Along with every thing else that is going on I found this site that is quite amazing. You answer questions then it gives you a description of your personality type. Wanna know me... this is absolutely the truth! AHHHHHhhhhhhh!
www.personalitypage.com/html/INFJ.html
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
NEW youtube
I've had a strange day. I woke up feeling depressed and my hands ached like holy hell! Worked out at the gym, had a wonderful lunch at Hamill's in Frankton, then home to prepare for a big party we are having at the house tomorrow afternoon. I have quite a bit of food to prepare as well as make sure my end of this house is clean and the gardens are looking like a perfect picture of bliss.
I decided to plant my butt in my desk chair and watch something on my computer like: my youtube site. LOOOOO and BEEEEE
HOLD I have a new piece I composed uploaded! I hit the play button and was over come with how beautiful my engineer does his magic with my music!!!!!!!!!! I had not checked my e mails so I had no clue about this gift!
Kahlil's Dream is in honor of Kahilil Gibran and his book the PROPHET. I wrote this during a strange time in my life. It seemed that nothing could balance my thoughts and most of my mood swings. I began reading The Prophet over and over again... it has forever worked for me since I was 14 years old.
Enjoy.
I decided to plant my butt in my desk chair and watch something on my computer like: my youtube site. LOOOOO and BEEEEE
HOLD I have a new piece I composed uploaded! I hit the play button and was over come with how beautiful my engineer does his magic with my music!!!!!!!!!! I had not checked my e mails so I had no clue about this gift!
Kahlil's Dream is in honor of Kahilil Gibran and his book the PROPHET. I wrote this during a strange time in my life. It seemed that nothing could balance my thoughts and most of my mood swings. I began reading The Prophet over and over again... it has forever worked for me since I was 14 years old.
Enjoy.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
A PERFECT SUMMER DAY!!!
This morning my neighbor was taking his boat out fishing on the lake. He invited me to go along. What a morning. One could not dream of a more perfect summer day.
Lake Wakatipu is the third largest fresh water lake in New Zealand. The water is freezing beyond belief.
Being on the water this morning was a euphoric feeling of joy and freedom. I spent a little over an hour on the lake and then had John let me off at the dock in the village.
From there I took myself to a fabulous lunch at Solera Vino a tiny French Cafe. I had a table at the open window. When I am in Queenstown having a day like to day I can imagine being any where on planet earth. Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Europe, South America... Simply watching people walk up and down the narrow street outside the cafe window!
I eat at this restaurant every month. I always sense the spirit of Debussy, Ravel, Monet, and so many of the great painters, poets and philosophers who were French and I know they also spent time in cafes with narrow walks made out of stone and gorgeous people passing by. No doubt many were inspired to create some amazing art as they ate and drank in such energy filled spaces. Possibly this is one reason I love New Orleans?
After doing some quick shopping at the market I walked home. I have been kissed by the sun today. I spent the rest of the day at my keyboard and in the garden reading. Life is beautiful. Tonight the sky will be filled with billions of galaxies and a kazillion stars! I'll take a moon bath. When I am alone under the night sky I talk to everyone I have ever known that crossed over to the other side of time within my lifetime.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Chinese One Arm One Leg Ballet...
I cannot seem to upload the site to my blog. This will touch a place in your hearts beyond words, music, or reason... Why are we so unkind to each other? LOVE is indestructible. Type in a you-tube search for the Chinese Ballet one arm one leg... enjoy.
Friday, December 31, 2010
New Year's Eve in Queenstown, NZ
It is going on to 10 something in the evening... The air is full of people sounds. Laugher, conversation, music, motor boats, skate boards, shoes and feet walking on gravel... beer cans being flipped open, cars being started, dogs speaking to the night sky, young children screaming with laughter... wood being chopped for fires, lots of yaaaa hooosss... the new year will happen in a couple of hours, then the fire works... QT goes out for the fire works. (Like USA, they have a great thing with China... China makes some amazing fire works.) China makes fire works for New Years Eve in the Southern Hem... but loans the USA billions of dollars so we can fight useless wars... depends on how you view oil and it's value.
Very soon USA will have to pay back the BIG GUYS and when they cannot do it... well.... those that have been loyal to Asia will survive. It is very simply to figure out. We blasted the hell out of Japan, we destroyed what was once Vietnam and Cambodia and Guam and the list goes on and on... Karma is a dangerous energy.
I made a gorgeous dinner. Cucumber sandwiches, Spanish Olives, Red Beets in Brine, Brie Cheese broiled on French Bread, Baked beans, three kinds of cheese, crackers, Smoked Chicken, Smoked Salmon, my very own mayonnaise made with fresh mint and dill,
Cadbury Black Forest Chocolate... Fruit Cake, and coffee... I had three wines...
At the stoke of 12 I will wish everything and everyone I have or will love all the happiness in the universe. See you all soon.
Very soon USA will have to pay back the BIG GUYS and when they cannot do it... well.... those that have been loyal to Asia will survive. It is very simply to figure out. We blasted the hell out of Japan, we destroyed what was once Vietnam and Cambodia and Guam and the list goes on and on... Karma is a dangerous energy.
I made a gorgeous dinner. Cucumber sandwiches, Spanish Olives, Red Beets in Brine, Brie Cheese broiled on French Bread, Baked beans, three kinds of cheese, crackers, Smoked Chicken, Smoked Salmon, my very own mayonnaise made with fresh mint and dill,
Cadbury Black Forest Chocolate... Fruit Cake, and coffee... I had three wines...
At the stoke of 12 I will wish everything and everyone I have or will love all the happiness in the universe. See you all soon.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The meaning of love...
