Wednesday, April 1, 2009

GPS

I recently had to drive from Cape Cod to a suburb of New York City, to a suburb of Philadelphia, to another suburb of Philadelphia - all in a day.
The amazing thing about this trip was - I didn't use a map. Of course, I used GPS. But this got me thinking about the impact of this one, small little technology. 
On the positive side - using GPS was super convenient. My brain didn't have to work to calculate the proper route.
On the negative side - My brain didn't have to work to calculate the proper route.
Okay, I'm not a Luddite, but I can't help wonder if all this technology isn't making our brains (and bodies?) more sedentary? By abdicating our mental tasks to technology, what does this portend for our future?
It reminds me of a brilliant quote from Scott Adams (creator of "Dilbert") - "The biggest impact of technology has been to allow us to do more unproductive things at a far more impressive rate."
Which, leads to reason #48 of why I love the piano: It's natural and uses the brain and the body. Then again, so does walking, running, bicycling, hiking, gardening, etc..  Maybe the thought for today is that 'natural and organic' may not just be good for your body, it may be good for your mind too!
Wishing you a natural, organic April.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Once I dreamed..

I was looking through some old sheet music over the weekend, and I found a song that I wrote when I was in College studying Engineering (I would later change my major to Music). The song (called "Once I dreamed") spoke about childhood fantasies like kings & queens, moviestars, & musicians...the refrain went like this:

Once I dreamed a thousand dreams.
The world was oh so fun and new.
What has changed in my life?
What has happened to the boy I knew?
His dreams are gone...

How depressing!  I was studying Engineering at the University of Connecticut because I was particularly good at Math and Science. I have no doubt that I would have made a very good Engineer and I would have earned a decent living. But here's the problem: I would have been miserable! I can see now how lucky I was to switch my major to Music. Even if it wasn't the most 'prestigious' or 'profitable' vocation, I knew that I needed to dedicate myself to something that I truly loved. So... I quit Engineering. That's right - I quit! 

Too many times, we're told to "stick with it", "never give up"... This can be good advice if there is a long-term advantage to sticking with it. But, if the purpose is to stick with it just to stick with it - no thanks! That's like giving up your dreams...

So, as the ides of March approach (March 15th), I'm looking hard at everything I do to see if there's anything else I can quit - I'd like to keep the world fun and new!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

"Nice Work If You Can Get It"

I was playing the piano this morning and came across a great song by George Gershwin. You've probably heard it at one point or another, but it seemed especially poignant considering the dearth of 'bad news' that is being published these days. "Nice Work if You Can Get It" was part of the 1930's musical "A Damsel in Distress"- but it's the opening line that really caught my attention:
 
The man who only lives for making money
Lives a life that isn't necessarily sunny
Likewise the man who works for fame.
There's no guarantee that time won't erase his name.
The fact is, the only work that really brings enjoyment
Is the kind that is for girl and boy meant.
Fall in love, you won't regret it.
That's the best work of all if you can get it.
 
Yes, money is important. Yes, having a job is important. However, these things change over time. Real riches lie in discovering those things that are timeless. What this Gershwin song says to me is that Love is one of those enduring riches that is worth searching for. It doesn't have to necessarily be love for another person - it could be love for a hobby, or even a place. "Fall in love, you won't regret it"...
 
The next time I read or hear a headline about the "sour economy", "sinking profits", "fraud" and the like, I'm just going to think about all the things in my life that I love - and I'll feel like the richest man in the world! It's nice work - if you can get it.