Friday, June 08, 2007
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Sundry thoughts on the debates
After watching the Democrats and Republicans debate, a few notions arise, or at least they did in me. It is doubtful that much difference has been made as yet, and that "things on the ground" will probably play a much larger role as the election time nears.
Surely the most troubling moment in both debates came when Duncan Hunter talked about preemptive nuclear war. This is clearly the opposite of how we need to be thinking about our future role in the world, since it is, essentially, George W. Bush on steroids -- digging the hole much faster and deeper than the speed of life can sustain. Backward, backward and did I say backward? And I'm talking caveman backward.
Speaking of which...how about all those admittedly unevolved hominids on the Republican ticket? Nature, you will recall, evolves us human beings to a certain point, after which we must consciously evolve ourselves...but some of these risible atavists even go so far as to deny the very process -- thinking, incorrectly, that it somehow disallows the existence of God. Democrats should not be burdened by such clabber and keep evolving their and our minds and beings.
Look. REpublicans are REactionary. Some are even REprobates. But they will now admit that the current administration was and is sorely lacking in the idea or vision department. And without ideas or vision...one is only reactionary.
But look at the Democrats. While the Republicans continue their fear mongering while banging the tired and overspent war drum, the Democrats are creating the future, which is, at first, but a vision. But a vision is, alas, what a nation most needs, for without one it will perish. Just ask the Bible. Solomon, I believe. It's been a while. I also like the one that says: "I shall not want." I like Davids.
It is refreshing to hear Republicans talking about alternative energy, and I believe one or two can see that creating "the new way" can mean thousands of new, currently nonexistent, jobs. It will also, in many instances, decrease our impact on global warming.
Chances are any number of the candidates, on either side, would be better than the current officeholders. The question is: Who has the clearest vision for leading us out of the Hell that we have foisted upon the world.
The Democrats certainly have the friendlier vision.
Surely the most troubling moment in both debates came when Duncan Hunter talked about preemptive nuclear war. This is clearly the opposite of how we need to be thinking about our future role in the world, since it is, essentially, George W. Bush on steroids -- digging the hole much faster and deeper than the speed of life can sustain. Backward, backward and did I say backward? And I'm talking caveman backward.
Speaking of which...how about all those admittedly unevolved hominids on the Republican ticket? Nature, you will recall, evolves us human beings to a certain point, after which we must consciously evolve ourselves...but some of these risible atavists even go so far as to deny the very process -- thinking, incorrectly, that it somehow disallows the existence of God. Democrats should not be burdened by such clabber and keep evolving their and our minds and beings.
Look. REpublicans are REactionary. Some are even REprobates. But they will now admit that the current administration was and is sorely lacking in the idea or vision department. And without ideas or vision...one is only reactionary.
But look at the Democrats. While the Republicans continue their fear mongering while banging the tired and overspent war drum, the Democrats are creating the future, which is, at first, but a vision. But a vision is, alas, what a nation most needs, for without one it will perish. Just ask the Bible. Solomon, I believe. It's been a while. I also like the one that says: "I shall not want." I like Davids.
It is refreshing to hear Republicans talking about alternative energy, and I believe one or two can see that creating "the new way" can mean thousands of new, currently nonexistent, jobs. It will also, in many instances, decrease our impact on global warming.
Chances are any number of the candidates, on either side, would be better than the current officeholders. The question is: Who has the clearest vision for leading us out of the Hell that we have foisted upon the world.
The Democrats certainly have the friendlier vision.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Meet the new Scrutiny Hooligans!
'Twould like to direct our reader to the new and improved Scrutiny Hooligans web-log (or whatever they call those thangs). It is located at: http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us/
...and, as always, is as entertaining as a site can get...thanks to the creativity and inspiration living in Asheville inspires. Long live Asheville and their sublime bloggers!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Woods Wins Wachovia
I had a long talk with my fair city of Charlotte, and she agrees. Tiger Woods should move to Charlotte. At least buy a house here. We got golf. Plenty of golf. And good golf! In fact the whole state has golf, just not in the counties that parade their illustrious hog waste lagoons. Mecklenburg is not one of those.
As a Charlottean, I'd like to congratulate Mister Woods on his fine victory, which happened to occur one year after his beloved father had made his way to deeper greens...which, incidentally was why he could not attend last year's Wachovia tournament.