Years ago, which seems like eons ago to my way of thinking... a piano teacher of mine told me something I had forgotten until the past couple of years! (do not doubt what your mind has imprinted and recorded... everything from your past will come back to haunt you.)
He said: Love is indestructible. Only the ARROGANCE of one's EGO can presume that LOVE REQUIRES PROTECTION! (I was 15)
He was 100% right as far as my own lifetime. I have had some amazing incidents happen this past year that PROVE his point. I will not go into details because the details ONLY BELONG TO ME, but so many things from my past, many many years ago came to life this past year in phone calls, letters, and events that I NEVER DREAMED WOULD EVER OCCURR.
Some of the people that contacted me were from my teen years. They were in the process of dying. Some were trying to link up with some sort of bliss from years ago. I only know that I forgive, and that I hope and pray I am forgiven and still loved by many people.
Love is a strange and magical energy. We are created OUT OF IT'S PASSION.
He said: Love is indestructible. Only the ARROGANCE of one's EGO can presume that LOVE REQUIRES PROTECTION! (I was 15)
He was 100% right as far as my own lifetime. I have had some amazing incidents happen this past year that PROVE his point. I will not go into details because the details ONLY BELONG TO ME, but so many things from my past, many many years ago came to life this past year in phone calls, letters, and events that I NEVER DREAMED WOULD EVER OCCURR.
Some of the people that contacted me were from my teen years. They were in the process of dying. Some were trying to link up with some sort of bliss from years ago. I only know that I forgive, and that I hope and pray I am forgiven and still loved by many people.
Love is a strange and magical energy. We are created OUT OF IT'S PASSION.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
bits a pieces about cooking...
My restaurant, "BRENTHOVEN'S is one of the many precious creations. I have not a clue why, but the past year many people would ask me where, how, when, for what reason I seriously took up the art of cooking! (I am not a graduate of some fancy culinary school... such as...)
One day, possibly one day I will write a short story about how, when, and why!
Most often a necessity demands we learn a certain truth or we discover a GIFT we had no knowledge was dwelling within our DNA / RNA.
When I was in my 20's and 30's I was literally a "vagabond". I drifted around the planet... making music and my music always took me to places and people I needed to see and fall in love with. When I could not find a job playing the piano I would become hungry... well go figure. I am rather dumb, but not stupid. If there was a job where there was food I would eat. Washing dishes, waiting on tables, prep work was never above my LOFTY STANDARDS.
I had some unfortunate circumstances occur once when I was traveling to San Francisco California. I ended up outside of Elko Nevada. I truly was in a mess. (If you have ever watched BAGDAD CAFE, the original movie... well I was there in 1969-70) I came upon a truck stop cafe... pale green paint on cinder blocks......... a sign in the window. "Prep and night-time cook needed. Apply inside." You must understand in the 60's and 70's truck stops and truck drivers were not as fat and homely as today! SORRY. In fact, they were most kind and would help you get to places you had to get to!
I walked in and talked with the head chef. He would be my age now!!! He was a drunk. I watched this man pour a water glass full of vodka every morning at 6:00 AM and drink it before 8:15 AM and still be able to stand on his feet and pour another full glass of VODAKA... He lived behind the cafe in a small trailer with a American Indian woman. She was very nice and had gorgeous hair. He was as kind as any father could be.
I knew NOTHING about a grill, and all the other equipment inside a restaurant. This man showed me everything I actually know to this day. He was a kind and most generous person. I fried and cooked over 300 eggs on that damn grill alone one morning, but mind you, I was young, dumb and full of adrenaline. I LOVED ADVENTURE and to top it off I DID IT.
He showed me how to make sauces. Beranaise, Hollandaise, white sauce, brown sauces, cook a steak, fry eggs, boil potatoes and most of all the fact: FOOD IS SACRED. It absorbs your emotions. If, you are hateful the food will taste like shit! (his very words.)
Well, I ate and drank extremely well and made it to San Francisco in one piece and with a lot confidence. This man had cooked in some very fine restaurants from NYC to CALIFORNIA. I know he is long gone from this planet, but he watches over me.
Here are some simple things he taught me.
1. Use ONLY kitchen scissors to cut bacon or other meats into thin strips.
2. Freeze overripe bananas in plastic and use them for shakes, cakes, muffins and pancakes.
3. A MOUTHFUL of WATER or a SILVER TEASPOON held inside your mouth will cut the tears when cutting onions.
4. Always rub olive oil around a pot before boiling pasta
5. Always put a TEASPOON of Sea Salt in a pot of water when boiling eggs. Keeps the shells from cracking.
6. Only use REALLY GOOD CHEF KNIVES. Crush the sides of a garlic bulb, so as to peel the skin from the garlic.
7. Freeze left over wines, Red or White in Ice Cube trays for sauces etc. then use them in soups etc.
8. Never whip an egg white unless it is at room temperature.
9. A small pinch of Baking Soda will make mashed potatoes lighter and fluffy.
10. NEVER EVER PUT HONEY IN THE COOLER! The honey will loose it's texture.
11. All SPICES MUST be stored in a dark, cook cupboard. Otherwise they loose their flavor.
12. Proofing bread dough. Place the bowl in a sink of warm, NOT HOT water... and DO NOT let the plastic wrap touch the
water! It works. (These were the days restaurants made their own breads)
13. If a soup is salty ADD CHUNKS OF RAW POTAOE. The Potato will absorb a hell of a lot of the salt. (simply never add the
salt until the end of the TASTING process.)
14. Honey or raw lemon juice will save all fruits from turning brown.
15. Before grating cheese. (Mind you, we used to grate it with a grater.) Put the grater in the freezer for a few MINUTES. The
cold metal will not allow the cheese to stick to the grater.
