In this conformist, Toyota-fied world, where we expect everything to be slickly packaged, reliable and safe, British composer Sir Malcolm Arnold was definitely a breath of fresh air. His humor, his pathos and technical ability were often seen in the same piece, and often in the same passage. Arnold died this past weekend at the age of 84.
Although his creative period had ended, I feel a sense that we have lost a great voice, one that will be appreciated more as time passes.
Arnold wrote in about every musical form imaginable. He scored 132 films including Whistle Down the Wind, The Bells of St. Trinian's, Hobson's Choice and Bridge on the River Kwai, for which he won an Oscar. In more "serious" forms he wrote nine symphonies, more than 20 concertos, including ones for harmonica, recorder, guitar and organ theatre music and a musical. He was knighted for his service to British music in 1993.
Arnold's personal life however, was marked by tragedy, alcoholism and mental illness. He suffered repeated bouts of severe depression, made several suicide attempts and was hospitalized for a long period receiving electroshock therapy. He was also chronically alcoholic. Both of his marriages fell apart straining his relationship with his children. Sir Malcolm was well known for his ill temper and rude behavior; even his most ardent supporters contend he was difficult.
Many called his work uneven yet few composers compose masterpiece after masterpiece. The same thing could be said of Shostakovich. His works were filled with humor (especially his signature piece "A Grand, Grand Overture" which included parts for floor polisher, 3 vacuum cleaners and 4 rifles), inventive sounds (he was a master at writing for brass, especially trumpet which he had played professionally)and a great sense of rhythm (the set of Dances from the British Isles are a perfect example). I had the privilege of hearing his "Philharmonic Concerto" played live no long after its creation in 1976 by Haitink and the London Philharmonic. The passage for harp and snare drum is fresh even 30 years later.
I invite you to explore the website devoted to Sir Malcolm and perhaps discover this wonderful composer. SIR MALCOLM ARNOLD, CBE
RIP Sir Malcolm, you deserve it.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Another Era Ends
This was supposed to be posted Monday. However, a visit from my former neighbor led to a long dinner and two bottles of wine. 'Nuff said.... ~ Pato
I don't normally eavesdrop on my neighbors, but Mr P next door is a little hard of hearing and thus has his TV and answering machine at top level. I had just come down the elevator and was opening the door to my little office which is next to his door when I heard the familiar voice of our across the street neighbor Angela:
"They closed it", she exclaimed, "he closed the restaurant... just like that. Call me."
I called Angela in disbelief...
"Angela, they closed Nichols???"
"Yes, it is true, they called a staff meeting for today and said when they closed the doors on Sunday eve, that was it. No notice, no party, no nothing."
Nichols Lunch, the greasy-iest of greasy spoon diners, open 24 hours except Sunday late eve and Mondays closed for good after being in operation since 1921.
Located at 39th and Southwest Trafficway, Nichols was home to locals, retired folks, rich and poor, drag queens from the next door drag bar, and other colorful characters. Eggs and toast for breakfast, a hamburger after the late shift or coffee and pancakes after a night of bar hopping, Nichols Lunch was always there. Sometimes the more well heeled would refer to it as "Cafe Nicole" or in the evening "Chez Nicole". My neighbor who thinks nothing of jetting off to Boston or New Orleans to eat, had breakfast there almost every morning.
There were signs, Angela said, that the end was near. "He was not fixing anything, the place needed work and nothing was being done."
Rumor abounds that the gay bar Missie B's is expanding, the owner of Nichols Michael Bay owns the building so that is possible.
Whatever the case, another institution like the Brookside Dime Store has bit the dust. Is the Town Topic or Bryant's BBQ next??
I don't normally eavesdrop on my neighbors, but Mr P next door is a little hard of hearing and thus has his TV and answering machine at top level. I had just come down the elevator and was opening the door to my little office which is next to his door when I heard the familiar voice of our across the street neighbor Angela:
"They closed it", she exclaimed, "he closed the restaurant... just like that. Call me."
I called Angela in disbelief...
"Angela, they closed Nichols???"
"Yes, it is true, they called a staff meeting for today and said when they closed the doors on Sunday eve, that was it. No notice, no party, no nothing."
Nichols Lunch, the greasy-iest of greasy spoon diners, open 24 hours except Sunday late eve and Mondays closed for good after being in operation since 1921.
Located at 39th and Southwest Trafficway, Nichols was home to locals, retired folks, rich and poor, drag queens from the next door drag bar, and other colorful characters. Eggs and toast for breakfast, a hamburger after the late shift or coffee and pancakes after a night of bar hopping, Nichols Lunch was always there. Sometimes the more well heeled would refer to it as "Cafe Nicole" or in the evening "Chez Nicole". My neighbor who thinks nothing of jetting off to Boston or New Orleans to eat, had breakfast there almost every morning.
There were signs, Angela said, that the end was near. "He was not fixing anything, the place needed work and nothing was being done."
Rumor abounds that the gay bar Missie B's is expanding, the owner of Nichols Michael Bay owns the building so that is possible.
Whatever the case, another institution like the Brookside Dime Store has bit the dust. Is the Town Topic or Bryant's BBQ next??
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Two Thumbs Up, One Thumbs Down
I managed to catch 3 of the selections of the Kansas City Gay and Lesbian film festival this weekend, two of which were admirable efforts, one was total mess. 2 out of 3 is not bad I guess.
The first was the moving and well done Saint of 9/11. In the New York September 11 attacks, the first official casualty was fire department Chaplain Mychal Judge, who had just given last rites to a fallen firefighter. Father Judge was far from your average priest. A gay and out going Franciscan who delighted in wearing his Fire Department regalia and his simple robe and sandals and a recovering alcoholic, Judge remained closeted among the firefighters while being an active member of the gay community. In one of the most poignant tributes, a friend recalled when AIDS patients were treated like lepers even from Doctors and Nurses, he hugged and kissed them without fear, telling them they were still human and loved. The film traces his life in Brooklyn, his family's roots in Ireland, his early involvement with AIDS work and some of his travels. The image of firefighters carrying his limp body from the Ground Zero site is referred to as "The American Pieta". A moving, never preachy and well paced documentary that is well worth ordering from the site above or catching at a theatre.
The second hit was tonight's Small Town Gay Bar. Director Malcolm Ingram (who arrived late from his plane with the copy of the film to be shown) provides a humorous yet sometimes sobering look at the struggle of deep south rural gays to create a place where in the words of the song in "Rent" "we can be an us instead of a them". The two bars profiled and some of the now closed bars are located with in a stone's throw of Donald Wildmon's virulently anti-gay American Family Association headquarters. His son is interviewed along with the legendary Fred Phelps, baldly showing their hypocrisy and ignorance.
The owners and customers of the bars speak from the heart about their constant struggle to live their lives in a hostile land, and how these bars nby their very presence provide a sense of community. Funny, serious and ultimately uplifting, I would not be surprised if it emerges as the People's Choice among the films shown.
The miss was Broken Sky (no website found), a 2006 opus from Mexico. Two beautiful and lusty university students, Gerardo and Jonás, meet on campus and fall passionately in love. They enjoy a torrid romance until Jonás becomes obsessed with another boy and drives Gerardo away whereupon he meets another fellow.
Fine. Boy meets boy, romance is great, romance cools, they explore other relationships but find they can't totally leave the other one. But in this case,the movie goes on for 2 1/2 hours with no dialogue, maybe 5-10 works spoken. Music and some narration provide a bit of focus. The dance goes on too long, and with a predictable end. Maybe if it were an hour shorter it would have worked. But the pouting and bouncing in and out of bed with each other, even when they hated each other (supposedly) seemed pointless. In the end no one cared and no one I spoke to liked the thing. I suppose the highbrow Bi-Costal types think we are too stupid to understand. Maybe we are smart enough not to play the game. As a non-documentary a film you may have a chance to see but don't bother.
The first was the moving and well done Saint of 9/11. In the New York September 11 attacks, the first official casualty was fire department Chaplain Mychal Judge, who had just given last rites to a fallen firefighter. Father Judge was far from your average priest. A gay and out going Franciscan who delighted in wearing his Fire Department regalia and his simple robe and sandals and a recovering alcoholic, Judge remained closeted among the firefighters while being an active member of the gay community. In one of the most poignant tributes, a friend recalled when AIDS patients were treated like lepers even from Doctors and Nurses, he hugged and kissed them without fear, telling them they were still human and loved. The film traces his life in Brooklyn, his family's roots in Ireland, his early involvement with AIDS work and some of his travels. The image of firefighters carrying his limp body from the Ground Zero site is referred to as "The American Pieta". A moving, never preachy and well paced documentary that is well worth ordering from the site above or catching at a theatre.
The second hit was tonight's Small Town Gay Bar. Director Malcolm Ingram (who arrived late from his plane with the copy of the film to be shown) provides a humorous yet sometimes sobering look at the struggle of deep south rural gays to create a place where in the words of the song in "Rent" "we can be an us instead of a them". The two bars profiled and some of the now closed bars are located with in a stone's throw of Donald Wildmon's virulently anti-gay American Family Association headquarters. His son is interviewed along with the legendary Fred Phelps, baldly showing their hypocrisy and ignorance.
The owners and customers of the bars speak from the heart about their constant struggle to live their lives in a hostile land, and how these bars nby their very presence provide a sense of community. Funny, serious and ultimately uplifting, I would not be surprised if it emerges as the People's Choice among the films shown.
The miss was Broken Sky (no website found), a 2006 opus from Mexico. Two beautiful and lusty university students, Gerardo and Jonás, meet on campus and fall passionately in love. They enjoy a torrid romance until Jonás becomes obsessed with another boy and drives Gerardo away whereupon he meets another fellow.
Fine. Boy meets boy, romance is great, romance cools, they explore other relationships but find they can't totally leave the other one. But in this case,the movie goes on for 2 1/2 hours with no dialogue, maybe 5-10 works spoken. Music and some narration provide a bit of focus. The dance goes on too long, and with a predictable end. Maybe if it were an hour shorter it would have worked. But the pouting and bouncing in and out of bed with each other, even when they hated each other (supposedly) seemed pointless. In the end no one cared and no one I spoke to liked the thing. I suppose the highbrow Bi-Costal types think we are too stupid to understand. Maybe we are smart enough not to play the game. As a non-documentary a film you may have a chance to see but don't bother.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Saturday Pancake Musings
It's that time again.....
1)Cooler weather has descended on Metro KC for the forseeable future. It got to 80 yesterday, but the humidity was low and the breese strong. The rest of the week is a lot cooler and today woke up to a cool light rain. Long pants have been pulled from their hiding place, sandals are at the back of the shoe row in my closet. The hum of the AC is missing from my ears. I am wondering where to put all the hibiscus plants for the winter and it is almost time to place the order for the holiday wreaths and poinsettias. The Heartland Men's Chorus has started rehearsing for our Holiday concert. Snow will be here soon. Some love the fall, I hate it. I am a spring person myself.
2)Maestro Stern returned for a whirlwind visit on his way somewhere. I got to see the baby pictures, Miss Hannon is cute. There was one pic of daddy holding her, the look on his face priceless. Can't wait to see her.
3)Check out the Philadelphia Orchestra for a limited time free download of a recent performance of Beethoven's Symphony # 5 with Christoph Eschenbach conducting. Downloads of other pieces are available for a small charge. This is the future folks.... and as usual I am behind, I do not have an ipod and fear if I did it would get lost, they are so small.
4)The KC Gay and Lesbian Film festival is on this weekend. I think Michael and I are going to see "The Saint of 9/11". The story of the gay priest who was the NY Fire Department Chaplain who was killed in the attack. The rest of the films look pretty boring.
5) The pancakes were good this AM. For doing her a favor, Kellee upstairs gave me a bowl of fruit and some flowers, so I had fresh strawberries along with Aunt Jemima.
1)Cooler weather has descended on Metro KC for the forseeable future. It got to 80 yesterday, but the humidity was low and the breese strong. The rest of the week is a lot cooler and today woke up to a cool light rain. Long pants have been pulled from their hiding place, sandals are at the back of the shoe row in my closet. The hum of the AC is missing from my ears. I am wondering where to put all the hibiscus plants for the winter and it is almost time to place the order for the holiday wreaths and poinsettias. The Heartland Men's Chorus has started rehearsing for our Holiday concert. Snow will be here soon. Some love the fall, I hate it. I am a spring person myself.
2)Maestro Stern returned for a whirlwind visit on his way somewhere. I got to see the baby pictures, Miss Hannon is cute. There was one pic of daddy holding her, the look on his face priceless. Can't wait to see her.
3)Check out the Philadelphia Orchestra for a limited time free download of a recent performance of Beethoven's Symphony # 5 with Christoph Eschenbach conducting. Downloads of other pieces are available for a small charge. This is the future folks.... and as usual I am behind, I do not have an ipod and fear if I did it would get lost, they are so small.
4)The KC Gay and Lesbian Film festival is on this weekend. I think Michael and I are going to see "The Saint of 9/11". The story of the gay priest who was the NY Fire Department Chaplain who was killed in the attack. The rest of the films look pretty boring.
5) The pancakes were good this AM. For doing her a favor, Kellee upstairs gave me a bowl of fruit and some flowers, so I had fresh strawberries along with Aunt Jemima.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Inmate Drama
My inmate penpals are wearing on me. I know, thankfully not first hand, how miserable they must be, even when they put on the best of face. I know I have a couple who have little outside support. But the drama and now some games are wearing on me.
One pal is constant drama. I think he brings a lot of his troubles on himself Every letter is how everyone is out to get him and make him miserable and deny him everything. I just feel so helpless to intervene. I try to rationalize that just writing and listening can help. But the constant turmoil is hard on him and me.
Another pal, which Texas moved around from prison to prison and then back to his original assigned unit, now is asking for $$ every other letter or so. This last one was for $50 to send to another inmate's family so this inmate can get him in to a program in a leather shop. Not going there.... now instead of writing a friendly chat letter, I have to say no and wait to see if he decides not to write again. The letter before that was for some $ to get items that he lost in the moves. I tell all my pals, money will come at Christmas and on birthdays, anything else do not ask. This pal has gone quickly from me excited to get a letter to "what does he want now?"
I have not heard from two in a while, one of which is probably hacked that I would not pay for an online ad at another site after I placed a free one for him. The other one has a lot of support so I guess I am low on the list.
One is getting released in a year. He is great, but has tons of family and friend support. This his letters are nice but usually just a short page or so. At least he is not asking for something.
Sigh... I know it is not easy to be pals with an inmate. I think why bother? Then I remember why when one of them writes this in a recent letter:
"All friends, whether they know it or not, help me and all of us here just by being there, listening to us and loving us and sharing their lives with us. It gives me hope. It helps me remember that we are indeed human beings, loveable human beings, and not just thrown away, forgotten trash. The system and the guards want us to think that and treat us that way. Thank you, and thank all for loving and caring for me and for anyone in the system, thank you all for even caring about us. That means more than you'll ever know."
Thus I continue.
One pal is constant drama. I think he brings a lot of his troubles on himself Every letter is how everyone is out to get him and make him miserable and deny him everything. I just feel so helpless to intervene. I try to rationalize that just writing and listening can help. But the constant turmoil is hard on him and me.
Another pal, which Texas moved around from prison to prison and then back to his original assigned unit, now is asking for $$ every other letter or so. This last one was for $50 to send to another inmate's family so this inmate can get him in to a program in a leather shop. Not going there.... now instead of writing a friendly chat letter, I have to say no and wait to see if he decides not to write again. The letter before that was for some $ to get items that he lost in the moves. I tell all my pals, money will come at Christmas and on birthdays, anything else do not ask. This pal has gone quickly from me excited to get a letter to "what does he want now?"
I have not heard from two in a while, one of which is probably hacked that I would not pay for an online ad at another site after I placed a free one for him. The other one has a lot of support so I guess I am low on the list.
One is getting released in a year. He is great, but has tons of family and friend support. This his letters are nice but usually just a short page or so. At least he is not asking for something.
Sigh... I know it is not easy to be pals with an inmate. I think why bother? Then I remember why when one of them writes this in a recent letter:
"All friends, whether they know it or not, help me and all of us here just by being there, listening to us and loving us and sharing their lives with us. It gives me hope. It helps me remember that we are indeed human beings, loveable human beings, and not just thrown away, forgotten trash. The system and the guards want us to think that and treat us that way. Thank you, and thank all for loving and caring for me and for anyone in the system, thank you all for even caring about us. That means more than you'll ever know."
Thus I continue.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Toofless
I got a tooth pulled today. Woo hoo! Not exactly what I wanted to do but it was overdue. A crown broke off a while back and after looking at it, the dentist decided that it was not worth saving. A crown for 25+ years and two root canals had taken its toll. I put off doing anything about it but it finally got to hurting and was infected. Greg got me an appointment at the Dental school. Cheap for us many Americans who have no health care coverage. Thanks George...
I really do not mind going to the dentist, I find it all rather fascinating. I asked the Endodontist in St Louis if I could watch the root canal, but he could not get the mirror to cooperate. So I finally got to watch one in Nicaragua last March.
What sends me into orbit are the x-rays. I can not handle the procedure. Drill, pull scrape.. that is nothing. When they approach me with that damn plastic plate. I gag. Big time. I have scared dentists and hygenists to think I am dying. I throw up, I gag, turn pale and clammy and pass out. I am cursed with the gag reflex from Hell.
