Senator Obama gave a very important victory speech. He came through as the uniter he claims to be not only for the party but, as well, for the country.
While I think Democrats have fallen for Limbaugh's (and other Republican voices) continuing to say "Don't throw me in the briar patch" (if anyone remembers their old children's stories about Br'er Rabbit, it is fortunate for the country that we have two superb candidates. If the news media was as qualified for their jobs as the two Democratic candidates are for goals, our country would be more fairly informed and served by them. However, they have sold out to their masters who hold their paychecks, sadly.
Senator Clinton gave a victory speech in Indiana for herself. While the media was planning her political funeral, she continued with her message of hope for our country under her leadership.
Both of these candidates are asking us to start acting like Americans again. Chris Matthews called her speech a 'charming' speech, then added, "Perhaps she has a new speech writer." He forgets that both of these candidates can talk for themselves, even with speech writers which we know is doubtful with our current leader. Olbermann saw it as 'like one of those Schwartzernegger movies in which the machine gets an arm cut off and then comes back to life."
He doesn't mention that he and his media accomplices cut off the arm!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
The Greek Island of Lesbos, with its 100,000 inhabitants, is upset about the confusion caused by their being called Lesbians (which they are) and the homosexual (which they are not) connotation given the name in the rest of the world. For an article on the subject by Malcolm Brabant, by BBC News, you can read all about it. Names matter a lot in business, as well. Xerox didn't like their name being used universally for all copy on all products not their own. It didn't matter, people still say, "Oh, can I Xerox this?" Google got all out of joint when people took their name and turned it into a verb, as in "Just Google xxxx." Lawsuits don't seem to touch these matters once the steam roller has been set to 'Go'.
The third commandment is is usually understood as a prohibition against using God's name in profanity or even in a callous manner. ""You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." Two states are suing over illegal use of Legal Aid.
For those who take the right to free speech too literally...nothing in life is totally free.
The third commandment is is usually understood as a prohibition against using God's name in profanity or even in a callous manner. ""You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." Two states are suing over illegal use of Legal Aid.
For those who take the right to free speech too literally...nothing in life is totally free.
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Sunday, May 4, 2008
FOR JANE AUSTEN LOVERS
My blog writing didn't happen last night because I was rapt and wrapped last night in a fourth Elizabeth Aston book in the manner of Jane Austen. This one was The Darcy Connection. Disappointed that I had finished the Aston books as well as Austen, I found in Amazon that there is another Aston book in her series The Exploits and Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy: a Novel. While browsing there, I see that there is a whole cottage industry of writers capitalizing from Jane Austen. I ordered a few more to check them out, hoping (and reasonably sure) it will not dampen feelings about the original Austen.
Aston writes well. After the first that I read by her on the Darcy clan, she did a much better job at building her characters. However, one thing I noted (though she relies heavily on the format that Austen used) is that she has peppered her books with villains while Austen only used mean spirited characters. While there is one who might be called a villain, he was simply selfish and not really as determined to do the kind of evil Aston writes about in some of her characters. There are intrigues, misunderstandings, but less of the detail with which Austen described went through the heads of her characters. Nevertheless, Aston's books still qualify beautifully in the 'feel-good' category of books for readers who like to leave the last page with a nice warm feeling that the world is not such a bad place, after all.
Aston writes well. After the first that I read by her on the Darcy clan, she did a much better job at building her characters. However, one thing I noted (though she relies heavily on the format that Austen used) is that she has peppered her books with villains while Austen only used mean spirited characters. While there is one who might be called a villain, he was simply selfish and not really as determined to do the kind of evil Aston writes about in some of her characters. There are intrigues, misunderstandings, but less of the detail with which Austen described went through the heads of her characters. Nevertheless, Aston's books still qualify beautifully in the 'feel-good' category of books for readers who like to leave the last page with a nice warm feeling that the world is not such a bad place, after all.
LACK OF CLARITY IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
I've often wondered about the word 'procrastination' I wondered if there was an anticrastination. After all, if you are 'pro' something, you should be able to be 'anti' the same thing. The dictionary lists suggestions for words when it can't find the one for which you are hunting. The first suggestion Merriam-Webster gave was constipation. I thought that was very rational of those dictionary people.
Words can be so much fun. For example, there's sewer and sewer. What, might you ask is the difference? Well Betsy Ross was one and the other is a mass of pipes carrying doo-doo away. Now how would someone new to our language figure that out? Newspapers are even more difficult for strangers to English. I remember a journalist saying that the soldier yelled, "Drop your arms and raise your hands" That might seen very difficult to do!
