A friend sent me an e mail with a simple test. I am a happy sucker for these games!
You are alone in a desert. Burning up with heat and no water in sight. You have five animals. You must rid yourself of the animals one by one as you journey on through the desert.
The first animal I removed was the monkey.
Next was the Lion, then a Horse, Cow and finally I would leave the desert with a sheep. The order that you removed the animals was and very important part of the test.
Monkey was my first choice. It represents my children! (well, that was not hard, get rid of one major problem in your life!)
I chose the Lion as my second choice. The lion's meaning was my PRIDE.
I then removed the Horse. Horses represent one's Passion!
Finally I removed the Cow. The cow translates into One's BASIC NEEDS!
I leave the desert with the sheep! The sheep means: FRIENDSHIP! So when things get tough, I get rid of the kids, then swallow my pride, drop my "passion" like a bolt of lightening and discard of my basic needs very easily, but KEEP THE FRIENDSHIPS.
When I was in my early teens a very dear piano teacher told me time and time again that when I came to the end of my life friendships would be more precious than anything else I had worked for during the course of my entire life!
I think he was trying to tell me was the fact friendships remain after many love affairs burn out, family difficulties can separate siblings, parents cousins for years and even lifetimes!
I've had many friends that were an intense part of my life's journey during my 20's and 30s. Most of them have 'crossed over'... walked out of their bodies and stepped into the void, but their voices, their touch, laughter and certain glances are indelibly etched into the neurons of my brain...
Friends I have not laid my eyes upon for over 30 years keep in touch with me still to this day and even though we do not visit we e mail every few days and maintain a golden coil of love and light between us that years ago would not be possible except for snail mail and telephone calls... (It would be very difficult for me to hand over my I Pod and Mac in the desert!)
I do not have hundreds of friends. Most of my friends could be counted on both hands... 10 maybe more. Most of that 10 do not live with me or live within driving distance of where I live! They know who they are. I will admit that practically all my friendships were birthed because of music and my love of metaphysics.
Okay, I am taking my sheep and we're walking out of here!
Oh, "I'll Be Seein' You"...
Monday, January 21, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Olive Oil & Wine
The past 5 years I have cooked exclusively with olive oil. Extra Virgin OR Light Virgin? The very green organic olive oil that costs plenty but the fruity flavor is thrilling I find it to be the best! Go to a organic food store.
About 5 years ago a bad mistake was made in diagnosing a cholesterol test I had taken 2002 or 2003. My cholesterol was over 300... What ever in hell that meant? I was put on Lipitor. It nearly killed me! Every joint and muscle in my body was in pain. I honestly believe it brought on a vengeance of arthritis beyond words!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Found out, my cholesterol was fine. Wrong person got the wrong numbers! Yikes! In the mean time, I went on a massive journey to discover what cholesterol really was and how to control it from giving me a major heart attack. One of the keys was Olive Oil and red wine. Since then, olive oil is one of my best friends.
An Olive Tree takes 30 years to mature but can live up to a 1,000 years!
A big freeze in France in 1956 devastated nearly 300,000 olive trees. Today France only has 70,000 olive trees! Olive oil can be used in so many ways... Cooking, skin care, base for enhancing so many herbs and foods...
Wine was being used as an antiseptic before 3000 B.C. in Egypt. Wine was also used in the same way in China. Chinese legends speak of wine making in the same period used for medicinal and celebration purposes. Most always two sets of wine were made by kings. Funeral and Domestic wines.
Wines Contain vitamins A, B & C as well as 13 minerals essential to human life... and too much wine can ruin your life! Been there. However, cooking with wine and olive oil can be a magic potion that can bring food alive as well as the person eating it.
Ever since the fiasco with the cholesterol I have drank pino noir or any red wine every day and plenty of olive oil... according to the last test c. was perfect.
I found that IF I cannot sleep, making a cup of mulled wine will put me into dream land very fast. Use cheap red wine!
(your going to be heating the wine so do not use an expensive wonderful wine that was created for room temperature and a gorgeous glass with space for the wine to breathe...)
add a tablespoon of raw or brown sugar, and half a teaspoon of cinnamon. Cinnamon is fantastic for circulation! DO NOT BOIL THE BREW! I put it in the microwave for 1 minute on high, sometimes 30 seconds more. Delicious and so good for you!
Sweet dreams.
About 5 years ago a bad mistake was made in diagnosing a cholesterol test I had taken 2002 or 2003. My cholesterol was over 300... What ever in hell that meant? I was put on Lipitor. It nearly killed me! Every joint and muscle in my body was in pain. I honestly believe it brought on a vengeance of arthritis beyond words!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Found out, my cholesterol was fine. Wrong person got the wrong numbers! Yikes! In the mean time, I went on a massive journey to discover what cholesterol really was and how to control it from giving me a major heart attack. One of the keys was Olive Oil and red wine. Since then, olive oil is one of my best friends.
An Olive Tree takes 30 years to mature but can live up to a 1,000 years!
A big freeze in France in 1956 devastated nearly 300,000 olive trees. Today France only has 70,000 olive trees! Olive oil can be used in so many ways... Cooking, skin care, base for enhancing so many herbs and foods...
Wine was being used as an antiseptic before 3000 B.C. in Egypt. Wine was also used in the same way in China. Chinese legends speak of wine making in the same period used for medicinal and celebration purposes. Most always two sets of wine were made by kings. Funeral and Domestic wines.
