BS: Visualizing Succeeding

Subject: BS: Visualizing Succeeding
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 12 Nov 05 - 05:18 PM

Today has been a laugh sensation. This morning, I spent another hour trying to figure out why my new software for burning CDs isn't working. I've tried everything in the book (and a few things that aren't) and carefully followed the e-mail support service instructions. Nada. When at first you don't succeed, try something else for awhile. The Gospel Messengers were coming over this morning, so I started setting up my tape machine for recording. It's been several months since I used the equipment, so it had a strange, other-worldly glow to it, but I found everything and got it all hooked up. When I tried recording with it, no matter what settings I tried, nothing was registering from the microphones. I fiddled with that for a half hour, and then Joe and Frankie arrived.
My tenor Derrick has moved to Florida, so this was our first practice after going back to being a trio. Just watching Joe walking up the sidewalk and wincing as he climbed the porch steps broke my heart. Three years ago, Joe was suffering so much from back problems that he couldn't stand up straight, or even walk across the room. Extensive surgery mostly corrected that problem, but now his knee is deteriorating, and at 81, he's facing knee replacement surgery. He is so upset about it that he doesn't even want to talk about it. A major part of his upset, I'm sure, is that he doesn't want to lose the Messengers. So, even though he didn't want to talk about it I wanted to make it clear that I can push a wheel chair as well as the next guy, and if I can get him into a wheelchiar, he's still my bass. When we started practicing, there were some songs that just wouldn't work without a tenor... some of our favorites. So, we had to adjust and find the songs that still worked well as a trio. A man who had expressed an interest in singing tenor in the Messengers was invited several times to come to the practice, but didn't show. Probably a blessing.

After practice, I went down stairs to scan and print some photographs for my wife on my new scanner. And couldn't get it work.
You can probably still here the sound of hysterical laughter.

But you know, it made me realize something. If you want success, you have to visualize it. I see the Messengers with a fine new tenor, and for as long as it takes, Joe singing in a wheel chair, or using a cane. I visualize myself figuring out how to use all this stupid electronic equipment and can see how joyful it will be to hand a stack of CDs to Joe and Frankie to pass around to friends. I visualize myself figuring out why my tape recorder wasn't working, and Derrick here at the house with the guys while we tape a final three or four songs for the album. He is supposed to come back up here at least once before they are permanantly moved to Florida. And I visualize myself figuring out how to use my new scanner (and actually was able to print a few photos for my wife, finally.)

Several years ago, I worked with someone who might be brushed off as being hopelessly unrealistic. He was always coming up with new ideas and was filled with enthusiasm. After we talked them out for awhile, most of them didn't turn out to be practical. But some did. They were fine ideas. I used to tell him, "Norm, you're my kind of man. You believe you can do anything. As often as not, you can't, but if you didn't believe you could do the things that work out, we could never do them."

If you believe you can do something, you may or may not be able to.
If you don't believe you can do something, you can't.

Sometimes, visualizing succeeding helps for me. It may not always turn out as I visualize it, but it's the best way to tackle a problem for me.

And then I tackle the problem.

Look out recording equipment! Here I come!

Subject: RE: BS: Visualizing Succeeding
From: Bobert
Date: 12 Nov 05 - 05:34 PM

Well, Jerry, sometimes it's okay to ask someone to help ya' figgure the techie stuff out... The vision is gettin a tenor and having Joe sing bass... Hey, that's realistic... The techie styff, hey, you may need to get some help... That's just part of the details fir the larger piccure...

Hope Joe does fine with that replacement surgery... It's purdy much a piece of cake these days but his dancin' days may be on hold fir a while...

And.... Go G-Messengers... You guys are the real deal...

BObert

ps. Did you try the hammer?

Subject: RE: BS: Visualizing Succeeding
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Nov 05 - 05:34 PM

Jerry, my dad was in good health until he died at 93 (his heartbeat was too slow to maintain his system), but the last few years he walked so painfully it hurt one's heart to see him. He didn't have to use a cane or anything but his knees were shot. I have often wished that he'd had the replacement surgery. I've known a number of people since then who had it done with great success.

I like the idea of visualizing. We sometimes forget, I think, how much of a part anticipation plays in any activity. Anticipation and Memory sandwiching the Moment - ah!

I think the day is not far off when hypoallergenic material will be injected into the painful joints. In the meantime I shall immediately start visualizing Joe's knees being MUCH better.

Subject: RE: BS: Visualizing Succeeding
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 12 Nov 05 - 11:58 PM

Hey, Bobert: I scream bloody murder for techie help. I ain't too proud to beg. Me and Marvin. My oldest son is a high-powered computer techie in the Big Time, and he can help. Problem is, his expertise isn't in music software. I also use the on-line support services and they are helpful. Sometimes though, their solutions are hard for me to understand because they seem to assume that I know than I do. But, I'm getting there, slowly.

As for knees, Ebbie... results are very mixed. I know a woman who had a knee replacement and was zipping around like a young kid a couple of months later. I know two other women who had knee replacements who were more crippled after the surgery healed and had to have both knees re-done. Sometimes, it seems like a roll of the dice. With Joe, it may not be a decision he has any option about. It pains me to picture your Father hobbling around. Perhaps the knee replacements would have helped him. Everyone has to make their own choice. I expect that Joe will hold off as long as he can. I just want to remind him if it comes to that, he can still sing sitting down for awhile..

Of all the challenges, finding a tenor will be easiest, although I've asked three guys now who would be wonderful, and none of them feel they can make the time commitment. There's a lot more to being in a group than just being a good singer or a good musician. Ask anyone who's been in a group for any period of time.

But then, "all will be well again."

These are the good old days.

Jerry