Define "pointless performance"

The results of the Oscars came out today... and what did I do? Did I watch Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin cut up on stage or giggle at Ben Stiller's hideous Avatar costume? No- (well, I did laugh at Charlize Theron's dress... what was she thinking?) I went to a birthday brunch for Dennis (Happy birthday, Mr. Perreault!) and saw my Uncle Jay and Aunt Cathy perform at a cruddy little pub in Newport News.

I did check up on the results... I was happy to see that UP won Best Animated Feature (though, I was even more thrilled that Coraline was nominated) and I was highly disappointed to see that Food Inc. did not win Best Documentary Film (while it's a kick in the teeth, I think it's an extremely important message). If Sandra Bullock was going to win Best Actress, her role in The Blind Side was the most deserving. And, if I recall correctly, this year was the first year a woman won the Best Director award... so, that's fun...

...but, ultimately, pointless.

I spent my evening at Manhattan's listening to my uncle play for a Disaster Relief performance collecting money for the victims in Haiti. Aside from the fact that my uncle is smart and talented, that was an act worth viewing. We gave donations to people who need the help while being entertained by Jay and Cathy's witty banter and fearless renditions of classic rock songs.

My uncle and his wife started out with some goofy, fake British-y accents, making some jokes about the softer side of life... and started their routine with Cheer Up, Sleepy Jean by the Monkees and Rainbow Connection (my uncle even brought his stuffed Kermit the Frog on stage for the gig). Of course, then they dove into stuff you weren't expecting from a well dressed lady and her long haired guitarist husband... like The Ace of Spades by Motorhead, Rainbows in the Dark by Dio, and Pinball Wizard by The Who. The progression from sweet little songs to harder sounds was really amusing.

But, what sticks with me the most now are the moments just before the performance. My uncle was sipping some liquid courage, so, I took my hand to the middle of his spine. I'm not sure why I had the impulse to scratch his back... guess I just felt sympathy for those performance jitters... he purred and thanked me as he said, "Hey- you've got some elbow grease. You get that from your grandmother."

She's been gone for 12 years... and I wanted to hug this bear of a man for bringing her back to me for just an instant. It's nice to know what parts of her live on within me...