Happy 2010!

Art: You should like it 'cause it's cool.

Internet, if you were a person, I'd tell you to go see the Louvre exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. But since you aren't a person, I need you to help me tell other people to go see it. You see, it's a very well-done exhibit filled with some beautiful art: some paintings, some drawings, some sculpture, some other stuff. It includes all sorts of interesting pieces that have helped define what a "masterpiece" is to different generations. Even the forgeries they've included in the exhibit are beautiful works of art (and also thought to be masterpieces before they were uncovered as frauds). I liked it very much when I went there with some of the fam yesterday, especially because I learned stuff (like what repoussé and chasing are) and got to see some interesting and intelligent art. I also enjoyed the two corresponding exhibits (one on what the MIA curators believe to be masterpieces, with one of my favorite pieces from that collection here, and the other an exhibit showing all the different pieces that Vermeer used in 1668 in his painting The Astronomer - let me tell you: it's kind of cool to see an astrolabe up close and personal). So, Internet, tell your [real, human] friends that they should go see it: on now at the MIA until January 10, 2010.

^
John Martin, English, engraving Pandemonium, 1825

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Antoine-Louis Barye, French, bronze Lion with Serpent, 1833-1836






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Jean-Baptiste-Jules Klagmann, French, silver ewer, ca. 1848 (example of repoussé and chasing)

2009 v. 2010: Accomplishments v. Goals

Q: Accomplishment in 2009?

A: I, having been nominated to undertake the task for the first time ever, made the gravy for the turkey on Christmas Day (mainly 'cause no one else standing around in the kitchen wanted anything to do with it). It was a tasty success. I figure if you can make good, edible, non-lumpy gravy, you can cook pretty much anything.

Q: New goal for 2010?

A: I have decided that for vacation next year, I want to go here and do some of this and this and this, and see some of this and most definitely this, and maybe ride one of these. And some other stuff, too. Doesn't Alaska sound great? You'd think with all the snow we've received here lately, I would be less interested in hiking about in a wilderness where you can see snow all the time. But no. I'm dreaming of AK next summer.

Ah, Winter

My balcony, around the time our great winter whiteout started on Wednesday

My dad with the snowblower at their house on Christmas Eve - before I stole it 'cause I like to play with it

"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"

Merry Christmas!

Antonio da Correggio's Nativity (1529-1530)

When came in flesh the incarnate Word,
The heedless world slept on,
And only simple shepherds heard
That God had sent His Son.

When comes the Savior at the last,
From east to west shall shine
The awful pomp, and earth aghast
Shall tremble at the sign.

Then shall the pure of heart be blest;
As mild He comes to them,
As when upon the virgin’s breast
He lay at Bethlehem.

As mild to meek eyed love and faith,
Only more strong to save;
Strengthened by having bowed to death,
By having burst the grave.

Lord, who could dare see Thee descend
In state, unless he knew
Thou art the sorrowing sinner’s Friend,
The gracious and the true?

Dwell in our hearts, O Savior blest;
So shall Thine advent’s dawn
’Twixt us and Thee, our bosom Guest,
Be but the veil withdrawn.

Words: Joseph Anstice (1808 - 1836)

Music: Walsall, attributed to Henry Purcell (1658-1695)

Merry Christmas!

Some Christmas Pics from Minny LinnEy

At Home: a real fake Christmas tree

(Instead of the fake-fake tree...but don't worry: We still put up the coat rack Christmas tree, too)

At the Parents' Home: Lots of snow, with more to come

Beauty & the Beast: Beautiful or Beastly?

I went to see Beauty & the Beast at the Ordway last night with cousin R, who is in town for Christmas. I was looking forward to it, but I have to admit, I kind of agree with the Strib's review ("Ordway Show is Beautiful at Times, Beastly at Others"), and even the Pioneer Press has some of the same comments ("Ordway's 'Beauty and the Beast' is Predictable Fun"). In a complete twist, my favorite character in the musical version was Gaston (Jonathan "Goose" Burgard) - but he's usually my least favorite in the movie, and the Beast (Jeremiah James) had an excellent singing voice. I was also highly entertained by Lumiere (Bradley Greenwald) and Cogsworth (Ed Dixon) in a completely predictable way (every funny line of theirs was in the movie), but it was Madame de la Grande Bouch (Christina Baldwin) who stole the show in this musical, at least when it came to the servants: loved her. As for Belle (Laurine Price), well, I love her speaking voice. But the pacing just felt off, and although her singing voice had its moments, it generally just fell flat for me (flat as in energy and pacing, not that she was necessarily flat...in fact she sang sharp a few times, but that wasn't the part that bothered me so much).

