We must all sacrifice our lives to something. Freedom is being able to choose what that is.
DB - The Vagabond
******************
NOTE: Today is the last day of September. Beginning tomorrow The Vagabond will once again humbly turn the dais over to the real thinkers and doers of the world, the movers and shakers, the thumpers and the zappers, the dreamers and the planners, the twisters and stompers, the rippers and menders. So check with them for your daily quotes. Vagabond will make an occasional appearance, but from now on most of the inspirations will come from the aforementioned drummers and diggers. I'll keep the journal as usual. DB
*****************************
Yesterday AOL posted a story about Jack Borden, a 101 year old attorney from Weatherford, Texas who still goes to his office every day, works a 40 hour week and is active in real estate matters for individuals. His story is inspiring to me.
A few years ago I worked with an actor who was 82 at the time, with an infirm knee which was eventually replaced. He must be close to 90 now and still working.
I retired 8 years ago but not because I wanted to. In my earlier years I tried doing many things but finally settled on being an actor because I was good at it, because people kept hiring me to do it and because it is probably what I was put on the planet to do.
Would I go back to work if I could? You betcha ! I'm only 70. I have been thinking of what it would take for me to be able to return to the stage and trying not to be depressed about it. There are what seem to be a jungle of limitations and difficulties to get through. My eyesight, my teeth, my hip and some other infirmities all need to be taken care of. I would have to move from here and live where there is some access to the market. I would, in essence, need to start over. The challenges are huge and seem to be beyond my capabilities.
I've learned to develop a sense of humor about the ironies and absurdities of life no matter how awful they may be. But why are the issues of my life ganging up against my life? Why is my life preventing me from living? Is life only a matter of overcoming the obstacle that are in the way of life? Why does my garbage weigh more than my groceries? Where is George Carlin when you need him?
Today I emptied a disposable paper vacuum cleaner bag, put it back in the vacuum cleaner and vacuumed my floor. If I were to fail to see the metaphor in that I would be ashamed of myself.
DB
*****************
May your October be a happy one.
=================================
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Pure Poetry 9/29/09
A great work of art, like a job well done, needs no critique.
DB - The Vagabond
****************
Welcome to wonder land.
_____________________
There are some great works of art and literature that still baffle me. The Bach B minor Mass, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Wagner's Tristan and Parsifal, certain works by Mahler and Stravinsky, paintings by Raphael, DaVinci, Matisse, Van Gogh and Picasso, some novels of Dostoyevsky. Shakespeare's Hamlet and King Lear are among them.
Perhaps "baffle" is the wrong word. I am in awe of them because there are mysteries there that haven't become clear to me yet. And so I sit in wonderment whenever I confront one of them.
Generally I don't like or admire critics, although there are some excellent ones. But I don't envy what the critic has to do when called upon to assess a great work of art. How can you describe in words something as monolithic as Beethoven's Ninth, or DaVinci's Last Supper? It would be like trying to describe a mountain. Each time you climb it the experience is different.
That's what makes for the mysteries. Every time I go back to King Lear, for example, I go "Wait a minute. What's this?" There is something there I didn't see before. I read it, of course, but I didn't SEE it.
I believe it is so important to keep the art that we love and admire always in the active part of our lives. Let the critics try to describe it in their scholarly tomes, if they must. The works speak for themselves and will keep on revealing their mysteries if we only watch and listen.
DB - Vagabond Journeys
*********************
May you have a vigorous Autumn.
___________________________
DB - The Vagabond
****************
Welcome to wonder land.
_____________________
There are some great works of art and literature that still baffle me. The Bach B minor Mass, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Wagner's Tristan and Parsifal, certain works by Mahler and Stravinsky, paintings by Raphael, DaVinci, Matisse, Van Gogh and Picasso, some novels of Dostoyevsky. Shakespeare's Hamlet and King Lear are among them.
Perhaps "baffle" is the wrong word. I am in awe of them because there are mysteries there that haven't become clear to me yet. And so I sit in wonderment whenever I confront one of them.
Generally I don't like or admire critics, although there are some excellent ones. But I don't envy what the critic has to do when called upon to assess a great work of art. How can you describe in words something as monolithic as Beethoven's Ninth, or DaVinci's Last Supper? It would be like trying to describe a mountain. Each time you climb it the experience is different.
That's what makes for the mysteries. Every time I go back to King Lear, for example, I go "Wait a minute. What's this?" There is something there I didn't see before. I read it, of course, but I didn't SEE it.
I believe it is so important to keep the art that we love and admire always in the active part of our lives. Let the critics try to describe it in their scholarly tomes, if they must. The works speak for themselves and will keep on revealing their mysteries if we only watch and listen.
DB - Vagabond Journeys
*********************
May you have a vigorous Autumn.
___________________________
Monday, September 28, 2009
Overwhelming Opportunity 9/28/09
If happiness is to be found anywhere surely it will be in pursuing one's highest goals and grandest ideas.
DB - The Vagabond
*****************
Come right in, sit right down.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Two of the biggest and nastiest enemies of happiness are the mundane and the inane. I knew a woman who kept a note pad on her desk and on the top of every page was the title "Dumb things I gotta do." Beethoven wrote a series of pieces called "Bagatelles." A bagatelle is defined as "something of little value or importance; a trifle." I once heard one of my colleagues announce "Someone has strewn my path with bagatelles. And here's one of them." Then he read a commercial.
You gotta do the commercials if you want to keep the radio station on the air. You gotta do the dishes and the laundry, you gotta clean the house, you gotta feed the cat, you gotta walk the dog, you gotta change the baby. The difficulty comes when things like those become all and only what life is about. We can get so involved in the chores of daily life that we forget what an extraordinary creature the human being really is.
We are capable of high goals and grand ideas. The obligation, the tax we owe ourselves, is in pursuing them and making them realities. The meeting of those obligations, the fulfilling of ourselves, is where we really live. The Autumn Question
is "If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be and why?" (See below.) That's an important thing to think about.
At this point in my life writing is the most important thing to me. It has something to do with goals and ideas. I try to make writing my real life and let the mundane, the "dumb things I gotta do" be an interruption in my main activity and not the other way around. So I start the day by writing or thinking about what I'm going to write that day.
Inanity, on the other hand, is a plunge beneath the mundane. One step below the inane is madness. It is a letting go by the mind of any substantial thinking. The answer to the why of an inane remark is "Oh, I don't know, No reason." We are all responsible for inanities on rare occasions, but some people seem to live there. And when inanity becomes vitalized by associations and a pinch of false righteousness you have your classic lynch mob; opinions lose their logic and actions their cause. The results can only be pandemonium and dystopia, a total lack of great goals and grand ideas, a complete loss of happiness.
The answer is to be vigorously opposed to any inanity, to refuse to allow ourselves to be dumbed down by anyone, anything or any ideology not matter how attractive it may seem, to watch our thinking and make sure every statement or activity, our own or another's, has truth and substance to it.
There. Now pardon me I have to do the dishes.
DB
**************
Smile, you're on candid blogger.
________________________
AUTUMN QUESTION
This is not a contest.
If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be and why?
You have all Fall to answer if you wish,
Reply here or at dbdacoba@aol.com
1 reply so far
Thank you
DB
DB - The Vagabond
*****************
Come right in, sit right down.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Two of the biggest and nastiest enemies of happiness are the mundane and the inane. I knew a woman who kept a note pad on her desk and on the top of every page was the title "Dumb things I gotta do." Beethoven wrote a series of pieces called "Bagatelles." A bagatelle is defined as "something of little value or importance; a trifle." I once heard one of my colleagues announce "Someone has strewn my path with bagatelles. And here's one of them." Then he read a commercial.
You gotta do the commercials if you want to keep the radio station on the air. You gotta do the dishes and the laundry, you gotta clean the house, you gotta feed the cat, you gotta walk the dog, you gotta change the baby. The difficulty comes when things like those become all and only what life is about. We can get so involved in the chores of daily life that we forget what an extraordinary creature the human being really is.
We are capable of high goals and grand ideas. The obligation, the tax we owe ourselves, is in pursuing them and making them realities. The meeting of those obligations, the fulfilling of ourselves, is where we really live. The Autumn Question
is "If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be and why?" (See below.) That's an important thing to think about.
At this point in my life writing is the most important thing to me. It has something to do with goals and ideas. I try to make writing my real life and let the mundane, the "dumb things I gotta do" be an interruption in my main activity and not the other way around. So I start the day by writing or thinking about what I'm going to write that day.
Inanity, on the other hand, is a plunge beneath the mundane. One step below the inane is madness. It is a letting go by the mind of any substantial thinking. The answer to the why of an inane remark is "Oh, I don't know, No reason." We are all responsible for inanities on rare occasions, but some people seem to live there. And when inanity becomes vitalized by associations and a pinch of false righteousness you have your classic lynch mob; opinions lose their logic and actions their cause. The results can only be pandemonium and dystopia, a total lack of great goals and grand ideas, a complete loss of happiness.
The answer is to be vigorously opposed to any inanity, to refuse to allow ourselves to be dumbed down by anyone, anything or any ideology not matter how attractive it may seem, to watch our thinking and make sure every statement or activity, our own or another's, has truth and substance to it.
There. Now pardon me I have to do the dishes.
DB
**************
Smile, you're on candid blogger.
________________________
AUTUMN QUESTION
This is not a contest.
If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be and why?
You have all Fall to answer if you wish,
Reply here or at dbdacoba@aol.com
1 reply so far
Thank you
DB
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday Contest - Answer
Sunday Contest - Answer
Fill in the missing letters. It's easy.
1 right answer.
The Olympic Medal; goes to Salemslot9
EA EARTH
U I E JUPITER
A MARS
E U MERCURY
OO MOON
E U E NEPTUNE
U O PLUTO
A U SATURN
U SUN
U A U URANUS
E U VENUS
See you there.
DB
Fill in the missing letters. It's easy.
1 right answer.
The Olympic Medal; goes to Salemslot9
EA EARTH
U I E JUPITER
A MARS
E U MERCURY
OO MOON
E U E NEPTUNE
U O PLUTO
A U SATURN
U SUN
U A U URANUS
E U VENUS
See you there.
DB
Natural Nativity 9/27/09
We are the sunshine and the starlight, we are the green of the grass, the red of the rose, we are the music of the cello and the song of the birds, we are the outcome of creation, at one with the earth, the sea and the sky.
DB - The Vagabond
****************
I saved a chair for you.
_____________________
Sometimes I wonder, because I'm a curious person, as you are, what odd equation got formed in the human thinking process that resulted in the theory of alienation. What is it that makes us believe that somehow we are separate creatures, not only from each other but also from creation itself?
Two days ago I wrote that there is probably nothing in the universe more complex than the human being. Then why do we limit ourselves with labels and rules? And why do we draw circles around ourselves as if somehow the universe would be contained in them?
Alright, there are things and people we don't like and don't want to be around, but that's a personal matter and it doesn't mean we can deny them their existence. As we Earthians become less earth bound we are learning that we are citizens of the universe. The circle is getting larger every minute and there is so much more to understand.
We have telescopes that are peering into deep space showing us things that are and that were. One day there will be Hubblelike microphones that will record and transmit the sounds of space, the music of space, and, as a result, we will learn how to hear the music of the grass and the mountains. Some of the astronauts have remarked about the unusual, metallic like aroma of space.
Everything in creation has it's own language, it's own song, and we can still hear only a sliver of it. But when we learn to listen, watch, smell and taste beyond what we imagine our senses are and learn the aromas, sights and sounds of the universe, when we open wide our thoughts to embrace the ever expanding nature of things and when we hear the voice that explains it all, we must, of necessity, be reborn into life.
Vagabond Journeys
______________
Go safely and joyfully.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Sunday Contest
Fill in the missing letters. It's easy.
1 right answer so far.
EA
U I E
A
E U
OO
E U E
U O
A U
U
U A U
E U
See you there.
DB
DB - The Vagabond
****************
I saved a chair for you.
_____________________
Sometimes I wonder, because I'm a curious person, as you are, what odd equation got formed in the human thinking process that resulted in the theory of alienation. What is it that makes us believe that somehow we are separate creatures, not only from each other but also from creation itself?
Two days ago I wrote that there is probably nothing in the universe more complex than the human being. Then why do we limit ourselves with labels and rules? And why do we draw circles around ourselves as if somehow the universe would be contained in them?
Alright, there are things and people we don't like and don't want to be around, but that's a personal matter and it doesn't mean we can deny them their existence. As we Earthians become less earth bound we are learning that we are citizens of the universe. The circle is getting larger every minute and there is so much more to understand.
We have telescopes that are peering into deep space showing us things that are and that were. One day there will be Hubblelike microphones that will record and transmit the sounds of space, the music of space, and, as a result, we will learn how to hear the music of the grass and the mountains. Some of the astronauts have remarked about the unusual, metallic like aroma of space.
Everything in creation has it's own language, it's own song, and we can still hear only a sliver of it. But when we learn to listen, watch, smell and taste beyond what we imagine our senses are and learn the aromas, sights and sounds of the universe, when we open wide our thoughts to embrace the ever expanding nature of things and when we hear the voice that explains it all, we must, of necessity, be reborn into life.
Vagabond Journeys
______________
Go safely and joyfully.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Sunday Contest
Fill in the missing letters. It's easy.
1 right answer so far.
EA
U I E
A
E U
OO
E U E
U O
A U
U
U A U
E U
See you there.
DB
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Saturday Contest Answer
Saturday Contest.- Answer
IKQ/ZDQNIJUS/--/VUDFT/
DSAQNIAJVIQT/NDXRYAJSQ/
EYAOYAQ/JS/IKQ/YIFYSIJV/
UVQYS/XQ/AQJSNIYIQT?/--/
EYN/OUAQRUNI/JS/QLQABUSQ'N/
RJST. HUKS QJNQSKUEQA
THE QUESTION -- COULD UNRESTRICTED
SUBMRINE WARFARE IN THE ATLANTIC
OCEAN BE REINSTATED? -- WAS FOREMOST
IN EVERYONE'S MIND.
JOHN EISENHOWER
First prize goes to Just Plain Bill
Second prize to Salemslot9
DB
IKQ/ZDQNIJUS/--/VUDFT/
DSAQNIAJVIQT/NDXRYAJSQ/
EYAOYAQ/JS/IKQ/YIFYSIJV/
UVQYS/XQ/AQJSNIYIQT?/--/
EYN/OUAQRUNI/JS/QLQABUSQ'N/
RJST. HUKS QJNQSKUEQA
THE QUESTION -- COULD UNRESTRICTED
SUBMRINE WARFARE IN THE ATLANTIC
OCEAN BE REINSTATED? -- WAS FOREMOST
IN EVERYONE'S MIND.
JOHN EISENHOWER
First prize goes to Just Plain Bill
Second prize to Salemslot9
DB
Magnificent Minutes 9/26/09
Every moment that you spend facing down fear and trouble makes a difference in the world.
DB - The Vagabond
******************
Glad to see you.
__________________
Fear is bondage. Trouble is slavery. When we are beset with frightening difficulties the things we are forced to do about it deprive us of the real life we could be living. It is very tempting to just give up and let trouble have it's way with us. That's why it's important to stand up to the complicated details and unpleasant activities that must be done to bring the trouble to it's knees.
The thing to remember is that it's alright to be afraid in the face of danger. depressed by the magnitude of problems and frustrated by delay. Those negative feelings are part of the attack, but they are not the problem.
During the recent trouble I went through I got a lot of reassuring comments from people telling me that all things would work out fine in the end, I knew that. What I didn't know was how much agony I was going to be put through before they did, Not having the information I needed and having to wait for weeks to get it made my burden very heavy. I also received some sympathetic comments from people who knew the type of trauma I was going through. I am grateful for both.
One never knows what effect one's actions can have on others. Standing up to frightening things and not caving in to them, maintaining as positive an attitude as possible and vigorously opposing anything that tries to make one feel unworthy are essential forces not only for the individual but for society as well.
Back in the early Naughties, when I first got my computer, I called to get online. It took my ISP 45 days to do it. They kept screwing up, canceling, reordering and canceling. Every time they put in a new order they sent me a modem. I had a stack of modems on the floor but no Internet. All during the 45 days I was patient. Finally they promised to have it done by the 12th. The day before I got a message saying it would be done by the 15th. That's when I hit the roof.
I had kept a log of all my phone calls with them, as I usually do. I told the last person I talked with that if I wasn't on line by the 12th I was going to make copies of it and send it out to all the Chambers, Associations, Bureaus, and Commissions I could think of, simply so the next poor sucker who came along wouldn't have to go through what they had put me through. I was on line the next day.
DB
************
Let there be kites in the wind for you.
____________________________
Saturday Contest.
IKQ/ZDQNIJUS/--/VUDFT/
DSAQNIAJVIQT/NDXRYAJSQ/
EYAOYAQ/JS/IKQ/YIFYSIJV/
UVQYS/XQ/AQJSNIYIQT?/--/
EYN/OUAQRUNI/JS/QLQABUSQ'N/
RJST. HUKS QJNQSKUEQA
2 correct answers so far.
Good luck.
DB
DB - The Vagabond
******************
Glad to see you.
__________________
Fear is bondage. Trouble is slavery. When we are beset with frightening difficulties the things we are forced to do about it deprive us of the real life we could be living. It is very tempting to just give up and let trouble have it's way with us. That's why it's important to stand up to the complicated details and unpleasant activities that must be done to bring the trouble to it's knees.
