Today's Weather

It was so warm and nice today, I'm so happy the weather is changing, it was a really rough winter and cold and rainy! Warmer weather means less clothes!! ;-) peace

MTV PRODUCERS ARE FAGS!!

They suck, I'm watching the Gauntlet which I have been kind of keeping up with this season. Ok so it's the veterans vs. the rookies (from different Real World and Road Rules throughout the years). So the rookies are getting their asses whupped! So they lose team members and then they are supposed to compete in events that require strength! Ok they have like 4 guys against 8 veteran guys...how is that going to be fair?? Same with the girls, the rookies have like 4 rookie girls against 7 rookie girls! It shouldn't be called the Gauntlet!! It should be called "you're fucked if you lose any team members because we are MTV producers with our heads in our asses!" I mean really...I think that would get more viewers. ;-)
On the flip side
If the team with the less team members have to do an event where having LESS team members can work in their favor, well yeah...sure...that's a great thing. Those challenges are very rare and the Rookies keep getting creamed because they have less team members!!
Yes readers, reality TV is not all fluff, it really involves you and makes you think. ;-)
Oh and don't give me any flack about using the word fag...I am soooo NOT PC and your words will just be wasted on me.
Oooh, Rob and Big is on!
;-) peace

Dialogue of Wind: Jeremy McEntire, flute

The University of Richmond music department presented Jeremy McEntire, flute in collaboration with Dr. Charles Hulin IV, piano at Camp Concert Hall this afternoon. I attended with my 9 year old daughter and 7 year old son and the event was a fine ending to a superlative weekend of music here in the Richmond region.

I have spent a good deal of time in the past months pondering the role of collaboration versus competion in music, and today's event was refreshingly warm and elite, but never elitist. The room is among the best recital halls I have ever been privileged to experience, and the artists are in the same league.

The program spanned a wide range beginning with Bach, flowing easily into the Debussy "Prelude to the afternoon of a faun" and concluding the first half with a wonderful Theme and Variations by NC composer James Guthrie. The second half presented a windstorm of acoustical energy focused through the flute masterfully in the music of Robert Dick coupled with the expansive romantic exploration of the Fauré Sonata in A Major for violin.(transcribed by Trudy Kane)

My opera singer ears, were attuned to the stylized organization of air molecules and the delicate structures of the Bach. The elegant duet between the piano's upper register set the tone for a series of delicious dialogues in the following sets.

Mr McEntire's eyebrow raised inquisitively as he delivered the opening melodic elements of the well know Debussy masterpiece. This visual exploration was exciting and intriguing and helped the audience to appreciate the fluid world as he created it. The Debussy as presented here, washed the room with fluid splashes of color and the sound waves intersected within the room generating a complex matrix of imagery. At the conclusion, the pp diminuendo was so masterfully presented that it was difficult for me to differentiate between the flute and the piano's diminishing acoustical energy. The effect was virtuostically stunning.

The Theme and Variations by Guthrie, showcased articulation and resonance reminiscent of an orchestra of birds singing. The percussive interplay within the themes enhanced resounding harmonics within the room creating harmonies that were both unexpected and delightful. This variational journey seemed to travel across Europe in dance styles, demonstrating variance in geography equally alongside time period.

Afterlight, by Robert Dick was an exploration of wind energies. I could not help feel as though Mr McEntire was "channeling" a windstorm across a field of flutes, chimes and thin metal sculptures. The piece explored partials and harmonics with a mind bending aural energy sequenced in a manner which sometimes approached the feel of a distortion effect generated on an electric guitar. This departure from the lyrical expectations/norm of a flute recital presented an excellent foil to the refined, structured elegance of the opening Bach in the first half.

The finale of this concert was the Fauré. Here, ensemble and bel canto lyricism reigned supreme as the operatic dialogues of the first movement inspired ideas from Verdi to Wagner. Mr McEntire navigated the tricky dialogues between voices effortlessly, the melodies blending just as two sopranos might on any stage. The expansive operatic nature of the Fauré was a surprise to me. The Allegro vivo third movement echoed Brahms' dynamic lyricism and even approached the passionate pianistic virtuosity of Tchaikovsky piano concerti.

