At the age of 26, Ludwig Beethoven went deaf, ending his career as a successful concert...

[first lines] Mia Hall: At the age of 26, Ludwig Beethoven went deaf, ending his career as a successful concert pianist. But determined not to let a little thing like his hearing end his music career, my pal Ludwig became a composer. Turned out the new gig suited him. It's like that old saying, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." Take my dad. When my little brother, Teddy, was born, he quit his band to get a real job. But then he fell in love with teaching. Now he spends his days in the mosh pit that is high school English class. Or my mom, a riot girl who found her calling as a part-time travel agent and a full-time supermom. These days she only moshes with Teddy. Kat: Schooch over, dude. Mia Hall: And then there's me. I thought I knew where I was going. I thought I had it all mapped out. Turns out, I had no idea.