"One of the glories of songwriting is that you never know what's coming next. . . please keep doing what you are doing and filling the world with song.”
-Loralyn Coles, MASC Director &
Scott Elliott, MASC Assistant Director
". . . (I) wanted to just acknowledge the insanely hard act of completing these projects, and wish you renewed inspiration and energy in 2017 in a world where music is increasingly devalued, fragmented and marginalized. . . As someone who mostly ignores these facts and keeps practicing, performing, playing, recording and releasing CDs, I resonate with your work. "
-'Steve B.' (an OHO friend & fan)
"Never give up, never surrender."
―Commander Peter Quincy Taggart (of Galaxy Quest)
Caught in the crosshairs
of my poison-dart marauding rifle
Of course what can a body do
You’re not the man you used to be
You say with certain relish
But still you’re here with me today
And though you surely cannot hide
You’ll try to run for cover
And I will follow where you go
As we perpetuate the dance
We’ve done through all the ages
Ours is much more than just a show
Bought my ticket
Took time off for the
Drama of life
Drama of life
Drama of life
Front row orchestra
Tails, tux just for the
Drama of life
Drama of life
Drama of life
Some choose their circumstances
With a dearth of careful thinking
Some can’t make any choice at all
But all the options must be weighed
Outcomes evaluated
And for the joy you must add salt
Bought my ticket
Took time off for the
Drama of life
Drama of life
Drama of life
Front row orchestra
Tails, tux just for the
Drama of life
Drama of life
Drama of life
Take an intermission
Look at what you’re missing
It’s not a natural
Or a simple kind of understanding
Half-heartedness won’t make it so
To rise above self-serving
Vanities makes all the difference
Sometimes that’s all you need to know
Bought my ticket
Took time off for the
Drama of life
Drama of life
Drama of life
Front row orchestra
Tails, tux just for the
Drama of life
Drama of life
Drama of life
(from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anna-post/the-etiquette-of-talking-_b_87893.html)
1. Just the facts, ma’am. Stick to discussions of general knowledge: What is a candidate’s stance? What did they say in the debate? What are the latest headlines? Stay away from anything too personal, opinionated or judgmental: Who are you voting for? I hate the (insert political party here)! How on earth could you support that candidate?!
2. Have an exit strategy. It takes two to argue, and if you choose not to participate the other person will run out of steam fast. Have a stock answer ready to get you out of a heated conversation: I guess we just don’t see eye-to-eye; or: I’ll have to consider that; or: For me, it’s private.
3. What’s your position? Think about what your purpose is for the conversation. Are you there to learn? Are you there to try to change somebody’s mind? If you’re going to do that, I would strongly suggest doing it in a respectful manner. Or are you just there to vent, to dump on somebody? That’s neither productive nor helpful to your own cause.
4. Know when to fold ‘em. There are still times I’d strongly advise avoiding political topics, especially if it’s liable to get heated. Weddings and holidays are risky; they are memorable events, and you don’t want the memories to be bad. When meeting new people it’s best not to broach such a personal subject—think your girlfriend’s parents or a new client.
5. Assume nothing. No matter how perceptive you think you are, you can’t possibly know what someone else’s personal beliefs are. Don’t presume that someone agrees with you—or disagrees, for that matter.
. . . now that you have the 'candidate of change'? (changes his mind hourly)
(from http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/11/trump-flip-flops-president-elect-214478)
Obama
“I think president Obama has been the most ignorant president in our history…President Obama when he became president, he didn't know anything. This guy didn’t know a thing. And honestly, today he knows less. Today, he knows less. He has done a terrible job.” (Press conference in Florida, July 27, 2016)
“I have great respect…I very much look forward to dealing with the President in the future, including counsel. He explained some of the difficulties, some of the high-flying assets and some of the really great things that have been achieved.” (White House, November 10, 2016)
Protesters
“Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!” (Twitter, November 10, 2016, 9:19pm ET)
“Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud!” (Twitter, November 11, 2016, 6:14am ET)
Affordable Care Act
“It’s gotta go.”
