Bernstein performs Gershwin:
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxb7yNG0DGc&feature=related
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgPV0jLmdSM&feature=related

Today was the kind of day that has me scrambling for escape. Dr. deadline and the Sudden Sales-force decided that we needed to cannibalize perfectly good equipment I'd put together weeks ago--that took months to source, assemble, and test--to make a one-off project for speculative clients in a city I'll never see for a sale that may never happen. Those poor devices were drilled, filled, and ruined for normal use by his miserable whims, and I was dragged right along into it to help. He said he might "remember your dedication."** He even insisted I spray-paint perfectly good fixtures so he could take them along for this demo. When I pointed out it wouldn't fit in his suitcases, he insisted anyway. All this pissed me, him, and our associates off. I considered shouting and hitting things.
     Someone asked me point blank if--given the opportunity--I'd take a job I "appeared over-qualified" for; I honestly would--to escape this deadline-driven madness. But as I was leaving tonight, mentally composing this for all to see, and blanking the details, I remembered this song.
     United Airlines used to use George Gershwin's "Rhaposody in Blue" for their commercials. Most start with the somewhat regal, joyful sequence seen in part 2--for extra nostalgia, skip to about 3:40--and it always made me feel good. Today FELT more like the cold opening they gave to a commercial they showed a few times full of conflict; it was supposed to be a board meeting full of rain and wind, and sounded more like part 1, 4:01--conflicted and angry. The switch between the two scenes--businessman stuck in a stormy scene, then gets a nice chair and a towel--seemed to reflect my attitude as I strode out the door and to my car.
     The DVD pretty much sums it up in moving pictures, and I am going to watch it right now. I am calm, at peace.

P.S. Little something in my eye also.
P.P.S. **He can't even remember the payroll, so I doubt it. Zing!