My mom decided a couple years ago to take up playing the violin. She really loves playing, she practices all the time. Thing is, she doesn’t think she’s very good. I’m not sure of the veracity of that statement because she always plays when no one’s around and hasn’t played a recital or anything for us. But all that is about to change.

Over the past year, my mom has been working on organizing the Really Terrible Orchestra in Pennsylvania. The concept is pretty basic. RTO “exists to encourage those who have been prevented from playing music, either through lack of talent or some other factor, to play music in the company of similarly afflicted players.” I guess they’re being a bit tongue-in-cheek, but no, they insist. They’re really terrible.

I’m proud of her regardless. Not only because of her dedication to the project, but she even made a website for RTO-PA all by herself! And then in today’s Sunday Morning Call, she’s got a nice long feature about the group which has grown rather quickly.

She’s been most excited about the original ensemble from Scotland making their United States debut. I’ll be there. Maybe you’d like to as well.

REALLY TERRIBLE ORCHESTRA CONCERT

What: The original RTO, from Scotland, makes its New York City debut
When: 8 p.m. April 1
Where: The Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd St.
Tickets: $25 and $35
Info: http://www.ticketmaster.com or 212-307-4100

For y’all who don’t know yet, my sister Rebecca is an amazingly talented fashion designer living and working in New York City. She’s been custom designing and making wedding dresses as sort of a hobby for a while now, and she’s decided to officially offer her services to the world (lucky you!). If you’re getting married, or know someone who is, by all means, give Bec a shout. She’ll be sure to make the most stunning dress you will ever wear.

Her newly-launched web site, rschone.com has the info.

Bec sez: “I have always been rather obsessed with wedding gowns. You just can’t deny, there is something wonderful and iconic about them… what can I say? I just love them. They are perhaps the only kind of garment that actually means something very special to both the wearer and designer, and that matters a lot to me. Making my own dress was one of the most satisfying projects I’ve ever worked on, but of course I only got to wear one! I’m not planning on ever remarrying either, so what is a girl to do? I want to keep designing them and making them for ever and ever.“

Right now, I have an eagle eye on the stupid weather which so far is not cooperating very nicely. Both sets of parents are begging us off this trip, or at least to find alternative travel or whatever. Right now, I’m still 90% 50% 0% sure we’re set to leave Friday evening. Stay tuned.

Today is marks the 30th anniversary of the day I moved to America. I was almost 2 years old and my brother Dave was 6 months old in 1978 when my parents decided to move to the San Francisco Bay Area from Holland. This occasion is an especially important one to my Dutch father who always reminds us each year of why we moved. He said it best in his annual heart-felt email today:

November 8th is again the day to remember that the three of us came to the USA 30 years ago. As long as I am able I will remind you of that because you should not take for granted what this simple move 30 years ago has come to mean in our lives.

I have come to the USA not just to follow your mother home to California but to leave my country and culture. It was too easy for me to have stayed and the adventures to be found in Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA were more of my likings. Open countries with lots of opportunities. Opportunities to make these young countries better, while at the same time creating opportunities to grow and explore yourself.

In countries like to USA the opportunity to make a different is still here. I am sure that you agree or at least I hope you see that the USA, as bad as it may be sometimes, is still the country to be. I hope to have shown through my endeavors that we can make a difference. Making the world a better place, not for ourselves but for all people, this is what the USA needs, people who know that it is great to live and be here. I am glad that we not just came here for your mother, going to her home town, but that we are here to contribute and to be challenged by what this country has to offer. I hope and pray that you will never forget this last sentence because it is not only that we have come to the USA for this opportunity but that GOD placed us on this earth in this time frame to serve Him. Being in the USA only highlights this even more.

Again, happy anniversary and with many more prosperous years to follow.

I am proud to live in America. And even now, with my dual citizenship, I continue to live on this side of the Atlantic. Given the recent political events, I can confidently say I will be happy to continue to work to take advantage of my opportunities here and work hard to make this world a better place. Always. And I hope my father’s words will be an inspiration to you, too.

Meet Dr. Werner “Snake Eyes” Herzog. [update: okay, that is a ridiculous name. We just call him Vern now.]

Audrey and I have been talking about getting a pet for a while now, but then the other day, our friend had some stray kitties playing around in his backyard and we committed to taking one. Well, that plan didn’t turn out to be as easy as we thought. Turns out feral young cats are nearly impossible to catch bare-handed. We spent half the afternoon trying, using several different tactics, none of which worked.

In the end we gave up and went straight to PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society), the awesome and highly recommended animal shelter on 2nd and Arch. After playing around with several cats, we were drawn to Werner particularly for some reason. For me it was his striking green eyes and his laid-back attitude. For Audrey it was his shiny gray coat and snugglability.

He was the perfect choice. The moment we brought him home he was completely at ease. And this, an ex-stray! He curiously nosed around the house confidently, then settled in the curling up in our laps and kneading his paws into our bellies. He’s an excellent cat. We’re convinced he’s an ‘old soul’ even though he’s only one year old. Hope y’all get to meet him soon!

He’s sitting on my lap watching me type this with focused intensity right this moment… I think he might be into blogging, too! Whoa.

I (Audrey) recently took a trip down to Hot Springs, Arkansas to begin researching a documentary film I am making. I met my mother (whom the film is partially about) down there and we spent 5 days digging up the past, eating fried catfish and barbecue, bathing in hot springs and soaking up the vibe of this little town, and I have to say- I am in love with the history and old Americana feel of Hot Springs. Here are a couple of photos from the trip, the rest are on Mark’s Flickr page. I will be posting more about this project in the months (and years?) to come, I may even create a separate blog for the film, but I will keep everyone POSTED. Ha ha. Pun intended.