pianogonzology: past

Showing posts with label past. Show all posts

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Old Days?. . .

. . . food for constitutionalist thought . . .

(from Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham)

". . . Jefferson wrote Adams in 1816. Jefferson took the broadest of views: "I steer my bark with hope in the head, leaving fear astern. My hopes, indeed, sometimes fail; but not oftener than the forebodings of the gloomy." . . . Adams was always less sanguine. "I dare not look beyond my nose into futurity," he wrote Jefferson. "Our money, our commerce, our religion, our national and state constitutions, even our arts and sciences, are so many seedpots of division, faction, sedition and rebellion. Everything is transmuted into an instrument of electioneering.". . . The past, he (Jefferson) thought, should hold no magical, unexamined claim over the present. "Some men look at Constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them, like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched," he wrote in 1816 . . . "They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human, and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment. I knew that age well: I belonged to it, and labored with it. It deserved well of its country. It was very like the present, but without the experience of the present: and 40 years of experience in government is worth a century of book-reading: and this they would say themselves, were they to rise from the dead. I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions...but I know also that the laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind....We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.". . . "

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(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
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Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Bend . . .

Inevitably we must move along
Irrespective of the past
But not forgetting it
Fortify yourself with it
It is the stuff of which you're made
And if it doesn't quite seem relevant
Quite possibly you haven't really lived

It's not always simple
It's not always easy
Some precious things will be missed
But they will live on stubbornly
Others will remain
Though possibly on a modified scale
While the glory of new possibilities lies ahead

The Bend(032518)
©2018 Raymond M. Jozwiak

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Thursday, May 18, 2017

The Past . . .

. . . a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the ability to write a tune inspired by the . . .

Un-Tie-Teld
from Critic's Choice @2005 Raymond M. Jozwiak
Available at CD Baby

What do you think?
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(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)

Get your copy of OHO's Where Words Do Not Reach now!
The Ocean City Ditty Video is now on YouTube
Also, be sure to visit: www.rayjozwiak.com and www.ohomusic.com

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Thursday, January 5, 2017

The Past . . .

(inspired by http://www.americanshipper.com/main/asd/commentary-the-real-threat-and-solution-for-us-job-66343.aspx)

One major platform item of the U.S. President-elect was the idea that manufacturing jobs can and should return to the United States. While the outsourcing of manufacturing, increased levels of imported goods, and free trade in general have been vilified as U.S. job killers, a more potent dynamic is being omitted from the conversation, which is technology. It's not that we cannot manufacture in the U.S., it's that the things we manufacture are expensive. Technological innovation is not going to stop as a result of non-factual information originating with public servants. While advances do threaten current jobs, they also create new, different jobs such as the programming and maintenance of systems and machines which perform highly automated functions.

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Friday, November 18, 2016

Blast . . .

. . . from the past (of course) . . .
(the ridiculous and the sublime . . . you choose)

(http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Trivia/TheDickVanDykeShow)
Actor-Shared Background: Jerry van Dyke's childhood sleepwalking became Stacy's adult sleepwalking.
Rob used to entertain his fellow troops in the Army, just like Dick Van Dyke.
The Danza: Jerry Paris as next door neighbor Jerry Helper.
Development Gag: "The Last Chapter" ends the show with one recalling its origins. Rob completes a manuscript about his various experiences as a writer, but the publisher rejects it. However, Alan loves it and intends to turn it into a TV series, where he'll play Rob.
Directed by Cast Member: Jerry Paris took over as the show's chief director during the third season, leading to his acting role in the show being cut down.
Executive Meddling:
Carl Reiner wrote the role of Rob Petrie for himself (sensibly, considering the show was based on his experiences writing Your Show Of Shows), but the studio rejected him in the role and instead cast Dick Van Dyke. In fact, there exists a pilot of Carl in the role of Rob Petrie called "Head of the Family". It actually aired in the summer of 1960. The whole cast - including Reiner - consider this a rare case of Good executive meddling.
Marathon Running: Nick@Nite's The Dick Van Dyke Collection.
Real-Life Relative: Jerry Van Dyke appears in a few episodes as Rob's brother Stacey.
Special Effects Failure: The scene with the kangaroo in Never Name a Duck is obviously the available footage of the man controlling the 'roo run back and forth.
Un-Cancelled: CBS officially cancelled the show after its first season, and the cast had even had a farewell party before Procter & Gamble threatened to yank all their popular soap operas (As the World Turns, The Edge of Night, Guiding Light and Search For Tomorrow) off of the network's daytime schedule if the series wasn't renewed.
What Might Have Been: Johnny Carson was the runner-up for the role of Rob.
If not for the influence Procter & Gamble had with CBS, the show would have been A One Season Wonder.
Write Who You Know:
Carl Reiner based Buddy and Sally on fellow comedy writers Mel Brooks and Selma Diamond.
Write What You Know:
The entire basis of the show. Carl Reiner has said that he was a New York comedy writer who lived in New Rochelle with his wife and son, so he decided to write a show about a New York comedy writer living in New Rochelle with his wife and son.
Reiner carried this over into running the show, insisting that the plots should be based not on old sitcom tropes but on real things that happened to the writers in their family or work lives. Ironically, many of these stories have themselves become stock sitcom plots thanks to their use on this show.
The Petries even live on the same street as the Reiners did (Although Carl DID add a 1 to the house number).
You Look Familiar: Greg Morris guest starred in two episodes as two different characters.
Van Dyke's stand-in Frank Adamo often turned up in various supporting parts.
Carl Reiner played several different guest parts in addition to his recurring role as Alan Brady.

