I really enjoy reading Michener. And fortunately for me, he wrote a lot of books. I have historically travelled through time to Alaska, Spain, Poland, Texas, Hawaii, Africa, The Caribbean, Chesapeake Bay, Colorado, Mexico, and so forth.
Not too long ago I stumbled upon “Caravans” – a book centered in Afghanistan, written in the early 1960’s. Funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Michener could have published it today with minimal updating if he were still alive. And the foregoing is more than a subtle hint to remember the lessons of history. But I digress…
Anyways, that led me into the abyss of my library to look for other Michener gems yet to be read. Low and behold, “The Source” was still waiting for me. Published in 1965, the story alternates between the histories of the initial inhabitants of the land that is now Israel to the modern dynamics of building a state in a hostile place.
Jewish history is primarily delved into, but the Arabs, Romans, Greeks and Europeans get their share of attention. Along with Baal, the Greek and Roman Gods are profiled, but the main focus in this regard is upon the Creator that the Jews do not refer to by name.
Let me say that I am pleased that I was not placed in direct lineage of God’s Chosen People. I do not think I am worthy. And even if I am, I much prefer not to have that target placed upon me by the other dwellers of planet Earth. I’ve got enough problems.
For the record, I do feel a very deep affinity with and respect for the Jewish People.
As usual when reading Michener, I found it interesting and enjoyably educational. He does have a tendency to write at length, but when you have a big topic, what choice do you have? There are other authors on my “must read” list, but I am looking forward to perhaps finding other books by Michener that I have not had the pleasure of reading yet.
Oh, I should mention that it was Michener who sparked my determined interest in running the bulls – something that I look forward to doing before this is all over, whatever this is.
How can the Holidays be complete without experiencing The Trans-Siberian Orchestra?
For reasons of obvious bias and lack of neutrality, I must state that I have known Trans-Siberian Orchestra Co-Founder and Musical Director, Bob Kinkel, since childhood. We have never been close to BFF and in many ways are very different, but we have enjoyed performing together back in the days . Yet, our mutual interests make knowing Bob that much more special to me. As I am, needless to say, rather proud of him, I look forward to profiling Bob in a future post.
TSO in concert is Spectacular Spectacular! The combination of so many musicians, the musical arrangements, lighting & pyrotechnic effects, and choreography make for an intense experience.
Each season, the performance (in two sets) is based on the traditional program consisting of the story and songs of “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” followed by a set of selected TSO songs, this year featuring songs from their new release “Night Castle.”
This was the second time that I have seen TSO perform. I enjoyed it more than the first.
They certainly have a great outlook. Here’s what Co-Founder Paul O’Neill recently said in an article in the Detroit Free Press – “”We spend more on pyro in two months than most of the rock world does in an entire year,” O’Neill said with a laugh. “Our first duty is to the fans, to give them the best show for their dollar. We realize that entertainment is not a necessity of life, but human beings need moments of joy, or at least moments that are stress free. When you’re not worrying about what’s outside the arena, the body gets to recharge its batteries. The underlying story is about hope.”
And they are obviously doing something right as Billboard recently ranked TSO as the highest grossing winter tour.
Frankly Francis, Bob Kinkel & Debbie Backstage 2008
Next Holiday Season, do yourself a favor and spend a night with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I am already looking forward to it.
Through various quotes through the years, I’ve been aware of irreverent conservative writer P.J. O’Rourke.
One of my favorites is from an address at the Cato Institute in 1993 (well worth the read at: https://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6857 ), where Mr. O’Rourke endeared himself to me with this statement – “If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it is free.” Tremendous foresight into the future, which is now of course.
So, when I got my hands on “Give War A Chance” I did not wait long to read it. The introduction is entitled, “Hunting the Virtuous – And How to Clean and Skin Them.” Did I mention irreverent? And that is just the introduction.
Published in 1992, a little while after the end of Gulf War I, it is a collection of various articles written regarding the fall of communism (The Birth, and Some of the Afterbirth, of Freedom), some random topics (Second Thoughts), comments about various public figures (A Call for a New McCarthyism), and his dispatches from the Gulf War (Give War a Chance).
Most I thoroughly enjoyed. I can’t say that his comments on Dr. Ruth, Lee Iacocca, and Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter were the best parts of the book. Still, I am looking forward to reading anything this guy cares to write or has written.