Headlines make great use of the language with two meanings as in: 'Patient At Death's Door--Doctors Pull Him Through'.
Humor is based on using language literally. Rodney Dangerfield used to say, simply, "Take my wife...please!" People are so frequently apologetic so repeatedly as to make it most annoying. It is as though they can never take responsibility for anything they have done. They try to get out of responsibility by saying, "I'm really trying!" a prompt answer most usually is, "Yes, you are....VERY!"
Very confusing are missed punctuation marks. An early sentence to illustrate this used to be: 'The cow fell in the hole on her back' suggestion of implosion rather than , 'The cow fell in the hole, on her back.'
People play with matching sounds: "He believed Caesar could see people seizing the seas."
We also have words whose definitions are both synonyms and antonyms: cleave (adhere and separate); cover (conceal and expose); trim (garnish and prune); sanction (censure and approve). Is there any wonder why we, as a people, have difficulty understanding one another?
Words can be so much fun. For example, there's sewer and sewer. What, might you ask is the difference? Well Betsy Ross was one and the other is a mass of pipes carrying doo-doo away. Now how would someone new to our language figure that out? Newspapers are even more difficult for strangers to English. I remember a journalist saying that the soldier yelled, "Drop your arms and raise your hands" That might seen very difficult to do!
Headlines make great use of the language with two meanings as in: 'Patient At Death's Door--Doctors Pull Him Through'.
Humor is based on using language literally. Rodney Dangerfield used to say, simply, "Take my wife...please!" People are so frequently apologetic so repeatedly as to make it most annoying. It is as though they can never take responsibility for anything they have done. They try to get out of responsibility by saying, "I'm really trying!" a prompt answer most usually is, "Yes, you are....VERY!"
Very confusing are missed punctuation marks. An early sentence to illustrate this used to be: 'The cow fell in the hole on her back' suggestion of implosion rather than , 'The cow fell in the hole, on her back.'
People play with matching sounds: "He believed Caesar could see people seizing the seas."
We also have words whose definitions are both synonyms and antonyms: cleave (adhere and separate); cover (conceal and expose); trim (garnish and prune); sanction (censure and approve). Is there any wonder why we, as a people, have difficulty understanding one another?
Saturday, May 3, 2008
MULTISLACKING
Multisclacking, from the urban dictionary: doing multiple slackeresque things concurrently. It occurs to me that those of us who are 'multitaskers' will find it easy to be 'multislackers' when we decide to goof off. This made me think of some of the ways that people can slack off. A healthy way is to pay attention when you need to slow down to regenerate yourself. Everyone's battry needs charging from time to time.
It is said that people use their executive processing when they do several things at one time. That sounds great but I question whether it is really a choice at all, or whether one is just the kind of person who can only focus when all senses and brain function abilities are being used at the same time. There are people in my life who want me to give them my undivided attention. They do not understand that I cannot listen to them if I am not knitting, sketching, glancing through a catalog, playing Free Cell on the computer or any of a myriad of other things. If I am not otherwise partially engaged, my mind wanders and I find it difficult to focus on what they are saying...often because I have found that people who demand your undivided attention are responding to others in their life who find them boring and clearly no longer listen and are not spellbound by them. I've met a few other people, as I, who read a book as they watch television. I am apt to fall asleep if I don't have something physical as well as mental to keep me awake.
As for the multislacking, that is yet another process for me. I have to work to cleanse my mind of all the things I 'should' be doing in order to relax and do what I want to do. Part of the only way it will work for me is to shut the world out. Phone calls, which I am always compelled to answer when I hear them, are intrusions. For that reason, I have to carefully plan my rare days of multislacking. It is not fun to multislack if you think you are letting people down, in some way, who might be waiting for you to finish something for them. My ideal multislacking is when it is horrible weather outside, no one is likely to arrive, I don't have to get dressed, and can read or play in my jewelry studio, or with the computer. One must be able to suppress the 'you have to accomplish something' gene since most people have to do good for others or make a product of some sort.
It is my belief that we all must balance the stress in our lives with whatever works for us. Some do Yoga, some do Transcendental Meditation, other get themselves deep massage, and there are many more choices. I prefer physical comfort in the familiarity of my own home doing anything that gives pleasure to all my senses and is totally without stress. Multislacking starts the day with not having to get dressed, choosing whether to make the bed, do the breakfast dishes, or just let all those chores go and give yourself over to feeling free of all responsibility but that of making sure you relax.
