Day 318 -- Hall of Fame Memories

When I came back to my office between classes today, I smiled as I looked at the computer screen.The screen saver that scrolls through my pictures had kicked in while I was out. There on the screen were a pair of electric blue platform shoes -- a big block heal with a platform from toe to instep -- yeah, that older style of platform <smile>. So much that went through my mind was happy memories.

The shoes had belonged to Keith Moon, drummer with The Who way back when. The picture came home with me from a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 20 years back. During this trip I met a large number of my online friends. There at the RRHoF, we had a wonderful tour and had some photos taken of the group outside the I.M. Pei pyramid -- managing to draw a crowd in the process. Go figure! <grin> A smaller group of those friends are part of my daily life -- we have kept in touch, with some of us meeting at various venues over the years. Yet, that first trip can always bring a smile and even giggles. We did have a blast. Cleveland has never been the same, I'm sure.

As soon as I saw the shoes, there was a song in my head. This song is a tribute to the owner of the shoes. I've enjoyed this singer's style over the years, including forays into acting. This video is from the mid-80s and I'm unsure that the hairstyle is my fave <smile>. Enjoy!

Under a Raging Moon -- Roger Daltrey

Day 317 -- Change is in the air

Have you ever stopped to notice the way the world changes as a new season approaches? As winter weather hovers on the horizon, amazing changes occur around me. When I step out the door in the morning it has had a 'crisp' feel to the air. The quality of light has changed so that colours are more subdued, but then is has been rather cloudy for some time, too <smile>. Since childhood, I've noticed the smell of the air. It changes as the temperature falls. It has smelled 'cold' recently as the mornings have been near the freezing point.

As we get into the true winter season and weather, when the temperatures dip well below freezing overnight, the air has a distinctly different odour -- to me this smells 'COLD' not the 'cold' of mid-autumn, but COLD. <smile> I've always found this interesting. Living in the Maritimes, temperatures don't fall much below -20C very often, but when it does I'm always reminded of home when I step out the door. <smile>  It smells like that cold prairie landscape. The coming of spring will bring new air scents of 'wet' and 'mud' so there is always something new to look forward to in the cycle of seasons.

We are now getting the arctic blast that has been visiting much of North America this week. Snowfall warnings are much closer than the last storms. So far, it appears that we will have mainly rain during the day tomorrow. This forecast made me think of the oncoming colder weather, so today's selection contains lyrics that deal with the look and feel of the approaching changes. It does this in an upbeat way, which helps me to feel less grumpy about it all <grin>. Enjoy!

Hazy Shade of Winter -- Simon and Garfunkel

Day 316 -- Pain in the Neck

For the past two weeks I've been battling with neck pain -- spasms that sometimes head halfway down the back.  I've been to my wonderful physio, but this event seems rather stubborn.  I was feeling things were a bit better today as I was at work.  After leaving the office I went for a walk. That's when I realized that turning to look at store windows or to check for traffic as I crossed the street, that I was turning from the waist and shoulders. So, more physio visits in my future. I will admit to being a bit of a wuss with some pains, and this is one of them. Others I can manage without too much melodrama <smile>.

Pains of one sort or another are part of the lives of most adults. Coping with the pain and keeping the forward momentum, is a learned skill. As with many daily hurdles, one begins to adjust. Recurrent flare-ups of one type of discomfort or an another remind us that we are alive and perhaps, not to take the good days for granted <smile>.

I will admit to smiling as I walked down the street tonight  when the song title for today ran through my mind. Though the song deals with mental and spiritual pains, I heard it today from a physical pain standpoint.  The song is somewhat mellow and even relaxing in an odd way. The video can detract a bit with the subtitles, but this is the best quality sound I could find -- so feel free to turn away from the screen and just listen <smile>. Enjoy!

Everybody Hurts -- R.E.M.

Day 315 -- The Nature of Freedom

On this Remembrance Day, I've reflected on the nature of freedom. Earlier this week in a conversation about the protocols requested by the Legion for wearing the poppy (as in not with a different pin in the centre), I was stymied by one response. We were told that they will wear it as they please, since freedom is what the vets had fought for.  I couldn't respond as the root of my "Really?" (with just a touch of sarcasm) needed time to be clarified in my own mind.

