Music has quietly been a part of my life throughout the years. I’m not a collector but more a random ‘stumbler’ upon all kinds of music….I don’t even know how to categorize it all. I’ve had times where I stopped listening to music for a spell, I wanted no outside noise or influence….and then other times, It’s the only thing that keeps me connected to myself and the bigger world I resonate with.
Tonight I sit on the third floor of my lovely Carl House, listening to the sounds of ‘Livin Large’ an 8 piece band who are about to rock the halls of my pretty house. I don’t come to weekend events much anymore, though will be again, at least for awhile as we make some transitions inhouse, taking our services and my vision to new levels.
When building Carl House, I remember when the floor of the ballroom was laid, (a needed addition), the sky above, no roof or trellis’ yet craned in, I remember standing on the floorboards with a swell in my heart knowing that unbelievable happenings would take place on that very floor. And they do, EVERY weekend….people come together in love. The intention and beauty of it all is often times more than I can reasonable sit with…just like music that hits my heart and soul in a way I’m not sure I can manage, as it brings up such deep feelings, longings perhaps. It’s so big!
I relish the challenge of it all. I need that. For as deep as those feelings or any one experience might be for me, if it’s the right vibe, I’m SO game. And I thank my lucky stars for those new experiences. I’d surely perish without them. They somehow pull me toward greater freedom.
It is in those moments I remember why I chose the life of an entrepreneur. I like creating things…and especially spaces for people to flourish, express, consider, dance.
I remember when doing theatre, how I’d love standing on the bare stage alone, after a frothy, fulfilling performance, with only the stagehand’s light beaming, its naked bulb, how I’d love the energy I still felt in the room, remnants of a lively audience of hundreds who’d entered only hours earlier to experience whatever was delivered that night.
And down below, in my very ballroom, Adam McKnight, a gorgeous African American man with long braids, a full chest and voice so resonate you know he was clearly sent as an angel here on earth, two floors down he sings….. ooooh how the angels love to rock my house. With his beautiful, talented and energetic female counterpart, (Maria Howell), they sing…
Your love is better than ice cream
Better than anything else that Ive tried
And your love is better than ice cream
Everyone here know how to fightAnd its a long way down
Its a long way down
Its a long way down to the place
Where we started fromYour love is better than chocolate
Better than anything else that Ive tried
Oh love is better than chocolate
Everyone here knows how to cryIts a long way down
Its a long way down
Its a long way down to the place
Where we started from…
Sarah McLachlan
The stage is where I’ve felt MOST at home, as the possibilities for creation were endless, all there on a black floored stage.
At Carl House ours is travertine, equally delicious. I may just turn off all the lights tonight after everyone leaves, light a small candle and dance to the music I know I’ll continue to here after ‘Livin Large’ leaves.
And I will indeed be….Livin Large too.
BB Webb