And The Oscar Goes To

The Winner of our contest was Gilbert in DC

The other winners for the night:

OSCAR WINNERS 2011

BEST PICTURE

The King's Speech

BEST ACTOR

Colin Firth

BEST ACTRESS

Natalie Portman

BEST DIRECTOR

Tom Hooper, The King's Speech

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Christian Bale, The Fighter

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Melissa Leo, The Fighter

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

We Belong Together, Music and Lyric by Randy Newman, Toy Story 3

VISUAL EFFECTS

Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas and Sean Phillips, Alice in Wonderland

COSTUME DESIGN

Colleen Atwood, Alice in Wonderland

ART DIRECTION

Robert Stromberg (production design); Karen O'Hara (set decoration), Alice n Wonderland

FOREIGN FILM

In a Better World (Denmark)

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Wally Pfister, Inception

DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM

Strangers No More

SHORT FILM

Luke Matheny, God Of Love

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Inside Job

FILM EDITING

MAKEUP

The Wolfman

ANIMATED SHORT FILM

The Lost Thing

ANIMATED FILM

Toy Story 3

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

David Seidler, The King's Speech

ORIGINAL SCORE

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Social Network

SOUND MIXING

Gary A Rizzo & Ed Novick, Inception

SOUND EDITING

Richard King, Inception

Last Chance Oscar Contest

Current Entrants are shown below.  Last chance to enter will be noon Sunday, Pacific Time.  Enter in Comments or by email.  Categories:  Your Name, Best Picture, Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best S. Actor, Best S. Actress,  Picture with Most Wins and Total Number Won


1.  Jamie Kings Speech Tom Hooper Colin Firth Nicole Kidman Geoffrey Rush Hailee Steinfeld Kings Speech 6

2.  Patd Kings Speech Tom Hooper Colin Firth Natalie Portman Geoffrey Rush Hailee Steinfeld Kings Speech Gazillion

3.  Nick Kings Speech David Fincher Colin Firth Natalie Portman Christian Bale Helena Bonham Carter Social Network 6

4.  Prem Adheesh Lekhi Kings Speech Tom Hooper Colin Firth Natalie Portman Christian Bale Melissa Leo Kings Speech 8

5.  Craig Kings Speech David Fincher Colin Firth Natalie Portman Christian Bale Helena Bonham Carter Kings Speech 4

6.  Pogo True Grit The Coens Jeff Bridges Nicole Kidman Geoffrey Rush Amy Adams Kings Speech 5

7.  XR Kings Speech David Russel Jeff Bridges Annette Bening Jeremy Renner Amy Adams Kings Speech 4

8.  George Monkey Kings Speech David Fincher Colin Firth Natalie Portman Christian Bale Melissa Leo Kings Speech 5

9.  Scooter Kings Speech Tom Hooper Colin Firth Natalie Portman Christian Bale Melissa Leo Inception 6

10.  Donna Kings Speech David Fincher Colin Firth Natalie Portman Christian Bale Melissa Leo The Kings Speech 5

5 On Friday - Sailing Season

The 5 On Friday meme was invented by Travis. The basic "rules/no rules' are shown below. Be sure to sign in on the Trav's Thoughts page so we can all share your music.
1. Grab the banner, make your post title Five on Friday, and be sure to link back here.
2. Go to Playlist.com to make your Set of five songs. You may choose a particular theme to share with us, or post random tunes if that's your vibe for the day. You can simply post the Set, or you can add a little summary about what you are sharing.
2a. Don't feel restricted by the tracks listed on Playlist.com. And don't be discouraged if the Embed code won't work. You're welcome to use any type of media to share your Sets.
3. Be sure to sign Mr Linky so everyone can visit your Set.
4. No tags, but feel free to invite your friends to play along if they need a post topic on a Friday.
Go forth and enjoy music!

Duchess Linda of Are We There Yet is about to take off on her first ever cruise. Just to get her in the mood, here are some party and/or silly songs and the beverages to go with them.



Kokomo Joe

1 oz white rum
1 oz banana liqueur
5 oz orange juice
3 oz pina colada mix
1/2 banana

Combine ingredients with one cup of crushed ice in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a hurricane glass, garnish with a slice of orange, and serve.

Spike Jones - Cocktails For Two

Crazy Cocktail

2 oz Malibu® coconut rum

1 - 1 1/2 oz DeKuyper® Raspberry Pucker schnapps

1 - 1 1/2 oz melon liqueur

2 oz Mountain Dew® lime soda

4 - 6 oz pineapple juice

Combine all ingredients together in a collins glass filled with ice cubes. Stir well, and serve.

