Hey all, sorry for not posting for a bit...my auntie has cancer and while it's not a shock because she's had it for awhile and been doing great, it has spread to her brain.
So been busy with taking her to treatments, and staying with her when no one is home, I'm so glad I can work remotely!! So yeah, been a bit strenuous for sure.
So, I keep watching this video because it's awesome, it's cool and it makes me laugh and smile each time I watch it! lol, hope everyone is well!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I hope everyone had a great holiday! I did and I ate sooooo much, and had a great day with my parents! Since I couldn't find any hot men posing next to turkeys.... *I* thought, how about hot men FROM Turkey...oh yea, that's how I roll. ;-) peace
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Search Update
Ok I could have taken care of this awhile ago, but I just now did. The Google Search engine at the bottom of the page had the wrong URL in there, I fixed that. So now you can scroll down and click the radio button for my site and type in um...I dunno... Joseph Sayers and it will open a new window with all my posts of my husband to be. The thing is, if you come back to my blog and try another search, you'll have to refresh the page...so, stay at the search page that opened up and you can do more searches, like Songs of Sunday or Happy Hump Day. :-) Soooo should have fixed that awhile ago, my bad!!
Songs of Sunday
In reference to my previous post, I love this song!! Hope everyone has a great week and a Happy Thanksgiving (you know how lazy I am, just in case I don't post before then!) but I'll try! ;-) peace
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Road to Christmas
Picture by my cousin Wesley Handy. We watched Home Alone tonight as a family. Up until now, it has not felt like October, much less Thanksgiving and Christmas. I guess the road is ahead...
Friday, November 16, 2007
My Phone, My Way wins Top 10 2007 InfoWorld Project award...
I am very excited and proud of my teams. My Phone My Way was my major project for 2006 and 2007. The SVP Robert Turner, mentioned in the article, gave a nice representation of the projects.
You know us IT guys at Cap1... we are "changing the world" , one project at a time.
This was a career builder for me, I hope...
Thursday, November 15, 2007
It's finally happened...
...I am so old now, that I was doing a search to download some Depeche Mode and in one of the results, was "I just can't get enough (the Gap Commercial)" *sigh*....my music is now being referenced as a commercial...for the younguns who have never heard (nor danced) to the original. When it was played at the "alternative" clubs...like One Step Beyond in San Jose, CA. Anyone ever heard of it? It was (as they say these days) The Shit. Dang, I must have been 19 when I first went there, oh I was the total alternative boy...dyed hair, black and white hounds tooth pants with a white shirt and black vest! LOL
What brought this all on was, I noticed in my Yahoo IM you can do these plug in thingys. (Ok I mean I've seen them forever but tonight actually checked them out)and so I did the Yahoo plug in for their radio station. I clicked on all stations and saw 80's alternative, normally that means depeche mode and the cure...but they actually have played some real cool stuff! I haven't heard Yaz or Thompson Twins or the Cromags or Oingo Boingo or Soft Cell or Strawberry Switch blade (and if you know who they are, we are destined to be together!). I have heard Real Life, Cocteau Twins and Dream Academy which is quite impressive. In any case, I just started listening to it, so who knows...OMG the are playing OMD now!! (and that stands for??) Have a great Friday tomorrow... ;-) peace.
