Dear Acne

Dear Acne,

If I didn't have any manners, I would start out this letter by asking you:

"What is your freaking problem?"

But, because I don't want to anger you any more than I apparently already have, then I propose we talk this over peacefully. What is it that you are trying to tell me? I will listen. Cross my heart. Anxiously awaiting your reply.

Mindy

Recording Week 3: Pellet Guns and Aussies (The Cliff's Notes Version)

Week 3 on my album started out with a bang when I became the target for a teenage boy and his pellet gun late one night. I was sitting out in my car right outside the studio, talking on the phone when I heard what sounded like rocks being thrown at my window. I looked out and saw nothing, so I proceeded to chat away. Then, a laser beam in my eyes followed suit and I traced it's path up to a bedroom window across the street and saw the little buggar pointing his gun at me. No worries. I called my bodyguard, Mr. Drew Harris, out to the street to protect me.

The next most exciting thing that happened last week was that Joe Corcoran came back to track some more guitars. He is quite the versatile musician having worked with the likes of Korn to Dave Matthews to the sugar pop teen sensation, Ashley Tisdale. And boy, oh boy, does he do Sesame Street impersonations like no one else I've ever seen!

Thursday found me in vintage dresses and cat eye glasses doing a photo shoot at the Santa Monica Pier. I ran into a bubbly group of Australians visiting L.A. for the first time. They were so kind and invited me to dine with them a dozen times but I alas, I could not stay. So they handed me a pair of their crazy glasses instead and settled for a photo. Have a lovely trip guys!

Now I'm home for a bit, then back to L.A. to record the remainder of the album. Stay tuned!

Rigby

This is Rigby.

Rigby is the dog that lives at the studio where I am recording my album. Tonight I just want to be him and lay on the floor and sleep until my heart's content.

Have you ever tried to do too many things at once when your energy would be better spent by focusing on the few things that really matter? Rigby does not do that--another reason why I would like to be him at present.

But fleas and dog breath I do not wish to have.

Red Lipstick

I have decided to wear red lipstick every day for the rest of my life.

My husband says, "NO."

I say, "YES."

My husband also says, "NO GLASSES."

I say, "Wait until I get the Cat Eye ones I ordered from ebay."

Recording: Day 5, Anchor

Recording my song, "Anchor" today.

We pluck the strings inside the piano, then reverse their waveform on the computer to make them sound backwards.

I play the organ pedals with my hands.

Fiona brings comic relief throughout the long work day.

Tomorrow, I will see my own family, a.k.a., my anchor. I ache for them.

Recording: Day 4

This was the most exciting part about recording today. Stu made cool sounds with the piano by placing a pencil on the strings and then playing the keys a la "prepared piano," in the style of John Cage.

Other than that, I hit some sort of wall today and was aching for my little boys. I have forgotten how to live in Grown-Up Land and this week without kids has made me feel very empty and devoid of much emotion (although the first few days were sorta nice). But then . . . Stu's daughter, Fiona came over. We became instant friends and she helped me to feel a lot better.

We blew bubbles.

We made a little craft (which she referred to as a "crafty waft.")

And then I got on Skype read my boys this book for their bed time story. Can't wait to see them again in two days.

Recording: Day 3

Lots of keyboards today.

Organs.

Vintage Casios.

Guitar also made an appearance or two.

I asked Stu who painted his Hammond.
"The crazy lady next door," he replied.

Then I asked him where he got the two Hammonds in his studio.

"The keys player for the Wallflowers gave them to me."

I think I've only seen him wear shoes one time. Such is the life of a Californian.