October 31, 2008
ABOUT THE DAY
"Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.
"To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.
"By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.
"By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations--the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas."
source: the History Channel
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October 30, 2008
GOTTA MAKE PLANS FOR THE PLANS I MAKE
did I say Rays in five? I guess they had it the other way around. Not that I watched. I did try to tune in. It's just that I can't listen to Tim McCarver and Joe Buck. I'm sorry. I just can't. I tuned in at one point and they were talking about the rings in the ceiling architecture of the Rays' stadium, and Tim McCarver made a comment involving how all the players wanted to win "rings" and I could literally feel my brain swelling against the cranial cage like a bicep in a deathmatch... world series rings, get it? ... I realized that listening to that blithering yahoo was not going to be an enjoyable baseball experience. and really, who gives a crap? the phillies? tampa bay? the rain game controversy? this crap I no giveth. so ok philadelphia, enjoy. have a nice parade. whatever. next year we'll have bonds and clemens fading fast in the rearview, a revamped yanks lineup with the older deadwood put to pasture (I hope) and a truly fresh new season. I'm excited about being competitive in the AL East again. Let the hot stove commenceth...
I just bought a conversion neck from warmoth. gibson scale on a fender tele clone I built a few years ago. I'm not a big fan of warmoth's "standard thin" neck contour. and I truly love the feel of their boatneck with 1 5/8" width on a brazilian rosewood slab (I have a strat neck with these specs). and I like the ability to play heavier strings on the shorter scale. compatible with the jazz playing I've been doing lately. and this particular axe is a perfect candidate to go slinkier, heavier and get maximum midrange fatness. I'm excited about it. nice birthday present to myself. and I think I even have enough leftover nitro lacquer to get it finished without the extra expense and wait from reranch. just need to pick up a set of grover tuners now...
oh what to do with a leftover tele neck...what to do what to do?
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October 29, 2008
BABY BOOMERS, MOVE OVER
...I know a little something about demographics...nothing in this video is exaggerated...in fact, the influence of the millenials will very likely dwarf the youth movement of the 1960s, but this time, it won't just be about one small war in the far east--their movements, their causes, will be multiple, and global, and the need for solutions more urgent than at any time in history...the very fate of this planet may very well hinge on how this generation conducts itself--and as the boomers start dying off, because of it size, this generation (also known as the "echo boomers"--children of the boomer generation) will be in charge with a decisive majority...
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A GREAT AMERICAN
...I hope I still have it together like Charles does when I'm an old man...
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October 28, 2008
October 27, 2008
DAVID SEDARIS ON UNDECIDED VOTERS
...this is comedian amy sedaris...she didn't write this; her brother did...I just like her picture better...
from the latest issue of THE NEW YORKER:
"To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”
To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked.
I mean, really, what’s to be confused about?"
I'd like the chicken please.
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October 26, 2008
October 25, 2008
MCCAIN GETS SERVED
the obama bits are ok but the fun really starts when mccain arrives...I won't blow the surprise ending...eh just ok but worth it to hear the ba-donk-a-donk punchline...
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October 24, 2008
POEM FOR FRIDAY
Your Catfish Friend
by Richard Brautigan
If I were to live my life
in catfish forms
in scaffolds of skin and whiskers
at the bottom of a pond
and you were to come by
one evening
when the moon was shining
down into my dark home
and stand there at the edge
of my affection
and think, "It's beautiful
here by this pond. I wish
somebody loved me,"
I'd love you and be your catfish
friend and drive such lonely
thoughts from your mind
and suddenly you would be
at peace,
and ask yourself, "I wonder
if there are any catfish
in this pond? It seems like
a perfect place for them."
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THE VET WHO DID NOT VET
if nothing else, the mccain/palin ticket has been the biggest-ever boon to online youtube creativity and artistry...this piece is brilliant...
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October 23, 2008
AMAZINGLY, NOTHING TO DO WITH TAX CUTS
What was the moment you knew this election was going to be extraordinary?
"I remember the morning after Barack had secured the nomination. My girls and I have a tradition in the mornings of talking and snuggling in bed before we all get up. I explained to them what had happened the night before, and I said, “You know this is a big deal, right?” And Malia, who is 10, said, “Yes, because African-Americans couldn’t even vote for a long time.” And then she said, “But it would have been a big deal if Hillary Clinton had won. Because women couldn’t vote for a long time, either.” I thought, They get it. This election has changed everything for girls like mine. Now they know that they really can do anything."
