Saturday, September 28, 2013
MECHANISM VS TECHNOLOGY: OR A FAD?
The window display in an up beat shop caught my eye. Piled one on top of each other were portable record players circa the fifties. Each player was a different size and color. Each had a 75 rpm,vinyl record on its turn table.
Not an iPhone. Not a smart phone. No curly cues, just plain, ordinary looking portable record players. So what's the difference between this mechanism and the technology we now have to listen to music?
My guess is it may be lonely as an audience of one on an iPad when a record player lets you share music with others. Or is it just another fad?
MUSIC: US AMBASSADOR TO THE WORLD?
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra often plays music by living, established composers like John Adams, Steve Reich and Thomas Ades. But one of the first concerts of this season previewed the work of Patrick Harlin, a young composer and his composition, "Rapture."
According to our program, Harlin counts traditional classical music and Jazz among his influences. He credits James Tabors book, "Blind Descent" about the crippling onset of emotion, known as "The Rapture" which cave climbers experience after living weeks in total darkness. At the conclusion of the composition, the audience rose to its feet shouting bravos and hosanna as the composer came to the stage.
It was clear to many in our audience that this approximately 8 minute
composition represents the strength and determination of people in this country and will serve as a a good will Ambassador around the world.
According to our program, Harlin counts traditional classical music and Jazz among his influences. He credits James Tabors book, "Blind Descent" about the crippling onset of emotion, known as "The Rapture" which cave climbers experience after living weeks in total darkness. At the conclusion of the composition, the audience rose to its feet shouting bravos and hosanna as the composer came to the stage.
It was clear to many in our audience that this approximately 8 minute
composition represents the strength and determination of people in this country and will serve as a a good will Ambassador around the world.
Monday, September 23, 2013
NRA & MENTAL HEALTH: BED PARTNERS?
The NRA would have us believe the organization is an advocate for the mental health system.
According to Wayne LaPierre, head of NRA: "Mental Health patients should be taken off the streets and be committed!"
Our mental health system is in great need, but to use mental health in a clever public relations campaign is to mislead the public. It is outrageous and will not work.
The problem is that we permit unregulated manufacturing, distribution and sales of military guns, equipment and ammunition to be used by people on our streets and country roads. The unregulated business of guns is not acceptable.
It is time for voters to tell our elected officials, and those who would represent us, we will not be side tracked by simplistic language or solutions. It is time to stop being afraid of the NRA and take back
the civil society in which all of us, gun owners and non owners live.
According to Wayne LaPierre, head of NRA: "Mental Health patients should be taken off the streets and be committed!"
Our mental health system is in great need, but to use mental health in a clever public relations campaign is to mislead the public. It is outrageous and will not work.
The problem is that we permit unregulated manufacturing, distribution and sales of military guns, equipment and ammunition to be used by people on our streets and country roads. The unregulated business of guns is not acceptable.
It is time for voters to tell our elected officials, and those who would represent us, we will not be side tracked by simplistic language or solutions. It is time to stop being afraid of the NRA and take back
the civil society in which all of us, gun owners and non owners live.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
AUTUMN STILL A GRAND LADY!
Autumn marked her arrival with an "I'm glad to be alive" kind of day! Temperatures were where they belonged, high 60s, low 70s. Clear skies and little or no humidity brought bikers, walkers, joggers, people pushing strollers with infants, still more skipping behind were out in force.
Jackets were off, some shorts still prevailed, and cars rolled down windows to reveal more children, some guys and dolls and lots of picnic baskets for those headed for the country. Dogs, pedigree and rescue alike were eager to give their handlers a run for their money.
Every once in a while a tree showed a red leaf as if to say, watch these branches, we are about to show you some brilliant color. Flower beds were turning golden with new plantings and meals were eaten out of doors.
Autumn provides us with a lazy yet energetic, colorful pace and a time for reflection all her own. We hope this Grand Lady will be as kind and gracious to river, land and sea in the months ahead.
Jackets were off, some shorts still prevailed, and cars rolled down windows to reveal more children, some guys and dolls and lots of picnic baskets for those headed for the country. Dogs, pedigree and rescue alike were eager to give their handlers a run for their money.
Every once in a while a tree showed a red leaf as if to say, watch these branches, we are about to show you some brilliant color. Flower beds were turning golden with new plantings and meals were eaten out of doors.
Autumn provides us with a lazy yet energetic, colorful pace and a time for reflection all her own. We hope this Grand Lady will be as kind and gracious to river, land and sea in the months ahead.
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