What brought this all on was, I noticed in my Yahoo IM you can do these plug in thingys. (Ok I mean I've seen them forever but tonight actually checked them out)and so I did the Yahoo plug in for their radio station. I clicked on all stations and saw 80's alternative, normally that means depeche mode and the cure...but they actually have played some real cool stuff! I haven't heard Yaz or Thompson Twins or the Cromags or Oingo Boingo or Soft Cell or Strawberry Switch blade (and if you know who they are, we are destined to be together!). I have heard Real Life, Cocteau Twins and Dream Academy which is quite impressive. In any case, I just started listening to it, so who knows...OMG the are playing OMD now!! (and that stands for??) Have a great Friday tomorrow... ;-) peace.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Macbeth: San Francisco Opera
Thomas Hampson was performing the title role and while the performance in the first two acts was less than memorable from the entire cast... In the first act, he seemed to make a transition from Darth Vader to the Music Man, to some sort of drugged out hippy... This character ambiguity contributed to a clearly psychotic Macbeth, but it was difficult to follow. That said, Hampson's final aria was worth the entire evening for me. His command of the stage was inspiring and his voice seemed to finally shine with the power and color I am accustomed to hearing from this renowned performer. Raymond Aceto's booming bass was commanding and powerful as Banquo, but I was not quite able to retain the image of his fire from the early scenes...certainly not enough to carry me through the apparition scenes in the later acts when he is not "there". This was not a function of voice, but more of staging and presence. Alfredo Portilla was intriguing at moments but his strained top and stiff portrayal of the powerful Macduff, left much to be imagined. For tenors, the evening's surprise was young Noah Stewart as Malcolm. His voice was brilliant and energized in the top, and as he grows into the middle, he is sure to be a wonderful addition to the opera singer's landscape of talented artists. Kudos.
Overall, I was amazed at how the production constantly overreached and went for effect and flash over substance. Surely this was intentional, but it lost the elegance and refinement that I expect of such classic Verdi. I am far from an expert on this opera, but I lost the tyrannical evil that I envision surrounding, "Lady" and Macbeth in the arranged, cartoonish scenery. The flow of the story and the stunning lyricism of the orchestra were overshadowed by contrived situation effects in much the same as one would expect at a carnival sideshow. The connection between lust, passion and murder was seriously cheapened by the singers' positioning and jerky, angular movements.
I ask myself, in my pursuit of something "special" for my last evening in SF... did I overreach in attending the opera. Are my expectations too high, my views too harsh and critical?
Might I have had just as profound a musical experience in the presence of Billy Joel and Lenny Kravitz ?
That is a question to be answered another day.
Happy Hump Day!
Ok, I've Humped him before (ok not REALLY) but ya know what I mean. He is William Levy and yes he's somewhere in my archives and I think of him as a walking sin, because it really is a sin to be this beautiful! Enjoy! ;-) peace
But how do they taste?
Weird News Wednesday.
By Mica Rosenberg Wed Nov 14, 3:27 PM ET
GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - A tropical fish that lives in mangrove swamps across the Americas can survive out of water for months at a time, similar to how animals adapted to land millions of years ago, a new study shows.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Mangrove Rivulus, a type of small tropical killifish, seeks refuge in shallow pools of water in crab burrows, coconut shells or even old beer cans in the tropical mangrove swamps of Belize, the United States and Brazil.
When their habitat dries up, they live on the land in logs, said Scott Taylor, a researcher at the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program in central Florida.
The fish, whose scientific name is Rivulus marmoratus, can grow as large as three inches. They group together in logs hollowed out by insects and breathe air through their skin instead of their gills until they can find water again.
The scientific breakthrough came after a trip to Belize.
"We kicked over a log and the fish just came tumbling out," Taylor told Reuters in neighboring Guatemala by telephone. He said he will publish his study on the fish in The American Naturalist journal early next year.
In lab tests, Taylor said he found the fish can survive for up to 66 days out of water without eating, and their metabolism keeps functioning.
CLUE TO EVOLUTION
Some other fish can survive briefly out of water. The walking catfish found in Southeast Asia can wriggle over land for hours at a time, while lungfish found in Australia, Africa and South America can survive out of water, but only in a dormant state.
No other known fish can be out of water as long as the Mangrove Rivulus and remain active, according to Patricia Wright, a biologist at Canada's University of Guelph.
"They can survive for weeks without really dropping their metabolic rate. They remain relatively responsive and active for weeks in air," she said.
The fish may hold clues to how animals evolved over time.
"These animals live in an environment that is similar to conditions that existed millions of year ago, when animals began making the transition from water onto land," she added.
