Well its 2011 and I’ve been living with my Hawaiian-made Ukulele for almost a year. Learning to play an instrument for the first time is a humbling experience in so many ways. Let me count them: 1. New music language 2. Dumb fingers won’t listen 3. Sore dumb fingers 4. Untrained voice 5. White boy rhythm. Need I go on?  But the lesson in all of this for me is that when you invest time (I’ve been consistently playing for an hour to two a day)  in something you love,  it comes back tenfold. 

That’s essentially the experience I have had over the last 28 years shepherding Weisman Design Group. I’ve discovered that as a result of our investment of time and love, personally and firm wide we’ve acquired a tremendous talent and experience base.  Even the most challenging projects in this chaotic world seem possible and joyful.  Just as my untrained fingers are beginning to move where I want them to, with our real project experience we have moved the firm into a sweet spot of work which gives us joy and stability.

Our firm has always expressed our desire to be hand touch and high tech. This unique combination has grounded us in our raison d’etre: connecting to the landscape. We have used the last three years to sharpen our skills and improve our technological edge.  We stand poised to embark on more amazing projects from our clients of vision with needs to be met!  This includes all of the wonderful School Districts we have had the chance to work with, and our myriad of private and public clients. We thrive on these ongoing and new challenges!

Speaking of challenges, I decided I wanted to find my lifetime Ukulele and came upon an amazing company composed of a husband and wife lutherie team (ukulele makers).  Mya-Moe Ukuleles  is a company located in White Salmon, Washington on a beautiful piece of property up above the Columbia River.  Char and Gordon Mayer are musicians and performers in addition to making amazing custom, one of a kind instruments from scratch.  They complete one instrument a day when working with many in various states of progress. I arranged a visit with them over the holidays and had a chance to experience their graciousness.  I got to play three or four of their instruments which were about to be shipped out, and we sat and talked about ukuleles and life.  Then we went to their workshop and looked at wood sets for possible use. I chose the wood I wanted (Master Grade Koa) the size I wanted (Super Soprano) and other details. I am so excited to see the outcome of my uke which will be ready in July 2011.