Five O'Clock Somewhere

Five Before Flying

1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1/2 oz Southern Comfort® peach liqueur
1/2 oz creme de bananes
2 tsp brandy
2 tsp white creme de cacao
4 oz coffee
2 oz heavy cream

Pour the bourbon whiskey, Southern Comfort, creme de bananes, brandy, creme de cacao and coffee into an Irish coffee cup or glass. Pour the cream carefully over the back of a teaspoon, so that it floats on top of the drink, and serve.



Key Largo

1 oz DeKuyper® Key Largo schnapps
1/2 oz Captain Morgan® Original spiced rum
4 oz orange juice
4 oz pineapple juice
2 oz cranberry juice
1/2 oz Bacardi® 151 rum

Mix juices and alcohol in a mixing tin, flash blend, and pour over ice in a 23 oz. squall glass and float bacardi 151 rum. Garnish with an orange flag and umbrella.




Jamaica Farewell

Jamaican Bahama Mama

1 1/2 oz white rum
2 oz orange juice
2 oz pineapple juice
1 oz coconut cream
1 oz spiced rum
1 splash grenadine syrup

Pour the white rum, juices and coconut cream into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well and pour into a hurricane glass. Float spiced rum and grenadine on top, and serve.

Just in case the Duchess meets someone very very special, there is always a



China Girl Singapore Sling

2 oz gin
1 oz cherry brandy
1 ozReal lemon juice
1 pinchpowdered sugar
3 oz club soda
1 oz grenadine syrup
1 dash Angostura® bitters
1 maraschino cherry
1 slice orange

In a shaker half-filled with crushed ice, add lemon juice, grenadine, gin, Cherry Brandy, bitters, and pinch of sugar to taste if desired. Shake well and slip into tall glass. Sparkle with club soda, float lemon "junk", and top with cherry. Add "sun-shade" and serve with straw.

There Comes A Time In Every Argument

Wow!

It's not often I find a new performer that truly lights up the room for me.  Take a listen to Adele and let me know what you think of her.  She just won the Grammy for "Best New Artist" but I didn't see the show so didn't know about her until today.  There is a good article on her at the link from her name above.  This is a cut from her second album:  Rolling In The Deep



And the lyrics because at some point you are probably going to want to sing along:


There's a fire starting in my heart, 
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bring me out the dark, 

Finally, I can see you crystal clear, 
Go ahead and sell me out and I'll lay your sheet bare, 
See how I'll leave with every piece of you, 
Don't underestimate the things that I will do, 

There's a fire starting in my heart, 
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bring me out the dark, 

The scars of your love remind me of us, 
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all, 
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless, 
I can't help feeling, 

We could have had it all, 
(You're gonna wish you never had met me), 
Rolling in the deep, 
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep), 
You had my heart inside of your hands, 
(You're gonna wish you never had met me), 
And you played it to the beat, 
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep), 

Baby, I have no story to be told, 
But I've heard one on you and I'm gonna make your head burn, 
Think of me in the depths of your despair, 
Make a home down there as mine sure won't be shared, 

The scars of your love remind me of us, 
(You're gonna wish you never had met me), 
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all, 
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep), 
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless, 
(You're gonna wish you never had met me), 
I can't help feeling, 
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep), 

We could have had it all, 
(You're gonna wish you never had met me), 
Rolling in the deep, 
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep), 
You had my heart inside of your hands, 

Happy President's Day

And the update on the above:

George W Bush went to Iraq
But people thought he seemed to lack
His speeches drew a lot of flack
Se hid out in the Whitehouse back
Barack Obama's now the man
Who won the race, said 'Yes We Can'
He introduced a health care plan
And waged the war in Afghanistan

Then the easy way to learn American History 101 - Mr. Wuhl, "Assume The Position" begins here:

Can You Hear Me Now?

Alexander Graham Bell

Thomas Alva Edison

Thomas Alva Edison patents the phonograph

Today marks the day that recorded sound officially entered the world when Thomas Alva Edison was awarded U.S. Patent No. 200,521 for his invention--the phonograph--on February 19, 1878.  It was just one battle in his ongoing war with Alexander Graham Bell as they among others raced to produce a way to send sound over distance.  The patent issued to Edison was a method—embossing—for capturing sound on tin-foil-covered cylinders.

The next critical improvement in recording technology came courtesy of Edison's competitor in the race to develop the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell. His newly established Bell Labs developed a phonograph based on the engraving of a wax cylinder, a significant improvement that led directly to the successful commercialization of recorded music in the 1890s and lent a vocabulary to the recording business—e.g., "cutting" records and "spinning wax"—that has long outlived the technology on which it was based.

Courtesy of these pioneers we are now able to run around with plugs in our ears and motion pictures in our hands while taking phone calls complete with video on our watches.  On the horizon our telephones will access our bank accounts, order dinner cooked based on "like" and just so you won't be lonely sending Mr. or Miss Right around to call because "there's an Ap for that."