Today was no exception, and I even warned the student. At the xray lab, I had quite the audience. They did a panorama x-ray that I guess is not as detailed. That seemed to be a bit of an issue but there was not much hope otherwise.
The rest went smooth and the pulling and all did not phase me a bit. I joked with the student that I knew the procedure and she better do it right. She did.
I guess I'll have to get a bridge or implant now. Can't be toofless ya know! Just no more x-rays.
I really do not mind going to the dentist, I find it all rather fascinating. I asked the Endodontist in St Louis if I could watch the root canal, but he could not get the mirror to cooperate. So I finally got to watch one in Nicaragua last March.
What sends me into orbit are the x-rays. I can not handle the procedure. Drill, pull scrape.. that is nothing. When they approach me with that damn plastic plate. I gag. Big time. I have scared dentists and hygenists to think I am dying. I throw up, I gag, turn pale and clammy and pass out. I am cursed with the gag reflex from Hell.
Today was no exception, and I even warned the student. At the xray lab, I had quite the audience. They did a panorama x-ray that I guess is not as detailed. That seemed to be a bit of an issue but there was not much hope otherwise.
The rest went smooth and the pulling and all did not phase me a bit. I joked with the student that I knew the procedure and she better do it right. She did.
I guess I'll have to get a bridge or implant now. Can't be toofless ya know! Just no more x-rays.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
News From the Pond
Sorry for the short and non-ranting posts of late, but I have been busy here at the duck pond. The rehearsals for the Heartland Men's Chorus are in full swing... ah! Christmas in September! I have received many a strange look when I am driving around on a warm, fall day with my windows rolled down, the strains of Christmas music coming from our rehearsal CD. Going to be a complex show this year, and we have a special show in Dallas in October with the Turtle Creek Chorale. ROAD TRIP!!
Tomorrow, early, I am off to the UMKC Dental Clinic to get my now abscessed and hurts-like-hell tooth pulled. JOY! Maybe one of the students going to Nica will be my dentist.
Other than that, the cold weather is settling in for fall here in KC. Supposed to be 45F (7C for my Non-US friends) tonight.
I did not do the switch to Linux as I posted a while back. Some complications and my reluctance to lose a lot of my data. Some day....
Pato maybe a bit bitchy tomorrow so watch out!
Tomorrow, early, I am off to the UMKC Dental Clinic to get my now abscessed and hurts-like-hell tooth pulled. JOY! Maybe one of the students going to Nica will be my dentist.
Other than that, the cold weather is settling in for fall here in KC. Supposed to be 45F (7C for my Non-US friends) tonight.
I did not do the switch to Linux as I posted a while back. Some complications and my reluctance to lose a lot of my data. Some day....
Pato maybe a bit bitchy tomorrow so watch out!
Monday, September 18, 2006
International Pato
I got a hit on the blog today from Andorra! As a geography geek, I even know where Andorra is and that the major city and capital is Andorra La Vella.
Been a slow day, so this is about as exciting as it got....
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Religious Wars
First off, let me state that the Roman Catholic Church and its leader Pope Benedict (I can't help but still think of him as Cardinal Rat-slinger(sic)) are not among my favorite people. They have oppressed people, destroyed families and individuals more than any pornographer or abortion provider could ever think. So it is somewhat ironic that I support The Pope in his battle with radical, out-of-control Islam.
The Pope, in a speach, referred to Islam as violent and inhuman. The Pope referred to criticism of the Prophet Mohammed by 14th century Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus. The emperor said everything Mohammed brought was evil and inhuman "such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached". Using the terms "jihad" and "holy war", the Pope said violence was "incompatible with the nature of God".
Well, if the shoe fits.... Repression of women, executions for everything, harsh laws, hypocracy, the refusal to separate religion from state, Muslims killed for converting to Christianity. "Peace-loving" Palestinians dancing in the streets in celebration of the butchery of 9/11. Jews routinely portrayed as monkeys and pigs in Islamist media. Many Muslins publically (and the majority privately) accept the glorification of homicide bombers. Women stoned for adultery and gays and lesbians hung in the streets. Islam is hardly sweet,soft and cuddly.
The Pope has apologized.
The apology of course didn't appease the blood thursty Muslims, educated that everything is insulting to them.
Violence indeed erupted through much of the Muslim world. Palestinians have attacked churches in the West Bank and Gaza. An Italian nun was killed in Muslim controled Somalia in retailiation. Peaceful Islam at work. Where is that apology?? Don't hold your breath, we will never hear it.
I just keep clinging to hope saner minds will prevail. And maybe some day we'll stop killing each other over fairy tales and 100,000 virgins.
The Pope, in a speach, referred to Islam as violent and inhuman. The Pope referred to criticism of the Prophet Mohammed by 14th century Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus. The emperor said everything Mohammed brought was evil and inhuman "such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached". Using the terms "jihad" and "holy war", the Pope said violence was "incompatible with the nature of God".
Well, if the shoe fits.... Repression of women, executions for everything, harsh laws, hypocracy, the refusal to separate religion from state, Muslims killed for converting to Christianity. "Peace-loving" Palestinians dancing in the streets in celebration of the butchery of 9/11. Jews routinely portrayed as monkeys and pigs in Islamist media. Many Muslins publically (and the majority privately) accept the glorification of homicide bombers. Women stoned for adultery and gays and lesbians hung in the streets. Islam is hardly sweet,soft and cuddly.
The Pope has apologized.
The apology of course didn't appease the blood thursty Muslims, educated that everything is insulting to them.
Violence indeed erupted through much of the Muslim world. Palestinians have attacked churches in the West Bank and Gaza. An Italian nun was killed in Muslim controled Somalia in retailiation. Peaceful Islam at work. Where is that apology?? Don't hold your breath, we will never hear it.
I just keep clinging to hope saner minds will prevail. And maybe some day we'll stop killing each other over fairy tales and 100,000 virgins.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Saturday Pancake Musings
More musings over Saturday Pancakes:
1)Pluto has suffered the ultimate humiliation. Not only has it's status been demoted, like a man entering prison it now has a number instead of a name: 134340.
Pluto, you will always be a planet in my heart, even if you did mess up astrology and Holst's orchestral suite "The Planets". Astrologists must be gleeful in their "I told you so" attitude as well. Welcome to the yard 134340.
2)Today in 1977 "La Divna" Maria Callas died at 53 of a heart attack. For years, Callas was romantically linked with Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis; their stormy affair being the stuff of legends. The relationship ended when Onassis left Callas for Jacqueline Kennedy. Heartbroken and her once glorious but controversial voice a shambles, Callas quietly spent her last years in Paris. Fans adored her dramatic acting ability and her imposing stage presence yet acknowledged her voice was not as well trained or sublimely beautiful as Tebaldi, Scotto, or Sutherland. She is, however, revered above all as the Voice of the Century.
3)From the sublime to the totally gross, I saw the worst movie I ever suffered through. Michael wanted to see "Another Gay Movie" so we did. Gross, pointless, stupid.... if I had a ride home, I would have left after a few minutes. Don't even bother.
4)In an attempt to go Microsoft Free, I am having the Linux operating system installed on my computer this PM. Simple, cheap and stable... kind of how I like things...
1)Pluto has suffered the ultimate humiliation. Not only has it's status been demoted, like a man entering prison it now has a number instead of a name: 134340.
Pluto, you will always be a planet in my heart, even if you did mess up astrology and Holst's orchestral suite "The Planets". Astrologists must be gleeful in their "I told you so" attitude as well. Welcome to the yard 134340.
2)Today in 1977 "La Divna" Maria Callas died at 53 of a heart attack. For years, Callas was romantically linked with Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis; their stormy affair being the stuff of legends. The relationship ended when Onassis left Callas for Jacqueline Kennedy. Heartbroken and her once glorious but controversial voice a shambles, Callas quietly spent her last years in Paris. Fans adored her dramatic acting ability and her imposing stage presence yet acknowledged her voice was not as well trained or sublimely beautiful as Tebaldi, Scotto, or Sutherland. She is, however, revered above all as the Voice of the Century.
3)From the sublime to the totally gross, I saw the worst movie I ever suffered through. Michael wanted to see "Another Gay Movie" so we did. Gross, pointless, stupid.... if I had a ride home, I would have left after a few minutes. Don't even bother.
4)In an attempt to go Microsoft Free, I am having the Linux operating system installed on my computer this PM. Simple, cheap and stable... kind of how I like things...
Friday, September 15, 2006
Pato News Bulletin! Welcome Hannon Agatha Stern
From The Maestro:
Finally she is here, the lovely daughter of Michael Stern and Shelly! I recieved this note via email this PM:
CONGRATS TO MICHAEL AND SHELLY!
Finally she is here, the lovely daughter of Michael Stern and Shelly! I recieved this note via email this PM:
"Two weeks and four days past her "due date" ... and right on time
Early Wednesday morning, September 13, 2006 in New York City,
we welcomed with love into our lives
Hannon Agatha Stern
7lbs 13 oz
Shelly & Michael"
Early Wednesday morning, September 13, 2006 in New York City,
we welcomed with love into our lives
Hannon Agatha Stern
7lbs 13 oz
Shelly & Michael"
CONGRATS TO MICHAEL AND SHELLY!
Common Sense
When common sense triumphs over ideology, the people win. Sadly, this is not possible in the highly charged atmosphere of US politics under the Bush regime. The "debate" on stem cells is a perfect example. Losing sight of the miracles that process could achieve, opponents hypocritically scream about the right of embryos while the living die and they sanction government murder in the death chamber.
Thankfully, in "less developed" countries needing the guidance of Papa Bush, common sense can win over ideology. The debate that "this is what you need, but you can't have it because I say it is wrong" thankfully did not materialize in a recent tragedy in Nicaragua.
In the poor northern area of Nicaragua, home brewing of alcohol or "moonshining" by groups is very common. The people can not afford bottled liquor, even though to us gringos Nicaraguan liquor is dirt cheap. On September 3rd, a large batch, or possibly several batches of moonshine was tainted with methanol. Methanol, a toxic industrial alcohol often used in antifreeze, can cause blindness and death even in small amounts. Bootleggers sometimes add it to strengthen their illegal brew. So far 45 have died and over 600 are deathly ill, overwhelming Nicaragua's fragile health system.
The Nicaraguan Ministry of Health (MINSA) has done all it could to treat the victims and international aid has poured in.
In a bold and common sense move, MINSA's Director Margarita Gurdián has authorized an exchange program. People who have some of the illegal, potentially lethal liquor can exchange it for bottled, government inspected liquor, no questions asked.
"It is a special plan designed to eliminate methanol in the departments of Leon and Chinandega. Personally, I do not want to give this liquor, because it is not the function of Minsa to distribute liquor, but we want to safeguard the life of the possible users of this methanol tainted liquor" stated minister Gurdián.
When the AIDS crisis hit or when teen pregnancy rates rose in the US, instead of distributing condoms, birth control and safe sex material, the government cried "stop fucking"! Like that is going to happen. Minister Gurdián knew that people were going to drink and likely to continue drinking despite warnings. "Stop drinking, it is a sin" will fall on deaf ears and more would die. She took bold action. The time for education and Alcoholics Anonymous is for later.
So refreshing to see common sense in a government, instead of hypocritical morality.
Thankfully, in "less developed" countries needing the guidance of Papa Bush, common sense can win over ideology. The debate that "this is what you need, but you can't have it because I say it is wrong" thankfully did not materialize in a recent tragedy in Nicaragua.
In the poor northern area of Nicaragua, home brewing of alcohol or "moonshining" by groups is very common. The people can not afford bottled liquor, even though to us gringos Nicaraguan liquor is dirt cheap. On September 3rd, a large batch, or possibly several batches of moonshine was tainted with methanol. Methanol, a toxic industrial alcohol often used in antifreeze, can cause blindness and death even in small amounts. Bootleggers sometimes add it to strengthen their illegal brew. So far 45 have died and over 600 are deathly ill, overwhelming Nicaragua's fragile health system.
The Nicaraguan Ministry of Health (MINSA) has done all it could to treat the victims and international aid has poured in.
In a bold and common sense move, MINSA's Director Margarita Gurdián has authorized an exchange program. People who have some of the illegal, potentially lethal liquor can exchange it for bottled, government inspected liquor, no questions asked.
"It is a special plan designed to eliminate methanol in the departments of Leon and Chinandega. Personally, I do not want to give this liquor, because it is not the function of Minsa to distribute liquor, but we want to safeguard the life of the possible users of this methanol tainted liquor" stated minister Gurdián.
When the AIDS crisis hit or when teen pregnancy rates rose in the US, instead of distributing condoms, birth control and safe sex material, the government cried "stop fucking"! Like that is going to happen. Minister Gurdián knew that people were going to drink and likely to continue drinking despite warnings. "Stop drinking, it is a sin" will fall on deaf ears and more would die. She took bold action. The time for education and Alcoholics Anonymous is for later.
So refreshing to see common sense in a government, instead of hypocritical morality.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Misc.
I love the word miscellaneous, it is so useful. So here is some of Pato's Misc:
Anniversary:
Just as infamous and mind numbing as the events of 9/11/2001, this is the 5th anniversary of Jerry Falwell's and Pat Robertson's blaming 9/11 on Godless Democrats, Gays and Lesbians, Pro-choice supporters and the ACLU:
JERRY FALWELL: And I agree totally with you that the Lord has protected us so wonderfully these 225 years. And since 1812, this is the first time that we've been attacked on our soil and by far the worst results....what we saw on Tuesday, as terrible as it is, could be miniscule if, in fact God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve.
PAT ROBERTSON: Jerry, that's my feeling. I think we've just seen the antechamber to terror. We haven't even begun to see what they can do to the major population.
JERRY FALWELL: The ACLU's got to take a lot of blame for this.
PAT ROBERTSON: Well yes.
JERRY FALWELL: And, I know that I'll hear from them for this. But, throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say "you helped this happen."
PAT ROBERTSON: Well, I totally concur...
They later half-assed apologized... the sincerity was suspect.
Glass Tit:
My friend Shaun in a personal letter to me, relayed his feelings about how prisons maintain control over their population:
"It seems keeping people locked down, glued to their TVs adds to the smooth running of these places. Could it be that they consider educated people a threat? The TV is a babysitter in the form of a great glass tit."
What a perfect description of the role of TV. Considering the programming of the networks is so sub-par. From placing the kids in front of it, to placating prisoners to Mr. and Mrs. America buying all the garbage put out by the networks, we do suck on the great glass tit. It isn’t called the "boob-tube" for nothing!
Anniversary:
Just as infamous and mind numbing as the events of 9/11/2001, this is the 5th anniversary of Jerry Falwell's and Pat Robertson's blaming 9/11 on Godless Democrats, Gays and Lesbians, Pro-choice supporters and the ACLU:
JERRY FALWELL: And I agree totally with you that the Lord has protected us so wonderfully these 225 years. And since 1812, this is the first time that we've been attacked on our soil and by far the worst results....what we saw on Tuesday, as terrible as it is, could be miniscule if, in fact God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve.
PAT ROBERTSON: Jerry, that's my feeling. I think we've just seen the antechamber to terror. We haven't even begun to see what they can do to the major population.
JERRY FALWELL: The ACLU's got to take a lot of blame for this.
PAT ROBERTSON: Well yes.
JERRY FALWELL: And, I know that I'll hear from them for this. But, throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say "you helped this happen."
PAT ROBERTSON: Well, I totally concur...
They later half-assed apologized... the sincerity was suspect.
Glass Tit:
My friend Shaun in a personal letter to me, relayed his feelings about how prisons maintain control over their population:
"It seems keeping people locked down, glued to their TVs adds to the smooth running of these places. Could it be that they consider educated people a threat? The TV is a babysitter in the form of a great glass tit."
What a perfect description of the role of TV. Considering the programming of the networks is so sub-par. From placing the kids in front of it, to placating prisoners to Mr. and Mrs. America buying all the garbage put out by the networks, we do suck on the great glass tit. It isn’t called the "boob-tube" for nothing!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Season Opener: Kansas City Symphony
The 25 anniversary season of the Kansas City Symphony, born from the ashes of the failed Kansas City Philharmonic, has begun in fine fashion with a festive opening weekend highlighting how far the orchestra has advanced under the direction of Michael Stern.
I am blessed to have Maestro Stern (I always call him Maestro) as a neighbor so I received a call on Wednesday from him. He and his wife Shelly were still in New York waiting impatiently for their now overdue baby.
"It will be announced that I will not conduct the opening concerts" he said after I asked about he and Shelly.
"Yes, I know"
"How?"
"The Symphony put out an email and I am on the list...(Maestro does not realize that nothing escapes me....) David Robertson is conducting. How did you manage that?!"
"I called and he said ok"
The power of connections!
Anyway, the Symphony sounded wonderful; especially the confident winds both spiky when needed and also able to sing. Oh what 10 more players would do to fill out the slightly thin but highly polished string section. More of a reflection on the Symphony's budget than anything else. With soaring ticket sales, maybe we can accomplish that.
I was thrilled to hear David Robertson, music director of the St. Louis Symphony, who has lit a fire under that ensemble, promising to bring it back to the glory days of Leonard Slatkin. He, like Stern, is an energetic conductor and excellent communicator. Robertson is a little less animated than Stern but both get the needed results.