The thing to remember is that it's alright to be afraid in the face of danger. depressed by the magnitude of problems and frustrated by delay. Those negative feelings are part of the attack, but they are not the problem.
During the recent trouble I went through I got a lot of reassuring comments from people telling me that all things would work out fine in the end, I knew that. What I didn't know was how much agony I was going to be put through before they did, Not having the information I needed and having to wait for weeks to get it made my burden very heavy. I also received some sympathetic comments from people who knew the type of trauma I was going through. I am grateful for both.
One never knows what effect one's actions can have on others. Standing up to frightening things and not caving in to them, maintaining as positive an attitude as possible and vigorously opposing anything that tries to make one feel unworthy are essential forces not only for the individual but for society as well.
Back in the early Naughties, when I first got my computer, I called to get online. It took my ISP 45 days to do it. They kept screwing up, canceling, reordering and canceling. Every time they put in a new order they sent me a modem. I had a stack of modems on the floor but no Internet. All during the 45 days I was patient. Finally they promised to have it done by the 12th. The day before I got a message saying it would be done by the 15th. That's when I hit the roof.
I had kept a log of all my phone calls with them, as I usually do. I told the last person I talked with that if I wasn't on line by the 12th I was going to make copies of it and send it out to all the Chambers, Associations, Bureaus, and Commissions I could think of, simply so the next poor sucker who came along wouldn't have to go through what they had put me through. I was on line the next day.
DB
************
Let there be kites in the wind for you.
____________________________
Saturday Contest.
IKQ/ZDQNIJUS/--/VUDFT/
DSAQNIAJVIQT/NDXRYAJSQ/
EYAOYAQ/JS/IKQ/YIFYSIJV/
UVQYS/XQ/AQJSNIYIQT?/--/
EYN/OUAQRUNI/JS/QLQABUSQ'N/
RJST. HUKS QJNQSKUEQA
2 correct answers so far.
Good luck.
DB
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Lesson Levels 9/25/09
Nothing is ever completely what it is in our understanding. The more familiar it becomes, the more we discover about it.
DB - The Vagabond
******************
There's the fridge. Help yourself.
______________________
I was interviewing a violinist who played with a world famous string quartet. We were discussing a piece the group had just recorded, a late Beethoven quartet. I noted that they had recorded the same work some years previously and asked why they wanted to do it again. He said it was because of the discoveries. He said they could play the piece 200 times and still find something new in it.
I thought about my own career and remembered that on 4 occasions I returned to a role I had played before, in some cases many years before, and each time it was like a new experience. Certain things seemed to have been hidden from me that were uncovered as a result of revisiting the part.
It wasn't that the previous performances weren't good, as good as I could make them. It was that as time went my, and I grew some, and that the experiences and ideas of the play had their gestation period in my own consciousness I awoke to a different mental scene when I picked up the script again.
I had also learned more about the art of acting in the mean time and thus could apply that skill to a better, clearer articulation of the play.
There is probably nothing more complex in the universe than a human being (in spite of how simple minded some people may seem) and therefore human relationships are among the most complicated of activities. How often have you discovered some important fact or disposition about a friend that you never knew about? Imagine 4 musicians sitting there rediscovering a Beethoven quartet and discovering themselves and each other in the process.
An astrophysicist at NASA was asked recently if it's depressing that they don't know much about the universe. He answered "No. It's exciting."
DB - Vagabond
******************
Try on a big smile. See if it fits.
_______________________
AUTUMN QUIZ
If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be and why?
You have all Fall to answer if you wish,
Reply here or at dbdacoba@aol.com
Thank you
DB
DB - The Vagabond
******************
There's the fridge. Help yourself.
______________________
I was interviewing a violinist who played with a world famous string quartet. We were discussing a piece the group had just recorded, a late Beethoven quartet. I noted that they had recorded the same work some years previously and asked why they wanted to do it again. He said it was because of the discoveries. He said they could play the piece 200 times and still find something new in it.
I thought about my own career and remembered that on 4 occasions I returned to a role I had played before, in some cases many years before, and each time it was like a new experience. Certain things seemed to have been hidden from me that were uncovered as a result of revisiting the part.
It wasn't that the previous performances weren't good, as good as I could make them. It was that as time went my, and I grew some, and that the experiences and ideas of the play had their gestation period in my own consciousness I awoke to a different mental scene when I picked up the script again.
I had also learned more about the art of acting in the mean time and thus could apply that skill to a better, clearer articulation of the play.
There is probably nothing more complex in the universe than a human being (in spite of how simple minded some people may seem) and therefore human relationships are among the most complicated of activities. How often have you discovered some important fact or disposition about a friend that you never knew about? Imagine 4 musicians sitting there rediscovering a Beethoven quartet and discovering themselves and each other in the process.
An astrophysicist at NASA was asked recently if it's depressing that they don't know much about the universe. He answered "No. It's exciting."
DB - Vagabond
******************
Try on a big smile. See if it fits.
_______________________
AUTUMN QUIZ
If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be and why?
You have all Fall to answer if you wish,
Reply here or at dbdacoba@aol.com
Thank you
DB
Knotted Knowledge
It is a great pleasure for me to occasionally wrestle, like Jacob, with the angel of an idea I've never confronted before and to hold on until I understand it.
DB - The Vagabond
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Fancy meeting you here.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I'm pleased to say that the Jurassic Monster that was suing me for my arms, legs and all my money has finally agreed to the settlement and dropped the case.
///////////////////////////
On day years ago just for fun I tried to harmonize and ascending scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B. C. It's not as easy as it sounds, at least it's not easy to make it sound interesting to the ear. The first triad, C. E. G is easy enough. But the next one, D, F, A has no tones in common with the first one which makes an awkward move. The third on E, G, B has two tones in common with the first triad so you're more or less back where you started.
It was then that I discovered the concept of modulation. As I said, it was many years ago, in my ignorant youth.
Simply put modulation enables you to go from one key to an unrelated key by finding a third key which has notes common to both. If it's a very far reaching move you have to come up to it with two or three different chords to get you there.
Then I began to think about the principle of modulation in acting. One of the big concerns of an actor is what motivates his character to do the various things he does. There is an over all objective to the role, but there are smaller objectives along the trail of the plot, and sometimes they may seem to be far from the goal the character has in mind. But they are simply ways of maneuvering things to suit the character and his circumstances. Shakespeare's King Richard the Third says "Why I can smile and murder while I smile and cry 'content' to that which grieves my heart and wet my cheek with artificial tears." Richard was modulating. He was pursuing his goal while seeming to go in an opposite direction just as the composer does when he wants to change the key.
Then I began to think of modulation in terms of human behavior. Take negotiation for example. One side may seem to agree that the other side will get everything it wants but then it will introduce a new consideration not thought of before and the circumstances are changed, there's a new key.
We've all been in a romance at one time or another. Think of the modulating you had to go through to try to win the heart of your loved one, whether you were the pursued or the pursuer.
Lately I've been considering this mechanism of modulation in terms of society, reading history to observe the side movements and adaptations that brought about the events that made our world to day, and watching the same changing of the tracks as society develops into what it is going to be,
Knowing about the principle of modulation has made me an informed skeptic. It's not a negative position, just one that is not ready to accept things the way they appear to be going.
There is still a lot more to be learned. The angel knocked Jacob's thigh out of joint, but Jacob kept wrestling until the dawn came. My thigh is out of joint. I don't think it was touched by an angel, but I'm wrestling with this idea of modulation until the dawn comes.
DB - The Vagabond
____________________
An Autumn Blessing to you.
******************
AUTUMN QUIZ
If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be and why?
You have all Fall to answer if you wish, Reply here or at dbdacoba@aol.com
Thank you
DB
DB - The Vagabond
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Fancy meeting you here.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I'm pleased to say that the Jurassic Monster that was suing me for my arms, legs and all my money has finally agreed to the settlement and dropped the case.
///////////////////////////
On day years ago just for fun I tried to harmonize and ascending scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B. C. It's not as easy as it sounds, at least it's not easy to make it sound interesting to the ear. The first triad, C. E. G is easy enough. But the next one, D, F, A has no tones in common with the first one which makes an awkward move. The third on E, G, B has two tones in common with the first triad so you're more or less back where you started.
It was then that I discovered the concept of modulation. As I said, it was many years ago, in my ignorant youth.
Simply put modulation enables you to go from one key to an unrelated key by finding a third key which has notes common to both. If it's a very far reaching move you have to come up to it with two or three different chords to get you there.
Then I began to think about the principle of modulation in acting. One of the big concerns of an actor is what motivates his character to do the various things he does. There is an over all objective to the role, but there are smaller objectives along the trail of the plot, and sometimes they may seem to be far from the goal the character has in mind. But they are simply ways of maneuvering things to suit the character and his circumstances. Shakespeare's King Richard the Third says "Why I can smile and murder while I smile and cry 'content' to that which grieves my heart and wet my cheek with artificial tears." Richard was modulating. He was pursuing his goal while seeming to go in an opposite direction just as the composer does when he wants to change the key.
Then I began to think of modulation in terms of human behavior. Take negotiation for example. One side may seem to agree that the other side will get everything it wants but then it will introduce a new consideration not thought of before and the circumstances are changed, there's a new key.
We've all been in a romance at one time or another. Think of the modulating you had to go through to try to win the heart of your loved one, whether you were the pursued or the pursuer.
Lately I've been considering this mechanism of modulation in terms of society, reading history to observe the side movements and adaptations that brought about the events that made our world to day, and watching the same changing of the tracks as society develops into what it is going to be,
Knowing about the principle of modulation has made me an informed skeptic. It's not a negative position, just one that is not ready to accept things the way they appear to be going.
There is still a lot more to be learned. The angel knocked Jacob's thigh out of joint, but Jacob kept wrestling until the dawn came. My thigh is out of joint. I don't think it was touched by an angel, but I'm wrestling with this idea of modulation until the dawn comes.
DB - The Vagabond
____________________
An Autumn Blessing to you.
******************
AUTUMN QUIZ
If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be and why?
You have all Fall to answer if you wish, Reply here or at dbdacoba@aol.com
Thank you
DB
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Justified Jalopies 9/23/09
When you become a senior citizen you will be amazed at how much everyone, except for small children and other seniors, thinks you're stupid.
DB - The Vagabond
*******************
Fall right in here.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
In my younger years a popular word of the day was "nonconformist" which was used in a pejorative sense to describe anyone who seemed to be even slightly eccentric. If one became labeled as a nonconformist certain doors were automatically closed. Most artists were instant nonconformists, of course, if they painted anything but pretty pictures. Nonconformists were not actually societal outcasts. They were merely expected to stay in their place. And what "place" was that? "I wouldn't mind having lunch with a nonconformist, but I wouldn't want my daughter to marry one of them."
As I got older I found myself changing my attitudes and opinions about life and the world around me. And in doing so I began to realize how much conforming I had done for various reasons. One of those was to make a living. One needed to behave the way the industry wanted and expected because that's the way everyone else behaved. So some of us got used to it. But growing up is a process of shedding the uniform that society urges us to wear, or at least realizing that it is a uniform and not our real skin.
Not shedding the uniform of attitudes and opinions that no longer fit is a recipe for foolishness. With age and experience should come the realization of what no longer fits, of what has been outgrown. Some people never seem to do it.
Are there old fools, you ask? Of course. Fools come in all ages. But more often than not senior citizens will sit silently grinning at the world of conformists, not in scorn, but in the remembrance of how they once thought and behaved in the same way, and knowing that growing up is the answer. As someone once said, youth is a condition that improves daily.
The innocence of childhood will treat blessed grandparents more or less as equals because they are only just beginning to learn, both at their detriment and for their survival, to conform to the world's opinions. While two old men sitting on the front porch,, sharing the afternoon sun on their aching knees, may talk of nothing much because the wisdom of old codgerism is also shared.
The more life becomes a parable the less of a fantasy it is.
DB - The Vagabond
**************
May the promise of Autumn brighten your day.
DB - The Vagabond
*******************
Fall right in here.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
In my younger years a popular word of the day was "nonconformist" which was used in a pejorative sense to describe anyone who seemed to be even slightly eccentric. If one became labeled as a nonconformist certain doors were automatically closed. Most artists were instant nonconformists, of course, if they painted anything but pretty pictures. Nonconformists were not actually societal outcasts. They were merely expected to stay in their place. And what "place" was that? "I wouldn't mind having lunch with a nonconformist, but I wouldn't want my daughter to marry one of them."
As I got older I found myself changing my attitudes and opinions about life and the world around me. And in doing so I began to realize how much conforming I had done for various reasons. One of those was to make a living. One needed to behave the way the industry wanted and expected because that's the way everyone else behaved. So some of us got used to it. But growing up is a process of shedding the uniform that society urges us to wear, or at least realizing that it is a uniform and not our real skin.
Not shedding the uniform of attitudes and opinions that no longer fit is a recipe for foolishness. With age and experience should come the realization of what no longer fits, of what has been outgrown. Some people never seem to do it.
Are there old fools, you ask? Of course. Fools come in all ages. But more often than not senior citizens will sit silently grinning at the world of conformists, not in scorn, but in the remembrance of how they once thought and behaved in the same way, and knowing that growing up is the answer. As someone once said, youth is a condition that improves daily.
The innocence of childhood will treat blessed grandparents more or less as equals because they are only just beginning to learn, both at their detriment and for their survival, to conform to the world's opinions. While two old men sitting on the front porch,, sharing the afternoon sun on their aching knees, may talk of nothing much because the wisdom of old codgerism is also shared.
The more life becomes a parable the less of a fantasy it is.
DB - The Vagabond
**************
May the promise of Autumn brighten your day.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Inimical Interpretation 9/22/09
Beware of small minded people. Sometimes the things you do to win their approval simply earn their envy, malice and disrespect.
DB - The Vagabond
***********
Tie your horse to the post out there and come on in.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
In today's Vagabond Journey you will find the results of the SUMMER QUIZ and the start of the AUTUMN QUIZ.
___________________
One of the reasons many performing artists work as hard as they do is for the applause. No matter what else is going on in life, for those few moments after the play is over we feel loved. It means we are approved of. And that is a very important thing in light of all the work that went into preparing for it.
Some wise one once said that the best way to gain approval is not to need it. So be it, but when the approval comes it should be acknowledged. I have known some actors, mainly British actors (don't ask me why) who instead of bowing will give a humble little hypocritical nod to the audience, as if what they did wasn't really that important. I think that's disrespectful of the audience. I have also seen actors who when the audience starts to stand up and clap will finish bowing and leave the stage. What could be more disrespectful? If the audience is going to approve of the actor's work by standing, the actor should stay there and accept the approval and approve of the audience's response. It allows the event to be complete and satisfying for everyone.
Are there rude and disrespectful audiences? Yes. That's a problem that has grown wprse over the past few decades. For one thing, people have become so used to getting their drama on TV where they can talk out loud at will and walk into the kitchen while it's on and no one cares. It also doesn't affect the actors if you talk in a movie theatre although it is certainly disrespectful of others in the audience. I remember sitting in front of a family while watching "Towering Inferno" that kept up a constant chatter all through the film. I don't think it would ever occur to them they were disturbing anyone. I have also heard people taking when I, or someone else, was on stage. And then there are the ubiquitous cell phones that go off during a performance and people actually answering the call rather than turning the damn thing off.
I remember one winter evening seeing a Broadway show starring George Voskovek, you may remember him as one of the Twelve Angry Men. It was a good play though not one that was going to make a big run. There was a small cast and when they came out for the curtain call four people in the front row center, got up, turned their backs on the stage, fussed with putting on their overcoats and walked up the aisle while the rest of us applauded. That was an insult to the actors. If you don't like the play then don't clap. But the least you can do is keep your seat until the curtain closes. Anything else is inexcusable rudeness.
It is hard to know what motivates some people. Is it envy, hatred, malice, ignorance or just simple stupidity? There are still enough civilized people in the world to make a civilization, but they seem to be slowly disappearing.
DB - Vagabond Journeys
_________________
Butterflies and rainbows to you.
******************
SUMMER QUIZ RESULTS
A young man out west took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
There are 23 responses.
_____________________
Give half of it to charity, make sure my family was settled in money for the rest of their lives, and put the rest in the bank (make sure I am settled =))
______________________________
88 Million ~ I would first buy a house... a decent one, but not an outrageous one. Everyone says they'd quit their job... I'm not sure, I really love my job. I think I'd donate some $$ to my school district (since Arnie ain't doin' anything to help!). I'd donate ALOT more to other charities, too!!! = )
_______________________________
1.I would make another trip to our great estate attorney.
2.I would start traveling the world. I would start with Europe. If my husband retires, I would take him along.
3.I would give certain amts to certain charities locally that I feel are deserving and I will know stay in this community.
Also I feel it is extremely important to know what NOT to do with you winnings!
________________________________
Okay the 88 mill? I'd throw it in the bank for my grand kids. Boringly honest lol.
________________________________
If I were to win $88 million in the lottery, I would: 1. pay off all my debts 2. secure some financial security for my children 3. buy a cottage in Ireland
_________________________________
I would say, I'll help my friend realize her dream about putting up an institution where the least fortunates can enjoy education to the maximum without paying a dime. All they do is if they have what it takes, then they can have it!
We would like to educate the people who can't afford to go to school but have the appetite to learn.
Too much commercializing with our education these days. Another project she has in mind is putting up a Library for all to learn.
She has plenty of dreams and is working on it literally. One step at a time and she certainly employs her patience and faith.
Wouldn't it be a big help for this money to go towards doing worthwhile Charity?
