Moments
2015 was a full year indeed, punctuated by dozens and dozens of musical, artistic, educational, inspiring and poignant moments. As this is a uniquely personal list, I recognize that it may hold far less interest and have less value to others than it does for me.
It is often the case in describing such things, that translating the experiences and their impact can be challenging—which is when the phrase, "I guess you had to be there..." comes to mind. This might well apply here but as a thorough assessment of the blessings of the year, I offer it for whatever value it may have for you.
Some of the moments have corresponding images or links, most do not .
1. Bridie (Fahey) Graney passed away—our wonderful Aunt, a fantastic role-model and complete sweetheart! She was one of the kindest and most hard-working of people I have ever met.
We remember her fondly!
This picture was taken with my Dad in the late 1950s in Chicago.
2. IRELAND: Crossroads of Art and Design CD:
Getting the content and logistics of the recording in place with Liz Carroll and Liz Knowles. A special
thanks to John and Pat O'Brien, without whose help and encouragement, the project could not have
happened. (Other notable supporters also 'came to bat' for it: RJO'Brien and Assoc.,The American–Ireland
Fund, O'Sullivan Antiques, Johnston Antiques .)
3. Off to Cozumel for a week with Patti to visit friends, Connie and Chuck--warm and relaxing, especially on the East side of the island where there are no cruise ships...instead, jungles, Mayan ruins and pristine beaches. Fantastic snorkeling as well...not to mention margaritas, etc.
http://www.cozumel.travel
http://www.cozumel.travel
4. Opening of the Art Institute's IRELAND: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840 exhibit on
St. Patrick's Day along with the start of a steady stream of visitors and events connected to it.
(177,000 people saw it!)
http://www.artic.edu/ireland-crossroads-art-and-design-1690-1840
http://irishecho.com/2015/05/exhibitions-evocative-cd-creates-sense-of-majesty/
Miscellaneous, in between 4 and 5:
Another April's Fool's Day passes without an incident perpetrated by Liz Carroll http://lizcarroll.com
Jimmy Keane composed a tune called the "April's Fool" to commemorate an (in)famous incident eons ago when Liz invited Jimmy and I to play at a (fictitious) Bernie Upton Campaign Event downtown for "serious money", or NOT....needless to say, in the era before cell phones,the caper went a tad "pear-shaped", as they say in Ireland.
Clearly we are still friends--but I sleep with one eye open around this time of year !
http://jimmykeane.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqXFlAErQXo
Another April's Fool's Day passes without an incident perpetrated by Liz Carroll http://lizcarroll.com
Jimmy Keane composed a tune called the "April's Fool" to commemorate an (in)famous incident eons ago when Liz invited Jimmy and I to play at a (fictitious) Bernie Upton Campaign Event downtown for "serious money", or NOT....needless to say, in the era before cell phones,the caper went a tad "pear-shaped", as they say in Ireland.
Clearly we are still friends--but I sleep with one eye open around this time of year !
http://jimmykeane.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqXFlAErQXo
5. Gavin and I visit Three Floyd's Brewery in Indiana, the source of some of his favorite beers--I'm a fan too.
6. Visit to Connor at school for his fun ATO event....quite the face!
On a completely different wavelength....
First saw "Cheeky the Horse" video! What a fun horse! We have lived with horses for 14 years now and they never cease to amaze me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=637CvxMGKlc
On a completely different wavelength....
First saw "Cheeky the Horse" video! What a fun horse! We have lived with horses for 14 years now and they never cease to amaze me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=637CvxMGKlc
7. Fleadh Cheoil:
(Irish music competition) in Cincinnatti with the Ryans yields trip to the Taft Museum (great) and some priceless, almost "Hallmark" moments... This trip also resulted in my starting to lend a hand with music lessons, a somewhat daunting but satisfying endeavor. http://www.taftmuseum.org (Taft Museum--originally founded with the Irish immigrant wealth of David Sinton from Armagh) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Sinton |
8. "Ceili at the Crossroads" : Closing ceremony concert at the Art Inst., great Party at the O'Briens afterwards.
http://www.artic.edu/event/concert-irish-music Sorry to see something that took five years to create and was so magical, come to an end. But I'm focused on the fact that it was indeed magical and that I met some incredible people because of it. Exhibit closes down in early July.. |
9. However, the long-suffering kitchen and bath remodel at home....
was still on-going! (It started in November 2014...) Long, sad story.... suffice to say that we literally had to wait for a pivotal person (connected to the cabinets and their paint finish on the job) to get out of jail (yes, really) in which he was kept for 3 months (yes!....and no, it wasn't me!) Aaaaarrrgggghhhh.....
