The Aztecs would be honored.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Merry 15 Days After Christmas!
I know....I'm late with this little Holiday Cheer. But better late than never!
Friday, January 09, 2009
Midge O'Brien RIP
I learned yesterday of the passing into ancestory of a dear friend. This picture goes back to the mid/late 1980's when we first met on a summer paint crew for the Fayette County Kentucky Public Schools. At the time she was working as a teacher's aid and painting to keep the hourly wages coming. A native of Wisconsin, I'm convinced it was our Great Lakes backgrounds that cemented our bonds of friendship.
There are so many stories that I am currently swimming through as I grieve. But suffice it to say that Midge tought me 1) The most valuable lesson of parenthood is "letting go", 2) No object is ever more important than any person, and 3) no matter that you have no matterial thing, you can still transform others with your presence.
Tonight I really cried.
Be at peace, Midge, and soar!
There are so many stories that I am currently swimming through as I grieve. But suffice it to say that Midge tought me 1) The most valuable lesson of parenthood is "letting go", 2) No object is ever more important than any person, and 3) no matter that you have no matterial thing, you can still transform others with your presence.
Tonight I really cried.
Be at peace, Midge, and soar!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Congratulations
to Senator-elect Al Franken and his family on his triumph in the 2008 Minnesota Senatorial contest.
You go AL!
You go AL!
Sunday, January 04, 2009
What I'm Watching #179
Am I getting more sentimental in my middle age, or are the movies?
This is a beautifully told and acted story of two men who need to come to peace with themselves and their relationship to the "fathers" in their lives. Paul Preiss gives an exceptional performance as Nate.
Put it on your Netflick list, you won't be disappointed.
This is a beautifully told and acted story of two men who need to come to peace with themselves and their relationship to the "fathers" in their lives. Paul Preiss gives an exceptional performance as Nate.
Put it on your Netflick list, you won't be disappointed.
Today's Sermon #9
HE TOLD ME
He told me of a river bright;
it flows from him to me,
that I might be for his delight
a fair and fruitful tree.
~ Rabindranath Tagore, 1861-1941
He told me of a river bright;
it flows from him to me,
that I might be for his delight
a fair and fruitful tree.
~ Rabindranath Tagore, 1861-1941
Saturday, January 03, 2009
What I'm Listening To #47
"The Bird And The Bee" are Inara George and Greg Kurstin. I bought this CD on the strength of a totally kick-ass, techno-dance version of "Fucking Boyfriend" that I chanced upon online.
It's NOT the version that is recorded on this disc. Shame, really.....
It's NOT the version that is recorded on this disc. Shame, really.....
Friday, January 02, 2009
Random Quote #100
"To love the king is not bad, but a king who loves you is better."
~ Wolof Proverb, African
~ Wolof Proverb, African
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Random Quote #99
"One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things."
~ John Burroughs, 1837 - 1921
~ John Burroughs, 1837 - 1921
The Amazing Mr. Roscoe
In a close-up from my sun room, Mr. Roscoe checks out a golden butterfly Christmas gift from my friend, M.
Mr. Roscoe was purchased sometime in the autumn of 2007 and lived in the 2nd grade classroom of Ms. L. She placed him in a cup while packing away her classroom in June, and inadvertently left him in her closet over the summer. He was rescued in less than an inch of water after 9 weeks of absolute darkness and deprevation.
Thoughout the autumn he has lived in round bowl in the Library, and I brought him home over the holidays. Now he has a new home, large and roomy and complete with a source of nutrition.
Mr. Roscoe is an amazing little guy.
Mr. Roscoe was purchased sometime in the autumn of 2007 and lived in the 2nd grade classroom of Ms. L. She placed him in a cup while packing away her classroom in June, and inadvertently left him in her closet over the summer. He was rescued in less than an inch of water after 9 weeks of absolute darkness and deprevation.
Thoughout the autumn he has lived in round bowl in the Library, and I brought him home over the holidays. Now he has a new home, large and roomy and complete with a source of nutrition.