Wines Contain vitamins A, B & C as well as 13 minerals essential to human life... and too much wine can ruin your life! Been there. However, cooking with wine and olive oil can be a magic potion that can bring food alive as well as the person eating it.
Ever since the fiasco with the cholesterol I have drank pino noir or any red wine every day and plenty of olive oil... according to the last test c. was perfect.
I found that IF I cannot sleep, making a cup of mulled wine will put me into dream land very fast. Use cheap red wine!
(your going to be heating the wine so do not use an expensive wonderful wine that was created for room temperature and a gorgeous glass with space for the wine to breathe...)
add a tablespoon of raw or brown sugar, and half a teaspoon of cinnamon. Cinnamon is fantastic for circulation! DO NOT BOIL THE BREW! I put it in the microwave for 1 minute on high, sometimes 30 seconds more. Delicious and so good for you!
Sweet dreams.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Finished the book...
My time in New Zealand is never wasted. I attempt to read books that have wanted to read all year and that I find of interest.
I loved Ken Follet's novel, "Pillars of The Earth". Well, after all these years he has written the sequel to that book. "World Without End." The book is written the way novels used to be written: many, many pages! 1,014 pages are in the hard cover edition. There is not a paper back edition as of yet! I loved the book. (Lots of sex, religion, government, murder and love!)
I have M. reading "Atlas Shrugged". I have read that novel three times since 1980! I am now reading a wonderful book:
"The Time Of Our Singing" by Richard Powers. He composed a book that sent me over the moon years ago called:
The Goldbug Variations" about computers, music and emotions that touch many cosmic levels! This man knows music. I must contact him one day.
Years ago, I always contacted people that composed books I loved.
I have made some amazing friends through my reading of what I call "there is a reason for every thing books"...
Because of a book I read years ago: "The Anatomy of A New York Recital", I wanted to perform a recital in NYC.
Because of book called "With Your Own Two Hands", I found a teacher that guided me toward that dream... I am now very dear friends with these people and people they have introduced into my life of music and art! Because I contacted them I have received beautiful blessings upon my life!
One day I swear I will find a "ghost writer" that will help me write the book of my life! It will be HOT STUFF BABY! I mean really
a melt down for a lot of philosophies and dogmas that I proved to be totally BS! Whoopee! That was a strong statement.
Shall keep reading. Everyone should... oh and I'll be seeing you!
I loved Ken Follet's novel, "Pillars of The Earth". Well, after all these years he has written the sequel to that book. "World Without End." The book is written the way novels used to be written: many, many pages! 1,014 pages are in the hard cover edition. There is not a paper back edition as of yet! I loved the book. (Lots of sex, religion, government, murder and love!)
I have M. reading "Atlas Shrugged". I have read that novel three times since 1980! I am now reading a wonderful book:
"The Time Of Our Singing" by Richard Powers. He composed a book that sent me over the moon years ago called:
The Goldbug Variations" about computers, music and emotions that touch many cosmic levels! This man knows music. I must contact him one day.
Years ago, I always contacted people that composed books I loved.
I have made some amazing friends through my reading of what I call "there is a reason for every thing books"...
Because of a book I read years ago: "The Anatomy of A New York Recital", I wanted to perform a recital in NYC.
Because of book called "With Your Own Two Hands", I found a teacher that guided me toward that dream... I am now very dear friends with these people and people they have introduced into my life of music and art! Because I contacted them I have received beautiful blessings upon my life!
One day I swear I will find a "ghost writer" that will help me write the book of my life! It will be HOT STUFF BABY! I mean really
a melt down for a lot of philosophies and dogmas that I proved to be totally BS! Whoopee! That was a strong statement.
Shall keep reading. Everyone should... oh and I'll be seeing you!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Cooking as a sole region...
I love to cook. Always have and hope to always be able to prepare delicious comforting food until my time comes to cross
over into another dimension...
The past 2 weeks I have been cooking for 5 people instead of the 4 of us because our dear friend Beverly is living in her apartment next to our house until the first part of February. She donates her share to the grocery and wine bills. Every evening
'round 7:30 PM she walks over and as she enters our front door makes a firm proclamation in a beautiful British accent:
"GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!!" (hell, I wonder which queen she is asking the almighty to save? Lizzy or me the chef???)
In the two weeks she has been dining with us I have managed to never repeat the same meal twice.
I cook in the kitchen and
prepare the table the way I desire while family and Beverly sit in the lounge and enjoy some TV with wine or tea. When I have plated the plates or spread out the food buffet style I say: "GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!!) and they come into the dinning room. Such a
wonderful ritual before the sun sets and everyone settles in for the night. After dinner conversation usually reaches to unexplainable solutions to the worlds problems or sharing fond memories of years past.
I love French Country Style Cooking as well as Italian. One man that I admire most sincerely is a French actor and director Christophe Malavoy. A few years ago he made a profound statement about cooking and dining with his family.
"We discovered the pleasures of fine dining years ago when dining at a fine restaurant.
Time seemed to come to a standstill. All our senses were awakened.
We were aware of nothing but the pleasures on the table and in our eyes. It was sort of a MASS in the land of FOIE GRAS!
Since then, cooking has become my sole religion. I believe that gathering around the table can have a spiritual dimension...
Time seems to stop and we float between heaven and earth in sheer delight!"
I find that cooking could be a religion. One does have to exercise a certain amount of "FAITH" when cooking and if you have chosen your ingredients with love and touch them lovingly miracles can happen!
