Here is an updated list of my Howling at the Moon poems, published on the wolf moon night. Quite a few have been published elsewhere.
Index
Just an unhinged lunatic howling at the moon
. Howling at the moon
lunatic howling at the moon
one crazy day
full moon lunacy
. The pink moon inspires lunacy
. Howling with the dancing moon
the pink super moon
howling at the pink super moon
Howling at the Moon Like an Escaped Banshee
The lunatic light of the blood super moon
The werewolf emerges
Wolves howling at the moon
Zombie wolves howling at the moon
Woman howling at the moon
Maria Lee’s balanced madness
Moonbeam
Howling at the wolf moon rising over the Chao Praya River
Howling at wolf moon Nocturna
The pink super moon tanka
Drunken old man howling at the moon
Howling with the dancing moon
Howling at the full moon in Bangkok
Moon over July
Howling at the strawberry moon
“Blame it on the moon.”
unhinged lunatic howling at the full moon
Sam Adams
sat drinking alone
in a bar
on the shady side of life.
Filled with strange creatures
fellow lost souls
drinking late into the night.
The lunatic light
of the blood-red moon
illuminates the bar.
He stands up
twenty drinks too sober
walks outside.
Looks at the full moon
begins howling at the moon
like an escaped banshee
released from hell.
The Lunatic Light of the Blood Red Super-moon
The lunatic light
of the blood-red super-moon
lights up the mad night.
The Werewolf Emerges
On the night of the super red full moon
Sam Adams set in a bar
drinking his way to hell.
As fast as he could
Sam Adams had a secret
he was convinced
that he was a werewolf.
On the nights of the full moon
he would shed his human form
and the inner werewolf would emerge
to howl at the moon.
As the blood-red moon
danced across the sky
the transformation began
as usual.
Sam gradually felt
the inner werewolf emerging
taking over his soul.
Sam dams stood up
the transformation complete
He ran outside
to howl at the moon,
The other drinkers
shrugged
Just another night
of insanity
in their din of iniquity.
Just an Unhinged Lunatic Howling at the Moon
man howling at the man
On a moonlit late-night
i sat in a bar
drinking drams of demented, fermented dream dew
just an unhinged lunatic
dreaming of howling at the full moon.
Watching the world walk by
looking at all the fine-looking babes.
Walking by the street
thinking wild, erotic thoughts
of endless wild libertine passions.
When into the bar
walked the most beautiful women.
In the universe
so wild, so free
so wonderfully alive.
I did not know what to do
as this vision of delight
sauntered through the bar.
In a skin-tight leather pants
looked so fine
that my eyeballs hurt.
And finally, i had to say something
so i gathered up my manly courage
and walked up to her.
And she looked at me
and instantly bewitched my soul
with a devilish grin.
I lost all reason
and became a raving lunatic
unhinged lunatic
howling at the moon.
Foaming at the mouth
a wild, free werewolf
howling at the lunatic light
of the full moon.
Howling at the Moon
I stood outside
between the trees
in a field
on the outside of town.
Beneath the lunatic rays
of the blood-red full moon.
The lunatic lights of the moon
casts a wild primeval glow
on me.
The hormonal chemicals are unleashed
the wild beast within
escapes it chain.
And i howl with delight
a werewolf
free at last.
howling at the moon.
To run amuck
free of its civilized restraints
throwing off its clothes
stripping naked.
Running wild
naked and free
a wild man
enjoying his freedom.
Lunatic howling at the moon
As i sit
under the lunatic light of the full moon
of the blood-red lights of the moon.
Full of wild passions
the lustful beast stirs again.
And starts running and running
howling at the moon.
Riding into the new dawn
on a demented harley davis cycle.
With two naked babes on his back.
Riding into the sun
90 miles per second
at the speed of thought.
He disappears
into the lunatic light
of the full moon.
And i wake up
alone in my bed
saying, man, that was quite a night
i better not go there again.
The wild beast
laughs
he has heard that before.
And i join him
in howling at the moon.
One Crazy Night
One crazy moonlit night
i could not get to sleep
at all.
I looked up
looked out at the window
at the full blood moon
saw by its lunatic light,
Your face
was on the moon.
And i looked up
at the light
that crazy light.
and dreamed
I was with you
again.
And I woke up
again
and I woke up
alone in my bed.
Dreaming dark dreams
of you
wishing it were
other than it was.
I stepped outside
and began howling
at the full moon.
All alone
all alone again
in this world.
Full Moon Lunacy
The full moon hangs
in the evening sky.
Huge, heavy, and full of mystery
it almost looks like it will fall
out of the sky.
The full moon brings out
the lunatics run amuck
howling at the light of the moon.
The full moon inspires lustful thoughts
and wild erotic imaginings
and dark secret desires.
As the lunatic light of the full moon
causes civilized people
to lose themselves
and embrace their inner wild child.
And so, I stare
at the lunatic light
of the full moon.
And howl like an escaped banshee
howling at the moon.
Howling at the Moon
On a moonlit late-night
i sat in a bar
drinking drams of demented, fermented dream dew
just an unhinged lunatic
dreaming of howling at the full moon.
Watching the world walk by
looking at all the fine-looking babes.
Walking by the street
thinking wild, erotic thoughts
of endless wild libertine passions.
When into the bar
walked the most beautiful women.
In the universe
so wild, so free
so wonderfully alive.
I did not know what to do
as this vision of delight
sauntered through the bar.
In a skin-tight leather pants
looked so fine
that my eyeballs hurt.
And finally, i had to say something
so i gathered up my manly courage
and walked up to her.
And she looked at me
and instantly bewitched my soul
with a devilish grin.
I lost all reason
and became a raving lunatic
unhinged lunatic
howling at the moon.
Foaming at the mouth
a wild, free werewolf
howling at the lunatic light
of the full moon.
Another Lunatic Howling at the Moon
Pink Moon
As I sit
under the lunatic light of the full moon
of the blood-red lighs of the moon.
Full of wild passions
the lustful beast stirs again.
And starts running and running
howling at the moon.
Riding into the new dawn
on a demented harley davis cycle
With two naked babes on his back
Riding into the moon
90 miles per second
at the speed of thought.
He disappears into the lunatic light
of the full moon.
And I wake up
alone in my bed.
saying, man, that was quite a night
i better not go there again.
The wild beast
laughs
he has heard that before.
And I join him
in howling at the moon.
Pink Moon Inspires Lunacy
On a moonlit night
the pink moon
shone casting a baleful light
in the world below.
A man sat drinking
in a depraved bar
in an evil part of the city.
Drinking up a storm
with his buddies
Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Mr. Evan.
Johhny Walker brothers,
And old granddad looked on.
Encouraging him to drink
one scotch, one bourbon, and one beer.
He looked up
at the naked dancing ladies
dancing up a storm
with an attitude
a z tude
that could kill.
He stood up
stepped outside
and howled
at the pink moon
who smiled at him.
Howling with the Dancing Moon
More Pink Moon
A man
sits drinking late into the night
on the night of the blood-red
super pink moon.
The lunatic light of the moon
inspires him
as he drinks
in that depraved din of inequity
on the left side of society.
Drinking with his buddies
Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Mr. Evan.
Johhny Walker brothers,
And old granddad looked on.
Drinking one scotch, one bourbon
and one beer.
Watching the naked woman
Dancing on stage.
He finishes drinking
20 drinks too sober
he walks outside.
And sees the naked moon
dancing up a storm
flying across the sky
ripping her clothes off.
Tap dancing
to the insane disco beat
of the bar.
He gives in
jumps into the sky
dancing with the naked moon
howling with the moon maiden.
Like an escaped banshee
from the lunatic bins
of hell.
The Pink Super Moon
The pink super moon
casts a cold baleful glow
over the sleeping world
inspiring the drunken men
to howl at the moon.
Howling at the Pink Super-moon
More Pink Moon
On a moonlit late-night
the pink supermoon
casting a baleful light
in the world below.
While inside
Sam Adams sat drinking
in a depraved bar
in a den of iniquity.
In an evil part of the city
on the left side
of society.
Drinking up a storm
with his buddies
Johnny Walker, Jack daniels
Jim Beam, and Mr. Evan
and old granddad looked on.
Encouraging him to drink
one scotch, one bourbon, and one beer.
He was just an unhinged lunatic
dreaming of howling at the full moon.
Watching the world walk by
looking at all the fine-looking babes.
Walking by the street
thinking wild, erotic thoughts
of endless wild libertine passions.
He looked up
at the naked dancing ladies
dancing up a storm
with an attitude
a z tude
that could kill.
When into the bar
walked the most beautiful women
in the universe.
So wild, so free
so wonderfully alive.
He did not know what to do
as this vision of delight
sauntered through the bar.
In skin-tight leather pants
looked so fine
that his eyeballs hurt.
Finally, he had to say something
he gathered up my manly courage
he walked up to her.
She looked at him
instantly bewitched his soul
with a devilish grin.
He lost all reason
and became a raving lunatic
unhinged lunatic.
Under the lunatic light of the full moon
of the blood-red lights of the moon
full of wild passions
the lustful beast stirs again.
And starts running and running
howling at the moon
riding into the new dawn.
on a demented harley davis cycle
with two naked babes on his back.
Riding into the moon.
90 miles per se.ond
at the speed of thought.
he disappears into the lunatic light
of the full moon,
Sam Adams woke up alone,
in his bed
the naked babes
having disappeared
from his demented dreams.
Saying,
“man, that was quite a night
i better not go there again.”
The wild beast
laughs
he has heard that before.
And joins him
in howling at the pink moon
in the fading light
of the lost last night
of the newly damned.
Wolves howling at the moon
As the night falls
The full moon
The blood-red full moon
Begins to rise
Carving a sign
Across the night sky
Now you begin to
To hear the pitiful sound
The thumping of the wolves
As they gathered together
Dropping from their hiding places
Gathering together
Revealing their lies
And in one breath
Snarling begin to howl
At the full red blood moon
Zombie Wolves Howling at the Moon
As the moon rises
Over the forest below,
Two wolves gather together
And with one breath
Begin howling at the moon.
Their awful din
Soon wakes up the dead
Zombies walk out of graves
Attacking the living.
The wolves continue to howl
Joined in the zombie hoard.
Woman howling at the moon
A madwoman
Drinking all night
At the Cosmos Bar
Twenty drinks too sober.
Looks outside
At the lunatic light
Of the full moon
Shines over the Chao Praya River
In Bangkok.
She jumps up
Running outside
To howl at the full moon
Like an escaped banshee.
Maria lee off balanced madness
Maria Lee looked up
From her perch in the Cosmos Bar
Looked out at the street
Under the petrichor umbrella
The elastic holding back the rain
It was a gusty early evening
She went out to the street
Looked at the full moon
She began to howl at the moon
Moaning with pleasure
As the pear-shaped moon
Rose overhead
Casting a purple hew
To the mad scene
She jumped overboard
Into the river
Suddenly struck voiceless
And began swimming
She was off balance
As the moon continued
To illuminate the scene
The scent of bad craziness
All around her.
Mad Moonbeams
Sam Adams went out drinking one night
ending up twenty drinks too sober
as the last call for alcohol rang
he looked up and saw
the lunatic light of the full moon
moonbeams beaming at him
he runs outside howling at the moon
dying when a drunk driver ran him over
Howling at the Wolf Moon Rising Over the Chao Praya River
As evening set in
On a typical Friday night
In Bangkok.
The denizens of the Cosmos Bar
In Soi Cowboy.
A motley crew from all over
The world, and locals too.
Lust for the common international language.
Began drinking
With their buddies.
Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Johny Walker, Evan Williams
Wild turkey, and Old Granddad
Drinking one scotch, one bourbon, and one beer.
As the destroyers
Sang on the loudspeakers
And porno played on the tv.
And naked women danced
With an attitude
That could kill
an elephant in heat.
The woman circling the bar
Looking for their eventual dates.
The scent of bad craziness
Hung in the air.
The wolf moon rose
In the sky
Over the Chao Praya River.
Casting its lunatic light
On the never-sleeping
City of lost angels.
The drinkers
20 drinks too sober
Ran out into the street.
The lunatic light
Of the full wolf moon
Transforming them
Into deranged lunatics.
They began
Howling at the moon.
Like escaped banshees
Freed from their alyssum
In hell.
They howled at the moon
As the moon continued
To overwhelm
The howling lunatics.
Howling at the Wolf Moon Nocturna
Drinkers in the Cosmos Bar,
Twenty drinks too sober,
Staring at the lunar star,
rising over the river.
on that night in october.
Running outside looking upriver,
Howling at the full wolf moon.
no longer stone-sober,
Will be very drunk soon.
Basset Puppy Howling at the Moon
In the late afternoon shadow
the red sunset darkening the sky
the basset hound puppy.
.
Stirs and gets up
hearing the distant sounds
of the train in the distance.
Scenting bad craziness in the air
the dog begins to howl in the night.
Howling as the moon rises
casting its lunatic light
on the mad scene.
Deranged lunatic dog
inspired to howl when he sees it
super blue moon
sits drinking late into the night
on the night of the blood-red
super blue wolf moon.
The lunatic light of the moon
inspires him.
as he drinks
in that depraved din of inequity
on the left side of society.
Drinking with his buddies,
Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Johnny Walker
Old Granddad,
Drinking one scotch, one bourbon
and one beer.
Watching the naked woman
dancing on stage.
He finishes drinking
20 drinks too sober.
He walks outside.
And sees the naked moon
dancing up a storm.
Flying across the sky
ripping her clothes off.
Tap dancing
to the insane disco beat
of the bar.
He gives in
jumps into the sky,
dancing with the naked moon
howling with the moon maiden.
Like an escaped banshee
from the lunatic bins
of hell.
The Pink Super Moon Tanka
More Pink Moon
The pink super moon
casts a cold baleful glow
over the sleeping world
inspiring the drunken men
to howl at the moon.
Drunken Old Man Howling at the Moon
A drunken old man down on his luck
was drinking in a nameless bar
in a disreputable forgotten part of town
where decent citizens and police feared to tread.
twenty drinks too sober
he was drinking his way to hell
surrounded by his fellow low-life bums
outlaw scoundrels one and all.
he looked outside
transfixed by the full moon
the lunatic light of the moon.
Blood red super moon
inspired him compelled him.
he stood up and growled
and ran out into the street
and started howling
at the full moon.
the other denizens of the bar
the derelicts, drunken bums, barflies
rushed out and joined him
in howling at the moon.
went back inside
and continued to drink
their way to hell.
Howling at the full moon in bangkok
sam adams was feeling blue, down on his luck. He went to his favorite watering hole, the cosmos bar in soi cowboy, bangkok, and began drinking up a storm with his buddies, jack daniel’s, johnny walker, old granddad, evans, and jim beam, telling the comely barmaid, kuhn lek, bring me one scotch, one bourbon, and one beer. Drinking it all down, barely noticing the naked ladies dancing on the stage. She smiled sadly, knowing that there was nothing that would change his mood. He kept drinking until, at last, he was twenty drinks too sober. Then he ordered fried fish thai style for his midnight dinner.
He looked up and out at the street, noticing the full moon outside. The full moon shed its lunatic light on the streets of bangkok. Sam adams stood up, and said,
“the moon is full tonight. Let’s go out and howl at the moon. “
he ran outside onto the road, stripping naked and dancing waving a feather, as he howled like an escaped banshee at the dancing moon. Inspiring others to join him in howling at the moon. He ran down the street and was run over by a drunk bus driver, ending his life as the moon continued to shine on the mad scene.
Moon over july
In the middle
of the summer
in july, midsummer madness
outside under the stars
the storm is abating.
The full moon comes out
the man recalling mad lyrics
starts howling at the lunatic light
of the wolf moon
like an escaped banshee
as the mad moon
stares down at them.
Howling at the Stawberry Moon
Big Daddy was talking
to his best friend Sam Adams
in the Cosmos Bar
in Bangkok, Thailand.
Sit down and listen
to me.
God,
i wish I had
my yarn and needles with me
that’s my latest hobby
helps me focus.
In the end
it is all about money
it is all about the benjamin’s
nothing personal at all.
Hey there is cool water in a jar
let’s drink some water
and a shot of mekong whiskey
it is cocktail time, my friend.
And as usual
they drank through the night
until o dark hundred.
Twenty drinks too sober.
When they joined
their fellow inmates
in their insane asylum
of a bar.
In going outside
howling like escaped banshees
at the strawberry super full moon
shining its lunatic lights
over the Chao Praya River.
Blame it on the moon
Pink Moon
“blame it on the moon.”
that is what Sam Adams said
to the police
after they picked him up
leading a pack of rabid “farang”
men and woman
running naked down the street.
They had met in front
of the infamous Cosmos Bar
in notorious bangkok
at o dark hundred.
They were heading to the riverbank
when the police arrested them,
for disturbing the peace.
They were all incoherent
just staring at the blood-red
full moon overlooking
the “Chao Phraya “ River.
Looking like escaped banshees
howling at the lunatic lights
of the full super blue moon.
The cops laughed
saying on full moon nights
they had a lot of such incidents
On the night of the blood-red super full moon
I sat in an evil, depraved godforsaken bar.
drinking drams of demented, fermented dream dew
washed down by endless rounds of whiskey
rum, tequila, vodka, soju and of course beer
drinking with my buddies the jack daniels gang.
drinking my way to hell and beyond
just as fast as i could
twenty damn drinks too sober.
just an unhinged lunatic
dreaming of howling at the full moon.
watching the world walk by
looking at all the fine-looking babes
walking by the street.
thinking wild, erotic thoughts
of endless wild libertine passions.
when into the bar
that din of cosmic depravity.
walked the most beautiful women
in the universe.
so wild, so free
so wonderfully alive.
I did not know what to do
as this vision of delight
sauntered through the bar.
in a skin-tight leather pant
looked so fine
that my eyeballs hurt.
and finally, I had to say something
so, i gathered up my manly courage
and walked up to her.
and she looked at me
and instantly bewitched my soul
with a devilish grin,
i lost all reason
and became a raving lunatic
unhinged lunatic
howling at the blood-red full moon.
foaming at the mouth
a wild, free werewolf
howling at the lunatic light
of the blood red blue full moon.
I received a copy of Waide Riddle’s The Power of Summer as a reward for participating in the Poetry Superhighway’s Annual poetry contest. I also received a copy of his Children’s Horror story
Wiade is a writer who was living in LA when he wrote these poems a few years ago. They are evocative to look at summer in Southern California. I am from Northern California and Summers in the Bay Area, especially in San Francisco, San Mateo, and the East Bay are cool if not cold most of the summer with the fog burning off by late afternoon when I may get to the low 80s (26 C) F but mostly hits the 70’s. F (20 C), inland a bit, it can get hot by late afternoon, sometimes reaching over 100 degrees (37 C) Southern California can get a lot hotter, particularly inland as it is after all almost a desert.
Comments on each of these poems
Groove
This poem is about the power of music in a dance hall nightclub, where it can sweep you away if you feel the groove. I like the line,
“stay away from the hates, negatives, and dirges.
Ain’t no room for that sh*t here”
Summer in Santa Monica
My favorite poem is about a neighborhood if I had to live in LA I would live in.
Like these lines
“Santa Monica Blvd is like a catwalk with the hottest bodies in L.A.
Damn! Damn! Damn!
Bodies are so Fine! Tan Skin Shines!”
The Tom Hardy Party
The Tom Hardy poem is a poem about a friend who threw the hottest parties in LA. I love these lines
You’re invited to the Tom Hardy Party!
the coolest and baddest party in L.A.
Show your sickest, baddest, sexiest, and hottest movies
…..
Attitude
that’s it
You Got It”
Kiss Me, Chris Pine
a tribute to a gay lover
best lines
thank you for the way you make me feel
You make the girls’ eyes flutter and the gay boys stutter
You make the girls go “My, oh My” and the gay guys sigh
Kiss me, Chris Pine
Dance to the Beat of the Beach Boys
A nice tribute to the enduring popularity of the ultimate Southern California band, the Beach Boys
another ode to the LA Vibe, but not particularly summer, just LA in general
Best line
“That’s L.A. the A..blue-high. What a vibe.
Once it hooks out, you’re part of the blue.”
Take Me Home to Venice Beach
Another place I would live in if I lived in LA. I recall my few visits fondly, love the fake canals and the whole body-building scene on the beach and boardwalk.
Favorite lines:
“The Smell of Sage and incense are comforting on the Boardwalk
The chants of Peace and Love give the world a chance
The Chill vibe, the afternoon breeze against the crashing surf
Take me home to Venice Beach”
An Ode to a Summer’s Song
a final ode to the summer at the end of summer
best lines:
“Monday, Monday, brings a close to the summer
what a bummer”
Waide Riddle Bio notes
Waide Riddle is a poet, screenwriter who lives in LA. These poems were written during the COVID lockdown, recalling the summers of LA before and after the lockdowns.
The cities of Culver City, Santa Monica, Venice, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Studio City, Silver Lake, and Los Feliz were the inspiration.
Amazon review of the Power of Summer
Waide Riddle, screenwriter, editorial columnist, and rather lovely chippie has written a book of poems…”The Power of Summer.”
It’s a selection of nine poems, all summer-themed and blissfully, cheerfully rhythmic. Anthemic chants brimming with musicality and the fever of summer potential. Oh, how these lyrical grooves make me long for the beach. They reek of rum cocktails, suntan lotion, and the scent of tanning skin. Sticky ice cream hands, sandy toes, and wafts of beery breath and sea salt drying on red-tinged shoulders.
The poems are packed with hopefulness, something we dearly need right now. They remind us of a time when our only worry was finding somewhere to rinse off before we left the beach for the pub. Or where we left the car, or whether our friends would make it in time for high tide. In the UK, where I am from, summer was always a glittering horizon during the many many gloomy months of rain and bitter cold. I grew up near the coast and spent many days on beaches both sandy and pebbled, the salty Atlantic air is like the breath of god to me. So ready these poems of Waide’s, with his own deeply personal and love-packed memories, although quite different to my own, brought back so many similar love-packed days of old. Full of laughter, games, sunburn, and even a few tears. But truly wonderful.
They sing of the page, these melodic chants. Where’s the booming bass? The spiraling guitars? The swaying bodies. Poetry doesn’t have to be stuffy you know. Poetry can move us in so many ways, uplift, invigorate, empower. These poems, “Groove,” “Summer in Santa Monica,” “The Tom Hardy Party,” “Kiss Me Chris Pine” and many more are achingly LA. Like a Hockney swimming pool, all glamorous, sultry, and bold. If we ever get back to the beach again, with our lilts and magazines and flip-flops flapping we should chant our favorite of these collected poems like a prayer into the Pacific Ocean air, in gratitude for our lives…more, please!!!
You can find Waide’s poems and much more of his work on his Amazon page
Snow swirled and spun. Falling from the gray December sky. High above the Denver skyline. Winter has its calm… floating white powder… a white Heaven. The crystals gently tickle… they pass my nose… frozen on my overcoat. Washington Park. Under the gray-white. The pines with ice-coated bark, and a light blue radiant tint hits it just right. The cold holds charm, a billowing breeze, the crackling of ice-covered trees. Fresh powdered snow. The gusts dust me with the frozen glitter. The snow falls more heavily from above… He sits next to me on the park bench. With no words, he hints. His gloved hand holds mine. Time means nothing… He is my Love. He whispers the most beautiful words, ever so quietly, into my ear. I listen. I hear his Love. His head rests on my shoulder. It’s suddenly warmer than colder. The bow of his neck is smooth… I love that part of him. The short trim of his mussed hair. The hint of the scent of Cool Water lends to this moment. He is my Love. From the gray, white, and blue… blankets cover the park in brilliant white and blue hues. Washington Park. With my Love… my muse1
The Maid of Orleans:
As I gazed at the flames of the fire my heart, with all there that day, broke – such strength could not help but inspire.
The Maid of Orleans, a warrior spoke, her voice, a clarion call to arms, her courage, a light that never broke.
She led the charge, she fought the harm, she stood for France, she stood for God, and she stood for all that was right and calm.
And when the English, with their rod, did burn her at the stake, she smiled, for she knew she had done what was good.
Review Of Waide Riddle’s The Chocolate Man A Children’s Horror Story
A powerful and gripping tale of old-fashioned evil monsters that terrorized a town in New York at the turn of the 20th century. The Monster kills children and turns them into chocolate treats he then treats other children and adults with. The townspeople eventually defeat him, locking him up in his mansion, where he vows he will come again someday.
The story was written in a series of free-verse stanzas that drive the story forward to its horrific ending.
I received a copy of Waide Riddle’s The Power of Summer as a reward for participating in the Poetry Superhighway’s Annual poetry contest. I also received a copy of his Children’s Horror story
Wiade is a writer who was living in LA when he wrote these poems a few years ago. They are evocative to look at summer in Southern California. I am from Northern California and Summers in the Bay Area, especially in San Francisco, San Mateo, and the East Bay are cool if not cold most of the summer with the fog burning off by late afternoon when I may get to the low 80s (26 C) F but mostly hits the 70’s. F (20 C), inland a bit, it can get hot by late afternoon, sometimes reaching over 100 degrees (37 C) Southern California can get a lot hotter, particularly inland as it is after all almost a desert.
Comments on each of these poems
Groove
This poem is about the power of music in a dance hall nightclub, where it can sweep you away if you feel the groove. I like the line,
“stay away from the hates, negatives, and dirges.
Ain’t no room for that sh*t here”
Summer in Santa Monica
My favorite poem is about a neighborhood if I had to live in LA I would live in.
Like these lines
“Santa Monica Blvd is like a catwalk with the hottest bodies in L.A.
Damn! Damn! Damn!
Bodies are so Fine! Tan Skin Shines!”
The Tom Hardy Party
The Tom Hardy poem is a poem about a friend who threw the hottest parties in LA. I love these lines
You’re invited to the Tom Hardy Party!
the coolest and baddest party in L.A.
Show your sickest, baddest, sexiest, and hottest movies
…..
Attitude
that’s it
You Got It”
Kiss Me, Chris Pine
a tribute to a gay lover
best lines
thank you for the way you make me feel
You make the girls’ eyes flutter and the gay boys stutter
You make the girls go “My, oh My” and the gay guys sigh
Kiss me, Chris Pine
Dance to the Beat of the Beach Boys
A nice tribute to the enduring popularity of the ultimate Southern California band, the Beach Boys
another ode to the LA Vibe, but not particularly summer, just LA in general
Best line
“That’s L.A. the A..blue-high. What a vibe.
Once it hooks out, you’re part of the blue.”
Take Me Home to Venice Beach
Another place I would live in if I lived in LA. I recall my few visits fondly, love the fake canals and the whole body-building scene on the beach and boardwalk.
Favorite lines:
“The Smell of Sage and incense are comforting on the Boardwalk
The chants of Peace and Love give the world a chance
The Chill vibe, the afternoon breeze against the crashing surf
Take me home to Venice Beach”
An Ode to a Summer’s Song
a final ode to the summer at the end of summer
best lines:
“Monday, Monday, brings a close to the summer
what a bummer”
Waide Riddle Bio notes
Waide Riddle is a poet, screenwriter who lives in LA. These poems were written during the COVID lockdown, recalling the summers of LA before and after the lockdowns.
The cities of Culver City, Santa Monica, Venice, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Studio City, Silver Lake, and Los Feliz were the inspiration.
Amazon review of the Power of Summer
Waide Riddle, screenwriter, editorial columnist, and rather lovely chippie has written a book of poems…”The Power of Summer.”
It’s a selection of nine poems, all summer-themed and blissfully, cheerfully rhythmic. Anthemic chants brimming with musicality and the fever of summer potential. Oh, how these lyrical grooves make me long for the beach. They reek of rum cocktails, suntan lotion, and the scent of tanning skin. Sticky ice cream hands, sandy toes, and wafts of beery breath and sea salt drying on red-tinged shoulders.
The poems are packed with hopefulness, something we dearly need right now. They remind us of a time when our only worry was finding somewhere to rinse off before we left the beach for the pub. Or where we left the car, or whether our friends would make it in time for high tide. In the UK, where I am from, summer was always a glittering horizon during the many many gloomy months of rain and bitter cold. I grew up near the coast and spent many days on beaches both sandy and pebbled, the salty Atlantic air is like the breath of god to me. So ready these poems of Waide’s, with his own deeply personal and love-packed memories, although quite different to my own, brought back so many similar love-packed days of old. Full of laughter, games, sunburn, and even a few tears. But truly wonderful.
They sing of the page, these melodic chants. Where’s the booming bass? The spiraling guitars? The swaying bodies. Poetry doesn’t have to be stuffy you know. Poetry can move us in so many ways, uplift, invigorate, empower. These poems, “Groove,” “Summer in Santa Monica,” “The Tom Hardy Party,” “Kiss Me Chris Pine” and many more are achingly LA. Like a Hockney swimming pool, all glamorous, sultry, and bold. If we ever get back to the beach again, with our lilts and magazines and flip-flops flapping we should chant our favorite of these collected poems like a prayer into the Pacific Ocean air, in gratitude for our lives…more, please!!!
You can find Waide’s poems and much more of his work on his Amazon page
Snow swirled and spun. Falling from the gray December sky. High above the Denver skyline. Winter has its calm… floating white powder… a white Heaven. The crystals gently tickle… they pass my nose… frozen on my overcoat. Washington Park. Under the gray-white. The pines with ice-coated bark, and a light blue radiant tint hits it just right. The cold holds charm, a billowing breeze, the crackling of ice-covered trees. Fresh powdered snow. The gusts dust me with the frozen glitter. The snow falls more heavily from above… He sits next to me on the park bench. With no words, he hints. His gloved hand holds mine. Time means nothing… He is my Love. He whispers the most beautiful words, ever so quietly, into my ear. I listen. I hear his Love. His head rests on my shoulder. It’s suddenly warmer than colder. The bow of his neck is smooth… I love that part of him. The short trim of his mussed hair. The hint of the scent of Cool Water lends to this moment. He is my Love. From the gray, white, and blue… blankets cover the park in brilliant white and blue hues. Washington Park. With my Love… my muse1
The Maid of Orleans:
As I gazed at the flames of the fire my heart, with all there that day, broke – such strength could not help but inspire.
The Maid of Orleans, a warrior spoke, her voice, a clarion call to arms, her courage, a light that never broke.
She led the charge, she fought the harm, she stood for France, she stood for God, and she stood for all that was right and calm.
And when the English, with their rod, did burn her at the stake, she smiled, for she knew she had done what was good.
Review Of Waide Riddle’s The Chocolate Man A Children’s Horror Story
A powerful and gripping tale of old-fashioned evil monsters that terrorized a town in New York at the turn of the 20th century. The Monster kills children and turns them into chocolate treats he then treats other children and adults with. The townspeople eventually defeat him, locking him up in his mansion, where he vows he will come again someday.
The story was written in a series of free-verse stanzas that drive the story forward to its horrific ending.
Gratitude Death To The Darius Smiths Of The World Pensively
WSJ Interview With Sam Adams
Darius Caesar Smith, V Close Encounter With Sam Adams Glock
Sam Adams And The Wall Street Robin Hood Gang
Sam Adams And The Wall Street Robin Hood Gang
Time To Die, Darius Caesar Smith,
Sam Adams Jewelry Thief
Note:
This is part of a larger set of 34 poems looking at the same event from 34 different POVs. It is all about Sam Adam’s feud with Darius Caesar Smith V, a fellow Yale Bonesman, and Frat Bro, and his father, Darius Caesar Smith, IV, who stole 2 million dollars from Sam and stole his wife too, as well as defrauding 100 million dollars from small investors across the world,. Sam then killed him in public on Wall Street generating nationwide coverage. The media dubbed them the Wall Street Robin Hood Gang after they recovered 100 million dollars and paid back investors with ten percent interest, stealing the funds from the secret Cayman Islands accounts of Darius Smith’s investments. The Gang continued becoming jewelry and art thieves, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor and middle class.
Hedge Fund Must Die Wall Street
Sam Adams
went to Wall Street
to find the head
of an index fund
that had defrauded him
of 2 million dollars
on a mission to kill
the hedge fund bro
Mr. Darius Caesar Smith, V.
came up to Mr. Smith
Said to him
“Do you know me?”
“No”
“you stole 2 million dollars from me.
and Your Hedge Fund Must Die “
blew him away.
Someone Needs to Die on Wall Street
Sam Adams
counted on an abacus
beads and strings
concluded
he lost 2 million dollars
went to Wall Street
on a mission to kill
the hedge fund bro
Mr. Darius Caesar Smith, V.
Someone who needed
killing thought Sam
as he pulled the trigger.
on his Glock.
Sorry My Ass Assassination
Sam Adams
went to the store
to get some sugar
something sweet
and guns and ammo.
on a mission to kill
the hedge fund bro
Mr. Darius Caesar Smith, V.
who stole 2 million dollars
from his account.
due to a “computer glitch”
and said,
“Hey just one of those things
Dude.
Sorry.”
“Sorry my ass
said Sam
as he pulled the trigger.
He ain’t Sorry
Sam Adams
went to the store
to get some ammo
He was going to kill
Mr. Darius Caesar Smith, V.
who stole 2 million dollars
.
“Dude, Sorry. just business”
“Sorry my ass
said Sam
as he pulled the trigger.
Waiting to Kill Darius Caesar Smith V
Sam Adams
stood in the X-ray screening
queue waiting to clear security
on Wall Street
He had a gun
undetectable according
to the gun show pros
on a mission to kill
the hedge fund bro
Mr. Darius Caesar Smith, V.
a man who needed killing.
He smiled as he blew him
away.
Just Do It, Sam Adams
Just Do it
thought Sam Adams
as he saw his nemesis
Darius Caesar Smith, V
having lunch
at a crowded dinner.
he came up to him
sat down, and spoke
“Mr. Darius Caesar Smith, V?”
“Yes?”
“You have 30 seconds
to pray to your God”
and counted down
the time on his Apple watch
when it beeped
He pulled out his new Glock
shot him in the head, execution style.
and ran off into the night
never to be found again.
the assassination of Darius Caesar Smith, V
the shocking assassination
of Darius Caesar Smith, V
and how he had swindled
100 million dollars
due to computer manipulation
was not that shocking
in the era of mass shootings
no one mourned Darius
the ultimate Wall Street
entitled frat bro.
3 D guns
Sam Adams
asked the gun dealer
“so this gun
will not be detected
by a metal detector?
yeah, it is a 3-D print.
Sam Adams thought
blowing away Darius Smith
“here’s proof that 3 d guns
are not detectable!”
Ten Minutes To Live
When Sam Adams
Saw that scumbag
Wall Street bro
Darius Caesar Smith, V
He said,
“Darius Caesar Smith, V
I sentenced you to death
You have ten seconds to live”
The Apple watch buzzer buzzed
He shot him dead
Livestreamed everywhere.
Timid No More
Sam Adams
Was normally a timid man
But when Wall Street bro
Darius Caesar Smith, V
a fellow Yale Bones man
and frat bro,
Stole 2 million dollars
From him!
He bought a 3-D print Glock
And shot Darius Caesar Smith, V
Shot him dead live on TV.
Empowered to Kill
When Sam Adams
Bought the 3 D Print Glock
At the Winchester Gun Show
He felt empowered
To do what needed to be done.
To kill on TV
Darius Caesar Smith, V
The ultimate Wall Street
Hedge Fund Bro.
3-D Print Glock Beauty
When Sam Adams
Bought the 3 D Print Glock
at the Winchester Gun Show
without ID or name check required,
He thought that it was a thing
Of great Beauty
He stalked Darius Caesar Smith, V
The ultimate Wall Street
Hedge Fund Bro to a bar
Livestreamed shooting
shouting
“Die Yuppie Scumbag!”
Rescue Me
when Darius Caesar Smith, V
Sam’s College frat bro
stole 100 million dollars
2 million from him
he prayed that someone
would rescue his soul
as he blew him, Darius, away
as he ate dinner. with Sam’s
estranged wife.
Tempered
When the day dawn
for the assassination
of Darius Caesar Smith, V
for the crime of stealing
100 million dollars
Sam Adams tempered his nerves
smoking lots of weed
before doing the deed
Blowing Darius’ Head off.
live on TV.
Loft Apartment Sam Adams
Darius Caesar Smith, V
a Yale Frat Bro
and Bones man
through and through
had it made
he was banging
his best friend’s
Sam Adams’s
estranged wife Maria Lee
in his cute Wall Street
Loft Apartment.
Pressure Building
When Sam Adams
Found out his estranged wife
Was having an affair
With his Yale Frat bro,
and fellow Bonesman,
Darius Caesar Smith, V
Who had stolen 2 million dollars,
and his wife from him,
Sam felt the pressure building
He would have to kill him.
Humble Background
Sam Adams grew up
in humble circumstances
his father a school janitor
his mother was a junkie prostitute
who died when he was two
he got into Yale
on a full-ride
joined a frat
became a Bonesman
where he met Darius Caesar Smith, V
a legacy admission
instant hate between them
although the clueless Darius
thought they were best buds.
Sam vowed to destroy Darius
and his crooked father
and prepared a dosier on them..
Low Ku Darius Caesar Smith, V
Sam Shot Darius
with a 3D print Glock Gun
there was so much blood
The killing of Darius Caesar Smith, V by the Wall Street Robin Hood Gang
Sam Adams
in preparing to kill
Darius Caesar Smith, V
his Yale Frat Bo
and Bonesman,
the ultimate legacy frat boy
the excellent Wall Street
Hedge Fund Monster
who stole 100 million dollars
from small investors,
found an obsolete bug
that he could use
to wiretap Darius’s communication.
the technology was so obsolete
that bug detection equipment
did not register for it.
that was handy
and useful information
for Sam
as he plotted his revenge,
after killing him on TV
his accounts would be siphoned off
into Sam’s Account.
and Sam would pay back
all the investors.
with ten percent interest.
when word hit the street
of what they had done,
Sam and his gang
were dubbed the Wall Street
Robbin Hood.
Taking Solace No One Mourned Darius Caesar Smith, V
after the big event
Sam and his buddies
the Wall Street Robin Hood Gang
as the media affectionately called them
took Solace in the fact
that no one mourned the lost
of Darius Caesar Smith, V
the ultimate Yale Frat Bro
Wall Street bro
who had stolen
2 million dollars
from his accounts
with the help
of his treacherous estranged wife.
who was having an affair
with Darius
and had been
during the entire married life
keeping it a secret.
they wondered at the poetic justice
of the planned administration
using the Second Amendment rights
and a 3D print Glock
purchased without ID
or records
at the Winchester, Gun Show.
Wall Street Robin Hood Meeting
Sam assembled his team
the Wall Street Robin Hood Gang
they all were victims
of the Yale Frat Bro
Hedge Fun Wall Street Bro
they wanted revenge
Sam said
while handing out candy canes
as it was Christmas
“speak up
you can tell me anything
in Candor.”
they drank and smoked weed
all night long
debating the plan
as they drank their coffee
they knew that was the Day
Darius Must Die.
Quite A Shock To The Yale Class Of 2005
on D Day
the Robbin Hood gang
got dressed
wearing Blue Biden hats
black shirts and black pants
anti-fa style baby
with a new design on the hats
copied from a movie
it was the latest fashion
they had picked up
at a dance club
the night before
where they tied one on
in preparation for D-day
they all had their weapons
their accessories
When it was all done
it was quite a shock
to the Yale Class of 2005
Manifesto
Sam Adams and his team
worked all night on the manifesto
which would be released
online with the live-stream video
in his manifesto
he listed all the crimes
of Darius and his crooked firm
ran by his Dad
who was using it as money laundering
operation for the Russian mob
and they listed all 500 victims
with a promise that they would
receive all their money back
with ten percent interest
by the end of the day
the manifesto went worldwide
to Interpol, FBI, State, and Local police
Foreign Embassies
by the end of the day
the FBI launched a manhunt
for the Robbin Hood gang
but also raided Darius Smith’s investors
and arrested Darius Senior
who did not go quietly
into the good night
yelling
do you know who I am?
Do you know how much
I can fuck you up.
Pig?”
Fox News went on and on
about the Anti-fa
Biden Conspiracy
Darius Caesar Smith, V Must Die,
Sam Adams
Had a scar
From fights long ago.
He put on his clothes
Including a gold chain
And ribbons.
Fed his pet bird
Adjusted the beads
On his bed.
Turned on the switches
On his low-tech
Spy camera.
Watching his nemesis
Darius Caesar Smith, v
Rogering his estranged wife,
Maria Lee.
Drew the veil
On his curtain
Put fresh coffee grounds
Had a cup of snarling hot coffee.
Chanting his vows
Of revenge
Against that monster
Darius Caesar Smith.
Turned the key on the door
Taking the elevator shaft
Down to the street.
Prepared to kill Darius
Before the day was done.
He had to die
For his many crimes.
And he was the judge, the jury
And the execution
The boss of the wall street
Robin Hood gang!
Close Up Darius Caesar Smith, V
Sam Adams
turned on the low-tech
spy camera
zooming in
for a close-up
of his estranged wife
in bed with his sworn enemy
Darius Caesar Smith, V
the poster child
of an entitled Rich Frat Bro
from Yale
Who was a Hedge Fund Bro
who had to die
for his crimes
and for rogering his wife.
Appointment with Death Darius Caesar Smith, V
Sam Adams
And his Robbin Hood Wall Street Gang
Had a final strategy meeting
They had an appointment
With Darius Caesar Smith, v.
Who had to die today?
For his myriad crimes
Including stealing his wife,
And two million dollars
Part of the 100 million dollars
Darius and his crooked father
Stole from small-time investors.
Dismissing it all as a computer glitch
“Nothing personal, these things happen,
just business dude!”
“Boy, if anyone needed to be killed
It was that scumbag frat bro,”
thought Sam.
the Past Comes Back to Bite You in the Ass
Sam Adams
often thought back
on past time.
thinking that the past
is not just the past
but the past had a tendency
to come back to life
and bite you in the ass
to remind you
of the past.
especially when he met
Darius Caesar Smith, V
his college roommate
and frat bro
and fellow Bones man.
Hate at first sight
although they were officially
best friends.
Darius Caesar Smith, V
was a legacy admission
stupid as shit, but handsome as hell
with a devil may care
attitude to the z tude.
his father
Darius Caesar Smith, IV
donated two million dollars
to the University
part of the hundred million dollars
he skimmed from his investors.
even then Sam Adams
spied on him
creating a dossier
of his many crimes
preparing in advance
what became
the Manifesto
of the Wall Street Robbin Hood Gang.
Gratitude Wall Street Robin Hood
Sam Adams
and the Wall Street Robin Hood Gang
felt an immense sense of gratitude
as the public rallied to their cause
Revenge against the Wall Street monsters
such as Darius Caesar Smith, V
and his crooked Dad, Darius Caesar Smith, IV
who stole 100 million dollars
from small investors.
The Robbin Hood Gang recovered
the money and gave it all back
with ten percent interest,
The FBI vowed to catch them
the public thought otherwise
as they were the heroes
of the day.
Death to the Darius Smiths of the world
Sam Adams
woke up
and fed the beast
his demented cat
in his small NYC apartment
down the hall
was the operation center
of the Wall Street Robin Hood Gang
Who was not Intimidated?
By the Darius Smith’s of the world
they were terrified
of the consequences
of their actions.
He got high
kicking back
contemplating revenge.
writing in his diary
using the old computer machine
tapping the Keys.
“Brothers and Sisters,
he spoke
“I feel old today
but today is a grand day
For Darius Caesar Smith, V to die.
Death to the Darius Smiths of the world”
they screamed
into the uncaring night.
WSJ Interview with Sam Adams
Kimberly Wang
an ace WSJ reporter
was given the Robbin Hood Gang Story
and managed to secure an interview
with the elusive, enigmatic crime boss
interviewing him a week
after the assassination of
Darius Caesar Smith, V
and the FBI raid on
Darius Smith’s Enterprises
and the arrest
of Darius Caesar, IV.
she started by saying
she was curious about one thing.
“When did you decide
that Darius Caesar Smith, V
had to die?”
“simple the day
I met that scumbag
back in 2000 at Yale.
it was hated at first sight
but he was so clueless
thought we were best friends
for life”.
Darius Caesar Smith, V Close Encounter with Sam Adams Glock
Darius Caesar Smith, V
had a fatal encounter
with Sam Adams 3D Print Glock
that killed him instantly.
The media framed the murder
as the Revenge of the small investor
against the sharks of Wall Street.
Dubbing them the Wall Street Robin Hood Gang
Their fame grew
with the publication of the manifesto
and the recovery of the stolen funds
given back to the investors with 10 percent interest
Every day there is a 40-word prompt posted on Express It 40 on Writing.com I have been participating for about four months and thought I should collect my 40-word poems and stories in one spot.
most of them are poems, a few are drabbling. Each has the prompt word followed by my submission for the day.
#93. pressure building
ID #1062520 entered on January 17, 2024 at 3:37am [Edit] [0 views]
#92. loft
ID #1062519 entered on January 17, 2024 at 3:34am [Edit] [0 views]
Darius Caesar Smith, V was a legacy Yale student whose father donated two million dollars. He became a bonesman and fraternity bro where he met Sam Adams, who was on a full-ride scholarship. It was hate at first sight for Sam, but Darius thought they were best buds. When they met Sam was determined to bring him down and his corrupt father as well. Many years later, Darius stole 2 million dollars from Sam and stole his wife as well. Sam plotted revenge with some of his friends who fromed the Wall Street Robin Hood Gang vowing to take revenge on the evil 1 percent Masters of the Universe.
Other Poems
#91. wrapper
ID #1062518 entered on January 17, 2024 at 3:31am [Edit] [0 views]
#90. Clinical
ID #1062424 entered on January 15, 2024 at 3:49am [Edit] [8 views]
Every day there is a 40-word prompt posted on Express It 40 on Writing.com I ahve been participating for about four months and thought I should collect my 40 word poems and stories in one spot.
most of them are poems, a few are drabbles. Each has the prompt word followed by my submission for the day.
I will update this once a month or so.
Enjoy
#90. Clinical
ID #1062424 entered on January 15, 2024 at 3:49am [Edit] [0 views]
#78. New
ID #1062412 entered on January 15, 2024 at 2:57am [Edit] [0 views]
#77. New Years Promise
ID #1062411 entered on January 15, 2024 at 2:54am [Edit] [0 views]
December – do not post free for publication
12/01/2023- ‘encouraging’
Encouraging Encouraging
Seen on a bumper sticker
“Don’t Vote”
It only encourages them.
12/02/2023-‘sweet’
Sweet for You Sweet
I have a sweet tooth
love candy, cakes, chocolate
Ice Cream, Pie
and your sweet kisses
the greatest sweet of all,
12/03/2023-‘melody’
Sweet Melodies Music
Sing me a sweet melody
a lullaby
a tune filled with love.
12/04/2023- ‘Allure’
the most alluring
most desirable
sexiest woman
on the planet
is you my dear,
12/05/2023-‘blood’
Bloodlines Family History
I have 20 nationalities
swirling in my tangled bloodlines.
from my father:
Basque, French, Danish, German, Jewish, Laplander
Mongolian, Italian, Norwegian, Russian,
Swedish, Spanish, Ukrainian.
From my Mother:
Cherokee, Dutch, English, Nigerian,
Scottish, Southern American, and Welsh.
Note: My mother is from the lost tribe of the Cherokee Indians. My DNA confirms I have native ancestry but traces amounts.
The Cherokee, North American Indians of Iroquoian lineage, played a significant role during the European colonization of the Americas. Let’s delve into their history and explore their efforts to gain federal and state recognition:
Early Cherokee Life:
The Cherokee inhabited approximately 40,000 square miles of the Appalachian Mountains, spanning parts of present-day Georgia, eastern Tennessee, and the western regions of North Carolina and South Carolina.
Their society was organized into a confederacy of symbolically red (war) and white (peace) towns. Red towns had supreme war chiefs, while white towns had supreme peace chiefs.
Cherokee dwellings were bark-roofed log cabins, with a typical town consisting of 30 to 60 such houses and a council house for meetings and sacred ceremonies.
