Now that I've returned from the land of Naarts: Thoughts that have been swimming in my head

[capri0mni]

Nimbered, but not necessarily in this order:

1. On Friday, I caught an "essay" at the end of The Newshour with Jim Lehrer that really struck a chord with me (unfortunately, it's not one of the segments they have available online). Essayist Richard Rodriguez mused on how, for many people in today's American culture, singing is something we only let ourselves do in private -- in the shower, or in the car, with the windows rolled up -- as long as we're sure no one can hear us. He points out that, for many of us, we're surrounded by music all the time, in background music in stores, or walking around with iPod earpieces in our ears, but that communal singing has become a lost art, and that even in many of the larger churches, the worship music is often produced concert pieces, and members of the congregation have become listeners rather than singers.
   
   That's something I've noticed, too, and I really miss it: no one goes carolling door-to-door at Christmastime anymore (at least around here); just records of carols playing in the background at parties, that no one really listens to. I think it boils down to a basic fear of hitting the wrong note, and being mocked for it. And really, comparing your own talent to a highly-produced commercial album is like comparing your looks to the photos of models in fashion magazines. Which is sad. I've always sung for myself, even in public. Not having someone to sing with me is one of the great sorrows of my life.



2. Might have been earlier on Friday ... or maybe it was Thursday... there was a repeat of Oprah that struck a different, sour, chord with me. Her stock "relationship expert" was repeating the old saw "You cannot expect your partner to make you happy; in order to have a healthy relationship you have to fix all your flaws by yourself, or you'll just bring both of you down" (or words to that effect). I've grown up with that saw drummed in my ears by the culture since I can remember (probably since the '70's, when the whole self-help industry really started hitting its stride). There's a verse from one of my favorite songs:
   

   The water's wide, and I can't cross over,
   And neither do I have wings to fly.
   But give me a boat that can carry two,
   And both shall row, my love and I.

   
   I've been afraid to get in that boat, because, for years, I thought I was too weak to row, and would just weigh the boat down. But really, the only way you get stronger is to pick up the oars and start pulling, and pulling together. That's why that "fix yourself" advice annoys me.
   
   Part of that hangup may also come from the fact that I had to stay in the hospital for operations several times between the ages of 4 and 12 -- especally the earlier ones. I couldn't understand exactly what was happening, or why, but I got the (unintended) messege: "You're broken, you we need to take you away from the people you love most; you can get back with them after you're fixed." :::Sigh:::



3. naarmamo brought back memories of high school art classes, and discipline of doing 5 observation drawings a week. It really is easier for me to see the people and places in my imagination if I practice by paying close attention to things in the real world, first. When we were in high school, our art teacher gave us bound composistion books with blank, unlined paper for our drawing diaries. I'm thinking of buying a fresh one for myself, and doing that again. Maybe I'll do it from photos in magazine ads, because those are all shot to convey different energies or ideas.
   
   
4. I thought up a meme this week, too.... but I'll post that seperately.



5. A few weeks ago, I saw an early morning educational science show aimed at the tweeners, and they gave instructions for how to make your own fizzy drink: stir an acidic juice (like lemon, lime or orange), sugar and water together, then add a bit of baking soda -- the chemical reaction will create carbon dioxide gas, and make it bubbly, just like store-bought soda. I watched it, and thought: you can't be serious! That's bound to taste yucky... But I got bored, and decided to try it. And it was really good. You really don't taste the baking soda very much at all, and because some of the acid is absorbed in the chemical reaction, you need a lot less sugar to reduce the pucker effect of the lemon juice. I now have a theory that that's why "lemonade" = "fizzy drink" in Britain: sometime, way back when, someone figured out thqt they could substitute some of the really expensive sugar for the less expensive bicarbonate of soda, and still end up with something drinkable. Oh, and also: When you stir baking soda into red raspberry juice, it turns a dark, bluish purple, just like litmus paper. I bet adding a few drops of lemon juice would make it pink(er) again. This not for folks on a low-sodium diet, but it might be a fun demonstration to do, if you're hosting a "Harry Potter" or "Mad Scientist" themed party, or you have to do something for your science fair, and you want to do something more original than the vinegar and baking soda "volcano."

Oh, and I think I'll be switching to these eyes for my default lj icon... I think it's time for a rotation...

Comments

[brassfire.livejournal.com]

1. Yes, it's very sad. I'd go caroling if I had someone to go with (safety issues, not performance anxiety, lol!)

2. It's better if two people can be their own selves and both row together strongly, if not, at least try not to row in opposite directions!

5. Cool!

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

1. It's always more fun to go caroling with friends, and it's easier to convince people that you're doing it with a purpose, rather than just being a mad person wondering the streets at night. Also, you can't really get harmony, or sing a round (which is what "carol" originally meant), if you're singing solo.

I kind of have this fantasy of organizing a wandering kazzoo band. And, to encourage participation, we could hand out kazzoos to the people who answer the door -- kazzoos are the least intimidating instruments on the planet. ;-)

2. Well, you can row together, and even spell each other from time to time, but it's best if you keep your own hands on your own oars.

5. Indeed. I'm currently working on refining my recipe for lemon-ginerale. When I get it just right, I'll post it here.

Singing

[barbarafett.livejournal.com]

I am very blessed to go to a church where everyone still sings during worship. I'm in the choir of the congregation up by my college, and singing with that choir is one of my favorite parts of every week. If you want someone to sing with, I'm willing to install Skype and have a singalong sometime. (Skype is a program that allows you to have telephone conversations over your computer.)

Re: Singing

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

That's neat.

Do you need broadband for Skype? 'cause I'm still on dialup...

Re: Singing

[barbarafett.livejournal.com]

The system requirements on their website say, "broadband is best, GPRS is not supported for voice calls, and results may vary on a satellite connection." There's no mention at all of dialup, so... most likely not. :(