Välkommen!

I aught to be writing in my journal, but as the poet Rives points out, 4 a.m. is a terrible time. Certainly there are better times to attempt cogent, meaningful thoughts on life and art. I confess I'm not even sure how to proceed beyond the name. What are the chances anyone will follow my streaming thoughts on choral music, all things Scandinavian, ballet, philosophies of art, religion, and my journeys into family history? Anyone out there?

Here are some of the notes I scribbled as I sat here trying to choose a title and concept:

Pianos, Podiums, and Predecessors
The Art of Oaks
Music, Dance, and Miscellaneous (I didn't use this because "miscellaneous" is an adjective, and I don't like the sounds of "miscellaneousness.")
Oaks and Acorns
Music, Dance, and Mormonism
(Something with "movies" or "Sweden" would also have been very appropriate.)

I thought about starting off with "Musings..." which means "meditations." That definition made me curious about the word "amusing," which does not connotate something meditative. One obsolete definition, however, is "to occupy the attention of; absorb."

Incidentally, a few nights ago I jotted down the themes to a recent family-friendly movie because they tickled me: "benign aliens, psychic abilities." In junior high I attempted to foster my innate psychic abilities, but I found prayer was faster and more dependable than my fancy imagination.

One more morning thought: pleasure-seeking is as successful as most treasure hunts. I rented a metal detector a few summers ago and found a relatively recent penny as well as a beautiful baby seal. I assume that most treasure hunts are equally unfruitful. Lasting pleasure requires real hard work. Some of my favorite memories as a piano performance major at BYU include walking home night after night at 11:00 p.m. It was the hard work that made me so happy, as well as the opportunity to have a private, spiritual moment under the stars. (Occasionally I would pick a hand railing for stretching and pliés or a stretch of pavement for jumps and petite allegros.) Lasting pleasure also comes through beautiful, soul-stirring experiences; discovery and learning; charitable service; soul stretching (thanks for teaching me about that, Devin); living true to one's self, God, and the people around him. Finally, joy lasts well beyond the moment of high art. I experienced that many times as a student at BYU in the choral conducting and piano programs. I have also been uplifted by the artistry of Ballet West (and BYU) dancers.

My innagural hour is now up, and I am off to bed.