-Michelle Obama
source: GQ Magazine
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October 22, 2008
PALIN AS A PIANO SOLO
oh the things a good pianist can do...
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October 21, 2008
HEDGE FUND MANAGER SAYS GOODBYE
following is a genuine letter of resignation, tendered last Friday:
October 17, 2008
Today I write not to gloat. Given the pain that nearly everyone is experiencing, that would be entirely inappropriate. Nor am I writing to make further predictions, as most of my forecasts in previous letters have unfolded or are in the process of unfolding. Instead, I am writing to say goodbye.
Recently, on the front page of Section C of the Wall Street Journal, a hedge fund manager who was also closing up shop (a $300 million fund), was quoted as saying, “What I have learned about the hedge fund business is that I hate it.” I could not agree more with that statement. I was in this game for the money. The low hanging fruit, i.e. idiots whose parents paid for prep school, Yale, and then the Harvard MBA, was there for the taking. These people who were (often) truly not worthy of the education they received (or supposedly received) rose to the top of companies such as AIG, Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers and all levels of our government. All of this behavior supporting the Aristocracy, only ended up making it easier for me to find people stupid enough to take the other side of my trades. God bless America.
There are far too many people for me to sincerely thank for my success. However, I do not want to sound like a Hollywood actor accepting an award. The money was reward enough. Furthermore, the endless list those deserving thanks know who they are.
I will no longer manage money for other people or institutions. I have enough of my own wealth to manage. Some people, who think they have arrived at a reasonable estimate of my net worth, might be surprised that I would call it quits with such a small war chest. That is fine; I am content with my rewards. Moreover, I will let others try to amass nine, ten or eleven figure net worths. Meanwhile, their lives suck. Appointments back to back, booked solid for the next three months, they look forward to their two week vacation in January during which they will likely be glued to their Blackberries or other such devices. What is the point? They will all be forgotten in fifty years anyway. Steve Balmer, Steven Cohen, and Larry Ellison will all be forgotten. I do not understand the legacy thing. Nearly everyone will be forgotten. Give up on leaving your mark. Throw the Blackberry away and enjoy life.
So this is it. With all due respect, I am dropping out. Please do not expect any type of reply to emails or voicemails within normal time frames or at all. Andy Springer and his company will be handling the dissolution of the fund. And don’t worry about my employees, they were always employed by Mr. Springer’s company and only one (who has been well-rewarded) will lose his job.
I have no interest in any deals in which anyone would like me to participate. I truly do not have a strong opinion about any market right now, other than to say that things will continue to get worse for some time, probably years. I am content sitting on the sidelines and waiting. After all, sitting and waiting is how we made money from the subprime debacle. I now have time to repair my health, which was destroyed by the stress I layered onto myself over the past two years, as well as my entire life – where I had to compete for spaces in universities and graduate schools, jobs and assets under management – with those who had all the advantages (rich parents) that I did not. May meritocracy be part of a new form of government, which needs to be established.
On the issue of the U.S. Government, I would like to make a modest proposal. First, I point out the obvious flaws, whereby legislation was repeatedly brought forth to Congress over the past eight years, which would have reigned in the predatory lending practices of now mostly defunct institutions. These institutions regularly filled the coffers of both parties in return for voting down all of this legislation designed to protect the common citizen. This is an outrage, yet no one seems to know or care about it. Since Thomas Jefferson and Adam Smith passed, I would argue that there has been a dearth of worthy philosophers in this country, at least ones focused on improving government. Capitalism worked for two hundred years, but times change, and systems become
corrupt. George Soros, a man of staggering wealth, has stated that he would like to be remembered as a philosopher. My suggestion is that this great man start and sponsor a forum for great minds to come together to create a new system of government that truly represents the common man’s interest, while at the same time creating rewards great enough to attract the best and brightest minds to serve in government roles without having to rely on corruption to further their interests or lifestyles. This forum could be similar to the one used to create the operating system, Linux, which competes with Microsoft’s near monopoly. I believe there is an answer, but for now the system is clearly broken.
