December 2, 2008
Me, me, it’s all about me
…listen
…about the musicNarcissistic addict.
Well, I am easily cajoled by my dear readers… at least those who speak up. So in compliance with further requests, here I am in all my enpixelated visual glory, in a couple of semi-recent (three month old) photos that display me on exhibit in my natural habitat. Full disclosure: I really am taller than 2.36 inches, despite what it appears on your screen. In real life I am at least 13 inches tall.
In the first photo, I’m standing at the end of the dock at Roche Harbor on a gorgeous day. This is where I catch the little sea plane to head down to Seattle, if the tarmac at Friday Harbor is fogged in. It’s fascinating how different the microclimates are from stem to stern of an island roughly 16 miles long.
The second photo below is me doing my best impression of an over-fed Orca whale (except larger) as I don my spray skirt and life jacket (aka, pfd: Personal Floatation Device… seems the first word might be redundant, doncha think? I mean, who else would be floating around with this thing??). Really, underneath all that gear there is a 115 pound woman. Hard to tell.
Blogging is an odd, vacuumous art form wherein you never really know if anyone at all is reading the [masturbatory?] items you post. I hear from a select and valued few who comment fairly reliably, as some of you have noticed. I suppose they do so to ensure that I don’t hang up my kelpy shingle for a more respectable hobby, like knitting. They need their virtual tourism fix and damn if I’m not the one who’s destined to provide it! But I know from my blog statistics that there are a ton of lurkers out there who click regularly to these pages. I thank and welcome them all. But alas, they are shy.
So here’s the trade: in return for me posting these oh-so rare photos of myself (I’ve always figured that if anyone really wants to see me, they’ll venture over to my professional site which overflows with gooey Shapiro Narcissism), I hereby request that anyone out there who has been enjoying my little offerings considers coming forth and saying hello. Really, it’s ok. It’s safe. I do not bite. I usually do not scream. I even bathe regularly: every two and a half weeks, whether I need to or not.
Come out, come out, wherever you are!
Hey, I did!
Glenn Buttkus said,
December 2, 2008 @ 6:10 am
Hey, thanks for the pics! Most of us who are not kayakers do not fully understand the gear. Besides the Mae West on your chest, what is the blue bippy on your waist; perhaps a plastic bib-thing to keep the oversplash from soaking your britches? Are those loatards under your pants? Cool garb for an afternoons kayak adventure!
The first photo is terrific too, for we all love the layered look that we are prone to present here in the Northwest fall. I hope Barry is happy with your compliance. I can still find a few pics of you on Google Images; not many though. Many of the pics on your professional site resist jpging.
You certainly do bring up an interesing point about the plethora of silent clickers that visit but do not linger long enough to reply, respond, or keyboard diddly. Couple of us are more regular contributors; can’t help ourselves, I guess.
Glenn
Lane Savant said,
December 2, 2008 @ 11:36 am
I too contemplate “lurkers” , being one for the most part.
I would like to see more comments on my site.
But
Quite often the devil wont let me come up with anything relevant, appropriate, socially acceptable, or non libelous.
I go for funny, but it’s a tough business.
About 50% of the comments I make embarrass me as soon as I push the submit button.
Which I will do now.
Steve Layton said,
December 2, 2008 @ 7:27 pm
Now, if they came out of the shadows and commented they wouldn’t be “lurkers” anymore, get it? Like every creature and their calling, “can’t tell an otter what he otter do”.
And — those could be bike shoes… but I’d rather be tickled to think you’re paddling around in powder-blue mary janes…
Paul H. Muller said,
December 2, 2008 @ 7:28 pm
I’m a big fan of your blog – I think your photos are excellent – and of course the music.
I too grew up in the NYC area and came west, only I stayed in Ventura County.
Anyway – if you need to be pulled back down to earth – the picture of the seaplane dock with the patio chairs suddenly reminded me of the Red Green Show.
Now that you have been up North for a while, you might want to watch for symptoms of Possum Lodge syndrome…
Alex Shapiro said,
December 2, 2008 @ 7:53 pm
I know, those shoes are incredibly dorky looking in that photo! Since I am an incredible dork, it suits me well. Actually, although they look like cute li’l heeled party shoes, they’re flat, plastic Crocs that have these really comfortable straps. GREAT for walking around in the water or on the trails when you’re out of the water. Really useful.
