Did I just make a mistake?

Why yes, yes I did! TONS of them.

It's all about learning how to look like you didn't make them! And I'm learning fast. Heh.
So much "stuff" has happened since my last post and most of it I can't even talk about...blah!
I have to resort to the confidentiality nutshell.

Nutshell version - harp program was in line to become no more.
Enter HEROine. Stage left. Trying to save harp program.
Opened doors to a profitable future, or just volunteered her life away.

*CONCLUSION STILL TO COME!*

Deeper more insightful version - destruction is sometimes needed to bring out something new and beautiful. Something even better, that opens doors and provides more opportunities than before. And still provides free parking and a meal ticket.

Regardless, this HEROine's mission is to.....

Funny updates since last post: the stool broke as I was about to sit on it and start to play. I heard the warning "Your butt has exceeded the weight limit..." (just kidding)

Everyone saw it. I bounced back ninja style and acted like it was nothing and to get me another chair. Woman behind desk offers me her rolly chair. I cannot play harp using a rolly chair silly! So I kept asking for one of the chairs that has four sturdy legs, at least 75 around me...in the room. I get deer-in-headlights reaction. Finally, random business guy, just brings me over a chair. *rolls eyes*

Older couple sitting together saw that I was coming in to play and he went over to me and flashed me. What is it about my getting flashed or mooned! No...he really just did a superman open-his-jacket move and showed me his shirt.

"GOTTA HAVE MUSIC EVERYWHERE OTHERWISE I'D B FLAT!"

Somebody, please get me that T-shirt.

What is willing to meet you?

 Fall Fashion Week for Hospital Masks. Nothing has changed this year.

Ugh. Flu shots. Not a fan. Usually, hospital settings require employees and volunteers to get flu shots, or give an alternative of wearing a mask. So be prepared! Those masks can be annoying and I'm sure it would pass for Halloween and the month of October, but I really didn't want to wear that thing for 6 months. I don't whiten my teeth for nothing!

So what's up with the blog title? It's actually a sort of mantra that IHTP uses when asking yourself "What is willing to meet me?" when you are in a harp therapist role. So I did this yesterday, and sometimes found my feet taking me to the outdoor setting that I hadn't played at yet. Or, I got a feeling to follow this lady to the waiting room and play there.

Even while I'm playing, I'm constantly thinking..."Is that enough? Should I move on? I've got 4 other places to be at!" but no, I stayed where I was, and then finished my session for the day. I need to listen to these hunches and use my intuition and not be worried if I didn't play for the lady in the restroom.

CHALLENGE: One of the volunteers in the hospital loves to come up and chat with me while I'm playing and HOVER. I cannot stand hovering. I know I will eventually get used to it, but seeing her over-drawn pink lipstick is just too close. I felt the stress bunch up in my body...and it was a challenge to let it go and get over my "Ack she is analyzing my hand position!" thoughts. (Edit: she has actually become one of my biggest supporters now and I don't mind the hovering one bit...)

INVISIBLE: I have noticed that there are certain types of people that are just not on the same wavelength as the harp or the music. In large hallways, they don't even notice or look at the harp as it passes by them. They don't stop to hear the music. I can feel their self-absorbed-ness regarding work, stress, and their lives. It is true that mostly children and the elderly are most responsive...but I can tell the ones that it does reach even if they don't want to bother me. Like the random black guy who did a pirouette by me.

CRAVING: Chocolate and bedside harp playing. Both at the same time is fine with me. I can tell that my playing in waiting rooms is not satisfying my bedside harp therapy needs. I'm not sure when the hospital will allow me to do this just yet, so I want to look into volunteering at a hospice. I'll keep you updated.

WINGS: What's up with everyone wanting me to wear wings in the hospital? I mean, fine for Halloween, but yeah...what are your thoughts on this? Is it too "Oh please, she thinks she's an angel!" or "Haha, that's funny, but it's not Halloween."

Key of F-ind me a name!

I need your help! I have two songs on the 9-11 service video that I composed without names. Both are in the Key of F. Finding names for songs can be a frustrating but fun process. They don't have to start with an "F", because, all I can think of with "F" songs are bad words and names of food. Friggin' Flapjacks, just isn't going to cut it! Please leave a comment with any fantastic, fabulous suggestions you may have!

P.S. Forgive the video quality.

911 Gig

"March of the Fairies" (a piece I composed and played at today's "9/11" service)

Today was my first real gig...playing for a 9/11 memorial service at the hospital. I can't believe it's been 10 years since that day.

I'd like to thank my harp teacher and mentor for helping me get this opportunity and preparing for it properly! It's interesting that I have met certain people at exact times when I needed help, for example, my badge didn't work to open the door this morning and the right person came at the right time to help me get the harp so I could play at the service (I brought my therapy harp just in case this might happen!)

I'd also like to thank my husband for taking the video footage and helping haul around all my stuff. And with the recommendation of my harp teacher, he took "helping me practice with distraction" to the next level. He may or may not have used such methods like blowing a can of air in my face or a brief, subtle, mooning.

Regardless, the distraction practice helped me stay focused while a photographer went around taking pictures of me with the flash on. And by flash, I mean the camera...she didn't actually take it upon herself to moon me. But hey, I was prepared for anything!

Stay tuned for more videos!