Lastly, while I still have an audience, I would like to bring attention to an alternative food and energy source. You won’t see it included in BP’s, “Feel good. We are working on sustainable solutions,” television commercials, nor is it mentioned in ADM’s similar commercials. But hemp has been used for at least 5,000 years for cloth and food, as well as just about everything that is produced from petroleum products. Hemp is not marijuana and vice versa. Hemp is the male plant and it grows like a weed, hence the slang term. The original American flag was made of hemp fiber and our Constitution was printed on paper made of hemp. It was used as recently as World War II by the U.S. Government, and then promptly made illegal after the war was won. At a time when rhetoric is flying about becoming more self-sufficient in terms of energy, why is it illegal to grow this plant in this country? Ah, the female. The evil female plant – marijuana. It gets you high, it makes you laugh, it does not produce a hangover. Unlike alcohol, it does not result in bar fights or wife beating. So, why is this innocuous plant illegal? Is it a gateway drug? No, that would be alcohol, which is so heavily advertised in this country. My only conclusion as to why it is illegal, is that Corporate America, which owns Congress, would rather sell you Paxil, Zoloft, Xanax and other additive drugs, than allow you to grow a plant in your home without some of the profits going into their coffers. This policy is ludicrous. It has surely contributed to our dependency on foreign energy sources. Our policies have other countries literally laughing at our stupidity, most notably Canada, as well as several European nations (both Eastern and Western). You would not know this by paying attention to U.S. media sources though, as they tend not to elaborate on who is laughing at the United States this week. Please people, let’s stop the rhetoric and start thinking about how we can truly become self-sufficient.
With that I say good-bye and good luck.
All the best,
Andrew Lahde
I concur Andy. Happy trails...
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October 20, 2008
RAYS IN FIVE
congratulations TB Rays. Now I can watch postseason baseball again. If those Red Sox had won, I'd have been done for the season. But now that the Nation has been vanquished, I can get back to watching good ol' timey baseball.
I can't root for the Phils. Mets rivals. and a sad crappy city. But it won't matter who I root for. The Rays will win decisively. Here's the pattern: young, unknown, underpaid teams have been making it happen for the past decade. Now that the Sox are getting older and less agile, it's happened to them too. the Phillies, a good team, are too old and sluggish. win with Jamie Moyer? I don't think so. Hand the man his golf clubs and make room for the kids. the kids will make it so. I've always liked the Rays, have been frustrated by their base stealing, their aggressive run-producing ways, always knew the only thing they lacked was pitching...they've been a reminder of what the Yanks used to be. Now that they've made it to the big show, I'm not terribly surprised. The AL East has long been the best division in baseball and the winner of that division has to be considered the favorite. And right now, it's the Rays time. I don't see the Phillies getting it done. They took care of a far inferior team (though I rooted for Torre) and the Rays just beat a very good team in the Sox (and now Youkilis can go back to his cage with the unlimited supply of bananas)... the Rays take the first two at home, maybe drop one in Philly but I don't think they'll come home without the trophy...
Rays in 5.
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the kid actually sounds more grownup than the real thing...
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October 16, 2008
POEM FOR A FRIDAY ON A THURSDAY
I won't be going into the office tomorrow and that's generally where I collect and reorder the various bits of intellectual detritus that winds up in this space. Tomorrow I'm going to do some major work on my jazz guitar, so I need the day to do it, and I could use the day off. Ergo, today's post...
I suppose I ought to have something here that contributes to the noise and buzz following last night's final debate, but there's plenty of that elsewhere, and really now, did that conversation change anyone's mind? You can see it in the old man's eyes--the mounting realization that, despite him witnessing it his whole life, the empty promises and republican boilerplate that he'd been raised on, that he's watched so many get elected with in the past, the fact is that it is no longer working, and he must stand by and fully embrace the reality of his old, obsolete ways and worldview, must see ultimately that this country is not made up of warrior-worshippers who wait with baited breath for john wayne to ride in with the cavalry and save us damsels from them there painted injuns. no, now it is we who are the injuns. we who are the wild painted savages who would much prefer to hunt our buffalo and raise our children in our undisturbed teepees while the rest of the world burns itself up with their wars of dominion and imperialistic churches and bloodthirsty emperors. he must watch a smarter more capable man beat him to the prize, and for perhaps the first time ever the white man must mind his place and button his lip and say yessir no sir and bow with some degree of deference and respect, to a man who just a generation ago would have been fortunate to gain employment clearing his table or fetching his golf clubs. No, I don't need to analyze that. It ought to be obvious to anyone with eyes to watch and ears to hear.
We want the war to end. That's it. Obama will do that. Election over.
