rssOnly two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Albert Einstein
2007, February 18
Stress Management Ideas
Making its way around the internet.
Accept that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue.
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
Drive carefully. It’s not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.
If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
Never buy a car you can’t push.
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won’t have a leg to stand on.
Since it’s the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
The second mouse gets the cheese.
When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.
Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
--
2007, February 05
Very Early Signs of Spring
Today is the beginning of meteorlogical spring, halfway between the Winter solstice and the Vernal equinox.
Kate, at Ciderpress Hill has seen the Bald Eagles arrive and begin to nest. Here the signs are more subtle--the cats are beginning to shed. Both these signs are related to the increasing day length, so now we know officially that Spring will arrive.
From James Pressler, here is Georg Friedrich Kauffmann's "O Jesulein süß", a short piece to lift your spirits. It seems to bring Spring to life.
Here is the same melody, in the hands of J.S. Bach, from the Schemelli Songbook, BWV 493.
Granted, this is usually considered a piece for the Christmas season, but somehow it speaks to me of new beginnings.
2006, December 29
Louis Vierne
The Westminster Carillon in D Major for New Years.
Louis Vierne was the organist of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris from 1900 to 1937, when he died at the keyboard giving his 1750th recital. A prolific composer, he is hardly heard of today though he is considered by some to be one of the greatest composers of the last century. His music seems to me to be Modern, perhaps a little prematurely. This is a favorite piece, I find it inspirational. I hope it will inspire us all to have a peaceful and productive year.
Louis Vierne, Organist of Notre Dame
The organ (English is in the second half of the page)
2006, December 21
Christmas Eve Sarejevo
For all of us at Christmas from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, directed by Paul O'Neill.
