Nothing much to report in the way of Central Valley agriculture this morning, except that cotton plowdown is nearly complete.
I finally located a complete copy of the version of The Internationale that I remember from my youth (pardon the cut and paste link), in a copy of The Weekly People (the Socialist Labor Party organ) of April 26th, 1924!
I have begun to re-read "The Left Hand of Darkness." The Introduction, with its reflections on what fiction, and particularly science fiction, are, is notable in and of itself.
Tomorrow, the gods of YouTube willing, I'll upload "Amazing Grace" from Judy Collins' 2013 Christmas album. That song was made for her voice...or maybe her voice was made for that song. Either way it's a little bit of Heaven here on Earth.
I also got Johnny Mathis' current Christmas album, which is about half duets. I particularly like the one with Billy Joel on "The Christmas Song." Again, by the indulgence of the YouTube deities, I'll be uploading tracks from that album too and from Val Doonican's Christmas album.
Val Doonican, you say? An Irish baritone who had a long-running TV show on the BBC, including the years we lived in England. Strangely, though I knew the name, I never watched his show or heard his music. Discovered him quite by chance a few weeks ago. That is, in researching the song "Morning" for one of my quizzes, I discovered that Val had recorded it. I found several compilations on Amazon UK, , one of which included "Morning" and I bought that one and liked it so much I went back to get another and happened to see the Christmas album. I'm so glad I finally discovered Val - Michael Valentine Doonican; great name, eh? He has a lovely voice. It's such fun discovering new musicians and books and so on.
We're taking VT*Grand to see the Nutcracker on Sunday! :-D
I worked today, then came home and zoomed into town with Mah*Sweetie to go to a craft fair before picking up VT*Grand. We then zoomed to the shoe store to exchange her new red shoes for a smaller size. Worked great and she loves them! We then spent the evening reading through the Nutcracker again, then dinner and her bath, followed by watching a little of the Baryshnikov version while her hair dried. All this and a new red sweater to wear with a new black dress with white polka dots!
I have a friend who was compelled by her employer to work ALL NIGHT on Thanksgiving, She hasn't had a Thanksgiving celebration with family in 8 years, but will soon change all that when she graduates with her Bachelor's and gets a better job.
I'm no fan of Black Friday. I've moaned about the greed it represents and that it's unconscionable that Walmart and others sell cheap goods made in third world countries employing questionable (or downright despicable) labor practices.
That said, I am these days leaning more toward what this good soul wrote on the subject. More and more I am simply accepting people as they are. I don't know entirely why, but I suspect the unkindness some of my coworkers have clandestinely displayed this year towards our director may be a factor. (What I see is that she is judged without understanding what her situation actually is.) I wonder how often I do that.
I suppose that if I must be assigned a place on the political spectrum, it would be Social Democrat--i.e., someone not particularly opposed to capitalism, but in favor of using social action (i.e. government) to ameliorate its excesses. This early shopping stuff clearly qualifies as excess; we boycott it. The best prices come later anyway.
And hello to Howard, evergreen.
ReplyDeleteNothing much to report in the way of Central Valley agriculture this morning, except that cotton plowdown is nearly complete.
I finally located a complete copy of the version of The Internationale that I remember from my youth (pardon the cut and paste link), in a copy of The Weekly People (the Socialist Labor Party organ) of April 26th, 1924!
http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2021/Brooklyn%20NY%20Weekly%20People/Brooklyn%20NY%20Weekly%20People%201923-1925/Brooklyn%20NY%20Weekly%20People%201923-1925%20-%200285.pdf
--Alan
I have begun to re-read "The Left Hand of Darkness." The Introduction, with its reflections on what fiction, and particularly science fiction, are, is notable in and of itself.
ReplyDelete--Alan
Hi guys!
ReplyDeleteNotes on the last thread.
Tomorrow, the gods of YouTube willing, I'll upload "Amazing Grace" from Judy Collins' 2013 Christmas album. That song was made for her voice...or maybe her voice was made for that song. Either way it's a little bit of Heaven here on Earth.
ReplyDeleteI also got Johnny Mathis' current Christmas album, which is about half duets. I particularly like the one with Billy Joel on "The Christmas Song." Again, by the indulgence of the YouTube deities, I'll be uploading tracks from that album too and from Val Doonican's Christmas album.
Val Doonican, you say? An Irish baritone who had a long-running TV show on the BBC, including the years we lived in England. Strangely, though I knew the name, I never watched his show or heard his music. Discovered him quite by chance a few weeks ago. That is, in researching the song "Morning" for one of my quizzes, I discovered that Val had recorded it. I found several compilations on Amazon UK, , one of which included "Morning" and I bought that one and liked it so much I went back to get another and happened to see the Christmas album. I'm so glad I finally discovered Val - Michael Valentine Doonican; great name, eh? He has a lovely voice. It's such fun discovering new musicians and books and so on.
I totally agree about Judy's voice and A.G., Catreona!
DeleteWe once saw her in concert, and oh what stage confidence, and what power in her voice!
We're taking VT*Grand to see the Nutcracker on Sunday! :-D
ReplyDeleteI worked today, then came home and zoomed into town with Mah*Sweetie to go to a craft fair before picking up VT*Grand. We then zoomed to the shoe store to exchange her new red shoes for a smaller size. Worked great and she loves them! We then spent the evening reading through the Nutcracker again, then dinner and her bath, followed by watching a little of the Baryshnikov version while her hair dried. All this and a new red sweater to wear with a new black dress with white polka dots!
I love making a memory! ♥
My goodness, what an eventful day, and the Nutcracker to boot! *smile*
DeleteI have a friend who was compelled by her employer to work ALL NIGHT on Thanksgiving, She hasn't had a Thanksgiving celebration with family in 8 years, but will soon change all that when she graduates with her Bachelor's and gets a better job.
ReplyDeleteI'm no fan of Black Friday. I've moaned about the greed it represents and that it's unconscionable that Walmart and others sell cheap goods made in third world countries employing questionable (or downright despicable) labor practices.
That said, I am these days leaning more toward what this good soul wrote on the subject. More and more I am simply accepting people as they are. I don't know entirely why, but I suspect the unkindness some of my coworkers have clandestinely displayed this year towards our director may be a factor. (What I see is that she is judged without understanding what her situation actually is.) I wonder how often I do that.
Anyway, have a look:
http://m.jennifermcgrail.com/2011/11/happy-holidays-and-other-four-letter-words/
I suppose that if I must be assigned a place on the political spectrum, it would be Social Democrat--i.e., someone not particularly opposed to capitalism, but in favor of using social action (i.e. government) to ameliorate its excesses. This early shopping stuff clearly qualifies as excess; we boycott it. The best prices come later anyway.
Delete--Alan