Mr. Roscoe is an amazing little guy.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Nature AND Nurture
Two gay penguins at Polar Land in Harbin, China have been stealthily stealing eggs from straight couples and replacing them with rocks. Brilliant!
But the deception has been noticed by other penguins at the zoo, who have ostracized the gay couple from their group. Now keepers have decided to segregate the pair of three-year-old male birds to avoid disrupting the rest of the community during the hatching season.
"One of the responsibilities of being a male adult is looking after the eggs. Despite this being a biological impossibility for this couple, the natural desire is still there," a keeper told the Austrian Times newspaper.
"It's not discrimination. We have to fence them separately, otherwise the whole group will be disturbed during hatching time," he added.
Well, if straight penguins are too neglegent to notice that their egg is now a rock, I say gay penguins might make better parents. You go "Happy Feet"!
But the deception has been noticed by other penguins at the zoo, who have ostracized the gay couple from their group. Now keepers have decided to segregate the pair of three-year-old male birds to avoid disrupting the rest of the community during the hatching season.
"One of the responsibilities of being a male adult is looking after the eggs. Despite this being a biological impossibility for this couple, the natural desire is still there," a keeper told the Austrian Times newspaper.
"It's not discrimination. We have to fence them separately, otherwise the whole group will be disturbed during hatching time," he added.
Well, if straight penguins are too neglegent to notice that their egg is now a rock, I say gay penguins might make better parents. You go "Happy Feet"!
Art I'm Seeing #34
In honor of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec, the Canadian Embassy is hosting a wonderful little exhibition of maps, prints, and manuscripts. "Champlain's Dream/Le rêve de Champlain" features artifacts from the John Carter Brown library based in Rhode Island. To look at maps drawn over 400 years ago is to discover and admire an art form rarely presented for public consideration.
The exhibit retains a wonderfully Canadian point of view, with many references to "flawed" American players, and "undisciplined" American troops and leaders as it traces the history from Champlain's monumental explorations to the Battle of Quebec more than a century after Champlain's death.
This was my first visit inside the Canadian Embassy, the most prominent foreign outpost in the capital with it's unique assymetrical neo-classic/post-modern style. I don't think it will be my last.
The exhibit retains a wonderfully Canadian point of view, with many references to "flawed" American players, and "undisciplined" American troops and leaders as it traces the history from Champlain's monumental explorations to the Battle of Quebec more than a century after Champlain's death.
This was my first visit inside the Canadian Embassy, the most prominent foreign outpost in the capital with it's unique assymetrical neo-classic/post-modern style. I don't think it will be my last.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Our Latest American Hero #129
Marine Lance Cpl. Thomas Reilly Jr., 19, of London, Ky.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died Dec. 21 while supporting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq.
"Marine From Kentucky Killed In Combat In Iraq"
A 19-year-old Marine from Kentucky was killed in a surprise attack in Anbar province, Iraq, his mother said. Lance Cpl. Thomas “T.J.” Reilly Jr., of London, died Dec. 21 during combat operations, according to the Department of Defense.
His mother, Gina Bray, said her son joined the military after graduating from South Laurel High School last year.
“I didn’t want him to go. He wanted to go. But I didn’t want to crush his dream,” Bray said.
But on Sunday, Bray said Reilly’s unit came under a surprise attack, and he was killed instantly.
“He was on a mission. There was a hostile situation, and they just hurt my baby. And they took him,” Bray said.
Bray said Reilly had a knack for baking in home economics classes and he had wanted to enter culinary school after the military.
“They used to tell him how good he made cakes,” Bray said.
One of Reilly’s former teachers, Mary King, said she kept in contact with him after he was deployed to Iraq over the summer.
“Needless to say, we have been heartbroken,” King told The Times Tribune in Corbin.
King said Bray was given the news of Reilly’s death at a hospital in Harlan, where her daughter Regina had just given birth.
“She’s had ups and downs over the past few days,” King said.