16. He used to INSIST that putting potatoes end up in cup cake pans and baking them cut the baking time in half. Well, I have
not always found that to be true. But he was the BOSS!
17. Put Walnuts in the water when boiling cabbages. It keeps the stink inside the room at a nothing degree.
18. ALWAYS pour red wine over hamburger, steaks etc. keeps them moist and tender.
Then of course was his last rule: Put a slug of alcohol into anything too dry, red wine makes a store/distributor purchased pasta sauce lose and it will loose it's MANUFACTURED FLAVOR... like he always poured RUM over certain cakes!
I am not condemning his techniques. They work. Over the many years of cooking I learned things on my own. Blessings as it were from my parents, grandparents... and other ghosts. People that have passed on many years before me but lived in my DNA... Oh, one last thing! Always wrap CELERY in FOIL. It will keep it crisper. Most of all know you will not live very long without food and it is a blessing from the green planet we live within and upon. We only live on the crust of this amazing orb.
Will write after New Years unless I get anxious and need to vent about something! Happy eating and most of joyous cooking.
One day, possibly one day I will write a short story about how, when, and why!
Most often a necessity demands we learn a certain truth or we discover a GIFT we had no knowledge was dwelling within our DNA / RNA.
When I was in my 20's and 30's I was literally a "vagabond". I drifted around the planet... making music and my music always took me to places and people I needed to see and fall in love with. When I could not find a job playing the piano I would become hungry... well go figure. I am rather dumb, but not stupid. If there was a job where there was food I would eat. Washing dishes, waiting on tables, prep work was never above my LOFTY STANDARDS.
I had some unfortunate circumstances occur once when I was traveling to San Francisco California. I ended up outside of Elko Nevada. I truly was in a mess. (If you have ever watched BAGDAD CAFE, the original movie... well I was there in 1969-70) I came upon a truck stop cafe... pale green paint on cinder blocks......... a sign in the window. "Prep and night-time cook needed. Apply inside." You must understand in the 60's and 70's truck stops and truck drivers were not as fat and homely as today! SORRY. In fact, they were most kind and would help you get to places you had to get to!
I walked in and talked with the head chef. He would be my age now!!! He was a drunk. I watched this man pour a water glass full of vodka every morning at 6:00 AM and drink it before 8:15 AM and still be able to stand on his feet and pour another full glass of VODAKA... He lived behind the cafe in a small trailer with a American Indian woman. She was very nice and had gorgeous hair. He was as kind as any father could be.
I knew NOTHING about a grill, and all the other equipment inside a restaurant. This man showed me everything I actually know to this day. He was a kind and most generous person. I fried and cooked over 300 eggs on that damn grill alone one morning, but mind you, I was young, dumb and full of adrenaline. I LOVED ADVENTURE and to top it off I DID IT.
He showed me how to make sauces. Beranaise, Hollandaise, white sauce, brown sauces, cook a steak, fry eggs, boil potatoes and most of all the fact: FOOD IS SACRED. It absorbs your emotions. If, you are hateful the food will taste like shit! (his very words.)
Well, I ate and drank extremely well and made it to San Francisco in one piece and with a lot confidence. This man had cooked in some very fine restaurants from NYC to CALIFORNIA. I know he is long gone from this planet, but he watches over me.
Here are some simple things he taught me.
1. Use ONLY kitchen scissors to cut bacon or other meats into thin strips.
2. Freeze overripe bananas in plastic and use them for shakes, cakes, muffins and pancakes.
3. A MOUTHFUL of WATER or a SILVER TEASPOON held inside your mouth will cut the tears when cutting onions.
4. Always rub olive oil around a pot before boiling pasta
5. Always put a TEASPOON of Sea Salt in a pot of water when boiling eggs. Keeps the shells from cracking.
6. Only use REALLY GOOD CHEF KNIVES. Crush the sides of a garlic bulb, so as to peel the skin from the garlic.
7. Freeze left over wines, Red or White in Ice Cube trays for sauces etc. then use them in soups etc.
8. Never whip an egg white unless it is at room temperature.
9. A small pinch of Baking Soda will make mashed potatoes lighter and fluffy.
10. NEVER EVER PUT HONEY IN THE COOLER! The honey will loose it's texture.
11. All SPICES MUST be stored in a dark, cook cupboard. Otherwise they loose their flavor.
12. Proofing bread dough. Place the bowl in a sink of warm, NOT HOT water... and DO NOT let the plastic wrap touch the
water! It works. (These were the days restaurants made their own breads)
13. If a soup is salty ADD CHUNKS OF RAW POTAOE. The Potato will absorb a hell of a lot of the salt. (simply never add the
salt until the end of the TASTING process.)
14. Honey or raw lemon juice will save all fruits from turning brown.
15. Before grating cheese. (Mind you, we used to grate it with a grater.) Put the grater in the freezer for a few MINUTES. The
cold metal will not allow the cheese to stick to the grater.
16. He used to INSIST that putting potatoes end up in cup cake pans and baking them cut the baking time in half. Well, I have
not always found that to be true. But he was the BOSS!
17. Put Walnuts in the water when boiling cabbages. It keeps the stink inside the room at a nothing degree.
18. ALWAYS pour red wine over hamburger, steaks etc. keeps them moist and tender.
Then of course was his last rule: Put a slug of alcohol into anything too dry, red wine makes a store/distributor purchased pasta sauce lose and it will loose it's MANUFACTURED FLAVOR... like he always poured RUM over certain cakes!
