One 'Howie' of a 'Day'
My friend Stef is unfortunately moving to Florida this week. I've often mentioned her on this blog like when she did my eye makeup, was there when I lost my cell in Hoboken, when we went to the fortune teller, caught U2 or when we attended the sex class together. Her moving is only unfortunate for me though and great for her. She's going to be teaching down in Ft. Lauderdale area and living in a great new apartment with two bedrooms and paying less than my discounted NYC studio. Her family is moving down there too and I think the change will do her the world of good, especially to be away from her ex cop boyfriend. Yet, I'm also selfishly upset to see her go. She's the kind of friend who would call me at 10:00 at night and say that she felt like a Magnolia cupcake, so she'd jump in her car and drive over from New Jersey, pick me up, eat a cupcake and then head back, *sigh* good times.

So this weekend Stef called saying that she had won tickets from 95.5 WPLJ to see an up close performance by Howie Day at the China Club on the same night as her drive to Florida and as the radio station boasts, "The only way in, is to win." First let me set the scene, she is obsessed with Howie and knew of him way before his recording career and radio hit "Collide." I remember seeing her AIM icon with his face on it at least five years ago and wondering who it was. She's now seen him over a dozen times and so far I had managed to escape seeing him at the many signings and concerts that she's attended and invited me to. But now that I knew she wouldn't be in the city again for awhile, I accepted her gracious invitation to join her at the show. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Howie, I just didn't know any of his other songs. Thus, I wasn't expecting to have a good time while Stef and Jay were, as you can see here:


ha ha no we actually staged that photo, I wasn't really reading while sitting on the stage, that would just be rude.

To my surprise and relief I had a great time and that's not the Baybreeze I had talking either. We stood right next to the stage and witnessed first had Howie's contagious passion and skill. At his feet he had a piano of foot peddles where during his songs while singing and playing the guitar he'd pound on the peddles and record his own singing and beat and then have it repeat in the background. So although he was singing solo without any back up musicians or singers it sounded like he had a complete band. I enjoyed almost all of his songs even the new yet to be released ones and the covers. He also made a some funny jokes in between songs and overall it was a very intimate and mellow atmosphere. Stef is burning me his CDs.

On a happy note: I'm now a Howie Day fan.

Sad note: My friend is moving to Florida.