How Many Other Things Are We Missing?

OK, I hope that I am not violating any copyrights by posting this. It was sent to me in an email and I like it so much that I wanted to post it here. I have no idea where the email originated.

A Violinist in the Metro



A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tugged him along, hurried but 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. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 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. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. 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 his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100.

Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

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Worldly Teas Are Their World

Friday, as I was driving around Cool Springs, acquiring job applications from every possible retailer in the area, I noticed a little shop that I feel sure I have passed well over a thousand times in the years since it has opened. In fact, I passed it three times that day before deciding to stop in and see what it was all about. The shop is called World Cup of Tea. You can imagine what their specialty is.

Having recently cut sodas completely out of my diet entirely, I have been drinking tea instead. Being far from a tea connoisseur, I decided to try and broaden my horizons, and hopefully flavor options. Until then I had been limited to Starbucks tasty, but insanely overpriced, limited selection; and, whatever I could find in the tea section of my favorite grocery store.

I was unsure what to expect, other than a lot of stuff related to tea. It was a good thing I was not expecting anything in particular, because I was shocked enough as it was. I thoroughly enjoyed the establishment, don't get me wrong. The young gentleman with whom I spoke was not only very helpful; but was quite a joy to talk with as well. The decor and ambiance of the place were what took me pleasantly off guard.

Upon entering I saw that the entire right side was merchandise for sale with several display- only pieces mixed in. But, not quite the merchandise selection I did expect. Of course, there was a wide variety of tea pots, cups, mugs, saucers, etc. But, there were none of the "gadgets" I would have thought they would have. I saw no modern- day brewing machines or infusing pots. In fact, I do not even recall seeing a travel thermos. Although, the latter is something I could have easily overlooked. There were no boxes of pre- bagged teas such as what one would find in their local market. Rather, they have nothing but loose leaf teas which are for sale by the ounce. There is a board with little tins, each having a different type of tea in it, for customers to smell, look at, read a description of, and choose from. The prices per ounce seemed to me to be quite reasonable. Usually much cheaper than buying the typical box elsewhere. Each of the teas was very unique, and I'm sure that any and every one could find a flavor to their liking.

There was a relatively small counter in the back at which an order can be placed for tea by the ounce, or by the drink. It seems they can even make tea lattes, something I will be going back for very soon. There was also a display cooler with various types of edible goodies, all of which are perfect compliments to tea I am sure.

It was the left side of the room which surprised me. It was set up for seating, in the same fashion I would imagine a British tea room would look. There were two formal looking tables, one of which was sectioned off from the rest of the room by a white see thru canopy. Closer to the counter was what appeared to be a more relaxed seating area with a couch. I didn't pay a great deal attention because it was occupied, and I did not want to seem rude. Although the "tea room" side struck me as being modeled after something from an English monarchy, the overall decor was even more ecclectic. There was a very relaxing asian theme throughout much of the shop which, in my mind, perfectly balacned out the staunch formality of the British influences.

Overall the atmosphere was quite wonderful. The people were very friendly and knowledgeable, and the prices quite reasonable (something not often found in Williamson County). I am quite looking forward to another visit to this wonderful little boutique and sitting down to a warm tea latte and possibly a good book. But who knows, having noticed their offer of free wifi, maybe I will take my computer and write my next blog post from the comfort of their couch.

Trying to stop the resurrection of long forgotten memories

A million thoughts all rushing through at once
Out of control in an unstoppable downward spiral
Emotions and feelings suppressed for so long
Now struggling to resurface
Bringing with them memories of a time long ago
Desires, once so close to being fulfilled
But crushed, and buried deep within the soul
Acceptance of rejection and
Friendship found in solitude
Memories of happiness
Bring now tears of sorrow and pain
Sleepless nights and solemn days
The restless soul seen through an empty gaze

© 2007

"A Goodbye"

Though I hope it's remembered
How much I have loved my friends,
My time is soon coming,
I can see my own end.

Being here has been great,
But soon I must go.
It's almost time I left
And paid poor Charon's toll.

And if it's asked of that day
For whom the church bells tolled.
I hope it's said, "'twas Hearts,
Who had one of gold.

She often heard of love,
But she knew only angst.
Tho for the friendships she had
She always tried to show thanks."

My gold heart has tarnished
It's no longer shiney and clean.
I hope that an unawakened sleep
Will allow me an unending dream.

For I'm always too good a friend
To ever be seen as a lover;
And each interest I have,
I get to watch with another.

© 2007

ONE LAST HIT

It's all good times while something is needed. As is happens, she knows someone who not only has what she needs; but that is willing to do anything to please her… just so she will stick around a little bit longer. Having her around is an intoxication of sorts for this poor soul- feeling good for the moment. Because of this larger-than-life feeling of exhilaration they get from her mere presence, they are blind to the truth of how they are being used. On the rare occasion that they see, in a brief moment of clarity, the reality of the situation, it hurts so deeply that they immediately go running back for just one more fix; hoping that this time it will last. But each "last fix" breaks them down just a little bit more- emotionally, physically, and eventually, spiritually as well.

The young girl does her best to hide the fact that her "companion" is merely for temporary use. Making it even harder for them to see the ways in which they are being used. And the possible ways are endless- money, convenience, company, meals, and- when necessary- perhaps even more intimate and personal frivolities.

It's all good times until another man appears in her life, offering up all of these same amenities and more. More is offered, because it will surprise no one to see her with this man. He is what is expected of her when it comes to companionship & love. No one will even so much as bat an eye at the two of them together. Except, maybe, to remark upon how perfect they are together.

It is at this point that this poor soul who has devoted far too much to the young girl will become nothing more than a memory of a time that the girl once knew. Just as the drug dealer occasionally remembers that one customer who just kept coming back for one last hit.

© 2007

"Released"

Caged emotion
Unleashed all at once.
Memories escape
Of a past kept hidden
Suddenly freed
For others to know

As the stories are shared
Of this time long ago
She feels the power within
Beginning to grow.

Through the darkness
She sees light
The binding restraints
Melt away like ice.

Her eyes are opened
Body and soul are freed
Spreading her wings
She prepares to flee.

Past wrongs laid to rest
An unknown future awaits
Down a newly found path
An yet unmarked by fate

© 2007