Wednesday, November 29
Hey Google! I’m still active…
Haven't been here in quite some time but would not like my posts to "disappear". May even take to posting again if anyone still reads these things.
Monday, May 11
The Gnome in the Hot Tub
I lost THE GAME...did you?
Posted on behalf of my darling daughter, Jessica.
If you don't know to what this refers, please excuse the post. Those who understand will undoubtedly find a way to extract their revenge...
Tuesday, April 7
Monday, April 6
Reaching for the Light
From SPACE.com staff:
"Tiny and dying but still-powerful stars called pulsars spin like crazy and light up their surroundings, often with ghostly glows. So it is with PSR B1509-58, which long ago collapsed into a sphere just 12 miles in diameter after running out of fuel.
And what a strange scene this one has created.
In a new image from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, high-energy X-rays emanating from the nebula around PSR B1509-58 have been colored to reveal a structure resembling a hand reaching for some eternal red cosmic light. In this picture, red represents low-energy X-rays, the medium range is green, and the most energetic ones are colored blue.
The star now spins around at the dizzying pace of seven times every second -- as pulsars do -- spewing energy into space that creates the scene."
Strong magnetic fields, 15 trillion times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field, are thought to be involved, too. The combination drives an energetic wind of electrons and ions away from the dying star. As the electrons move through the magnetized nebula, they radiate away their energy as X-rays.
The red light actually a neighboring gas cloud, RCW 89, energized into glowing by the fingers of the PSR B1509-58 nebula, astronomers believe.
The scene, which spans 150 light-years, is about 17,000 light years away, so what we see now is how it actually looked 17,000 years ago, and that light is just arriving here.
Wednesday, March 25
Draw Me a Picture; I Don't Understand!
Miz Minka got me again! This is now the third "Brain Scan" I've completed (although I must admit, the ever-harder-to-spot draggingfly dragged me into the other two).
I must admit, these things offer a wonderful, though temporary, refuge from the serious stuff of everyday life. Thanks for the break, ladies!
Your Brain Usage Profile:
Auditory : 43%
Visual : 56%
Left : 44%
Right : 55%
felipe, you possess an interesting balance of hemispheric and sensory characteristics, with a slight right-brain dominance and a slight preference for visual processing.
Since neither of these is completely centered, you lack the indecision and second-guessing associated with other patterns. You have a distinct preference for creativity and intuition with seemingly sufficient verbal skills to be able to translate in any meaningful way to yourself and others.
You tend to see things in "wholes" without surrendering the ability to attend to details. You can give them sufficient notice to be able to utitlize and incorporate them as part of an overall pattern.
In the same way, while you are active and process information simultaneously, you demonstrate a capacity for sequencing as well as reflection which allows for some "inner dialogue."
All in all, you are likely to be quite content with yourself and your style although at times it will not necessarily be appreciated by others. You have sufficient confidence to not second-guess yourself, but rather to use your critical faculties in a way that enhances, rather than limits, your creativity.
You can learn in either mode although far more efficiently within the visual mode. It is likely that in listening to conversations or lecture materials you simultaneously translate into pictures which enhance and elaborate on the meaning.
It is most likely that you will gravitate towards those endeavors which are predominantly visual but include some logic or structuring. You may either work particularly hard at cultivating your auditory skills or risk "missing out" on being able to efficiently process what you learn. Your own intuitive skills will at times interfere with your capacity to listen to others, which is something else you may need to take into account.
Sudden thought: Wouldn't it be fun to construct one of these puppies that returns humorous insults rather than the saccharine platitudes that fill the results of most online quizzes?
I must admit, these things offer a wonderful, though temporary, refuge from the serious stuff of everyday life. Thanks for the break, ladies!
Your Brain Usage Profile:
Auditory : 43%
Visual : 56%
Left : 44%
Right : 55%
felipe, you possess an interesting balance of hemispheric and sensory characteristics, with a slight right-brain dominance and a slight preference for visual processing.
Since neither of these is completely centered, you lack the indecision and second-guessing associated with other patterns. You have a distinct preference for creativity and intuition with seemingly sufficient verbal skills to be able to translate in any meaningful way to yourself and others.
You tend to see things in "wholes" without surrendering the ability to attend to details. You can give them sufficient notice to be able to utitlize and incorporate them as part of an overall pattern.
In the same way, while you are active and process information simultaneously, you demonstrate a capacity for sequencing as well as reflection which allows for some "inner dialogue."
All in all, you are likely to be quite content with yourself and your style although at times it will not necessarily be appreciated by others. You have sufficient confidence to not second-guess yourself, but rather to use your critical faculties in a way that enhances, rather than limits, your creativity.
