Harp Column Blogs: Carl Swansonarchive

No matter how much research I do beforehand, every now and then, I end up facing a flight of stairs alone. I don't know if all harpists dread stairs, but I do! Many harpists in NYC don't mind, because they have harp movers to move their harp, but what about those jobs you have where you don't have a mover?

I approach the top or bottom of a staircase and one of two things happen: An overly anxious man runs and insists on helping me. But it's not really help...they want to do it themselves but don't realize how cumbersome (not heavy) the harp actually is, and they don't know how to take directions. My heart starts racing and I start running my mouth insisting that they stop. I can't sit watching my harp being thrown in the air! If I had a limitless supply of harps, it would be fine, but I don't. So, it's either that, or nobody offers to help. People watch and ignore. Both are equally frustrating. What's the solution? I wish I could carry my little brother in my back pocket because he's a very well trained harp mover! After all these years, I'm STILL working it out...

I just wrote a very long, in depth blog and my computer died :-(  I lost it, but in short--

I don't really discuss poIitics, but I can't ignore this.  The polling lines are literally stretching around corners and avenues here in New York and it's not even 7:30am yet.  I awoke at 5:30am to text messages about the long lines.  Definitely a first for me, as I used to go to the polls every election year with my grandmother and never once saw a line!

Four years ago, pop stars began efforts to increase voter awareness.  Puff Daddy (P. Diddy, Diddy, Sean Combs) ran a huge "Vote or Die" Campaign(Bush/Kerry) that I believe proved to be effective for THIS election.  These campaigns have become a 'way of life', as nightclubs have hosted "debate watch parties" and had benefits on a nightly basis!  There have been jazz benefits, hip-hop benefits, orchestral benefits that I've both participated in & attended.  These efforts have reached a generation that wasn't voting before. 

I am beginning to believe that Tina Fey & Sarah Palin are the same person.  Everyone's poking fun.  Everyone has Obama and Mccain clothing, buttons, jewelry--you name it!

I am on my way out to brave these lines, but I know one thing for sure:  I am 100% ready for a new president.  Please do your part.  A change is important.

Wonderful Video
Don't Vote!

Picture Posting & Picture Finding--Not My Department.  Hopefully these links work.

Fest Photos--Ben Johnson

Fest Photos--Frank Harrell