bethofalltrades | (no subject)

I often forget that there are people who read my blog who don't read Amanda's.

This is a photo I took at Coachella:

We were at some fancy house in a fancy gated community near the site doing press. It was surreal.

My life is frequently very surreal.

I remember at some point this weekend, and god knows when it was, I looked at Katrina and I said, "Life is pretty amazing."

She agreed.

It is, actually. I saw Leonard Cohen play. He sang First We Take Manhattan and he got to my favorite verse and I cried a little.

I don't like your fashion business mister
I don't like these drugs that keep you thin
I don't like what happened to my sister
First we take Manhattan... then we take Berlin

Those words were written on a scrap of paper and pinned to my bedroom door all through college. I carefully unpinned the paper, which by that point was yellowing around the edges, when I moved. It's in a book somewhere, pressed between the pages to avoid wrinkles. And I got to see and hear the man SING IT LIVE. I closed my eyes and imagined that he knew that I was standing there and really feeling what he said.

I opened them and I was surrounded by a crush of thousands who were feeling it too. We sang the chorus of Hallelujah together.

The man is 74 years old. He spent five years in seclusion in a Buddist monastery. Leonard Cohen is an honest-to-god MONK. He radiated sheer JOY during his performance, joy and incredible grace. Seeing him play was transcendent.

Life is pretty amazing.

Love,
Beth

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This post made me smile. Thank you.

I get to see Leonard next month. :) My wallet still kind of hates me but it's okay. How often does one get to see Leonard anyway?

This is TOTALLY blasphemy and I know it, but I miss the mark with Leonard Cohen... Maybe I'm just not listening to the right CDs as starters... but I only "get" less than a handful of songs. I'm determined not to give up though. Do you have any specific album recommendations to start off with?

I saw Leonard Cohen in Sydney in January and you described the experience perfectly. It was such a special and magical night. Thank you for reminding me. I got a tingle up my spine reading it.

I felt the same way and teared up when I heard Amanda sing "Ampersand" live... I actually get that way a lot with many songs that are close to my heart & I have the luck to see them live...

I wish with all my might that I get to see Leonard Cohen one day... <3

What a beautiful photograph! It's just lovely... and very Maria Von Trapp, with the mountains in the background!

Ooops. I made a comment but forgot to log in.

I love that photo!

Amanda who?