WTF-Beta

I became acquainted with Tom Lehrer's songs early in my college days in the '60s. I still pull out my song book now and then. In some ways, it's disturbing how timeless some of the songs are.

Big Al

Wish I could have been there.

Are there any videos forthcoming so we can hear some performances?

Big Al

I hope he's right, particularly regarding the fossil fuel purchases.

Big Al

Reminiscent of moves to dismantle Hoovervilles during the Great Depression. I wonder if the army will be deployed against any encampments like it was under the command of Gen. Douglas MacAuthur against the Bonus Army encampment in Anacostia, D.C.

Big Al

@pique said in Piano Party 7/27 Klaus is coming to visit:

Looking forward to pics and video. Miss you all!

Ditto.

Big Al

I've been playing with some frequency. It had been a long time since I had an instrument to use, so I am very rusty. A bit of neuropathy in my little fingers is an extra impediment.

The piano is all that I expected. It is probably more than I could justify based on who will be playing it most frequently, but you only live once.

I've been rifling through the immense stacks of music I've accumulated over the years, picking out things that seem at least somewhat doable. There is a lot of satisfaction lurking there.

Big Al

Seems like more and more musicians around my age are dying. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. RIP Chuck Mangione.

Big Al

Welcome back. I'm glad to hear your trip didn't result in any problems on return.

I don't know Mr. SK's immigration status, but I've had real concerns about people I know who have traveled outside the country.

Big

Happy birthday.

(Is it one more year closer to retirement?)

Big Al

Birds of a feather...

Big Al

@Daniel. said in Siberia?:

As an aside, Big Al, I'm curious to know if you think money buys the most happiness when you give it away?

Yes, I do, Daniel. I think it is an idea that was ingrained in me at an early age, particularly by my father. I sometimes accompanied him when he would take a box of food to someone who was out of work or some surplus clothing or furniture to a family who had suffered a disaster. He and my mother donated to causes they believed in, even though we were far from wealthy. We lived on a dairy farm in eastern Ohio with my paternal grandparents and we never had cause to go hungry, but we didn't have a lot of cash to spend on luxuries.

My sister sometimes resented some things my father did, saying that he was wasting his time and money on useless bums. Sometimes, that was probably true, but knowing that before doing something to help them wasn't always possible and only became apparent after the fact. That also made me subscribe to the old saying, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

I've been fortunate enough in my own life to seldom really be down and out, but I've had enough dry periods that I could wonder where the next dollar was coming from. I have some empathy for those who are closer to that circumstance more often. I can also appreciate how a small kindness can make a big difference in a person's day, whatever form that kindness might take.

I also support a variety of civic institutions through donations and memberships because I think they enrich the community and I would be sorry to see than shrink or vanish, Many of them offered free or discounted admissions to youth and students and I think that is valuable. I know I welcomed such opportunities when I was young.

Big Al

Lebensraum, Chinese style?

Big Al

That was a tribute to an enduring human spirit. This quotation near the end of the piece seemed to summarize the message.
“The essential things in life are freedom, solidarity and respect for every human being.”

As some people say, "May their memory be a blessing."

Big Al

More info on the 100 mile border zone: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/border-zone

"two-thirds of the U.S. population, or about 200 million people, reside within this expanded border region, according to the 2010 census. Most of the 10 largest cities in the U.S., such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, fall in this region. Some states, like Florida, lie entirely within this border band so their entire populations are impacted."

Big Al

That was a very informative article.

I wonder if there is a map showing the limits of the 100 mile border proximity zone? I suspect that I live not far from it because I'm less than 100 miles from Lake Erie, but I don't know where the exact US-Canada border lies within the bounds of the lake.

Big Al

The days get shorter every day from now until the winter solstice in December. The time moves backward by an hour when daylight saving time ends in November.

Big Al

Currently reading The Greater Journey by David McCullough, subtitled
Americans in Paris. Very interesting so far. I've been a sucker for books set in Paris for a long time, even more so after visiting the city myself.

Big Al

I wondered how they would react.

Good BBQ is not confined to Texas, either. There are a lot of good pitmasters at work around the country. I've tasted more than a few. I had some excellent brisket that one of my nephews smoked for two of his children's graduation party last Saturday.

I haven't spent much time in Texas, but I certainly agree that I ate some delicious BBQ there.

Big Al

@dolmansaxlil said in Happy (one day early) birthday, dolmansaxlil!:

We went out for dinner with the kid and his girlfriend.

Wow. They grow up so soon.

Big Al

A very happy anniversary to you two.

Big Al