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 |  Writings about things that have occurred in my life. Not in Chronological Order |
| Things that have happened in my life, good or bad. The entries will not be in Chronological order |
PROMPT July 3rd Describe a missed opportunity you encountered, and how things might have been different if you hadn't missed it. Wow, so many missed opportunities, yet so many met too! Let me think a moment, and see what I decide to talk about. Hmmmm In 1989, while in the Navy and stationed on my second shore tour in Bangor, Washington, I saw an ad in the Bremerton Sun newspaper. The Bremerton Symphony Orchestra was looking for a French Horn player! Keep in mind, this is 'before the internet' was available to the general public. Now, I'd played the Horn for 8 years while in school, and loved it, and music in general. I knew I needed to practice before auditioning, after all it had only been 17 years since I'd last touched a French Horn! Still, I felt I could do it. I contacted a local high school and arranged to borrow a French Horn for a short while. Having it in my hands again was like being reborn. Without sounding like a complete pervert, I know I caressed that brass a few minutes before I played a few notes. While I'd never forgotten how to play it (and am confident I could play it yet today), but quickly realized my embouchure was almost non-existent. An embouchure is how your lips form when playing a brass instrument, and to hit higher notes and play for lengthy periods, you need your embouchure. Still, I persevered, and practiced all I could. Finally the important day had arrived, and I went to my audition. To my surprise, I was accepted as a member of the Bremerton Symphony Orchestra! This is where the missed opportunity comes in. I managed to make it to a couple of practices, but family issues (my wife didn't like me being in the Orchestra, with the practice time and rehersals taking me away from family time) prevented me from really participating like I should have. I ended up returning the Horn, and being dropped from the Orchestra. Now the Bremerton Symphony Orchestra isn't a big thing in the music scene. But still, I could have been involved in something I'd loved since the 5th grade! But to keep the peace, I folded. Even today, I'd love to pick up a Horn, or even a Trombone (I taught myself to play that in the 11th grade) and see if I can still play a bit.  Jim Dorrell |
PROMPT July 2nd We all know the mood-ring fad of the 70’s only predicted body temperature and not necessarily mood, but what if people could actually see your emotions, like an aura of color surrounding you. Would you try to mask it, display it proudly, or something in between? Tough question. I was a bit of an introvert, quite shy as a young teen. That went away in the 10th or 11th grade. But I was never outgoing, never a party person. In my mind today, I'd say, "Here's my mood. Take it or leave it." I'm not worried about someone knowing how I feel. EXCEPT - At Work. No, no way. I live in a corporate world, with corporate attitudes, and all those silly catchphrases people in business use. I don't need someone at work seeing my moods. I'm sorry, I'll have to waffle on this one. I wouldn't mind my moods being visible to others when not working. But I'd want to turn it off when I am in the office. Jim Dorrell |
Prompt for 30 DBC 7/1 Write a letter to your parents from before your birth. Give them advice about how to raise you and give them a heads up about anything they might struggle with when you come into their lives. Hey there my future Mom & Dad! I have to confess, you have quite a son here in development. As he grows, nourish his knowledge, later in his life he will want to know everything he can about most any subject. He will be really bright, sometimes his intelligence level will scare you, and him. But Dad, you and Mom aren't rich. In fact, you're just about down-right poor. The song that will be released called 'Down In The Boondocks' really fits us. But it's okay! After all, we're a family, and that's what counts. Back to raising me.... In school, really encourage him in music. He will ask about joining the band in the 4th grade, make him wait a year to see if he's really sure about it. Once he starts, make him work. He will be talented, but will not have the work ethic he should have. He won't gain a good work ethic until he's half way through his Navy career, but if you push him some, he could learn that sooner. He's gonna be a reader too, and for the most part, will not be a major pain to you. He will see what smoking does to you Dad, and never take up that habit. Nor will he use drugs or drink heavily. Seeing how his friends are affected by those habits will convince him not to indulge. No, he will not be an angel, he will have his share of vices. Fortunately, none of them will be things that could put him in jail, and they will start after he joins the Navy. Did I forget to tell you that? Yep, he'll join shortly after graduating high school and spend 20 years in the Submarine Service. Unfortunately Dad, you won't live to see that. Your heart will give out almost a year before he joins. I'd tell you to take better care of yourself, but you wouldn't listen to me, I'm sure of that. I will say that he will grow to be an average person, at least in his mind. I'll let you, and everyone else judge for yourselves in that though. I'll see you in a few months! Jim Dorrell |
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