The Moments I Live For

A list was floating around various newspapers recently containing a list of the fifty things you supposedly should do before you die. Most of it is fairly predicatable, but that's not to say that I wouldn't quite happily participate in all the activities listed (again in several cases). Anyway, here's something to add to it.

Take a trip around Harrods. With a near-concert level (or better) pianist. And go to the piano department. Then engage the sales assistant in conversation:

"Excuse me, the sign says to ask for a demonstration." <points at £50,000 Bosendorfer>

"Certainly." <sales assistant proceeds to play a passable piece of Bach.>

"Amber?"

At this point I should probably introduce my friend, colleague and cohort, Amber. Whilst masquerading as a computer programmer during daylight hours, Amber is most often to be found during the evening practicing either at her piano or her piano teachers. Consequently (bearing in mind that I hold the same aptitude for music as does the average shellfish for unicycle riding - any judgement I pass on anyone's musical abilities should be considered in that context) she's immensely accomplished (and if my judgement in this matter is suspect allow me to assure you that the not-inconsiderable number of trophies Amber has won gives validity to my assesement). Diminutive in stature, Amber is none the less capable of playing with incredible energy, intensity and, when the need calls for it, volume...

...as she proceeded to demonstrate, much to the delight of the small crowd that rapidly formed.

I love it. As Warren Ellis once had it:

"These are the moments I live for. I put up with all the other crap just to get seconds like this. The moments when you know the world is a better place than advertised."

By the way, if anyone wants to do anything on that list, but is only lacking for company, let me know. Heck, if anybody wants to do anything on that list period let me know.