Cache of the Day - Getting Coined

After a recent presentation on Leadership that I provided to the Indiana National Guard, I was pleasantly surprised when the General "coined" me. I had heard of the military tradition, and I knew it was some sort of an honor, and I took it as such. Check out my picture of my coin.

The General - before presenting the coin to me - told me that he awarded this for exemplary performance and he felt that my presentation had a profound impact on his people (I had about 70 in the audience) and that I probably didn't even realize the extent of the impact since I wasn't familiar with the individuals. He said the activities I provided and the course of the topic was perfect for creating a sense of leadership amongst the individuals and set the teams up for a greater understanding of how to create a synergy of leadership, regardless of their "rank".

He then displayed his open palm with the coin you see here, and then shook my hand, thereby placing the coin into my palm.

I was flattered and honored and my half day with the Indiana National Guard created in me an even greater awe of the strength and conviction of our armed forces.

Click here to learn more about the coining tradition in the military.

Cache of the Day - Young Talent

I've been involved in several recent classical music events that have involved incredibly talented high school kids.

Here's some shots from the BSO's "Young People's Concert" where, in addition to the BSO musicians sitting side-by-side with high school students from Bedford and Bloomington, selected soloists also play concerto selections to highlight their talents.


A similar concert was held in Indianapolis where the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra held their Side-by-Side concert and also featured selected soloists. Our conductor of the BSO was guest conductor, so of course we had to see and support this concert, and we celebrated afterwards with a reception.






But nothing is as outstanding as seeing my daughter Taylor play her clarinet in the Mitchell High School band, which had its "Winter Into Spring" concert this past Monday. The best concert of all!

Cache of the Day - Getting Snowed In

Okay, I didn't actually get snowed in - the storm wasn't THAT bad - but it sure was nice to wake up and be surrounded by a snowy blanket and not have to GO anywhere.

I did get out and about and had a run around Eagle Pointe. Here are some shots.

This is my condo.

Here is a path that I run on.










Here's the clubhouse.










My steps through the virgin snow.






Just a great view.

Cache of the Day - My Pal

After being the best pals in college, my friend Andy Anderson met up again in Phoenix last year. Andy - being the tech-wiz he is - found me by googling the Internet and then sent me an email. Taylor and I went to Phoenix last year for Danny and Ally's wedding, and Andy and I had a chance to get together.

And this year, Andy came to Indiana. Being the world traveler that he is, he knew that he just couldn't pass up Bloomington.

Although I was working while Andy was here, and then got SICK, we still had a chance to explore Bloomington. Andy went off to Louisville by himself, as well as French Lick, and then we had a chance to visit Indianapolis together, and got to see the U23D show at the IMAX.


Here we are at Spring Mill State Park near Mitchell.

Best of all, we had some great "catch up" time. We're not planning to wait 30 years before we see each other again!

Cache of the Day - A HOT Night in Old Vienna

Saturday was a great event, with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra playing throughout the night during our annual fundraiser "A HOT Night in Old Vienna". We played three sets of music, including Viennese waltzes, rhumbas, tangos, foxtrots, and cha-chas. I mostly played flute and piccolo, but I did get to sing a tango called "Hernando's Hideaway", and I did get to dance a bit as well.


The food was very much comfort food (a Viennese-style buffet) and a cash bar was available as well. Taylor and Davie came but I don't think they danced much. I think they (well, Taylor) just enjoyed getting dressed up.


Which of course, is always fun.

Cache of the Day - Real Snow for Skiing

Last week I had a chance to get some Real Snow Skiing at Powderhorn in upper Wisconsin by the U.P. of Michigan. Having most recently - and for the last several years - been resigned to skiing on a pseudo-hill with fake snow in southern Indiana, this was a real treat!
Although Paoli Peaks (the pic of Taylor is at that resort) has its advantages (close to home, easy runs), it doesn't provide nearly the thrill of higher elevations, fresh snow, and a great variety of runs.

The weather was perfect for skiing as well! What a fun day!

Cache of the Day - dot dot dot

I must admit. I'm a bit limited in my music preferences. I've had friends educate me and I am generally open to listening to something not in my preferred genre (Broadway show tunes - that's about it, and the occasional classical composer and Christian songs). I've discovered Chris Botti and Jamie Cullum and Straight No Chaser and Jon McLaughlin and like them all. But nothing prepared me for dot dot dot.
My co-worker and good friend, Erin Waltz and I, were "exploring" Bloomington after a Chamber After Hours this past summer and we ended up at Jake's, a club catering to the Indiana University crowd. If I'm out with Erin, I'm usually just along for the ride, and honestly not too crazy about these places. The band is too loud, the floor is too sticky, and the patrons are generally obnoxious.

But when we got in the general vicinity of the stage, something happened. I think it was the music first (80's and 90's cover), and then the general look of the band (an awesome Asian girl on lead guitar, a buff mountain-biking female bass player, and a crazy looking drummer). But then I saw Adam, the lead singer, and was entranced. I walked to the stage like I was a zombie possessed. I loved Adam's voice and his smile. I was pretty sure he was a guy, but that was questionable. That didn't matter. There was no guy-gal attraction for me. It was all about how Adam was drawing in the crowd, the physical-ness of the performance, the obvious enjoyment he got from entertaining, and how he loved the audience. I was hooked.

Erin and I kept track of their visits to Bloomington (the band is from Chicago) and didn't miss any of their subsequents gigs. We started to get quite a following of others we would invite to the shows, and now there is quite a slew of us that open up our calendar to make sure we see them when they're here. We are the most faithful fans!























During one of their visits this past Fall we had a chance to meet them after that show and they told us they wouldn't be able to come back for awhile because they were going to Los Angeles. They were fairly evasive about the trip, but next thing we know, they're a finalist on The Next Great American Band! We kept up with their weekly performance and were quite impressed with that they were one of the last four (although CLEARLY they should have placed FIRST!).




Adam promised, when we saw him last, that they would be back to Bloomington as soon as they were done, and Adam has kept his promise! We are looking forward to seeing the show on January 25 at The Blue Bird. Join us if you can!