Surviving on land is not the only unusual behavior exhibited by the fish. They have both testes and ovaries and essentially clone themselves by laying their own, already fertilized eggs.
"This is probably the coolest fish around, not only do they have a very bizarre sex life, but they really don't meet standard behavioral criteria for fishes," said Taylor in a summary of his paper.
By Mica Rosenberg Wed Nov 14, 3:27 PM ET
GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - A tropical fish that lives in mangrove swamps across the Americas can survive out of water for months at a time, similar to how animals adapted to land millions of years ago, a new study shows.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Mangrove Rivulus, a type of small tropical killifish, seeks refuge in shallow pools of water in crab burrows, coconut shells or even old beer cans in the tropical mangrove swamps of Belize, the United States and Brazil.
When their habitat dries up, they live on the land in logs, said Scott Taylor, a researcher at the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program in central Florida.
The fish, whose scientific name is Rivulus marmoratus, can grow as large as three inches. They group together in logs hollowed out by insects and breathe air through their skin instead of their gills until they can find water again.
The scientific breakthrough came after a trip to Belize.
"We kicked over a log and the fish just came tumbling out," Taylor told Reuters in neighboring Guatemala by telephone. He said he will publish his study on the fish in The American Naturalist journal early next year.
In lab tests, Taylor said he found the fish can survive for up to 66 days out of water without eating, and their metabolism keeps functioning.
CLUE TO EVOLUTION
Some other fish can survive briefly out of water. The walking catfish found in Southeast Asia can wriggle over land for hours at a time, while lungfish found in Australia, Africa and South America can survive out of water, but only in a dormant state.
No other known fish can be out of water as long as the Mangrove Rivulus and remain active, according to Patricia Wright, a biologist at Canada's University of Guelph.
"They can survive for weeks without really dropping their metabolic rate. They remain relatively responsive and active for weeks in air," she said.
The fish may hold clues to how animals evolved over time.
"These animals live in an environment that is similar to conditions that existed millions of year ago, when animals began making the transition from water onto land," she added.
Surviving on land is not the only unusual behavior exhibited by the fish. They have both testes and ovaries and essentially clone themselves by laying their own, already fertilized eggs.
"This is probably the coolest fish around, not only do they have a very bizarre sex life, but they really don't meet standard behavioral criteria for fishes," said Taylor in a summary of his paper.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Chuck/Heroes
Ok so Chuck is getting better each week, I think. It's wacky but it's good. Heroes on the on the other hand, it kind of going the way of Lost second season (yes I know I watch to much TV!). It's to much reading now with the Hiro going back in time and the lady with the black tears!! Although I am wondering exactly what happens, well besides people dying. I'm watching Heroes now and it's giving me the chills!
Ok enough to that, is anybody else using Windows Vista? I'm wondering if it slows down anybody else's machine? I just got a new Vaio and it has Vista on it and it doesn't seem as fast as it should be? In any case, I'm having fun playing with my new toy and figuring things out. Hope everyone has a great week and I will blog very soon, 'cause I've had some random thoughts that keep coming up. :-) peace
Ok enough to that, is anybody else using Windows Vista? I'm wondering if it slows down anybody else's machine? I just got a new Vaio and it has Vista on it and it doesn't seem as fast as it should be? In any case, I'm having fun playing with my new toy and figuring things out. Hope everyone has a great week and I will blog very soon, 'cause I've had some random thoughts that keep coming up. :-) peace
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Happy Hump Day!
Ok, so it's been a minute but I got a new laptop and I've been playing with it and Windows Vista. Also my brother was down this past weekend, so it's been all about Golf and Bowling. Oh and not to mention, I'm on season 4 of Charmed! So yeah been busy, ok not like "helping the world" busy...but busy in my own way. :-) So, on that note...can we just breathe and take a look at Hotness on this humpday!!? ;-) peace
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Proactive
How do you deal with emotional issues/problems.. particularly with other people? Is there a framework for this sort of problem solving. I believe that we have to be proactive and avoid issues, rather than just react and problem solve. Framework is the same no matter when we engage...
