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[Jeanne]

I've been watching a French TV show, WITNESSES, which I find quite strange. My Netflix DVDs are arriving 2-5 days late, so I've been looking for good shows on streaming video.

[bk]

Well, about four minutes of rain - STORM WATCH.

[Dan M]

What a thoughtful individual, DR Dan M.

Yes, and interesting. He's 70 and was in the grocery industry just before he retired. He hasn't given out too many details, but he's got at least two nice cars to pick me up with. One is a restored classic Benz sport model, and the other is a new Expedition, which is a bit of a climb for me. I have to sit first then swing in. He's restoring a classic pick-up. That's his hobby. All I know is how to fill the tank and turn the key. I'm a blank on cars.

[singdaw]

I recently purchased a subscription to Merriam-Webster online (it's only $30 per year). You get access to quite a few reference tomes besides the unabridged dictionary, but I like the etymologies and the audio links for pronunciation.

[Jeanne]

Good night. Have a good day tomorrow, everyone.

[singdaw]

Good night, DR Jeanne.

[singdaw]

I'm a blank on cars.

You and me, both.     

[Jeanne]

I recently purchased a subscription to Merriam-Webster online (it's only $30 per year). You get access to quite a few reference tomes besides the unabridged dictionary, but I like the etymologies and the audio links for pronunciation.

I use Merriam-Webster online, but not the subscription version. I, too, like the audio pronunciation. Much better than the text!

[Dan M]

I forgot to mention, DR Dan M:  I don't always understand your poems, but I delight in how you use words.

I don't always either LOL. But I do love the sound of words and of the combinations. I do hear the music in spoken words. Some people don't realize that cadence and pitch underscores the content and can emphasize what is being conveyed. What interested me was that many great announcers and narrators were from NYC and trained themselves to speak. So, I tried to do that on my own.

While working at the University of Arizona, I was very active in the Toastmasters club I was a charter member of. I miss giving speeches.

[singdaw]

Thanks for the good thoughts and wishes, everyone. We shall see what we shall see, as DR Jrand64 is wont to say.

[singdaw]

That makes me wonder, DR Dan M - do you read your work aloud as you are writing - that is, are the words put together in your mind only, or does the sound of the words spoken influence your choices?

[bk]

Can't remember the last time I heard thunder.

[bk]

Maybe we'll have another four minutes of rain at some point.

[Dan M]

I recently purchased a subscription to Merriam-Webster online (it's only $30 per year). You get access to quite a few reference tomes besides the unabridged dictionary, but I like the etymologies and the audio links for pronunciation.

I love words! That sounds great. It does help to hear what the word should sound like. Recently I heard some local radio host trying to parody Poe's "The Raven" but he kept mispronouncing "quoth". That ruined it for me and I was a split=-second from excoriating him on air, but I didn't call in. Instead of saying the word with the long O, he said it with the short O, and any of the Englsih actors I've heard recite that poem, it was always with the long O. Maybe it's a minor point, but it was grating to me. Just like hitting the wrong note.

[Dan M]

That makes me wonder, DR Dan M - do you read your work aloud as you are writing - that is, are the words put together in your mind only, or does the sound of the words spoken influence your choices?

I can hear my inner voice, which usually sounds like Orson Welles or John Facenda, or Alexander Scourby, depending on my mood. It would be disturbing if Rod Serling should show up.

[bk]

Finished with my viewing - more Honeymooners, and then I decided to re-watch the first two episodes of Mad Men.  What a difference eight years makes.  Sally is seven years old here.  Pete hasn't settled into his character - at ALL.  I love Sal (Bryan Batt).  And Peggy, of all the characters, for me, has had the most interesting trek through the eight years.  She's great, but you can see they weren't sure which way they were going to take her in the first two episodes.  As I recall, after that it's all smooth sailing, Peggy-wise.  Roger has been the most consistent character in terms of not really changing much at all.

[singdaw]

My next little musical project is for Sunday morning: the choir director has programmed a pretty elaborate gospel-style choral number, and has asked me to belt out one of the solo verses in an authentic, improvised style. Well, as close as a white boy like me can get, which isn't all that close. Still, it's a challenge, and not something that is in my comfort zone. So it's good to step out of it once in a while, I suppose.

[Dan M]

John Facenda with the music of Sam Spence:

https://youtu.be/VPLmxtiVOe0

[singdaw]

It would be disturbing if Rod Serling should show up.

 

[Jane]

Moving vibes for jane

Thank you.  How are you feeling?

[singdaw]

Was it DR Dan M who posted the Elaine Paige clips yesterday?  That Piaf one, especially, was pretty amazing.

[singdaw]

Well, I am running out of steam. I'd better hit the hay.

[singdaw]

Although what the hay did to deserve being hit, I don't know.

[Jane]

Continued moving vibes to Jane & Keith.

Thanks.

[singdaw]

Good night and good sleep to all!

[singdaw]

I don't think DR Jane saw my query earlier about her furniture.

[Dan M]

Was it DR Dan M who posted the Elaine Paige clips yesterday?  That Piaf one, especially, was pretty amazing.

That was me, I dedicated Page 3 to Elaine Paige.

[Jane]

That is really great that this service is available to you, DR Dan M.

Yes, I am relieved. I now have the same volunteer driver for my pre-surgery evaluation next Wednesday. He will also drive me the morning of my surgery in June, and has agreed to be on call when I am about to be sent home. I may be in the hospital for a day or so.

Good

[Dan M]

That is really great that this service is available to you, DR Dan M.

Yes, I am relieved. I now have the same volunteer driver for my pre-surgery evaluation next Wednesday. He will also drive me the morning of my surgery in June, and has agreed to be on call when I am about to be sent home. I may be in the hospital for a day or so.

Good

Thank you. It really is a godsend not to worry about having a different driver each time. The volunteer that was randomly assigned to me has I guess made me one of his regulars and is willing to take me shopping "off the record". That is above and beyond what is required of a volunteer driver. I am very grateful.

[Jane]

Bless your volunteer.