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Showing posts from June, 2011

Magical Moment 511, "Thankful"

It just hit me recently, that I'm a musician. No really. When people ask me what I do for a living, I can actually reply, "I play the piano." Not, "I wait tables, but  really , I want to play the piano." A year ago, I was  hopelessly unemployed , and totally clueless as to how to go about entering the confusing, frustrating world of the music industry. I was questioning my talent, my future, and my prospects. So far in that I actually  applied to law school  as a "back-up" for when music didn't work out. But somehow, a  ballet accompanist job  landed in my lap - a position that intimidated me and left me wondering if I was even qualified for it. And after some struggles and much studying and practice, I am comfortable in the job and more thankful for it than ever. It has made me a much better and more professional pianist. Last night was my first day at work in a  beautiful restaurant , not waiting tables, but playing dinner music for its custome

Magical Moment 510, "It's Alive!"

My thumbs are not green. The budding sprouts that my husband got me in a dummy-proof plant kit however, are! It's so simple, just add water and place next to a window. I have no idea what kind of flowers these will turn out to be. Hopefully, I won't kill them before I have a chance to find out! "Green fingers are the extension of a verdant heart."   -Russell Page "Gardening requires lots of water - most of it in the form of perspiration."   -Lou Erickson ~~ The Seed Planters

Magical Moment 509, "A Smile from Song"

One undeniable truth about music, is that the simplest melody or lyric has the power to conjure up a flood of memories and emotions. Nowhere is this more evident, than in an intimate hospital room, where the charity organization  Sing for Hope  reaches out to patients through music. Five volunteer performers met in a NYC hospital for the first time last night, to visit patients, room to room, and provide a bedside song for them. This was my third time and I knew to expect many smiles, stories, and maybe even a few tears. Some musicians are brave enough to perform a song acapella. I'm not one of them. Neither am I a great guitarist, but I bring it anyway. It's no piano, but at least it's  something  to hide behind. I have a few songs I do on guitar, and it seems to be enough of a selection to accommodate what the patient might want to hear. We entered an older woman's room. She was lying in her bed with who appeared to be her daughter standing next to her. Both were i

Magical Moment 508, "A Childhood Funny"

I was 6 years old when my mom became pregnant with my little sister, Erica, and 7 when she was born. I've heard a few stories about my childhood, mostly the same few funny ones over and over. But recently, my mom told me a new one that I had never heard, and certainly have no recollection of. I don't know what spurred this memory, but she told me the story in between bouts of uncontrollable laughter and with tears rolling down her cheeks.  Apparently I asked my mother something about the new baby sister that was on the way. She gave me the usual spiel about how the baby lives in the mommy's tummy until she's born. I then asked the logical question, "How does the baby get  out  of the mommy's tummy?" To which my mom eloquently and truthfully replied, "Through a hole in the mother's body." It was here in the story that my mom paused to compose herself long enough to do her best impression of a 6-year-old, little Elizabeth asking with honest,

Magical Moment 507, "Unusual Sightings"

I'll never get used to the out-of-the-ordinary things I see walking around NYC. Commuting in and out of New Jersey, I'm usually only in the city for a specific purpose or job. I'm focused on getting where I need to be and rarely get the chance to roam around, get a cup of coffee, and people watch. I've learned to always have my camera with me, because who knows what shots I might get to or from the subway! ...Like a high fashion photo shoot in Chelsea with this model in a fur coat in 90 degree weather. Just as I passed by I heard the photographer yell, "That's a wrap!" So I snapped a quick picture before they packed up their gear. ...Or a beautiful grand piano with first rate musicians serenading the passers-by of Washington Square Park. This pianist is there pretty often and I'm dying to know how he drags his piano to and from the park each day.  I guess part of what makes New York so special, is these "unusual sightings" are actually pre

Magical Moment 506, "Eating My Words For Dinner"

http://www.bernardsinn.com/ Remember a  few days ago , when I was feeling completely dejected and deflated from an audition gone bad? It was for a steady gig that paid well and I would be  perfect  for. But I didn't have that confident feeling when I left, like everything went perfect and they would call me immediately,  begging  me to take the position. I went home and thought,  I shouda done this. If only I had played that. Oh, I'll NEVER get the job now! Well I got the job. And now I must eat my words. I wonder if they'd be good sauteed in butter? When will I ever learn? Don't make automatic  bad  assumptions about myself! Positive thinking, uplifting thoughts, not self-loathing and putting down! Hello?! Isn't that what I try and write about every day? Why can't I take a piece of my own advice? So I have a new opportunity to do just that. My first day is Wednesday. I will be prepared, practiced, and confident. The job is exactly what I  love  doing most

Magical Moment 505, "Howlin at the Moon"

My husband and I drove an hour and a half west to the  Lakota Wolf Preserve  in Warren County, NJ. Whenever we both have a day off at the same time (about once every 2 weeks!), we try and do something out of the ordinary and special. Eddie found this Wolf Preserve on the internet and we booked a Wolf Watch Tour. How cool is that?! The Lakota Wolf Preserve cares for dozens of wolves, who for whatever reason, could not survive in the wild. They have Arctic, Timber, and Tundra wolves in an open habitat with plenty of space to be healthy and happy. On our wolf watch tour, we saw many of these animals, separated into their different packs by reinforced, double chain-linked fences. Since many of these were raised here since pups, they were not afraid to approach the humans on the other side of the fence. I have to admit, when I first saw these legendary, intimidating creatures walk towards us in a pack of 4 or 5, I tensed slightly.  This preserve also conducts photography tours, where they