I don't claim to be wise on the subject, but I have had some limited success.. like most of us. I haven't had any training on counseling or problem resolution either so I'd be interested to hear other thoughts. Any approach to these steps has to first evaluate the issue and relationship itself.. is there a hierarchy? are the parties truly equal ever?
#1 rule: Absolute HONESTY and timing are critical. Waiting to have a difficult discussion is rarely a good idea, unless there is an objective reason for "cooling off". In my experience, time just increases the pain for serious issues.
2. DIALOGUE is key along with respect. Appreciate the other persons' perspective and give them a chance to react and respond.
3. Look to the FUTURE. Search for objective solutions.. tangible things that each of you can do to improve.
4. FORGIVE! Extracting your "pound of flesh" doesn't actually help.
5. APOLOGIZE! Fault is almost always a two way street! Accept it and move on..
If you can't do these things, then there is little hope for resolution. The decision to not reconcile is actually the decision to terminate the relationship. Grow up and accept that there are consequences to EVERY DECISION. Respect other's choices right along with yours...
This applies to churches, workplace and team dynamics, marriages, musical ensembles and performance decisions, and even driving. If we choose to be proactive in our approach and communications/actions, then the little issues can be dealt with before they grow out of control. In conjunction with that idea.. if the fire is truly out of control, sometimes you need to evacuate and get help. Either way, perspective and awareness are key to making a proactive decision.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Objective Subjectivity
How and where is the standard defined for musical excellence? As I practice and strive to be honest to a history and lineage of artists who have preceded me, I am struck by the need to be unique and special in my performances. I have spent my life in search of an objective standard for perfection, but strangely that objective standard is shallow. Even when I have achieved something special on those rare occasions, the exhilaration was fleeting. The lasting permanence is achieved via the race, not the prize. I was refined by the pursuit, not the procurement of something.
As a classical artist, I feel an obligation to share my experiences "making" music with my community. not just the performances. I am only just now learning to do that. I will always be "learning"
A few things I have learned. These are must haves for me...
1. I have standards for performance that are sometimes reasonable and sometimes not.
2. Cooperation with my fellow musicians is important.
3. Those musicians with which I associate must have intentions to reach something greater than themselves. Our journey together must be intentionally growing and loving, never filled with or centered on complacency.
4. I need a well formed plan and system with which to reach out and innovate. I have little tolerance for a lack of discipline.
5. I expect others to respect my time and ability as I respect theirs. I don't ask more than I offer and I expect those around me to carry their own weight.
6. Friends and colleagues who can't or won't embrace the passionate and disciplined approach to a higher standard have a hard time with me, and I with them. Those relationships may not last.
7. I exist filled with a naive confidence that is my greatest strength and weakness concurrently. I believe that if I can maintain pure intentions, and seek God's will for my life, I and my family will prosper in happiness and fulfillment. My musical instincts are gifts from God to be used accordingly.
8. I love making music with others. The pursuit of perfections towards an objective standard is a false goal. The prize is hollow if/when achieved.
9. I remain a deconstructionist at heart. I truly believe there must be a better way than has been found before. It is worth seeking and innovating. The consequence to this direction is the acceptance that many around me may never understand my approach or desire. I have as an enemy all those who have done well under the system before and those who are not assured of success under any future order. (Machiavelli)
10. I take myself and my thinking too seriously. Ultimately, the answer is simple.
Pray without ceasing and Praise the Lord! All the other questions are probably a waste of time.
As a classical artist, I feel an obligation to share my experiences "making" music with my community. not just the performances. I am only just now learning to do that. I will always be "learning"
A few things I have learned. These are must haves for me...
1. I have standards for performance that are sometimes reasonable and sometimes not.
2. Cooperation with my fellow musicians is important.
3. Those musicians with which I associate must have intentions to reach something greater than themselves. Our journey together must be intentionally growing and loving, never filled with or centered on complacency.