For the last few months I've been putting up poems I like for the Friday post. This week I'm putting up a video of one--Leonard Cohen reading Joni Mitchell lyrics, set to a photo collage of my favorite place on earth, New York City. I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch and listen. It's from the grammy-winning (so I'm told) Herbie Hancock album of Joni Mitchell compositions. I've been listening to it for the last day or two. It's pretty good, but I really think it was Leonard who cinched the prize for Herbie. What a grand confluence of piano virtuosity, voice, and text. And now: pictures. Words of testimony to some of the vibrations and sensibilities from this part of the world, the city of constant collisions, of daring art, the concrete cradle of ideas. We are a town of dreamers. We reach. We chase impossibilities. "The Jungle Line" by Joni Mitchell.
Have a nice weekend.
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October 15, 2008
DEBATE? YOU BETCHA...
let's hope for a vigorous and respectful exchange of ideas tonight...
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October 14, 2008
October 10, 2008
BLACK FRIDAY
the market is now officially in the shitter...but let's stay focused on what WE can do to effect a change...horror movie above; poem of hope below...there might be more to it than you now realize...
The Star-Spangled Banner
by Francis Scott Key
O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming;
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream;
'Tis the star-spangled banner; O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave,
From the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave;
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land,
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just.
And this be our motto— "In God is our trust; "
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
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October 09, 2008
October 08, 2008
DONNA BRAZILE THROWS DOWN
this bit brought a tear....pssst....pass it on....
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October 07, 2008
IN LAST WEEK'S EPISODE...
so much for the undercard, on to the main event...
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October 06, 2008
LORNE MICHAELS JUST BOUGHT A VILLA IN ALASKA
...regardless of what you think about the CrazyJesusLady, she certainly has helped inject new vitality into the tired old "SNL" brand...
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MCCAIN APPROVED
confused by the details of the bailout/rescue plan? need an explanation? here's a recognized "leader" laying it all out for you. I transcribed this myself directly from the video. (just remember, this is the person whom 72-year-old 4-time cancer surivivor john mccain thinks is ready to be a heartbeat away...)
"Ultimately what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the healthcare reform that is needed to help shore up our economy…um helping the oh it’s got to be all about job creation too shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track so healthcare reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans and trade we have we’ve got to see trade as opportunity not as uh uh competitive um scary thing but one in five jobs being created uh in the trade sector today we we’ve got to look at that as more opportunity all those things under the umbrella of job creation this bailout is a part of that…"
are we clear?
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October 05, 2008
ALONE TOGETHER
...my tune for the week...performed by the great Artie Shaw and his Orchestra...dig the hip 1940s camera work...
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October 03, 2008
LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE REMINDED ME OF THIS ONE
Ave Maria
by Frank O'Hara
Mothers of America
.............................. let your kids go to the movies!
get them out of the house so they won't know what you're up to
it's true that fresh air is good for the body
............................................................. but what about the soul
that grows in darkness, embossed by silvery images
and when you grow old as grow old you must
.................................................................... they won't hate you
they won't criticize you they won't know
..............................................................they'll be in some glamorous country
they first saw on a Saturday afternoon or playing hookey
they may even be grateful to you
.................................................... for their first sexual experience
which only cost you a quarter
..............................................and didn't upset the peaceful home
they will know where candy bars come from
................................................................and gratuitous bags of popcorn
as gratuitous as leaving the movie before it's over
with a pleasant stranger whose apartment is in the Heaven on Earth Bldg
near the Williamsburg Bridge
................................................ oh mothers you will have made the little tykes
so happy because if nobody does pick them up in the movies
they won't know the difference
..............................................and if somebody does it'll be sheer gravy
and they'll have been truly entertained either way
instead of hanging around the yard
....................................................or up in their room
.......................................................................................hating you
prematurely since you won't have done anything horribly mean yet
except keeping them from the darker joys
.......................................................................it's unforgivable the latter
so don't blame me if you won't take this advice
.......................................................................and the family breaks up
and your children grow old and blind in front of a TV set
.....................................................................................seeing
movies you wouldn't let them see when they were young
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October 02, 2008
WOULD-BE VEEPS ON SCOTUS
a little starter course in anticipation of tonight's debate...
please please please please gwen ifill ask her about witches!
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October 01, 2008
REQUIEM
Oonah Buckley Clarke
March 16, 1941 - October 1, 1998
Ten years gone.
Ah, love, let us be true
To one another! for the world, which seems
To lie before us like a land of dreams,
So various, so beautiful, so new,
Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,
Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;
And we are here as on a darkling plain
Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,
Where ignorant armies clash by night.
from "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold
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