“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.” — From Getting Unstuck Seth Godin
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.
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.
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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.
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!!
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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
” — Editorial Notebook - Ringo Starr Is 70 - NYTimes.com[video]
Familiar Beatles songs presented in cool jazz arrangements are both nostalgic and exciting.
I wasn’t into the Beatles when they were happening. I was into jazz and other things. Yet the tunes stuck in my body and mind - they are that good and memorable. When I hear some of the songs I go back in my memory to what I was doing in my life when I first heard the song.
The Beatles jazz concert idea started with my wife. I was playing some jazz arrangements of Beatles tunes at home and she especially enjoyed them and said they would make a good concert. Everybody else I spoke to about it really lit up at the mention of a Beatles concert, so I put it together.
I had no idea of the sheer volume of songs Lennon and McCartney wrote, I found over 100, and so many of them are hits. The play list for the concert includes Eleanor Rigby, And I Love Her, Lady Madonna and more and we will play them in Bossa Nova, swing, Reggae, New Orleans and Funk styles of jazz. Some are so lovely I started to tear up while practicing and others just make you want to grin and dance.
The posters just arrived. I think they are way cool. What do you think?
Putting up Jazz At The Steam Plant posters was fun! Yesterday I had great fun driving around Salida, Colorado putting up posters for the free FluteDaddy concert July 18. I visited restaurants, the hot springs pool the tourist center, coffee shops and more. It was great meeting people, and they were all so gracious. I have worked from home for years, spending all my time on the telephone and computer – a solitary existence. It was great to get out and be a part of what’s happening everyday, especially in the quaint and lovely town of Salida.
The concert will be great fun with the marvelous Alan Joseph playing guitar, The warm hearted and energetic drummer, Randy Bowen and Andy Burschi the fine bassist. The Steam Plant will put up a big tent by the river for shade and a place to eat and drink. Come on down and swing and sway with us on a lovely Sunday afternoon.