Maui
4 years ago
Monday, July 26, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Do You Appreciate What's Around You?
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007:
He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till 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, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally 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 them to move on.
45 minutes:The musician played. Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while.
About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $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 best 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. (It might hurt his ego that he only made $32 for 45 minutes)
This is a real 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: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 ....How many other things are we missing?
We live in an awesome world. Make it an awesome day.
It's true - check out the full story at snopes (the number 1 place to go when you get a forwarded email and you wonder if it is true). http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/bell.asp
He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till 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, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally 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 them to move on.
45 minutes:The musician played. Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while.
About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $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 best 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. (It might hurt his ego that he only made $32 for 45 minutes)
This is a real 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: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 ....How many other things are we missing?
We live in an awesome world. Make it an awesome day.
It's true - check out the full story at snopes (the number 1 place to go when you get a forwarded email and you wonder if it is true). http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/bell.asp
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Winner!
Anonymous said...
I like Mr White Guy he looks like he is smiling with a bit of mischief in his eye. Plus the contrast between the dark background and his cool white color just makes him really really fun to look at. It needs a caption at the bottom right (I like a good laugh)
July 13, 2010 9:07 AM
I like Mr White Guy he looks like he is smiling with a bit of mischief in his eye. Plus the contrast between the dark background and his cool white color just makes him really really fun to look at. It needs a caption at the bottom right (I like a good laugh)
July 13, 2010 9:07 AM
Friday, July 9, 2010
Please Help Me! Pick your favorite photo
I want to enter my friend Taberah's photo contest, but can't decide on which one entry to submit. Faithful readers, please leave a comment telling me your favorite pic. I will have a random drawing on Thursday, July 15th at 4 pm PST, from all of the comments, and one reader will win a surprise gift from me. Thanks! :)
Number 1 - Disneyland Castle at Night
Number 2 - Easter Pals
Number 3 - Fountain
Number 4 - Australian Bearded Dragon
Number 5 - Venetian Court Fountain
Number 6- Scabiosa (Pincushion) Flowers
Number 7 - Mr. White Guy Thursday, July 8, 2010
Andy
Rasta dies and goes to Heaven.
He is at the Pearly Gates and is met by St. Peter himself. But the gates are closed as Ras approaches the gatekeeper..St. Peter said, 'Well, You seem to be in the wrong place as I don't seem to have you on my list, but as there is such a crowd behind you and it would cause such a disruption, I will give you an entrance examination - if you pass it, I will let you in. The test is short, but you have to pass it before you can get into Heaven.'
Fair enough sais the dread - I sure hope that the test ain't too hard. Life was a big enough test as it was .'
St. Peter continued, 'Yes, I know, but the test is only three questions. Here they are:
First: What two days of the week begin with the letter T?
That one is easy. That would be Today and Tomorrow.'
The Saint's eyes opened wide and he exclaimed, that is not what I was thinking, but you do have a point, and I guess I did not specify, so I will give you credit for that answer.
Second: How many seconds are there in a year? asked St. Peter.
How many seconds in a year? Now that one is harder,' replied ras, 'but I think about that, and I guess the only answer can be twelve.'
Astounded, St. Peter said, 'Twelve? how in Heaven's name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?'
Well it got to be twelve he replied: January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd....
'Hold it,' interrupts St. Peter. 'I see where you are going with this, and I see your point, though that was not quite what I had in mind....but I will have to give you credit for that one, too.
Third: What is God's first name?'
well'Sure,' he replied with a big grin . . 'it's Andy..'
'Andy?' exclaimed an exasperated and frustrated St Peter. 'Ok, I can understand how you came up with your answers to my first two questions, but just how in the world did you come up with the name Andy as the first name of God?'
'Shucks, that was the easiest one of all,' Whenever I went to church I would hear them sing "ANDY WALKS WITH ME, ANDY TALKS WITH ME, ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN."
St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates, and said: 'Run, man, run!!!'
Wherefore we pray Lord, Give me a sense of humor, Give me the ability to understand a clean joke, To get some humor out of life, And to pass it on to other folks !
He is at the Pearly Gates and is met by St. Peter himself. But the gates are closed as Ras approaches the gatekeeper..St. Peter said, 'Well, You seem to be in the wrong place as I don't seem to have you on my list, but as there is such a crowd behind you and it would cause such a disruption, I will give you an entrance examination - if you pass it, I will let you in. The test is short, but you have to pass it before you can get into Heaven.'
Fair enough sais the dread - I sure hope that the test ain't too hard. Life was a big enough test as it was .'
St. Peter continued, 'Yes, I know, but the test is only three questions. Here they are:
First: What two days of the week begin with the letter T?
That one is easy. That would be Today and Tomorrow.'
The Saint's eyes opened wide and he exclaimed, that is not what I was thinking, but you do have a point, and I guess I did not specify, so I will give you credit for that answer.
Second: How many seconds are there in a year? asked St. Peter.
How many seconds in a year? Now that one is harder,' replied ras, 'but I think about that, and I guess the only answer can be twelve.'
Astounded, St. Peter said, 'Twelve? how in Heaven's name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?'
Well it got to be twelve he replied: January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd....
'Hold it,' interrupts St. Peter. 'I see where you are going with this, and I see your point, though that was not quite what I had in mind....but I will have to give you credit for that one, too.
Third: What is God's first name?'
well'Sure,' he replied with a big grin . . 'it's Andy..'
'Andy?' exclaimed an exasperated and frustrated St Peter. 'Ok, I can understand how you came up with your answers to my first two questions, but just how in the world did you come up with the name Andy as the first name of God?'
'Shucks, that was the easiest one of all,' Whenever I went to church I would hear them sing "ANDY WALKS WITH ME, ANDY TALKS WITH ME, ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN."
St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates, and said: 'Run, man, run!!!'
Wherefore we pray Lord, Give me a sense of humor, Give me the ability to understand a clean joke, To get some humor out of life, And to pass it on to other folks !
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
When Do I Shift Gears?
May is bike month! If you're a newbie to cycling, you may not know what that means... basically, the month of May is set aside to encourage people to bicycle to work, run errands, and for recreation. Not only is it good exercise, but it also helps save the environment! :) Anyway, although I've had my bicycle for over 10 years, I really don't know "how" to ride. While I was searching online for when to shift gears/speeds on my bike, I found this article which was really helpful for me. Maybe it will help answer your question about "why does a bicycle need 21 speeds anyway?"
Thursday, April 29, 2010
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