Random Thoughts in the Daily Life of a Musician

[johnrushflute]

Just some of my Traveler's Notebooks

[johnrushflute]

Simple, beautiful & ad-free. Read the manifesto:

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kintsukuroi

[violinonfire]

Benny Goodman, Vodka Hu$tler.

[leadingtone]

"(Not So Clear) Memories of You"

[johnrushflute]

Musicians from all ages and genres have been endorsing specific brands of alcohol for many, many years!

[johnrushflute]

2014 a New Year with Lots of Possibility

2014 a New Year with Lots of Possibility

As I sit here in a Panera Bakery on Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 5:04pm I am reminded of a past New Years Eve. It was December 31, 2004. I was at my friends house in Cincinnati. We were ringing in the new year with a lovely bottle of wine, some h’ors devours, and talk of resolutions. People were making the typical resolution. Someone wanted to loose 15 pounds. Another wanted to learn a new language. And there was even talk of learning a new concerto and even how to play a new instrument. When it came to me, I said I wanted to loose 15-25 pounds and then chuckled. One of the guests at the party was Sandra Miller, a wonderful pianist and faculty member at the University of Cincinnati’s College and Conservatory of Music. After I said my resolutions, she poked me a little further and asked what my true resolution would be. I told her to give me a few minutes to think about it and I would have something a little more concrete.

So, about 15 minutes went by and I had my resolution. I said that for me one day of the year really doesn’t mean much to me and that if I really am going to make a concious effort to try a new habit that I could begin this on any day of the year. But my resolution for the year was to live authentically.

She looked at me and said what on earth does that mean. I then told her that I wanted to be myself, truly be myself. Not being afraid of who I am. Not afraid to speak my mind. I want to totally own all of who I am as a person, embrace it, celebrate it, and share it. Time on this planet is so precious and so short. I don’t want to waste time with could have, should have, would have.

So That is my resolution again for 2014. Some very strange things have happened in 2013. A relationship began, flourished, and ended. I had some incredible performances including solo, chamber, orchestral, even ballet, just some amazing music to perform. I am further on my way to becoming fully certified and trained in the Suzuki Method. I completed Flute Book 2, Flute Book 3, and my Suzuki Principles in Action class. One chapter of my teaching career ended at ORU. This is a long story and is going to be of much discussion this year as there are many things about my 7.5 years of tenure at this institution that need to be shared in order that it can be of a guide and help others. Trust me, there are truly some very evil people in this world and they call themselves Christians and work at colleges and institutions that really are very unhappy people. All I can say right now is that I have a renewed energy and focus. I am very glad that this one chapter of my life is closed.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday season. Here is wishing you all the best for the new year! Cheers!

[johnrushflute]

Just A Few Photos From The Year #flipagram made with @flipagram Music: American Authors - Best Day of My Life

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1.Stop posting negative sh*t about celebrities on social media. Miley Cyrus does not care what you think about her haircut, Justin Bieber does not care what you think of his tattoos and Gwyneth Paltrow couldn’t care less regarding what you think about her diet. 2. Stop resenting yourself for drunk texting your ex. Sure, its a little embarrassing, but at least you’re addressing your feelings. Not that you should aim to drink an entire bottle of rum then see what happens, but… roll with the punches. 3. Leave the country. If you don’t have money, look into doing charity work abroad. Some programs will sponsor you. 4. If you hate your job, quit your job. Repeat after me: THE MONEY IS NOT WORTH IT. Food and shelter are clutch though, so make sure you have another job lined up. 5. Stop beating yourself up for skipping the gym on days you truly didn’t have time. But also, stop skipping the gym on days you had plenty of time to go. 6. Make up — not to be confused with make out — with an ex. 7. Rid yourself of enemies. Apologize for what you did wrong and forgive those who have wronged you. 8. Rid yourself of “frenemies.” Don’t spend 2014 surrounded by people you secretly despise. 9. If you think somebody is cute, say “hi” and introduce yourself. Every relationship you have ever had started with a greeting. 10. Leave your phone number for someone. Worst-case scenario: you won’t get a call and maybe you’ll feel a tiny bit embarrassed. Regardless of the outcome, you put yourself out there and probably made the other person’s day. 11. Stop caring about how many people “like” your Instagram photos. If you like the photo enough to post it, what else matters? Social media anxiety is a waste of time. 12. Cross something off your bucket list. Sky dive, bungee jump, scuba dive, etc. Don’t make excuses as to why you can’t accomplish something, and check out 13. Stop hating yourself for eating dessert. A piece of birthday cake is a right, not a privilege. 14. Keep a journal. It doesn’t have to be something you use daily, but documenting your experiences is incredibly important. You’ll appreciate it later. 15. Strengthen relationships with family members. Blood is thicker than water. 16. Help strangers. “Pay it forward,” do good things for the world — and don’t post a Facebook status about it. 17. Conquer a fear. Personally, I fear Bikram yoga. 18. Turn off your smartphone at dinner. 19. Don’t check your Twitter feed when you’re with friends. 20. Try a fashion trend you never thought you could pull off. And, do it with confidence. Floppy hats, snap backs, Harem pants; you can do it! 21. Double-text without fear. THOU SHALL NOT BE IGNORED! 22. Shop locally, eat locally and recognize where your money is going. Consumers control the economy, so visit the mom-and-pop coffee shop down the street instead of Starbucks. Shop at boutiques rather than chains (they aren’t all expensive — trust me). Try Etsy.com instead of retail conglomerates. 23. Cry. When you’re happy and when you’re sad; embrace your emotions as they come. 24. Stop being so shallow. Next time you find yourself judging someone based on his or her appearance, imagine the person standing in front of you saying, “I’m beautiful.” You’ll start to believe it. 25. If you want someone to commit to you, vocalize it. Don’t settle for being someone’s “f*ck buddy” if that isn’t what you want. “Together” is the waiting period between “talking” and “dating”; purgatory shouldn’t last forever.

