Burke's Bits

With Rube Goldberg in Mind – A Delightful Video by OK Go

If you’re on the internet much, you’ve probably already seen this. Personally I find it intriguing and delightful, fascinating and fun. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I’m naturally curious, inquisitive and persistent in my pursuit of answers. Another trait that I am known for is ‘doing things the hard way’. Just ask my mother…my husband…my father…my brothers…my friends…okay, just ask anyone who knows me.

When approaching a project for a client, I have a process that I follow to help me avoid the hard way and keep me focused.

When approaching a project for myself is when my knack for finding the most convoluted path to the final answer is allowed to flourish.

Which is why I love Rube Goldberg. And the competitions (I’ve not had the opportunity to participate in one, but follow the contests locally and nationally) that have grown around his idea of taking the simplest of tasks and complicating them as creatively as is possible.

Reuben Lucius Goldberg (July 4, 1883 – December 7, 1970)  Rube Goldberg was a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, sculptor, and author. Best known for his “inventions”, Rube’s early years as an engineer informed his most acclaimed work. A Rube Goldberg contraption – an elaborate set of arms, wheels, gears, handles, cups, and rods, put in motion by balls, canary cages, pails, boots, bathtubs, paddles, and live animals – takes a simple task and makes it extraordinarily complicated. He had solutions for How To Get The Cotton Out Of An Aspirin Bottle, imagined a Self-Operating Napkin, and created a Simple Alarm Clock – to name just a few of his hilariously depicted drawings. Check out the website for more info…www.rubegoldberg.com

Fringe Benefits of having great clients...

We interrupt the regularly scheduled post to tell you about Jonell Mosser and Tom Britt.

My client, Conway Stone- motivational speaker, author, world traveler, music lover, dream builder - had a house party last week.  A month or so ago, Conway and I met at his home to talk about doing business together - I find him speaking opportunities. He's such a nice man, highly educated, world-travelled and overall very interesting fellow that I knew we could be a successful team.

So, while at his kitchen table, he hands me a flyer that describes Jonell Mosser and an upcoming private concert. Then he asks if my husband and I would like to come - I immediately said 'yes'. Then I looked her up on YouTube! and realized that we were in for quite a treat.

From the flyer:

Jonell is a Louisville native, graduating from Atherton High School quite a few years ago.  She has sung with Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, B.B. King, Wynona Judd, Waylon Jennings, Trisha Yearwood and Maura O'Connell.  She has recorded and performed with Ringo Starr, Delbert McClinton, Levon Helm, John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. 

She has appeared on TV shows Austin City Limits, American Music Shop, Turner South and The Road.

She has performed on movie soundtracks for Hope Floats, Boys on the Side and Look Who's Talking Now.

From our dinner/concert night experience:

First, each attendee brought something to eat - it was a pitch in dinner and the food was varied and fabulous. I took a large - very large - bowl of chilled fruits that was emptied quickly. The day had been very hot (98F) and humid, so we were all looking for something to cool us down.

Then, after an hour of meeting some very interesting people and sharing some terrific food, we all gathered in the living room/dining room/along the staircase/in the foyer. We each settled in to our seats, some on metal chairs others on sofas and stairs. We were hot and relaxed after eating, but also anticipating Jonell's arrival.

Conway, the consummate host, thanked each of us for coming and exuded enthusiasm over Jonell's artistry and Tom's skills. With few words he had us ready for the concert.

Jonell, petite and energetic, emerged from a side room in embroidered jeans and simple black t-shirt. With a smile filled with genuine warmth and made us all smile back, she sat on a piano bench next to Tom and greeted us all with a friendly "hey there". She talked about her recent concert in Louisville, and how much better it is for a singer and musician to play in such intimate settings like the front room of a friend's home.

Jonell and Tom sat along one wall, allowing for eye contact with every person in the audience. And trust me, she sang to each and every one of the 30 people there.

Tom Britt, guitarist supreme, played with incredible technique - at times filling the room with harmonies that made us think there were three guitars playing, while at other times played so simply that the electric guitar sounded almost acoustical - amazing talent.

We clapped hands, we tapped our feet, we begged for more from them both. And they happily complied with the requests.

We learned the origin of each song she sang and some history - sometimes she sang it with Bob Dylan, another time she sang with Vince Gill, another time the song was written by her but sung better (according to Jonell) by Maura O'Connell.

After the first hour we took a 15 minute break for dessert - which magically appeared in the kitchen with beautifully arranged cakes and cookies and fruits, coffee and teas. Then back to our seats for the second half.

Afterward, Rick and I were able to meet with Jonell and had a terrific conversation about people we both knew, some of whom Rick knew and some of whom only I knew. The fun part was how much Jonell and we had in common.

We parted with kisses and hugs and promises of keeping in touch. But best of all, with heartfelt wishes of success for all of us.

Rick is already making a list of venues and people to contact, while I'm listening to her CD as I write and making a list of places in the area where I would like to see her play.

If you ever see her name listed on a marquee or advertised as playing soon - please don't miss the opportunity to hear her.