You can learn in either mode although far more efficiently within the visual mode. It is likely that in listening to conversations or lecture materials you simultaneously translate into pictures which enhance and elaborate on the meaning.
It is most likely that you will gravitate towards those endeavors which are predominantly visual but include some logic or structuring. You may either work particularly hard at cultivating your auditory skills or risk "missing out" on being able to efficiently process what you learn. Your own intuitive skills will at times interfere with your capacity to listen to others, which is something else you may need to take into account.
Sudden thought: Wouldn't it be fun to construct one of these puppies that returns humorous insults rather than the saccharine platitudes that fill the results of most online quizzes?
Sunday, February 8
What a Wonderful World
For Catsinger and Miz Minka, who both seem to be having a tough time of it recently despite being exemplary cat people. Hope this lifts your collective spirits, if only a wee bit.
Friday, January 9
John the Baptist
Johnny's Mother looked out the window and noticed him 'playing church' with their cat. He had the cat sitting quietly and he was preaching to it. She smiled and went about her work.
A while later she heard loud meowing and hissing and ran back to the open window to see Johnny baptizing the cat in a tub of water. She called out, 'Johnny, stop that! The cat is afraid of water!'
Johnny looked up at her and said, 'He should have thought about that before he joined my church.'
A tip o' the hat to our neighborhood zoologist!
Wednesday, December 24
Monday, December 22
Friday, December 19
Tuesday, December 16
Inspiration Strikes!
With a little bit of work, and a lot of luck in the lottery, I could drive Catsinger absolutely bonkers. Wish me luck...
A tip of the hat to Stephanie, one of our spinal instrumentation reps, who has this mad genius as a neighbor. The homeowner works for Intel and not only shares the music via loudspeakers, but broadcasts the synchronized tunes so you can listen on your car radio as you drive by.
Check out the whole story.
A tip of the hat to Stephanie, one of our spinal instrumentation reps, who has this mad genius as a neighbor. The homeowner works for Intel and not only shares the music via loudspeakers, but broadcasts the synchronized tunes so you can listen on your car radio as you drive by.
Check out the whole story.
Saturday, December 13
Hide It Under A Bushel? NO!
I'm gonna make it shine.
Catsinger swore she wouldn't have lights this year. Sometimes good things happen when you least expect it!
Saturday, December 6
Monday, November 24
Friday, November 21
A Choristers' Guide To Keeping Conductors In Line
As much as I wish I had seen this while Dragonbug was still in Stockton, I realize now that her "loyal" tenors (and a few altos...) practiced many of these rules as a matter of second (first?) nature. I sincerely believe that by conscientiously applying ourselves to the rest of the principles herein, the choir she left behind might just make Catsinger's life much more interesting...
A tip of the hat to my next door neighbor and fellow tenor for the following. Where he got it is anybody's guess.
The basic training of every singer should, of course, include myriad types of practical and theoretical emphases. One important area which is often neglected, however, is the art of one-upmanship. The following rules are intended as guides to the development of habits which will promote the proper type of relationship between singer and conductor.
1. Never be satisfied with the starting pitch. If the conductor uses a pitch-pipe, make known your preference for pitches from the piano and vice-versa.
2. Complain about the temperature of the rehearsal room, the lighting, crowded space, and of a draft. It's best to do this when the conductor is under pressure.
3. Bury your head in the music just before cues.
4. Ask for a re-audition or seating change. Ask often. Give the impression you're about to quit. Let the conductor know you're there as a personal favour.
5. Loudly clear your throat during pauses (tenors are trained to do this from birth). Quiet instrumental interludes are a good chance to blow your nose.
6. Long after a passage has gone by, ask the conductor if your C# was in tune. This is especially effective if you had no C# or were not singing at the time.
7. At dramatic moments in the music (which the conductor is emoting), be busy marking your music so that the climaxes will sound empty and disappointing.
8. Wait until well into a rehearsal before letting the conductor know that you don't have the music.
9. Look at your watch frequently. Shake it in disbelief occasionally.
10. When possible, sing your part either an octave above or below what is written. This is excellent ear-training for the conductor. If he hears the pitch, deny it vehemently and claim that it must have been the combination tone.
11. Tell the conductor, "I can't find the beat." Conductors are always sensitive about their "stick technique" so challenge it frequently.
12. If you are singing in a language with which the conductor is the least bit unfamiliar, ask her as many questions as possible about the meaning of individual words. If this fails, ask her about the pronunciation of the most difficult words. Occasionally, say the word twice and ask her preference, making to say it exactly the same both times. If she remarks on their similarity, give her a look of utter disdain and mumble under your breath about the "subtleties of inflection".
13. Ask the conductor if he has listened to the von Karajan recording of the piece. Imply that he could learn a thing or two from it. Also good: ask, "Is this the first time you've conducted this piece?"
