Entering the Piano World

I've been studying Piano Technology through the Randy Potter School of PianoTechnology, and I'm having a blast.  My piano needed a tuning before I started, and now we have a somewhat in tune piano with some wild notes.  I'm loving every minute of practice.  The kids, not so much.  They have to be quiet and they have to listen to me miss pure unisons over and over, and they can't touch all my beautiful tools.  Piano Technology is the perfect mix of reading and hands on work.  If I don't work with my hands enough, I lose interest quickly.  If I don't learn the science behind what I'm doing, I feel aimless.  This course is the right fit for me and I've finally found what I want to do at the age of 35.

Spring!

Spring is here!  Last week at the park I noticed the pomegranate trees were blooming so I bought two varieties at the farm Market: Eversweet and Ambrosia.  I've never tasted either.
We kept them in pots since we're renting and when we get our land we'll probably build a greenhouse before we build a home.  As of today I also have a lemon tree and a fig.  As of today my trees are my only friends in town.

Ethical Clothes

For the past few years I have been concerned about ethical shopping.  I have always shopped at thrift stores, but have been more dedicated to clothes shopping second hand until I find companies who take steps to ensure that sweatshop workers are being paid and treated fairly.

Here is a series of short documentaries that will give you an idea of some of the conditions of sweatshops in Cambodia.

Sweatshop: What kind of life is this?

The fifth video in the series is the most powerful.  During the first episodes the Norwegian students seem to think that the Cambodian workers are unique in that, "They are used to it."  or "she has hips made of concrete" implying that sleeping on a concrete floor was comfortable for a Cambodian woman but not for them.  I was just as touched to see the changed attitudes of the students as I was to see how hard the Cambodian workers are fighting for their right to a living wage.  This realising that all people are "just like me" is a beautiful thing, no?

Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York touched on this here
in his speech at Harvard's business school.

My search now is to find out what else I can do.  Shopping at thrift stores is fine, but sewing my own clothes is better.  I have a few projects to work on for myself and I hope to share them as I find time to make them.

As I find ethical clothing companies that I would actually shop at, I will share them here.

 

New Music

I wanted to share a new-to-me artist who I just discovered on my Pandora raggae station.  I shamelessly listen to raggae whenever I need sunshine for the soul.  Anyway, Matisyahu has been around for a while, but I only recently discovered him.   His Hassidic days are intriguing.  But his lyrics are beautiful, soulful, holiness, and love.

Beatbox!!  I knew a dude in college who could beatbox.  It's one of the most impressive things to watch.

I can't stop listening to him.

Hello!

Hello!  I'm starting my studies as a piano technician today.  I'm excited...too excited, I can't sleep.  I'm overwhelmed...what do all these terms mean??  And nervous...I never finish anything I start, will I actually accomplish something this time??   My man is super supportive and the kids are going to support me and sabotage me at the same time.  As always.  Wish me luck!