WTF-Beta

ICE is just part of Trump and the GOP's campaign to make America a totalitarian state. Immigration is just one cover for carrying out that goal. Under the false guise of rounding up criminal, illegal immigrants ICE is murdering American citizens of all colors. That orange SOB wants complete control--and the republicans are willing to give it to him--over the economy (the outrageous Powell episode unfolding right now), the states via intimidation and fear (ICE). We are heading down the path of totalitarianism faster than you say the word. ICE is our Gestapo, the force that ensures intimidation of all. The Democrats in power better have their eyes wide open.

I'm glad to see impeachment proceedings against Noem under way. And, the Democrats had better be ready, willing, and able to stall a new funding bill unless it contains severe limitations (if not the abolishment) of ICE. Cause otherwise, it's not going to be safe anywhere, no matter where you were born or what color your skin is.

@wtg I had never heard of the program (well, not surprising since I don't have tv or streaming services). I just watched an episode (Season 5 Episode 59 Christmas Special) on YouTube, and I'll definitely watch some more. It was a bit of a tearjerker at times!

Happy Anniversary!

@AndyD said in New Year, new music? Ambitions?:

Can anyone here play the middle part of Rachs prelude 5 in g minor?

I played it many years ago, even memorized it!

What good are his words now? He was an enabler of Trump. Does he think his words might have sway among the republicans?

@ShiroKuro I should try to get some Bach in my regimen, I do love his music.

@ShiroKuro I usually have something to work on that is a bit (or a bit more) beyond my current abilities. For me, it's constructive and I've found it a good way to extend my technical abilities. So I don't feel demoralized if I end up setting it aside, to be taken up again at a later date. However, if it soon becomes apparent that I'm not going to learn anything from tackling a piece, I will set it aside pronto. The 3rd movement from Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata is a good example. I've looked at it many times, thinking maybe this time I'll get deeper into it, but the hurdles become obviously too much for the time being. I'll keep going back to it though, when the mood strikes me.

@AndyD Nice list! I absolutely love the middle section of Rachmaninoff's g minor prelude.

I don't memorize any more unless absolutely necessary or certain phrases get absorbed through intense work on them.

The adult piano performance class starts again at end of month, if there are enough sign ups. I hope there are. A minimum of 4 students is required. So far I see two, including myself.

I am continuing on the 3 opus posthumous Nocturnes by Chopin. If the class takes shape, I'll work on Op. 72, No. 1 and the Polonaise Op. 26, No. 1, which I played twice in class last fall.

I may have mentioned working on the 4th Scherzo, Op. 54 but I have also started working on the Polonaise Fantasie Op. 61. I will have decide which one to focus on because I'd love to have one of these ready for work in class this fall. I love them both, and they both present challenges.

"making it a personal, proactive inbox assistant to help you manage your life, not just your messages."

Gawd they're pathetic. I've never had gmail except for one company account that my employer set up in case of emergency. Used it maybe twice. I don't intend to start.

The Calphalon will probably be my choice. I like stainless steel and it's not coated with non-stick chemicals.

There’s also the safety factor.

Just have to mention it because this silly argument appears in almost every article about induction stove tops. Over millenia, human kind has learned to cook with open fire and has learned that it's hot and therefore one doesn't reach across an open flame or place one's hands on a hot stove top. Of the burns I've ever experienced while cooking, they were all the result of a hot pan, not a hot stove.
Sure, induction stove tops don't get hot therefore they are safer in that regard, but it's not that big a deal.

My most recent Craigslist purchase is a 1907 roller organ. I drove to Williston, VT to pick it up. It was pretty beat up but I got a sense from the pics in the ad that it could be rehabilitated. The price was right. I wrote about it here: https://twistandvibrations.blogspot.com/

As a follow up to that write up, here is where it stands now. I need to cut a piece of glass for the window, and the bellows definitely need a rebuild. It's not just the paper valve; I've since noticed that some tinkering in the past shortened the pitman rods running the exhausters.

Perhaps this is a little cheesy, but I love the whole 1965 movie, Cinderella. Such a fantasy, such a fairy tale! And the song, "Ten minutes Ago" and dancing that goes with it. I love that scene (among many in the movie). And they both get to wear tiaras. It used to come on TV once a year. Rodgers & Hammerstein! Good music.

Lesley Ann Warren, who plays Cinderella, would on some future day perform this number from Victor, Victoria:

I visit Craigslist almost every day to look at the antiques for sale, sometimes the musical instruments for sale as well.

Jared Moskowitz

Jasmine Crockett

From the Avelo article:

“The program provided short-term benefits but ultimately did not deliver enough consistent and predictable revenue to overcome its operational complexity and costs,” Levy wrote.

In others words, they're still a shit company. Ethics and morals had nothing to do with their decision, just cold hard money. The modern corporate mindset is destructive.

Avelo Airlines to end ICE deportation charters as it cuts commercial flights, jobs

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/07/avelo-airlines-ice-deportation-flights-job-cuts.html

For sanity's sake.

A few this morning...

Judge disqualifies US attorney in New York, tosses Letitia James subpoenas
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/08/john-sarcone-ruling-us-attorney-00716067

Senate advances War Powers resolution with the help of 6 republicans
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5677255-live-updates-trump-minnesota-aca-subsidies-vetoes/

Over 1000 companies are suing the orange menace over tarriffs
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-01-07/trump-tariffs-face-supreme-court-with-1-000-firms-seeking-refunds?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc2Nzg4MzczNCwiZXhwIjoxNzY4NDg4NTM0LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUOElMNEZLSVAzTFUwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiI1NkY0MDI2RTJDMDU0OTAyQUU5NTQwMkVCODZDREI1RCJ9.u6Olh4BeyYFyI0QU9ASNhhgGQJSVpMejmjUcxkaSpVE

Rep. Kelly announces plans to impeach Secretary Kristi Noem

https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-kelly-announces-plans-impeach-secretary-kristi-noem

“Secretary Kristi Noem is an incompetent leader, a disgrace to our democracy, and I am impeaching her for obstruction of justice, violation of public trust, and self-dealing. Secretary Noem wreaked havoc in the Chicagoland area, and now, her rogue ICE agents have unleashed that same destruction in Minneapolis, fatally shooting Renee Nicole Good,” said Rep. Kelly. “From Chicago to Charlotte to Los Angeles to Minneapolis, Secretary Noem is violating the Constitution while ruining—and ending—lives, and separating families. It’s one thing to be incompetent and dangerous, but it’s impeachable to break the rule of law. I told my constituents and Chicagoans that I would fight against Secretary Noem’s agenda. This is me fighting back.”