Wagner’s Overture to "Die Meistersinger" substituted for the KC premiere of Chen Yi's "Si Ji"(Four Seasons). That work will be performed later. I was unfortunately seated under the Lyric Theatre's balcony, thus the orchestra sounded a bit brass and wind heavy. The cellos sawed away but I could barely hear them. It was a solid and energetic performance, worthy of a season opener.
Taking advantage of the necessary reduction in players on stage, I and my friend raced upstairs and scoped out some balcony seats. The acoustics being so much better.
I was thrilled that the Symphony programmed Dvorak’s exquisite and rarely performed (or recorded for that matter) Symphonic Variations. A great piece to demonstrate the solo and ensemble playing of the Symphony winds. Tuneful, rhythmic and a bit schizophrenic, the piece must be difficult to conduct, thus contributing to its neglect. Robertson highlighted the ensemble playing, kept everything moving and negotiated the ending fugue with panache. They were rewarded with a standing ovation. My friend Michael who loves the Dvorak Symphonies but never heard the Symphonic Variations was totally won over.
I had heard of but never actually heard (even in recording) the Canadian pianist Jon Kimura Parker. His resume is impressive and I am ashamed to not have known more about him. However, I will be following him more closely after his ravishing and accomplished traversal of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto # 1.
The wonderful sound of the new Steinway helped Parker to communicate a fresh and never overwrought performance. As I like my pianism, it was not flashy and fast but full of depth but with a great sense of forward motion. Unlike the flashier performances, there was no let down after the famous dramatic beginning. Each note and section of the movement was full of passion and forward momentum.
The central Andantino Semplice was also not a boring afterthought to the towering first movement. It was played as prayer interrupted by the central trio celebrating life and lyricism. Amazing.
Parker and Robertson took off in the finale, again dispelling the notion that it pales in comparison to the first movement. Putting caution to the wind, the performance was athletic including the final chords from the piano, which resonated and shook the piano, bringing the piece to a glorious close.
The performers were treated to another ovation and the audience was treated to a lighthearted but technically amazing solo performance of "Scenes from An Italian Restaurant" by Billy Joel. A sinful bon bon after a fabulous meal.
I am blessed to have Maestro Stern (I always call him Maestro) as a neighbor so I received a call on Wednesday from him. He and his wife Shelly were still in New York waiting impatiently for their now overdue baby.
"It will be announced that I will not conduct the opening concerts" he said after I asked about he and Shelly.
"Yes, I know"
"How?"
"The Symphony put out an email and I am on the list...(Maestro does not realize that nothing escapes me....) David Robertson is conducting. How did you manage that?!"
"I called and he said ok"
The power of connections!
Anyway, the Symphony sounded wonderful; especially the confident winds both spiky when needed and also able to sing. Oh what 10 more players would do to fill out the slightly thin but highly polished string section. More of a reflection on the Symphony's budget than anything else. With soaring ticket sales, maybe we can accomplish that.
I was thrilled to hear David Robertson, music director of the St. Louis Symphony, who has lit a fire under that ensemble, promising to bring it back to the glory days of Leonard Slatkin. He, like Stern, is an energetic conductor and excellent communicator. Robertson is a little less animated than Stern but both get the needed results.
Wagner’s Overture to "Die Meistersinger" substituted for the KC premiere of Chen Yi's "Si Ji"(Four Seasons). That work will be performed later. I was unfortunately seated under the Lyric Theatre's balcony, thus the orchestra sounded a bit brass and wind heavy. The cellos sawed away but I could barely hear them. It was a solid and energetic performance, worthy of a season opener.
Taking advantage of the necessary reduction in players on stage, I and my friend raced upstairs and scoped out some balcony seats. The acoustics being so much better.
I was thrilled that the Symphony programmed Dvorak’s exquisite and rarely performed (or recorded for that matter) Symphonic Variations. A great piece to demonstrate the solo and ensemble playing of the Symphony winds. Tuneful, rhythmic and a bit schizophrenic, the piece must be difficult to conduct, thus contributing to its neglect. Robertson highlighted the ensemble playing, kept everything moving and negotiated the ending fugue with panache. They were rewarded with a standing ovation. My friend Michael who loves the Dvorak Symphonies but never heard the Symphonic Variations was totally won over.
I had heard of but never actually heard (even in recording) the Canadian pianist Jon Kimura Parker. His resume is impressive and I am ashamed to not have known more about him. However, I will be following him more closely after his ravishing and accomplished traversal of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto # 1.
The wonderful sound of the new Steinway helped Parker to communicate a fresh and never overwrought performance. As I like my pianism, it was not flashy and fast but full of depth but with a great sense of forward motion. Unlike the flashier performances, there was no let down after the famous dramatic beginning. Each note and section of the movement was full of passion and forward momentum.
The central Andantino Semplice was also not a boring afterthought to the towering first movement. It was played as prayer interrupted by the central trio celebrating life and lyricism. Amazing.
Parker and Robertson took off in the finale, again dispelling the notion that it pales in comparison to the first movement. Putting caution to the wind, the performance was athletic including the final chords from the piano, which resonated and shook the piano, bringing the piece to a glorious close.
The performers were treated to another ovation and the audience was treated to a lighthearted but technically amazing solo performance of "Scenes from An Italian Restaurant" by Billy Joel. A sinful bon bon after a fabulous meal.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Beware The Dreaded Nose Cone-er
Almost every Saturday my mom and I would head across town to visit her parents. My dad had office hours on Saturday AM and then usually played golf in the afternoon and thus had little time for us. I relished the time as a small boy, as everyone left me alone to escape into my little fantasy world. The early sixties were safer times for sure.
I was a car nut almost at birth. The big shiny chariots completely fascinated me. I loved everything Detroit could produce and know I could tell a 1962 Chevrolet from a 1963 model before I could reliably count to 10. Grandma's was especially rich car hunting grounds as she lived on a busier, through street near downtown. The traffic was comparatively sparse on my isolated cul-de-sac on the edge of town.
Lost in my world, I would run up and down the street, in and out of the alley ways and old gravel lanes, remnants of where coal trucks would dump the coal for the houses built between 1915-1920. I would keep a look out for the latest and most exotic car to come by and pretend I was driving one. An Olds Starfire, any Cadillac, big honking Buicks, flashy finned Chryslers, all were fabulous. An occasional foreign car like a Mercedes or an English Ford might make an appearance. It was orgasmic!
But occasionally fear would strike. I could hear the beast roaring westbound down Macon Street, the brick pavement shaking every body-on-frame bolt. I would see it! PANIC! My little mind and legs running.. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! A NOSE CONE-ER! I would dive into the hydrangea bushes along side the driveway. Once it had passed and assured I was still alive, I would venture out again, waiting for a big Lincoln to tickle my fancy.
You see, I was deathly afraid of 1950-1951 Studebakers.
Look at them, that nose cone looks evil and possessed. The 1950's nose, with the slanted, squinty slots and bulbous nose looked just like Mr. Magoo. But, I knew the secret. The evil and strange drivers (one had to be a little different to own a Studebaker) could control the nose cone and shoot it at unsuspecting little first grade boys. The cone would find you, slam on to your face and cover your nose and mouth, smothering you in chrome. It was an evil plot only I knew. Despite my attempts to convince Mom and my Grandma ("the little pecker is fucking nuts" she would shake her head...Grandma was nothing but earthy) no one else would believe that 1950-1951 Studebakers were possessed.
As time matured my brain and sent the rusting hulks to the boneyard, I lost my fear of these rabid machines. However, last night I picked up a back issue of Collectible Automobile out of my collection and there on the cover was a damn Nose Cone-er. I could not find a hydrangea bush fast enough.
Guess I am not as grown up as I thought....
I was a car nut almost at birth. The big shiny chariots completely fascinated me. I loved everything Detroit could produce and know I could tell a 1962 Chevrolet from a 1963 model before I could reliably count to 10. Grandma's was especially rich car hunting grounds as she lived on a busier, through street near downtown. The traffic was comparatively sparse on my isolated cul-de-sac on the edge of town.
Lost in my world, I would run up and down the street, in and out of the alley ways and old gravel lanes, remnants of where coal trucks would dump the coal for the houses built between 1915-1920. I would keep a look out for the latest and most exotic car to come by and pretend I was driving one. An Olds Starfire, any Cadillac, big honking Buicks, flashy finned Chryslers, all were fabulous. An occasional foreign car like a Mercedes or an English Ford might make an appearance. It was orgasmic!
But occasionally fear would strike. I could hear the beast roaring westbound down Macon Street, the brick pavement shaking every body-on-frame bolt. I would see it! PANIC! My little mind and legs running.. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! A NOSE CONE-ER! I would dive into the hydrangea bushes along side the driveway. Once it had passed and assured I was still alive, I would venture out again, waiting for a big Lincoln to tickle my fancy.
You see, I was deathly afraid of 1950-1951 Studebakers.
Look at them, that nose cone looks evil and possessed. The 1950's nose, with the slanted, squinty slots and bulbous nose looked just like Mr. Magoo. But, I knew the secret. The evil and strange drivers (one had to be a little different to own a Studebaker) could control the nose cone and shoot it at unsuspecting little first grade boys. The cone would find you, slam on to your face and cover your nose and mouth, smothering you in chrome. It was an evil plot only I knew. Despite my attempts to convince Mom and my Grandma ("the little pecker is fucking nuts" she would shake her head...Grandma was nothing but earthy) no one else would believe that 1950-1951 Studebakers were possessed.
As time matured my brain and sent the rusting hulks to the boneyard, I lost my fear of these rabid machines. However, last night I picked up a back issue of Collectible Automobile out of my collection and there on the cover was a damn Nose Cone-er. I could not find a hydrangea bush fast enough.
Guess I am not as grown up as I thought....
Friday, September 08, 2006
A Stench Permeates Kansas City
Around 3:30 I noticed a horrible smell in the air. The sky had turned dark and green. The scream of sirens and the drone of helicopters broke the tranquil late summer silence. It was a scene out of Star Wars; only a different evil emperor had made his entrance. Bush had arrived. Sucking money out of the rich ones for his lackey Senator Jim "No" Talent. He was (actually still is as I write) just down the road at the mansion of Tom Ward, the owner of Russell Stover Candy. Add them to your list of businesses to avoid. Talent has been a faithful lackey but he needs more money to buy the election. Daddy Bush will oblige.
On a more positive note, it seems ABC is doing some rewrites on its Fake=umentary on 9/11. Here is what I wrote to KMBC KCMO:
The "Path to 9/11" movie is flawed and a blatent attempt by some to sway the minds of viewers. ABC claims the movie is "based on the 9/11 Commission Report." But numerous 9/11 Commission members have said the miniseries actually directly contradicts their report.
This is not a partisan issue. Numerous conservatives – including Brent Bozell, former Reagan aide Bill Bennett, author Richard Miniter, and others – have said that ABC should correct the factual errors in the series.
ABC has marketed this miniseries to thousands of high school teachers, urging them to have their students watch. American high school students shouldn't be taught the history of 9/11 using a politically slanted, factually inaccurate docudrama. Scholastic dropped its support, realizing it was broadcasting lies and misrepresentations.
By putting this program on the air, more viewers will see it than will ever read the 9/11 Commission Report. ABC is abusing their public trust and doing a disservice to their audience by presenting fiction as fact. I will not watch it and have made sure my friends and family will not as well.
It is fun being an activist!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Are We Safer??
Bushie boy says we're safer now that he is here in charge of the war on "turrer". A St Louis Post Dispatch Poll disagreed. Polls have shown that the Bush regime is trusted only by only 5 percent more of those surveyed than Democrats to handle terrorism In August 2002 the Republicans had a 25 percent advantage. A Newsweek poll shows that 63 percent of those surveyed believe Iraq had not made us safer from terrorists.
Bushie has began to compare his war in Iraq to that of the Cold War and even WWII and the struggle to topple the Nazi regime. What a concept. Taking that logic, the WWII Allies would have invaded Argentina first and made sure the population there would not support the Nazis when they were defeated. Or the real threat to the world in the Cold War was Sweden, those damn liberal socialists.
I don't feel safer. Most of the world fears Bush more than Ben Laden.... Let's hope for a regime change.... here.
Bushie has began to compare his war in Iraq to that of the Cold War and even WWII and the struggle to topple the Nazi regime. What a concept. Taking that logic, the WWII Allies would have invaded Argentina first and made sure the population there would not support the Nazis when they were defeated. Or the real threat to the world in the Cold War was Sweden, those damn liberal socialists.
I don't feel safer. Most of the world fears Bush more than Ben Laden.... Let's hope for a regime change.... here.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
NO Baby News Yet
I finally heard from Maestro Stern last night. We have been anxiously awaiting the birth of his first child. However, baby Stern (supposedly a she)is not cooperating as she should and is several weeks late.
(For newer readers, Michael Stern, the Music Director of the Kansas City Symphony, lives in my condo building, he is the son of Isaac Stern the renowned violinist.)
He called to tell me that he was not coming in this week and had canceled his performances with the symphony this week. Being a news hound, Pato already knew that. I may be the lowly duck, but little escapes me.
The official statement was: "Only my yet unborn child's stubborn refusal to adhere to our Kansas City Symphony's schedule could keep me from being with the orchestra to launch this 25th anniversary season."
Filling in for Stern will be David Robertson, the new conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, who has made quite a splash of his own.
The program for this weekend's KCSO concerts has been changed slightly. We will not hear the KC premiere of Si Ji (Four Seasons) by Chen Yi (who lives and teaches in Kansas City). I have heard the piece and it will not be missed by a lot of the audience. It will be replaced by the Prelude to Wagner's Die Meistersinger. The rest of the concert Dvorák's Symphonic Variations and Jon Kimura Parker in Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 will go as planned.
Maestro sounded well but stressed and Shelly was in back as calm as ever. I noted that he had called during the torture session that is the Heartland Men's Chorus rehearsal and I called during break. I thought it was news but it was not the news I wanted.
Check in at Pato News for the latest updates.
(For newer readers, Michael Stern, the Music Director of the Kansas City Symphony, lives in my condo building, he is the son of Isaac Stern the renowned violinist.)
He called to tell me that he was not coming in this week and had canceled his performances with the symphony this week. Being a news hound, Pato already knew that. I may be the lowly duck, but little escapes me.
The official statement was: "Only my yet unborn child's stubborn refusal to adhere to our Kansas City Symphony's schedule could keep me from being with the orchestra to launch this 25th anniversary season."
Filling in for Stern will be David Robertson, the new conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, who has made quite a splash of his own.
The program for this weekend's KCSO concerts has been changed slightly. We will not hear the KC premiere of Si Ji (Four Seasons) by Chen Yi (who lives and teaches in Kansas City). I have heard the piece and it will not be missed by a lot of the audience. It will be replaced by the Prelude to Wagner's Die Meistersinger. The rest of the concert Dvorák's Symphonic Variations and Jon Kimura Parker in Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 will go as planned.
Maestro sounded well but stressed and Shelly was in back as calm as ever. I noted that he had called during the torture session that is the Heartland Men's Chorus rehearsal and I called during break. I thought it was news but it was not the news I wanted.
Check in at Pato News for the latest updates.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Lies and More Lies
On September 10 and 11, ABC Television is planning to air a program called "The Path to 9/11." Though ABC claims that the program is based on the facts, the truth is that it distorts the facts and the conclusions of the 9/11 Commission. The ABC program, written by avowed conservative Chris Nowrasteh, goes out of its way to place blame on the Clinton administration for 9/11 and whitewash the failures of the Bush administration. That simply isn't true.
Help do something about it.
Visit this website and send a message to ABC:
Tell ABC to tell the whole story!
Help do something about it.
Visit this website and send a message to ABC:
Tell ABC to tell the whole story!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Labor Day Musings
1) Both HM and I have been feeling the effects of the coming change of the seasons. I have had a sinus infection for the last 4 days, yesterday being the worst. Today I feel a little better but still have the cough and sore throat. At least I am not sneezing and feel like death warmed over..that was Fri and Sat.
HM has been battling the dreaded fleas for the last few weeks. All the sprays, shampoos and the Frontline solution have appeared. So far it is fleas 2 Pug 1 but she has the upperhand at half time and a win is predicted.
2) I read that Alabama will start marking all state ID for sex offenders with a big mark of some sort. Shades of the Scarlet Letter. I expect to see "Juden" and Pink Triangles next.
3) When are states going to make murderers and such that are released register? I'd rather know if my neighbor bumped off someone more than if he/she screwed someone.
5)I went to the KC Irish Fest today. It was pretty dull. Lots of carnival food and overpriced junk. The bands were pretty lame, especially the one Greg and I sat in on. More yapping and insulting the city than playing good Irish music. And not a corned beef and cabbage to be seen. WTF???
6) Happy Labor Day...summer is over now.
HM has been battling the dreaded fleas for the last few weeks. All the sprays, shampoos and the Frontline solution have appeared. So far it is fleas 2 Pug 1 but she has the upperhand at half time and a win is predicted.
2) I read that Alabama will start marking all state ID for sex offenders with a big mark of some sort. Shades of the Scarlet Letter. I expect to see "Juden" and Pink Triangles next.