When my son Trevor walked in to see it and said, "So Dad, given your experience and what you do for a living, how did this happen to you?!" ....I was at a loss for words—thankfully!
was still on-going! (It started in November 2014...) Long, sad story.... suffice to say that we literally had to wait for a pivotal person (connected to the cabinets and their paint finish on the job) to get out of jail (yes, really) in which he was kept for 3 months (yes!....and no, it wasn't me!) Aaaaarrrgggghhhh.....
When my son Trevor walked in to see it and said, "So Dad, given your experience and what you do for a living, how did this happen to you?!" ....I was at a loss for words—thankfully!
10. Accompanied Edel Fox at the house concert at
Sean and Clodagh Ryan's house
http://www.edelfox.com
Sean and Clodagh Ryan's house
http://www.edelfox.com
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12. Our 30th Wedding Anniversary: I am blessed! Hard to believe that 30 years have gone by--thank you dear Patti--how have you done it?!
Miscellaneous....in between 12-13:
My niece Aimee Mc Laughlin http://www.aimeemclaughlin.com sent me the link to the insightful/profound radio interview, The Inner Landscape of Beauty featuring the late Irish poet and, I think, modern day "mystic", John O'Donohue. Aimee is a talented textile designer and knew that the likes of this interview would be appealing to me. Donohue's assessments and his unique ability to put words together in a way that unlocks and reveals "truths" was amazing.
http://www.onbeing.org/program/john-o-donohue-the-inner-landscape-beauty/203
http://www.johnodonohue.com
Recommendation: listen to the edited version first...if you like that, then listen to the unedited one which has more context and color
Mary Mc Donagh passed away--lovely lady who got me started on the piano! She was always encouraging and generous with young musicians and was possessed of a great sense of humor and memorable, infectious laugh!
Music in Peoria with Chicago Reel http://www.chicagoreel.com/the-band/
On the way down, I was introduced to the (6) "Martin's Life" short videos on You Tube--HILARIOUS!--by Pauline Conneely and Sean Gavin.
If someone told me that this was made in my Aunt's house with my cousins in Mayo I would have believed them!
Here's are a few of them:
(Small World)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtPVCZkI4y8
(Skyping the Sister) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AOS_9qTg40
(Christmas Eve) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcAaWc0eLvw
My niece Aimee Mc Laughlin http://www.aimeemclaughlin.com sent me the link to the insightful/profound radio interview, The Inner Landscape of Beauty featuring the late Irish poet and, I think, modern day "mystic", John O'Donohue. Aimee is a talented textile designer and knew that the likes of this interview would be appealing to me. Donohue's assessments and his unique ability to put words together in a way that unlocks and reveals "truths" was amazing.
http://www.onbeing.org/program/john-o-donohue-the-inner-landscape-beauty/203
http://www.johnodonohue.com
Recommendation: listen to the edited version first...if you like that, then listen to the unedited one which has more context and color
Mary Mc Donagh passed away--lovely lady who got me started on the piano! She was always encouraging and generous with young musicians and was possessed of a great sense of humor and memorable, infectious laugh!
Music in Peoria with Chicago Reel http://www.chicagoreel.com/the-band/
On the way down, I was introduced to the (6) "Martin's Life" short videos on You Tube--HILARIOUS!--by Pauline Conneely and Sean Gavin.
If someone told me that this was made in my Aunt's house with my cousins in Mayo I would have believed them!
Here's are a few of them:
(Small World)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtPVCZkI4y8
(Skyping the Sister) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AOS_9qTg40
(Christmas Eve) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcAaWc0eLvw
13. Visit to Santa Monica to see our son,Trevor.
Amongst other things, we went to the Getty Center and LACMA (LA County Museum)—very cool!
http://www.getty.edu
http://www.lacma.org
Amongst other things, we went to the Getty Center and LACMA (LA County Museum)—very cool!
http://www.getty.edu
http://www.lacma.org
14. Trip to Ireland (Cork and Dublin) and London.
Great visits with wonderful folks in Ireland: Joseph Walsh, Chantal O'Sullivan, Chris Johnston, Frances Ruane, James Hanley, Brendan Rooney, Miseon Lee, Noelle Campbell Sharp, Michael Mortell, Martin Fennelly, Rowan Gillespie; Kathleen Gavin--and others, as well as visits to the RHA, National Museum, National Gallery and St. Stephen's Green. London: visit to FRIEZE show,etc., and time spent with Colin Orchard, Wm. Laffan and the Hobarts; time spent walking through London--Hyde Park, the Brompton Oratory, Robert Young Antiques,etc.
http://www.nationalgallery.ie
http://www.rhagallery.ie
http://www.museum.ie/Archaeology
http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/dublin/ststephensgreen/
http://osullivanantiques.com
http://johnstonantiques.net
http://www.fennelly.net
http://michaelmortell.ie
http://www.bromptonoratory.co.uk/welcome#about
http://friezelondon.com (Without a doubt, one of the most bizarre events/shows I have ever been to! Complete 'crazy town'!)
