Friday, June 18, 2010
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
As a tennis player and musician, I am very aware of the many ways that a person can injure themselves. So far, I have escaped injury but am aware that it could happen. One thing that I try to be very careful of is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. When I practice, I make sure that I take appropriate breaks and watch how I hold my instrument. When playing tennis, I try to stay in shape which is one issue among many that I need to take care of soon, in fact starting this weekend. I am always careful to warm-up. Too often people ignore that facet of playing whether it is music or tennis. So far, I have not needed a brace or felt any pain. Here's hoping that things stay that way.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Cleaning the fridge!
This is my first day off since I started back to teaching full-time. What am I doing beside heading off to the bank to do some serious banking, gardening and tidying up, I am cleaning the fridge. Boy, it needs it!
Do you ever pick up jars and wonder about the expiry date? I am glad that I still recognize what is in the jars but the dates that is a challenge. Just threw out sauerkraut which I know is old because my husband already bought a new one that he is actually eating. Several containers of broth have been disposed of. Why do recipes always call for less than the can holds? I guess that I could increase the recipe to accommodate the extra.
By the end of the day, the fridge will be clean the garden a little tidier and it will contain some new plants.
Things will be put in order.
Do you ever pick up jars and wonder about the expiry date? I am glad that I still recognize what is in the jars but the dates that is a challenge. Just threw out sauerkraut which I know is old because my husband already bought a new one that he is actually eating. Several containers of broth have been disposed of. Why do recipes always call for less than the can holds? I guess that I could increase the recipe to accommodate the extra.
By the end of the day, the fridge will be clean the garden a little tidier and it will contain some new plants.
Things will be put in order.
Mark Twain's memoirs
If you can not publish something while you are alive, why would you publish it 100 years after your death? It is difficult to fathom.
Mark Twain's scandalous relationship with his "filthy-minded and salacious" secretary is to be revealed in memoirs published 100 years after the author's death. The unedited 5,000 page autobiography, which Twain refused to make public during his lifetime, will bare his feelings for Isabel Van Kleek Lyon.
The book is likely to shatter the myth that America's great writer and humourist was a cheerful old man, instead detailing his petty rages and uncomplimentary views of contemporaries.
Before his death in 1910, Twain decreed that his full manuscript should not be published for a century so that he would be "dead" and unaware and indifferent and could speak his "whole frank mind." There's this popular conception of him being carved out of marble and pure. But he smoked an average of 300 cigars a month, and he drank every day. He was a very sexual person.
The autobiography is to be published in three volumes by the University of California, Berkeley, which holds the documents in a vault. The first will be released to coincide with the 175th anniversary of Twain's birth on November 30.
Historians say his autobiography could cast him a new light, detailing personal scores he wanted to settle, uncomplimentary views of contemporaries and his religious and political convictions.
One wonders why Twain was willing to have himself cast in this very different light. Was it that he could not see how it would change people's views of him. If he waited 100 years for the publication of the work, he must have understood that there were concerns.
Interesting how time and new information changes our views of people.
Mark Twain's scandalous relationship with his "filthy-minded and salacious" secretary is to be revealed in memoirs published 100 years after the author's death. The unedited 5,000 page autobiography, which Twain refused to make public during his lifetime, will bare his feelings for Isabel Van Kleek Lyon.
The book is likely to shatter the myth that America's great writer and humourist was a cheerful old man, instead detailing his petty rages and uncomplimentary views of contemporaries.
Before his death in 1910, Twain decreed that his full manuscript should not be published for a century so that he would be "dead" and unaware and indifferent and could speak his "whole frank mind." There's this popular conception of him being carved out of marble and pure. But he smoked an average of 300 cigars a month, and he drank every day. He was a very sexual person.
The autobiography is to be published in three volumes by the University of California, Berkeley, which holds the documents in a vault. The first will be released to coincide with the 175th anniversary of Twain's birth on November 30.
Historians say his autobiography could cast him a new light, detailing personal scores he wanted to settle, uncomplimentary views of contemporaries and his religious and political convictions.
