Thursday, December 31, 2020

Ring . . .


 . . . in the RIGHTNESS


. . . Surrounded by a force making all things new.

You are safe, you are whole, nothing goes askew. . . 

There comes a day when you know just where you belong.

When you act from this place nothing can go wrong . . . 

(John P. Graboski)

 


(from OHO's GAZEBO)


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Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Consequences . . .

The stars lay in a blanket above.
A gentle breeze blowing in from the sea.
The last light flickers from one lonely candle.
Never before was a night half as perfect
For you and me.

But there was a party last night. 
Yes there was a party nextdoor,
‘Cause there’s a boy sleeping on the back porch.

You would have noticed a pin drop that evening.
The peace and calm when romance fills the air.
Ambience oozing from Coltrane and Hartman.
And barely twenty feet away, we’d no clue
What was happening there.

No blaring rock and roll.
No bottles on the walk.
No screaming, shouting and no fight.
Nobody called the law.
No sirens in the night.
Just one young man, stretched out on a chaise,
Sleeping it off.

Occasions such as this should be savored.
The combination of circumstance rare.
You may just be the true love that I’ve searched for.
I think though, that the folks in the house that’s next door 
Just don’t care.



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Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Sharing . . .

                                         
                                                                  https://www.shutterstock.com/search/kid+sharing+food


. . . solo space with vibraphone in the "latest-mix-of-this-song-in-progress" which I promise will be finished one day soon . . . 



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Monday, December 28, 2020

Ways . . .

. . . the 45 'administration' (using the term loosely) has affected American workers - in case you were unaware . . . 
 

(from https://www.epi.org/publication/50-reasons/)
". . . 50 ways the Trump administration has failed workers . . . 
1. . . . failed to support adequate fiscal stimulus during the coronavirus pandemic

2. . . . diminished the integrity and accuracy of the 2020 U.S. Census

3. . . . stopped funding for Social Security

4. . . . dismantled fiduciary protections for retirement savers

5. . . . engaged in persistent efforts to take away workers’ health care

6. . . . narrowed the scope of ‘protected concerted activity’ under the NLRA

7. . . . persisted in attempts to end DACA

8. . . . suspended the issuance of green cards

9. . . . failed to act to protect the health of workers during the pandemic

10. . . . issued guidance that allows states to deny unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to workers who refuse to return to unsafe jobs 

11. . . . issued an executive order that intimidated local health departments from closing meat-processing plants with significant COVID-19 outbreaks

12. . . . excluded millions of workers from paid leave provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA), including 9 million health care workers and 4.4 million first responders

13. . . . ignificantly narrowed benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program
DOL issued guidance narrowing the framework for eligibility and duration of PUA benefits.42

14. . . . allowed poultry plants to increase line speeds during the coronavirus pandemic

15. . . . issued interim guidance that removed most employer responsibility to investigate or record workplace-related coronavirus cases in non-health-care workplaces

16. . . . pushed to lower wages for migrant farmworkers

17. . . . suspended all union elections

18. . . . completed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s (anti-worker) wish list . . . (items) of which weaken workers’ ability to organize with their co-workers to bargain collectively with their employers.

19. . . . obstructed workers’ right to fair union elections

20. . . . narrowed the joint-employer standard under the NLRA

21. . . .  encouraged offshoring

22. . . . denied workers more bargaining power on the job

23. . . . narrowed the joint-employer standard under the FLSA

24. . . . allowed states to privatize employment services

25. . . . decreased workplace safety inspections

26. . . . proposed a rule that would lower the earnings of tipped workers

27. . . . sought to expand the use of the fluctuating workweek method, which makes it easier for employers to avoid paying overtime

28. . . . undermined job security for service workers

29. . . . hindered workers’ ability to organize during nonwork hours

30. . . . sought to exclude student employees from the NLRA

31. . . . prevented millions of workers from receiving overtime

32. . . . put forward anti-worker DOL nominations

33. . . . neglected to address overvaluation of the U.S. dollar

34. . . . denied workers a minimum wage increase

35. . . . allowed misclassification of gig workers

36. . . . issued a rule allowing hog slaughter facilities to function at unsafe speeds

37. . . . proposed a rule allowing young workers to perform unsafe tasks in health care occupations

38. . . . undercut public-sector workers’ freedom to organize

39. . . . denied workers the right to class or collective claims by reversing the Justice Department’s prior position in Epic Systems

40. . . . eroded the collective bargaining rights of federal workers

41. . . . weakened standards for mine safety inspections

42. . . . appointed anti-worker NLRB members

43. . . . hid economic analysis on the ‘tip stealing’ rule

44. . . . allowed employers to gerrymander bargaining units

45. . . . passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—which benefits the wealthy at others’ expense

46. . . . removed the public record of worker deaths from OSHA’s homepage

47. . . . removed requirements that employers disclose their use of union-avoidance consultants

48. . . . repealed a requirement that employers report workplace injuries and illnesses

49. . . . delayed enforcement of a rule protecting workers from exposure to silica dust

50. . . . made it easier for contractors who violate basic labor and employment laws to be awarded contracts paid for by taxpayer dollars. . . "




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Sunday, December 27, 2020

Clavinet . . .

