Autumn makes me happy

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Farenheit 451...or...Gee I'm a late bloomer


Well, so here's the deal. I'm nearly 50 years old and I've only just recently read Farenheit 451.
I am a late bloomer.
On the other hand, I wonder if the impact of the book would have been as great
(on me) had I read it in my 20s or 30s .
I truly felt panicky during sections of the book. Most especially the sections dealing with the lack of inter personal relationships. And how people were plugged in to the racket surrounding them to the end that they were distracted from what was truly going on.
The theme of necessary destruction of evil to re-propagate goodness and truth is a really old one and seems to recur in print, film, etc. pretty frequently. Sort of the Phoenix of societies or cultures.

Anyway, all that aside, I thought I would share my favorite quote from the book as did my daughter some months ago.

Granger stood looking back with Montag. "Everyone must leave something behind when he dies, my Grandfather said. A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, you're there. It doesn't matter what you do, he said, so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that's like you after you take your hands away.
The difference between the man who just cuts lawns and a real gardener is in the touching, he said. The lawn cutter might just as well not have been there at all; the gardener will be there a lifetime.

there

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Winnie the Pooh said it best..




So last night before bed, the weatherman predicted light snow with a possible accumulation of 1".
I believe he was mistaken.
So, I'm shoveling snow off the drive way this AM. ( I have the day off from work) . When I get to the foot of the drive, I look back up at my work and realize, hey Mary, I think you're losing ground here! Down the snow falls nearly as quickly as it's removed.
That's when I was reminded of my old friend Winnie the Pooh, who said it best...







The more it snows
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
On snowing.

And nobody knows
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
Are growing.


The only solution for a day like this is really strong, really hot, really sweet tea.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

It was fun!

Part Deux @ The Booby Trap




Adrian To The Rescue @ The Booby Trap

Adrian To The Rescue ~~ Topeka,Ks

What fun! I truly didn't expect to enjoy myself much last night when I played roadie for Rick's band and hung out in a crummy little bar downtown. What a cool surprise. Once I acclimated myself to the surroundings, it was a lot of fun. Honestly, I guess I had forgotten the crappy little bars that I had spent time in when I was younger. Certainly this was no worse and maybe even better than some of them!
Other than some equipment issues, Part Deux did very well. Extremely well at some points!
The second band is another high school band in Topeka, they have some really talented musicians. I was impressed! They also had some equipment issues. ie they blew a speaker! I actually felt the air blow over me when it blew. Crazy. Pissed off the sound guy though. The speaker was one that belonged to the bar. Guess he should do better sound checks eh?
The downside to my story is that I don't think I'm cut out for the staying out til 2 AM thing anymore. Not a drop of alcohol passed my lips all evening ( didn't think that risking being pulled over by a cop was worth it) and yet I felt totally hung over this AM. Probably all the noise,smoke and the really late hour. I'm still tired...
still, I'm glad I went..

Monday, December 8, 2008

A Girl and Her Contrabass

DSC09853


Last night I went to the annual Christmas Vespers Concert by the Washburn University music department. This student and her bass totally captured my attention.
She was so completely at ease with this enormous instrument cradled in her arms, and when she wasn't playing a piece, she sat there with her arms draped around it so casually.
I tried to figure what her image reminded me of. What kind of relationship.
A lover? No.
A child? no.

I think what she and her instrument reminded me of was someone with a beloved pet.
Like horse people are you know? The way they seem more themselves when they are with horses. Like there is some kind of connection between the human and the horse.
The same seemed true with this student and her bass. They were connected. Like she was more herself with her instrument than with out it.

I wish that I could have spoken with her.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

there!

Today I've re-arranged my blog.
A little bit like rearranging furniture~only easier.

I felt cluttered.

Sometimes I think that I would like to live in a small 1 or 2 bedroom apartment with no space to clutter up.
The closest I've come has been 2 weeks spent in an extended stay hotel suite.
One bedroom,small kitchenette.
Two bathrooms and two televisions with a fireplace in the living room.
I liked it, but I was alone,so it's not a very good snapshot of what it would be like in the long term. I might actually be miserable.
anyway, my blog is uncluttered!

Friday, December 5, 2008

some things I've learned today..

  • teen aged boys play rock music really loud
  • teen aged boys eat a whole lot! ( I actually already knew this, it was just really noticeable tonight)
  • when said boys come out of a 14 x 14 room with stacks of amplifiers, they talk really LOUD!
  • Mitch Mitchell died ( The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
  • sometimes those boys' music sounds amazing
  • even though it's so loud!

this probably won't surprise anybody!




You Should Paint Your Room Green



Natural and balance, green can bring both calm and growth to your life.

Your green room will promote a more spiritual and peaceful outlook.

Green rooms are perfect for meditation, yoga, or just day dreaming.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

my new mantra ...if I had a mantra anyway


"Some of your hurts you have cured, And the sharpest you still have survived, But what torments of grief you endured From the evil which never arrived." -

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson





Monday, December 1, 2008

A Gloomy Outlook with Cheery Results




You Are 61% Likely to Survive Another Great Depression



Even though you may not be expecting the worst, you're the type of person who prepares for the worst.

You live a relatively modest life. You don't overspend, and you aren't very materialistic.



You are also quite self sufficient and independent. You have many useful skills.

You can take care of yourself and those you love... which is crucial to surviving another Great Depression.