A Healthy Dose of Perspective

I love this story. I have read it many times and will read it again many times. It helps to be reminded to stop and smell the roses (or listen to Bach).

Violinist in the Subway

Who is he?

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Goodbye 2008. And good riddance, I'd say.

Don't get me wrong. 2008 had its high points. But there were soooooo many low points. Even some of the high points had their drawbacks and annoyances.

Cest la vie, it's over. And a new year is here, and I'm looking forward to it. I have some big goals this year, and I can't wait to see them happen.

My Christmas trip was very, very good. It was probably the high point of the year (since my shower wasn't technically working until New Year's Day, I can't list it among my 2008 highs, although it really started the year out with a big smile).

We went to Heidi's wedding on the 20th. Very pretty, and it was awesome to just get to see her again, let alone share in such a special day. We then went to Arkansas to visit Bryan's brother and his family. It's always refreshing to visit them. Their faith is a renewal to my spirit every time I'm around them. And, of course, their children have grown like weeds since we saw them last, and they're so smart and so cute!

On our way to see my Grandma for Christmas we stopped at Graceland. I've always been an Elvis fan, but visiting what was once his home has renewed my interest in his music. I also realized that I don't think I've ever seen one of his movies. I'll be remedying that shortly.

Christmas at Grandma's was fun and relaxing. I loved seeing all my relatives and getting caught up with them. And I especially enjoyed getting to know my cousins' kids. They're around the same age as mine, and I remember growing up with my cousins and how special they still are to me. I'm hoping the new generation grasps the importance of family like my family impressed upon me, and takes advantage of the little time they have with their cousins when we do get to visit them.

I'm looking forward to 2009. I can't wait to see what is in store. I have had a glimpse and I'm very excited about it.

Alan, Everett, and Benny, you guys will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, my friends.

Happy New Year!

Bah humbug?

Why does it seem like every time I turn around there's someone that's seriously injured? I've heard of three reports just this afternoon. It puts a damper on the Christmas season when you have people you know in the hospital.

I'm trying so hard to get into the Christmas spirit. I make sure my radio is tuned to KSBJ so I can listen to Christmas music. I've gone Christmas shopping. I've been planning my Christmas trip. But I'm still not really there.

I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday. So why does it seem that the past few years I haven't been able to feel it? Is it because I don't decorate?

That's it, I'm splurging on a tree next year. I don't care, I'll save my pennies. I want a really tall one, like the 12-footers. My house can handle it. I want a light-up star and twinkling rainbow lights. I want to drag all my decorations out and wrap my staircase in holly. I want to set out all my cutesy little Christmas things. And I want to do it all while wearing an apron, singing Christmas carols, and baking cookies. Like I did a few years ago. Before the Christmas spirit started evading me.

So, Merry Christmas! I'm going to turn on some carols now and try to find my Zen center in the sparkling world of non-bah-humbuginess.

Once-A-Monther

Why is it that when a crisis happens, I have to deal with it?

Don't get me wrong, I am competent and smart. But I am not a plumber. Therefore, when the hot water pipe burst under the sink and flooded my kitchen this afternoon, it meant that I couldn't fix it right away.

Which means that I spent my afternoon with a shop vac, mopping up the lake in my kitchen and dining room. And that I had to turn off the water in the house until it's fixed. And under my sink smells musty. Yuck.

I don't have time for this.

On the good side, though, I got my errands finished early, so I was actually home when this happened. It could have been SOOO much worse. Imagine coming home to a completely flooded house... umm... yeah. No, thanks. I definitely do not have time for THAT.

So, thus begins my preparations for our Christmas trip. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Hell in a Hand Basket

I can't stand to watch the news anymore. Thank goodness I don't watch TV. Because honestly, even going into the gas station and seeing the news there makes me want to vomit.

I'm thinking the direction our country/world is going is a recipe for a horrible ulcer for me. I can't get into it, because I'm tired of my blood pressure skyrocketing.

Neglectful

Wow, my poor blog. It has gone so unattended, that the weeds are waist high now. And it's all Facebook's fault. Because it's just so darn easy to be nosy on there, and see what everyone's doing, and let everyone else know what I'm doing. Minute to minute. Status updates. You know.

I'm sorry. There's really too much to write about. Remodeling, staying at friends' for a week, sickness and more sickness, organizing and cleaning, and the death of a friend. And that's just in the past 3 weeks, I believe. I'm so busy I really shouldn't be typing this, I've got a million things I should be doing.