The sets were amazing, the costumes great. But Internet, you want to know what drives me nuts? If I'm going to spend so much $$$ on a ticket to see a professional performance, I would like those Ordway people to hire someone to proofread the program. It would be nice if they spelled people's names correctly ("Loe" instead of "Leo"?), or maybe just used spell check (for example, that would've picked up "centenial" and changed it to the proper "centennial"). I'm just sayin'.

Even though it took me a while to get into it (I kept thinking it would've been cheaper and I could've stayed in my nice warm house by renting the movie), by the end I was sucked in and had a good time, and it's always enjoyable to go to the beautiful Ordway and see the Christmas lights in Rice Park across the street.

Not only is his cell phone nicer than mine...

...so is his dinner. Seriously? Mushroom risotto?

And for those of you who will argue that he's not homeless, and the shelter is privately run, I'm still cynical enough to believe that this probably does happen amongst some people who choose to use their assistance (whatever variety or shape it comes in) for things other than true necessities...

The Blind Side

Internet, everyone I know plus a few I don't and all of their mothers recommended I go see The Blind Side. So that's what I did last night, and I can understand why they all said that. It was the best movie I've seen all year. Granted, I'm pretty sure it's the only movie I've seen in a movie theater this year, so let's say in the past few years. It was actually worth the money to go to the theater. And it's based on a book, so you know I've got to go find and read the book now.

So, everyone who knows me and a few people who don't? Take my suggestion and go see it.

Quote of the Moment: Messiah, Part III

The creation of George Frederic Handel's Messiah was actually the idea of Handel's librettist, Charles Jennens. Jennens, a literary scholar who had attended Balliol College in Oxford, expressed in a letter to his friend George that he wanted to create a Scriptural anthology set to music, and would George mind writing the music? Handel (1695-1759) composed the masterpiece Messiah in a mere twenty-four days in the summer of 1741 (talk about thinking of Christmas music way before the season actually starts...and the Easter music WAY too early...kidding, kidding). Anyhoo, that's an average of 2 or 3 songs a day, which I suppose is not bad. (Ha! As if I could ever be that productive...It's taking me five days just to post all the Scripture references and stuff...let alone actually compose something...)

George's remarks upon finishing it? "I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the Great God Himself." There is another story told (perhaps apocryphally, according to the wikipedia) about the Hallelujah Chorus, probably the most famous chorus ever written, that Handel's assistant "walked in to Handel's room after shouting to him for several minutes with no response. The assistant reportedly found Handel in tears, and when asked what was wrong, Handel held up the score to this movement and said, 'I thought I saw the face of God.'"

It was debuted in Dublin, Ireland, in April of 1742, and apparently (as some accounts I've read, say), the public rehearsal the day before the big performance was so packed that hundreds of people had to be turned away because of lack of space. Proceeds from that first concert were donated to local charities and hospitals for the mentally ill at the request of Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

HANDEL'S MESSIAH

Part III: The Aftermath

1. The promise of redemption from Adam's fall
2. Judgment Day
3. The victory over death and sin
4. The glorification of Christ

(45) I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (Soprano Air)
Job 19:25-26 "I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand on the latter day upon the earth: And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."
I Corinthians 15:20 "[For] now is Christ risen from the dead...the firstfruits of them that [sleep]."

(46) Since By Man Came Death (Chorus)
I Corinthians 15:21-22 "Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

(47) Behold I Tell You a Mystery (Bass Recitative)
I Corinthians 15:51-52 "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep; but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet."

(48) The Trumpet Shall Sound (Bass Air)
I Corinthians 15:52b-53 "The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal man must put on immortality."

