This early morning (and I mean 5am early!) I had the opportunity to hear Senator Hillary Clinton speak in Des Moines. Last week, Joel had asked for volunteers to attend the the townhall format meeting. There are not too many people in the office who are morning people. I'm one of the them and volunteered myself. Hillary was going to talk about healthcare and what her plans are if she were to become president.
I was interested in going because there is a very strong possiblity that she may be the first woman president of the United States. Moreover, I'm all about new experiences and this is most definitely something I've never done before. Hillary was going to be interviewed live by Good Morning America hence the 5am arrival at the Science Center.
When I arrived at the Science Center, I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people in attendance considering the time. I guess she has lots of supporters. We started sitting at 5:30am and Hillary arrived at five till 6am. The Good Morning America segment lasted a good hour and a half and there were opportunities for people to ask questions.
What struck me the most about Hillary is the fact that she is a very intelligent, articulate, enigmatic and approachable individual. Throughout the entire Good Morning America show, she definitely captured the people in attendance and she was a person who has been around the block before. She also comes across as a very confident person. Overall, I was impressed by what she had to say and agree with her proposal for a universal healthcare system in the United States. Now, I've not heard other candidates speak live, and I would like to have the opportunity to hear them speak, but from what I gathered, it's no surprise that Hillary is right up there in terms of garnering support for her campaign. I know of people who would not vote for her because she's a female, but I see nothing wrong with that. Maybe it is time for a female president!
It will be interesting to follow her campaign in the coming months. Believe it or not, the next Presidential Election is not that far away. Things are only going to get more exciting in the coming months. It helps that the Iowa Caucus is held in Des Moines. Those times are always exciting.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
The Spirit is alive!
Yesterday evening, I drove up to Ames for the Soweto Gospel Choir concert. If you've not heard of this group before, they are made up of a group of people who belong to different African churches and sing in those choirs. More on the choir later in this post. Before I went to the concert, I met up with Nora Tobin, a former religious education student on mine who studies at Iowa State University and Misty Heinen who is the campus minister at Iowa State. The three of us went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner and since it was a Lenten Friday, we did not have meat. Nora and Misty were seated together and the irony of it all is that we ended up sitting in the same row almost fifteen seats apart!
I read up a little on Soweto and they seemed really impressive. They even won a Grammy Award last year. I knew I was in for a "wild" ride with this group. The opening song definitely caught all our attention. It was nice when different members of the choirs did some introduction to the songs. They sang in at least four different languages. To say they sounded stunning would be an understatement. What really caught my attention was how much they were enjoying themselves. You could see it in their dancing and on their faces. It's one of those things you just can't fake.
Many of the songs were very inspiring and uplifting at the same time, you could feel/sense the pain and anguish on some of the songs that talked about hardship during the time of oppression. It's been twenty years since African countries achieved democracy and like one of the choir members said, they are still celebrating!
Another observation that brought a smile to me was the audience participation. There were more than a couple of Africans in attendance and they were "partying" with the choir. Needless to say, they brought a certain energy with them and it showed. It was as if the choir fed of their energy. Towards the end of a concert, it kind of felt like a mini praise and worship session which is not all that bad. As long as everyone had a good time, it was well worth it. We the audience gave the choir a long well deserved standing ovation.
Two words would sum up the performance best - inspiring and uplifting.
I read up a little on Soweto and they seemed really impressive. They even won a Grammy Award last year. I knew I was in for a "wild" ride with this group. The opening song definitely caught all our attention. It was nice when different members of the choirs did some introduction to the songs. They sang in at least four different languages. To say they sounded stunning would be an understatement. What really caught my attention was how much they were enjoying themselves. You could see it in their dancing and on their faces. It's one of those things you just can't fake.
Many of the songs were very inspiring and uplifting at the same time, you could feel/sense the pain and anguish on some of the songs that talked about hardship during the time of oppression. It's been twenty years since African countries achieved democracy and like one of the choir members said, they are still celebrating!
Another observation that brought a smile to me was the audience participation. There were more than a couple of Africans in attendance and they were "partying" with the choir. Needless to say, they brought a certain energy with them and it showed. It was as if the choir fed of their energy. Towards the end of a concert, it kind of felt like a mini praise and worship session which is not all that bad. As long as everyone had a good time, it was well worth it. We the audience gave the choir a long well deserved standing ovation.
