Dissertation research leads us down unexpected, lonely, and obtuse paths, and I find myself wanting to crawl out of my cave with every brilliant turn of phrase that I come across to share its beauty (Simba-style) with the rest of the world.

Mr. Lyon would practice in the mornings before school started, locked in his office away from the chaos of the students. Most days he would just work on a single note, playing it over and over and over while kids made fun of him for not playing anything else. I was struck by his ability to focus so intently, because when I tried the same thing at home, even without the noise of teenagers to block out, I couldn't be as consistent as he was. He was maybe too quiet and introspective to be the high school band director some kids expected, but he was certainly an example of what it was to be a musician.