Tuesday May 5, 2020
Many years ago, I read John Irving’s “A Prayer for Owen Meany.” In it, Owen believes he is God’s instrument and sets out to fulfill the fate he has prophesied for himself. The novel sparked a longtime fascination with the concepts of chance vs. fate. Then, a fondness for serendipity: “the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.” Who doesn’t love a stroke of luck, right?
Part of my theory was that you increase the opportunities for serendipity by getting out in the world, and being open to new experiences. Each new location, person, event increases the chance of encountering something fortuitous.
How does one do this in shutdown? YouTube. Yes!!! I’d never really played too much attention to it. I’d always preferred written instruction to YouTube videos. So, it’s been a truly delightful to see how YouTube has brought serendipity into my life. If you have some time to kill, I’d encourage you to give it a spin and see where it takes you. Thank you to the mysterious YouTube algorithms and may they continue to work their magic!
- While watching a hula-hoop instructional video, YouTube recommended a live 1972 Stevie Wonder performance in Germany. It was delightful, and I hula-hooped and danced away the afternoon.
- While watching Gov. Cuomo, YouTube recommended a video on how to make easy Turkish bread. It was quick, fun, and will forever be my go to recipe for Bazlama, or pita bread (see photo from Day 52).
- YouTube tempted me to watch an old Jenny Can Cook video of homemade cinnamon rolls. Her cinnamon rolls have quickly become a weekly event in my house (see photo from Day 52). I later learned that Jenny was a ‘girl drummer’ in the 60s/70s, then an early female comedian, and hosted the national talk show, Jenny Jones, in the 90s. Her recipes are winners!
- When the Gilmore Keyboard Festival was canceled, they launched some recordings and live streams from the artists who were supposed to perform this month in Kalamazoo. One such live performance was jazz pianist Emmet Cohen. I enjoyed it so much, I joined his YouTube station. Now, every Monday at 7:30 ET I can “sit” in his living room and listen to an amazing jazz trio live from New York. It’s delightful.
- The list goes on and on…..hours of bird videos that I listen to while flitting about the house, a moonlit beach with waves, and a reintroduction to film noir of the 40s and 50s. Check out 1945 Detour.
Here’s to chance, 21st century style!