Two words would sum up the performance best - inspiring and uplifting.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Epiphany
Yesterday evening, the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) had its quarterly meeting and social. Since I’m a member of the DNA and had nothing going on, I went to the meeting. Moreover, the meeting was held at the new Gateway Market (www.gatewaymarket.com) that’s due to open on April 17th. I’ve been reading quite a lot about this new grocery store and was curious to see what it looks like from the inside. In a sense, I got to kill two birds with one stone.
The meeting itself went fine although I was a little unhappy because it started twenty minutes late. I expect meetings to start and end on time – it has a lot to do with growing up in an army household! Looks like there’s going to be quite a lot of development taking place downtown in the next couple of months. I like that since it’s in my neighborhood.
After the meeting, we were served some food prepared by George Formaro who is the owner of South Union Bakery and also one of the partners for the new Gateway Market. George also is the owner/chef at “Centro” – a New York Style restaurant a block and a half from where I live. While nibbling on the food, I got to talk to the general manager, assistant manager and also the person in charge of ordering wine for the new market. One can’t help but be excited for what’s to come at the market. They told me that feedback so far has been extremely positive and a lot of people can’t wait for it to officially open. I signed up to attend the soft opening. That should be pretty interesting.
So, what does all of this have to do with my epiphany? Well, after I got back to my apartment yesterday evening, I started thinking how I just do not like socializing especially with people I do not know. I feel as if I’m forced to start or be part of small talk that just don’t mean anything to me. I read somewhere that almost seventy percent of the population are extroverts (highly sociable) and the rest at introverts. I definitely belong to the latter group. Dad for example is an extrovert in every sense of the word – he thrives being around people and that just invigorates him. I, on the other hand am so much more content being alone. I read a good article by Ester Buchholz entitled “The Call of Solitude” about the notion of being alone and loneliness. The crux of the article says that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being alone and it is society’s (extroverts’) notion that says something is out of whack.
While at the meeting, most people knew one another and were chatting away while I on the other hand was “gasping” for air so as to not stick out like a sore finger. Some people would call it shyness but I beg to differ. I just saw it more as wanting to hear the latest developments taking place downtown and really could not care less about all the different small talks that were going on. For some reason, the fact that I was not involved in any small talk bugged the heck out of me. That’s where the epiphany came about. I should just learn to accept the fact that I, an introvert will always find it uncomfortable in most social settings. There’s not point in trying to become who I am not and be unhappy. So, it’s pointless for me to be involved in more groups (tempting as it may sound) because it does nothing but stress me out. At the end of the day, it’s much easier said than done. I guess that’s why there’s such a small group of close friends who will call and check up on me to make sure I’m OK since they’ve not heard from me. Few people truly understand how much effort it takes on my part to convince myself to get involved in something or to be sociable. That’s the reason why it’s so much more comforting and relaxing to connect with people on a one-on-one basis in a small intimate setting.
I guess I’ve read enough about my personality to know about it, but I needed this epiphany for it to really make sense and I’m glad it did. So, don’t think I’m crazy when I spend time ALONE in the library or a bookstore or go to the movies by myself. It’s something that I love doing and will continue doing. No extrovert will convince me or can tell me I’m weird because I’m not and I know I’m not. I just belong to a minority group of people who are content being alone and we’re not going anywhere!
The meeting itself went fine although I was a little unhappy because it started twenty minutes late. I expect meetings to start and end on time – it has a lot to do with growing up in an army household! Looks like there’s going to be quite a lot of development taking place downtown in the next couple of months. I like that since it’s in my neighborhood.
After the meeting, we were served some food prepared by George Formaro who is the owner of South Union Bakery and also one of the partners for the new Gateway Market. George also is the owner/chef at “Centro” – a New York Style restaurant a block and a half from where I live. While nibbling on the food, I got to talk to the general manager, assistant manager and also the person in charge of ordering wine for the new market. One can’t help but be excited for what’s to come at the market. They told me that feedback so far has been extremely positive and a lot of people can’t wait for it to officially open. I signed up to attend the soft opening. That should be pretty interesting.
So, what does all of this have to do with my epiphany? Well, after I got back to my apartment yesterday evening, I started thinking how I just do not like socializing especially with people I do not know. I feel as if I’m forced to start or be part of small talk that just don’t mean anything to me. I read somewhere that almost seventy percent of the population are extroverts (highly sociable) and the rest at introverts. I definitely belong to the latter group. Dad for example is an extrovert in every sense of the word – he thrives being around people and that just invigorates him. I, on the other hand am so much more content being alone. I read a good article by Ester Buchholz entitled “The Call of Solitude” about the notion of being alone and loneliness. The crux of the article says that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being alone and it is society’s (extroverts’) notion that says something is out of whack.