An important religious observance was the Busk (or Green Corn) festival, celebrating firstfruits and new fires.
Colonial Encounters:
The Spanish, French, and English all sought to colonize parts of the Southeast, including Cherokee territory.
By the early 18th century, the tribe aligned with the British in trading and military affairs.
Cherokee Wars and Treaties:
During the U.S. War of Independence, battles and agreements significantly reduced Cherokee power and landholdings in Georgia, eastern Tennessee, and western North and South Carolina.
This opened up the territory for white settlement and speculation.
Trail of Tears and Sovereignty:
In 1831, missionary Samuel Austin Worcester sued the state of Georgia, leading to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that recognized the Cherokee and other tribes as sovereign nations within the United States.
Despite this, the Treaty of New Echota (1835) ceded Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River to the United States, causing immense suffering during the Trail of Tears.
Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma:
In the early 20th century, Cherokee who relocated to Oklahoma formed the Cherokee Nation.
The tribal government and organizational structure faced challenges but made progress in the 1970s, culminating in the ratification of a constitution in 1976.
A tale of a gross injustice, forked tongues and casino money
| LITTLE ROCK
THE history of Native American tribes is rife with suffering and intrigue. Few however have as complicated an ancestry as the Lost Cherokees. Originally from Tennessee, they were shuttled into Arkansas by the federal government in the early 19th century. Desperate to hang on to their new home, the Cherokees went to Washington, DC, to plead their case; but in 1828 they were forced to sign a treaty giving up the Arkansas Reservation for a new home in what later became Oklahoma.
The tribe split. One group walked the “trail of tears” to Oklahoma. Those who refused to accept the treaty stayed in Arkansas—but at the cost of losing their sovereign status and hiding their ancestry. They were often known as the Black Dutch or the Black Irish. Now these Lost Cherokees, who number around 9,000 in Arkansas with several hundred more in southern Missouri, are fighting for recognition as a proper tribe.
The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has been reviewing the Lost Cherokees’ case since 1999. The tribe has twice asked Arkansas’s attorney-general, Mike Beebe, to certify a question for the November ballot asking voters to grant them state recognition. Mr Beebe, the likely Democratic candidate for governor, pleads that this is a federal responsibility. This looks a little rum. Other states have recognised tribes, something that appears to help them with various bits of the federal government even if official designation as a tribe depends on the BIA.
Cliff Bishop, the Lost Cherokees’ headman, claims the 1828 treaty was illegal. Federal recognition would bestow millions of dollars in aid on Mr Bishop’s tribe. They need it, he says, for university scholarships, economic development assistance, protection of sacred burial grounds and for medical care. Critics, however, think the tribe has a hidden agenda.
If the Lost Cherokees were recognised by the federal government, the state might well have to grant them at least a slice of their original territory. The tribe could become an Indian nation within the state and open casinos. Gambling on Indian territory now brings in $18 billion a year. Arkansas would be a good target: only a few parts of the state allow limited gambling.
Mr Bishop adamantly denies any desire to set up casinos. In a sad twist of history, he blames the rumour on the tribes in Oklahoma who have a strong vested interest in luring Arkansans across the border to gamble in their own casinos. And to complicate things still further, this week the United Keetoowah Cherokees, who do have federal recognition, said they would open up a casino in Fort Smith on land claimed by the Lost Cherokees.
The federal government recognises 562 tribes. Out of the 150 petitions received since 1978, the BIA has granted recognition in only 15 cases and refused another 19. It says it treats each case on its merits, but Indians suspect that the cost of recognising tribes plays some role in the BIA’s apparent sluggishness. Even if a tribe is recognised, individual members have to meet certain ancestry criteria to get BIA money: in some cases being quarter Indian is enough to get the cash.
Petitioning-tribes moan that they have to send mountains of ancient documents to the bureau. They also often spend fortunes on lawyers (and sometimes lobbyists, as the Abramoff scandal showed). In many cases, the wait is so long that by the time a petition is granted the elders who made it have died.
On the other hand, it is often hard to tell who deserves what. For instance, nobody denies that the Lost Cherokees have been treated unfairly; but there are fierce arguments about who exactly is in the tribe, which also goes by two other names (the Arkansas Cherokees and Cherokees on the Arkansas river). Mr Bishop seems to head the main faction, but others call his lot a “wannabe fringe group”.
The Lost Cherokees still hope to be recognised by the Arkansas legislature by the end of next year—though it won’t help them if Mr Beebe becomes governor. It may take even longer to get anything from the federal government that treated them so harshly nearly 200 years ago.
Personal Note: at a State Department consultation meeting with Native American tribes, required under an UN Treaty on the Rights of Indigenous peopl e, held annualy with State and Interior trading hosting responsibilities every year. I attended the first meeting as I was working in DRL and one of my colleages was also Native American and invited me to the consultation meeting. at the meeting,. I met the Self-appointed Ambassador of the Cherokees. He confirmed that we were probably distant relatives – he reminded me of my mother’s brother. He also confirmed that the official Cherokee Nation did not want to share the wealth and casino revenues with the lost tribe who have largely lost their Cherokee culture and were a mix of other tribes, escape blacks and Irish settlers hence the other nickname the Black Irish.
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Brand new piece (15 August, 2017): Gary Noland, piano & narration, performs Fascicle No. 162, Part Six of his chamber novel Jagdlied Op. 20.
Brand new piece (15 August, 2017): Gary Noland, piano & narration, performs Fascicle No. 162, Part Six of his chamber novel Jagdlied Op. 20.
My PAEAN IN HOMAGE TO HIGH-MINDED MAGGOTS, UPSTANDING BOTTOMFEEDERS, AND OTHER MALIGNANT PARASITES OF UNIMPEACHABLE MORAL INTEGRITY performed by THE PIMPLETON PROCRASTURBATION ENSEMBLE (December 20th, 2022): https://soundcloud.com/…/paean-in-homage-to-high-minded
My latest piece: CONFUNKLED SNAFUBARBIES AND THEIR BIRDBRAINIAC CARBON COPIES CONFLABULATING AT THE FUNERAL HOME BEFORE THE FALL performed by THE PIMPLETON PROCRASTURBATION ENSEMBLE (December 18th, 2022): https://soundcloud.com/…/sets/confunkled-snafubarbies-and
Hey Jake, Zappenin? Nice to see you in FB. I’m living in Portland, Oregon these days. Love it here. Jim tells me you’ve visited him on occasion in the Bay Area. I go there once or twice a year. Maybe we’ll cross orbits again sometime. I’m composing a 90-minute set of variations on my own theme for solo piano, which I started in April, 2009. Hope to have it completed in about three months. At 39 variations, I’ve probably broken the world record in terms of length and scope. You’re in Alexandria these days? Nice! Hope all is well. Cheers, Gary
Enter
Dear Friends, I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE UPCOMING RELEASE OF MY NEW DOUBLE CD: 20 COVIDITTIES Op. 116—composed amidst suffocating smoke, impending conflagrations, destructive riots, politico-ideological turmoil, all whilst in the throes of a pernicious global pandemic. Available for purchase on Amazon for only $16.95 “… a most important work … molted out of a neo-romanticism into a completely postmodern reduction of elements (ad absurdum) … Sometimes that romanticism … provides a frame or narrative on which [Noland] builds around or elaborates other layers. This is a multi-tiered music … the tonal works providing the frame are exquisite in their own right … the Chopin/Strauss element seems to reflect the old bourgeoisie under attack from the culture that has arisen since … its deliberately loving, saccharine poesy seems unmoved … love and fine taste exist wherever the appoggiatura stabs the heart … impressive series … a highly sophisticated sonic cartoon …”—ERNESTO FERRERI, American composerD
I have a Yamaha Montage, which I started using in the summer but not in conjunction with Sibelius. As far as I know, virtually any MIDI keyboard ought to work with Sibelius. I haven’t tried it myself but I believe you shouldn’t have any problems with it. To be safe, ask the people at Sibelius and/or at Yamaha to recommend the right configurations. Best of luck with your new toys!
12/2/20, 5:40 PM
Gary
A musical memoir of 2020, this brand new double CD makes the perfect Xmas stocking stuffer! I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE OFFICIAL RELEASE OF MY BRAND NEW DOUBLE CD: 20 COVIDITTIES Op. 116—composed amidst suffocating smoke, impending conflagrations, destructive riots, politico-ideological turmoil, all whilst in the throes of a pernicious global pandemic. Available for purchase on Amazon. “… a most important work … molted out of a neo-romanticism into a completely postmodern reduction of elements (ad absurdum) … Sometimes that romanticism … provides a frame or narrative on which [Noland] builds around or elaborates other layers. This is a multi-tiered music … the tonal works providing the frame are exquisite in their own right … the Chopin/Strauss element seems to reflect the old bourgeoisie under attack from the culture that has arisen since … its deliberately loving, saccharine poesy seems unmoved … love and fine taste exist wherever the appoggiatura stabs the heart … impressive series … a highly sophisticated sonic cartoon …”—ERNESTO FERRERI, American composer
Hope all is well with you. I am writing to let you know about my latest double CD “ENTROPIC ABANDON: a Super-Psychedelic, Maximalistic, Decadissident Free-Wing Dog & Pony Circus Flextravabonanza of Blightgeisty, Neuromantic, Encore-gasmic Opuscula,” which is now available for pre-order on Amazon. The official release date is March 1st. Order your copies NOW!!!
My latest double CD “ENTROPIC ABANDON: a Super-Psychedelic, Maximalistic, Decadissident Free-Wing Dog & Pony Circus Flextravabonanza of Blightgeisty, Neuromantic, Encore-gasmic Opuscula” is now available for pre-order on Amazon. The official release date is March 1st. Order yours today!!!
RAND NEW PIECE: ORLAN DOY GLANDLY conducts members of THE PROCRASTURBATION ENSEMBLE in a performance of GERTY MACDOWELL’S DRAWERS by GARY LLOYD NOLAND.
I am pleased to share this riveting performance by soprano Anna Haagenson and pianist Stephanie Thompson of the world premiere of my setting of Alexander Theroux’s poem “The Cabaret of Theresienstadt” (at 121:14), which was presented at the NACUSA 2021 Virtual New Music Festival on 18 April. This conference had originally been scheduled to take place in March, 2020 but was cancelled in the last minute due to the unfolding COVID crisis. I set ten poems of A. Theroux’s which I’ve been anxiously awaiting to hear performed (including one large choral setting for SATB, oboe, horn, bass & timpani). It is gratifying to finally hear this song interpreted by sensitive musicians. More performances of my Theroux settings are forthcoming. Anyone who is interesting in following the score may access it from my website in the “Scores 1” menu.
Although the recent double CD of my compositions “Entropic Abandon” (released on March 1st) is currently ranked No. 2 on the Amazon bestseller list of “Hot New Releases” in the “Special Interest” category, it is, unfortunately, going out of print come June 4th. All interested parties can take advantage of this last minute opportunity to order a copy from Amazon (two CDs for the price of one). https://www.amazon.com/…/dp/B08VXC9X5S/ref=zg_bsnr_35_2…
Hi Jake, I have a new collection (Volume 2) of my COLLECTED PIANO WORKS available for pre-ordering from most major, and many independent, book retailers worldwide. Thanks for asking! Hope all’s well with you and yours. Gary
I have known Gary Noland since high school. He is a very talented composer, piano player, and cartoonist who lives in Portland. His music is eclectic with a snarky sarcastic tone to it, somewhat like listening to Frank Zappa’s classical music scores. His cartoons are very Robert Crumpian in spirit. Take a listen and let me know what you think.
You can contact Gary Noland at nolandgary5@gmail.com
BIO
Introducing Gary Noland’s Music
Dr. Gary Lloyd Noland (a.k.a. author Dolly Gray Landon & artist Lon Gaylord Dylan), grew up in a crowded house shared by ten people on a plot of land three blocks south of UC Berkeley known as People’s Park, which has distinguished itself as a site of civic unrest since the late 1960 Dr. Gary Lloyd Noland (a.k.a. author Dolly Gray Landon & artist Lon Gaylord Dylan), grew up in a crowded house shared by ten people on a plot of land three blocks south of UC Berkeley known as People’s Park, which has distinguished itself as a site of civic unrest since the late 1960s. As an adolescent, Gary lived for a time in Salzburg and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where he absorbed many musical influences. Having studied with a long roster of acclaimed composers and musicians, he earned his Bachelor’s in music from UC Berkeley in 1979, continued studies at the Boston Conservatory, and transferred to Harvard University, where he added to his credits Dr. Gary Lloyd Noland (a.k.a. Author Dolly Gray Landon & artist Lon Gaylord Dylan), grew up in a crowded house shared by ten people on a plot of land three blocks south of UC Berkeley known as People’s Park, which has distinguished itself as a site of civic unrest since the late 1960s.
As an adolescent, Gary lived for a time in Salzburg and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where he absorbed many musical influences. Having studied with a long roster of acclaimed composers and musicians, he earned his Bachelor’s in music from UC Berkeley in 1979, continued studies at the Boston Conservatory, and transferred to Harvard University, where he added to his credits a Masters’ and a Ph.D. in Music Composition in 1989.
Gary’s catalog consists of hundreds of works, which include piano, vocal, chamber, experimental, and electronic pieces; full-length plays in verse, “chamber novels,” and other text pieces; as well as graphically notated scores. His award-winning chamber novel JAGDLIED for Narrator, Musicians, Pantomimists, Dancers & Culinary Artists was listed by one reviewer as the “Top Book of 2018.” Gary’s compositions have been performed and broadcast (including on NPR) in many locations throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Asia, and Australia. He founded the Seventh Species concert series in San Francisco in 1990 and, for 23 years, produced well over 50 concerts of contemporary classical music on the West Coast. He is also a founding member of Cascadia Composers. Gary has taught music at Harvard, the University of Oregon, and Portland Community College. His musical scores are available from J.W. Pepper, RGM, Sheet Music Plus, and Freeland Publications. Six CDs of his compositions are available on the North Pacific Music label at: www.northpacificmusic.com. He has well over 300 videos of his music and narratives available for listening on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJt_eNyJqOZBErG9McQ51nA and numerous other sites on the Internet. composition lessons Lake Oswego Beaverton
The PIMPLETON PROCRASTURBATION ENSEMBLE performs STATE-OF-THE-ART EAR EXERCISES for MUSICAL COGNOSCENTI Op. 119 by GARY LLOYD NOLAND.
Featuring the composer and his five alter egos:
GARY LLOYD NOLAND: panda harmonium, malapropsichord, climaxophone, smorgasborgasmatron, bombasticordion, whoopeeboard, air cacophony or
The PIMPLETON PROCRASTURBATION ENSEMBLE performs WAYWARD effects & AFFLICTIONS Op. 120 by GARY LLOYD NOLAND
Fever DREAMS Op. 118,
an Unequivocal Crustbucket List of Smexy and Sophistocratic Quarantunes for Perspicacious Connoisseurmudgeons, Trans melancholiac Insomniacs, Necromantic Misanthropes, Compulsive Transgress mists, and other Categorical Certifiable from the Psycho-Experimental Ward of Herr Doctor Noland’s Avantgarde-Boiled Cynic Clinic
“Gary Noland is one of those 21st Century composers seeking to forge a new aesthetic based on older models that do not traffic in serialism or minimalism. These dry, playful pieces pay homage to classical forms from various periods while gently satirizing them. Zany waltzes, ragtime riffs, chorales, toccatas, and much else romp and tear through these depictions of superheroes and villains from his ‘chamber novels’; other pieces spoof serial music (‘Ventured, nothing gained’) to grand operas (‘Meditative’) and Jewish guilt (‘Spikes’). The irreverent program closes with two serious, impressive, endlessly modulating memorials: one to George Rothberg, an allusive homage to an important neo-romantic who was himself a master of allusion; another to Jon Sutton, an artist Noland feels was wrongfully neglected by a corporate culture that promotes dreck and mediocrity, making it ‘possible to have a Brahms or Schubert next door and not even realize it. This is a culture that ‘confers towering soapboxes to impostors of all persuasions, all too often to the exclusion of first-rate minds who are less savvy about how to work the system to their advantage’.
North Pacific Music
Smaller labels like North Pacific Music represent a new way of working that system, a small means of saving what Noland regards as ‘an endangered (and fast becoming extinct) high culture’. I could do without the ugly cover art, but the piano sound is extremely vivid—and Noland plays his work with wit and conviction.”
—Jack Sullivan, American Record Guide, July/August 2007
“Yesterday, the first day of the year [2004], I opened your CD package—and could hardly believe my ears when I listened to your Venge Art and 24 Postludes for Piano, Op. 72—how magnificent!! I will include most [of] your works in our local shows, especially in the Art Block program Sound Sculpture—a program for visual and sonic art.… I listen to all arriving music and [respond] seldom as excited as I did to your music.… Have a terrific 2004. You made mine with your inspiring music, talent, and creativity. Thank you.”
—Brita Heisman, Executive Producer, KAZU Local Programming, Pacific Grove, CA.
Royal Oil works Music
January 2006: “Royal Oil works Music” (electro-acoustic). Duration: ca. 75 minutes. Includes: “Prelude in E Minor” (Op. 34), “Serial Lullaby” (Op. 80, No. 1), “Spray Taint” (Op. 80, No. 2), “Dog Duo” (Op. 66), “Rag bones” (Op. 11), “Grey Malignant Banks” (Op. 80, No. 3) “My Babe’s Gone Down to Do Her Glue” (Op. 80, No. 4), “Royal Oil works Music” (Op. 80, No. 5) “Prelude & Zoo trot” (Op. 22), “Something Rotten” (Op. 80, No. 6) “Music is Dead” (Op. 53), “Treadmill” (Op. 37), “Deformed Fugue” (Op. 17), “Insurrection of the Office Slaves” (Op. 80, No. 7), “Psycho-Bacchanal” (Op. 80, No. 8). www.NorthPacificMusic.com (NPM LD 024). music CDs original compositions Beaverton Portland Lake Oswego
“We recently received a CD [Royal Oil works Music] of Gary Noland’s here at WOBC. I must say that upon previewing some of the tracks and reading the program notes that all of us have never laughed so hard in our lives. We usually don’t play music as arrogant and docile as Gary’s but the ironic-postmodern-naive-pretension that this CD showed made me reconsider. I would like to get in touch with M. Noland and arrange a telephone interview for one of our classical radio shows.”
… his attitude is not subtly disestablishmentarian, and you’d better enjoy it.… Some of the sounds are amusing, but the music is sort of deliberately annoying, both in sonority and in the mood—deliberately uninspired, almost to the point of inspiration. From Bach to rags to whatever, Noland seems determined to annoy as many people as he can, in an amusing way. He is an angry guy but witty.
If the idea of deliberate lack of originality purveyed in an atmosphere of political incorrectness appeals to you, here, in no uncertain terms, it is. Titles such as ‘Spray Taint’, ‘Dog Duo’, and ‘Insurrection of the Office Slaves’ give the mood, while the title tune [‘Royal Oil works Music’] is the real purpose of the Bush administration, as explained in the notes.…”
—David Moore, American Record Guide
Seriously Odd Classical Tongue in Check Electro-Acoustic
“Seriously odd classical… Tongue-in-cheek electro-acoustic combines baroque harpsichord and cheesy electronic sounds. Funny like Satie is funny – zany and irreverent. Lots of serialism … but the bizarre collage of styles and periods is brilliant. Oh, it’s also like PDQ Bach/Peter Schickele in some ways. Absurd liner notes! Baroque-sounding … Serialist electro-acoustic … very refreshing, given how “ivory tower” this type of music often is. Cheesy synths, electronic percussion, and trumpets … up tempo and funky. Baroque harpsichord with pop and world music sounds going on in off-kilter, almost random rhythms. WTF? Very cool …Waa Waa synth, fugue-like … Zany … Cecil Taylor piano over drum machine breakbeats … Close to Dual (Ed Chang and Doug Theriault – crazy dense guitar and laptop processing), with national anthem-like moments?? And bird song?? Zany … Slow serialist/romantic … prelude to baroque trills to Richian/rag arpeggios to a Chopin breakdown to a jazz ending. Phew. This rocks … Bogy woozy synth with jazz percussion and serialist randomness. Lots of noodling, er, electronic wanking? Upbeat … Staccato baroque fugue on electronic choral sounds and pipe organ sounds … funny … Rhythmically interesting … Fugue for harpsichord … Some free jazz freak-outs … Great title for this … Squeaky sounds with sax and choral synthesizer—like if you played the Handel theme from the film A Clockwork Orange, Sonny Rollins, Tchaikovsky, and, well, a psychotic serialist all at once.”
—KZSU FM90.3, Stanford, CA
“A look at the head-note will alert you to Gary Noland’s very personal way with words. Not for Noland the lures either of Olympian detachment or lower case “significance.” No, Noland is full-on and takes few linguistic prisoners. Similarly with the booklet artwork, Noland’s own, which is an example of crazed Robert Crumb à Africanize. And his music is much the same, Deformed Fugue, his 1977 piece for harpsichord summoning up pretty nicely his compositional stance. This is an elixir brewed of Couperin and Rameau, Scott Joplin, Bach, free funk, free Jazz (Cecil Taylor?), the Fugue, and an unholy alliance of straight sounding neo-classicism and its subsequent assault by the forces of percussive militancy.
Noland may be a romantic but doesn’t want you to know.
His Prelude is baroque-convincing though attended by some sour-is off notes he follows it with Serial Lullaby, a synthesizer-rich free funk piece that mocks its title. Spray Taint gives us assaulted baroque, the percussion blizzards full of jazz offbeat and whoop-bang noises (plus telephone rings and disco inferno). He subjects Ragtime to the same souring procedures as he does to his off-note harpsichord baroque and evokes a drugs fix (in My Babe’s Gone Down to Do Her Glue) with some haywire free form. He writes an American fanfare for the title track and subjects it to anti-Bush assault by bird song and drum blister.
Quixiotic Sense
His quixotic sense extends to opus numbers – the bowels of Op. 80 are scattered throughout the disc, and to instrumentation as well. I assume he makes all the noises, both pianistic and harpsichord synthesized and vocalized. He’s a veritable one-man band of off-kilter influences, the procedural repetition of which sometimes got me seriously down, though I did like his Swingle Sisters take-off on Music is Dead: A Paradox in Fugue.”
—Jonathan Woolf, Music Web International
24 Postludes for piano, Vol. 1
August 2004: “Twenty-Four Postludes for Piano” Vol. 1 (Op. 72, Nos. 1–12), performed by Gary Noland. Duration: 72 minutes. North Pacific Music (PO BOX 82627, Portland, Oregon 97282-0627, USA, tel/fax: 1-800-757-7384, www.NorthPacificMusic.com (NPM LD 018). music CDs original compositions Beaverton Lake Oswego
REVIEWS/ENCOMIUMS
“As usual I have been fiendishly busy and during my last absence, our humidification system went bonkers, depositing condensation and mold all over the place so now I am trying to deal with that on top of my overload. Nonetheless, I have put on the postludes whenever I’ve been at the computer and found them up to your usual iconoclastic, stylistic potpourri standards of giddy humor, no holds barred soup to nuts and high spirits. They are balm to the grim state of mind in which I find myself.”
—Robert Levin, pianist (cadenza improviser extraordinaire), scholar, Professor of Music, Harvard University
“Many thanks for the CDs you sent me, which I have been listening to with great pleasure and fascination.… I am bowled over by the expertise of your music: you use certain elements from the 19th century and jazz, etc., and just at the moment when I am about to say, OK, what else is new? you do several things, such as speeding up, becoming wildly dissonant, modulating to a distant continent, stopping completely, and throwing some kind of total surprise. All of these things are possible, but you seem to know exactly when to do what and how much. I don’t know anybody else who can do it! And the brief electronic statements are spooky in the best and most extreme sense. They make my hair (what’s left of it) stand on end.…”
—Andrew Imbrue, composer, Pulitzer Prize finalist
“Mr. Noland’s Postludes are a collection of wild and crazy pieces for … piano. These are essentially parodying of various styles, set in a dizzying harmonic language that loops uncontrollably through a wide-ranging gamut of possible and impossible tonalities. He applies this procedure to the fugue, ragtime, German dances (Schubert), romantic waltzes (Richard Strauss seems to be a favorite), and virtuosic piano scherzos. There’s a Chinese polonaise, a whiff of pentatonic Debussy; and, like most composers after Berlioz, he can’t seem to keep his hands off the Dies Irae (though fortunately, the tongue is firmly in cheek). Both Peter Schickele and Conlon Nan arrow hover over the proceedings. I’d even throw in Mark Applebaum, another Californian … The opening fugue is dedicated to the late David Lewin, the prominent Harvard theorist. Lukas Foss gets a dedication, also (maybe his Baroque Variations had some sort of influence on Noland at some point).
The general effect is like watching wet paintings of 19th Century musical memorabilia drip into frazzled 21st Century oblivion. The comic-book grotesquerie that graces the jewel box pretty much says it all … these pieces are striking and entertaining … (Postlude 12, an interminable exercise in blues montage, is the most daunting.) The pieces all have funny titles … Mustaches on the Mona Lisa, but those can be interesting if you’re in the right frame of mind.”
—Allen Gimbel, American Record Guide
“Composer and pianist Gary Noland are into ‘ha-ha music’—that is, classical music played for laughs, a genre famously (or infamously, depending on your taste in humor) popularized by Peter Schickele, also known as P.D.Q. Bach. This collection of solo piano music, identified as postludes rather than the more traditional preludes designation, indicates that, despite occasionally forcing the musical jokes (and writing far too many tortured puns in his liner notes), Noland has both the writing and playing chops to compensate for his painful musical humor. Dedicated to the late music theorist David Lewin, ‘Philomathetique’ is a witty trope on the music of Richard Strauss, with characterful motives and abundant quick modulations. ‘Effete Singulations’ is a deft, splashy bit of ragtime, while ‘Pickthanks and Premediates’ is a light-hearted romp played at a dizzying tempo and ‘Psychonipptions’ (dedicated to composer Henry Martin) is a send-up of 20th Century French music. Overall, Postludes is a mixed bag, but when Noland focuses on playing the piano well rather than simply playing for laughs, his compelling artistry shines through.”
—Christian Carey, Splendid Magazine
“Gary—you continue to be one of the most original of the contributors to ‘The Classical Salon.’ And ‘Effete Singulations’ [Postlude #2] opens one of my ragtime shows.”
—David Rifkin, Host, “Classical Salon” and “The Ragtime Machine,” KUSF 90.3 FM, University of San Francisco.
24 Interludes for piano, Vol. 1
August 2004: “Twenty-Four Interludes for Piano” Vol. 1 (Op. 71, Nos. 1-12), performed by Gary Noland. Duration: 74 minutes. North Pacific Music (PO BOX 82627, Portland, Oregon 97282-0627, USA, tel/fax: 1-800-757-7384, www.NorthPacificMusic.com (NPM LD 019). music CDs original compositions Beaverton Lake Oswego
“… intriguing, irritating, … distinctive, inventive, … subversive, … [the music] is never what you expect. You hear all sorts of styles and influences—Beethoven, ragtime, Nan arrow, stride—often in very quick succession.… I had the strange feeling with many of these pieces [Interludes and Postludes] that, about halfway through, I had got fed up with them, but I was then sorry when they finished.… You can hardly be indifferent to Noland’s music and so I would urge you to try it. Despite my frequent irritation, I will certainly be returning to it and seeking out examples of Noland’s chamber works and multimedia compositions. Music aside, speaking as a cat-lover, I feel an instinctive sympathy with the composer depicted on the front cover of the Interludes fondly embracing his cat. Illogical? Well, yes; I think this music has got to me after all.”
—Roger Blackburn, Music Web International
“Gary Noland, a composer, and pianist with an impressive academic pedigree (including a Ph.D. from Harvard) and extensive performing experience, here presents an album of solo piano compositions, or ‘interludes.’ Actually, some of these pieces seem in no way transitory; instead, they present extended musical dialogues that call upon a host of musical styles and require the considerable technical facility to perform. Noland, a fleet-fingered, ebullient performer, is more than up to the task. Pastiche pieces like ‘Mumbo Gumbo’ and ‘Expresso Wagon’ evoke all manner of Romantic-era classical piano figurations; they gently lampoon some of the genre’s conventions, but always remain bright, witty, and engaging. ‘The Temptation of Saint Floyd’ also channels Romanticism, particularly the Strassman sort, demonstrating a more reflective demeanor and adding a dollop of schmaltz to the proceedings. ‘Push Button Fingers’ is prevailingly modern in construction, with syncopated rhythms and sprightly, angular runs creating a far more contemporary sound world. Noland’s work may be eclectic—sometimes even a bit goofy—but Interludes is cleverly constructed and consistently well performed.”
July 2002: “Gary Noland: Selected Music from VENGE ART.” Duration: 75 minutes. Cellist Hamilton Heifetz and pianist Victor Steinhardt playing “Fantasy in E Minor” for cello & piano (Op. 24), pianist Randall Hodgkinson playing “Humoresque” for piano (Op. 3) and the “Russell Street Rag” (Op. 5), Gary Noland performing three segments of “P*run*Music” (Op. 48), Violist Katherine Murdock and pianist Randall Hodgkinson playing “Romance” for viola & piano (Op. 10), a computer-driven Disklavier performance of “Grande Rag Brillante” (Op. 15), The Onyx String Quartet playing “American Bozo Dance” (Op. 32, No. 8), and Guy Tyler conducting “Septet” (Op. 43) with clarinetist Carol Robe, alto saxophonist Tom Bergeron, French hornist Ellen Campbell, violinists Tawana Nagahara and Anthony Dyer, double-bassist Forrest Moyer, and pianist Art Maddox. Released by North Pacific Music (PO BOX 82627, Portland, Oregon 97282-0627, USA, tel/fax: 1-800-757-7384, www.NorthPacificMusic.com (NPM LD 012). music CDs original compositions Beaverton Lake Oswego
“Mr. Noland writes as a ‘time traveler’ in styles long abandoned by most composers as well as styles so new as to not have been imagined but by him. This he accomplishes naturally, convincingly, with originality and true passion. His command of all musical languages and his ability to traverse musical time is nothing less than remarkable. Listen!”
—Donald Martino, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer
“Composer Gary Noland is possessed of a rich musical imagination, whose technique distills the achievements of Roger, Strauss, and Schoenberg but also refracts their post-romantic/expressionist tendencies through the lens of twenty-first-century post-modernism, American style. Moreover, he fits Stravinsky’s definition of a great composer: one who doesn’t merely steal but knows what to steal. This Noland does with wit and aplomb unique to the music of our time.”
—Ira Braes, pianist, musicologist, Professor of Music, The Hart School
“Gary Noland’s Venge Art is more than just a collection of music.…inspiring. He walks with assurance through the treacherous landscape of late tonality and early post-tonality (e.g., Strauss).…a gifted composer.”
May 2000: “Player less Pianos: Virtual Music for Pianos Virtual and Otherwise.” Seventh Species Composers Series Debut Recording, Limited Collector’s Edition (NPM LCE 007—North Pacific Music). A compilation recording of works by various composers. Includes Gary Noland’s “Grande Rag Brillante” (Op. 15), which was recorded on August 19, 1998, on a Disklavier at SPARK Studios in Emeryville. music CDs original compositions Beaverton Portland Lake Oswego
Original Compositions by Gary Noland music CDs
1996: “Passion.” A compilation recording of works by composers Gary Noland, George Rothberg, Georges Enescu, Greg Steinke, and Jackie T. Gabel performed by violist Rozanne Weinberger and pianist Evelyne Lust. Includes Noland’s “Romance” for viola & piano (Op. 10). (NPM LD 003—North Pacific Music). Recorded September 1994 at MET Studio Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. In Schwann Catalog. music CDs original compositions Beaverton Portland Lake Oswego
Soprano HSIN YI LIN and pianist ASYA GULUA perform my setting of ALEXANDER THEROUX’S poem PRAYER OF A FAT MAN, Op. 104 (2019).
Acclaimed novelist/poet/essayist Alexander Theroux gave the composer permission to set as many of his poems as he wishes from his Collected Poems (published by Fantagraphics in 2015). Noland originally scheduled a recital of a number of these songs to be performed by soprano Hsin Yi Lin and pianist Asya Gulua on April 11th, 2020 at Classic Pianos in …
ALL FOOD IS POISON performed by The Pimpleton Procrasturbation Ensemble.
SOUNDCLOUD.COM
ALL FOOD IS POISON
The PIMPLETON PROCRASTURBATION ENSEMBLE performs ALL FOOD IS POISON by GARY LLOYD NOLAND. For more information on the composer, please visit his website at: garynolandcomposer.com
Jake Aller Hi Jake, I sent you some links last night in FB. I got an email message from you with a warning that it might be fake. It looked legit but nowadays I have to be absolutely certain that it is. Anyway, once again, here are the two links I sent…
Hi Jake, I just put this new album together (seven pieces comprising my Op. 152: DREAD MEETS DESIRE) which can be accessed at the following link: https://soundcloud.com/…/dread-meets-desire-op-152-nos. I can give you more, but I think th…
My TAINTED FORGETERIES, Op. 132, No. 9, performed by The Pimpleton Procrasturbation Ensemble.
https://youtu.be/qob63I6b2GQ?feature=shared I am pleased to present this performance by pianist Myrna Setiawan of the West Coast premiere of my Burlesque for piano, Op. 1, No. 20 (which I myself premiered over forty years ago at the Boston Conservatory). Myrna has a perfect understanding of the piece, as if she had composed it herself. This performance took place at the home of Sylvia Gray and Viktors Berstis at a soirrée hosted by the two of them in Portland’s Sellwood neighborhood on November 18th, 2023. Brava to Myrna—one of Oregon’s most extraordinary pianists!
Soprano Hayley Boggs and pianist Victor Hugo Morales perform my setting of Heinrich Heine’s poem “Aus Meinen Tränen Sprießen” from my FOUR HEINE LIEDER, Op. 19, No. 1.
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The Mean Streets of Bombay
One wild night in Bombay, India,
I walked into an evil bar
20 drinks too sober
on the wicked-wrong end of
a Friday night booze run.
On the bad side of the Moon
where Martian men drank,
ogling the Venus girls and leering
at Earth women in skin-tight pants
that made their eyeballs hurt.
I gave into the spirit
and decided to join them,
getting drunk on Martian whiskey and
smoking that good old-fashioned
Mars dust as well.
Next thing I knew,
I was on my way to Jupiter,
on a lark with a gal who
said she was from Saturn.
Didn’t learn she was from Pluto
until I woke the next day,
naked and in jail somewhere
near Alpha Centauri.
A million miles away,
a thousand years in the future,
with no money, no honey,
and no fucking way home.
Still 20 drinks too sober,
I just pissed away my time
with fine Pluto whisky
and cold-ass alien wine.
Then one day
I found myself outside that bar again,
enveloped in the miasmic mists
by the old Martian whorehouse,
down near the Gate of India.
Walked up to my Pluto babe
and said, man,
that was some bad shit;
let’s do it again sometime.
Knew the day
would come again,
I’d be drinking with
those Martian men.
Something bad
my way would come,
another night
of wicked fun.
On the wrong side of the Moon,
on just the right night,
in the mean streets
This is the third time I have entered the Writer’s Digest annual chapbook challenge. The challenge was to write one poem per day in November then select the best 20 for the chapbook contest. Here are my poems.
Index
November 1 Declaration Poem
Favorite Childhood Object
Problem Solvers Problems
Mike Johnson Ain’t No Christian, Jack
Dreams Of a Better World Problems
49-Year Love Story
Barbados Calling Me
Hometown Calling Me
Gun Ghosts Speak Up
Saga of Big Daddy
Attack of Neighbor Bob Terrorist
Back in the Old Days, Trump Would Never Have President
Big Daddy, aka Sam Adams
was the man
who always had a plan.
He was an ex-University of Arkansas
and Dallas Cowboy player
who had worked for the CIA?
The agency fired him
for murdering enemies of the state
at home in contravention of agency rules,
but they retained
his services from time to time.
He supplemented his CIA payments
And bar income from money laundering,
drug smuggling, human smuggling
and other assorted crimes, big and small.
Big Daddy had lots of enemies
Many people wanted him dead
Relatives of his many victims
Of the covert wars, he waged
On behalf of his nation.
He was hoping to stay out of trouble
But one day trouble found him.
He moved to Bangkok, Thailand
Where he opened the Cosmos Bar
With the assistance of his manager.
Kuhn Lek, and her uncle
The police chief and his cousin
The biggest drug kingpin
In the Northern Triangle.
The Cosmos Bar
Became world-famous
The spot to go to is Bangkok.
Located in Soi Cowboy
It was an after-hours club
Secretly owned by the Thai police,
One of the few places
They served alcohol 24/7.
It was filled with
Criminals, drug dealers, government agents
Journalists, prostitutes, pimps,
spies, counter-spies, sex tourists,
tourists, undercover cops,
and assorted other low-lives,
From all over the known world.
Had the best-looking woman
The best-looking travesties too,
The best beer, wine, and liquor list
In the city,
And the best burgers in town.
It looked like the Bar
In Star Wars
Filled with probable human life forms
And perhaps a space alien or two.
One day a mysterious Korean woman
Came into the bar asking for him
By his universal nickname
“Big Daddy”
Maria Lee was a Korean-American
Drop-dead gorgeous woman
Who was on the lam
from her rich Korean husband.
She had one question for Big Daddy.
“The word in the Korean community
is that you are a man
who knows how to launder money.
Can you launder 50 million dollars?”
“Hmm for a fee.”
“What’s the fee?”
“A night of wild sex with you.”
“Done, but only after the deed is done.”
She smiled sweetly.
He called his underworld contacts
and they laundered the 50 million dollars
and he gave her the bank receipt.
He had parked the money
in a Cayman Islands account.
That night
she honored her agreement with Big Daddy.
The next morning
while drinking his cup of coffee,
she revealed that she had poisoned him
because she did not want anyone to know
about the transaction
and her affair with Big Daddy.
She smiled,
“Thanks, Big Daddy,
I liked last night,
You are a real stud, Big Daddy,
Perhaps that is why you are called, ‘Big Daddy’
But hey it is nothing personal, Big Daddy.”
After all, it was just a business deal in the end.
And that was
how trouble found Big Daddy.
Attack of Neighbor Bob Terrorist
One day
A man fell.
A rabbit hole.
On his computer,
Lost in thought.
when an odd event occurs,
the event that led.
to his untimely death.
He did not hear.
The footsteps,
Of the white
Christian nationalist
Domestic terrorist next door.
Who took exception?
To Sam’s living there
As Sam was not white
And an atheist “libtard.”
And his neighbor
Was a white supremacist.
Christian Nationalist.
His neighbor Bob.
Came at Sam with a chainsaw.
And struck him in the heart.
Killing him instantly.
Then using a torch
To burn the body.
Before using dynamite
To blow up the house
Despite the rain clouds
Outside.
All streamed live.
On his wifi.
trump jpg
Back in the Old Days, Trump Would Never Have President
Back in the old days
when political decisions
were made by insiders.
White men of power
who gathered.
in the proverbial
smoke-filled rooms.
smoking menthol cigarettes
and cigars
drinking whiskey
martinis and beer
while enjoying a steak dinner
and plotting political plots
in such a world
Trump would not have been.
allowed to become President.
as the political elites
would not allow.
such a Buffon
from taking power
They would despise.
such a vulgar low-class
new money guy.
Lucky in love, unlucky in cards
There is an adage
That sums up my life so far
One can be lucky in love
But unlucky in cards
That sums it up nicely
I have been lucky in love
Met and married
The girl of my dreams
Dreamed of meeting her
For eight years
Then she came into my life
Became my wife
But I have never been
Lucky in cards
I mean I have played
Poker with friends
But always lost
Won a little bit of gambling
But usually lost more
Then I won
Eventually gave up
Just not fun anymore
As I lost the gambling fever
Yet to get a jackpot
But then I think
I hit the jackpot of love
And that has made
All the difference
President Trump on Vermin AI Poem
A leader of a nation, a speaker of lies.
A spreader of hatred, a divider of ties
A mocker of the weak, a lover of the strong
A builder of walls, a singer of wrong
A hater of the different, a scorner of the same
A caller of the vermin, a blamer of the blame
An ignorer of the facts, a denier of the truth
A creator of the chaos, a destroyer of the youth
A loser of the election, a claimer of the fraud
A refuser of the concession, a violator of the law
An inciter of the violence, a fomenter of the storm
I next encountered the divine
Many years later in Berkeley, California
I had gone home to be with my Mother
While taking leave from my job
in the Foreign Service
I had two weeks there by myself
My wife came later
near the end of the trip
Every morning I woke up
Had my coffee, and breakfast
Did yoga while listening to music
And looking out at the garden
Then spoke to my mother
Who was sliding into dementia?
Day by day losing her reason
Then I would go out
And explore the city
Go to a museum
Go to one neighborhood
And just be there
Rediscovering the Bay area
After years of being away
Having dinner with old friends
Seeing movies etc
Every morning a black cat came to visit
The cat was friendly and waited for me
And then would join me in my morning rambles
Following me to the bus stop
I started talking to the black cat
He looked at me with a spark of divinity
In his dark eyes
I called him the cosmic cat
He seemed to like that
He would look at me
And I opened up to me
Told the cat all my dark secrets
As I walked the streets
Of the old neighborhood
Every morning and every evening the cat
Would be there to greet me
And to carry out our endless conversation
Then I had to leave
And in our final conversation
I asked the cosmic cat
Say, Cat are you just a cat
Or are you a demonic cat
Are you possessed by God?
Or by Satan
The cat looked at me
And I realized that God
Was indeed residing in the cat
But that god was residing everywhere
All I had to do was open my mind
And the rest would follow
So I said Goodbye to the cosmic cat
And he purred and came up to me
And I felt the comforting presence
Of the divine spirit of God
As I said goodbye to the cosmic cat
And said goodbye to my mother
As this was the last time
That we would be able to talk
I told my mother about the cosmic cat
She smiled and said that the cat
was there for me and her
to comfort us both in our hour of need
and that the cat was indeed
a cosmic cat
Carrying the light
We must carry the light
It is not so bright
Embracing the light with my wife
Still the center of my life
We both fear the dark
Nothing more to avoid strife.
Carrying the light
until the end of time
chasing away
the darkness that haunts.
my soul.
Presidential Election Cycle
The U.S. Presidential election cycle
Is a long-drawn-out affair.
Starts the day after the last election.
And ends a month after the votes.
Have been certified,
and the winner is determined.
As usual
Twenty candidates are announced.
For the election cycle
A year or so before
The actual vote.
The most important part
The donors chose.
Which candidates will get?
Their money and support
In the so-called invisible primary.
By January of an election year
Five to six serious contenders
Have emerged.
Battling it out nightly on the news
As the pundits weigh in
And voters begin to choose.
on multiple Super Tuesdays.
The candidates race across.
The land
Offering their vision,
Their hopes and fears.
As the public begins
To wake up
And start to choose.
The game is on foot.
with almost weekly debates
where the candidates
try not to make fools.
of themselves.
It continues until the summer.
When the conventions nominate
Someone as the standard bearer.
The losers concede.
But the intra-party feuding
Does not end.
In the end
There will be one person.
Left standing.
At the end of the roughest
Most competitive race
In the world.
That determines.
The fate of nations.
Voters in the end
Making the final call
As the presidential election season
Comes to a final decision point.
Berkeley Time Travels
I grew up in Berkeley, California
In the turbulent fabled late ’60s
And in Berkeley in those days
Time seems to stand at a standstill.
On the corner of Dwight and Telegraph
Across from People’s Park
It seems to be always May 1969
With the man
Down the street
Oppressing the hippies
On the street
As they smoked their weed
Dodging the bored cops
Who looked the other way?
If they did not partake
And then I went to college
In the valley
As I drove into Stockton
I felt I was traveling again.
In time
Back to the fabled ’50s
Stockton was also.
Stuck in a time warp of sorts.
And as I left the Bay area.
And traveled the world.
I would come back.
To that corner
And just be there.
Stuck in May 1969
Again
Marveling at the changes
That had and had not occurred.
To the corner of the land
Forever stuck in time
And space
Last Night I could not
Get to sleep at all
Last night I could not
Sleep
As my mind wandered
Down dark rabbit holes
Of fevered imagination
At 0 dark hundred hours
The wild things came out
To play
Torturing me
Until the sunrise
Blasted them
Back into the dark
Corners of my mind.
And the nightmares
Faded away
With the dawning sun.
BIng AI Love Poem
Angela Lee, you are the light of my life.
You fill my days with joy and my nights with dreams.
You are the reason I smile and the reason I breathe.
Easy Everet is one of my favorite Fan Story Poets. Here are some of his poems. You can read the rest of his excellent poetry on Fan Story.com
BIO
I am a returning FanStortrian of dubious note but usually in key. I was a relatively well read member from late in 2005 until late in 2012. I left the site in 2012 because I lost my note pad and my mind within the same time-frame. But fortunately my pad was found in September of 2017 by my erudite and (he
makes me say this) very hunky cat. Well, that is Buddy Boy’s story but there was a great deal of what appeared to be fine grains of mica sand on the outside cover and even in-between many of the inside pages. My hunch is Buddy Boy filched my pad, hid it under his litter box, and kept it there for six years. He was never a fan of easyeverett’s poetry and would always cover his ears when I read a poem
I’d written out loud to Sue for evaluation. Now Sue says she has liked at least two or three of the two thousand poems I have scribbled over a long life but she is a kind and caring woman.
Buddy, however, when speaking about my poems used words like: ‘verbose, eccentric, sophomoric, outside everybody’s box not just yours, borders on dilettantism, incomprehensible, and often asked me: “Why don’t you take some time and reconnect with what you seem to need…or maybe your friends on FS need or maybe what I need. You’re looking a little worse for the writing.”
Buddy Boy swears he found my note pad inside a large volume of William Blake’s great poetic opus entitled
“Paradise Lost” which he was rereading at the time. I left it at that. My wife insists my mind had escaped its cranial cover long before I thought it was lost. Like in 1970 when she took pity on a recovering 60’s summer of love child who she thought was really ‘far-out’ and since she had just fired the Catholic Church and was
under a ‘lost my faith but found my hippie’ period, she married me. Not to go any deeper but because of a few things in my life that probably would never have been resolved or confronted, only buried by self-medicating with one or more of my many unique pharmaceutical and beverage combinations invented for…for swallowing. Sue saved my life for good or bad or worse and that is a simple fact and super example and perfect definition of love going both ways at the same time.
During my first poetic journey through FanStory heaven, I achieved the acquired the Polar Bear status in 2006 and was, for me, rather well received by almost a dozen other writers and poets throughout the
rest of my tenured service to FS. I returned to FS when I realized that if Sue was correct
about my mind being missing since ’70, then it did not play a part in my exit from the site
in 2012, just an overreaction to the emotional loss of my note pad. Below is an old profile which
has too much bio and not enough about this site so skip it if you too have lost your mind or just got bored
reading what you already have struggled to finish. Enjoy FanStory and especially the FanStorian scribes who truly respect the nature and beneficial purpose of artistic effort and endeavors. Good luck to all. easyeverett
I am a formalist poet who tends toward the classic poetry of old but also have a true fondness for the beat
poets of the fifties and early sixties.
I write on any subject that pops or invades my mind. I review to improve the prose or poem I am reviewing.
I utilize the cumulative knowledge gained by fifty years of writing for pleasure and as a professional
medical researcher. I attended the Writer’s Workshop at the University of Iowa in Iowa City
and after my return from S.E. Asia I graduated from Stanford University, located in Palo Alto
California. I now concentrate on going to bed and getting up.
easyeverett
A 2024 Reminder
when power proves the object of one’s lust
abuse of power loses people’s trust.
a wise man always leads from certainty,
as grains of sand can stand an angry sea.when people are obliged to choose with care
their choice creates a consequence they bear.
an errant choice could bring catastrophe
that threatens to displace democracy.the influence of personality
becomes political reality,
revealing no intrinsic skill to lead
but finds the perfect kind of mind to feed.
and when a candidate might elevate
to win election to a higher state
then all new actives must stand for review
and that ensures no error will get through.