So Tiger, I implore you. Put an anchor down here in this fair city and state. I swear you will not regret it. And if your bud, Michael Jordan has not yet seized an anchor, why not invite him too. In fact, you can invite Vijay, Phil and the other fine players to do the same. Surely you have the funds. And there are scores of wondrous estates from which to choose. Many within walking distance of the Quail Hollow club.
I think you will find, if you haven't already, that Charlotte's elites are good people, in the main. Practically as good as us common folk. They are also charitable and progressive, with a real sense of stewardship. Much like yourself, I should think.
Again, congratulations...to you and all the players. And thanks for bringing a little magic to Charlotte.
-Dave
Tom Sorensen on Tiger Woods' victory.
As a Charlottean, I'd like to congratulate Mister Woods on his fine victory, which happened to occur one year after his beloved father had made his way to deeper greens...which, incidentally was why he could not attend last year's Wachovia tournament.
So Tiger, I implore you. Put an anchor down here in this fair city and state. I swear you will not regret it. And if your bud, Michael Jordan has not yet seized an anchor, why not invite him too. In fact, you can invite Vijay, Phil and the other fine players to do the same. Surely you have the funds. And there are scores of wondrous estates from which to choose. Many within walking distance of the Quail Hollow club.
I think you will find, if you haven't already, that Charlotte's elites are good people, in the main. Practically as good as us common folk. They are also charitable and progressive, with a real sense of stewardship. Much like yourself, I should think.
Again, congratulations...to you and all the players. And thanks for bringing a little magic to Charlotte.
-Dave
Tom Sorensen on Tiger Woods' victory.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Week of the Ho
First it was nappy-headed ho, then it was Don Ho, and finally, we hope, it was Cho. What is the ho key?
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
MrWondrous Presents...
Progressive Music
ELP performing Tarkus (Eruption) Tokyo 1972
yes - close to the edge pt. 2
ROBERT FRIPP - Frippertronics Demo (1979)
Dead Can Dance w/Lisa Gerrard- Sanvean
Dead Can Dance w/Lisa Gerrard - Cantara (Live)
ELP performing Tarkus (Eruption) Tokyo 1972
yes - close to the edge pt. 2
ROBERT FRIPP - Frippertronics Demo (1979)
Dead Can Dance w/Lisa Gerrard- Sanvean
Dead Can Dance w/Lisa Gerrard - Cantara (Live)
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Disc Golf and Bloggers
Disc Golf on Wikipedia
Disc Golf in NC
Disc Golf in Charlotte
Charlotte Area Courses
Sample "Virtual Tour" (Veterans Park)
18 Hole CDGC-Maintained Courses
Hornet's Nest Park
Kilborne Park
Reedy Creek Park
Renaissance Park Pro Players Course
Sugaw Creek Park
9 Hole CDGC-Maintained Courses
Veterans Park -
Other Area Courses
Bailey Road Park - Cornelius (map to park).
Boyd Hill
Cam Yards
Chuck Morehead Memorial Park
Davidson University (Map to tee 1)
Doral Apartments
Dorton Park
Dickerson Park -
Fewell Park
Frazier Park
Glenn C. Hilton
Mint Hill Park
Stumpy Creek
Winthrop U.
...Bloggers
Comfortable Number
(for Tarheel Tavern) and Hool...
I eat numbers for breakfast. Well, brunch. They suck. I wouldn't try it.
Instead run out and git yoreself a gol-dern numerologist. You know, a number specialist, as His Homeliness might say.
The reasons for your having done so will become apparent as the flow of time begins to alter the pace of your everyday life to the point where new information may be imprinted, and life can go on as usual.
To start with, I was born on the 13th, so I became acquainted with numbers having personalities and meanings early on. Triskaidekaphobia, or fear of the number 13, still infects the minds of hominids today. Subsequently, I have found pregnancy in 1 (ace), 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23, and, of course, 24. And 25, because of Christmas.
When I was but a boy, attending Camp Thunderbird, I found myself stationed at the #3 shelter, which I found to be most appropriate, since there wasn't a 13.
