Celebrating Joni

With apologies up front to one faithful follower of this blog (who tells me to get out of the musical "past"), I feel compelled to join the legions of people who have written rapturously about Joni Mitchell.

Thanks to my brother, I just watched a concert DVD called "Painting With Words & Music" (1998). Although I've admired Mitchell since 1968 and own most of her recordings, this was the best 90 minutes I've spent in front of my TV in years. The span of material covered goes from "Big Yellow Taxi" & "Woodstock" (both substantially re-worked from the versions on her 3rd release - 1970's "Ladies Of the Canyon") to "Comes Love" (mis-named on the DVD credits as "Nothing Can Be Done"), the jazz standard written in 1939 that she would later record on "Both Sides Now" in 2000. The Mitchell recording that gets the most attention here (with 4 songs) is 1976's  "Hejira". This fact alone made me ecstatic; "Hejira" is among my favorite of her records.

The band is wonderful, especially on the nicest surprise - Mitchell's cover of Marvin Gaye's "Trouble Man". Although I missed hearing any songs from "Blue" or "For the Roses" or especially from "Mingus", given the caliber of her musicians, these are minor quibbles. Join me in celebrating Joni, one of the treasures of 20th century music.    

Contagious Intelligence

When someone who lives with us or we work closely with gets sick, we are more prone to getting sick. When we are with other people and they start yawning, we often start yawning. Lately I've been reflecting on the possibilities & benefits of contagious intelligence.

What if we purposefully and consistently surrounded ourselves with the smartest people we could find? How could it not rub off in some way? It is possible this is the reason I sometimes pick books to read that are out of my reach. Once I get past my internal conversations about my lack of complete understanding, I feel better; smarter, even. And the times I'm able to put aside my defensiveness, posturing, and need to be right, I'm grateful if someone I know corrects me making an error of any kind. Infect me with your intelligence, I want to say. Given my ego, I've discovered I learn better in an environment where I don't know anyone so that silly stuff doesn't have as much chance to get in my way. How about you?

What suggestions do you have to help me & others increase the risk of contagion? When/where/how are you most susceptible to it?

Daily Poetry

In Barbara Kingsolver's 1988 novel "The Bean Trees" the main character, a young girl from rural Kentucky, is surprised to learn that an educated man she admires thinks her language is poetic. In particular, the man cites her use of the word "hogwash". As I read this brief passage, I began recalling some daily poetry I've heard recently. Listen and you'll come up with plenty of your own examples.

* A new friend told me she doesn't comment on blogs but likes instead to "lurk"
* My daughter described the melody of a song as "haunting"
* Another friend described some difficulty in his marriage as a "squall"

I get such pleasure hearing words like these and love it when I can recall and use them myself at the right moment like my friends and daughter did. Poetic words are often simple; skilled authors like Kingsolver remind us of that. I've been collecting these little jewels in a journal for several years. Even if you're not a word geek like me, I'd still like to hear which words are daily poetry to you.

Celebrating 1000 Views/Request For Help

Today, I am celebrating. The "stats" feature on this blog site has tallied over 1000 views since my first entry on March 15. This exceeds my expectations; thank you to anyone who has read even one post.

I genuinely appreciate the people who have commented after any post, especially given the hoops the hosting site gives you to jump through. Apologies to those who have been frustrated trying to get a comment to stick; I've communicated with the hosting site about this. Bottom line: You have to keep hitting enter/"post comment" until a password (a series of random letters) appears in a text box at the bottom of your screen. Once you re-type in that unique password and hit enter a final time, your comment will post. Thanks also to all who have given me feedback about the blog format & content. Now, my request.

If you've read enough to form an opinion, please tell me: If this blog were a book, what section of the bookstore would it belong in? I'd welcome your answer to that via e-mail, phone call, smoke signals, etc. For anyone I don't know personally (I know from the stats there are at least a few people in that category since the blog has had views from outside the US!), your input will have to be via making a comment following this post; sorry. From the beginning, I've been aiming for a tone that avoids negativity or whining, excessive advice giving, pseudo-intellectualism, embarassing confessions. I'm also curious to know how well any of you think I've stayed away from those traps.

Last: To those who have signed on as "followers" - thank you, thank you, thank you.