I picked the book up at the Salvation Army (one of many sources of books for me). It turned out that it was originally a gift to John from Kate & Chuck. Kate or Chuck or Kate & Chuck had inscribed the following to John: “This guy may be 180 degrees off of what any of us thinks on some issues, but he does think, and he puts his radical thoughts down so flamboyantly, you’re bound to get some fun out of what he says, whether you agree or not.” Well said Kate & Chuck!
I would like to think that P.J. O’Rourke has been significantly influenced by the writing style of Kurt Vonnegut, but I do not know if this is true, nor am I inclined to research it.
The title appears to come from something O’Rourke saw during the interminable waiting period from the amassing of troops in Saudi Arabia to the actual beginning of the ground war. Some Marines had written in the desert sand, “Give War A Chance.” Marines just want to have fun.
In closing, to give you a taste of P.J. O’Rourke, the following dedication appears before the introduction:
Like many men of my generation, I had an opportunity to give war a chance, and I promptly chickened out. I went to my draft physical in 1970 with a doctor’s letter about my history of drug abuse. The letter was four and a half pages long with three and a half pages devoted to listing the drugs I’d abused. I was shunted into the office of an Army psychiatrist who, at the end of a forty-five-minute interview with me, was pounding his desk and shouting, “You’re fucked up! You don’t belong in the Army!” He was certainly right on the first count and possibly right on the second. Anyway, I didn’t have to go. But that, of course, meant someone else had to go in my place. I would like to dedicate this book to him.
I hope you got back in one piece, fellow. I hope you were more use to your platoon mates than I would have been. I hope you’re rich and happy now. And in 1971, when somebody punched me in the face for being a long-haired peace creep, I hope that was you.
Having been a hippy orientated peace creep in my youth and then resorting (when I got past the drugs and free-love, not that there’s anything wrong with drugs and free-love) to a very conservative constitutional & fiscal perspective, coupled with a very liberal personal liberty point of view, I get where this guy is coming from. You might too.
Preamble: Let me start by saying that I am no fan of organized religion. Just can’t dig the idea of Crusades, Inquisitions and Jihads in God’s name. Count me out of that business – I want nothing to do with it.
But I do love Cathedrals.
In the beginning… It was back in the spring of the Year of Our Lord 1999. Traveled to New York City to attend an annual meeting of the Board of Directors for a company I was working with. There always should be some pleasure with business, so a private tour of the city was arranged.
We stopped at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. When I walked inside, I was overpowered and (seriously) nearly passed-out from the incredible gothic design and a ceiling so high that the Statue of Liberty would fit inside. On top of that, it just so happened that the New York Philharmonic Orchestra was rehearsing a Beethoven chorale. It changed me.
St. John the Divine
After That: Since then, I find myself visiting cathedrals wherever I may be. And for the record, I don’t travel to see cathedrals, but if I am traveling and there happens to be a cathedral in town…
Westminster Cathedral
Why Am I So Fascinated? I’m not sure. I suspect that it is a combination of architecture, history, geographic location, and human aspiration – each cathedral brings its own unique ethereal feeling.
St Pauls
Memory Lane: I fondly remember visiting Notre Dame in Paris while Mass was being observed. At St. Paul’s in London, I climbed the historic circular stairway to the dome level and was rewarded for my efforts by an acoustically stunning choir rehearsal. Visiting Westminster, in London, was incredible to walk though – the history and architecture made it an unforgettable experience. Perhaps my favorite cathedral of all is St. Thomas in mid-town Manhattan…can’t really explain why, it just holds a most special place with me.
St. Thomas
Winchester Cathedral in rural England was truly a sight to behold. It was memorable to attend Mass with my family at St. Patrick’s in NYC. The National Cathedral in Washington D.C. was certainly impressive. Being a big fan of New Orleans, the St. Louis Cathedral was a pleasure to visit.
I’ve yet to see the magnificent Italian cathedrals, but I haven’t been to Italy yet…
Notre Dame
And by the Way: Oh yeah, and while I’m confessing, I am silly for the incense that the Catholics burn during Mass. Had to have some for personal use. Though not Catholic, I did not want to upset the Pope by obtaining it surreptitiously. It took me a couple of years to legitimately get my hands on some, but that’s another story, another time.