______________________________________
Eight million, I give to schools to establish SADD programs in all the schools in our area to make kids aware of the dangers of destructive decisions like drinking and drugs. my nephew was a member of SADD at his school when he and his Mom, my Sis Elaine were killed by a drunk driving doctor. So this has always been something very important to me.
I'd help my family and friends out who need help with expenses and Jerr and I would enjoy taking it easy and traveling and enjoying our country.
__________________________________
Put enough away to fund retirement, take the remaining and split evenly between helping Friends/Family(including bloggers) and Charity.
_____________________________
if i had 88 million dollars i would give part to the schools (both public and private) in my area to help keep them open/ running. i would keep teaching/ working.
i would buy an old house on some land and plant wildflowers in my yard/ pasture.
i would buy a horse and learn to do something like barrel roping. my whole childhood (what little there was of it) i wanted a damn horse.
_______________________________________
I would love to sit and think about spending 88 Million Dollars ~ but I like the others would want to help others ~ that would be lovely ~
______________________________________
To the issue at hand...if I won 88 million dollars
1) Attend to the taxes so it could not be taken away ...
2)Set up self, and family and certain friends with essentials and means for .....needs and some wants
3)Fund certain health related research and implementation and
3b)Fund starving artists
__________________________________
1. start a business
2. buy a house
3. give a little money to family and charities
I guess I would have some left over, but that's where I'd start, I'd imagine.
If I could have said more, I'd visit some people around the country, like you, DB. I'd also go to some conferences and schooling I've wanted to attend! Oh, the things I would do! But then with money sometimes comes trouble... Everybody wants something from you, and your life becomes complicated! So I guess I'll make my money the old-fashioned way, and not have so much of it perhaps...
Thanks for a great question,
_________________________________
As to winning 88 million dollars?
Well, let me think....
If I'll invest it, the crocs will turn into dinosaur.
If I'll spend it as if there is no tomorrow, I'll turn into a pauper as quickly as I become a Princess.
If I give it to .... who?
In other words, I have no idea what to do with it.
__________________________________________
1. Pay off all my debts, including my mortgage
2. Pay off the debts of my parents and in-laws
3. Take everyone I know out to dinner.
________________________________________
build a new house for my daughter & family. One that was totally wheelchair accessible for her, so she could be in the whole house instead of just three rooms like she's been for the last 7 years. Then a new place for my son & of course for myself. 2. Donate money to many worthy charities 3.Throw a giant all expenses paid party for my Blooger friends. Envelopes with lots of money would be handed out at the door to each guest
_______________________________________
I would take you out to lunch again and have the crab cakes. I would also leave you with a couple of books that I am sure you would leaf through quickly.
Then I would invite a group of our blogger friends to spend a week with us so we could all enjoy each others company. Maybe even lease a cruise ship so Linda would be sure to come.
I would become one of the most generous persons in this area.
It would be fun spreading the cash around to others who have a need. That would make me happy.
__________________________________________
I am not a wonderful noble person. The first thing I would do is employ my brother's lawyer friend, the second thing I would do is locate a country estate, private and secure to move to, and the third thing I would do is purchase a Mini Cooper.
Beyond that I have plans and dreams.
_________________________
1. get the best medical attention money can buy
2. buy some land with a house already on it
or build a log cabin
or maybe both
3. contribute financially to close family members
p.s.
I play CLASSIC LOTTO 47
____________________________
Take my family to get all health issues corrected.
2. Buy a simple home for me and my family. One with a beautiful yard to grow with. Like Steinbeck stated in "Of Mice and Men".
"An' live on the fatta lan'."
3. Use my Ideas to start a Universal Charity Organization. One that helps all people with all kinds of problems.
1) I'd give about $40 million back to the government in taxes.
2) Pay off the mortgage, a few other debts...the usual stuff.
3) Relocate to where locks aren't quite so important.
__________________________
First, I'd pay off our mortgage. Next, I'd travel to Egypt. No third one at the moment. The remainder would go to charities and investments.
Pay off and fix up my house.
Buy or invest in an already existing theatre company.
Pay off all debt owed by Cindy, me, immediate family and close friends (yourself included...though for you it might be to buy you a condo in Manhattan) before going off on a nice vacation around the world.
If I won 88 million dollars, I would try to improve society. And take a long vacation.
________________________________
Thank you all. Great answers. Now try the AUTUMN QUIZ.
**********************************
AUTUMN QUIZ
All of the questions submitted are good ones but the esteemed, distinguished panel of judges has chosen for the Autumn Quiz the question submitted by Ken of BUCKOCLOWN, not just because he's a hell of a nice guy but because it's a good autumnal question.
: If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be and why?
You have all Fall to answer if you wish, Reply here or at dbdacoba@aol.com
Thank you
DB
DB - The Vagabond
***********
Tie your horse to the post out there and come on in.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
In today's Vagabond Journey you will find the results of the SUMMER QUIZ and the start of the AUTUMN QUIZ.
___________________
One of the reasons many performing artists work as hard as they do is for the applause. No matter what else is going on in life, for those few moments after the play is over we feel loved. It means we are approved of. And that is a very important thing in light of all the work that went into preparing for it.
Some wise one once said that the best way to gain approval is not to need it. So be it, but when the approval comes it should be acknowledged. I have known some actors, mainly British actors (don't ask me why) who instead of bowing will give a humble little hypocritical nod to the audience, as if what they did wasn't really that important. I think that's disrespectful of the audience. I have also seen actors who when the audience starts to stand up and clap will finish bowing and leave the stage. What could be more disrespectful? If the audience is going to approve of the actor's work by standing, the actor should stay there and accept the approval and approve of the audience's response. It allows the event to be complete and satisfying for everyone.
Are there rude and disrespectful audiences? Yes. That's a problem that has grown wprse over the past few decades. For one thing, people have become so used to getting their drama on TV where they can talk out loud at will and walk into the kitchen while it's on and no one cares. It also doesn't affect the actors if you talk in a movie theatre although it is certainly disrespectful of others in the audience. I remember sitting in front of a family while watching "Towering Inferno" that kept up a constant chatter all through the film. I don't think it would ever occur to them they were disturbing anyone. I have also heard people taking when I, or someone else, was on stage. And then there are the ubiquitous cell phones that go off during a performance and people actually answering the call rather than turning the damn thing off.
I remember one winter evening seeing a Broadway show starring George Voskovek, you may remember him as one of the Twelve Angry Men. It was a good play though not one that was going to make a big run. There was a small cast and when they came out for the curtain call four people in the front row center, got up, turned their backs on the stage, fussed with putting on their overcoats and walked up the aisle while the rest of us applauded. That was an insult to the actors. If you don't like the play then don't clap. But the least you can do is keep your seat until the curtain closes. Anything else is inexcusable rudeness.
It is hard to know what motivates some people. Is it envy, hatred, malice, ignorance or just simple stupidity? There are still enough civilized people in the world to make a civilization, but they seem to be slowly disappearing.
DB - Vagabond Journeys
_________________
Butterflies and rainbows to you.
******************
SUMMER QUIZ RESULTS
A young man out west took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
There are 23 responses.
_____________________
Give half of it to charity, make sure my family was settled in money for the rest of their lives, and put the rest in the bank (make sure I am settled =))
______________________________
88 Million ~ I would first buy a house... a decent one, but not an outrageous one. Everyone says they'd quit their job... I'm not sure, I really love my job. I think I'd donate some $$ to my school district (since Arnie ain't doin' anything to help!). I'd donate ALOT more to other charities, too!!! = )
_______________________________
1.I would make another trip to our great estate attorney.
2.I would start traveling the world. I would start with Europe. If my husband retires, I would take him along.
3.I would give certain amts to certain charities locally that I feel are deserving and I will know stay in this community.
Also I feel it is extremely important to know what NOT to do with you winnings!
________________________________
Okay the 88 mill? I'd throw it in the bank for my grand kids. Boringly honest lol.
________________________________
If I were to win $88 million in the lottery, I would: 1. pay off all my debts 2. secure some financial security for my children 3. buy a cottage in Ireland
_________________________________
I would say, I'll help my friend realize her dream about putting up an institution where the least fortunates can enjoy education to the maximum without paying a dime. All they do is if they have what it takes, then they can have it!
We would like to educate the people who can't afford to go to school but have the appetite to learn.
Too much commercializing with our education these days. Another project she has in mind is putting up a Library for all to learn.
She has plenty of dreams and is working on it literally. One step at a time and she certainly employs her patience and faith.
Wouldn't it be a big help for this money to go towards doing worthwhile Charity?
______________________________________
Eight million, I give to schools to establish SADD programs in all the schools in our area to make kids aware of the dangers of destructive decisions like drinking and drugs. my nephew was a member of SADD at his school when he and his Mom, my Sis Elaine were killed by a drunk driving doctor. So this has always been something very important to me.
I'd help my family and friends out who need help with expenses and Jerr and I would enjoy taking it easy and traveling and enjoying our country.
__________________________________
Put enough away to fund retirement, take the remaining and split evenly between helping Friends/Family(including bloggers) and Charity.
_____________________________
if i had 88 million dollars i would give part to the schools (both public and private) in my area to help keep them open/ running. i would keep teaching/ working.
i would buy an old house on some land and plant wildflowers in my yard/ pasture.
i would buy a horse and learn to do something like barrel roping. my whole childhood (what little there was of it) i wanted a damn horse.
_______________________________________
I would love to sit and think about spending 88 Million Dollars ~ but I like the others would want to help others ~ that would be lovely ~
______________________________________
To the issue at hand...if I won 88 million dollars
1) Attend to the taxes so it could not be taken away ...
2)Set up self, and family and certain friends with essentials and means for .....needs and some wants
3)Fund certain health related research and implementation and
3b)Fund starving artists
__________________________________
1. start a business
2. buy a house
3. give a little money to family and charities
I guess I would have some left over, but that's where I'd start, I'd imagine.
If I could have said more, I'd visit some people around the country, like you, DB. I'd also go to some conferences and schooling I've wanted to attend! Oh, the things I would do! But then with money sometimes comes trouble... Everybody wants something from you, and your life becomes complicated! So I guess I'll make my money the old-fashioned way, and not have so much of it perhaps...
Thanks for a great question,
_________________________________
As to winning 88 million dollars?
Well, let me think....
If I'll invest it, the crocs will turn into dinosaur.
If I'll spend it as if there is no tomorrow, I'll turn into a pauper as quickly as I become a Princess.
If I give it to .... who?
In other words, I have no idea what to do with it.
__________________________________________
1. Pay off all my debts, including my mortgage
2. Pay off the debts of my parents and in-laws
3. Take everyone I know out to dinner.
________________________________________
build a new house for my daughter & family. One that was totally wheelchair accessible for her, so she could be in the whole house instead of just three rooms like she's been for the last 7 years. Then a new place for my son & of course for myself. 2. Donate money to many worthy charities 3.Throw a giant all expenses paid party for my Blooger friends. Envelopes with lots of money would be handed out at the door to each guest
_______________________________________
I would take you out to lunch again and have the crab cakes. I would also leave you with a couple of books that I am sure you would leaf through quickly.
Then I would invite a group of our blogger friends to spend a week with us so we could all enjoy each others company. Maybe even lease a cruise ship so Linda would be sure to come.
I would become one of the most generous persons in this area.
It would be fun spreading the cash around to others who have a need. That would make me happy.
__________________________________________
I am not a wonderful noble person. The first thing I would do is employ my brother's lawyer friend, the second thing I would do is locate a country estate, private and secure to move to, and the third thing I would do is purchase a Mini Cooper.
Beyond that I have plans and dreams.
_________________________
1. get the best medical attention money can buy
2. buy some land with a house already on it
or build a log cabin
or maybe both
3. contribute financially to close family members
p.s.
I play CLASSIC LOTTO 47
____________________________
Take my family to get all health issues corrected.
2. Buy a simple home for me and my family. One with a beautiful yard to grow with. Like Steinbeck stated in "Of Mice and Men".
"An' live on the fatta lan'."
3. Use my Ideas to start a Universal Charity Organization. One that helps all people with all kinds of problems.
1) I'd give about $40 million back to the government in taxes.
2) Pay off the mortgage, a few other debts...the usual stuff.
3) Relocate to where locks aren't quite so important.
__________________________
First, I'd pay off our mortgage. Next, I'd travel to Egypt. No third one at the moment. The remainder would go to charities and investments.
Pay off and fix up my house.
Buy or invest in an already existing theatre company.
Pay off all debt owed by Cindy, me, immediate family and close friends (yourself included...though for you it might be to buy you a condo in Manhattan) before going off on a nice vacation around the world.
If I won 88 million dollars, I would try to improve society. And take a long vacation.
________________________________
Thank you all. Great answers. Now try the AUTUMN QUIZ.
**********************************
AUTUMN QUIZ
All of the questions submitted are good ones but the esteemed, distinguished panel of judges has chosen for the Autumn Quiz the question submitted by Ken of BUCKOCLOWN, not just because he's a hell of a nice guy but because it's a good autumnal question.
: If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be and why?
You have all Fall to answer if you wish, Reply here or at dbdacoba@aol.com
Thank you
DB
Monday, September 21, 2009
Horrible Housekeeping 9/21/09
I don't mind if there's clutter in my life. It always assures me that I have something to do.
DB - The Vagabond
******************
Well, look who's here.
_____________________
Ah, the games we play, the tricks we play.
I might as well have a job I don't like. Monday through Friday I spend in a state of dread and stress trying to get this law suit settled in a satisfactory manner. Every time I think I have a loose end tied up it pops out somewhere else. I'm surrounded by threats and starving for information. I can only get slivers of it at a time. I don't know what's going on in the court or out of it because there isn't much people can tell me yet. I know about courts. The court is a contest between two sides in which only one side knows the rules.
While facing the dread of some other document showing up at my front door and facing it alone, I have a hard time dealing with anything else. Almost everything in my life has to wait. So when the weekend comes I can relax somewhat. But it usually takes me until Saturday evening before I start seriously thinking about anything else. I'm glad to be an American, But sometimes it's hard when the law allows the rich to sue the poor for money.
I woke up at 6 a.m. this Sunday in order to listen to one of my favorite radio programs: Sunday Morning Opera, with Sandy Steiglitz, WPRB, Princeton, New Jersey. (She'll make an opera lover out of you.) I used to go on the air when I was a morning DJ. Now that I'm retired I let Ms. Steiglitz do it for me. The apartment was cold when I got up. I have theoretical heat. There's a thermostat. The radiator clicks a little bit and it heats up the carpet next to it. That's it. So I went looking for the heater I bought last year when I was shivering.
There's nothing like searching for something to tell you how much chaos you have in your home. There's nothing like focusing your mind on a problem that demands to be solved to show you how much unnecessary mental and emotional baggage, doubts, fears, confusions, dreads, overlooked duties, forgotten responsibilities and unfinished work is lurking in the dusty corners. Until the trouble is over it will just have to wait.
DB - The Vagabond
__________________
Pray.
****************
WEEKEND QUESTION
This is your last chance.
Summer is almost over, Autumn is on the way (check your calendar if you don't believe me). Answers to the SUMMER QUIZ will be posted on the first day of Autumn, tomorrow. But then the AUTUMN QUIZ will start. And that's where you come in.
Your mission is to provide me with a question, or two or three, for the AUTUMN QUIZ. You may enter as many times as you wish (no proof of purchase necessary) but you have only today, so get cracking. There are only 4 responses so far.
The decision of the biased, curmudgeonly judge is final.
The winner not only gets his/her question posted for the season, but also gets to sit on my front porch and listen to me ramble on for hours about nothing in particular.
Good luck.
DB
DB - The Vagabond
******************
Well, look who's here.
_____________________
Ah, the games we play, the tricks we play.
I might as well have a job I don't like. Monday through Friday I spend in a state of dread and stress trying to get this law suit settled in a satisfactory manner. Every time I think I have a loose end tied up it pops out somewhere else. I'm surrounded by threats and starving for information. I can only get slivers of it at a time. I don't know what's going on in the court or out of it because there isn't much people can tell me yet. I know about courts. The court is a contest between two sides in which only one side knows the rules.
While facing the dread of some other document showing up at my front door and facing it alone, I have a hard time dealing with anything else. Almost everything in my life has to wait. So when the weekend comes I can relax somewhat. But it usually takes me until Saturday evening before I start seriously thinking about anything else. I'm glad to be an American, But sometimes it's hard when the law allows the rich to sue the poor for money.
I woke up at 6 a.m. this Sunday in order to listen to one of my favorite radio programs: Sunday Morning Opera, with Sandy Steiglitz, WPRB, Princeton, New Jersey. (She'll make an opera lover out of you.) I used to go on the air when I was a morning DJ. Now that I'm retired I let Ms. Steiglitz do it for me. The apartment was cold when I got up. I have theoretical heat. There's a thermostat. The radiator clicks a little bit and it heats up the carpet next to it. That's it. So I went looking for the heater I bought last year when I was shivering.
There's nothing like searching for something to tell you how much chaos you have in your home. There's nothing like focusing your mind on a problem that demands to be solved to show you how much unnecessary mental and emotional baggage, doubts, fears, confusions, dreads, overlooked duties, forgotten responsibilities and unfinished work is lurking in the dusty corners. Until the trouble is over it will just have to wait.
DB - The Vagabond
__________________
Pray.
****************
WEEKEND QUESTION
This is your last chance.
