Poor Richard's Anorak

End of term and Thanksgiving

I was absolutley thrilled with the performances of our Eckerd College band and orchestra two weeks ago. Both ensembles rose to the occasion and played at their best. We couldn't have done the band concert without the help of our wonderful New Horizons Band members who join us on certain instruments.

Sometimes I wish we had bigger numbers and played in larger venues, but their are rewards to playing in medium-small groups in rather intimate halls. I enjoy talking to the audiences, and they seem to appreciate it. 

I was especially pleased to see so many college students in our concerts. This is a change for the better in my opinion. I appreciate our older audiences, but we all know what they mean if the younger audiences aren't cultivated. Being on the College Program Series helped a lot. 

Thanksgiving was wonderful. I spent it with my friends on Davis Islands. Surrounded by a lot of Neurosurgery residnents, doctors, and nurses, it has become rather a tradition for me. Lots of good conversation!

We are in the final week of classes at Eckerd and at SPC both. Remaining tasks: final exam for music fundamentals, final performance class and juries at Eckerd, juries at SPC, New Horizons performances at the Florida Botanical Gardens Illuminated Christmas on Dec 12th at 6:30 and Pioneer Settlement in South St. Pete at noon on the 13th. 

Wake Up Call

Your day is going nicely--early doctor's appointment, and home for a nap. Neighbor wakes  you up to take baby owl to the Humane Society. On the drive there you are in a collision that totals your car and sends you to the hospital for x-rays of the leg. A perfectly good day ruined in an instant.

The good news is that the baby owl was taken by a bystander, who said she knew where the Humane Society was. I was able to play a clarinet quartet concert at 5:30 and conduct an orchestra rehearsal, but the soreness was enormous. Teaching today, but I plan to rest hugely this weekend. At least I'm above ground!

Time for a Holiday

My last official tasks finished for the week, I can now relax for my favorite holiday. I like thanksgiving because it brings families and friends together without the incessant commercials and retailing overload.

Mind you, the Black Friday nonsense has impinged on Thanksgiving, but that can be ignored. Who wants to spend an hour in a mall parking lot looking for your car?

Thanksgiving is always a breather for me to assess what has to be done in the rush up to the end of the term, and to think about the music I'll be conducting with my bands and orchestra. It is usually when I know how many subs I will need for concerts.

I'm currently in the midst of reading six different books. Perhaps I'll finish them.

Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful holiday, and safe travel.

Jazzinlaurino creates scholarship named for Dennis Irwin

Jazz in Laurino Festival

I was touched to receive information from JazzinLaurino tellling me they had created a scholarship in my late brother's name. He loved going there.

Keillor: The delicate art of brotherly love - Salt Lake Tribune

Keillor: The delicate art of brotherly love - Salt Lake Tribune.

Seminole Heights: Two Female Dogs Need Home

Seminole Heights: Two Female Dogs Need Home.

If you know of anyone who might be willing to adopt two wonderful dogs, please send them this link.

Twyla’s Box: It’s Where Everything Goes | 43 Folders

Twyla’s Box: It’s Where Everything Goes | 43 Folders.

"On This Day..."

Today was so excellent I couldn't believe it was really happening. I was totally enthralled with the inaugural ceremony, and the attendant ceremonies and luncheon. 

I thought Obama's speech was superb, and his luncheon remarks were simply incredibly real and down-to-earth. I am so proud that he and his family will live in the White House for the next four years.

From '66 through '69 I was in the army in Arlingrton, VA; and after that I drove a cab for nine months. I got to know D.C. and its environs very well, which made today's events even more fascinating for me. It was a miracle that the crowd came and went with such seeming efficiency, though I'm sure I wouldn't be talking about efficiency if I waited on a subway platform for hours, or couldn't find a porta-potty.

I kept thinking about MLK's Poor Peoples' March on Washington, and the Vietnam War Moratorium. Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger singing near the Washington Memorial, and Nixon in the White House watching pro football on TV. I also remember seeing dozens of troop carriers go into the underground parking garage across the street from Constitution Hall the night before the Moratorium. I was the only person on the street to see them, which gave me cold chills. I had no idea if the troops would storm us at the rally the next day. They didn't.

The country is different tonight. The world is different tonight. May President Obama thrive in his honorable service to his country.

Keith Olbermann's Prop 8 Special Comment: It's "About The Human Heart" (VIDEO)

Keith Olbermann's Prop 8 Special Comment: It's "About The Human Heart" (VIDEO).

David Byrne Journal

David Byrne Journal.