We are having a curry and tarragon chicken this evening with garden greens and home made bread and fresh butter. Wish you were here, but, as another of my hero's used to say: I'll be seeing you!
"
over into another dimension...
The past 2 weeks I have been cooking for 5 people instead of the 4 of us because our dear friend Beverly is living in her apartment next to our house until the first part of February. She donates her share to the grocery and wine bills. Every evening
'round 7:30 PM she walks over and as she enters our front door makes a firm proclamation in a beautiful British accent:
"GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!!" (hell, I wonder which queen she is asking the almighty to save? Lizzy or me the chef???)
In the two weeks she has been dining with us I have managed to never repeat the same meal twice.
I cook in the kitchen and
prepare the table the way I desire while family and Beverly sit in the lounge and enjoy some TV with wine or tea. When I have plated the plates or spread out the food buffet style I say: "GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!!) and they come into the dinning room. Such a
wonderful ritual before the sun sets and everyone settles in for the night. After dinner conversation usually reaches to unexplainable solutions to the worlds problems or sharing fond memories of years past.
I love French Country Style Cooking as well as Italian. One man that I admire most sincerely is a French actor and director Christophe Malavoy. A few years ago he made a profound statement about cooking and dining with his family.
"We discovered the pleasures of fine dining years ago when dining at a fine restaurant.
Time seemed to come to a standstill. All our senses were awakened.
We were aware of nothing but the pleasures on the table and in our eyes. It was sort of a MASS in the land of FOIE GRAS!
Since then, cooking has become my sole religion. I believe that gathering around the table can have a spiritual dimension...
Time seems to stop and we float between heaven and earth in sheer delight!"
I find that cooking could be a religion. One does have to exercise a certain amount of "FAITH" when cooking and if you have chosen your ingredients with love and touch them lovingly miracles can happen!
We are having a curry and tarragon chicken this evening with garden greens and home made bread and fresh butter. Wish you were here, but, as another of my hero's used to say: I'll be seeing you!
"
Sunday, December 30, 2007
New Year's Eve in Queenstown, NZ
It is nearly 9:00 PM. Sun is still bright in the sky and music fills the air. Neighbors are grilling steaks outside, drinking bottles of beer from very green bottles. Town is jam packed with young and old people.
I made schnitzel, potato salad, mixed summer veggies and peasant bread for dinner. We ate on the patio. A dear friend of the family is visiting from Wellington so we opened a bottle of Pinot Noir Wine and had fun after the meal pulling "cracker's filled with silly paper hats, jokes and a gift.
Every year people make New Year's Resolutions. I do not do that. I prefer making wishes for the New Year. Goals are important and give great meaning to one's life, but aging allows you the pleasure of looking back on all the goals you did achieve over your life to the present moment and hopefully you hear a gentle whispering voice deep within you head and heart that tells you your "reality" really occurs within your BRAIN and your mind is not your brain!
Your mind is that endless, eternal part of you that has always been and always will exist because your mind does not know "time"... This dream uses "time" to measure where and when things happen. I've learned that life is really "events".
Einstein gave us Relativity and therefore we are able to know millions of events that are dreams occurring at the same time!
Example: I have not felt well for a couple of days. Today I walked to the town center and had coffee at a cafe with a great patio setting. I listened to so many conversations going on at the same time. Young people in love with endless dreams, some people looked sad, God only knows what had occurred in their dream this morning. Death or some kind of upsetting news. Other's were totally absorbed in their life with their children. Then there was me.
One thing I do pray for is: a NEW and HONEST administration in Washington DC. I hope for cures to diseases and free medical treatment for every person on planet earth. I hope for some kind of balance with world population. I know I sound like a very blonde contestant in some "Peach Days Beauty Pageant"...
Happy Happy 2008 to the me I AM and the world I am living in.
I made schnitzel, potato salad, mixed summer veggies and peasant bread for dinner. We ate on the patio. A dear friend of the family is visiting from Wellington so we opened a bottle of Pinot Noir Wine and had fun after the meal pulling "cracker's filled with silly paper hats, jokes and a gift.
Every year people make New Year's Resolutions. I do not do that. I prefer making wishes for the New Year. Goals are important and give great meaning to one's life, but aging allows you the pleasure of looking back on all the goals you did achieve over your life to the present moment and hopefully you hear a gentle whispering voice deep within you head and heart that tells you your "reality" really occurs within your BRAIN and your mind is not your brain!
Your mind is that endless, eternal part of you that has always been and always will exist because your mind does not know "time"... This dream uses "time" to measure where and when things happen. I've learned that life is really "events".
Einstein gave us Relativity and therefore we are able to know millions of events that are dreams occurring at the same time!
Example: I have not felt well for a couple of days. Today I walked to the town center and had coffee at a cafe with a great patio setting. I listened to so many conversations going on at the same time. Young people in love with endless dreams, some people looked sad, God only knows what had occurred in their dream this morning. Death or some kind of upsetting news. Other's were totally absorbed in their life with their children. Then there was me.
One thing I do pray for is: a NEW and HONEST administration in Washington DC. I hope for cures to diseases and free medical treatment for every person on planet earth. I hope for some kind of balance with world population. I know I sound like a very blonde contestant in some "Peach Days Beauty Pageant"...
Happy Happy 2008 to the me I AM and the world I am living in.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
A really ugly priest of what?