Thank you to U of R and the Modlin Center for presenting artists of the quality of Jeremy McEntire and Charles Hulin IV in its beautiful facilities free of charge. The audience made up of many, many young musicians was treated to a beautiful dialogue of artists and artistry.


Dr. Charles Hulin IV will be presented by the Da Capo Institute in a solo concert on March 14 at 7:00pm at Bon Air Presbyterian Church in Midlothian. He will then present a master class on Sat March 15 to the public free of charge. If you are reading this, and are interested in performing, please contact Tracee Prillaman at 4323446, or at traceep@dacapoinstitute.org

Jumper

So I went and saw Jumper this evening you can check out the trailer below:


It was good, could have had a bit more story substance but it was so distracting...why? Because I forgot how beautiful Hayden Christensen is! Got damn, he is fine! Those eyes, that voice those lips...*sigh* I may have to go watch again.




*sigh*

Recycling Obama

I have watched with amusement as Hilary "attacked" Obama for using words spoken by other leaders in speeches. As a pretty, diehard Republican I don't usually care much how the Democrats treat one another, but I must admit that I have been impressed with Obama's presentation and speaking abilities. This respect comes not because I believe that he wrote every word, or that he is a "brilliant genius" but because I believe that he is authentic in his desire to bring about the changes of which he speaks so eloquently.

There is nothing wrong with using the words of others... When I read the words of the millions who have come before me, I am honored and awed at their insight and ability. He has freely admitted that they are not his own, and that he is still proud to use them.

If any of us think that becoming president is about knowing everything and writing your own speeches, we are naive and sorely mistaken. Leadership is about accountability for the work of others.. about using a team to generate change.. about inspiring, promising and delivering.

Whatever happens this Fall, it will be a challenge for either Republican or Democrat to deliver results in our climate.

Invencia Piano Duo, Palms Away...

The Invencia Piano Duo was featured in concert at Huguenot Road Baptist Church this evening in a 4 hands piano concert which ranged from Schubert and Brahms to Ravel, Gottschalk and a "ragtime" palms away encore. I am not a piano scholar and the program was not printed, so please forgive any errors in the details of the composition names.

This concert was presented in an interesting manner which is far from typical in my experience of concert piano recitals. The concert Baldwin at HRBC is boxed off of the choir loft, as is typical in so many churches. This elevated box obscures both sound and visual lines. To compensate, HRBC used a video camera to provide a closeup view of the keyboard, which was then fed to a projector screen at center stage. This visual element/TV experience viewing of a live concert recital was strangely irritating and intriguing at the same time. It seemed to drag my focus away from the artists themselves and onto the MTV view of their "floating hands" above the keyboard. I was frequently seduced into the screen and the view of the hands, to the detriment of the facial expressions of the artists' themselves. After the intermission, I moved my position in the sanctuary and this was quite effective. Without the screen front and center in my visual field, I was much better able to experience the music. The added benefit was my shift in the hall, positioned me directly in front of the piano and the clarity and energy generated by the instrument were radically different to my ears.

The program, expertly played by Invencia, was interesting and thoughtfully presented with engaging commentary by Andrey Kasparov. The early Schubert marches evoked an atmosphere of regal pomp and circumstance blended with the demure elegance of a Viennese ball. My favorite piece of the evening was Ravel's Mother Goose suite. The dynamics and stunning pianissimos of the upper register created a feeling of space and distance which touched my heart intensely. The fluid chiming of the bells and the "out of time" feeling of the second movement reminded me of Gianni Schicchi with its timeless appeal. The Fairy Garden, "last movement" reminded me of both Copland and Mussorgsky in Fanfare and Great gates of Kiev.. The vignettes and pictures presented by these artists were clear and engaging. Their passion was unquestioned as they shared their talents.

The Gottschalk which was their closing masterpiece was a Euro-American blending with elements reminiscent of Offenbach, Strauss and even a little Bizet(to this opera singer's ears). The rhythmic context and control of the flowing arpeggios and scales was virtuostically played, intermingling flamboyance and joy.

The audience was warm and inviting, and my daughters (9 and 10) were engaged quite effectively by the combination of video and the rich aural textures of 4 hands live piano. I must admit, that my early skepticism with the video model was largely overcome. I enjoyed the concert and this piano duo was certainly worth an evening of my precious time. (even in competition with the Daytona 500)

If you have a chance to see and hear them, don't miss it. I might even be able to pull off that encore piece, which was palms and forearms away... through and through...