While at the meeting, most people knew one another and were chatting away while I on the other hand was “gasping” for air so as to not stick out like a sore finger. Some people would call it shyness but I beg to differ. I just saw it more as wanting to hear the latest developments taking place downtown and really could not care less about all the different small talks that were going on. For some reason, the fact that I was not involved in any small talk bugged the heck out of me. That’s where the epiphany came about. I should just learn to accept the fact that I, an introvert will always find it uncomfortable in most social settings. There’s not point in trying to become who I am not and be unhappy. So, it’s pointless for me to be involved in more groups (tempting as it may sound) because it does nothing but stress me out. At the end of the day, it’s much easier said than done. I guess that’s why there’s such a small group of close friends who will call and check up on me to make sure I’m OK since they’ve not heard from me. Few people truly understand how much effort it takes on my part to convince myself to get involved in something or to be sociable. That’s the reason why it’s so much more comforting and relaxing to connect with people on a one-on-one basis in a small intimate setting.
I guess I’ve read enough about my personality to know about it, but I needed this epiphany for it to really make sense and I’m glad it did. So, don’t think I’m crazy when I spend time ALONE in the library or a bookstore or go to the movies by myself. It’s something that I love doing and will continue doing. No extrovert will convince me or can tell me I’m weird because I’m not and I know I’m not. I just belong to a minority group of people who are content being alone and we’re not going anywhere!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
More concerts.
This week I went to two concerts. The first was by this Russian pianist who is at the most twenty years old. His playing was impeccable to say the very least and he still has years ahead of him. Yesterday evening, I went to the Doc Severinsen and his big band farewell tour concert. Doc is most famous for being the musical director when Johnny Carson was with the Tonight Show. He played some jazz and big band music. It was a great time. Too bad there were not too many people in the audience. It was a fundraiser concert for the DM Symphony Youth Academy. Those of us who were in the audience thoroughly enjoyed the concert.
Oh, I forgot to mention that on Friday, Joel and Kathy, Dave and Cindy, Jim and Barb and his daughter, Claire and her boyfriend, John went to the Chinese restaurant. We had more than enough to eat and the food was once again spectacular to say the very least. One thing that all of them had never had before was jellyfish and the best way for me to describe the texture to them was to say jellyish! I did not tell them what it was until after they tried it. It's funny how they liked it initially but when I told them what it was, the reaction changed for some! Overall, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the dining experience and like Joel said, it's something he's definitely never had before. The way the food was prepared and tasted was so different than any Chinese meal they all have had. That was the intention! Before we left, there was another big group that came in and they too were all speaking and ordering in Cantonese. The chef/owner remembered who I am and he said the next time I bring a group, just ask for him and to talk to him on the phone. He even came out after the last dish was served to ask if there was enough food. I asked everyone and there was more than enough. Joel loved the sea bass the most because it was so flavorful. I'm so happy everyone had a good time. I brought my camera and the intention was to take photos of the food, but everyone was so hungry (me included) that the only photos I took were of our dining party.
Weatherwise, it's been really warm and it's supposed to be ub the mid 60's on Monday before going down to what it normally is (mid 40s-50s). What's nice is that the snow is really melting and it's great to see different signs of spring. That's pretty much it from me for this week. Nothing too much happening in my neck of the woods.
I just remembered, last Sunday, Cindy Brunkan called me up after I left a message on her phone a couple of days back and she told me that she's now engaged! I'm so happy for her because she deserves to be happy. Her fiance, EJ is a great guy and I met up with the both of them last summer when I went to the ordination in St. Louis. Cindy said the wedding would be in the spring of 2008 at the very earliest. This wedding would be great because it will be gathering of old Drake friends. Can't wait for that celebration! Over the years, Cindy has had some unfortunate things happen to her so it's really neat to see her all happy and to know that things are going great with her.
Oh, I forgot to mention that on Friday, Joel and Kathy, Dave and Cindy, Jim and Barb and his daughter, Claire and her boyfriend, John went to the Chinese restaurant. We had more than enough to eat and the food was once again spectacular to say the very least. One thing that all of them had never had before was jellyfish and the best way for me to describe the texture to them was to say jellyish! I did not tell them what it was until after they tried it. It's funny how they liked it initially but when I told them what it was, the reaction changed for some! Overall, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the dining experience and like Joel said, it's something he's definitely never had before. The way the food was prepared and tasted was so different than any Chinese meal they all have had. That was the intention! Before we left, there was another big group that came in and they too were all speaking and ordering in Cantonese. The chef/owner remembered who I am and he said the next time I bring a group, just ask for him and to talk to him on the phone. He even came out after the last dish was served to ask if there was enough food. I asked everyone and there was more than enough. Joel loved the sea bass the most because it was so flavorful. I'm so happy everyone had a good time. I brought my camera and the intention was to take photos of the food, but everyone was so hungry (me included) that the only photos I took were of our dining party.