No One There
the world is running out of time
and soon the losing bells will chime
a fascist movement everywhere
but no one was there to care.our leaders trade integrity
for lies and false reality
what was our down is now our up
the saucer has become a cupthe politicians talk big talk
but are afraid to walk the walk
we lost what once we did believe
that no one now cares to retrieve
the truth has now become a lie
and no one seems to question why
our pride and honor flew away
replaced on Insurrection day
where have our moral standards gone
along with righteous men who thought strong
a country not of men but of laws
now cheers to the neofascist cause
this Madisonian democracy
may soon be lost to history
not from external foreign force
but autocrats within of course
the fascists first take over schools
and then ban books that flaunt their rules
then silence becomes manifest
as protest too is laid to rest
extremists say that history
when taught has no validity
so, they revise and reinvent
as truth is twisted, lost, and bent
Landing In Vietnam (1966)
I felt the reverse thrusters kick in on the C-5 Galaxy transport
and I awoke from a deep and needed sleep as the plane began
its long descent into Cue San Air Base, Vietnam.
I gazed out the small portal window to see below me the biggest swath of green I ever imagined existed on earth. If I did not know the purpose of my involuntary visitation to this green landscape, it would appear I was about to land in Eden or a close cousin to that place where man’s original sin began and now continues to flourish within a divided and war-weary land.
I’m starting to believe third-world countries, at war, act like a magnet to the United States because it gives our politicians another chance to play the US as ‘great savior’ or ‘good shepherd’ or in 1950s tv western lingo, simply the “good guy” – Cheyenne Body style. But at that particular moment I was a long way from watching Clint Walker, as Cheyene Body, mosey across my tv screen while making me and most other men feel less a man than before we started watching that show and most women (I assume) agreeing that our feelings were right on target. I wondered if maybe Clint would take some time off from strutting his physical largess on tv and come over to this recently unknown place, now fighting an unknown war for an unknown reason (which is not unlike most fucking wars) for an unknown length of time and ply his Cheyene Body magic where the good guys, when identified, would be sure to win and nobody (like on tv back then) would ever die but maybe, just maybe, get minor wounds that never kept them out of next week’s heroic episode.
I started thinking about other tv shows I would miss during my involuntary stay when I realized the plane had landed and I was rudely ordered out of the plane’s rear exit and into the suffocating heat and humidity of what then was the unfamiliar, little known country of Vietnam that over time would become the too well known country with shared history we just cannot forget or forgive or erase from our guilty consciousness and I, for one, hope we never do.
We Are…
We are the silent and banished,
shadow lepers who walk among
the unforgiving innocent with
luminous sores.We are hieratic stones
that mark a trail to divinity,
unaware of alternative paths.
We are the nightmare
and cuirass of your
terminal souls.
We are the delicate,
immortelles flowers
of creation’s jewellery
and dwell within
the mouldering caverns
of apocalyptic chaos.
We reject gods because
they reject our sacerdotal
dominion over gods.
We are the magical
diseased who feed upon
the blue-burn fire of stars.
We are the watchers
of the withered minds
who try and quantify
our grandiosity through
their mediocrity.
We are pre-eminent
progeny of parsimonious
preternatural wombs.
We are magmatic, quantum
lepton neutrinos of sub-atomic
galaxies where altruistic Eros
regenerates the living force of life.
We are the you in us and the us in you.
We are infinite truth.
We are!
Man’s Truth
all wars we have fought
all men we have shot
creating a lifetime of histories
reflected in mankind’s failed memories
that achieved not one thing man sought
yet defining man’s life of indecencies
Not The Time Of Fire
To live the longer life aspire
to lengthen out the game.
Yet life is not the time of fire
but time left to the flame.Some ancient prophets lived long lives
as did the passionate.
Yet still not one of them survives
within that congregate.To focus on eternity
and journeys after death
is but a sad fraternity
awaiting their last breath.
To focus on tomorrow’s dark,
is one more second lost
to every moment we don’t mark;
and see how high the cost.
I am a returning
FanStortrian of
dubious note but
usually in key. I was
a relatively well read
member from late in
2005 until late in 2012.
I left the site in 2012 because
I lost my note pad and
my mind within – more…
The Yin And Yang Of War
My longest stay had been a year
Of grinding time in lowest gear.
Asylums say the stay today
Is but three months then on your way.So please don’t ask me why oh why
Do mad old ones choose youth to die?
For I’ve learned not one single grain
Insightful to my own insane.But madness dragged me back inside
To share black air wrapped suicide’
When my dear friend, though mad at best,
Chose 42 for his last rest.
Lifelong depression won the day
That “black dog” stole his soul away.
And then another friend from Nam
When ten years home was one night gone.
In Nam with pistol worn in sight
He’d fly his Hueys to the fight
To pluck up wounded stuck so dire
Then fly too high for hostile fire.
No matter when or where they fall,
Their names belong upon the wall.
How many Vets their balls still bent
Died prone alone on cold cement?
The naked act of will to kill
Brought some men home for killin’ still,
Like those who went with troubled souls
Found napalm lies too full of holes.
A gallant soldier fights till dead
Too often for past lies he’s fed.
Now who among you disagrees
Wars fill our horrid histories.
No matter where or what you do
Some leaders find a war for you
To fight until that war is done,
A war thier lies had first begun.
As we leave every century
Still bleeding with hostility
Can insights deep within the Yin
Begin the Yang’s defeat of sin?
Did I First Ride The Wind
And once upon a journey made
did I first ride the wind
far from the scented verdant glade
with mainsail fully trimmed.
The salted sea is memory,
my days of sail long passed,
where death was bound by destiny
to vacant shores so vast.
I feel a surge of heat within
this aged shell so cold;
a mind and body born to win
whose beauty has grown old.
But once abundant youth did thrive
on passion’s purest dreams
where eros brought the truth alive
as Siren’s sung its themes.
A gift the gods cannot evade
and I shall not rescind
when once upon a journey made
did I first ride the wind.
Not On Her Best Night
The Story:
ragged faded
lady hoarder,
dumpster-diving
diva boarder,
dancin’ to the tune
of her Dandelion Wine.
milky-eyed maiden,
peddles paper posies,
masticating carnivore,
toothless, useless whore.
not on her best night!
not anymore!
acclimated alleyways,
rodents without fear,
muddle-minded Faustian ,
soul redeeming martyr –
thirty-seventh year.
The Memories:
broken boned beauty
forged in her mind,
conscientious duty
lost to time.
could have been
a skater,
rockefeller rink,
sooner came later,
locked and loaded link.
pride of Arizona,
class of sixty-one,
a devotee of luna,
loves her remy rum.
many bitter winters,
bitter winter winds,
sliced her like a knife slice,
bled her bone thin.
The Story:
gave away her gravity,
east L.A.
weighted down reality
roles she plays.
saddle-strapped sad hag
gone insane,
never gonna’ lose
’cause she’s never in the game.
always aware where the
light lays low to the ground
livin’ in a clap-trap
jingle-jangle town.
runs for the shade
when the sun goes down;
safety in crazy,
crazy shades and shadow
hides her braided hair
and her Royal golden crown.
salts of lithium
took away her name;
doesn’t even know
who the hell to blame.
wants to be codified,
once and for all,
as prophets once prophesied –
another Jackie O.
with her hag-bag shop rags
ready to go.
time is always lazy for a lady goin’ crazy!!
midnight, brain-drain, middle of the boulevard,
ragged lady bag-hag screamin’ out her rage.
The Lady Speaks:
HEY YOU!
up there with your pixilated palindromes,
sippin’ fresh-dipped sewer juice
and french champagne – you blue-blooded, high-borns,
listen to the tale that I wail at you.
i’m a sack-cloth, busted, shackled crusted scab,
gonococcal wet-brain – slippin’ on the ledge
of pain on pain, while livin’ on the edge
in the whorin’ pourin’ rain. God died, I cried,
now i’m lookin’ for some gain.
leave your flush plush penthouse high-flying life;
see your bleeding sister, see your bleeding wife.
that’s right, once a wife, mother to your kids.
your kids are gettin’ shifty, siftin’ on the street;
then bring it to the street bitch let me see your shame
Black Phantom Shadows
black phantom shadows –
(human beings)
aromatic ghosts float
but rarely are they seen
check out the scent on the putrid, muted
breeze – busted-up blood tragedy – many
people trapped – flat in the middle of a Kafka dream
people seem fine with the all night whine – the night sirens
sound like Donizetti’s Borgeia in C – street trolls lose their
funky-monkey mind – won’t listen to a melody in any other key
maximize a siren to its highest boost –
then play that wail in C – it soon will find a
place to roost – as people love to listen to
a loud melodic melody in that magic key
mighty mister-dumpsters filled to brim tonight –
as nighgtime dippers quickly dip and slip from sight
while safer, hipper dippers dip at morning light
but crack-head harlots sometimes skip the dip –
the appetite is not in sight when smokin’ crack
becomes a dieter’s delight
old typewriterjpg
little Lizzie crack-head takes a dive – in dumpster number nine –
lunch in the city – be a pity not to dine – in a loaded dipsy-dumpster
where the food tastes fine – but Lizzie leaned too far – she fell right in –
but not a hungry harlot at the bottom of the bin -’cause squirmy little wormies
ate Lizzie and her sin
bright badge’s shine
on a Saturday night
uninformed authority
on famine and blight
people never look
a beat cop in the eye
no matter what the truth
or street wise lie
street people know
the bureaucratic game
are dirty little shake-downs
of multitudinal shame
you don’t talk to cops
you don’t give your name
you never let a cop
be director of the game
day to day gravity can cause great pain – on paralyzed,
gutter-rutted people in the rain – better stand guard
over precious cityways – Mammon’s dimmin’ down –
seen its better days – when the harshest haze of poverty
was hidden in the maze of interlocking alleyways where
shrouded safe in darkness – the furry vermin plays
Tangled Shadows
To bleed all black or bleed all white
are bitter breaths upon life’s trail,
so, I bleed right between the light
as tangled shadows fade to pale.My body wrapped in muslin grays
(Confusing to the muse of light,)
all curled like cotton-cloud bouquets
to hide my rise of pure delight.
We seek to feel the force of free
(intuitive instruction sought);
in compliment simplicity
that rids the grid of complex thought.
Words formed upon an empty sheet
will soon become an anthem sung;
refuse confusion’s new elite
when jingle-jangle bells are rung.
Seductions by reduction make
a break for ultra-common place
where wizards claim they are not fake
but hide their thin-skinned, bitter face.
Go out among the multitudes,
absorb the truth imbued in man.
Feel free to travel latitudes
that stray away from your first plan.
The muscled hustler finds his grooves
within the sin of mighty mind,
accepted though infected, proves
the mighty mind is hard to find.
Become a lover of the light,
unwrap all straps around the truth.
Praise purity of common sight,
ignite it in your troubled youth.
Our loss of liberty has made
another perfect tragedy,
where lazy, hazy, days of shade
corrupted man’s reality.
This bitter fit mythology
incites until the light is lost;
dissect each bit of piety,
begin to finalize its cost.
And here I leave you with good will
until the song of love, we sing,
will spark that spark inside man still
and silver bells of peace shall ring.
As Fascists Threaten Still
The One who had the truth entombed
resides inside each lie.
The lie becomes the truth consumed
through One truth born on high.The land turns dark though bright the light
as all traditions die.
Land once so rich now land of blight
as fear pollutes the sky.
Minds great in girth search out the worm,
infectious like a plague,
that makes all human tissues squirm:
great minds can only beg.
And as we lose democracy
we also lose our will.
The answer clear in history
as fascists threaten still.
Two Dream-Lovers
Magnificent, her body soars in dreams,
Long braided hair streams freely with the wind;
Young Aphrodite rides night’s silver beams
While raiment thin reveals white lambent skin.Erotic visions of seduction rise
From this chimera of conduction’s heat
And soon my head is filled with lustful cries
Of two dream-lovers making love complete.
Entwined we float above the sea below,
Her rhythmic vigor vital in her hips
As we sail over Isles of long ago;
Dark eyes invite my mouth to greet her lips.
When I awake I smell the briny air
Enriched with scent of musk dream-lovers share.
Another Broken Man
now here I stand another broken man
whose love of life laments obscurity.
the product of ambition’s naive plan
reached in and stole my soul’s integrity.I am the one who can’t become an us:
no flesh–no blood–no break of fast to feed;
a lustful trust once wrapped in omnibus,
ground down to shallow graven slave in need.disgusted by how degredation days
laid wasted on the taste of indiscreet;
my soul the blackest hole from blacker ways,
confronts chronicity of incomplete.
my flesh is filled and frought with foul disease;
offensive was my life to thine own eyes
whose seen me sail both clean and filthy seas
where faith can fill or empty bigotries.
the story of a glory gone insane;
a genius so sublime in youthful prime
before the days communed with pure cocaine
while they did steal the tick and tock of time.
there is no way to spread a dreaded blame
excused are those accused or left to find
I say I loved to play the changing game;
eclectic change to corners of my mind.
certified a crazy kind of critter
tested mess I do believe corrected
bitter is a life of hazy glitter
choices blurred by choices I neglected.
I’m jonesin’ in the center of a city
while waiting on my powdered China-white.
my man must understand he’s dealin’ pity
or sick I’m going to be throughout the night.
I think I see my hero now is coming
like a pimp he’s dressed in blackest leather
tripping proud with lanky strides and humming
tunes he writes but just can’t keep together.
I’m watchin’ death come walkin’ straight at me
and I don’t think or blink a catious eye
but hand the Ferryman his feral fee:
relieve and leave without a shout ‘goodbye.’
my body broke and beaten now for certain;
too much junk keeps suckin out my bones.
I think I see the final call and curtain,
the God I owe is callin’ in his loans.
it was my hope someday I would connect
dramatic angels with my own desires,
but what should I, who did deny, expect?
I touch too much the heat of madness fires.
I sit inside the sacred Shaman ring,
where apparitions dervish dance around
but what the Shaman needs I could not bring;
my last was lost my first was never found
I traveled every twisted rut and road
that zigs and zags across my mottled map
and every road became an endless load
and every stop became the same old trap.
I’ve melllowed with the magic mountain mushroom
with the mystic natives from Peru.
made love in huts to ladies in full bloom
while glitter ghosts played rock and roll Kazoo.
and now I’m running full capacity
while hoping I’m not heading for a fall
but showing off my great alacrity
before I hear the cry “last curtain call.”
I hope to find a cheap discreet hotel,
try kickin’ my addictions very quick
while risin’ up and out of my own hell,
affixed to such affliction makes one sick.
then I will join a mighty minstrel show,
while going up to greet the nearest star;
find something true and new that I don’t know
and see if I have time to raise the bar.
my future vision of reality,
infused by figment fire but never there –
a future framed without validity
or is there ever anyone aware?
one way I know to beat the blues today
just fire up Langston Hughes and boogie beat
but I’m not breakin’ any news your way
we know just when and where like minded meet.
I slip and slide while runnin’ in my rut
with that old monkey clinging to my back.
I am the jester with a stuttered strut,
who lives his life from pack to glassine pack.
I guess it’s time to slip away and leave –
been here and there so now I guess I’ll go
and find some new creative ways to weave
synaptic threads for changing what I know.
Review every piece before playing – marking down higher notes and lower notes so won’t have to stumble as much, note signature, note changes throughout figure out repetition patterns, etc write cheat sheets. For more challenging pieces play each hand separately and then put it together, particularly for bach pieces. and for Baroque music write out the trills, turns, modents etc. start on the note play very quickly pratice before playing
I started highlighting significant things to pay attention to during the previewing of music, which should lead to much smoother playing.
I will teach myself the fundamentals of writing music via YouTube videos.
List of Music Played
Ballade Pour Adeline Richard Lederman
A Comme Amour Richard Lederman
Wild Mountain Flower Richard Lederman
Isadora Paul Maurer
Concerto Pour Une Voix Sint Preux
Memories Of You Eubie Blake
Side By Side Harry Woods
Broken Promises John Schachter
La Playa Ja Van Wetter
L’ Amor Cesta Por Ríen Enrico Macias
Sans Toi Mamie Alamo
Estrellita Manuel M Pance
Lippens Schengen Franz Lehar
Song Of The Pearl Fishermen H Gaze
Fly Me To The Moon Henry Mancini
This Is My Song, Charlie Chaplain
Hawaian Wedding Song Charles E King
Theme From Love Story Francis Lai
Love John Lennon
Parles Moi Damor John Lenoir
Love Is Blue Andre Popp
To Love Again N Washington
Lebensraum Franz Liszt
Hymn Lamour M Mannat
Love Me All Your Heart Carlos Riguel
El Bimbo Claude Morgan
Home Sweet Home John Payne
September Song Kurt Weil
Hey Jude John Lenon
I Really Do Not Want To Know Don Robertson
Yesterday, John Lennon
Johnny Guitar Victor Yeong
The Music Played By Udo Jurgens
Janear 15
La Novia Jay Prieto
El Condor Pasa Da Robles
Eternally Charles Chaplin
Minuet Henry Purcell
Air Henry Purcell
Trumpet Tune Henry Purcell
A Farewell Henry Purcell
Bourree Philips Telemann
Minuet Teleman
Saraband Angelillo Corelli
Musette Johann Sebastian Bach
Minuet Anna Magdalena Bach
Minuet Anna Magdalena Bach
Polonaise Anna Magdalena Bach
Musette Anna Magdalena Bach
March Anna Magdalena Bach
Minuet Anna Magdalena Bach
Gavotte George Frederick Handel
Little Prelude In F Js Bach
Minuet Leopold Mozart
Burlesque Leopold Mozart
Minuet Mozart
Little Prelude In C Js Bach
Allegro Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
La Caroline Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Little Scherzo Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
Allegro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Andante Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Presto Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Minuet Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Gavotte In Rondo Form Jean Francis Dandrew
Rondino Jean Philippe Rameau
Andantino Joesph Haydn
Scherzo Joseph Haydn
Rondo Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Bagatelle Beethoven
Ecossaise In G Beethoven
Seven German Dances Haydn
Coda Haydn
Ecossaie Carl Maria Von Weber
Sonatina Jacob Schmitt
Bagatelle Johan Nepomuk Hummel
Gavotte Daniel Gottlob Turk
A Regal Dance Daniel Gottlob Turk
Serenade Daniel Gottlob Turk
Miniature Rondo Daniel Gottlob Turk
Evening Song Daniel Gottlob Turk
The Hunters Daniel Gottlob Turk
Carefree Daniel Gottlob Turk
Adagio Mozart
Lullaby Johan Philip Kirnberger
Sonatina Anton Andre
Sonatina Jakob Schweig
Three Country Dances Beethoven
Waltz Franz Schubert
Russian Folk Song Ludwig Beethoven
German Dances Ludwig Beethoven
Four Landlers Franz Schubert
Allegro Minuet One Franz Schubert
Andantino Waltz In C Op 19 Franz Schubert
Two Australian Fold Themes Carl Czerny
Peasant Song Felix Mendelssohn
On Tiptoes Henri Bertini
Dance Intermezzo Henri Bertini
The Clock Theodore Kulak
Cradle Song Theodore Kulak
Melody Robert Schuman
The Wild Horseman Robert Schuman
Bagatelle Robert Schuman
Soldier’s March Robert Schuman
Hunting Song Robert Schuman
The Reaper’s Song Robert Schuman
Arabesque Frederick Burmuller
Pastorale Frederick Burmuller G Major
An Old Romance A Minor
Little Suite Cornelius Gunter D Minor
March Cornelius Gunter C Major
Scherzo F Cornelius Gunter F Major
Song Of The Hussars Louis Koehler C Major
Village Waltz Louis Kohler G Major
Chromatic Polka Louis Kohler G Major
Short Cannon Konrad M Kunz F Major
Short Cannon Konrad M Kunz E Major
Short Cannon Konrad M Kunz G Major
Short Cannon Konrad M Kunz B Flat Major
Morning Prayer Peter Schakowsky
Old French Song Peter Schakowsky
German Song Peter Schakowsky
Italian Song Peter Schakowsky
Reverie Peter Schakowsky
The Sick Doll Peter Schakowsky
Song From The Ceruse Cezar Frank D Minor
Pauper’s Complaint Cezar Frank 6
Once Upon A Time Robert Volkmann G
The Enchanted Garden Robert Volkmann A Minor
Dance With Me Robert Volkmann F
Over Hill And Dale Robert Volkmann C
Playing Soldiers Vladimir Rebikoff C
Evening In The Meadow Vladimir Rebikoff D Minor
Oriental Dance Vladimir Rebikoff D Minor
Tender Moments Alexander Rachmaninoff F
Promenade Alexander Rachmaninoff A Minor
Fugue In A Classic Style Nicolas Makowski G
Three Easy Pieces On Five Notes Igor Stravinsky
Tarantella Serge Prokofieff F
Humming Dmitri Kabalevsky D Minor
First Dance Dmitri Kabalevsky F
Little March Dmitri Kabalevsky C
Chit Chat Dmitri Kabalevsky C
Waltz Dmitri Kabalevsky D Minor
Tomatina Dmitri Kabalevsky A Menor
Prelude Dmitri Kabalevsky G Minor
Ride Dmitri Kabalevsky
Fairy Tale Dmitri Kabalevsky E Flat
Scherzo Dimitri Kabalevsky G Menor
Constante Héctor Villa Lobos C
Circle Dance Héctor Villa Lobos D Minor
Melody Aram Khachaturian C Minor
Bella Bartok Pieces
Six Miniatures Bella Bartok C
Six Miniatures Bella Bartok A Minor
Six Miniatures Bella Bartok C
Six Miniatures Bella Bartok F
Six Miniatures Bella Bartok C
Six Miniatures Bella Bartok C
Microcosmos Bella Bartok Pieces Vol One
Six Unison Melodies
Dotted Notes
Repetition
Syncopation
With Alternate Hands
Parallel Motion
Reflection
Change Of Position
Question And Answer
Village Song
Parallel Motion And Change Of Position.
Contrary Motion Capture
Four Unison Melodies
Imitation And Counterpoint
Imitation And Inversion
Pastorale
Imitation And Inversion
Repetition
Syncopation
Canon At The Octave
Imitation Reflected.
Canon At The Lowest Fifth
Little Dance In Canon Form
In Dorian Mode
Slow Dance
In Phrygian Mode
Chorale
Free Canon
Appendix
Disco For Elise Beethoven
In May Franz Behr C
The Clock Ada Richer G
Woodland Walz Franz Gwyn C
Copycat Audell Thompson C
The Snake Charmer William Gunn A Minor
Minuet Js Bach
Soldier’s March Robert Schumann
Minuet 1 Mozart
Parade Of The Midget Elizabeth L. Hopson
Beethoven Sonatina No 1 C
Indian Drum Kathrin K Davis E Minor
The Merry Farmer Robert Schumann F
Waltz M Louisa Wright B Flat
Dreamland Katherine Allan Lively D Minor
The Wild Horseman Robert Schumann C
The Swimming Pool Myrla Adler F
L’ Avalanche Stephen Heller A Minor
Around The Hills Mabel Lewis Cane F
Prelude 1 C Ws Bach C
Spooks Maxxwell Eksten A Minor
Spinning Song Albert Glimmerier F
A Melody After Mendelssohn Louisa Wright
Beethoven’s Sonatina One F
Veil Dance Louisa Wright F Minor
Under The Rose Arbor Theodora Dutton F
Blue Danube Waltz Johann Strauss C
Elfin Dance Edward Grieg E Minor
Menuetto Iosco Joseph Haydn C
In The Gypsy Camp Franz Behr, A Minor
Pipes Of Pan B Flat
Tocata Pietro Domenico Paradies A Menor
Fur Elise C Edited The Version.
Serenade Franz Schubert D Minor
Rustic Dance C.R. Howard G Minor
From A Birch Canoe Richard Bender E Flat
Tarantella Paul Beaumont A Minor
Two Butterflies Myra Adler C
Loose Blatter Flying Leaves Car Killing D
Chopin Prelude No. 6
Chopin Prelude No. 7
Venetian Boat Song Nu 2 Mendelssohn
None But The Lonely Heart Tchaikovsky A Minor
Christmas Tchaikovsky A Flat
Le Tambourine Jean Philippe Rameau D Minor
Berceuse Lullaby A Links B Flat Minor.
Cradle Song Weigelia Brahms A Flat
Waltz Brahms A Flat
Simple Aveu /Simple Confession Francis Theme D Major
Gps Rondo Haydn G
Pizzicatos Leo Delius A Flat
Bridal Chorus Lohengrin Wagner B Flat
Barcarolle Offenbach F
Au Matin Benjamin Godard E Flat
Dark Eyes Russian Folk Song Richard Benda D Minor
Fur Elise A Minor Beethoven
Wagner Bratcher A Minor
The Maiden’s Prayer T Barczewski
Humoresque A Dvorak
Petit Chien Chopan
Turkish March Beethoven
Cuckoo Waltz Je Johansson
Blumen Lied G Lange
The Battle Of Waterloo G Anderson
Chausson De L-Adieu E Major -Very Challenging Piece
Csikos Post H Necked E Minor
Marche Military F Schubert
Hochzeitsmarsch Mendelssohn
Crisco Post H Necke
Alpeenabendroite T Oresten Challenging.
Woodland Echoes Ap Wyman Challenging
Traumerei Richard Schuman Easier
Die Schmid Im Walden Th Michelle
Silvery Waves Ap Wykes
Waves Of The Danube J Ivanovic
Brahms Hungarian Dance Number 5
Invitation To The Dance Cm Weber
Dance Of The Clocks A Porcellio Challenging
Piano Concerto Theme Gregg Is Not As Complicated As I Thought.
Bagatelle Beethoven – Nailed It.
Norwegian Dance E Grieg
Solberg’s Song E Grieg
Mazurka Chopin
Nocturne Chopin
La Cinquinaine G Marie A
Borowski G Celeste
Placer D’amour Marital Tedesco
Gavotte Bach G
Sigmund’s Love Song G Wagner
Polka Tchaikovsky
Cleminta Six Sonatinas
Cleminta Six Sonatinas
Cleminta Six Sonatinas
Cleminta Six Sonatinas
Cleminta Six Sonatinas
Cleminta Six Sonatinas
Cleminta Six Sonatinas
Schumann Kinderszenen G Major
A Curious Story D Major
Catch Me, D Major.
Entreating Child D Major
Perfect Happiness D Major
An Important Event A Major
Dreaming F Major
By The Fireplace
Knight Of The Rocking Chair
Too Serious
Frightening
The Child Falling Asleep.
The Poet Speaks.
Melody
Humming Song
Ein Choral
A Little Piece
The Poor Orphan Child
Merry Peasant Returning To His Work.
Sicilian
Old Bogie
May Month Of May
A Little Study G
Spring Song E
First Sorrow G
The Little Morning Wanderer A
The Reaper’s Song C
Little Romance C
Rustic Song A
Ronde A
The Horseman F
Harvest Song A Min
Reminiscences Of The Theater A Min
Canon A Min
Remembrance A Min
The Stranger D Minor.
War Song D Minor
Sherardize
Gathering Of The Grapes
Thema
Mignon
Italian Mariner’s Song Lied Italian Mariana
Sailor’s Song
Wintertime One
Wintertime Two
A Little Fugue
Fingered Choral
New Year’s Eve
Northern Song
Sonata For The Young G
Theme And Variation G
Doll’s Cradle C
Rondoletto D Minor
Friendly Landscape
The Wayside Inn
Prophetic Bird
Hunting Song
The Departure
Summer Song
Little Cracle Song
Papillons 1 To 3
Robert Schumann Humming Song
Jean Sibelius A Hymn From Finland
Michale Glinka The Lark
Js Bach March
Francis Couperin Rigaudon
Francis Couperin The King’s Crest Of Viols
Js Bach Be Thou With Me
Bela Bartok Teasing
Gluck Gavotte
Schumann First Sorrow
Edward Poldini Waltz Of The Mice
Bela Bartok Ritual Dance
Vladmirrebikoff The Wandering Musicians
Robert Schumann Cradle Song
Edwardo Poldini Waltz Serenade
Vladmirrebikoff Legende
Karganoff Petite Valse
Chopin Preludie E Menor
Gf Han Del Sarabanda
Beethoven’s Three German Dances
Wa Mozart Menuetto
Jean Philip Rameau Little Rondo
Phillip Emmanuel Bach Piece For Right Or Left Hand Alone
Joseph Hayden Scherzo
Leopold Mozart Minuet
George Phillip Telemann Prelude
Js Bach Prelude C Major
Robert Schumann Little Study
Robert Schuman Song Of The Reaper
Frederick Burgmueller Pastorale
Joseph Hayden Allegretto
Js Bach Prelude F Major A
Edmund Grubber The Caissons Go Rolling Along
Arkansas Traveler
Red River Valley
Coming Through The Rye
Henry Ghys Amaryllis
Beethoven, I Love The Ich Liebe Dich
Ethelbert Nevin The Rosary
Gf Handel Minuet
Joseph Haydn Minuet And Trio
Beethoven’s Allegretto From The 7th Symphony
Joesph Haydn Andantino
Joseph Haydn Minuet
Erie Satie Gumnopedie No 2
Aram Khahaturian Oriental Dance
Sergei Prokofieff Rainbows In The Rain
Harry Warren September In The Rain
Gus Edwards In My Merry Oldsmobile
Billy Rose Barney Google
Louis Silver April Shadows
Harry Arlen, I Love A Parade
Max Steiner Lara’s Theme
Ag Villodo El Choclo
Joseph Haydn Hymn To Saint Anthony
Luigi Bocherrini Minuet
Charles Guonod Ballet From Faust
Charles Guonod Funeral March Of A Marriott
Anthony Dvorak Indian Legend
Rimsey Korsakoff Sheherazaade
Felix Mendelson Nocturne From Midsummer Night’s Dream
Peter Tchaikovsky Romeo And Juliet
Js Bach Gavotte
Mozart Piano Sonata In C Major
Bedrich Smetana Polka And Furiant
Franz Schubert Waltz
Felix Mendelson Consolation
Rimsky Korsakoff’s The Flight Of The Bumblebee
Bedrich Smetana Prelude Album #6
Rimsky Korsakoff’s The Flight Of The Bumblebee
Bredich Smetana Prelude Album #6
Eduard Poldini Poupe Vasanta
Edward Mcdowell A Moon Idyl C
Antaoleliadoff The Music Box A Major
Ch Gluck Air From Orfeo E Eurdice
Vladimir Rebikoff In The Mill
Frederick Chopin Mazurka B Flat Major
Peter Tschiowsky Song Of The Lark
Caesar Cui Petite Valse
Js Bach Gavotte From 5th French Suite
Js Bach – Polonaise From The French Suite
Buddy Kaye, Fred Wise, Sidney Lippman You’re Adorable.
Alan Jay Lerner, Fredrick Lowe Almost Like Being In Love.
Don Black, John Barry, Born Free
Terry Kirman, Cherish
Joan Whitney, Alex Kramer Far Away Places
Curly Putman Green Grass Of Home
Niel Diamond, I’m A Believer.
John Lennon, Paul Mc Cartney Michelle
P Gerhard, D Hollow Snoopy Versus The Red Baron
Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart I’m Not Your Stepping Stone.
Dean Kay, Kelly Gordon Life
Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, Wish Me A Rainbow.
Bach Leid
Bach Leid
Bach Choral
Bach Minuet In G Major
Bach Minuet In G Major
Bach Minuet In G Major
Bach Choral
Bach March In D Major
Bach Minuet
Bach Minuet In D Minor
Bach Minuet In G Major
Bach Minuet In D
Bach March
Bach Musette
Bach March
Bach Minuet
Bach Minuet 11
Bach March D Major
Bach Musette
Bach Minuet In G Major 1
Bach March G Major
Bach Minuet In G 2
Bach Polonaise B Flat
Bach Minuet D Minor
Bach Bouree A Major
Bach Minuet C Major
Bach Minuet C Minor
Bach Musette G Major
Bach Minuet B Flat Major
Bach Minuet D Minor
Bach March E Flat Major
Bach Seven Preludes C Major
Bach Seven Preludes C Major
Bach Seven Preludes C Minor
Bach Seven Preludes D Minor
Bach Seven Preludes B Flat Major
Bach Seven Preludes G Minor
Henry Purcell Minuet
Henry Purcell Air
Henry Purcell Trumpet Tune
Henry Purcell A Farewell
George Phillip Teleman Bouree
George Phillip Teleman Minuet
Arcangelo Corelli Sarabande
Bach Musette
Anna Magalena Bach Minuet
Anna Magalena Bach Minuet
Anna Magalena Bach Polonaise
Bach Minuet Dm
Bach March
George Frederick Handle Gavotte And Variation
Bach Little Prelude In F
Leopold Mozart Minuet
Bach Little Prelude In F
Leopold Mozart Burlesque
Mozart Minuet
Bach Little Prelude In C
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Allegro
Joseph Hayden Adantino
Joseph Hayden Scherzo In F
Mozart Rondo in C
Beethoven Bagatelle in C
Beethoven Ecossaise in G
Joseph Hayden Seven German Dances 1
Joseph Hayden Seven German Dances 2
Joseph Hayden Seven German Dances 3
Joseph Hayden Seven German Dances 4
Joseph Hayden Seven German Dances 5
Joseph Hayden Seven German Dances 6
Joseph Hayden Seven German Dances 7
Joseph Hayden Seven German Dances Coda
Carl Maria Von Webb Ecossaise G major
Jacob Schmitt Sonatini C
Joseph Nepumuk Hummel Bagaatelle
Daniel Gottlob Turk Gavotte A Maj
Daniel Gottlob Turk A Regal Dance G
Daniel Gottlob Turk Seranade F
Daniel Gottlob Turk Minature Rondo F
Daniel Gottlob Turk Evening Song C
Daniel Gottlob Turk Hunters G
Daniel Gottlob Turk Carefree
Mozart Adagio C
Johann Philipp Kirnberger Lullaby in F
Anton Andre Sonatina in C
Jacob Schmitt Sonatina in G
Beethoven Three German Dances 1 D Maj
Beethoven Three German Dances 2 D Minor
Beethoven Three German Dances 3 D Major
Muzio Clementi Sonatina in C/C/F
Mozart Minuet in F
Framz Schubert Waltz in D major
Beethoven Russian Folk Song in G
Beethoven German Folk Song in G
Franz Schubert Two Ecossaises in G
Franz Schubert Two Ecossaises in D Minor
Franz Schubert Four Landlers 1 D Major
Franz Schubert Four Landlers D major
Franz Schubert Four Landlers 3 G
Franz Schubert Allegreto Trio from Minuet in F
Franz Schubert Adantino From Waltz in C
Felix Mendelsohn Peasant Song F Maj
Henry Bertini On Tip Toes C
Henry Bertini Dance Intermezzo G
Theodore Kullak The Clock F Min
Theodore Kullak Cradle Song F Maj
Carl Czerky Two Austrian Folk Songs Number One
Carl Czerky Two Austrian Folk Songs Number two in C
Felix Mendelson Peasant Song in F Major
Henry Bertini On Tip Toes In C
Henry Bertini Dancing Intermezo in G
Thomas Kulak The Clock In F Minor
ThomasKulak Cradle Song in F Major
Robert Schumann Melody
Robert Schumann The Wild Horsemen In C
Robert Schumann Bagatelle In C
Robert Schumann Soldiers March in G
Robert Schumann Hunting Song
Robert Schumann The Reaper Song
Frederick Burgumeller Arabesque in A minor
Frederick Bugumuller Pastorle in G
Stephen Heller an old romance a minor
Cornelius Gurlitt Little Suite 1 morning Song D minor
Cornelius Gurlitt Little Suite March c major
Cornelius Gurlitt Scherzo F major
Louis Kuhler song of the Hussar C major
Louis Kohler Village Waltz G
Louis Kohler chromatic polka G
Conrad Kurtz four short Cannons F
Conrad Kurtz four short cannons number two in E
Conrad Kurtz four short cannons #3 in G
Conrad Kurtz four short cannons #4 in B flat
Peter Tschiowsky Morning Prayer G
Peter Tschiowsky Old French Song B Flat
Peter Tschiowsky German Solng C Minor
Peter Tschiowsky Italian Song G Major
Peter Tschiowsky Reverie C
Peter Tschiowsky Sick Doll G minor
Cezar Frank Song from the Creuse D minor
Cezar Frank Puppets Complaint G
Robert Volkman Once Upona TIme G
Robert Volkman Enchanted Garden in A Minor
Robert Volkman’s Dance with Me in F major
Robert Volman Over Hill and Dale C
Vladimir Rebikoff Playing Soldiers in C
Vladimir Rebikoff Evening in the Medows D Minor
Vladimir Rebikoff Oriental Dance in G Minor
Alexander Gretchaminoff Tender Moments In F
Alexaner Gretchaminoff Promendade A minor
Nicolas Mukovsky Fuge in Classic Style in
Igor StranvinskyThree Easy Pieces on Five Notes Andantino 1 in C
Igor StranvinskyThree Easy Pieces on Five Notes 2 lento in D minor
Igor StranvinskyThree Easy Pieces on Five Notes Larghetto in G
Serge Prokofofffiwffell Trarantella in F
Dmirti Kabelsky Humming E Minor
Dmirti Kabelsky First Dance in F
Dmirti Kabelsky Little March in C
Dmirti Kabelsky Chit Chat in G
Dmirti Kabelsky Wltz in DMinor
Dmirti Kabelsky Tocatina in A minor
Dmitri Kabelsky Prelude in B Flat minor
Dmirti Kabelsky Ride, Ride in C
Dmirti Kabelsky Fairy Tale in E Flat
Dmirti Kabelsky Scherzo in D minor
Dmirti Kabelsky In th Country E Major
Hector Villa Lopez Constante Children’s Song in C
Hector Villa Lopez Circle Dance Children’s Song in D minor
Aram Khatchturian Melody in C Minor
Bella Bartok Six Minatures 1 in C
Bella Bartok Six Minatures 2 in C
Bella Bartok Six Minatures in C
Bella Bartok Six Minatures 4 in F
Bella Bartok Six Minatures 5 in C
Bella Bartok Six Minatures 6 in C
Robert Schumann Arabeske
Robert Schumann Blumenstuck Flower Piece D Flat Major
This is my annual list of movies, TV and drama seen in the last year. I saw over 200 movies and TV programs last year. I saw a lot of K Drama and European Sci-FI as well.
Movie Watching Goals 2023
200 movies/TV series by the end of the year.
At least one Korean movie per week
At least one Spanish movie every so often
One Bollywood or another foreign language movie every so often
A mixture of thrillers, K Drama, comedies, romcom, etc
Make a list of Oscar movies and watch several.
Resume going to the theater later in the year.
When traveling to the US watch ten movies each trip
Including one Bollywood, one Spanish, three to four blockbusters, one classic, one comedy
the list
88 Minutes US thriller
Moving to Heaven started in 2022.
Emily In Paris Netflix B started in 2022.
The Gray Man American
Lies Within started in the 2022 BK drama.
Trolly started 2022 B K drama a-
Moonball SF B
Glory K drama B+
Confidential Assignment K drama b
The Pale Blue Eyes – Murder mystery featuring Edgar Allen Poe as a cadet Netflix B
Wednesday started in 2022
On the line k drama b
Weight Ton K drama b
You American
The age of Adaline started.
Zone 414 did not finish b.
Kate did not finish too violently d.
1899 needs to look again at America.
The Invasion of South African c
Parallel SF K drama
Crash Course in Romance K drama A-
Lookup American a big Meh
One Spring Night K drama
The Bros K drama
Like for Likes K drama b.
Ordinary People K drama b
Quiet Place Part Two Next flix SF C+
Echoes Next Flix series b American.
Veteran K crime comedy b K drama
Tiger in Winter K drama with a magical realism twist K drama
After My Death, another Korean teenage crime drama k drama
Confidential Assignment Two K drama
Nothing Serious K rom-com
Uncanny counter K drama
What’s wrong with Secretary Kim K’s drama.
Chief of Staff K drama
Tau American
Ad Astra American
White noise American
Mad for each other K drama
Along with the god’s K’s drama
Time to hunt K drama.
Escape from Mogadishu K drama
The decision to leave K drama.
Adenoid K drama
Hunt K drama
Confession K drama
A man from Toronto American
The unforgiven American
My unfamiliar family K drama
You People Eddie Murphy Comedy
Physical Another Squid Game K drama
Confession K Drama
Where the Crawdads Sing American movie
Unblock Cyber crime K drama.
Your Place or Mine US romcom
Nope SCIFi Netflix
One Spring Night K drama
Sweat and Sour K drama
Sweat Tooth
Salvation
Safe
Black Panther Wakanda Forever
Amsterdam b+
Black Adam b
Ant-Man and Wasp b
Namaland B+
Holy Betrayal Documentary on Religious cults in Korea
Outer Banks Third Season
Me K drama
God’s Crook Line. Spanish
Shin Divorce Attorney K Drama
The Eternal King K drama
Swing Kids American drama
Live Up to Your Name K drama
Murder Mystery 2 – not bad saw Murder Mystery One last year
Kill Bosun K drama
Shadow and Bone next season
Tripple Frontier American
Switch k drama
Beef K Drama set in LA
Strangers Things Season Four
Queen Maker K drama
Ticket to Paradise American drama
The Stranger British
Florida Man American
Gone for Good British
Stay Close British
Kaleidoscope American
Harris Goes to Paris British
Collectors k drama
The Chair American series
What/if American series
You Will Always Be My Maybe – US Romcom
Black Knight K Drama
Mother American Crime Thriller starring Jennifer Lopez
Miss and Mrs. Cop K drama
Unstoppable K drama
Ordinary people
Intruder
Synopsis
White noise
Red notice
How it ends
Shimmer lake
Mad for Each Other
Private Lifes K drama
Flower of Evil K drama
The Mule
Farber man’s (Oscar pick)
Living
Dangerous Games, Legacy
The Independent
Tau
Bloodline
hypnotic
intrusion
the stranger
I Land
another life
colony
imperfectives
night flyers
white lies
Nice guys
Glitch Aussies series
Glitch Korean series
dark
awake
1989
the order
murder mystery 2
SALT
Adam project
Star Trek Strange New Worlds Amazon
Lost World CBC series on Amazon
Outlaws Netflix
Tyrone got Cloned on Netflix
Lost City amazon
Otto Netflix
Terminator 2 Netflix
Terminator 3
Terminator 4
Bird box Barcelona Netflix
War of the World 2
Expanse Season five
Expanse Season Six
Time Trap Netflix SF movie
Wheel of Time Season Two Amazon
Non-Stop
Stolen
Mysterious Island
See You in My 19th Life K Drama did not finish it
Babblyon saw that RHS did not finish it
Heart of Stone saw with RHS
The Stranger Netflix has good reviews but did not finish it
This is The End C – good stars but a mess of a script
Alchemy of Souls intriguing K Drama
Top Gun Maverick Amazon
No Time to Die James Bond 2021 Amazon
Shelter Harlon Corbon amazon
Love at First Sight nextlix see blog entry and review
Cry, Macho Clint Eastwood
Carr and the Treasures of the Knight Templar Swedish Movie
Avatar the waterway
Guardians of the Galaxy 3
Everybody knows Todos Lo Sabe’s Spanish movie.
Bollywood movie Meri Dash ki Dhaka
Song of the Bandits K drama b
Cocaine Bear b
Moving Disney movie b
Dream K drama about the homeless World Cup A
Reptile c
Stillwater A
King Maker K drama about Kim Dae Jung’s early rise on Disney A
Ballerina K crime revenge thriller b a bit too violent
Strong Girl Namsoon sequel see post review
strong girl bong soon original A see post review
Eternals Disney c
Doona K Drama B
I Care a Lot American Drama B
Ray of Sunshine K Drama A
Good By Mr. Black Disney K Drama B
TheWorst of Evil Disney K Drama B
Vigilante Disney K Drama B
The Believer K Drama b
the Believer Part two K Drama B
Castaway Diva b
comedy royal b
squid Game Two did not finish c
My Demon did not finish c
the World Left Behind -Post See review b
Fall of the House of Usher is based on Poe’s stories b
Father Stu A
Don’t Buy the Seller -K Drama about a serial killer who lures victims through ads for used sales
Night Agent series
Hostage Celebrity – repeat from a year ago?
Love in the Villa nice romantic comedy
almost Normal Family Swedish Netflix movie
Fubar
gyesang Creature K drama 6 episodes
Havana K murder drama with an LGBT love affair theme
Bloodhounds K revenge crime drama
Documentaries
A note will start watching more short documentaries on YouTube so many things to look at. Also might take a look at the great books documentaries and history courses online and through the library and re-look at Hoopla and other library resources for classics including watching an opera from time to time might get YOUTUBE premium as well at least do the free trial and see if I like it.
Youtube documentaries
Oregon Travel’s top destinations
Southern Oregon overview
Bend places to go
The Empty West Coast
North Korean poverty explained
Appalachia poverty explained
SF Travelogue
Bend Neighborhoods
Grants Pass
Peter Zehan
Turkey
Ukraine
How Trump Could Win
Blues Traveler’s music videos
Big Toad vidoes
George Thorogood and the Destoyers videos
Oscar Nominees BOLD want to see.
CNN —
The strange and sentimental film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” led among the films nominated for the 95th Academy Awards on Tuesday, scoring 11 nominations. “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “The Banshees of Inhering” followed with nine nominations each.
Blockbuster’s “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” each landed nominations for best film, and there is plenty of star power among the nominees. Both Rihanna and Lady Gaga were nominated in the original song category (for tunes from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” respectively), as veterans in the industry were recognized as well.
Those actors include Angela Bassett, who was nominated in the best supporting actress category for her role in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever;” Jamie Lee Curtis in the same category for “Everything Everywhere All at Once;” Judd Hirsch in “The Fabel Mans,” nominated for the best supporting actor; Colin Farrell in “The Banshees of Inhering,” and Brendan Fraser in “The Whale,” nominated for best actor; and in the best actress category Cate Blanchett for “Tar,” Michelle Williams in “The Fabel Mans” and Michelle Yeoh in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Allison Williams, who most recently starred in the horror hit “M3GAN,” and Riz Ahmed, who received an Oscar last year for his role in the short film “The Long Goodbye,” announced the nominations.
The Academy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, March 12.
See below for a full list of the nominees. BOLD wants to See * seen.
BEST PICTURE
“Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Allyson Riggs/A24
“All Quiet on the Western Front”
“Avatar: The Way of Water” *
“The Banshees of Inhering”
“Elvis”
“The Fabel Mans” *
“Tr”
“Top Gun: Maverick” *
“Triangle of Sadness”
“Women Talking”
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
*Angela Bassett in ‘Black Panther Wakanda Forever
Annette Brown/Marvel Studios
Hong Chau, “The Whale”
Kerry Condon, “The Banshees of Inhering”
Jamie Lee Curtis, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Stephanie Hsu, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell in “The Banshees of Inhering.”
Searchlight Pictures
Brendan Gleeson, “The Banshees of Inhering”
Brian Tyree Henry, “Causeway”
Judd Hirsch, “The Fabel Mans”
Barry Keoghan, “The Banshees of Inhering”
Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
Peter Lansana and Ricardo Darin star in “Argentina, 1985”
Amazon Studios
“All Quiet on the Western Front,” Germany
“Close,” Belgium
“EO,” Poland
“The Quiet Girl,” Ireland
DOCUMENTARY (SHORT)
“The Elephant Whisperers”
“Haul out”
“How Do You Measure a Year?”
“The Martha Mitchell Effect”
“Stranger at the Gate”
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
“All That Breathes”
“All the Beauty and the Bloodshed”
“Fire of Love”
“A House Made of Splinters”
“Navalny”
ORIGINAL SONG
“Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman”
“Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick”
“Lift Me” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
“Naadu” from “RRR”
“This Is a Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
‘Guillermo del Toros Pinochito’
Netflix
“Guillermo del Toros Pinochito”
“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On”
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”
“The Sea Beast”
“Turning Red”
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ seen *
Netflix
“All Quiet on the Western Front”
“Living.”
