Monday, November 17, 2008

baroque

the fire in the mountain has been burning for days...the streets are under bbq air...surreal like the end of the world.
 
for a whole day I feel vulnerable. not doing anything is like being naked.
 
I'm used to...after work go to school, after school go to library, after library drive home...sometimes look at the moon through the car window as if I've never seen it before, wondering about the fact that it's up there...or, occasionally go to a late night concert.
 
...the other night I was in doheny mansion listening to richard egarr, the 'bernstein of early music', playing harpsichord. it was an intimate chamber setting in the living room. he played and tuning keys right in front of us. otherwise, bach and the sounds of this ancient instrument at late night could be too remote to reach my heart...
 
I got to chat with egarr and an old student of his, another harpsichord player, whose profession is researching dynamites for the defense dept...the math of people's life I don't try to figure out. but what they create can move me.
 
last night in a party, friend said - we haven't heard you talking much about spain. oh yes, I haven't finished reviewing it...
 
...tracing the baroque sounds of harpsichord, I remember the elegant baroque town in the northern spain - salamanca. its beauty in the full bloom of churriguera style felt quietly kept to itself...walking down an alley, I saw an antique iron patio, the kind where you expect to see skirt, but the branches leaves and lights gushing out - there was nothing behind but wild trees. I felt surreal standing underneath...
 
in the salamanca university, I walked into those empty classrooms. in one dark room, there was a dome of painted constellations - there, my breath left me and tears arrived. things that moved you once always do...the alter piece by the window in toledo cathedral, juan de valdes's ceiling fresco in seville...etc etc.
 
sometimes at night they emerge with hints of music. when they do, I'm urged to share and to get busy again...
 
 A big  fan
 

Obama and Guns


From Wisconsin to Colorado to Texas, several states are reporting record gun sales, or at least record numbers of requests for background checks for gun sales. There are reports of long lines at gun stores, guns and ammunition "flying off the shelves" all over the U.S., including my home area of western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. According to the L.A. Times and other media, this is a nationwide phenomenon.

Some have dismissed this trend as just a reaction to the opening of hunting season or the downturn in the economy. My take: the opening of hunting season in the south and midwest, especially, did not just become a big deal in 2008. Many schools in this part of the country have "deer days" at the start of gun deer season and have for years. This recession, which is what it is regardless of what Phil Gramm or anyone else wants to call it, is certainly not the first of its' kind in recent memory.

No, this is a reaction from much of rural America to the election of Barack Obama, in my opinion. What do I base this opinion on? I live in a city of around 80,000 people, but there are over 200,000 in the immediate area, probably. In this part of the country, not just in rural parts outside Fort Smith, but in this city, there are many hunting enthusiasts. Even many Doctors and white collar professionals hunt, and I come in daily contact with many of them. Now, I'm not what you'd call an expert marksman or anything, don't belong to the NRA due to their extreme political stances, but I do know how to shoot a gun and support hunters' rights and the right for people to defend their family and property, within reason.

However, crime or a weak economy is not the reason for this development. Many gun owners are concerned that Barack Obama will put new restrictions on handguns, assault rifles and certain kinds of ammo. This would account for most of the increase, one would think. What's disturbing is the number of people who have been quoted, who have told me directly, or that I have overheard, saying that they fear a "race war" or that somehow, Barack Obama's election as President means a massive muslim invasion of our shores.
Recently in a local Wal-Mart Supercenter, a man was loudly proclaiming in the checkout line that Obama was "a muslim" and "some-bidy (sic) oughta shoot that 'sum-bitch'. If I could have gotten his license number, I would have reported him. I know, such crackpots are on the fringes of society and in no way represent most of the good citizens of our area. However, in the days since Nov. 4, there has been a definite increase in the number of crude, racially oriented "jokes" and moronic comments such as the Wal-Mart guy.

It would be foolish for Barack Obama to attempt to restrict gun rights at the start of his administration, especially. With the economy in the dumper, rising unemployment, the financial crisis, health care, Iraq, and so many others issues on his plate, Obama would lose all credibility, and could indeed spark social unrest. In a speech in Ohio, a state I've traveled a few times, Barack Obama stated clearly that he's not "going to come after your rifle, your shotgun, or your handgun". There are many hunters in Ohio and people there expect one to be true to his word.