What do you think?
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My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills

(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)

Get your copy of OHO's Where Words Do Not Reach now!
The Ocean City Ditty Video is now on YouTube
Also, be sure to visit: www.rayjozwiak.com and www.ohomusic.com

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Thursday, May 12, 2016

Learning . . .

. . . from the past . .

(from Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann, translation by John E. Woods)
". . . One can call what came to light here the dark possibilities within human nature in general-but is was in fact tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of Germans who committed the acts before which humanity shudders, and whatever lived as German stands now as an abomination and the epitome of evil. What will it be like to belong to a nation whose history bore this gruesome fiasco within it, a nation that has driven itself mad, gone psychologically bankrupt, that admittedly depairs of governing itself . . . that will have to live in isolated confinement, like the Jews of the ghetto, because the dreadfully swollen hatred all around it will not permit it to step outside its borders-a nation that cannot show its face? . . ."

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My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills

Monday, September 14, 2015

The Past . . .

(from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_Street)
". . . The French claimed Louisiana as a colony in the 1690s. Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville was appointed as Director General in charge of developing a colony in the territory. He founded New Orleans in 1718. In 1721, the royal engineer, Adrien de Pauger designed the city's street layout. He named the streets after French royal houses and Catholic saints. Bourbon Street paid homage to France's ruling family, the House of Bourbon. . ."

(from http://www.langloisnola.com/creole-cajun-history/)
". . . The Acadians – Frenchmen who settled in “Acadie,” the wilds of Nova Scotia – were forcibly driven out of Canada in 1755 by the British and shipped off to regions as disparate as Massachusetts, the West Indies, and Uruguay. This exile was called Le Grande Derangement (“the great trouble”). After returning to France, one of the largest groups of exiles landed on the shores of South Louisiana. Over time, more waves of Acadians reunited with fellow refugees, and they became known as “Cajuns.” Acadians were hunters, farmers, and fishermen well-versed in the art of living off the land. They were given land grants upriver from New Orleans and moved into the swamps, bayous, and prairies of Louisiana to start farms and ranches. . . . "

But that's all in the past. . .

What do you think?
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OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak. Please Visit http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak, featuring original, instrumental piano music is now available at - Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak

(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
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Monday, March 24, 2014

Unbe-f*&#ing-lievable . . .

I'm not one of those folks who lives in or harbors a burning desire to return to the past. As a matter of fact, my high school years (with several exceptions- having an awesome 10th grade biology teacher, my best friend Joe, a Public Speaking teacher that I think truly 'understood' me, a journalism teacher who appreciated my rebellious nature, and being 'assigned' to sit between two of the school's most popular girls in English class by Miss Simon [they were actually very nice, funny and genuine] my high school years were pretty much typical. And they were also abbreviated as I waived my senior year and entered college one year early (earning my HS Diploma after passing college-level English) leaving me with only two actual high-school years attended. In those days, 'junior' high encompassed grades 7, 8 and 9 while high school consisted of grades 10, 11 and 12. Very different now.