4. I need a well formed plan and system with which to reach out and innovate. I have little tolerance for a lack of discipline.
5. I expect others to respect my time and ability as I respect theirs. I don't ask more than I offer and I expect those around me to carry their own weight.
6. Friends and colleagues who can't or won't embrace the passionate and disciplined approach to a higher standard have a hard time with me, and I with them. Those relationships may not last.
7. I exist filled with a naive confidence that is my greatest strength and weakness concurrently. I believe that if I can maintain pure intentions, and seek God's will for my life, I and my family will prosper in happiness and fulfillment. My musical instincts are gifts from God to be used accordingly.
8. I love making music with others. The pursuit of perfections towards an objective standard is a false goal. The prize is hollow if/when achieved.
9. I remain a deconstructionist at heart. I truly believe there must be a better way than has been found before. It is worth seeking and innovating. The consequence to this direction is the acceptance that many around me may never understand my approach or desire. I have as an enemy all those who have done well under the system before and those who are not assured of success under any future order. (Machiavelli)
10. I take myself and my thinking too seriously. Ultimately, the answer is simple.
Pray without ceasing and Praise the Lord! All the other questions are probably a waste of time.
Inspire or Indict
For the past few weeks I have been traveling, had obligations, a myriad of things.. all of which have made participating in the "normal" church choir experience a challenge(honestly impossible). Had an interesting experience this morning when I chose to sit with my kids in worship rather than join the choir in the loft. Several choir members actually gave me an overt scowl. Was their concern about inspiring me to return, accepting of my schedule-trusting my personal intentions, or indicting... the group's direction takes precedent over my personal direction. I had the distinct impression that I was thoroughly indicted for choosing family over an "obligation" to the choir. I haven't been in rehearsal for almost a month, I had never even seen the anthem, yet there is some sort of expectation that cannot be quantified or even qualified. What is up with that? My reaction is that I was ashamed for the indicters.. It made me not want to return.. In other words, my reaction was exactly the opposite of the one I expect was intended by the choir members. They want me back.. I was actually moved to leave not join... The metaphor for a church reaching out to its world is inescapable in my mind.
We so often have those expectations of people around us. I am as guilty as others. I wonder if this is how non church going folks feel about all of us who worship on Sunday mornings together. Is this tendancy to indict a free thinker, non comformist what keeps us from actually inspiring others to join us in worship. Does it keep us from benefitting from innovation and diversity in the church? I think so.
My stream of consciousness thought for now...
Just finished reading a book this week.. "The Wisdom of Crowds" by James Surowiecki. For groups to be able to actually work effectively towards an outcome.. (in a manner which defies traditional thinking) members of the group must be diverse, they must have independant accountability, and they should have some way of aggregating their individual responses and contribution so that the result can be "averaged" This is extremely interesting.. Basically, the two components of each offering include information and error.. When the diverse group aggregates its view.. the information is increased and the "errors" actually cancel out.. The result is a near perfect analysis and decision, particularly when this method is applied to a cognitive problem with a distinct answer.
What if the problem posed to a group is.. How do we inspire others to want to join?
Should we listen to a few "old guard/subject matter experts" or should we think outside the box and look for the answers. The only think I can be sure of is that the way I have seen it done for the last 20 years or so, does NOT work. Judging and indicting may be an instinctive response, but it creates animosity, not the emotion filled warmth and feeling of inclusion.
Personal accountability is important in relationship to God. It is not appropriate to extend that same measuring stick to judging others within the church, just because...that is how it has always been done.
We so often have those expectations of people around us. I am as guilty as others. I wonder if this is how non church going folks feel about all of us who worship on Sunday mornings together. Is this tendancy to indict a free thinker, non comformist what keeps us from actually inspiring others to join us in worship. Does it keep us from benefitting from innovation and diversity in the church? I think so.
