat under the star-dotted sky with the girls squeaking “ooh oh ooh” and the guys belting “bom ba bom”. (video here, skip to 3:00)

No Doubt closed out the evening for me. They wrapped up near 9, and I was too tired to face the hour drive home any later. I rationalized that I had seen Neil Young with Adam Sandler. I’ve never been a true No Doubt fan, but they have a few songs I really like. Gwen Stefani is an incredible performer, and I was glad to finally see what a live show was like, even if it were acoustic. I admire anyone who can stand in 5” spike heals, let alone dance. They didn’t play many songs I knew, except “Just a Girl” and “Don’t Speak” which was admittedly awesome. It really took me back.

Overall, it was a great day. With the 15-minute lag between sets and benefit-related videos which were uncomfortably long and lacking some editing, it made the day feel quite long, though. Hopefully I can get a group to join next year. It would definitely fill those gaps and take the event from good to great.

Oct. 29 - Pink Sky

Leaving work on time does have more than the obvious perks.

Oct. 30 – Halloween

I woke up at 5:30 am on Friday but lingered in bed hoping to latch on to some more sleep before my 6:30 alarm. It didn’t happen. I sat for an hour putting 35 pin curls in hair while an old lady across the street totally watched me from her balcony. I wish she would have come over to help. By the time I had the make-up on, I was already totally late for work. I wrapped a scarf around my curls and headed for the bus. It only took 3 return trips up the stairs for forgotten items before I successfully left my building. It was 11 am before my hair was dry enough to style, so it made for some awkward time in the work bathroom styling my hair and trying to take photos for Amy. My hair looked perfect. Well, it did for 5 minutes. I had enough time to show Ryan and garner some praise before it started collapsing to waves despite my massive amounts of hairspray.

I spent the rest of the day answering the dreaded question, “So are you supposed to be something?” I wanted to answer, “Yes, a person who hates you. How am I doing?” but what would be the point? I felt like a 27-year-old Katharine Hepburn for a little while, so it doesn’t matter. I finally went with the assumption that I was a Mad Men character, even though I’ve never watched the show. By the end of the night, the dreaded question had evolved to, “Oh, you didn’t feel like dressing up?” It was after midnight at this point and I was on hour 15 of wearing high heels, panty hose, and a dress. I just glared and said, “Nope.” I lacked the heart and energy to have a manic breakdown. There was a time when I loved Halloween. That time has passed. Next year I’m going as a girl with a nervous tick, which comes in the form of a left hook. Halloween is in the lead for the annually most depressing holiday I have to live through.

With that said, it wasn’t all bad. I had multiple guys gawk at me throughout the day, which was flattering, though I fell short of my two boyfriend goal since I had decided to hate everyone by the end of the day.  I joined a group for lunch at Java House, where a table of blue-collar guys stared the entire time. I stared back. Two can play this game. The work party was a nice step-up from last year. There were decorations and lighting as well as candy & cupcakes. (Side-note: What’s up with 2” of icing on cupcakes. It makes them impossible to eat. Stop it.) The costume contest was extra funny this year. Cerra was all of the Village People, Tim was Manny, and HR were Clue characters. Pregnant lady humpty dumpty & ET won, though.

That night Kurt (Purdue friend) and his friend, Paul, came over from their conference at Berkeley to hang out for Halloween. I took them to Kali & Caio’s where we drank & talked on their patio for a couple hours until it seemed late enough to head to Kali’s friend’s party near City College. The party was pretty great with decorations everywhere, cool lighting, and a DJ (who seemed to lack a mixer or the ability to mix). The friend who lived there is a dancer so lots of friends from her dance school were there which made for some cool sights on the dancefloor. There was a random guy there who didn’t know anyone from what I could gather and reminded me so much of a cartoon character, but I never could pinpoint which. There was a part of me convinced he wasn’t even a real person for most of the night. Is it weird to have feelings like that? Probably. Active imagination I suppose. When I wasn’t pretending people were imaginary, I was thinking about how I felt like I was in a low-budget indie film. There’s something seriously off-balance in my brain. My big accomplishment everyday is maintaining some position in society at large.

Kali created an amazing blackbird costume and Caio dawned an entertaining Optimus Prime helmet. Kurt was Indiana Jones, and Paul was a homicidal maniac (not really, he was nothing). We had a fun time but stayed out a bit late. It was near 3 am when I dropped them off the at the BART station. Bay Bridge closure had bad timing.

I spent Halloween watching movies, but by the end of The Awful Truth at 9 pm, I thought, “I could sleep.” I put in some earplugs in case my neighbors decided to have a party of any kind and drifted away. I was so tired. 12 hours later I finally coaxed myself out of bed. Luckily, I gained an hour overnight.

Ladies & gentlemen, that was the whirlwind excitement that was October. Hello, November.