Topic: SNOWY AND BLOWY AND MISTLETOEY (Read 36564 times)

JMK · « **Reply #90 on:** December 20, 2004, 12:52:34 PM »

Quote from: JRand54 on December 20, 2004, 12:47:50 PM

Nice avatar JMK....

Thanks. It's Betsy and me reflected in a spoon.

Charles Pogue · « **Reply #91 on:** December 20, 2004, 12:54:29 PM »

My answer to what I want for Christmas is the same one I always give The Lovely Wife when she asks what I want: "Peace & contentment." I want a return to some vestige of gracious living. Where everything is slower and less stressful and we don't feel we have to be connected or accessible all the time through cell phones, emails, the internet, 300 cable channels, 24-hour news for fear we might miss something (Like what, for instance? Britney Spear's latest gauche social actrocity?). Where lazing about with a good drink and a good book is about as ambitious as anyone needs to get. I want the luxury of time to reflect, ponder, dream, and do work that is fulfilling without necessarily being goal-oriented...Time, always in precious commodity...

Oh, yeah...I'll take a lottery win of several million dollars too...

But I expect, like every Christmas, Santa will just leave me a lump of coal, signalling it's time to get back to the old grind.

Panni · « **Reply #92 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:08:38 PM »

DR Jay - I forgot to mention that the other night while you were attending The Messiah and it was being broadcast live.... I was listening to it while driving... And I heard you coughing!

Panni · « **Reply #93 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:11:43 PM »

Quote from: bk on December 20, 2004, 10:38:24 AM

It's very peculiar - I feel I should be writing away, but I have decided not to write any more this year - to start fresh for the new year.

Boy, that sounds nice! Unfortunately (or fortunately) I need to be writing all through the holidays. Which is extra hard on a beautiful day like today.

JMK · « **Reply #94 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:14:52 PM »

Re: coal. One of my sisters (the smarta**) asked for coal one year as a joke. Guess what she got.

Re: coughing. I once had a letter published in BBC Music Magazine regarding the CD that accompanied each issue. The recording in question was a live recording of Mahler's unfinished 10th, but I suggested that what they had really uncovered was a little known Mahler Concerto for Cougher, Throat Clearer and Hacker.

elmore3003 · « **Reply #95 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:15:01 PM »

Well, I'm thrilled! WHAT IF? just arrived in the post. It made my afternoon. The other good news is that the shopping for my family in Ohio is finished! I hit Macy's running at 9:45 am and I wasout of there by 10:30!

Matt H. · « **Reply #96 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:24:51 PM »

I have ROMANCE, ROMANCE on tape, taped off TV back when I had regular cable (as opposed to digital cable), and it's snowy and grainy and almost unwatchable - almost because I do like it and watch it occasionally. That's one of those shows that did have a small commercial release that it's almost impossible to find now (the Hal Linden-Lee Remick I DO! I DO! is another.)

Matt H. · « **Reply #97 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:26:42 PM »

That was one bizarro house, bk. Thanks for the pics so we could see for ourselves. No way anyone could describe in words that place accurately.

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #98 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:34:46 PM »

Quote from: JRand54 on December 20, 2004, 12:48:31 PM

der Brucer can you identify that "light up" picture that you posted? Is that somehwhere in France, Europe?

I was hoping a fellow DR would recognize a spot near her environs

Caption from picture as it appeared in the LA Times:

Quote

As night falls in Quebec City, the shops on Petit Champlain street take on a warm glow.
(Jocelyn Bernier)

Excerpts from the article:

Quote

A SONG OF CHRISTMAS
Quebec, where merry is made
By Beverly Beyette, Times Staff Writer

Snowflakes dusted my nose as I stood in Place-Royale, the birthplace of French civilization in North America and, more recently, site of the arrest of Leonardo DiCaprio's con-man character in the 2002 film "Catch Me If You Can."

In the movie, the ancient square with its rebuilt 17th century church, Église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, passes for France. No surprise here. Old Quebec, its narrow, cobbled streets and 17th and 18th century stone houses, seems as French as Napoleon.

This city of 508,000 on the St. Lawrence River 155 miles northeast of Montreal was founded as a French fur trading post in 1608, conquered by England in 1759 and in 1775 attacked by an army led by American Revolutionary Gen. Benedict Arnold in an ill-fated attempt to capture it. Today, Quebecers may be part of the British commonwealth, but they cling to their founding fathers' heritage; 95% of them are French-speaking.

So here it's Père Noël, not Father Christmas, who will shimmy down chimneys five days hence. And the city's Christmas celebration, which began Dec. 2 and continues through Jan. 2, is called Québec Fête Noël.
…
The heart of the celebration is Old Quebec, the area within the 19th century walls, whose crowning glory is the turreted, copper-roofed 1893 Fairmont le Château Frontenac. It sits atop Cap Diamant, the cliff that divides the Upper Town and the Lower Town, which includes the Place-Royale and Vieux-Port (Old Port) areas.

