Jul 29
I’m Insane
Racing my dog Eddie down a steep, rocky mountain wash at 6 AM this morning, and laughing crazily I thought: “Im insane.”
A fall or even a stumble could be a disaster, especially to my no longer young body. But I don’t care. I’m insanely happy. Perhaps happier than at any time in my life. Why? I’m doing what I love, taking risks and letting go of more fear. Performing in a jazz concert last week, doing my thing, looking out from the stage at the first stars twinkling over the mountains. I though “If I died right now I would be fulfilled.”
Why didn’t I do this before? Who cares. It’s never too late to let go and live. Whatcha think?
Jul 28
Forget The Underwear and Just Believe
A new study published online in the journal Psychological Science makes a compelling case that each of us should find lucky underwear of our own.
“Activating a good-luck superstition,” the authors wrote, “leads to improved performance by boosting people’s belief in their ability to master a task.”
link: Phys Ed: Does Lucky Underwear Improve Athletic Performance? - Well Blog - NYTimes.com
It’s not about your underwear, it is about what you believe. W. Clement Stone had it right years ago:
“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” W. Clement Stone
Believe in you!
Jul 26
Whistle While You Work
Jul 26
If the only alternative is slow and painful failure, the way to get unstuck is to blow up a constraint, deal with the pain and then run forward. Fast.
Jul 19
Seth's Blog: Self marketing might be the most important kind →
What story do you tell yourself about yourself? A fine reminder from Seth on the power of self-talk.
Jul 17
The Introvert’s Cure
What a great party - now for my escape.
My Myers Briggs profile shows me to be equally an introvert and an extrovert. I get energy from being with people but I need my own space too. This has been challenging to live with since most of my career has involved heavy people contact.
This week I had lots of contact in business, we threw a small party for musicians and we had some construction going on in the house. My space was invaded by a constant stream of contractors and the sound of power tools. Fortunately I had a cure - escape to our mountain valley hideaway.
As Eddie, my constant canine companion and I hiked in the silence, punctuated only by the cry of birds and the occasional bee buzz. I could feel my muscles relaxing and peace come over me. No barking dogs, no roar of summer motorcycles, just nature, the silence and peace - the cure. After a recharge I will perform tomorrow at the Salida Steam Plant. Get ready to engage extrovert and get ready to flex extrovert.
Tell us how you find your peace introvert.
Jul 17
The Beatles - Ain’t She Sweet (via spiduction65)
Yes, the Beatles played jazz.
At our Jazz ‘N The Beatles Concert on August 15 we are featuring jazz interpretations of Beatle’s favorites. John Lennon was also an aficionado of jazz and his early recordings show a liking for earlier jazz: one of his favorite performance pieces, was the 1920s jazz hit “Ain’t She Sweet:”
Jul 17
Facebook | My Photos - musical cookout →
What do musicians talk about at a cookout?Mmmm…music.
Here’s some quick snaps of drummer Dick Cunico and his wife Robin and guitarist Wayne Wilkinson and his squeeze, Ellen. It is great to have some purely social time with the people I make music with. I love getting to know them and I think it makes our playing more connected too.
Jul 08
A Day In The Life
Focus And Determination Can Make’s Dreams Come True - But so fast?
What was my day like yesterday?
Shortly after dawn Eddie, my constant canine companion, and I did our daily hike for an hour. I then responded to email and took care of routine business things early in the morning. Then I talked about music and performing with a fellow musician, and set up a contest for my Jazz N The Beatles Concert. The rest of my day was spent playing music on my flutes. I practiced scales and rehearsed songs for a total of about 6 hours, breaking only for lunch and a few strech walks around the ranch. I even had time to write some bass lines for songs the FluteDaddy jazz quartet is performing.
At the end of the day I was joyful, smiling and fulfilled. Life is pretty awesome doing what you love to do. Just 5 short months ago I had no band, no venues, no recordings of my music and no scheduled concerts. My “new” life now is the result of focus and determination. I always knew that works, but progress seems much faster when you are in love with what you do. More of that story later.
Enjoy your day!!
Jul 08
Wherever it comes from, there is some unique quality about what the Beatles had to offer. It’s not as good as eternal youth, but it is a close second. To me, their music does not sound any older than when 64 was a much longer way off. Maybe this is what we mean by timelessness. It’s turning 70 while remaining 24 at the same time.
EDUARDO PORTER
