persistent [per-sis-tuhnt]

lasting or enduring tenaciously; persisting, esp. in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering

Synonyms include: determined, insistent, incessant, perseverant

I just finished listening to my aunt tell me and mom the most amusing and amazing story of my cousin's recent engagement. Long story, short, she'd been single all her life (she just turned 41 years old in July) until she came into contact again with an old classmate who she hadn't seen or spoken to for more than a decade. Now, she's getting married. Before we got off the phone, my aunt said, "Good things really come to those who wait patiently."

I've been told this so many times, on so many different occasions which called for one of the most common cliches (is that redundant?) in the world of cliches. Hearing it the first few times, I said, "I know. I will be." Hearing it 525,600 times? You learn to turn a deaf ear because the apparent waiting had yet to produce those good things. Waiting is frustrating, but I didn't realize until lately exactly why.

Chemical Engineering flashback (eeeks!): There are two kinds of energy - potential and kinetic. Potential Energy gives you the capability to do work. Kinetic Energy is the energy possesed by objects in motion.

Like energy, there are two types of waiting - the kind that makes you sit and wait for something or someone good to happen to you, and the kind that makes you do something to get the waiting to stop. I'm a shameful fan of the first type of waiting, and it's mostly due to fear - fear that the waiting will never end and I won't be able to do anything about it. And if I did decide to act, the fear of failure was even greater. Hmmm....I'd rather be kinetic.

"Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion." ~ Michael Jordan

"The grand essentials for happiness are something to do, something to love and something to hope for." ~ Chalmers

What I'd give for one of these right now...

Off to the UK we must go!!!

Look who finally came out to play...

Half Riann...half Joe...

Born on September 1, 2009 at exactly 8:28 am...

Baby Mary-Clare aka MC!

Welcome to our world, dearest one!

You're loved so much by so many already!

CONGRATULATIONS, MAMA & PAPA!!

opus [oh-puhs]

a musical composition; great writing of music or writing

Synonyms include: composition, creation, piece

When I think of musical geniuses, it is not only images of Mozart or Beethoven that come to mind. An individual who lives in our time, and has a unique aptitude for creating sounds that not only complement our moving pictures, but truly make them come to life is none other than John Williams.

John Williams is truly a modern day genius. He composes a unique harmony for practically every character, every scene in a movie, yet somehow manages to bring each sound together to create a most distinguishable, and easily identifiable melody for that particular film. I am no expert at identifying what instruments are making which sound, no matter how intently I'm listening to a song. That's why attending a concert like the L.A. Philharmonic playing John Williams pieces is something that I will always appreciate. It's funny how actually seeing someone play the flute or the harp during a song makes you say, "Oh! That's what's making that sound!" Well, it's funny to me anyways =)
Last night, John Williams spent the first half of the concert conducting an orchestra of L.A.'s finest instrumentalists through a tribute of Harry Potter's mystical, magical melodies. Legendary English actress, Lynn Redgrave introduced each segment of music, while scenes from the past films played on a big screen. It only took a few notes of the xylophone for the audience of over 13,000 to sit in silence, reveling in the abstract machinations of J.K. Rowling, not to mention John Williams.

The second half of the concert was like a night outside with a tribute to the world's most famous movie soundtracks: Catch Me If You Can, Casablanca, Witches of Eastwick, Dracula, Superman, ET, and of course, so as not to disappoint the lightsaber-wielding attendees, Star Wars.

The Hollywood Bowl is, byfar, my favorite place to watch a concert. On a summer evening when the heat (even at 9:00 pm) can be bothersome, it's nice to sit outside beneath a cloudless sky, sipping champagne from a red plastic cup, and listening to music that you know you'll remember always.

logo [loh-goh]

Also called logotype. a graphic representation or symbol of a company name, trademark, abbreviation, etc., often uniquely designed for ready recognition.

Synonyms include: brand, trademark, emblem, imprint, symbol

A couple of months ago, I asked our very talented friend, Andrew, to design a logo for me. I'm not g0ing into business or anything (at least not anytime in the near future), but I just wanted kind of a "stamp" to put on my photos, letterhead...maybe a business card someday. I figured, I didn't have an idea of where to even begin making one up, so I asked someone who I knew knew a thing or two about design.

Andrew was gracious enough to use his time to do this and when he showed me the finished product, I was seriously, not only impressed, but really touched. He even created this "concept sheet" that talks about why he chose the font he chose and what, based on what he knew of me, would be an appropriate symbol. I really couldn't believe how much time he put into it and I'm so grateful. Thank you so much, Andrew!

To see how I paid Andrew back for his work, check this out.

Alrighty, I have another article to write and it's 10:55 pm. I just needed to warm up =)

Thoughts for the weekend...

"If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning."
~ Mahatma Gandhi

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Too Cute!

What My Kids Are Going to be Subjected to...