NYC, way to be.

It is a good thing that I have a whole fleet of guardian angels working overtime...because I almost died tonight! ;P

Okay, so that is a little mellow-dramatic. But listen to this story:

I had just gotten out of Penn Station when this guy was trying to get someone to come into his cab. I thought everyone was being rude, so I gave him at least some eye contact. Big mistake! He seemed to be injured that no one would give him the time of day, let alone come to his cab. He asked me if I wanted to take an "express taxi." I asked if his cab was parked right there on the street and he said it was and grabbed hold of me. He was leading me toward a mini van. Finally a couple warning bells went off. I started to make excuses, but he still almost got me inside. I then thought about payment. He was telling me that the price would be $35. It seemed a little high, but I realized that all I had was a credit card and a ten dollar bill. He paused. Started to take me to the debit machine, but luckily I did not have my bank card. Thank goodness!! I was so glad that this was the truth because I cannot lie for my life. I was able to break free from his hold and make enough of a little scene that he realized I was no longer an easy target for his taxi scam.

I am sure it would have been just fine. But I felt so relieved. So much safer and at peace when I got away from him. As it turns out, it was only a little over $10 + tip. Slightly less than $15 as opposed to the biggest risk of my life. Ha! Take that evil taxi-impostor man!

The concert I attended was inspirational!! My love of Rachmaninoff has reached new heights. I was invited by Steinway artist Yoshie Akimoto to an intimate/exclusive concert at Steinway Hall entitled "Healing for Japan" which featured her child prodigy students. Umi Garrett was 10 years old, Jeffrey Lee just graduated from Julliard, and Alex Beyer was 16. They were all so incredible! Allison Elderedge, Yoshie's daughter, is a world-class cellist and the mother and daughter played a couple of duets for cello and piano. One was a Japanese folk song and the other was Rachmaninoff's Vocalise. Both pieces were so moving. As were Allison's comments.

I had the chance to talk with Yoshie after the concert. I met Ms. Akimoto a month ago at the Manhattan Temple after a devotional session we attended together. I casually mentioned that I was going to an opera and we discussed our love of music. She was a musician and told me many wonderful little stories, including the sweet story of how she met her husband there in NYC while she was attending Julliard. I told her that I was a music student and an aspiring composer. I have great dreams and am willing to work very hard. I believe that the best music, the most inspired music is yet to be written. I don't know that I will necessarily have the chops to fill those shoes, but I am going to fill out the biggest pair that I can. I just want to give to the world what I have to offer. Yoshie believes in me and wants me to keep in contact with her!! :)

One of the best pianists in the world believes in me!!!! :)

(did I mention how amazing those kids were??? I'm inspired and motivated. now to go and do!)