“Top Gun: Maverick”
“Women Talking”
ORIGINAL
s Sammy Fabel man in ‘The Fabel Mans’
Merie Weismiller Wallace/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment
“The Banshees of Inhering”
“Everything Everywhere All at Once”
“The Fabel Mans”
“Tr”
“Triangle of Sadness”
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Elvis’
Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
Austin Butler, “Elvis”
Colin Farrell, “The Banshees of Inhering”
Brendan Fraser, “The Whale”
Paul Mescal, “After Sun”
Bill Nighy, “Living”
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Jamie Lee Curtis, and Michelle Yeoh in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once
Cate Blanchett, “Tor”
Ana de Armas, “Blonde”
Andrea Risborough, “To Leslie”
Michelle Williams, “The Fabel Mans”
Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
DIRECTOR
Paul Dano, Mateo Zoryan Francis-DeFord, and Michelle Williams in The Fabel Mans, co-written, produced, and directed by Steven Spielberg.
Merie Weismiller Wallace/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment
Martin McDonagh, “The Banshees of Inhering”
Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Steven Spielberg, “The Fabel Mans”
Todd Field, “Tr”
Ruben Ostlund, “Triangle of Sadness”
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures
“All Quiet on the Western Front”
“Avatar: The Way of Water”
“Babylon”
“Elvis”
“The Fabel Mans”
‘All Quiet on the Western Front
Reiner Bajo/Netflix
“All Quiet on the Western Front”
“Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths”
“Elvis”
“Empire of Light”
“Tr”
COSTUME DESIGN
Letitia Wright in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Marvel Studios
“Babylon”
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
“Elvis”
“Everything Everywhere All at Once”
“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND
Paramount Pictures
“All Quiet on the Western Front”
“Avatar: The Way of Water”
“The Batman”
“Elvis”
“Top Gun: Maverick”
ANIMATED SHORT FILM
“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse”
“The Flying Sailor”
“Ice Merchants”
“My Year of Dicks”
“An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It”
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
“An Irish Goodbye”
“Ivalu”
“Le Pupiled”
“Night Ride”
“The Red Suitcase”
ORIGINAL SCORE
“All Quiet on the Western Front”
“Babylon”
“The Banshees of Inhering”
“Everything Everywhere All at Once”
“The Fabel Mans”
VISUAL EFFECTS
so.
“All Quiet on the Western Front”
“Avatar: The Way of Water”
“The Batman”
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
“Top Gun: Maverick”
FILM EDITING
“The Banshees of Inhering”
“Elvis”
“Everything Everywhere All at Once”
“Tr”
“Top Gun: Maverick”
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Brendan Fraser in ‘The Whale’
A24
“All Quiet on the Western Front”
“The Batman”
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
“Elvis”
“The Whale”
Year in Review
The Best Movies of 2023
Vanity Fair’s chief critic lists the best movies of 2023, from Past Lives and May-December to Poor Things.
By Richard Lawson
November 30, 2023
Past Lives, May December, and Poor Things.From the Everett Collection.
The best movies of 2023 run the gamut from intense dramas to should-have-been studio blockbusters to quietly perfect slice-of-life studies. Some are splashy prestige productions with the backing of a major awards campaign; some are quirky passion projects, as idiosyncratic as the filmmakers who created them. (In a few thrilling cases, they’re both things at the same time.) Existential unease, literate thrills, devastation and the sublime: they’re all here in this year’s best of 2023 list, ranked from wonderful to even better. Happy watching.
From the Everett Collection.
21. Reality
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A bold conceit is carried out with precise technical direction in Tina Satter’s adaptation of the play Is This a Room, a harrowing chamber thriller that stages the transcript of NSA whistleblower Reality Winner’s initial interrogation and arrest. Sydney Sweeney leaves Euphoria histrionics behind to give a measured, tightly controlled performance, deftly mapping a young woman’s dawning realization that her life is about to change, terribly and forever. Satter adds a few cinematic flourishes, but otherwise keeps the film stern and focused, solemnly observing the consequences of speaking truth to power. Starkly presented and small in scale, Reality nonetheless feels huge and vivid, a light breaking through a dark and tangled web of lies and misinformation.
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From Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection.
20. Blue Beetle
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If we simply must have superhero movies, may they all be as lively and appealing as Ángel Manuel Soto’s rollicking adventure. Blue Beetle is sharp in its political argument—framing gentrification as a continuation of colonialism’s long and insidious project—but also abundant with silly humor and genuine sentiment. Xolo Maridueña is a bright and engaging lead, while Adriana Barraza steals scenes as a kindly grandmother possessed of hidden mettle. A rare superhero movie that successfully blends action and message, Blue Beetle was of course a poorly marketed box office dud. Clearly, some studios don’t recognize a good thing when they have it.
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From the Everett Collection.
19. Pretty Red Dress
We have seen aspects of Dionne Edwards’s film before: a marriage straining under the weight of unspoken desire, impossible dreams reached for and unrealized. But Pretty Red Dress synthesizes what might be called cliché into something wholly original. Natey Jones and former X Factor star Alexandra Burke richly render a married couple—one just out of prison, the other pursuing her West End acting ambitions—as they navigate a pivotal moment in their relationship. A thoughtful study of masculinity and sexuality, Pretty Red Dress is above all else a deeply humane film, letting its characters yearn and wish with all the contradiction and nuance of real people in the real world. Edward’s film, her debut feature, is one of the year’s hidden gems, waiting to be discovered in all its intricate facets.
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Photo: ALISON COHEN ROSA
18. Sharper
A movie of the sort they don’t make often enough these days, Benjamin Caron’s twisty con game is a literate pleasure. The cast—Justice Smith,Briana Middleton,Sebastian Stan, and a fabulously shifty Julianne Moore—perfectly balance the sexy and the sinister, tearing into a clever script with panache. Caron, mostly known as a TV director in the UK, has a keen sense of rhythm and an eye for composition. Sharper is polished and sophisticated but never forgets that it is, at root, a seamy little B-movie. Which is great! May there be more compact, nifty films like this, ones that tell a good story and don’t skimp on aesthetics (Sharper was shot on film) like so many streamer-original movies do. Hopefully we’ll someday reach a time when films like Sharper are given proper theatrical releases again.
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17. Memory
A film about both sexual abuse and early onset dementia, Memory has all the trappings of overegged melodrama. But writer-director Michel Franco chooses subtlety over excess, pulling in close on two characters, played with understated grace by Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard, as they contend with the limits and regrets of their lives. Set in wintry little corners of Brooklyn, Memory has a keen sense of place—and a sense of true purpose, examining the wear and tear of adulthood with sober compassion.
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From the Everett Collection.
16. Monster
The great Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda offers up another poignant assessment of life’s bumpier dimensions. This time, there is an air of mystery to the story, a secret uncovered through intriguing shifts in narrative perspective. What is eventually revealed is a close friendship, and maybe something more, between two tweenage boys both coping with loss. At once delicate and brimming with feeling, Monster has a deep affection for all of its characters, even the ones who behave rashly or carelessly. Which is to say, all of them—and all of us.
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From the Everett Collection.
15. Perfect Days
Decades into a storied career, director Wim Wenders finds new vim on the streets of Tokyo, traversed by a solitary (but not exactly lonely) toilet cleaner (played by Koji Yakusho) as he goes about his work. Told as a series of linked short stories, Perfect Days finds poetry in the banal, though not in the condescending fashion of so many other so-called tributes to the everyday working man. An existential murmur courses under the modest action of Wenders’s film, prodding the audience toward a sincere appreciation of the small moments that comprise any life in the world. The closing minutes of Perfect Days are among the most moving of the year, as a man wordlessly takes stock of all he’s experienced and putters along toward more.
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From the Everett Collection.
14. Four Daughters
Kaouther Ben Hania’s film is a beguiling blend of documentary and deliberate artifice. To tell the harrowing story of a Tunisian woman, Olfa Hamrouni, who lost two daughters when they joined the Islamic State, Ben Hania has enlisted actors to reenact some of the events leading up to Hamrouni’s estrangement from her children. We also see the hired actors interacting with the real family, all engaged in a lively and at times uncomfortable discourse about parenting and politics. A fascinating survey of post-Arab Spring Tunisia and a probing commentary on memory and storytelling, Four Daughters makes grand use of its meta premise.
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Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures.
13. Poor Things
Emma Stone totters and lurches toward greatness in Yorgos Lanthimos’s strange and strangely moving bildungsroman. Stone plays a Frankensteinian creation (a baby’s brain placed inside the skull of an adult body) who, as she grows, becomes a literate and libidinous woman of the world. Lanthimos takes inspiration from the lookbooks of Terry Gilliam and Tim Burton to create a dark fantasy version of continental Europe, through which Stone merrily makes her way, delivering a perhaps career-best performance as she goes. Grim but never bleak, clever but not smug, Poor Things is a nervy experiment that yields oddly beautiful results.
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Courtesy of Heretic.
12. Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World
Romanian provocateur Radu Jude takes us on a rambling, funny, creepingly depressing tour of Bucharest in the passenger seat of a well-used car driven by the arresting actor Ilinca Manolache. She plays a production assistant interviewing potential subjects for a workplace-safety-training video—everyone she speaks to has been somehow injured on the job, and is now mired in a hell of legal bureaucracy. Jude takes aim at his country’s frayed social infrastructure, the plundering greed of foreign companies benefiting from cheap labor, and at a media-sick public who have become calloused to the terrible things that flash across our screens every day. Mordant and trenchant, Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World does not offer much comfort beyond the grim catharsis of gallows humor.
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From the Everett Collection.
11. Tótem
A family gathers for a birthday party that may actually be a final goodbye to a beloved son, brother, and father in Lila Avilés’s astonishing second feature. Avilés sets her camera darting and wandering around a middle-class Mexico City home as various relatives go about their day, busying themselves with anything other than worrying about the man slowly dying in the next room. Tótem is a riot of noise and motion, but none of it drowns out the sadness at the film’s center. Avilés builds toward a climax that is as dazzling as it is devastating, a moment of familial connection both profound and terribly fleeting.
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Pere Mallen, Rupert Friend, Jean-Yves Lozac’h, Jarvis Cocker, Seu Jorge and Maya Hawke in Asteroid City, 2023.From Focus Features / Everett Collection.
10. Asteroid City
Wes Anderson’s latest is both a return to form and a thoughtful expansion of the director’s humanist impulses. The story of disparate people (played by a starry array of actors) trapped in a tiny desert town at the height of the Atomic Age, Asteroid City considers matters of grief and loneliness, romance and existential wonder. Contained in its lovely diorama box is a winsome picture of life in almost its entirety, all the strangeness and sweetness and arrhythmia of being. What’s more, Anderson’s structural flourishes—Asteroid City is a play within a television broadcast within a film—do not alienate as they have in recent past efforts. Instead, Asteroid City finds true meaning in its layers, offering something like a consoling pat on the shoulder—or a willowy embrace—in difficult, confusing times.
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Courtesy of A24
9. Showing Up
Kelly Reichardt offers up perhaps her liveliest, warmest film yet with this wistful, softly comedic look at the making of things. The director’s frequent collaborator Michelle Williams is all watery sighs and huffs as a sculptor who lives in Portland, Oregon, earning a living at a local arts college and spending her spare time tending to her creative output. Reichardt lovingly teases the pretensions and neuroses of a milieu she knows well, while also saying something rather grand (in a quiet way) about what ends art is supposed to meet. Lilting yet sharp, Showing Up is a must-watch for anyone tinkering away at their own passions.
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‘You Hurt My Feelings.’Jeong Park/ Courtesy of Sundance Institute.
8. You Hurt My Feelings
At first glance, writer-director Nicole Holofcener’s witty, beautifully acted comedy seems like a mere light romp through monied Manhattan. But as she always does, Holofcener has deeper things on her mind. You Hurt My Feelings is a sharp and often poignant study of the mechanics of love, how its eagerness to support and encourage can sometimes have the exact opposite effect. It’s a clever and thoughtful movie about white lies and well-meaning indulgence, wise in its detailed observation of human behavior. And what a human Holofcener has cast in the lead: Julia Louis-Dreyfus (who is also excellent in Holofcener’s Enough Said) gives a radiant star turn, as naturally dexterous with the film’s peppery comedy and she is with its bleary drama. It’s an immensely charismatic performance, one that would, in a just world, be recognized by awards-giving bodies at year’s end.
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Neon/Everett Collection.
7. Anatomy of a Fall
While there is certainly some suspense in Justine Triet’s riveting film, it’s more drama than thriller, an inquest into the unknowable. How well do we really know those closest to us? How well do we really know our own hearts, our own capacities for love and anger? Sandra Hüller anchors Triet’s film with a fierce intelligence, never betraying moral judgment of her character—a woman accused of murdering her husband in what may actually have been a terrible accident. Hüller’s is one of the great performances of the year, as shifty and multifaceted as Triet’s ever-morphing film. Anatomy of a Fall is either a murder mystery or the sad story of a mishap, a look at a marriage brought to the worst breaking point or at one cruelly interrupted mid-sentence. Either way, Anatomy of a Fall is dazzling, provocative entertainment, a worthy winner of the Cannes Palme d’Or and whatever other awards it picks up in the coming months.
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From the Everett Collection.
6. Earth Mama
An auspicious feature debut from filmmaker Savanah Leaf, Earth Mama is a grounded look at motherhood, poverty, and adoption. Tia Nomore, also making her film debut, sensitively plays Gia, a woman at a major crossroads. She’s in recovery and is working to clean up her life in order to get her children out of foster care and make way for a new baby she’s due to deliver any day. As she struggles to find work and hold onto her housing, Gia must confront the possibility that perhaps her baby would be better off with another family. Leaf has not made some gritty, exploitative movie that makes a novelty of Gia’s circumstances; Earth Mama is instead carefully observed and pitched in a credible timbre. Leaf has made an empathetic film about choice, which Gia still possesses despite being denied so much else.
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Franz Rogowski and Adele Exarchopoulos in Passages, 2023.From MUBI / Everett Collection.
5. Passages
A romantic drama without much romance, Ira Sachs’s beguiling character study examines the heedless man at the center of an interpersonal storm. The great Franz Rogowski—preening, pitiable, vibrating with restless energy—plays a film director, Tomas, who disrupts the relative contentedness of his marriage (to Martin, played by Ben Whishaw) by embarking on an affair with a Parisian school teacher, Agathe (Adèle Exarchopoulos). Relationships crack and heal and crack again in this intelligent, funny, evocative film. Full of sex and talk (the foundation of so many couplings), Passages rambles, in its high-minded way, toward a mysteriously poignant conclusion: an image of a man somehow stuck in ceaseless motion.
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Courtesy of A24.
4. The Zone of Interest
A dreadful film in the most literal sense, British artiste Jonathan Glazer’s fourth feature concerns itself with the man who runs Auschwitz and his family, a happy clan of Germans who enjoy lush grounds, a well-appointed home, even a swimming pool. The boggling horror happening just over the garden walls is never seen—but is palpably felt, mostly through horrifically effective sound design. Glazer’s film is a period piece, but it is also keen with awful relevance to today; the director is ringing something like an alarm bell, hoping to shake people out of complacency, out of the assumption that evil will flamboyantly announce itself rather than insidiously seep in, corrupting every seemingly normal thing it touches. The Zone of Interest is a marvel of form, but Glazer does not prize style over substance. His film is clear and urgent in its themes, its insistence that the noise we hear in the distance isn’t as far off as we’d like to believe.
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Seacia Pavao.
3. The Holdovers
It’s been a long while since director Alexander Payne last served up a prickly little slice of life. The Holdovers is a welcome return to the forms of Nebraska and Sideways, tart and bleary at once. Paul Giamatti, doing his most appealing work since Private Life, plays a sorry, drunken boarding school teacher tasked with watching one left-behind student over winter break in the early 1970s. Newcomer Dominic Sessa is a gangly, endearing revelation as that problem student, while Da’Vine Joy Randolph provides invaluable support as a cafeteria worker tasked with feeding these messy men while tending to her own profound sorrow. Payne’s worldview has been softened by age; where he might have gone mean 20 or so years ago, he instead turns to ragged empathy. He finds the grace in the shambolic, depicting a tired, downtrodden older man as he allows the springy obnoxiousness of youth to coax him out of stasis. The Holdovers is a very good Christmas movie and a great New Year’s one: a look at resolutions that may really stick this time.
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By Jon Pack/ Courtesy of Sundance Institute.
2. Past Lives
One of the most striking debut features in years, Celine Song’s decades- and continents-spanning romantic drama took Sundance by storm in January. Although “storm” implies something aggressive, which Past Lives, in all its delicate emotional insight, certainly is not. Instead it’s a sad, swooning, graceful look at the journeys of immigration and aging, telling a story about two old friends and maybe lovers. The film follows Nora (played as an adult by Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (played as an adult by Teo Yoo), early adolescent pals in Seoul who are separated, seemingly forever, when Nora’s family moves to Canada. Past Lives traces their initially tentative and then wholehearted reunion years later, as they reconcile the realities of their adult selves with their dreamily remembered youth. Song swathes her film’s metaphysical questions in gorgeous, summery light, crafting a lilting portrait of life in its infinite dimensions and sliding-doors possibilities. Past Lives is a must-see gem of a film, one that augurs many good things for its fledgling creator.
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From Francois Duhamel/Netflix.
1. May December
From one angle, May December is a dark comedy about sexual mores and tabloid nosiness about the business of others. From another, Todd Haynes’s film is a bitterly sad portrait of a life brutally compromised by childhood abuse. And another: The film is about the lie of moviemaking, its necessary bending of the truth and its tendency to pretend it’s doing otherwise. There are many more ways to approach May December (shrewdly written by Samy Burch), a transfixing and shape-shifting film, sly and sophisticated. Natalie Portman, playing an actor researching a role she hopes will launch her into the prestige echelon, works wonders, making manifest all of our predatory hunger for sordid detail, our eagerness to assign a moral framework that defines our decency against others’ lack of it. Julianne Moore ferociously plays a woman who once did something monstrous but may or may not still be a monster, while Charles Melton gives the film its beating, broken heart. Coy and vaguely sinister—while still also kind, still attuned to the multitude of ambivalences contained within each character—May December could probably be endlessly unpacked, so varied are its tones and textures and piercing insights. What could have been a nasty little bit of camp is instead something wise and heady, a complex film whose mind whirs at breakneck speed.
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Kim Sowol A Lamp Burns Low Collection Add 127 To Total Poems Kim
I will this year try to finish reading classic books. I have a collection from Kindle of 50 books to read before you die, in three volumes – 15O books in total See the list below. I have read many of them already which I have noted. As I read them, I will add them to the chronological listing below, also have the Harvard classic. Had a hard copy set but donated it, I have to read it on Kindle alas.
Total Numerical listing
total read (including past things read)
Ben Bova The Star Crossed
Ben Bova Crisis Of The Month
Ben Bova The Great Moon Hoax
Ben Bova The Supersonic Zeppelin
Ben Bova Vince’s Dragon
Ben Bova The Angel’s Gift
Ben Bova A Slight Miscalculation
Ben Bova Cyberbooks
The King Of Bread Luis Alberto Ubba
Goodbye To The Road Not Taken At Homes
The Double Life Of The Cockroaches Wife Edwidge Danticat
Cane And Roses A Manifesto Edwidge Danticat
Persephone’s Rides At The End Of Days Carmen Maria Mcleod
Unicorn Me Elizabeth Crane
Lessons With Father Jai Chakrabrabiti
Iphone S E Weiche Wang
The Hole Patrick Cottrell
Noseless Jack Nawal Serpel
Infidelity Jack Jemc
Death By Printer Mira Jacob
Options Leslie Nikia Amara
Sleepless Michael Cunningham
A Survey Of Recent American Happenings Told With The Six Commercials For The Tennyson Clear Jet Premium Touchless Bidet Omar El Akkad
Unselfie Amy Bender
Home Elizabeth Strout
Love Interests Jess Walter
Escape Pod W41 Jay Robert Lennon
Conquistador On Fairchild
Susan Perabo The Project
Period Piece Mellie Mellon
Books You Read Joe Minnow
A Woman Driving Alone Marie-Helen Bertino
Been Laurie Dandelions
Patrick Dacey All That Gone Is All That’s Left
Jenny Allen Scaffolding Man
Richard Rivers Solomon A Brief
Amal Ruth Rivers Soloman
Note In The Translation Of Winter Women
Nightlife Lisa Cole
Cerati After Cerati Juan Martinez
The Prom Terrorist Rabi Almandine
Bedtime Story Victor Lavalle
Such Small Islands Lauren Groff
Almost Everything Etgar Keret
Where The Candles Are Kept David Eggers
James Rollin’s The Last Odyssey Review Done
Harlan Coben Fool Me Once Review Due.
Joel Rosenberg The Twelfth Iman Review Is Due.
Introduction: Ann And Jeff Vandermeer
The Lens Of Time: Science Fiction As A Way Of Seeing
G. Wells: “The Star” (1897)
Left Hand Of Dog Clark
The King Of Bread Luis Alberto Ubba
Goodbye To The Road Not Taken At Homes
The Double Life Of The Cockroaches Wife Edwidge Danticat
Cane And Roses A Manifesto Edwidge Danticat
Persephone’s Rides At The End Of Days Carmen Maria Mcleod
Unicorn Me Elizabeth Crane
Lessons With Father Jai Chakrabrabiti
Iphone S E Weiche Wang
The Hole Patrick Cottrell
Noseless Jack Nawal Serpel
Infidelity Jack Jemc
Death By Printer Mira Jacob
Options Leslie Nikia Amara
Sleepless Michael Cunningham
A Survey Of Recent American Happenings Told With The Six Commercials For The Tennyson Clear Jet Premium Touchless Bidet Omar El Akkad
Unselfie Amy Bender
Home Elizabeth Strout
Love Interests Jess Walter
Escape Pod W41 Jay Robert Lennon
Conquistador On Fairchild
Susan Perabo The Project
Period Piece Mellie Mellon
Books You Read Joe Minnow
James Rollin’s The Last Odyssey Review Done
Harlan Coben Fool Me Once Review Due.
Joel Rosenberg The Twelfth Iman Review Is Due.
Introduction: Ann And Jeff Vandermeer
The Lens Of Time: Science Fiction As A Way Of Seeing
G. Wells: “The Star” (1897)
Robert Burns Auld Lang Syne
Ella Wheeler Wilcox The Year
Helen Hunt Jackson New Year’s Morning
Marie Summers Enlightened
Marie Summers My God, My God
Walt Wojtanik –Flourishing Florist
David Schnieder Footprints In Time
David Schnieder Soldiers
David Schnieder Together Forever
David Schnieder The Almighty Thresher
Sally Ann Roberts, It All Started With A Packet Of Seeds
618. Linda Varsel Smith Sweedish Meatballs Linda Varsel Smith Lamb for Easter
749 total including Kim Seowal Poems, and 250 of the classics read before) say 450 new items this year, mostly poems and shorter pieces, perhaps 50 books.
Reading the classics
Harvard Classics
The volumes are:
Bolded read
(1) Franklin, Woolman, Penn
(2) Plato, Epictetus,
Marcus, Aurelius Meditations
(3) Bacon, Milton’s Prose, Thomas Browne
(4) Complete Poems in English: Milton
(5) Essays and English Traits: Emerson (
6) Poems and Songs: Burns (7)
Confessions of St. Augustine. Imitation of Christ
(8) Nine Greek Dramas (9) Letters and Treatises of Cicero and Pliny
(10) Wealth of Nations: Adam Smith
(11) Origin of Species: Darwin
(12) Plutarch’s Lives (13)
Aeneid Virgil (14)
Don Quixote Part 1: Cervantes
(15) Pilgrim’s Progress. Donne
Herbert. Bunyan, Walton
(16) The Thousand and One Night
(17) Folk-Lore and Fable. Aesop, Grimm, Andersen
(18) Modern English Drama
(19) Faust, Egmont Etc. Doctor Faustus, Goethe, Marlowe
(20) The Divine Comedy: Dante
(21) I Promessi Sposi, Manzoni
(22) The Odyssey: Homer
(23) Two Years Before the Mast. Dana
(24) On the Sublime French Revolution Etc. Burke
(25) Autobiography Etc. Essays and Addresses: J.S. Mill, T. Carlyle
(35) Chronicle and Romance: Froissart, Malory, Holinshed (36)
Machiavelli, More, Luther
(37) Locke, Berkeley, Hume
(38) Harvey, Jenner, Lister, Pasteur
(39) Famous Prefaces
(40) English Poetry 1: Chaucer to Gray
(41) English Poetry 2: Collins to Fitzgerald
(42) English Poetry 3: Tennyson to Whitman
(43) American Historical Documents
(44) Sacred Writings 1
(45) Sacred Writings 2
(46) Elizabethan Drama 1
(47) Elizabethan Drama 2
(48) Thoughts and Minor Works: Pascal
(49) Epic and Saga (
50) Introduction, Readers Guide,
Federalist Papers
50 Masterpieces You Have to Read Before You Die
Started reading the first one of Volume 3
Bolded indicates I have read it.
Vol 1
Alcott, Louisa May: Little Women Austen, Jane: Pride and Prejudice Austen, Jane: Emma Balzac, Honoré de: Father Goriot Barbusse, Henri: The Inferno Brontë, Anne: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Brontë, Charlotte: Jane Eyre Brontë, Emily: Wuthering Heights Burroughs, Edgar Rice: Tarzan of the Apes Butler, Samuel: The Way of All Flesh Carroll, Lewis: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Cather, Willa: My Ántonia Cervantes, Miguel de: Don Quixote Chopin, Kate: The Awakening Cleland, John: Fanny Hill Collins, Wilkie: The Moonstone Conrad, Joseph: Heart of Darkness Conrad, Joseph: Nostromo Cooper, James Fenimore: The Last of the Mohicans Crane, Stephen: The Red Badge of Courage Cummings, E. E.: The Enormous Room Defoe, Daniel: Robinson Crusoe Defoe, Daniel: Moll Flanders Dickens, Charles: Bleak House Dickens, Charles: Great Expectations Dostoyevsky, Fyodor: Crime and Punishment Dostoyevsky, Fyodor: The Idiot Doyle, Arthur Conan: The Hound of the Baskervilles Dreiser, Theodore: Sister Carrie Dumas, Alexandre: The Three Musketeers Dumas, Alexandre: The Count of Monte Cristo Eliot, George: Middlemarch Fielding, Henry: Tom Jones Flaubert, Gustave: Madame Bovary Flaubert, Gustave: Sentimental Education Ford, Ford Madox: The Good Soldier Forster, E. M.: A Room With a View Forster, E. M.: Howards End Gaskell, Elizabeth: North and South Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von: The Sorrows of Young Werther Gogol, Nikolai: Dead Souls Gorky, Maxim: The Mother Haggard, H. Rider: King Solomon’s Mines Hardy, Thomas: Tess of the D’Urbervilles Hawthorne, Nathaniel: The Scarlet Letter Homer: The Odyssey Hugo, Victor: The Hunchback of Notre Dame Hugo, Victor: Les Misérables Huxley, Aldous: Crome Yellow James, Henry: The Portrait of a Lady
Volume 2
– Little Women [Louisa May Alcott] – Sense and Sensibility [Jane Austen] – Peter Pan (Peter and Wendy) [J.M. Barrie] – Cabin Fever [ B. M. Bower] – The Secret Garden [Frances Hodgson Burnett] – A Little Princess [Frances Hodgson Burnett] – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland [Lewis Carroll] – The King in Yellow [Robert William Chambers] – The Man Who Knew Too Much [Gilbert Keith Chesterton] – The Woman in White [Wilkie Collins] – The Most Dangerous Game [Richard Connell] – On the Origin of Species, 6th Edition [Charles Darwin] – Robinson Crusoe [Daniel Defoe] – The Iron Woman [Margaret Deland] – David Copperfield [Charles Dickens] – Oliver Twist [Charles Dickens] – A Tale of Two Cities [Charles Dickens] – The Double [Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky] The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [Arthur Conan Doyle] – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button [Francis Scott Fitzgerald] – A Room with a View [E. M. Forster] – Dream Psychology [Sigmund Freud] – Tess of the d’Urbervilles [Thomas Hardy] – Siddhartha [Hermann Hesse] – Dubliners [James Joyce] – The Fall of the House of Usher [Edgar Allan Poe] – The Arabian Nights [Andrew Lang] – The Sea Wolf [Jack London] – The Call of Cthulhu [Howard Phillips Lovecraft] – Anne of Green Gables [Lucy Maud Montgomery] – Beyond Good and Evil [Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche] – The Murders in the Rue Morgue [Edgar Allan Poe] – The Black Cat [Edgar Allan Poe] – The Raven [Edgar Allan Poe] – Swann’s Way [Marcel Proust] – Romeo and Juliet [William Shakespeare] – Treasure Island [Robert Louis Stevenson] – The Elements of Style [William Strunk Jr.
Vol 3
This book contains the following works arranged alphabetically by authors’ last names.
Started with volume 3 then will go back and do volumes one, two, and the Harvard classics. The goal is to finish all of these by the end of next year. I almost finished Volume One. Will do some of the WC reading books as well.
– What’s Bred in the Bone [Grant Allen] – The Golden Ass [Lucius Apuleius] – Meditations [Marcus Aurelius] – Northanger Abbey [Jane Austen] – Lady Susan [Jane Austen] – The Wonderful Wizard of Oz [Lyman Frank Baum] – The Art of Public Speaking [Dale Breckenridge Carnegie] – The Blazing World [Margaret Cavendish] – The Wisdom of Father Brown [Gilbert Keith Chesterton] – Heretics [Gilbert Keith Chesterton] – The Donnington Affair [Gilbert Keith Chesterton] – The Innocence of Father Brown [Gilbert Keith Chesterton] – Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [John Cleland] – The Moonstone [Wilkie Collins] – Lord Jim [Joseph Conrad] – The Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe [Daniel Defoe] – The Pickwick Papers [Charles Dickens] – A Christmas Carol [Charles Dickens] – Notes From The Underground [Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky] – The Gambler par Fyodor [Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky] – The Lost World [Arthur Conan Doyle] – The Hound of the Baskervilles [Arthur Conan Doyle] – The Sign of the Four [Arthur Conan Doyle] – The Man in the Iron Mask [Alexandre Dumas] – The Three Musketeers [Alexandre Dumas] – This Side of Paradise [Francis Scott Fitzgerald] – Curious, If True: Strange Tales [Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell] – King Solomon’s Mines [Henry Rider Haggard] – The Hunchback of Notre Dame [Victor Hugo] – Kim [Rudyard Kipling] – Captain Courageous [Rudyard Kipling] – The Jungle Book [Rudyard Kipling] – Lady Chatterley’s Lover [David Herbert Lawrence] – The Son of the Wolf [Jack London] – The Einstein Theory of Relativity [Hendrik Antoon Lorentz] – The Dunwich Horror [Howard Phillips Lovecraft] – At the Mountains of Madness [Howard Phillips Lovecraft] – The Prince [Niccolò Machiavelli] – The Story Girl [Lucy Maud Montgomery] – The Antichrist [Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche] – The Republic [Plato] – The Last Man [Mary Shelley] – Life On The Mississippi [Mark Twain] – The Kama Sutra [Vatsyayana] – In the Year 2889 [Jules Verne] – Around the World in Eighty Days [Jules Verne] – Four Just Men [Edgar Wallace] – Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ [Lewis Wallace]
Tales out of Time and Space HG Wells – Jacob’s Room [Virginia Woolf]
Kim Sowol A Lamp Burns Low Collection Add 127 To Total Poems Kim
I will this year try to finish reading classic books. I have a collection from Kindle of 50 books to read before you die, in three volumes – 15O books in total See the list below. I have read many of them already which I have noted. As I read them, I will add them to the chronological listing below, also have the Harvard classic. Had a hard copy set but donated it, I have to read it on Kindle alas.
Total Numerical listing
total read (including past things read)
Ben Bova The Star Crossed
Ben Bova Crisis Of The Month
Ben Bova The Great Moon Hoax
Ben Bova The Supersonic Zeppelin
Ben Bova Vince’s Dragon
Ben Bova The Angel’s Gift
Ben Bova A Slight Miscalculation
Ben Bova Cyberbooks
The King Of Bread Luis Alberto Ubba
Goodbye To The Road Not Taken At Homes
The Double Life Of The Cockroaches Wife Edwidge Danticat
Cane And Roses A Manifesto Edwidge Danticat
Persephone’s Rides At The End Of Days Carmen Maria Mcleod
Unicorn Me Elizabeth Crane
Lessons With Father Jai Chakrabrabiti
Iphone S E Weiche Wang
The Hole Patrick Cottrell
Noseless Jack Nawal Serpel
Infidelity Jack Jemc
Death By Printer Mira Jacob
Options Leslie Nikia Amara
Sleepless Michael Cunningham
A Survey Of Recent American Happenings Told With The Six Commercials For The Tennyson Clear Jet Premium Touchless Bidet Omar El Akkad
Unselfie Amy Bender
Home Elizabeth Strout
Love Interests Jess Walter
Escape Pod W41 Jay Robert Lennon
Conquistador On Fairchild
Susan Perabo The Project
Period Piece Mellie Mellon
Books You Read Joe Minnow
A Woman Driving Alone Marie-Helen Bertino
Been Laurie Dandelions
Patrick Dacey All That Gone Is All That’s Left
Jenny Allen Scaffolding Man
Richard Rivers Solomon A Brief
Amal Ruth Rivers Soloman
Note In The Translation Of Winter Women
Nightlife Lisa Cole
Cerati After Cerati Juan Martinez
The Prom Terrorist Rabi Almandine
Bedtime Story Victor Lavalle
Such Small Islands Lauren Groff
Almost Everything Etgar Keret
Where The Candles Are Kept David Eggers
James Rollin’s The Last Odyssey Review Done
Harlan Coben Fool Me Once Review Due.
Joel Rosenberg The Twelfth Iman Review Is Due.
Introduction: Ann And Jeff Vandermeer
The Lens Of Time: Science Fiction As A Way Of Seeing
G. Wells: “The Star” (1897)
Left Hand Of Dog Clark
The King Of Bread Luis Alberto Ubba
Goodbye To The Road Not Taken At Homes
The Double Life Of The Cockroaches Wife Edwidge Danticat
Cane And Roses A Manifesto Edwidge Danticat
Persephone’s Rides At The End Of Days Carmen Maria Mcleod
Unicorn Me Elizabeth Crane
Lessons With Father Jai Chakrabrabiti
Iphone S E Weiche Wang
The Hole Patrick Cottrell
Noseless Jack Nawal Serpel
Infidelity Jack Jemc
Death By Printer Mira Jacob
Options Leslie Nikia Amara
Sleepless Michael Cunningham
A Survey Of Recent American Happenings Told With The Six Commercials For The Tennyson Clear Jet Premium Touchless Bidet Omar El Akkad
Unselfie Amy Bender
Home Elizabeth Strout
Love Interests Jess Walter
Escape Pod W41 Jay Robert Lennon
Conquistador On Fairchild
Susan Perabo The Project
Period Piece Mellie Mellon
Books You Read Joe Minnow
James Rollin’s The Last Odyssey Review Done
Harlan Coben Fool Me Once Review Due.
Joel Rosenberg The Twelfth Iman Review Is Due.
Introduction: Ann And Jeff Vandermeer
The Lens Of Time: Science Fiction As A Way Of Seeing
G. Wells: “The Star” (1897)
Robert Burns Auld Lang Syne
Ella Wheeler Wilcox The Year
Helen Hunt Jackson New Year’s Morning
Marie Summers Enlightened
Marie Summers My God, My God
Walt Wojtanik –Flourishing Florist
David Schnieder Footprints In Time
David Schnieder Soldiers
David Schnieder Together Forever
David Schnieder The Almighty Thresher
Sally Ann Roberts, It All Started With A Packet Of Seeds
618. Linda Varsel Smith Sweedish Meatballs Linda Varsel Smith Lamb for Easter
749 total including Kim Seowal Poems, and 250 of the classics read before) say 450 new items this year, mostly poems and shorter pieces, perhaps 50 books.
Reading the classics
Harvard Classics
The volumes are:
Bolded read
(1) Franklin, Woolman, Penn
(2) Plato, Epictetus,
Marcus, Aurelius Meditations
(3) Bacon, Milton’s Prose, Thomas Browne
(4) Complete Poems in English: Milton
(5) Essays and English Traits: Emerson (
6) Poems and Songs: Burns (7)
Confessions of St. Augustine. Imitation of Christ
(8) Nine Greek Dramas (9) Letters and Treatises of Cicero and Pliny
(10) Wealth of Nations: Adam Smith
(11) Origin of Species: Darwin
(12) Plutarch’s Lives (13)
Aeneid Virgil (14)
Don Quixote Part 1: Cervantes
(15) Pilgrim’s Progress. Donne
Herbert. Bunyan, Walton
(16) The Thousand and One Night
(17) Folk-Lore and Fable. Aesop, Grimm, Andersen
(18) Modern English Drama
(19) Faust, Egmont Etc. Doctor Faustus, Goethe, Marlowe
(20) The Divine Comedy: Dante
(21) I Promessi Sposi, Manzoni
(22) The Odyssey: Homer
(23) Two Years Before the Mast. Dana
(24) On the Sublime French Revolution Etc. Burke
(25) Autobiography Etc. Essays and Addresses: J.S. Mill, T. Carlyle
(35) Chronicle and Romance: Froissart, Malory, Holinshed (36)
Machiavelli, More, Luther
(37) Locke, Berkeley, Hume
(38) Harvey, Jenner, Lister, Pasteur
(39) Famous Prefaces
(40) English Poetry 1: Chaucer to Gray
(41) English Poetry 2: Collins to Fitzgerald
(42) English Poetry 3: Tennyson to Whitman
(43) American Historical Documents
(44) Sacred Writings 1
(45) Sacred Writings 2
(46) Elizabethan Drama 1
(47) Elizabethan Drama 2
(48) Thoughts and Minor Works: Pascal
(49) Epic and Saga (
50) Introduction, Readers Guide,
Federalist Papers
50 Masterpieces You Have to Read Before You Die
Started reading the first one of Volume 3
Bolded indicates I have read it.
Vol 1
Alcott, Louisa May: Little Women Austen, Jane: Pride and Prejudice Austen, Jane: Emma
Balzac, Honoré de: Father Goriot
Barbusse, Henri: The Inferno Brontë, Anne: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Brontë, Charlotte: Jane Eyre Brontë, Emily: Wuthering Heights Burroughs, Edgar Rice: Tarzan of the Apes
Butler, Samuel: The Way of All Flesh Carroll, Lewis: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Cather, Willa: My Ántonia Cervantes, Miguel de: Don Quixote
Chopin, Kate: The Awakening Cleland, John: Fanny Hill Collins, Wilkie: The Moonstone Conrad, Joseph: Heart of Darkness
Conrad, Joseph: Nostromo Cooper, James Fenimore: The Last of the Mohicans Crane, Stephen: The Red Badge of Courage
Cummings, E. E.: The Enormous Room Defoe, Daniel: Robinson Crusoe Defoe, Daniel: Moll Flanders Dickens, Charles: Bleak House Dickens, Charles: Great Expectations Dostoyevsky, Fyodor: Crime and Punishment Dostoyevsky, Fyodor: The Idiot Doyle, Arthur Conan: The Hound of the Baskervilles
Dreiser, Theodore: Sister Carrie Dumas, Alexandre: The Three Musketeers Dumas, Alexandre: The Count of Monte Cristo Eliot, George: Middlemarch
Fielding, Henry: Tom Jones
Flaubert, Gustave: Madame Bovary
Flaubert, Gustave: Sentimental Education
Ford, Ford Madox: The Good Soldier
Forster, E. M.: A Room With a View
Forster, E. M.: Howards End Gaskell, Elizabeth: North and South Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von: The Sorrows of Young Werther
Gogol, Nikolai: Dead Souls
Gorky, Maxim: The Mother Haggard, H. Rider: King Solomon’s Mines Hardy, Thomas: Tess of the D’Urbervilles Hawthorne, Nathaniel: The Scarlet Letter Homer: The Odyssey Hugo, Victor: The Hunchback of Notre Dame Hugo, Victor: Les Misérables
Huxley, Aldous: Crome Yellow
James, Henry: The Portrait of a Lady
Volume 2
– Little Women [Louisa May Alcott] – Sense and Sensibility [Jane Austen]
– Peter Pan (Peter and Wendy) [J.M. Barrie]
– Cabin Fever [ B. M. Bower]
– The Secret Garden [Frances Hodgson Burnett]
– A Little Princess [Frances Hodgson Burnett] – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland [Lewis Carroll]
– The King in Yellow [Robert William Chambers] – The Man Who Knew Too Much [Gilbert Keith Chesterton]
– The Woman in White [Wilkie Collins]
– The Most Dangerous Game [Richard Connell]
– On the Origin of Species, 6th Edition [Charles Darwin] – Robinson Crusoe [Daniel Defoe]
– The Iron Woman [Margaret Deland] – David Copperfield [Charles Dickens] – Oliver Twist [Charles Dickens] – A Tale of Two Cities [Charles Dickens] – The Double [Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky] The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [Arthur Conan Doyle] – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button [Francis Scott Fitzgerald]
– A Room with a View [E. M. Forster] – Dream Psychology [Sigmund Freud] – Tess of the d’Urbervilles [Thomas Hardy] – Siddhartha [Hermann Hesse] – Dubliners [James Joyce] – The Fall of the House of Usher [Edgar Allan Poe]
– The Arabian Nights [Andrew Lang] – The Sea Wolf [Jack London] – The Call of Cthulhu [Howard Phillips Lovecraft]
– Anne of Green Gables [Lucy Maud Montgomery] – Beyond Good and Evil [Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche] – The Murders in the Rue Morgue [Edgar Allan Poe] – The Black Cat [Edgar Allan Poe] – The Raven [Edgar Allan Poe]
– Swann’s Way [Marcel Proust] – Romeo and Juliet [William Shakespeare] – Treasure Island [Robert Louis Stevenson] – The Elements of Style [William Strunk Jr.
Vol 3
This book contains the following works arranged alphabetically by authors’ last names.
Started with volume 3 then will go back and do volumes one, two, and the Harvard classics. The goal is to finish all of these by the end of next year. I almost finished Volume One. Will do some of the WC reading books as well.
– What’s Bred in the Bone [Grant Allen] – The Golden Ass [Lucius Apuleius] – Meditations [Marcus Aurelius] – Northanger Abbey [Jane Austen] – Lady Susan [Jane Austen] – The Wonderful Wizard of Oz [Lyman Frank Baum] – The Art of Public Speaking [Dale Breckenridge Carnegie] – The Blazing World [Margaret Cavendish] – The Wisdom of Father Brown [Gilbert Keith Chesterton] – Heretics [Gilbert Keith Chesterton] – The Donnington Affair [Gilbert Keith Chesterton] – The Innocence of Father Brown [Gilbert Keith Chesterton] – Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [John Cleland] – The Moonstone [Wilkie Collins] – Lord Jim [Joseph Conrad] – The Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe [Daniel Defoe] – The Pickwick Papers [Charles Dickens] – A Christmas Carol [Charles Dickens] – Notes From The Underground [Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky] – The Gambler par Fyodor [Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky] – The Lost World [Arthur Conan Doyle] – The Hound of the Baskervilles [Arthur Conan Doyle] – The Sign of the Four [Arthur Conan Doyle] – The Man in the Iron Mask [Alexandre Dumas] – The Three Musketeers [Alexandre Dumas] – This Side of Paradise [Francis Scott Fitzgerald] – Curious, If True: Strange Tales [Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell] – King Solomon’s Mines [Henry Rider Haggard] – The Hunchback of Notre Dame [Victor Hugo] – Kim [Rudyard Kipling] – Captain Courageous [Rudyard Kipling] – The Jungle Book [Rudyard Kipling] – Lady Chatterley’s Lover [David Herbert Lawrence] – The Son of the Wolf [Jack London] – The Einstein Theory of Relativity [Hendrik Antoon Lorentz] – The Dunwich Horror [Howard Phillips Lovecraft] – At the Mountains of Madness [Howard Phillips Lovecraft] – The Prince [Niccolò Machiavelli] – The Story Girl [Lucy Maud Montgomery] – The Antichrist [Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche] – The Republic [Plato] – The Last Man [Mary Shelley] – Life On The Mississippi [Mark Twain] – The Kama Sutra [Vatsyayana] – In the Year 2889 [Jules Verne] – Around the World in Eighty Days [Jules Verne] – Four Just Men [Edgar Wallace] – Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ [Lewis Wallace]
Tales out of Time and Space HG Wells – Jacob’s Room [Virginia Woolf]
An Epistle Letter to Christian Nationalist and Notorious White Supremacist Nick Fuentes.
Note: Chris Fuentes is a piece of work. He is a white Christian Nationalist White Supremacist holocaust denier who had dinner with the former president a few months ago. He recently came out with a posting calling for the execution of Non-Christians and declaring America to be a Christian Nation. In this epistle poem, I tried to change his mind and heart and hope that he will see the light and repent of his odious, vile views. I will send this to him and update this, if he responds.
The following articles provide more details on his comments.
Opinion: Nick Fuentes, the white nationalist friend of Rep. Paul Gosar and Sen. Wendy Rogers, has said vile things … again.
Dear Nick,
After reading your recent rant,
Calling for the execution of non-Christians
And making America a Christian-only country,
All I can say is that through your bigoted,
Divisive, genocidal, hateful words,
You have revealed to all
That you are not a Christian
In any sense of the word.
Your words
Show you do not
follow the teachings
Of Jesus,
not at all.
If Jesus were to come back today,
he would no doubt
Proclaim, he is not a Christian.
There are so many things wrong
With your statement.
First, it is unconstitutional
America was founded upon the principle
That there would be no national religion.
People would be free to worship or not
As they believe.
People could even
Follow
“pagan stuff,
false gods, deities, or demons. “
Second, it would be a legal nightmare
To enact such a proposal.
To execute non-Christians, you would
First have to amend the constitution
To declare that Christianity is the sole
Legal religion in the United States.
Then you would have to pass
Enabling legislation
Calling for Americans to register
Their religious affiliation
With the government.
With non-Christians being sent
To concentration camps
Like in Hitler’s Germany.
Logistically, this would be a nightmare.
35 percent of Americans are not Christians
That means you would have to round up
And execute 35 percent of Americans
0r almost 90 million people.
and that would cost billions of dollars
and require millions of men to join
the military or police to go out
and round up the Non-Christians.
and many of the non-Christians
are armed and will not go quietly
to the concentration camps.
And how would you define
Who is a Christian?
Would Mormons be considered Christians?
Or Unitarians?
Or the unification church, aka the monies?
In any event, this will
Surely be an act of genocide
And a war crime to boot.
Not to mention there is nothing
In the Bible
Or Christian tradition
That would support this horrific act
Of genocidal madness.
As a professed Christian,
you are showing that
You have no idea at all
What Christianity is supposed to be.
Christianity is supposed
to be about belonging, compassion,
empathy, love, inclusion,
promoting brotherhood, understanding
and good will towards others.
It is not supposed to be about anti-feminism, bigotry, fear,
genocide, hatred, Islamophobia, racism, violence against other people.
In short, Mr. Fuentes,
Your proposal is anti-Christian,
anti-American, anti-constitutional,
anti-Semitic, bigoted, divisive,
hateful, genocidal, Islamophobic,
and is promoting war crimes against humanity.
How dare you call yourself a Christian?
How dare you promote your murderous threats
in the name of Jesus Christ?
And it is your brand of hateful
toxic Christian nationalism
That is leading to so many people,
Particularly young people
Abandoning the Christian religion.
They are just not buying the hate.
Thank God for that.
Thank you for reading my take on your proposal
And I hope I have enlightened you
and that you change your mind
And repent of your proposal.
Finally, pick up your bible and read it!
Reflecting on
What Jesus would do
And that will guide you
To a new correct understanding
Of Christianity.
Thanks
Jake Cosmos Aller
Not a Christian – are you planning on executing me too?
