Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 30/9/2019 (362 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MYSTERY SOLVED! America’s former first lady Michelle Obama explained how she and husband Barack Obama lived out their lofty motto, "They go low, we go high," at her speech at Bell MTS Place last Tuesday.

Like most politicians, the couple received a lot of insults, both personal and political, while Barack Obama was president. Ignoring the nastiness would be the most gracious way most people could manage, but the Obamas went one step higher. She revealed to 7,500 Winnipeg fans just how they did it.

PAUL R. GIUNTA / INVISION / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Former first lady Michelle Obama

First, she and Barack would sit at a table and "get it all out." And then, the secret tool. "Empathy helped. Sadly, we don’t receive enough of this ability — to stand in somebody else’s shoes."

To be able to feel empathy for the people who tried to hurt them, they’d ask: "What pain must they be going through to lead them to such fear?"

She said they’d try to guess — maybe these people had lost their jobs, were seeing the world change around them, or felt angry about something in their lives.

"It’s a hard motto. And we’re not perfect at it," she admitted. Then she flashed that famous big smile, and said, "Most people are good people."

Michelle Obama is a quick wit and funny storyteller. As the crowd warmed up, she loosened up, and got personal and funny. She complained that her mom, Marian Robinson — who lived with the family at the White House — definitely liked her big brother Craig best, even though she was a lawyer and first lady of the United States.

"What more could I do?" she asked. "The only other people my mother likes better than Craig are her grandchildren… oh, and she loves the grandchildren more than she loves me, too!"

People were laughing and shaking their heads at this icon going through regular, annoying family stuff. The unspoken message from the girl from the working-class south side of Chicago was: "After all this, I’m still one of you. "

Good luck getting a copy of her popular book Becoming in Winnipeg this week!

WSO TRIP TO THE NETHERLANDS: When the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra took a planeload of Winnipeggers down to New York City several years ago, what a party it was! They loved the restaurants, receptions, sightseeing — and of course the fabulous concert, where New Yorkers and people from around the world were cheering for our symphony.

Executive director Trudy Schroeder recently announced a new trip — the orchestra plus its fans — to the Netherlands. It’s slated for early May, with concerts in different centres every night they are there. The orchestra will play in Arnhem, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Groningen, Antwerp, Utrecht, Vredenburg and Heerlen over a 10-day period.

There are two touring possibilities: The Dutch Experience tour, with all the sights and museums and flowers, is set for May 3-10 with one concert and gala included. There’s also a Military History Experience tour, May 4-12, with two concerts included. The basic price is $4,500, Schroeder says, and includes airfare and four-star accommodations.

The trip coincides with the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands at the end of the Second World War, so it’s a very special time for the Dutch, and the Canadians who helped them.

To help support this tour, WSO fans have been asked if they might consider adopting an orchestra member at $5,000 — and people have responded. However, Schroeder says 35 members are still up for adoption, poor darlings. (Don’t worry, they will not be left behind.)

For information about the trip, see wso.ca/events/wso-netherlands-tour/

STONE INTENTIONS: "People recognize the energy of certain stones in a healing capacity, and some people are buying crystals for more than decoration now," says Lisa Tjaden, owner of Radiance Gifts, 7-875 Corydon Ave. For example, she recommends healing crystals for the treatment of arthritis.

"Scientifically, there are now ways we can prove that ‘rocks’ do work — such as measuring the electromagnetic frequency and vibration," Tjaden says. But she points out stones aren’t useful if they just sit in a drawer.

Her hand-strung Intentions line of jewelry is flying out the store. People can keep their intentions for certain special stones top of mind if they wear them as decoration.

Popular stones for bracelets are associated with pain relief, weight loss, peaceful sleep, protection and attracting love.

You pick out which stones you decide you need and Tjaden will sit with you and string them onto a special bracelet while you wait. Some folks just want the 108-stone prayer beads called malas.

Bracelets start at $28 and malas start at $55. The Intentions bracelet that’s most popular is the "F-It" bracelet for people who are sick and tired of something or someone!

Got tips? Cool events happening in your world? Been rubbing shoulders with the stars? Email Maureen’s Tips at mscurf@shaw.ca