3) When are states going to make murderers and such that are released register? I'd rather know if my neighbor bumped off someone more than if he/she screwed someone.
5)I went to the KC Irish Fest today. It was pretty dull. Lots of carnival food and overpriced junk. The bands were pretty lame, especially the one Greg and I sat in on. More yapping and insulting the city than playing good Irish music. And not a corned beef and cabbage to be seen. WTF???
6) Happy Labor Day...summer is over now.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Exploding Head Syndrome
Every so often, I seem to zone out and then startle back to reality with a loud ZAP! that sounds like the crackle of an electrical short circuit or bolt of lightning. It is very disconcerting, and I often shake or jump like I have been shocked. The noise is deafening.
I never mentioned it to a Dr or anyone, as I seemed to have no ill effects. They come regularly but not frequently, about 10-15 times times a year. Sometimes 2 in one week, sometimes none for a long time.
Well, I decided to check and see if I was dying. So I consulted the old Google pages and typed in all sorts things, as it was hard to describe. "Electric shock sound in head". "Hear sounds like lightning or electric shock"... finally I found a blog entry on the "Daily Ping" that described the symptoms.
The Mayo Clinic describes the condition as such:
Exploding head syndrome is a rare condition first reported by a British physician in 1988 (PMID 2899248) that causes the sufferer to occasionally experience a tremendously loud noise as if from within his or her own head, usually described as an explosion or a roar. This usually occurs within an hour or two of falling asleep, but is not the result of a dream. Although perceived as tremendously loud, the noise is usually not accompanied by pain. Attacks appear to increase and decrease in frequency over time, with several attacks occurring in a space of days or weeks followed by months of remission. Sufferers often feel a sense of terror and anxiety after an attack, accompanied by elevated heart rate. Attacks are also often accompanied by perceived flashes of light or difficulty in breathing. The condition is also known as 'auditory sleep starts'. The noise may be accompanied by a perceived bright flash of light, and the light on its own is known as a 'visual sleep start'.
The cause of exploding head syndrome is not known, though some physicians have reported a correlation with stress or extreme fatigue. The condition may develop at any time during life and women are slightly more likely to suffer from it than men. Attacks can be one-time events, or can recur.
The mechanism is also not known, though possibilities have been suggested; one is that it may be the result of a sudden movement of a middle ear component or of the eustachian tube, another is that it may be the result of a form of minor seizure in the temporal lobe where the nerve cells for hearing are located. Electroencephalograms recorded during actual attacks show unusual activity only in some sufferers, and have ruled out epileptic seizures as a cause (PMID 1896728).
Those who claim to be subject to Kundalini events occasionally report similar auditory phenomena.
Whatever the mechanism, however, it appears that exploding head syndrome is a real phenomenon and not caused by psychological disturbances. It is not thought to be medically dangerous, although it is often distressing to experience. Note that EHS doesn't, in fact, cause the head to explode.
Damn, but a cool name. Hey guys! I have exploding head syndrome!!
I never mentioned it to a Dr or anyone, as I seemed to have no ill effects. They come regularly but not frequently, about 10-15 times times a year. Sometimes 2 in one week, sometimes none for a long time.
Well, I decided to check and see if I was dying. So I consulted the old Google pages and typed in all sorts things, as it was hard to describe. "Electric shock sound in head". "Hear sounds like lightning or electric shock"... finally I found a blog entry on the "Daily Ping" that described the symptoms.
The Mayo Clinic describes the condition as such:
Exploding head syndrome is a rare condition first reported by a British physician in 1988 (PMID 2899248) that causes the sufferer to occasionally experience a tremendously loud noise as if from within his or her own head, usually described as an explosion or a roar. This usually occurs within an hour or two of falling asleep, but is not the result of a dream. Although perceived as tremendously loud, the noise is usually not accompanied by pain. Attacks appear to increase and decrease in frequency over time, with several attacks occurring in a space of days or weeks followed by months of remission. Sufferers often feel a sense of terror and anxiety after an attack, accompanied by elevated heart rate. Attacks are also often accompanied by perceived flashes of light or difficulty in breathing. The condition is also known as 'auditory sleep starts'. The noise may be accompanied by a perceived bright flash of light, and the light on its own is known as a 'visual sleep start'.
The cause of exploding head syndrome is not known, though some physicians have reported a correlation with stress or extreme fatigue. The condition may develop at any time during life and women are slightly more likely to suffer from it than men. Attacks can be one-time events, or can recur.
The mechanism is also not known, though possibilities have been suggested; one is that it may be the result of a sudden movement of a middle ear component or of the eustachian tube, another is that it may be the result of a form of minor seizure in the temporal lobe where the nerve cells for hearing are located. Electroencephalograms recorded during actual attacks show unusual activity only in some sufferers, and have ruled out epileptic seizures as a cause (PMID 1896728).
Those who claim to be subject to Kundalini events occasionally report similar auditory phenomena.
Whatever the mechanism, however, it appears that exploding head syndrome is a real phenomenon and not caused by psychological disturbances. It is not thought to be medically dangerous, although it is often distressing to experience. Note that EHS doesn't, in fact, cause the head to explode.
Damn, but a cool name. Hey guys! I have exploding head syndrome!!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
This Sums it Up Nicely
WORLD RELIGIONS IN A NUTSHELL:
Taoism: Shit happens.
Confucianism: Confucius say, "Shit happens."
Buddhism: If shit happens, it isn't really shit.
Zen Buddhism: Shit is, and is not.
Zen Buddhism #2: What is the sound of shit happening?
Hinduism: This shit has happened before.
Islam: If shit happens, it is the will of Allah.
Islam #2: If shit happens, kill the person responsible.
Islam #3: If shit happens, blame Israel.
Catholicism: If shit happens, you deserve it.
Protestantism: Let shit happen to someone else.
Presbyterian: This shit was bound to happen.
Episcopalian: It's not so bad if shit happens, as long as you serve
the right wine with it.
Methodist: It's not so bad if shit happens, as long as you serve grape
juice with it.
Congregationalist: Shit that happens to one person is just as good as
shit that happens to another.
Unitarian: Shit that happens to one person is just as bad as shit that
happens to another.
Lutheran: If shit happens, don't talk about it.
Fundamentalism: If shit happens, you will go to hell, unless you are
born again. (Amen!)
Fundamentalism #2: If shit happens to a televangelist, it's okay.
Fundamentalism #3: Shit must be born again.
Judaism: Why does this shit always happen to us?
Calvinism: Shit happens because you don't work.
Seventh Day Adventism: No shit shall happen on Saturday.
Creationism: God made all shit.
Secular Humanism: Shit evolves.
Christian Science: When shit happens, don't call a doctor - pray!
Christian Science #2: Shit happening is all in your mind.
Unitarianism: Come let us reason together about this shit.
Quakers: Let us not fight over this shit.
Utopianism: This shit does not stink.
Darwinism: This shit was once food.
Capitalism: That's MY shit.
Communism: It's everybody's shit.
Feminism: Men are shit.
Chauvinism: We may be shit, but you can't live without us...
Commercialism: Let's package this shit.
Impressionism: From a distance, shit looks like a garden.
Idolism: Let's bronze this shit.
Existentialism: Shit doesn't happen; shit IS.
Existentialism #2: What is shit, anyway?
Stoicism: This shit is good for me.
Hedonism: There is nothing like a good shit happening!
Mormonism: God sent us this shit.
Mormonism #2: This shit is going to happen again.
Wiccan: An it harm none, let shit happen.
Scientology: If shit happens, see "Dianetics", p.157.
Jehovah's Witnesses: >Knock< >Knock< Shit happens.
Jehovah's Witnesses #2: May we have a moment of your time to show you some of our shit?
Jehovah's Witnesses #3: Shit has been prophesied and is imminent; only the righteous shall survive its happening.
Moonies: Only really happy shit happens.
Hare Krishna: Shit happens, rama rama.
Rastafarianism: Let's smoke this shit!
Zoroastrianism: Shit happens half of the time.
Practical: Deal with shit one day at a time.
Agnostic: Shit might have happened; then again, maybe not.
Agnostic #2: Did someone shit?
Agnostic #3: What is this shit?
Satanism: SNEPPAH TIHS.
Atheism: What shit?
Atheism #2: I can't believe this shit!
Nihilism: No shit.
Thanks to Zaine!
Taoism: Shit happens.
Confucianism: Confucius say, "Shit happens."
Buddhism: If shit happens, it isn't really shit.
Zen Buddhism: Shit is, and is not.
Zen Buddhism #2: What is the sound of shit happening?
Hinduism: This shit has happened before.
Islam: If shit happens, it is the will of Allah.
Islam #2: If shit happens, kill the person responsible.
Islam #3: If shit happens, blame Israel.
Catholicism: If shit happens, you deserve it.
Protestantism: Let shit happen to someone else.
Presbyterian: This shit was bound to happen.
Episcopalian: It's not so bad if shit happens, as long as you serve
the right wine with it.
Methodist: It's not so bad if shit happens, as long as you serve grape
juice with it.
Congregationalist: Shit that happens to one person is just as good as
shit that happens to another.
Unitarian: Shit that happens to one person is just as bad as shit that
happens to another.
Lutheran: If shit happens, don't talk about it.
Fundamentalism: If shit happens, you will go to hell, unless you are
born again. (Amen!)
Fundamentalism #2: If shit happens to a televangelist, it's okay.
Fundamentalism #3: Shit must be born again.
Judaism: Why does this shit always happen to us?
Calvinism: Shit happens because you don't work.
Seventh Day Adventism: No shit shall happen on Saturday.
Creationism: God made all shit.
Secular Humanism: Shit evolves.
Christian Science: When shit happens, don't call a doctor - pray!
Christian Science #2: Shit happening is all in your mind.
Unitarianism: Come let us reason together about this shit.
Quakers: Let us not fight over this shit.
Utopianism: This shit does not stink.
Darwinism: This shit was once food.
Capitalism: That's MY shit.
Communism: It's everybody's shit.
Feminism: Men are shit.
Chauvinism: We may be shit, but you can't live without us...
Commercialism: Let's package this shit.
Impressionism: From a distance, shit looks like a garden.
Idolism: Let's bronze this shit.
Existentialism: Shit doesn't happen; shit IS.
Existentialism #2: What is shit, anyway?
Stoicism: This shit is good for me.
Hedonism: There is nothing like a good shit happening!
Mormonism: God sent us this shit.
Mormonism #2: This shit is going to happen again.
Wiccan: An it harm none, let shit happen.
Scientology: If shit happens, see "Dianetics", p.157.
Jehovah's Witnesses: >Knock< >Knock< Shit happens.
Jehovah's Witnesses #2: May we have a moment of your time to show you some of our shit?
Jehovah's Witnesses #3: Shit has been prophesied and is imminent; only the righteous shall survive its happening.
Moonies: Only really happy shit happens.
Hare Krishna: Shit happens, rama rama.
Rastafarianism: Let's smoke this shit!
Zoroastrianism: Shit happens half of the time.
Practical: Deal with shit one day at a time.
Agnostic: Shit might have happened; then again, maybe not.
Agnostic #2: Did someone shit?
Agnostic #3: What is this shit?
Satanism: SNEPPAH TIHS.
Atheism: What shit?
Atheism #2: I can't believe this shit!
Nihilism: No shit.
Thanks to Zaine!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Of Cornhuskers and Fabuliners
"I love the mileage and the pick-up, but she just doesn't ride and have the class of the "Boxes'." Thus continually lamented my friend Steve about his pearl white 1996 Lincoln Town Car, aka "The Fabuliner". Steve should know, he is an expert on these machines, the Queens of the Ford Motor Company.
Ironic trivia note: both American luxury makes, the Lincoln and the Cadillac were the brainchild of the same man, Henry Martyn Leland. He started Cadillac which was later bought by GM and then after that started Lincoln, subsequently bought by Ford. Lovers of cushy road boats should bow in his honor.
Lincoln was redesigned and downsized (from Aircraft Carrier to Ocean Liner) in 1980. Totally boxy, they have a sleek elegance that is timeless. Although hailed at the time, the 1990 redesign was just not the same, although the updated mechanics made for a better handling, more economical auto.
Steve has driven Lincolns since I met him. First big 70's Carriers, then 80's and then his venture into the 90s. When he bought a '96 for a short time a few years ago, I said to a mutual friend "kind of new for him, isn't it??" His all white 89 Lincoln had some issues so he sold it and bought a '94 that drove him nuts. He got rid of it and got another '96.... it just wasn't right.
Every time he worked on my Queen Mary, (1988 Lincoln Town Car Signature, Cabernet over Cabernet, velour interior, 95,000 miles)I could see the seductive lines of the box catching his eye. It was a matter of time.
A failed road trip to Dallas with his partner Mark failed to procure a suitable box. Then I got a call... look on Ebay.... look at # 2020... whatever it was. There was a pristine looking 1989 Lincoln Town Car, suitably boxy, 48K miles, clean, runs and not too far in Omaha, NE. "Can you go up Wednesday and look at it with me, if I buy it, I'll need a driver."
Off to Omaha we went on a sunny and pleasant Wed PM. I snuck away from the towers early and we got a good start. The trip up was totally uneventful, since it was mostly through Missouri River bottom land and Iowa, it was not especially scenic. Steve pointed out a couple of waste water plants he used to service, for those in to that sort of thing.
Omaha is quite spread out and like most larger cities, has its major roads under construction. We finally found the place where the car was at; it was actually closer to Gretna, NE a small town just to the SW of Omaha.
Jack, the owner of the place, specializes in 60's low mileage cars, mostly Buicks and such. Quite a talker, with gas for blood and beer for nourishment; quite the "good ol' boy". Nice, but yap yap yap... and he is always right and knows everything. We did not let on that we bat for the other team. He wore on my nerves after a while. We had to tour the whole place, hear all the dirt and detailed specifications on all the cars, thus waiting over an hour to see the Lincoln Steve had come for.
The car was nice, but not the pristine show stopper it was described. Several flaws, some odd paint, some clear coat wearing off, in dire need of a tune up, and the typical corrosion in the coil and balky rear window. Steve had to admit it was a nice one for the most part and was clean. But not worth the price. But Jack had others wanting the car, so negotiation was out of the question.
Thus it came to pass that Steve came home with a new Fabuliner. But not without drama.
We were much later getting out of Omaha than planned, thanks to yap-o-matic Jack. A quick stop at a truck stop (fine dining) we headed out. It was smooth until we stopped for gas at Platte City, MO as my chase car (Mark's Kia) was needing gas. Steve topped off the new Fabuliner to see about his gas mileage (of course a Queen Mary/Fabuliner rarely passes any station) and the damn thing would not start. The rather corroded coil was not being co-operative. We got her going and were back on the road. Being almost midnight and on the edge of Kansas City, we could see home looming ahead.
All was fine until about 10 miles from Steve's, she died again while on the road.The load going up a hill was too much. This time it was not as easy. The coil was arcing and the car would not go. Luckily, Steve had some wires with clips and the corroded coil wire was bypassed enough to limp us home.
So, a new Fabuliner is in the garage at Steve's. I wonder how long he'll keep this one??
Ironic trivia note: both American luxury makes, the Lincoln and the Cadillac were the brainchild of the same man, Henry Martyn Leland. He started Cadillac which was later bought by GM and then after that started Lincoln, subsequently bought by Ford. Lovers of cushy road boats should bow in his honor.
Lincoln was redesigned and downsized (from Aircraft Carrier to Ocean Liner) in 1980. Totally boxy, they have a sleek elegance that is timeless. Although hailed at the time, the 1990 redesign was just not the same, although the updated mechanics made for a better handling, more economical auto.
Steve has driven Lincolns since I met him. First big 70's Carriers, then 80's and then his venture into the 90s. When he bought a '96 for a short time a few years ago, I said to a mutual friend "kind of new for him, isn't it??" His all white 89 Lincoln had some issues so he sold it and bought a '94 that drove him nuts. He got rid of it and got another '96.... it just wasn't right.
Every time he worked on my Queen Mary, (1988 Lincoln Town Car Signature, Cabernet over Cabernet, velour interior, 95,000 miles)I could see the seductive lines of the box catching his eye. It was a matter of time.
A failed road trip to Dallas with his partner Mark failed to procure a suitable box. Then I got a call... look on Ebay.... look at # 2020... whatever it was. There was a pristine looking 1989 Lincoln Town Car, suitably boxy, 48K miles, clean, runs and not too far in Omaha, NE. "Can you go up Wednesday and look at it with me, if I buy it, I'll need a driver."
Off to Omaha we went on a sunny and pleasant Wed PM. I snuck away from the towers early and we got a good start. The trip up was totally uneventful, since it was mostly through Missouri River bottom land and Iowa, it was not especially scenic. Steve pointed out a couple of waste water plants he used to service, for those in to that sort of thing.
Omaha is quite spread out and like most larger cities, has its major roads under construction. We finally found the place where the car was at; it was actually closer to Gretna, NE a small town just to the SW of Omaha.
Jack, the owner of the place, specializes in 60's low mileage cars, mostly Buicks and such. Quite a talker, with gas for blood and beer for nourishment; quite the "good ol' boy". Nice, but yap yap yap... and he is always right and knows everything. We did not let on that we bat for the other team. He wore on my nerves after a while. We had to tour the whole place, hear all the dirt and detailed specifications on all the cars, thus waiting over an hour to see the Lincoln Steve had come for.