My thoughts congealed a bit and I understood my discomfort with the reply. The poppy is worn in remembrance of those who died in service. Its iconic format has changed little over the decades, yet people have begun to wear a tie tack in the centre to keep the thing on their clothing and not be poked by the pointy pin. There are many ways to deal with both of these issues including purchasing a replacement should the poppy be lost. My concern with the response about wearing it how one chooses being equated with freedom seemed at best disrespectful and at worst anarchy-inducing. Freedoms we have include speech, assembly, religion and others. With these freedoms come rights as well as responsibilities. The latter involve following mandated rules and respecting those who serve and have served. So, to me it seemed disrespectful to put one's own comfort or ideas ahead of those of the poppy vendors -- the veterans themselves. For two weeks of the year, this shouldn't be too much to ask, should it? I've realized that to me 'freedom' isn't that childish desire I had to 'get to do anything I want' but rather it is something that holds responsibility to act within the laws and social expectations.

Not surprisingly, my remembrance today involves music from major conflicts <smile>. I still own a functional wind-up record player complete with many discs from World War I; it belonged to my grandparents. The World War II songs were ones that my dad and grandfather played often. I know many songs well from each of these wars. Today I've chosen to share a couple of these, though choosing was very difficult. Enjoy!

It's  Long Way to Tipperary -- Albert Farrington

The White Cliffs of Dover -- Vera Lynn

Day 314 -- The Witch of November

Listening to the weather forecast there is much discussion about the expected effects of Typhoon Nuri. It seems this Pacific storm will create a massive plunge of polar air that will spread through the centre of the continent. It is expected to be cold further south than usual in the US and will cover most of Canada with the exception of the east and west coasts -- for now.

In the east, we've had nor'easters that have brought major rains from the end of October and into November. Temperatures have been mild to cold, typical of the transition of fall. In the west, Alberta and Saskatchewan as well as eastern areas of New Brunswick and Quebec have seen significant snowfalls. November generally brings a storm or two at the end of the Atlantic hurricane season and as the ocean temperatures are still warm. Storms from this time of year across the continent have their own local folklore and names. Regardless of the name, these are generally filled with moisture, wind and cooler temperatures.

Thirty-nine years ago today, a major storm struck northern Ontario with some disastrous results. A Canadian folk singer and songwriter immortalized this in a song that many Canadians and Americans know word for word. Today's selection features this song with some of the early news reports woven throughout.  Enjoy!

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald -- Gordon Lightfoot

Day 313 -- A Quarter Century

I've asked myself several times today, how it has been 25 years since the fall of the Berlin wall.  I do remember watching this on television, but would not have guessed it was that long ago. The Google doodle for the day is quite wonderful -- showing parts of the wall now all over the world -- reminders of what once was.  This was a time of many changes in the world in terms of governance and ideologies. The change was infectious, it seemed.

While the removal of the wall played a major symbolic role, it also signalled changes to the daily lives of many people. Some of the changes were positive, yet others were challenging. Rebuilding economies takes time and without infrastructure, can leave some people outside the new mainstream. As the decades have passed, systems have begun to improve, but not for all people. It is like public health, where programs are implemented for the good of the many. The few can be left behind.

When I saw the wall being dismantled on news footage, it made me stop and just watch. When thinking of a song for this day, one did come to mind for two reasons -- the main one was how I had been affected. The title of the song says that well. The group singing it says the rest.  Enjoy!

Take my Breath Away -- Berlin

Day 312 -- Thanksgiving, Moonlight, & Harmony

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving. Granted, it is neither Canadian nor American Thanksgiving -- but our own small Thanksgiving. Several of us were not up for celebrations last month, so we postponed things until today.  The meal was filled with amazing vegetable dishes to complement the turkey.  A turnip-carrot puff, Brussels sprout bake, a beet and chard salad, and fluffy, mashed potatoes.  And a pear cranberry crumble pie for dessert. It was fantastic! It is always fun to get together with friends and relax for a few hours while enjoying great foods. It helps us all leave the stresses of work behind us for just a bit.

On the way home the sky was clear, revealing a bright full moon. Last night it was only partially visible through the mist. The colder, crisper air today made it seem much clearer. (The temperature fell from just over 60F (15C) to below freezing today causing some snow and ice pellets early in the morning). It was a treat to be able to see the sky, even briefly, this evening.

These thoughts brought a number of songs to mind. Two in particular stuck around longer than the others, so they are the duo selected for today. Each of these songs contains harmonies that I enjoy. The first is by a singer that I heard often growing up, with this song being one that I've known by heart since being a wee one. The second is a duet that is much newer and yet has a voice from my childhood and one from much later in life. Great harmonies both. Enjoy!

Carolina Moon -- Connie Francis

Moonglow -- Tony Bennett and k.d. lang