Summer is almost over, Autumn is on the way (check your calendar if you don't believe me). Answers to the SUMMER QUIZ will be posted on the first day of Autumn, tomorrow. But then the AUTUMN QUIZ will start. And that's where you come in.
Your mission is to provide me with a question, or two or three, for the AUTUMN QUIZ. You may enter as many times as you wish (no proof of purchase necessary) but you have only today, so get cracking. There are only 4 responses so far.
The decision of the biased, curmudgeonly judge is final.
The winner not only gets his/her question posted for the season, but also gets to sit on my front porch and listen to me ramble on for hours about nothing in particular.
Good luck.
DB
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Gracious Grieving 9/20/09
I loved and I lost, but I will live to love again.
DB - The Vagabond
**********
Hello.
________________
Someone I don't know wrote a limerick about me. The last three lines read:
"His heart he did grieve
Was not worn on his sleeve
But left outside on a plate."
When I first began this journal I accepted the fact that it was a public document and hence wanted to avoid using it to moan about my personal problems. Instead, I thought it would be a good opportunity to express my ideas about life through remembering past events and people, and using them to illustrate the thoughts and observations I was trying to express.
I've had a busy life, filled with people and places, events, artistic ventures, successes and failures, wisdom and folly. There have been a lot of women in my life, for good or otherwise. I have had a lot of love affairs. None of them lasted. My heart has been broken many times. Someone said "Well, you've just picked the wrong women." There is nothing therapeutic about that remark, it's obvious.
So now, from the solitude of my retired life, I thought I would put forth in my journal the love I have, in the friendliest manner I could, to whomever would like to receive it. My heart is still on the plate.
But lately my readers have become very scarce. I enjoy writing. Besides hearing music, it is the only pleasure I have in the midst of the sorrows and troubles of my life. It is the only way, given the illnesses that keep me inside, to spend the affections I feel for my fellows. I guess I have to find a different way of doing it.
DB
**************
WEEKEND QUESTION
Summer is almost over, Autumn is on the way (check your calendar if you don't believe me). Answers to the SUMMER QUIZ will be posted on the first Day of Autumn. But then the AUTUMN QUIZ will start. And that's where you come in.
Your mission is to provide me with a question, or two or three, for the AUTUMN QUIZ. You may enter as many times as you wish (no proof of purchase necessary) but you have only until tomorrow, so get cracking. Thee are only 4 responses so far.
The decision of the biased, curmudgeonly judge is final.
The winner not only gets his/her question posted for the season, but also gets to sit on my front porch and listen to me ramble on for hours about nothing in particular.
Good luck.
DB
DB - The Vagabond
**********
Hello.
________________
Someone I don't know wrote a limerick about me. The last three lines read:
"His heart he did grieve
Was not worn on his sleeve
But left outside on a plate."
When I first began this journal I accepted the fact that it was a public document and hence wanted to avoid using it to moan about my personal problems. Instead, I thought it would be a good opportunity to express my ideas about life through remembering past events and people, and using them to illustrate the thoughts and observations I was trying to express.
I've had a busy life, filled with people and places, events, artistic ventures, successes and failures, wisdom and folly. There have been a lot of women in my life, for good or otherwise. I have had a lot of love affairs. None of them lasted. My heart has been broken many times. Someone said "Well, you've just picked the wrong women." There is nothing therapeutic about that remark, it's obvious.
So now, from the solitude of my retired life, I thought I would put forth in my journal the love I have, in the friendliest manner I could, to whomever would like to receive it. My heart is still on the plate.
But lately my readers have become very scarce. I enjoy writing. Besides hearing music, it is the only pleasure I have in the midst of the sorrows and troubles of my life. It is the only way, given the illnesses that keep me inside, to spend the affections I feel for my fellows. I guess I have to find a different way of doing it.
DB
**************
WEEKEND QUESTION
Summer is almost over, Autumn is on the way (check your calendar if you don't believe me). Answers to the SUMMER QUIZ will be posted on the first Day of Autumn. But then the AUTUMN QUIZ will start. And that's where you come in.
Your mission is to provide me with a question, or two or three, for the AUTUMN QUIZ. You may enter as many times as you wish (no proof of purchase necessary) but you have only until tomorrow, so get cracking. Thee are only 4 responses so far.
The decision of the biased, curmudgeonly judge is final.
The winner not only gets his/her question posted for the season, but also gets to sit on my front porch and listen to me ramble on for hours about nothing in particular.
Good luck.
DB
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Fecund Findings 9/19/09
Sometimes the pathless life is best. A stroll through the garden is pleasant, but it's man made nature. A walk in the forest is wild and dangerous, but it's the real thing.
DB - The Vagabond
********************
Welcome to my world.
___________________
One of the things I find so frustratingly hard to comprehend is why I and everyone else cannot gain release from the grasp of the senses. Even though the wisdom of the ages has urged us to look beyond the obvious, to the reality that can't be seen and heard and to except the possibilities, therefore, of discovering real truth.
The quote at the top of this entry, posted a few days ago on Vagabond Jottings,
http://vagabondjottings.blogspot.com./ brought some comments that let me know how truly important the words are.
Years ago there was a TV commercial about a company that was trying to sell a subscription to classical music records. It was aimed at first time classical music listeners. One of the comments in the ad, no doubt thinking it would help sell the records, was "We've taken out all the unfamiliar music." It was a horrifying idea. First, what gives the company the right to take a scalpel to some great composers life work and compositions. And second, why would anyone not want to listen to "unfamiliar" music? Because it's dangerous? A walk in the forest?
We can go through life along the same old mental road, viewing the same old landmarks and feel very comfortable about it, without knowing the road is more than just a road, a familiar path which never approaches the forest of discovery. It's convenient. It's safe. It seems right and doesn't require many questions.
We have been shown or have shown ourselves that it's the right way to go. And if we choose not to follow it one day we will simply find another road, just as safe and convenient. I do not speak of roads, streets or highways.
I do not speak just of gardens or forests, Why should I? Because to speak otherwise is unfamiliar music. It's wild and dangerous. It's much safer to stay on the well constructed path through the carefully designed garden of mythological sensations than to venture into the chaos of unknown truth.
Every garden is a library, a collection of the known world, gathered, simplified, clear to the eyes and carefully planted in an organized manner and tended by human love and effort. Every forest is a tangle of known and unknown ideas, of unfamiliar music, of discoveries, of a reality beyond what we have seen and heard and thought.
I am not talking about gardens. I am not talking about forests. I'm talking of realities, discoveries, a journey of the mind through the unusual and unexpected. Sometimes the pathless life is best.
DB - The Vagabond
******************
Let the weekend ring.
____________________
WEEKEND QUESTION
Summer is almost over, Autumn is on the way (check your calendar if you don't believe me). Answers to the SUMMER QUIZ will be posted on the first day of Autumn. But then the AUTUMN QUIZ will start. And that's where you come in.
Your mission is to provide me with a question, or two or three, for the AUTUMN QUIZ. You may enter as many times as you wish (no proof of purchase necessary) but you have only till Monday, so get cracking.
Only 4 responses so far.
The decision of the biased, curmudgeonly judge is final.
The winner not only gets his/her question posted for the season, but also gets to sit on my front porch and listen to me ramble on for hours about nothing in particular.
Good luck.
DB
DB - The Vagabond
********************
Welcome to my world.
___________________
One of the things I find so frustratingly hard to comprehend is why I and everyone else cannot gain release from the grasp of the senses. Even though the wisdom of the ages has urged us to look beyond the obvious, to the reality that can't be seen and heard and to except the possibilities, therefore, of discovering real truth.
The quote at the top of this entry, posted a few days ago on Vagabond Jottings,
http://vagabondjottings.blogspot.com./ brought some comments that let me know how truly important the words are.
Years ago there was a TV commercial about a company that was trying to sell a subscription to classical music records. It was aimed at first time classical music listeners. One of the comments in the ad, no doubt thinking it would help sell the records, was "We've taken out all the unfamiliar music." It was a horrifying idea. First, what gives the company the right to take a scalpel to some great composers life work and compositions. And second, why would anyone not want to listen to "unfamiliar" music? Because it's dangerous? A walk in the forest?
We can go through life along the same old mental road, viewing the same old landmarks and feel very comfortable about it, without knowing the road is more than just a road, a familiar path which never approaches the forest of discovery. It's convenient. It's safe. It seems right and doesn't require many questions.
We have been shown or have shown ourselves that it's the right way to go. And if we choose not to follow it one day we will simply find another road, just as safe and convenient. I do not speak of roads, streets or highways.
I do not speak just of gardens or forests, Why should I? Because to speak otherwise is unfamiliar music. It's wild and dangerous. It's much safer to stay on the well constructed path through the carefully designed garden of mythological sensations than to venture into the chaos of unknown truth.
Every garden is a library, a collection of the known world, gathered, simplified, clear to the eyes and carefully planted in an organized manner and tended by human love and effort. Every forest is a tangle of known and unknown ideas, of unfamiliar music, of discoveries, of a reality beyond what we have seen and heard and thought.
I am not talking about gardens. I am not talking about forests. I'm talking of realities, discoveries, a journey of the mind through the unusual and unexpected. Sometimes the pathless life is best.
DB - The Vagabond
******************
Let the weekend ring.
____________________
WEEKEND QUESTION
Summer is almost over, Autumn is on the way (check your calendar if you don't believe me). Answers to the SUMMER QUIZ will be posted on the first day of Autumn. But then the AUTUMN QUIZ will start. And that's where you come in.
Your mission is to provide me with a question, or two or three, for the AUTUMN QUIZ. You may enter as many times as you wish (no proof of purchase necessary) but you have only till Monday, so get cracking.
Only 4 responses so far.
The decision of the biased, curmudgeonly judge is final.
The winner not only gets his/her question posted for the season, but also gets to sit on my front porch and listen to me ramble on for hours about nothing in particular.
Good luck.
DB
Friday, September 18, 2009
Executive Entertainment 9/18/09
What is he? He's a paradox. He's a sad man with a sense of humor, a dark man who spreads light, a sinister man with an adroit wit, a tragic figure with a comic face. Who is he? He's the court jester.
DB - The Vagabond
**************
Come in and lighten up.
___________________
"He who'd make his fellow creatures wise should always gild the philosophic pill." So says Jack Point, one of the famous fictional jesters. It isn't odd that people of the theatre should be interested in the phenomena of the court jesters, also called fools, because in among the self-important personages of the court, the jester was an entertainer.
Jack Point is the jester in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Yeoman Of The Guard." Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Rigoletto" is about a jester who ridicules the wrong man and gets a curse put on him. And probably the most famous fool of dramatic literature is the Fool in "King Lear."
The term "fool" did not have it's contemporary meaning. It had to do more with foolery than foolishness. The fool appeared to be an ignorant simpleton who made funny yet astute observations of the world around him. I don't think anyone knows how the institution of the court jester originated, but it goes way back into ancient history. Even the Aztec monarchs had court jesters.
The jester's job was to entertain the king or whatever leader was employing him and that frequently meant making fun of those around the king, particularly his enemies.
Over the years jesters became very important for many reasons and some even became quite wealthy. It was the right and duty of the jester to stomp through all the political mud and throw a verbal pie in the face of pretension and hypocrisy. That made him very popular with some and very unpopular with others. The closest thing we have to the court jester today is the stand up comic, particularly if his act is about the politics of the day.
One of the real, historical jester of the past was a man named Archibald Armstrong. He was the court jester to King James I of England. James was the monarch who succeeded Elizabeth I and the man partly responsible for the King James Bible. "Archy" was a great favorite of the King's and also of Charles, his successor. He was awarded a pension and some land in Ireland. Archy's life was often threatened. He had an acid tongue for people he didn't like but he was a loyal employee of his king. The two kings he worked for relied on him. Charles even took him along to Spain where he served well. Armstrong wrote and published a book called "A Banquet of Jests." He and his wife eventually retired to Scotland where he had come from. Some say Archibald Armstrong was the jester that Shakespeare fashioned the fool in Lear after.
Here's the point of today's entry. I think one of the problems in the world today is the demise of the court jester. I really do believe that. I believe there ought to be a fool on the payroll of every king, prince, president, prime minister and any one else with the badge of authority on a national or international level, in the same way there is a poet laureate, an astronomer royal or a body guard. Naturally, some of the more humorless and self-important people in this world will object to being made fun of, but think how many self appointed authorities on politics and ideologies in America could benefit us all by having their ridiculous mud puddles stomped through and having verbal pies thrown in their pretentious and hypocritical faces. If the big time unreasonable and divisive bullies knew there was someone in the room who was allowed to point out their dirty underwear they might be more careful of what they say and decide to do.
There is a lot of awful inane behavior happening and stupid speeches being made in this country these day and I don't hear anyone laughing.
Lighten up folks and see the joke.
DB - The Vagabond
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
May your old summer gracefully become your young autumn.
________________________
SUMMER QUIZ
This is not a contest.
A young man out west just took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
You have the summer to answer if you wish.
23 responses so far.
DB
DB - The Vagabond
**************
Come in and lighten up.
___________________
"He who'd make his fellow creatures wise should always gild the philosophic pill." So says Jack Point, one of the famous fictional jesters. It isn't odd that people of the theatre should be interested in the phenomena of the court jesters, also called fools, because in among the self-important personages of the court, the jester was an entertainer.
Jack Point is the jester in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Yeoman Of The Guard." Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Rigoletto" is about a jester who ridicules the wrong man and gets a curse put on him. And probably the most famous fool of dramatic literature is the Fool in "King Lear."
The term "fool" did not have it's contemporary meaning. It had to do more with foolery than foolishness. The fool appeared to be an ignorant simpleton who made funny yet astute observations of the world around him. I don't think anyone knows how the institution of the court jester originated, but it goes way back into ancient history. Even the Aztec monarchs had court jesters.
The jester's job was to entertain the king or whatever leader was employing him and that frequently meant making fun of those around the king, particularly his enemies.
Over the years jesters became very important for many reasons and some even became quite wealthy. It was the right and duty of the jester to stomp through all the political mud and throw a verbal pie in the face of pretension and hypocrisy. That made him very popular with some and very unpopular with others. The closest thing we have to the court jester today is the stand up comic, particularly if his act is about the politics of the day.
One of the real, historical jester of the past was a man named Archibald Armstrong. He was the court jester to King James I of England. James was the monarch who succeeded Elizabeth I and the man partly responsible for the King James Bible. "Archy" was a great favorite of the King's and also of Charles, his successor. He was awarded a pension and some land in Ireland. Archy's life was often threatened. He had an acid tongue for people he didn't like but he was a loyal employee of his king. The two kings he worked for relied on him. Charles even took him along to Spain where he served well. Armstrong wrote and published a book called "A Banquet of Jests." He and his wife eventually retired to Scotland where he had come from. Some say Archibald Armstrong was the jester that Shakespeare fashioned the fool in Lear after.
Here's the point of today's entry. I think one of the problems in the world today is the demise of the court jester. I really do believe that. I believe there ought to be a fool on the payroll of every king, prince, president, prime minister and any one else with the badge of authority on a national or international level, in the same way there is a poet laureate, an astronomer royal or a body guard. Naturally, some of the more humorless and self-important people in this world will object to being made fun of, but think how many self appointed authorities on politics and ideologies in America could benefit us all by having their ridiculous mud puddles stomped through and having verbal pies thrown in their pretentious and hypocritical faces. If the big time unreasonable and divisive bullies knew there was someone in the room who was allowed to point out their dirty underwear they might be more careful of what they say and decide to do.
There is a lot of awful inane behavior happening and stupid speeches being made in this country these day and I don't hear anyone laughing.
Lighten up folks and see the joke.
DB - The Vagabond
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
May your old summer gracefully become your young autumn.
________________________
SUMMER QUIZ
This is not a contest.
A young man out west just took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
You have the summer to answer if you wish.
23 responses so far.
DB
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Dominant Definitions 9/17/09
Count your blessings. The disappearance and absence of evil things is not one of them. The appearance and presence of good things is.
DB - The Vagabond
********************
Step right up.
________________
There's an old joke about the man who wore too tight shoes all day because it felt so good when he took them off. It seems like such a blessing when we get out of some difficulty, whether it's the relief of pain and sickness, the solving of some thorny problem, the finally finding of some lost object or the erasing of some circumstance we dread or fear. We consider it a boon because our reaction is a positive one, an improvement in life.
But the job isn't done until we examine the reasons why we got into hot water in the first place. It may not be our fault that bad things occurred. There is something we didn't notice, were unprepared for or caused by someone else's carelessness or wrong doing. And so we learn to try to avoid certain things in the future.
But there is another effort to be done and that is to shun midnight thinking, that cusp between the ending of one thing and the beginning of another that puts us in a vulnerable place where suggestions come from some nameless source, the place that causes us to imagine monsters, dragons of despair and intruders into our peace and expectation of good. Our thoughts should be guarded and carefully chosen in order to drive that darkness from the door.
One of the great blessings we have as humans is that we can choose what to think. Some wise person said "Think before you think." I've read that throughout history wise people have invited us to choose good over evil and that choosing is not just picking the right object to buy, the right thing to eat or the right book to read. The vast and vigorous commercial advertising business is busy convincing us that happiness is to be found in one product or another. They are so good at convincing us that we tend to believe them and go out and buy it. But happiness doesn't come in a box, bottle or tube.