The car was nice, but not the pristine show stopper it was described. Several flaws, some odd paint, some clear coat wearing off, in dire need of a tune up, and the typical corrosion in the coil and balky rear window. Steve had to admit it was a nice one for the most part and was clean. But not worth the price. But Jack had others wanting the car, so negotiation was out of the question.
Thus it came to pass that Steve came home with a new Fabuliner. But not without drama.
We were much later getting out of Omaha than planned, thanks to yap-o-matic Jack. A quick stop at a truck stop (fine dining) we headed out. It was smooth until we stopped for gas at Platte City, MO as my chase car (Mark's Kia) was needing gas. Steve topped off the new Fabuliner to see about his gas mileage (of course a Queen Mary/Fabuliner rarely passes any station) and the damn thing would not start. The rather corroded coil was not being co-operative. We got her going and were back on the road. Being almost midnight and on the edge of Kansas City, we could see home looming ahead.
All was fine until about 10 miles from Steve's, she died again while on the road.The load going up a hill was too much. This time it was not as easy. The coil was arcing and the car would not go. Luckily, Steve had some wires with clips and the corroded coil wire was bypassed enough to limp us home.
So, a new Fabuliner is in the garage at Steve's. I wonder how long he'll keep this one??
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Let's Perform a Piece of Music
You, dear blog readers, are going to perform a world famous piece of music in honor of the 54th anniversary of its first performance. Do not worry if you have little musical talent, it takes little of that but does take concentration and imagination. For an instrument, the composer indicated any and any number of instruments, the more the merrier. If you have none, your voice or a drum will do, even the kitchen sink is a possibility. The piece is short, around 4 minutes, so not much of your busy day will be taken.
You are about to perform 4'33" by John Cage. Cage was an American composer (1912-1992) who revolutionized how we think about and even hear music. Cage composed "chance music", music where some elements are left to be decided by chance. For example in one piece he instructs the performer to toss the loose manuscript in the air and play the pages as they are picked up. He is also well known for his non-traditional use of musical instruments, most famously the "prepared piano" a standard grand that has nuts, bolts, strips of paper and wood attached to the strings, creating unusual percussive effects. His works were always controversial, but he is generally regarded as one of the most important composers of our time.
Ready to start?
Pick up your instrument, sit at the piano, or whatever is necessary to play your instrument. The piece is in 3 separate movements and there is a brief pause between them. It is suggested you get a stop watch or watch the clock closely as the timing must be exactly 4'33", the tempo should not vary discernably from that. If you are playing the piece for a paying audience, please be fully aware that in doing so, you are obligated to pay the publisher any royalties due. I recommend a private performance.
If you are playing an instrument, touch it but do not make a sound. The first movement is short around 1'20". Pause briefly between the movements, and then begin the longer second movement, around 2'5". Again a very brief pause before the last movement of around 1'8".
4 minutes, 33 seconds of silence. A performer(s) not playing a single note, nor making a deliberate sound. The music of silence, of chance sound, the rhythm of street noise, the pulse of a mechanical object perhaps, people stirring, hearing the blood flow in your ear. Wind...rain...nothing.
You have made music, you have changed your perception of music and sound. John Cage would have been proud of you.
You are about to perform 4'33" by John Cage. Cage was an American composer (1912-1992) who revolutionized how we think about and even hear music. Cage composed "chance music", music where some elements are left to be decided by chance. For example in one piece he instructs the performer to toss the loose manuscript in the air and play the pages as they are picked up. He is also well known for his non-traditional use of musical instruments, most famously the "prepared piano" a standard grand that has nuts, bolts, strips of paper and wood attached to the strings, creating unusual percussive effects. His works were always controversial, but he is generally regarded as one of the most important composers of our time.
Ready to start?
Pick up your instrument, sit at the piano, or whatever is necessary to play your instrument. The piece is in 3 separate movements and there is a brief pause between them. It is suggested you get a stop watch or watch the clock closely as the timing must be exactly 4'33", the tempo should not vary discernably from that. If you are playing the piece for a paying audience, please be fully aware that in doing so, you are obligated to pay the publisher any royalties due. I recommend a private performance.
If you are playing an instrument, touch it but do not make a sound. The first movement is short around 1'20". Pause briefly between the movements, and then begin the longer second movement, around 2'5". Again a very brief pause before the last movement of around 1'8".
4 minutes, 33 seconds of silence. A performer(s) not playing a single note, nor making a deliberate sound. The music of silence, of chance sound, the rhythm of street noise, the pulse of a mechanical object perhaps, people stirring, hearing the blood flow in your ear. Wind...rain...nothing.
You have made music, you have changed your perception of music and sound. John Cage would have been proud of you.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Katrina: One Year On
As we approach the anniversary of the Katrina disaster and the equally disasterous response by the cold, arrogant Bush administration, let's not forget that the Emperor was eating cake while New Orleans sank:
And many still face this:
Why Bush and his incompetence was not punished is beyond me. I guess that is what happens when Democracy is overthrown.
And many still face this:
Why Bush and his incompetence was not punished is beyond me. I guess that is what happens when Democracy is overthrown.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Saturday, August 26, 2006
An Evening with Ferde Grofé
Ferdinand Rudolph von Grofé(1892-1972)was an American composer, pianist and arranger. Better known as Ferde Grofé, every school kid has been introduced to at least a portion of his most famous composition "The Grand Canyon Suite". The "On The Trail" movement with its clip clop coconut shell horse hooves is almost a cliché. That does little to diminish the fact that Ferde Grofé was a master at orchestration and a purveyor of lovely, whistleable tunes.
Grofé became famous overnight as the orchestrator of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue as performed by the Paul Whiteman band in 1924. It seemed that the 26 yr old Gershwin did not have sufficient knowledge of orchestration to complete the work. Grofé, as Whiteman's arranger was given the task. After the premiere, Grofé took the score and made new orchestration in 1926 and 1942, each time for larger orchestra. The latter is the commonly heard arrangement for full orchestra.
As Grofé's career took off, he began his series of descriptive suites, drenched in big band and Hollywood style orchestrations. Sweeping, weeping strings, brassy trumpets, chattering winds, amusing percussion effects. Straight out of 1930-40's Hollywood.
Grofé, while mentioned to school kids and such in textbooks, fell out of favor in the world of concert music. Too Hollywoodish (Indeed he composed a Hollywood Suite, reeking with the ghosts of Garbo or Cooper), too light and inconsequential.
But damn the critics, it is fun music, full of color and atmosphere, and sounds uniquely American and even uniquely Grofé. One can see his influence in Gershwin when he began to orchestrate his own works like American in Paris and the Piano Concerto. The wonderful Naxos record label has two discs of his suites.
The Hollywood Suite ends delightfully with a thrilling "Production Number", shades of Busby Berkeley. The Hudson River Suite includes authentic dog barks in "Rip Van Winkle", never failing to arouse Her Majesty's attention, and concludes with a raucous portrait of New York City. The Death Valley Suite features a vivid portrait of a wagon train, you can hear the whip crack and the huge wooden wheels groan and creak, and like the more famous Grand Canyon Suite ends with a vivid storm in this case a sandstorm.
The second album contains the famous Grand Canyon Suite and two lesser known the Mississippi Suite and the Niagara Falls Suite. The Niagara suite evokes the power and majesty of the falls and even one of the huge hydroelectric power plants. Neat stuff!
Grofé does not aspire to expressive depth or complex layers of sound and rhythm but he knew how to orchestrate better than anyone and could effortlessly write a memorable tune. He popularized symphonic jazz, leading the way for Gershwin, Gould and Bernstein among others. His works once panned as shallow and glittery are now seen as charming period pieces from the jazz era.
Great Saturday evening entertainment and worth the bargain Naxos price.
FERDE GROFÉ
Death Valley Suite; Hudson River Suite; Hollywood Suite
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
William Stromberg
Naxos- 8559017
FERDE GROFÉ
Grand Canyon Suite; Mississippi Suite; Niagara Falls Suite
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
William Stromberg
Naxos- 8559007
Grofé became famous overnight as the orchestrator of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue as performed by the Paul Whiteman band in 1924. It seemed that the 26 yr old Gershwin did not have sufficient knowledge of orchestration to complete the work. Grofé, as Whiteman's arranger was given the task. After the premiere, Grofé took the score and made new orchestration in 1926 and 1942, each time for larger orchestra. The latter is the commonly heard arrangement for full orchestra.
As Grofé's career took off, he began his series of descriptive suites, drenched in big band and Hollywood style orchestrations. Sweeping, weeping strings, brassy trumpets, chattering winds, amusing percussion effects. Straight out of 1930-40's Hollywood.
Grofé, while mentioned to school kids and such in textbooks, fell out of favor in the world of concert music. Too Hollywoodish (Indeed he composed a Hollywood Suite, reeking with the ghosts of Garbo or Cooper), too light and inconsequential.
But damn the critics, it is fun music, full of color and atmosphere, and sounds uniquely American and even uniquely Grofé. One can see his influence in Gershwin when he began to orchestrate his own works like American in Paris and the Piano Concerto. The wonderful Naxos record label has two discs of his suites.
The Hollywood Suite ends delightfully with a thrilling "Production Number", shades of Busby Berkeley. The Hudson River Suite includes authentic dog barks in "Rip Van Winkle", never failing to arouse Her Majesty's attention, and concludes with a raucous portrait of New York City. The Death Valley Suite features a vivid portrait of a wagon train, you can hear the whip crack and the huge wooden wheels groan and creak, and like the more famous Grand Canyon Suite ends with a vivid storm in this case a sandstorm.
The second album contains the famous Grand Canyon Suite and two lesser known the Mississippi Suite and the Niagara Falls Suite. The Niagara suite evokes the power and majesty of the falls and even one of the huge hydroelectric power plants. Neat stuff!
Grofé does not aspire to expressive depth or complex layers of sound and rhythm but he knew how to orchestrate better than anyone and could effortlessly write a memorable tune. He popularized symphonic jazz, leading the way for Gershwin, Gould and Bernstein among others. His works once panned as shallow and glittery are now seen as charming period pieces from the jazz era.
Great Saturday evening entertainment and worth the bargain Naxos price.
FERDE GROFÉ
Death Valley Suite; Hudson River Suite; Hollywood Suite
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
William Stromberg
Naxos- 8559017
FERDE GROFÉ
Grand Canyon Suite; Mississippi Suite; Niagara Falls Suite
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
William Stromberg
Naxos- 8559007
Friday, August 25, 2006
Some Fun with Terror Alerts
The British have reacted to the recent terrorism alerts by raising their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross."
Londoners have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940, when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been recategorized from "Tiresome" to a "Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was during the great fire of 1666.
Londoners have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940, when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been recategorized from "Tiresome" to a "Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was during the great fire of 1666.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
What Kind of English do you Speak?
| Your Linguistic Profile: |
| 45% General American English |
| 20% Dixie |
| 20% Yankee |
| 5% Midwestern |
| 5% Upper Midwestern |
Thanks to Steve for the link!
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Beating One's Head Against the Wall
Yes, Pato has been copping out and doing easy posts for the last few days. I have been busy on a project for one of the denizens of the towers. I am sitting in front of Mr Dell here,typing invoices and lists of furniture and fabric for one of his clients all afternoon. Thus when it comes time to post, I am not in the mood to write a long tome. So enjoy this for a few more days and then look for more Pato rants and raves! ~ Pato
A CNN journalist heard about a very old Jewish man who had been going to the Western Wall to pray, twice a day, every day, for a long, long time. So she went to check it out.She went to the Western Wall and there he was walking slowly up to the holy site. She watched him pray and after about 45 minutes, he turned to leave using a cane walking slow and carefully. She approached him for an interview.
"I'm Rebecca Smith from CNN. Sir, how long have you been coming to the Western Wall and praying?"
"For about 60 years."
"60 years! That's amazing! What do you pray for?"
"I pray for peace between the Christians, Jews and the Muslims. I pray for all the hatred to stop and I pray for all our children to grow up in safety and friendship."
"How do you feel after doing this for 60 years?"
"Like I'm talking to a fucking wall."
A CNN journalist heard about a very old Jewish man who had been going to the Western Wall to pray, twice a day, every day, for a long, long time. So she went to check it out.She went to the Western Wall and there he was walking slowly up to the holy site. She watched him pray and after about 45 minutes, he turned to leave using a cane walking slow and carefully. She approached him for an interview.
"I'm Rebecca Smith from CNN. Sir, how long have you been coming to the Western Wall and praying?"
"For about 60 years."
"60 years! That's amazing! What do you pray for?"
"I pray for peace between the Christians, Jews and the Muslims. I pray for all the hatred to stop and I pray for all our children to grow up in safety and friendship."
"How do you feel after doing this for 60 years?"
"Like I'm talking to a fucking wall."
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Airfare Roulette and a Cartoon
I don't understand airline fares. I am wanting to go to Nicaragua over Thanksgiving. Well, my friend Greg got a fare going the same time on Delta for $921. So. off to the computer to see what I could get. I checked the same flights and it was $971. That pissed me off having to pay more for the same damn flight. So I looked into other fares, found cheaper on American but would not be able to get to San Juan del Sur on Fri, would have to overnight in Managua, thus adding cost. What to do?
Well this AM, Delta had a $887 fare, but when I sat down to book it, it was gone... now is $907. So.... do I wait to see if it goes up or down? Like playing the stock market.
Just for a bit of humor, I am sharing this:
Well this AM, Delta had a $887 fare, but when I sat down to book it, it was gone... now is $907. So.... do I wait to see if it goes up or down? Like playing the stock market.
Just for a bit of humor, I am sharing this:
Monday, August 21, 2006
Butt Music
I thought this was interesting. Making music with your behind; just sit down and play some Beethoven. The music created may be the butt of many jokes I am sure. I'll end there. Good grief it goes on... end...get it!
Sit down and Play
Sit down and Play
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Cheeses Loves Me
Puggles, my Pug, wanted to go to church this morning. She must have been doing some clandestine web surfing while I was sleeping last night.
Pug: "I wants to gos to churches! Get the Limo ready and take mes" (she has issues with plurals)
Pato: "why..... yaaaaaaawn"
Pug: "I hears they worship Cheeses, I wuvs cheeses."
Pato: "cheeses?"
Pug: "Yeah yeah yeah...snooooooooort cheeses. How Cheeses saves, and Cheeses talks to you and walks with you and Cheeses loves you. I loves Cheeses too, swiss is my favorites."
Pato: "That is Jesus not Cheeses dear."
Pug: "I don't know why they nails Cheeses to a cross, maybe so birdses can eats it or keeps it from Cats. That's silly. Our Cheeses is in the kitchens. BRINGS ME SOME..."
Pato: "You had cheese this morning" (hidden in it was your morning benedryl for your skin alergy but we don't talk about that)
Pug: "I'll sings for cheeses:
What a friend we have in cheeses,
Mozzarella, Cheddar, Swiss!
Bleu and Limberger's sweet breezes
Lingering like a lover's kiss.
Humble milk's apotheosis,
Muenster, Provolone, Brie
Damn cholesterol's thrombosis
Cheese is Gouda 'nuff for me!"
It is going to be a long day...
Pug: "I wants to gos to churches! Get the Limo ready and take mes" (she has issues with plurals)
Pato: "why..... yaaaaaaawn"
Pug: "I hears they worship Cheeses, I wuvs cheeses."
Pato: "cheeses?"
Pug: "Yeah yeah yeah...snooooooooort cheeses. How Cheeses saves, and Cheeses talks to you and walks with you and Cheeses loves you. I loves Cheeses too, swiss is my favorites."
Pato: "That is Jesus not Cheeses dear."
Pug: "I don't know why they nails Cheeses to a cross, maybe so birdses can eats it or keeps it from Cats. That's silly. Our Cheeses is in the kitchens. BRINGS ME SOME..."
Pato: "You had cheese this morning" (hidden in it was your morning benedryl for your skin alergy but we don't talk about that)
Pug: "I'll sings for cheeses:
What a friend we have in cheeses,
Mozzarella, Cheddar, Swiss!
Bleu and Limberger's sweet breezes
Lingering like a lover's kiss.
Humble milk's apotheosis,
Muenster, Provolone, Brie
Damn cholesterol's thrombosis
Cheese is Gouda 'nuff for me!"
It is going to be a long day...
Saturday, August 19, 2006
A Half-dozen Random Saturday Thoughts over Pancakes
Just about every Saturday AM I make pancakes (Aunt Jemima Complete, I never have eggs for milk around) for breakfast. As I enjoyed them, my wacky mind was chewing on these thoughts:
1) Let's keep Pluto as a planet, even if that means we expand our solar system from the traditional 9 to 100 or more. I am no scientist, but reading some of the articles on the issue, taking away Pluto and thus narrowing the definition of a planet makes less sense than realizing that there may truely be 100s of celestial bodies orbiting the sun. Besides, Pluto has a great name, was discovered by a Kansas Farm boy and has been around for a while now. Leave Pluto in peace!
2) I am befuzzled by the Jon Benet Ramsey confession. I am even more befuzzled that this is more news than the continuing crimes of George Bush.