But my most memorable years were those immediately after high school, for it was at that time that I saw the 'real' world, actually pursued a future course of my choosing and met some of the greatest and most memorable personalities, several with whom I have recently been able to reunite. In fact, we have been meeting on a regular basis, much to my pleasure and (I hope) to theirs as well.

Who'd a thought it??? Forty years since I first met them and when we get together, it's like I haven't seen them since last week. It's magical and I am most fortunate not only to have had them as friends initially, but to have been able to rekindle that friendship at this older and wiser stage in our my life.

What do you think?
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OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD)

'2014' available April 8, 2014 at http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak
Pre-order your copy of "2014" at the iTunes Store NOW

My latest solo release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
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Also, be sure to visit:
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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

A Blast . . .

. . . from the past (circa 1997 and featuring Spencer Jozwiak, formerly of Angel Fallen and Left Stronger)

Taking in my daily sustenance
Down at my local Scottish restaurant
When I noticed that my entree was
More than I bargained for
Look what I got
The manager said there was compensation
Coming my way
But not today

Don't call us
Don't call us
Don't call us
We'll call you

Auntie Lynn said it would be a sin
To waste my precious vocal expertise
So I took me to audition down
At the prestigious theater called the Ritz
Producer man was nice as he could be
He said I was fine
But not this time

Don't call us
Don't call us
Don't call us
We'll call you

Seems I've been hearing
The same thing since
I don't know when
Some with a little less
Confidence might just give in
I'm no one's fool
Unless I want to be
Life can be cruel
Won't someone please
Just call me

At the end of what had seemed to be
A perfect evening
Just what did I do
Could it be something I said
Or didn't follow-through
I wish I knew
We danced and dined
I even kissed your hand
Under a twinkling sky
I said goodbye
When you cried

Don't call us
Don't call us
Don't call us
We'll call you

We'll Call You
©1997 Raymond M. Jozwiak

What do you think?
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My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
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Also, be sure to visit:
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Monday, July 16, 2012

Keeping score . . .

Jagger 4,000
Wilt Chamberlain 20,000
Warren Beatty 12,775

(. . . From Hugo Schwyzer http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/why-does-it-matter-how-many-partners-shes-had/)
". . . It’s understandable to be curious about the sexual lives of our peers. It makes sense to want to know what the averages are. (According to the experts at the Kinsey Institute, the average number of lifetime sexual partners for men aged 30 to 44 is around seven, while for women in that same age group, it’s four—both lower than you might think).

But the number has different meanings for men and women. The old double standard is still alive and well: a man with more sexual partners than his buddies may be teasingly called a “man whore,” but the epithet is a compliment, not an insult. Ask a woman who has dared reveal her number to someone who considers it too high, and she’ll surely tell you a story of being “slut-shamed.”

It’s quite common for a guy to worry about a girlfriend’s sexual past. Too many men are still raised to see sex as crude competition, in which bedding a woman who has already had a lot of lovers counts less than scoring with a woman who is “hard to get.” But I think the average guy’s worry is simpler than that. The more men his girlfriend has slept with, the greater number of lovers to which she can compare his skills. . . "

My question, "Who cares?"

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AMBIENCE & WINE

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Sunday, May 8, 2011

If you feel there's a presence. . .

. . . or uneasiness, but you clearly are all alone, those feelings you're feeling seem somewhat out of sync. Tell me, what would you like to drink? There are so many stories everyone here can tell. History full of of color; tragedy too. Such things may weigh heavy. Filled with fear, eyes will blink. We say, what would you like to drink?

Sometimes the weather can get hot. And passion's sure to rise here. It's happened so much in the past. The poet-son who watched his parents' suicide; the yellow fever victims here, with those long gone, still survive. Back some years, goes the story, controversy abounds; love and murder, some mystery in our town. Such intrigue we get through printed pages and ink. Can I please get you something to drink? Midst of all the excitement, everyone chose their side. RIght or wrong, there's no middle; nowhere to hide. He was one upstanding citizen, don't you think? So now, what would you like to drink?

Things aren't always what they seem or how we'd like them to be. They're only just the way they are. But sometimes, just beneath the surface, something we never saw. We're not sure it's dead or still alive. You can see the old movie. Read the book better still. Fill in all of the details; a little thrill. Bartender on Drayton said "Ghosts sell" with a wink. Say now, what would you like to drink?

©2008 Raymond M. Jozwiak

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ANOTHER SHOT
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