Congrats to Iraq for a successful next step. I cheer you on as you continue to find your way toward increased peace, freedom, and security for all.
Speaking of congrats and rebuilding, look at what the Iraq Stock Exchange has done since 2007.
The Iraq Stock Exchange holds trading sessions three days a week (just like the New York Stock Exchange did when it first started)--Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Ninety-one companies are listed; the last few days investors traded 195 million shares. Going forward it will be exciting to watch what it does---undoubtedly a barometer of life in Iraq.
Sunny summer days, music, and progress with my two educational therapy out-of-third-into-fourth-grade clients.
I worked in the yard this morning for a couple hours with my iPod Touch. Music and pod casts certainly enhance weed pulling, etc. I have never been impressed with gardening until I discovered this new approach.
This afternoon I went shopping for and found 2 small iron garden straight chairs that will go with my new three panel iron garden screen. I want to put them in a little garden flower bed that won't grow much of anything except dogwood ground cover. I'm going to place them in a conversational arrangement and put pots of red geraniums on their seats. At least that will give me some color out our front windows. My friend, R, and I had a delightful time visiting the garden places around town, having lunch outdoors at the Spenard Roadhouse, and later having ice cream to keep up our strength. What a change from last summer and its three months of cold and rain!
Now, I'm sitting at my desk listening and watching the Met opera on my 24" computer screen (thank you Daughter) while getting in the mood to do lesson plans for my two clients. It's time to go to the Met for another three performances this year.
6:32:34 PM comment []
Jacqui Ertischek and Georgia Blue have opened "a most unusual gallery" on Benson in the small mall with Cafe del Mundo and Classic Toys.
I had more fun yesterday. I purchased a great one-of-a-kind Christmas gift for Daughter, a little gift for Daughter and Ski Boy in honor of Echo and Tyge and a "cutie" for Daughter from Mom with thoughts of a one-of-a-kind daughter in years past.
For me, I bought this raven sitting on an 8 ball; he and I really hit it off. You will note that he is not in front of the 8 ball, nor behind it, but on top of it! I can identify with that. You can't see it, but he has a key in his beak which symbolizes the opening of doors and the welcoming of positive change into our lives (according to Mark Orr of Scavenger Art.) The raven is now presiding over the mantle. The items that had been sitting there were simply place holders waiting for him.
Enjoy the warmth of the sun. Summer is coming to an end!
Today is the first day of increasing darkness---shorter days.
To top it off, the tips of the peaks received a dusting of new snow this afternoon. The temp on the deck was 41 degrees and this evening the heat came on in the house.
11:05:38 PM comment []
Monday, June 22, 2009
Longest day of the Year
The longest day is officially June 21. The sun rises in Anchorage at 4:20 a.m. and sets at 11:42 p.m.
However, to me the more interesting fact is that the sun rises at 4:20 a.m. from June 15th through June 23rd. And the sun sets at 11:42 p.m. from June 21st through June 26th. Therefore, we don't have just one longest day but three---June 21, 22, and 23---three days with the maximum number of daylight hours.
It's been much easier to adjust to technology than to instant gratification. The later is decadence beyond belief.
Back to yesterday's post about Aaron Copland---his Lincoln Portrait has always been a favorite of mine; it is so dramatic. However, I have never been able to find a recording (I own two) that have the drama of Betty McDonald's performance with the Anchorage Symphony. After listening to the Yale University interview (see the previous post), I had a longing for that full voice, perfect diction version that Betty McDonald provided. I briefly interrupted my cleaning activities yesterday and off to Amazon.com to check if a better recording existed than the ones I owned. YES---James Earl Jones. The first review described just the qualities I was looking for. A quick download to my iPod and back to my "cleaning lady" activities with James Earl Jones' marvelous, deep, dramatic voice with every syllable beautifully articulated and exquisite phrasing in my ears. I listened to it three or four times while finishing the dusting. Finally, I had to interrupt his performance and reperformance to vacuum---technology has yet to invent the silent vacuum cleaner.
To think, in the space of 45 minutes I heard a great interview with Aaron Copland, decided I really wanted to hear a first class recording of Lincoln Portrait, found it, downloaded it, and listened to it two or three times---all without leaving the house and scarcely interrupting my household duties.