“There is an occult element at the high levels of society, and specifically among the Jews, and you know, whenever I see that stuff that just makes me want to proclaim louder and more firmly and more rigidly that it is nothing other than Jesus Christ. No, no pagan staff, no false gods, no dietéis, no demons. It is Jesus Christ, and we need to start saying that name
Comment: If Jesus were to come back today, he would denounce you and proclaim that you ain’t no Christian and are following a false God. and the constitution protects the rights of people to worship even demons and false Gods if they so chose. That is what Freedom of Religion means. End Comment
“it’s the name Jesus, talk about it, say it. Pray to him, talk about the sacrifice on the cross, that’s the answer. Because so many of the people who are perpetrating the lies and the destruction of the country are evil-doers. They are people that worship false gods, they are people that practice magic or rituals or whatever, and more than anything those people need to be when we take power, they need to be given the death penalty. Straight up. And I’m far more concerned about that than I am about even non-white people or mass migration.”
“These people that are that are communing with demons and engaging in this sort of witchcraft and stuff, and these people that are suppressing the name Christ and suppressing Christianity, they must be annihilated when we take power, I’m not calling for political violence, but that cannot have any quarter in our society.”
Comment: “Not calling for political violence? Then why use the word annihilation? And call for giving them the death penalty. Ha Ha Ha. Wait, are you really calling for the death of 90 million Non-Christian Americans in the name of Jesus Christ? Are you insane? If you really believe this, you need to get some help and stay away from drugs, guns and other people. End comment
“We need to put up we need to put up a crucifix in every home, in every room in every school, and every government office to signal Christ’s reign over our country,”
“Comment: No, we do not. Until you repeal the first amendment, Americans are free to worship or not worship as they see fit, and the government can not put overly religious symbols in every school and government office”. Nor is America a Christian country. 35% of Americans are not Christians, many are not religious at all, and that is the fastest growing segment of the population. End Comment.
“: not that God needs it, but it must be outwardly expressed from the interior, that this is God’s country.This is Jesus’s country. This is not the domain of atheists devil worshipers or perfidious Jews. This is Christ’s country,” he said, adding those who are “agnostic” cannot be part of his “America first” movement. “no, you must be a Christian. And you must submit to Christianity.”
Comment: Again, until you repeal the first amendment, this is not Christ’s country, it is not God’s country. And agnostics, atheists, and devil worshipers and perfidious Jews are all Americans too and deserve the right to worship the gods of their chose or not worship as they sit fit. Finally, you are right God does not need this, nor does it need to be outwardly expressed from the interior, that is is God’s country which it is not. End Comment
Epistle poetry form
What drew me to this form is that, with the dawn of the computer age that brought with it email and texting, the letter is almost a dying art in and of itself. So, I—who have always hated to write letters—am oddly interested in writing a letter poem.
BRIEF HISTORY
This form is around twenty-one hundred years old (New Princeton, 1351). The name comes from Latin origins. “Pistola is the Latin word for the letter” (Padgett, 69).
MUST HAVES
–It must be a letter. That’s it.
COULD HAVES OR WHAT IS THE POET’S CHOICE IN ALL THIS?
–Any number of stanzas, syllables, or length.
–Any rhyme or meter.
–Use “Dear __________” as part of the poem, or not—it’s your choice. You can write it to anyone (or anything), and by anyone.
Note: due to time differences (I’m on KST time) you may miss the deadline, but I wanted to post this link anyway. If you miss the deadline, and want my chapbook , “Mozart Blues” let me know, and I will forward it to you.
Dear Jake,
The 19th Annual Poetry Super Highway E-Book Free-For-All is on! At midnight (pacific time) the link went live and all 67 of the e-books contributed (including yours!) are now available to the entire universe for the next 24 hours.
The download links on this new page go away tonight at midnight (the evening of December 1st. Pacific Time)
Soon after I’ll update this page replacing the download links with the number of times each e-book was downloaded.
Feel free to pass this link ( http://poetrysuperhighway.com/psh/great-poetry-e-book-free/ ) on to anyone in the world. Please don’t post a link directly to your e-book file. This artificially increases your download numbers and doesn’t give folks the opportunity to see and choose from the many other fine e-books participating. When we view the statistics, we are able to see whether the books were downloaded from the Free-For-All page or from a direct link and we subtract the direct link hits from the total.)
Thanks for making this unique project fun and successful!
i am again participating in the Poetry Super Highway Free E Book Exchange. My book, “Mozart Blues” will be available for downloading from the PSH web page on December 1 for 24 hours (from Mid-night PST time). Please consider downloading my book and others on December 1, 2023.
Acknowledgment
These poems have been published in the following journals and elsewhere and were written between 2016 and 2023. They were published in.
Down in the Dirt, Spillwords Poems, Ink Pantry, Synchronized Chaos, Former People Poems as well as on my website, The World according to Cosmos (https:/theworldaccordingtocomos.com) and All Poetry, Fan Story and Writing.com
This chapbook is part of the Poetry Superhighway’s Annual Poetry E-Book Free for All event.
The mission of the Poetry Superhighway is to expose as many people to as many other people’s poetry as possible.
What?
A project in which your poetry e-books will be freely available to all interested humans on Earth for 24 hours.
Throughout November we will collect e-books from poets and writers interested in participating.
Then on December 1st, for 24 hours, links to all of the e-books will go live. For 24 hours anyone can download, for free, as many of these e-books as they like…a poetry e-book free-for-all.
How?
To participate, read the guidelines below and then click on our Online Submission form. That’s it. It’s simple. By doing so, your e-book will be included.
The E-Book has to be written by you.
E-books should be in PDF Format for universal compatibility with anyone’s computer.
If you have an e-book in Microsoft Word or another format, please convert it to PDF. One way to do this (if you don’t know how) is to visit the website http://www.freepdfconvert.com/. From there you will be allowed to select the file on your computer which will be uploaded and e-mailed back to you in PDF format.
When creating your e-book file, please keep it smaller than 2 megabytes.
Once you’ve created your e-book (not before), click on our Online Submission Form to join in!
Do not fill out the form and then e-mail us your e-book later. Please fill out the form and use it to upload your e-book to us.
We do not accept e-books or submissions by e-mail. The only way to join in is by clicking on the Online Submission Form below.
On December 1 at Midnight (the evening of November 30), people will be free to download any or all of the titles and your poetry will be freely, electronically, traveling all over the world. This web page will go offline 24 hours later at Midnight on December 2nd.
We will also list your e-book and description on this web page along with the link to your website for all to see.
Lately I have been using Bing AI and Google BARD daily as research for my various writing projects and blog pieces and to generate tourist sites for exploration here in Korea, and in California and Oregon. A couple of times it felt a little weird almost as if the AI program was a real person with a quirky personality and yes, there is a liberal bias built in.
One time I asked for information about the terms, “govbot” and “Libtard” as political insults. Both were reluctant to discuss “govbot” but eventually provided an answer with a caveat that it was an political insult and should not be used. Bing AI refused to discuss “Libtard” telling me to change the subject. Google BARD initially refused to answer but eventually did when I rephrased the question taking out the words used by conservatives as a political insult.” And they both refuse to discuss anything of an “adult” nature (lthough I did not ask anything along those lines) because it violates their standards.
Finally, there are lots of implications for writers. One that came to mind is the implication for the travel industry. Right now Bing AI can generate a personalized tourism agenda for free that is as good if not better than things you could find on your own.
For these poems, I figure that if I label the poem as an “AI generated poem” I can treat it as a variation of “found” poetry. Over the years I have written a number of sacrastic “found’ poems using the words of various people to make a point, adding my own commentary. For these poems, I did not add any of my own commentary. I wonder what other writers think about the ethics of using AI generated poetry? Would love to spark a debate. Send me your thougths and I will updated this if any one responds.
I and some of my friends tasked Bing AI and Google Bard to generate birthday greetings for Jake Cosmos Aller and provided my birthday information. Here’s what they came up with. Not too bad. Perhaps AI will put writers out of business after all.
Bing AI Birthday Tribute Poem
Here is a beatnik-style birthday tribute poem about Jake Cosmos Aller, inspired by the web search results:
Happy birthday, Jake Cosmos Aller!
You are a poet, a traveler, and a scholar.
You have seen the world with your own eyes.
You have lived and loved in many skies.
You are a beatnik, a rebel, a seeker.
You are not afraid to be different or unique.
You march to the beat of your drum.
You are one of a kind; you are second to none!
So, here’s to you on your special day!
May it be filled with love and joy all the way!
May you continue to inspire us with your words!
May you continue to be one of life’s great adventurers!
and my friend asked Google Bard to weigh in:
Jake Cosmos Aller, friend so dear, your spirit bright, your mind so clear.
A poet, novelist, and diplomat, your wisdom vast, your heart so great
. From berkeley to the world you’ve roamed,
in search of truth, in search of a home.
Your words inspire, your thoughts provoke,
your friendship’s gift, a precious token.
In foreign lands, you served with pride, a bridge between cultures, side by side. Your insights are deep, your empathy true, a friend to all, forever true.
Now retired, your pen still flows, and your creativity still glows.
Your poems sing, your stories dance, your spirit soars, a cosmic trance.
Jake Cosmos Aller, friend so dear, your friendship’s gift, I hold so nearby.
May your journey be filled with light, and may your stars shine bright forever.
Another Bard Poem – This one is a limerick.
“There once was a poet named Jake,
Whose poems were fake and quite flaccid.
His verses are so lame,
Were barely acclaimed,
And his readers would often say “Yuck!””
Jake’s Chart -Poem by Google Bard
When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius
Aquarius.
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind’s true liberation, Aquarius
Aquarius.
When the moon (when the moon) is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter (Jupiter) aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius
Aquarius
Aquarius
Aquarius.
Let the sunshine, let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sunshine, let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sunshine, let the sun shine in (oh, let it shine)
(Come on) the sun shine in (now everybody just sing along)
Let the sunshine (and let the sun shine on in), let the sun shine in
(Open up your heart) the sun shine in (and let it shine on you)
(And when you lonely) let the sunshine (hey, let it shine), let the sun shine in
(You gotta open up your heart) the sun shine in (and let it shine on in)
(And when you feel like you been mistreated)
Let the sunshine, let the sun shine in (and your friends turn their backs upon ya)
(Just open up your heart) the sun shine in (let it shine on in)
(You got to feel it) let the sunshine (you got to feel it), let the sun shine in
(Oh, open up your heart) the sun shine in (and let it shine on in)
(Now, let me tell you one thing)
Let the sunshine, let the sun shine in (I want you to sing along with the 5th dimension)
(Hey, and open up your heart) the sun shine in (oh c’mon)
Let the sunshine (and let it shine), let the sun shine in
(Glory day) the sun shine in
(Hey, you got to feel it) let the sunshine (you got to feel it), let the sun shine in
(When you open up your heart) the sun shine in (you got to let the sun come on in)
(Now I say, in the morning) let the sunshine, (late in the evening), let the sun shine in
(Open up your heart) the sun shine in
(Hey, when you’re feeling low) let the sunshine
Another Bard Tribute
Jake Cosmos Aller, friend so dear, Your spirit bright, your mind so clear. A poet, novelist, and diplomat, Your wisdom vast, your heart so great.
From Berkeley to the world you’ve roamed, In search of truth, in search of home. Your words inspire, your thoughts provoke, Your friendship’s gift, a precious token.
In foreign lands, you served with pride, A bridge between cultures, side by side. Your insights deep, your empathy true, A friend to all, forever true.
Now retired, your pen still flows, Your creativity still glows. Your poems sing, your stories dance, Your spirit soars, a cosmic trance.
Jake Cosmos Aller, friend so dear, Your friendship’s gift, I hold so near. May your journey be filled with light, And may your stars forever shine bright.
Jake’s Reunion Dream
By BARD AI
In the realm of lucha libre, where masks ignite the night, Jake Cosmos Aller stands tall, a cosmic force of might. His mask, a kaleidoscope of stars, a celestial gleam, Reflecting the cosmos’ vastness, a luchador’s vibrant dream.
With every leap and every dive, his mask takes flight, Adorned with constellations, a mesmerizing sight. The crowd roars with passion, their voices echoing wide, As Jake Cosmos Aller battles, his mask a symbol of pride.
Through aerial maneuvers and acrobatic feats, His mask dances with the crowd, a symphony of beats. The ring becomes a canvas, where Jake paints with his might, His mask a brushstroke of brilliance, illuminating the night.
Oh, Jake Cosmos Aller, your mask, a cosmic guide, Leading you through lucha libre, with every stride. May your mask forever shine, a beacon in the night, A symbol of your lucha spirit, your cosmic inner light.
Well, it was bound to happen. AI bots now can write tolerable love poems. I experimented with a few and posted my AI-generated love poems below. I did not edit them, although a few needed editing. At the end of this piece, I listed the source sites so you can try them yourself. A few of them are mine, but not labeled to confuse you and me. LOL
If anyone wishes to submit their own AI love poems please do so and send me the link and I will post them.
generated by BIng AI, Google BARD AI, and Blessed with Love poetry site.
AI Haiku
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorm, Lightning
The sound of thunder and rain
The feel of hot rain
Successive weather
Successive, several
one of the coldest winters
a stroke of lightning
Summertime hot weather
Summertime hot weather
Sudden and violent storms,
Exposed to the cold.
Thunder
Lightning and thunder
the cold rain is coming down
they roar through the air.
A love Poem For Angela
Angela my darling, these words are for you
Reflecting affections decidedly true
Your humor and wit is what keeps us on track
Your spirited laugh I always laugh back
We travel the world see sites and explore
Culture, cuisine, couscous and much more
Deciding on details, a daunting task
Where to go, which way, together we ask
Italy, Japan and Thailand too
Sicilian fare that I cherish with you
Tiananmen, Timbuktu, or Toronto
Glorious beaches get set and let’s go
You work hard at your job, that’s what you do best
Your knowhow and skills surpass all the rest
Your charm and your smile just light up your face
I look up to you for wisdom and grace
Savvy intelligence, impressive IQ
Your intellect shines on all that you do
We go to the movies, it’s one of our treats
Munching on popcorn, snug in our seats
I’ll watch any drama with you by my side
Up on the screen, we see life magnified
Combat and court cases, battles to fight
Conflicting passions of wrong and what’s right
When you’re out for a stroll, I now realize
At the top of your list is great exercise
Our lives joined as one our love has no end
Our trust is our bond together we spend
Through ups and the downs, inseparably best
Whether we’re north, south, east or the west
Perseverance guides us through thick and thin
Tenacity bolsters you deep down within
I am ecstatic dear Angela that you are my wife
You light up my world, every day of my life
My love for you, sweet Angela Lee,
My love for you, sweet Angela Lee,
Runs so deep it’s hard to see.
It’s like a fire that forever burns,
Making me yearn for your sweet return.
It’s more than love, it’s more than spice,
It’s a passion that will never cease.
It’s a bond that no one can break,
No matter how hard they try to take.
When I am with you, I feel so alive,
Like I can do anything I strive.
Your presence brings a warmth to me,
That I won’t ever want to flee.
My life is filled with love, joy and bliss,
All thanks to the love I have for you, Angela Lee.
You’re the one that I hold so dear,
And I’ll always be here to love you, my dear.
There’s a sweetheart called Angela Lee,
There’s a sweetheart called Angela Lee,
So naughty and mischievous she can be.
When she’s with me, my heart skips a beat,
And I love her more than any treat.
She’s my special girl, no one can compare,
She’s my life and she’s always there.
When we kiss and hug, it’s always so sweet,
And I’m so lucky to have her as my sweetheart.
Our love is so strong, it’s hard to explain,
Our life together is like falling rain.
So I’ll whisper “I love you” into her ear,
And she’ll know that I’m sincere.
My Love, angela`
Your skin glows like the strawberry, blossoms sweet as the rose in the purest hope of spring.
My yearning heart rises to your violin voice and leaps like a antelope at the whisper of your name, angela`.
The evening ascends in on a great dove wing.
I am calmed by your delicate lace that I carry into the twilight of starbeams and hold next to my heart.
I am filled with hope that I may dry your tears of honey.
As my eyes falls from your eyes, I am reminded of your smile.
In the hushed, I listen for the last splash of the spring.
My heated breast breathes inside my soul. I wait in the crystal moonlight for your secret body so that we may race as one, breast to breast, in search of the glorious blue sensual wings of love.
Your Skin Glows like the Peaches
Your skin glows like the peaches , blossoms sweet as the rose in the purest hope of spring.
My yearning heart rises to your flute voice and leaps like a bear at the whisper of your name, Cutie pie .
The evening ascends in on a great dove wing.
I am calmed by your delicate bra that I carry into the twilight of starbeams and hold next to my heart.
I am filled with hope that I may dry your tears of honey.
As my eyes falls from your eyes, I am reminded of your smile.
In the hushed, I listen for the last splash of the spring.
My heated heart breathes inside my soul. I wait in the crystal moonlight for your secret body so that we may love as one, heart to heart , in search of the glorious black sensual music of love.
Your skin glows like the apples,
Your skin glows like the apples, blossoms adorable as the rose in the purest hope of spring.
My yearning heart rises to your trumpet voice and leaps like a lion at the whisper of your name, anita.
The evening ascends in on a great eagle wing.
I am calmed by your blue jeans that I carry into the twilight of moonbeams and hold next to my heart.
I am filled with hope that I may dry your tears of honey.
As my eyes falls from your eyes, I am reminded of your smile.
In the hushed, I listen for the last splash of the spring.
My heated heart breathes inside my soul. I wait in the crystal moonlight for your secret body so that we may love as one, heart to heart , in search of the glorious black sensual music of love.
For My Adorable Ocean
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
My name is adorable,
And so are you.
Orchids are white,
Ghost ones are rare,
Your covered is chocolate,
And so is your hair.
Magnolia grows,
With buds like eggs,
Your run is long,
And so are your legs.
Sunflowers reach,
Up to the skies,
Your trout is brown,
And so are your eyes.
Foxgloves in hedges,
Surround the farms,
A way is long,
And so are your arms.
Daisies are pretty,
Daffies have style,
Brightness is dazzling,
And so is your smile.
Ocean is beautiful,
Just like you.
For My Playful Seahorse
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Reference is playful,
And so are you.
Orchids are white,
Ghost ones are rare,
Powder is white,
And so is your hair.
Magnolia grows,
With buds like eggs,
My body is fat,
And so are your legs.
Sunflowers reach,
Up to the skies,
A mind is thoughtful,
And so are your eyes.
Foxgloves in hedges,
Surround the farms,
A line is thin,
And so are your arms.
Daisies are pretty,
Daffies have style,
The party is winning,
And so is your smile.
Select one of the 30 poem types below, and our AI system will generate a poem on your topic for you. Choose free verse, haiku, limerick, acrostic, and much more.
This poetry generator tool will write a sad freeform poem for you. In order to create the poem, you will enter a topic phrase. The phrase will be used in the title or body of the poem.
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This poetry generator tool will help you write an acrostic poem. In order to create the poem, you will enter a subject word or phrase. The generator will find words that are associated with that word/phrase. Note: if you are writing a poem about a person, use the Name Poem Generator below.
This poetry generator tool will help you write an acrostic poem using a person’s name. This is different from the Acrostic Poem Generator above, which takes a noun as input and uses that to find related adjectives. The name poem generator uses adjectives that describe a person.
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This poetry generator tool will write a poem using the latest AI transformer models, trained on over 100 billion parameters. Enter a word or phrase and it will generate a poem.
This poetry generator tool will write lines of a poem for you using AI transformer models. Just enter a word and it will generate a list of poem stanzas.
This tool will use AI to generate a love poem for Valentines’ Day. Just enter the name of your love interest, and this tool will generate a beautiful love poem for you.
Welcome to our new rhyme generator. It has 134,000 words with full and partial rhymes, thanks to CMU’s dictionary. If you want more options to get specific words (prefix search, suffix search, syllable search, etc) try our rap rhyme generator. You can also use the old rhyme generator here.
What I need to find is a poetry dictionary that can tell me what meter my lines are in so I can tackle traditional metrical poetry. Does anyone know where I can find that?
Our love poem generator brings the traditional ‘Roses Are Red’ poem structure to life using adjectives chosen by you, combined with auto-generated similes and metaphors. Sometimes our robot gets the imagery spot on, at other times, the ideas are somewhat more abstract. You can either use our poems as they are, or copy them to a word processor and tweak to perfection.
Create a Love Poem | Love Poem Generator Fill in the form below, then press the “Create My PoetrySoup Love Poem” button to create your “original” love poem. Your Love’s Name Fruit: Adjective (sweet, lovable, adorable, etc.): Flower: Musical Instrument: Type of Animal: Type of Bird: Descriptive Clothing: Noun Body Part: A Liquid: Your Body Part:
Love Poem Generator. Enter the name of the person you are writing about: Start over. Other poetry generators: Funny Rhyming Poem About Someone Generator | Love Poem Generator | Heartbreak Poem Generator | Friend Or Family Poem Generator | Name Poem Generator | Dark Poem Generator | Acrostic Poem Generator | Sad Poem Generator | I Am Poem Generator | Haiku Generator | Haiku With My Own Words Generator | Concrete Poem Generator | Manual Concrete Poem Generator | Limerick Generator | Mothers …
Whether its for Valentines Day, or you need to sweep your significant other off their feet, our Love Poem Generator will get the job done. All we need is a Title for the Poem and the name of the Person or Thing that you love and we’ll make a unique Love Poem that you and your significant other can enjoy for years to come.
Poem Generator: The poem generator from Masterpiece Generator offer sto create an entire poem in a less than minute. The site can generate free verse poems, haiku, rhyming couplets, sonnets, limericks and more. Each of the poem generators creates poem based on text that you provide.
Jan 18, 2017 · Use our poetry generator to create a love poem to go with a bouquet of Valentine flowers for your one and only. Enter a few key words and, like magic, you’ve got an original poem. Shakespeare’s got nothing on you. And when words just aren’t enough, let the flowers do the talking. Love Poetry Gen
I finally made it back to California after a three-year absence. Overall, not too bad. Expensive as hell, crowded, too many homeless people, too many druggies, too much crime. But it is not the dystopian hell hole portrayed on FOX News and the right-wing media.
Here are my reflections, along with some photos and some of my Bay Area-based stories and poems.
I was traveling with my wife, her brother, his wife, and their 12-year-old Korean niece. First time for my sister-in-law and niece to visit the Bay Area. We stayed at Travis AFB near Fairfield because the hotel costs were so high in the Bay Area.
Berkeley
Berkeley 1975 Street Scenes
Berkeley Time Travels
674 Santa Rosa My Childhood Home
Free Roaming in Berkeley as a Child
As you may know, I grew up almost 55 years ago in the Thousand Oaks Neighborhood of Berkeley. Solano Avenue was the local commercial street lined with restaurants and called Berkeley’s Chinatown because of all the Asian restaurants and Asian residents living there. It was also along with the hills, the “white republican sector” of town. Now there are almost no Republicans living in the city.
Berkeley has a lot of nice new housing, mostly high-rise apartments all over the place, who knows one of them could be mine in a few years. Solano Avenue had a lot of new restaurants to check out and lots of my favorite old ones are there.
Sad to see some of the Movie places closed, I think that there are only two movies left in Berkeley except for a Bollywood Indian movie theater in little Bombay.
For those of you who don’t know, Berkeley is so much more than Cal. There are ten official neighborhoods according to the Berkeley tourism office. Demographically the city has about 130k permanent residents, with an additional 30k when school is in session.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Berkeley (/ˈbɜːrkli/ BURK-lee) is a city on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay in northern Alameda County, California, United States. It is named after the 18th-century Anglo-Irish bishop and philosopher George Berkeley. It borders the cities of Oakland and Emeryville to the south the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington to the north. Its eastern border with Contra Costa County generally follows the ridge of the Berkeley Hills. The 2020 census recorded a population of 124,321.
Berkeley is home to the oldest campus in the University of California, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which is managed and operated by the university. It also has the Graduate Theological Union, one of the largest religious studies institutions in the world. Berkeley is considered one of the most socially progressive cities in the United States.
The 2020 United States Census[90] reported that Berkeley had a population of 124,321. The population density was 11,874 people per square mile of land area (4,584/km2). The racial makeup of Berkeley was 62,450 (50.2%) White, 9,495 (7.6%) Black or African American, 24,701 (19.9%) Asian, 253 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 226 (0.2%) from Native American, 1,109 (0.9%) from other races, and 9,069 (7.2%) multiracial (two or more races). There were 17,018 (13.7%) of Hispanic or Latino ancestry, of any race.
The neighborhoods are.
The Hills
The hills are mostly white and wealthy. Many people commute to SF or are affiliated with the University. At the top of the hills is Grizzly Peak BLD which features the best views of the entire East Bay. Behind the hills lie Tilden Park, Wildlife Canyon, and Inspiration Point. Favorite haunts of my growing up.
Tilden Regional Park is a regional park in the East Bay of California. It is between the Berkeley Hills and San Pablo Ridge.
Thousand Oaks/Solano
Thousand Oaks neighborhood, where I grew up, lies at the bottom of the hills, and is centered on Solano Avenue which is lined with restaurants and shops. It blends into Albany which was a white working-class enclave back in the day. It was known as Berkeley’s Chinatown due to the numerous Asian restaurants in the area, which are still there. I went to Thousand Oaks Elementary where Kamala Harris went a few years after I went there. The movie theater unfortunately closed.
North Berkeley
Has several sub-neighborhoods and has a BART station. It is also the location of King Middle School where I went as a teenager. There are several small restaurants and businesses throughout the neighborhood. Along Shattuck, the main street is Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto and the home of the original Peets Coffee – the best coffee shop in Berkeley and where the premium coffee revolution started in the late 50s.
Downtown
Downtown has been transformed with lots of high-rise apartments and a thriving Arts District. Sadly, the five movie theaters have all closed, leaving the Pacific Film Institute the only theater in town. There are a lot of restaurants and coffee shops downtown as well as office buildings. There are several rooftop terrace restaurants. We had dinner in the Study Room on top of the new Marriot. Great views, and decent though expensive food. We dropped $350 for seven people. Berkeley High School is located downtown as is the main public library. Downtown is a booming area filled with apartments, resturants and several live theathers including Berkeley Rep. It is also the site of the Berkeley Film Archives, the last movie theather in Berkeley, and the Berkeley Art Museum.
berkeley friends
Campus
the University Campus domiantes the city as is to be expected. there are three student districts near the campus known as Northside, Southside and College Avenue. Each features resturants, shopping and housing for student, faculty and staff. The northside is also called seminary hill because of all the religious seminaries there – Buddhist, Christian and now a Muslim seminary as well.
.The campus is huge and spreads out from downtown to the hills but most of the campus is the center of the campus a short block away from Telegraph on the South and Hearst on the North. Despite the banning of affirmative action, CAL has done a good job – lots of Asian students, international studies, some Hispanic and some blacks, and less than 50 percent white.
Lots of activities on Campus, music, and free lectures open to the public. About half the students live on or near Campus but housing students faculty and staff is a huge problem for the University community. Just west of the Campus is the new home of the Berkeley Art Museum and The Pacific Film Institute which screens classic, art, and international movies every night
“Gorgeous sunset from UC Berkeley!”
Telegraph Avenue runs south from the Campus and into Oakland. It is lined with services for students, and lots of restaurants. Lots of apartments nearby. Used to have a lot of independent bookstores, but a few are still there.
Dwight Street and Telegraph seems stuck in 1969. People’s Park is being torn down to be turned into more student housing although they are going to keep a small park there. Right now, it is a homeless encampment and has been an eyesore for years.
South Berkeley
South Berkeley lies between Telegraph, Shattuck, and Sacramento along Ashby Avenue where there is BART station. It also has lots of restaurants and places to go. Back in the day, it was also the unofficial heart of Black Berkeley as Berkeley was 40 percent black, now it is about 6 percent black due to the high cost of real estate in Berkeley where the medium price of a house is over a million and the average rent is over $2,500 per month.
College Avenue Elmwood Rockridge
College Aveue is just west of Telegraph and is lined with residential housing, including the fraternities and sororities. It also has the International House which is a dormitory for foreign students. Elwood is a residential shopping district as is Claremont and Rockrige which is just across the border in Oakland and borders on Piedmont, a traditional wealthy enclave independent of Oakland.
Elmwood is on College Avenue and is similar to Solano Avenue but a bit smaller. Nearby is the Claremont Hotel and neighborhood one of the wealthiest enclaves in Berkeley.
Gilman Street
Gilman is in northwest Berkeley and was a working-class enclave -still is to a certain extent. Nice neighborhood eateries, and live music spaces
Albany
Albany is a suburban neighborhood just west of Berkeley between El Cerito and Gilman district centered on Solano and San Pablo Avenues. It use to be mostly white working class, but is not close to 50 Asian American.
Lorin and North Oakland including Korean Town
To the west of South Berkeley is the Lorin neighborhood which is an up-and-coming neighborhood. To the south is North Oakland including the second-largest Korean town on the West Coast after LA.
This was the traditional heart of Black Berkeley. There are still a lot of blacks living in Berkeley but due to the high rent and housing costs, the city is only seven percent black, when I was a young lad, it was 40 percent black and Oakland was 60 percent black.
West Berkely/Marina
West Berkeley has been gentrified beyond recognition. Back in the day, it was 90 percent black. I spent my first few years there as that was the only neighborhood a junior Cal professor could afford. It is no longer mostly black and is a hipster neighborhood. Lots of brew pubs in the area. Lots of students live here too.
The marina is on the bay. The bay trail runs through the neighborhood. There are restaurants on the bay and the dock of the Bay which is the site of the famous song.
SItting on the Dock of the Bay
the dock of the bay
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Sittin’ in the morning sun
I’ll be sittin’ when the evening comes
Watching the ships roll in
Then I watch ’em roll away again, yeah
I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Watchin’ the tide roll away, ooh
I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Wastin’ time
I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the Frisco Bay
‘Cause I’ve had nothing to live for
And look like nothing’s gonna come my way
So, I’m just gon’ sit on the dock of the bay
Watchin’ the tide roll away, ooh
I’m sittin’ on the dock of a bay
Wastin’ time
Looks like nothing’s gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can’t do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I’ll remain the same, listen
Sittin’ here resting my bones
And this loneliness won’t leave me alone
2,000 miles I roam
Just to make this dock my home, now
I’m just gon’ sit at the dock of a bay
Watchin’ the tide roll away, ooh
Sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Wastin’ time
Nearby are Albany, El Cerrito, Oakland, Richmond, and Emeryville. I heard good things about Alameda but did not have time to visit.
Berkeley poems
How Berkeley Can You Be?
Berkeley is what it is,
and sometimes
Berkeley is what it ain’t.
tell me.
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Tell me
tell me.
if you think you know
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
How Berkeley can you be?
Berkeley is everything.
Berkeley is the center.
of the universe
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
and Berkeley
in Berkeley.
and you are Berkeley.
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
You have a Berkeley thing going on.
You have Berkeley in your soul.
Berkeley has taken over your soul,
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
And you are Berkeley.
Born and raised.
Berkeley until you die, dude.
Berkeley until you die, dude.
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Berkeley is more than just the students.
Berkeley is more than that.
As you know
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Berkeley is more than just weed and beer.
Which is all you need?
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Berkeley is more.
That is the best food.
In the universe
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Berkeley is more than the best coffee.
In the world
Peet’s coffee of course
Nothing else will do.
If you are true, Berkeley.
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Berkeley is more.
That Cal Football
Which rules?
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Berkeley is Asian
Berkeley is Gay
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Berkeley is white.
Berkeley is black.
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Berkeley is brown.
Berkeley is Jewish
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Berkeley is free-thinking.
Berkeley hate
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Berkeley is free to love.
Berkeley is rock and roll.
Until you die
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Berkeley if Funk
Berkeley is Hip Hop
Berkeley is hipness itself.
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Berkeley is all of that.
And so much more.
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
let your inner Berkeley out.
feel the Berkeley Freak come out.
how Berkeley can you be.
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Join the Berzerkly Vibe
Feel the Berkeley in your soul.
How Berkeley can you be?
Can you be in Berkeley,
Until you die?
How Berkeley can you be,
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Long live Berkeley
The best city
In the universe.
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
And it is your city.
Your responsibility
To be as Berkeley
As you wanna be.
Until the day you die.
How Berkeley can you be?
How Berkeley do you wanna be?
Hark, I Hear the Spirits of Berkeley Calling Me Home. Berkeley
Long Version
Hark,
I hear the spirits.
Of Berkeley
Call me home.
The more I roam in this world.
The more I am drawn.
Back to the land
From whence I came.
Berkeley, California
Is what it is?
And sometimes
It is what it ain’t.
Berkely is a “how Berkeley, can you be vibe” town,
Home to CAL with 40,000 students who flood into the city nine months of the year, University professors, staff, and students,
Yet Berkeley is so much more the ultimate college town.
It is delicious food is everywhere around the corner sort of town, An artisanal craft beer, and spirits, coffee, herbal tea, Kombucha, and wine-drinking city, where coca-cola is seldom served, gourmet ghetto, inventor of the new American cuisine revolution, home of Chez Panisse, the French Laundry, and so many other restaurants, a place where you can find every cuisine of the world at a most affordable price, a town where there are more restaurants per capita than anywhere else, where if you wanted to eat dinner at a different restaurant every day it would take you years to do so, with new places opening and closing every day.
an anti-big box store vibe, yet with a lively small business sector, more restaurants and coffee shops per capita than almost anywhere else, lots of upscale groceries, used have a large Co-op (my father was the President), and ethnic foods markets, organic food markets, Berkeley Bowl market, farmers markets, plus usual corporate chain food stores.
MOES book rules, where Howl was written, where the Beatnik writers and culture types used to hang out, and their spiritual descendants still do.
Philip K Dicks hometown, (Philip K dick dated my mom before she met my father, end personal disclosures) Thornton Wilder and so many other great writers back in the day and here and now, Jack Kerouac and Alan Ginsberg lived and loved there,
Craft beer paradise, the hometown of Peets coffee, still the best damn coffee even though they have gone corporate, the coffee revolution of the late 50s and 60’s started here in the Coffee mecca of the United States, where Café Med proudly proclaimed to one and all.
‘We Don’t Serve Establishment Coffee,
They invented the American version of the Latte” It seems there are more coffee shops in Berkeley per capita than almost anywhere else in the country,
Berkeley is also the home of vibrant tea, smoothies, artisanal spirits, craft beer, and wine culture with urban wineries and brew pubs everywhere.
a gluten-friendly city with the best GF pizza in the world the Berkeley Cheese Collective, a foodies delight,
a diverse although less day by day as it is now a very expensive city,
a very ethnic town, used to have the largest Finnish community in the U.S, lots of Russians and Eastern Europeans back in the day, a city with people, from all over the known world, where 250 different languages are spoken at home, an African-American town, used to be a very black town, 40 percent back in the 70’s now perhaps twenty percent, a middle-class suburb of Oakland back in the day, but with a black lower class, working class, who are still hanging on somehow, but still a lot of my African Americans brothers and sisters hanging on despite the high rents and housing costs, many properties rich but cash poor, joined by so many African immigrants and Caribbean African immigrants as well, an Asian American city, home of a vibrant Chinese-American community, Korean-American, Hispanic City, Ohlone Tribal city, Native Americans from all different tribes still around the city, Japanese-American, Indian-American city, an Iranian diaspora, and now Afghani diaspora as well,
French people, European people, Jewish people, but no Jewish space Lazers yet, Indian American little Mumbai community where you can get the latest Bollywood movies, food, and Indian political gossip,
an artistic city, a creative city, a Great art Museum at CAL, home of the Pacific Film Archives a real treasure for movie lovers, with more movie theaters per capita than anywhere else,
, same for bookstores, music stores,
Rock n Roll fantasy world,
A Motown-friendly city,
A funk lovers paradise
A Blues lover mecca
And there are even country fans.
a musical city -hometown to the Earthquake, Green Day, Jimmi Hendrix’s last high school, Smoke and Fog,
New flash for Tju Dave – hey dude, I loved your song, you ain’t Berkeley enough” just want to say I represent that remark, but I represent Berkeley worldwide dude and I am still as Berkeley as I wanna be, anywhere in the world, dude, end news flash.
the Psychotic Pineapple, Rubinoos, and so many others.
Tower of Power “East Bay Grease sort of town,
A Berkeley High School rocks place, (personal disclosures I was the BHS student body president in 1973-1974),
the home of the song, “Sitting by the Dock of the Bay,”
An anti-establishment sort of city yet filled with students studying to be part of that despised establishment, all vowing to change the world but the world always changes them into yet more high-price corporate drones.
with zany wacked-out politics, a city at times lost in 1969, or lost in the future, A city where being called a “conservative “is considered a vile insult,
a very progressive city, probably the most progressive city in the country, which in my opinion is a good thing, not something to be ashamed of,
a PC is a cool city that invented PC before it became a curse word of sorts, a city where there are real live Marxists, communists, and socialists but no one takes them seriously, and there are a few proto-fascist political science professors as well,
the spiritual home of the beatniks, the hippies, the yippies, and sadly the weathermen
the city that gave us “the Symbionese Liberation Army,” kidnapper of Patty Hearst,
(personal disclosure: the SLA briefly terrorized the Bay Area, and my family during the 70s calling my father “a fascist insect that preys on the life of the people, his offense = demanding that students and staff at the Peralta College be required to wear ID’s to combat a rise in violent crime on the campuses, my father not having a sense of humor did not like my joke when one morning I said,
“Good morning fascist Insect how are you today?” My mother loved it and spoke.
“Yeah, he is a fascist insect but he is our fascist insect” and laughed. My father merely glared at the two of us. End Personal disclosure)
a Political city up the Yazoo town, a one-party town but with two rival political factions, republicans and there are some of them in town, feel like they are an endangered species, (another personal disclosure, my Dad was Curtis Cosmos Aller, the President of the Berkeley Co-op from 1968 to 1985 when he died, the President of the Peralta board of Colleges, who ran for Congress in 1974 in the Democratic primary against the legendary Ron Dellums, end personal disclosure) very few Q nuts but I am sure there are some, just as there are no doubt people who believe in the lizard shapeshifter conspiracy,
(Personal note: I am a human being but once I took an online quiz to determine whether I could be part alien and the quiz said I was an alien, go figure)
A very anti-Q town, pro-science, rational type of town, filled with humanists and secular humanist types,
A hate bigotry town. Where Ann Coulter and her fellow right-wing followers are not welcome,
a town that proudly voted against Trump – 90 percent in 2016 and 2020) proud center of the “resistance” home of Antifa, BLM rules, the birthplace of the black panthers who met at the first African American high school history class in the US in the early 60s, at BHS of course, and home of the Gray Panthers, a city whose representative in Congress. Representative Barbara Lee, was the only representative to vote against the Iraq war in 2003, noting that Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11, to the rest of the country she was a dangerous left-wing radical, to the Bay Area, and me, a real American Patriotic hero.
a very marijuana-friendly city where the joke has always been pulling out a joint and it cool, pulling out a cigarette and everyone wants to send you to jail, smoking cigarettes being so uncool nowadays,
at times, a very joyful city but not enough joy due to the political disputes and anger as people in Berkeley are very into political discussions and are news junkies,
A very frank town where everyone has an opinion and is not afraid to speak up,
bike friendly, environmentally friendly city, a recycling mecca, renewable energy, friendly, where the university engineers are working to solve the world.
s energy problems and coming up with solutions to the climate change crisis, solar panels everywhere, transit-friendly, zip car friendly, uber/lift friendly, BART friendly, walkable sort of town.
at times hot city, living with the constant fear of the mega drought, fires and the big one, atmospheric rivers, polar vortexes, and another global warming phenomenon as climate change becomes nightmarishly real, but most days the same, foggy cool mornings, nice pleasant in the 70s afternoons, then more fog dipping into high 40s by midnight, used to be no rain between April and October just the cool morning fog, but nowadays with climate change, we get rain even in the summer, and they joke there are two seasons now in California the rainy season October to March and fire season April to October, all due to the non-existent climate change hoax,
To the rest of the world, a very “Berserkly place”
a Buddhist-friendly city, including a Buddhist Zen Center, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Buddhist temples a Buddhist Seminary, A Tai-Chi mecca, A centric, very zen attitude sort of town,
a liberal Christian city where fundamentalists are not welcomed, where atheists, free thinkers, liberal Muslims, liberal Hindus, new age types, and Wiccans are welcomed, home of several liberal Christian seminaries, a Buddhist seminary, and now a Muslim seminary all located on Seminary Hill)
A city where making fun of the street preachers is a fun game for the militant atheists of the city (personal disclosures that were me back in the day, I loved to heckle Holly Hubert joined at times by my old friend Julia Vinograd, the bubble lady who used to blow bubbles at Holly Herbert as he ranted about how we would all go to hell for our heathen ways, Holly Hubert is long gone by now as that was almost 45 years ago)
a crazy city. a cool city, and at times a cold city,
filled with the scent of good craziness, and sometimes very bad craziness as sometimes on a bad night things can go bad if you are in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong people, or are the victim of a drug deal gone bad when the guns come out to play to settle disputes, or knives are drawn and people get very crazy or are just unlucky to be caught up in the crossfire, or on a bad trip on bad drugs, just too many damn drugs and too many people whose minds were fried by the same damn drugs, in short Berkeley does have a dark side to it,
a city of big dreamers, a fast-paced city,
but for the most part, it is a friendly town, but not too friendly, A freaky place filled with freakazoids, A funky vibe, a funny town all around,
and you can have fun there as well as get lucky and meet the woman or man of your dreams, as there are lots of young single men and women looking for Mr. Good, or Ms. Good as the case may be,
An Oakland A, and SF giants town, forty-niners (although some hate them for moving to San Jose, the Northern California clone of LA. And Golden States warriors but everyone now hates the Las Vegas Raiders, as much every person born in Berkeley must hate LA, sort of part of Berkeley and the Northern Californian DNA to be hating on LA, the LA Dodgers, and now the Las Vegas Raiders.,
A live and let live z tude, A loony tunes place, A happy go lucky sort of vibe city,
“Hella Berkeley “city, A historical city, A Hippie town back in the day, A hip hop center, A hip city where everyone knows what hip is but can say what it is, what is hip, yal? Do you know? Hipness, like Berkeley, is what it is and sometimes is what is not,
too many homeless people living on the streets city, panhandling, and becoming a nuisance, getting into everyone’s face, destroying everyone’s mellow, lonely at times city where many people have thousands of virtual friends but few real friends.
very LGBTQ-friendly, a feminist city, a very pro-choice town,
An only in Berkeley kind of vibe,
a city where people still read a lot, where newspapers have not died but are mostly read online,
home of a rich alternative press history, although sadly most have gone by the wayside, I remember the Berkeley Barb, the Berkeley Gazette, the SF Chronicle, the Bay Guardian, the East Bay Express, the Berkeley Voice, the great underground comics like Fritz the Cat, reading online Berkeley news outlets just not the same thing at all. And BHS used to have a daily newspaper, now a weekly paper although the CAL daily is still mostly read online.
A very sad town, a special city, A city that would welcome space aliens who might already be there, an OMG place,
a rainy blues sort of day place.,
Robots are a cool city where new robots are being developed every day, a city where people are building the singularity not fearing it,
A Mask Up follows the science town badly hit by the COVID pandemic, particularly the small business that took it on the chin,
the birth of NaNoWriMo, the November Write a Novel in a Month contest, (personal disclosure -I completed three of these)
A poet-friendly place where people get poetry,
rents are insane, housing prices too, the only people who can afford to buy are people with boatloads of money, and somehow there are lots of those types hanging out, and lots of people who don’t have money who somehow manage to get by, who can afford to live here? It takes serious piles of moolah, big piles of money, lots of cash, dollars up the yazoo, trust baby parents, or selling your soul to a start-up from hell, to be able to pay the rent or lots of roommates, yet people still flock to the city, how they can afford it is still a mystery to me.
a stand-up guy sort of city,
student-friendly, kind of a suburb of Oakland and SF, yet doing its own very Berkeley thing,
home of great city parks,
San Pablo Park (home
of the annual BHS alumnus picnic)
Indian Rock Peoples Park
Inspiration point,
Ho Chi Min Park in the 70s
the Rose Garden
Strawberry canyon,
Tilden Park,
Wildcat canyon
part of the Bay Area Ridge Trails and Bay Area Bay Trails which are almost complete, doing a thru-hike of both, the Appalachian, the cross-continental, and the PC trails are among my bucket list dreams,
too cool for school,
sometimes a traffic hell place, BART trains too crowded, pickpockets and other unsavory criminal types hanging out by the BART train stations, along with high school students, druggies,
a “west Coast Rap kingdom, wine drinkers paradise, the former home of the weathermen and other leftist domestic terrorists) a wonderful world for the young at heart, a unique city, a pro-vac place, vibrant, vegetarian, and vegan friendly, yet still offering enough meat options for the carnivores, and still the ultimate university town but as you can see by now, so much more than that, yoga is God kind of town where yoga is mandatory, Yuppie place, a zany city, a zestful town, and lately a zoom work by home town, Berkeley is all of that and so more in short. Berkely is a kind sort of place, unique in all the universe and it is my homeland,
But still, I am drawn.
And want to return.
Before my time is done,
As it remains
My spiritual homeland.
Berkeley Time Travels
I grew up in Berkeley, California
In the turbulent fabled late ’60s
And in Berkeley in those days
Time seems to stand at a standstill.
On the corner of Dwight and Telegraph
Across from People’s Park
It seems to be always May 1969
With the man
Down the street
Oppressing the hippies
On the street
As they smoked their weed
Dodging the bored cops
Who looked the other way?
If they did not partake
And then I went to college
In the valley
As I drove into Stockton
I felt I was traveling again.
In time
Back to the fabled ’50s
Stockton was also.
Stuck in a time warp of sorts.
And as I left the Bay area.
And traveled the world.
I would come back.
To that corner
And just be there.
Stuck in May 1969
Again
Marveling at the changes
That had and had not occurred.
To the corner of the land
Forever stuck in time
And space
San Francisco
We toured much of San Franciso and saw the Giants Lose at Oracle Park.
The neighborhoods are still vibrant but everything is too expensive.
We drove through South Beach, Mission District, Filmore, Haight-Ashbury, Castro District, Noe Valley, Presidio, Richmond, Sunset, North Beach, and Chinatown and walked through Union Square. Ran out of time to fully explore the city.
South Beach is a newly developed neighborhood west of downtown near Ball Park and the vibrant
Dogpatch neighborhood which was recently been officially rated the 17th coolest neighborhood in the world. An ethnically diverse community with and bohemian hipster feeling.
The Mission district is south of the ballpark and is the heart of San Francisco’s Hispanic district. Still mostly Hispanic but gentrifying.
The Filmore used to be the heart and soul of Black San Franciso. It has been heavily gentrified as has the adjacent Western addition but recently there has been a revival of the jazz scene in the area.
We walked through the famous counter-cultural neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury. It still has the 67 vibe and like Telegraph in Berkeley, it seems stuck in a time warp.
We drove through the Presidio which is now an urban national park based on the old Presidio military base which closed in the early 90s. I remember shopping at the commissary back in the day. Cristy Field is a
nice, restored beach.
We toured Fisherman’s Wharf and Piere 39. A bit of a tourist trap but still worth a visit, bought chocolate at Ghirardelli Square.
We also drove through Russian Hill and Nob Hill neighborhoods which are among the wealthiest in the city and saw the famous Lombard Street but did not drive down it.
We walked through Chinatown and North Beach. Chinatown has seen better days as has North Beach. Still work visiting and walking about.
Union Square was strangely deserted as many people felt that it was just too dangerous a place – there were homeless people everywhere in the city and there was a fear of crime. Everything is just so damn expensive.
We drove through the CIVIC center which was impressive from an architecture point of view. Did not see homeless people shooting up and defecating there despite the hysteria of Fox News.
We drove through the edges of the tenderloin. I think that the Tenderloin, the highest crime area in the city, is ripe for gentrification given its central location. We did see a lot of homeless people hanging about, but again no people shooting up or defecating on the street.
