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 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…]
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…]
My listening post this morning is my office, with the trustworthy robot from Lost in Space keeping me company. Also keeping me company are German conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler (1886-1954), the Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra (now known as the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra), and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F major. I’ve encountered Maestro Furtwangler seven times … [Read more…]
My listening post tonight is with a glass of cold rice milk and two slices of pumpkin bread to my right, liner notes to my left, and Season Five, CD 2, Episode 6 (“The Game“) of Star Trek: The Next Generation playing in the far background. I have to say a word about Star Trek: … [Read more…]
Today is Thanksgiving Day in America. On this day, we often make a big meal – usually consisting of turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes and gravy and pies of all kinds – and we eat this feast with family and/or friends. Ostensibly, we take time today to give thanks for whomever or whatever we … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is my happy place: the second floor of our local library. Tiny snow flakes are gently falling. A bottle of Evamor water sits to my left, a notepad with a fresh sheet of paper to my right. As is well with my soul. Or, it would be if I were … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is Baker Book House, the largest theological book store in the Midwest. This is an amazing place to work, get coffee, eat a scone, and browse rows and rows and rows and rows of books, especially used books. Anyway, here I am listing to Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning overlooks the early November snow and the increasingly more iced-over lake. Global Warming, my ass. Anyway, as I sit here freezing my aforementioned ass off, I’m listening to Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) from his legendary 1963 Beethoven cycle, Berliner Philharmoniker, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major. … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is Baker Book House, a simply wonderful place for research, reading, drinking coffee, and buying books. Lots and lots of books. They have the largest selection of used books – theological books – in the Midwest. I know people who live in Nashville who shop at Baker. I can’t tell … [Read more…]