http://www.robertyoungantiques.com
Great visits with wonderful folks in Ireland: Joseph Walsh, Chantal O'Sullivan, Chris Johnston, Frances Ruane, James Hanley, Brendan Rooney, Miseon Lee, Noelle Campbell Sharp, Michael Mortell, Martin Fennelly, Rowan Gillespie; Kathleen Gavin--and others, as well as visits to the RHA, National Museum, National Gallery and St. Stephen's Green. London: visit to FRIEZE show,etc., and time spent with Colin Orchard, Wm. Laffan and the Hobarts; time spent walking through London--Hyde Park, the Brompton Oratory, Robert Young Antiques,etc.
http://www.nationalgallery.ie
http://www.rhagallery.ie
http://www.museum.ie/Archaeology
http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/dublin/ststephensgreen/
http://osullivanantiques.com
http://johnstonantiques.net
http://www.fennelly.net
http://michaelmortell.ie
http://www.bromptonoratory.co.uk/welcome#about
http://friezelondon.com (Without a doubt, one of the most bizarre events/shows I have ever been to! Complete 'crazy town'!)
http://www.robertyoungantiques.com
15. Many times I have chided myself about missing too much
of my favorite season outdoors Autumn, not this year—it was great.
of my favorite season outdoors Autumn, not this year—it was great.
16. Tremendous visit of Rose Flanagan, Margie Mulvihill and a talented group of their music students—the first of many, I hope. Great music with all of them at the Ryans house.
17. Remodeling completed!
Finally, the finish painter got out of jail and luckily, I did not end up there with him.
(You can't make this stuff up!)
Finally, the finish painter got out of jail and luckily, I did not end up there with him.
(You can't make this stuff up!)
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18. Trip to Geneseo, IL: great time with Patti,
Joanne, the Franques and two wonderful little girl's--Faith and Hope Kuster--who had me wrapped around their fingers for several hours on a Saturday! From hide and seek to drawing to making a snow dog to sledding--it was a delight. Saw white squirrels for the first time (I kid you not!) and they are not Albino squirrels... http://www.untamedscience.com/biodiversity/white-squirrel/ |
19. IRELAND CD: approval from the 19 lenders, musicians, etc., for a public release of the CD.
(It had previously been available only during the run of the exhibit.)
Thanks to Bruce and Deborah Pfaff especially for enabling this to happen.
It will become available on Feb 15th in the following ways: www.cdbaby.com, www.claddaghrecords.com, www.ossianusa.com and directly from the musicians themselves at their gigs and concerts.
(It had previously been available only during the run of the exhibit.)
Thanks to Bruce and Deborah Pfaff especially for enabling this to happen.
It will become available on Feb 15th in the following ways: www.cdbaby.com, www.claddaghrecords.com, www.ossianusa.com and directly from the musicians themselves at their gigs and concerts.
20. 'Thank you' to some young parents:
A setting of the scene is in order...Dinner at our favorite little Mexican restaurant, just Patti and me.
Twenty feet away were two tables, one filled with seven young kids joking with each other, some looking at books, a couple looking at coloring books--some laughter, some wandering about the restaurant or going to the parent's table for a visit.
The adjacent table seated six, three sets of parents (in their mid to late 30s I'd say) of said kids. Occasional genial exchanges took place between the two tables, a "normal" level of engagement to answer kid's questions or to quiet them if they got a bit too loud. Generally a peaceful scene, but for reasons I'll explain, a rare one, (like seeing white squirrels) even an astonishing one. So much so, that when we were leaving I felt compelled to go over and congratulate the young parents! Can you guess why?
It wasn't because of what I saw but rather because of what I did not see—not single cell phone or an iPad or a single child sitting in awe of an electronic device! Not one! They were mostly engaged with each other or with a non-virtual item (book, coloring book) while waiting for and while eating their dinner. Simply amazing!
As mentioned above, I walked over to and congratulated the parents on what we had just witnessed--they laughed and smiled and actually made eye contact with me! Happy day !! ...perhaps they texted or tweeted someone about it as soon as we left....
Sarcasm aside...I worry (a lot) when I see young, middle and now older folks unable or unwilling to be with each other in a real rather than a virtual way. It's becoming more common. I have noticed increasing numbers of people sitting at tables waiting for their food or waiter and fully focused instead, on the, texts and news showing up on their phone. Meanwhile, very little eye contact--much less conversation with the person sitting next to or across from them. Part of me wants to ask why they did not go out to dinner with the person(s) on their phone instead! (Sarcasm back again...) Perhaps, we all need to take a harder look at this.