I am not condemning his techniques. They work. Over the many years of cooking I learned things on my own. Blessings as it were from my parents, grandparents... and other ghosts. People that have passed on many years before me but lived in my DNA... Oh, one last thing! Always wrap CELERY in FOIL. It will keep it crisper. Most of all know you will not live very long without food and it is a blessing from the green planet we live within and upon. We only live on the crust of this amazing orb.
Will write after New Years unless I get anxious and need to vent about something! Happy eating and most of joyous cooking.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
EXPLANATION
The photos are of:
Christmas Tree 2010...
Tomato plants in my garden boxes. Some Strawberry plants...
SOPHIA the cat! What a love she is... 10 months old and she is SMARTER than HELL.
The Lake Wakatipu... Notice the ORBS!
Enjoy. Will post more later.
Christmas Tree 2010...
Tomato plants in my garden boxes. Some Strawberry plants...
SOPHIA the cat! What a love she is... 10 months old and she is SMARTER than HELL.
The Lake Wakatipu... Notice the ORBS!
Enjoy. Will post more later.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Jean-Robert Ipousteguy
In November I visited my sister who lives in New Orleans. I have always loved New Orleans because of the food and music. It has one of the only air ports I know of that is named after a great musician... LOUIS ARMSTRONG!
Many many years ago I worked in Tibidoux LA. In the heart of the sugar cane district. I was living in Dallas TX at the time playing piano where ever the agency found me a job! Sheraton Hotels had built a kind of Motel/INN in the sugar cane district for sales persons that were forever in and out of the area. There was a small collage near by, "Nicholas State College"??? (I believe that was the name of the school).
Some nights students from the theater dept. would frequent the piano bar and sing show tunes as well as all kinds of old jazz and blues.
I was going through a very difficult period of my life in the late 60's and early 70's and I self medicated on a sweet liquor called JACK DANIALS. I did drive into New Orleans on Sunday and Mondays... days I had off. Even went to Baton Rouge ounce. BUT, the music in NOLA always lived inside my head.
Well years later I return to NOLA. My sister is a fantastic artist and therefore she KNOWS the places where the music is HOT and the ART is above average and the wine... the food... you name it.
She is your angel guide to the city as well as being a great cook herself she can explain things like
MAC STUFF (computers etc), ART, CATS, BOOKS, POETRY and COMFORT THINGS like no one else on earth.
She is one of those people that has a gift of invisible intuition.
She took me to a place I will dream of forever and hope to return often as well as she allowed me to discover an artist I had no knowledge about until the afternoon we spent in the SCULPTURE GARDENS in New Orleans. Please go to this site: http://www.sculpture.net/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/519 or if the address fails google the Sculpture Gardens in New Orleans.
We walked and I drooled and I sighed and sang praises to some amazing pieces of art, then we came upon something that went straight to my gut and heart... GRAND VAL DE GRACE 1977... by Jean-Robert Ipoustoguy. French!? Well, New Orleans is my little part of France in America!
This sculpture signifies Birth, LIFE, and DEATH... the natural light of the day played a touching melody of light and shadow on every curve and angle. Peaks, valleys as well as flat surfaces screamed out of pain, joy and most of all surrendering to the eternal truth: DEATH EQUALIZES US ALL.
I walked slowly around this piece... I kept thinking about it during the night... I looked Ipousteguy up on a google search when I was in NYC. Everyone has a "moment" as it were, where everything comes together in one word, a sound, a scene, a color...
I thank my lucky stars for me sister sharing the garden with me as well introducing me to something I NEEDED. She also traveled to Rome Italy years ago. I was with her! She was like having your own travel guide and most of all ARTIST EXPERTISE as a guide. She explained so many paintings and great elements of the world of art and artists me. (of course the trip to Italy will always hold a special place in my heart... I went to Christiphories Museum... He invented the PIANO)
It's Wine Time so I must stop writing and wine about everything I possibly can.
Many many years ago I worked in Tibidoux LA. In the heart of the sugar cane district. I was living in Dallas TX at the time playing piano where ever the agency found me a job! Sheraton Hotels had built a kind of Motel/INN in the sugar cane district for sales persons that were forever in and out of the area. There was a small collage near by, "Nicholas State College"??? (I believe that was the name of the school).
Some nights students from the theater dept. would frequent the piano bar and sing show tunes as well as all kinds of old jazz and blues.
I was going through a very difficult period of my life in the late 60's and early 70's and I self medicated on a sweet liquor called JACK DANIALS. I did drive into New Orleans on Sunday and Mondays... days I had off. Even went to Baton Rouge ounce. BUT, the music in NOLA always lived inside my head.
Well years later I return to NOLA. My sister is a fantastic artist and therefore she KNOWS the places where the music is HOT and the ART is above average and the wine... the food... you name it.
She is your angel guide to the city as well as being a great cook herself she can explain things like
MAC STUFF (computers etc), ART, CATS, BOOKS, POETRY and COMFORT THINGS like no one else on earth.
She is one of those people that has a gift of invisible intuition.
She took me to a place I will dream of forever and hope to return often as well as she allowed me to discover an artist I had no knowledge about until the afternoon we spent in the SCULPTURE GARDENS in New Orleans. Please go to this site: http://www.sculpture.net/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/519 or if the address fails google the Sculpture Gardens in New Orleans.
We walked and I drooled and I sighed and sang praises to some amazing pieces of art, then we came upon something that went straight to my gut and heart... GRAND VAL DE GRACE 1977... by Jean-Robert Ipoustoguy. French!? Well, New Orleans is my little part of France in America!
This sculpture signifies Birth, LIFE, and DEATH... the natural light of the day played a touching melody of light and shadow on every curve and angle. Peaks, valleys as well as flat surfaces screamed out of pain, joy and most of all surrendering to the eternal truth: DEATH EQUALIZES US ALL.