True story. A good story? I hope so. It works for me so I thought I’d share:
A few years ago. Out with a few guys for dinner/drinks. It is work related, but social. I’m low man on the totem pole. We end-up at main guy’s house for a last soda…or many. Sitting outside. Fire going. Mondo stars.
One of the guys looks at the rest of us and asks, “If you could only tell your children one thing, what would it be?” Conceivably, not a light-weight question…
…If you could only tell your children one thing, what would it be?”
Being the restrained guy that I am, I instantly blurted out, I would tell them, “Just be who you are!” The words were leaving my lips and I was listening to them. Just came out of me. Like a spontaneous combustion response.
Had time to think about it and, I stand by it.
There are lots of things to say to our children. All kinds of advice to give. The passing on of life lessons is important. Active parenting is critical. However, for me what’s paramount is not deciding my kids’ way, but being there to help guide them on the pathway of their own choice.
I trust that as a parent (and myself, as an individual) I have lived-up to that.
I’ve seen too many people transformed into something they are not. So many that are what others want them to be. So many that are not fulfilled in their employment. So many that are not what they really wish for themselves.
Yes, but I don’t think it is very likely to happen and I doubt that it would be a good thing.
Actually, if history is any guide, “getting along” is not the American Way.
From our earliest beginnings as colonists, we were at each others throats…if not on religious grounds, then certainly on the Loyalist vs. Yankee issue. The newly independent United States of America faced the battle between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists which wasn’t really resolved until we had our supreme disagreement, the Civil War.
It continues to this day. The polarization of the present day political parties is one thing, but the media seems to be going out of its way to pit Americans against Americans.
Americans, as individuals, are certainly a unique blend of people and we do, overall, enjoy a very high standard of living, but let’s be real, America is not a nice place – it is survival of the fittest. It is the struggle of competitive values, ideas and interests. And that may be what essentially makes America a great place to live.
I do, however, think that we need to make more of an effort to listen to and respect our fellow citizen’s points of view. I am looking for more constructive dialogue as opposed to the destructive positioning that I see all around me now.
While I am passionately opposed to the socialistic principles that President Obama and the majority of Americans seem to be supporting, I am always in favor of making things better, even if I disagree with the method. I may be a little too smug in my belief that Americans will see the light and return to the principles that made this country what it has been. I do not see how Americans can, in the end, surrender their individuality. Sure hope I’m right on that one.
The greater good doesn’t tend to happen because of altruistic individuals collectively agreeing on the right course. And once again, let’s be real, good does not always triumph. Yet, somehow, we do tend to eventually come to a better conclusion.
As Sir Winston Churchill said, “Americans always do the right thing…after they have tried everything else.”
Tonight, I thoroughly enjoyed myself at AC/DC’s sold-out show in Buffalo, New York. Thought I’d share some concert thoughts:
Formed in 1973, AC/DC continues to rock in their straight forward, no frills way. It has always been and continues to be pure guitar driven music. And these guys are not the pansy rockers from the last few decades – they are the real deal. I have a feeling that they’d just as soon fight as have a drink in a bar…well, maybe both.
AC/DC has the unique ability to make you feel good about being bad, but that is what Rock & Roll has always been about, isn’t it?
They played a lot of standards with a nice sprinkle of new material that presumably will become future standards, notably among them were “Big Jack,” “War Machine,” and I especially enjoyed “Anything Goes.” Personally, I was very pleased that “The Jack,” “Whole Lotta Rosie,” and “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” were still in the set list.
Angus Young is one of the most physical guitar players I have ever seen perform. His solo at the end of the show was tremendous – a real treat!
Can’t say that I was awed by the sentry positions that the rhythm guitar player (Malcolm Young) and bass player (Cliff Williams) took around the drummer (Phil Rudd, who I might add smokes like I do) – it left a lot of unused stage.
Also, lead singer Brian Johnson’s voice seemed to weaken as the show went on. I can’t imagine how anyone could sing AC/DC material for nearly two hours without some loss of vocal chords, but by the end of the show he was back in command. Hopefully he can keep going for the shows ahead.
Nonetheless, these are the most minor of criticisms and are probably only my own. The crowd sure had a great time. And as I said before, so did I.
