All I want is to breathe.

Angélique Kidjo
(Mimi Ohio Theatre, 2023)

Camp comes to a close. When I'm in it, I feel it will never end. Then, "pouf" -- it's over. Wednesday was the longest day, but when it was over I thought, hey! That's done. Let's enjoy the last day together.

Distance: 4 miles

Duration: 36:27
Pace: 9:06

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 66°
Climate: overcast & cool -- ideal.

Mood: very good

 

Last night we saw Angélique Kidjo perform at the Ohio Theatre, the opening act of the 44th Tri-C Jazz Fest. Yes, I have lived here the entire time and never attended. This year, however, our son is a participant, and we are on board!

I was familiar with Kidjo's voice but her performance and movement is so powerful. She got everyone on their feet, dancing. She also took time between songs to advocate for justice, which was also good.

Five years ago she dropped an album that covered the entirety of the 1980 Talking Heads album Remain In Light. White rock and roll artists have always been appropriating Black American music (have you ever really listened to Mick Jagger? It's actually quite cringe) but in the late 70s there were a number of white "art" rockers who were appropriating not just African American music but African sound and rhythm: Talking Heads, The Police, XTC, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel.

Kidjo took David Byrne's Afrobeat inspired record and reclaimed it for her Benin, and for Africa. Last night she played Crosseyed and Painless and Once In a Lifetime and it was gorgeous.

 

Remain In Light - Angélique Kidjo (2018)

Born Under Punches

Crosseyed and Painless

The Great Curve

Once In a Lifetime

Houses in Motion

Seen and Not Seen

Listening World

The Overload

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: tbd 

Upper body: 10 reps.
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/cream

Lunch: Turkey on rye w/American cheese, tomato & pickle, Bugles

Second lunch: Bianco slice, garlic pillows, coke

Dinner: no

Treat: salty, caramel truffle ice cream in a sugar cone

Alcohol? Yes, Dortmund

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 170 lbs. (-2.5) 

Goal: 170 lbs.

The summer will be active, but will it be productive? As long as I use this blog to keep track of running, diet and other exercise, should I not keep track of other necessary daily tasks? This blog is a checklist, a reminder. It has been very helpful. The other blog ..?

Reading: yes

Writing: yes

Blog? No