14. If your articulation differs from that of others singing the same phrase, stick to your guns. Do not ask the conductor which is correct until backstage just before the concert.
15. Find an excuse to leave the rehearsal about 15 minutes early so that others will become restless and start to fidget.
Make every effort to take the attention away from the podium and put it on you, where it belongs!
A tip of the hat to my next door neighbor and fellow tenor for the following. Where he got it is anybody's guess.
The basic training of every singer should, of course, include myriad types of practical and theoretical emphases. One important area which is often neglected, however, is the art of one-upmanship. The following rules are intended as guides to the development of habits which will promote the proper type of relationship between singer and conductor.
1. Never be satisfied with the starting pitch. If the conductor uses a pitch-pipe, make known your preference for pitches from the piano and vice-versa.
2. Complain about the temperature of the rehearsal room, the lighting, crowded space, and of a draft. It's best to do this when the conductor is under pressure.
3. Bury your head in the music just before cues.
4. Ask for a re-audition or seating change. Ask often. Give the impression you're about to quit. Let the conductor know you're there as a personal favour.
5. Loudly clear your throat during pauses (tenors are trained to do this from birth). Quiet instrumental interludes are a good chance to blow your nose.
6. Long after a passage has gone by, ask the conductor if your C# was in tune. This is especially effective if you had no C# or were not singing at the time.
7. At dramatic moments in the music (which the conductor is emoting), be busy marking your music so that the climaxes will sound empty and disappointing.
8. Wait until well into a rehearsal before letting the conductor know that you don't have the music.
9. Look at your watch frequently. Shake it in disbelief occasionally.
10. When possible, sing your part either an octave above or below what is written. This is excellent ear-training for the conductor. If he hears the pitch, deny it vehemently and claim that it must have been the combination tone.
11. Tell the conductor, "I can't find the beat." Conductors are always sensitive about their "stick technique" so challenge it frequently.
12. If you are singing in a language with which the conductor is the least bit unfamiliar, ask her as many questions as possible about the meaning of individual words. If this fails, ask her about the pronunciation of the most difficult words. Occasionally, say the word twice and ask her preference, making to say it exactly the same both times. If she remarks on their similarity, give her a look of utter disdain and mumble under your breath about the "subtleties of inflection".
13. Ask the conductor if he has listened to the von Karajan recording of the piece. Imply that he could learn a thing or two from it. Also good: ask, "Is this the first time you've conducted this piece?"
14. If your articulation differs from that of others singing the same phrase, stick to your guns. Do not ask the conductor which is correct until backstage just before the concert.
15. Find an excuse to leave the rehearsal about 15 minutes early so that others will become restless and start to fidget.
Make every effort to take the attention away from the podium and put it on you, where it belongs!
Tuesday, November 18
It Would Appear I'm Headed For The Nerd Hall of Fame
Thanks to Miz M for steering me back to this site. I've made a little progress over the last year or so...
Friday, August 29
Thursday, August 28
I Want Your Vote!
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Friday, June 27
More Time Blown
I have no idea why, but I keep getting sucked into Miz M's memes. This latest involves two websites and the following list. For further details, check out her blog. I must admit, it was fun and the resulting "mosaic" is rather interesting.
1. What is your first name? - Phil
2. What is your favorite food? - Beef!
3. What high school did you go to? - Bexley
4. What is your favorite color? - burnt orange
5. Who is your celebrity crush? - If I have to pick someone: Janine Turner
6. Favorite drink? - tequila
7. Dream vacation? - Italy (again)
8. Favorite dessert? - Grand Marnier souffle
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? - vibrant
10. What do you love most in life? - each new day
11. One word to describe you. - eclectic
12. Your Flickr name. - N/A (don't have one)
Sunday, June 1
I'm opening a Pay It Forward Exchange, because
• I promised I would, and
• it looks like great fun!
That means three bloggers now have the chance to get a handmade gift from me, if you follow the rules listed below! I found out about it from the ever delightful Miz M. It’s based on the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on.
Here’s how it works: I will make and deliver a handmade gift to the first three people who leave a comment to this post requesting to join the exchange. Gifts will be tailored to the recipient - music, food, computer cleanup are but some of the possibilities. I promise: no critter-on-a-stick! It won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent by the end of the year and that’s a promise! What you have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.
Looking forward to discovering just who might be reading this and interested enough to take a chance...
Here’s how it works: I will make and deliver a handmade gift to the first three people who leave a comment to this post requesting to join the exchange. Gifts will be tailored to the recipient - music, food, computer cleanup are but some of the possibilities. I promise: no critter-on-a-stick! It won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent by the end of the year and that’s a promise! What you have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.
Looking forward to discovering just who might be reading this and interested enough to take a chance...
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