3) The Queen Mary, my 1988 Lincoln, is now whole again. Her AC went out a few weeks ago. Foolishly, she got the wire leading to the power for the AC clutch caught in her clutch belt and tore the wire. The resulting trauma took out a couple of relays and the switch in the evaporator. It was necessary to replace the wire, whereupon we found the relay to be an issue. The new (junk yard vintage) relay was apparently bad, so that was fixed and then the switch would not hold. Also repaired was her balky front window. So now, everything works..... this week.
4) Only 884 days to go until GW is out of the White House. Can hardly wait, but unfortunately the damage has been done.
5) Speaking of sleezy Republicans, seems the mayor of St Peters Mo, an up and coming young Republican, got caught taking bribes. Shades of Adam Taff here in KC and probably our own Boy Gov, who just has not been caught yet. Another one down.
6) If I were made absolute ruler of the world, I would ban all religion as I think it is the most negative force in the planet today. Thus, past fighting over fantasy and silly ideas of eternal life and 10,000 virgins at your disposal after you are dead, we could make some progress in fixing this damaged orb... and not end up like Pluto.
1) Let's keep Pluto as a planet, even if that means we expand our solar system from the traditional 9 to 100 or more. I am no scientist, but reading some of the articles on the issue, taking away Pluto and thus narrowing the definition of a planet makes less sense than realizing that there may truely be 100s of celestial bodies orbiting the sun. Besides, Pluto has a great name, was discovered by a Kansas Farm boy and has been around for a while now. Leave Pluto in peace!
2) I am befuzzled by the Jon Benet Ramsey confession. I am even more befuzzled that this is more news than the continuing crimes of George Bush.
3) The Queen Mary, my 1988 Lincoln, is now whole again. Her AC went out a few weeks ago. Foolishly, she got the wire leading to the power for the AC clutch caught in her clutch belt and tore the wire. The resulting trauma took out a couple of relays and the switch in the evaporator. It was necessary to replace the wire, whereupon we found the relay to be an issue. The new (junk yard vintage) relay was apparently bad, so that was fixed and then the switch would not hold. Also repaired was her balky front window. So now, everything works..... this week.
4) Only 884 days to go until GW is out of the White House. Can hardly wait, but unfortunately the damage has been done.
5) Speaking of sleezy Republicans, seems the mayor of St Peters Mo, an up and coming young Republican, got caught taking bribes. Shades of Adam Taff here in KC and probably our own Boy Gov, who just has not been caught yet. Another one down.
6) If I were made absolute ruler of the world, I would ban all religion as I think it is the most negative force in the planet today. Thus, past fighting over fantasy and silly ideas of eternal life and 10,000 virgins at your disposal after you are dead, we could make some progress in fixing this damaged orb... and not end up like Pluto.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Someone is Watching
650,000 AOL users search entries were collected and recently released on the net, supposedly as a research tool. Among those surfing the web for tidbits of information ranging from "numb fingers" to "60 single men" to "dog that urinates on everything" was No. 4417749
Drilling down and searching click by click, the identity of AOL user No. 4417749 became known. The trail or searches led to Thelma Arnold of Lilburn, Ga. "“Those are my searches," she said, after a reporter read part of the list to her. It was surprisingly easy.
People like Thelma and many others think that the Internet and how they use it is a private matter. We are searching the net for answers to questions we dare not ask even our most trusted family or friends. Someone questioning their sexuality or feel they have to remain closeted will turn to the net for answers or even to establish a community. Someone feeling down and sad all the time may look for information on Depression and mental illness. One net surfer came under suspicion after it was learned he was searching information on "how to murder someone", "undetectable poisons", "spousal murder", etc. Poor schlep was an aspiring writer and wanted to write their first murder mystery. He had some 'splaining to do. For god sake do not search for Al'Qa*** (I won't even type it), George will think you are a "turrerist".
Of course our paranoid government thinks otherwise and feels the net and our activity on it is public domain. This administration has made it clear we have little right to any privacy, so what makes you think the net is an exception. Earlier this year Google fought the Justice Department over a subpoena for some of its search data. The company successfully fended off the agencyÂ’s demand in court, but several other search companies, including AOL, complied. The Justice Department sought the information to help it defend a challenge to a law that is meant to shield children from sexually explicit material. They were fishing in my opinion.
I got this idea listening to NPR Science Friday on the radio this PM. They talked about some software that masks your searches and information. i am going to check out this software. TOR EFF. The damn Government has no need to see what I do on the net.
Z: I know you will comment!!!
Drilling down and searching click by click, the identity of AOL user No. 4417749 became known. The trail or searches led to Thelma Arnold of Lilburn, Ga. "“Those are my searches," she said, after a reporter read part of the list to her. It was surprisingly easy.
People like Thelma and many others think that the Internet and how they use it is a private matter. We are searching the net for answers to questions we dare not ask even our most trusted family or friends. Someone questioning their sexuality or feel they have to remain closeted will turn to the net for answers or even to establish a community. Someone feeling down and sad all the time may look for information on Depression and mental illness. One net surfer came under suspicion after it was learned he was searching information on "how to murder someone", "undetectable poisons", "spousal murder", etc. Poor schlep was an aspiring writer and wanted to write their first murder mystery. He had some 'splaining to do. For god sake do not search for Al'Qa*** (I won't even type it), George will think you are a "turrerist".
Of course our paranoid government thinks otherwise and feels the net and our activity on it is public domain. This administration has made it clear we have little right to any privacy, so what makes you think the net is an exception. Earlier this year Google fought the Justice Department over a subpoena for some of its search data. The company successfully fended off the agencyÂ’s demand in court, but several other search companies, including AOL, complied. The Justice Department sought the information to help it defend a challenge to a law that is meant to shield children from sexually explicit material. They were fishing in my opinion.
I got this idea listening to NPR Science Friday on the radio this PM. They talked about some software that masks your searches and information. i am going to check out this software. TOR EFF. The damn Government has no need to see what I do on the net.
Z: I know you will comment!!!
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Nicaraguan Tourism: the Reality
Greg just got back from another dental trip/vacation in Nicaragua. I didn't go this time as I was just too busy and do not like to go to Nicaragua to work without going to my beloved little Mulukuku, the village in central Nicaragua that has been our base of operations and support for years now. Greg took the students to San Juan del Sur, the most gringofied part of Nicaragua and worked on the employees of the Pelican Eyes resort and some students supported by the Jean Brugger Foundation.
Greg stayed a bit for a vacation and reported that all is in full swing in SJDS. New investors, new buildings, full hotel, new shops, restaurants, etc. All for the rich gringos and Nica Ricos that can afford the escalating prices. Tourism is in full swing.
Tourism in Nica is still a bargain for some, and is growing exponentially. The country is seeing that tourism could be the key to success, much like Costa Rica has enjoyed. But to become the Costa Rica of the 21st Century, Nicaragua has to overcome some major obstacles.
1) Infrastructrure. Nicaragua is poor, one of the poorest countries on earth in many ways and the poorest in the Americas. Most survive on little, and even the working may make $100 a month, if they are very lucky. Therefore there is little to spend on public services. Unfortunately, much that is collected in taxes and fees and international aid is swallowed up by corruption and greed.
Tourists, paying good money for a vacation, are not going to put up with unreliable electricity, lack of water, dangerous roads, inadequate sanitary systems (The look I get when I tell first timers to not put toilet paper in the toilet, but instead deposit it in the waste basket is priceless. The old pipes can not handle it and get clogged regularly.)and poor telephone and communication services. For me, I expect it; for the tourist who just paid a bundle, they are not as forgiving. Currently, the power system is mired in corruption and scandal, having been privatized. Electricty is frightfully expensive, thus the prices charged to customers for hotels, food and entertainment rises.
2) Transportation. As I mentioned above the roads are horrible at best. You do not want to drive at night as the roads are full of roaming animals, people and lightless vehicles. Land transportation is cheap and plentiful, if you want to ride a chicken bus..100 people and a few farm animals crammed in a 60 passenger former school bus from Scranton.
The only airport of note is in Managua and has been radcally improved in the last 5 years. Unfortunately, lack of competition has kept airfares high. Forever only Continental and American flew once a day each to Managua. Delta joined them recently and there is a Taca flight from Miami. But the fares are high, almost $1000 roundtrip. Kansas City to San Jose Costa Rica offers Northwest, Delta, USAirways, and American with about 9 flights at about $800 roundtrip. Less for all the package deals through travel companies.
Greg and I want to go to Nicaragua in November and the fare is about $992 right now. Greg went late July for $700. If you have to spend more to get there, the lower cost of hotels and all the attractions is negated. Air fares are up everywhere, but without much competition, there is no incentive to lower them to Managua. So for the time being, it is going to be inconvenient and expensive to get there.
3)Security and Stability. Nicaragua is statistically safer than Costa Rica and violent crimes are few. Most crimes involve theft as the poor locals feel you have everything imaginable (and you do) and they have little or nothing. Just like in New York, Rome or Bangkok, don't flash cash, keep valuables safe or locked up and watch your surroundings. The violent past of the country, with revolution and civil war in the last 30 years, dogs the country's reputation. Cities have strict gun laws and you rarely see them. Police are plentiful but corrupt (about like here). There are some raucus demonstrations whenever the government does something unpopular, but they are mostly harmless. Keep your distance.
The government is beyond corrupt. The current president tried to get a grip on corruption and found himself stripped of authority. The possibility of Daniel Ortega becoming President has spooked a lot of Nicas and North Americans as well. We'll have to wait and see how that plays out.
I'd love to see more people discover the wonder of Nicaragua, the pristine beaches, the incredible wildlife, the warm, gentle people. It is going to take some work, but it can be done. I hope to be there to show you around.
Greg stayed a bit for a vacation and reported that all is in full swing in SJDS. New investors, new buildings, full hotel, new shops, restaurants, etc. All for the rich gringos and Nica Ricos that can afford the escalating prices. Tourism is in full swing.
Tourism in Nica is still a bargain for some, and is growing exponentially. The country is seeing that tourism could be the key to success, much like Costa Rica has enjoyed. But to become the Costa Rica of the 21st Century, Nicaragua has to overcome some major obstacles.
1) Infrastructrure. Nicaragua is poor, one of the poorest countries on earth in many ways and the poorest in the Americas. Most survive on little, and even the working may make $100 a month, if they are very lucky. Therefore there is little to spend on public services. Unfortunately, much that is collected in taxes and fees and international aid is swallowed up by corruption and greed.
Tourists, paying good money for a vacation, are not going to put up with unreliable electricity, lack of water, dangerous roads, inadequate sanitary systems (The look I get when I tell first timers to not put toilet paper in the toilet, but instead deposit it in the waste basket is priceless. The old pipes can not handle it and get clogged regularly.)and poor telephone and communication services. For me, I expect it; for the tourist who just paid a bundle, they are not as forgiving. Currently, the power system is mired in corruption and scandal, having been privatized. Electricty is frightfully expensive, thus the prices charged to customers for hotels, food and entertainment rises.
2) Transportation. As I mentioned above the roads are horrible at best. You do not want to drive at night as the roads are full of roaming animals, people and lightless vehicles. Land transportation is cheap and plentiful, if you want to ride a chicken bus..100 people and a few farm animals crammed in a 60 passenger former school bus from Scranton.
The only airport of note is in Managua and has been radcally improved in the last 5 years. Unfortunately, lack of competition has kept airfares high. Forever only Continental and American flew once a day each to Managua. Delta joined them recently and there is a Taca flight from Miami. But the fares are high, almost $1000 roundtrip. Kansas City to San Jose Costa Rica offers Northwest, Delta, USAirways, and American with about 9 flights at about $800 roundtrip. Less for all the package deals through travel companies.
Greg and I want to go to Nicaragua in November and the fare is about $992 right now. Greg went late July for $700. If you have to spend more to get there, the lower cost of hotels and all the attractions is negated. Air fares are up everywhere, but without much competition, there is no incentive to lower them to Managua. So for the time being, it is going to be inconvenient and expensive to get there.
3)Security and Stability. Nicaragua is statistically safer than Costa Rica and violent crimes are few. Most crimes involve theft as the poor locals feel you have everything imaginable (and you do) and they have little or nothing. Just like in New York, Rome or Bangkok, don't flash cash, keep valuables safe or locked up and watch your surroundings. The violent past of the country, with revolution and civil war in the last 30 years, dogs the country's reputation. Cities have strict gun laws and you rarely see them. Police are plentiful but corrupt (about like here). There are some raucus demonstrations whenever the government does something unpopular, but they are mostly harmless. Keep your distance.
The government is beyond corrupt. The current president tried to get a grip on corruption and found himself stripped of authority. The possibility of Daniel Ortega becoming President has spooked a lot of Nicas and North Americans as well. We'll have to wait and see how that plays out.
I'd love to see more people discover the wonder of Nicaragua, the pristine beaches, the incredible wildlife, the warm, gentle people. It is going to take some work, but it can be done. I hope to be there to show you around.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Flying a Kite at Night in a Storm
I am not a big book reader, especially fiction. I do read a lot of magazines and newspapers, but the big book is a rarity on my bedside table. When a book comes my way, I have found that biographies, true stories and history are more interesting and more fantastic than any fiction book. For example, I had a period a few years ago when I read the biographies of every English monarch back to George III. New biographies of composer Igor Stravinsky were the last books that grabbed my attention.
Occasionally I am encouraged to read a fiction book through a recommendation. My friend Drake mentioned a book he read and found "fun, a good book to read while lounging in the sun" was his summation. Thus I went to my locally owned bookstore and ordered "Flying a Kite at Night During A Storm" by St Louis based author Thomas Long.
Strange title (descriptive of the situations in which the characters find themselves) but an interesting story well told. Taking a chance and learning to love, live and be human, letting go and recovering after a staggering personal loss. Set in St Louis, with enough local color to be interesting and make the book familiar and comforting to those of us who live in or know St Louis. The story revolves around a central character whose partner is murdered outside their home in a senseless mugging and how this and other events in their circle change them forever.
Many straight persons reading the book would wonder about all the drama that seems to follow the characters. But the gay community can create drama over anything and many of us live with lots of baggage and ghosts. Therefore, I found the characters real and sympathetic. To me the test of a good fiction novel is if you give a damn about the characters. These I did and read the book in just a couple of evenings. Naming the two lesbians Tina and Louise was a great touch. I giggled every time they were mentioned. Those who remember "Gilligan's Island" will get the joke.
A good interesting read; funny at times, thought provoking at others. Highly recommended.
Occasionally I am encouraged to read a fiction book through a recommendation. My friend Drake mentioned a book he read and found "fun, a good book to read while lounging in the sun" was his summation. Thus I went to my locally owned bookstore and ordered "Flying a Kite at Night During A Storm" by St Louis based author Thomas Long.
Strange title (descriptive of the situations in which the characters find themselves) but an interesting story well told. Taking a chance and learning to love, live and be human, letting go and recovering after a staggering personal loss. Set in St Louis, with enough local color to be interesting and make the book familiar and comforting to those of us who live in or know St Louis. The story revolves around a central character whose partner is murdered outside their home in a senseless mugging and how this and other events in their circle change them forever.
Many straight persons reading the book would wonder about all the drama that seems to follow the characters. But the gay community can create drama over anything and many of us live with lots of baggage and ghosts. Therefore, I found the characters real and sympathetic. To me the test of a good fiction novel is if you give a damn about the characters. These I did and read the book in just a couple of evenings. Naming the two lesbians Tina and Louise was a great touch. I giggled every time they were mentioned. Those who remember "Gilligan's Island" will get the joke.
A good interesting read; funny at times, thought provoking at others. Highly recommended.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Wide screen
When one has a bit of cash on hand, we just have to keep the economy going right?? So I now am the proud owner of a new 19in wide screen flat, LCD monitor for my newly upgraded Dell computer. Damn! I can see everything, so can all my neighbors. Bright as a supernova, it lights the surrounding darkness, I need not use a lamp. I felt now that Mr Dell here has a new hard drive and memory, I needed a big bright screen to view the web in style. It may take a bit to get used to and some time to tweak the colors and the sharpness to how I like it. My eyeglasses have now become useless as I do not need them to see the screen. Pics are big, and I can see the whole show with out scrolling over and back.
Technology comes late to me, I do not embrace it immediately. I wait to the price comes down. I am keeping the old faithful cathode ray tube monitor around in case I feel that this thing is just too much of a leap into the future.
Technology comes late to me, I do not embrace it immediately. I wait to the price comes down. I am keeping the old faithful cathode ray tube monitor around in case I feel that this thing is just too much of a leap into the future.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Lifestyles of the Rich and Cruel
This story, emailed to me by a friend in New Jersey just sent me in to orbit. Un-fucking-believable what people are capable of.~ Pato
Last night I took Lisa and some of her friends to a local music and arts festival about an hour away...It was fun hanging out with them, until Lisa and her friend Anna approached me on the side to talk after I dropped the other two friends off.
Lisa is just fine....this was about her friend Anna, who completely burst into tears and fell apart before she could even get a word out to tell me what the problem was. I was amazed when I found out, and it just goes to show that you can never really tell what goes on in people's homes behind closed doors.
Anna is a really sweet kid...she's bright, gentle, no drugs/alcohol use. When I first met her shortly after moving here, she lived in a big house on the river with both her parents. Her folks divorced about a year ago, with the father, who had an affair, moving to Rome and leaving Anna and her mother in this big huge house. The father is/was a fund manager and apparently amazingly rich.
