I like Bobby McFerrin, and this is part of the reason why. He just thinks in wonderful ways. And helps us to get there too. Thanks to my facebook friend Michael who posted this!
World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale from World Science Festival on Vimeo.
I’ve been part of three very varied and pretty significant community events yesterday and today. Certainly worth noting, and also celebrating events that are intended to build community, acknowledge the importance of community, and to just have fun as a group.
The Annual Huron River Watershed Council Baseline Swim was Sunday morning. Over 40 people swam, and then there were kayakers, canoeists, and a few others in boats to keep us safe. I love it when the motor boats appear in the channel, rev up for a high speed launch into the lake, and the sheriff roars over and stops them dead in their tracks. Yeah!! Swimmers win for that one hour.
Some used the swim as a race, and some of us just enjoyed the perfect morning. I wasn’t the last this year. But I was the slowest. The last to finish got in the water well after me!
So I swam a mile, and loved it.
Today, I joined Mark Braun for his Joybox Express bike ride from Chelsea to Ann Arbor to the Townie Party before the Art Fairs. It was a great ride, straight down Jackson Road, all the way to Main Street. More than 25 people took part. We caused some back up going through the construction on Jackson, but that was also the point!
I dive my truck to the lake with some stuff and my bicycle. I left the truck there, and took off on my bike to Aberdeen Bike Store, where the group ride would begin. I was cruising down the wide shoulder of M-52 in my highest gear, and when I went to shift to an easier gear it wouldn’t shift. And it just wouldn’t. I got off and tried to do it manually, no luck. So I biked into and through town unable to shift.
I feared I would miss the ride, but a sweet guy at the Aberdeen Bike shop immediately set to work, diagnosed the problem, put on a replacement shifter, and hardly charged me. And said if I didn’t have the money with me I could come back and pay for it. Fabulous service. And the shifter works better than ever! And what immense luck, to have it break on the way to a bike store. I’m very lucky.
The third event was the townie party. A much more massive thing — but similar idea and energy. I enjoy it until I got too tired to stay longer. But I was grinning like a mad woman from how good it felt to do the ride.
Inspiration, fun, connections made, and a very feel good experience from all three events. And it is so much fun to bike or swim or hike (or parade!) with a bunch of people. I really enjoyed these events. I feel tired and well used.
I do love Ann Arbor (and nearby as well…)
Rather than repeat myself here, it would be easiest just toread the tribute I wrote for him at The Ann Arbor Chronicle. I was hoping the Chronicle would write about his death, and Mary said they were swamped with other projects. Would I? A wonderful synchronicity of people places and timing then unfolded, and the article nearly wrote itself. Of course.
I hope this is just one of many tributes for this remarkable man who has really touched so many and made a wonderful difference in the world.
I sort of skipped over this event, because the week just got away from me. But it was a much anticipated, planned, thought about and large event in my life. So it deserves some notice and a few comments.
My 50th birthday was in February. Not much to do with a winter birthday but sit around inside and eat cake. Although I now recall that the teacher mentioned in my earlier block post today was there for my 16th birthday at Farrels. They were in Briarwood mall at the time, and it is an ice cream and cake sort of place. If it si your birthday they come out and sing to you with lots of noise and attention, give you some great ice cream treat, and everyone gets to be silly.
That works even in winter.
But I wanted to be out with friends, I envisioned a sort of parade. So I decided to celebrate three months later – May 3. I arranged for music – and ended up with some really fine musicians. I bought 3 dozen bottles of bubbles. I made great food, including five kinds of cheesecake. And I invited a lot of people. And, I made it a fundraiser. For Growing Hope.
We walked to the park in front of the Co-op, although there was also one unicycle! Once there the music continued and I served cheesecake to everyone, even the innocent bystanders. That was fun.
I’m not sure many people knew totally what was going to go on, maybe just a few of my closest friends. But about 50 ended up being part of at least one part of it, and nearly half did it all.
There are some great photos on facebook. And The Ann Arbor Chronicle weaved it into a larger story.
I’m glad I risked being silly. I’m really glad to have found such great musicians willing to play. I’m really happy to be 50. And most of all, I’m really happy to live in this community and have so many extraordinary people in my life. Wow. It is great to take that moment to say yeah, this is something. I feel well celebrated, well loved, and really happy I did it. Money is still coming in for Growing Hope, I’ll post the total later. It isn’t inteh thousands as I originally hoped. But a nice contribution and many people heard about this organization who wouldn’t have otherwise!
And I have lots of left over soap bubbles for the summer. And there was a lot of left over cheesecake, a week later, one piece remains. And no, I didn’t eat it all myself.
A facebook friend posted this video. A very catchy song, really, and the video is clever.
So for my Jewish friends who are celebrating – I may even indulge in a bit of whole wheat Matzah with some home made horseradish. That’s my favorite thing to do with Matzah.
A facebook friend had this video on his profile. Sure makes simple objects have a whole other meaning.
This first one is just so amazingly bad. I can’t imagine anyone being able to show less interest. I wish I knew where she is now. I couldn’t post it on Xmas, it seemed too cruel. But now – enjoy.
So there is the utter and complete lack of talent, followed by 6 minutes of real talent and a really fun performance. I was smiling with this one.
Even for my pop culture clueless brain I got most of it and loved it.
From Monty Python. Providing that wonderful perspective.
http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~pgreen/au/eric_idle.au
It will put you in a better mood, certainly!
(Sorry – haven’t figured out how to embed music… )
First, here is a link to a performer who uses ice as his instrument. It reminds me of the adventure on Long Lake last January when the ice was singing – like a thousand crystal glasses be played, of frogs in the spring.
And this video and music are deeply wonderful. Strange. Evocative.
I’ve played the Ukulele longer than any other instrument. I have three – one I picked up along the way, currently in need of repair as the back has separated. The other two each belonged to my grandfathers. One is a banjo uke, the other a slightly damaged wooden one. Each has trouble staying in tune – loose tuning pegs. But I still play them, and they look nice on the wall.
This video blew me away. I haven’t ever made these sorts of sounds!
I just love that it is on a uke.