The Amen Beat is something we've all taken for granted. It's a beat that sticks in our head while taking that long road trip. It's that beat we try to recreate at our desk with pencils. It's that beat we've all taken for granted. So let's take a step back and recognized a little piece of music that's gone unrecognized for decades, give it justice and say "amen". Let's not take it for granted.
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So, you might be thinking, where the hell is PeeP going with this. A couple of days ago, I took the subway to work, which I do ever so often. The stop I get off is the Monroe stop on the Blue Line. When I got to the top of the stairs that day, I looked left for the first time in a while. Something was there. Something that's always there. Always.
It's the Four Seasons mural by Marc Chagall. It's huge and wonderful and alive. I ignore it almost every day I've taken the train. The city ignores it. I never see anyone admiring it. It stands alone. It literally stopped me in my tracks that day. I felt horrible and promised myself I would spend some time with it very soon.
This is what I did after work last night. I pulled the old trusty camera out and shot segments of it. Tried to find meaning in its little glass bits. I finally felt like I gave it a bit of the justice it deserved. A bit.
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So I ask all you OWFLers to take a step back today. On your daily commute that sweet old man you pass. That loved one you see every morning or night. The smile at the deli counter. That one building you could never admire enough. What is it? What do you take for granted? We all do it, so dont' feel bad. Take the time today and talk about why you enjoy those things that normally go ignored.
Oh, and while you're here....WFL??!!???
This is what I did after work last night. I pulled the old trusty camera out and shot segments of it. Tried to find meaning in its little glass bits. I finally felt like I gave it a bit of the justice it deserved. A bit.
**********************************************************************
So I ask all you OWFLers to take a step back today. On your daily commute that sweet old man you pass. That loved one you see every morning or night. The smile at the deli counter. That one building you could never admire enough. What is it? What do you take for granted? We all do it, so dont' feel bad. Take the time today and talk about why you enjoy those things that normally go ignored.
Oh, and while you're here....WFL??!!???
16 comments:
Great post peep.
I'll report back on my "take a step back moments" as they occur.
I'm hoping to milk this birthday thing for another lunch today. I'll report on that as well.
By the way, all of our OWFL regulars, (plus a few special guests) should have received the OWFL Confrence e-vite late last night, (kudos to Prez Emeritus HT for doing a great job on that, and to the entire Conference committee for putting the weekend together TAFKALC, Uni and Rosie-que I'm looking at you). Anyway, make sure you get your responses to the evite in ASAP so we can get headcounts together for desserts and food dishes. If we left you off let us know and we'l get you the info. Can't wait!
I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but in a previous "take a step back" moment I realized that the government had cameras monitoring the intersection below my window.
Does that count?
great post PeeP. it's making my head hurt though this early in the AM.
my "take a step back moment(s)" would have to be dedicated to the people at caribou coffee. today, i was hurting so bad and they made my double shot skim latte so quickly that i am every so grateful. i've been drinking it since 9am, and it's just kicking in now.
speaking of chagall, my favorite piece is the ceiling in the opera house in paris. it's amazing.
i am eating a korean pear, and it is super tasty. jo, i am also getting a free bday dinner tonight...ride that bday wave for as long as you can.
HT loved the korean pear. it was the size of her head.
Speaking of Detroit and step back moments. I was walking to the metro today in DC and passing the new junior high/high school. I was annoyed because the sidewalk was closed on BOTH sides of the street because of new construction around condos and a Target. I was thinking these poor kids have to deal with all this construction around their school.
Then I thought back to my days in Detroit public schools, and how it was the exact opposite of construction around my school. Abandoned houses and vacant lots were all that comprised our school surroundings. One day we even watched gleefully as a whole house just collapsed under its own wait after years (maybe decades) of neglect.
So I thought maybe all this construction ain't so bad. It beats the abandonment that was (and largely still is) downtown Detroit.
And thats "weight" and not wait of course. Though in a way the house did collapse cuz it had to 'wait' for so many years without upkeep.
My dream as a teenager was to buy up several of those abandoned blocks and level it all. In its place I was going to start a farm, right in downtown Detroit. Just me in my overalls riding a tractor and waving at the kids in the school. some sort of social statement I guess. You could still do it too.
I actually kind of thought about this type of thing yesterday as I was leaving work. There is the sweetest older man who does the evening night security in our building and sometimes he just looks a bit lonely and sullen...which actually is probably just mass boredom, or he's just really cold because he's often bundled up in his coat, hat and scarf!
Anyways, I say good-bye to him and wish him a good evening every day. At first it was because he had that kind of look that he was wishing he could be anywhere then sitting in this office. So all I wanted to do was be nice and maybe make him smile for a quick minute. But now too be honest, I'm not sure if I do it to be polite or nice to him...or if I do it because no matter how crappy my day was at work, his sincere friendly smile always makes me smile as I leave the office every day...and that is something I should not take for granted. So it's kind of funny that some nice gesture that you are trying to show others, often comes back with even greater and unexpected rewards.
We'll have to make sure we get some spinning chrome rims on the tractor too...
I was thinking of growing corn, cuz I love corn on the cob. I bet we could get about 20 continous acres over by the Cass corridor for $100K or so.
DEEEEEE-TROOOOIIIIT CORN-ON-THE-COOOOOOB!!!!!!!!
B-day lunch with boss. Probably at Art Gallery Grill.
I LOVE this post, Peep. I'm going to think on this for a little bit and then respond.
The cloud passing overhead looks like a soprano saxophone.
Burger with cheddar and grilled onions at lunch. Side of Tabulli and fries.
I always liked the mural in the U St. station. And I always say 'hi' to the Express guy at my metro stop (which is sadly lacking in any murals). He starts my day off right! Eh, this isn't a take a step back story. I need to do that more. I tend to just plow on through with my head down & a thousand petty irritations on my mind. Hm. A friend is coming up for lunch tomorrow with her baby - maybe I can talk her into take-out & we can sit somewhere in the sun. It's supposed to be almost 70!
Lunch today was sushi. Mmmmm.
Jo, I can hear you screaming 'Detroit basketball' right now.
I take alot for granted most of all the ones that are closest to me.
Today was a good standard lunch. She made it this morning and filled the house with the smell of toasted bread.
mmmm
ok ok ok good painting I like Chagal as well. But this is the only time I've had time to post today.
Good post Peep
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