(from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clavinet)
The clavinet is an electrically amplified clavichord that was invented by Ernst Zacharias and manufactured by the Hohner company of Trossingen, West Germany, from 1964 to the early 1980s. Hohner produced seven models over the years, designated I, II, L, C, D6, E7 and Duo. Its distinctive bright staccato sound has featured most prominently in funk, jazz-funk, reggae, rock, and soul songs.

. . . in a 3rd mix of 'Going'. 
(Is this starting to sound like a Christmas song, or is it just the tree?)



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Saturday, December 26, 2020

Adornment . . .

. . . embellishment

decoration

ornamentation

enhancement

beautification

elaboration

enrichment 

. . . elements added to the mix of 'Going', a song-still-in-progress



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Another Shot by Ray Jozwiak
            Another Shot


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For all things "OHO" please visit:
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OHO Music Website
The 'More OHO Music' You Tube Website
The 'Original' OHO Music You Tube Website




Friday, December 25, 2020

Festive . . .

https://garden-photos-com.photoshelter.com/
image/I0000_PhaNx5gYvA
In theory, I like Christmas - any religious discussion notwithstanding. It's the practice, or at least what the practice has evolved into being, that bothers me.  A couple of years ago, Jay (Graboski of OHO) came up with the catchy, festive-sounding tune and invited me to add some piano. I, most enthusiastically, complied. Below is the finished (at least for now) product which, for me, very much evokes a holiday-like spirit. Futhermore, there is NO PURCHASE REQUIRED.




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              Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak


Thursday, December 24, 2020

Corrosion . . .

 

. . . continues


(from https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-pardon-list-including-blackwater-gop-allies-clashes-federal-execution-ncna1252194)
". . . We are back to where we began, hoping for a society that rewards those that do good and punishes those who do harm. Trump’s corrosive use of the pardon power and his rush to execute death row inmates will cement his presidency as one of the most unjust in history. . . "




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Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Keep . . .

. . . on going . . . 


Going on and going strong,
With music the fuel to propel me along.
The pleasures and beauty of life at the ocean,
And leisurely time help provide locomotion . . . 
(Creative locomotion)

The process continues. "Going", a seed for a song, inspired by the music of BTS, continues to evolve . . .  



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Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Albert . . .


How do you know when you’re at the end?
Where will you go? 
After so long the marina’s become your friend.
There’ll be a day when your ship comes in.
Take it in stride.
You keep it slow, keep it steady, and all in time.

Half of the T-head on E, Albert.
Half of the T-head on E. 
How big’s your boat gonna be Albert,
When you are free?

Albert always wore a smile on his face,
Never a trace of weariness. 

No one thought Albert would do much more
Than they thought he would.
Albert, oblivious, struggled despite their scorn.
One little blink, he’s no longer there.
Blends with the crowd. 
Sometimes at night he will cry
But it’s never loud.

Always one you’ll find in every crowd.
We sure could use some more like him.

What kind of man would do all the things that he should do?
What’s your reaction? Something you want? Can it be true?

But the perception so widely held 
Is not all that good. 
Such was the case, or was apathy what he befell?
Really, we’re all just like Albert too,
Just not as wise.
One bit of patience, no burden’s beyond your size.

Take your dreams and fly so far from this place.
Feel no regrets, no bridges burned.


Monday, December 21, 2020

Seeds . . .

As we sit here 
In all cautiousprudence,
Protecting ourselves
And all near-moving humans.
Believing in science,
Doctors' orders we heed.
So how better to spend time
Than planting the seed.



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Sunday, December 20, 2020

Hope . . .

                                         

(from https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ogbl#inbox/FMfcgxwKjwwJNSJgnzLzDQhXWrcghplf) ". . . The Republican Party has become more hostile to democracy than ever. Both the Trump and Bush presidencies concluded with America a smoking ruin. Only Trump has ensured that nearly half the country doesn’t see it. . . Trump failed to capture America, but he may have irrevocably broken it. . ." 

I hope NOT!




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Saturday, December 19, 2020

Same . . .

 . . . and more of the same . . . 

". . . In an autocracy, the autocrat decides who should be investigated and prosecuted. The problem with allowing the head of state to decide whom to prosecute is obvious: It opens up the temptation to prosecute political rivals. Rule of law gives way to the whims of the ruler. Trump's attempts to force the Justice Department and the FBI to do his bidding are some of his most blatant and dangerous assaults on the rule of law. . ."



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