Phenon’s middle school chamber choir just performed in Dallas at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Middle School Conference, and they sounded awesome. I wish I could have been there. It really is shocking each time I hear them, how great they sound. Seriously! Listen to this:
A. Mario Loiderman Middle School Chamber Choir Performance Read More »
It is 8:30am and I am sitting in the jury lounge to see if I will be called to serve as a juror for the District Court of Montgomery County. My stomach is in knots, not only because I have a huge amount of work to do and this is a kind of crummy week to be missing time at the office, though that is definitely part of it. The knots also are not only because today is my 13 year old daughters last day of Chemotherapy for Hodkin’s Lymphoma, though that is certainly a part of it as well. But the elephant in the room – the bloody and incredibly sad elephant – is Patty Rebholtz. I’m thinking of Patty and really, really, not wanting to hear my number called.
…
Jury Duty Terrifies Me Read More »
“It is terrifying, and paralyzing, as the strands of sound disintegrate … in ceasing, we lose it all. But in letting go, we have gained everything.”
-Leonard Berenstein – who died eleven years ago today – commenting on Mahler’s 9th, the ending of which this video shows him conducting fearlessly and with quite remarkable emotion.
Leonard Bernstein Conducting the Final Moments of Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 Read More »
I’ve known Brian for nearly as long as I’ve been alive; certainly as long as I can remember. He and my dad worked together at the Topeka Capitol Journal beginning when I was around 4 years old. When Brian and his family moved out to Oregon it was due to his encouraging dad to interview at the Eugene Register Guard that we relocated as well, undoubtedly completely changing the direction my life ended up taking.
Thanksgivings at the Lanker house and Halloween with Brian playing the part of “Mogo” and “terrifying” the many kids that gathered each year at the Newnham’s house remain among the best memories I have. Brian’s eye for beauty and love for life were evident in the art he created and the food he loved. Brian and Lynda’s kitchen is still my favorite I’ve ever been in.
While his book “I Dream a World, Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America” may be his best known work, for me I’ll always treasure the autographed poster of Paulina Porizkova that he gave me after shooting the 1984 swimsuit issue for Sports Illustrated as well as the accompanying story of dinner with she and husband Ric Ocasek (no way!!!). Years later I was able to relay the story back to Ric when I met him at CBGB while on tour with my own band. He remembered the dinner with Brian and laughed when I presented a picture of myself in drag, signed, for him to give his wife as a thank-you from 16-year-old me.
I’m very sad to hear of Brian’s death this past Sunday and would have dearly loved to be able to see him just one more time. Thankfully my own kids got the opportunity to jump all over him (well, Rowan did most of the jumping) five years ago during a trip back to Eugene. My thoughts are with Lynda, Julie, Jackie, and Dustin. Love to you all. Goodbye Brian.
NYTimes look back at a truly amazing talent: http://tinyurl.com/6gyl2hd
Goodbye Brian Lanker (1947-2011) Read More »
There were five records my parents have had for as long as I can remember: Tommy (The Who), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (The Beatles), Chrysalis (Chrysalis), After the Gold Rush (Neil Young), and Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon and Garfunkel). So here are my favorite songs off each of them:
Don’t think for a second that these people are not very strange.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEg7g3PnTxk
One of the most beautiful songs ever. Even when I was three I knew that.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7letrMf_nE
Fours years and eight albums after their 1963 debut. What the holy hell? My parents bought this just a couple of months before I was born. I’ve never not heard this record.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWjVffR5EdM
First I’d heard of drugs, sex, pinball, and cults. I wonder if two years old was a bit young…nah. Though Uncle Ernie totally freaks my kids out today.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5roebfnD-bc
I have absolutely no idea what I though this song was about when it was released (I was four). I’m not entirely sure I do now.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hqdZ4AWSaI
My First Five Songs Read More »
I just installed the Wordbooker plugin on my blog and am testing to see what happens over on the Facebook side when I publish a new post. Probably fucking break everything.
Testing New Thingy Read More »
Northwest Branch Creek. Willow has learned to like LOVE the water. Leaping and dashing.
Kids and Willow At The Creek Read More »
Seeming to cement the notion that the claims that punk rock was the only modern western music that was not co-opted from Black America is a bunch of hooey, allow me to introduce you to Death:
