A good tabletopic

This, for Hector. And his answer? “Always.”

The Beginning of the End

Apparently, scientists have never seen any Sci-Fi movie…ever.

Politics and the Arts Czar

Receiving my latest edition of the American String Teachers Association newsletter, a headline read that a cabinet-level post for Arts and Humanities was gaining momentum. It pointed to an article in the Washington Post about the urge for this minister of culture and the potential for it with the ushering of a new president.

If there’s a theme I keep seeing, it’s simply put by Alex Ross’ blog (http://www.therestisnoise.com):

…art and politics have never mixed well on American soil. Anyone who favors a “Secretary of Culture” ought to read up on the political firestorm that consumed the WPA arts projects in the late 1930s. But symbolic gestures — recitals at the White House, attendance at concerts, and so forth — can send a strong signal.

Seeing some parallels? Economy of the ’30s. Economy of the… ’00s (I guess?) We know how well music and the arts did in the former, how will it do today?

I am hopeful of an administration that will support the arts, and advancing culture boosts good society (you’ve played Civilization 3 on PC, right?), all bolstered by the wonderful sight of John Williams’ piece for the inauguration, Air and Simple Gifts ushering in the new administration. The diversity (yikes, the D-word) of the performers was a good statement. This feels like a hopeful beginning to a more watchful eye for this side of culture.

Politics or not, Arts Secretary or not…

What do you see for the distant future?

Random

I kind of miss being in Azusa.  It’s been great to be in Oregon, family and friends will be dearly missed.  But I am anxious to get back.

I re-watched the Star Wars saga over Christmas break.  It was awesome.  I introduced it to my younger brother and he loves it.  It was so fun to see him get into like I used to as a kid.

In 2 months, I’m going to be an uncle.  Holy crap.  I’m getting older.

In 4 months, I’m graduating.  Holy crap.  I’m getting older.

In 6 months, my parents are moving to San Diego.  It will be weird to “go home” to a house I’ve never been to, and not have a room to come home to.  I’m sort of on my own now, but not really, but come graduation, I’m on my own. Holy crap I’m getting old.

Check out Jen Stark’s paper artwork.  It’s incredible.

I’ve pretty much decided that I’ll probably go to APU for grad school. It’s not ideal, but it’s free. That’s a tough price to beat.

It’ll be weird next year…working. Like a day job. I’m not really looking forward to it.

The Periodic Table of Awesoments. ‘Nuff said.

When I was a kid, Christmas used to have a magic to it. I used to go to bed early on Christmas Eve, wake up at 6:30 and try to get my parents up so that we could open presents. And it was the best thing in the world. Since entering college, Christmas has lost its magic completely. Am I the only one this has happened to?

I hate speling errors. And unnecessary apostrophe’s. (And parentheses that never close.

I miss people in Azusa. Particularly playing music with them.

Saturday Night Live has been cranking out some great skits lately. Andy Samberg, Fred Armisen, Kristin Wiig, and Bill Hader crack me up the most.

I’m putting stuff together for my Senior Recital. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me.

Everyone and their Mother is getting married. I can name 7 couples that are my age that either just got married or are engaged. It’s ridiculous. That makes me feel old.

I like facebook. A lot. Don’t get me wrong. I just don’t like non-college age people on it. Like my relatives.

If you’ve made it this far, I applaud you. I would’ve given up at the second sentence. Here’s a present.

No, I don’t think this post could have been any more random.

Happy New Year!)

(I had to.)

Time builds tradition

Originally posted at http://nostalgicbmy.blogspot.com

I love Christmas. It is a season when the masses move into a collective and unified emotion of nostalgia, joy and hope. Christmas is old and we embrace its great age for it is filled with tradition, and time builds tradition.

Most, if not all, of what we enjoy during the Christmas season comes from older and ancient generations. The holiday, after all, is the celebration of a glorious event that first occurred over two thousand years ago. Its best and most characteristically Christmas practices have a lengthy history dating back many generations. Think of caroling, it is a basic and strictly Christmas tradition. It’s an old tradition, so much so that many dress in period clothing to carol. We are indebted to the culture of past celebrators of Christmas for this joyous and festive practice that so many continue to enjoy today. I say we are indebted because I cannot see the modern generation creating and enjoying the tradition of caroling if we had not inherited it. It is the product of a vastly different culture.

I am not sure today’s generation would move on their own to write and compose Christmas carols, banding together to walk in the chill air from house to house singing their songs to each of their neighbors. If the this generation were to start such a tradition it would be vastly different, probably consisting of overly secular pop and rock songs to be sung at concerts through microphones and speakers.

What I love about Christmas is the way such a large portion of the population embraces the old. For this season peoples’ favorites in film and music become more classic. People suddenly desire to watch black-and-white, they want to hear Sinatra, Crosby and Nat King Cole.

In this modern times nostalgia we create blends of present and past. We each have our own visions for the perfect Christmas home and it generally blends classic decorations and traditions with modern convinces and trends. Homes are decorated in lights as they have been for generations but new technologies make them more ornate and glamorous. Indoors rooms once lit by electricity and bulbs are now lit by candle flame. DVDs with video of crackling fireplaces matched with Christmas carols enter homes to be played and viewed on the television. Why go through such lengths to put a fire in the living room? Because this is Christmas and that’s the way it was in the old days.