"Count your blessings" is one of those bromides people often tell others who are unhappy about something. But what does it really mean? A blessing is not something that sits in the corner smiling at us when we are depressed about something. It is an active energy that tells us we have more control over our circumstances than we have been giving ourselves. It is the good news that we can allow ourselves and are allowed to be happy. It is the prompter that cues us to take more charge of what we think. It is the challenge to form and keep a good opinion of ourselves. It is the mirror that shows us we are bigger, stronger and more important than our problems.
The positive thinking philosophy of Dale Carnegie and others is a great step in the right direction. Underlying that philosophy is the fact that thoughts have power for good or ill. That's why it's important to choose what we think. We can choose the good. We can choose to thumb our noses at fear and hate. We can choose to take a dashing surf board ride over tragedy. In short, we can choose to bless ourselves and others and to enjoy the blessings that come from such thinking.
Everyone deserves a blessing. Even you. Especially you.
DB - The Vagabond
____________________
May love be the reason.
**********************
DB - The Vagabond
********************
Step right up.
________________
There's an old joke about the man who wore too tight shoes all day because it felt so good when he took them off. It seems like such a blessing when we get out of some difficulty, whether it's the relief of pain and sickness, the solving of some thorny problem, the finally finding of some lost object or the erasing of some circumstance we dread or fear. We consider it a boon because our reaction is a positive one, an improvement in life.
But the job isn't done until we examine the reasons why we got into hot water in the first place. It may not be our fault that bad things occurred. There is something we didn't notice, were unprepared for or caused by someone else's carelessness or wrong doing. And so we learn to try to avoid certain things in the future.
But there is another effort to be done and that is to shun midnight thinking, that cusp between the ending of one thing and the beginning of another that puts us in a vulnerable place where suggestions come from some nameless source, the place that causes us to imagine monsters, dragons of despair and intruders into our peace and expectation of good. Our thoughts should be guarded and carefully chosen in order to drive that darkness from the door.
One of the great blessings we have as humans is that we can choose what to think. Some wise person said "Think before you think." I've read that throughout history wise people have invited us to choose good over evil and that choosing is not just picking the right object to buy, the right thing to eat or the right book to read. The vast and vigorous commercial advertising business is busy convincing us that happiness is to be found in one product or another. They are so good at convincing us that we tend to believe them and go out and buy it. But happiness doesn't come in a box, bottle or tube.
"Count your blessings" is one of those bromides people often tell others who are unhappy about something. But what does it really mean? A blessing is not something that sits in the corner smiling at us when we are depressed about something. It is an active energy that tells us we have more control over our circumstances than we have been giving ourselves. It is the good news that we can allow ourselves and are allowed to be happy. It is the prompter that cues us to take more charge of what we think. It is the challenge to form and keep a good opinion of ourselves. It is the mirror that shows us we are bigger, stronger and more important than our problems.
The positive thinking philosophy of Dale Carnegie and others is a great step in the right direction. Underlying that philosophy is the fact that thoughts have power for good or ill. That's why it's important to choose what we think. We can choose the good. We can choose to thumb our noses at fear and hate. We can choose to take a dashing surf board ride over tragedy. In short, we can choose to bless ourselves and others and to enjoy the blessings that come from such thinking.
Everyone deserves a blessing. Even you. Especially you.
DB - The Vagabond
____________________
May love be the reason.
**********************
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Consciousness Chart 9/16/09
Question: How many philosophers does it take to change a light bulb?
DB - The Vagabond
****************
Welcome to my room.
__________________
In my eager younger years I wasn't much interested in philosophy. I got my intellectual stimulation from music and the great playwrights. At one point I read Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" because everyone was reading it. And. yes, I read the whole thing. People were put off by the fact that it was so long. But Rand was a Russian and the Russians wrote long novels. Look at Dostoyevsky or Tolstoy. How many people got all the way through "War and Peace"? I did. I also read Doctor Zhivago even before I saw the movie. But I digress (as usual).
Philosophy itself, unencumbered by fiction, was an alien world to me and I expected it to stay that way. I took one philosophy course in college taught by a fellow who was more interested in driving his Thunderbird and playing his cello.
Somewhere I acquired a copy of Thomas Hobbes' "Leviathan" which I found boring and confusing. I also couldn't find anyone with whom to discuss the ideas in the book.
So I gave up philosophy for good.
Then many years later I happened by one of those dollar-a-book tables on the sidewalk in New York City and bought a book that changed my life; "What Is Called Thinking" by Martin Heidegger is an edited series of lectures he gave in Germany about the processes of the human intellect. It sounded to me like the perfect book to put me to sleep. But instead, it woke me up. It changed my light bulb.
Now I'm not suggesting that everyone should go out and buy this book. It just so happened it was the one that did it for me. Then I read all the philosophy I could get. Plato and Aristotle, Nietzsche, Kant, Rousseau, Descartes, Russell, Arendt, Santayana, Sartre, Locke, Mill, Goldman, Dewey, Spinoza, the list is very long, and, yes, Hobbes is on it.
Nietzsche says somewhere that philosophy is not designed to tell you what to think but to get you to think for yourself. For me now, it's the great adventure. From a subject that put me to sleep it has become the one that threw aside the covers and tossed me out of bed.
They don't all agree with each other but they all think, challenge, reason, huff and puff their way up imposing mental mountains and poke their noses into every corner of life from geraniums to galaxies. Far from being dull, it's a restless world of confrontation with ideas, histories and all the phenomena of our lives. I would like to live another hundred years just so I can read what these amazing men and women have to offer me.
Question: How many philosophers does it take to change a light bulb?
Answer: Any one of them can do it if you're in the dark.
DB - The Vagabond
__________________
May you find happy blogs to read.
***************************
DB - The Vagabond
****************
Welcome to my room.
__________________
In my eager younger years I wasn't much interested in philosophy. I got my intellectual stimulation from music and the great playwrights. At one point I read Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" because everyone was reading it. And. yes, I read the whole thing. People were put off by the fact that it was so long. But Rand was a Russian and the Russians wrote long novels. Look at Dostoyevsky or Tolstoy. How many people got all the way through "War and Peace"? I did. I also read Doctor Zhivago even before I saw the movie. But I digress (as usual).
Philosophy itself, unencumbered by fiction, was an alien world to me and I expected it to stay that way. I took one philosophy course in college taught by a fellow who was more interested in driving his Thunderbird and playing his cello.
Somewhere I acquired a copy of Thomas Hobbes' "Leviathan" which I found boring and confusing. I also couldn't find anyone with whom to discuss the ideas in the book.
So I gave up philosophy for good.
Then many years later I happened by one of those dollar-a-book tables on the sidewalk in New York City and bought a book that changed my life; "What Is Called Thinking" by Martin Heidegger is an edited series of lectures he gave in Germany about the processes of the human intellect. It sounded to me like the perfect book to put me to sleep. But instead, it woke me up. It changed my light bulb.
Now I'm not suggesting that everyone should go out and buy this book. It just so happened it was the one that did it for me. Then I read all the philosophy I could get. Plato and Aristotle, Nietzsche, Kant, Rousseau, Descartes, Russell, Arendt, Santayana, Sartre, Locke, Mill, Goldman, Dewey, Spinoza, the list is very long, and, yes, Hobbes is on it.
Nietzsche says somewhere that philosophy is not designed to tell you what to think but to get you to think for yourself. For me now, it's the great adventure. From a subject that put me to sleep it has become the one that threw aside the covers and tossed me out of bed.
They don't all agree with each other but they all think, challenge, reason, huff and puff their way up imposing mental mountains and poke their noses into every corner of life from geraniums to galaxies. Far from being dull, it's a restless world of confrontation with ideas, histories and all the phenomena of our lives. I would like to live another hundred years just so I can read what these amazing men and women have to offer me.
Question: How many philosophers does it take to change a light bulb?
Answer: Any one of them can do it if you're in the dark.
DB - The Vagabond
__________________
May you find happy blogs to read.
***************************
Monday, September 14, 2009
Beyond Basics 9/15/09
Climb out of the cellar of literalism, up the steps of metaphor and into the fresh air of reason and revelation.
DB - The Vagabond
*******************
Join me for a time.
___________________
According to NASA the space shuttle Discovery reentered the Earth's atmosphere going 25 times the speed of sound. I find it very difficult to wrap my 20th Century mind around such a fact. I can't imagine anything going that fast. If something passed me at that speed would I even see it?
I remember reading somewhere that when the automobiles were first being produced some pseudo scientist proclaimed that the human body could never travel faster than 8 miles an hour and survive. (Someone ought to collect and publish all the remarks made through the years about things that could never happen.)
No doubt someday, possibly very soon, scientists will discover how to move faster than the speed of light. ("Nah. It'll never happen. The human body would disintegrate.") And when that becomes a mode of travel our whole concepts of time and space will go through a profound and amazing reinterpretation.
The mentality to accommodate such a reinterpretation is already in place. Almost all, and perhaps all, of the phenomena of life begin somewhere in the human imagination I think it was Einstein who said that reason will take you from A to B, imagination will take you everywhere.
What would conquering the speed of light do for us? Imagine being in two different places at the same time. I wrote a story about that. Imagine two events, one past, one future happening in the same place at once. Imagine being in one place and in a totally different place at the same moment.
Never mind that. That's too literal. Imagine that time and space as we know it cease to exist at all. (Vagabond, you've lost your mind.) Some philosophers have averred that the whole concepts of time and space were products of the human imagination in the first place.
Well what if they are? What if the marriage of time and space is just a trope, an allegory, a device to explain to ourselves the repetitions and changes that we think we see? Things are seldom what they seem. Our lives are filled with myths and mirages. It is comfortable in the cellar of literalism, Climbing up through the steps of metaphor takes an effort. But until we recognize that one thing is meant to symbolize another and that it's the other the needs to be revealed we'll be stuck at the bottom and never climb the stairs.
DB - Vagabond Journeys
_________________
May angels play in your bird bath.
************************
DB - The Vagabond
*******************
Join me for a time.
___________________
According to NASA the space shuttle Discovery reentered the Earth's atmosphere going 25 times the speed of sound. I find it very difficult to wrap my 20th Century mind around such a fact. I can't imagine anything going that fast. If something passed me at that speed would I even see it?
I remember reading somewhere that when the automobiles were first being produced some pseudo scientist proclaimed that the human body could never travel faster than 8 miles an hour and survive. (Someone ought to collect and publish all the remarks made through the years about things that could never happen.)
No doubt someday, possibly very soon, scientists will discover how to move faster than the speed of light. ("Nah. It'll never happen. The human body would disintegrate.") And when that becomes a mode of travel our whole concepts of time and space will go through a profound and amazing reinterpretation.
The mentality to accommodate such a reinterpretation is already in place. Almost all, and perhaps all, of the phenomena of life begin somewhere in the human imagination I think it was Einstein who said that reason will take you from A to B, imagination will take you everywhere.
What would conquering the speed of light do for us? Imagine being in two different places at the same time. I wrote a story about that. Imagine two events, one past, one future happening in the same place at once. Imagine being in one place and in a totally different place at the same moment.
Never mind that. That's too literal. Imagine that time and space as we know it cease to exist at all. (Vagabond, you've lost your mind.) Some philosophers have averred that the whole concepts of time and space were products of the human imagination in the first place.
Well what if they are? What if the marriage of time and space is just a trope, an allegory, a device to explain to ourselves the repetitions and changes that we think we see? Things are seldom what they seem. Our lives are filled with myths and mirages. It is comfortable in the cellar of literalism, Climbing up through the steps of metaphor takes an effort. But until we recognize that one thing is meant to symbolize another and that it's the other the needs to be revealed we'll be stuck at the bottom and never climb the stairs.
DB - Vagabond Journeys
_________________
May angels play in your bird bath.
************************
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Absorbing Ability 9/14/09
Much deep thinking makes me sleepy.
DB - The Vagabond
******************
Step this way.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Beth says that some of the things I write make her brain hurt. I can relate to that. I'm very familiar with the pain in the brain. I have found that many complicated problems can, if not be solved, at least be eased by a good nap. And yet I knew someone who carried sleeping a big step further and actually solved complicated problems in his sleep.
This is about one of the most interesting people I've ever been blessed to know, a college roommate named John. I don't know all the facts about John's life but for the few years I knew him I got to experience the activities of an eccentric genius.
He came to college knowing three languages and became a classical studies major. He graduated in 3 years. He quickly mastered Greek and Latin, He memorized and recited ancient poetry at great length. He went through all the courses of the Classics Department in 2 years and took on special translation assignments.
In the meantime he mastered everything else he set his mind to. He was an actor in the Drama Department productions. He fulfilled his science requirement in his second year by taking an advanced mathematics course. When he was a teenager he had made the money for his college education by playing pool. During one summer he took a job selling encyclopedias, sold his allotted number by midsummer, sold the one he was given as a bonus, then sold magazine subscriptions door to door.
He fulfilled his Phys Ed requirement in his final year by learning tennis.
Besides his knowledge of languages and all the other things he did he could talk at length about world history and he was knowledgable opera lover.
But John had one major flaw. Once asleep it was impossible to wake him up until he decided to wake up. I got a phone call for him one day while he was napping. No amount of shaking him or pounding his head on the pillow would do it. He bought an alarm clock with two bells on the top of it and a hammer that went back and forth striking them. It would ring until it ran out of power. He tried mounting it on a pie tin to increase the sound. The whole contraption slid off his desk and crashed to the floor. He never heard it.
What was worse was that he was a sleep walker. He would start talking in his sleep, or appear out of his room and start doing things. You could swear he was awake. But he didn't respond to anyone. He might start doing things and then stop and go back to bed. One day he came out, fully dressed, lit up a cigarette, turned on the shower, got into it, stepped back out, turning it off, placed the soaking wet cigarette carefully in an ash tray and went back to bed, sound asleep the whole time.
But the brain didn't stop when he was asleep. One night I saw that his light was still on after he had gone to sleep. I went in to turn it off. He sat up in bed and started dictating a mathematical problem and its solution. I wrote it down on his pad and when he was finished his head went back down on the pillow, he never woke up. In the morning he was puzzled to find the math written out and thought I had done it.
I and his other roommates got used to him and his odd behavior. But one day he got married. She was a simple girl, a dairy farmer's daughter, but she knew just what buttons to push and chains to pull, and from then on when it was time for John to be up and awake he was up and awake.
DB
********
May you have a joyful week.
__________________
SUMMER QUIZ
This is not a contest.
A young man out west just took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
You have all summer to answer if you wish.
21 responses so far.
DB
DB - The Vagabond
******************
Step this way.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Beth says that some of the things I write make her brain hurt. I can relate to that. I'm very familiar with the pain in the brain. I have found that many complicated problems can, if not be solved, at least be eased by a good nap. And yet I knew someone who carried sleeping a big step further and actually solved complicated problems in his sleep.
This is about one of the most interesting people I've ever been blessed to know, a college roommate named John. I don't know all the facts about John's life but for the few years I knew him I got to experience the activities of an eccentric genius.
He came to college knowing three languages and became a classical studies major. He graduated in 3 years. He quickly mastered Greek and Latin, He memorized and recited ancient poetry at great length. He went through all the courses of the Classics Department in 2 years and took on special translation assignments.
In the meantime he mastered everything else he set his mind to. He was an actor in the Drama Department productions. He fulfilled his science requirement in his second year by taking an advanced mathematics course. When he was a teenager he had made the money for his college education by playing pool. During one summer he took a job selling encyclopedias, sold his allotted number by midsummer, sold the one he was given as a bonus, then sold magazine subscriptions door to door.
He fulfilled his Phys Ed requirement in his final year by learning tennis.
Besides his knowledge of languages and all the other things he did he could talk at length about world history and he was knowledgable opera lover.
But John had one major flaw. Once asleep it was impossible to wake him up until he decided to wake up. I got a phone call for him one day while he was napping. No amount of shaking him or pounding his head on the pillow would do it. He bought an alarm clock with two bells on the top of it and a hammer that went back and forth striking them. It would ring until it ran out of power. He tried mounting it on a pie tin to increase the sound. The whole contraption slid off his desk and crashed to the floor. He never heard it.
What was worse was that he was a sleep walker. He would start talking in his sleep, or appear out of his room and start doing things. You could swear he was awake. But he didn't respond to anyone. He might start doing things and then stop and go back to bed. One day he came out, fully dressed, lit up a cigarette, turned on the shower, got into it, stepped back out, turning it off, placed the soaking wet cigarette carefully in an ash tray and went back to bed, sound asleep the whole time.
But the brain didn't stop when he was asleep. One night I saw that his light was still on after he had gone to sleep. I went in to turn it off. He sat up in bed and started dictating a mathematical problem and its solution. I wrote it down on his pad and when he was finished his head went back down on the pillow, he never woke up. In the morning he was puzzled to find the math written out and thought I had done it.
I and his other roommates got used to him and his odd behavior. But one day he got married. She was a simple girl, a dairy farmer's daughter, but she knew just what buttons to push and chains to pull, and from then on when it was time for John to be up and awake he was up and awake.
DB
********
May you have a joyful week.
__________________
SUMMER QUIZ
This is not a contest.
A young man out west just took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
You have all summer to answer if you wish.
21 responses so far.
DB
Zapping Zeal 9/13/09
When life slams the door in your face, stay by the door.
DB - The Vagabond
******************
Come in here.
____________________
I don't remember from where I got this document. It has been taped up to one wall or another for many years during my vagabond life. It isn't signed and there is no credit given as to who wrote it. But it has been an inspiration and a reminder to me when I was faced with total frustration, desperate depression and utter loss. I pass it on to you with love.
PRESS ON.
NOTHING IN THE WORLD CAN TAKE THE PLACE OF PERSISTENCE.
