Congratulations to the AIR FORCE Tech Sgt who sang our national anthem at the opening for the Dayton 500 Race, today, 2/16/25. It was a rare offering. I am so tired of the personal interpretations so many "singers" make in public performances. They butcher the original melodic line and the intent of the notes, by adding their own flawed interpretation. He sang it as it was written and intended. Good!
agora2
A public marketplace for the exchange of thoughts, random and otherwise, ideas and information, about crime fiction and occasional other topics.
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Friday, February 14, 2025
MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA CONCERT
No longer able to attend concerts, I often enjoy the Orchestra concert via television. Fortunately, the Orchestra's television production staff is careful in its use of camera closeups. Friday evening, Concert-mistress Suzy Parks, clad in a loudly contrasting red wig and scarlet gown, offered up an incredible performance of G. Ortiz violin concerto. If you can find a repeat broadcast, by all means possible, do sit down and listen to the stunning world class virtuoso presentation. The pieces is rambunctious, melodic, assertive, difficult and ultimately enormously satisfying. I'd even suggest the piece and performance was, by any definition, award-winning. In its conception the concerto is a thorough lesson in the history of Mexico, from the earliest indigenous ruler through Spanish and now drug cartel rulers. At the same time, the beauty and complexity of the indigenous peoples, like the Mayan and prehistoric peoples, is called out in numerous subtle and complex ways. This performance of an incredible concerto was simply mesmerizing.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
INSURANCE COMPANY BOILER ROOMS HARASSMENT
If Mr. Musk and President Trump really want to do something positive for the American people, they'll muzzle the harassing insurance companies calling us constantly. Do Not Call program is useless. In one 8-hour period recently I receive 149 phones calls telling me my automobile and my home were out of warranty and about to fail. In more than 40 years of driving I have had one (1)auto failure while on the road. My house is in fine shape, well-insured and not failing. Ridiculous. Mr. Musk! Do something useful for a change. Muzzle the insurance companies calling us with false warnings!
Saturday, February 08, 2025
ANOTHER NOT-SO-IDLE QUESTION ABOUT IMMIGRATION
Been watching TV and reading about the years and years of activity and problems at our southern border. It is apparent from all the news and documentaries I've absorbed that many if not most people in Central and even some South American nations are unhappy. Economically unfortunate and too often living in dangerous circumstances. So I wonder, if, instead of spending money and resources on ridiculous and easily penetrated walls along our border with Mexico, perhaps, maybe , we should invest that effort in assertive efforts to improve the lives and governance of the people who live in Central American nations. A better life circumstance would, I suggest, substantially reduce the number of people trying to migrate north into the United States. Logical? What do you think?
Thursday, February 06, 2025
CURRENT PUBLIC AFFAIRS, A RANDOM QUESTION
Well, it's early in 2025, and it's early in the news Trump administration. Most of you who read this blog know I used to be an educational or now labeled public television producer. TV has been around a long time. There are a lot of experienced people in the field. There is also good deal of research on how to use television effectively. Neither presidential candidate, in my not so humble opinion, used TV very effectively in the last campaign.
One example of my point here. (patience, its coming) A Senator in Minnesota makes it a practice, every year, to DO at least one appearance in every county in the state. Not a big, flag waving rally. She goes to a town or city and sits down with residents, looks them in the eyes and asks them what they need and want from Congress. Does she deliver on every need or request? Of course not.
But residents (voters) go away with a certain level of satisfaction that they are voting for a real person who 'sees' them. Yes, big rallies are fun, noisy and energizing but when it comes down to problems and solutions isn't it nice to know your candidate listened personally to you or your neighbor?
There's another thing. One on one through the TV camera can be Very Personal. Think about it. How does it feel when the candidate looks directly into the camera lens and says softly but firmly, "I'm running for this office because I want to help you have a better life."
Monday, January 20, 2025
AN HISTORIC DAY IN THESE UNITED STATES
Monday, January 20. It's an important day in America. Yes, it is the day of inauguration of our 47th president. It is also a day to honor the memory of one of the great humanists of our age. This is a national holiday to honor the memory of the Reverend Martin Luther King. He distinguished himself as one of the greatest advocates of equal human recognition and rights for all of us. Take a moment to remember him, an advocate for ALL human equality, as we recognize the inauguration of President Donald Trump..
Sunday, January 19, 2025
BITTER C0LD AND A FAMILY OF KILLERS
It never got to zero degrees in my backyard today. Now I'm sitting at my computer in my workroom in front of a nice warm fireplace ablaze with well-dried oak. Yeah. No snow to speak of so if this low temp continues , thawing next Spring will be long and tedious. My current read is a novel from an Aussie named Benjamin Stevenson. I'm only a third of the way into this so haven't formed in-depth opinion yet. Good read so far. Karin Slaughter liked it. Title? Sure: EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE. Intrigued? Yes, I am. So far so good. Stay tuned.