Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Last night in Wyoming...

Today has been one busy day. Amid snow flurries, some rain and hard winds I finished banking, picked up the last of the prescriptions I needed refilled for the next 6 months and yes, washed the car. The Jeep and the BMW are put away in the garage till spring. We will drive the "Little Red Truck" to Utah. The hard wood floors in the kitchen of the house have been waxed on my hands and knees and the cupboards are clean. All the rooms in the house are ready for the last run through with the vacuum and then the draining of the pipes... Oh God, that is a big job. (One activity that I do not do or participate in anymore.)

I will be off line until the first week in December. I will be in Queenstown New Zealand back with Telecom communications.
Hopefully I will be able to access my blog and continue my writings about what ever I think is of importance to me at the time.

Last night made dinner for two of my best friends Tony & Wayne. I will miss them immensely. Always do. BUT, big surprise. Rutha that I meet up with in New Zealand with every year and usually go for a long hike, tramp, hike, came through Alpine two days ago. She dropped in yesterday morning for a strong coffee in route to the Jackson Hole Air Port. Flying to NY to visit her sister, then flying out to San Francisco to see her brother before flying to NZ. Great to catch up with her. She is a free spirit.
This woman lives out of a back pack. She has things stored all over the globe. Between AZ, WY and NZ. Such a joy to be with.

Thanksgiving will be with family. Christmas will be in beautiful Queenstown. Life is good and I will miss playing on line for a few weeks. Of course there is Barnes and Noble, BUT I AM RATHER A LAZY SLOB WHEN I AM IN UTAH! Wonder why?

I love all of you to pieces. BJ

Thursday, November 15, 2007

A most amazing gift!

61 years ago on November 15, 1946 at 8:15PM I was born. Yep, today is the Birthday. Can't say anything is different, but late this afternoon as I was walking by the north window in the kitchen something very bright and orange in color caught my eye. I dashed outside to witness one of the most stunning sunsets!!! What a marvelous gift from the universe on my B. Day!

I have said it many times that after I die I want my ashes spread at sunset. To me a sunset is like the ending climax in a symphony! One amazing element about this sunset was: The pink delicate clouds passing in front of the crest of the moon and a blue sky as the background! The crest of the moon was hanging in the south western sky and the sunset was blazing in all it's symphonic glory toward the north west! The snow capped mountains reflected the fiery light as if the tops of the peaks were in flames! Made for a dynamic birthday candle. I did not have to blow it out! I absorbed the image and caressed it close to my heart. I am so blest to live in two of the most beautiful places on earth and two places with wide open skies!

Monday, November 12, 2007

New Computer!

Last week a rather large box was delivered by FED X. I thought it was stuff for the house. I suddenly realized it was from APPLE, Yep! MAC... It seems that for my Birthday, Christmas and all other occasions that warrent receiving gifts from loved ones are fully covered with this fantastic gift! I love it.

A spankin' brand new Mac-Book Pro. It is gorgeous. I have spent hours on it and with my computer Guru who has been teaching me how to transfer data from my old mac to this new one. (Including my Blog site.) This is the first time I have posted a blog from this computer. This baby will fly to the bottom of the planet end of this month and be pumping 220 volts of electricity through it's veins! The pictures are so perfect. Watched bits of movies last night and was was amazed at the quality of resolution.

We finally had some rain and the mountain peaks are covered with white snow. It is getting colder which is a definite sign that I should be getting out of this climate. Also sea level is so nice for breathing! Will be in New Zealand around December 1, 2007.

Have lots to write about, but want to play with other features on my new lover! (So sexual!) I will never eat an apple without thinking of the wonderful apple on the cover of my Mac Book. Apples are good for you.

Monday, November 05, 2007

Water Boarding? Thank God for Keith Olbermann

I watched Countdown with keith Olbermann tonight!

Dear God, what a horrible administration we are living under. Water Boarding is not torture? Keith's speech was spell binding. Keith Olbermann has balls. He has courage and his fearless attack against this idiot President and VP is refreshing as a a clean glass of cool water. Water made from clean snow that falls from a blue sky filled with pure air!

Thank God, the Universe, the Goddess what ever one wishes to call the REAL GUIDING FORCE behind this planet's evolution into something beyond dualism and war, hate, fear forever guards us with loving information and guides us into peace...as we live through this nightmare of lies and terror. These goons are the terrorists. They stole two elections from the people, managed to have the congress decree them power that allows them to break all laws of humanity and totally walk away from the constitution! This is a government of secret combinations.

I thought Johnson, Nixon and Ragen were bad, but these two evils in the white house are ruling as dictators in a flat earth society. These two make me believe that reincarnation is a fact! Hitler, Stalin returned?

A Senate and House that are so weak and afraid they cower to his every wish? Where are the radicals, the protesters? Where are the rebels of my generation, the 60's 70's 80's?????? Could it be we have become completely brain dead? No? There are some people in the media and in the world of the web that are making changes. Information is at our fingertips. Peace can and does live within our hearts and minds if we THINK.

If we do not allow anyone else to take our power to think and act according to what is right for us, not what is right for an organization or party. The Republican party has become a blind organized religious sect. Go see the movie Jesus Camp! Look at the Salem burning of women and men thought to be witches. The Popes that have killed in the name of God. I was raised in a church whose founder practiced Polygamy. Three Prophets after him practiced polygamy. Nice life for women? Now that church I was raised in condems the Warren Jeffs of the FLDS but where did he get his beliefs? From Joseph Smith and the 1830 edition of the Doctrine & Convenants... Dogma! BLINDED BY FEAR OF GOD. God is NOT FEAR. God is FREEDOM.

