making good
Music: Judge Judy . . . well, now it's Judge Alex
I resolved for the new year that I would visit all of the Blue Lodges in downtown and "move my letter" from my home lodge in Baton Rouge to the one that feels the best. I have visited with Neil Porter Lodge (all of them are cops or ex-cops; I didn't fit in as well there) and with the Austin 12 lodge (there were a lot of 30-somethings, which is good). Last night I visited with University Lodge, presumably so-named because it used to meet on the University of Texas campus. Technically, I can just show up at any stated meeting and get in with my dues card and the password and pass-grips; these days, however, it's such a rare occurrence that someone my age shows up at a Masonic meeting my dues card does the trick.
As a fraternity that is at least 200 years old, one would expect Masonry is not always "up with the times," and so I was not surprised to hear the secretary of the lodge tell me to "bring a lady-friend" for a special, Valentine's dinner. So I had a date last night! I brought my neighbor and friend Kay, who happens to be a lady, and we had a marvelous time. Kay got a rose, and we both scarfed up the free lasagna. We were entertained by magic tricks. Unfortunately, when it was time to go into the lodge meeting proper, I was informed that it was "men only." This was irritating and too old fashioned. In my much beloved and missed home lodge, when "lady-friends" or friends in general were invited to the lodge, the lodge was open to guests. The folks were nice, but I don't think I'll be joining this particular lodge. Regardless, we came home last night full and happy.
Speaking of happy, I picked up the new Cat Power album, The Greatest, on Tuesday, and I am so pleased! I have always liked Chan Marshall's work—but usually when I was drunk. It was such a bummer to listen to sober. The Greatest is "draggy," as my mother would say, but compared to her other albums one could say it is downright cheerful! The song writing is very strong, the lyrics, often biting, but overall the tone is hopeful. It feels at times like a much less Pollyanna Nora Jones, but with more of a funky-middle-class feel. I like the song "After it All" the best so far, punctuated as it is with gentle whistles. Three cheers for therapy and Prozac! If only Zwan sounded as good . . . .
POST-POST EDIT: Ok, so, I am feeling bad about mentioning Cat Power, who is now on an end cap in Target stores across the country, without mentioning the other albums I bought on Tuesday:
THE DEL MCCOURY BAND: the company we keep. This is one of the absolute best bluegrass/rock fusion (thought mostly bluegrass) out in the past year. My rule is: if you download more than three songs and listen to them constantly, then you must buy the album. It's an ethics thing I have about stuff on minor or small labels. The album is freakin' awesome, by the way.
A=HA: Analogue. I think it was David Terry who told me the new a-Ha album was the shit, and as a self-professed BIGGEST FAN EVER of synth-pop, I couldn't resist that endorsement. It's not domestically released, but, the import of Analogue is still rather cheap. This is a great pop album (it reminds me at times of the new Coldplay, and at others, of Indochine's Paradize album). Great, solid pop with catchy harmonies and smart pop lyrics. Why Madonna makes it big and real talent like these dudes do not is beyond me. I guess CRAP is shinier, even in sonata form (not that I don't appreciate crap; it's just a shame the chorus of songs like "Cosy Prisons" or "Analogoue" will never be heard by Americans).