Took this while having fun with the camera in the computer. Been one hell of an enormous day. High winds, cold and lots of blistering rain.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Helping a friend... with poetry
All of my life when ever I have been slammed up against a wall, my brain and face gasping for air I have been able to reach my arm behind me and grasp a book of poetry... a song in words. Music is my life's way of expression but poetry is music's lover?
A friend of mine is experiencing a time of depression and disappointment, therefore I told her to read some of Mary Oliver's poetry... Possibly she will, more than likely she will not read the poetry so I am posting one of Mary's poems here on my blog...
Mary is a most amazing woman. She never received a degree from The University of Ohio or Vassar College, but she went on to achieve some unbelievable feats in the world of words.
She was born in 1935... She lost her life time partner a few years ago. Mary loved the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. When Mary was a teenager Norma, (Edna's sister and sole survivor) allowed Mary to help file and organize much of Millay's works, letters and Mary was able to live at "Steeple Top", ESVM home for many years, during that time.
I keep a book of her poems on my bedside table. I have oft times read this poem when I am facing a difficult situation...
THE JOURNEY
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice---
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But Little, by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do---
determined to save
the only life you could save.
Today is Christmas in New Zealand! I wish everyone that has ever or does read this blog a very glorious new year.
I know we are to celebrate the birthday of a King, Christ. I know he died so that we might live... Well I say save your own life the best way you can because you and I are the Christos of our own lives.
Stars do burn through sheets of clouds and there lives a voice which is your very own voice... (the throat chakra!) That voice is your fingerprint that identifies your survival through this illusion!
I wish with all my heart we all find our own voice in the new year.
A friend of mine is experiencing a time of depression and disappointment, therefore I told her to read some of Mary Oliver's poetry... Possibly she will, more than likely she will not read the poetry so I am posting one of Mary's poems here on my blog...
Mary is a most amazing woman. She never received a degree from The University of Ohio or Vassar College, but she went on to achieve some unbelievable feats in the world of words.
She was born in 1935... She lost her life time partner a few years ago. Mary loved the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. When Mary was a teenager Norma, (Edna's sister and sole survivor) allowed Mary to help file and organize much of Millay's works, letters and Mary was able to live at "Steeple Top", ESVM home for many years, during that time.
I keep a book of her poems on my bedside table. I have oft times read this poem when I am facing a difficult situation...
THE JOURNEY
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice---
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But Little, by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do---
determined to save
the only life you could save.
Today is Christmas in New Zealand! I wish everyone that has ever or does read this blog a very glorious new year.
I know we are to celebrate the birthday of a King, Christ. I know he died so that we might live... Well I say save your own life the best way you can because you and I are the Christos of our own lives.
Stars do burn through sheets of clouds and there lives a voice which is your very own voice... (the throat chakra!) That voice is your fingerprint that identifies your survival through this illusion!
I wish with all my heart we all find our own voice in the new year.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Papillons
Today was a most wonderful summer day. Hot, perfect sun and sky. Every window in the house outstretched like an open arm welcoming in the seasonal air.
About 5:00 PM I ventured out for my hour walk about. The village was vibrating with life. It seemed as if a ship had docked thousands of foreigners into Queens town. Every language filled the air.
I sat on a bench near the shore line of the lake, to take a rest and a young girl yelled out at me! "Merry Christmas! Come over here!" I was stunned, but got up and walked over with my back pack on my shoulder and sun glasses on my head!
There were about 8 young men and women wearing nothing but the least of clothing, all on the grass drinking wine. They were Brazilian. We chatted and then I excused my (what seemed very old self) and wandered up the side walk to the market.
What a nice gesture and how kind they were to me. It was wonderful because the past few days have been depressing. A certain member of the family was supposed to be with us for the five months we are here and they have made things impossible to spend the time with us!
BUT, the trip to Dunedin was magic. Sad in many ways because of the invisible depressing energy this absence has caused, but before we left Dunedin we attended the exhibition of the Butterflies at the University Museum. It is unexplainable.
They have created a Tropical Rain Forest in a very small space with three or four levels. Plants, gold fish within a room full of colorful butterflies that fill the sacred space. It is very humid and you do not want a jacket or anything in that area.
The Butterflies are of every size and color. We saw them as they spin their cocoons from being caterpillars into a pupa and then they hatch upside down and hang for up to two hours waiting for their wings to dry out!
Every morning the attendants free the new born butterflies. The only way to explain it is to experience it!
God they were in my hair and on my arms. I loved it. Truly a angelic experience. Like the old line: Butterflies are Free!
Only frustrating thing was to think we live on such a gorgeous orb and yet men keep killing and seeking power and money!
When there is an entire Eco- system functioning within all this insane drama.
Yesterday I found peace through the life of a butterfly!
Years ago I struggled to learn a composition at the piano "Papillons" by Grieg! He captured the dance of such a light and delicate package of life! I will never look at a butterfly again without blessing it!
About 5:00 PM I ventured out for my hour walk about. The village was vibrating with life. It seemed as if a ship had docked thousands of foreigners into Queens town. Every language filled the air.
I sat on a bench near the shore line of the lake, to take a rest and a young girl yelled out at me! "Merry Christmas! Come over here!" I was stunned, but got up and walked over with my back pack on my shoulder and sun glasses on my head!
There were about 8 young men and women wearing nothing but the least of clothing, all on the grass drinking wine. They were Brazilian. We chatted and then I excused my (what seemed very old self) and wandered up the side walk to the market.
