From: Michael Eckford
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Subject: OFFISH: Re: Recital gift for tenor friend
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Molly McLinden wrote:

> ...A good friend, a very talented young tenor, is giving
> his senior recital in two months. Already, I am
> brainstorming as to what I can get him for a recital
> present....
> "I saw a woman wearing a sweatshirt with 'Guess' on it. I said, 'Thyroid
> problem?'" - Emo Philips

Hello Molly,

Sort of by the way, I love your sweatshirt quote. It makes me giggle and
also makes me think you seem able to "think outside the box..."

Sort of related to that thought, and acting as a kind of devil's advocate,
is a conventional gift necessarily the thing to do? I am learning in my
life that true gifts, like true love, are given and received
unconditionally. Gifts need not be material. A friend's mere presence is
enough for me. "It's the thought that counts"...

Would a gift need to be tenor- or music-related? How about a gift
certificate for:

a massage
classes/seminars in some kind of personal growth - spirituality, martial
arts, body awareness...
personal/career counselling

a donation in your friend's name to an artistic, social or environmental
cause

a couple book possibilities:

"A Soprano On Her Head"
"Spiritual Literacy - Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life" by Frederic &
Mary Ann Brussat - a very cool book I have just started to read...

whatever truly reflects your or your friend's true passions...

Should you choose to purchase a gift, support local businesses as much as
possible (and when you need it, perhaps local businesses will choose to
support you...).

I hope these random thoughts are of some help...

Blessings.

Michael Eckford
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada