"May he live in interesting times..." - Chinese curse, quoted by Robert F. Kennedy, Day of Affirmation Address, Capetown, South Africa, 1966
Perhaps the most significant, growing challenge for me lately has been my refocus on the issues that Amador County has been facing in this increasingly rough economy, such as the The Fire Protection Fee, the Local 2927 strike...as well as the many issues that our local businesses face. As I listen to peoples' concerns, the feelings in my gut guide me to ponder about what might lie at the root of the problem(s). In order to do so, a bit of digging must be done. Unfortunately (and contrary to popular belief), I can't be many places at one time, and I only have one shovel. Therefore, when real people come to me with real problems and real issues, I not only welcome their own shovels, whatever the size - but also the time that they themselves spend, digging and discovering. "Inform...and be informed" encompasses the objective of Amador Community News, and it's exciting to see that you all are catching on.
Since a very young age, I've had what is called "perfect pitch". Wikipedia's definition: "Absolute pitch (AP), or perfect pitch, is the ability to name or reproduce a tone without reference to an external standard.[1] Correct identification of the pitch need not be expressed linguistically; AP can also be demonstrated in auditory imagery or sensorimotor responses, for example by reproducing on an instrument a tone that has been heard (without "hunting" for the correct pitch).[2][3] Sounds and pitches reverberate within me on frequencies that I can identify, differentiate and define on levels that very few can hear. This innate "sixth sense" sets a very high standard when I audition a band or vocalist. It is the way that I am able to compose music in my head, or how I am able to hear, compose and sing harmony. There is no tangible, physical evidence proving the fact that I possess perfect pitch; I cannot tell you why or how I know, I just know. Some people call it a gift; for me, it's been a blessing and a curse. A blessing when music is masterfully performed, or songs are brilliantly delivered. A curse when I have to endure a bad performance, or tell a hopeful singer that they're tone deaf or pitchy, or when a band's song or entire set delivery is sub par...and then feelings and egos are hurt and they are offended by my critique. It might sound cliche, but to me, music is life, and what makes up the sounds and frequency levels of life shapes the very fibers of my existence. Music is a very powerful thing; you must do it justice.
There is another thing that is quite powerful: opinion. Keeping our opinions to ourselves can be a tough thing to do when what we see, read and experience constantly begs for comment. Opinions can be biased or objective; they can start healthy discussions and debates, trigger passionate arguments or mindless squabbling. They are formed for any number of reasons, but the ones that seem to make significant impact are those derived from the lack of information, misinformation, or the delays and disruptions in the flow of information. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors, how many skeletons lie behind closet doors...and who knows how much the media has spun into gold for those who hold the keys and their locksmiths. So much is kept from the courts of public opinion that, when and if the truth is ever discovered, it's difficult to know how well it could be handled.
So we form community groups, boards and councils, ministries and forums. We march, picket and protest with the hope of balancing the scales and making voices heard. We speak, we write, we sing. We meet and discuss over water coolers, the good neighbor fences, the corner coffeehouse, the grocery store lines. I have met with many people here in Amador County, appreciative of Amador Community News' "sounding board" format. I have Facebook and Google's Blogger to thank for creating what seems to have become some sort of unofficial role as the county's "ombudsman".
But does anyone have perfect pitch? Do we stop to truly listen, cue in, sift through the noise and garble to find the true, perfect tones that reverberate true within all of us? If so, what and where are they? If I had a dime for every time I heard someone say, "Something just doesn't feel right here,"..."There's something very wrong here"...or, "I can't quite put my finger on it, but...", I'd be a rich woman. Obviously, I'm not the one profiting off of the chaos of the tone deaf masses, but here in little, itty-bitty Amador County, California? There isn't any "TMI"!
The "tones" I hear ringing true these days point to (in no particular order): 1) greedy attorneys and bought judges, 2) opportunistic politicians, 3) hypocritical religions and denominations, and 4), failing systems, whether governmental, corporate, religious, or social. But what is encouraging is that I have seen more awareness and gravitation towards a sense of community. The things I have heard and witnessed lately makes me crack a weary smile in a troubled world. I see people coming together to help clean up a river. I see people buying an extra can of food for the food bank. I see friends and strangers spending time out of a holiday weekend helping an injured community member move from Sutter Creek to Jackson. I see community groups and organizations holding fundraisers and benefits for any number of causes. I see seasoned, well-established business owners coming forward at great expense to revitalize our downtown economies. Sure, I see a lot of ignorance and bad attitudes, people learning via the "school of hard knocks". But I also see a lot of education and awareness going on, too.
Most of all, I see you. I know your plight, I feel your pain. I've been a dutiful housewife, a single mother, divorced, separated. I am a survivor of domestic violence and abuse. I've been played the fool and have had my heart broken, several times. The home I raised my children in was foreclosed upon. I've been without a vehicle. I watched my son deploy. I've had to leave a life-long, dear-to-my-heart religion. I've lost jobs because of internal politics that were never about me, but because of powers that be. I've been discriminated against, been kicked off of boards, lost jobs for my views and beliefs. I've been told, in so many words, to "look the other way" or else. I've struggled to pay rent and utilities; have had the water and electricity shut off. I've crossed America with nothing but what I could pack my little car with. I shop at dollar and thrift stores. I've moved four times in two years. I've been the recipient of the goodness of many generous people. I've been the subject of and endured an enormous amount of gossip and back-biting (oh man, where do I start on that one?)
