1) “It’s too soft! I want more. Why am I not surrounded by sound?”
2) “The audience is too noisy. And there’s so many perfumes. And why are people so fidgety?”
3) “Wow! So I am not the center of everything after all! I thought that low note was more important than it is. I thought that solo was longer. Funny how the distance changes things. I should be less stressed on stage. Go figure.”

So even with the distractions and the audience that gets in my way of total enjoyment, I go to be reminded that I’m not the center of the universe. :-)

Yes, our kiddos have very eclectic tastes. Our younger son listens to opera, musical theatre, Beatles, Philip Glass, Johnny Cash, White Stripes, Queen, Simon & Garfunkel … I never know what we’ll be hearing! Our daughter? Deerhoof (sp?), Beatles, Decemberists, former opera fanatic although I think that’s died down … and more …. And our older son is more into some sort of dance stuff (of the three I’m most unfamiliar with his music), electronic music, much more …

Of course I can’t list the “all of it” with the kiddos. I can’t keep up with them! But when we are in the car together (getting rarer now that they are all adults) they choose music and I get to hear what they are currently into. I enjoy it.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve managed to offend someone merely because of my incredibly creative (?!) sense of humor. Guess they need to see my smile, eh?

And yes, I try to be as honest as possible. I do exercise great caution when it comes to those I work with though. I’d love to blast a few conductors and a few of my colleagues have stomped on my toes so hard I’d probably enjoy getting back at them. But I won’t go there. Wouldn’t be wise, nor is it kind or necessary.