What a nice gesture and how kind they were to me. It was wonderful because the past few days have been depressing. A certain member of the family was supposed to be with us for the five months we are here and they have made things impossible to spend the time with us!
BUT, the trip to Dunedin was magic. Sad in many ways because of the invisible depressing energy this absence has caused, but before we left Dunedin we attended the exhibition of the Butterflies at the University Museum. It is unexplainable.
They have created a Tropical Rain Forest in a very small space with three or four levels. Plants, gold fish within a room full of colorful butterflies that fill the sacred space. It is very humid and you do not want a jacket or anything in that area.
The Butterflies are of every size and color. We saw them as they spin their cocoons from being caterpillars into a pupa and then they hatch upside down and hang for up to two hours waiting for their wings to dry out!
Every morning the attendants free the new born butterflies. The only way to explain it is to experience it!
God they were in my hair and on my arms. I loved it. Truly a angelic experience. Like the old line: Butterflies are Free!
Only frustrating thing was to think we live on such a gorgeous orb and yet men keep killing and seeking power and money!
When there is an entire Eco- system functioning within all this insane drama.
Yesterday I found peace through the life of a butterfly!
Years ago I struggled to learn a composition at the piano "Papillons" by Grieg! He captured the dance of such a light and delicate package of life! I will never look at a butterfly again without blessing it!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Something very touching...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mogkhlfn-Wg Hopefully you can click this address and watch this wonderful video.
It has rained on and off the past couple of days. Over cast with heavy cloud cover, but it does make the lawns so green.
Yesterday being Sunday we drove out to Carrick Winery. Had a delightful lunch. Gnocchi rolled in egg plant, pesto and some amazing bread. Of course the Pinot Noir is one of my favorites, but this time I opted for a Chardonnay! It was quite nice.
First time in years I did not take my camera with me! Every year I have a photo taken of me at Carrick Winery because it is like an omen, I made it back to my "other home" on earth.
Today I had more of that god awful pulsating light treatment done to my face. It hurts and it makes me feel like shit afterward.
I don't want anymore laser
pulses shot into my face. (It has cleared up the pre cancerous demons and balanced one hell of a lot of my pigmentation.)
The Doctor said I will be "frek-less" very soon! Really? I was born with freckles and my grandmothers told me I had been kissed by the angels!
Thursday we are driving to Dunedin. I will spend part of the day in the Art Gallery. No doubt see a movie at the Metro beside Town Hall and hopefully eat at one of my favorite restaurants, The Etruscan. I love pasta! If not there we will eat at "A Cow Named Bertha". Great food.
The Etruscan has such great vegetarian food and it is Italian, (NO KIDDING???) I do love the Blue Cod at Bertha so we will see.
Also hope to catch up with Hyrum at Twang. He helped me with Garage Band, the recording system in my computer when I was trying to make my "OPEN HEART" recording.
He has a great music shop. I wrote a blog about him last year. Maybe I'll buy a guitar and really drive the neighbors crazy! There is a wonderful baby grand piano at Beggs Music that I would love to have, but it would be far too loud for this close living space. Both neighbors told me to please buy it! Wait till they had to endure hours of scales and arpeggios! Bach Preludes and Fugues in the night! But, there would be the late night rendition of Clair de lune, or Moonlight Sonata, or possibly something very quiet I invented!
The Christmas tree is beautiful. It really does look wonderful from the top windows of the house! Too bad there is not a chimney for Santa to slide into with gifts for all the good girls and boys...
It has rained on and off the past couple of days. Over cast with heavy cloud cover, but it does make the lawns so green.
Yesterday being Sunday we drove out to Carrick Winery. Had a delightful lunch. Gnocchi rolled in egg plant, pesto and some amazing bread. Of course the Pinot Noir is one of my favorites, but this time I opted for a Chardonnay! It was quite nice.
First time in years I did not take my camera with me! Every year I have a photo taken of me at Carrick Winery because it is like an omen, I made it back to my "other home" on earth.
Today I had more of that god awful pulsating light treatment done to my face. It hurts and it makes me feel like shit afterward.
I don't want anymore laser
pulses shot into my face. (It has cleared up the pre cancerous demons and balanced one hell of a lot of my pigmentation.)
The Doctor said I will be "frek-less" very soon! Really? I was born with freckles and my grandmothers told me I had been kissed by the angels!
Thursday we are driving to Dunedin. I will spend part of the day in the Art Gallery. No doubt see a movie at the Metro beside Town Hall and hopefully eat at one of my favorite restaurants, The Etruscan. I love pasta! If not there we will eat at "A Cow Named Bertha". Great food.
The Etruscan has such great vegetarian food and it is Italian, (NO KIDDING???) I do love the Blue Cod at Bertha so we will see.
Also hope to catch up with Hyrum at Twang. He helped me with Garage Band, the recording system in my computer when I was trying to make my "OPEN HEART" recording.
He has a great music shop. I wrote a blog about him last year. Maybe I'll buy a guitar and really drive the neighbors crazy! There is a wonderful baby grand piano at Beggs Music that I would love to have, but it would be far too loud for this close living space. Both neighbors told me to please buy it! Wait till they had to endure hours of scales and arpeggios! Bach Preludes and Fugues in the night! But, there would be the late night rendition of Clair de lune, or Moonlight Sonata, or possibly something very quiet I invented!
The Christmas tree is beautiful. It really does look wonderful from the top windows of the house! Too bad there is not a chimney for Santa to slide into with gifts for all the good girls and boys...
