Aspen love dancing so much. And we are very proud of her. Here are some pictures from some of her performances.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Missing out
This is from an email my wife sent me.
A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about
45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.
A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.
A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.
The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother moved him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace.
He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.
Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average price was $100.
Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?
One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, on a 3.5 million dollar instrument, how many other things are we missing?
A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about
45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.
A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.
A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.
The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother moved him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace.
He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.
Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average price was $100.
Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?
One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, on a 3.5 million dollar instrument, how many other things are we missing?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What a Day!
It's not the first time I'm proud to be an American. I'm always proud. But today is how are parents felt about Kennedy becoming President. It's that special. If the man does nothing else but give this nations it's identity back, that would be enough.
He has a lot a head of him. We can celebrate today, but get busy tomorrow. It's what tomorrow brings that means the most.
I am very proud to say I voted for Barak Hussein Obama.
Good luck Mr. President.
He has a lot a head of him. We can celebrate today, but get busy tomorrow. It's what tomorrow brings that means the most.
I am very proud to say I voted for Barak Hussein Obama.
Good luck Mr. President.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sunday with my dogs
Nothing beats taking my two dogs for a Sunday morning walk by the river. For a while I couldn't trust one of my dogs off of the leash. Casey would take off and would not listen, but for the last two weekends she has been a champ. I have been loving it.
Duncan has always listened. He listens to an extent. He would listen until he saw Casey take off. It was very frustrating.
But today when we went for our walk it was great except for the other dog owners weren't all that interested in a little play time. It seemed like it was more of a chore rather than fun. We ran into one set of dogs that were fun. A yellow lab and a giant 5 month old puppy. I'm not sure of the breed but it came up to my belly button. It was huge but extremely gentle. Casey and Duncan enjoyed the interaction. But after 10 minutes of play time it was time to take off.
It was nice and relaxing. And to top it off, on the way home I put in a Jack Johnson CD.
Great Morning!!!
Duncan has always listened. He listens to an extent. He would listen until he saw Casey take off. It was very frustrating.
But today when we went for our walk it was great except for the other dog owners weren't all that interested in a little play time. It seemed like it was more of a chore rather than fun. We ran into one set of dogs that were fun. A yellow lab and a giant 5 month old puppy. I'm not sure of the breed but it came up to my belly button. It was huge but extremely gentle. Casey and Duncan enjoyed the interaction. But after 10 minutes of play time it was time to take off.
It was nice and relaxing. And to top it off, on the way home I put in a Jack Johnson CD.
Great Morning!!!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
It's a Boy!!
We were really hoping for a girl. Something about a house full of princesses just made us smile. Jen took all of the internet tests and everything pointed to a girl. So naturally we're having a boy. We are really excited about it. Every princess needs a prince. This weekend Aspen is going to pick out a new blanket for the baby. She is even trying to talk us into a pair of pajamas. She will probably win because she always does. Here is the very first picture of our new baby boy!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Shady Lane Kennels
The most horrible person in Montana had her day in court (kind of). Shady Lane Kennels was raided a couple of weeks ago in Ballatine, Montana. The police took 189 dogs (Engish Shepards), 20 some chickens, and a cat. Needless to say there was some horrifying news. They found 10 dead dogs. One dog was found dead next to the owners bed. Three puppies were found dead frozen together. And it goes on. Then there was one dog who had a broken leg and the dog was so hungry it chewed it off.
This story has made me sick to my stomach. The worst part is the owner doesn't think she deserves any charges let a lone felony charges against her. What a piece of crap.
Here is an article if you want to read on.
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/01/14/news/local/22-kapsa.txt
This story has made me sick to my stomach. The worst part is the owner doesn't think she deserves any charges let a lone felony charges against her. What a piece of crap.
Here is an article if you want to read on.
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/01/14/news/local/22-kapsa.txt
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Happy New Year
I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2009. And I really hope everyone had a great and safe New Years eve.
This is going to be an exciting year for the Martin family. We are expecting our second child in May. It is so exciting. Aspen is going to be a great big sister. We find out in a couple of weeks if we're going to have a boy or girl. We haven't decided if we're going to tell anyone. Of course last time we couldn't find out. Aspen tucked the cord between her legs so we didn't know until a month before we were due.
2008 was a mixed year for us. We started the year fresh off a car wreck. It really sucked because we were 3 months a way from having the Explorer paid off. I still miss that car. So we got a Ford Expedition. Which naturally gas prices soared right after we got it. But on the good side we finally put a yard in. We've been in the house for 3 years and we finally put a yard in. It is great to have grass. Aspen loves it and the dogs love it. It takes a while to mow the yard but it's well worth it.
My cousin got married in August in Ogden, UT. It was great seeing everyone. We didn't get to spend much time with Matt but it was a blast seeing him get married. Aspen really took to Matt's kids. She even tried sneaking into one of their family pictures.
I went to Las Vegas in September to attend VMWorld. The conference was great but spending a week in Vegas was way too long. There only some many casinos you can walk through. Jen and I are hoping to go back for a few days this year.
And I saved the best for last. Jen and I have been married for 5 years now. Five great years. It went by very fast. Just to think of what's happened in those 5 years is amazing. 2 houses, 1 great daughter, 2 dogs, 1 cat and many great memories.
Well now that I am done reflecting, again I hope all of our friends and family a safe new year.
This is going to be an exciting year for the Martin family. We are expecting our second child in May. It is so exciting. Aspen is going to be a great big sister. We find out in a couple of weeks if we're going to have a boy or girl. We haven't decided if we're going to tell anyone. Of course last time we couldn't find out. Aspen tucked the cord between her legs so we didn't know until a month before we were due.
2008 was a mixed year for us. We started the year fresh off a car wreck. It really sucked because we were 3 months a way from having the Explorer paid off. I still miss that car. So we got a Ford Expedition. Which naturally gas prices soared right after we got it. But on the good side we finally put a yard in. We've been in the house for 3 years and we finally put a yard in. It is great to have grass. Aspen loves it and the dogs love it. It takes a while to mow the yard but it's well worth it.
My cousin got married in August in Ogden, UT. It was great seeing everyone. We didn't get to spend much time with Matt but it was a blast seeing him get married. Aspen really took to Matt's kids. She even tried sneaking into one of their family pictures.
I went to Las Vegas in September to attend VMWorld. The conference was great but spending a week in Vegas was way too long. There only some many casinos you can walk through. Jen and I are hoping to go back for a few days this year.
And I saved the best for last. Jen and I have been married for 5 years now. Five great years. It went by very fast. Just to think of what's happened in those 5 years is amazing. 2 houses, 1 great daughter, 2 dogs, 1 cat and many great memories.
Well now that I am done reflecting, again I hope all of our friends and family a safe new year.
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