(49) Then Shall Be Brought to Pass (Alto Recitative)
I Corinthians 15:54b (Isaiah 25:8) "Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'"

(50) O Death Where Is Thy Sting? (Alto and Tenor Duet)
I Corinthians 15:55-56 (Hosea 13:14) "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law."

(51) But Thanks Be to God (Chorus)
I Corinthians 15:57 "But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

(52) If God Be For Us (Soprano Air)
Romans 8:31, 33-34 "If God be for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us."

(53) Worthy Is the Lamb (Chorus)
Revelation 5:12-13 "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing...Blessing and honour, glory and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen."

Quote of the Moment: Messiah, Part IIb

This is Christmas: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:1, 14). In this section of part II of Messiah, we see this Word - Jesus - being spread throughout the nations: a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the New Testament (which is why so much of the New Testament seems to quote Old Testament verses: the prophets of old spoke of the coming of Christ, and of God's ultimate triumph over Satan and the things of this world - including those who wage war against Him and His people; it is God the Lord who reigns on high as the King over all those other guys).

Handel's Messiah

Part II: The Passion

4. God discloses His identity in heaven
5. The beginning of evangelism
6. The world and its rulers reject the Gospel
7. God's triumph

(37) The Lord Gave the Word (Chorus)
Psalm 68:11 "The Lord gave the [W]ord: great was the company of [the preachers]."

(38) How Beautiful Are the Feet (Soprano Air)
Romans 10:15 (Isaiah 52:7) "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"

(39) Their Sound Is Gone Out (Chorus)
Romans 10:18 (Psalm 19:4) "Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world."

(40) Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rage Together? (Bass Air)
Psalm 2:1-2 (Acts 4:25-26) "Why do the heathen rage, and why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed."

(41) Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder (Chorus)
Psalm 2:3 "Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us."

(42) He That Dwelleth in Heaven (Tenor Recitative)
Psalm 2:4 "He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision."

(43) Thou Shalt Break Them (Tenor Air)
Psalm 2:9 "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

(44) Hallelujah (Chorus)
Revelation 19:6; 11:15 "Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth...The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ: and He shall reign forever and ever...KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS."

Quote of the Moment: Messiah, Part IIa

I think one of the reasons I love Messiah even more this year is because I'm doing a Bible study on Isaiah. In the first 30 or so chapters, the vast majority of the book is about Isaiah's (and thus, God's) constant struggle with the rebellious children of Israel. They never listen to God, they turn their back on Him, and it's a time of great darkness with Isaiah wandering around, being a voice of warning in a spiritual wilderness. Throughout the dark moments when Israel is constantly sinning and doing the wrong thing, there are other moments of hope - God is sending them (and us) a Saviour (Is. 9:6). No matter what they've done or how much they rebel, God will wait for Israel to return to Him, and when they do, He will be gracious to them (Is. 30:18). It is nice knowing that no matter how many times I sin and do the wrong thing (which is often, let's face it), God is graciously waiting for me to return to Him in the same way (not that this is or should be a free license to go do whatever I want, either, but there is forgiveness and grace with God).

HANDEL'S MESSIAH

Part II: The Passion

1. The sacrifice, the scourging and agony on the cross
2. His death, His passing through hell, and His resurrection
3. His ascension
4. God discloses His identity in heaven

(22) Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus)
John 1:29 "Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world."

(23) He Was Despised (Alto Air)
Isaiah 53:3 "He was despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief..."
Isaiah 50:6 "[He] gave [His] back to the smiters, and [His] cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. [He] hid not [His] face from shame and spitting.

(24) Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs (Chorus)
Isaiah 53:4-5 "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows...He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him."

(25) And With His Stripes We Are Healed (Chorus)
Isaiah 53:5b "...and with His stripes we are healed."

(26) All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray (Chorus)
Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

(27) All They That See Him Laugh Him to Scorn (Tenor or Soprano Recitative)
Psalm 22:7 "All they that see [Him] laugh [Him] to scorn: they shoot out their lips, they shake their heads, saying..."

(28) He Trusted in God (Chorus)
Psalm 22:8 (Matthew 27:43) "He trusted [in God], that He would deliver Him: let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him."

(29) Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart (Tenor Recitative)
Psalm 69:20 "[Thy] rebuke hath broken [His] heart; [He is] full of heaviness. [He] looked for some to have pity [on Him], but there was none; neither found [He] any comfort to [Him]."

