(from The Undoing Project: A Friendship That. . . . by Michael Lewis)
". . . Statistics wasn't just boring numbers; it contained ideas that allowed you to glimpse deep truths about human life. "Because we tend to reward others when they do well and punish them when they do badly, and because there is regression to the mean," Danny later wrote, "it is part of the human condition that we are statistically punished for rewarding others and rewarded for punishing them.". . . "
Once upon a time a 'well-loved' Princess, seeking to the the Princess-in-charge of all the Land, fell afoul of 'those-who-would-quash-her-dream' and as a result, almost lost her chance to attain her diligently-sought title. It seems that in her past capacity as Princess of State, she exhibited some disregard for the principles one would expect from a respectable Princess of State. One such situation, of which many said there were numerous, involved a Squire who generously contributed to a foundation of which the Prince (her husband, you see) was in charge. As a reward for his kindly supporting her husband's cause, it appeared that he was to be rewarded with a position on the Inter-Land Security Advisory Board (ISAB) even though had not one white of knowledge or experience in the things that were done by the ISAB-namely . In fact, his only experience involved providing advice to the rulers of the Land on the use of tactical nuclear weapons and on other crucial arms control issues. When ABC News of the Land inquired of the Princess' staff the reason for the Squire's name being placed on such a list at all, the Princess' staff stalled the reporters and offered no explanation. Then, 'Mysteriously' on the very next day, the Squire, without explanation one, resigned his new post. ABC News of the Land later addressed the Squire directly about the incident. He became upset and had security threaten the ABC News of the Land reporter with arrest, much the same as the Prince and Princess themselves would most likely have done under similar circumstances. Needless to say, they all lived happily ever after.
(inspired by http://www.allenbwest.com/michellejesse/abc-news-drops-new-hillary-bombshell-its-huge)
My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills
(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)
I thought my skin was growing a bit thicker after over ten years of huckstering original music performance and recordings but for some reason, certain things still hurt. A natural-born salesman I most certainly am NOT! When applying for employment upon college graduation I unconditionally dismissed any and all job openings that hinted of sales. I generally feel that if someone wants or needs something, they will seek it. Consequently I never wanted to be the one to present them with something which I WANTED them to want or need.
Truth is, my stance on the matter has not really changed in essence since then. The one thing that HAS changed is that, after learning about what constitutes a successful music career (and I guess I have to qualify that by adding "commercially" to 'successful' because let's face it, if you have any talent, ability or passion about music, you do want to reap rewards in the critical and/or financial realms) I am now able to 'salesify' enough to confront a potential audience. That's just marketing, plain and simple.
So in my joy at being on the WAMMIE ballot for Best Jazz Recording, I thought that, since (from the WAMA website) 'nominations and balloting come from the WAMA membership' that I would bring my good fortune at being nominated to the attention of the WAMA membership because, as a WAMA member myself, I sometime read hastily and more oftentimes FORGET things. Frequently a small reminder can be most useful. A small reminder is what I intended to send the WAMA members, light-hearted, brief but to the point. So while I don't know all the WAMA members personally, I thought we had a common bond in our 'support' of the Washington area music community. I guess not all WAMA members feel that bond.
Turns out that two 'reprimanding' comments were returned to me in response to my request for a vote; one from a member I do not personally know and another from one I do.
*Sending unsolicited mass emails to DC musicians that you don't know asking for you vote isn't the best way to gain their support.
*I don't really care much for begging for votes. Please don't include me
on your list.
Granted the comments were innocuous enough (at least maybe one more than the other) and I have removed the two names from my mailing list in respect of their wishes, or in the case of the first, his implication.
Should the lyrics to David Byrne's song "Heaven" be anywhere close to being true, I for one do not intend to participate. Not that I don't have every intention of serving my fellow man during my time on the proverbial mortal coil. But I refuse to believe, as Mother Theresa expressed, that my 'reward' is in heaven or any other imaginary and ethereal place. And also while I'm here, I intend to fully enjoy the beauty, satisfaction and pleasure that the multitude of earthly wonders provides.