The sunset area is nice. We had a great Mexican dinner at Cecilia’s by the Beach which was not too bad. Ocean Blvd was great. The beach was great but a bit cold.
SF Time Travels
Visitng SF After Being Gone for Three Years
In the summer of 2023,
I found myself.
Back in San Franciso
My homeland.
Last visited pre-covid
2018
Touring the city
With my Korean -in Laws
We stopped in Haigh Ashbury
Took photos.
Wearing flowers
In our hair
Our video
Of our San Franciso adventures
Particularly our hiking
The seven hills
And having croissants
And coffee in North Beach
Became a surprise TikTok hit.
Note: grew up in Berkeley, visiting every other year since I left in 1979 Found San Franciso is still a fascinating city to visit, is not the dystopian nightmare that Fox News portrays, but too expensive, with too many homeless and too much street crime.
Use in your story or poem the following – bold these words for tomorrow’s judge:
after our tour of SF and Berkeley, we drove down to Standford and SIlicon Valley. We walked across the Campus and drove aroud Menlo Park saw the Google main Campus. Ran out of time to further explore San Jose and Santa Clara country which is the heart of Silicon Valley. Silcion Valley started near Standford as many of the engineers that started all the tech firms were Standford Computer science engineers including the founders of Google, Apple and HP. And Thomas Edison lived in Menlo Park where he came up with many of his revolutionary inventions in his labs located there.
Travis AFB/Fairfield/Vacaville
when I visit the Bay Area, we usually stay up at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield CA which is about a 45-minute minutes drive from Berkeley in light traffic, and there is a CAL Trans train nearby as well.
It is a typical Air Force Base with a commissary, PX, hospitals, and all the conveniences and it is a lot cheaper staying there than staying in the central Bay Area.
This time around I was staying with my Korean In-laws, and we decided to check out the neighboring cities while we were there. We found that the base had a very nice military aviation museum so it’s worth a visit but non-military-affiliated people may have a hard time getting on base to see the museum.
replica of Fat Boy the H Bomb dropped on Hiroshima
The nearby towns of Dixon, Fairfield, and Vacaville are all worth a visit, as are the Delta towns nearby.
Factoid
California is the rice basket of the U.S., growing most of the U.S. rice in the vast San Joaquin-Sacramento River delta communities which are just southeast of Travis. And they are also the biggest sake producers in the world exporting raw Sakae back to Japan!
These little towns are worth a future visit.
They have lots of outlet malls nearby, the biggest shopping malls in the Northern California region., Vacaville has the Jelly Bean museum which was worth a visit as well as hosting a nice wine and vine festival when we were there.
There are wineries nearby and there are regional parks nearby with lots of hiking opportunities. Most of the year it’s not too hot except for the afternoons when they can get into the hundreds occasionally. It is not a bad place to be based for a visit to the San Francisco Bay area, especially if you can stay on base.
Dixon
My niece lives in Dixon which is about half an hour from Sacramento, and Travis and 45 minutes to the central Bay Area. While I did not get to see much of the city, it seemed to be a nice community with a cute downtown. Reminds me of Medford, Oregon where we were spending the summer.
for more info see the following Bing AI Chat info
Here are some of the top things to do near Travis Air Force Base: • Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center: A museum that highlights the history of Travis Air Force Base and the United States Air Force. It has a collection of aircraft, engines, and other artifacts that are sure to fascinate aviation enthusiasts 1.
• Jelly Belly Factory Tour: A fun and interactive tour of the Jelly Belly candy factory in Fairfield. You can learn about the history of the company, see how the candy is made, and even sample some of the flavors 1.
Note: worth a visit. loved it,
• Western Railway Museum: A museum that displays historic electric railway cars and other artifacts from the early 20th century. You can take a ride on one of the restored streetcars and learn about the history of electric transportation 1.
• Lagoon Valley/Pena Adobe Regional Park: A beautiful park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and a lake. You can enjoy a leisurely hike, have a picnic, or go fishing 1.
• Brenden Vacaville 16: A movie theater that shows the latest Hollywood releases. It has comfortable seating, a large screen, and excellent sound quality 1.
• Wooden Valley Winery: A winery that produces a variety of wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot. You can take a tour of the winery, taste some of the wines, and enjoy the
beautiful scenery 1.
• Suisun City Marina and Boat Ramp: A marina that offers boat rentals, fishing charters, and other water
activities. You can rent a boat and explore the Delta, go fishing, or just enjoy the scenic views 1.
• Vezer Family Vineyard: A family-owned winery that produces award-winning wines. You can take a tour of the vineyard, taste some of the wines, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings 2.
• Rockville Hills Regional Park: A park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and scenic views. You can enjoy a leisurely hike, have a picnic, or just relax and take in the scenery 3.
• Scandia Family Center: An amusement park with mini-golf, batting cages, bumper boats, and other attractions. It’s a great place to spend a fun-filled day with family and friends 2.
• Sonoma Harvest Olive Oil & Winery: A winery that produces high-quality olive oil and wine. You can take a tour of the winery, taste some of the products, and learn about the production process 2.
Korea has great concert venues. On November 9, 2023, I went to a great concert at the Sejong Concert Hall in downtown Seoul. The show was a tribute show in honor of First Responders which is an annual concert. The music was mostly classical and great, the performers were a mixture of professional and amateur performers,
The concert was great – a mixture of amateurs and professionals, all friends and colleagues of the conductor, Kim Jaun, who is my best Korean friend’s wife. She retired last year from decades as the principal of one of the leading Arts high schools in Seoul, and is a choir conductor and classical pianist, still doing concerts and events at age 66! I have known the Songs since my Peace Corps days 50 years ago.
The program follows along with the song lyrics and YouTube video links supplied by Bing the AI Chat box who is now my AI Friend. Amazing what she can come up with. I like her better than BARD. Both have an almost human personality.
Sejong Cultural Center is the top concert hall in the city and always has great events both local and international including during the summer free outdoor concerts. When I was at the Embassy decades ago, I used to go to free concerts all the time as it was across the street from the Embassy, and attended some great concerts there as well.
Over the years I have attended great shows at various venues including Ray Charles, BB King, Psi, (Ganga style) Choi Yong Pill, and various visiting symphonies. I plan on going to concerts once a month from now on.
here’s the program – which was unfortunately mostly in Korean and not on line.
Disney Medley performed by the solus of Seoul Brass
Hector Villas Lopos Gradados and Bachanas Brazileros for Cello and Violin
D Shostatovick Five pieces for two violins and Piano
J Martini Plasir d’amour
The song you’re looking for is “Plaisir d’amour” by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. Here are the lyrics to the song in English:
The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
The pain of love lasts a lifetime
I gave up everything for an ungrateful one
The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
Your promises are like the leaves of a tree
In the month of May they spread everywhere
A wind blows and carries them away
The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
Love is a child who knows nothing
It starts by laughing and ends up crying
He who says that he has never loved
The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
And here are the lyrics to the song in French:
Plaisir d’amour ne dure qu’un moment
Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie
J’ai tout quitté pour l’ingrate Sylvie
Elle me quitte et prend un autre amant
Tant que cette eau coulera doucement
Vers ce ruisseau qui borde la prairie
Je t’aimerai, me répétait Sylvie
L’eau coule encore, elle a change pourtant
Plaisir d’amour ne dure qu’un moment
Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie
Tant que cette eau coulera doucement
Vers ce ruisseau qui borde la prairie
Love is a child who knows nothing
It starts by laughing and ends up crying
He who says that he has never loved
The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
G Rossini Largo al factorum Delta Chita from the Opera Il Barbiere di Sivigila
Here are the lyrics to G. Rossini’s Largo al factotum della città from the opera Il Barbiere di Siviglia in both English and Italian:
English:
Make way for the factotum of the city,
Here I am at your service.
I’m the man who can do anything,
For you, for you, for all of you.
Yes, I’m the factotum of the city,
The most important man around.
I’m the man who can do anything,
For you, for you, for all of you.
and in Italian
Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo!
Fortunatissimo per verità!
Pronto a far tutto,
La notte e il giorno
Sempre d’intorno in giro sta.
Miglior cuccagna per un barbiere,
Vita più nobile, no, non si da.
Rasori e pettini
Lancette e forbici,
Al mio comando
Tutto qui sta.
V’è la risorsa,
Poiché intorno a me
Tutto qui sta.
Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo!
Fortunatissimo per verità!
Pronto a far tutto,
La notte e il giorno
Sempre d’intorno in giro sta.
Miglior cuccagna per un barbiere,
Vita più nobile, no, non si da.
Rasori e pettini
Lancette e forbici,
Al mio comando
Tutto qui sta.
V’è la risorsa,
Poiché intorno a me
Tutto qui sta.
Korean love song
infinite love
한없는 사랑
한없는 사랑 is a Korean song by the artist 김현식. Here are the lyrics in Korean:
한없는 사랑
이젠 내게 무슨 의미가 있나
그대여 이젠 떠나가세요
그대여 이젠 떠나가세요
한없는 사랑
이젠 내게 무슨 의미가 있나
그대여 이젠 떠나가세요
그대여 이젠 떠나가세요
그대여 이젠 떠나가세요
그대여 이젠 떠나가세요
Here is the English translation of the lyrics:
Endless love
Please leave now
Please leave now
Endless love
What meaning does it have for me now?
Please leave now
Please leave now
Please leave now
Please leave now
C Gounod “Je veux vivre “from the Opera Romeo E Juliette
The song you’re looking for is “Je veux vivre” from the opera “Roméo et Juliette” by Charles Gounod. Here are the lyrics to the song in English:
I want to live in this dream that charms me,
And in which love commands.
I want to live, I want to believe
In my delirium, my fever, my madness!
Then let me enjoy the sweet charm
Of this beautiful day!
Yes, I want to live in this dream that charms me,
And in which love commands.
I want to live in this dream that charms me,
And in which love commands.
I want to live, I want to believe
In my delirium, my fever, my madness!
Then let me enjoy the sweet charm
Of this beautiful day!
Yes, I want to live in this dream that charms me,
And in which love commands.
And here are the lyrics to the song in French:
Je veux vivre dans ce rêve qui m’enivre,
Ce jour encore plus doux que l’espoir.
Dans cet ivresse, où rien ne peut m’atteindre,
Où l’amour monte jusqu’au ciel.
Je veux vivre, je veux croire
Aux choses que je ne vois pas.
Je veux que le printemps vienne,
Et que ta main me touche.
Je veux vivre dans ce rêve qui m’enivre,
Ce jour encore plus doux que l’espoir.
Dans cet ivresse, où rien ne peut m’atteindre,
Où l’amour monte jusqu’au ciel.
Here are some links to YouTube performances of the song:
Je veux vivre – Diana Damrau
Je veux vivre – Anna Netrebko
Je veux vivre – Sumi Jo
A Pizzaollo Libertango
A Pizzaollo Oblivion
“Libertango” by Astor Piazzolla in English:
If you love me, I’m like air
Like air, I’m everywhere
If you don’t love me, I’m like a light
Like a light, I go away
And here are the lyrics to the song in the original Spanish:
Si tu me quieres, soy como el aire
Como el aire, yo siempre estoy
Si no me quieres, yo no soy nada
Solo soy nada, nada más
“Oblivion” by Astor Piazzolla in English:
How much I loved you, you’ll never know
You took happiness with you when you left
How much I suffered, it’s better you don’t know
My silent pain, my hidden tears
And here are the lyrics to the song in the original Spanish:
Cuánto te amé, nunca lo sabrás
Te llevaste la felicidad cuando te fuiste
Cuánto sufrí, mejor no lo sabrás
Mi dolor callado, mis lágrimas escondidas
E Garner Misty
Look at me
I’m as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I’m clinging to a cloud, I can’t understand
I get misty, just holding your hand
Walk my way
And a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello, that music I hear
I get misty, the moment you’re near
You can say that you’re leading me on
But it’s just what I want you to do
Don’t you notice how hopelessly I’m lost
That’s why I’m following you
On my own
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left, my hat from my glove
I’m too misty, and too much in love
I’m too misty, and too much in love
AH Malote Lords Prayer in Korean and English
Korean:
이름이 거룩히 빛나시며
나라이 임하시며
뜻이 하늘에서 일어나는 대로
땅에서도 이루어지소서
오늘 우리에게 일용할 양식을 주시고
우리가 우리에게 잘못한 사람을 용서함과 같이
우리 죄를 용서하시고
시험에 빠지지 않게 하시고
악에서 구하소서
아멘
English:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
for more information see the following from BING AI’s helpful guide to the Sejong Culture Center.
The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, located in Jongno-gu, is an institution established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. It serves as a major hub and venue for the performing arts in Seoul, boasting quality performances, musicals, and more.
The building itself is also noteworthy as it reinterprets an antiquated Korean architectural style in a modern style.
Comprising three basement floors and six ground floors, the center consists of a large theater, a small theater, an art museum, a convention center, a conference hall, a seminar hall, a fountain plaza, and a deck plaza, as well as the Schengen annex.
The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is easily accessible as it is located at the center of the city; visitors can take the subway and get off Gwangwhamoon Station (Exit 1) or other modes of transportation to Sejong-aero.
the other major cultural centers are according to Bing AI chat bot
Seoul: There are two Korean cultural centers in Seoul.
The first one is the Korean Cultural Center Seoul (한국문화원 서울), located at 194, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The nearest subway stop is Kapyeong Station (Line 6), Exit 2. The phone number is 02-2071-9000. The ticket information and web link are [here].
The second one is the National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관), located at 137, Sobbing-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The nearest subway stop is Icon Station (Line 4), Exit 2. The phone number is 02-2077-9000. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Busan: There is one Korean cultural center in Busan.
It is the Busan Museum of Art (부산시립미술관), located at 58, APEC-ro, Haneda-gu, Busan. The nearest subway stop is BEXCO Station (Line 2), Exit 5. The phone number is 051-744-2602. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Daegu: There is a Korean cultural center in Daegu.
It is the Daegu Art Museum (대구시립미술관), located at 374, Sadako-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu. The nearest subway stop is Daeok Station (Line 2), Exit 2. The phone number is 053-790-3000. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Gwangju: There is one Korean cultural center in Gwangju.
It is the Gwangju Museum of Art (광주시립미술관), located at 52, Haze-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju. The nearest subway stop is Germanna 4-ga Station (Line 1), Exit 1. The phone number is 062-613-7100. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Daejeon: There is one Korean cultural center in Daejeon.
It is the Daejeon Museum of Art (대전시립미술관), located at 396, Manny eon-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon. The nearest subway stop is Government Complex Daejeon Station (Line 1), Exit 3. The phone number is 042-270-1500. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Ulsan: There is one Korean cultural center in Ulsan.
It is the Ulsan Museum (울산박물관), located at 45, Ulsan Dahak-ro, Nam-gu, Ulsan. The nearest subway stop is Ulsan University Station (Line 1), Exit 1. The phone number is 052-226-2200. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Jeju: There is one Korean cultural center in Jeju.
It is the Jeju National Museum (제주국립박물관), located at 19, Eluding-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do. The nearest bus stop is Jeju National Museum (Bus 100, 502, 820). The phone number is 064-720-8000. The ticket information and web link are [here].
Other concert venues
Seoul
Olympic Hall: Located in Songpa-gu, Seoul, Olympic Hall is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Olympic Park subway station (Line 5) and can be reached by taking Exit 3. For more information, you can visit their website at olympicpark.co.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
Jamsil Arena: Jamsil Arena is another popular concert venue located in Songpa-gu, Seoul. It is located near the Sports Complex subway station (Line 2) and can be reached by taking Exit 6. For more information, you can visit their website at jamsilarena.co.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
Seoul Arts Center: Located in Seocho-gu, Seoul, the Seoul Arts Center is a large complex that includes several performance halls. The center is located near the Nambu Bus Terminal subway station (Line 3) and can be reached by taking Exit 5. For more information, you can visit their website at sac.or.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
Seoul
Blue Square: Located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Blue Square is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Hangangjin subway station (Line 6) and can be reached by taking Exit 2. For more information, you can visit their website at bluesquare.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
Yes24 Live Hall: Located in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Yes24 Live Hall is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Konkuk University subway station (Line 2) and can be reached by taking Exit 6. For more information, you can visit their website at yes24livehall.com. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
MUV Hall: Located in Mapo-gu, Seoul, MUV Hall is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Hongik University subway station (Line 2) and can be reached by taking Exit 9. For more information, you can visit their website at muvhall.com. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
Gyeonggi
Ansan Arts Center: Located in Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Ansan Arts Center is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Ansan subway station (Line 4) and can be reached by taking Exit 1. For more information, you can visit their website at ansanart.com. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
Pyeongtaek Cultural Center: Located in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, Pyeongtaek Cultural Center is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Pyeongtaek subway station (Line 1) and can be reached by taking Exit 1. For more information, you can visit their website at ptcc.or.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
Incheon
Incheon Culture & Arts Center: Located in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, Incheon Culture & Arts Center is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Incheon City Hall subway station (Line 1) and can be reached by taking Exit 3. For more information, you can visit their website at icac.or.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
Incheon Grand Park: Located in Namdong-gu, Incheon, Incheon Grand Park is a popular venue for outdoor concerts and other events. It is located near the Jemulpo-gu Office subway station (Incheon Line 1) and can be reached by taking Exit 2. For more information, you can visit their website at grandpark.incheon.go.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event
Busan
Busan Cultural Center: Located in Busanjin-gu, Busan, the Busan Cultural Center is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It is located near the Buam subway station (Line 2) and can be reached by taking Exit 1. For more information, you can visit their website at bcco.or.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
Busan Cinema Center: Located in Centum City, Busan, the Busan Cinema Center is a unique venue that includes a large outdoor screen as well as several indoor theaters. It is located near the Centum City subway station (Line 2) and can be reached by taking Exit 12. For more information, you can visit their website at biff.kr. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
Here is a list of concert venues in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon with their location, contact information, and web links:
I have been a COSTCO member since 1998. I love COSTCO. It is one of the best corporations in the world and always does things right. In short, they have Soul. My home COSTCO was the Springfield, VA COSTCO, and the MEDFORD COSTCO and here in Korea, the Ilsang COSTCO and before that the SONGDO COSTCO, but I have shopped at many other COSTCO’s over the years.
Here are some of my Ode to COSTCO poems. I will send it to COSTCO HQ and report back if they respond.
BING AI provides some background to start us off.
COSTCO is an American multinational corporation that operates a chain of membership-only big-box retail stores, also known as warehouse clubs or wholesale clubs. COSTCO sells a wide range of products, from groceries and electronics to furniture and clothing, at discounted prices. COSTCO also offers services such as gas stations, pharmacies, optical centers, travel packages, and more. COSTCO is known for its Kirkland Signature brand, which is its private label of products that are often of high quality and low cost. COSTCO is also famous for its rotisserie chicken, hot dogs, and pizza, which are sold at its food courts.
COSTCO’s history dates back to 1976, when Sol Price, a pioneer in warehouse club retailing, opened the first Price Club in San Diego, California. Price Club was the world’s first membership warehouse club, a place where efficient buying and operating practices gave members access to unmatched savings. Price Club targeted small business owners, who could buy items in bulk for their use or resale. Price Club expanded rapidly, opening stores across the US and Canada.
In 1983, James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman, two former Price Club executives, opened the first COSTCO in Seattle, Washington. COSTCO followed a similar business model as Price Club but also catered to individual consumers as well as businesses. COSTCO also differentiated itself by offering a wider selection of products, including fresh produce, meat, seafood, bakery, and deli items. COSTCO also introduced its Kirkland Signature brand in 1992, which soon became a hallmark of its quality and value proposition. COSTCO grew quickly, opening stores in various states and countries.
In 1993, Price Club and COSTCO merged to form Price/COSTCO, a company that combined the strengths and expertise of both warehouse clubs. The merger created the largest membership warehouse club chain in the world, with over 200 locations and 22 million members. In 1997, the company changed its name to COSTCO Companies, Inc., and in 1999, it adopted its current name, COSTCO Wholesale Corporation.
Today, COSTCO is the third largest retailer in the world and the largest retailer of choice and prime beef, organic foods, rotisserie chicken, and wine. COSTCO has over 860 warehouses worldwide, serving more than 127 million members in 14 countries. COSTCO’s mission is to continually provide its members with quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. COSTCO’s vision is to be the most respected and successful warehouse club in the world.
This poem is about the narrator’s love for COSTCO, and how he finds everything he needs and wants there, including his soulmate.
I love going to COSTCO.
The lines are always worth the wait.
The people are always friendly.
The carts are always full of goodies.
The prices are always low.
The products are always high-quality.
The samples are always delicious.
The parking lot is always spacious.
I don’t want to go anywhere else.
COSTCO is my paradise.
COSTCO is my home.
COSTCO is my everything.
I find everything I need.
And want at COSTCO.
Food and drinks
And clothes and books.
Gadgets and toys,
And tools and furniture.
Jewelry and flowers,
And art and travel.
And most importantly,
Love.
COSTCO Wedding
I met my soul mate
while shopping at COSTCO
in suburban Virginia.
We were both reaching
For the last rotisserie chicken.
We locked eyes
and smiled.
sparks flew
from heart to heart
we shared coffee
and pizza
and talked
until they kicked us out
We decided
To share the chicken
And our lives.
We got married at COSTCO,
In front of the giant teddy bear.
the store general manager
We exchanged rings
From the jewelry section.
We cut a cake from the bakery.
the general manager
officiated the ceremony
attended by customers, family
and friends
shown on ZOOM
at every COSTCO
as this was the first
COSTCO Wedding!
We toasted with
Kirkland Signature champagne.
We danced to the music
From the electronics department.
We spent our honeymoon
At COSTCO in Spain.
In a tent
From the camping section.
We made love on a mattress
From the bedding section.
We cuddled under a blanket
From the home section
We dreamed of our future
At COSTCO.
Raising our kids,
And growing old together.
Shopping,
And saving
And living and loving
At COSTCO.
note: Not a true story, although we both love our COSTCO.
Lost Bag Nightmare
I am at a crowded cafeteria and a college campus I am an underground agent for the government and we are tracking the movements of a potential terrorist who has threatened to kill Palestinians and or Jewish kids at this college,
I put down my bag on on a counter and we went to track down the terrorists when we finished arresting them, avoiding a huge incident when we finished arresting the terrorists. I go back and find that my bag is completely gone.
I don’t know what to do. I lost my laptop and my phone and some money in it, and a library book.
I was devastated as I had lost my bag. I also realized I was stupid for leaving the bag unattended so I called my wife who was out of town. And she agreed I could go to COSTCO to replace the phone and the computer.
I arranged to do that but I missed my computer and missed my phone and I am upset at how stupid and careless I had been.
COSTCO Goes Green
thoughts while walking through COSTCO one day.
COSTCO announces a bold new strategy to combat climate change. They will put in every COSTCO warehouse and office building around the world solar panels and mini wind turbines to generate enough power to run their warehouses off the grid and to sell the power back to the local utilities if there is any excess power.
They also in some areas agreed to install geothermal water heating and solar water heating everywhere.
They also agree to fund local bus service so people can get to and from COSTCO from the nearest metro subway systems and they challenge Walmart, Sam’s, Target, and other large big box stores worldwide to follow suit. Most of them agreed to do so and join COSTO in forming the Green Business Alliance which will bring together the Corporate sector to jointly work on climate and renewable energy initiatives with governments and the academic sector, vowing to hold a COSTCO Foundation Green Energy annual summit bringing together business, academic and Government leaders to make concrete progress.
COSTCO said that saving the planet is the most important thing that they could do and that they would be fully supportive of a new Green Deal. They also will sell COSTCO renewable energy supplies and they will set up a renewable energy research corporation to help companies and individuals install renewable energy systems.
The progressive left hails COSTCO and conservatives denounce COSTCO for going “woke”. The public slides with COSTCO’s reputation and sales go way up.
Letter to COSTCO
Dear COSTCO
I have been a member since 1998. I have long admired your corporation for being a great corporation with progressive values. You are a leader in so many areas, not to mention that you are a great company to work for, sell great products at a great price, and have the best customer service in the world.
You do so many things you do right , and thank you for that, for all the good that you do every day. I would like to suggest that you do much more to combat climate change and become a leader in combating climate change, which as you are no doubt aware is an existential crisis. Climate change and the need to shift to a new Green Deal are imperative if we want to save the entire planet.
There are many things that corporations could do and it’s time for COSTCO to step up to do their part. At a minimum, I would recommend that you commit to putting in every single COSTCO warehouse worldwide solar panels on the rooftops and in shading over the car lots, and mini wind turbines so that each COSTCO will be carbon neutral and self-sufficient in terms of energy. This should also include setting up water harvesting systems so that all the water will be self-generated and solar water heaters as well. Excess power could be sold back to the local utilities at cost. I would also greatly expand electric vehicle charging stations.
COSTCO is unfortunately not that accessible to people without public transit. This is something that COSTCO should address. At a minimum, they should set up a free shuttle bus system going employees, visitors, and members taking people from the nearest metro subway stop to COSTCO and this should run during COSTCO business hours starting about 1/2 an hour before the opening of business ending a half an hour after the close of business. It should be free to the public and should run every half hour. This would be a very simple and cost-effective way to make sure that people can easily access COSTCO corporation shops and COSTCO should also consider contributing money to the local public transit companies to expand bus service in the COSTCO neighborhoods that they serve.
I would suggest you call upon your colleagues in the big box industries around the world to do the same, committing to addressing climate change, transit accessibility, and water conservation policies in every store worldwide. If COSTCO steps up and takes the lead, Walmart, Target and the other big market companies will feel they need to do the same. This commitment will make a tremendous difference around the world and it would not cost her much to do so in fact it would save money on energy for all your COSTCO operations worldwide
I’m asking you to commit to making every single COSTCO a green energy building do it for the sake of the planet thank you.
I have blogged about my positive experiences with COSTCO here and feel free to publish any of my COSTCO poems on your website and your magazines. Thanks again for doing everything you do.
As some of you might know, I have been following a fitness regime for many years. I offer these tips to you because I believe anyone can improve their health through daily exercise, and a better diet. It is never too late to get in shape! Let me know your fitness tips and I will share them here.
Here are some of my tips for physical fitness and suggestions. It must be working. I am usually about 187 pounds and don’t take any prescription drugs, my cholesterol levels are good as are my blood sugar levels although they are a bit higher than I want them to be. I suffer from Fibromyalgia, arthritis, and hammer toes. I also exercise daily, riding on my exercise bike while looking at my emails, and FB feeds, studying Korean, and going for a three-mile walk at least four times a month. Lately, I bought a pull-up bar and installed it on the doorway, and I do it periodically throughout the day, squats, and swings, working my way up to doing pull-ups. I write in my journal every morning, and I also go for a walk every day and play the piano daily. I eat a lot of homemade food including Kefir, and Kombucha. and I am gluten-free.
here are my diet recommendations, my physical exercise regime, my daily writing regime, and my piano-playing regime.
I hope it inspires you to take charge of your physical and mental fitness.
Coffee
I start my day by drinking coffee and watching the news while writing in my journals.
The first two cups are fully loaded – coffee, decaf, with yoga detox tea, cinnamon, nutmeg, and milk.
perfect cup of coffee
greatest comfort food is coffee
snarling cup of coffee
The first two cups are fully loaded – coffee, decafe, with yoga detox tea, cinnamon, wormwood tea,. nutmeg, and milk.
Sometimes I add in protein plant superfoods from Costco containing the following:
When we moved to Yeongjong island, near the Incheon Airport, we found that we would be deprived of two of our three favorite miracle foods, Kombucha and Kefir. But we were pleasantly surprised to find we could order our third favorite health food item, wheat grass for home delivery. Have not seen it in the stores but have seen it in some smoothie places as well as home delivery. best to mix it in a smoothie. Wheatgrass juice does not taste that great!
Living in Oregon was great. Kombucha is everywhere. Costco carries Kombucha everywhere except in Korea. The best brand we found was Gingerade. But I liked sampling the kombucha everywhere, several bars brew it on-site and you can fill up a growler and take it home.
What is Kombucha, you ask? It is fermented tea, filled with powerful probiotics and it is so good for your health. It does contain 1 percent alcohol so that should not get you into trouble with the new draconian drunk driving laws here in Korea!
Since neither the Commissary nor Costco nor anyone else carried it, or even knew what it was, we decided that we had to brew it ourselves. The starter kit we brought with us had gone bad. So, we bought kombucha from Amazon and used that and the leftover starter kit to get started.
We used green tea as the base. Straight black tea and jasmine tea will work but not Earl Grey due to the bergamot oil in the tea.
We brewed up several gallons of tea, added sugar, the starter kit, and the cans of kombucha. Then we put it in a sprouted warmer kit ordered from Amazon and wrapped another gallon in an electric blanket. You have to keep the kombucha at about 80 degrees F (26.67 Celsius).
Then we waited for six weeks. Finally ready to go today and we bottled it and started our next batch!
Here’s what it looks like with the scuzzy taken out of the kombucha.
Making Kefir was easy, we’ve been making it for years. We had started kits we bought in Oregon before we left. Just got some organic milk and we were in business. If you have to use Korean milk, make sure it is full-fat milk, 2 percent makes watery kefir. There are recipes for using almond milk, coconut milk, and rice milk but we have not used them because we heard it would be pretty watery. Might want to try Goat milk sometime though. The Commissary’s organic full-fat Milk is perfect. You can also buy Kefir at the Commissary just to see if you like it but their Kefir has extra sugar in it and I am not sure it would be a good starter mix. Best to order the starter kits from Amazon (they will be delivered to a local address) and you should not have any problems. But with both be sure you sanitize your containers with hot boiling water before making either kombucha or kefir. Need to keep stray random non-cultured bacteria out of the mix.
See below for articles on the health benefits of Kombucha and Kefir, articles on how to make it, and where to buy it locally.
As a personal testimony a few years ago, I noticed that I did not have hay fever in the Spring. I used to have to make a trip to the urgent care/ER because I got so inflamed that I could not even open my eyes and I was sneezing so bad. The medicine they gave me worked a bit but I mostly just suffered. Then I started eating kefir for breakfast and drinking Kombucha and my hay fever disappeared.!
TEAZEN is another company that offers kombucha in powder stick form, which you can mix with water or juice. They claim to be the world’s first to introduce this convenient way of consuming kombucha. You can also order their products online from their website3 or find them in some supermarkets and convenience stores.
Homebrewing is an option if you want to make your kombucha at home. You will need a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast), tea, sugar, and a glass jar. You can buy a SCOBY online or get one from a friend who already brews kombucha. Some online tutorials and recipes can guide you through the process of making your kombucha.
Make your kefir at home with kefir grains and milk. Kefir grains are a mixture of bacteria and yeast that ferment milk and produce kefir. You can buy kefir grains online or get them from someone who already makes kefir. You will also need a glass jar, a cloth, and a rubber band to cover the jar. Many online guides and videos can show you how to make kefir at home1.
Visiting a kefir cafe where you can enjoy fresh kefir drinks and other products made with kefir, such as smoothies, ice cream, or cheese. Some examples of kefir cafes in Korea are Kefir Lab in Seoul, Kefir House in Busan, and Kefir Story in Daegu.
Ode to Kombucha
kombucha
We have finally mastered the art of brewing home Kombucha and are enjoying a glass of this miracle drink every morning along with our homemade kefir and our power smoothies. If I keep this up, I will live to be a hundred years old. Only 45 more years to go….
Kombucha
Only drink it in the morning
Morning Delight
By the dawning sun
Up at the morning dawn
Can’t wait for my morning cup
Have to have my kombucha
At least once a day.
Ode to Kefir
Kefir
Everyday
Food of the gods
In every way
Radiant health will follow.
THE SIMPLE GUIDE TO KICKASS KOMBUCHA
It’s a big day everyone! The day your intestinal microbiota has been begging you for. The day you say goodbye to expensive store-bought kombucha. The day you become a brewmaster I impart to you the secrets of homemade kombucha!
The goal of this guide is to be your one-stop shop for homemade kombucha brewage, from SCOBY-less to fermented perfection. No hopping around the interwebs. No fuss. No confusion. Because making homemade kombucha is so simple (albeit a bit slow), and I hope after reading this you’ll give it a whirl! Let’s hope right to it.
This post will go into detail about each step in the process of making kombucha. For succinct instructions, scroll to the bottom where a recipe card lays out the basics of making homemade kombucha. The general order of things goes something like this (you can jump around this tutorial by clicking the links below):
Before we start, here are some general notes that are consistent throughout the whole homemade kombucha process.
No metal or plastic containers. Metal can react with the acidic kombucha and hurt your SCOBY, while plastic can house nasty bacteria that you don’t want sneaking in.
Cleaning is key. A recurring theme in kombucha brewing is that EVERYTHING must be CLEAN! We’re creating the perfect environment for good bacterial growth, but if a bad bacteria slip in, it could ruin your batch (and make you pretty sick).
Temperature plays a role. Fermentation goes a bit quicker in warmer temperatures, and a bit slower in colder weather.
No mold zone. If you see any mold growing on your SCOBY or in the tea (which I understand can be difficult to discern from the hideous SCOBY, but will generally be green, white, or black), then toss your whole batch.
Milk kefir is not only easy to make, but it is a delicious, probiotic-rich, versatile beverage your whole family can enjoy. Whether you are just exploring how to make milk kefir at home or have cultured dairy before, this video and instructions are here to help make culturing milk kefir at home easy.
If you have purchased our dehydrated milk kefir grains, please follow the instructions included with your milk kefir grains or watch our how-to video on How to Activate Milk Kefir Grains to get started.
If you wish to use raw milk to make milk kefir, be sure to activate your milk kefir grains using pasteurized milk first. You can then slowly transition them to raw milk.
To get started, first, gather your supplies and choose a variety of milk to use.
Transfer the active kefir grains into up to 4 cups of fresh milk.
Cover with a coffee filter or butter muslin secured by a rubber band or jar ring.
Place in a warm spot, 68°-85°F, to culture.
Culture until milk is slightly thickened and the aroma is pleasant. This generally takes 24 hours but can take less time in warmer temperatures, so keep an eye on your grains.
As your milk kefir grains grow in size, you may choose to remove the kefir grains by hand. Make sure your hands are very clean and well rinsed, but do not use anti-bacterial soap to avoid contaminating the culture.
Use a Plastic Mesh Strainer
Sometimes milk kefir can be a bit thick. If necessary, you can use a silicone spatula or plastic spoon (in a swirling motion) to help work the kefir through the strainer. Stainless steel can be used if necessary; just be sure it’s stainless steel and not a reactive metal.
Pour Kefir into A Shallow Bowl
This will make the grains easier to see. Using a plastic or wooden spoon, scoop the grains out. Once the grains have been removed, pour the finished kefir into a container.
While kefir sometimes turns out to be thin, it is also possible for kefir to over-thicken or turn into curds and whey. If this happens, you may need to strain your kefir grains with extra care. You can find tips in our Straining Over-Thickened Kefir tutorial.
Following the above process, you can make milk kefir at home regularly. If after making milk kefir for a while you decide you don’t need 4 cups every day, it is possible to make smaller batches. Just choose a method in our tutorial How to Slow Down Making Milk Kefir + Make Smaller Batches.
If you ever reach a point where you need to take a break from making milk kefir, there are a few ways you can put your kefir grains on pause. This includes refrigerating them for shorter breaks and drying them for longer breaks.
In either case, your grains must be activated and cultured kefir regularly for 3 to 4 weeks before you attempt either of these resting methods.
I am gluten-free since my wife has celiac disease.
Avoiding Junk Food
I limit my hamburger consumption to no more than once a month.
physical fitness regime
Most days I go for a three to five-mile walk, bike five K on my exercise bike, do three sets of pull-ups/swings, and do yoga and weightlifting. About two hours total per day. While in the park I do some pull-downs, twisting wheels, and cross-training as well.
I may sign up for a gym and join a Pilates or yoga club.
I also do ceregem massage bed, weekly massage therapy, acupuncture, and moxibustion at home.
I keep track of my fitness in my daily journal noting what I did the day before, including what I ate using the following format: (November 2 entry)
Health
Weight: 188
BM:
Symptoms: moderate pain levels
Doctor Visit: scheduled November 7th for follow-up re chronic leg pain
Results: TBC
Follow-Up Due: March 2024
Med News Items:
Diet:
Breakfast: smoothie
Lunch rice, soup, fish Korean side dishes
` Dinner GF Pizza
snacks:
Dessert:
Drinks: Alcohol nó Alcohol Day
blend decaf, kombucha, coffee, fake coffee, fruit juices, etc
Exercise
Actual:
bike seven k
pull up three times consisting of 3 sets of squats, and two sets of swinging.
New strategy
15 three sets of 50 reps per weight
15 minutes of Yoga
5 sets of 50-step reps
5k on the bike
3 miles walk.
Grip periodically 100 reps
Standing desk for two hours
pull up 5.
pull down 200.
wheel 200
Ceregem:
foot massage unit:
neck shoulder massage unit:
Moxibustion
Ceregeem
pulls up.
while walking exercise in the park
twisting 200
cross training
pull-downs
Acupuncture weekly
Massage weekly
Mental Fitness Regime/Alzheimer’s Prevention
I heard a long time ago that playing music, learning languages, and doing mental games like crossword puzzles every day is the best thing you can do to ward off the dreaded Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Since my mother died of Alzheimer’s I am at increased risk. I have been doing all three for almost a year now, playing the piano, studying Korean via Duolingo and watching K Dramas, doing daily writing prompts, writing three to five poems or short stories per day every day, and writing down my dreams and journal entries writing three to four hours every day, and weekly blog postings, instead of crossword puzzles.
Daily Writing in My Journals
I have been writing a daily journal since my 40s. I write down my dreams, my anxieties, my daydreams, and fantasies, and draft poetry and stories first.
then I write my journal including what I did the day before, major news items, things to note, goals for the day, what I ate the day before, and my daily exercise/health statistics.
I save my creative work at least once a week, including putting down my work on my creative writing spreadsheet to keep track of everything. I write anywhere from one to ten pieces every day.
I also keep track of books read, movie/TV shows seen and music played to and listened to.
I am currently reading the classics =Finishing Plato’s The Republic.
Daily Piano Playing
piano
I have been playing the piano almost daily now for a year. Usually between 5 and 6:30 pm. Due to noise restrictions can’t play after 7 p.m. as I live in a high-rise apartment building.
This time around I have started analyzing the music before I play it noting the music areas to pay attention to including key, key changes, registry changes, very high and very low notes which are hard for me to read, and repetition patterns. I found that this simple step has paid off in helping me play a lot better and I feel my skills are returning to where they were when I last played about seven years ago. I am sure I will achieve my lifelong goal of reaching semi-professional level playing within a few years.
I highly recommend this tip, playing each hand separately first when doing complicated counterpoint like in Bach, and listening, when possible, to the music you are going to play on YouTube while reading the score, to anyone returning to playing music.
I recently played my first Mozart Sonata and well I did not do badly. I will return to it next year after finishing other piano books.
Every day I write something following prompts from Pensively 101, Writer’s Cramp, and Fan Story.
here’s what I wrote on November 2, 2023
Journal Entry November 1, 2023
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Time To Go Joe Lewis
Joe Lewis was an old man.
sitting in his lonely room on his bed
up at 0 dark hundred, thinking about his life.
and the end game is coming soon.
There was a knock on the door.
it was the Grim Reaper, saying,
Joe Lewis, come with me,
it is time to go.”
bed in a lonely room
No Forgiveness Express in Eight
Issac was visiting Israel,
Went to a music concert.
There was a fierce fight,
When Hamas terrorists stormed the concert.
Killing his wife in front of him.
He managed to escape, vowing there would.
Be no forgiveness for the monsters,
That had murdered his wife.
Fierce
escape
forgiveness
Animal World
258 words
One day, about five months ago, I received a mysterious package, containing a pair of sunglasses and a cryptic note that read,
“Put these glasses on and see the world as it is. For Mad Men only.”
The incident reminded me of the movie, “They” in which a man puts on mysterious sunglasses that reveal that many people are, in fact, aliens from another planet.
Curious, I put on the glasses and noticed that everybody around me had been transformed into hideous creatures, straight from his worst nightmares. Everyone transformed into aliens, animals, demons, goblins, ghosts, monsters, wraiths, and zombies.
The soldiers at the base APO had become giant rats in uniforms. The local staff had become wild animals.
I turned on the TV and saw all the politicians on TV were now screaming monkeys screeching at each other the former president was an orangutang, the current president was a giant Kamona dragon, and the pundits were all mockingbirds screaming and screeching, mocking the politicians.
The taxi drivers were all wolves. The passengers on the buses and subways were bleating sheep.
His wife was now a tiger, and he looked in the mirror and found that he had been turned into a giant bear. He talked to his best friend during their weekly Zoom session and they were all bears too.
Finally, he had enough. He took the masses off and everybody reverted to their normal shapes and forms. Disgusted he threw the glasses into the trash saying,
“I have had enough of this false reality.”
The Taking of Train 967 bound for the Pentagon
“Listen up. I will only say this once. We have taken control of this train. You will do what we say or we will send you straight to hell. “
That is how I announced the first subway jacking in US history. We high-jacked a subway train in Suburban Virginia bound for the Pentagon on a Monday morning boarding the train at Van Dorn station, by high-jacking the computer control systems that control the movement of the train. The train flew through the stations and we ended it 15 minutes later.
My associates went through the train taking people’s phones, bags, and wallets. We were armed with the latest high-tech weapons and gear we had bought at a gun show where no one questioned us or did a background check as we all looked like ordinary working-class white people.
It went down so quickly but unfortunately, we had to shoot a few people to make sure that everyone knew who was in charge.
I went on the air and addressed the world.
“We are the voices of the forgotten people, the little people, the left behind. We are taking this train in the name of the people. We will take what we need to finance the revolution and then leave you your phones and personal items for you to sort out once we reach the end of the line. Cooperate and you will live, resist, and join your friends in hell. Any questions?’’
It was all over in ten minutes, as we had picked a train near the beginning of its daily run and it was crowded as hell. When we got to the Roslyn station, we threw out smoke bangs flash and disappeared into the crowd.
Then we went to my bar and watched the TV coverage of the hijacking. And sat in the back room and plotted our next target -while we went through the haul – over two million dollars in money, watches, and the like.
And we laughed. It had been so easy to do, that we wondered why no one tried it before.
October 6, 1866, saw the first train robbery in the U.S. when the Reno Gang stole $16,000 … A crime that likely inspired copycat robberies over the next few decades.
For tomorrow, write a story or poem whose setting is on a train during a train robbery. It can be any sort of train (historical, fantasy, supernatural, etc.) And the POV character can be a passenger, a train official, or one of the robbers.
However, to make the assignment useful practice that might push you a little out of your normal comfort zone, the tale must be told in first-person POV (so the POV character/narrator is “I”) and in the present tense.
The Pumpkin’s Evil Plot
A lonely farmer threw together,
His prized pumpkins are on a roadside cart.
The farmer getting ready to sell his award-winning
Giant pumpkins the day before Halloween.
The deranged, insane pumpkins,
Vowing revenge on the human race,
Attacked the hapless lonely farmer,
Yelling “Death to all Humans.”
Thanksgiving Puny Situation Writing com.
Many years ago
I had a traditional Thanksgiving
With friends in Korea
My fellow teacher said
He knew how to cook a turkey
My wife who was in the army
Got the turkey and we invited friends
Turns out he lied, he had no clue
We cooked the bird with the giblets
Inside the stuffing
Took it out and told our Korean guests
That was “American Stamina” food
Turned out and found that the giblets
Were all gone
That was a puny situation
And a memorable Thanksgiving dinner
What kind of pitch shall we make today? Are you having a ball going to bat with your New Year’s writing resolution? Or haven’t you left first base, yet? What’s the score? On to the contest. I’m game if you’re game.
For this contest, you are challenged to write an ABC poem. ABC poetry has five lines and often is used to express feelings. See the announcement for an example. Cash Prize.
MAGA Madness ABC Poem ABC
MAGA Madness
No longer a fringe right-wing group
On the way to take over the land
Politicians cower in fear.
Is Fascism coming to the United States?
this contest you are challenged to write an ABC poem.
Write a one-stanza, five-line poem.
The first letter of each of the first four lines follows the order of the alphabet while the last line can be any letter whatsoever. For example, a poet might choose to use the following letter combination: D-E-F-G-A.
The lines may be of any syllable length. Also, line length may vary from line to line.
The poem may be about any subject or topic.
Rhyming and meter are optional.
BING AI Chat Bot provides some additional background information on the MAGA movement for those of you who don’t follow US politics that closely. The MAGA movement does have parallels in other countries.
Q: can you tell me about the MAGA movement in the U.S.? Where did it come from? what are their goals and what are the links to other right-wing movements both in the U.S. and worldwide?
The movement is characterized by its populist, nationalist, and anti-establishment sentiments, as well as its strong loyalty to Trump and his agenda. Some of the core beliefs of the MAGA movement include:
America is in decline and needs to be restored to its former greatness.
Immigration and globalization are threats to American sovereignty and identity.
The political, media, and cultural elites are corrupt and out of touch with the common people.
Trump is the only leader who can defend and represent the interests of the American people.
The MAGA movement has links to other right-wing movements both in the U.S. and worldwide, such as:
The Tea Party movement emerged in 2009 as a conservative backlash against the Obama administration and its policies.
The alt-right movement, which is a loosely defined group of white nationalists, white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and other extremists who promote racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia online and offline.
The QAnon movement is a conspiracy theory that claims that Trump is secretly fighting a cabal of satanic pedophiles who control the world.
The Proud Boys movement is a far-right neo-fascist organization that engages in political violence and street brawls with left-wing activists.
The Patriot Movement is a collection of anti-government militias and paramilitary groups that oppose federal authority and prepare for a civil war.
The Brexit movement, which is a campaign that led to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union in 2016
The Yellow Vest movement is a populist protest movement that started in France in 2018 against rising fuel prices and living costs.
When we moved to Yeongjong island, near the Incheon Airport, we found that we would be deprived of two of our three favorite miracle foods, Kombucha and Kefir. But we were pleasantly surprised to find we could order our third favorite health food item, wheat grass for home delivery. Have not seen it in the stores but have seen it in some smoothie places as well as home delivery. best to mix it in a smoothie. Wheatgrass juice does not taste that great!
Growing Kombucha and Kefir in Korea
Kombucha
Living in Oregon was great. Kombucha is everywhere. Costco carries Kombucha everywhere except in Korea. The best brand we found was Gingerade. But I liked sampling the kombucha everywhere, several bars brew it on-site and you can fill up a growler and take it home.
What is Kombucha, you ask? It is fermented tea, filled with powerful probiotics and it is so good for your health. It does contain 1 percent alcohol so that should not get you into trouble with the new draconian drunk driving laws here in Korea!
Since neither the Commissary nor Costco nor anyone else carried it, or even knew what it was, we decided that we had to brew it ourselves. The starter kit we brought with us had gone bad. So, we bought kombucha from Amazon and used that and the leftover starter kit to get started.
We used green tea as the base. Straight black tea and jasmine tea will work but not Earl Grey due to the bergamot oil in the tea.
We brewed up several gallons of tea, added sugar, the starter kit, and the cans of kombucha. Then we put it in a sprouted warmer kit ordered from Amazon and wrapped another gallon in an electric blanket. You have to keep the kombucha at about 80 degrees F (26.67 Celsius).
Then we waited for six weeks. Finally ready to go today and we bottled it and started our next batch!
Here’s what it looks like with the scuzzy taken out of the kombucha.
kombucha
Kefir
Making Kefir was easy, we’ve been making it for years. We had started kits we bought in Oregon before we left. Just got some organic milk and we were in business. If you have to use Korean milk, make sure it is full-fat milk, 2 percent makes watery kefir. There are recipes for using almond milk, coconut milk, and rice milk but we have not used them because we heard it would be pretty watery. Might want to try Goat milk sometime though. The Commissary’s organic full-fat Milk is perfect. You can also buy Kefir at the Commissary just to see if you like it but their Kefir has extra sugar in it and I am not sure it would be a good starter mix. Best to order the starter kits from Amazon (they will be delivered to a local address) and you should not have any problems. But with both be sure you sanitize your containers with hot boiling water before making either kombucha or kefir. Need to keep stray random non-cultured bacteria out of the mix.