One of the great ironies in this year's election was the number of hunters and gun owners in OH, PA, and other midwestern and even some southern states, who supported Hillary Clinton in the primaries. In the past, Hillary was considered a "she-devil" who would confiscate guns, promote witchcraft, force everyone to drive on the wrong side of the road, and support the designated hitter rule, according to the "good ol' boys" who held such views. In 2008, Hillary Clinton was considered by most of the country as mainstream. "That one", Barack Obama, was considered the "dangerous" candidate for President.

Folks, in short, Barack Obama is way too smart a politician to let the country get overrun, or try to take away the guns of law-abiding citizens, in spite of that slip about voters who "cling to guns and religion". Not that he would do that, anyway. Barack Obama is not a muslim, in spite of his middle name. It would not be in his interest to enslave white people or any of the other wild, baseless accusations that have been made. The "black helicopter" crowd spreading this sort of tripe remind me of some who said in the 80's that Ronald Wilson Reagan was the anti-christ, due to six letters comprising each of his three names. Oh yeah, Barack Hussein Obama is 6-7-5, check for yourself.

As "politically incorrect" as it is considered to be to talk or write about some of these things, it is my view that the sooner we get a lot of this stuff out in the open, the better off we'll all be. Barack Obama was elected, not just of a part of the country, or just certain groups, but as President of the United States, a duty I believe Obama takes seriously.

I don't agree with some of Barack Obama's positions, but the man was duly elected President and deserves a chance to govern the country, within our system of checks and balances. I hope for all our sakes that he does a good job as President and I believe he will.




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Itunes Reviews??

iTunes calls repeatedly to allow the computer to play songs and videos purchased through iTunes Store.

SYMPTOMS:

If you allow your computer to play songs and videos purchased through iTunes Store but you can not read and iTunes continues to invite you to authorize, try the following suggestions.

Products affected:

iTunes, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Resolution:

Allow your purchases from an account administrator:

To allow your purchases from an account administrator, perform the following steps:

1. Connect to the administrator account.

Note: If you do not have access to the administrator password, you must contact the administrator of the computer. If it is a computer professional, contact your department.

2. Make sure you have installed the latest version of iTunes. You can download the latest version for free.

3. From the Store menu, choose Authorize Computer.

4. Enter your account name and password iTunes in the dialog box that appears.

Note: If you have multiple accounts, you must connect to the iTunes Store and allow each account separately.

5. Quit iTunes.

After clearing your computer administrator account, you must disconnect and reconnect to your user account from which you want to play songs and videos purchased. Once connected to your user account, open iTunes, select a title from the iTunes Store in your library and click Play. Reading the item should start.

Allow your purchases using the account name appropriate

Items that you try to play may have been bought with a different iTunes Store. To determine which account was used to purchase an item, perform the following steps:

1. Select a purchased song in your library and choose File> Get Info.

2. Click on the Summary tab. Note the account name that appears in the list. This is the Apple ID identification to use when authorizing your computer to play this title.
# Allow your computer to play your purchases. Note: If you have multiple accounts, you must authorize your computer for each account. For more information about how to authorize your computer, see my next article or you can make up with what you can find using this detail asa guide.

My top 3 black Friday sale so far

Black Friday ads are being leaked and released, and some stores have really stepped up their sale items and discounts this year! Here are some of the better Black Friday ads that really stood out to me thus far:

Target - Target has a long list of clothing and toys that will be on sale. From $9.99 jeans and $5 tops, you can definitely fill up your cart and not break the bank. For the photographer on your gift list, there will be a Kodak 10MP digital camera on sale for $89. Keep your husband from getting lost by buying him a Magellan 1200 for $99.99. A really great value is a Dyson DC07 vacuum with a free $100 gift card for $349!! Various Cds and DVDs are listed for sale from $5.98 to $13. An 8GB Apple iPod with free $15 gift card is available for $145.

JCPenney - JCPenney is another Black Friday hotspot for cheap clothing. The majority of clothing apparel on their ad is below $50! I see many items 50% off. Reebok shoes are $25, boys shirts are $8, sweaters for $15 and up, Levis for $32 and up, outerwear for her is 65% off, Southpole hoodies for $20 - these are just a few off the extensive list of JCPenney Black Friday items that are sure to please every fashionable person you have to gift! Furthermore, JCPenney's stock of comforters are 50-65% off and their jewelry is deeply discounted for the day. You just can't miss JCPenney on your Black Friday route!

Bath & Body Works - If you spend $40 at Bath and Body Works, you'll get a $100 Limited Edition VIP Gift Bag for only $15. I don't know about you, but that would make a special young lady very happy, or you could keep it for yourself. Ha!

Happy Shopping.