So come find me on Facebook, it's easier to keep up with me there!

Where have all the bands gone?

Or cowboys, whatever...

Is it just me, or have marching bands taken an artistic twist? It's cool that they're playing classics and more contemporary genres, but really...

I'm used to marching bands ENTERTAINING. Most were very... well...

You'd have to be a musician to appreciate what they were playing.

I am, thankfully, but I couldn't help but feel for the people in the football audiences who aren't. I mean, Lizst is something they make before grocery shopping for a tailgate party, not a composer. But maybe I just came from a totally awesome marching band. In high school, our shows were things like the Beatles, Santana, things people would recognize from the stands.

Although band directors are still, very predictably, making the guard run cross-field on a whim. That's a comfort to know that some things never change.

That aside, I really enjoyed all the performances tonight, and I'm endlessly proud of my students. Such good form! Yay!

So this is what it means to be a soccer mom

Mom told me my life would change when Izzy was in school. Boy, did it!

I no longer have my precious angel around during the day. Instead, I have a to-do list about a mile and a half long, and obligations almost every night of the week. Yikes!

On top of everything else, our remodel is taking up a lot of time. Who knew I would spend a week looking at bathroom lighting fixtures? I feel like the stereotypical housewife spending months trying to pick out the perfect drapes. It's not that far off of a comparison, you know.

I'm also starting a Girl Scout troop with my fabulous leader Jenn (yeah, that's going to be interesting). Jenn... Jen... (two heads turn) What? And who knew how much work THAT would involve as well?!

I'm also training to be a "Money Map Coach", or one-on-one budget counselor, for Crown Ministries. It takes up more time than I thought it would on studying and research. It has also prompted me to reevaluate my financial situation, take new stock of our assets, and make some changes hopefully for the better. But this also involves time!

So my week consists of Fort Bend ISD Band Night, teaching, Girl Scout leader meeting, Girl Scout Parent Meeting, iScrap (if I can get it together before then), Izzy's birthday, and Izzy's birthday party, which are not on the same day. And somewhere in there I have to make room for maintenance like laundry and straightening, and I'd like to get our master bedroom cleaned out. Oh, yeah, and I'm making our costumes for the Harvest Party. Because I'm picky. And I honestly thought I would have time to make them myself.

Ha.

I need a drink. Tommy, anyone?

Let there be light!

And... *sigh of relief* we have power.

We escaped for the weekend to my Mom's, because the heat in Houston doesn't mix well with tempers because of a week with no power and no A/C. And no hot baths. And no cooked food. I, for one, blame the sodium levels in all the canned food. That stuff's just not healthy.

It was an interesting ride. I'm glad it's over.

But I'm still praying that those in Houston who still don't have power get it soon, because frankly all of Houston has lost its friggin' mind. I'm tired of people with short tempers, venom spilling from normally reasonable mouths (or keyboards), and drivers with a death wish.

But Izzy's back in school and things can return to semi-normalness. Which means busy. The two weeks of lessons I had to miss because of the hurricane I now have to schedule makeup lessons for, they rescheduled everything I had planned to take place within the next 2 weeks. Oh, joy.

So, here's some pictures to tide you over until normalcy resumes:

Izzy and Eli got all dolled up for the hurricane party


The boys boarded up the houses for us


I don't think that tree is SUPPOSED to lean like that...


Typical minimal damage in our neighborhood


Hurricane-style transportation


Our chef firing up our meal at Kobe while we were escaping Houston electricity-less heat

Still no power

It's going to be a while, too.

But we're fine! All our friends in the immediate vicinity have offered us all they have. We're staying in our house at night for the most part, it's nice outside and hopefully will stay that way (note to self - while online check the weather).

One thing that really awes me is the generosity of friends and family within our church. We have not lacked for hot showers, clean laundry, or a hot meal since our power went out. That along with people we love to lead us through powerlessness makes it bearable.

But we've become so reliant on TV, movies, etc, that sometimes I'm thankful for the break. While my daughter would normally be playing the Wii or watching a movie, instead we're cuddling and reading books together. The house is immensely more quiet and peaceful.

And thanks to my girlfriends, CLEAN.

We've had countless offers of houses with power to stay in, but there's a comfort in being home in our own bed that can't be beat, even if we have to rely on candles to make it across the house. :)

So we'll be fine, regardless of how long it takes to get the power back. It's stretching our creative muscles a bit, and that's okay with me.