According to Sacred Symbols of the Ancients, my birth card is the Ace of Spades, meaning "secrets" and "ancient knowledge", hence 1 is a personal number. Princess Diana was an Ace of Spades. My planetary ruler card is 9 of Clubs, meaning "universal knowledge". Princes William and Harry are 9 of Clubs.
Looking at the birthdays of my ancestors, I noticed that there were more than a few 6 of clubs. Of 7, let me just say that I feel a friendship with the number. 8 and 9 were prevalent in the 1990s, one then the other. A story of endings.
The Mayans make note of 11 and 12, or 1111 and 1212. These are also the times I take my meds, depending on whether or not it is Daylight Savings Time. I often see these configs on digital clocks. When I see 12:34, I read it as "my ducks are in a row". Perfect sequence. 12:35 happens when things are out of sequence, or I am late for something. Yesterday, I looked at the clock and it was 12:35. This reminded me that I had forgotten to eat my brekkies.
I once read in a book on Numerology that 11 and 22 are special numbers. Then I ciphered that my first and last name were 11 and 22, which only threw fuel on my long-held belief that I fell to earth as an avatar who somehow forgot what he was supposed to report.
The twin towers formed an 11. 9 has long represented Death. My 9/10/01 flight out of Manhattan was cancelled due to lightning and bad weather.
7734 is Hell upended.
23 keeps popping into view, synchronicitously, and 24 is once again raising heartrates. At times I wax the borderline acalculiac, a numbskull atavistic throwback hangers-on I'd just as soon discard. Perhaps by uttering my few examples, the jesus of numbers will climb the cross once more, sacrifice, like soldiers, for my financial well-being. But alas that would be jaded, a candidate for bumfodder.
Forcemeat.
"Dance before the numbers with all your might!" saith ye Metatron.
"I shant affix meaning. This is the non-authorial style."
The Chums of Chance, and folks who can walk a mile.
The aroma of pleroma.
Art Zydeco.
Zhoooodah!
Friday, March 09, 2007
Is Memory Evil?
Granted, It has been a while since we have spoken, and it could be argued: Why start now?
Rest assured that I am not in full possession of the correct answer, although I did once win in a game of tic-tac-toe. But I hedge. Let me dissolve to the chase.
Memory. What the hell is it? How can you make it go away? And why would you want to?
We will be doing a 12-part series on the question: Is Memory Evil? And if so, should it become part of the axis of evil? How about the hatchets of evil? And how about that Anna Nicole Smith and bald Britney? Apotropaic enough for Johnny?
Personally, I am psyched about this week's Tarhell Tavern. Oops. Did I say Tarhell? Sashimi!
Screw is hatching a plot involving numbers, numerology, maff. And Science seems to be contra-indicating that much more than 23 vowels remain expendible on this lofty pursuit, so shine! Loose your tongue from its pivots. Train your eyes upon this week's Tarheel Tavern, 'cause look! You are already involved. Surrender.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Scrutinize your Tarheel Tavern
Asheville's Scrutiny Hooligans tackles the Tarheel Tavern. The subject: Transformative Joy.
Utter Transformative Joy - The Tarheel Tavern #103
Utter Transformative Joy - The Tarheel Tavern #103
Sunday, February 11, 2007
The Transformational Joy of Music
There are many sucky things about life. Music ain't necessarily one of them. In fact music can be one of life's higher medicines. It's a shame so many people never veer beyond the official "top 40" and discover the exotic medicinals that lie beyond.
An example of what I mean can be heard in the work of Gorecki, who is cool even if only because his name contains Gore, who was, as everyone knows, the first hero of the 21st century.
But check out Gorecki's 3rd symphony...the "sorrowful symphony". You may want to skip right to the 2nd and 3rd movements, which, I think, are the most sublime. I have found, over repeated listenings, that around 6 minutes into the 3rd movement, my psyche experiences a transformation, and yes, a joyful transformation -- A release almost, from the sorrow that preceded it. I suspect others have also felt this.
I have also felt this transformative power in the works of Arvo Part, Lisa Gerrard, Andrea Bocelli, Mark Isham, Ennio Morrocone, Phillip Glass, Roberta Flack, Sibelius, and others.
When coupled with images, this transformative music can really cause a spirit to soar, offer repose, or induce all manner of magics. The love theme in "Life is Beautiful", the final climax of climaxes scene in "Cinema Paradiso", the epiphany in "Truman Show" where Truman cracks his own cosmic egg, as it were, and begins beating against that final prison wall, crying out for freedom.