TALENT WILL NOT; NOTHING IS MORE COMMON THAN UNSUCCESSFUL MEN WITH TALENT.
GENIUS WILL NOT; UNREWARDED GENIUS IS ALMOST A PROVERB.
EDUCATION WILL NOT; THE WORLD IS FULL OF EDUCATED DERELICTS.
PERSISTENCE AND DETERMINATION ALONE ARE OMNIPOTENT.
__________________
One application of this, and one that is certainly true in show business is: "Don't take 'no' for an answer."
I think of my friend Charles. Charles signed a contract with a theatre company in order to play one specific role. But when casting time came another actor's name was posted on the list. He was a nice fellow and not a bad actor, but he didn't have the aesthetic weight, presence and importance that Charles does and which the role needs.
Well Charles did not take that sitting down. He went to the management and argued his case. I don't know what went on in that meeting but when he came out he had the role. The other chap eventually gave up acting and became some sort of a consultant. Charles went on to do two Broadway shows and is still busy.
If you stay by the door it will eventually open again and one day you will step through it.
DB
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
May you grab the good stuff today.
_______________________
WEEK END QUESTION
Summer is almost over, Autumn is on the way (check your calendar if you don't believe me). Answers to the SUMMER QUIZ will be posted on the first Day of Autumn. But then the AUTUMN QUIZ will start. And that's where you come in.
Your mission is to provide me with a question, or two or three, for the AUTUMN QUIZ. You may enter as many times as you wish (no proof of purchase necessary) but you have only till September 30, so get cracking.
Only 3 responses so far.
The decision of the biased, curmudgeonly judge is final.
The winner not only gets his/her question posted for the season, but also gets to sit on my front porch and listen to me ramble on for hours about nothing in particular.
Good luck.
DB
DB - The Vagabond
******************
Come in here.
____________________
I don't remember from where I got this document. It has been taped up to one wall or another for many years during my vagabond life. It isn't signed and there is no credit given as to who wrote it. But it has been an inspiration and a reminder to me when I was faced with total frustration, desperate depression and utter loss. I pass it on to you with love.
PRESS ON.
NOTHING IN THE WORLD CAN TAKE THE PLACE OF PERSISTENCE.
TALENT WILL NOT; NOTHING IS MORE COMMON THAN UNSUCCESSFUL MEN WITH TALENT.
GENIUS WILL NOT; UNREWARDED GENIUS IS ALMOST A PROVERB.
EDUCATION WILL NOT; THE WORLD IS FULL OF EDUCATED DERELICTS.
PERSISTENCE AND DETERMINATION ALONE ARE OMNIPOTENT.
__________________
One application of this, and one that is certainly true in show business is: "Don't take 'no' for an answer."
I think of my friend Charles. Charles signed a contract with a theatre company in order to play one specific role. But when casting time came another actor's name was posted on the list. He was a nice fellow and not a bad actor, but he didn't have the aesthetic weight, presence and importance that Charles does and which the role needs.
Well Charles did not take that sitting down. He went to the management and argued his case. I don't know what went on in that meeting but when he came out he had the role. The other chap eventually gave up acting and became some sort of a consultant. Charles went on to do two Broadway shows and is still busy.
If you stay by the door it will eventually open again and one day you will step through it.
DB
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
May you grab the good stuff today.
_______________________
WEEK END QUESTION
Summer is almost over, Autumn is on the way (check your calendar if you don't believe me). Answers to the SUMMER QUIZ will be posted on the first Day of Autumn. But then the AUTUMN QUIZ will start. And that's where you come in.
Your mission is to provide me with a question, or two or three, for the AUTUMN QUIZ. You may enter as many times as you wish (no proof of purchase necessary) but you have only till September 30, so get cracking.
Only 3 responses so far.
The decision of the biased, curmudgeonly judge is final.
The winner not only gets his/her question posted for the season, but also gets to sit on my front porch and listen to me ramble on for hours about nothing in particular.
Good luck.
DB
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Yielding Yucks 9/12/09
No matter how bad life gets, you may weep and rage and feel sorry for yourself, but above all, gain and grasp with all your might an abiding sense of humor.
DB - The Vagabond
*******************
Land your space ship over here.
______________________
There's an old saying in the entertainment world: "Comedy is serious business." And one of the definitions of "farce" in its theatrical sense is "A passion carried to a ridiculous extreme."
This is not a discussion of the synergy between pleasure and pain. That's a different subject and one I'd rather not get into. But if you listen to an audience enjoying a good comedy without knowing what they are laughing at, it frequently sounds like they are all screaming in pain. In the same sense it often appears that someone who is caught up in a net of fear and sorrow can seem funny to someone who doesn't know or feel their pain. But what's so funny? Nothing, to the person who's grieving. And yet, maybe it can be.
Many years ago, partly through my own odd sense of things, engendered, no doubt, by my acting experiences, and partly because of the influence of other people, I developed an appreciation of the ironies and absurdities of life. From someone who was so defensive and protective of my, so called, dignity, I became someone who could discard my false armor and laugh at myself.
"This helmet, I suppose
Is meant to ward off blows.
It's very hot
And weighs a lot
As many a guardsman knows.
So off this helmet goes."
(W. S. Gilbert)
So how do we learn to cast off the fake helmet of pride and laugh at ourselves? The first step is to realize that sometimes we are funny. Have you ever boiled the water for a cup of tea, poured the water into your cup, carried it over to your desk and realized you forgot to put the tea bag in the cup?
My grandmother was a great one to laugh at herself. We were outside one day when her hat blew off. My brother went chasing after it and every time he leaned over to pick it up the wind blew it again. After a couple of times my grandmother got the giggles. It was her cherished hat but somehow the silliness of the attempted retrieval was enough to strike her as very funny. And when my grandmother laughed the whole word around her laughed along,
But the most amazing story about her sense of humor was just before she died. We had to pick her up from her hotel room in New York. It was in the early 50s, I was 14 years old and I had to dress up in a tie and jacket to enter the hotel. When we got her home she had to go up a flight of stairs. She knew she couldn't make it so we got a chair, sat her in it and with my mother in front and me behind we lifted her step by step up the stairs. Every time I leaned over to grab the back of the chair, my tie would fall in her face. She began to laugh, and soon we were all laughing. She knew her days were done and she was coming home to die, But she could still laugh, and I will never forget that.
It may not be great guffaws. It may be silent. But there is humor in every situation in life, no matter how tragic, if we learn to look for it and enjoy the joke. Laughter will clean the slate, clear the air, relax the tension and cast light into our dark and somber view of things. I'm very grateful that I finally developed a sense of humor.
DB
**************
May the big bubble of joy surround you.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
WEEK END QUESTION
Summer is almost over, Autumn is on the way (check your calendar if you don't believe me). Answers to the SUMMER QUIZ will be posted on the first Day of Autumn. But then the AUTUMN QUIZ will start. And that's where you come in.
Your mission is to provide me with a question, or two or three, for the AUTUMN QUIZ. You may enter as many times as you wish (no proof of purchase necessary) but you have only till September 30, so get cracking.
The decision of the biased, curmudgeonly judge is final.
The winner not only gets his/her question posted for the season, but also gets to sit on my front porch and listen to me ramble on for hours about nothing in particular.
Good luck.
DB
DB - The Vagabond
*******************
Land your space ship over here.
______________________
There's an old saying in the entertainment world: "Comedy is serious business." And one of the definitions of "farce" in its theatrical sense is "A passion carried to a ridiculous extreme."
This is not a discussion of the synergy between pleasure and pain. That's a different subject and one I'd rather not get into. But if you listen to an audience enjoying a good comedy without knowing what they are laughing at, it frequently sounds like they are all screaming in pain. In the same sense it often appears that someone who is caught up in a net of fear and sorrow can seem funny to someone who doesn't know or feel their pain. But what's so funny? Nothing, to the person who's grieving. And yet, maybe it can be.
Many years ago, partly through my own odd sense of things, engendered, no doubt, by my acting experiences, and partly because of the influence of other people, I developed an appreciation of the ironies and absurdities of life. From someone who was so defensive and protective of my, so called, dignity, I became someone who could discard my false armor and laugh at myself.
"This helmet, I suppose
Is meant to ward off blows.
It's very hot
And weighs a lot
As many a guardsman knows.
So off this helmet goes."
(W. S. Gilbert)
So how do we learn to cast off the fake helmet of pride and laugh at ourselves? The first step is to realize that sometimes we are funny. Have you ever boiled the water for a cup of tea, poured the water into your cup, carried it over to your desk and realized you forgot to put the tea bag in the cup?
My grandmother was a great one to laugh at herself. We were outside one day when her hat blew off. My brother went chasing after it and every time he leaned over to pick it up the wind blew it again. After a couple of times my grandmother got the giggles. It was her cherished hat but somehow the silliness of the attempted retrieval was enough to strike her as very funny. And when my grandmother laughed the whole word around her laughed along,
But the most amazing story about her sense of humor was just before she died. We had to pick her up from her hotel room in New York. It was in the early 50s, I was 14 years old and I had to dress up in a tie and jacket to enter the hotel. When we got her home she had to go up a flight of stairs. She knew she couldn't make it so we got a chair, sat her in it and with my mother in front and me behind we lifted her step by step up the stairs. Every time I leaned over to grab the back of the chair, my tie would fall in her face. She began to laugh, and soon we were all laughing. She knew her days were done and she was coming home to die, But she could still laugh, and I will never forget that.
It may not be great guffaws. It may be silent. But there is humor in every situation in life, no matter how tragic, if we learn to look for it and enjoy the joke. Laughter will clean the slate, clear the air, relax the tension and cast light into our dark and somber view of things. I'm very grateful that I finally developed a sense of humor.
DB
**************
May the big bubble of joy surround you.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
WEEK END QUESTION
Summer is almost over, Autumn is on the way (check your calendar if you don't believe me). Answers to the SUMMER QUIZ will be posted on the first Day of Autumn. But then the AUTUMN QUIZ will start. And that's where you come in.
Your mission is to provide me with a question, or two or three, for the AUTUMN QUIZ. You may enter as many times as you wish (no proof of purchase necessary) but you have only till September 30, so get cracking.
The decision of the biased, curmudgeonly judge is final.
The winner not only gets his/her question posted for the season, but also gets to sit on my front porch and listen to me ramble on for hours about nothing in particular.
Good luck.
DB
Friday, September 11, 2009
Xenophilic Xylograph 9/11/09
We are all still in elementary school.
DB - The Vagabond
****************
Come in and join the party.
____________________
I want to know everything there is to know. I read the newspaper because I want to know everything there is to know. I subscribe to a number of different magazines and journals because I want to know everything there is to know. I own a huge 2,230 page dictionary of the English language because I want to know everything there is to know. I have a large and varied collection of books about: early Scandinavian history, Medieval Spanish philosophy, horse racing, World War II Russian military tactics, the psychology of revolution, Civil War weaponry, stock market investing (as if I had any money), Roman Stoicism, Native American Tribal history, the rise of Nazism, Chinese mystical traditions, astrophysics, human anatomy, the Dead Sea scrolls, the journey of the Mayflower, contemporary gang warfare, biographies of several American Presidents, calculus and cooking, just to "scratch the surface" because I want to know everything. And what do I know? I know that if I lived for a thousand years I would still not know everything I want to know.
Unfortunately, or maybe not, the small family I grew up in was not intellectually curious. I tried in vain to get my mother to consider ideas that were outside of her tidy little mental box. She simply refused. What was worse is that if I was reading a book on Buddhism, let's say, someone would remark "Oh, I suppose you're becoming one of them now." I often felt I had to hide whatever I was reading under the mattress as if it was pornography.
During my career I became very frustrated with actors who were so involved with their own emotional lives they never took the time to do any research. I once did a public reading of a play in which the title of a Wagnerian opera was mentioned several times. The other members of the cast called it "Tanhowser" instead of "Tahnhoyzer" which is as near correct as English speakers are going to get it. Ironically, I was the only actor in the play who didn't have the word in my script. I tried to give them the right pronunciation but no one believed me.
Einstein once said that he wasn't all that smart but he was just very curious. Well, I beg to differ, Al. If it was just curiosity that made a genius I would be there with the Nobel Prize around my neck.
Some people dive down and scoop up what's in the ocean, some go digging in the desert, some go peering through telescopes. I never had the luxury to do any of those things. So, instead, I go poking my nose into books. It's about discovery, expansion, realization, improvement, satisfaction. I want to know something today that I didn't know yesterday. To know it, not to say I know it.
I admire people who can make a garden flourish, who are masters of a musical instrument or who can figure out the income tax. I respect people who know things I don't know and if they write a book about it I'll read the book and enjoy it.
Some people still scorn my curiosity. They think I'm being presumptuous, or playing trivia games, or something. If a fact fascinates me then it's a fascinating fact and I don't care what someone on a mental chain gang has to say about it.
Every bit of knowledge, understanding and wisdom you have is yours. You own it and it's a valuable possession. Stock up, I say.
DB - The Vagabond
*******************
May you always be blessed with amiable companions.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
SUMMER QUIZ
This is not a contest.
A young man out west just took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
You have all summer to answer if you wish.
21 responses so far.
DB
DB - The Vagabond
****************
Come in and join the party.
____________________
I want to know everything there is to know. I read the newspaper because I want to know everything there is to know. I subscribe to a number of different magazines and journals because I want to know everything there is to know. I own a huge 2,230 page dictionary of the English language because I want to know everything there is to know. I have a large and varied collection of books about: early Scandinavian history, Medieval Spanish philosophy, horse racing, World War II Russian military tactics, the psychology of revolution, Civil War weaponry, stock market investing (as if I had any money), Roman Stoicism, Native American Tribal history, the rise of Nazism, Chinese mystical traditions, astrophysics, human anatomy, the Dead Sea scrolls, the journey of the Mayflower, contemporary gang warfare, biographies of several American Presidents, calculus and cooking, just to "scratch the surface" because I want to know everything. And what do I know? I know that if I lived for a thousand years I would still not know everything I want to know.
Unfortunately, or maybe not, the small family I grew up in was not intellectually curious. I tried in vain to get my mother to consider ideas that were outside of her tidy little mental box. She simply refused. What was worse is that if I was reading a book on Buddhism, let's say, someone would remark "Oh, I suppose you're becoming one of them now." I often felt I had to hide whatever I was reading under the mattress as if it was pornography.
During my career I became very frustrated with actors who were so involved with their own emotional lives they never took the time to do any research. I once did a public reading of a play in which the title of a Wagnerian opera was mentioned several times. The other members of the cast called it "Tanhowser" instead of "Tahnhoyzer" which is as near correct as English speakers are going to get it. Ironically, I was the only actor in the play who didn't have the word in my script. I tried to give them the right pronunciation but no one believed me.
Einstein once said that he wasn't all that smart but he was just very curious. Well, I beg to differ, Al. If it was just curiosity that made a genius I would be there with the Nobel Prize around my neck.
Some people dive down and scoop up what's in the ocean, some go digging in the desert, some go peering through telescopes. I never had the luxury to do any of those things. So, instead, I go poking my nose into books. It's about discovery, expansion, realization, improvement, satisfaction. I want to know something today that I didn't know yesterday. To know it, not to say I know it.
I admire people who can make a garden flourish, who are masters of a musical instrument or who can figure out the income tax. I respect people who know things I don't know and if they write a book about it I'll read the book and enjoy it.
Some people still scorn my curiosity. They think I'm being presumptuous, or playing trivia games, or something. If a fact fascinates me then it's a fascinating fact and I don't care what someone on a mental chain gang has to say about it.
Every bit of knowledge, understanding and wisdom you have is yours. You own it and it's a valuable possession. Stock up, I say.
DB - The Vagabond
*******************
May you always be blessed with amiable companions.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
SUMMER QUIZ
This is not a contest.
A young man out west just took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
You have all summer to answer if you wish.
21 responses so far.
DB
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Winning Waivers 9/10/09
Sometimes you have to admit to failure, but never admit to defeat.
DB - The Vagabond
***********************
Hi.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Sometimes, but not very often, I wonder if there will ever be a day when I will relax, be at peace, harmonious and serene. I suppose, in some strange way, I should be grateful I didn't grow up in a wealthy family. The struggle to survive from my earliest days has put me into the habit of doing things, forced me into finding ways to make a living and be inventive about how I live my life.
If I allowed myself to be envious, I would envy people who got a college education, who had the advantage of a family and a nice home and who could afford new clothes and vacations. I would envy those who were never in danger of running out of something important to them. I would envy those who could indulge themselves in whatever they were curious about. I would envy those who reach a comfortable retirement, healthy, debt free and surrounded by family.
But then again I think that if I had nothing to do but sit on my porch, sipping my gin and tonic and watch the seagulls flutter, I might just give up the ghost.
I was a successful entertainer, never rich and with only a slight sliver of fame, but in my corner, gathering dust, is a huge pile of failures. I sold books and magazine subscriptions, I owned an employment agency, a advertising agency, I was an instructor in public speaking, an acting teacher, an arts administrator and a jazz drummer. To one degree or another I failed at all of them. The problem was I couldn't afford to fail. There was no place to go to lick my wounds and start over. When I failed I was usually out in the cold. One January night, at 11 p. m. I was on a street corner in Los Angeles, carrying all my possessions in a suitcase, a dime in my pocket and no place to go. Don't ask.
