NancyHogg's Weblog

Climate Change. ??

nancyhogg — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:51:30 +0000

December 11, 2009 Tree still has leaves

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is in progress in Copenhagen.

The Conference runs December 7 to 18, 2009. We will see what the results will be at its’ conclusion.

There is much argument over costs to combat climate change. Pay now or pay later. Unbelievably, there are those that say what is or is not going on is not caused by human activity. End of an Ice Age?? Cyclical Sun activity??? Random weather patterns???? ……. too many humans?

Here is my little contribution to climate change observation. I have lived in my current house for ten years. I live in coastal Virginia, USA. This tree in my side yard has never had leaves in December.

Here is a link to the USA EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) climate change website. Check it out. See what you can do to make a difference.

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/index.html

Craig Ferguson makes me lose sleep

nancyhogg — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:09:43 +0000

Craig Ferguson, late late night show, Nov. 20, 09

Jazz Hands

Jazz Hands, pix 2

Craig Ferguson. Funniest guy on TV. Makes me lose sleep.

So. Yes, blogging about the show…..

Nodding Inspector. (I Would have been arrested after 1st guest, as I fell asleep on couch – HATE it when I do that! ..X*!@..) —- Missed half the show—- has something to do with getting up at 5:30am the previous four mornings….

Whiplash speculation.

OMG!!! Oprah’s announced [retirement?] ‘Withdrawal From Daytime Airwaves’!!!! –WFDA!!! omg!! (not really)

First Guest: Neil Patrick Harris. Second Guest: ???? Can’t find the guest line up on CBS’s website … {not spending too much time on trying to find that piece of info….. just saying…}

JAZZ HANDS…

Global Warming. ?

nancyhogg — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:47:42 +0000

My side yard tree, November 19, 2009

November 19, 2009.

This tree is a Bradford Pear located in my side yard (in coastal Virginia). This tree’s leaves have turned yellow and most of them have dropped by this time of year in the past.

Global Warming?

Just a warm start to Fall/Winter??

Anyone else notice changes?

Virginia Symphony, October 31, 2009, Halloween night

nancyhogg — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:05:09 +0000

Philippe Quint, violin soloist

Halloween night at Chrysler Hall with the Virginia Symphony.

Excellent performance.

Soloist, Philippe Quint had everyone smiling because he was. You think you’ve heard it all/won’t hear any thing different when it comes to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Well, Quint provided a pleasant unfolding of the piece. The Smiles, the exuberant performance, the engaging of the orchestra (catching the eyes of the other musicians) by Quint provided a soloist performance the audience thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. The Four Seasons never sounded so good! Bravo!!!

Philippe Quint, violin soloist receiving his applause for an excellent performance

The balance of the program also provided an enjoyable experience.

Don Juan, Opus 20 by Strauss. Tone poem. This piece provided the horn section and principal oboe an opportunity to show their chops. They did.

Suite from L’oiseau de feu 1919 Version by Stravinsky. ~Otherwise known as Firebird. Very Russian in orchestration. Full orchestra. Beautiful sound.

The Associate Conductor, Matthew Kraemer, conducted for the evening’s performance.

Republicans will win the Governors Office in Virginia in 2009

nancyhogg — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:00:51 +0000

Not because I want the Republican party/ McDonnell to win. Unfortunately, it is because McDonnell ran a better campaign.

The Democratic Party could have won if they had run a better campaign.

The following comments, for the most part, are from an email I sent to drshow@wamu.org in response to their program today (Friday, October 30, 2009).

————————————————

Two observations on the subject of the Diane Rehm Show on NPR today, October 30, 2009

Too much will be made of the Republican win in Virginia. It is more about marketing than substance.

First off, even though Deeds won the summer Democrat run-off, the better over all candidate (Moran) did not win in that contest.

Additionally, the Democrat (Deeds) got a poor start in his public campaign after that summer election. McDonnell, the Republican, got an early start with his advertising in the early summer.

The Republican has a MUCH better marketing campaign strategy/staff. They (McDonnell’s campaign) are making much use of his large family, framing him as ‘folksy’ figure who most people can relate to. His commercials are well composed. McDonnell’s staff has made good use of attack politics and Deeds/Democrats do not respond to those attacks. They (Deeds’ campaign) finally got around to airing simultaneous (as in back to back/Rep then Dem.) commercials at summers end -but not in sufficient quantity/quality. Deeds’ campaign merely attacks in return (NO creativity [but NOT -I mean- in the 'making up stuff' sense]) -additionally, NO calling out of the Republican statements/misstatements.

Deeds has a ‘funny’ first name. I believe that is a handicap to most Virginia voters. Yes, the current USA President has a ‘funny’ name, too; however, he can pull it off.

Deeds has a TERRIBLE campaign marketing strategy (staff?). Deeds campaign uses/used, for the most part, a single issue (McDonnell’s masters thesis) to base its attacks on McDonnell’s past record. That strategy is not working. The Democrat commercials to present his (Deeds) ideas were poor and few.