Follow the rule: If you want to fall asleep, only go to bed when you are sleepy!
It is said that people use their executive processing when they do several things at one time. That sounds great but I question whether it is really a choice at all, or whether one is just the kind of person who can only focus when all senses and brain function abilities are being used at the same time. There are people in my life who want me to give them my undivided attention. They do not understand that I cannot listen to them if I am not knitting, sketching, glancing through a catalog, playing Free Cell on the computer or any of a myriad of other things. If I am not otherwise partially engaged, my mind wanders and I find it difficult to focus on what they are saying...often because I have found that people who demand your undivided attention are responding to others in their life who find them boring and clearly no longer listen and are not spellbound by them. I've met a few other people, as I, who read a book as they watch television. I am apt to fall asleep if I don't have something physical as well as mental to keep me awake.
As for the multislacking, that is yet another process for me. I have to work to cleanse my mind of all the things I 'should' be doing in order to relax and do what I want to do. Part of the only way it will work for me is to shut the world out. Phone calls, which I am always compelled to answer when I hear them, are intrusions. For that reason, I have to carefully plan my rare days of multislacking. It is not fun to multislack if you think you are letting people down, in some way, who might be waiting for you to finish something for them. My ideal multislacking is when it is horrible weather outside, no one is likely to arrive, I don't have to get dressed, and can read or play in my jewelry studio, or with the computer. One must be able to suppress the 'you have to accomplish something' gene since most people have to do good for others or make a product of some sort.
It is my belief that we all must balance the stress in our lives with whatever works for us. Some do Yoga, some do Transcendental Meditation, other get themselves deep massage, and there are many more choices. I prefer physical comfort in the familiarity of my own home doing anything that gives pleasure to all my senses and is totally without stress. Multislacking starts the day with not having to get dressed, choosing whether to make the bed, do the breakfast dishes, or just let all those chores go and give yourself over to feeling free of all responsibility but that of making sure you relax.
Follow the rule: If you want to fall asleep, only go to bed when you are sleepy!
Friday, May 2, 2008
WHEN THE LIES COME FROM THE TOP, IS THERE ANYONE LEFT TO RESPECT?
Bush admits deceiving by his responses and rationalizes his reason which the writer, Steve Benen from the Carpetbagger Report, sees as yet another lie to influence the mid-term elections.
Bush Watch has kept track of Bush lies. They accumulate very quickly. Areas covered are Agriculture, Commerce. Justice. Science, Defense, Energy and Water, Financial services, Homeland Security, and so on down the alphabet of areas on which the President speaks
When asked, "Why do they lie?", Al Sharpton is quoted as responding, "Because they are liars."
At least 21% of our citizens believe him. Horrifyingly terror stricken, the other 79% believes what they see and hear with their own eyes and call it lying. Just Google Lies that Bush has told. One questions why there are not lawsuits against those who are accusing him. Can it be because the writers have the videotaped speeches which leave little doubt?
Bush Watch has kept track of Bush lies. They accumulate very quickly. Areas covered are Agriculture, Commerce. Justice. Science, Defense, Energy and Water, Financial services, Homeland Security, and so on down the alphabet of areas on which the President speaks
When asked, "Why do they lie?", Al Sharpton is quoted as responding, "Because they are liars."
At least 21% of our citizens believe him. Horrifyingly terror stricken, the other 79% believes what they see and hear with their own eyes and call it lying. Just Google Lies that Bush has told. One questions why there are not lawsuits against those who are accusing him. Can it be because the writers have the videotaped speeches which leave little doubt?
Thursday, May 1, 2008
VIRGIL, BERLIOZ, MAESTRO LEVINE AND THE OPERA LES TROYEN
Having long been a negative critic of Maestro Levine for forcing atonal music to the Boston audience when only a minority (I firmly believe from all my unofficial polls in conversations at Intermissions) even think they 'should' like it if they listen to it often enough. Nevertheless, this blog is about superb conducting on the part of Maestro Levine in the presentation of this opera.
While I make no pretense of a vast knowledge of operas, I don't believe one needed more than the program, carefully read, the pre-concert lectures, and Google to prepare for an understanding of what Berlioz had in mind. The tale of the Greeks conquering (destroying is a better description) of Troy, Aeneas's escape to Carthage, and the melodrama as only that era with all their Gods and emotions can portray, with Aeneas finally off to conquer Rome to build a new Troy is a fascinating fantasy. I say fantasy rather than history because I believe it to be so with all the Gods and ghosts that were running around in the plot.