For me, it is the frequency channel of belief that drives human beings to come together and harmonize in a beautiful song, no matter who or where we are. I believe in and have a passion for a sense of community and the voices I hear within those communities. But what gives me goosebumps and chills up my spine is when I see people come together - liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, employed and unemployed, all businesses, all people, all genders, all religions, cultures and creeds...musicians and songwriters...and we sing the song of hope.
We certainly do live in interesting times. So let's sit down and talk about the issues, tell me what you "can't put your finger on", tell me what "isn't quite right". Let me audition you. Voice your opinions. Listen to your heart. Act upon your gut instincts. Take a chance upon what you discern and believe, because chances are, there is someone that can identify with you. For I'll always be true to the "perfect pitch" that drives Amador County on the frequencies I believe we have yet to discover, together.
So...let's all write a song.
There is another thing that is quite powerful: opinion. Keeping our opinions to ourselves can be a tough thing to do when what we see, read and experience constantly begs for comment. Opinions can be biased or objective; they can start healthy discussions and debates, trigger passionate arguments or mindless squabbling. They are formed for any number of reasons, but the ones that seem to make significant impact are those derived from the lack of information, misinformation, or the delays and disruptions in the flow of information. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors, how many skeletons lie behind closet doors...and who knows how much the media has spun into gold for those who hold the keys and their locksmiths. So much is kept from the courts of public opinion that, when and if the truth is ever discovered, it's difficult to know how well it could be handled.
So we form community groups, boards and councils, ministries and forums. We march, picket and protest with the hope of balancing the scales and making voices heard. We speak, we write, we sing. We meet and discuss over water coolers, the good neighbor fences, the corner coffeehouse, the grocery store lines. I have met with many people here in Amador County, appreciative of Amador Community News' "sounding board" format. I have Facebook and Google's Blogger to thank for creating what seems to have become some sort of unofficial role as the county's "ombudsman".
But does anyone have perfect pitch? Do we stop to truly listen, cue in, sift through the noise and garble to find the true, perfect tones that reverberate true within all of us? If so, what and where are they? If I had a dime for every time I heard someone say, "Something just doesn't feel right here,"..."There's something very wrong here"...or, "I can't quite put my finger on it, but...", I'd be a rich woman. Obviously, I'm not the one profiting off of the chaos of the tone deaf masses, but here in little, itty-bitty Amador County, California? There isn't any "TMI"!
The "tones" I hear ringing true these days point to (in no particular order): 1) greedy attorneys and bought judges, 2) opportunistic politicians, 3) hypocritical religions and denominations, and 4), failing systems, whether governmental, corporate, religious, or social. But what is encouraging is that I have seen more awareness and gravitation towards a sense of community. The things I have heard and witnessed lately makes me crack a weary smile in a troubled world. I see people coming together to help clean up a river. I see people buying an extra can of food for the food bank. I see friends and strangers spending time out of a holiday weekend helping an injured community member move from Sutter Creek to Jackson. I see community groups and organizations holding fundraisers and benefits for any number of causes. I see seasoned, well-established business owners coming forward at great expense to revitalize our downtown economies. Sure, I see a lot of ignorance and bad attitudes, people learning via the "school of hard knocks". But I also see a lot of education and awareness going on, too.
Most of all, I see you. I know your plight, I feel your pain. I've been a dutiful housewife, a single mother, divorced, separated. I am a survivor of domestic violence and abuse. I've been played the fool and have had my heart broken, several times. The home I raised my children in was foreclosed upon. I've been without a vehicle. I watched my son deploy. I've had to leave a life-long, dear-to-my-heart religion. I've lost jobs because of internal politics that were never about me, but because of powers that be. I've been discriminated against, been kicked off of boards, lost jobs for my views and beliefs. I've been told, in so many words, to "look the other way" or else. I've struggled to pay rent and utilities; have had the water and electricity shut off. I've crossed America with nothing but what I could pack my little car with. I shop at dollar and thrift stores. I've moved four times in two years. I've been the recipient of the goodness of many generous people. I've been the subject of and endured an enormous amount of gossip and back-biting (oh man, where do I start on that one?)
For me, it is the frequency channel of belief that drives human beings to come together and harmonize in a beautiful song, no matter who or where we are. I believe in and have a passion for a sense of community and the voices I hear within those communities. But what gives me goosebumps and chills up my spine is when I see people come together - liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, employed and unemployed, all businesses, all people, all genders, all religions, cultures and creeds...musicians and songwriters...and we sing the song of hope.
We certainly do live in interesting times. So let's sit down and talk about the issues, tell me what you "can't put your finger on", tell me what "isn't quite right". Let me audition you. Voice your opinions. Listen to your heart. Act upon your gut instincts. Take a chance upon what you discern and believe, because chances are, there is someone that can identify with you. For I'll always be true to the "perfect pitch" that drives Amador County on the frequencies I believe we have yet to discover, together.
So...let's all write a song.
Carol, you go girl, that was an awsome article
ReplyDeleteCody