I walked slowly around this piece... I kept thinking about it during the night... I looked Ipousteguy up on a google search when I was in NYC. Everyone has a "moment" as it were, where everything comes together in one word, a sound, a scene, a color...
I thank my lucky stars for me sister sharing the garden with me as well introducing me to something I NEEDED. She also traveled to Rome Italy years ago. I was with her! She was like having your own travel guide and most of all ARTIST EXPERTISE as a guide. She explained so many paintings and great elements of the world of art and artists me. (of course the trip to Italy will always hold a special place in my heart... I went to Christiphories Museum... He invented the PIANO)
It's Wine Time so I must stop writing and wine about everything I possibly can.
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
In New Zealand at last!
The trip from Wyoming to South Island New Zealand has been some what of an "AWAKENING" or better yet lessons in aging and sage-ing... by aging with sage-ing I mean discovering hidden gems of wisdom within the process of aging.
Because I do not have the same "bench-marks" as other people meaning: you have a marriage, you have children, they begin grade school, there are activities and marks along the way and eventually graduations and they marry etc... however, in my case there are moments when I honestly FORGET how old I AM! My body reminds me, but I toss it off by taking a pain pill or a glass of wine!
We drove out of Wyoming in a blizzard. Stopped by the home of two of our oldest and best friends to say goodbye. Then flat out to Utah. Made it to my parents around midnight. No problems... but with my parents in their mid 80's and one in her mid 90's the picture takes on a different light as well as we drove our two cats to Utah. The back of the truck was FULL. Suit cases, boxes of things... the back seat of the truck had my other mother strapped in, two cats and tons of blankets and water on board. God all mighty we made the "Beverly Hillbillies" look like normal people.
All went well thanks to the magic of coffee and four wheel drive. Spent 6 days in Utah. I could never ever liver in that state again.
Way too many people... there is nothing of my past that exists. My Grandmother's house, the houses I grew up in are GONE.
The corner where I used to catch a school bus all through grade school and Jr. High is a major 4 lane intersection with a Super Wall Mart, Wall-greens, every kind of eatery and even a 24 hour gym! WTH!!! It was full of cattle, corn and tomatoes when I was a kid.
My father lives in a different time frame... everything relates to the PAST... NO future or reality in the now... my dear mother works her butt off caring, cooking, cleaning... but her own health is very fragile. Dementia is a cruel disease. I hope to GOD I never have it... I doubt I will because I think I did have it when I was younger. Therefore been there. Denial was a great way to live in my 20's and 30's..........
Between Doctor appointments, shopping, hair DO's etc. it was quite a week. Thanksgiving was a success. Then the bomb hit!
I had booked our flights to LAX on December 29th instead of November 29th! I called Southwest... they changed it to the tune of 50 dollars per person except Anne... We made the flight. From LAX to Auckland NZ is about 12 hours. LONG. I had asked my physician if I could obtain 4 tablets of AMBIAM TO HELP ME SLEEP ON THE FLIGHT. I took one with a glass of wine when they served the dinner... could not sleep... by damn I opened my back pack with all the meds and read on the bottle... "TAKE WITHOUT FOOD" SHIT! what a waste of money and sleep. So, I put on my Bose head set and drifted in and out of a fitful sleep.
We landed smoothly and in one piece in Auckland. Took the shuttle to DOMESTIC FLIGHTS and boarded for QT. Love this country. Things are different than in America... they are relaxed... they are kinder and they seem to honestly care.
As if planned our cab driver from the Air Port knew us and we had a great welcome home riding with him in his cab. The house is perfect. The roses are in bloom, my garden is full of ripe strawberries and I am loving my piano and NOOK. YEP! I love books but I had downloaded a ton of books before leaving the states. Whoopee.... I am so into computers...
I awoke this morning after 10 hours of sleep and ate a late breakfast on the patio in the sunshine. Have not joined the gym yet. WHY? BODY PAIN. I have worked out for over 40 years. When I turned 60 I still maintained a 15... and more inch arm... well, I over did many things because of ego, vanity and fear of growing old, only to surrender to the reality of TIME... Cancer, hernias,
bladder, my left arm's triceps muscles have been destroyed... they are re-growing... sight, and heart seem pretty good, but I have had to make friends with Arthur, Right-is and a few other energies I never dreamed I would embrace.
Walking and making music save me and my soul. A kind word and wide smile can make my day. When I am down in the village shopping... buying food items, wine, the bakery and the daily papers... young people remember me! They say: Welcome back. I remember you from last year! I remember them too.
Will write in a few days... in the mean time life is gentle and so good.
Because I do not have the same "bench-marks" as other people meaning: you have a marriage, you have children, they begin grade school, there are activities and marks along the way and eventually graduations and they marry etc... however, in my case there are moments when I honestly FORGET how old I AM! My body reminds me, but I toss it off by taking a pain pill or a glass of wine!
We drove out of Wyoming in a blizzard. Stopped by the home of two of our oldest and best friends to say goodbye. Then flat out to Utah. Made it to my parents around midnight. No problems... but with my parents in their mid 80's and one in her mid 90's the picture takes on a different light as well as we drove our two cats to Utah. The back of the truck was FULL. Suit cases, boxes of things... the back seat of the truck had my other mother strapped in, two cats and tons of blankets and water on board. God all mighty we made the "Beverly Hillbillies" look like normal people.
All went well thanks to the magic of coffee and four wheel drive. Spent 6 days in Utah. I could never ever liver in that state again.
Way too many people... there is nothing of my past that exists. My Grandmother's house, the houses I grew up in are GONE.
