daily smile

  • balance,  California living,  daily smile,  mental health,  self care

    Well here we are

    Hi guys, I know I’ve been absent here for a while, and in the meantime the world has been turned upside down. I just wanted to let you know I’ve started a second blog at coronavirusdiary.net as an immediate response to these uncertain times. I began it earlier this week when my hometown of San Francisco announced a “shelter in place” order, and life as we knew it changed (albeit temporarily) in ways that I never imagined. I’ll still be posting here when I can, and actually have a couple of things already drafted that I’ve been working on over the last month or so, so make sure to check…

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  • artists,  conducting,  daily smile,  karma,  orchestra

    Daily Smile #2

    I came across this last week and cringe-laughed for a good few minutes. I’ll let you watch before I comment: Oh, where do I begin. I mean, I’ve certainly heard my share of horn clams and mistakes of all kinds and “wtf-are-you-even-playing-the-same-piece?” moments on the podium, but one of the fundamental things a conductor should do is to NOT REACT LIKE THIS. In this instance I’m sure the horn player was mortified enough with his blipped entrance without having to face that look of death (he even stops conducting! During a concert!). You don’t need to magnify a moment like this with pouting or histrionics on the podium. It doesn’t…

  • culture,  daily smile

    Daily smile

    Just something that made me happy this cloudy morning. It’s not often that I’m able to see the reaction of an audience as music is being played. The sense of delight is visceral, and it reminds me of why I love (most of the time!) what I do…