Liner Notes: June/"Heroes"/Berlin/The Stars (Are Out Tonight)

David Bowie went to Berlin in 1975. At the time, he was battling serious drug addiction and a lot of other personal demons, so he left L.A. and landed in West Berlin. While there, he'd create and release three albums, known as the Berlin Trilogy, and help Iggy Pop release his first two solo albums after leaving The Stooges. 

"Heroes" the album was released in October 1977, and is the second album in the Berlin Trilogy (Low was released in January 1977 and Lodger was released in May 1979). Of the three albums, it's the one I like best and "Heroes" (the song) is one of my favorite David Bowie songs. Let's take a listen. 

I read Thomas Jerome Seabrook's book Bowie in Berlin back in 2008 or 2009. I've read a lot of books about Bowie, but this one was the first one I read about the Berlin years. Remember the Berlin Wall was still the reality across Germany. Bowie and his crew were working at Hansa Studios in West Berlin in the shadow of both the Berlin Wall and one of the many guard towers that made up the landscape of Berlin at that time. This particular location was a huge influence on the song "Heroes." There's a specific lyric that is one of my favorites:

I, I can remember (I remember)

Standing, by the wall (by the wall)

And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)

And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)

And the same was on the other side

Oh, we can beat them for ever and ever

Then we could be heroes

Just for one day

I mean, come on! How beautiful is that section of the song? For many years after the release of "Heroes," Bowie talked about the inspiration for this song being an anonymous set of lovers meeting in the shadows of the Berlin Wall and the guard towers. Later, and in Bowie in Berlin, it would be revealed it was actually Tony Visconti (Bowie's producer) and Antonia Maass, a German singer who was featured on the album. Visconti was married at the time (not Maass) and Bowie kept the whole thing anonymous for decades. I liked the story a lot more when they were anonymous lovers, but imagine Bowie capturing that moment and turning it into a song. Wild. 

As I mentioned, Bowie also worked with Iggy Pop during this period, helping Pop create his first two solo albums, The Idiot and Lust for Life. Both men were dealing with drug addiction at the time, and Pop considered Bowie one of his few true friends in that period of his life. Bowie visited Pop in rehab and encouraged him to work on music. Pop was fascinated by Bowie's regimented style of recording and it seems to have helped him get new music out. I talked a little bit about this relationship back in February when I worked on The Velvet Goldmine piece; Curt Wild was based loosely on Iggy Pop (and Lou Reed) and his relationship with Jack Fairy is very much like Bowie and Pop's friendship. 

Bowie was always trying new things and collaborating with old friends and new musicians until the end of his career. His second to last album, The Next Day was released in 2013 and is the later in life Bowie album I like the most. I wasn't a huge fan of his music from the 1980s and 1990s (with a few exceptions), but really enjoyed this album. My favorite songs are "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)", "Where Are We Now?" and "Dancing Out in Space." 

I listened to all of these songs a lot this week as I was working on the second set of 30 stars. After today, there are three more days of red and blue stars. Then I'll move to the larger white stars. Once those are done, there will still be four days left in the month of June. Do I add some of my favorite lyrics to some of the space? Do I add French knots to add more twinkle to the piece? Do I paint it? I haven't figured that out yet. This particular piece is definitely a "let the thread speak to me" piece. 

I'm working on a book list to go along with this year's stitch journal project. I've mentioned a lot of books over the course of the project and have others coming up. I hope to have it ready in time for the next post, but we'll see. I'm also going to include some movies and documentaries that might be of interest as well. 

Here's this week's progress. 

June 14

June 15

June 16

June 17

June 18

June 19

June 20

Bowie Liner Notes, June 1-20

A view from the back - it sort of looks like a constellation.

WIPs, Notes on Recovery, and Other Small Joys

I made more progress on the frog embroidery this week. I have one more section of greenery to finish before I move onto the flowers. I hope to finish it this weekend or by Monday. It's such a cute piece. Frogs are adorable. 

June 14

June 19

I have some other embroidery and needlework projects I want to work on during the second half of my leave. I ordered something fun off eBay this week and have several fun kits (thanks Anita) to work on as well as my Jonathan Adler stuff. I have time and embroidery and needlework are soothing practices so I'm looking forward to continuing my recovery with some creative time. 

I'm finally feeling more like myself. My surgery was almost three weeks ago and since last weekend, I've definitely made more physical progress. Moving around is less uncomfortable and I've found more comfortable sleeping positions. My parents ordered me a pillow that should be here this weekend that will help more with that. I had my first follow-up appointment on Thursday; my doctor is pleased with where I am now and thinks I'm doing a great job on resting. I have the 6/8 week follow-up at the end of July (it's more like 8 weeks for me, but you get the point). I should be back at work in early/almost mid-July. The incisions are healing and the surgical glue is starting to fall off (as it's supposed to). I'm healing. 

I also drove this week! My aunt is currently on her way back to Detroit, and one of the things we really wanted to happen before she left was that I felt comfortable driving. I'm focusing on neighborhood driving for now, but will increase my distance between now and the end of my leave. It hurts a bit after (the abs again), but I successfully drove three times before she left. Progress. 

It's weird to be in my house alone. I really enjoyed spending time with my aunt, even if I was a little dopey during part of her time here. She was such a huge help, and a big encouragement on doing things and resting. I don't know that I'll ever be able to truly thank her for taking time out of her life to come stay with me, but I'll try my best. She watched the entire series Searching for France with me, and endured my renovation shows. Good times. 

My first outing since my surgery was a lovely brunch at Del Ray Cafe with my mom and aunt. It was a perfect June day - sunny, but not too hot or humid. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. I wore my brightest dress. 

I started reading this week too. I tried really hard last week, but couldn't focus. I decided to put the book I was reading before my surgery away for a bit and try out The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. I'm enjoying it so far and it's keeping me partially in France for a little while longer. 

Bea is getting back to her old self this week. She started sleeping with me at night again and even joined me for a few afternoon naps this week. I really enjoy afternoon naps now, and I hope she'll keep napping with me. She's currently lounging in my closet. I'm curious to see how she does now that my aunt is gone. They formed a little friendship over the last few weeks. I think my aunt gave Bea seven new nicknames (BumbleBea, Bea-Girl, Bea Balm, Beahive, Queen Bea, Busy Bea, and Bea Bea). There may be a few I missed but it was funny to hear all the new nicknames. My aunt's not getting a cat anytime soon, but it was super fun to watch the two of them together. 

Yes, that's Bea on the couch! She decided to join me on the couch on Wednesday. I hope this is another new habit that sticks.

If you're looking for something to do in DC over the next week or so, go see Suffs at the National Theatre. We went last night and it's a fantastic production. I went in cold, and absolutely loved the music and the way the story is told. 

If theatre isn't on your list but you want a little treat, might I suggest the Superman ice cream at Kilwins in Old Town? Superman ice cream is one of my favorite ice creams from my childhood. It's a very Midwestern thing; I used to get it when we'd go back to Michigan in the summers when I was a kid. It's a mix of red (usually cherry or fruit punch), yellow (lemon), and blue (almond-y something) ice cream. I had no idea Kilwins was a Michigan company and we just happened to go in this week. My aunt is a dessert kind of person, which is fantastic. She had the chocolate peanut butter and my brother had the Kilwins Mud. All were excellent. There are a ton of Kilwins in the US, so maybe there's one near you. 

I also tried the Traverse City Cherry - very good. 

Have a fantastic weekend, and when in doubt, ask yourself, "What would Dolly do?"

I ran out of plain paper napkins, but had some Dolly Parton ones in the pantry.