HeyJaredGongs and Lemonade
Formerly "Lunch with Mozart," I write about how music intersects with everything else in my life. Expanding my reach to Gongs and Lemonade gives me permission to explore all things and become a better writer in the process. Thanks for joining me!
- Indexed issues, last 90 days
- 6
- Latest publication
- Sep 23, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 3, 2026
Latest issues
Questions for the Curious: The Symphony Edition. (opens the original)
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I started writing this Substack to convince people that didn’t attend the symphony to give it a try. “Trust me, you’ll love it.” “There is something for everyone.”“Just give it a try, even if you leave at intermission.”“Your symphony NEEDS you!”Fast forward three years and times have…adjusted. I’m not saying those things are not true. Actually, I still believe they are. Now, during season opening month in 2026, I have suggestions for people who already come to the symphony. Your symphony really
I finally “left” my job. (opens the original)
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My official last day was May 30, 2026.But I’ve been working hard since then. Eighteen separate interviews. Twelve other applications that I can remember. Obsessively checking job boards daily.Side note: job boards don’t change daily.I must have thought I needed something to replace checking Outlook and Teams…On Monday, I turned down two jobs. Such relief.Today, I feel like I finally finished. I finally took a breath and accepted the chance to build my life differently. It took almost 3 full mont
The Ups and Downs of Waiting (opens the original)
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Rushing is really a form of waiting. Think about it. When I rush down the road to “beat the traffic” I’m really waiting for a traffic jam, a detour, or some other perceived road slight that causes me to run behind or keeps me from arriving first. The rushing just postpones the waiting.When I rush through my meal without really tasting the food, I’m waiting to see what comes next, what might be better. If it’s my work lunch, I’m probably trying to cut down the wait time between unmanageable proje
Reports of my retirement are greatly exaggerated. (opens the original)
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Apparently, trying to gracefully step away from a job (and at my age), creates the need for an explanation. A gentle, face-saving, “isn’t that special” kind of explanation.I did not retire!First of all, while I am in my sixth decade, I am not nearly old enough to actually retire. Neither am I independently wealthy. And I have not secretly been purchasing Mega Millions tickets all along and found myself with the winning numbers at last.Second, while I do use the phrase “practice retirement”, I us
You Can't Just Sit There. (opens the original)
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I am forcing myself to write…after my big birthday announcement that I quit my job (and thank you for all the wonderful comments and encouragement!), I have had a distinct lack of motivation to follow up with anything. Well, anything particularly meaningful at least.This is the problem with writing here. Once you write and put it out there for all to see and notice, you feel like you have to keep writing. And everything has to be better the next time. Funnier. More intense. Deeper. More r
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