See below for articles on the health benefits of Kombucha and Kefir, articles on how to make it, and where to buy it locally.
As a personal testimony a few years ago, I noticed that I did not have hay fever in the Spring. I used to have to make a trip to the urgent care/ER because I got so inflamed that I could not even open my eyes and I was sneezing so bad. The medicine they gave me worked a bit but I mostly just suffered. Then I started eating kefir for breakfast and drinking Kombucha and my hay fever disappeared.!
TEAZEN is another company that offers kombucha in powder stick form, which you can mix with water or juice. They claim to be the world’s first to introduce this convenient way of consuming kombucha. You can also order their products online from their website3 or find them in some supermarkets and convenience stores.
Homebrewing is an option if you want to make your kombucha at home. You will need a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast), tea, sugar, and a glass jar. You can buy a SCOBY online or get one from a friend who already brews kombucha. Some online tutorials and recipes can guide you through the process of making your kombucha.
Make your kefir at home with kefir grains and milk. Kefir grains are a mixture of bacteria and yeast that ferment milk and produce kefir. You can buy kefir grains online or get them from someone who already makes kefir. You will also need a glass jar, a cloth, and a rubber band to cover the jar. Many online guides and videos can show you how to make kefir at home1.
Visiting a kefir cafe where you can enjoy fresh kefir drinks and other products made with kefir, such as smoothies, ice cream, or cheese. Some examples of kefir cafes in Korea are Kefir Lab in Seoul, Kefir House in Busan, and Kefir Story in Daegu.
I hope this helps you find kefir in Korea. Cheers!
Kombucha
Ode to Kombucha
We have finally mastered the art of brewing home Kombucha and are enjoying a glass of this miracle drink every morning along with our homemade kefir and our power smoothies. If I keep this up, I will live to be a hundred years old. Only 45 more years to go….
Ode to Kombucha
Kombucha
Only drink it in the morning
Morning Delight
By the dawning sun
Up at the morning dawn
Can’t wait for my morning cup
Have to have my kombucha
At least once a day.
Ode to Kefir
Kefir
Everyday
Food of the gods
In every way
Radiant health will follow.
THE SIMPLE GUIDE TO KICKASS KOMBUCHA
It’s a big day everyone! The day your intestinal microbiota has been begging you for. The day you say goodbye to expensive store-bought kombucha. The day you become a brewmaster I impart to you the secrets of homemade kombucha!
The goal of this guide is to be your one-stop shop for homemade kombucha brewage, from SCOBY-less to fermented perfection. No hopping around the interwebs. No fuss. No confusion. Because making homemade kombucha is so simple (albeit a bit slow), and I hope after reading this you’ll give it a whirl! Let’s hope right to it.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE KOMBUCHA: OVERVIEW
This post will go into detail about each step in the process of making kombucha. For succinct instructions, scroll to the bottom where a recipe card lays out the basics of making homemade kombucha. The general order of things goes something like this (you can jump around this tutorial by clicking the links below):
Before we start, here are some general notes that are consistent throughout the whole homemade kombucha process.
No metal or plastic containers. Metal can react with the acidic kombucha and hurt your SCOBY, while plastic can house nasty bacteria that you don’t want sneaking in.
Cleaning is key. A recurring theme in kombucha brewing is that EVERYTHING must be CLEAN! We’re creating the perfect environment for good bacterial growth, but if a bad bacteria slip in, it could ruin your batch (and make you pretty sick).
Temperature plays a role. Fermentation goes a bit quicker in warmer temperatures, and a bit slower in colder weather.
No mold zone. If you see any mold growing on your SCOBY or in the tea (which I understand can be difficult to discern from the hideous SCOBY, but will generally be green, white, or black), then toss your whole batch.
Milk kefir is not only easy to make, but it is a delicious, probiotic-rich, versatile beverage your whole family can enjoy. Whether you are just exploring how to make milk kefir at home or have cultured dairy before, this video and instructions are here to help make culturing milk kefir at home easy.
If you have purchased our dehydrated milk kefir grains, please follow the instructions included with your milk kefir grains or watch our how-to video on How to Activate Milk Kefir Grains to get started.
If you wish to use raw milk to make milk kefir, be sure to activate your milk kefir grains using pasteurized milk first. You can then slowly transition them to raw milk.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE MILK KEFIR
To get started, first, gather your supplies and choose a variety of milk to use.
Transfer the active kefir grains into up to 4 cups of fresh milk.
Cover with a coffee filter or butter muslin secured by a rubber band or jar ring.
Place in a warm spot, 68°-85°F, to culture.
Culture until milk is slightly thickened and the aroma is pleasant. This generally takes 24 hours but can take less time in warmer temperatures, so keep an eye on your grains.
As your milk kefir grains grow in size, you may choose to remove the kefir grains by hand. Make sure your hands are very clean and well rinsed, but do not use anti-bacterial soap to avoid contaminating the culture.
Use a Plastic Mesh Strainer
Sometimes milk kefir can be a bit thick. If necessary, you can use a silicone spatula or plastic spoon (in a swirling motion) to help work the kefir through the strainer. Stainless steel can be used if necessary; just be sure it’s stainless steel and not a reactive metal.
Pour Kefir into A Shallow Bowl
This will make the grains easier to see. Using a plastic or wooden spoon, scoop the grains out. Once the grains have been removed, pour the finished kefir into a container.
OVER-THICKENED KEFIR
While kefir sometimes turns out to be thin, it is also possible for kefir to over-thicken or turn into curds and whey. If this happens, you may need to strain your kefir grains with extra care. You can find tips in our Straining Over-Thickened Kefir tutorial.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Following the above process, you can make milk kefir at home regularly. If after making milk kefir for a while you decide you don’t need 4 cups every day, it is possible to make smaller batches. Just choose a method in our tutorial How to Slow Down Making Milk Kefir + Make Smaller Batches.
Resting Your Milk Kefir Grains
If you ever reach a point where you need to take a break from making milk kefir, there are a few ways you can put your kefir grains on pause. This includes refrigerating them for shorter breaks and drying them for longer breaks.
In either case, your grains must be activated and cultured kefir regularly for 3 to 4 weeks before you attempt either of these resting methods.
I also avoid Carbs at night, and I am gluten-free since my wife has celiac disease. and I limit my hamburger consumption to no more than once a month.
physical fitness regime
most days I go for a three to five-mile walk, bike five K on my exercise bike, do three sets of pull-ups/swings, and do yoga and weightlifting. About two hours total per day. While in the park I do some pull-downs, twisting wheels, and cross-training as well.
I may sign up for a gym and join a Pilates or yoga club.
I also do ceregem massage bed, weekly massage therapy, acupuncture, and moxibustion at home.
I keep track of my fitness in my daily journal noting what I did the day before, including what I ate using the following format: (November 2 entry)
Health
Weight: 188
BM:
Symptoms: moderate pain levels
Doctor Visit: scheduled November 7th for follow-up re chronic leg pain
Results: TBC
Follow-Up Due: March 2024
Med News Items:
Diet:
Breakfast: smoothie
Lunch rice, soup, fish Korean side dishes
` Dinner GF Pizza
snacks:
Dessert:
Drinks: Alcohol nó Alcohol Day
blend decaf, kombucha, coffee, fake coffee, fruit juices, etc
Exercise
Actual:
bike seven k
pull up three times consisting of 3 sets of squats, and two sets of swinging.
New strategy
15 three sets of 50 reps per weight
15 minutes of Yoga
5 sets of 50-step reps
5k on the bike
3 miles walk.
Grip periodically 100 reps
Standing desk for two hours
pull up 5.
pull down 200.
wheel 200
Ceregem:
foot massage unit:
neck shoulder massage unit:
Moxibustion
Ceregeem pulls up.
while walking exercise in the park
twisting 200
cross training
pull-downs
Acupuncture weekly
Massage weekly
Ceregem treatment
I first bought a cergem acupressure massage bed in 1996 and use it almost every day. the bed uses infrared heat and jade technology to provide acupressure therapy as the jade crystals move up and down your spine providing long-lasting pain relief leading to deeper sleep. I usually use it while reading before going to bed.
from Bing AI review
Ceregem massage bed is a therapeutic bed that uses a combination of massage, heat, and acupressure to provide relaxation and relief from pain. The bed is designed to provide a full-body massage that targets pressure points and helps to improve blood circulation. Here are some of the benefits of using a Ceregem massage bed:
Relaxation: The massage bed provides a relaxing experience that can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Pain relief: The bed’s massage and heat functions can help to relieve pain and soreness in the muscles and joints.
Improved circulation: The massage bed’s acupressure function can help to improve blood circulation, which can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Better sleep: The bed’s massage function can help to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
Detoxification: The bed’s heat function can help to promote sweating, which can help to eliminate toxins from the body.
Please note that while the Ceregem massage bed has many potential benefits, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using it, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions.
Moxibustion Treatment
I have been moxibution treatment for about a year now. we have a home kit which we do in conjunction with using the ceregem massage therapy bed. About two to three treatments per week are ideal. We also occasionally go to a clinic for treatment.
Moxibustion involves burning wormwood and applying it to your skin. It is an ancient Chinese-Korean medical treatment. for more info read the following from the Bing AI chat on moxibution.
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that involves burning dried mugwort on or near the skin’s surface to stimulate acupuncture points. It is believed to have several health benefits, including:
Pain relief: Moxibustion can help to relieve pain and soreness in the muscles and joints.
Improved digestion: Moxibustion can help to improve digestion and alleviate digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea.
Reduced inflammation: Moxibustion can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which can help to alleviate symptoms of conditions such as arthritis and asthma.
Improved blood circulation: Moxibustion can help to improve blood circulation, which can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation.
Stress relief: Moxibustion can help to promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety.
Please note that while moxibustion has many potential benefits, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using it, Korean Charcoal Saunasespecially if you have any underlying medical conditions.
Korean Charcoal Saunas
charcoal sauna
;
I have been going to traditional Korean saunas for years. About two years ago I discovered Korean Charcoal saunas which feature charcoal sauna fires that are very hot and have a lot of health benefits. for more information see the following:
I heard a long time ago that playing music, learning languages, and doing mental games like crossword puzzles every day is the best thing you can do to ward off the dreaded Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Since my mother died of Alzheimer’s I am at increased risk. I have been doing all three for almost a year now, playing the piano, studying Korean via Duolingo and watching K Dramas, doing daily writing prompts, writing three to five poems or short stories per day every day, and writing down my dreams and journal entries writing three to four hours every day, and weekly blog postings, instead of crossword puzzles.
daily writing in my journals
I have been writing a daily journal since my 40s. I write down my dreams, my anxieties, my daydreams, and fantasies, and draft poetry and stories first.
then I write my journal including what I did the day before, major news items, things to note, goals for the day, what I ate the day before, and my daily exercise/health statistics.
I save my creative work at least once a week, including putting down my work on my creative writing spreadsheet to keep track of everything. I write anywhere from one to ten pieces every day.
I also keep track of books read, movie/TV shows seen and music played to and listened to.
I am currently reading the classics =Finishing Plato’s The Republic.
daily piano playing
I have been playing the piano almost daily now for a year. Usually between 5 and 6:30 pm. Due to noise restrictions can’t play after 7 p.m. as I live in a high-rise apartment building.
This time around I have started analyzing the music before I play it noting the music areas to pay attention to including key, key changes, registry changes, very high and very low notes which are hard for me to read, and repetition patterns. I found that this simple step has paid off in helping me play a lot better and I feel my skills are returning to where they were when I last played about seven years ago. I am sure I will achieve my lifelong goal of reaching semi-professional level playing within a few years.
I highly recommend this tip, playing each hand separately first when doing complicated counterpoint like in Bach, and listening, when possible, to the music you are going to play on YouTube while reading the score, to anyone returning to playing music.
I recently played my first Mozart Sonata and well I did not do badly. I will return to it next year after finishing other piano books.
One day, about five months ago, I received a mysterious package, containing a pair of sunglasses and a cryptic note that read,
“Put these glasses on and see the world as it is. For Mad Men only.”
The incident reminded me of the movie, “They” in which a man puts on mysterious sunglasses that reveal that many people are, in fact, aliens from another planet.
Curious, I put on the glasses and noticed that everybody around me had been transformed into hideous creatures, straight from his worst nightmares. Everyone transformed into aliens, animals, demons, goblins, ghosts, monsters, wraiths, and zombies.
The soldiers at the base APO had become giant rats in uniforms. The local staff had become wild animals.
I turned on the TV and saw all the politicians on TV were now screaming monkeys screeching at each other the former president was an orangutang, the current president was a giant Kamona dragon, and the pundits were all mockingbirds screaming and screeching, mocking the politicians.
The taxi drivers were all wolves. The passengers on the buses and subways were bleating sheep.
His wife was now a tiger, and he looked in the mirror and found that he had been turned into a giant bear. He talked to his best friend during their weekly Zoom session and they were all bears too.
Finally, he had enough. He took the masses off and everybody reverted to their normal shapes and forms. Disgusted he threw the glasses into the trash saying,
“I have had enough of this false reality.”
NEW PROMPT:Write a story or poem in which your current world becomes an animal analogy.
Think Animal Farm but to the scale of events in your personal life. Who would you turn into pigs? Who would become cows? What about the chickens? Maybe an ostrich or two?
NEW Prompt DUE in 16 hours 33 minutes
(11:59 am on Thursday, November 2)
The Taking of Train 967 bound for the Pentagon. terrorism
The Taking of Train 967 Bound for the Pentagon Writer’s Cramp
The Taking of Train 967 bound for the Pentagon Writing com
“Listen up. I will only say this once. We have taken control of this train. You will do what we say or we will send you straight to hell. “
That is how I announced the first subway jacking in US history. We high-jacked a subway train in Suburban Virginia bound for the Pentagon on a Monday morning boarding the train at Van Dorn station, by high-jacking the computer control systems that control the movement of the train. The train flew through the stations and we ended it 15 minutes later.
My associates went through the train taking people’s phones, bags, and wallets. We were armed with the latest high-tech weapons and gear we had bought at a gun show where no one questioned us or did a background check as we all looked like ordinary working-class white people.
It went down so quickly but unfortunately, we had to shoot a few people to make sure that everyone knew who was in charge.
I went on the air and addressed the world.
“We are the voices of the forgotten people, the little people, the left behind. We are taking this train in the name of the people. We will take what we need to finance the revolution and then leave you your phones and personal items for you to sort out once we reach the end of the line. Cooperate and you will live, resist, and join your friends in hell. Any questions?’’
It was all over in ten minutes, as we had picked a train near the beginning of its daily run and it was crowded as hell. When we got to the Roslyn station, we threw out smoke bangs flash and disappeared into the crowd.
Then we went to my bar and watched the TV coverage of the hijacking. And sat in the back room and plotted our next target -while we went through the haul – over two million dollars in money, watches, and the like.
And we laughed. It had been so easy to do, that we wondered why no one tried it before.
October 6, 1866, saw the first train robbery in the U.S. when the Reno Gang stole $16,000 … A crime that likely inspired copycat robberies over the next few decades.
For tomorrow, write a story or poem whose setting is on a train during a train robbery. It can be any sort of train (historical, fantasy, supernatural, etc.) And the POV character can be a passenger, a train official, or one of the robbers.
However, to make the assignment useful practice that might push you a little out of your normal comfort zone, the tale must be told in first-person POV (so the POV character/narrator is “I”) and in the present tense.
Weekly challenge
The Pumpkin’s Evil Plot
A lonely farmer threw together,
His prized pumpkins are on a roadside cart.
The farmer getting ready to sell his award-winning
Giant pumpkins the day before Halloween.
The deranged, insane pumpkins,
Vowing revenge on the human race,
Attacked the hapless lonely farmer,
Yelling “Death to all Humans.”
Weekly Challenge
The prompt word for the week is:
PUMPKIN
Your poem…
must include the prompt word, pumpkin
must be at least 12 lines long
does not have to be about Halloween, in case you were wondering.
other writing com
Three Thanksgiving Poems
Thanksgiving Puny Situation Writing com.
Many years ago
I had a traditional Thanksgiving
With friends in Korea
My fellow teacher said
He knew how to cook a turkey
My wife who was in the army
Got the turkey and we invited friends
Turns out he lied, he had no clue
We cooked the bird with the giblets
Inside the stuffing
Took it out and told our Korean guests
That was “American Stamina” food
Turned out and found that the giblets
Were all gone
That was a puny situation
And a memorable Thanksgiving dinner
What kind of pitch shall we make today? Are you having a ball going to bat with your New Year’s writing resolution? Or haven’t you left first base, yet? What’s the score? On to the contest. I’m game if you’re game.
For this contest, you are challenged to write an ABC poem. ABC poetry has five lines and often is used to express feelings. See the announcement for an example. Cash Prize.
MAGA Madness ABC Poem ABC
MAGA Madness
No longer a fringe right-wing group
On the way to take over the land
Politicians cower in fear.
Is Fascism coming to the United States?
this contest you are challenged to write an ABC poem.
Write a one-stanza, five-line poem.
The first letter of each of the first four lines follows the order of the alphabet while the last line can be any letter whatsoever. For example, a poet might choose to use the following letter combination: D-E-F-G-A.
The lines may be of any syllable length. Also, line length may vary from line to line.
The poem may be about any subject or topic.
Rhyming and meter are optional.
BING AI Chat Bot provides some additional background information on the MAGA movement for those of you who don’t follow US politics that closely. The MAGA movement does have parallels in other countries.
Q: can you tell me about the MAGA movement in the U.S.? Where did it come from? what are their goals and what are the links to other right-wing movements both in the U.S. and worldwide?
The movement is characterized by its populist, nationalist, and anti-establishment sentiments, as well as its strong loyalty to Trump and his agenda. Some of the core beliefs of the MAGA movement include:
America is in decline and needs to be restored to its former greatness.
Immigration and globalization are threats to American sovereignty and identity.
The political, media, and cultural elites are corrupt and out of touch with the common people.
Trump is the only leader who can defend and represent the interests of the American people.
The MAGA movement has links to other right-wing movements both in the U.S. and worldwide, such as:
The Tea Party movement emerged in 2009 as a conservative backlash against the Obama administration and its policies.
The alt-right movement, which is a loosely defined group of white nationalists, white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and other extremists who promote racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia online and offline.
The QAnon movement is a conspiracy theory that claims that Trump is secretly fighting a cabal of satanic pedophiles who control the world.
The Proud Boys movement is a far-right neo-fascist organization that engages in political violence and street brawls with left-wing activists.
The Patriot Movement is a collection of anti-government militias and paramilitary groups that oppose federal authority and prepare for a civil war.
The Brexit movement, which is a campaign that led to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union in 2016
The Yellow Vest movement is a populist protest movement that started in France in 2018 against rising fuel prices and living costs.
Thanks to all who have been sending me birthday greetings. I deeply appreciate all of you, all around the world who have blessed my life with your friendship over the years. I will respond individually as well but just wanted to do this shout-out to my friends! On my birthday, I am always in a reflective mood and do my Nir’s early and revise them again on January 1. One thing I want to do starting now and next year is to blog weekly and add FB reels and YouTube video blogging as well as my podcasting and my daily writing as I still have a lot to say and think about and it is not too late for me to say what I want to say. Another thing I want to do is take a lot of mini-trips, day trips, and other trips while I still can and I want to spend about four months in the States next summer. And hope to see many of you via Zoom meetups or in person during the next year. Keep in touch.
Jake
Following are some of my birthday poems, a few birthday tribute poems from friends, Bing’s Ai astrological charts (Chinese, Vedic, and Western systems) for my birthday – October 30, 1955 – and a list of things that happened that date.
Ps here is a birthday tribute from my fan story friend, Debbie Pink Marquette.
A diplomatic birthday
Jake Cosmos Aller
Was born in California and graduated in DC.
His grad college was Washington University.
He’s traveled to all fifty states and then fifty countries.
That’s when he would decide to spend more time across the seas.
He met her and then six weeks later, she became his wife.
Been married for forty years, and she is the best part of his life.
He has some siblings but the ones who are dear to his heart.
His wife’s brother and family have been close from the start.
He served as a foreign diplomat for twenty-seven years.
Retired from the State Department, then goodbye to peers.
His life has been impressive; what he’s seen, achieved, and done.
Other interesting facts about Jake Cosmos Aller:
Retired U.S. diplomat (State Department) living in South Korea. Served 27 years in 10 countries. Traveled to 55 countries, all 50 states. Grew up in berkeley, California. Married, no children. A published poet and short story writer. Finished six novels, in search of a publisher. Former Peace Corps volunteer, Korea. Speaks Korean, Spanish, and Thai.
A few more birthday-themed poems:
Closing time
On hearing the news
Of a friend’s passing,
I was overwhelmed.
With grief and sadness.
And I realized that my time.
On this mortal plane
Is also coming.
To the end game.
Closing time
The final act of this cosmic play.
The grim reaper
Has my number.
Someday
He will come for me.
And the love of my life,
My lovely wife.
And my family,
Friends, and enemies,
Far-flung throughout
The whole world.
In the long run,
We can’t escape.
Our grim fate,
We end up in the same place.
When the Grim Reaper
Knocks at our door,
Are we ready for that?
Perhaps not.
But each day
We have left.
On another day,
We can celebrate.
That we are alive,
Having survived another year,
And cheated death’s grim embrace.
Every day staying is a blessing.
We are but one step closer to the grave.
The end will come.
When your time
Comes to an end,
But not today.
So, rejoice, my friends.
Live your remaining moments.
Filled with friendship,
Love, laughter, and joy.
Bing AI’s Birthday Poem for Jake Cosmos Aller
I asked Bing Ai Chat to write a beatnik-style poem as a birthday tribute to Jake Cosmos Aller.
Here is a beatnik-style birthday tribute poem about Jake Cosmos Aller, inspired by the web search results:
Happy birthday, Jake Cosmos Aller!
You are a poet, a traveler, and a scholar.
You have seen the world with your own eyes.
You have lived and loved in many skies.
You are a beatnik, a rebel, a seeker.
You are not afraid to be different or unique.
You march to the beat of your drum.
You are one of a kind; you are second to none!
So, here’s to you on your special day!
May it be filled with love and joy all the way!
May you continue to inspire us with your words!
May you continue to be one of life’s great adventurers!
and my friend asked Google’s Bard to weigh in:
Jake Cosmos Aller, friend so dear, your spirit bright, your mind so clear.
A poet, novelist, and diplomat, your wisdom vast, your heart so great
. From berkeley to the world you’ve roamed,
in search of truth, in search of a home.
Your words inspire, your thoughts provoke,
your friendship’s gift, a precious token.
In foreign lands, you served with pride, a bridge between cultures, side by side. Your insights are deep, your empathy true, a friend to all, forever true.
Now retired, your pen still flows, and your creativity still glows.
Your poems sing, your stories dance, your spirit soars, a cosmic trance.
Jake Cosmos Aller, friend so dear, your friendship’s gift, I hold so nearby.
May your journey be filled with light, and may your stars shine bright forever.
Another Bard Poem – This one is a limerick.
“There once was a poet named Jake,
Whose poems were fake and quite flaccid. His verses are so lame, Were barely acclaimed, And his readers would often say “Yuck!””
Blues for 61 birthdays
I woke up feeling blue,
Feeling sad and alone,
Feeling the weight of 61 years on this earth.
Been there. Done that. Seen that.
Bored with the routine.
Wanting so much more,
Yet oddly satisfied with all that I have done.
Regrets I have a few,
Memories of a lifetime.
Fear and anxiety fill my mind,
Until the end of time.
And I know that my time
on this earth is ending.
But I am not ready.
I need more time
to make things right.
October Rain
rain
The falling rain Of late October Fills me with essential dread
As I rush about And end up here Wherever here is
The rain outside Seems like the tears of God
As I sit Crying over my beer
Thinking of lost love And failed dreams
Wondering What went wrong? And what I can set right?
And the rain falls And the night darkens
The rain is falling All over this man’s world
And the rain falls And I sit
Drinking my lonesome drink Lost in dreams
Dreaming of what Could never be
Birthday on Moon
To celebrate his 80th birthday,
Sam Adams and his wife decided to go to the Moon.
They would stay a week at the Hilton.
Space hotel on the edge of the Moon.
And have dinner at the famous Luna Grill.
They ate Moon-raised chicken.
And had a delicious fruit cocktail for dinner,
Noting it was fruit cocktail day.
They went to the casino.
Which often featured odd games to bet on.
Today was the first observation.
Of the international frog jumping contest
To be held on the Moon.
They won the contest.
Their champion frog “Everything’s Jake.”
Jumped 50 feet in the low-gravity lunar environment.
Meeting Dream Girl
When Sam Adams was 22 years old, he was in South Korea doing his Peace Corps duty, working in a public health center in Gapyeong, South Korea – two hours northeast of seoul, deep in the rural countryside. He had gone there in the furtherance of a dream that had haunted him for almost six years.
He first had the dream on his birthday on October 22, 1974, in a high school class at 2:22 p.m. He fell asleep and saw the most beautiful woman in the world talking to him. He knew that he would marry her. For almost six years, he had that dream almost weekly. He knew she was waiting for him in Korea.
On his 22nd birthday, he had just gone to his Peace Corps town, Gapyeong. He went out to dinner with his co-workers attending a birthday party for the town’s headman. They served him dog meat.
The next morning in his dream, his future wife appeared, laughed about the dog meat incident, and told him that they would meet in three years on his birthday in the town of Eijongbu where he would be teaching.
He continued to see her in his dreams, and then as she promised she walked off a bus and into life on October 22, 1982, at 2:22 p.m.
Based on a true story. The dates and times were changed to fit the 22-number theme.
Further note I legally got married on October 29, 1982, because it was my legal birthday.
Astrological Charts for October 30, 1955
I am not sure if there is anything to Astrology or not, but it is fun to think about. The following were mostly generated by Bing AI chat box. It is amazing to see what these AI programs can do, but a bit scarry as well. In a few years there may be no writers left!
Planets and Points in The Signs
Sun, Venus, Saturn, in Scorpio
Moon in Aries
Rising sign in Virgo
Mercury, Mars in Libra
Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto in Leo
Chiron in Aquarius
Sun in Scorpio 6° 14′ 48″
The Sun represents your Life Force. You are here to transform yourself and others. An earthquake shakes the foundations of the city’s buildings.
Ascendant in Virgo 22° 26′ 09 Libra or Sagittarius depending on sites – all the other calculations are the same.
According to the web search results, the rising sign or ascendant is the sign of the zodiac that rises on the eastern horizon at the time of a person’s birth. The rising sign changes approximately every two hours, so an exact birth time is required to calculate it. Different sources may use different methods or systems to calculate the rising sign, which may result in different outcomes. However, based on the most commonly used system of Placidus house division, the rising sign for someone born on October 30, 1955 at 4 a.m. in Oakland, California is Virgo123. Virgo-rising people are analytical, meticulous, and service-oriented. They tend to be modest, practical, and reliable. They may also be perfectionists, critical, and nervous. You can learn more about Virgo Rising and its meaning in your birth chart by reading this article.
The Ascendant represents how others Encounter you and how you project yourself.
People see you as a problem-solver. A carpenter restores a historical home to its original glory.
Moon in Aries 25° 28′ 19″
The Moon represents how you Give and Receive Love. You need independence to feel happy. You need comfortable rhythms to feel happy.
Mercury in Libra 17° 51′ 43″
Mercury represents how you Communicate and Interpret. You know how to negotiate. A store limits one necessary item to one per customer.
Venus in Scorpio 21° 44′ 17″
Venus represents how you Relate. You connect with the hidden parts of others. Two strangers get coffee after the funeral of a mutual acquaintance.
Mars in Libra 10° 53′ 42″
Mars represents your Drive. You assert judgment and make decisions. A divorce goes to court.
Jupiter in Leo 27° 57′ 01″
Jupiter represents your Sense of Adventure. You play the lead in life well. A young actress wins the audition to play the lead, knowing she will be a star.
Saturn in Scorpio 21° 43′ 55″
Saturn represents your Behavior. You want the highest clearance. The CIA director orders an operation to destroy a terrorist cell.
Uranus in Leo 2° 17′ 59″
Uranus represents how your generation Breaks Away from the previous generation. Your generation shocks through entertainment. An independent film hits mainstream theaters.
Neptune in Libra 28° 17′ 12″
Neptune represents how your generation finds Purpose. Your generation promotes fairness in spirituality. The daughter of a wealthy businessman accepts the consequences of her poor choices.
Pluto in Leo 28° 21′ 51″
Pluto represents how your generation uses Power. Your generation transforms the world through entertainment. A young woman finds reruns of “I Love Lucy” on her streaming service.
Chiron in Aquarius 0° 21′ 31″
Chiron represents the Wound You Need to Heal. You need to heal wounds and worries regarding your community. A family successfully immigrates to a new country.
Note:
Astrologers started added Chiron to their calculations when scientists named it the 10th planet or perhaps the 9th planet after they demoted Pluto a number of years ago, but they kept Pluto in their calculations. Pluto is my planet = whatever that means.
North Node in Sagittarius 17° 59′ 38” Rx
The North Node represents what you Need to Attain in this lifetime. You are here to learn to be an authority. A doctoral student teaches his first freshman class on Monday at 8 a.m.
Part of Fortune in Aries 3° 12′ 37″
The Part of Fortune represents your Natural Good Luck. You are naturally lucky when you do it your way. A skateboarder weaves in and out of city traffic.
Midheaven in Gemini 21° 28′ 35″
The Midheaven represents how to Succeed in the World. You attain prosperity intellectually. A bi-lingual young man has his pick of many jobs.
Intellectual capacity, thought process, comprehension, and learning abilities
1st house
Venus
Love, beauty, well-being, and gentleness
2nd house
Mars
Virility, action, violence, courage, and boldness
1st house
Jupiter
Abundance, warmth, good luck, and self-confidence
11th house
Saturn
Toughness, austerity, discipline, and limitation
2nd house
Uranus
Eccentricity, marginality, inventiveness, independence, and dementia.
10th house
Neptune
Gentle, dreamy, mystical
1st house
Pluto
Occultism and all hidden sciences, mystery, death, the hereafter, deep self-questionings, as well as power such as that of the atom
11th house
Ascendant
Personality, appearance, health
1st house
Natal chart Reading
Scorpio 19pg
Note: this is imprecise. the consensus reading seems to be the rising sign is VIrgo, but the rising signs change every two hours, so there could be some confusion.
Rising Sign: Libra (4°♎41′)
People who have Libra Rising love to maintain balance and harmony. They are usually sensitive to the world around them and disharmony disturbs their peace of mind. They are courteous, pleasant, nice agreeable, gentle, and soft. They can be softly persuasive as well. They love good things in life, making friends, and doing everything possible to avoid confrontation. They are fond of art, music, and literature. On the other hand, imbalance and discord disturb them deep within and they can be rude, shy, and indecisive. Physically, they are charming and have wonderful skin and nicely shaped facial features. The body is well-formed and it behaves gracefully and properly. They love personal luxuries, physical comfort, and things that please the senses. Lack of energy and ailments caused by rich foods like sweets cause them trouble. The mode is Cardinal so Libras are inventive and assertive and have initiative as well. The element of air brings them mental clarity, detachment and verbal skill and positive polarity makes them extroverted and expressive.
Midheaven Sign: Sagittarius
Intellectual pursuits and study appeal to you, but you need to be challenged on the work front because routine makes you bored. You are ambitious, but not money motivated. You say goodbye to the easy ways and take up difficult tasks boldly. You consciously or subconsciously seek a forum to showcase your intellectual and artistic talents. However, you may not seek the spotlight, but the work you do brings recognition and fame. Also, you become famous for something you have done outside your profession. Career options are travel, education, religion, politics, psychiatry, theology, and writing.
Sun in Scorpio (6°♏17′)
Intensity, passion, and secretiveness well sum up your character. You usually start things slowly, but once you have picked up momentum you are unstoppable. You are driven and controlled by hidden emotions deep within. You are sensitive, skeptical, and emotional, but work your heart out. You are intuitive and your perceptions are usually accurate. You want everything to be done your way and this makes you a tyrant at home. You tend to foist your views on your friends and family.
Moon in Aries (26°♈4′)
You react more emotionally. You make decisions quickly and act immediately without thinking much. The mind is very active, but you feel with your ego. Your responses are quick and short. You move on to new arguments or topics quickly without even giving your opponents enough time to present their views. You are short-tempered. However, you are competent and love to challenge your opponent. You are happy and optimistic, but impatient. You live for the moment and forget everything in no time.
Mercury in Libra (17°♎54′)
You have an active mind that weighs the pros and cons, even though you take your time to make decisions. You are a balanced thinker and communicator. Eloquent, gentle, and diplomatic, you think intelligently and objectively. You are friendly, broad-minded, and judicious and you have an easy-going, warm, and charming nature. Attracted to lofty ideals and refinement in life, you are good at writing well and merging ideas. You dislike conflicts and hate debating.
Venus in Scorpio (21°♏47′)
Your love is intense, deep, and sensual. In a relationship, you are straightforward, determined, and direct. You express excess feelings. You are a sexy person and being deeply involved, you are intensely romantic. You love or hate your partner with intense passion. Break-ups are hard to cope with. The physical or sexual aspect of the relationship is more important to you. You can be possessive in love.
Mars in Libra (10°♎55′)
Your physical energy is controlled to a great extent and you remain charming, generous, and cooperative. You are not pushy, but you can be assertive if injustice is served. You tend to fight against anything unfair and unjust. You have an objective and impassioned approach and therefore you can be a good judge or diplomat. Also, you are good at conflict management.
Jupiter in Leo (27°♌57′)
Optimism, confidence, and generosity are the three qualities that keep you going. You have lots of physical energy and you tend to show off. It means you embrace life in all its glory. Besides, you expect people to appreciate and admire you for your generous acts. You are a born extrovert and holidays, romance, and celebrations renew your spirit. But you tend to play cards or gamble.
Saturn in Scorpio (21°♏44′)
You have great emotional intensity and strength, but you may try to deny your passions. You carry out your responsibilities with an intensity of purpose. Anyhow, you possess more tolerance and understanding than usual. You are secretive and unforgiving and you cannot tolerate unfair treatment. You are resourceful, but you can be vindictive or withdrawn. Though you have a strong desire for success, you are subtle and calculating.
Uranus in Leo (2°♌18′)
You can be high-spirited and strong-willed, but you can be impatient and rebellious. Changes that involve high ideals and goals fascinate you. Though you are a born leader, you have to watch out for egotism and find ways to control your temper. You like to be unique, outspoken, and dramatic. Anyway, you have to be cautious about being overconfident and taking risks.
Neptune in Libra (28°♎17′)
You use your beauty and harmony to express your spiritual leanings. A wonderful relationship on the spiritual plane is on the cards. You dream about fashion, music, and peace. You also have your ideas about justice, freedom, and equality. However, you have to watch out for misplaced idealism and need to be more practical.
Pluto in Leo (28°♌21′)
Flamboyant and expressive, you tend to have heightened powers of leadership. You grab power and defy leadership if you are not the leader. You like romance, entertainment, and pleasures of all kinds. Besides, you try to attract attention extravagantly. (1937-1958)
Influence of Weekday: Sunday – Sun
Sunday radiates positivity, generosity, and love of life. You are creative, gregarious, bold, and noble, but you can be ego-centric, boastful, and excessively proud. You are capable of initiating new activities. Since you are kind and generous, you help people in distress. You remain focused and love to face obstacles and overcome them.
Bing answers
Can you generate an astrological chart (Chinese, Western, and Vedic tradition) for someone born on October 30, 1955, in Oakland, California at 4 a.m.?
GOAT
goat meets pig audio poem
Chinese
The person’s Chinese astrology chart is as follows:
Year month-day hour
Wood goat metal dog earth snake wood rabbit
The person’s Chinese astrology information is based on the four pillars of destiny, which are the year, month, day, and hour of birth. Each pillar consists of two components: a heavenly stem and an earthly branch. The heavenly stems are the ten basic symbols that represent the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) in their yin and yang forms. The earthly branches are the twelve animal signs that correspond to the twelve months of the lunar calendar.
The person’s heavenly stems are:
Year month-date hour
Yang wood yang metal yang earth yin wood
The person’s earthly branches are:
Year Month-Date hour
Goat dog snake rabbit
The person’s lucky numbers are 3, 4, 9, 12, 15, 21, 30, 34, 39, 45, 48, 51, 57, 63, 66, 69, 75, 84, 87, and 93.
The person’s lucky colors are green, blue, purple, red, pink, and white.
The person’s lucky flowers are carnation, primrose, Alice flower, lily of the valley, and orchid.
The person’s compatible zodiac signs are rabbit, horse, pig, and dragon.
The person’s incompatible zodiac signs are ox, tiger, snake, and dog.
Western astrology:
According to Western astrology, you are a Scorpio, the eighth sign of the zodiac. Your ruling planet is Pluto, and your element is water.
Some of the personality traits of a Scorpio are:
Intense, passionate, and loyal.
Mysterious, secretive, and complex.
Resourceful, determined, and ambitious.
Transformative, regenerative, and healing.
Jealous, obsessive, and manipulative.
Some of the challenges and opportunities for a Scorpio are:
To learn to trust others and let go of control.
To channel their emotions and desires into positive outlets.
To face their fears and embrace their shadows.
To use their power and influence for good.
To seek higher wisdom and spiritual growth.
Vedic Astrology
Vedic astrology: according to Vedic astrology, you are a Libra (Tula), the seventh sign of the zodiac. Your ruling planet is Venus, and your element is air. Your birth chart is shown below, along with the list of planets and their positions in the signs and nakshatras.
The major difference between these two is that according to Western calculations I am a Scorpio and according to Vedic calculations I am a Libra, and according to Native American calculations I am a either a Bear or a Raven.
Vedic Birth chart
+——————+——————+——————+
|Moon +-rahe—-+ +-keta—-+ +
+——————+ +-Moon–+-Jupiter-+-Saturn-+
|Moon +-sun—-+-mercury+-Venus—-+-Chiron-+
+——————+ +-asc—-+-desc—–+-Uranus-+
|Moon +-Neptune-+-Pluto–+-Neptune-+-Pluto +
|Moon +-Libra—+-Scorpio+-Laurus—+-Aries +
|Moon +-swat
| house +-desc +-ask +-desc +-acs +
+——————+ taurus +-Libra+-Aries——+Pisces+
Planet list
+———-+————+————+
| planet | sign | house |
+———-+————+————+
| sun | Libra | 10th |
| Moon | Scorpio | 1st |
| mercury | Scorpio | 9th |
| Venus | Virgo | 9th |
| Moon | Libra | 9th |
| Jupiter | Scorpio | 1st |
| Saturn | Sagittarius| 10th |
| Uranus | Leo | 11th |
| Neptune | Libra | 12th |
| Pluto | Leo | 11th |
Ascendant in Libra (4°♎41′)
People who have Libra Rising love to maintain balance and harmony. They are usually sensitive to the world around them and disharmony disturbs their peace of mind. They are courteous, pleasant, nice agreeable, gentle, and soft. They can be softly persuasive as well. They love good things in life, making friends, and doing everything possible to avoid confrontation. They are fond of art, music, and literature. On the other hand, imbalance and discord disturb them deep within and they can be rude, shy, and indecisive. Physically, they are charming and have wonderful skin and nicely shaped facial features. The body is well-formed and it behaves gracefully and properly. They love personal luxuries, physical comfort, and things that please their senses. Lack of energy and ailments caused by rich foods like sweets cause them trouble. The mode is Cardinal, so Libras are inventive and assertive and have initiative as well. The element of air brings them mental clarity, detachment and verbal skill and positive polarity makes them extroverted and expressive.
More on Scorpio
scorpio
Sun 6° Scorpio 27′
Moon sign: Aries
Moon 28° Aries 32′
rising sign: Scorpio? Libra or Virgo? the consensus seems to be its Virgo but who knows or really cares?
Ascendant 25° Scorpio 01′
For today »
How’s your timing?
The moving Moon and planets can influence your ability to relate to certain people at specific times.
Your sun sign: Scorpio sun 6° Scorpio 27′
Element:
Water
Key planet:
Pluto
The scorpion is one intense little creature, with enough poison in its tail to disable or kill a much larger opponent. However, the problem with this kind of built-in biological weaponry is that it must be mastered to be used most effectively. You Scorpios can use your “stinger” for self-defense, using your powerful emotional awareness to make your opponent harmless. But there is a sexual part of poisonous tail also, and until you learn to control those strong urges, you may find yourself in uncomfortable situations.
Motto: “What is hidden is more interesting than what is obvious.”
Greatest strength: your passion for your feelings.
Possible weakness: the need for secrecy can be isolating.
Your Moon sign: Aries Moon 28° Aries 32′
Emotions rise hot and fast but can fall just as quickly because you live so much in the present. The intensity of the moment can carry you to great heights or depths, but you’re not likely to stay in either extreme for very long. When you’re done, you’re done. As a fire sign, Aries isn’t a particularly reflective place for them.
More on the Goat
Your Chinese sign: the goat
The goat … the gentle goat
Mantra: living is my form of art.
The goat is the most easygoing of all the signs … sensitive to other people’s needs, kindhearted, flexible, and social. Goats love life, and all forms of art will help them express their active energy and joie de vivre. When stressed, they can be moody and appear weak, but will stubbornly resist the opinions of others if they disagree. They are devoted to their loved ones, outgoing, and quite outspoken about the world they live in.
Personal Note:
According to Western Astrology the Scorpio- Gemini relationship is a challenging one, but those that make it work have a very powerful connection. According to Chinese Astrology, the Pig-Goat combo is the best astrological combo for romance for love and marriage.
Other birth statistics
30 October 1955
Your date of conception was on or about 6 February 1955 which was a Sunday.
You were born on a Sunday.
Under the astrological sign Scorpio.
Your life path number is 6.
Your fortune cookie reads:
Your many hidden talents will become obvious to those around you.
Life path compatibility:
You are most compatible with those with the life path numbers 3, 6 & 9.
You should get along well with those with the life path numbers 2, 4, 8, 11 & 22.
You are least compatible with those with the life path numbers 1, 5 & 7.
The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2435410.5.
The golden number for 1955 is 18.
The exact number for 1955 is 6.
The year 1955 was not a leap year.
Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 1/24/1955 and ending 2/11/1956.
You were born in the Chinese year of the goat.
Your native american zodiac sign is snake; your plant is thistle.
Note: some sources say I am a bear, others say that I am a raven. There is no “native american astrology” per se as each tribe had its own way of looking at things astrologically speaking.
You were born in the Egyptian month of toby, the first month of the season of port (emergence – fertile soil).
Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 14 Heshan 5716.
Or if you were born after sundown then the date is 15 Heshan 5716.
The Mayan calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.17.2.0.6 which is.
12 baktun 17 katun 2 tun 0 uinal 6 kin
The hijra (Islamic calendar) date of your birth is Sunday, 13 Rabi’u’l-Avval 1375 (1375-3-13).
The date of Easter on your was Sunday, 10 April 1955.
The date of Orthodox Easter in your birth year was Sunday, 17 April 1955.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) in your birth year was Wednesday, 23 February 1955.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday, 29 May 1955.
The date of Whitsuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday, 5 June 1955.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Saturday, 17 September 1955.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Thursday, 7 April 1955.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday, 22 February 1955.
Celebrities who share your birthday:
Gavin Rossdale (1967) Diego Armando Maradona (1960) Harry Hamlin (1951)
Henry Winkler (1945) Grace Slick (1939) Claude Lelouch (1937)
Robert Caro (1935) Louis Malle (1932) Ruth Gordon (1896)
Charles Atlas (1893) Ezra Asalto (1885) Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821)
John Adams (1735)
Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 7.62309197651663 years old. (you old hound dog, you!)
Your lucky day is Tuesday.
Your lucky numbers are 9 & 11.
Your ruling planet(s) are the Moon and Pluto.
Your lucky dates are the 1st, 10th, 19th, and 28th.
Your opposition sign is Taurus.
Your opposition number(s) is 6.
Events that happened on my birthday, include
Here is a list of things that happened on October 30, 1955, including the top song, the top movie, the top TV show, and the major events of that month in the US:
Thanks to all who have been sending me birthday greetings. I deeply appreciate all of you, all around the world who have blessed my life with your friendship over the years. I will respond individually as well but just wanted to do this shout-out to my friends! On my birthday, I am always in a reflective mood and do my Nir’s early and revise them again on January 1. One thing I want to do starting now and next year is to blog weekly and add FB reels and YouTube video blogging as well as my podcasting and my daily writing as I still have a lot to say and think about and it is not too late for me to say what I want to say. Another thing I want to do is take a lot of mini-trips, day trips, and other trips while I still can and I want to spend about four months in the States next summer. And hope to see many of you via Zoom meetups or in person during the next year. Keep in touch.
Jake
Following are some of my birthday poems, a few birthday tribute poems from friends, Bing’s Ai astrological charts (Chinese, Vedic, and Western systems) for my birthday – October 30, 1955 – and a list of things that happened that date.
Ps here is a birthday tribute from my fan story friend, Debbie Pink Marquette.
A diplomatic birthday
Jake Cosmos Aller
Was born in California and graduated in DC.
His grad college was Washington University.
He’s traveled to all fifty states and then fifty countries.
That’s when he would decide to spend more time across the seas.
He met her and then six weeks later, she became his wife.
Been married for forty years, and she is the best part of his life.
He has some siblings but the ones who are dear to his heart.
His wife’s brother and family have been close from the start.
He served as a foreign diplomat for twenty-seven years.
Retired from the State Department, then goodbye to peers.
His life has been impressive; what he’s seen, achieved, and done.
Other interesting facts about Jake Cosmos Aller:
Retired U.S. diplomat (State Department) living in South Korea. Served 27 years in 10 countries. Traveled to 55 countries, all 50 states. Grew up in berkeley, California. Married, no children. A published poet and short story writer. Finished six novels, in search of a publisher. Former Peace Corps volunteer, Korea. Speaks Korean, Spanish, and Thai.
A few more birthday-themed poems:
Closing time
On hearing the news
Of a friend’s passing,
I was overwhelmed.
With grief and sadness.
And I realized that my time.
On this mortal plane
Is also coming.
To the end game.
Closing time
The final act of this cosmic play.
The grim reaper
Has my number.
Someday
He will come for me.
And the love of my life,
My lovely wife.
And my family,
Friends, and enemies,
Far-flung throughout
The whole world.
In the long run,
We can’t escape.
Our grim fate,
We end up in the same place.
When the Grim Reaper
Knocks at our door,
Are we ready for that?
Perhaps not.
But each day
We have left.
On another day,
We can celebrate.
That we are alive,
Having survived another year,
And cheated death’s grim embrace.
Every day staying is a blessing.
We are but one step closer to the grave.
The end will come.
When your time
Comes to an end,
But not today.
So, rejoice, my friends.
Live your remaining moments.
Filled with friendship,
Love, laughter, and joy.
Bing AI’s Birthday Poem for Jake Cosmos Aller
I asked Bing Ai Chat to write a beatnik-style poem as a birthday tribute to Jake Cosmos Aller.
Here is a beatnik-style birthday tribute poem about Jake Cosmos Aller, inspired by the web search results:
Happy birthday, Jake Cosmos Aller!
You are a poet, a traveler, and a scholar.
You have seen the world with your own eyes.
You have lived and loved in many skies.
You are a beatnik, a rebel, a seeker.
You are not afraid to be different or unique.
You march to the beat of your drum.
You are one of a kind; you are second to none!
So, here’s to you on your special day!
May it be filled with love and joy all the way!
May you continue to inspire us with your words!
May you continue to be one of life’s great adventurers!
and my friend asked Google’s Bard to weigh in:
Jake Cosmos Aller, friend so dear, your spirit bright, your mind so clear.
