When it comes to choosing my music for an acupuncture session, I take the job very seriously. The right choice can be positively inspirational (Steve Miller Band’s Greatest Hits or KFOG’s Live from the Archives) but the wrong CD selection spells absolute disaster (The Cult’s Electric). A good decision enhances a session whereas a bad call can outright doom it.
My choice of tuneage last night was a huge one. Not only was I playing a crucial role in the course of this particular treatment, I was also setting a certain precedent ambiance-wise in my new acupuncture venue. For weeks I had been struggling mightily to even enter the Hen’s house, which is perched atop a hill and up a long and winding staircase, for my treatment. As I emerged from the room following my latest session, Fehmeen broke the news to me: I would no longer be coming here for acupuncture. Instead, Jen, being the nurturing goddess and outstanding human being that she is, agreed to treat me in two different places. We would alternate our weekly sessions between her place of business in Santa Cruz and my home in San Carlos.
The thought of receiving treatment in the friendly environs of my own house, on my own bed, had a certain appeal to me. Once the needles were removed from my skin, I could very easily choose to continue my magical journey of floating around the cosmos, high on the energy of my own redistributed qi. Or not. I could just as simply crash out for the night.
All that was left to do was to choose the music. After hours of deliberation, I went with a new twist on an old classic: The Beatles Love. For those of you trying to figure out where Love belongs in their discography, I suppose you could say it’s the latest Beatles album. Love is the soundtrack to the spectacular Circe de Soleil Vegas show at the Mirage. Do yourself a favor and check it out (Fehmeen almost puked during the extremely psychedelic and nausea inducing performance during the early days of her pregnancy). The music is a remastered, remixed, and occasionally mashed-up collection of about thirty classic Beatles tunes subtly tinkered with and transformed into something brand new, yet immediately recognizable.
I knew right away as soon as Jen left me to stew in my own juices (needles in and qi flowing) that I had made the correct decision tunes-wise. As the tracks played on, I made the conscious decision to focus all of my attention and perception on what I was hearing, rather than on the random and meandering thoughts floating through my head. Within minutes, my mind and body became Love. I found myself ebbing and flowing with the rising tides and undulating waves of pure musical euphoria.
It was arguably one of the coolest and trippiest acupuncture sessions I had ever experienced and it was because of the music. When Jen removed my needles and left, I continued to listen and float away until I drifted off to sleep.
The Adventures of ALS Boy 
Jason,
We saw that show in Vegas… I will have to purchase that cd now….I love reading about positive energy flowing through you. That’s the same feeling I get when I read your blog! Needles not included.
-Kim
We’ve seen the Cirque show twice and, naturally, own the CD as well and just LOVE it (pun unavoidable). The treatment is so fabulous, from the haunting a cappella opening harmonies of “Because” to the enchanting and surrealistic “Octopus’s Garden” to the roof-raising rock n’ roll anarchy of “Revolution,” it truly is almost like having a “new” Beatles album. A stellar choice for your session.
PS – John & I will be visiting Liverpool next month! (And Stonehenge, too, although that’s a very different album…)
Jason,
If you don’t have already, you need to get a copy of Nine Inch Nails Ghosts I-IV. I can make you a copy. This may proove to be peaceful and moving music for your acupuncture sessions.
Have a nice day!
Mrs Pfotie
Thanks for the recommendation, Tracy. I love having an excuse to go CD shopping.