WEEKLY WORDS OF WISDOM on the World Wide Web chosen by Lama Surya Das

If there is anything I have learned about men & women, it is that there is a deeper spirit of altruism than is ever evident. Just as the rivers we see are minor compared to the underground streams, so, too, the idealism that is visible is minor compared to what people carry in their hearts unreleased or scarcely released. (Hu)mankind is waiting and longing for those who can accomplish the task of untying what is knotted, and bringing these underground waters to the surface.

--Albert Schweitzer

Inspired

While running errands this afternoon I listened to a live recording of Leonard Cohen performing in London. He is one of the greatest lyric/poetic writers of all time. And, as so often happens when I listen to him, or read him, I get inspired to write poetry, something I haven't done in too long a time.

What I need are subjects. Please go over to my Facebook page and suggest two potential subjects. The only rules are (1) No subjects that deal with politics/government, and (2) There must be two subjects suggested; why will become clear later. In return, I will compose a poem using those subjects. Current wives and ex-girlfriends get their poems first, just because I like gals more than I do guys.

Music in my head: I'm Your Man, Leonard Cohen

P.S. If you don't have and/or don't want a Facebook account, leave subject ideas in blog comments.

A Cowboy Church

Didn't know that such things existed, but I learned recently that a high school friend and her husband have started a Cowboy Church. It's on a Farm-to-Market road, no less.

Not being either of the faith nor anywhere near the vicinity, I doubt I'll mosey in anytime soon.

I wonder if a Cowboy Temple would work; leave your boots and guns at the front door, occasional vegan barbecues, pearl snaps on the robes.

We already have a Zen Cowboy, so, who knows?

Music in my head: The theme song from the PBS kids program Martha Speaks.

Wow. So Much Has Changed

I've spent a little time getting re-acquainted with the blogosphere, there have been lots of changes. I've got to update my links. Hopefully I won't wait until another bout of insomnia pushes me towards the computer.

Caught On Film (err CCD)

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter took some neat pictures of Apollo landing sites. Even bootprints!

Hmmm...

Why does Debtors Anonymous sell products on their home page?

At least they don't take credit cards.

Music in my head:Time and Tide, Basia

No Arias? No Thanks!

I just spent a bit over an hour listening/watching Richard Strauss' opera Capriccio. There isn't a single aria in the whole thing...or, at least not in the first half, anyway.

I've enjoyed Strauss operas before, such as Die Fleidermaus, and my favorite of his, Salome, but this one left me cold (on a hot day, no less!). There were a few laughs, and Kiri Te Kanawa as well, but it couldn't save it for me. I need arias to keep me interested.

Should be a good one tomorrow afternoon on PBS. Guess I'll just have to wait awhile.

Music in my head: Nothing coherent, I'm afraid.

Facebook

I'm partially on Facebook now. I still need to post some photos. What a strange little service. It kinda resembles Twitter; you gather together a list of friends, and post a few sentences during the day about the minutiae of your life. One thing it has done for me is put me in touch with people from high school, though I think some of them thought they were getting someone else (sorry, folks!).

Not on the same subject at all, THIS comes as no surprise.

I'm gonna start blogging again. Thanks to the half dozen or so of you who have kept checking for new posts. I have been posting to the music blog every so often, which seems to be getting more traffic than I would expect.

Music in my head: The Lark Ascending , by composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.