By Dr. Jeannine Jordan
Webster's Dictionary defines forward-looking as "concerned with or planning for the future". A forward-looking individual is someone who is particularly focused on the future and making plans for it--someone who looks ahead. Is there a better definition of musician than that?
The actual definition of musician, one who is skilled in music, leaves out so much of who and what we are! By necessity and practicality we are forward-looking individuals. We have to be focused on the future and making plans for it. Most of us lack the qualities and skills of a Bach or Mozart and are unable to compose, perform, or teach without weeks, months, or sometimes even years of planning and preparation.
This week, the first full week of the New Year, is littered with forward-looking meetings, encounters, emails, and practice.
· As a church musician, the wonder and glory of the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany celebrations are behind me, and the forward-looking work of preparing music for Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter services has arrived.
· As a teacher, the fall series of lessons culminating with a wonderful December recital by my students is over, and the forward-looking work for preparing schedules, and making lesson plans for the next five months of sharing the joy of music with my students is here.
· As a performer, the successful presentation of our Bach and Sons and From Sea to Shining Sea organ and media events last fall are a wonderful memory, but now the forward-looking intensive practice and preparation for various concerts and a presentation of Bach and Sons with narration in German demand my immediate attention.
· As a businessperson, the government regulated demarcation between 2011 and 2012 arrived ten days ago. The forward-looking work of organizing financial details and filing taxes is a reality.
· Then there is this newsletter and my blogs and _____ (you fill in the blank). All projects requiring and demanding forward-looking attention to detail! Yes, we musicians are by necessity a group who by necessity are particularly focused on the future and making plans for it. We are forward-looking! However, are we or should we also be forward-thinking?
Forward-thinking is a term that has not yet found its way into dictionaries. It is too "new". However, much has been written about the topic and the characteristics of those who are forward-thinkers with visionaries Bill Gates and Steve Jobs topping the list of great forward-thinkers. Forward-thinking has been described as
· thinking progressively
· looking beyond the "now" and formulating strategies for future success
· asking "what's next?"
· looking ahead with an eye to improvement
· relating to the future with fresh perspectives and conscious departures which acknowledge that in this never-before-in-history time anything and everything is possible
· trying to figure out the goals of tomorrow, then trying to find the methods of tomorrow to achieve them
Becoming a forward-thinking musician is a tall order for the busy and at times, overwhelmed forward-looking musician. Is it possible to integrate the two behaviors? Some thoughts and questions to ponder as we begin anew with fresh eyes, ears, and minds this year of 2012.
· As a church musician, am I thinking progressively?
· As a teacher, am I looking ahead with an eye to improving my teaching skills?
· As a performer am I looking beyond the strictures of my instrument, the organ, and creating ways to better share this instruments and its great repertoire with my audiences?
· As a businessperson, am I able to get out of the "this is the way I have always kept the books" to finding ways to streamline this time-consuming task.
· As a writer of newsletters and blogs, am I relating to our readers with fresh perspectives and insights?
Which are you inclined to be? A forward-looking person or a forward-thinker?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6808306
Friday, January 13, 2012
Ferrari 458 Italia Manettino, Launch Control and Interior
by: Passione Rossa
The 458 Italia is equipped with a racing manettino switch leading toward more sporting set ups and giving the driver a wider selection of electronic controls parameters. The ICE setting saw in the F430 has been removed, while the CT setting has been added in order to deactivate the traction control and at the same time maintain the stability control. There are five different manettino positions and conditions: Low Grip, Sport, Race, CT and CTS. Low Grip setting provides maximum grip under all driving conditions, and it is particularly suited for low grip surfaces. The emphasis is on comfort and stability without compromising the handling. Sport is the best setting for day to day driving and guarantees great safety under good grip. Race is particularly suitable for track driving providing maximum performance and stability in optimal grip situations. CT helps the driver improving his driving skills in safety, by keeping active the stability control. It allows over-steer right to the edge of the car’s limits and guarantees enhanced driving pleasure and fun behind the wheel, particularly on the track. Under CTS setting, both stability and traction control systems are deactivated, giving the driver maximum freedom and control on the track. No electronic systems intervene on the vehicle stability with the exception of E-diff3 and ABS.
On the 458 Italia, the driver can decouple the suspension damping from the electronic configuration selected on the manettino. The suspension decoupling button offers improved “filtering” of uneven road surfaces in order to improve performance and handling on uneven broken surfaces, such as the ones at the Nürburgring race track.
The launch control button is instead designed to offer the best possible acceleration from standstill. It delivers the maximum possible torque to the ground and prevents wheel spin as the car accelerates away. Its activation is indicated in the instrument panel. To start using the Launch control, the manettino must be selected on race, CT or CTS setting. With the car still at standstill, the driver then needs to put the gearbox in manual, selects first gear, pushes the launch control, presses the accelerator pedal and then releases the brake pedal.
The stylistic interior choices developed by Ferrari Centro Stile reflect a functional, ergonomic cockpit design. The driver is set in the center of a streamlined and intuitive layout, which is very much in line with the marquee’s signature styling cues.
The 458 Italia is equipped with a racing manettino switch leading toward more sporting set ups and giving the driver a wider selection of electronic controls parameters. The ICE setting saw in the F430 has been removed, while the CT setting has been added in order to deactivate the traction control and at the same time maintain the stability control. There are five different manettino positions and conditions: Low Grip, Sport, Race, CT and CTS. Low Grip setting provides maximum grip under all driving conditions, and it is particularly suited for low grip surfaces. The emphasis is on comfort and stability without compromising the handling. Sport is the best setting for day to day driving and guarantees great safety under good grip. Race is particularly suitable for track driving providing maximum performance and stability in optimal grip situations. CT helps the driver improving his driving skills in safety, by keeping active the stability control. It allows over-steer right to the edge of the car’s limits and guarantees enhanced driving pleasure and fun behind the wheel, particularly on the track. Under CTS setting, both stability and traction control systems are deactivated, giving the driver maximum freedom and control on the track. No electronic systems intervene on the vehicle stability with the exception of E-diff3 and ABS.
On the 458 Italia, the driver can decouple the suspension damping from the electronic configuration selected on the manettino. The suspension decoupling button offers improved “filtering” of uneven road surfaces in order to improve performance and handling on uneven broken surfaces, such as the ones at the Nürburgring race track.
The launch control button is instead designed to offer the best possible acceleration from standstill. It delivers the maximum possible torque to the ground and prevents wheel spin as the car accelerates away. Its activation is indicated in the instrument panel. To start using the Launch control, the manettino must be selected on race, CT or CTS setting. With the car still at standstill, the driver then needs to put the gearbox in manual, selects first gear, pushes the launch control, presses the accelerator pedal and then releases the brake pedal.
The stylistic interior choices developed by Ferrari Centro Stile reflect a functional, ergonomic cockpit design. The driver is set in the center of a streamlined and intuitive layout, which is very much in line with the marquee’s signature styling cues.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
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