A poet, novelist, and diplomat, your wisdom vast, your heart so great
. From berkeley to the world you’ve roamed,
in search of truth, in search of a home.
Your words inspire, your thoughts provoke,
your friendship’s gift, a precious token.
In foreign lands, you served with pride, a bridge between cultures, side by side. Your insights are deep, your empathy true, a friend to all, forever true.
Now retired, your pen still flows, and your creativity still glows.
Your poems sing, your stories dance, your spirit soars, a cosmic trance.
Jake Cosmos Aller, friend so dear, your friendship’s gift, I hold so nearby.
May your journey be filled with light, and may your stars shine bright forever.
Another Bard Poem – This one is a limerick.
“There once was a poet named Jake,
Whose poems were fake and quite flaccid.
His verses are so lame,
Were barely acclaimed,
And his readers would often say “Yuck!””
Blues for 61 birthdays
I woke up feeling blue,
Feeling sad and alone,
Feeling the weight of 61 years on this earth.
Been there. Done that. Seen that.
Bored with the routine.
Wanting so much more,
Yet oddly satisfied with all that I have done.
Regrets I have a few,
Memories of a lifetime.
Fear and anxiety fill my mind,
Until the end of time.
And I know that my time
on this earth is ending.
But I am not ready.
I need more time
to make things right.
October Rain
rain
The falling rain
Of late October
Fills me with essential dread
As I rush about
And end up here
Wherever here is
The rain outside
Seems like the tears of God
As I sit
Crying over my beer
Thinking of lost love
And failed dreams
Wondering
What went wrong?
And what I can set right?
And the rain falls
And the night darkens
The rain is falling
All over this man’s world
And the rain falls
And I sit
Drinking my lonesome drink
Lost in dreams
Dreaming of what
Could never be
Birthday on Moon
To celebrate his 80th birthday,
Sam Adams and his wife decided to go to the Moon.
They would stay a week at the Hilton.
Space hotel on the edge of the Moon.
And have dinner at the famous Luna Grill.
They ate Moon-raised chicken.
And had a delicious fruit cocktail for dinner,
Noting it was fruit cocktail day.
They went to the casino.
Which often featured odd games to bet on.
Today was the first observation.
Of the international frog jumping contest
To be held on the Moon.
They won the contest.
Their champion frog “Everything’s Jake.”
Jumped 50 feet in the low-gravity lunar environment.
Meeting Dream Girl
When Sam Adams was 22 years old, he was in South Korea doing his Peace Corps duty, working in a public health center in Gapyeong, South Korea – two hours northeast of seoul, deep in the rural countryside. He had gone there in the furtherance of a dream that had haunted him for almost six years.
He first had the dream on his birthday on October 22, 1974, in a high school class at 2:22 p.m. He fell asleep and saw the most beautiful woman in the world talking to him. He knew that he would marry her. For almost six years, he had that dream almost weekly. He knew she was waiting for him in Korea.
On his 22nd birthday, he had just gone to his Peace Corps town, Gapyeong. He went out to dinner with his co-workers attending a birthday party for the town’s headman. They served him dog meat.
The next morning in his dream, his future wife appeared, laughed about the dog meat incident, and told him that they would meet in three years on his birthday in the town of Eijongbu where he would be teaching.
He continued to see her in his dreams, and then as she promised she walked off a bus and into life on October 22, 1982, at 2:22 p.m.
Based on a true story. The dates and times were changed to fit the 22-number theme.
Further note I legally got married on October 29, 1982, because it was my legal birthday.
Astrological Charts for October 30, 1955
I am not sure if there is anything to Astrology or not, but it is fun to think about. The following were mostly generated by Bing AI chat box. It is amazing to see what these AI programs can do, but a bit scarry as well. In a few years there may be no writers left!
Planets and Points in The Signs
Sun, Venus, Saturn, in Scorpio
Moon in Aries
Rising sign in Virgo
Mercury, Mars in Libra
Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto in Leo
Chiron in Aquarius
Sun in Scorpio 6° 14′ 48″
The Sun represents your Life Force.
You are here to transform yourself and others. An earthquake shakes the foundations of the city’s buildings.
Ascendant in Virgo 22° 26′ 09 Libra or Sagittarius depending on sites – all the other calculations are the same.
According to the web search results, the rising sign or ascendant is the sign of the zodiac that rises on the eastern horizon at the time of a person’s birth. The rising sign changes approximately every two hours, so an exact birth time is required to calculate it. Different sources may use different methods or systems to calculate the rising sign, which may result in different outcomes. However, based on the most commonly used system of Placidus house division, the rising sign for someone born on October 30, 1955 at 4 a.m. in Oakland, California is Virgo123. Virgo-rising people are analytical, meticulous, and service-oriented. They tend to be modest, practical, and reliable. They may also be perfectionists, critical, and nervous. You can learn more about Virgo Rising and its meaning in your birth chart by reading this article.
The Ascendant represents how others Encounter you and how you project yourself.
People see you as a problem-solver. A carpenter restores a historical home to its original glory.
Moon in Aries 25° 28′ 19″
The Moon represents how you Give and Receive Love.
You need independence to feel happy. You need comfortable rhythms to feel happy.
Mercury in Libra 17° 51′ 43″
Mercury represents how you Communicate and Interpret.
You know how to negotiate. A store limits one necessary item to one per customer.
Venus in Scorpio 21° 44′ 17″
Venus represents how you Relate.
You connect with the hidden parts of others. Two strangers get coffee after the funeral of a mutual acquaintance.
Mars in Libra 10° 53′ 42″
Mars represents your Drive.
You assert judgment and make decisions. A divorce goes to court.
Jupiter in Leo 27° 57′ 01″
Jupiter represents your Sense of Adventure.
You play the lead in life well. A young actress wins the audition to play the lead, knowing she will be a star.
Saturn in Scorpio 21° 43′ 55″
Saturn represents your Behavior.
You want the highest clearance. The CIA director orders an operation to destroy a terrorist cell.
Uranus in Leo 2° 17′ 59″
Uranus represents how your generation Breaks Away from the previous generation.
Your generation shocks through entertainment. An independent film hits mainstream theaters.
Neptune in Libra 28° 17′ 12″
Neptune represents how your generation finds Purpose.
Your generation promotes fairness in spirituality. The daughter of a wealthy businessman accepts the consequences of her poor choices.
Pluto in Leo 28° 21′ 51″
Pluto represents how your generation uses Power.
Your generation transforms the world through entertainment. A young woman finds reruns of “I Love Lucy” on her streaming service.
Chiron in Aquarius 0° 21′ 31″
Chiron represents the Wound You Need to Heal.
You need to heal wounds and worries regarding your community. A family successfully immigrates to a new country.
Note:
Astrologers started added Chiron to their calculations when scientists named it the 10th planet or perhaps the 9th planet after they demoted Pluto a number of years ago, but they kept Pluto in their calculations. Pluto is my planet = whatever that means.
North Node in Sagittarius 17° 59′ 38” Rx
The North Node represents what you Need to Attain in this lifetime.
You are here to learn to be an authority. A doctoral student teaches his first freshman class on Monday at 8 a.m.
Part of Fortune in Aries 3° 12′ 37″
The Part of Fortune represents your Natural Good Luck.
You are naturally lucky when you do it your way. A skateboarder weaves in and out of city traffic.
Midheaven in Gemini 21° 28′ 35″
The Midheaven represents how to Succeed in the World.
You attain prosperity intellectually. A bi-lingual young man has his pick of many jobs.
Intellectual capacity, thought process, comprehension, and learning abilities
1st house
Venus
Love, beauty, well-being, and gentleness
2nd house
Mars
Virility, action, violence, courage, and boldness
1st house
Jupiter
Abundance, warmth, good luck, and self-confidence
11th house
Saturn
Toughness, austerity, discipline, and limitation
2nd house
Uranus
Eccentricity, marginality, inventiveness, independence, and dementia.
10th house
Neptune
Gentle, dreamy, mystical
1st house
Pluto
Occultism and all hidden sciences, mystery, death, the hereafter, deep self-questionings, as well as power such as that of the atom
11th house
Ascendant
Personality, appearance, health
1st house
Natal chart Reading
Scorpio 19pg
Note: this is imprecise. the consensus reading seems to be the rising sign is VIrgo, but the rising signs change every two hours, so there could be some confusion.
Rising Sign: Libra (4°♎41′)
People who have Libra Rising love to maintain balance and harmony. They are usually sensitive to the world around them and disharmony disturbs their peace of mind. They are courteous, pleasant, nice agreeable, gentle, and soft. They can be softly persuasive as well. They love good things in life, making friends, and doing everything possible to avoid confrontation. They are fond of art, music, and literature. On the other hand, imbalance and discord disturb them deep within and they can be rude, shy, and indecisive. Physically, they are charming and have wonderful skin and nicely shaped facial features. The body is well-formed and it behaves gracefully and properly. They love personal luxuries, physical comfort, and things that please the senses. Lack of energy and ailments caused by rich foods like sweets cause them trouble. The mode is Cardinal so Libras are inventive and assertive and have initiative as well. The element of air brings them mental clarity, detachment and verbal skill and positive polarity makes them extroverted and expressive.
Midheaven Sign: Sagittarius
Intellectual pursuits and study appeal to you, but you need to be challenged on the work front because routine makes you bored. You are ambitious, but not money motivated. You say goodbye to the easy ways and take up difficult tasks boldly. You consciously or subconsciously seek a forum to showcase your intellectual and artistic talents. However, you may not seek the spotlight, but the work you do brings recognition and fame. Also, you become famous for something you have done outside your profession. Career options are travel, education, religion, politics, psychiatry, theology, and writing.
Sun in Scorpio (6°♏17′)
Intensity, passion, and secretiveness well sum up your character. You usually start things slowly, but once you have picked up momentum you are unstoppable. You are driven and controlled by hidden emotions deep within. You are sensitive, skeptical, and emotional, but work your heart out. You are intuitive and your perceptions are usually accurate. You want everything to be done your way and this makes you a tyrant at home. You tend to foist your views on your friends and family.
Moon in Aries (26°♈4′)
You react more emotionally. You make decisions quickly and act immediately without thinking much. The mind is very active, but you feel with your ego. Your responses are quick and short. You move on to new arguments or topics quickly without even giving your opponents enough time to present their views. You are short-tempered. However, you are competent and love to challenge your opponent. You are happy and optimistic, but impatient. You live for the moment and forget everything in no time.
Mercury in Libra (17°♎54′)
You have an active mind that weighs the pros and cons, even though you take your time to make decisions. You are a balanced thinker and communicator. Eloquent, gentle, and diplomatic, you think intelligently and objectively. You are friendly, broad-minded, and judicious and you have an easy-going, warm, and charming nature. Attracted to lofty ideals and refinement in life, you are good at writing well and merging ideas. You dislike conflicts and hate debating.
Venus in Scorpio (21°♏47′)
Your love is intense, deep, and sensual. In a relationship, you are straightforward, determined, and direct. You express excess feelings. You are a sexy person and being deeply involved, you are intensely romantic. You love or hate your partner with intense passion. Break-ups are hard to cope with. The physical or sexual aspect of the relationship is more important to you. You can be possessive in love.
Mars in Libra (10°♎55′)
Your physical energy is controlled to a great extent and you remain charming, generous, and cooperative. You are not pushy, but you can be assertive if injustice is served. You tend to fight against anything unfair and unjust. You have an objective and impassioned approach and therefore you can be a good judge or diplomat. Also, you are good at conflict management.
Jupiter in Leo (27°♌57′)
Optimism, confidence, and generosity are the three qualities that keep you going. You have lots of physical energy and you tend to show off. It means you embrace life in all its glory. Besides, you expect people to appreciate and admire you for your generous acts. You are a born extrovert and holidays, romance, and celebrations renew your spirit. But you tend to play cards or gamble.
Saturn in Scorpio (21°♏44′)
You have great emotional intensity and strength, but you may try to deny your passions. You carry out your responsibilities with an intensity of purpose. Anyhow, you possess more tolerance and understanding than usual. You are secretive and unforgiving and you cannot tolerate unfair treatment. You are resourceful, but you can be vindictive or withdrawn. Though you have a strong desire for success, you are subtle and calculating.
Uranus in Leo (2°♌18′)
You can be high-spirited and strong-willed, but you can be impatient and rebellious. Changes that involve high ideals and goals fascinate you. Though you are a born leader, you have to watch out for egotism and find ways to control your temper. You like to be unique, outspoken, and dramatic. Anyway, you have to be cautious about being overconfident and taking risks.
Neptune in Libra (28°♎17′)
You use your beauty and harmony to express your spiritual leanings. A wonderful relationship on the spiritual plane is on the cards. You dream about fashion, music, and peace. You also have your ideas about justice, freedom, and equality. However, you have to watch out for misplaced idealism and need to be more practical.
Pluto in Leo (28°♌21′)
Flamboyant and expressive, you tend to have heightened powers of leadership. You grab power and defy leadership if you are not the leader. You like romance, entertainment, and pleasures of all kinds. Besides, you try to attract attention extravagantly. (1937-1958)
Influence of Weekday: Sunday – Sun
Sunday radiates positivity, generosity, and love of life. You are creative, gregarious, bold, and noble, but you can be ego-centric, boastful, and excessively proud. You are capable of initiating new activities. Since you are kind and generous, you help people in distress. You remain focused and love to face obstacles and overcome them.
Bing answers
Can you generate an astrological chart (Chinese, Western, and Vedic tradition) for someone born on October 30, 1955, in Oakland, California at 4 a.m.?
GOAT
goat meets pig audio poem
Chinese
The person’s Chinese astrology chart is as follows:
Year month-day hour
Wood goat metal dog earth snake wood rabbit
The person’s Chinese astrology information is based on the four pillars of destiny, which are the year, month, day, and hour of birth. Each pillar consists of two components: a heavenly stem and an earthly branch. The heavenly stems are the ten basic symbols that represent the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) in their yin and yang forms. The earthly branches are the twelve animal signs that correspond to the twelve months of the lunar calendar.
The person’s heavenly stems are:
Year month-date hour
Yang wood yang metal yang earth yin wood
The person’s earthly branches are:
Year Month-Date hour
Goat dog snake rabbit
The person’s lucky numbers are 3, 4, 9, 12, 15, 21, 30, 34, 39, 45, 48, 51, 57, 63, 66, 69, 75, 84, 87, and 93.
The person’s lucky colors are green, blue, purple, red, pink, and white.
The person’s lucky flowers are carnation, primrose, Alice flower, lily of the valley, and orchid.
The person’s compatible zodiac signs are rabbit, horse, pig, and dragon.
The person’s incompatible zodiac signs are ox, tiger, snake, and dog.
Western astrology:
According to Western astrology, you are a Scorpio, the eighth sign of the zodiac. Your ruling planet is Pluto, and your element is water.
Some of the personality traits of a Scorpio are:
Intense, passionate, and loyal.
Mysterious, secretive, and complex.
Resourceful, determined, and ambitious.
Transformative, regenerative, and healing.
Jealous, obsessive, and manipulative.
Some of the challenges and opportunities for a Scorpio are:
To learn to trust others and let go of control.
To channel their emotions and desires into positive outlets.
To face their fears and embrace their shadows.
To use their power and influence for good.
To seek higher wisdom and spiritual growth.
Vedic Astrology
Vedic astrology: according to Vedic astrology, you are a Libra (Tula), the seventh sign of the zodiac. Your ruling planet is Venus, and your element is air. Your birth chart is shown below, along with the list of planets and their positions in the signs and nakshatras.
The major difference between these two is that according to Western calculations I am a Scorpio and according to Vedic calculations I am a Libra, and according to Native American calculations I am a either a Bear or a Raven.
Vedic Birth chart
+——————+——————+——————+
|Moon +-rahe—-+ +-keta—-+ +
+——————+ +-Moon–+-Jupiter-+-Saturn-+
|Moon +-sun—-+-mercury+-Venus—-+-Chiron-+
+——————+ +-asc—-+-desc—–+-Uranus-+
|Moon +-Neptune-+-Pluto–+-Neptune-+-Pluto +
|Moon +-Libra—+-Scorpio+-Laurus—+-Aries +
|Moon +-swat
| house +-desc +-ask +-desc +-acs +
+——————+ taurus +-Libra+-Aries——+Pisces+
Planet list
+———-+————+————+
| planet | sign | house |
+———-+————+————+
| sun | Libra | 10th |
| Moon | Scorpio | 1st |
| mercury | Scorpio | 9th |
| Venus | Virgo | 9th |
| Moon | Libra | 9th |
| Jupiter | Scorpio | 1st |
| Saturn | Sagittarius| 10th |
| Uranus | Leo | 11th |
| Neptune | Libra | 12th |
| Pluto | Leo | 11th |
Ascendant in Libra (4°♎41′)
People who have Libra Rising love to maintain balance and harmony. They are usually sensitive to the world around them and disharmony disturbs their peace of mind. They are courteous, pleasant, nice agreeable, gentle, and soft. They can be softly persuasive as well. They love good things in life, making friends, and doing everything possible to avoid confrontation. They are fond of art, music, and literature. On the other hand, imbalance and discord disturb them deep within and they can be rude, shy, and indecisive. Physically, they are charming and have wonderful skin and nicely shaped facial features. The body is well-formed and it behaves gracefully and properly. They love personal luxuries, physical comfort, and things that please their senses. Lack of energy and ailments caused by rich foods like sweets cause them trouble. The mode is Cardinal, so Libras are inventive and assertive and have initiative as well. The element of air brings them mental clarity, detachment and verbal skill and positive polarity makes them extroverted and expressive.
More on Scorpio
scorpio
Sun 6° Scorpio 27′
Moon sign: Aries
Moon 28° Aries 32′
rising sign: Scorpio? Libra or Virgo? the consensus seems to be its Virgo but who knows or really cares?
Ascendant 25° Scorpio 01′
For today »
How’s your timing?
The moving Moon and planets can influence your ability to relate to certain people at specific times.
Your sun sign: Scorpio sun 6° Scorpio 27′
Element:
Water
Key planet:
Pluto
The scorpion is one intense little creature, with enough poison in its tail to disable or kill a much larger opponent. However, the problem with this kind of built-in biological weaponry is that it must be mastered to be used most effectively. You Scorpios can use your “stinger” for self-defense, using your powerful emotional awareness to make your opponent harmless. But there is a sexual part of poisonous tail also, and until you learn to control those strong urges, you may find yourself in uncomfortable situations.
Motto: “What is hidden is more interesting than what is obvious.”
Greatest strength: your passion for your feelings.
Possible weakness: the need for secrecy can be isolating.
Your Moon sign: Aries Moon 28° Aries 32′
Emotions rise hot and fast but can fall just as quickly because you live so much in the present. The intensity of the moment can carry you to great heights or depths, but you’re not likely to stay in either extreme for very long. When you’re done, you’re done. As a fire sign, Aries isn’t a particularly reflective place for them.
More on the Goat
Your Chinese sign: the goat
The goat … the gentle goat
Mantra: living is my form of art.
The goat is the most easygoing of all the signs … sensitive to other people’s needs, kindhearted, flexible, and social. Goats love life, and all forms of art will help them express their active energy and joie de vivre. When stressed, they can be moody and appear weak, but will stubbornly resist the opinions of others if they disagree. They are devoted to their loved ones, outgoing, and quite outspoken about the world they live in.
Personal Note:
According to Western Astrology the Scorpio- Gemini relationship is a challenging one, but those that make it work have a very powerful connection. According to Chinese Astrology, the Pig-Goat combo is the best astrological combo for romance for love and marriage.
Other birth statistics
30 October 1955
Your date of conception was on or about 6 February 1955 which was a Sunday.
You were born on a Sunday.
Under the astrological sign Scorpio.
Your life path number is 6.
Your fortune cookie reads:
Your many hidden talents will become obvious to those around you.
Life path compatibility:
You are most compatible with those with the life path numbers 3, 6 & 9.
You should get along well with those with the life path numbers 2, 4, 8, 11 & 22.
You are least compatible with those with the life path numbers 1, 5 & 7.
The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2435410.5.
The golden number for 1955 is 18.
The exact number for 1955 is 6.
The year 1955 was not a leap year.
Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 1/24/1955 and ending 2/11/1956.
You were born in the Chinese year of the goat.
Your native american zodiac sign is snake; your plant is thistle.
Note: some sources say I am a bear, others say that I am a raven. There is no “native american astrology” per se as each tribe had its own way of looking at things astrologically speaking.
You were born in the Egyptian month of toby, the first month of the season of port (emergence – fertile soil).
Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 14 Heshan 5716.
Or if you were born after sundown then the date is 15 Heshan 5716.
The Mayan calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.17.2.0.6 which is.
12 baktun 17 katun 2 tun 0 uinal 6 kin
The hijra (Islamic calendar) date of your birth is Sunday, 13 Rabi’u’l-Avval 1375 (1375-3-13).
The date of Easter on your was Sunday, 10 April 1955.
The date of Orthodox Easter in your birth year was Sunday, 17 April 1955.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) in your birth year was Wednesday, 23 February 1955.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday, 29 May 1955.
The date of Whitsuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday, 5 June 1955.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Saturday, 17 September 1955.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Thursday, 7 April 1955.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday, 22 February 1955.
Celebrities who share your birthday:
Gavin Rossdale (1967) Diego Armando Maradona (1960) Harry Hamlin (1951)
Henry Winkler (1945) Grace Slick (1939) Claude Lelouch (1937)
Robert Caro (1935) Louis Malle (1932) Ruth Gordon (1896)
Charles Atlas (1893) Ezra Asalto (1885) Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821)
John Adams (1735)
Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 7.62309197651663 years old. (you old hound dog, you!)
Your lucky day is Tuesday.
Your lucky numbers are 9 & 11.
Your ruling planet(s) are the Moon and Pluto.
Your lucky dates are the 1st, 10th, 19th, and 28th.
Your opposition sign is Taurus.
Your opposition number(s) is 6.
Events that happened on my birthday, include
Here is a list of things that happened on October 30, 1955, including the top song, the top movie, the top TV show, and the major events of that month in the US:
As some of you might know, I have resumed playing the piano daily. I bought a Roland Electric piano a year ago. I recently played my first Mozart Sonata and well I did not do badly. I will return to it next year after finishing the following piano books.:
Playing the following music books
BOLD = finished
Bela Microcosmos
Erie Satie Gymnopedies.
Clementi piano sonatinas
Piano Classics Korean music book
Jazz piano album George Winston
Jazz Piano Album Korean
Piano classics Korean
60 progressive piano pieces
Schuman Album one
60 progressive piano pieces
Schuman Album one
Music for Everyone
Bach Little Notebook
Bach’s two and three-part inventions
Easy classics
Korean Piano Books 1
Korean Piano Book 2
Blues Standards
100 Greatest Artists
Another Korean classic book
Ellington standards
Bach WTC
sonata album
Hayden
Mozart some duplicates
Beethoven – some duplicates
Mozart Sonatas
Beethoven Sonatas
Numerical List of Piano Pieces Played
Wild Mountain Flower Richard Lederman
A Comme Amour Richard Lederman
Isadora Paul Maurer
Concerto Pour Une Voix Sint Preux
Memories Of You Eubie Blake
Side By Side Harry Woods
Broken Promises John Schachter
La Playa Ja Van Wetter
L’ Amor Cesta Por Ríen Enrico Macias
Sans Tôi Mamie Alamo
Estrella Manuel M Pance
Lippens Schengen Franz Lehar
Song Of the Pearl Fishermen H Gaze
Fly me to the Moon Henry Mancini
This Is My Song, Charlie Chaplin
Hawaiian Wedding Song Charles E. King Charles E. King
Theme From Love Story Francis Lai
Love John Lennon
Parles Moi Damor John Lenoir
Love Is Blue Andre Popp
To Love Again N Washington
Lebensraum Franz Liszt
Hymn Lamour M Mannat
Love Me All Your Heart, Carlos Miguel
El Bimbo Claude Morgan
Home Sweet Home John Payne
September Song Kurt Weil
Hey Jude John Lenon
I Really Do Not Want to Know Don Robertson
Yesterday, John Lennon
Johnny Guitar Victor Yeong
The Music Played by Udo Jurgens
Janear 15
La Novia Jay Prieto
El Condor Pasa da Robles
Eternally Charles Chaplin
Minuet Henry Purcell
Air Henry Purcell
Trumpet Tune Henry Purcell
A Farewell Henry Purcell
Bourree Philips Telemann
Minuet Teleman
Saraband Angelillo Corelli
Musette Johann Sebastian Bach
Minuet Anna Magdalena Bach
Minuet Anna Magdalena Bach
Polonaise Anna Magdalena Bach
Musette Anna Magdalena Bach
March Anna Magdalena Bach
Minuet Anna Magdalena Bach
Gavotte George Frederick Handel
Little Prelude in F Jes Bach
Minuet Leopold Mozart
Burlesque Leopold Mozart
Minuet Mozart
Little Prelude in C Jes Bach
Allegro Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
La Caroline Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Little Scherzo Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
Allegro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Andante Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Presto Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Minuet Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Gavotte In Rondo Form Jean Francis Dandrew
Rondino Jean Philippe Rameau
Andantino Joesph Haydn
Scherzo Joseph Haydn
Rondo Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Bagatelle Beethoven
Ecossaise In G Beethoven
Seven German Dances Haydn
Coda Haydn
Ecossaise Carl Maria von Weber
Sonatina Jacob Schmitt
Bagatelle Johan Nepomuk Hummel
Gavotte Daniel Gottlob Turk
A Regal Dance Daniel Gottlob Turk
Serenade Daniel Gottlob Turk
Miniature Rondo Daniel Gottlob Turk
Evening Song Daniel Gottlob Turk
The Hunters Daniel Gottlob Turk
Carefree Daniel Gottlob Turk
Adagio Mozart
Lullaby Johan Philip Kirnberger
Sonatina Anton Andre
Sonatina Jakob Schweig
Three Country Dances Beethoven
Waltz Franz Schubert
Russian Folk Song Ludwig Beethoven
German Dances Ludwig Beethoven
Four Landlers Franz Schubert
Allegro Minuet One Franz Schubert
Andantino Waltz in C Op 19 Franz Schubert
Two Australian Fold Themes Carl Czerny
Peasant Song Felix Mendelssohn
On Tiptoes Henri Bertini
Dance Intermezzo Henri Bertini
The Clock Theodore Kulak
Cradle Song Theodore Kulak
Melody Robert Schuman
The Wild Horseman Robert Schuman
Bagatelle Robert Schuman
Soldier’s March Robert Schuman
Hunting Song Robert Schuman
The Reaper’s Song Robert Schuman
Arabesque Frederick Burmuller
Pastorale Frederick Burgsmüller G Major
An Old Romance A Minor
Little Suite Cornelius Gunter Minor
March Cornelius Gunter C Major
Scherzo F Cornelius Gunter F Major
Song Of the Hussars Louis Kohler C Major
Village Waltz Louis Kohler G Major
Chromatic Polka Louis Kohler G Major
Short Cannon Konrad M Kunz F Major
Short Cannon Konrad M Kunz E Major
Short Cannon Konrad M Kunz G Major
Short Cannon Konrad M Kunz B Flat Major
Morning Prayer Peter Schakowsky
Old French Song Peter Schakowsky
German Song Peter Schakowsky
Italian Song Peter Schakowsky
Reverie Peter Schakowsky
The Sick Doll Peter Schakowsky
Song From the Ceruse Cezar Frank D Minor
Pauper’s Complaint Cezar Frank 6
Once Upon a Time Robert Volkmann G
The Enchanted Garden Robert Volkmann A Minor
Dance With Me Robert Volkmann F
Over Hill and Dale Robert Volkmann C
Playing Soldiers Vladimir Rebikoff C
Evening In the Meadow Vladimir Rebikoff D Minor
Oriental Dance Vladimir Rebikoff D Minor
Tender Moments Alexander Rachmaninoff F
Promenade Alexander Rachmaninoff A Minor
Fugue In a Classic Style Nicolas Makowski G
Three Easy Pieces on Five Notes Igor Stravinsky
Tarantella Serge Prokofieff F
Humming Dmitri Kabalevsky D Minor
First Dance Dmitri Kabalevsky F
Little Marco Dimitri Kabalevsky C
Chit Chat Dmitri Kabalevsky C
Waltz Dmitri Kabalevsky D Minor
Tomatina Dmitri Kabalevsky a Menor
Prelude Dmitri Kabalevsky G Minor
Ride Dmitri Kabalevsky
Fairy Tale Dmitri Kabalevsky E Flat
Scherzo Dmitri Kabalevsky G Menor
Constante Héctor Villa Lobos C
Circle Dance Héctor Villa Lobos D Minor
Melody Aram Khachaturian C Minor
Bella Bartok Pieces
Six Miniatures Bela Bartok Bela Bartok C
Six Miniatures Bela Bartok A Minor
Six Miniatures Bela Bartok C
Six Miniatures Bela Bartok Bela Bartok F
Six Miniatures Bela Bartok C
Six Miniatures Bela Bartok Bela Bartok C
Microcosmos Bela Bartok Pieces Vol One
Six Unison Melodies
Dotted Notes
Repetition
Syncopation
With Alternate Hands
Parallel Motion
Reflection
Change Of Position
Question and Answers
Village Song
Parallel Motion and Change of Position.
Contrary Motion Capture
Four Unison Melodies
Imitation And Counterpoint
Imitation And Inversion
Pastorale
Imitation And Inversion
Repetition
Syncopation
Canon At the Octave
Imitation Reflected.
Canon At the Lowest Fifth
Little Dance in Canon Form
In Dorian Mode
Slow Dance
In Phrygian Mode
Chorale
Free Canon
Appendix
Disco For Elise Beethoven
In May Franz Behr C
The Clock Ada Richer G
Woodland Walz Franz Gwyn C
Copycat Audell Thompson C
The Snake Charmer William Gunn A Minor
Minuet JS Bach
Soldier’s March Robert Schumann
Minuet 1 Mozart
Parade Of the Midget Elizabeth L. Hopson
Beethoven Sonatina No 1 C
Indian Drum Kathrin K Davis E Minor
The Merry Farmer Robert Schumann F
Waltz M Louis Wright Louis Wright B Flat
Dreamland Katherine Allan Lively D Minor
The Wild Horseman Robert Schumann C
The Swimming Pool Myrla Adler F
L’ Avalanche Stephen Heller A Minor
Around The Hills Mabel Lewis Caine Lewis Cave F
Prelude 1 C Wes Bach C
Spooks Maxwell Eksteen A Minor
Spinning Song Albert Glimmerier F
A Melody After Mendelssohn Louis Wright
Beethoven’s Sonatina One F
Veil Lance Louis Wright F Minor
Under The Rose Arbor Theodora Dutton F
Blue Danube Waltz Johann Strauss C
Elfin Dance Edvard Grieg Edvard Grieg E Minor
Menuetto Iosco Joseph Haydn C
In The Gypsy Camp Franz Behr, A Minor
Pipes Of Pan B Flat
Toccata Pietro Domenico Paradies A Meno
Fur Elise C Edited the Version.
Serenade Franz Schubert D Minor
Rustic Dance C.R. Howard G Minor
From A Birch Canoe Richard Bender E Flat
Tarantella Paul Beaumont A Minor
Two Butterflies Myra Adler C
Loose Blatter Flying Leaves Car Killing D
Chopin Prelude No. 6
Chopin Prelude No. 7
Venetian Boat Song Nu 2 Mendelssohn
None But the Lonely Heart Tchaikovsky A Minor
Christmas Tchaikovsky A Flat
Le Tambourine Jean Philippe Rameau D Minor
Berceuse Lullaby a Links B Flat Minor.
Cradle Song Weigelia Brahms a Flat
Waltz Brahms A Flat
Simple Aveu /Simple Confession Francis Theme D Major
Gps Rondo Haydn G
Pizzicatos Leo Delius a Flat
Bridal Chorus Lohengrin Wagner B Flat
Barcarolle Offenbach F
Au Matin Benjamin Godard E Flat
Dark Eyes Russian Folk Song Richard Benda D Minor
Fur Elise a Minor Beethoven
Wagner Bratcher A Minor
The Maiden’s Prayer T Barczewski
Humoresque A Dvorak
Petit Chien Chopan
Turkish March Beethoven
Cuckoo Waltz Je Johansson
Blumen Lied G Lange
The Battle of Waterloo G Anderson
Chausson de l-Adieu E Major -Very Challenging Piece
Csikos Post H Necked E Minor
Marche Military F Schubert
Hochzeitsmarsch Mendelssohn
Crisco Post H Nike
Alpeenabendroite T Oresten Challenging.
Woodland Echoes Ap Wyman Challenging
Traumerei Richard Schuman Easier
Die Schmid Im Walden Th Michelle
Silvery Waves Ap Wykes
Waves Of the Danube J Ivanovic
Brahms Hungarian Dance Number 5
Invitation To the Dance Cm Weber
Dance Of the Clocks A Porcellio Challenging
Piano Concerto Theme Gregg Is Not as Complicated as I Thought.
Bagatelle Beethoven – Nailed It.
Norwegian Dance E Grieg
Solberg’s Song E Grieg
Mazurka Chopin
Nocturne Chopin
La Cinquinaine G Marie A
Borowski G Celeste
Placer D’amour Marital Tedesco
Gavotte Bach G
Sigmund’s Love Song G Wagner
Polka Tchaikovsky
Clementi Six Sonatinas
Clementi Six Sonatinas
Clementi Six Sonatinas
Clementi Six Sonatinas
Clementi Six Sonatinas
Clementi Sonatinas
Clementi Six Sonatinas
Schumann Kinderszenen G Major
A Curious Story D Major
Catch Me, D Major.
Entreating Child D Major
Perfect Happiness D Major
An Important Event A Major
Dreaming F Major
By The Fireplace
Knight Of the Rocking Chair
Too Serious
Frightening
The Child Falling Asleep.
The Poet Speaks.
Melody
Humming Song
Ein Choral
A Little Piece
The Poor Orphan Child
Merry Peasant Returning to His Work.
Sicilian
Old Bogie
May Month of May
A Little Study G
Spring Song E
First Sorrow G
The Little Morning Wanderer A
The Reaper’s Song C
Little Romance C
Rustic Song A
Ronde A
The Horseman F
Harvest Song A Min
Reminiscences Of the Theater A Min
Canon A Min
Remembrance A Min
The Stranger D Minor.
War Song D Minor
Sherardize
Gathering Of the Grapes
Thema
Mignon
Italian Mariner’s Song Lied Italian Mariana
Sailor’s Song
Wintertime One
Wintertime Two
A Little Fugue
Fingered Choral
New Year’s Eve
Northern Song
Sonata For the Young G
Theme And Variation G
Doll’s Cradle C
Rondoletto D Minor
Friendly Landscape
The Wayside Inn
Prophetic Bird
Hunting Song
The Departure
Summer Song
Little Cracle Song
Papillons 1 To 3
Robert Schumann Humming Song
Jean Sibelius A Hymn from Finland
Michale Glinka The Lark
Jes Bach March
Francis Couperin Rigaudon
Francis Couperin The King’s Crest of Viols
Jes Bach Be Thou with Me
Bela Bartok Teasing
Gluck Gavotte
Schumann First Sorrow
Edward Poldini Waltz of The Mice
Bela Bartok Ritual Dance
Vladmirrebikoff The Wandering Musicians
Robert Schumann Cradle Song
Edwardo Poldini Waltz Serenade
Vladmirrebikoff Legende
Karganoff Petite Valse
Chopin Prelude E Menor
Gf Han Del Sarabanda
Beethoven’s Three German Dances
Wa Mozart Menuetto
Jean Philip Rameau Little Rondo
Phillip Emmanuel Bach Piece for Right or Left Hand Alone
Joseph Hayden Scherzo
Leopold Mozart Minuet
George Phillip Telemann Prelude
Jes Bach Prelude C Major
Robert Schumann Little Study
Robert Schuman Song of The Reaper
Frederick Burgmueller Pastorale
Joseph Hayden Allegretto
Jes Bach Prelude F Major A
Edmund Grubber the Caissons Go Rolling Along
Arkansas Traveler
Red River Valley
Coming Through the Rye
Henry Ghys Amaryllis
Beethoven, I Love the Ich Liebe Dich
Ethelbert Nevin The Rosary
Gf Handel Minuet
Joseph Haydn Minuet and Trio
Beethoven’s Allegretto from the 7th Symphony
Joesph Haydn Andantino
Joseph Haydn Minuet
Erie Satie Gumnopedie No 2
Aram Khahaturian Oriental Dance
Sergei Prokofieff Rainbows in The Rain
Harry Warren September in The Rain
Gus Edwards In My Merry Oldsmobile
Billy Rose Barney Google
Louis Silver April Shadows
Harry Arlen, I Love a Parade
Max Steiner Raras Teme
Ag Villodo El Choclo
Joseph Haydn Hymn to Saint Anthony
Luigi Boccherini Minuet
Charles Gounod Ballet from Faust
Charles Gounod Funeral March of a Marriott
Anthony Dvorak Indian legend
Rimsky Korsakoff Scheherazade
Felix Mendelson Nocturne from Midsummer Night’s Dream
Peter Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet
JS Bach Gavotte
Mozart Piano Sonata in C Major
Bedrich Smetana Polka and Friant
Franz Schubert Waltz
Felix Mendelson Consolation
Rimsky Korsakoff the flight of the Bumblebee
Bredich Smetana Prelude album #6
Eduard Poldini Poupe Vasanta
Edward Mc Donnel A Moon Idly
Technical Tips for Those Returning to Playing an Instrument
Before playing each piece, I analyze the piece, noting the key, tempo and basic organizational structure. Then, I note areas to pay attention on the music itself creating a cheat sheet so to speak, including key, key changes, registry changes, very high and very low notes which are hard for me to sight read, and repetition patterns. I found that this simple step has paid off in helping me play a lot better, and I feel my skills are returning to where they were when I last played about seven years ago. I am sure I will achieve my lifelong goal of reaching semi-professional level playing within a few years.
I highly recommend this tip, plus playing each hand separately first when doing complicated counterpoint like in Bach, and listening, when possible, to the music you are going to play on YouTube while reading the score, to anyone returning to playing music.
Alzheimer’s Prevention
I heard a long time ago that playing music, learning languages, and doing mental games like crossword puzzles every day is the best thing you can do to ward off the dreaded Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Since my mother died of Alzheimer’s I am at increased risk. I have been doing all three for almost a year now, playing the piano, studying Korean via Duolingo and watching K Dramas, doing daily writing prompts, writing three to five poems or short stories per day every day, and writing down my dreams and journal entries writing three to four hours every day, and weekly blog postings, instead of crossword puzzles.
Bing AI Chatbot’s recommended play list
Here is a list of piano pieces that you might enjoy playing as an intermediate adult piano learner:
Chopin: Fantasie-Impromptu Op 66. This is a fast and expressive piece that showcases Chopin’s brilliant technique and musical imagination. It has a contrasting lyrical middle section that is very beautiful and romantic. You can find the sheet music here and watch a video performance here.
Rachmaninov: Elégie. This is a melancholic and passionate piece that reflects Rachmaninov’s emotional style. It has a rich harmonic language and a soaring melody that will touch your heart. You can find the sheet music here and watch a video performance here.
Liszt: Un sospiro. This is a delicate and graceful piece that requires a lot of control and finesse. It has a flowing arpeggio accompaniment and a singing melody that creates a dreamy atmosphere. You can find the sheet music here and watch a video performance here.
Satie: Je te veux. This is a charming and playful piece that was originally written as a song for a cabaret singer. It has a catchy melody and a simple harmonic structure that makes it easy to learn and enjoy. You can find the sheet music here and watch a video performance here.
Tchaikovsky: November from The Seasons Op 37a. This is a nostalgic and expressive piece that depicts the autumn mood in Russia. It has a lyrical theme and a varied accompaniment that creates contrast and interest. You can find the sheet music here and watch a video performance here.
Brahms: Intermezzo Op 118 No 2. This is a gentle and soothing piece that is one of Brahms’ most popular works for piano. It has a warm and tender melody and a subtle harmonic complexity that makes it very satisfying to play. You can find the sheet music here and watch a video performance here.
Debussy: Serenade for the Doll, No 3 from Children’s Corner. This is a whimsical and colorful piece that evokes the image of a toy doll dancing. It has a lively rhythm and a playful melody that will make you smile. You can find the sheet music here and watch a video performance here.
Mendelssohn: Song without Words in F sharp minor Op 67 No 2. This is a lyrical and elegant piece that is part of Mendelssohn’s famous collection of miniatures for piano. It has a smooth and expressive melody and a refined accompaniment that creates harmony and balance. You can find the sheet music here and watch a video performance here.
I hope you find this list helpful and inspiring. Have fun playing these wonderful piano pieces!
You Can Do It
I am posting this as an encouragement to others reaching retirement who have always wanted to resume playing an instrument to just go for it. You can do it and the rewards will be immeasurable.
I wrote this on Friday the 13th but it took a few days before I was able to post it. There are many superstitions in the world. Among them, is fear of the numbers four, six, and 13, particularly Friday the 13th. Here are my poetic reflections followed by a list of suggested readings on this topic., generated by our friendly AI Bing, and a few personal memories as well.. Enjoy and would love to hear back from my readers on this or any other topic.
Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th
There are many superstitious
In the world.
In the West –
The number 13
Is considered particularly unlucky,
On Friday for some reason.
There are words for it.
Triskaidekaphobia.
Paraskevidekatriaphobia.
Frigga triskaidekaphobia.
I don’t have the fear.
But many do
So why is Friday the 13th so unlucky?
The hearsay is.
That is because of Judas.
The Betrayer of Jesus
Was the 13th dinner guest
On the Last Supper.
Another Friday the 13th Poem
Friday the 13th
An unlucky day
According to ancient superstitions
According to ancient history
There were 13 people
At the last supper
And the 13th guest
Judas betrayed Jesus
Giving him up to the Romans
For a piece of silver
Be that as it may
13 remains a unlucky number
For many people
Ever since
But for me
It does not seem to matter
Can’t recall whether
I ever won or lost
Playing the number 13
At a casino
Seems to be just another number
Number seven is more
Of a lucky number to me
Met my wife
On September 7th
And that number
Has remained
my good luck number
People fear Friday the 13th because of various superstitions and folklore that associate the number 13 and the day of Friday with bad luck, misfortune, or death. Some possible reasons why people fear Friday the 13th is:
to that of the word for “death” (死, is in Mandarin),
and remains so in the other countries’ Sino-Xenic vocabulary.
(Korean sa for both.
Japanese she for both.
Vietnamese tự “four” vs. tự “death”).
So, throughout Asia
And Asian communities
There are no fourth floors.
Sometimes they use the English word.
Or simply the letter F
And in SF, NYC and LA
444 buildings
Are not to be found.
Fear of Number 4
(from Bing AI Chatbox)
this (fear of the number 4 sic) originates from Classical Chinese, in which the pronunciation of the word for “four” (四, is in Mandarin) is very similar to that of the word for “death” (死, is in Mandarin), and remains so in the other countries’ Sino-Xenic vocabulary (Korean sa for both; Japanese she for both; Vietnamese tự “four” vs. tự “death”).
in 1985, I spent the summer studying in Korea through a grant from the Korea Research Foundation. I was given a room in the International House and complained that they gave me room 444 and that was a bad luck number. The building owners did not consider 444 to be an unlucky number for foreigners, so they did not move me.
Therefore, the perception of the number 6 as unlucky depends on the cultural and religious context of the person who uses it. There is no definitive answer to why the number 6 is considered unlucky by some people and lucky by others. It is mostly a matter of personal belief and interpretation.
666 6th Avenue
666 6th avenue
The story is that.
666 6th avenues
Was renamed.
other some number
On Lexington Avenue
because ever since it open
there were so many mysterious
fires, and crimes
committed in the building
The building has a distinctive facade
with the number 666 on it.
there was a fatal fire
in 1912
and in 2015
a murder-suicide
they finally renamed it
and it is re-opening
soon.
from AI Chat
666 6th Avenue
There is some controversy surrounding the building at 666 6th Avenue in New York City, which is not to be confused with the more famous 666 Fifth Avenue that was owned by the Kushner family. According to the web search results, here are some of the reasons why 666 6th Avenue is controversial:
In 2007, Kushner Companies, led by Jared Kushner, bought the building for $1.8 billion, which was the most expensive real estate deal in New York City’s history at the time. The purchase was ill-timed, as the 2008 economic collapse dealt a blow to the
in one of my short stories, “Escape from Hell” I write about secret entrances to Hell scattered around the world. Hell is in another dimension and one can only go to Hell or escape from Hell through gateways known only to a few. the Lovecraftian occult classic book, The Necromicron is a real book that provides clues to some of the ancient gateways to Hell and other dimensions.
The founder of the Church of Satan claimed he had a map accurate of 1930 that showed entrances. Most gateways were located in rough neighborhoods the so-called Hell hole neighborhoods found in every big city. SF Tenderloin is one such location and NYC Chelsea is another. Later a secret VIP gateway was built between 666 6th and 666 5th Avenue, the other end opened up on 666 Hell Central Plaza where Satan Inc is located. Satan Inc. manages Satanic investments in our world. Demon functionaries are allowed R and R on full moon nights and that is while there is always a spike in weird violent crimes around the world as demons run wild in these Hell hole hoods, they have to be back by dawn.
For more info see the following (from Bing search chat box results)
These phobias can cause symptoms such as nausea, trembling, rapid heartbeat, feelings of unreality, and being preoccupied with the fear object. They can also interfere with a person’s daily life and well-being. Phobias are treatable conditions that can be minimized or eliminated with cognitive and behavioral therapy techniques and medication. If you or someone you know suffers from a phobia, you may want to seek professional help.
in 1974, I broke a mirror, My mom who was a woman well-versed in superstitions and occult lore, said I would have seven years of bad luck. I met my wife eight years later. Go figure,
in Korean and East Asia, fortune tellers say that bad luck comes in a wave of bad luck for three years in a row, known as “Samjae”. I experienced this in 1995- to 1997 when I almost lost my life due to breaking my heel while jogging and developing a multiple resistance staph infection and spend eight months in the hospital and had 14 operations, later i spend a few weeks in the ICU as my internal flora went wild due to excessive antibodies, and also developed a frozen shoulder syndrome for the same reason.
Superstitions are beliefs that certain actions or events can influence the outcome of something else, usually positively or negatively. There are many common superstitions around the world, and some of them may vary depending on the culture or religion of the people who believe in them. Here are some examples of common superstitions and their possible origins:
These are just some of the common superstitions that people believe in. There are many more superstitions out there, and some of them may be very personal or specific to certain situations. Superstitions can sometimes help people cope with uncertainty or fear, but they can also limit their choices or actions. Superstitions are not based on facts or evidence, but rather on beliefs and traditions. Therefore, it is important to be aware of them, but not to let them control your life.
I hope you enjoyed my poetic musings on common superstitions and additional reading provided by Bing.
In 1996, I went jogging and fell down a ledge in the dark and broke my heel. I ended up in the hospital undergoing 14 operations due to a mutant multiple drug resistant staph infection. Almost had to my life amputated, and almost lost my life. Ever since the operations, I have had low-level chronic pain, which can be overwhelming. I also have arthritis pain, and suffer from insomnia, and migraines.
When I came to Oregon, I tried CBD oil and have been putting in my coffee for the last six weeks and the results are in.
My chronic pain due to fibromyalgia and arthritis pain has been reduced by 70 percent! I wake up almost pain free, the first time in almost 25 years since my great accident and 14 operations. See cheating death above for details.
It is great. It is legal in most states. A bit expensive but worth it. When I return to Korea, I will try to get a prescription as it is legal now with a prescription, marine remains illegal.
CBD may provide benefits for those with neurological disorders. A 2022 study suggests that nabiximols (Sativex) spray containing both CBD and THC may help re…
Research from 2017 indicated that CBD oil helped reduce seizure activity in children with Dravet syndrome, but it also caused some adverse reactions. See more
CBD oil has shown promise as a treatment for some mental health disorders leading many people who live with these conditions to become interested in this natura… See more
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