Mae West is right, Glenn– damn, I look like I could be a wet nurse for the greater Seattle area. The top and “leotards” are this amazing fabric called “Mysterioso” that I just love- it’s a sort of water repellent fleece that dries very fast and weighs nothing. The spray skirt (yup, it attaches tightly around the rim of the hatch and keeps the REALLY COLD water from getting into the boat, which means one’s butt stays dry) hangs on by big suspenders and the pfd is unzipped and hanging as well. All in all, I look like a fashion nightmare that was dredged up from the muck of the deep. Maybe I’ll wear this get up to the Grammys next year.
Pat said,
December 2, 2008 @ 10:08 pm
Hey Alex… Pat here…. recent requestor of Frost Island aerial photos (still waiting by the way) … I’m sure you can sweet-talk that Kenmore Air pilot to drift just a little away from the usual flight plan to fulfill the request… eh?
By the way… who was on the other end of the camera taking the photos you posted today? Curious minds want to know :o)
John Clare said,
December 3, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Great photos! Guilted from memes, now posts to write in 🙂 I love the traffic I get from your blog to ClassicallyHip and can’t wait for a Composer Thoughts Live event in 2009.
By burning the candle at both ends with my parents and girlfriend, it’s hard to blog, work and create, but alas we do what we must, right?
Let’s rap soon!
jumping the tweet | paulbailey.us (beta) said,
December 3, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
[…] and geographically fortunate alex shapiro (who composes and contemplates life from her wonderful fortress of solitude in the pacific northwest. i know i have not been very social this fall (unless you participate on […]
Barry said,
December 3, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
Alex,
Thanks for the pix. Wow! Twofer, no less!
You are so kind to give into your fans (friends). We really do care deeply for you.
We need to start a betting pool in Vegas for the Grammy you’ll win with Alextronica when you get it out there!
So, if you win and wear the Neo-kayak-yes-it-beats-Bjorks-swan-thingy…. we’ll all come to celebrate.
We need to get your blog to go viral! This is a great source for tranquility and peace.
I think there’s a void since the election. You can only take so much huff, cescsa, maddow (well, we can all take quite a bit of maddow), and politico.
Now we need to move on (pun intended) and get the economy moving by supporting the blogger/composers who contribute to the sanity of our society. You do that every couple of days.
So, I have two ideas (to go with the two pix) 1-help Alex to get listed on lots of other blogs – 2-Create a pent up desire among music lovers to absolutely need to get her creations!
If a guy (Matt) who dances a few silly jigs all over the world gets millions of hits, great music created by a phenomenal composer ought to get some (hell, massive) notice as well.
If a Disney chick named Spears can sing(?) a ditty and get massive appeal, what if a few (a determined few) bloggers sent the composer of our generation totally viral and created a sensation to bet on…hmmm…speaking of things that go hmmm…I suppose we should ask (or at least I’m asking) the composer if she wants virality to happen.(?):)
Yes this is the rum, blue, black and straw-berry’s with soymilk talking right now. but I know the lurkers and the poster-kelphistas are only looking here right now because the composer is phenom!
I’m one of those wild persons of the sixties and seventies who just may want Alex to get blown out the top of the charts!
Anyone in?
Barry
Lane Savant said,
December 3, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
Du, du, lieb in mein herzen.
Glenn Buttkus said,
December 4, 2008 @ 6:11 am
Alex has done a fine job of promulgating her images and music clear across the internet, on and in every forum imaginable. She probably does not have a wall large enough in her wooden fortress of solitude to hang all of her awards and accolades. But yes, Barry, we all need to push her like holiday fudge into the pie holes and hearts of whomever will listen or ingest her message and compositions. I am always surprised when I mention her to friends and acquaintences, and they have not “heard” her or of her. I push her blog(s) into their spheres. Maybe some of those silent “lurkers” that Alex makes reference to are my acquantances and friends.
ALEXTRONICA sounds fabulous! I would like to put my advance order in for that one. Where do I send the check? And Alex, what will you call your vocal CD that you’ve been working on? I will want a copy of that too!
Glenn
Chris Becker said,
December 4, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
Howdy!
Do I come here often?
Alex Shapiro said,
December 5, 2008 @ 12:54 am
To answer Pat: the person on the other end of the camera is the man who is contractually obligated to think I’m nifty enough to be worthy of a snapshot :-).
