Category Archives: Uncategorized

Composer Focus: Jean Sibelius (part two)

 Returning to Sibelius! The land of Karelia is a region in northern Europe that currently comprises sections of Eastern Finland, and Northwestern Russia. Like Alsace-Lorraine between France and Germany, Karelia is a land that has been disputed for centuries, and … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on Composer Focus: Jean Sibelius (part two)

Liberatopia isn’t seeming like much of a topia these days

 Former Texas Governor and former US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry was quoted the other day as saying this: “Texans would be without electricity for longer than three days to keep the federal government out of their business.“ Well, now. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on Liberatopia isn’t seeming like much of a topia these days

I raise a glass to you, Dr. Vishniac

 It’s amazing what stories stay with us through the years. Some stick for obvious reasons, but some do not; some just stick all on their own. When I was in fourth grade, more than forty years ago, I watched the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on I raise a glass to you, Dr. Vishniac

2021 in the Books: Greeks by any other name, and how I learned to stop fearing the budget deficit!

 More reading! ::  Lloyd Alexander has been one of my favorite authors since I was a kid, but that assessment is basically on the strength of just two of his series: the Prydain Chronicles (which are a classic of 20th century … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on 2021 in the Books: Greeks by any other name, and how I learned to stop fearing the budget deficit!

An Exercise in Geek Fashion

 There’s a vintage advertisement for the fantasy role playing game Dungeons and Dragons that makes the rounds once in a while, so this time I decided to play a game of “Who Wore It Better”. I think I did it pretty … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on An Exercise in Geek Fashion

Three photos, four animals

 Here are the beasties with whom we share our living space, all in varying degrees of repose.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Three photos, four animals

“What Happened Was….” (Thoughts on the Film)

 I suppose I am lucky that I never had to negotiate the world of dating as a single adult, out there in “the wild”. My dating life was mercifully short, and it took place in the context of the sheltered … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Composer Focus: Jean Sibelius (part one)

 So here’s something new I’ll be trying for a bit, based on my experience in 2020. I wrote a lot last year about Ludwig van Beethoven, which was fitting since 2020 marked his 250th birthday. I don’t plan to focus … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

2021 in the Books: Beethoven, Merlin, and the Hardy Boys meet Veronica Mars

 Here’s some of my recent reading! ::  Beethoven: The Relentless Revolutionary by John Clubbe is simply superb. I wanted to get this one done in time to blog about it during 2020, but getting it done this year is fine. While … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 2021 in the Books: Beethoven, Merlin, and the Hardy Boys meet Veronica Mars

A perfect “Oh SHHHHHHIIII–” moment

 I think the 0:29 mark in this video is the exact moment at which the person in the dark coat and white knit hat is thinking, “Oh, shhhhhiiiit!!!” as they realize it is too late for them to avoid the cost … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on A perfect “Oh SHHHHHHIIII–” moment