I have Canon 5D MkII, with a video function I've never used
The band, Nickel & Dime, with Ivo Sposaro - singer, guitarist and song writer , Antonio Capelli on violin, and Massi Di Fraia, as drummer, came over one evening. To the terrace.
It was really hot but we had a whole lot of fun. A practice run. I plan on improving my skills over the summer so I'm ready for a new series of attempts in the autumn.
Rita, Ivo's lovely wife, filmed me filming them play another song ...
Slowly but surely, my life is finding its shape here in Genova.
And it has been full of so many beautiful moments this year. Yesterday was one more of those outstandingly excellent days. One where I had the pleasure of documenting an event that involved one of my favourite musicians ... Jack Savoretti.
Favorite because I like so many of his songs.
And I did something I've never done before ... but being Jack, he made it so easy to ask.
I have a little man in my life, I adore him. He's one. And we love Jack's music. He's transfixed by Catapult, we dance like fools to Written in the Scars, and adore the song Home.
And it was because of 'Home', that I asked Jack if I could have my photograph taken with him. I never do that ... never ever, but I wanted to send a copy to Mr One, who is back in New Zealand now. Some of his first words, in song form, were from 'Home'.
We might sing when we go out walking. Quietly, and within the limits of what can be sung by a one year old. 'H-h-h-home' became one of our 'going home' songs.
It's set in the city stadium here in Genova, that time when Genoa beat Juventus, it pleases both the Genoa fan in me, and that woman who loves Genova more than any place else. I used to watch the video while I was living in Belgium and England but missing Genova. It took me home.
And so yesterday, I photographed Jack, as part of an event I will write another post for, chatted with him a little, and yes ... I had my photograph taken for Mr One.
It was a good day.
2am and just in from listening to Nickel & Dime. What a delicious band. I had the loveliest time with good people, and great food, up at at the Agriturismo called E Reixe.
Not sure how I'm going to sleep, and really, I need to. It's been a stunning few nights of music in Genova.
Grazie mille to Paola, who let me hang out with her tonight, and Thursday night too.
It was a good night. Really good.
Di Mackey, Facebook. 19 March, 2.16am.
There are a handful of songs, in this 'so far' life of mine, that I have played Endlessly ... on repeat.
This is the latest. Two Genovese musicians I heard playing on Saturday night. Ivo was playing with the band - Nickel & Dime, and Luca played a few songs with them.
I am enjoying Genova's music scene, so much.
Uploaded by Quinn Winchell on 2013-12-19.
And so it is ... 'nothing left to lose' has gifted me the courage to move to Italy. Finally!
I have been loving Genova since 2008 but ... I had stuff I could lose, I didn't dare move. Who leaps from that kind of cliff edge really ... without wings?
Suddenly, and unexpectedly... I lost everything, even a country. Everything, except my books and my desk, and that's only, so far.
But really, I'm smiling. I'm slimmer and stronger than I've been in decades ... and honestly, that's a good thing. Right?
'Stuff' can trap a soul in one place, oftentimes quite happy to be there. Add that brilliant job, the family, those responsibilities ...
So my take on all that is ...how many people get the chance to wander off, in search of that next life. The next big adventure?
Mmmm but this is my second big move. The first time, I packed my shiny, new university degree and flew out of New Zealand heading for Istanbul. This time, I have meandered ... slightly lost and a little bit broken.
Finally, I arrived ... on a Tuesday, here in Genova, Italy. In that city I have loved, more than any other since 2008. I have that 'nothing left to lose' thing going on and I'm planning on making it here because I believe there is nowhere I'd rather succeed in making a life.
It's been so good to be back. And fortunately, I really enjoy the northern Italian sense of humour. Mmmhmm ... because there has been quite some teasing, as new doors opened and I've met new people. I had forgotten the humour. The affectionate mocking:-)
Most notably/enjoyably, I was documentary photographer at special event last Friday. Up in the mountains here (I love writing of being up in the mountains in Italy) and it was such a privilege to be there, to be free to capture the day, to meet the people I met. I will write of it soon but I need to process the photographs. Get permissions to share.
There is something about Italy ... about Genova, that fills my soul with a special kind of joy. I have no idea what it is and, believe me, the Genovese cannot begin to imagine what this terribly 'enthusiastic' foreigner finds here. Never mind, I find something I warm myself on and so here I am. Tasting it, trying it, loving it.
I suspect there will be stories ... lots of them. And photographs too. I'm slow at the moment, it's been 30+ celsius since I arrived. I'm adjusting, and sleeping more than I've ever slept ...
Stories to follow. I'll leave you with a favourite song, performed in a much-loved place in the city here.
Ciao for now.
Obviously we didn't have quite the divine guest list as seen in the music video ... so many of New Zealand's greatest sporting folk drop in but this video captures so much that I recognise from my Kiwi childhood.
Those Mousetraps ... the grated cheese, egg and onion, maybe some tomato, on toast, baked and/or grilled. Sometimes burned. Hot milk Milo, friends over, furniture moved, mad crazy joy as instructions were shouted at the game on TV.
Martin introduced me to the song and he recognised 'home' too.
Alice Phoebe Lou wrote this about her music video, 'This video means a lot to me as it goes from my present in Berlin winter to the memories of my past growing up in Cape Town. My father filmed these childhood moments and last year he came to Berlin for a week and we became really close and he filmed bits and pieces of our journey together.'
I love it.