My stream of consciousness thought for now...
Just finished reading a book this week.. "The Wisdom of Crowds" by James Surowiecki. For groups to be able to actually work effectively towards an outcome.. (in a manner which defies traditional thinking) members of the group must be diverse, they must have independant accountability, and they should have some way of aggregating their individual responses and contribution so that the result can be "averaged" This is extremely interesting.. Basically, the two components of each offering include information and error.. When the diverse group aggregates its view.. the information is increased and the "errors" actually cancel out.. The result is a near perfect analysis and decision, particularly when this method is applied to a cognitive problem with a distinct answer.
What if the problem posed to a group is.. How do we inspire others to want to join?
Should we listen to a few "old guard/subject matter experts" or should we think outside the box and look for the answers. The only think I can be sure of is that the way I have seen it done for the last 20 years or so, does NOT work. Judging and indicting may be an instinctive response, but it creates animosity, not the emotion filled warmth and feeling of inclusion.
Personal accountability is important in relationship to God. It is not appropriate to extend that same measuring stick to judging others within the church, just because...that is how it has always been done.
Friday, November 2, 2007
My First Time...
...at watching a TV episode on line on a laptop!! You pervs!! :-D So I missed Ugly Betty tonight and I know they show the episodes online after the show...soooo...I thought...well, beats waiting for the DVD. Ok, I ordered a laptop earlier this week and hope to get it tomorrow, my work laptop has what I think is a 12 or 13 inch scree and it's not HD or anything like that. I didn't want to wait until tomorrow though so I just gave it a try. Hmm..if you're lying in bed, in the dark, on your back and have the laptop on your your stuffed bulldog pillow on your stomach....it's really not that bad. Especially with headphones, it's like surround sound!!
I'll keep ya updated. :)
Hmmm....commercials...guess we can't escape them even in cyber world eh? Liking this episode though! Feels weird to laugh in the dark...alone. *shiver*
Ok, ad is over.
Gio is kinda short.
Poor Henry and Betty, they can't have a real date!! Ewww, it is not almost 1:3O a.m.! 20 more minutes left.
LMAO, "you're about to hear a cough, that's me saying hello" from Betty "you're about to hear a sneeze, that's me, saying hello" from Henry. Then Gio says to Betty, "you're about to hear a gagging, that's me, gagging" LOL I almost woke my roomie up I think. I know this makes no sense to those who don't watch Ugly Betty, but hey...that's why it's my Wonderful World. :)
There are just as many commercials in the webstreaming then the TV version!
LMAO!! the gay son "you didn't last 'cause you got a big mouht" LOL
Great episode! My Tv Episode Via the Internet cherry has been popped! And you all thought it would be Heroes! Except I NEVER miss that show. Off to bed now...so my brother is down this weekend, so it's all about golfing! Hope everyone has a good weekend!
;-) peace
I'll keep ya updated. :)
Hmmm....commercials...guess we can't escape them even in cyber world eh? Liking this episode though! Feels weird to laugh in the dark...alone. *shiver*
Ok, ad is over.
Gio is kinda short.
Poor Henry and Betty, they can't have a real date!! Ewww, it is not almost 1:3O a.m.! 20 more minutes left.
LMAO, "you're about to hear a cough, that's me saying hello" from Betty "you're about to hear a sneeze, that's me, saying hello" from Henry. Then Gio says to Betty, "you're about to hear a gagging, that's me, gagging" LOL I almost woke my roomie up I think. I know this makes no sense to those who don't watch Ugly Betty, but hey...that's why it's my Wonderful World. :)
There are just as many commercials in the webstreaming then the TV version!
LMAO!! the gay son "you didn't last 'cause you got a big mouht" LOL
Great episode! My Tv Episode Via the Internet cherry has been popped! And you all thought it would be Heroes! Except I NEVER miss that show. Off to bed now...so my brother is down this weekend, so it's all about golfing! Hope everyone has a good weekend!
;-) peace
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