01 - Your Favorite Song

This is a really vague and difficult way to start off the 30 Day Song Challenge, mainly because I have so many. And in all different genres. So I'll just start with three...

Favorite Musical Theater Song to Sing. Stephen Schwartz's Meadowlark from 'The Baker's Wife'



I have a total soft spot in my heart for this song. It's completely self-indulgent and melodramatic; but I mean, if you're gonna sing musical theater, that's what it does best. The song is an epic story within a story and takes all the skill of a singer (goes from legit mix to belt and even has some spots with soprano) The song with a consistent eighth note current running throughout is 16 pages long. It's been tackled by some of the best including Patti LuPone who originated the character of Genevieve, but Liz Callaway still holds the top spot.

Sentimental Favorite: Janet Jackson's 'Escapade'

30 Day Song Challenge

W00! 30 Day Song Challenge! (yet another project for me to start then fail...oh well - I never did get through that pyramid did I?)

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song that you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep
day 11 - a song from your favorite band
day 12 - a song from a band you hate
day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure
day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love
day 15 - a song that describes you
day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate
day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio
day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio
day 19 - a song from your favorite album
day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry
day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy
day 22 - a song that you listen to when you’re sad
day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding
day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral
day 25 - a song that makes you laugh
day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument
day 27 - a song that you wish you could play
day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty
day 29 - a song from your childhood
day 30 - your favorite song at this time last year

Breakdown.

You know, every now and then?

It's ok to have a breakdown.

It doesn't mean you're weak.

Or bad.

Or hopeless.

In fact, it sort of means you're hopeful. Full of hope. That you're not alone in all of this. That a call to arms will mean that it will be answered.

That's all I've got for today. I've had some breakdowns this week; and have been relieved. Now onto the next task.

Missing...

have been trying to put together a power-point fundraising presentation tonight.

which is horrible for someone who is bad (ie. read not experienced) at sales.

but at least it's not like writing an online dating profile. cause it's not about me. it's about the thing that i love.

but it's not easy. and then...i saw this on Tumblr tonight.

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest 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 Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

The questions raised:
*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

*Do we stop to appreciate it?

*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made…

How many other things are we missing?

This is absolutely incredible. And sad. Mostly sad because as a musician, I wonder if I would even recognize what was happening had I passed by.

(Source: Washington Post)

And it reminds me, that we will pay for things that we qualify as having value. so I'm working on creating a presentation that accurately represents the value of a great show produced by one of the greatest theater companies I've ever worked for.

bao = love

This morning I stepped out for brunch with some friends I hadn't seen in about a month. It was a warm wonderful and delicious meal (never eaten at Luna Park? I highly recommend it)

And it was wonderful to hear a friend talk the way she normally doesn't. At length. Excitedly. It was such a blessed relief to just listen. Spending a lot of the week walking people through tasks or explaining methods, my life turns into a lot of talking. So it was nice to give a friend her space, for her to feel comfortable and delighted in having the spotlight.

Also had to go home to pick up my stupid traffic violation fine (San Bruno, you may have had a pipe explode, but your yellow light cameras suck), and when I got home - my parents had picked up an extra chicken bao in Chinatown all for me.

Not because I said I was stopping by. But just because...I said I might.

That's some serious love people. Buying a bao cause your daughter MIGHT stop by.

Went straight home to get a pedicure and now out for a night on the town. It's a good Saturday.

Worth...

Hi Team!

Still out and about and recovering from my company's Annual All-Hands Meetings last week. I have to give myself and my peeps for organizing a delicious meal at Foreign Cinema (which is amazing) and getting through the week without killing anyone.

This article today via Already Pretty: Learning How to Believe You Are Worth It.

Too many of us are walking around in our daily lives pretending and hiding from our inner lights. I'm sure the blogosphere is overrun with the retreads of "Asian culture = humility, modesty and denial of accomplishments" While American culture is rife with self-promotion and bolstering up achievements. Too much self-esteem leads to arrogance and disregard for others, too little leads to a sorry sense of depression. There has to be some sort of medium ground. I believe that all achievements are tempered with gratitude and generosity.

Give thankfully.
Receive thankfully.

To me, the best people are not those that step on others, interrupt conversations or disparage the people around them. The people who use their incentives of "getting ahead" to justify the worst human actions. The best people are the ones that ask questions, that are constantly willing to grow, who are gracious and kind and fair to the people around them.

“ Insensitivity makes arrogance ugly; empathy is what makes humility beautiful."
— Renford Reese, Ph.D

One of the best things I've ever told myself was, "You're not crazy." That revelation was the lead up to just one of the reawakenings I've had in my life. I'm sure a ton of kids with Asian parents can relate. That moment when you decided to stop living their insecurities and started to live your own life. When their opinions became "just" their thoughts, and not your doctrine.

The moment when you decided to be different.
Be different today. If not for yourself, then for your children. Or someone who needs you. Or for the inner peace that you'll attain.

Be. Different.

Block 4: Cooperation

Today's Building Block of the Pyramid of Success : Cooperation
[koh-op-uh-rey-shuhn]

–noun

1.an act or instance of working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit; joint action.

2. more or less active assistance from a person, organization, etc.: We sought the cooperation of various civic leaders.

3. willingness to cooperate: to indicate cooperation.

4. Economics . the combination of persons for purposes of production, purchase, or distribution for their joint benefit: producers' cooperation; consumers' cooperation.

5. Sociology . activity shared for mutual benefit.

6. Ecology . mutually beneficial interaction among organisms living in a limited area.

Ever notice how easy things are when you have a friend? And how easy it is to complete tasks or reach goals when you work together? Selfishness, while touted and hailed by objectivists and business people alike, doesn't work in the grand scheme of things. Sure you have the most toys, and then what? Webster's also quotes "cooperation" as mutually beneficial interaction. You never have to view cooperation as only benefiting one party. So when you're helping someone, think of all the different ways you could be helping yourself. Only small minded people who don't take sight of the larger goal reap the benefits of pure selfishness.

Wooden's quote: "Have utmost concern for what's right rather than who's right."

Do you ever realize how much your personal feelings about someone will affect your reaction to their decisions? Even though that decision could be one that is highly appropriate or effective considering the situation?

This week's challenge. Listen honestly and as objectively as possible to the people around you, especially the people you don't generally like, respect or answer to.

Emotion is your enemy.