(30) Behold, and See If There Be Any Sorrow (Tenor Air)
Lamentations 1:12 "Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto [His] sorrow..."

(31) He Was Cut Off Out of the Land of the Living (Soprano Recitative)
Isaiah 53:8b "He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of [Thy] people was He stricken."

(32) But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul in Hell (Soprano Air)
Psalm 16:10 (Acts 2:27) "[But] Thou [didst] not leave [His] soul in hell; neither [didst] Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption."

(33) Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates (Chorus)
Psalm 24:7-10 "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory."

(34) Unto Which of the Angels Said He at Any Time (Tenor or Soprano Recitative)
Hebrews 1:5 (Psalm 2:7) "For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?"

(35) Let All the Angels of God Worship Him (Chorus)
Hebrews 1:6b "Let all the angels of God worship Him."

(36) Thou Art Gone Up on High (Bass or Alto Air)
Psalm 68:18 (Ephesians 4:8) "Thou art gone up on high. Thou has led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, even for Thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them."

Quote of the Moment: Messiah, Part Ib

Today, I'm continuing with the birth of Christ as told through Handel's Messiah, Internet, because I like it, and this is my blog, so I can write whatever I want - including music hundreds of years old, quoting verses thousands of years old...'cause I'm cool like that.

HANDEL'S MESSIAH

Part I: The Birth of Christ

5. The appearance of the angel to the shepherds
6. Christ's miracles

(14) There Were Shepherds Abiding in the Field (Soprano Recitative)
Luke 2:8-9 "There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid."

(15) And the Angel Said Unto Them (Soprano Recitative)
Luke 2:10-11 "And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

(16) And Suddenly There Was with the Angel (Soprano Recitative)
Luke 2:13 "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying..."

(17) Glory to God (Chorus)
Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

(18) Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion (Soprano Air)
Zechariah 9:9-10 (Matthew 21:5) "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Savior*. . . And he shall speak peace unto the heathen."

(19) Then Shall the Eyes of the Blind (Alto Recitative)
Isaiah 35:5-6 "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing."

(20) He Shall Feed His Flock Like a Shepherd (Alto Air)
Isaiah 40:11 "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; and he shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."
Matthew 11:28-29 "Come unto [Him], all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and [He shall] give you rest. Take [His] yoke upon you, and learn of [Him]; for [He is] meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

(21) His Yoke Is Easy (Chorus)
Matthew 11:30 "[His] yoke is easy, and [His] burden is light."


*"He is the righteous Savior" are Handel's own words added to the Scripture text

Quote of the Moment: Messiah, Part Ia

Even though I may sometimes tire of playing Messiah, I generally don't tire of listening to it (there's a lot to it, so it's not like you hear the whole thing straight through day after day). I love the music (and Handel was a total genius when it comes to compositional techniques like word painting), I love the text, I love everything about it. So, for the next few days, I'm going to go through the text of the three different parts of Handel's Messiah (even though many people only play the first part during the Advent/Christmas season, I believe the whole work fits together - that's kinda why it's all one piece - and should be looked at together. One can hardly understand the purpose of the first part if one doesn't understand that the reason for Christ's birth is found in the second two parts.) Today, the first section of Part I.

HANDEL'S MESSIAH

Part I: The Birth of Christ

1. The prophecy of salvation
2. The prophecy of the coming of the Messiah
3. Portents to the world at large
4. Prophecy of the virgin birth

(1) Overture (Orchestral)

(2) Comfort Ye (Tenor Recitative)
Isaiah 40:1-3 "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned...The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God."

(3) Every Valley (Tenor Air)
Isaiah 40:4 "Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain."

(4) And the Glory of the Lord (Chorus)
Isaiah 40:5 "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."

(5) Thus Saith the Lord (Bass Recitative)
Haggai 2:6, 7 "Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Yet once, a little while and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come."
Malachi 3:1 "The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts."

(6) But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming? (Bass Air)
Malachi 3:2 "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire..."

(7) And He Shall Purify (Chorus)
Malachi 3:3 "...And He shall purify the sons of Levi...that they may offer unto the Lord an offering of righteousness."