Without the music these scenes could never be so transformative.
I'd be interested in hearing of the favorite scenes of other Taverners.
An example of what I mean can be heard in the work of Gorecki, who is cool even if only because his name contains Gore, who was, as everyone knows, the first hero of the 21st century.
But check out Gorecki's 3rd symphony...the "sorrowful symphony". You may want to skip right to the 2nd and 3rd movements, which, I think, are the most sublime. I have found, over repeated listenings, that around 6 minutes into the 3rd movement, my psyche experiences a transformation, and yes, a joyful transformation -- A release almost, from the sorrow that preceded it. I suspect others have also felt this.
I have also felt this transformative power in the works of Arvo Part, Lisa Gerrard, Andrea Bocelli, Mark Isham, Ennio Morrocone, Phillip Glass, Roberta Flack, Sibelius, and others.
When coupled with images, this transformative music can really cause a spirit to soar, offer repose, or induce all manner of magics. The love theme in "Life is Beautiful", the final climax of climaxes scene in "Cinema Paradiso", the epiphany in "Truman Show" where Truman cracks his own cosmic egg, as it were, and begins beating against that final prison wall, crying out for freedom.
Without the music these scenes could never be so transformative.
I'd be interested in hearing of the favorite scenes of other Taverners.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Oprah, "The Secret" and the Charlotte connection
DO YOU KNOW THE SECRET?
On Thursday, Oprah Winfrey's TV show was covering a phenomenon called "The Secret", which is fast taking over the world, and will soon be taking over Mars and Venus, radiating out. The book "The Secret" has recently been made into a DVD hosted by the reverend Dr. Michael Beckwith, who, in his day job runs the Agape community in California with his wife, Ricki Byers Beckwith of Charlotte.
The philosophy behind "The Secret" has been touched upon by others throughout the millennia, and has recently found its way into the works of Robert Fritz (a pioneer in the study of creativity and vision) and Peter Senge of "The Fifth Discipline" and "Metanoia" fame. I've had the good fortune of studying with both, and look forward to meeting Michael and Ricki, with whom I already feel a spiritual kinship.
One reason I am going to vote for John Edwards is that I can see that he too is keen on the power of creativity and vision, and is also willing to use these faculties in the service of humanity. By contrast, Dubya was only "clever" at helping himself...at the expense of humanity. We need a BIG change.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Oprah to bring "The Secret" to TV
(CBS 11 News) FORT WORTH "It's something that has existed since the beginning of time. It's been hunted down, stolen and bought for vast sums of money." Those are the first words in the new DVD "The Secret."
It's a compilation of the insights of some of the greatest minds the world has ever known (Plato, Leonardo, Galileo, Napoleon, Hugo, Beethoven, Lincoln, Einstein, Emerson, etc.) and modern-day thinkers and philosophers such as author Jack Canfield, world renowned spiritual guru Dr. Michael Beckwith and more, revealing the secret to ultimate personal power.
We'll keep you posted...
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Microphilanthropy: Help Mike Young
Dear friends and readers,
I am trying to help my friend Carolyn pay the mounting bills, and ease the worry that comes with her philanthropy. They are only asking one or two dollars, but certainly if you can give more, I'm sure that would truly make their day. Lord knows they coul use some surprises...
I'll just let Mike share his story:
Please give what you can.
-Dave
I am trying to help my friend Carolyn pay the mounting bills, and ease the worry that comes with her philanthropy. They are only asking one or two dollars, but certainly if you can give more, I'm sure that would truly make their day. Lord knows they coul use some surprises...
I'll just let Mike share his story:
I'm Mike Young
I am 46 years old. I am Mentally Challenged because of a hunting accident when I was 14 years old. I was shot in the head
and spent over a year in the hospital. During my recovery I underwent many surgeries and rehabilitative therapies.
I have lived and been cared for by my Aunt Carolyn since 1995 and she does a GREAT job. My mom and dad passed away within months of each other. My mom, on her death bed asked her sister (Aunt Carolyn) to care for me before she died. Being close sisters and always there for each other my aunt Carolyn did not think twice about saying
yes. With hardly any financial support she has been taking care of me.
Please give what you can.
-Dave
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