Weatherwise, it's been really warm and it's supposed to be ub the mid 60's on Monday before going down to what it normally is (mid 40s-50s). What's nice is that the snow is really melting and it's great to see different signs of spring. That's pretty much it from me for this week. Nothing too much happening in my neck of the woods.
I just remembered, last Sunday, Cindy Brunkan called me up after I left a message on her phone a couple of days back and she told me that she's now engaged! I'm so happy for her because she deserves to be happy. Her fiance, EJ is a great guy and I met up with the both of them last summer when I went to the ordination in St. Louis. Cindy said the wedding would be in the spring of 2008 at the very earliest. This wedding would be great because it will be gathering of old Drake friends. Can't wait for that celebration! Over the years, Cindy has had some unfortunate things happen to her so it's really neat to see her all happy and to know that things are going great with her.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Music, nothing but glorious music.
Yesterday evening, John and I went to the DM Symphony performance and the guest artists were Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway - both flutists. Now, I'm more of a oboe kind of guy, but to hear them play the flute was music to my ears. I may just have to rethink the oboe because the way the flute was played yesterday definitely gave the oboe a run for its money. A number of regular season subscribers did not show up as it had to do with the weather, but those of us who were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the performance. The more I hear the DM Symphony perform, the more I'm amazed how good they sound. Thank God for student discount tickets! John and I have already signed up for next year's season and Joshua Bell will be opening the season. Talk about an upcoming amazing DM Symphony season.
The big news for the week had to be the weather. We had a blizzard on Thursday and it was kind of fun to say the least. Now, I don't have to worry about the traffic since I take the bus but I'm sure the rest of the people who were stuck in traffic did not share my sentiments. Joel let staff who lived in the outskirts of DM leave early. I had no reason to leave early. Moreover, the office needed someone to cover the phones. Initially, the weather really was not bad, but when I drove to church for Mass, within the hour, you could tell things were getting nasty. I made it back to my apartment fine and that's pretty much where I stayed the whole evening. Looking out my window, you could tell it was a blizzard.
On Friday, the agency functioned with a bare bone staff and Joel treated us all to lunch. There were maybe six or seven of us who were in the office and it was fine. I had more than enough work to keep me busy, but in a sense things were kind of eerie since the phone barely rang, and there were so few people in the office. Des Moines did not get the brunt of the snow as later that evening, watching the news you could see how high some of the snow drifts were in the different parts of the state. Two events that I had planned to go to were cancelled which was fine. One of the events, I had already gotten tickets for another performance so that was not a big deal. For the other performance, I'm not sure if they will be refunding us the money or rescheduling it. One way or another, it really does not matter to me.
That's kind of the news for the week really. The weather forecast for this week is warmer weather which means melting snow. I don't think we'll be getting any more snow, but this is Iowa and you can never tell when it comes to weather!
The big news for the week had to be the weather. We had a blizzard on Thursday and it was kind of fun to say the least. Now, I don't have to worry about the traffic since I take the bus but I'm sure the rest of the people who were stuck in traffic did not share my sentiments. Joel let staff who lived in the outskirts of DM leave early. I had no reason to leave early. Moreover, the office needed someone to cover the phones. Initially, the weather really was not bad, but when I drove to church for Mass, within the hour, you could tell things were getting nasty. I made it back to my apartment fine and that's pretty much where I stayed the whole evening. Looking out my window, you could tell it was a blizzard.
On Friday, the agency functioned with a bare bone staff and Joel treated us all to lunch. There were maybe six or seven of us who were in the office and it was fine. I had more than enough work to keep me busy, but in a sense things were kind of eerie since the phone barely rang, and there were so few people in the office. Des Moines did not get the brunt of the snow as later that evening, watching the news you could see how high some of the snow drifts were in the different parts of the state. Two events that I had planned to go to were cancelled which was fine. One of the events, I had already gotten tickets for another performance so that was not a big deal. For the other performance, I'm not sure if they will be refunding us the money or rescheduling it. One way or another, it really does not matter to me.
That's kind of the news for the week really. The weather forecast for this week is warmer weather which means melting snow. I don't think we'll be getting any more snow, but this is Iowa and you can never tell when it comes to weather!
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