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April 2007
I remember Iceland
So, at last, I can sit down and write this story, a story about my dreams of Iceland. Every time I fly to Europe I like to travel through Iceland. A couple of times, I have taken the little shuttle from the Reykjavik airport, out on the fascinating empty moon landscape that is Iceland and have ended up at the Blue Lagoon - where every jetlagged traveler ought to end up.
A geothermal heaven of hot water and minerals that really mess up your hair but does wonders for your skin. The views! The feeling of being submerged in this hot heaven surrounded by a lava landscape and cool air. Unbelievable!
Iceland is space, water, wind, old history, green hills, beautiful people, colorful houses, puffins, brilliant musicians and hip artists. I could never move to Iceland because it is the place I like to dream that I could move to when all else fails. I dream of Iceland.
In January of 2007 I got diagnosed with cancer. Breast cancer, like so many other women. Like so many musicians, for that matter.
Looking back on that first month of the year, I see a blur of hospital visits, procedures, endless hours waiting for test results.
"Has it spread, am I dying, and who do I tell, how can this happen to a young, healthy musician/Pilates trainer, why, why, why..?"
I remember a stream of helping hands, family, friends, clients, strangers, holding me up as I am about to fall into the abyss. I see hours running by myself along the bay, lying on my couch, listening to music, meditating, visualizing, nudging the spirit to heal what ails my body. I must have watched "the Secret" 30 times over.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, flickered the seductive dream of Iceland, a dream of clear, cold air in my lungs and untouched land. I wanted to escape there, run, away from a life that I could no longer control.
We look for meaning to events, especially the awful ones. What did we learn, who did we become as a result?
I have learned and I am still learning from wandering through life as a cancer survivor.
I have learned to accept love and help from many. That was hard, my invincible warrior self was crumbling.
I have learned that I am very lucky. Halfway through my treatment and with a treatable cancer I feel so remarkably lucky it almost embarrasses me. I have become a Lifetime movie!
From where I am sitting, though, it is real. I got another shot at life.
I can wake up every morning and consider the alternative to waking up every morning. That is a gift and I take it.
So, after a few rocky months I return back into the recording studio, back to the piano and soon, back to the stage.
And I can go back to Iceland whenever I want to.
September 4 2006
Heya, Happy Fall and happy Labor Day!
Just back from a summer trip to a hot and relaxing Sweden (did you know that the Nordic Sea is a lot warmer than the Pacific Ocean in Northern California?)
Had the wonderful opportunity to sing in the forest at a private wedding for my very dear friends Caroline and Greg, it was Lord of the Rings all over it.
Today, I salute another dear bridal couple, Nicole and Dan in Berkeley and a week from today I will salute the crayfish with the Swedish Women of SWEA in San Francisco.
I love my job, that's all!
Still wrapping up the recording of "No World", it's been cooking for a while, now. Many interruptions later I am excited to return to the studio and to the drawing board for some new songs.
Now, I want to offer a huge thank you to everyone for showing your support, for buying CDs and songs (yes, you can download and buy one track at the time), and most of all, for coming to my shows!
I know what it's like to head out, cross a bridge or two, try to find the venue, try to find parking, try to get your drink, finally get your beer, margarita, or chai latte and to try to find a seat or place to hang for the concert.
It is my true intent to make it worth your labor and I don't take anyone of you for granted.
See you in the mist!
TC
March 31, 2006.
Hi all, I hope you read this under big ray of sunshine!
What's new?
First of all, I hope you like the new website, it comes with some nice features. You can now listen to and buy my songs, one at a time from here. More live, free Mp3s will be posted, so check back often for new songs to listen and download.
And please put a note in the Guestbook, don't be shy.
Now, I want to thank Nomad Cafe and all of you who came out to see me on March 4th. Thanks for your support, for buying CDs, for giving feedback. Nomad Cafe really rocks, check out their live music often www.nomadcafe.net Thanks also to the incredibly skilled Betsy Stern www.betsystern.comand her fantastic trio who opened the show.
Another big thanks to the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco, who held an Art, Music and Wine event on March 1st. Marie-Lousie Ullmark was the talented visual artist. www.marielouiseullmark.com
This show meant a lot to me, since I got to share with the mostly Swedish audience how I experience living here in the US. And singing all those great Swedish ballads and traditional songs to a crowd of Swedes felt so good.
The new year, 2006 began for me on the MS Volendam cruising the Caribbean. On this ship of immense beauty I met the very friendly pianist Barry who let me sit in one night. Every performer should get the chance to serenade on a red grand piano, while floating on a calm ocean. Thanks Barry, and thanks to the sweet ship crew!
Next up is recording new songs and playing more shows. I am currently involved in an exciting hip-hop/trance dance project with talented soundmaster Herschel Currie.
Recording and getting ready for Summer. Summer is touring time, and this year, of course Sweden is beckoning.
This monsoon rain has also made time for some reflection.
The world has gone through a lot this past year. Sometimes I want to write about it, sometimes my words and music seem so petty and disconnected. In March of 2003 I wrote the song "December Sky". I can't help but wonder, is that sky still over us?
But it is spring!
Spring brings novelty, sprouting energy, inspiration, and crazy love. I wish you plenty, plenty of this!
TC
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