Adam’s World Weekly 6/8

Last Monday I held a memorial / celebration of life for my parents, and everything went exceptionally well.

The day was beautiful, the venue – a local library my parents supported – looked incredible, and more than 70 people filled the place.

In addition to myself, I had a lineup speakers from every aspect of my parents’ lives, and I added on to their stories with ones of my own.

Every person who walked in shook my hand, or gave me a hug, and asked how I was doing, and every time I said “I’m OK.” It’s a dance we have to do at memorials. Everyone knows the person hosting it isn’t OK, but the question is asked, and the response is given.

Something else that’s commonplace is that people tend to think a memorial will give closure. What I’ve found is that it actually has the opposite effect. Rather than closure, memories are brought back, and feelings that may have worked their way into the background return to being front and center.

The other day I saw a friend at the gym who’d lost her mother a few years ago, and I mentioned this post-memorial malaise, saying that it feels like I have an emotional hangover. She replied that she’d felt the same way.

Much like a more traditional hangover, I know it will just take some time to get through. Unlike a more traditional hangover, I’m not sure sugar free sports drinks will be of much help.

Thankfully, this week will have some very good moments – I’ll be doing a book cover reveal and release date announcement for One Hit Wondering, I’ll possibly be seeing The Dollyrots, and, of course, the Knicks being up 2-0 in the NBA Finals is giving me something to smile about – so there is a balance.

Music, and writing, play a large role in that balance, so if you see me burying myself in work for a handful of hours, just know it’s actually healthy … or at least semi-healthy.

With that being said, I will now get to this week’s update, which is led off by a fresh Classic Compilation column. I recently found a copy of the 1971 compilation Different Strokes in a $1.99 bin, and with a lineup that includes Johnny Winter, Laura Nyro, and Miles Davis, it was an easy buy. What I didn’t realize until I listened to it, is that it also has the song that gave us the sample Young MC used for “Bust a Move.”

In addition to that review, I also have new editions of Pop Shots, and my weekly NYC Scene Report for you to check out.

Read the full review here

Read the full column here

Read the full column here

As always, thanks for reading, and have a fantastic week.

– Adam Bernard