Believe it...

Tracee and I are psyched to perform in the Cinderella next Friday night. It is hard to express how proud we are to be a part of this "Da Capo" thing. Prior to Da Capo, there was no real channel for us to plug into to feel like we, as musicians, were actively contributing to our community. We spent a lot of time in church, but now we can bridge the gap both as teachers and performers...leveraging our relationship skills with parents and students of all ages and abilities.

This thing is going to work.. Believe IT!

Now, if the people of Richmond will just give us a chance and come out to hear what a difference a Way makes... More students will come, when the time is right...

Happy Friday...

...or what's left of it. I had relatives from S. Dakota in this week and we went and did the whole Fisherman Wharf thing in San Francisco. It was a nice visit but I was tired when I got home, it was a long day. Not much else going on, tomorrow is my Aunties memorial. My brother is down from Oregon so I'm hoping we can at least hit the driving range. So while I was in SF me and my sis were walking around waiting for our relatives (they did the Alcatraz tour) and we had our MP3 players. I have an iPod Nano and she has a...um...not sure what she has but it does the same thing mine does. So she plays this song by the Black Lodge Singers called Ask your mom for fifty cents. First let me say Black Lodge Singers are a pow wow drum group and they are really good, I like this song because it's in English (not a Lakota translation) so I could send it to my friends. This is actually a Crow Hop song which is a dance that we have. It's funny though, listen to the words, you may have to replay it a couple times to hear them all. Hope everyone has a great weekend! '-)

Rob and Big...

...Do you know? In flipping channels last night I ran into Rob and Big. I watched a bit of the first season and thought it was boring, but this season was pretty good. So I went online and watched all the episodes this season so far. This clip I found on youtube and it opened the seson, HILARIOUS! Rob is kinda hot too, plus...another good song from Enrique Iglesias.

Brian Bloom...

...so I'm into the Sarah Connor Chronicles on Fox. I watch it online usually and tonight I see Brian Blooms fine ass!! I have always had a crush on him and he was looking good tonight. So here are some pics to justify my crush! ;-) peace

Change: the wave, who?

Change is a many sided problem.. that I don't believe can be brought on by a new leadership alone.. There is a wave of energy promoting candidates right now.. It will be interesting to see what happens when that wave breaks on the sea wall that is the US gov't "machine"..

Change must be brought about by the people and for the people and I agree that leaders are a critical part.. but the question will be..

What are you personally willing to give up?
... for a safe, secure environment free from bombs, shootings, destruction...
... for everyone to have access to a doctor and life saving medication...
...to teach and eliminate the horrors surrounding the murder of innocent children...
...to provide a safe future for your child.. economically...
...to keep faith and freedom alive jointly, not institute religion

Change starts with personal accountability, responsibility, and actions inspired by great leaders. It incurs wrath. It is messy. There is loss and gain.

Know what you are asking for.. and do your part to support change for the better. That is what everyone wants... on all sides.

Step it up people.. don't expect McCain or Obama, or Hilary to do it for you.. Don't wait. Do your part now.. Find something to do, and do it... The sum of the little actions, millions of them.. will make the difference. Start by changing the way you interact with your neighbor, your boss, or your nemesis..

Random Acts of Kindness... without regard for credit... Selfless... now that is change.

Old Post

new thing, I started this blog almost 3 years ago and I had posted from another state and another time in my life. I kind of want to repost some blogs 'cause my current readers don't know what I went through and where I started. (ok you know this is my lame attempt to cover up the fact I have nothing new to post!) play with me ok! :) I'm watching the Bobby Flay Throwdown at the moment, but read this! *grin*
I think this is like my 3rd ever blog. Man S. Dakota is weird.

Freaky ass weather...

