Sometime last summer, I was discussing my fantasy Dave Matthews Band set-list with my husband. Predictably, I listed many of my usual favorites including “Bartender,” “One Sweet World,” “#41,” “Pig,” and “Granny,” (although I noted that “Pig,” and “Granny,” aren’t typically played on the same night). But hey, this wasn’t about probability, it was about desire, so I went all out and said, “And ‘Captain,‘ I would be SO happy if they played ‘Captain.‘ But they won’t, I mean they haven’t since 2004, and that was only once...” Apparently, I forgot which band I was talking about, because with DMB all things are possible.Sometime last summer, I was discussing my fantasy Dave Matthews Band set-list with my husband. Predictably, I listed many of my usual favorites including “Bartender,” “One Sweet World,” “#41,” “Pig,” and “Granny,” (although I noted that “Pig,” and “Granny,” aren’t typically played on the same night). But hey, this wasn’t about probability, it was about desire, so I went all out and said, “And ‘Captain,‘ I would be SO happy if they played ‘Captain.‘ But they won’t, I mean they haven’t since 2004, and that was only once...” Apparently, I forgot which band I was talking about, because with DMB all things are possible.
Alright, I’ll admit it. A few months ago, when I found out that someone other than myself was writing a book about the Dave Matthews’ Band, I felt a little panicky. You see, I was also working on such a piece, at least until a little thing like a baby happened. And even though I still plan on resuming my project at some point, after reading Nikki Van Noy’s “So Much to Say,” I can honestly say that I am entirely grateful to her for the hard work that she clearly dedicated in the name of the best band on Earth. Her well-written compilation contains an amazing amount of research and information that DMB aficionados will surely find fascinating. And best of all, much of what Ms. Van Noy included in her creation comes straight from the fans themselves.
As I prepare to talk to 600 strangers about the wonders of the Dave Matthews Band, it occurs to me that some members of my audience may not be familiar with DMB, or, (gasp), might actually dislike them! And perhaps even stranger, fellow fans could see things about this ensemble that I never imagined. But that’s what is so interesting about life; we all view it from our own colored lenses.
Today was a very big day for me. My 15 month old toddler spent 4 and a half hours away from home for the first time in her life. Although I hoped that she would be fine, I really didn’t know how I was going to do, but miraculously, I managed to use my time wisely and enjoy myself, even if I did wonder about her frequently, (approximately every 1.6 seconds).
Sometimes, the ideas for these articles bang around inside me like unlit fireworks until I finally get the opportunity to set them free. Even though I feel like I’m about to burst, I love it when that happens. Other times, like today, I have to do some digging around in the dirt, (i.e. the internet), to find my way. And what I witness in “the cloud” never ceases to amaze me.
Yesterday, I watched a fantastic flick called, “Listen to Your Heart,” directed by Matt Thompson. Without giving anything away, I’ll just tell you that the piece centered around a “struggling” musician, who, despite his limited income, lived an extremely rich and generous life. To give you an example, the hero in this picture would do things like buy incomplete newspapers from a homeless man on the street, in order to support the wanderer’s industriousness. The story follows the main character as he falls in love with a deaf woman, who, up until now, existed in the shadows of her over-controlling mother. You’ll have to watch the movie to find out what happens, (and there are surprises!), but I bring this up here because I was amazed at how closely this film mirrors some of the major themes inherent in the music of the Dave Matthews Band.
On May 1st, President Obama announced that Osama bin Laden was killed in a battle with U.S. forces in Pakistan. Bin Laden had, of course, been in hiding since he notoriously masterminded the horrific events of September 11th, 2001. And while bringing down this most wanted terrorist marks an enormous achievement for the United States military, it seems to have left a feeling of unrest in it’s wake. 
Yesterday was my birthday. It was an almost-perfect day filled with gifts, love, and one extremely well-behaved toddler. I say almost-perfect, because there was that one moment that threatened to dampen my spirits; the one we therapists sometimes refer to as the “black needle.” The inevitable moment that I’ve come to regard as a necessary sense of balance, without which, I actually get nervous. In any case, what happened makes for a pretty funny story.
Sometimes, as a psychologist, you get to do really cool things. In my case, I am honored to be speaking at a wonderful conference in Santa Fe this summer, called “Creativity and Madness.” A synthesis of health professionals and art lovers come together at this event to muse over the fine line that tends to divide intense genius from mania. We pore over the works of some of our favorite artists, noting the skill with which they use their crafts to transform their deepest passions into finished products. And, of course, the best part, is that for an entire hour, I will be talking to a captive audience about Dave Matthews!
I don’t understand how people can watch Micheal Vick play football. Yes, I’ve heard the arguments, where sports enthusiasts profess that they are not bothered by what he does in his personal life, as long as he can throw a ball. Or catch it, or whatever he does. (I told you, I can’t watch.) But to me, that’s like saying you don’t mind if someone is a nazi, providing they can make a mean sandwich. I imagine that people must subconsciously turn off a section of their brains, ignoring their inherent wish for balance, in an effort to erase what they know to be true of the man who notoriously tortured dogs for fun. Luckily, there is no such disconnect when it comes to loving the music of Dave Matthews. In fact, in his case, both the man and his art are exceedingly easy to adore.