“I like those [the prohibition against insurers denying coverage because of patients’ existing conditions and a provision that allows parents to provide years of additional coverage for children on their insurance policies] very much.” (Wall Street Journal, November 11, 2016)
Border Wall
“Jeb Bush just talked about my border proposal to build a "fence." It's not a fence, Jeb, it's a WALL, and there's a BIG difference!” (Twitter, August 25, 2015)
“There could be some fencing.” (60 Minutes, November 13, 2016)
On gay marriage:
“If I’m elected, I would be very strong on putting certain judges on the bench that I think maybe could change things…I don’t like the way they ruled…I would strongly consider [trying to appoint justices to overrule the decision on same-sex marriage].” (Fox News Sunday, January 31, 2016)
“It’s irrelevant because it was already settled. It’s law. It was settled in the Supreme Court. I mean it’s done…And I’m fine with that.” (60 Minutes, November 13, 2016)
Clinton
“If I win, I am going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation. There has never been so many lies, so much exception. There has never been anything like it. We will have a special prosecutor. I go out and speak and the people of this country are furious. The long time workers at the FBI are furious. There has never been anything like this with emails. You get a subpoena and after getting the subpoena you delete 33,000 emails and acid wash them or bleach them. An expensive process. We will get a special prosecutor and look into it. You know what, people have been—their lives have been destroyed for doing one-fifth of what you have done. You should be ashamed.” (Second Presidential Debate, October 9, 2016)
“I don’t want to hurt the Clintons, I really don’t…It’s just not something that I feel very strongly about.” (New York Times, November 22, 2016)
Deportation
“We have at least 11 million people in this country that came in illegally. They will go out.” (CNN-Republican Debate, February 25, 2016)
“What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, we have a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate.” (60 Minutes, November 13, 2016)
Generals
“Well the generals under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have not been very successful.” (Commander-in-Chief Forum, September 7, 2016)
“We have some great generals. We have great generals.” (60 Minutes, November 13, 2016
"Well, I’ll be honest with you, I probably do [know more about ISIS than the generals do] because look at the job they’ve done. Okay? Look at the job they’ve done. They haven’t done the job.” (60 Minutes, less than a minute later)
On Nuclear Japan:
“Well I think maybe it’s not so bad to have Japan — if Japan had that nuclear threat, I’m not sure that would be a bad thing for us.” (New York Times, March 26, 2016)
“The @nytimes states today that DJT believes "more countries should acquire nuclear weapons." How dishonest are they. I never said this!” (Twitter, November 13, 2016)
Electoral College:
“The electoral college is a disaster for democracy.” (Twitter, November 06, 2012)
“The Electoral College is actually genius in that it brings all states, including the smaller ones, into play. Campaigning is much different!” (Twitter, November 15, 2016) “I'd rather do the popular vote.” Says he was "never a fan of the electoral college." (New York Times, November 22, 2016)
Lawsuit
“Trump University has a 98% approval rating. I could have settled but won't out of principle!” (Twitter, February 29, 2016)
“I don't settle cases…I won’t settle because it’s an easy case to win in court.” (Morning Joe, March 3, 2016) “I settled the Trump University lawsuit for a small fraction of the potential award because as President I have to focus on our country” (Twitter, November 19, 2016)
Cimate Change:
“I am not a great believer in man-made climate change.” (Washington Post, March 21, 2016)
“I think there is some connectivity. Some, something.” (New York Times, November 22, 2016)
Paris Climate Agreement
“We’re going to cancel the Paris Climate Agreement” (Policy address in North Dakota, May 26, 2016)
“I have an open mind to it." (New York Times, November 22, 2016)
Torture
“Torture works. OK, folks? You know, I have these guys—‘Torture doesn’t work!’—believe me, it works. And waterboarding is your minor form. Some people say it’s not actually torture. Let’s assume it is. But they asked me the question: What do you think of waterboarding? Absolutely fine. But we should go much stronger than waterboarding.” (South Carolina, February 17, 2016)
“[Mattis] said, ‘I’ve never found it to be useful…Give me a pack of cigarettes and a couple of beers and I’ll do better.’…I was very impressed by that answer… [Torture is] not going to make the kind of a difference that a lot of people are thinking.’’ (New York Times, November 22, 2016)
New York Times:
"Wow, the @nytimes is losing thousands of subscribers because of their very poor and highly inaccurate coverage of the 'Trump phenomena.'" (Twitter, November 13, 2016)
“I have great respect for the New York Times. I have tremendous respect…The New York Times is a world jewel. And I hope we can all get along."