Ah, the wonders of modern technology. I love it. It so enriches my everyday life. Thank your Daughter!
11:09:32 PM comment []
Friday, June 19, 2009
Technology--Its Wonders and Its Enhancement of the Most Menial Tasks
I love listening to my iPod Touch with my Bose head set, gratus Daughter, when I have work to do around the house. Yesterday I was doing the usual "dust and vacuum" routine and listening to Yale University's podcast series, Voices of American Music. Today's episode was a recorded compilation of oral interviews with Aaron Copland.
Aaron Copland
How priceless to hear his voice and his talking about working with Martha Graham and his composing the music for her Appalachian Spring ballet. I loved his statement about her, "She is a wonderful gal." And to think I saw her with her dance troupe at West High School auditorium a number of years ago thanks to the Anchorage Concert Association.
Thanks to YouTube here is a performance of Appalachian Spring with the original cast---Martha Graham, Eric Hawkins, and Merce Cunningham.
You can find the Yale University Voices of American Music at iTunes Store---click on iTunes U, click on Fine Arts, (see all) choose Yale Music
11:04:08 PM comment []
Thursday, June 18, 2009
When will it end? No one knows.
This recession is neither the shortest nor the longest (at least not yet).
We live relatively close to Elmendorf AFB and have definitely noticed the heavy aircraft activity from this huge military exercise. Their being there and doing what they do so well is a comforting thought. However, while working out in the yard and watching and hearing them, I realize how extremely frightening it would be if there were a question whether they were friendly or enemy!
Additional pictures here including one of a bear hiding behind a tree.
1:37:21 PM comment []
The Smokejumpers had their 50th reunion in Alaska (Fairbanks) this summer. Husband came to Alaska in 1961 as a smokejumper, came back several summers, and eventually stayed. The last fire he was on was the summer we were married (1977). He was a fire boss on that one. By the time I met him he hadn't jumped for a long time.
I encouraged him to attend the reunion, but the answer was NO. I can understand that because I feel the same way about going to my high school reunions. However, instead of just saying no, and that being the end of it, he decided to host a dinner at the Crow's Nest for three of his favorite smokejumping buddies and their wives. The eight of us had a fantastic time. One couple was from Eagle River (up the road); our paths cross occasionally. The other two couples were from out of state; one was from Florida and the other from Arizona. The guys hadn't been together for 35 years. What a great evening of laughter and reminiscing!
No, that is not Husband nor his buddies in the pic.
1:12:53 PM comment []
Monday, June 15, 2009
Flag Day--Baseball and the Flag
We haven't gotten the new holder and flag up yet after having the house painted last week. As for baseball--the Mariners lost again to Colorado.
Last night Husband and I spent a couple enjoyable hours dining on the patio at Bernie's Bungalow and listening to Cat Coward. The food was good, Cat's voice warm, and the temperature, not just summer cool but cold---49 degrees.
No, this was not taken last night. Last night was a jeans and jacket night.
Our acquaintance with Cat started when she and her band provided the music at Daughter's wedding and reception.
11:23:47 AM comment []
What an incredible journey Alaska Natives have taken from the late 1940s to 2009 as they have traveled from a total subsistence lifestyle to running successful native corporations. Willy Hensley's personal story from growing up in a 350 square foot sod house in the Kotzebue area, to attending George Washington University, to taking leadership in the Native Land Claims issue brings insight and understanding of the incredible changes that have occurred for Alaska Natives during this generation.
7:56:46 AM comment []
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Recession Hits the Poorest of the Poor 06/01/09
This is the Foundation for Teaching Economics' latest Hot Topic.
The Foundation does a nice job of introducing young (& older) individuals to an economic way of thinking. Their Hot Topics are economic reasoning discussion guides to the news and public policy issues. They give me a quick and often thought provoking overview of the topic.
11:13:12 PM comment []
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Ash
It's still dark, so I can't tell anything about the ash. It's my guess it's unnoticeable. All flights to Seattle are cancelled this morning; no planes came in last night. I'm interested in cancelled flights to Seattle because I'm flying out Wednesday morning for a few days (I'm not excited to go, so it's ok.)