A day came when I discovered that the only place I was at ease, relaxed and comfortable was on the stage. I was at home there, and home was where I wanted to be. People paid me to be on the stage. And when I played for them once, they hired me back. Being able to perform was the cure for all the failures I had accumulated during my troubled life.
Now I can't do that anymore, so I write and paint instead. I don't concern myself with whether or not I am successful at those things because I've come to believe there is no such thing as defeat. I wish for a decrease in troubles and an increase in peace, harmony and serenity. I would like to sit with my gin and tonic and watch the seagulls. But knowing myself, to the slender degree that I do, I would probably not sit there for very long.
Life is a vital thing or it isn't life.
DB - The Vagabond
*******************
May you prepare to frolic.
________________________
DB - The Vagabond
***********************
Hi.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Sometimes, but not very often, I wonder if there will ever be a day when I will relax, be at peace, harmonious and serene. I suppose, in some strange way, I should be grateful I didn't grow up in a wealthy family. The struggle to survive from my earliest days has put me into the habit of doing things, forced me into finding ways to make a living and be inventive about how I live my life.
If I allowed myself to be envious, I would envy people who got a college education, who had the advantage of a family and a nice home and who could afford new clothes and vacations. I would envy those who were never in danger of running out of something important to them. I would envy those who could indulge themselves in whatever they were curious about. I would envy those who reach a comfortable retirement, healthy, debt free and surrounded by family.
But then again I think that if I had nothing to do but sit on my porch, sipping my gin and tonic and watch the seagulls flutter, I might just give up the ghost.
I was a successful entertainer, never rich and with only a slight sliver of fame, but in my corner, gathering dust, is a huge pile of failures. I sold books and magazine subscriptions, I owned an employment agency, a advertising agency, I was an instructor in public speaking, an acting teacher, an arts administrator and a jazz drummer. To one degree or another I failed at all of them. The problem was I couldn't afford to fail. There was no place to go to lick my wounds and start over. When I failed I was usually out in the cold. One January night, at 11 p. m. I was on a street corner in Los Angeles, carrying all my possessions in a suitcase, a dime in my pocket and no place to go. Don't ask.
A day came when I discovered that the only place I was at ease, relaxed and comfortable was on the stage. I was at home there, and home was where I wanted to be. People paid me to be on the stage. And when I played for them once, they hired me back. Being able to perform was the cure for all the failures I had accumulated during my troubled life.
Now I can't do that anymore, so I write and paint instead. I don't concern myself with whether or not I am successful at those things because I've come to believe there is no such thing as defeat. I wish for a decrease in troubles and an increase in peace, harmony and serenity. I would like to sit with my gin and tonic and watch the seagulls. But knowing myself, to the slender degree that I do, I would probably not sit there for very long.
Life is a vital thing or it isn't life.
DB - The Vagabond
*******************
May you prepare to frolic.
________________________
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Voracious Virtuosity 9/09/09
Depressing things are somewhere around, all the time. Look them in the face when you have to, but don't give them any rights.
DB - The Vagabond
********************
Today marks the 8th anniversary of my moving into this town and this apartment building, 2 days before the World Trade Center came down. If I hadn't moved here I would have been right underneath it when it happened.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Come sing with me.
_________________________
This is not an essay about Beethoven. It's one about Dmitry Shostakovich and about looking demoralization in the eye and staring it down. But as I was sitting here thinking about how to start this I put on a CD of Beethoven symphonies and was reminded that he began his very first symphony with an unresolved chord. It is a very quiet, modest, unassuming beginning and yet it is outlandishly revolutionary. Nobody ever began, would ever begin, a piece of music with a "dissonant" unresolved chord. And Beethoven did it in his very first symphony. "What on earth was the man thinking of?"
Beethoven was not well liked by the critics and others in his early days. He was staring into the face of a tradition of western European music. He eventually achieved success even though he went deaf, a condition which depressed him beyond what I can imagine. At the end he turned the tables on that tradition once again by introducing singers into his final symphony. But he was never threatened with arrest and imprisonment as far as I know.
Dmitry Shostakovich, 1906 - 1975, was a Russian composer who is and will always remain one of the most important voices of 20th Century music. His works were widely acclaimed and performed all over the world, and yet in Russia he was constantly in trouble with the authorities. Stalin didn't like him and the critics agreed with Stalin, of course. Dmitry lived under the constant threat of being arrested and sent off to Siberia as had happened to many of his friends. He was forced to write under very strict, imposed standards of traditional tonality and musical expression. He pushed those limits out to the very edges. And he was harshly judged for it. He was so certain of his arrest that he kept a packed suitcase under his bed in case they came fo him in the middle of the night, as they were known to do. And if he was sure they were coming for him he would take his suitcase out on the landing and wait for them so as to spare his family the humiliation of his arrest. It never happened but the threat and fear of it lasted for many years. And yet all that time he continued to compose his music. If he had made a single step into atonality, the musical aesthetic of the day, he would certainly have been hauled off in an instant. What his critics were hearing from him was a muddy mess. What the rest of the world was hearing was genius.
How many of us could continue to live and work under that kind of danger? Why wasn't Shostakovich demoralized and turned away from any further hope of recognition and accomplishment? He lived and worked under conditions more depressing than I can imagine. Why didn't he give up?
"Aw, give it up. Don't be crazy. It'll never work. You'll never be rich and famous, so why bother. Don't waste your time. Find something practical to do." I was never in danger of being arrested for my work as some actors have been. But I heard those words when I was young(er). I'll bet 90% of the artists of the world have heard the same things. They are designed to demoralize, frustrate, dissuade and depress. And a great deal of the time they come out of envy. So what do you do? Do you throw down your flute and your paint brush and quit the field? Do you keep a suitcase under your bed just in case? Or do you look all the wrinkled nihilisms in the face and say "I don't care what you think or do. Your rights do not extend over my music."
Yeah, Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
Yeah, Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
I don't care what mama don't allow I'll play my guitar anyhow.
(JJ Cale)
DB - The Vagabond
************************
May you find and enjoy the last rose of summer.
_____________________________
SUMMER QUIZ
This is not a contest.
A young man out west just took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
You have all summer to answer if you wish.
21 responses so far.
DB
DB - The Vagabond
********************
Today marks the 8th anniversary of my moving into this town and this apartment building, 2 days before the World Trade Center came down. If I hadn't moved here I would have been right underneath it when it happened.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Come sing with me.
_________________________
This is not an essay about Beethoven. It's one about Dmitry Shostakovich and about looking demoralization in the eye and staring it down. But as I was sitting here thinking about how to start this I put on a CD of Beethoven symphonies and was reminded that he began his very first symphony with an unresolved chord. It is a very quiet, modest, unassuming beginning and yet it is outlandishly revolutionary. Nobody ever began, would ever begin, a piece of music with a "dissonant" unresolved chord. And Beethoven did it in his very first symphony. "What on earth was the man thinking of?"
Beethoven was not well liked by the critics and others in his early days. He was staring into the face of a tradition of western European music. He eventually achieved success even though he went deaf, a condition which depressed him beyond what I can imagine. At the end he turned the tables on that tradition once again by introducing singers into his final symphony. But he was never threatened with arrest and imprisonment as far as I know.
Dmitry Shostakovich, 1906 - 1975, was a Russian composer who is and will always remain one of the most important voices of 20th Century music. His works were widely acclaimed and performed all over the world, and yet in Russia he was constantly in trouble with the authorities. Stalin didn't like him and the critics agreed with Stalin, of course. Dmitry lived under the constant threat of being arrested and sent off to Siberia as had happened to many of his friends. He was forced to write under very strict, imposed standards of traditional tonality and musical expression. He pushed those limits out to the very edges. And he was harshly judged for it. He was so certain of his arrest that he kept a packed suitcase under his bed in case they came fo him in the middle of the night, as they were known to do. And if he was sure they were coming for him he would take his suitcase out on the landing and wait for them so as to spare his family the humiliation of his arrest. It never happened but the threat and fear of it lasted for many years. And yet all that time he continued to compose his music. If he had made a single step into atonality, the musical aesthetic of the day, he would certainly have been hauled off in an instant. What his critics were hearing from him was a muddy mess. What the rest of the world was hearing was genius.
How many of us could continue to live and work under that kind of danger? Why wasn't Shostakovich demoralized and turned away from any further hope of recognition and accomplishment? He lived and worked under conditions more depressing than I can imagine. Why didn't he give up?
"Aw, give it up. Don't be crazy. It'll never work. You'll never be rich and famous, so why bother. Don't waste your time. Find something practical to do." I was never in danger of being arrested for my work as some actors have been. But I heard those words when I was young(er). I'll bet 90% of the artists of the world have heard the same things. They are designed to demoralize, frustrate, dissuade and depress. And a great deal of the time they come out of envy. So what do you do? Do you throw down your flute and your paint brush and quit the field? Do you keep a suitcase under your bed just in case? Or do you look all the wrinkled nihilisms in the face and say "I don't care what you think or do. Your rights do not extend over my music."
Yeah, Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
Yeah, Mama don't allow no guitar playing 'round here
I don't care what mama don't allow I'll play my guitar anyhow.
(JJ Cale)
DB - The Vagabond
************************
May you find and enjoy the last rose of summer.
_____________________________
SUMMER QUIZ
This is not a contest.
A young man out west just took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
You have all summer to answer if you wish.
21 responses so far.
DB
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Answers
Answers to the question put in my last entry. Thank you all for your responses.
.................................................................
If you know what you believe - then you have a belief structure - and isn't that what religion is? And it is your choice whether your structure believes in a higher power. It's literally a leap of faith -about trust - about believing in the omnipotence of God to be manifested in all living creatures. And, it is up to us whether we hear that guiding voice or not. I believe that Baseball and the movie Star Wars are clear examples of a higher being and humans in service to him/her. May the Force be with you.
_____________________________________
I'm one of your religious friends
even though I have a lot to learn
I'm a christian
I like watching 'Shepherd's Chapel'
Welcome to Shepherd's Chapel
God gives us the freedom of choice
even when it comes to our Father
He wants us to love Him by our own choice
no controller, manipulator, organizer, director
_______________________________________
Is there a controller,a manipulator, an organizer, a director? I would prefer to think that in my life it is me. From Invictus" I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul". Is my life real, well since I have nothing else to compare it to I would say it was till I experience otherwise. Totally non fiction though or so I think.
__________________________________________
we are the ones in charge here.
______________________________________
I think one of the sad things is perhaps how little we realize how much control we have in creating our own reality. Once we do I believe we will create an amazing place.
_______________________________________
I'm with those commentators who believe that we are the ones in charge. We may not always have control over random things that happen to us, but we do control how we react to them.
___________________________________________
It would be presumptuous of us to believe that there was a director out there controlling our day-to-day lives. The bigger picture, that is another story :o)
_______________________________________
Ah, I do believe there is a Director of sorts. Creating scenes, backdrops, and timing entrances and exits. And maybe even prompting a line or two, or encouraging a shy new actor to take up their place and be the story, feel the part, and act the depths of the scene. I feel the director has great confidence in the actors and allows their interpretation of the play to proceed un thwarted. Yet if miscued on a dark stage, the Director might shine a Light to highlight a mark, accentuate the plot, and cast shadows away. A director that applauds the improvisation and imagination of the actors, yet timing and guiding the show."Real Life Isn't Like This".... but it's better than the alternative. I embrace my part with Light and Love,
.................................................................
If you know what you believe - then you have a belief structure - and isn't that what religion is? And it is your choice whether your structure believes in a higher power. It's literally a leap of faith -about trust - about believing in the omnipotence of God to be manifested in all living creatures. And, it is up to us whether we hear that guiding voice or not. I believe that Baseball and the movie Star Wars are clear examples of a higher being and humans in service to him/her. May the Force be with you.
_____________________________________
I'm one of your religious friends
even though I have a lot to learn
I'm a christian
I like watching 'Shepherd's Chapel'
Welcome to Shepherd's Chapel
God gives us the freedom of choice
even when it comes to our Father
He wants us to love Him by our own choice
no controller, manipulator, organizer, director
_______________________________________
Is there a controller,a manipulator, an organizer, a director? I would prefer to think that in my life it is me. From Invictus" I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul". Is my life real, well since I have nothing else to compare it to I would say it was till I experience otherwise. Totally non fiction though or so I think.
__________________________________________
we are the ones in charge here.
______________________________________
I think one of the sad things is perhaps how little we realize how much control we have in creating our own reality. Once we do I believe we will create an amazing place.
_______________________________________
I'm with those commentators who believe that we are the ones in charge. We may not always have control over random things that happen to us, but we do control how we react to them.
___________________________________________
It would be presumptuous of us to believe that there was a director out there controlling our day-to-day lives. The bigger picture, that is another story :o)
_______________________________________
Ah, I do believe there is a Director of sorts. Creating scenes, backdrops, and timing entrances and exits. And maybe even prompting a line or two, or encouraging a shy new actor to take up their place and be the story, feel the part, and act the depths of the scene. I feel the director has great confidence in the actors and allows their interpretation of the play to proceed un thwarted. Yet if miscued on a dark stage, the Director might shine a Light to highlight a mark, accentuate the plot, and cast shadows away. A director that applauds the improvisation and imagination of the actors, yet timing and guiding the show."Real Life Isn't Like This".... but it's better than the alternative. I embrace my part with Light and Love,
Ultimate Umbilicus 9/08/09
We are all actors playing the fiction called Human Life.
DB - The Vagabond
*****************
Welcome back.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The time has come once again to talk about my button.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Shakespeare knew a lot about human life.
"I hold the world but as the world,
A stage, where every man must play his part."
(The Merchant of Venice)
"All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players."
(As You Like It)
________________________
I appeared on the first day of rehearsal for a new play. When the director passed out the scripts we found that all we had were our own lines and the few final words of the lines before them. The director believed that actors should not know the ploy ahead of time but only discover it in the rehearsal process, which, as far as the art of theatre is concerned, is a profoundly stupid idea. That director was a controller, a manipulator who wanted to own the actors' creative lives. It was not the way any serious artist would do business. I dropped out.
The actor, more than anyone else, knows about the uncertainties of life. On the stage we translate fiction into reality and reality into fiction. To explain that concept probably takes a career. But there is a certain alchemy involved that goes by unnoticed by almost everyone occupied in the doing of it. I didn't notice it myself until a wise man said to me, hearing that I was an actor, "How fortunate you are to be able to show that human life is a fiction."
One day at work, many years ago, a colleague brought in a bag full of buttons. They were the metal buttons with a pin on the back that you pin to your shirt, jacket. or back pack Those buttons had graphics and cute sayings: "Kiss me I'm Irish" and so on. There were a lot of buttons and the fellow invited us to take some. Among them was one and only one button that read "Real Life Isn't Like This" and I knew it was my button. Not only was it a funny remark which I appreciated but it also had a philosophical challenge to it. I had a denim jacket in those days. I pinned it to my jacket and displayed it for many years. It evoked all sorts of remarks from the banal to the introspective. I finally stopped wearing it when the jacket gave out, but I still have the button.
So then here we are in a play we haven't read. We think maybe we know what the story is about, what comes next and how it comes out. Armed with our myths and fantasies, our hopes, dreams, wishes, our memories, experiences, thoughts and feelings, our fears and desires, our abilities and limitations, our certainties and questions, we are wondering all the way if we're getting it right. Is this what life is really like? It's a question that goes unnoticed by almost everyone occupied in the day by day, moment by moment process of living.
In the theatre we need a script even more than we need a director. But in life there is no script. So the big question is, Is there a controller, a manipulator, an organizer, a director? I don't know, I only know what I believe.
But I know that my religious friends (and my non-religious friends) have interesting opinions about it. I invite them to reply. Please. (It's not a contest.)
dbdacoba@aol.com
DB - Vagabond Journeys
*********************
Back to school with you.
___________________________
DB - The Vagabond
*****************
Welcome back.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The time has come once again to talk about my button.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Shakespeare knew a lot about human life.
"I hold the world but as the world,
A stage, where every man must play his part."
(The Merchant of Venice)
"All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players."
(As You Like It)
________________________
I appeared on the first day of rehearsal for a new play. When the director passed out the scripts we found that all we had were our own lines and the few final words of the lines before them. The director believed that actors should not know the ploy ahead of time but only discover it in the rehearsal process, which, as far as the art of theatre is concerned, is a profoundly stupid idea. That director was a controller, a manipulator who wanted to own the actors' creative lives. It was not the way any serious artist would do business. I dropped out.
The actor, more than anyone else, knows about the uncertainties of life. On the stage we translate fiction into reality and reality into fiction. To explain that concept probably takes a career. But there is a certain alchemy involved that goes by unnoticed by almost everyone occupied in the doing of it. I didn't notice it myself until a wise man said to me, hearing that I was an actor, "How fortunate you are to be able to show that human life is a fiction."
One day at work, many years ago, a colleague brought in a bag full of buttons. They were the metal buttons with a pin on the back that you pin to your shirt, jacket. or back pack Those buttons had graphics and cute sayings: "Kiss me I'm Irish" and so on. There were a lot of buttons and the fellow invited us to take some. Among them was one and only one button that read "Real Life Isn't Like This" and I knew it was my button. Not only was it a funny remark which I appreciated but it also had a philosophical challenge to it. I had a denim jacket in those days. I pinned it to my jacket and displayed it for many years. It evoked all sorts of remarks from the banal to the introspective. I finally stopped wearing it when the jacket gave out, but I still have the button.