Levels Of Communication

Before we first played, a new tennis partner of mine asked me what "level" player I was; I had no answer since I've never had a tennis pro (who have criteria they use to evaluate these things) observe & then "grade" me. A few years ago when I attended a National Guitar Workshop I was asked a similar question about my level of playing. I was able to answer that a little better because the workshop brochure supplied some guidelines for identifying your own level. And I know there is a rigorous and fairly accurate process for determining what level of chess player someone is; this assists players in matching themselves with players at a similar level.

I'm thinking there's a business opportunity here (steal it if you like): Think of the benefits there could be if there were criteria or a brochure with guidelines or a rigorous process that could help each of us learn what our current level of communication was. Then, depending on our personal goals, we could seek out others below, at, or above our own level. And how about a shop where we could each go to get a communications "tune-up" to keep us operating at optimum level? There could even be niche businesses, just like the shops where they work on only domestic or foreign cars. So one shop would be for generalists in communication,  another that just specializes in the use of words, another for listening or writing, etc.

How many levels? How to upgrade to a higher level? Who does the assessing? All good questions - your ideas? 

The "F" Word

No, not that "f" word. I'm talking about flexibility.

At a family gathering today (now there's an "f" word for you - family, but that's enough blog material for a  year, isn't it?), I said I wouldn't describe either my sister or I as flexible. I was quick to say I don't think either one of us is rigid or even necessarily real inflexible (I was probably being kind to myself there.)

When my sister asked me what then I meant by flexible, I took my cue from the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI). The MBTI would not use the word flexible to describe a person who likes to be in control more than not (me), i.e. directing others more than not (as opposed to being directed by others - me again). Putting aside the MBTI, what's your take on this particular "f" word? How closely do you find it to be aligned with the concept of control? Where do you put yourself on a flexibility continuum?

The MBTI is something I've studied and used in my work for many years. I like it because even though it doesn't use labelling/judging words like rigid or inflexible it provides other useful distinctions I've found to be helpful in my endless journey to self-awareness. Aside from weighing in on your view of the "f" word, I'd also like to know which of you has had experience with the MBTI and what it has taught you.

Returning To An Earlier Love

From 1978 ("The World According To Garp") through 1998 ("A Widow For One Year"), I read six books by John Irving; he was a favorite author of mine (and many others) during those years. But midway through "Widow...", I began to notice how often (through his characters) he takes swings at his critics. In addition, the quirkiness of some of Irving's characters began to become a little tiresome for me; I decided to take a break. In the fall of 2008, while renting a vacation home, the only book lying around that had any interest for me was Irving's "The Fourth Hand". After finishing it, I thought I was done with him for good.

So when my book club recently selected Irving's "Last Night At Twisted River" (2009), I first thought I'd skip reading it and not attend the meeting. I'm so glad I changed my mind and returned to John Irving. He is still swinging at his critics; his characters are still quirky. But I quickly re-discovered what had always drawn me to him - he revels in these characters he creates, including the unpleasant ones (in "River..." that would be the relentless sheriff). And Irving uses those characters in the service of his gift: he is a master storyteller. Try not to be moved when the son whispers "she bu de" in Korean to his father near the end.

Returning to this earlier love has me reflecting on others I might return to. How about you? Who (or what) have you left behind that is calling to you? Pay attention to the signs.


p.s. Thanks to my friend Sue for suggesting that I occasionally "review" a specific book. Although this hardly qualifies as a review and I've mentioned several books and authors in passing in this blog over the last several weeks, Sue's suggestion inspired me to go into a little more detail about one book/author. I'm curious if any of you have other ideas for me. 

A Rare Reversal?

In my experience, people are usually disappointed when novels are adapted to film; I largely share this viewpoint. Which of you has experienced a rare reversal, i.e. when a movie adapted from a book is better than the original?

I recently re-watched "Jaws", a terrific action movie with three exceptional lead performances, including a young Richard Dreyfuss. As I watched it, I recalled the Peter Benchley book the film was based on. For any of you who read and remember that book, I'm curious if you would agree that this is indeed a rare reversal. More to the point, which novel to film adaptations represent a rare reversal for you?

How about a "less" rare reversal (at least I think it's less rare)? What was the last song you heard remade that you felt surpassed the original? I know this is an apples to oranges comparison but it intrigues me, I'm interested in your views, and after all, this is my blog so I can ask whatever I want.