The corner where I used to catch a school bus all through grade school and Jr. High is a major 4 lane intersection with a Super Wall Mart, Wall-greens, every kind of eatery and even a 24 hour gym! WTH!!! It was full of cattle, corn and tomatoes when I was a kid.
My father lives in a different time frame... everything relates to the PAST... NO future or reality in the now... my dear mother works her butt off caring, cooking, cleaning... but her own health is very fragile. Dementia is a cruel disease. I hope to GOD I never have it... I doubt I will because I think I did have it when I was younger. Therefore been there. Denial was a great way to live in my 20's and 30's..........
Between Doctor appointments, shopping, hair DO's etc. it was quite a week. Thanksgiving was a success. Then the bomb hit!
I had booked our flights to LAX on December 29th instead of November 29th! I called Southwest... they changed it to the tune of 50 dollars per person except Anne... We made the flight. From LAX to Auckland NZ is about 12 hours. LONG. I had asked my physician if I could obtain 4 tablets of AMBIAM TO HELP ME SLEEP ON THE FLIGHT. I took one with a glass of wine when they served the dinner... could not sleep... by damn I opened my back pack with all the meds and read on the bottle... "TAKE WITHOUT FOOD" SHIT! what a waste of money and sleep. So, I put on my Bose head set and drifted in and out of a fitful sleep.
We landed smoothly and in one piece in Auckland. Took the shuttle to DOMESTIC FLIGHTS and boarded for QT. Love this country. Things are different than in America... they are relaxed... they are kinder and they seem to honestly care.
As if planned our cab driver from the Air Port knew us and we had a great welcome home riding with him in his cab. The house is perfect. The roses are in bloom, my garden is full of ripe strawberries and I am loving my piano and NOOK. YEP! I love books but I had downloaded a ton of books before leaving the states. Whoopee.... I am so into computers...
I awoke this morning after 10 hours of sleep and ate a late breakfast on the patio in the sunshine. Have not joined the gym yet. WHY? BODY PAIN. I have worked out for over 40 years. When I turned 60 I still maintained a 15... and more inch arm... well, I over did many things because of ego, vanity and fear of growing old, only to surrender to the reality of TIME... Cancer, hernias,
bladder, my left arm's triceps muscles have been destroyed... they are re-growing... sight, and heart seem pretty good, but I have had to make friends with Arthur, Right-is and a few other energies I never dreamed I would embrace.
Walking and making music save me and my soul. A kind word and wide smile can make my day. When I am down in the village shopping... buying food items, wine, the bakery and the daily papers... young people remember me! They say: Welcome back. I remember you from last year! I remember them too.
Will write in a few days... in the mean time life is gentle and so good.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The snow...
Out of the bosom of the air, out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,
Over the woodlands brown and bare,
Silent and soft and slow descends the snow... (Henry Wadsworth)
We are getting slammed with a Mess In The West... Blizzards. I love it.
Reminds me of when I was a little boy and the first of many times I ever came to
Wyoming.
Will try to leave here in the late afternoon... IF the roads are safe. And I
will write again from Utah and then New Zealand.
But I think of another favorite poet of mine...
IF, in the twilight of memory we shall speak again together and you shall sing to me
a deeper song,
And IF our hands should meet in another dream, we shall build another tower in the sky.
The snow is lovely soft and deep, but I have miles to go before I sleep and promises to keep
and promises to keep.
Over the woodlands brown and bare,
Silent and soft and slow descends the snow... (Henry Wadsworth)
We are getting slammed with a Mess In The West... Blizzards. I love it.
Reminds me of when I was a little boy and the first of many times I ever came to
Wyoming.
Will try to leave here in the late afternoon... IF the roads are safe. And I
will write again from Utah and then New Zealand.
But I think of another favorite poet of mine...
IF, in the twilight of memory we shall speak again together and you shall sing to me
a deeper song,
And IF our hands should meet in another dream, we shall build another tower in the sky.
The snow is lovely soft and deep, but I have miles to go before I sleep and promises to keep
and promises to keep.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Mystries and Secrets within music
It is 10:42 PM EST. 8:42 RMT...
I have had an
over dose of so many beautiful emotions as well as love, music, new understandings about music, and most of all bits and pieces about who and what I am!
Things can get quite dull in Wyoming (I guess?) Not for me. I never ever read enough books, see enough movies, watch enough sunsets, sunrises, smell enough scents of pine, cedar, sagebrush and ever so many perfumes that travel on the air currents of open spaces. NOW in NYC one can get it all in one breath.
I took the Long Island Railway to hungtinton to be with two of my beloved friends... Ernie and Carol.
(She is a musical mentor, master of my musical spirit as well as my mind and hands)
They live in a sacred space of beauty and the balance between space and land is PERFECT! One has to simply walk out their kitchen door and breath in the perfection of squirrels, birds, leaves turning into pallets of cosmic colors... (YOU CANNOT GO THERE UNLESS YOU BELONG TO THE CLUB OF BEAUTY AND LOVE!)
Carol is a pianist chef. She can cook food that makes any pianist's abilities reach beyond imagination. She also cares. That is the KEY to opening any door within the inner sanctum a person's sacred sanctuary of musical spirituality. She is the nurturing angel of musical creativity and she has the gift of releasing the magic of one's own music. WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN MUSICAL DNA. SHE CAN FIND IT AND ALLOWS IT TO OPEN IT'S WINGS.
After a wonderful performance class I was privileged to spend the night in her home... I am wake up by the sounds of her piano. Breakfast is from heaven... then WORK. I MEAN WORK... I do believe my playing has found it's freedom. We had a glorious lunch of Fennel and potato soup, breads, cheese and wine... then of to the train...