Our Mother Nature event is nothing compared with the Red River flood. Take a look at these awesome pictures.
7:32:57 AM comment []
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Still At It
Mt. Redoubt is still sending ash plumes into the atmosphere. So far no ash has fallen on Anchorage, however airline traffic is down to a very limited number of flights during the day. Here is an ongoing list of flight cancellations into Anchorage. Of course, if no flights are arriving, there will be no planes for flights going out.
OOOPS! Ash has started to fall on Anchorage. The mountains to the west (Redoubt direction) are obscured and the air is beginning to smell. Check here for the latest details.
6:18:53 PM comment []
Redoubt finally got around to sending some ash high (60,000 feet) into the atmosphere today. The ash traveled north and missed Anchorage.
However we didn't escape without some consequences during the day---Alaska Airlines cancelled 19 flights in and around Alaska.
The official Volcano website is great. Click here and follow its activity---webcams and everything.
9:52:45 PM comment []
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Live HD Metropolitan Opera---in Anchorage, Alaska
Last year the Metropolitan began a new program to spread the Metropolitan Opera performances throughout the country---in addition to the ongoing Saturday afternoon live broadcasts. The new venture is live HD broadcasts delivered to selected theaters outside of New York. The number of theaters has increased significantly this year, even to include Anchorage. However, because of the four-hour time difference between Alaska and New York, our performances are replayed several days later.
I went last night for the first time. One on my very favorite things in life to do is to attend Met performances in New York in person. I like to sit down in front and take in all aspects up close and personal. I had been wondering how the HD filming of a live performance would work for me.
Well, for the first act it was a jolt. It took the entire act for me to adjust to the fact that I was not sitting front and center in the fifth or sixth row at the Met. It was such a jolt that the camera did not allow me to focus on what I wanted to look at. I kept wanting to look at this or that longer---away went the camera without any consideration for my wishes. Finally, I took myself in hand and sternly told myself that I was not at the Met---I was only viewing a movie. Buy the end of the first act I was finally into movie mode.
The HD performance is not attending in person, but as a movie substitute it is good. (I wonder if it would make a difference if I knew the HD performance was live) It is bringing opera to people who couldn't otherwise participate. The theater had a fair size audience made up of people of all ages.
The evening reminded me that it is time to make another trip to New York and the Met---next year in New York.
Thank you, the Met, for this innovative idea and project.
8:41:36 AM comment []
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Understanding the Current Economic Crisis
If you want to better understand the current economic crisis take a few moments to read this 10-page article, The Genesis of a Crisis, by Dale DeBoer. It is a calm and a clearly written---without hype and bias---explanation of the beginning and the creating of the current economic crisis. I came across it through the Foundation for Teaching Economics and the Colorado Council on Economic Education.
my quick overview:
The current economic crisis is a confluence of five ingredients, none of which by themselves would have created the mess. It took all five coming together---(1) many dollars floating around in the U.S. economy, (2) changes in the banking regulations, (3) loss of the neighborhood banker, (4) computing and information technologies that allowed for new trading mechanisms and new types of financial instruments, and (5) encouragement of homeownership of those who were marginally qualified. All of these changes had good aspects as well as bad. However, these five ingredients came together to give us the housing bubble.
Dr. DeBoer's article concludes with an excellent explanation of The Downward Spiral and a look at What Comes Next.
12:56:15 AM comment []
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Obama=Gantry
One day during the Primary campaign, while watching Obama---his silver-tongued oration, his message of hope and change (without substance) and the crowd's adulation---Elmer Gantry popped into my head; the equation keep bothering me. Finally. Husband located a DVD of the film which we watched last night.
The equation isn't Obama=Gantry; it's Obama=Sister Sharon Falconer. At least I have put that irritation to rest!
11:11:36 PM comment []
The Iraq Stock Exchange holds trading sessions three days a week (just like the New York Stock Exchange did when it first started)--Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Ninety-one companies are listed; the last few days investors traded 195 million shares. Going forward it will be exciting to watch what it does---undoubtedly a barometer of life in Iraq. 
Enjoy the warmth of the sun. Summer is coming to an end!
How priceless to hear his voice and his talking about working with 
