Especially appropriate as we prepare to go into the studio to record Christmas carols tomorrow!
A nice Friday thought
Delightful lunch satsang
What a joy it was having lunch with Chika, who serves on the staff of Ananda New Delhi and just completed the month-long Living Discipleship program at the Meditation Retreat.
Originally from Japan, Chika is one of our key music people in India. I’m so glad we had a chance to get to know her better and exchange thoughts and ideas about the music, before she returns to the other side of the world on Saturday!
Eager for dinner
I’m meeting’d and computered out.
Yes, I know that’s not correct English, but it perfectly describes how I’m feeling.
In fact, I worked through lunch, snacking later on rice cakes and a little peanut butter. So, I’m also really hungry for dinner.
Bottom line? I don’t have the bandwidth or the brain power to write anything creative.
“The Music Man” to the rescue
I was in a bit of a slump this morning. Just having a really hard time getting going.
After a bit, Ramesha left for the office, while I sat at the table trying to get up the energy to stop scrolling and start doing.
But then I happened upon a video of the composer (and flutist, which I never knew), Meredith Willson, explaining his non-rhyming lyrics to the song “Trouble” from The Music Man.
Well, The Music Man was one of my favorite musicals growing up, so after watching the video I had to listen to the version from the movie. Then I had to listen to the rest of the movie soundtrack (for the first time in decades).
The funny thing is that while I was listening I started doing a few things. Making the bed. Folding and hanging up some clothes. Putting away books. You get the idea.
But what’s really interesting is that when it got to the “Ya Got Trouble & Seventy-Six Trombones” point in the soundtrack, I jumped up and started dancing and marching around the room!
It’s like the music just forced me up and about, and I suddenly felt so happy!
I’m sure it was a matter of joyous childhood memories combined with the happy, upbeat melody and rhythm. But whatever it was, I was just glad to finally feel my energy moving again.
For mothers & fathers everywhere
I got such a chuckle out of this!
Of course, even though I never raised a child, many were the times that I made coffee, then got caught up in a project and completely forgot about it.
So, it’s really a recipe for busy people, period!
Sleep stealers
A number of factors contributed to last night being the worst night’s sleep I’ve had in ages.
First of all, we had been out to dinner, so it took a while to settle down and let the food digest, etc. The end result being that I didn’t get to bed until fairly late.
Secondly, it’s still been really hot — which never helps.
And finally, it was a full moon!
All in all, I slept just a little more than three hours. Functioning during Sunday service was definitely a struggle.
Time with friends
Today we were productive in the social arena.
In the morning we had delicious chai at the home of friends with whom we had been attempting to connect for six months or so. At long last, mission accomplished! And it was a thoroughly fun and delightful visit with the two of them plus their adorable children.
Then this evening we went to town for an Italian pizza dinner with another friend. Again, delightful and fun (and delicious!).
I also accomplished various tasks that needed doing around the house. All in all an active but relaxed day.
Task lists & Mind Maps
First of all, I managed to transfer a lot of reminders into an online task list (it feels so great throwing away the little slips of paper!).
Then I researched and selected some possible Mind Map-type templates for capturing and organizing the Big Ideas that have been floating around my brain. Those ideas often feel vague and overwhelming; my hope is to ground them by getting them written down.
I even uploaded a bunch of photos from Dad’s birthday party into the shared photo album!
All in all, I’m feeling cautiously hopeful that I’ve turned a corner…and have returned to a more productive frame of mind and energy flow.
Christmas in July
The Joy Singers started recording a new Christmas album last March and we’re returning to the studio soon to do the second half.
Crystal Clarity Publishers will be launching it sometime in November. Considering how much remains to be done after the recording process is complete — mastering, artwork, graphic design, marketing, promotions, etc. — time is already of the essence. ⌛
So, yes — we’re very much feeling the Spirit of Christmas even in the heat of July.
Friends since 1968
Had dinner tonight with my friend, Eileen, who I’ve known since junior high school.
I believe we first met in Miss Jewett’s music appreciation class (where I learned that “Mozart” is spelled with only one “t”). We were in many other classes together as well, particularly band (she played French horn).
As I started to write this I realized that we met in 1968. Amazing!
It was a crazy time but we were too young to really comprehend all the big changes that were going on around us. Riots in Berkeley and SF State University were something one saw on the news. The Summer of Love meant T-shirts with hearts and stylized daisies. Oh, and incense purchased on a field trip to San Francisco!
We were young and innocent in a way that really wouldn’t be possible today. We went to school; worried about whether boys would ever like us; and got good grades.
The only way to see a movie was in the theater. Phones stayed at home, connected to the wall by cords. We used encyclopedias for research; checked out books from the library; and wrote everything longhand.
We also thought the whole “drug” thing was greatly exaggerated. After all, we never saw any drugs.
And now — all of a sudden, it seems — we’re discussing whether to go to our 50th high school reunion. How is that even possible? 🤷♀️