“October” by Eric Whitacre

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“Fall” in Texas doesn’t really start until mid-October most years.  Today, we’ve got a blustery wind blowing in, and the leaves are starting to swirl around.  The temperatures are getting nippy (for Texas), and the dogs want to be outside longer as the days get shorter.

I love this time of year.  Apparently musicians both classical and contemporary do, too – here is the hauntingly beautiful “October“, composed by Eric Whitacre.  Originally written for a wind orchestra, it translates beautifully to a string arrangement:

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“October” (wind orchestral arrangement) is only available in the MP3 format.
(Mr. Whitacre has an amazing body of work; I just discovered him today….)
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Posted in Classical, Just Because, Music, Texas | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Music from “Sherlock” – “Sinnerman”

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Thanks to a trial subscription to Amazon Prime (which we subsequently upgraded to a full membership), we have been able to watch a bunch of shows online that we’ve really been wanting to see.

One of those shows is the delightful BBC series “Sherlock“, a fast-paced, contemporary retelling of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries. If you haven’t had a chance to see it, I highly recommend it – both of the gentlemen who portray Holmes and Watson work very well off of each other; the casting for the series is top-notch.

Benedict Cumberbatch (whose voice will make you melt) is absolutely riveting as a modern-day Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman does a marvelous job as his put-upon sidekick John Watson. Rupert Graves (who has been a favorite actor of mine since seeing him in 1985’s “A Room With a View“) has a recurring part as Inspector LeStrade, and Andrew Scott is spot-on perfect as Holmes’ criminally psychotic, brilliant arch-nemesis Moriarty.

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Her Name is “Lola”….

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….and whatever Lola wants, Lola is gonna get.
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Posted in Contemporary, Family, Humor, Just Because, Music | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

“Strike Back” Theme Song – “Short Change Hero”

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We recently discovered a show/series on Cinemax called “Strike Back” – it’s become our newest guilty pleasure.

There’s plenty of nice eye candy for Paul and me (some of it is definitely for “mature” audiences, though, IYKWIMAITTYD)

There’s lots of guns, too.
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Sunday Hymn – “How Can I Keep From Singing”

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Oh, my – if this doesn’t get you up off the pew, dancing in the aisles, nothing will….
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(“How Can I Keep From Singing” sung by Eva Cassidy – available on CD or MP3)
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Posted in I Love America, Inspirational, Music, Religious | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

The (Arab) Winter of Our Discontent

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“What all the wise men promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.” – Lord Melbourne
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Don’t let the administration or the media get away with telling the world that this came about because of some cheesy video clip.  They are saying that in order to draw attention away from their shitty Foreign Policy which – along with many other factors that have nothing to do with the United States – allowed this mayhem to occur.

The arrogant head of this administration was convinced that his goodwill and charisma would be enough to sway the opinions of people who – in many cases – have the mindset of primitive tribal cultures.

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Posted in A Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy, I Am Breitbart, Liberal Nonsense, Lying Lawyers, Things That Make Me Crazy, Think about it | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Over The Rainbow” (Eva Cassidy)

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I’m tired of living in interesting times

Here’s a calming counterpoint to all of the madness that is going on half a world away:
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(“Over The Rainbow” by the incomparable Eva Cassidy – available on CD or MP3)
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Posted in Contemporary, Feelin' Sorry for Myself, I Love America, Inspirational, Just Because, Music | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

A Somber Remembrance – Thoughts on the Anniversary of 9/11

I suppose every generation has its share of “Where were you when….?” moments – those “somethings” that happen that are so big, so life-altering, and which affect so many people that the vast majority of them have a memory etched into their mind of where they were when they heard the news, how they felt when they heard the news, and how it changed their life forever.

I can still remember that morning – it started off like any other morning. Rachel had gotten up early and was already dressed and on her way to high school with her friends, Michelle and Sarah were getting ready for school, and Paul was getting ready for work. I was resting in bed, waiting for Rebecca – who had turned 2 months old the day before – to wake up for her morning bottle.

Paul came into the bedroom and said he had just heard on the radio that a plane had hit the World Trade Center and it was on fire.

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For Bev – “Again Someday”

(l to r) Bev and Me, 1964

(l to r) Me and Bev, 2004

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Today would have been my little sister’s 50th birthday.
Miss you like heck, Sis….
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(“Again Someday” by Blackmore’s Night – available on CD or MP3)

Posted in Contemporary, Family, Feelin' Sorry for Myself, Music, Special Occasions | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

“Wish You Were Here”

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Been feeling a little melancholy lately (hence the lack of posts the past few days).

I’ve got a post scheduled for Sunday which – along with the recent deaths of my uncle and my cousin, as well as Lady’s passing – has me in my current state.  I’ll be fine in a couple of days; I just need a break right now.
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(“Wish You Were Here” by Blackmore’s Night – available on CD or MP3)

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