The Spirit of Hope

In keeping with the spirit of hope offered by the ensuing holiday season, I offer up this little gem!

Mantra for the Masses

Crazy ... that's how it goes
Millions of people
Living as foes
Maybe,
It's not too late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate.




While I don't care for most rap, my issue with it lies primarily in calling it music. I am willing to concede that rap is 'art', but that art is poetry. In some (or even many) cases it might actually constitute 'high art'.
That being said, I feel that the same attitude is appropriate when considering forms of music that we generally agree are music, yet do not necessarily agree are pleasant or worthy of our time. Fundamentally, the role of art (excluding commercial art, of course) is not simply to be pretty or to make one feel comfortable. It is to challenge our fundamental assumptions about the nature of reality. Frankly it's purpose is to get us to ask ourselves: Are we deluded? Are we full of shit? Have we been lied to all of our lives?
That being said, I would ask - What better purpose could there be for anything in this life?
I have, for quite some time, considered modern jazz to be the music of the 'Kali Yuga'. It is for me. Yet, it seems this is not so for the masses. While the crude nature of rock and roll is quite apparent to those of us who need greater complexity in our music, the fact remains that it is music. It possesses the basic attributes that qualify it as such. The same cannot be said for much rap which lacks the requisite musical need for basic melodic and harmonic elements.
Lest I make this post merely a treatise in defense of rock and roll, allow me to say that the simplicity of form which characterizes much rock is, by no means, something unique to it. Many, many forms of music are quite basic and yet exert a powerful effect upon human beings. This is the great secret of the magic of music. A fine music teacher of mine once pointed out how repetition was a most effective means of establishing tonality. Tonality is no less than an audible Jungian Archetype. It's seductive abilities are due to it's coercing us into recognizing fundamental principles which are not only shared by all humans but are universal throughout all life. Rock and roll, like all music, has the ability to lift us up and inspire us. The simplicity of rock allows it to reach a wider audience, to tap into the primal nature of us all. Of course, this can be for better or worse. However, in the case of a piece such as 'Crazy Train', I think it is for the better. After all, when the music is so simple that anybody can understand it without having to think about it, where does the real meaning lie for the average bloke? In the words, of course. Here they are ...

"All aboard! Ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaa!

Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay

Crazy, but that's how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it's not too late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate

Mental wounds not healing
Life's a bitter shame
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

Let's Go!

I've listened to preachers
I've listened to fools
I've watched all the dropouts
Who make their own rules
One person conditioned to rule and control
The media sells it and you live the role

Mental wounds still screaming
Driving me insane
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

I know that things are going wrong for me
You gotta listen to my words
Yeah

Heirs of a cold war
That's what we've become
Inheriting troubles I'm mentally numb
Crazy, I just cannot bear
I'm living with something' that just isn't fair

Mental wounds not healing
Who and what's to blame
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train "

Olio Nuovo

Hey girls, since you two live out there in the wilds of Northern California, I thought you might be familiar with the California Olive Ranch. I found out about them from an article in the September issue of Cook's Illustrated magazine. The article raised a question that I have often contemplated, 'Are the olives and, thus, the olive oils from California every bit as good as their Mediterranean counterparts?' Well, they ultimately rated a Spanish Arbequina the best, but the Arbequina oil from California Olive Ranch came in just below it. Since I often purchase Arbequina from a terrific oil company called Spectrum Naturals, I decided to check out the California Olive Ranch. Boy was I happy to have found out about them. I signed up for their email newsletter and soon found out about a wonderful product that they have begun offering. It is really something very special, Olio Nuovo. Olio Nuovo is produced from the very first olives pressed after the fall olive harvest. According to Claude S. Weiller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at California Olive Ranch, "We bottle it immediately after we press the olives. Unlike other oils, we don’t put Olio Nuovo into tanks at our two mills for a few months to allow the fruit particles and other sediment to settle. That’s why you need to consume Olio Nuovo by early March. Otherwise, those fruit particles will begin to ferment."
Previously, an American would either have to have been related to Mediterranean olive growers or be in good with the them to have the opportunity to enjoy the once a year production of Olio Nuovo. Now, it is possible for anyone to be able to enjoy this rare treat. I put in an order for four bottles of it back on August, 7th. It is suppose to become available for shipping this month. I am really looking forward to it. Of course, I have an olive fetish so you may not share my enthusiasm.

WH, did you happen to see last month' s issue of Saveur magazine. The theme of the issue was, Why Lamb Rules! It had several articles about lamb and many recipes, of course. I learned a lot from it. For example, I did not know that lamb raised east of the Mississippi is primarily grass-fed, while that west of it is typically grain-fed. I do not know why that should be the case, but it makes me want to get hold of some that is grass-fed.
On a related note, are you familiar with Niman Ranch? It appears that they are pretty big players in the US lamb business. I did not learn that from the issue of Saveur but, rather, from visiting the Niman Ranch web site. I found out about them when I picked up a package of what were touted as 'All Natural' Andouille Sausages. I liked the sausages and decided to visit their website. I had no idea at that point that they were also in the lamb business. It turns out they graze large numbers of sheep in vast areas of the west stretching from Utah and Idaho on into California. They seem to be going about the whole business in a highly ethical way.

Witchcraft of a different flame!

Must love music:



Jeffrey Khaner holds (last I heard) the prestigious Julius Baker chairmanship at the illustrious Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. He is, perhaps, the best flautist in the world.

A Hand in the Bush

Your momma told you that you're not supposed to talk to strangers
Look in the mirror and tell me do you think your life's in danger here?

Witchcraft and Lesbianism

Now I feel the time is right
Love will flow like wine tonight
Give your love and it will come to you
If you feel that you and me
Could escape and hold the key
To a paradise that's true and free


Please forgive me, my flock. I have not abandoned you. I have simply been busy practicing witchcraft and becoming a lesbian.