Now, for a little local flavor: Buffalo is a drinking town with a sports problem. As the fates would have it, The Buffalo Bills were playing the New York Jets in overtime while the opening act, (The Answer) was on stage. Almost everyone was in the hallways (including myself) watching the game on the plethora of TV screens and only a few people were inside hearing the band – tough time for an opening act. I would hazard to guess that in all of Rock & Roll history, never have so many people been inside an arena for a show without watching the band.
I have recently finished reading, over the course of this year, Neal Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle. It comprises three volumes entitled “Quicksilver,” “The Confusion.” and “The System of the World.”
It was not a light weight exercise, as the three books amount to almost 3,000 pages. Stephenson can make Michener look like a short story writer. However, if the writing is good, length or brevity is of no concern to me. For the record, I, personally, think the writing is excellent.
I have found that the smarter I get, the more I realize how much I don’t know. Stephenson makes me feel like a complete idiot.
Many, many years ago, my good friend Fast Eddy handed me a copy of “Snow Crash” and told me that it was mandatory reading. It was one of Stephenson’s earliest published works (1992). It detailed an Internet that I would like to experience before I take the Big Sleep. It was intriguing and I’ve been reading his books ever since.
Neal Stephenson
The Baroque Cycle, covering the second half of the 17th and early 18th centuries, covers a lot of concepts, history, and geography. As I mentioned, it can get fairly deep, but it is still very entertaining. So many thanks to the author for doing an incredible amount of research, and then spending the time and effort to write this series of books.
By the way, Eddy tells me that Stephenson’s latest published work, “Anathem” is his best yet. Can’t wait to get to it!
“Without music, life would be a mistake” – Fredrich Nietzsche
Music has always been a large part of my life. It helps me connect the dots. In my early years I was trained and played the trumpet, and then moved on to the French horn.
April 1, 1972 was my first rock concert. Dr. John opened for Emerson, Lake & Palmer at the venerable Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo. Wow! Don’t think I’ll ever forget that concert…Life Changing Implications.
I took up the bass guitar and began my career as a Rock Star with my band, Shoko. Notably, I had the opportunity to perform with Chris Kinkade, who happens to be an incredible earthling (singer, actor, harpist & holistic healer), along with Bob Kinkel (Co-Founder of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra & a guy who took what we were doing a little too seriously, thankfully).
Frankly Francis, Chris kinkade & Bob Kinkel
But in my case, alas, it turns out that I can appreciate music much better than I can perform it.
Maybe it’s the fall air, maybe just dredging up some memories, but I decided to jot down the artists that I’ve seen perform (including some thoughts as I deem appropriate) to share with you. It’s been a nice exercise – one that you might want to enjoy doing yourself.
Like how when you hear a particular song, it will remind you of a moment in time or an event that happened, concerts can also walk with us through life. At least many do for me.
I’ve left off classical, jazz, gospel, opera, and musicals from the list. I’m sure that I’ve missed some, due to age or other mind-altering influences, but here (in alphabetical order) it ‘tis:
54-40 – 2X
AC/DC
Aerosmith – Multiple shows, but Stephen Tyler’s voice was never once solid
The Alarm
Randy Bachman (of The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive)
Marcia Ball
Better Than Ezra
Black 47
Blood, Sweat & Tears – 2X
Blondie
The Blow Monkeys
Blue Oyster Cult – 2X
Bow Wow Wow
David Bowie – Perhaps my favorite concert of all
The Box
Garth Brooks – No. 3 Daughter’s first concert
Jimmy Buffet
The Byrds
Cake
Bruce Cockburn
Joe Cocker
Collective Soul – First time was great, the 2nd time is known as “The Collective Disaster”
Crash Test Dummies
The Cult
Burton Cummings (of The Guess Who)
The Del Lords
Delbello
Mickey Dolenz (Of The Monkees) – Tried to meet him as a boy, but got to as an adult
Dr. John – First concert, then got to meet him many years later
Duke Jupiter
Emerson, Lake & Palmer – 2X
Mark Farner (Of Grand Funk Railroad)
Foreigner
The Forgotten Rebels – Mickey DeSadist where are you?