Because of a change in plans I met up with Seymour Berstein, my adored teacher for many years... WHAT A LESSON. We worked on Brhams. I learned so very many things about his scores... the Rach. Preludes I am working on... we went to a favorite Japanese Restaurant for dinner. His stories are priceless. He has known some amazing artists that are no longer wit us. Astoniting as it sounds SEYMOUR IS 83 and looks younger than me! He is one of the most intelligent people I have ever known and his piano is a palette most artists would cry for.
He and Carol met up on line this year! Two of my dearest and most loved musical friends. I cannot for a moment imagine life without either one of them.
Carol's book THE ANATOMY OF A NY RECITAL gave me the spark to possibly do such an amazing feat. Seymour's book WITH YOUR OWN TWO HANDS drove me to the moment. I saved money, I practiced my guts out, I cried, I laughed, I believed and most of all I DID IT. BECAUSE OF TWO PEOPLE'S WRITTEN WORDS and because when I wrote them simple works on paper they BELIEVED IN ME. Which made all the difference!
If there be anyone out there that has dreams there are angels that will take you there. My two musical angels are out there but I will never reveal where they are unless I KNOW YOU!
I return to Wyoming early in the morning. Like 7 AM. God that means I have to be up at some ungodly hour! WHO CARES??!!
Because of economy this is the first year I have not attended at Concert or Musical in NYC... My lessons were more important. The concerts with my teachers were the blessed gifts that NO money can buy ...
I have had an
over dose of so many beautiful emotions as well as love, music, new understandings about music, and most of all bits and pieces about who and what I am!
Things can get quite dull in Wyoming (I guess?) Not for me. I never ever read enough books, see enough movies, watch enough sunsets, sunrises, smell enough scents of pine, cedar, sagebrush and ever so many perfumes that travel on the air currents of open spaces. NOW in NYC one can get it all in one breath.
I took the Long Island Railway to hungtinton to be with two of my beloved friends... Ernie and Carol.
(She is a musical mentor, master of my musical spirit as well as my mind and hands)
They live in a sacred space of beauty and the balance between space and land is PERFECT! One has to simply walk out their kitchen door and breath in the perfection of squirrels, birds, leaves turning into pallets of cosmic colors... (YOU CANNOT GO THERE UNLESS YOU BELONG TO THE CLUB OF BEAUTY AND LOVE!)
Carol is a pianist chef. She can cook food that makes any pianist's abilities reach beyond imagination. She also cares. That is the KEY to opening any door within the inner sanctum a person's sacred sanctuary of musical spirituality. She is the nurturing angel of musical creativity and she has the gift of releasing the magic of one's own music. WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN MUSICAL DNA. SHE CAN FIND IT AND ALLOWS IT TO OPEN IT'S WINGS.
After a wonderful performance class I was privileged to spend the night in her home... I am wake up by the sounds of her piano. Breakfast is from heaven... then WORK. I MEAN WORK... I do believe my playing has found it's freedom. We had a glorious lunch of Fennel and potato soup, breads, cheese and wine... then of to the train...
Because of a change in plans I met up with Seymour Berstein, my adored teacher for many years... WHAT A LESSON. We worked on Brhams. I learned so very many things about his scores... the Rach. Preludes I am working on... we went to a favorite Japanese Restaurant for dinner. His stories are priceless. He has known some amazing artists that are no longer wit us. Astoniting as it sounds SEYMOUR IS 83 and looks younger than me! He is one of the most intelligent people I have ever known and his piano is a palette most artists would cry for.
He and Carol met up on line this year! Two of my dearest and most loved musical friends. I cannot for a moment imagine life without either one of them.
Carol's book THE ANATOMY OF A NY RECITAL gave me the spark to possibly do such an amazing feat. Seymour's book WITH YOUR OWN TWO HANDS drove me to the moment. I saved money, I practiced my guts out, I cried, I laughed, I believed and most of all I DID IT. BECAUSE OF TWO PEOPLE'S WRITTEN WORDS and because when I wrote them simple works on paper they BELIEVED IN ME. Which made all the difference!
If there be anyone out there that has dreams there are angels that will take you there. My two musical angels are out there but I will never reveal where they are unless I KNOW YOU!
I return to Wyoming early in the morning. Like 7 AM. God that means I have to be up at some ungodly hour! WHO CARES??!!
Because of economy this is the first year I have not attended at Concert or Musical in NYC... My lessons were more important. The concerts with my teachers were the blessed gifts that NO money can buy ...
Friday, November 12, 2010
It's still a great world...
My time in New Orleans was an absolute pleasure. Great food, gorgeous Jazz and interesting, loving people. The city keeps rebuilding and at the same time maintaining it's vibrant energy. If anyone is going to New Orleans do spend time in the Sculpture Garden at the city park. I was amazed they do not charge admission. The place is magic. Two nights I sat in the show room of the Sonesta Hotel listening to music that only comes out of the heart and soul of men and woman that have found their voice and USE IT!
I am writing this from Penn Station in NYC. Waiting for my train to Long Island. I have loved this city since I was a little boy. I dreamed of the day I would be able to visit it. My first visit was when I was 17. Since then I have made at least 40 trips to Gotham City... Since 1968 to 2010 I've experienced the evolution of one of the most powerful cities on planet earth. It all has been for the best. Most of all I love the art galleries, theaters, concerts, music and I always discover some place I've never been before.
