My listening post this morning is in front of our Christmas tree, overlooking a frozen lake. To my left is a mug of coffee and – in my 5-CD changer – are the first five Jefferson Starship albums turned down low, like the music would be in a restaurant. To my right is a notepad … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is in the cafeteria of one of the local grocery store chains. At this hour, there are only two older gentlemen sharing this space with me. There was a third guy. But he left. Shortly after I took this picture, these two cats left, too. And now I’m here alone. … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is in front of the TV with The Andy Griffith Show in the background, next to the lights of the Christmas tree, and quite near a cup of fresh-brewed coffee. The episode is “Ellie Saves a Female,” and it first aired on 17 April 1961 – which is two days … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is way early – somewhere around 5am – with an episode of The Andy Griffith Show as background. The Andy G. episode is called “Andy and the New Mayor,” and it first aired on October 15, 1962. For my money, there’s no finer character ever written for TV than Barney … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is the second floor of our local library. Also known as my happy place. And it’s here, right now, that I’m listening to a recording from 1961 – German conductor Franz Konwitschny (1901-1962), Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F major. I’ve encountered Maestro Konwitschny seven times previously, … [Read more…]
My listening post this afternoon is in front of the Christmas tree (now fully decked out) overlooking a snow-covered lake on December 5th, 2018. The temperature outside is 29 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s -1.6 Celsius for all you non-U.S. citizens). I have no idea what the temperature is inside. But I guarantee it’s not 29 degrees … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is nowhere special. What I’m hoping is special is this performance from German conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), Berliner Philharmoniker, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F major. I encountered Maestro Karajan’s legendary 1977 cycle seven times previously, on… Day 11. Rating: “Meh!” Day 29. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 47. Rating: … [Read more…]
This morning, my listening post is the cafeteria of a local grocery store chain, a Starbucks Blonde Roast (“That’ll be a pour over. Is that okay?”) and a blueberry muffin (“It’s good warmed up a little”) on my right. Nothing but a sunny day streaming in on my left. The sun. Wow. What is that … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is with the classic 1954 holiday movie White Christmas (the first movie filmed in VistaVision) in the background, this year’s Christmas tree (as yet undecorated) on my right, a fresh sliced avocado on the table beside me on my right, a cup of fresh-brewed coffee on my left, and German … [Read more…]
I love getting up early. In fact, the earlier the better. I have a specific morning ritual that goes like this: I wake up at 5:01 (I always set my alarm for the :01 after whatever time; I like the specific-ness of it). I sit in meditation for 20-30 minutes. I make and imbibe 2-3 … [Read more…]