August 18, 2012

A grueling day, but a triumphant one. I wake at 5-something. For a girl who thinks getting up before 7:00 is onerous, actually getting out of bed is my first hurdle. But then the day proceeds according to plan: walk a mile in the rain, ride the bus for 4 hours, walk a mile+ in the sun, practice for 4 hours, walk a mile+ quickly so as not to arrive late, ride the bus for 4 hours, walk a mile home. Maria, Luiz’ wife, is funny and wonderful to chat with as she charms doves on their vine-covered balcony and sweetly makes us a delicious lunch, leaving us to our work. But the star of the day is the music, that soars as our arrangements coalesce, a chord is tweaked here, an introduction is added there, an improvisation is woven in seamlessly. I work best collaboratively, and know by now who my spark-makers are. But the thrill of my session with Luiz today still leaves me speechlessly gratified. And on the lee side of the day, the bus for home departs quasi-on-time, I get two-seats to myself, and when I arrive, late, the city isn’t dark and scary but full of people celebrating a local art event, so I walk home in cheerful company. Happy, lucky, satisfied– what a brilliant day!

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