(8) Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive (Alto Recitative)
Isaiah 7:14 (Matthew 1:23) "...Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel, God with us."

(9) O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion (Alto Air & Chorus)
Isaiah 40:9 & 60:1 "O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up and be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee."

(10) For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth (Bass Recitative)
Isaiah 60:2-3 "For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness, the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."

(11) The People that Walked in Darkness (Bass Air)
Isaiah 9:2 "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."

(12) For Unto Us a Child Is Born (Chorus)
Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the might God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."

(13) Pastoral Symphony (Orchestral)

Chocomize

I recently discovered there is a company that will put bacon and gold into a chocolate bar for you. I think it sounds delicious (although being the cheapskate I am, I might consider the gold chocolate bar an investment and never eat it). And then I started exploring their "Creation Station," and I thought that it looked pretty cool. Or at least I did until I saw a picture of their strawberries:With this description: "There are numerous varieties of strawberries, but the most common garden strawberry was first cultivated in 1740 in Brittany, France." Um, are you sure these strawberries aren't FROM 1740?

Also, why would you put edamame in chocolate? Edamame is the healthy thing you eat INSTEAD of chocolate. Are you trying to justify the chocolate consumption? "The edamame will surely hide the chocolate calories, and they won't count." 'Cause, yeah: that's really not going to work.

And to this candy lover - who loves pretty much anything sugary (except licorice) - the idea of putting pop rocks in chocolate blows my mind...and not in a good way. It sounds like very, very bad things would happen if you did that (same goes for the Nerds).

And the decorations...even besides the whole use of 23K gold..."Dried Flower Mix"? Surely these people realize that I can go buy a Hershey's bar and drizzle some dried dandelions from the back yard on it for a whole lot less money, right?

Even so, the idea of bacon in my chocolate bar really does appeal...maybe combined with some mini pretzels. Mmmm.

Q: What makes apple crisp even better?

A: Putting cranberries in it. Trust me. I tried it this week, and I promise it's true.

Will it make me excited to get up in the morning? No. Is it a nifty little toy? Yes.

I bought a new alarm clock on Monday. I'm already wondering why I didn't do this a long time ago. I spent a very happy hour on Monday evening reading the little manual, setting all the radio preset stations, charging my iPod and playing with all the features. And apparently a lot of people agree with me that it's a nifty little gadget.

Even better, it's on sale this week at Target. I love sales. And I love iPod docking stations. And I love all the features. And I love how small it is. And I love that the docking station stores away when not in use. And I love how bright and crisp it makes everything sound. And I especially love the teeny tiny remote that comes with it, even though I probably won't use it. (Because seriously: how lazy do you have to be to not just stick your arm out to turn the music or alarm on/off? Really?) So. Will this device make me leap out of bed each day? No. Will it make waking up bearable? Possibly. Do I love my new little gizmo? Yes.

Quote of the Moment: Laziness, Take 2

"I like the word 'indolence.' It makes laziness seem classy." - Bern Williams

The label didn't adequately warn me about the pain.

Dear Internet,

I hurt. My whole body is in pain. There are several reasons for this, all of which I'm going to list for you because I know you're just dying to have me rant for a moment. (Dying, Internet! I know it's true.)

1. I just played 4 concerts in 30 hours this weekend. The Messiah, Bach Mass in B minor (twice) and the Nutcracker. Let me tell you, Internet. I'm mentally and physically exhausted just thinking about this, let alone the actual playing of all those thousands of notes (oh, how those little black notes reminded me of swarms of bees; it's no wonder I broke out in a sweat each concert). Between the practice (of which there was little, let's be honest; at this point, if you can't play the music, there's no hope of cramming it in at the last minute), calls (rehearsal/warm up right before the concerts) and the actual performances, that was, oh, 14 hours of playing in 2 days? Yeah, something like that. I don't think I'll be able to lift my arms again in the near future.

On a humorous side note, I heard the word "camouflage" sung in a classical piece of music, not once, but twice (in a piece called "Midwinter Chill"). Also, in another humorous side note, I saw my conductor play some bongo drums to accompany a choir, and right in the middle of everything, he said "I can't keep a beat!" out loud. I laughed at that. Well played, Mr. Conductor Man. Well played.