McDonnell had the airwaves to himself in the summer. EVERYBODY running for political office advertises in October. The airwaves are then (now) crowded and confusing.

Deeds has not been presented as a ‘likable’ character (their attempts have been poor) – that has been a MAJOR mistake, in my opinion.

So, do not (You, the Media) make too much of the Republican win in Virginia. —-But we know that’s not going to happen.

I will vote for Deeds; however, I think he has no chance against the better run marketing campaign of McDonnell.

The Government. Flogging the ‘Government’ as too big, too corrupt, etc., remains the favorite topic of fear mongers. The Government provides stability to this country. I have a sister and a number of friends who have ‘government’ jobs. They are productive, honest workers who strive to do their duties as required and some, over and above that.

Lumping the government workers into the ‘Big Government’ category is not helping attitudes of the assets of our country. How is ‘Big Government’ defined? Is it Civil Service workers, Congress, the President, the Courts, and policies and procedures all lumped together as the ‘Big Government’ problem? Policies and procedures should be critiqued/changed as necessary for the good of everyone not just to the benefit of single issues/industries. Investigations/prosecution of individuals who take advantage of their positions and the possibility of prosecution for misdeeds must always be ‘out there’ as a tempering brake. Indiscretions of a few must not be applied to all. The system is not perfect. However, we (the people) continue to strive for a ‘more perfect union’. (and make changes to get there)

The government provides stability: just look at Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc., countries with NO reliable systems in place. Think about the ‘wild west’ period of the USA. There is a fragile line of civilization in society, no matter where. My little corner of Virginia in 2003, when Hurricane Isabelle blew through, provides an example. The hurricane knocked out electricity and the means of communication for days. Some elements of the local society took advantage of the situation. A few roving bands of thieves broke into abandoned/non-occupied homes and businesses. The thieves knew they had a window of opportunity and they took advantage of it. THIS BEHAVIOR IS THE SAME EVERYWHERE ON THIS PLANET WHERE THERE ARE HUMANS. When there are organizing systems in place and honest, earnest people (I did not say zealot) in charge of the ‘Government’, this behavior is held in check.

If it was not for ‘Government’ we would ALL be in the stone age or overrun by “Bernie Madoff’s”.

Please refine your critiques.

Broad brushing muddies the conversation and progress to societal improvements.

My two cents.

Narrator at General’s Promotion

nancyhogg — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:03:59 +0000

September 29, 2009 – Promotion Ceremony for General Mark P. Hertling.

My participation, as Narrator, in the promotion ceremony was a lot of fun. I was not as nervous as I thought I might be; however, practice helped with that. Army Major General Mark P. Hertling received another star (total of three) to become a Lieutenant General at Fort Monroe’s Army Training and Doctrine Command. The ceremony was hosted by General Martin Dempsey, the Commanding General for US Army Training and Doctrine Command . What a grand ceremony it was. Fifteen gun salute – loud! Presenting of the ‘Battle Flag’ – symbolic. Their pomp & circumstance tradition plays a great role in the military’s organization. I was impressed.

: Nancy at Narrator’s stand

: Fort Monroe TRADOC Band setting up for ceremony

: Before ceremony

: Before ceremony

: My script at the lecturn

: General Hertling in the receiving line

: Smoked salmon

: Lamb chops

: Steamed shrimp


: The moat at Fort Monroe

The ceremony reception was held at the Casemate Museum. **If you have not visited that museum, you should. You get an idea of the conditions of the mid 1800′s world. ~One thing, people were REALLY short~ Lots of historical military artifacts thru-out the maze-like floor plan. It feels like you’re walking thru a cavern.** Lets get to the important part – the FOOD WAS GREAT. Well, one would expect food at a General’s reception to be good.

A great spread with many choices.
I especially liked the perfect lamb chops (lots of folks get this wrong/generally too dry) and the smoked salmon. The shrimp were a tad small (I shouldn’t complain). As I departed, I captured this moat image in the oncoming twilight. Perfect lighting.

Three Minute Fiction

nancyhogg — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:52:56 +0000

My losing entry is below. This attempt was my first contest entry; And Fun It Was. I will enter again when the new contest is announced – provided, of course, I can come up with a decent story.

The favorites and the one that won are great.

Here is the link to npr’s three minute fiction webpage. Cut and paste/the link is not live.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105660765

Read the winning entry and the runners up, there are 12. Last contest had just 5 runners up.
Premise is: Construct a story that can be read in three minutes or less.
This contest round had a qualifier. The first sentence had to be: “the nurse left work at five o’clock.” There were many imaginative variations!

Here is my losing entry:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Interlude

The nurse left work at five o’clock. That was just after the nurse finished up in room five twenty-two. It was evening.

She, the other woman in the room, left about twenty-five minutes later.

By leaving, the nurse left her alone, She was alone in the room with him. A pall seemed to settle in with the waning, evening light.