Magical Moment 504, "Take it and Be Blessed"

A priceless and necessary summer memory for all to possess, is a dusky, humid evening spent chasing lightning bugs. The chiggers nibbling on your ankles as you race through the freshly mowed grass, eyes fixed on the luminescent spec that fades in and out before your eyes, while arms flail haphazardly through the invisible air to snatch it in your palms. Imagine my shock and sorrow, when my husband commented that he had never done so. A crime which I felt must immediately be remedied. I don't own brilliant diamonds, or the luxurious glitter of gold. But once, my grandpa made me a ring to adorn my childishly small fingers, of a lightning bug and twist tie. Twas a piece of jewelry that lasted for only a moment on my hand, but has remained in my beloved thoughts for a lifetime.  And so, Eddie, you must accept this specially created piece. A lighting fixture, fit for all styles of decor, made of a glass jar, paper towel, and rubber band. The designer is God Himself, with only me as t

Magical Moment 503, "Pop Up Pianos"

I can't believe it, but it's been exactly one year since Eddie's and mine's adventure of the  Play Me, I'm Yours  pianos. Last summer, our very first summer living just outside of New York York City, a charity organization called  Sing for Hope  placed 60 pianos all over the city. On a more or less "whim" I decided I wanted to play each one and drug my husband all over creation to help me complete the goal.  We spent about a week exploring the outer boroughs of NYC for the first time, and discovering parts of Manhattan we would probably never see otherwise. It was quite a feeling of triumph when we crossed off the 60th piano from our list. Tired, exhausted, and hot, we now felt like true New Yorkers who had seen it all!  Sing for Hope is repeating the program this summer, calling it Pop Up Pianos. As a Donor Artist for Sing for Hope, I had the honor of taking part in meetings to help plan the project. This time, there 88 rather than 60 pianos. Eddie and

Magical Moment 502, "Longest Day"

It began before sunrise, when I awoke in a nervous fret. I often awake in nervous fret, for as soon as my brain wakes up, it begins to list all the things I need to do that day. The next day. In the next 5 years. What are my long term goals for life?! What about my future?!?! Seriously, I think about all this within the first few minutes I'm conscious while still lying in bed. It gets to be a problem sometimes. But on this particular day, I had an important audition to worry about. One that I had been preparing for and hoping would go smoothly. Every minute until the scheduled appointment seemed to tick by in slow motion as I anticipated all it would entail. And then suddenly, for as long as I've dreaded today's audition, it was over in a matter of minutes. Or what seemed like mere seconds.  Instead of relief though, I felt like a deflated balloon. It didn't go bad, it just didn't go great. I was hoping for raving reviews and a job offer...or at least a word or t

Magical Moment 501, "Hear's to IMAX"

I sat through 2 hours of ear-piercing thuds and ground-vibrating explosions. Not in war zone, but in the safety and comfort of our local IMAX Theatre, Skittles and popcorn in hand. I had  never  been to one before, when Eddie took me a few nights ago on a date. I suppose the images were sharper than a regular movie screen. It was certainly larger. But what really shocked me was how loud it was! We were still sitting through the previews when I slapped my hands over both of my ears and gave Eddie a terrified glance. Like a child sitting through fireworks, trying to enjoy the magnificent display but in painful discomfort.  I soon discovered that Eddie's shoulder was the optimum level at which to lean my head on. After all, that is the best way to watch a movie with someone. Eddie could feel when I tensed, winced, or jerked in reaction to a sudden booming sound. Only one ear drum found protection, pressed against his shoulder. And so with his hand, he reached around to my exposed ea

Magical Moment 500, "Fathers"

My dad comes up quite a bit in this blog. In fact, he was in the  very first  of these 500 (wow, time flies) consecutive posts. I suppose it's a testament to the good father he's been throughout my life, supporting every crazy thing I've done from jumping out of airplanes to moving to New York. As much as he may  hate  that I've been away from home for so long chasing my ambitions, he knows that he has only himself to blame. For he taught me to always follow my passion. And I learned that by his example. I always remember my grandpa today as well. We lost him when I was 16, but thankfully have a lifetime of memories to carry with me. I remember him standing at the grill as the family gathered outside, enjoying a summer afternoon. I remember his collection of Energizer Bunnies, and the way he sat side by side with my grandma in their rockers with his dog, Sam on his lap. When I  think of him , I think of a man who survived more obstacles in his life than probably anyone

Magical Moment 499, "Wrong Side of the Ocean"

And you thought  I  was crabby?! The crab walk is an 'exo-lent' muscular workout. No flab on these guys. He sees me. I sea food. You'd be cranky too if you had one enormous hand to drag around. Hangin out in his 'crab shack.' Crab meat salad Why so crabby? I was just saying hello! ...And I'm outa one-liners (actually maybe I was out a few back!).

Magical Moment 498, "Fotos For Fun"

Been spending some time at the Jersey shore, so I'll probably share more of that in the future... Float Flock Flit Fly Almost  fly, but rather flail! 

Magical Moment 497, "Take it Off!"

Summer's a comin! It's that time of year to bare it all in the hot sun.  If you're a bit pudgy, like Zach, you may be less happy about it than others... If you have to shed a few, why not do some running? It helps if you have a goal in mind. Then, there are some that have a lot  more  to 'shed.' And the excess seems to just fall off without any effort! (Albeit, mostly into my carpet). But whatever you have to do to get into summer form, do it! Cuz you don't wanna miss looking 'hot' in the hot sun!   " Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit.  A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world."  ~Ada Louise Huxtable