“He was very, very close with her, very tight with his mother, and so she is really struggling.”
King said Reilly was attracted to the opportunities in the military.
“He saw (the Marines) as a place he could excel and be a leader and be someone who could be in charge and move on up in the ranks,” King said.
"Marine From Kentucky Killed In Combat In Iraq"
A 19-year-old Marine from Kentucky was killed in a surprise attack in Anbar province, Iraq, his mother said. Lance Cpl. Thomas “T.J.” Reilly Jr., of London, died Dec. 21 during combat operations, according to the Department of Defense.
His mother, Gina Bray, said her son joined the military after graduating from South Laurel High School last year.
“I didn’t want him to go. He wanted to go. But I didn’t want to crush his dream,” Bray said.
But on Sunday, Bray said Reilly’s unit came under a surprise attack, and he was killed instantly.
“He was on a mission. There was a hostile situation, and they just hurt my baby. And they took him,” Bray said.
Bray said Reilly had a knack for baking in home economics classes and he had wanted to enter culinary school after the military.
“They used to tell him how good he made cakes,” Bray said.
One of Reilly’s former teachers, Mary King, said she kept in contact with him after he was deployed to Iraq over the summer.
“Needless to say, we have been heartbroken,” King told The Times Tribune in Corbin.
King said Bray was given the news of Reilly’s death at a hospital in Harlan, where her daughter Regina had just given birth.
“She’s had ups and downs over the past few days,” King said.
“He was very, very close with her, very tight with his mother, and so she is really struggling.”
King said Reilly was attracted to the opportunities in the military.
“He saw (the Marines) as a place he could excel and be a leader and be someone who could be in charge and move on up in the ranks,” King said.
Today's Sermon #7
TODAY, LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY
Today, like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened. Don’t open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down the musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the
ground.
~ Jelalu-Din Rumi
1207 - 1273
Today, like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened. Don’t open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down the musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the
ground.
~ Jelalu-Din Rumi
1207 - 1273
Saturday, December 27, 2008
True Colors?
Lord, I've been video crazy lately!
And this one is a commercial that is playing in Sweden for the company founded by tennis legend Bjorn Borg. Serve. Match. Set!
And this one is a commercial that is playing in Sweden for the company founded by tennis legend Bjorn Borg. Serve. Match. Set!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Oh, Santa Baby.....
A Puurrrrfectly melancholy way to end this day. (What must it be like to die on Christmas? That's gotta be right up there with Adams and Jefferson croaking on the 4th of July!) And who orchestrated this fabulous video with the drag queens? All the details are completely with it, baby.
Mrs. Claus keep a kean eye on your man!
Mrs. Claus keep a kean eye on your man!
What I'm Watching #178
I went with my ex- and his grandmother, my beloved M., last weekend to see one of the latest computer generated animated cinematic features, "The Tales of Despereaux".
It's a delightfully rendered film, not too far from the original book in it's spirit and story.
The most curious aspect of it for me was it's inability to tug upon my heart-strings; something that the book was able to do... Something that most stories do to me! So, I cannot fault this film in any technical way. The voice cast is absolutely stellar. The images beautifully rendered. Yet, it never got under my considerably thin skin....for what that's worth!
It's a delightfully rendered film, not too far from the original book in it's spirit and story.
The most curious aspect of it for me was it's inability to tug upon my heart-strings; something that the book was able to do... Something that most stories do to me! So, I cannot fault this film in any technical way. The voice cast is absolutely stellar. The images beautifully rendered. Yet, it never got under my considerably thin skin....for what that's worth!
What I'm Listening To #46
"The Flobots" out of Denver, Colorado, is a hip hip-hop-rap fushion band with a social conscience that demands attention.
These young artists are amazing in both their raw honesty and their lyrical and compositional curiosity. I believe they represent what is new and good about art: the Word.
Check out their break through track....
These young artists are amazing in both their raw honesty and their lyrical and compositional curiosity. I believe they represent what is new and good about art: the Word.
Check out their break through track....
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