Monday, December 10, 2007
Old Journals
My studio in NZ has a book case full of interesting books, music, candles, rocks, what ever I cram into it's cavities.
The other night I thought to my self, "Right, get off your lazy ass and clean this mess up!" I did just that! Filled an entire rubbish bag with dried tubes of oil paints, out dated food supplements, CD's that are of no interest to me what so ever... but amid the debris I found a Musical Journal I had filled with priceless words from my teachers as well as details about my musical trips to NYC over the years. I will share one entry: Pollini's Carnegie Hall Concert. November 1998.
"I always feel claustrophobic to the point of jumping out of my skin when in a concert hall I am seated in the balcony. Alas! the seat is a decent seat. It is in the circle, left hand side, an excellent view of the key board. The biggest problem with the seat is that there is no leg room because in 1900 when Carnegie Hall was dedicated and became one of the finest concert halls in the world, people were much smaller than they are today. FACT! Door handles and door knobs used to be positioned much lower on doors than they are in today's homes. (The bottom line of why I am not enjoying this seat is that I have hurt my left knee. God it is always the left knee. I cannot walk up stairs! So sitting in this cramped position with my knee smashed into the railing is not pleasant. Besides that, I am sitting beside a woman that will not stop talking to me! She goes on and on about her 28 year old son who is in medical school here in NYC. He is not doing well... his grades are fabulous! The stress of becoming a MD is what is driving him to the brink and he suffers serious depression. Well, I really don't give a damn, because if he wants stress he should try to become a concert artist!!! Besides I am here to hear the Italian Stallion play the piano, not to hear about her son's complications at medical school...
Concert time is set for 7:30 PM. Precisely at 7:40 PM Pollini appears. He is my size. Possibly 5' 10" He is in his 60's. He moves across the stage very quickly, almost dashes across the stage to the piano. He grasps the piano as to secure his sudden landing. He sits and immediately dives into the Schumann. From where I am seated I can see the top of his head.
Male Pattern Baldness is ravishing what had to be at one time a gorgeous head of hair. (Being Italian he had to have hair! Most Italians have hair every where!)
Intermission and I am doomed with the mother of the 28 year old med student. Finally part two of the concert. He performs two Chopin Nocturnes and the fourth Ballade.
The audience is wild with applause and shouts of Bravo. Apparently Pollini does not do encores as the applause thunders away for 7, mind you, 7 curtain calls. He finally sits at the Steinway and play the Harp Etude by Chopin. Simply gorgeous then out of the blue he starts the Ballade in G Minor by Chopin as a second encore! He made some errors, but his approach to the work was almost a jazzed feeling! I loved it! I limp to the handicap elevator. God, what have I done to this knee?
I walk back to the Village. Anything to get this knee working. My mind is thinking of how squeamish I have become about performing the G minor. A piece that I used to perform at every concert... I have allowed a host of ghosts to take up residency in my mind. The more I deny their existence the more they breathe and live inside my musical mind!!! What is that old Buddhist saying: "Kill your own death!" Well, these ghosts have got to go. I want to play the G minor in public without fear of a glitch or complete memory break down! Ah the burden of performing.
End of entry... There are some really nice personal things that I had best keep in the journal, however, I will probably write them into this blog. I do think every person should possibly jot a few thoughts within the pages of a journal so one day they can read and measure how far they have come from where they have been.
The other night I thought to my self, "Right, get off your lazy ass and clean this mess up!" I did just that! Filled an entire rubbish bag with dried tubes of oil paints, out dated food supplements, CD's that are of no interest to me what so ever... but amid the debris I found a Musical Journal I had filled with priceless words from my teachers as well as details about my musical trips to NYC over the years. I will share one entry: Pollini's Carnegie Hall Concert. November 1998.
"I always feel claustrophobic to the point of jumping out of my skin when in a concert hall I am seated in the balcony. Alas! the seat is a decent seat. It is in the circle, left hand side, an excellent view of the key board. The biggest problem with the seat is that there is no leg room because in 1900 when Carnegie Hall was dedicated and became one of the finest concert halls in the world, people were much smaller than they are today. FACT! Door handles and door knobs used to be positioned much lower on doors than they are in today's homes. (The bottom line of why I am not enjoying this seat is that I have hurt my left knee. God it is always the left knee. I cannot walk up stairs! So sitting in this cramped position with my knee smashed into the railing is not pleasant. Besides that, I am sitting beside a woman that will not stop talking to me! She goes on and on about her 28 year old son who is in medical school here in NYC. He is not doing well... his grades are fabulous! The stress of becoming a MD is what is driving him to the brink and he suffers serious depression. Well, I really don't give a damn, because if he wants stress he should try to become a concert artist!!! Besides I am here to hear the Italian Stallion play the piano, not to hear about her son's complications at medical school...
Concert time is set for 7:30 PM. Precisely at 7:40 PM Pollini appears. He is my size. Possibly 5' 10" He is in his 60's. He moves across the stage very quickly, almost dashes across the stage to the piano. He grasps the piano as to secure his sudden landing. He sits and immediately dives into the Schumann. From where I am seated I can see the top of his head.
Male Pattern Baldness is ravishing what had to be at one time a gorgeous head of hair. (Being Italian he had to have hair! Most Italians have hair every where!)
Intermission and I am doomed with the mother of the 28 year old med student. Finally part two of the concert. He performs two Chopin Nocturnes and the fourth Ballade.