Gov’t Mule
The Grapes of Wrath
Great Big Sea
The Guess Who
The Headstones
The James Gang
The Jeff Healy Band
Ken Hensley (Of Uriah Heep)
Humble Pie – Peter Frampton was still playing lead guitar
Iron Maiden
J. Geils Band
Jethro Tull – 2X
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Tom Jones
Kid Creole & The Coconuts
Korn
Level 42
Living Colour
Lover Boy
Lynyrd Skynyrd – A couple of times before they fell from the sky
Chuck Mangione – Sadly & ironically, a couple of his musicians fell from the sky in Buffalo not too long ago
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Missing Persons
Kim Mitchell (of Max Webster)
Montrose – Sammy Hagar was lead singer at the time
Moxy Fruvous
National Velvet
The Northern Pikes
Ted Nugent
Our Lady Peace
Pegasus – Mark Freeland – Thanks in a big way!
The Pretenders – Debbie & I had the lower right box at Shea’s – incredible!
The Psychedelic Furs – Many times. No. 2 daughter’s first concert. Years after that, finally got to have a smoke with Richard Butler
The Pursuit Of Happiness
The PushStars – Ah, those shows were always fun
The Ramones – No. 1 Daughter’s first concert. Next time around No. 2 daughter saw them. Both were under 10 years, but I told them some day they would fully realize the importantance of seeing the Ramones
Leon Redbone – Saw a few times and who is he anyways?
Patti Rothberg – Debut release party at our club. Went nowhere and neither did the club
Savoy Brown
Southern Culture On The Skids – No.2 Daughter was asked on stage to toss chicken at the audience
The Spinners
The Spirit Of The West – 2X
Split Enz
Spooky Tooth
Staind
The Stampeders
Steppenwolf
The Stereophonics
Sweet
Talas – Many, many times and many thanks for the memories
The Tea Party
Tears For Fears
They Might Be Giants – 2X
Three Dog Night
Timbuk 3
Toronto
The Tragically Hip – A few times. They were supposed to play at our club, but…
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra – My first real All Access Pass!
Pat Travers
The Trews
The Tubes – 2X. Once in Buffalo, Once in LA
U2 – Saw them in a bar May 1982
Universal Honey
Uriah Heep – Saw multiple times. Still one of my all time favorite bands
The Violent Femmes
The Watchmen
The Wild Strawberries
Hank Williams III – His Grandpa must be proud
Johhny Winter
Trisha Yearwood
Z.Z. Top – Saw many times, always good
What shows had meaning for you? Please feel free to share. I enjoy discussing this subject.
As each President before him has, President Obama renewed the U.S. Trade Embargo with Cuba the other day. I am reminded that sometimes bigger problems are more easily resolved when smaller problems are dispensed with.
So, let me suggest that we get rid of one needless albatross around our neck – our foreign policy towards Cuba. It is beyond overkill when one considers our relationship with China. We deal with the Communist Chinese, why not the Cubans?
History Since the Spanish-American War, we have incessantly meddled in affairs of state in Cuba. I’m not apologizing for America in this regard, but I’m not sure that history speaks all that well of U.S. actions during the last century. We have, in effect, laid siege upon Cuba in the hopes that if we could deny them enough quality of life type things, they would, in their hunger and despair, rid themselves of their form of government.
What They Did The installation of a communist government was of great concern and then the missile crisis really freaked us out. Perhaps they killed JFK? And of course, they have not had the courtesy to convert to a democratic way of life or at least overthrow Fidel Castro’s regime.
What We Did Our communist phobia (indeed a serious matter) has led to disproportionate treatment of our neighbor in the Gulf of Mexico. Naturally, CIA sponsored assassination attempts, support of overthrow efforts, such as The Bay of Pigs Invasion, along with the trade embargo leave the Cubans in the arms of their socialist comrades. Hello Hugo Chavez!
So? We should get over it. I think it is time we put the past behind us and once again become good friends with the Cubans.
If the Cuban people dealt with American tourists and benefited from trade with America, things would change favorably. Let’s whip some American capitalism and dollars upon the Cuban people and see what that does to their hearts and minds…
Cuba has been a much loved place by many Americans. In the past, Havana rocked. American writers, especially Hemingway, certainly were fans. Not to mention that I Love Lucy’s Ricky Ricardo is from Cuba. Babalu! And then there are those Cuban cigars.
There are those who would say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind, is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American dream – Archibald McLeish
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Quote:
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be - Douglas Adams
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