"Sledders enjoy the snow near the grand Fairmont le Château Frontenac in Old Quebec. Sledders enjoy the snow near the grand Fairmont le Château Frontenac in Old Quebec."
…
Later, I soaked in that atmosphere, strolling narrow, pedestrian-friendly Rue du Petit-Champlain, with its gaily decorated shops and inviting cafes, rows of evergreens ablaze with white lights. Just as Mayor Jean-Paul L'Allier suggests in his greeting on the fete program, even those who long ago stopped believing in Santa Claus may succumb to the magic of Christmas in this setting.

"Ice skating at Quebec City's public skating rink in the Place d'Youville, across from the 1903 Capitole theater, is a festive way to keep warm."
(Jocelyn Bernier)

One way for visitors to stay warm is ice skating in the big public rink at Place d'Youville, just across from the festively lighted Capitole theater, where Edith Piaf, Sarah Bernhardt and Maurice Chevalier once performed. Another is with a coffee or alcohol-infused hot chocolate from one of the street kiosks.

der Brucer (feeling like I'm publishing a Magazine!)

bk · « **Reply #99 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:35:49 PM »

Off to a brief rehearsal and then, like General MacArthur, I shall return. If I don't return like General MacArthur, perhaps I shall return as General Foods or even General Delivery.

elmore3003 · « **Reply #100 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:37:45 PM »

Quote from: Matt H. on December 20, 2004, 01:24:51 PM

I have ROMANCE, ROMANCE on tape, taped off TV back when I had regular cable (as opposed to digital cable), and it's snowy and grainy and almost unwatchable - almost because I do like it and watch it occasionally. That's one of those shows that did have a small commercial release that it's almost impossible to find now (the Hal Linden-Lee Remick I DO! I DO! is another.)

A&E broadcast TINTYPES in the early 1990s, as I recall.

elmore3003 · « **Reply #101 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:38:48 PM »

Quote from: bk on December 20, 2004, 01:35:49 PM

Off to a brief rehearsal and then, like General MacArthur, I shall return. If I don't return like General MacArthur, perhaps I shall return as General Foods or even General Delivery.

Where's General Mills?

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #102 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:39:11 PM »

Quote from: elmore3003 on December 20, 2004, 01:15:01 PM

...the shopping for my family in Ohio is finished!

Why-o, why-o, why-o
Why did you shop in Ohio?

der Brucer DMPhd (Dr. of Deliberate Misinterpretation)

Jrand74 · « **Reply #103 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:49:34 PM »

Oh well things are NOT looking good for getting my job back, but that's okay. I will move on to something else. Strange thing....but just as well I guess.

Winter storm watch with snow starting after midnight on Tuesday. Oh my - White Christmas +!

Jrand74 · « **Reply #104 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:50:57 PM »

Ahhhh...thanks DR derBrucer....so it is France - once removed.

I assumed DRJMK that that was the lovely Betsy - spoon or no....seems to have been some kind of special occasion or something. Where are the boys?

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #105 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:54:12 PM »

AH, the voice of reason!

(Extract from Free Republic):

Quote

N.J. School Bans Christmas Carols MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (AP) Dec. 8, 2004 — School officials are sticking to their ban on Christmas carols during holiday instrumental concerts despite heavy pressure from residents and outsiders.

The South Orange/Maplewood Board of Education voted earlier this fall to ban music with "a religious orientation or focus on religious holidays," Brian F. O'Leary, the school board president, reiterated at a Monday night board meeting.
…
The policy has been in place for more than a decade. But the real problems started when the board said the ban extended to instrumental renditions of Christmas carols or other songs referring to religious holidays or symbols.

The schools' brass ensemble was allowed to play songs such as "Silent Night" or "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," in past years; this year it can't.

Just think "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" has advanced to "Relgious Music" stature!

Chuck Muth, in his Newsleter observed:

Quote

NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT

The Maplewood school board in New Jersey has banned religious music from its annual school Christmas programs...even in music-only form. School board President Brian O’Leary maintains the ban’s intent is to “balance the important roles that religion and music can and do play in our curriculum with a desire to avoid celebrating or appearing to celebrate a religious holiday.”

This once again brings to mind the immortal words of Mark Twain: “In the first place, God made idiots. That was for practice. Then he made school boards.”

Just think, If we had such policies in place in CA, our Voracious Aficionado would not have been inflicted with Handelian proselytizing the other evening.

der Brucer

Jrand74 · « **Reply #106 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:54:49 PM »

Lovely wish from DR CP.....and as life goes on, I realize more and more that some things I thought were necessary and important were actually anchors.

I am dropping them off one by one as I can.