There was not an instant of boredom in the music. The theme changes, melodic and mesmerizing, with the accompaniment, and often harmony with the orchestra, adding to the tonal quality of those superb voices like the support of a strong, masculine arm for a maiden. They were flanked by the Tanglewood Chorus. Tempo changes kept the music so alive and vibrant, as did the strip above the orchestra bearing the libretto so that no one could miss the accuracy that Berlioz gave his music in tune with the story. The love scene as a 'night of ecstasy' stood out with its beauty as Solomon's Song, a poem of beauty unlike most of the rest of the 'begatting' in the Bible ... as though it wandered in from out of nowhere, noticed it was alone, but decided to stay anyway.
The last act had one of the longest, sustained volumes which included the full Tanglewood Chorus as well as the entire BSO orchestra at full blast. Unfortunately, a giant from Senegal sat in front of me so I could hear but not see the principal actors. Maestro Levine had placed them behind the cellos, flutes and who ever was back there on stage so they were not visible to those of us in orchestra seats. The giant bobbled his head, like a bowling all with ears, throughout the performance so I finally stopped straining around him when my neck got stiff. Even with the visual loss, I was spellbound by the music. Maestro Levine, high on his swivel chair, turned from side to side, rhythmically, waving his hands and pulling out some of the best music I have heard in a long time.
Lines like the dying Queen spoke of her abandoning lover, Aeneas, " I should avenge by serving him his own son's limbs in a hideous feast." and "Let his body lie on the field to feed the vultures." Written in 70 BC. Virgil knew the mantra of vengeance. The queen foretold that she would be avenged by Hannibal. There were lots of premonitions and omens with the Gods and ghosts bustling around pushing things.
I was struck at how little has changed over the centuries. When people are helpless, they pray to the Gods, God, or whatever/whomever they think will respond to them. Would that it were so!
While I make no pretense of a vast knowledge of operas, I don't believe one needed more than the program, carefully read, the pre-concert lectures, and Google to prepare for an understanding of what Berlioz had in mind. The tale of the Greeks conquering (destroying is a better description) of Troy, Aeneas's escape to Carthage, and the melodrama as only that era with all their Gods and emotions can portray, with Aeneas finally off to conquer Rome to build a new Troy is a fascinating fantasy. I say fantasy rather than history because I believe it to be so with all the Gods and ghosts that were running around in the plot.
There was not an instant of boredom in the music. The theme changes, melodic and mesmerizing, with the accompaniment, and often harmony with the orchestra, adding to the tonal quality of those superb voices like the support of a strong, masculine arm for a maiden. They were flanked by the Tanglewood Chorus. Tempo changes kept the music so alive and vibrant, as did the strip above the orchestra bearing the libretto so that no one could miss the accuracy that Berlioz gave his music in tune with the story. The love scene as a 'night of ecstasy' stood out with its beauty as Solomon's Song, a poem of beauty unlike most of the rest of the 'begatting' in the Bible ... as though it wandered in from out of nowhere, noticed it was alone, but decided to stay anyway.
The last act had one of the longest, sustained volumes which included the full Tanglewood Chorus as well as the entire BSO orchestra at full blast. Unfortunately, a giant from Senegal sat in front of me so I could hear but not see the principal actors. Maestro Levine had placed them behind the cellos, flutes and who ever was back there on stage so they were not visible to those of us in orchestra seats. The giant bobbled his head, like a bowling all with ears, throughout the performance so I finally stopped straining around him when my neck got stiff. Even with the visual loss, I was spellbound by the music. Maestro Levine, high on his swivel chair, turned from side to side, rhythmically, waving his hands and pulling out some of the best music I have heard in a long time.
Lines like the dying Queen spoke of her abandoning lover, Aeneas, " I should avenge by serving him his own son's limbs in a hideous feast." and "Let his body lie on the field to feed the vultures." Written in 70 BC. Virgil knew the mantra of vengeance. The queen foretold that she would be avenged by Hannibal. There were lots of premonitions and omens with the Gods and ghosts bustling around pushing things.
I was struck at how little has changed over the centuries. When people are helpless, they pray to the Gods, God, or whatever/whomever they think will respond to them. Would that it were so!
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