Ancient Computer ~ I Mean a Really Ancient Computer

I love watching all kind of programs.  After a busy week/weekend getting ready and celebrating Easter, I was ready to sink my TV viewing teeth into something.  I found just what I needed - Nova's "Ancient Computer" which aired April 3rd, 2013.  The show was intriguing and thought-provoking.  I found myself glued to the screen as the story unfolded.

From Amazon - "An unpromising lump of metal found in a 2,000-year-old shipwreck turns out to be an extraordinary treasure: the world's first computer.  NOVA follows the ingenious detective work that painstakingly discovered the truth about the ancient Greek device: it was an astonishingly sophisticated astronomical calculator and eclipse predictor, unrivaled until the era of modern science and believed to be from the workshop of Archimedes."

Just 60 minutes in length so it's not a big investment of your time.  I found my self saying, "Amazing" and "Wow" throughout the show.  If you enjoy documentaries and history, this show is definitely worth 60 minutes of your life.

I'm not sure how long PBS will have the video up but you can find it on your local PBS station and at this PBS video link.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Fish! Sticks ~ Make Change Stick

In my search for help as I "Change" the status quo with the three services and choirs I'm working with now, I discovered this "gem" of a book.

It's an easy read and I've learned a lot in a subtle, fiction-reading kind of way.  The main things I'm taking away from this book are:

1 - "Attrition is a fact of life, but turnover is preventable."

2 - "Find IT (our IT = personalizing the vision/goal), Live IT, Coach IT"

3 - My favorite part - these thought provoking questions...

• In your day - when do you know that you're living your vision/goal?
• What is the experience you're trying to create for your _______/customer/self/choir member?
• How do you personalize your vision/goal?

Thanks for visiting!  Reia

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da ~ Life Goes On...

Hope all is well with each of you.  One month and 7 days into my new job as Music Director for our Catholic Church in town, I'm still getting my bearings and finding my way.

As I sit pondering what needs to be done "next", I realized I wanted to let you know - all's well and "Life Goes On".  I love the Beatles song "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" and have been singing it today.  Here's the YouTube link in case you want to enjoy it yourself.

Also - I'm reading some good books on "Leadership", "Team-building" and "Change" that I plan to share this week.  If you have any suggestions, I'd appreciate them.  They were blessed to have the same director for 16 years and now - "Ta Da" - it's my turn.

Love to all and thanks for visiting ~ Reia

A Lover of Intrigue - Decoded

I love a mystery!  The biggest mystery I've ever worked on is my Family Tree but that's a story for a different time.    I've been catching up on the show "Decoded" on Amazon Prime.

While they don't always "solve" the mystery, it's thought provoking and provides history for the subject.  I'm always walking away with a "hmmm" when the episode ends and have more curiosity about the subject than I did when it started.

I just wanted to pass this on.  Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Dogs, Dogs and more Dogs

This weekend we were dog-sitting.  Fritz was there - (you can see a better picture of Fritz here) for the night and we also had Josie for the first time.  (Josie is sitting with Bill.)  Fritz spends his time with us in my chair.

At one point Bill told me - "It's like having children again."  They were chasing each other, trying to figure out who the other one was and it was very busy for the caretakers - us.

Anyway - it was fun and we're still enjoying this new venture.  Thanks for visiting!  Reia

Blue Skies over Coastal Georgia

Sometimes the skies where I live are just breath taking.  Yesterday was one of those days.

After my piano lessons were finished, I ran into Walmart looking for more notebooks to finish the choir's Easter music notebooks.

When I came out, I was greeted to this beautiful sky...

I've never seen clouds look quite like this before.

  Anyway - I wanted to share a small view from my part of the world - the South.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Carnegie Hall, Lesson Plans and Suggestions...Please?

I love all of my students but I'm having a whale of a time playing "Tag - You're It" with one special student.  We're exploring Music History.  We started with the 1890s and made it through to the Dave Matthews Band.  Now we're just plain having fun.  This week is my turn and next week is his turn to suggest the subject and plan the lesson.

This week I chose "Carnegie Hall".  I've already learned so much about Carnegie Hall as I've worked on our lesson plan.  I thought you might enjoy what we'll be using and what I've found interesting.

This is the 4 minute assignment I gave him before we meet this week.  I hope you find it interesting also.  Carnegie Hall's Opening Night 1891

From Wikipedia - Carnegie Hall

Now my question is - any good suggestions of what we should study when "Tag - I'm It"?

Thanks for visiting and for your suggestions.  Reia