25 New Year’s Resolutions Every Person Should Actually Make for 2014, Elite Daily (via brookeyfbaby)

I love every single one of these… Perfect for 2014.

(via prettyandfit)

[johnrushflute]

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[johnrushflute]

Here are a few things that I have learned from my 40 years of life on this earth.

Here are a few things that I have learned from my 40 years of life on this earth.

  I have been thinking quite a bit lately. So much has been going on in my life, both incredibly good and incredibly bad, that I thought I would write a little something to remind myself and help others. Being the type of person I am, I am quite good at abstract things and lists. For some reason abstract free form writing was not working, so I resorted to my love of lists.

  Below are some universal truths that all religions have a stance on. Please read, contemplate, and share with good intentions.

    1. If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all.

2. If you don't have the guts to say it to someone's face, don't say it all.

3. Not everyone is going to like what you have to say. And that’s ok.

4. Not everyone is going to like what you do. And that’s ok.

5. You have to be able to live with the consequences of your actions.

6. If you cannot live with the consequences of your action, rethink what you are doing.

7. You are never going to please every one, stop trying.

8. Life is short. Live life as if tomorrow were your last day.

9. No one ever said life was going to be easy.

10. Nothing in life worth doing is ever easy.

11. The challenges and hurdles we go through make us each unique individuals.

12. Although there are challenges and hurdles, remember that every person is going through a difficult time with something in their life. Always be kind.

13. In the words of William Grant Still "We all rise together, or not at all."

  If we remember these, and learn to treat each other with dignity and respect how can we as a society fail?

[johnrushflute]

On Friday, November 15, 2013 and Saturday, November 16, 2013 I had the wonderful please to share the stage with Natalie Merchant. I have been listening to Natalie Merchant since I was I kid. The first time I heard her voice was listening to the 10000 Maniacs album Blind Man's Zoo, and in particular "Verdi Cries".

I was in total bliss over the weekend. I got to spend over 7.5 hours on stage with Natalie Merchant. The show was amazing. It was wonderful to see someone totally embracing all of who they are on stage. She was the writer,  she was the composer, the arranger, and performer. So much talent and poise on stage in one little package. If you ever get a chance to see her live in concert with her orchestral tour you will be amazed. It is two hours of some of the most haunting, beautiful, lyrical music you will hear.

[johnrushflute]

I am not sure if I have shared this here. I am performing The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams. This is one of my favorite pieces. Enjoy!

[johnrushflute]

Just a truly wonderful and inspiring song!

[johnrushflute]

Random Quotes for Thought

Following in the same vein as the last post. Here are some inspiration thoughts. Please use them and share them. They are and have been helping me through a difficult time.

An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.- Buddha

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. - Buddha

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. - Buddha

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. - Buddha

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. - Buddha

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. - Buddha

  Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace. - Buddha

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. - Buddha

[johnrushflute]

10 Thoughts on Spirituality

I first saw this on Buddhagroove.com The first quote come from the Gospel of Thomas. Yes this gospel is not in the bible as we know it today. It was discovered in 1945 and has been something that I have been fascinated with recently. 

1. Jesus

That which you seek is already here, but you do not recognize it. (The Gospel of Thomas)

  2. Buddha

 No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.

  3. Lao Tzu

Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?

  4. Hinduism

Go within yourself, and what you achieve there will overshadow your imperfections. (Sri Chinmoy)

  5. Bahai

With the human soul, there is no decline. Its only movement is towards perfection; growth and progress alone constitute the motion of the soul.

  6. Sufism

If you wish to find what you are looking for, remove that which hides your heart. (Kabir)

  7. Zen Philosophy

With the sound of water falling into a stone bowl, suddenly the dust of your mind has been washed away. (Sen-No-Rikyu)

  8. Judaism

Let your heart become ever more humble so that you may give yourself equally to all. Then you will be capable of meditating. (Isaac of Acco)

  9. Catholicism

If a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark. (St. John of the Cross)

  10. Classical Philosophy

Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look.  (Marcus Aurelius, Roman)

[johnrushflute]

Rehearsing Saint-Saens’s Messe de Requiem this evening. Concert Saturday.

This was my view all evening.

[johnrushflute]

Русский Язык

All of my friends and family know of my love for all things Russian. From their music, history, language, literature, countryside, food, and films I have a love for this country and its people.

I studied Russian while working on my DMA at Indiana University. I have the opportunity to use my Russian on occasion but I can tell in the 10 since I graduated from IU that my Russian is a little rusty. So I have purchased Rosetta Stone Русский Язык levels 1-5 to give me a good refresh and kick start to furthering my Russian Language skills.

So I am going to post here my thoughts on the Rosetta Stone program and my progress. Now it should be noted that I do have 1.5 years of university level Russian class experience in my past so my results will be much different than a true novice of the language. Check back for future posts.