Yesterday I rented a practice room at Steinway Hall. The room had two gorgeous instruments. One was listed at $71,000.00 the other $52,000.00. I want them both. I played on the one, then moved to the other piano performing the same piece. There is one thing about Steinways, each piano has it's own sound... personality. From there I spent the day at a Museum I knew nothing about, The Museum of Art and Design on Columbus Circle. OMG, it is wonderful and the restaurant on the 9th floor is the perfect place for a scrumptious meal and the view of Central Park is amazing... all the fall colors.
After 4 hours in the museum I walked the park until darkness. The crest of the moon guiding me back to my hotel.
I am a blessed man beyond my wildest dreams... It is still a wonderful world.
I am writing this from Penn Station in NYC. Waiting for my train to Long Island. I have loved this city since I was a little boy. I dreamed of the day I would be able to visit it. My first visit was when I was 17. Since then I have made at least 40 trips to Gotham City... Since 1968 to 2010 I've experienced the evolution of one of the most powerful cities on planet earth. It all has been for the best. Most of all I love the art galleries, theaters, concerts, music and I always discover some place I've never been before.
Yesterday I rented a practice room at Steinway Hall. The room had two gorgeous instruments. One was listed at $71,000.00 the other $52,000.00. I want them both. I played on the one, then moved to the other piano performing the same piece. There is one thing about Steinways, each piano has it's own sound... personality. From there I spent the day at a Museum I knew nothing about, The Museum of Art and Design on Columbus Circle. OMG, it is wonderful and the restaurant on the 9th floor is the perfect place for a scrumptious meal and the view of Central Park is amazing... all the fall colors.
After 4 hours in the museum I walked the park until darkness. The crest of the moon guiding me back to my hotel.
I am a blessed man beyond my wildest dreams... It is still a wonderful world.
Friday, November 05, 2010
DID IT
What a day!
Two years ago today, November 5th I was coming out of a major surgery... two surgeons worked on me. One removed 1/3 or my left kidney which had a cancerous tumor the size of a large lemon. I had a Pantaloon hernia repaired, some other body parts made right and probably the worst part of this ordeal: I was full of E Coli infection. By late afternoon I was out of the surgery and feeling bliss... however, morphine is not my drug of choice! DHhhhaaaa.
This afternoon I called my surgeon's office and left my words of gratitude and love with his nurse. She will tell him how happy I am. I am a different man than I was before the surgery. It has taken TIME to get to the place I am mentally, spiritually and physically.
As of today I am on you-tube. You can do a search on You-tube for Brenthoven, or Brent Johnston and some of my recorded music will be playing! I have been blessed with "STAR SEED" children and Wayne is one of those precious points of light. He did it.
We will be adding things I have composed and other recordings from past performances.
I will fly to New Orleans Sunday and spend some time with my precious sister TJ, then in to NYC. I am a strange man. I love NYC, and yet have to be isolated in small places like Alpine... Central Park is one of my favorite places on planet earth.
I am now pouring glass of my favorite wine and toasting the heavens tonight. So happy to be ALIVE and ENJOY the many things I am fortunate to enjoy.
Two years ago today, November 5th I was coming out of a major surgery... two surgeons worked on me. One removed 1/3 or my left kidney which had a cancerous tumor the size of a large lemon. I had a Pantaloon hernia repaired, some other body parts made right and probably the worst part of this ordeal: I was full of E Coli infection. By late afternoon I was out of the surgery and feeling bliss... however, morphine is not my drug of choice! DHhhhaaaa.
This afternoon I called my surgeon's office and left my words of gratitude and love with his nurse. She will tell him how happy I am. I am a different man than I was before the surgery. It has taken TIME to get to the place I am mentally, spiritually and physically.
As of today I am on you-tube. You can do a search on You-tube for Brenthoven, or Brent Johnston and some of my recorded music will be playing! I have been blessed with "STAR SEED" children and Wayne is one of those precious points of light. He did it.
We will be adding things I have composed and other recordings from past performances.
I will fly to New Orleans Sunday and spend some time with my precious sister TJ, then in to NYC. I am a strange man. I love NYC, and yet have to be isolated in small places like Alpine... Central Park is one of my favorite places on planet earth.
I am now pouring glass of my favorite wine and toasting the heavens tonight. So happy to be ALIVE and ENJOY the many things I am fortunate to enjoy.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Why Dancing under the gallows?
A precious friend in NY called yesterday. We were talking about aging and the effects this process was having on our parents as well as ourselves. How as our parents age we of course age, but the difficult moments of realizing our parents are not the people they were years ago when we were younger and mind you, WE ARE NOT THE SAME PEOPLE WE WERE YEARS AGO AS CHILDREN.
She suddenly said: "Is your computer on?" I said, "Of course." She said, I am hanging up the phone and sending you something on You Tube....... Minutes later I was watching a woman who was at one time a fine musician, who also survived the holocaust. Her energy touched me in such a way that it sent me into a different and beautiful place deep within my invisible self.
She said many things that I have often said myself... BEETHOVEN! GIVING UP HATE! The list is endless... When ever I feel I am struggling I must watch this video. I have been so fortunate to meet and know so many people in my life just like this precious angel. I am so pleased she was born in the month of NOVEMBER. SCORPIO!
She suddenly said: "Is your computer on?" I said, "Of course." She said, I am hanging up the phone and sending you something on You Tube....... Minutes later I was watching a woman who was at one time a fine musician, who also survived the holocaust. Her energy touched me in such a way that it sent me into a different and beautiful place deep within my invisible self.
She said many things that I have often said myself... BEETHOVEN! GIVING UP HATE! The list is endless... When ever I feel I am struggling I must watch this video. I have been so fortunate to meet and know so many people in my life just like this precious angel. I am so pleased she was born in the month of NOVEMBER. SCORPIO!
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
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