And as long as there are books, there is an escape if just for awhile. I can only assume you have read ATLAS SHRUGGED. But maybe it was many years ago - and even though Ayn's politics might not be your cup of tea, you might try reading it again for the story. The characters are interesting and committed, and the scope of the story is immense and breath-taking.

Matthew · « **Reply #107 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:56:17 PM »

As for the TOD - I really don't know what I want for Christmas. Perhaps the ability to pay rent on a 2 bedroom apartment. I finally gave my pal Brad his copy of "Writers Block" for his b-day, so now I feel I can read my copy. I wanted to be sure he had it before I started so we can talk about it. Now... where did I put it!

Jrand74 · « **Reply #108 on:** December 20, 2004, 01:57:04 PM »

Well....hmmmm....after all the years of struggle it took to get Christ shoe-horned into a pagan seasonal celebration - NOW the government is taking Him out! Interesting......

George · « **Reply #109 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:02:30 PM »

Quote from: Panni on December 20, 2004, 01:08:38 PM

DR Jay - I forgot to mention that the other night while you were attending The Messiah and it was being broadcast live.... I was listening to it while driving... And I heard you coughing!

Jay, you're famous!!

George · « **Reply #110 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:13:15 PM »

Quote from: Matt H. on December 20, 2004, 01:24:51 PM

I have ROMANCE, ROMANCE on tape, taped off TV back when I had regular cable (as opposed to digital cable), and it's snowy and grainy and almost unwatchable - almost because I do like it and watch it occasionally. That's one of those shows that did have a small commercial release that it's almost impossible to find now (the Hal Linden-Lee Remick I DO! I DO! is another.)

I had no idea that Romance, Romance had a commercial release! I taped it off of TV, but it's in mono and I don't know where it is. I did buy the Linden/Remick I Do! I Do! and I do know where that one is, fortunately.

Quote from: elmore3003 on December 20, 2004, 01:37:45 PM

A&E broadcast TINTYPES in the early 1990s, as I recall.

I have Tintypes, Sophisticated Ladies (both from Brazil! through eBay), and several others that seem to be part of a series.

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #111 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:33:07 PM »

Yeah... A&E sold videotapes of the various musicals it broadcasted way back when: ROMANCE, ROMANCE, all those NUNSENSE ones, STOP THE WORLD... (or was it the other Newley one - with Peter Scolari) and some other ones I can't remember right now. They were part of their "Breakfast with the Arts" series, or something like that.

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #112 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:34:32 PM »

...Oh, and I think Clairol - or some other hair-care related company - also sponsored some of the shows in the series.

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #113 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:37:09 PM »

...Yes, I just woke up from my nap...

Good Afternoon! -Although it already looks like Good Evening!

And now I need to get ready to head in for the show tonight, so...

Laters.

Panni · « **Reply #114 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:40:13 PM »

Jr - Sorry to hear about your job. Sometimes, ieven when it's forced on us, the best thing turns out to be moving on. (I'm beginning to sound like a fortune cookie. A big chocolate one.)

MBarnum · « **Reply #115 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:42:39 PM »

DR JRand54, sorry about the job front...which job were you hoping to get back? The government one?

PS: You should have a Christmas package arriving in the mail any day!

td · « **Reply #116 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:50:35 PM »

no reason, maybe it's the season, but I felt like contributing a moon dance. . .

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #117 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:59:55 PM »

AP congratulates MBarnum on his choice:

Quote

Kia Spectra Gets Worst Crash Test Rating
First Since 2001 to Get the Insurance Industry's Worst Safety Rating
By DEE-ANN DURBIN, AP
WASHINGTON (Dec. 19) - The Kia Spectra is the first vehicle since 2001 to get the insurance industry's worst safety rating in a frontal crash test, according to results released Sunday.
…
Only two small cars - the Mazda 3 and the Hyundai Elantra - earned the institute's highest rating of good in this round of testing.
…
Lund said 11 small cars have good ratings. Besides the Mazda 3 and the Hyundai Elantra, they are the Volkswagen New Beetle and Jetta, the Subaru Impreza, the Suzuki Aerio, the Mini Cooper, the Toyota Corolla, the Ford Focus, the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Honda Civic.

der Brucer

Michael · « **Reply #118 on:** December 20, 2004, 03:12:29 PM »

Quote from: elmore3003 on December 20, 2004, 01:38:48 PM

Where's General Mills?

And the enlisted men: Sargent Shriver

Michael · « **Reply #119 on:** December 20, 2004, 03:15:20 PM »

I know what I am getting for the holidays

A Julie Andrews Christmas...

My friend has gotten me: Mary Poppins, The Princess Diaries 2 and Cinderella.

Everything else is going to be a surprise,

News:

Author Topic: SNOWY AND BLOWY AND MISTLETOEY (Read 36564 times)

MBarnum