One wonders why Twain was willing to have himself cast in this very different light. Was it that he could not see how it would change people's views of him. If he waited 100 years for the publication of the work, he must have understood that there were concerns.
Interesting how time and new information changes our views of people.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Fender guitars
We have a fender guitar which is the pride and joy of my husband. I can not play guitar at this time. I can admire those who do play.
Another item from my music magazines: Fender uses alder trees to make their guitars. Apparently the only place where alder trees grow large enough to make guitars is a 200 mile by 50 mile stretch of land in Oregon. Who knew? Hopefully, the demand for fender guitars does not out strip the ability of the trees to grow to the size needed for the guitars.
Another item from my music magazines: Fender uses alder trees to make their guitars. Apparently the only place where alder trees grow large enough to make guitars is a 200 mile by 50 mile stretch of land in Oregon. Who knew? Hopefully, the demand for fender guitars does not out strip the ability of the trees to grow to the size needed for the guitars.
Jefferson and the violin
It is always wonderful and amazing to read about people who despite their busy lives managed to find time and a place for music in their lives. Thomas Jefferson is one of those people. He loved the violin so much that he made a carrying case that connected to his riding saddle so that the violin was handy during his travels. Now, I doubt that he played the violin and rode his horse but during breaks he found time to play. What an amazing image that makes.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Singing until the Cows Come Home
Managed to finally get all the missed issues of a music magazine that I subscribe to. Hope that none of you have as much trouble getting your magazines.
It is interesting reading some of the articles: Apparently ice cream maker Frank Frederick of Lancashire, England is resurrecting the secret, century-old gelato recipe that has been passed down through the family for generations-singing to the cows before milking. Frederick's grandfather Antoniao Federici, believed music helped the cows produce creamier milk.
Last summer Frederick invited Italian tenor Marcello Bedoni to serenade his Friesian cows at Cockshotts Farm near Clitheroe, Lancashire, in a series of concerts where the bovine bunch heard "Amore ti vieta", by Umberto Giordano, and "E lucevan le stelle," by Giacomo Puccini.
"The cows will enjoy the recital and this will be reflected in the quality of the milk they produce for us. The passion of the music will be reflected in the product," says Frederick.
Hayley Campbell-Gibbons, dairy adviser to the National Farmers' Union says, "Soothing sounds or music can reduce stress and induce relaxation and a healthy, contented cow is likely to produce more milk, and anything that enhances that can only be a good thing."
Wow, wonder if it will work. Do you think that the cows enjoy the music or just the relaxed atmosphere?
It is interesting reading some of the articles: Apparently ice cream maker Frank Frederick of Lancashire, England is resurrecting the secret, century-old gelato recipe that has been passed down through the family for generations-singing to the cows before milking. Frederick's grandfather Antoniao Federici, believed music helped the cows produce creamier milk.
Last summer Frederick invited Italian tenor Marcello Bedoni to serenade his Friesian cows at Cockshotts Farm near Clitheroe, Lancashire, in a series of concerts where the bovine bunch heard "Amore ti vieta", by Umberto Giordano, and "E lucevan le stelle," by Giacomo Puccini.
"The cows will enjoy the recital and this will be reflected in the quality of the milk they produce for us. The passion of the music will be reflected in the product," says Frederick.
Hayley Campbell-Gibbons, dairy adviser to the National Farmers' Union says, "Soothing sounds or music can reduce stress and induce relaxation and a healthy, contented cow is likely to produce more milk, and anything that enhances that can only be a good thing."
Wow, wonder if it will work. Do you think that the cows enjoy the music or just the relaxed atmosphere?
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Music Furniture LLC
I love music but I am not sure that I would choose the furniture produced by Music Furniture LLC, a company run by a Dutch furniture duo. The duo produces guitar-shaped bar stools, a microphone lamp, a drum-kit alarm clock and electric guitar toilet seats. One of the most popular items is a briefcase made from a real acoustic guitar. What a shame doing that to a guitar! Oh well, guess if you are in Nashville which is where the company is now based, the case would seem appropriate.
Check out the website www.musicfurniture.com.
Check out the website www.musicfurniture.com.
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