All seemed fine to me, as far as I or anyone else could tell...For the past month or so, Anna has been spending a lot of time here and instead of rotating on whose house they meet up at as it used to be, Anna has been opting not to meet at her house. It's been either here or at the homes of the other two friends. I didn't think anything of it, and not even Lisa knew until a few days ago...
Anna's mother left on July 5th.
She didn't die or anything, she just left...Packed a bag, left a bank book with $105,000 in a bank account in Anna's name, woke Anna up on the morning of July 5th and said she was going to live in London with her "boyfriend"...She gave her a phone number, in London, where she could be reached when she needs more money.
This kid is 16 years old, and has been living alone for the past month with absolutely no idea what to do. Unbelievable.
You'd think this whole thing might be some tall tale from a 16 year old in dire need of attention, but it's not! I knew right off the bat Anna was telling the truth...poor kid just fell apart.
But wait, it gets worse!
Anna spent the night with us (she's still here) and today, I called her father in freaking Rome...Anna had already done this, and told me the father wasn't going to do anything. I couldn't imagine how this could possibly be, so I took his phone number from Anna and called him....Know what he said to me? He told me Anna was "dead in his eyes" and that indeed, he wasn't coming back to the states. He has a new life he told me, and a new baby, and life is good for him now.
Renee (my friend's wife) called Anna's mother, who promptly told Renee that Anna was the reason she and her husband divorced and that she "can't stand the sight of the child"...She's "available for financial support, but not parental support" and "won't be coming back to America".
Anna has both sets of grandparents still alive...The mother's folks who are living, guess where....in London. I spoke to the grandfather, and he said they are in poor health and too old to take care of Anna.
Renee tried to call the father's parents, but their answering machine said they were away for the summer, until after Labor Day. They live in California...Anna doesn't even know where exactly, she hasn't seen or had any contact with them in 6 years.
How on earth can people do this to their child? What kind of people are these? I've been shaking my head all day...I can barely comprehend any of this.
So we've got a houseguest right now...and we have no idea what to do with her.
__________________
Last night I took Lisa and some of her friends to a local music and arts festival about an hour away...It was fun hanging out with them, until Lisa and her friend Anna approached me on the side to talk after I dropped the other two friends off.
Lisa is just fine....this was about her friend Anna, who completely burst into tears and fell apart before she could even get a word out to tell me what the problem was. I was amazed when I found out, and it just goes to show that you can never really tell what goes on in people's homes behind closed doors.
Anna is a really sweet kid...she's bright, gentle, no drugs/alcohol use. When I first met her shortly after moving here, she lived in a big house on the river with both her parents. Her folks divorced about a year ago, with the father, who had an affair, moving to Rome and leaving Anna and her mother in this big huge house. The father is/was a fund manager and apparently amazingly rich.
All seemed fine to me, as far as I or anyone else could tell...For the past month or so, Anna has been spending a lot of time here and instead of rotating on whose house they meet up at as it used to be, Anna has been opting not to meet at her house. It's been either here or at the homes of the other two friends. I didn't think anything of it, and not even Lisa knew until a few days ago...
Anna's mother left on July 5th.
She didn't die or anything, she just left...Packed a bag, left a bank book with $105,000 in a bank account in Anna's name, woke Anna up on the morning of July 5th and said she was going to live in London with her "boyfriend"...She gave her a phone number, in London, where she could be reached when she needs more money.
This kid is 16 years old, and has been living alone for the past month with absolutely no idea what to do. Unbelievable.
You'd think this whole thing might be some tall tale from a 16 year old in dire need of attention, but it's not! I knew right off the bat Anna was telling the truth...poor kid just fell apart.
But wait, it gets worse!
Anna spent the night with us (she's still here) and today, I called her father in freaking Rome...Anna had already done this, and told me the father wasn't going to do anything. I couldn't imagine how this could possibly be, so I took his phone number from Anna and called him....Know what he said to me? He told me Anna was "dead in his eyes" and that indeed, he wasn't coming back to the states. He has a new life he told me, and a new baby, and life is good for him now.
Renee (my friend's wife) called Anna's mother, who promptly told Renee that Anna was the reason she and her husband divorced and that she "can't stand the sight of the child"...She's "available for financial support, but not parental support" and "won't be coming back to America".
Anna has both sets of grandparents still alive...The mother's folks who are living, guess where....in London. I spoke to the grandfather, and he said they are in poor health and too old to take care of Anna.
Renee tried to call the father's parents, but their answering machine said they were away for the summer, until after Labor Day. They live in California...Anna doesn't even know where exactly, she hasn't seen or had any contact with them in 6 years.
How on earth can people do this to their child? What kind of people are these? I've been shaking my head all day...I can barely comprehend any of this.
So we've got a houseguest right now...and we have no idea what to do with her.
__________________
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Upgrade
I have just had a nice computer upgrade and Miss Dell here is running so much better now! I got this machine around March or April 2001 after I wrecked my Compaq during a virus attack. I am convinced I did more damage trying to repair the virus than the virus itself. The old Compaq never ran right again, as in a flurry of activity (and my total ignorance of virus attacks) I think I deleted some important files while the virus corrupted the rest. I used it at my sister's for an internet back-up but it was so screwed up it was a pain to use. I gave it away and I am sure someone gutted it and made it nice again.
But I had not the skills and time to do that, so armed with a new job and thus some cash, I bought this Dell Dimension 8100. Got the best I could afford and have been pleased as punch for the last 5 years. Only the cruddy Windows ME that was installed was crap. But the hard drive had seen a lot of use, and was small compared to the newer ones. Only 40 mega or giga (never sure which is which) bites, it was running out of room. So now I have a new 80 and kept the old 40. Programs are on the old drive and moving data to the new one. Someday, I'll reverse that and have the programs on the new one and the data on the old. We also added some memory so I now have 256 instead of 128 whosiewatches of memory.
The old gal runs a lot better now and doesn't take an hour deciding what to do. I have more space to store junk, but at the same time I am cleaning out a lot of duplicates and old back-up files and stuff. She will hopefully be good to go for a while.
I did have about 24 hours away from the computer and realized I have a serious addiction! Even watched some TV, it was dull.
But I had not the skills and time to do that, so armed with a new job and thus some cash, I bought this Dell Dimension 8100. Got the best I could afford and have been pleased as punch for the last 5 years. Only the cruddy Windows ME that was installed was crap. But the hard drive had seen a lot of use, and was small compared to the newer ones. Only 40 mega or giga (never sure which is which) bites, it was running out of room. So now I have a new 80 and kept the old 40. Programs are on the old drive and moving data to the new one. Someday, I'll reverse that and have the programs on the new one and the data on the old. We also added some memory so I now have 256 instead of 128 whosiewatches of memory.
The old gal runs a lot better now and doesn't take an hour deciding what to do. I have more space to store junk, but at the same time I am cleaning out a lot of duplicates and old back-up files and stuff. She will hopefully be good to go for a while.
I did have about 24 hours away from the computer and realized I have a serious addiction! Even watched some TV, it was dull.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Future Travel
Well...now toothpaste, lipstick, shaving cream, ointment, liquids, drinks etc. are banned from carry on, along with everything else. How will I get rum back from Nicaragua now??? If the damn airlines would be careful with checked baggage, I would be less concerned. I carry on things as I do not trust them to toss, sit on or leave my bags in rain or snow for hours on end.
Soon, it will be necessary to travel naked, shackled to the seats in an airliner. You know, I know some people who may like that.
Soon, it will be necessary to travel naked, shackled to the seats in an airliner. You know, I know some people who may like that.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Jolie Wins
State Senate - District 10 - Dem Primary
Missouri 89 of 89 Precincts Reporting - 100.00%
Name Party Votes Pct
Justus, Jolie Dem 5,669 33.02
Klumb, Jason Dem 5,188 30.22
Flaherty, Mike Dem 4,173 24.31
Burnett, Ingrid Dem 2,139 12.46
It was great! A good, 1000% liberal candidate won a seat in the MO senate. I had the fortune of meeting Jolie several times as she campaigned through out the district, once at a funraiser, once at Bistro 303 and another time at Cafe Trio. She was tireless, spent 1/4 of what Mr Klumb spent and truely runs to represent this diverse district. The MO 10th district has everything from crushing poverty to sprawling mansions, Gay, Lesbian, Black, Latino, Urban core to suburban. That a liberal lesbian, with no prior legislative experience can beat a former State Rep and insider is remarkable. Many thought Klumb was a shoe-in with his past experience and endorsements from the insiders. But Jolie won by walking, talking, meeting and being herself. Since this district has never elected a Republican anything, the Democratic primary winner is sure of a victory in November. But not guaranteed. We must continue to support her if we want to be absolutely sure she gets to Jefferson City.
CONGRATS Jolie Justus!!!!!
Missouri 89 of 89 Precincts Reporting - 100.00%
Name Party Votes Pct
Justus, Jolie Dem 5,669 33.02
Klumb, Jason Dem 5,188 30.22
Flaherty, Mike Dem 4,173 24.31
Burnett, Ingrid Dem 2,139 12.46
It was great! A good, 1000% liberal candidate won a seat in the MO senate. I had the fortune of meeting Jolie several times as she campaigned through out the district, once at a funraiser, once at Bistro 303 and another time at Cafe Trio. She was tireless, spent 1/4 of what Mr Klumb spent and truely runs to represent this diverse district. The MO 10th district has everything from crushing poverty to sprawling mansions, Gay, Lesbian, Black, Latino, Urban core to suburban. That a liberal lesbian, with no prior legislative experience can beat a former State Rep and insider is remarkable. Many thought Klumb was a shoe-in with his past experience and endorsements from the insiders. But Jolie won by walking, talking, meeting and being herself. Since this district has never elected a Republican anything, the Democratic primary winner is sure of a victory in November. But not guaranteed. We must continue to support her if we want to be absolutely sure she gets to Jefferson City.
CONGRATS Jolie Justus!!!!!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Fragments, Sublime and Ridiculous
A few short pieces:
Music to my ear:
I am thrilled to see the British record label Lyrita back on the market. Lyrita in the 60s through the '80s recorded some of the most important modern British classical music with many performers and conductors that were at the peak of their creative years. David Atherton, Vernon Handley, Sir Charles Groves, Bryden Tomson, Sir Colin Davis,Norman Del Mar, Sir Adrian Boult were featured as conductors. Singers included Felicity Palmer, Stuart Burrows, and Benjamin Luxon just to name a few. Especially welcome are the composer conducts series with William Alwyn, Sir Malcom Arnold and Sir Lennox Berkeley. Rarely heard gems from Havergal Brian, Alun Hoddinot, Grace Williams and William Wordsworth.
The first of the series has been released. The Lyrita website (or less expensive at MDT) have the discs in stock. I have ordered the Hoddinot Symphonies, the Grace Williams disc and the Wordsworth symphonies.
Worthless creatures:
Someone said once that the best evidence against an intelligent being creating life was the june bug. I second that and add the locust. They are everywhere this summer. Buzzzzzing and acting as nature's morons.
A locust was laying still on its back at the bottom of the stairs leading to the parking lot at the Towers. I swept him up and immediately he started buzzing and spinning on his back, flopped over and banged repeatedly into the wall. He managed to head up the stairs, whereupon he flew behind the propped open door and buzzed and banged in there. I opened the door, he flew back into the wall, back down the stairs, flopped on his back, spun and buzzed some more and after banging the windows, finally managed to find the opening whereupon he landed on his back on the ground and buzzed a bit until he was silent. He is still out there, dead or alive I am not sure but I have no time for a further show. If he did fly, I am sure he'd head directly to the web Charlotte is building in the corner.
Cops and Donuts:
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) -- A stolen truck full of doughnuts? Better believe Tri-Cities police were on that in a hurry. Moments after the theft of the Viera's Bakery van was reported early Friday in Kennewick, police issued an all-points bulletin.
A Benton County sheriff's deputy quickly spotted the truck. After a chase at 30 to 35 mph, Richland police got it to stop and arrested the driver, Steve Swoboda, 19, for investigation of auto theft and felony escape.
Still intact was the entire load of glazed, sugar and cream doughnuts, as well as apple fritters, bear claws.
Just like in KC, if it involved donuts, the KCPD would be right on it. Drugs, prostitution, loitering, vandalism...not a priority.
Music to my ear:
I am thrilled to see the British record label Lyrita back on the market. Lyrita in the 60s through the '80s recorded some of the most important modern British classical music with many performers and conductors that were at the peak of their creative years. David Atherton, Vernon Handley, Sir Charles Groves, Bryden Tomson, Sir Colin Davis,Norman Del Mar, Sir Adrian Boult were featured as conductors. Singers included Felicity Palmer, Stuart Burrows, and Benjamin Luxon just to name a few. Especially welcome are the composer conducts series with William Alwyn, Sir Malcom Arnold and Sir Lennox Berkeley. Rarely heard gems from Havergal Brian, Alun Hoddinot, Grace Williams and William Wordsworth.
The first of the series has been released. The Lyrita website (or less expensive at MDT) have the discs in stock. I have ordered the Hoddinot Symphonies, the Grace Williams disc and the Wordsworth symphonies.
Worthless creatures:
Someone said once that the best evidence against an intelligent being creating life was the june bug. I second that and add the locust. They are everywhere this summer. Buzzzzzing and acting as nature's morons.
A locust was laying still on its back at the bottom of the stairs leading to the parking lot at the Towers. I swept him up and immediately he started buzzing and spinning on his back, flopped over and banged repeatedly into the wall. He managed to head up the stairs, whereupon he flew behind the propped open door and buzzed and banged in there. I opened the door, he flew back into the wall, back down the stairs, flopped on his back, spun and buzzed some more and after banging the windows, finally managed to find the opening whereupon he landed on his back on the ground and buzzed a bit until he was silent. He is still out there, dead or alive I am not sure but I have no time for a further show. If he did fly, I am sure he'd head directly to the web Charlotte is building in the corner.
Cops and Donuts:
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) -- A stolen truck full of doughnuts? Better believe Tri-Cities police were on that in a hurry. Moments after the theft of the Viera's Bakery van was reported early Friday in Kennewick, police issued an all-points bulletin.
A Benton County sheriff's deputy quickly spotted the truck. After a chase at 30 to 35 mph, Richland police got it to stop and arrested the driver, Steve Swoboda, 19, for investigation of auto theft and felony escape.
Still intact was the entire load of glazed, sugar and cream doughnuts, as well as apple fritters, bear claws.
Just like in KC, if it involved donuts, the KCPD would be right on it. Drugs, prostitution, loitering, vandalism...not a priority.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Idiots Rule
I was not going to post tonight, but when I read this article, I had to comment. More than 50% of the US population believe the lies of Bush, Rush, and the rest of the Coup leaders and accept the fantasy that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. These are of course the same intellgunt desine (sic) supporters and those who feel that keeping gays and lesbians from marrying will protect children and that marriage is for those who pro-create. Then are marriages of those who can't have kids, or beyond menopause, sterile or just plain do not want to raise a family illegal?
Note one of the biggest reasons for this amazing fact; US citizens get their news from the biased info-tainment shows on FOX and on talk radio. If Rush, or one of the FOX idiots (I refuse to watch them so I do not even know their names) says it is true, and Bush says it is true in his own fantasy war game world fought with real people (shades of the Roman Gladiators), the the gullible US population will accept it, hook line and sinker.
This country continues to slide into a hell of its own making. Sad.....
Half of US believes Iraq had WMD
Note one of the biggest reasons for this amazing fact; US citizens get their news from the biased info-tainment shows on FOX and on talk radio. If Rush, or one of the FOX idiots (I refuse to watch them so I do not even know their names) says it is true, and Bush says it is true in his own fantasy war game world fought with real people (shades of the Roman Gladiators), the the gullible US population will accept it, hook line and sinker.
This country continues to slide into a hell of its own making. Sad.....
Half of US believes Iraq had WMD
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Tropical Heat Wave
One hot summer day, an acquaintance asked "can you believe this weather"? "Yes", I replied, "It is summer in the Midwest, it is usually hot."
Well, can you believe this weather??? This is beyond summer hot, it is roasting. I think it was close to 100 again today and the same for tomorrow and the remainder of the week. Rain has been scarce, trees are starting to look stressed, as are the people. I have felt lethargic all week and I pin it on the heat.
I went out this PM and promptly got too warm. I spent most of the afternoon dozing. I love the warm and understand that is it hot in the Midwest in the summer, but really now, can we have a break??
Well, can you believe this weather??? This is beyond summer hot, it is roasting. I think it was close to 100 again today and the same for tomorrow and the remainder of the week. Rain has been scarce, trees are starting to look stressed, as are the people. I have felt lethargic all week and I pin it on the heat.
I went out this PM and promptly got too warm. I spent most of the afternoon dozing. I love the warm and understand that is it hot in the Midwest in the summer, but really now, can we have a break??
Friday, August 04, 2006
In Memoriam Louise and Elizabeth
Two grand ladies, who in their separate and unique ways made this world a bit brighter, have passed.
Louisie,The Pug from Anchorage, Alaska was 13 years & 7 months old when she passed on Wednesday. The cancer she had bravely faced had spread to her liver. She stopped playing over the weekend and stopped eating on Tuesday. She was telling everyone that it was time.
