A Little Sing-Along

Time and distance do a lot to alter one's initial impressions. So much can happen in the intervening weeks between the vacation and the transition back to reality that the glowing memories begin to fade. They do not tarnish, but their freshness, their vitality seep away, and it is difficult to evoke the intensity first experienced while traveling. Still, certain things can trigger an explosion of memories that instantaneously transport me back a few weeks ago. Perhaps the most effective for me is music.

I know that I am not unique in having specific songs remind me of certain experiences or people.  There has to be something about the nature of music that we humans instinctually grasp onto, and it certainly is something through which we can bond. I found this to be especially true with my touring companions in Croatia. Driving back from one of our hikes, there happened to be an uncharacteristic lull in the conversation. So, when a hush descends like that, it makes perfect sense to turn up the music. The selection from the day ranged from traditional Croatian music from the Dalmatian coast (a type of a capella choral called klapa) and Croatian music associated with the North (tamburitza, which explores themes of love and village life with the accompaniment of stringed instruments) to modern American pop music and classic American rock. And it was the distinct music stylings of the Eagles that elicited a good old-fashioned sing along.

An example of the tamburica

Several times, I had heard songs that reminded me of friends from college, from Chicago, and even from work. With those, I quietly mouthed the words, fondly thinking of whomever the song reminded. If any sound ever escaped, it was soft, carefully muted so as not to give away me away. But when the first few chords of "Hotel California" crossed the air waves, my ears immediately perked up and I began keeping time with the music, listening closely for the cue to make an entrance. It is not a song to sing under your breath, but one that demands being sung out loud with feeling. (Okay...so I say this perhaps as an excuse as to why I sang much more loudly before.I will even admit I was probably showing off a little since singing is one of those things I have been told I do well.) And so when the mesmerizing guitar solo at the beginning drew to an end, I didn't even bother singing softly. I joined right along with the others (who also felt the compulsion to sing) and let the song overtake me.

The fact that we could share this music, this song, meant something. Perhaps it was one of those instances where we ascribe far too much meaning to a simple occurrence, but I would like to think not. (Something which I often do, I admit.) The fact that Tom, Marty, Davor and I could sing along without inhibitions or self-consciousness struck me as an example of the bond we had developed in our short time together. Music is something friends share and something that I think defines us. It brings people from all different backgrounds together, and this moment symbolized that for us. And I am certain that from this point on, any time I hear the Eagles, I will find myself not in the room where the music is filtering in but rather in the passenger seat of a van driving through the beautiful Croatian countryside with good friends around me joining in the song.

On a Lighter Note...

So, as I read through my last post, I realized it was heavy on the angst and light on humor (it is important to provide some balance).  I promise I really do not go through all of my life pondering deep philosophical questions or pining for the good old days...just every other Saturday, when there is a full moon, and the entire month of February.

That out of the way, as a kind of get-to-know-me better exercise, I thought I would list six fun facts about me.  (The hard part is thinking of six facts that the majority of my audience doesn't already know!  And facts that may be considered fun.)  Regardless, here are things you may not know about me:

• My favorite childhood stuffed animal, my rabbit Peta, has a special place in my room.  I received her from my Grandma and Grandpa Tanner for Easter when I was six (her back story, about her life before she arrived in Texas is quite elaborate, if you are ever interested), and she has pretty much been at my side ever since...seriously, she has traveled to the Vatican, Ireland, Chicago, and Oregon, among other locales.  She is notorious for causing trouble and has a reputation as a serious drinker...

Trip to Oregon 2007

• When I was in the fourth grade, I had a singing part in the school Christmas pageant.  I played the music teacher.  I sang the song "Everybody Wants to be Santa."  At random times, the only part of the song I remember runs through my brain. It is one of those songs that should never have been written.  And no, there is no photographic evidence of this particular event...

• My favorite food is bread. Seriously. If you were to look in my grocery cart on any given week, you will most likely find at least three types of bread. Sometimes I wonder if I look crazy having a loaf of bread and a package of bagels and a package of English muffins in my cart. (Because I often visit more than one grocery store when shopping, though, I spread out my bread purchases a bit so it doesn't look like I am living on rations of bread and water...or in my case, bread and Diet Dr. Pepper)

• I am the highly suggestible type.  If you are a passionate, charismatic speaker, I am likely to buy into your message with little urging, at least for the next few days.  Knowing that, if you are a scam artist, there is only a short window of opportunity to capitalize on my naivete. After that, my critical thinking skills (and skepticism) kick in, and the promise of buying an acre on the moon for ten payments of $19.99 or of happiness being five steps away with the purchase of this handy-dandy manual  seem a little less like the world's best investment. 

• At one point in my life, I could recite the dialog for just about every Simpsons episode from seasons one through about ten.  This strange talent emerged after my decision to forgo the evermore depressing national news in favor of that quirky family in Springfield throughout my high school years.  Who needs to memorize great works of literature when one can focus her brain power on pop culture icons instead?

• While the thought of speaking up in a meeting at work or talking with a stranger makes me physically ill, I have no problem singing every week at church in front of at least a hundred other people. And I don't do this as a member of a larger choir.  Most often, it is just the accompanist, the music minister, and me. At least during some parts of the service it is just me. And even though I know that music ministry is to enhance the worship experience of others, I recognize that this is my one little way into the spotlight. (Really, I would be flattering myself too many people take notice)  There must be something about the separation between me and those who are in the church that makes it easy to do this.  

There you have it. Something with a bit of randomness to it.  I encourage you to post a fun fact about yourself because really, who wants only to hear about me?