On music...

I love opera. I love all opera, from the earliest opera by Handel or Pergolesi to the twentieth century opera by Copeland. I love everything that came in between. But, for me, the absolute pinnacle of western music is the opera by Puccini. Specifically, La Boheme.

Puccini's melodies are as beautiful as they come. To me, a melody can be so beautiful that it is just a little bit painful. Musetta's waltz still makes me cringe just a little because it is just too pretty, even the 500th time around.

Now, the opera that came after Puccini is important, relevant and progressive. However, I find the atonal opera of Phillip Glass to be about as soul satisfying as soylent green when you are craving your mother's sweet potato pie.

Which brings me to my current topic: the pinnacle of western hip-hop. You may wonder what that may be. Well let me tell you. It is "Yeah" by Usher featuring Lil' Jon and Ludacris. This is my Puccini. After "Yeah", there is other music. Some of it may be important, relevant and progressive (see Soulja Boy). However, I find the maniacal and robotic ramblings of Lil' Wayne's "Lollipop" about as soul satisfying as the Lawrence Welk show when you want to see Saturday morning Soul Train.

So here's to Lil' Jon and Puccini. Puccini's melodies will continue to pervade our culture in pop opera like Rent and pasta sauce commercials, just as Lil' John will always, always have the beat to make your booty go *smack*. And that, my friends, is soul satisfying for me. Bravo.

Stop breathing.

Last night as I was in bed, somewhere between sleep and exhausted, achy consciousness, I heard the deep and measured breath of my husband beside me. Usually this sound brings me comfort and warmth as I enjoy sharing a bed with the man I love.

But, last night, I found myself shaking my inner-fists-of-rage and thinking "Stop breathing!!!!!".

His deep breath close to my ear was preventing me from hearing the quiet breath of my baby girl, Lauren, who was sleeping at the foot of our bed in her pack-n-play. At that instant I was listening for her breath, a gurgle, just to know that she was OK. And for a split second, Eric's breath was in the way. I realized what a funny/horrible thought I'd just had, and laughed a little to myself. Life has changed, has it not?

On June 12 at 12:37 AM, I gave birth to the most precious thing I've ever seen. After being blessed with a relatively easy labor and delivery, I'm recovering well and getting to know my little person. I'm happy, very happy.

We are also planning a major move from Cleveland to Hartford, Connecticut. More about the move later. For now I have to watch my ladybug sleep. It's quiet now, so I can hear her breathing.

Camelot

Growing up I was always enamored by the Kennedys. As a budding politico, full of idealism and obsessed with class and grace, the idea of this grand old family appealed to me. For me, Jacqueline Kennedy was the grandest lady of them all, in her chic, tailored clothing, dainty pearls and flipped, brunette hair, she was one of my earliest style icons, along with Audrey Hepburn, and much later Charlotte York-Goldenblatt. As a little black girl, a liberal and progressive family like the Kennedys were as good as it got when seeking out role models for my path to the type of Camelot I desired.

Last night I laid on my couch in my husband's arms, watching CNN. Barack Obama and his wife Michelle entered a Minnesota arena. He was young, trim and handsome in his suit and she was tall, statuesque and lovely in her shift and pearls. Senator Obama took the stage to the roaring cheers of thousands of supporters, black and white, and claimed his place as the democratic candidate for president of the United States of America. As I watched, I slowly rubbed my belly, and thought of my baby girl who will be born any day now. Overwhelmed, I realized that this is her Camelot. While Jacqueline Kennedy will always be an icon of beauty and humanitarianism, my baby girl may have the privilege of looking into the pretty, brown face of a great lady, and wish for her own place in Camelot as I once did. Sounds good to me. I say, yes we can.