2. It's snowing. You'd think this wouldn't be cause for pain in and of itself, but alas, my foot and ankle now suffer through more aches and pains with the whole weather thing. Weird.

3. Remember those tights I love so much? I changed my mind. I hate 'em. Well, I hate them when I do not have shoes on, because I've discovered they're very, very slippery, and because they are so horrid, I sort of fell down a few stairs at my parents' house over the weekend. (More like slid down them very ungracefully.)

So the moral of the story, Internet, is to say "no" to a lot of people in December, not get yourself injured in the first place so weather changes don't affect how you feel, and wear shoes everywhere.

But was it worth it? Yes, I'll think, "Oh, how exciting to play a new piece/ballet/choral work/whatever!" next time someone asks me, and the 11 intervening months from now until next Christmas will ensure I've forgotten all about the pain. And of course I'll probably continue athletic activity in the future. And since I can't wear shoes to bed, I'll probably go shoeless in the near future, too.

Lessons learned? None.

xoxo,
Minny LinnEy
aka "Just call me Shoeless Joe Jackson"

Quote of the Moment: Technology will cut jobs and scare our women and children

To: President Jackson

The canal system of this country is being threatened by the spread of a new form of transportation known as "railroads." The federal government must preserve the canals for the following reasons:

One. If canal boats are supplanted by "railroads," serious unemployment will result. Captains, cooks, drivers, hostlers, repairmen and lock tenders will be left without means of livelihood, not to mention the numerous farmers now employed in growing hay for horses.

Two. Boat builders would suffer and towline, whip and harness makers would be left destitute.

Three. Canal boats are absolutely essential to the defense of the United States. In the event of expected trouble with England, the Erie Canal would be the only means by which we could ever move the supplies so vital to waging modern war.

As you may well know, Mr. President, "railroad" carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by "engines" which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed.

Martin Van Buren, Governor of New York

-Letter written to President Andrew Jackson by Martin Van Buren in 1829 when Van Buren was New York's Governor

Sound familiar? Kinda reminds me of today's union hacks...More on it here, in a 2000 piece by Jerry L. Jordan, President of the Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank.

2 Things to Make the World Feel Full of Christmas Cheer

1. Charlie Brown Christmas. Best cartoon ever made. Ever. My roommate and I watched it last night while enjoying popcorn and oranges.



2. Snow.

It's blizzarding outside, and I love it. Granted, I now live close enough to work that I'm not overly affected by freeway traffic, and got to work at the same time as usual today. Everyone else seems to be miserably suffering through the scads of cars and people sliding around everywhere, but there are those of us who want nothing more than to go outside and play in it: ski in it, build forts with it, make snow angels, have snowball fights. Pretty much anything with snow is wonderful right now. (Ask me again in March, and I'll have a different answer for you.)

Possessed: the machines are taking over the world...or at least my home.

If I actually believed in ghosts, I would say there's one living in my building.

At all hours of the day and night, the elevator drifts from floor to floor, opening its doors to and for no one. No buttons have been pushed, no people inside its tiny interior waiting to be disgorged. Very strange indeed. One would think it was possessed. Maybe someone died in it. I don't know. I haven't used the elevator in months, not since my injured ankle could handle the stairs again. The thought of sharing an elevator with a ghost or electrical short does not appeal, so I probably won't be using it in the near future, either.

I wouldn't think very much of the elevator situation if it were not for what's been occurring in my living room lately. On two Sunday mornings out of the past three, I've been awakened at 6:30a to the sound of our television turned all the way up to a channel that does not exist. It's all snowy and black and white...and blaringly loud. My roommate is asleep at these times (she's not been awakened by this AT ALL, and has looked at me funny when I've mentioned it, so at first I thought maybe it's all just me and I'm really going stark raving mad, but then we had an overnight guest this past weekend, and she also confirmed it happened), and I'm pretty sure neither of us likes to watch a snowy screen late on Saturday nights (though some could argue that it's a definite improvement on network programming these days).

We ARE rather close to the elevator. Maybe the dead ghost lady inside just wants something to do while she waits to alight on some floor the elevator cannot find. Or maybe she was killed by TV remote. Or maybe the machines are trying to gang up on me and drive me crazy. I don't know.