It was the sleep of the just. There was just no way I was going to make it through hours and hours of those boring returns, not the mention all the cheerleaders for the two lousy horses in this media-made, and made-for-media, race. Besides, it was a draining day at the office and I was, quite frankly, tired as soon as I got in the door. But that nap was just what the doctor ordered. Observing my strict religious practice, I instinctively turned on the radio to get my morning shot of information and, oh yes, receive confirmation of the election results. Well, that WAS a relief! How could that clown ever hope to actually become president. In the words of the immortal rabbit (Bugs Bunny). . . "What a Maroon!" So what if the first spouse is a philandering, double-talking snake-oil salesman. At least our president can put together two sentences that do not contain the words I, me, best, lousy or great. And frequently she (YES! Finally, she) throws a fact in for good measure. But wait, there's coverage of a protest in DC, with guns, and actual shooting. Occupying the White House? "Rigged?" WTF are they talking about. Whaddayamean they REFUSE! Refuse my ass! An election is an election. Appointed from Goldman. . . what? What did she say? Bill is stocking up on cigars and recruiting interns. Is this what I can look forward for the next four years?
(Inspired and/or otherwise 'lifted' from https://www.facebook.com/jay.graboski.3?fref=ts by my good friend Jay Graboski)
". . . Americans (are) literalists who “don’t know how to communicate in symbols except in the baldest of ways." Are symbolists and literalists the divisive ones who have a hard time understanding a messiah who came not parsing texts on vellum but speaking in signs and stories (semiotics)?"
Round every corner and fade into blue
The Angelus rings, she comes into view
Nine is her number
In nine she is due
She will never fail you
Singing creation, look into her eyes
Out of her mouth she is speaking the sky
Circling heaven, higher than high
She in time is movement
Why should I move from her world vibration?
Molding this clay into
Paleolithic Goddess Figurines
Streaming to rivers, she floats on the sea
Gathers her children who sit on her knee
Showing and telling them where they are free
She is softly speaking
Holding the line when she seems unpleasant
Molding this clay into
Paleolithic Goddess Figurines
There is no real dilemma
She has her own agenda
Though there's a vulture hovering above our heads
Go on and trust the pattern
Her sun and moon are lanterns
Painting the firmament with stars
She is the vision of attention engaged
Breaking the spell of automaton rage
A circuit of heaven, a luminous wave
All is seen before her
Why should I move from her world vibration?
Molding this clay into
Paleolithic Goddess Figurines
Round every corner and fade into blue
The Angelus rings, she comes into view
Nine is her number
In nine she is due
She will never fail you
(from http://www.rense.com/demo.htm, Democracy In Distress By Philip James The Guardian - UK 8-20-4)
". . . The recent recall election in Venezuela has given us a disturbing preview of what may be in store for the United States in November: an election result held in doubt by many of the voters that took part in it. A cloud hangs over Hugo Chavez's reaffirmation as Venezuela's president, despite a thumbs-up from international election observers. The source of the scepticism is a new technology that was supposed to take inaccuracies out of elections: touch-screen balloting. . . Even though the electronic equipment used for Venezuela's election was designed to leave a paper trail that could be audited, the opposition suspects some kind of electoral foul play may have been written into the system's software, limiting the number of "yes" votes on the recall. . . As far-fetched as this may sound, it underlines one thing: a democratic system is only as strong as its participants' belief in its validity. When voters' confidence in the accuracy or fairness of the system is eroded, the system itself is undermined. . ."
Amazing thing, when I traded my old gear in for my first piano I got almost what I paid for the Leslie. For the Farfisa, I think I got about twenty bucks.
. . . is it that the electoral college did NOT have the balls to stop what clearly, by the standards of anyone with common sense, should be STOPPED??!!!
(from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Balls)
Balls
1. A man's testicles where sperm is produced.
2. Courage or bravery.
3. Manliness.
4. Something yelled to shock people.
1. He didn't have the balls to jump off a three-story platform into the water.
2. He may look sexy, but Dereck doesn't have balls.
3. The boy said to his grandmother: "Balls!" And she passed out.
Principles are ever so much more important than rules. Most folks find it much easier to follow 'the rules' than to think for themselves according to principles. . . "A principle internally motivates you to do the things that seem good and right. People develop principles by living with people with principles and seeing the real benefits of such a life. . . " A rule is purely external and many times forces us to do the things someone else has deemed proper. Do you want your kids to follow rules or live their lives making choices based upon principles. Certainly rules are necessary in many instances to maintain law and order. A proper basis in principles would preclude any good citizen from breaking laws anyway. But is thinking about what you really believe and know to be good just too painful?