As you can tell, given this New Year's exercise, I am not a "Luddite" who is adverse to technology (or social media) and its potential/actual benefits. However, as Aristotle said so succinctly, "All things in moderation" and I fear that we are, as a culture, becoming quite robustly immoderate in this area of our lives.
The promise of cell phones and social media was the ease of communication and connectivity—while this has certainly come true, it has also resulted in the following: being ON 24/7; less complete thoughts and ideas being communicated; texts, tweets, posts and snap chats taking over in favor of real conversations, either by phone or in person. There is also a growing carelessness and insensitivity in the things that are often communicated because it is easy for some to hide (and feel invulnerable) when they don't have to be face to face to deliver their message.
I agree that certain social media outlets do provide a way to 'connect' at some level with people whom you might not otherwise get to be engaged with (because of where they live or because of where they fit into one's overall life), but it is, perhaps, a thin substitute for real connection sometimes. Enough said.
Like so many things I guess, all of this access to instant information/communication is a proverbial "double-edged sword."
(See the attached articles on the new challenges that teachers and coaches face with this.)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/style/2015/06/15/cellphones-school-teaching-tool-distraction/OzHjXyL7VVIXV1AEkeYTiJ/story.html
http://www.teachhub.com/advantagesdisadvantages-ipad-classroom
http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2014/12/27/phones-distract-athletes/
A setting of the scene is in order...Dinner at our favorite little Mexican restaurant, just Patti and me.
Twenty feet away were two tables, one filled with seven young kids joking with each other, some looking at books, a couple looking at coloring books--some laughter, some wandering about the restaurant or going to the parent's table for a visit.
The adjacent table seated six, three sets of parents (in their mid to late 30s I'd say) of said kids. Occasional genial exchanges took place between the two tables, a "normal" level of engagement to answer kid's questions or to quiet them if they got a bit too loud. Generally a peaceful scene, but for reasons I'll explain, a rare one, (like seeing white squirrels) even an astonishing one. So much so, that when we were leaving I felt compelled to go over and congratulate the young parents! Can you guess why?
It wasn't because of what I saw but rather because of what I did not see—not single cell phone or an iPad or a single child sitting in awe of an electronic device! Not one! They were mostly engaged with each other or with a non-virtual item (book, coloring book) while waiting for and while eating their dinner. Simply amazing!
As mentioned above, I walked over to and congratulated the parents on what we had just witnessed--they laughed and smiled and actually made eye contact with me! Happy day !! ...perhaps they texted or tweeted someone about it as soon as we left....
Sarcasm aside...I worry (a lot) when I see young, middle and now older folks unable or unwilling to be with each other in a real rather than a virtual way. It's becoming more common. I have noticed increasing numbers of people sitting at tables waiting for their food or waiter and fully focused instead, on the, texts and news showing up on their phone. Meanwhile, very little eye contact--much less conversation with the person sitting next to or across from them. Part of me wants to ask why they did not go out to dinner with the person(s) on their phone instead! (Sarcasm back again...) Perhaps, we all need to take a harder look at this.
As you can tell, given this New Year's exercise, I am not a "Luddite" who is adverse to technology (or social media) and its potential/actual benefits. However, as Aristotle said so succinctly, "All things in moderation" and I fear that we are, as a culture, becoming quite robustly immoderate in this area of our lives.
The promise of cell phones and social media was the ease of communication and connectivity—while this has certainly come true, it has also resulted in the following: being ON 24/7; less complete thoughts and ideas being communicated; texts, tweets, posts and snap chats taking over in favor of real conversations, either by phone or in person. There is also a growing carelessness and insensitivity in the things that are often communicated because it is easy for some to hide (and feel invulnerable) when they don't have to be face to face to deliver their message.
I agree that certain social media outlets do provide a way to 'connect' at some level with people whom you might not otherwise get to be engaged with (because of where they live or because of where they fit into one's overall life), but it is, perhaps, a thin substitute for real connection sometimes. Enough said.
Like so many things I guess, all of this access to instant information/communication is a proverbial "double-edged sword."
(See the attached articles on the new challenges that teachers and coaches face with this.)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/style/2015/06/15/cellphones-school-teaching-tool-distraction/OzHjXyL7VVIXV1AEkeYTiJ/story.html
http://www.teachhub.com/advantagesdisadvantages-ipad-classroom
http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2014/12/27/phones-distract-athletes/
21. Gavin and Ashley got engaged !!
We are so pleased and excited. Ashley is a great girl they are great for one another. All bias aside (well, not really) Gavin is a great guy too! 'Good on ya', as my Dad would have said. (The dog in the photo, was a 'photo-bomber'..not ours...)
We are so pleased and excited. Ashley is a great girl they are great for one another. All bias aside (well, not really) Gavin is a great guy too! 'Good on ya', as my Dad would have said. (The dog in the photo, was a 'photo-bomber'..not ours...)