The audience is wild with applause and shouts of Bravo. Apparently Pollini does not do encores as the applause thunders away for 7, mind you, 7 curtain calls. He finally sits at the Steinway and play the Harp Etude by Chopin. Simply gorgeous then out of the blue he starts the Ballade in G Minor by Chopin as a second encore! He made some errors, but his approach to the work was almost a jazzed feeling! I loved it! I limp to the handicap elevator. God, what have I done to this knee?
I walk back to the Village. Anything to get this knee working. My mind is thinking of how squeamish I have become about performing the G minor. A piece that I used to perform at every concert... I have allowed a host of ghosts to take up residency in my mind. The more I deny their existence the more they breathe and live inside my musical mind!!! What is that old Buddhist saying: "Kill your own death!" Well, these ghosts have got to go. I want to play the G minor in public without fear of a glitch or complete memory break down! Ah the burden of performing.
End of entry... There are some really nice personal things that I had best keep in the journal, however, I will probably write them into this blog. I do think every person should possibly jot a few thoughts within the pages of a journal so one day they can read and measure how far they have come from where they have been.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
My Own Bette Davis Film Festival
Tonight was the first of many nights this month as I am viewing old Bette Davis movies. God, what masterpieces. Max Steiner's music as well as classical themes from the great composers. Such fantastic direction from Hal Wallis....... I remember seeing these movies as a very young boy!
Tonight was "Now Voyager". Tomorrow is "All About Eve". I have 8 DVDS of these masterpieces and the sets, effects and of course the acting is superb. In between all this I will watch some South Park.
Movies to me are like living a lifetime within a few hours. Every movie ever made is like an individual lifetime I have lived or will live!!! Could it be possible that all this existence in it's reality is nothing more than a hologram within a hologram. Reviewing a lifetime I have already lived...
Music and art are timeless in the sense they capture events that occurred hundreds of years ago or that will occur in the future.
When I listen to Bach or play Bach I am living in the 1700's as well as 2007. Brahms takes me to a different time frame as well as Debussy or Willie Nelson... As Richard Bach titled one of his great novels: Illusions. It is all an illusion. Kenuae Reeves claims everything is: waves... nothing more than waves we come and go on...
Well, Bette Davis may be dead but she lives on the silver screen. Vivaldi lives every time I listen to the Four Seasons. and Gershwin's Concerto in F for Piano as well has his Rhapsody in Blue always take me to 1930's NYC. Eternity is a nice thing.
I believe it was Einstein that said: "Imagination is more important than knowledge"...
Tonight was "Now Voyager". Tomorrow is "All About Eve". I have 8 DVDS of these masterpieces and the sets, effects and of course the acting is superb. In between all this I will watch some South Park.
Movies to me are like living a lifetime within a few hours. Every movie ever made is like an individual lifetime I have lived or will live!!! Could it be possible that all this existence in it's reality is nothing more than a hologram within a hologram. Reviewing a lifetime I have already lived...
Music and art are timeless in the sense they capture events that occurred hundreds of years ago or that will occur in the future.
When I listen to Bach or play Bach I am living in the 1700's as well as 2007. Brahms takes me to a different time frame as well as Debussy or Willie Nelson... As Richard Bach titled one of his great novels: Illusions. It is all an illusion. Kenuae Reeves claims everything is: waves... nothing more than waves we come and go on...
Well, Bette Davis may be dead but she lives on the silver screen. Vivaldi lives every time I listen to the Four Seasons. and Gershwin's Concerto in F for Piano as well has his Rhapsody in Blue always take me to 1930's NYC. Eternity is a nice thing.
I believe it was Einstein that said: "Imagination is more important than knowledge"...
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Kevin Trudeau a must read...
For all of my life, my brother, Stephen has always dropped the name of a book or steered me in the direction of a certain book that I must read. Before leaving Alpine, WY I re-read "The Man From Lebanon" by Barbara Young. The story about Khalil Gibran.
Stephen gave me that book in 1964! He guided me to Ernest Holmes works: "This Thing Called YOU"... that little red book changed my life in 1984!!! (Two decades later!)
I spent a couple of nights at his home in Utah before leaving for NZ. He had a couple of books on his kitchen table that I picked up to glance through and ended up buying as well as I am now reading word by word... If you read my blog site you must read 'THE WEIGHT LOSS CURE "THEY" Don't Want You to Know About' and 'Natural Cures "THEY" Don't Want You To Know About.' By Kevin Trudeau.
This man has balls. He is fearless and has been down that ugly road with the FDA and FTC. Amazing someone from one of these two evil dept. of USA Government has not put a bullet through his head or "Accidentally" taken him out!!!
FBI and CIA are famous for such atrocities. You can order the books on Amazon.com or purchase it from you local book dealer.
Do read them as they are honest and knowledge one should be aware of in today's insane world of greed and power...
Life in QT, NZ is heaven right now. I am on a major film festival feast. I am watching a classic Bette Davis Movie every night. I have 8 of these masterpieces with me!!! The filming is amazing, as well as the sets, clothing and of course the music and acting. There is something to be said about Black & White photography! I have always been a sucker for Art House Films. Death in Venice, Wild Strawberries, Bagdad Cafe, Hal Hartley movies it goes on and on... Last year I watched some fantastic movies with Jane Wyman, "Johnny Belinda" and of course classics such as, "Sorry, Wrong Number" with Barbara Stanwiyck!
