Sunday Gumbo

None of what follows is worth a separate blog posting, so I’m putting them into this pot and stirring at low heat . . . .

Pictured above is classical guitarist Javier Calderon who played in concert at First Presbyterian Church Saturday night, the 24th. It was the best-attended Springfield Classical Guitar Concert of the 2006/07 season so far and was a shot in the arm for the organization. It was my first encounter with Javier, though it was a return visit for him. He played one of the first SCGS concerts some years ago, and we were privileged to have him return. It was an excellent concert all around. I will post additional pictures at my Classical 6 Images website later this week. Stay tuned.

Davinci’s Inquest – Never heard of this TV show? It’s probably because unlike me, you have other things to do on Saturday nights between 11:30 p and 12:30 a. Produced in Canada, discontinued after about five years but now in syndication, it airs on WICS Channel 20. It’s the story of Dante Davinci, a coroner in a large Canadian city. The dialogue and situations are adult but not explicit. The rainbow cast of actors, all Canadian, are superb. There’s not a weaker element in the lot of them. It has a “film noir” feel to it, No chirpy music track, but an unforgettable end of show theme song. Even if I tune in late, I watch what I can of it just to hear the theme and see the credits, trying to learn the actors’ names. I’ve become a big fan; never miss it unless I must. You should tune in next Saturday and tell me what you thiink.

Buying local — At the Saturday concert, a friend told me of several web hosts and internet service providers who are less expensive than Interactive Data Technologies and Springnet 1 which I use. I told him I appreciated the advise, but I’m going to stay with these local people, “local” being the key element. I’ve had not one problem with either of them since I started. And if and when I do, I can drive to their offices and stand outside with a protest sign if that’s what I need to do, but it won’t happen. I think it’s important for Springfieldians to use Springfield talent. My money pays for their lunches a few times a week, and I’m glad to be helping esteemed associates. I’m also a big fan of Brahler Tire and Lube Centers and Hammer’s Hobby Shop. I even give the latter’s address at AeroKnow’s web site. Do I ask for a penny from them? I wouldn’t consider it. They’re good folks every one. My bet is that if you try them, you will agree.

Thank you State Journal-Register for your coverage of the Saturday afternoon poetry reading at the Museum of Funeral Customs a n d for your interview with me during the intermission. The event went very well, many fine poems read, and the SJ-R reporter and video man (who also planned to use a brief video of me at their web site) were top-drawer people. Kudos to all participants. BTW I will have more to say about my poem later this week. A MAJOR addition and rewrite took place less than 24 hours before the big event. If you dig poetry, you will probably enjoy my tale.

Major changes at AeroKnow and CIVAG – I will be revising both sites in the weeks ahead. mostly reducing photo coverage at AeroKnow so I can increase it at CIVAG. I’m also moving everything over to one computer. There will be some glitches along the way, none of which will affect Honey and Quinine, but if you visit those sites, please bear with.

Presidental candidates and shifting sands of fortune – There are some wonderful candidates out on the campaign trail and while every one of them is without question terrific in his or her own ways, that divine confluence of blessings of their character and noble intentions is not enough to make all of them viable candidates or even appropriate candidates for the office of President. That realization became manifest as the broad side of a barn as I watched the Sunday morning news interview shows (Meet the Press and This Week With George Stephanopoulos) today.. John McCain is an American hero who suffered beyond the call of duty as a PoW during the war with Vietnam. I would tune in, any day of the week, to watch an in-depth interview with him regarding his combat missions during that war, his time as a captured serviceman, his views of world and national politics.. He is not a future presidential election candidate, and he never will be. I hope he will withdraw from the race. Why? Because the same vicious theocrat hyenas who ruthlessly lied about him during the 2004 presidential primaries and skewerd him like a rat on a stick — the same kind of lies the Swift Boat jackals inflicted on the Kerry campaign — are now being asked to help him run for the Republicreationist candidate this go round. It shows how willing to surrender his former political integrity he is today, and that’s a shame and a pity. Better to teach law at a Podunk university than to sully his soul this way. I hope and pray this truth becomes self-evident to John McCain.

Thanks for reading.

Live long . . . . . and proper.