To respond to Barry: aw, shucks! Thanks! And yes: I’m looking for viral, always! I actually have a pretty broad web presence (type in my name plus “music” or “composer”and it’s scary) and I’m always looking for ways to widen my reach! I lecture at events and conferences on this very topic, as a matter of fact. The next panel I’m doing on this will be at the Chamber Music America Conference in New York City in mid-January.
To answer Glenn: I’m hoping to have Alextronica out in the next few months, and all your poetic efforts in kelp-ville have certainly earned you a free copy. I have no idea what I’ll call the CD of songs, other than “Alex’s Greatest Procrastination Techniques.”
Barry said,
December 6, 2008 @ 6:40 am
I was just fanning the fire last night at Bob Cesca’s Goddamn Awesome Blog. We were posting some of our favorite blogs. I’m going to go into some of these I’ve not heard of and recommend yours.
http://www.bobcesca.com/blog-archives/2008/12/prime_time_thre_40.html
I’ve been spending more time on blogs and I missed the fact that you had some of your clarinet music played here in Kansas City in July. What does it take to get you to come to a town playing your pieces? (I’m betting a plane ticket, nice hotel room, limo, good wine, some vegetables and a populace that enjoys chamber music. Plus a hefty engagement fee to keep the home and island afloat. )
Hope some of the new lookers and lurkers post as well!
Lorraine Feather said,
December 7, 2008 @ 10:18 am
Well, Alex, your request was fruitful and I’ll join in too, as a fellow CA expatriate on a neighboring island. I love visiting your blog and professional page and continue to be flabbergasted by how great a job you do on both. Your SJI pix are absolutely gorgeous.
Mike Wills said,
December 8, 2008 @ 1:07 pm
Charles Bukowski has an apt quote about this blog subject, though stated coarsly it is to the point.
I enjoyed your vocals on this clip, Alex. the “about the music” link was unhelpful….what’s the story behind your jazz singing?
Mike
Alex Shapiro said,
December 8, 2008 @ 11:23 pm
Comments galore! This is great. I’m not alone, after all 🙂
Thanks for mentioning my blog on Cesca’s, Barry. As for what it takes for me to leave this island for a concert, meeting or event? Usually flight, lodging and a per diem, but no limo, no fancy hotel (not that I’d turn one away), no adoring fans (hey, it’s my job once I’m there to try to persuade folks to become one) and no food and wine standards (believe me, some of the places I’ve been would be hard pressed to meet any, no matter how low). I’m pretty simple to please.
Lorraine is one of the most stellar, talented and adorable new denizens of these islands and anyone reading this should leap over to her website: http://www.lorrainefeather.com/
As for any story behind my singing, the story is that only this year have I begun to admit to any of it! I’ve written jazz and pop songs my whole life and often– like tonight– when I’m in the midst of writing a “serious” piece of concert music (this week, a short string quartet is due), I’ll turn around in the middle of writing, pick up my guitar, and just start wailing blues or indie rock or something. Very freeing! I don’t do it particularly well, but I do it with great enthusiasm!
Glenn Buttkus said,
December 9, 2008 @ 6:22 am
Actually, dear lady, your singing is spectacular. I have said so each time I have cajoled you into admitting the singer on some of your snippets is YOU. ADDICTION, all 1:26 of it is wonderful, and I, for one, am very excited about your upcoming CD. I thought the title was ALEXTRONICA. That is has a bit of the old 70’s feel to it, even late 60’s. So nice to know that your singing, like your composing is not stuck in one genre, Indie Rock, blues, jazz, country ballads come blazing out into the blankness of our lives, spicing things up. Truly, perhaps your singing could be another whole arm on the Shapiro Empire, the Shapiro musical career. With the right handling and promo and word of mouth, it could be a huge hit.
Glenn
Alex Shapiro said,
December 9, 2008 @ 6:32 am
Well… um.. thank you Glenn. Really. I don’t feel particularly secure about my singing but do it just enough to produce song demos for “real” singers to record, which is what all of my recorded songs are– unproduced demos in search of the right producer.
For clarity, “Alextronica” is the new CD coming out this year of my electroacoustic chamber music. Were I to release a CD of my indie pop songs, I haven’t a clue as to what it would be called other than “Tell Faith Hill or Sheryl Crow to Record These Tunes or I’ll Shoot This Dog”.
I do have a sense of humor, after all…