...I am so inconsistent with this blogging thing. Anyways, last week in the middle of May it snowed like 7 inches in a few hours. In May. Snow. 7 inches. Ok see, in California in May I'm wearing shorts and wondering how many calories do I need to cut so that my wife beater fits, and I don't look the like wife with sagging boobs.
Here it seems that the weather just kind of goes on with no boundaries. The next two days after our "blizzard" were hot, like 80 degrees, so of course mounds of snow are melting and all the gutters are overflowing and you have your windows rolled down and sweating as you drive as these huge mountains of snow that had been plowed the day before and I'm like WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE! And then today, Thunderstorm. With Hail and Sleet. I swear if I see a funnel cloud I'm on the first bus/train/horse back to California. I'm looking outside because I'm convinced an 18 wheeler and a freight train had collided but the South Dakotan's are telling me, um, that was Thunder. I'm like no, see Thunder is like a big boom (and they laugh because I guess one or more Californian had said boom in describing thunder). Thunder does not make the clock on your wall fall on to your desk or make your teeth hurt, that's a collision/explosion of some kind. So I'm staring outside and it's like 2pm but it's dark!! and I see little hail stones bouncing off my car hood and I'm just convinced that pretty soon those big huge hailstones are going to happen, you know like golf ball sized hail and they will totally annihilate my car. I can't afford to fix anything if my car dies, or, is murdered. I was told hail like that is rare and not to worry. I'm not worried, I just don't believe weather like this really exisits. The sky is a mass of black and blue swirling clouds and lightning is blinding me and the thunder is making my fillings rattle and I'm convinced this is doomsday but I keep telling myself, it's sunny somewhere! It's sunny somewhere!!
Then the rain comes and it's like this tidal wave of water, not cute rain drops that you try and catch on your tongue but splashes of water that would surely take your jaw off if you were dumb enough to open your mouth. I look at my co-workers reading the paper or just chatting it up and I'm thinking, it'll be ok, no one is concerned and I look out the window and I see this trash can go blowing by and another thunder crack shakes the building and I finally go back into my office and start looking at live webcams of cities in California so I can be assured that isn't the day that ends all days. Then it get's really quiet and I'm afraid to look out side becuase you know the whole eye of the storm thing and this is when the tornado will definitely strike. My office begins to become more illuminated (I never turn my light on and I'm basically in the dark as this point) and I turn to look out my windows and the clouds are fading away and the sun is coming out and in like 20 mins. It's 72 degrees with blue skies and sunshine. WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH THAT!! Were we not, just ready to board an Ark a few minutes ago??
I look outside and see our neighbors dragging their trash can back up the road and the bunnies are out eating the grass from the parking lot across the way and it's like it never happened. Well except for the river of water running through our parking lot, it was like a dream.
That sh*t just ain't right. In California, when it rains it rains for days and when it's nice it's nice for days! The Weather there doesn't play with your mind and get you all scared then serene in the span of like an hour!! Oh no, I need more consistency!! Not to mention it f*cks with your wardrobe because how you gonna dress yourself if you don't know how the weather is going to be? I mean I can't be wearing shorts in the morning and then a parka in the afternoon, it just clashes! What? am I supposed to like have an emergency bag of clothes with me at all times? That's to much committment for me, I need to know that when I wear shorts, I'm wearing those damn shorts for the next three months no problem or questions asked, don't mess with my head and freak me out then have the sunshine come out with squirrels and bunnies playing, naw, f*ck that. Mother nature here needs to recognize that we all ain't mountain people and some of us believe that the sun should actually be up and shining for the whole day for days on end, it's called summer dammit! That's how it should be!
:-)

Sounds of Yesterday

I found this video and it reminded me of growing up, it reminded me of what I grew up with. Fuck these cali indians and their traditional ways. I'm from my home, I'm from where my people came from, this dance I have seen when I was young, like 5 or 6 and wasn't impressed because I saw it when I was even younger like 3 or 4. I mean no disrespect to the Cali natives but to the lakota's to the navajos etc, the families from the bay area but yet they ain't never been back to their homeland. Oh yeah they run shit here, they win the dance contests and the drum contests but have they ever been back to their rez? Do they know their language? NO, it's a society built upon reputation in the urban world of natives. I am so glad, I am not a part of that, I'm from the rez, I'm from my land I am from home. Hahempi waste yelo!

Change: people, power, platfom, PRAYER.