This administration in Washington DC have used the greatest cared in the deck: The Religious Fear Card. The bible says the god of the old testament is a JEALOUS GOD! WHAT IN HELL IS THAT? God is supposed to be perfect? He/she is beyond Jealousy! Stick with Christ. He would have forgiven the Saudis and Afghanis that bombed the twin towers. He would have loved his enemies... go figure!

The Golden Secret is: The enemy is within! We are more than our bodies and NO ONE CAN HURT OR CONTROL YOU IF YOU DO NOT COOPERATE WITH THEM! YOU AND I OWN TWO THINGS: OUR MINDS AND SOULS!

I'm embracing my hippie philosophy: Make Love not War. Peace not War. Forgiveness is the key to everything.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Central Park




One of my favorite places in Central Park. This is the Angel Fountain used in the Movie: "Angels In America".

Photo of the 8 guys I traveled to NYC with. Notice the pigeon sitting on the angel's head. Next is a shot of the fountain taken from the bridge above it. No autumn colors like years past. Interesting fact, the man that died during the NY Marathon this week died at the Boat house just off to the left of these photos. A place I always have lunch! Nice place to pass over to the other side!

Thursday, November 01, 2007

NYC 2007




For me, NYC is one magical adventure. Working in the business 7 days a week, up to 14 hours a day for 5 months becomes a safe institution with challenges, but for the most part you are doing the 'same ole, same ole' every day. Suddenly stepping out of the uniform every day meaning chef jacket, cap and Crocks into jeans, boots, shirts seems strange, but then to re-unite with my piano is a thrill. Preparing for a performance class at Carol Montparker's Studio in Huntington, NY.

Flew from SLC to JFK non-stop. 9 guys from WY and ID on a plane and only three of the nine had ever been in NYC before!
Landing was perfect, great ride into the city. Stayed at a lovely hotel, The Wolcott on 31st between 5th Ave. and Broadway.

After settling in the rooms we all walked to Times Square. So many people and such bustling energy. A complete upside down situation from where we came from! We purchased Metro Passes for the Subways and sure enough hopped on one to the famous Christopher Street. Took the guys to the famous Stone Wall Bar. The beginning of the Gay Movement in America exploded into reality in that bar in 1969. I remember it well... and not without strange emotions as I was in NYC in 1969. After the walk through memory lane we took the subway to the hotel and slept in anticipation of the next day.

Most everyone did their own thing. Monday was spent in Central Park. The park is simply wonderful. Many photos. Had lunch at the Boat House. Walked until my feet were screaming for relief.

I waited for the guys to catch up with me at the Entrance into the park near Columbus Square. While standing in the hot sunshine, watching a tap dancer entertain the people, a filming crew showed up and began interviewing people, asking questions regarding health. It seemed from out of no where they suddenly were interviewing me! Filming the entire event!!! I answered the questions regarding everything from cancers to depression and signed the release to use my face and silly answers on the cable show they were filming for.

After another walk through the park three of us went to what used to be the Metrople Restaurant in the Village for dinner. It is now "Les Deux Gamins" at 189 W. 10th St. Great food. Then a walk about the villiage and home to bed.

Tuesday was a special day. I spent the day in one the most sacred places on the planet: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
I love this space and the Greek and Roman Saturday were marvelous. I have always fantasized that possibly all these pieces of art actually come to life when the lights go out! The main attraction was the Rembrandt exhibition.

Wednesday: the MOMA. Museum of Modern Art. Here I become crazy! Picasos, and two of my favorite artists, Van Gogh and Monet... Had a deeeeelicious lunch. Sandwich made with Maine lobster, salad and mushroom soup! Then back to the boards, endless miles of breath taking art.

Before going to the MOMA I stopped by Carnegie Hall and purchased my ticket to hear Andras Sshiff play four Beethoven Sonatas. I have never in my life sat in the Parquet section! I blew the money and bought a seat 8th row back center aisle.
The most amazing view of the piano and stage. He played like a GOD! My feet did not touch the ground all the way back to the hotel...

Thursday was another overwhelming event. Alex Grey's Chapel of Sacred Mirrors. I have loved this mans work forever, but finally saw the gallery with my own two eyes. I could write a small book about this place and what was spinning in my head.
Had lunch at a small French Cafe. Tony's back was killing him, so we walked to the Chinese Massage and he had a long massage. Thursday evening I attended my 9th live performance of Phantom of The Opera and yes I cried. I love the music and the story. I believe the Angel of Music caresses my heart and soul more than ever...

Friday walked to Penn Station and took the Long Island Rail to Huntington to perform in a class with my coach, Carol Montparker. Seymour Bernstein was not able to work with me this year so I spent Friday afternoon and evening with the Taubs and next morning awoke to Bach being played on the Steinway. Delicious breakfast and then Carol and I worked on music. Two hours of intense playing and conversation. Exchanging ideas, different ways to approach the music making it more beautiful and enjoyable to perform it.

Took the train back into the city around one PM. My mind spinning with all the ideas and sounds we had created while in Huntington. Met up with Erin in the afternoon. Went to dinner. Then had too much wine! Not good for my body. A bit of wine I love, but I got carried away and suffered in ever so many ways. I have a horrible habit of talking too much when I become inebriated. OMG, way toooooo much. It is forgiven and I will behave for a long time.

Sunday, off to JFK and flight home. Spent the night with my family in Utah and then drove the 4 hours to WY. Came home to beautiful weather and lots of work yet to do, but above all else I am a blest man to have experienced and to continue to live the adventure I find irresistible and so delicious. Life is good. New Zealand is on the horizon.