Weekend in Review: My current take on galas, colds, and books

Dear Internet,

The 2009 bow ball was a lot of fun on Saturday night. Food, music (really loud! too loud!), laughter, and tons of talking. I already had a sore throat, but managed to nearly lose my voice as well. I am sad to report that after bidding like mad on a dozen silent auction items, I was informed that I had won in none of my attempts.

Here is what I looked like on Saturday night after a hefty dose of alka seltzer cold medicine. True, I didn't find anything white to wear with my red ball skirt, but I think I still looked okay, albeit in not quite boathouse colors.


So, Internet, remember back when I said that it might be fun to go back to grade school each fall? Well, I've changed my mind. My roommate keeps getting sick, and then passes it on to me, and I blame it all on the germ-infested 8-year-olds she hangs out with on a regular basis. I have spent the better part of 2 1/2 months with some sort of cold, cough or general achy feeling. I'm SO over it. Well, I will be SO OVER IT once I get rid of this sinus headache, stuffy nose and general malaise I'm feeling right now. I pray that my cough does not come back.

Speaking of snot factories...I played The Messiah last night with a local chorale, and now I'm going to be floating around somewhere on cable access playing my violin in a cold medicine-induced stupor, intermittently trying to sniffle in a genteel manner. On the mannerly front, I don't think I was very successful. As for the rest of it, though, I did manage to get through the entire concert, and did my best to snort infrequently whilst not facing any camera or in sight of any poor audience member, a challenging task to be sure.

Since I've done very little but convalesce since Friday (minus gala and concert), I've pretty much slept away the last several days. However, in my more lucid moments, I have been reading two books simultaneously on the same person (which makes for much better confusion and weirder dreams):

Let me tell you: thus far (which admittedly is not far, since I keep falling asleep in the middle of things), I very much like Amity Shlaes' take on all things Great Depression, and appreciate the differences between FDR and Churchill during WWII (and isn't it fitting that today is Pearl Harbor Day? It makes it easier to remember something if the anniversary of the event happens while you're reading about it).

It has been quite interesting to see all the different aspects of FDR through two completely different crises in a couple of decades of American history. Let's just say I wish FDR had remembered The [real] Forgotten Man, and that I prefer Winston to Franklin. I have the feeling I'll still feel that way by the time I'm finished with the books, no matter how much cold medicine I've ingested.

Finally, something snowy to talk about.

For the first time in recent memory (albeit, with my hazy memory, this might not be saying much), I did not start wearing a winter jacket in Minnesota until Thanksgiving. And now, mere days later, it's finally starting to snow. I like the snow - especially in December (but not really at all in March and April). It makes it feel more like Christmas is on the way, and it turns everything pretty and white. Granted, there's not much of it out there right now, but one can hope it will cover the ugly grass and dormant-everything soon. And as much as I love my boots (dusted off another pair this morning - you think I jest, but no, there literally was dust on them), sometimes I feel dumb for wearing them when there's no real justification for them. Like those stupid idiots in L.A. who wore Uggs a few years ago. There was no reason to wear that footwear in a place that never sees snow! But snow - even mere flurries - justifies boots.

Dear Media: No one really cares about Tiger. Stop talking about it already.

Well, I didn't really care about it since he's not my hero, I don't look up to him and don't really think he's a model for anything other than playing good golf and Buicks, at least until they created this hilarious game out of recent events.

At the same time, can I say that, were I to care, would you (media, general public, whomever) please stop calling an affair Tiger had a "mistake"? It's not a mistake. He did it purposely, and that is wrong. No mistake about it - it's more than a mere "mistake."

My mission: Shoes and something white to go with a red ball skirt to wear to the bow ball on Saturday.

What I accomplished last night instead:


Successful, yes? Ah, Steve Madden: how I love thy shoes. Sure, I can't really wear them with a red ball skirt, but I'm wearing them today, and I like them very much. And they were only $17! And to top things off, I did very well in the steering-clear-of-boots department, at least. I only looked at some wellies, but didn't buy any ('cause they should be houndstooth checked or polka dotted, really, and they didn't have any I liked).

Quote of the Moment: Laziness

"Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired." - Jules Renard