"God fully expects the church of Jesus Christ to prove itself a miraculous group in the very midst of a hostile world. Christians, of necessity, must be in contact with the world but in being and spirit ought to be separated from the world. --- and as such we should be the most amazing people in the world." Tozer 1897-1963

"Competition versus Collaboration"
" So we learn that the key to success is cooperation. We have to cooperate to win anything from ball games to wars. We have to cooperate to keep the peace. We have to cooperate to elect public officials that we hope will be honest. We have to cooperate to operate a business . . . To move a church forward . . . To keep a home together . . . To build great institutions." Charles Hulin III

In order to effect change in our world... you need People, Power and a Platform.. That is the earthly model...and we are all submerged in these standards... We need to put a new lens into place and embrace Prayer as the framework which enables us to manage ALL issues with Power and Platform..

People are still in play presenting a huge variable.. and, you will definitely end up in conflict situations. Adversity is a GUARANTEE, Conflict is GUARANTEED. We are participating in the making of a "new order of things" but that order is not made by us, it is defined by GOD, and it is carried out by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are on Defense and we are commanded to "stand our ground". putting on the full armor of God. We join God in his plan.. we don't beat people over the head with the Gospel. Thank God for the opportunities he provides you both blessings and adversity..

When you hit the wall and have conflicts, apply this lens to your own actions. All of the factors/vectors should be in play... Worry about what you do.. not what others do.. don't judge.. just "walk the walk".

Truth: Be completely honest and transparent in communications. the hard ones and the easy ones.. NO hidden agendas, no triangular conversations/manipulations.
Righteousness: Always do the right thing.. trusting your OWN conscience filtered through the bible, prayer, circumstances and the church. Listen and respect others, but "go to the source" for decisions and positions.. make your own decisions and be accountable for your own actions.
Peace: Seek to unify, include, and collaborate...not compete.. and Winning is a bad strategy when it becomes the entire goal... It is not enough to win, it is not enough to be right.
Faith: Boldly believe that God is in control of your life and his world...
Salvation: Ask for God's grace.. you cannot earn it. God loves you no matter what you do.


Embrace a spirit of constant growth.. Good to Great. Seek to find Greatness as you define it.. You have control.. The difference is in choices and discipline, not in consequences and luck.

People resist change.. Think about a change curve when you are leading or interacting with others.. family, friends, churches, communities, neighbors. You and the people around you have to move through this curve to embrace change of any kind.
A model that I have really found to be useful. This is known as the ADKAR change management methodology.
http://www.change-management.com/tutorial-adkar-overview.htm
Awareness
Desire
Knowledge
Ability
Reinforcement

OVERALL: in the end you must look the source for how to live and MAKE GOD KNOWN. Jesus' life and example is unassailable.

Embrace humility.
Be accountable for your actions and others. Be honest about who you are, and use that to make a difference.
Love unconditionally and extravagantly.
Beware the enemy.. because we are in a fight to the end... which we cannot win on our own.
Complacency, Mediocrity, Blind Aggression, Autocratic/Dominating leadership


Ephesians 1 (The Message)
^{1 -2}I, Paul, am under God's plan as an apostle, a special agent of Christ Jesus, writing to you faithful believers in Ephesus. I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.

^{3 -6}How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

^{7 -10}Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.

^{11 -12}It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

^{13 -14}It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.

Power Structures & Rules… THE LAW
Explicit power… above board
Real power… often below board… what does that mean

James 1 (The Message)

^{2 -4}Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

^{5 -8}If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

^{19 -21}Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.

^{22 -24}Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

²⁵But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.

Ephesians 6
^{10 -12}And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

^{13 -18}Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

^{19 -20}And don't forget to pray for me. Pray that I'll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out.

Strength in spirit, lowliness in action...

God doesn't need you to fight his battle.. he needs you to join him trust in him, fear not..


Humility, Love and Lowliness in the face of "abundant freedom/grace

Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will help you, I will strengthen you, and I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Seek Greatness through God and the Holy Spirit...
Greatness is not related to consequences, it is a combination of choices and discipline..

Hebrews 5:11-6:3 (The Message) 11 -14 I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you've picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one—baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God's ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.
1 -3So come on, let's leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on "salvation by self-help" and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we'll stay true to all that. But there's so much more. Let's get on with it!

A Good to Great Model.. Get the right people on the bus, in the right seats before you try to move...


Trust in the Lord.. in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!!!

Auntie D.

My Aunt passed away this afternoon, she was surrounded by people who loved her from both sides of the family. She will be missed but she is in a better place now, with my uncle who passed 10 years ago and a place where there is no pain and no cancer.
Peace.