My own life this time around could have been made into a movie. Starring!!! (Brad Pitt would make a nice looking Brenthoven! Or maybe, Ben Afleck!!! I would not mind looking like Ben! A photographer once told me I looked like the actor in "Out of Africa" that played Ms. Streeps British husband! He was a German in real life. I am half Norwegian and half European... Soooooo what ever. My dream has always been to be Brad Pitt in the movie "A River Runs Through". One of my favorite flicks of all time! (I know it can bore the hell out of some of m friends. Sorry, but I think I lived during that time frame and did exactly what Pitt does in that movie!)
This evening's sunset over Lake Wakatipu was breathtakingly beautiful. I will always seek the best of mountain, water and sky each time I am born into this dimension called EARTH LIFE!
Stephen gave me that book in 1964! He guided me to Ernest Holmes works: "This Thing Called YOU"... that little red book changed my life in 1984!!! (Two decades later!)
I spent a couple of nights at his home in Utah before leaving for NZ. He had a couple of books on his kitchen table that I picked up to glance through and ended up buying as well as I am now reading word by word... If you read my blog site you must read 'THE WEIGHT LOSS CURE "THEY" Don't Want You to Know About' and 'Natural Cures "THEY" Don't Want You To Know About.' By Kevin Trudeau.
This man has balls. He is fearless and has been down that ugly road with the FDA and FTC. Amazing someone from one of these two evil dept. of USA Government has not put a bullet through his head or "Accidentally" taken him out!!!
FBI and CIA are famous for such atrocities. You can order the books on Amazon.com or purchase it from you local book dealer.
Do read them as they are honest and knowledge one should be aware of in today's insane world of greed and power...
Life in QT, NZ is heaven right now. I am on a major film festival feast. I am watching a classic Bette Davis Movie every night. I have 8 of these masterpieces with me!!! The filming is amazing, as well as the sets, clothing and of course the music and acting. There is something to be said about Black & White photography! I have always been a sucker for Art House Films. Death in Venice, Wild Strawberries, Bagdad Cafe, Hal Hartley movies it goes on and on... Last year I watched some fantastic movies with Jane Wyman, "Johnny Belinda" and of course classics such as, "Sorry, Wrong Number" with Barbara Stanwiyck!
My own life this time around could have been made into a movie. Starring!!! (Brad Pitt would make a nice looking Brenthoven! Or maybe, Ben Afleck!!! I would not mind looking like Ben! A photographer once told me I looked like the actor in "Out of Africa" that played Ms. Streeps British husband! He was a German in real life. I am half Norwegian and half European... Soooooo what ever. My dream has always been to be Brad Pitt in the movie "A River Runs Through". One of my favorite flicks of all time! (I know it can bore the hell out of some of m friends. Sorry, but I think I lived during that time frame and did exactly what Pitt does in that movie!)
This evening's sunset over Lake Wakatipu was breathtakingly beautiful. I will always seek the best of mountain, water and sky each time I am born into this dimension called EARTH LIFE!
Saturday, December 01, 2007
In New Zealand at last!
Landed in Auckland New Zealand yesterday morning around 5:30 AM. Long day of air ports, flights and surrounded by people from all over the world... Connected with my flight to Queenstown. Arrived at noon. The Remarkable were stunning as always. (remember Lord of The Rings? The same mountains, minus the middle earth people...) The taxi driver remembered us from the many years of coming here. He even asked about the famous Lamb Shanks in my restaurant because he visits the web site a few times during the year!
Everything is perfectly beautiful here at 11 - Panorama Place, Queenstown, New Zealand!!! The early spring air and wind still have a slight bite within their teeth but the roses are in bloom and my parsley, mint and chives are thriving. Stocked up on groceries from the local super market. On line once again and enjoying some fantastic Pinot Noir, star light and glorious sun shine! Have many ideas for projects during the next 5 months. Had a light meal with the neighbors last night and enjoyed the conversations. Everything from I phones to used grand pianos!
I have a few books that are "MUST READS" as well as I hope to completely memorize the Rachmaninoff Prelude in G Minor and channel a new composition for piano... Hopefully I will do the gym and take my yearly hike into the bush. (God forbid, not the bush in Washington D.C. or the bush found among women! Not that the woman bush would not be wonderful) I am talking nature here!
Need my Reflexology and massage therapy as well as my left elbow must come right during this time away from Alpine. Will meet up with friends I have not seen for ages and simply having no time schedules is a dream come true!
Off to bed and sweet dreams. Until tomorrow.
Everything is perfectly beautiful here at 11 - Panorama Place, Queenstown, New Zealand!!! The early spring air and wind still have a slight bite within their teeth but the roses are in bloom and my parsley, mint and chives are thriving. Stocked up on groceries from the local super market. On line once again and enjoying some fantastic Pinot Noir, star light and glorious sun shine! Have many ideas for projects during the next 5 months. Had a light meal with the neighbors last night and enjoyed the conversations. Everything from I phones to used grand pianos!
I have a few books that are "MUST READS" as well as I hope to completely memorize the Rachmaninoff Prelude in G Minor and channel a new composition for piano... Hopefully I will do the gym and take my yearly hike into the bush. (God forbid, not the bush in Washington D.C. or the bush found among women! Not that the woman bush would not be wonderful) I am talking nature here!
Need my Reflexology and massage therapy as well as my left elbow must come right during this time away from Alpine. Will meet up with friends I have not seen for ages and simply having no time schedules is a dream come true!
Off to bed and sweet dreams. Until tomorrow.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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