So then here we are in a play we haven't read. We think maybe we know what the story is about, what comes next and how it comes out. Armed with our myths and fantasies, our hopes, dreams, wishes, our memories, experiences, thoughts and feelings, our fears and desires, our abilities and limitations, our certainties and questions, we are wondering all the way if we're getting it right. Is this what life is really like? It's a question that goes unnoticed by almost everyone occupied in the day by day, moment by moment process of living.
In the theatre we need a script even more than we need a director. But in life there is no script. So the big question is, Is there a controller, a manipulator, an organizer, a director? I don't know, I only know what I believe.
But I know that my religious friends (and my non-religious friends) have interesting opinions about it. I invite them to reply. Please. (It's not a contest.)
dbdacoba@aol.com
DB - Vagabond Journeys
*********************
Back to school with you.
___________________________
Monday, September 7, 2009
Tables Turned 9/07/09
Too many people live according to other people's opinions.
DB - The Vagabond
********************
Howdy Pardner
----------------------------------
I had almost made up my mind I wasn't going to write anything today. Why bother? Everyone is off on a holiday and no one is going to read my journal anyway. Besides I have spent a portion of the day catching up on the news and feeling very depressed as a result.
Having just come through alive after the attack of the credit card monsters, I want some happy news. And yet I'm overwhelmed by hearing about what my fellow Americans are doing to each other. Even given the fact that the media over sensationalizes things and tends to stick with the negative news, I can see evidence of the ideals of community, society, even civilization itself being thrown out in the trash. Misunderstanding has become litigation. Discussion has become irrational shouting. Disagreement has become hatred. Protest has become gang warfare. Rational thought has become hot headed opinion.
The right wing fanatics are out to destroy the administration (and the country in the bargain) for no other reason than that they are Democrats. That sort of childish resentment is not only transparent to any thinking person but beneath the dignity and intelligence of any American. Where does this mindless violence come from? Like any mob mentality it was sowed. Seeds were broadcast into the minds of the gullible. Lies were told, false dangers were suggested, base feelings were sung to by the worst of human voices. Reason was torn off the walls and crumpled up and a masquerade was put up in its place. In some chariots of authority stand racism and the denial of human rights. Anger, hate and revenge are the rules. We have gone mad.
In this frame of mind I thought it would be best not to write anything. The events of the days are enough to depress me further. I don't need to manufacture fuel to add to my fire. In the midst of my terrifying weeks of recent time my reading lamp broke. It was a definite hardship. I could not even read the papers that had been filed against me. The only place to purchase another one would be the mall and it is impossible for me to get there. I asked around to see if anyone had a spare lamp I could borrow. Nothing was forthcoming.
In the midst of my afternoon of darkness, gloom and depression, feeling as if all the goodness had gone out of the world, there was a knock on my door. When I opened it there was my house mate, Dan, from the apartment below. He had been to Walmart and had picked up a small table lamp for me.
It may not seem like a big thing, but my not being able to read has been a sorrowful deprivation for me. Dan and I don't know each other well, he's only been living here a couple of months, but his simple act of kindness was enough of an antidote for all the negativity I had been feeling today. Would there were more such acts. Thank you Dan.
Here I wasn't going to write today and I've written a lot. I hope somebody reads it.
DB
*************
Wow. You have another day to play. Use it well.
____________________________________
DB - The Vagabond
********************
Howdy Pardner
----------------------------------
I had almost made up my mind I wasn't going to write anything today. Why bother? Everyone is off on a holiday and no one is going to read my journal anyway. Besides I have spent a portion of the day catching up on the news and feeling very depressed as a result.
Having just come through alive after the attack of the credit card monsters, I want some happy news. And yet I'm overwhelmed by hearing about what my fellow Americans are doing to each other. Even given the fact that the media over sensationalizes things and tends to stick with the negative news, I can see evidence of the ideals of community, society, even civilization itself being thrown out in the trash. Misunderstanding has become litigation. Discussion has become irrational shouting. Disagreement has become hatred. Protest has become gang warfare. Rational thought has become hot headed opinion.
The right wing fanatics are out to destroy the administration (and the country in the bargain) for no other reason than that they are Democrats. That sort of childish resentment is not only transparent to any thinking person but beneath the dignity and intelligence of any American. Where does this mindless violence come from? Like any mob mentality it was sowed. Seeds were broadcast into the minds of the gullible. Lies were told, false dangers were suggested, base feelings were sung to by the worst of human voices. Reason was torn off the walls and crumpled up and a masquerade was put up in its place. In some chariots of authority stand racism and the denial of human rights. Anger, hate and revenge are the rules. We have gone mad.
In this frame of mind I thought it would be best not to write anything. The events of the days are enough to depress me further. I don't need to manufacture fuel to add to my fire. In the midst of my terrifying weeks of recent time my reading lamp broke. It was a definite hardship. I could not even read the papers that had been filed against me. The only place to purchase another one would be the mall and it is impossible for me to get there. I asked around to see if anyone had a spare lamp I could borrow. Nothing was forthcoming.
In the midst of my afternoon of darkness, gloom and depression, feeling as if all the goodness had gone out of the world, there was a knock on my door. When I opened it there was my house mate, Dan, from the apartment below. He had been to Walmart and had picked up a small table lamp for me.
It may not seem like a big thing, but my not being able to read has been a sorrowful deprivation for me. Dan and I don't know each other well, he's only been living here a couple of months, but his simple act of kindness was enough of an antidote for all the negativity I had been feeling today. Would there were more such acts. Thank you Dan.
Here I wasn't going to write today and I've written a lot. I hope somebody reads it.
DB
*************
Wow. You have another day to play. Use it well.
____________________________________
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Safe shouldering 9/06/09
When your past finally catches up with you, slow down, pull over and let it go by.
DB - The Vagabond
********************
Greetings
__________________________
Some wise one once said that we should be pulled by our dreams not pushed by our memories. It's a popular notion that oldsters like to sit around dwelling on the past. In the local park there is a bench that some guys sit in and recall old war stories when they were heroes, I prefer to look ahead into the unknown. If I think back to some event of my past and day dream my way along I'm bound to uncover some memory I don't want to think about. So I try to keep focused on the present and the future. There is no point in being tailgated by one's past errors and regrets.
When I was a young teenager I was very involved in the things I liked to do, which did not include world events. But my very old grandmother would not miss the radio or TV news and she read the paper every day. Now I understand why she did that.
Space exploration, scientific achievement, the uproars over evolving governments and the establishment of greater freedoms, the solving of economic crises around the world, the uncovering of wrong doing and punishment of wrong doers, the movements of societies out of poverty and despair, the improvement of environments, the reaching into technology for improved ways of doing things and new ideas being expressed are all fascinating to me. It speaks of future.
Let the past go by, honking if it must. There is more to life than there ever was.
DB
*******************
Let there be some spice in your long weekend.
_____________________________________
DB - The Vagabond
********************
Greetings
__________________________
Some wise one once said that we should be pulled by our dreams not pushed by our memories. It's a popular notion that oldsters like to sit around dwelling on the past. In the local park there is a bench that some guys sit in and recall old war stories when they were heroes, I prefer to look ahead into the unknown. If I think back to some event of my past and day dream my way along I'm bound to uncover some memory I don't want to think about. So I try to keep focused on the present and the future. There is no point in being tailgated by one's past errors and regrets.
When I was a young teenager I was very involved in the things I liked to do, which did not include world events. But my very old grandmother would not miss the radio or TV news and she read the paper every day. Now I understand why she did that.
Space exploration, scientific achievement, the uproars over evolving governments and the establishment of greater freedoms, the solving of economic crises around the world, the uncovering of wrong doing and punishment of wrong doers, the movements of societies out of poverty and despair, the improvement of environments, the reaching into technology for improved ways of doing things and new ideas being expressed are all fascinating to me. It speaks of future.
Let the past go by, honking if it must. There is more to life than there ever was.
DB
*******************
Let there be some spice in your long weekend.
_____________________________________
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Rigorous Responsibility 9/05/09
A good reputation may get you to the pitcher's mound, but it won't win the game.
DB - The Vagabond
**********************
Pick a number and have a seat.
________________________
There's an old saying in the radio business: "You're only as good as your last station break." To have a good reputation for anything means that people expect you to be consistently good. That's a big order. It means being good even when you don't feel like it, or when circumstances are not conducive to doing your best.
Having a good reputation is a result, not a cause. It comes about from having standards and sticking to them. It's the setting of goals and working hard to reach them. It means daily discipline in one's honest endeavors. It's being reliable and dependable.
But there's a warning to be found here. All of those efforts are good ones, but we must remember that a good reputation is what others think of us, not what we think of ourselves. It's the doing that matters, not the talk. I watched a young woman applying for a job. She listed her college degrees and what she knew how to do. The woman trying to hire her was skeptical because she had nothing to show for her work experience. As some other wise person once said, you don't build a good reputation on what you're going to do.
Finally the employer suggested and entry level position with both a job description and a salary lower than what the girl thought she deserved. I don't know whether she accepted the position or not, but I thought it was a good opportunity to show what she could do and start establishing a reputation for herself. Many people have done just that. If you go back into the archives you'll find many famous actors who played small roles in someone's film in the early days of their careers and impressed someone into giving them a larger role the next time around, both Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne to name two. (How many actresses turned down the part of the screaming captive in King Kong which Fay Wray eventually played and went on to have a long career in film and TV?)
A lot of people go for immediate stardom and success. And many of them achieve it temporarily. But it doesn't last if it isn't backed up by excellent work. Stardom may come overnight for a few, but a good reputation takes time and effort. The guy on the mound is only as good as his last pitch.
DB
___________________
Happy weekend to you and yours.
********************
DB - The Vagabond
**********************
Pick a number and have a seat.
________________________
There's an old saying in the radio business: "You're only as good as your last station break." To have a good reputation for anything means that people expect you to be consistently good. That's a big order. It means being good even when you don't feel like it, or when circumstances are not conducive to doing your best.
Having a good reputation is a result, not a cause. It comes about from having standards and sticking to them. It's the setting of goals and working hard to reach them. It means daily discipline in one's honest endeavors. It's being reliable and dependable.
But there's a warning to be found here. All of those efforts are good ones, but we must remember that a good reputation is what others think of us, not what we think of ourselves. It's the doing that matters, not the talk. I watched a young woman applying for a job. She listed her college degrees and what she knew how to do. The woman trying to hire her was skeptical because she had nothing to show for her work experience. As some other wise person once said, you don't build a good reputation on what you're going to do.
Finally the employer suggested and entry level position with both a job description and a salary lower than what the girl thought she deserved. I don't know whether she accepted the position or not, but I thought it was a good opportunity to show what she could do and start establishing a reputation for herself. Many people have done just that. If you go back into the archives you'll find many famous actors who played small roles in someone's film in the early days of their careers and impressed someone into giving them a larger role the next time around, both Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne to name two. (How many actresses turned down the part of the screaming captive in King Kong which Fay Wray eventually played and went on to have a long career in film and TV?)
A lot of people go for immediate stardom and success. And many of them achieve it temporarily. But it doesn't last if it isn't backed up by excellent work. Stardom may come overnight for a few, but a good reputation takes time and effort. The guy on the mound is only as good as his last pitch.
DB
___________________
Happy weekend to you and yours.
********************
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Quality Questions 9/04/09
A work of art is a creature which beckons, points and leads the way. But if we see it as merely a thing in itself we are still lost.
DB - The Vagabond
**********************
Climb aboard.
____________________________
A CEO of a major American oil company was quoted as saying that he had never given a dollar to any cultural cause in his life, that he never would and he was proud of it. That man is truly lost.
Probably nothing and no group of people suffer from as much criticism, prejudice, misunderstanding, misinterpretation and maligning as art and artists do. I know I have written about the inane habit many people have of not being able to separate the actor from the role he plays. The man who plays the clarinet does not go around all day with a clarinet in his hands. Why should a man who plays a villain go around all day with villainy in his heart? It makes no sense.
Books have been burned or banned from library shelves, paintings have been taken off the walls, statues have been destroyed or covered up, not because of what they are but because of what an ignorant person or group of people think they are.
A work of art can be pleasing and enjoyable on a very simple level, but, yes, sometimes it can be dangerous. But the danger is primarily in its prophetic abilities.
When Pierre Beaumarchais wrote his trilogy of plays about Figaro in the 1770s the hero was a barber, a common man. The aristocrats came and laughed. They were so amused at the idea of a commoner being able to control a nobleman and his family, something they knew would never happen. But within a short time there were revolutions, and near revolutions, in which the common people took over the reins from the oppressive, conservative, aristocratic governments all over Europe and America. Did Beaumarchais' plays cause those revolutions? No. They pointed to them.
Plato says somewhere that when the modes of society change the modes of music always change first. When Arnold Schoenberg developed the twelve tone theory of music compostion in the 1920s in which equal importance was given to each tone of the scale it erased the traditional method of keys with their inner harmonic relationships. There were plenty of polemics about Schoenberg's music but was he preaching Socialism or predicting it?
In the 1940s New York City became the center of the art world with the rise of AbstractExpressionsism and artists such Arshile Gorky, Franz Kline and Hans Hoffman. And what was it telling us? The world had just been torn to shreds by the second world war, culminating in the massive destruction of two civilizations by atomic bombs. Life would never be the same. Painting became nonpolitical and nonobjective. A work of art no longer had to be about something. It became the reality of the artists' emotional and subconscious lives. It was a completely personal revolution, a modern version of the rise of the common man, his thoughts, feelings and experiences. It was now a true communication, as it had always been, but without the limitations of tradition, a communication from the artist to the viewer, one on one.
That revolution made it's way into poetry, theatre, music and dance. And I think that's where the finger was pointing. Freedom. Freedom of expression. Freedom of speech. Freedom from boundaries and limitations. You don't have to paint abstract art or compose twelve tone music. But you can if you want to. It's personal. Your choice. The revolution is still going on (but don't tell the aristocrats or that CEO).
Now there is electronics: computer graphics, electronic music or electronically altered traditional music (rock bands) and massive and complicated special effects in films. What is that pointing to?
The best way to view a work of art is to ask what it is saying to you. Don't make assumptions. Take time and let its message speak. Congratulate yourself. The artist is talking to you. YOU.
DB - The Vagabond
******************
I enjoy your hugs.
________________________
SUMMER QUIZ
This is not a contest.
A young man out west just took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
You have all summer to answer if you wish.
20 responses so far.
DB
DB - The Vagabond
**********************
Climb aboard.
____________________________
A CEO of a major American oil company was quoted as saying that he had never given a dollar to any cultural cause in his life, that he never would and he was proud of it. That man is truly lost.
Probably nothing and no group of people suffer from as much criticism, prejudice, misunderstanding, misinterpretation and maligning as art and artists do. I know I have written about the inane habit many people have of not being able to separate the actor from the role he plays. The man who plays the clarinet does not go around all day with a clarinet in his hands. Why should a man who plays a villain go around all day with villainy in his heart? It makes no sense.
Books have been burned or banned from library shelves, paintings have been taken off the walls, statues have been destroyed or covered up, not because of what they are but because of what an ignorant person or group of people think they are.
A work of art can be pleasing and enjoyable on a very simple level, but, yes, sometimes it can be dangerous. But the danger is primarily in its prophetic abilities.
When Pierre Beaumarchais wrote his trilogy of plays about Figaro in the 1770s the hero was a barber, a common man. The aristocrats came and laughed. They were so amused at the idea of a commoner being able to control a nobleman and his family, something they knew would never happen. But within a short time there were revolutions, and near revolutions, in which the common people took over the reins from the oppressive, conservative, aristocratic governments all over Europe and America. Did Beaumarchais' plays cause those revolutions? No. They pointed to them.
Plato says somewhere that when the modes of society change the modes of music always change first. When Arnold Schoenberg developed the twelve tone theory of music compostion in the 1920s in which equal importance was given to each tone of the scale it erased the traditional method of keys with their inner harmonic relationships. There were plenty of polemics about Schoenberg's music but was he preaching Socialism or predicting it?
In the 1940s New York City became the center of the art world with the rise of AbstractExpressionsism and artists such Arshile Gorky, Franz Kline and Hans Hoffman. And what was it telling us? The world had just been torn to shreds by the second world war, culminating in the massive destruction of two civilizations by atomic bombs. Life would never be the same. Painting became nonpolitical and nonobjective. A work of art no longer had to be about something. It became the reality of the artists' emotional and subconscious lives. It was a completely personal revolution, a modern version of the rise of the common man, his thoughts, feelings and experiences. It was now a true communication, as it had always been, but without the limitations of tradition, a communication from the artist to the viewer, one on one.
That revolution made it's way into poetry, theatre, music and dance. And I think that's where the finger was pointing. Freedom. Freedom of expression. Freedom of speech. Freedom from boundaries and limitations. You don't have to paint abstract art or compose twelve tone music. But you can if you want to. It's personal. Your choice. The revolution is still going on (but don't tell the aristocrats or that CEO).
Now there is electronics: computer graphics, electronic music or electronically altered traditional music (rock bands) and massive and complicated special effects in films. What is that pointing to?
The best way to view a work of art is to ask what it is saying to you. Don't make assumptions. Take time and let its message speak. Congratulate yourself. The artist is talking to you. YOU.
DB - The Vagabond
******************
I enjoy your hugs.
________________________
SUMMER QUIZ
This is not a contest.
A young man out west just took home 88 million dollars from the lottery.
Whether you play the lottery or not, if you suddenly had 88 million dollars, or the equivalent of whatever your currency is, what are the first three things you would do with it?
You have all summer to answer if you wish.
20 responses so far.
DB
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