Strawberry Awake

The title is from an "off-brand" cereal that Pocket brought home. It cracks me up every time I open the pantry!

Check out the COOLEST video I stumbled across at the gym today. Seriously cheesy and a bit campy, but I LOVE it. Quite original and creative really. Enjoy!

False advertising

Those of you who have pets will know that treats, chew toys, etc. come in a vast array of flavors. Does anyone know that the chocolate flavored bone actually tastes like chocolate? Can a dog actually distinguish between the peanut butter flavored treats and the liver?

Well, the manufacturers think humans will never test them out. Well, THEY ARE WRONG!! Pocket just tasted Zipper's so-called chocolate flavored bone. Well, it just tastes like plastic. I see a lawsuit coming!

No wonder the world needs Paxil

This weekend Ed and I started watching the movie Monster. I soon realized that I wouldn't be able to finish it due to extremely graphic and disturbing content. I've been thinking about why everyone is depressed all the time, killing their spouses for insurance, etc. When we inundate ourselves with disturbing, twisted images and have a steady diet of dark, depressing rock music/lyrics, it's bound to take it's toll. Add a sensationalist news media that tells us if the terrorists don't get us, we'll all be floating in a globally warmed pool of filth and disease, and you have the makers of Paxil and Zoloft as the only happy people on the planet.

I certainly don't think we should ignore problems like the proverbial ostrich with it's head in the sand. I also don't think that all entertainment should be the cinematographic or musical equivalent of the Brady Bunch. However I think the darker aspects of humanity can be explored artistically and not perversely as in the Sturm und Drang of some Haydn symphonies, or the inevitable reminder of mortality in Brahms' Requiem. The chaste benediction of Verdi's Ave Maria at the end of Otello contrasted with the title character's vengeful, jealous rage is another example.

Sometimes, however, I just want to glory in music like Garth Brooks' "We Shall Be Free," watch a baseball game, enjoy the sunshine, or marvel how we can talk on the phone, email, listen to music, browse the web, and take pictures all on the same hand-held cordless device the size of a credit card.

I saw a poem written and delivered by a 15-year old kid on youtube today. The ending line was "The world is my lamp, but I am its light." Profound...

Beware the Ides of March

Today was a very busy day filled with score preparation and William Byrd research. It's been nice to do something musical and artistically edifying. At this moment, I am basking in the glory that is Mahler's Symphony No. 5.

Monday night...

Tonight I enjoyed a Heidelberg blue martini and the company of my pocket roommate on the patio. The setting sun and emergent stars made the perfect backdrop to the end of my Monday evening. The only thing missing was my Eddy...

I had a nice weekend at home. Getting some birthday attention is nice, even though I'm all growed up. And let's be honest, the strawberry pie alone was worth the drive! The now that I'm out of college and supposed to be a grown up, I value family so much more. I had a sad conversation with my mother this morning. I know she just wants what she feels is best for me, but we have such disparate views on many things in life. I hope we can find a way to put the differences aside and just love each other.

She did say one thing this morning that I wholeheartedly agree with: "Wasn't it nice for God to give us little doggies?"

Amen!

Frühling, ja du bist's!

Today was a beautiful Spring-like day! The text of a Mörike poem came to memory:

Veilchen träumen schon,
Wollen balde kommen.

Violets are already dreaming,
and will soon arrive.

I took Zipper to the park on my lunch break where he chased robins (harbingers of Spring!), killdeer, and boys playing soccer. I thought how I did the same as a young pup...

Another highlight of the day was a sweet "I just called to say I love you" from Ed.

Tonight, the moon hangs like a griffins egg in a starry nest, and my love affair with the night sky continues

*ass slap* "good game!"

Yesterday I rocked out on the bball court. I scored more than usual, but my usual strengths of defense and setting picks really shone--so much that the best player on an opposing team complimented my defense after I forcefully blocked his shot. The same guy made a point to come over and slap hands after I'd set a third jarring pick against him. Gaining the straights' approval is fun.

Last night I caved to peer pressure and went to Soco. I played Satan and convinced Michael to come with me instead of writing a paper. I wore an appropriately tight gay-club shirt and got a lot of attention from my friends; even Michael got a little tipsy and started touching my chest. Silly Pocket!! TJ apologized for everyone "molesting" me, but the ego-booster was appreciated. The festivities concluded with Pocket and I taking the dog outside, where Pocket decided it would be a good idea to roll down the hill. Zipper thought that was as hilarious as I did and started barking. I'm sure we woke up the entire neighborhood. C'est la vie. It was a fun night of diversions, but I long for some cuddling and meaningful human interaction.

Finally, I found a recording AND the sheet music for a Glinka song that has been alluding me. I also wrote in transliterations for some Rachmaninoff art songs. The Germans may have invented the Lied, and I am certainly moved by the works of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and especially Wolf, but the Russians seemed to take the genre and add a touch MORE angst. To a slut for the wonderfully tragic like myself, their works are irresistible.

Herr, Lehre Doch Mich

I listen to Brahms' Requiem, and I know God.