Her adoring Mary Jo posted on PugVillage: "Louisie was my soulmate and my heart dog. Not only will she missed forever by me, but she will be missed by many, many web-friends too. Her full sister, Thelma, will be looking for her." Condolences came from all over the world, testifying to Louise'’s power over people. Such as the characters in the movie, Louise was never far from her sister Thelma.
Louise will be at the Rainbow Bridge waiting for Thelma with Dino, Butchie and Muffin. What a grand time they will have.
Legendary soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf who won global acclaim for her performances of Mozart, Mahler and Strauss, died Thursday in Austria at the age of 90.
Schwarzkopf, who along with Maria Callas are considered the leading sopranos of our time, retired in 1975 and had captivated audiences and critics alike during her four decade career Her leading roles, ranging from Elvira in Mozart's "Don Giovanni" to the Marschallin in Richard Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier," were immortalized on records and CDs. She created the role of Anne Truelove in Stravinsky's "The Rake's Progress" and was in Guido Cantelli's immortal "“Cosi Fan Tutte" in La Scala. Her Mahler 4th solo is beyond description as is her Strauss "Four Last Songs"”.
Without Elizabeth and Louise, the world is a bit darker today.
Louisie,The Pug from Anchorage, Alaska was 13 years & 7 months old when she passed on Wednesday. The cancer she had bravely faced had spread to her liver. She stopped playing over the weekend and stopped eating on Tuesday. She was telling everyone that it was time.
Her adoring Mary Jo posted on PugVillage: "Louisie was my soulmate and my heart dog. Not only will she missed forever by me, but she will be missed by many, many web-friends too. Her full sister, Thelma, will be looking for her." Condolences came from all over the world, testifying to Louise'’s power over people. Such as the characters in the movie, Louise was never far from her sister Thelma.
Louise will be at the Rainbow Bridge waiting for Thelma with Dino, Butchie and Muffin. What a grand time they will have.
Legendary soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf who won global acclaim for her performances of Mozart, Mahler and Strauss, died Thursday in Austria at the age of 90.
Schwarzkopf, who along with Maria Callas are considered the leading sopranos of our time, retired in 1975 and had captivated audiences and critics alike during her four decade career Her leading roles, ranging from Elvira in Mozart's "Don Giovanni" to the Marschallin in Richard Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier," were immortalized on records and CDs. She created the role of Anne Truelove in Stravinsky's "The Rake's Progress" and was in Guido Cantelli's immortal "“Cosi Fan Tutte" in La Scala. Her Mahler 4th solo is beyond description as is her Strauss "Four Last Songs"”.
Without Elizabeth and Louise, the world is a bit darker today.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Neatness Counts
There may be dirty dishes in the sink, dog hair on the floor and the living room carpet and certainly the glass on the shower door needs a good scrubbing. BUT! My bed is made. I have this thing about making a bed. I could be 34 hours late to something but I would stop to make my bed. I simply refuse to come home and see my bed a storm tossed pile of pillows and disheveled sheets.
I am not a compulsive neat freak, but I do have to have a certain modicum of neatness and order. My little apt here at the Towers is neat, livable and could be spotless in about 20 minutes if I put some effort into a little straightening and vacuuming. What I can not understand is how people can live in clutter and dirt. I have friends that have maybe one or two places to sit despite having rooms full of furniture; everything is full of magazines, papers, mail, boxes, you name it. Then there was Chuck whose house was so cluttered there was one path through from the back door, past the bathroom to his bed (never made).
As we clamor for more! MORE! MORE! and buy everything under the sun, our living spaces are becoming more like glorified storage units. Witness the madness of having a garage full of junk and leaving your $20,000 or more car out in the elements. I know people who eat dinner sitting on the couch balancing a plate as there are no tables cleared, they are full of "stuff". There are residents here at the towers who have huge condos full of lovely things, all covered in dust, never used. Despite having 2,800 Sq Ft of living space, they use 1 room and a bath. Crazy.
I used to have places full of things, but my decent into a long period of underemployment has allowed me to shed things and have just what I need. Oh, I still have some junk I need to get rid of, stuff no one wanted or mementos I want to hang on to. But I feel freer and less encumbered by junk.
That (and a made bed) can make you a healthier person for sure!
I am not a compulsive neat freak, but I do have to have a certain modicum of neatness and order. My little apt here at the Towers is neat, livable and could be spotless in about 20 minutes if I put some effort into a little straightening and vacuuming. What I can not understand is how people can live in clutter and dirt. I have friends that have maybe one or two places to sit despite having rooms full of furniture; everything is full of magazines, papers, mail, boxes, you name it. Then there was Chuck whose house was so cluttered there was one path through from the back door, past the bathroom to his bed (never made).
As we clamor for more! MORE! MORE! and buy everything under the sun, our living spaces are becoming more like glorified storage units. Witness the madness of having a garage full of junk and leaving your $20,000 or more car out in the elements. I know people who eat dinner sitting on the couch balancing a plate as there are no tables cleared, they are full of "stuff". There are residents here at the towers who have huge condos full of lovely things, all covered in dust, never used. Despite having 2,800 Sq Ft of living space, they use 1 room and a bath. Crazy.
I used to have places full of things, but my decent into a long period of underemployment has allowed me to shed things and have just what I need. Oh, I still have some junk I need to get rid of, stuff no one wanted or mementos I want to hang on to. But I feel freer and less encumbered by junk.
That (and a made bed) can make you a healthier person for sure!
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Heat Wave
Hot enough to boil a monkey's bum here in Kansas City today. Right now it is 97 and it is almost 8PM. For the last three days it has been over 100. We have not broken any daily records in this latest heat wave, but it is the first time in years that we have had as many consecutive days over 100.
Needless to say, Puggles has been a scarce commodity outside as have I. The Queen Mary's AC is not up to speed, so I have been using the Maestro's SAAB. Although faster, it is no more economical, takes premium unleaded and has some issues starting occasionally. Note that the Queen Mary betters it in all those categories and has softer seats for my fat behind.
Tomorrow is another hot one and then a cool down for a couple of days.
I wish I had a Gatoraide concession!
Needless to say, Puggles has been a scarce commodity outside as have I. The Queen Mary's AC is not up to speed, so I have been using the Maestro's SAAB. Although faster, it is no more economical, takes premium unleaded and has some issues starting occasionally. Note that the Queen Mary betters it in all those categories and has softer seats for my fat behind.
Tomorrow is another hot one and then a cool down for a couple of days.
I wish I had a Gatoraide concession!
Monday, July 31, 2006
Paranoia Epidemic
Paranoia?? Checking the license plates of those who come in your subdivision. Is all of suburbia that paranoid? Hell, a murderer can live there but a sex offender? HORRORS!!!
We are so paranoid anymore.
St Louis Post Dispatch
We are so paranoid anymore.
St Louis Post Dispatch
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Harry Potter Gets Naked
It seems the fantasies of millions of pubescent girls, a fair number of boys and more than a few perverted adults will come true in London in the spring. Daniel Radcliffe, the star of the Harry Potter films will play the Alan Strang character in a stage version of Peter Saffer’s “Equus”. For those of you familiar with modern theater, “Equus” is a play that features animal mutilation, horse inspired arousal and full-frontal nudity. The theatre blogs and sites are all abuzz.
"Equus" is a disturbing drama (its premise is how a well-ordered society deals with a sex driven violent act) and the main talk is if he can make it work since the role will certainly make huge acting demands on Radcliffe. He has never acted on stage, let alone with his willy on display.
Those who know me know I am definitely no prude. I have seen many plays with nudity (including “Equus”) and just basically think society makes too much fuss over sex and the human body. But come on, admit it. The producers, directors, writers, etc. include the nude scenes to rake it in at the box office. It is not art so much as it is cynical marketing. The sexiest or most harrowing scenes are the ones that are suggested (look no farther than the famous shower murder scene in “Psycho”, more thrilling and scary than any bloody gross out scene in modern horror films)rather than in your face.
I am jealous I did not think casting Harry Potter in a nude part. I bet the phones are ringing off the wall at the ticket office (supposedly the play opens next spring) and dollar (or more to the point, pound sterling)signs are in everyone’s eyes. Along with Radcliffe’s dick. What a stroke of genius. There are probably 10,000 better qualified actors to do the part, but with the prospect of seeing Harry with out his robes has set the theatre world on its ear and millions will be made.
I just am laughing my tail off. And no, it will not be on stage.
"Equus" is a disturbing drama (its premise is how a well-ordered society deals with a sex driven violent act) and the main talk is if he can make it work since the role will certainly make huge acting demands on Radcliffe. He has never acted on stage, let alone with his willy on display.
Those who know me know I am definitely no prude. I have seen many plays with nudity (including “Equus”) and just basically think society makes too much fuss over sex and the human body. But come on, admit it. The producers, directors, writers, etc. include the nude scenes to rake it in at the box office. It is not art so much as it is cynical marketing. The sexiest or most harrowing scenes are the ones that are suggested (look no farther than the famous shower murder scene in “Psycho”, more thrilling and scary than any bloody gross out scene in modern horror films)rather than in your face.
I am jealous I did not think casting Harry Potter in a nude part. I bet the phones are ringing off the wall at the ticket office (supposedly the play opens next spring) and dollar (or more to the point, pound sterling)signs are in everyone’s eyes. Along with Radcliffe’s dick. What a stroke of genius. There are probably 10,000 better qualified actors to do the part, but with the prospect of seeing Harry with out his robes has set the theatre world on its ear and millions will be made.
I just am laughing my tail off. And no, it will not be on stage.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Stamp out Store Bought Mayonnaise!
I love Mayo on ANYTHING! Here is a recipe I made up using a blender. Usually I hand beat the oil and lemon juice in to the whipped egg/vinegar/mustard/salt/pepper mixture. But my poor arm can't take it anymore.
MAYONNAISE
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup peanut oil or good vegetable oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
NOTE: all measures are approximate except the oil and lemon juice which must be pretty exact. I never measure, but to get the right consistency, you need the right amount of liquid. You could use dry mustard as well and some people like a dash of paprika. Throw in a hit of garlic if you like as well. GO MAYO WILD!!
Combine the oils and mix well. Then divide in 1/2.
In a blender combine egg, vinegar, salt, mustard, and white pepper. Cover and blend about 5 seconds on medium high. With blender running on slowest speed gradually add 1/2 cup oil. Add oil in a thin but steady stream. You may need to stop the blender and scrape the sides down. Slowly add lemon juice. Finally, slowly add remaining oil with the blender running slowly. When oil is completely added, the Mayo should be the right constancy. You'll hear the mixture "burp".
Better than store bought anyday. The trick is to keep the blender on slow and continuously add the oil. When the oil is all added stop immediately. Blending too long or on too high speed makes the mixture too thin. I know, I ruined two batches making it too fast.
MAYO TIME!
MAYONNAISE
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup peanut oil or good vegetable oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
NOTE: all measures are approximate except the oil and lemon juice which must be pretty exact. I never measure, but to get the right consistency, you need the right amount of liquid. You could use dry mustard as well and some people like a dash of paprika. Throw in a hit of garlic if you like as well. GO MAYO WILD!!
Combine the oils and mix well. Then divide in 1/2.
In a blender combine egg, vinegar, salt, mustard, and white pepper. Cover and blend about 5 seconds on medium high. With blender running on slowest speed gradually add 1/2 cup oil. Add oil in a thin but steady stream. You may need to stop the blender and scrape the sides down. Slowly add lemon juice. Finally, slowly add remaining oil with the blender running slowly. When oil is completely added, the Mayo should be the right constancy. You'll hear the mixture "burp".
Better than store bought anyday. The trick is to keep the blender on slow and continuously add the oil. When the oil is all added stop immediately. Blending too long or on too high speed makes the mixture too thin. I know, I ruined two batches making it too fast.
MAYO TIME!
Friday, July 28, 2006
Wayne Meets the Landmark Commission Nazis
Wayne has met the Nazis. Not Himmler or Hitler, or Goebbels or Speer, but a modern-day equivalent, and just as mindboggling.
Wayne is trying to rehab the house across the street. The poor place has had a checkered history, spending the majority of the time recently in a state of disrepair. A long time haven for druggies and vagrants, the place was weed infested and trashy. I used to call 911 frequently as I'd see people sneak in the house to sell or do drugs. Of course the KCMO police were attending the grand opening of a new Lamar's Donuts and could not be bothered.
Finally one day, a sign appeared that it was going to be auctioned off. Someone cleaned it a bit, and it sold. Soon after a young fellow named Jim moved in. He was there about 3 hours before he was broken into. His short tenure endured 3 more break-ins before he fled to the burbs. His fiance would not even set foot in the place.
So Wayne bought it. Hoping that our transitional neighborhood would be a good investment. He put a lot into the place and it looks grand.
Then the Nazis goose-stepped their way into his life.
The Nazis came in the form of the City Landmarks Commission. These air-headed Nazis would rather see the place remain a mess than allow it to be rehabed. All in the name of authenticity. Well, we have authentic drug dealers, authentic vagrants, authentic drunks (two of which took up residence on my porch this PM)in the neighborhood so I guess it is fair for the houses to be authentic too. But really, this is not a fabulous neighborhood. The house is nothing special,and this neighborhood is nothing special either, nothing like my neighborhood in South St Louis with the unique and unspoiled architecture. Who gives a fat rat's ass if the place has wood windows or wood siding, or a "period door"? It is better than being a drug house. I see the need for some rules, or we would have a geodesic dome or a glass cube built in its place.
But someone has given these bureaucrats (in the worse sense of the term) some power. And as the real Nazis, are just a bunch of hooligans and nobodies running wild.
Wayne has learned his lesson, he'll never rehab a house in the city again.
Wayne is trying to rehab the house across the street. The poor place has had a checkered history, spending the majority of the time recently in a state of disrepair. A long time haven for druggies and vagrants, the place was weed infested and trashy. I used to call 911 frequently as I'd see people sneak in the house to sell or do drugs. Of course the KCMO police were attending the grand opening of a new Lamar's Donuts and could not be bothered.
Finally one day, a sign appeared that it was going to be auctioned off. Someone cleaned it a bit, and it sold. Soon after a young fellow named Jim moved in. He was there about 3 hours before he was broken into. His short tenure endured 3 more break-ins before he fled to the burbs. His fiance would not even set foot in the place.
So Wayne bought it. Hoping that our transitional neighborhood would be a good investment. He put a lot into the place and it looks grand.
Then the Nazis goose-stepped their way into his life.
The Nazis came in the form of the City Landmarks Commission. These air-headed Nazis would rather see the place remain a mess than allow it to be rehabed. All in the name of authenticity. Well, we have authentic drug dealers, authentic vagrants, authentic drunks (two of which took up residence on my porch this PM)in the neighborhood so I guess it is fair for the houses to be authentic too. But really, this is not a fabulous neighborhood. The house is nothing special,and this neighborhood is nothing special either, nothing like my neighborhood in South St Louis with the unique and unspoiled architecture. Who gives a fat rat's ass if the place has wood windows or wood siding, or a "period door"? It is better than being a drug house. I see the need for some rules, or we would have a geodesic dome or a glass cube built in its place.
But someone has given these bureaucrats (in the worse sense of the term) some power. And as the real Nazis, are just a bunch of hooligans and nobodies running wild.
Wayne has learned his lesson, he'll never rehab a house in the city again.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The Madness of "King George"
"We will submit legislation to the United States which will authorize the Congress to undertake judicial review of those signing statements with a view to having the president's acts declared unconstitutional.” Thus spoke Senator Arlen Specter initiating his challenge of the Arrogant and Unelected Bush Administrations use of executive powers on policy matters.
Whatis the election stealing King George doing now? Well, besides destroying America’s reputation, destroying Iraq, ignoring the out of control Israeli raids in to Lebanon, damaging families, turning the judiciary upside down, running up a deficit and lying out his ass, he is using his signing statements to gut the content of congressional legislation relating to the executive branch of the government. In his Royal Mind, he thinks he can use the statements as directives to the executive branch departments and agencies on how to implement the law. Senator Specter feels that is unconstitutional, and rightfully so. It is nothing but a bald face scheme to add to his powers as President (King) and diminish the power of the Congress when they dare to do something he does not like.
The most blatant example is the amendment to a bill that specifically forbids torture of detainees. In his signing statement to the bill, the president says the military may use torture anyway effectively rendering the bill totally unenforceable.
Nixon was no where near this out of control. I think the ass needs to be impeached. Would someone offer to blow him so we can do that???
Whatis the election stealing King George doing now? Well, besides destroying America’s reputation, destroying Iraq, ignoring the out of control Israeli raids in to Lebanon, damaging families, turning the judiciary upside down, running up a deficit and lying out his ass, he is using his signing statements to gut the content of congressional legislation relating to the executive branch of the government. In his Royal Mind, he thinks he can use the statements as directives to the executive branch departments and agencies on how to implement the law. Senator Specter feels that is unconstitutional, and rightfully so. It is nothing but a bald face scheme to add to his powers as President (King) and diminish the power of the Congress when they dare to do something he does not like.
The most blatant example is the amendment to a bill that specifically forbids torture of detainees. In his signing statement to the bill, the president says the military may use torture anyway effectively rendering the bill totally unenforceable.
Nixon was no where near this out of control. I think the ass needs to be impeached. Would someone offer to blow him so we can do that???
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