Originally posted on Eunoia Solstice:
The earliest artist I remember thinking about as an artist was Jim Henson. It’s secretly thrilling when my daughter shrieks with laughter watching new and classic Sesame Street. While I rarely react to celebrity deaths, I feel a pang of joy and loss when I hear Henson’s voice on those classic… Continue reading Ray Harryhausen (1920-2013)
http://vimeo.com/channels/noisypeople An interesting documentary about the Bay Area free improv scene. I’ve been listening to recordings by the composers and improvisors of the Bay Area since the mid-90s. Every now and then I’ve been lucky enough to hear a few of these folks in person. Continue reading Noisy People
I’m just beginning to get into the music of Morton Feldman. His Rothko Chapel occupies a different space then I’m used to hearing in much 20th Century music. “Difficult” and “abrasive” are terms that more readily come to mind, but Rothko Chapel seems spare and, dare I say, beautiful—a word not traditionally used when describing … Continue reading Haunting the Chapel
Since 2012 began with the world’s end in mind, I thought I’d start 2013 with something else in mind. From Sir James George Frazer’s The Golden Bough: “In some parts of Breadalbane it was formerly the custom on New Year’s Day to take a dog to the door, give him a bit of bread, and … Continue reading Allow the soul time to return
4. The bird with the coolest name for the “Metallica” font: Archaeopteryx “Without its feathers, Archaeopteryx looks much like a small coelurosaur such as a dromaeosaurid or troodontid.” Yup. More of that here and interesting info on bird/dinosaur history here. 5. The bird with the coolest name for any font: The Blue-footed Booby Everything you … Continue reading Fowl Play: For the Birds: Pt. 2
Even though I should have started these entries earlier, I guess it’s never too late to give thanks. Since I have gnawed their bones on occasion, I decided I should give thanks to some of my favorite feathery friends. 1. Sam the Eagle The Muppets gloriously warped me from the beginning and I’ve always loved … Continue reading Fowl Play: For the Birds: Pt. 1
If there’s ever been a constant in my life, it’s been books. My grandparents had a massive collection and my mother and grandmother regularly took me to the library. I remember the day I was finally old enough to get my own card. It was exciting, particularly for such a shy and nerdy kid. Right … Continue reading I like big books and I cannot lie…
It’s been busy around here. I haven’t been in my classroom for a week because of flooding from a sprinkler. My daughter’s first Halloween and Day of the Dead, a debate tournament, a wedding reception, along with the normal but neverending stack of essays to grade have made for a week busier than usual. My … Continue reading Fresh Out of the Oven and Back Into the Classroom
I think I’ve said in an earlier post how much I love the artwork of this holiday. Every year I swear I am going to decorate and every year I fail and instead offer up a morbid epitaph. The “calaveras literarias” are becoming a tradition for me. And, yes, tonight is grocery night. And, yes, … Continue reading Happy Days of the Dead
Stephen McClurg 