It’s over., she thought. Finally.

She thought about the bond between them. Their connections. The bonds between people change with time and circumstance. Their bond was still there, nonetheless. That breathless realization that he will not breathe again enveloped her. She found it hard to get her breath. Her frame shook, convulsed sort of, and a great heave of sobs poured out. Every molecule in her body shook at once, as if it were their last gasp for air.

After a few minutes, it was over. She felt her body lightened by the rip of emotion. She was surprised by that.

The door to room five twenty-two opened slightly; she turned her head to the sound.

The funeral people came in.

She left the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can see why it was not a contender: kind of awkward flow in sentence construction. Will need to work on that. Overall, I think the story has some good emotion in it. NOTE: corrections to this post in red.

VSO Season opener, September 12, 2009

nancyhogg — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Virginia Symphony Orchestra season opening night at Chrysler Hall, Norfolk, Virginia.

Joanne Falletta, Conductor.

The Orchestra was wonderful, as always. {I am a fan, not a critic} Ms. Falletta and the Orchestra start out the season by playing the “Star Spangled Banner”. She conducts the audience in a sing along. That has been the routine I have observed for the last 12 years.

VSO Opening Night, September 12, 2009

The Virginia Symphony Orchestra is a lynch-pin to the Arts in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.
As a result of the economic issues at this time, the Orchestra’s “Classics at Chrysler” series is limited to 8 performances instead of the normal 10 performances.

The program:
          STRAVINSKY – Feu d’artifice (Fireworks), op.4   Short piece. Complex and lots of percussion. *This piece was a prelude to Stravinsky’s famous ballets: Firebird, Petrouchka, and The Rite of Spring.*
          BEETHOVEN – “Emperpor” Concerto No. 5 inE-flat major for Piano and Orchestra, op. 73 Benedetto Lupo, pianist   *Beethoven’s last concerto. The middle movement is just beautiful.*
          SHOSTAKOVICH – Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47    Intense. *Controversy surrounds Shostakovich and his body of work, regarding his relationship to Stalin and Stalin’s domination of the Arts (and country) during Stalin’s EMPERORSHIP of the Soviet Union.*

Pianist, Benedetto Lupo

Benedetto Lupo, the soloist for the evening. Can’t say it better than the program notes: “The critics description: “exceptionally fine pianist… who has a remarkably fine touch and beautiful
tone control” (Oregonian). ….”meticulous technique with romantic sensitivity” (Birminghom News).” Sensitive touch and really fast fingers.

Happy to have the music season resume!

My Newest Project

nancyhogg — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:08:22 +0000

I have finished, for the most part, my first website. A one page website. For the non-webmaster, this is an accomplishment. I am learning which webhosts I DO NOT want to use again. This is important. I have uploaded and posted to youtube. I have my own channel (nothing on it, or in it). I have modified the website builder template (boy was that a steep learning curve- still with minimum skills). I have ‘chatted’ with the webhost provider’s tech support in India about 5 times today.

Street Musician, Montreal, Canada 2008

Here is my video I uploaded… A street musician, cellist, that I filmed in Vienna, Austria – in July 2008. Fantastic accoustics where he chose to play. Vaulted ceilings, like a cathedral. I have had the pleasure of listening to a couple of performances in cathedrals. The vaulted ceilings add an amazing depth to the sound.

Street Musician, Vienna, Austria, July 2008

Vaulted ceiling

Entrance

http://www.youtube.com/v/WLG-huUzcAk&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b”> name=”allowFullScreen” value=”true”>http://www.youtube.com/v/WLG-huUzcAk&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowscriptaccess=”always” allowfullscreen=”true” width=”425″ height=”344″>

I do not know if the above will turn out to be an embedded video or you have to click thru on the blue. Part of the text, that is.

Also, my newest website: http://thisisagoodidea.info

Gotta go… it’s 3:50 am

Bob Dylan vs New Jersey cops

nancyhogg — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:31:21 +0000

I am running this post as a companion to my post on the Boston incident regarding Dr. Henry Gates and the Boston police.
I still think that it is REALLY important how you talk to the police. It can be the difference between a warning and a ticket; OR, worse, an arrest with a trip to the police station.

The incident:

Scruffy looking white guy wandering around a minority neighborhood… …THAT comes under profiling… which helps police make decisions.

Suspect has one of the most recognizable names and face on the planet; admittedly, the face IS getting older…

Still, the officers did not know him from John Brown. The difference here, is, Dylan was cool about it. No name calling, no confrontation, no “DON’T you know who I AM”?!?!?

Attitude makes the difference.

I go back to the Southfield, Michigan Police Chief’s comments, from my previous blog post: “keep your focus on the incident. What happened? How was it handled? What are the lessons learned? Will there be a need for further training?”

NPR\’s take on the Bob Dylan incident

……And, Don’t you know, …..there will be a song out of this from Mr. Dylan.