Knowing me, you would assume that there is a musical connection here beyond the facts of telephone and phonograph which, of course, there is.  When he was only 19, Bell wrote  a report on his work and sent it to philologist Alexander John Ellis who would later be used by George Bernard Shaw as the inspiration for Henry Higgins in Pygmalion.  In turn, the play became the foundation for Lerner and Loew's musical My Fair Lady.   Therefor, I give you:  Why Can't The English

5 On Friday - Five Degrees of Musical Progression

This week is a special edition of the 5 On Friday meme invented by Travis. This week we are to come up with a bit of a mystery with five songs related in some way and others get to guess what the connection might be.  I usually do "theme" or artist compilations, but this time you don't get a clue.

The basic "rules/no rules' are shown below. Be sure to sign in on the Trav's Thoughts page so we can all share your music.

1. Grab the banner, make your post title Five on Friday, and be sure to link back here.

2. Go to Playlist.com to make your Set of five songs. You may choose a particular theme to share with us, or post random tunes if that's your vibe for the day. You can simply post the Set, or you can add a little summary about what you are sharing.

2a. Don't feel restricted by the tracks listed on Playlist.com. And don't be discouraged if the Embed code won't work. You're welcome to use any type of media to share your Sets.

3. Be sure to sign Mr Linky so everyone can visit your Set.

4. No tags, but feel free to invite your friends to play along if they need a post topic on a Friday.

Go forth and enjoy music!

Here are my five songs with a very specific connection.  Have Fun!



Touch Me In The Morning - Diana Ross




Love's Been Good To Me - Frank Sinatra



I"m Gonna Be - The Proclaimers



Boulder To Birmingham - Emmy Lou Harris



There Goes My Baby - The Drifters



If you can't figure out the connection, HERE IS A MUSICAL CLUE

Options

This week's "Take This Tune" below was to be based on Red Dirt Girl by Emmylou Harris.  It is a story song about two girls, one who makes a series of bad decisions that eventually lead to her death after losing her brother and the other girl raised in equally poor circumstances but without the loss who makes her dreams come true.

Over and over throughout life I've seen young people seemingly in almost identical circumstances even within the same family rise or fall simply because of a single choice.  Looking in from the outside, it is almost impossible to know what is going on in their minds and hearts.  The best anyone can do is offer advice before an action or provide a life line to rescue them from a bad one so that it doesn't destroy their lives.

In our disjointed modern life where extended families are rare, teachers are overburdened, economics require parents to work long hours while curtailing social interaction outside the family, it is easy for a child to get lost in the shuffle.  Add in the incessant TV, music, and advertising sounds and images often with very negative messages and too many children are, in essence, raising themselves.  Maybe it is time for everyone to slow down and pay attention to the future.  

Without involved mentors, too many children are getting lost and time may be the greatest gift we can give them.

Take This Tune Red Dirt Girl

This is a beautiful but terribly sad song about two girls with dreams.  One made hers come true.  The other completely lost her way.  Your challenge is to Take This Tune and tell us about choices and outcomes.

Important Notice: The "Take This Tune" meme will be moving here to  Durward Discussion from it's former site.  The rules are simple.  Listen to the music and then take the tune as a theme for your own site.  You can write anything or use photography or answer with another musical selection at any time during the week following.  It is wide open just a prompt for anything you want to do.  Then be sure to link back here and sign the linky so others can see what you have to share on your blog.  Feel Free to use the Take This Tune Logo above.



RED DIRT GIRL

Me and my best friend Lillian
And her blue tick hound dog Gideon,
Sittin on the front porch cooling in the shade
Singin every song the radio played
Waitin for the Alabama sun to go down
Two red dirt girls in a red dirt town
Me and Lillian
Just across the line and a little southeast of Meridian.

She loved her brother I remember back when
He was fixin up a '49 Indian
He told her 'Little sister, gonna ride the wind
Up around the moon and back again"
He never got farther than Vietnam,
I was standin there with her when the telegram come
For Lillian.
Now he's lyin somewhere about a million miles from Meridian.

She said there's not much hope for a red dirt girl
Somewhere out there is a great big world
Thats where I'm bound
And the stars might fall on Alabama
But one of these days I'm gonna swing
My hammer down
Away from this red dirt town
I'm gonna make a joyful sound

She grew up tall and she grew up thin
Buried that old dog Gideon
By a crepe myrtle bush in the back of the yard,
Her daddy turned mean and her mama leaned hard
Got in trouble with a boy from town
Figured that she might as well settle down
So she dug right in
Across a red dirt line just a little south east from Meridian

She tried hard to love him but it never did take
It was just another way for the heart to break
So she dug right in.
But one thing they don't tell you about the blues
When you got em
You keep on falling cause there ain't no bottom
There ain't know end.
At least not for Lillian

Nobody knows when she started her skid,
She was only 27 and she had five kids.
Coulda' been the whiskey,
Coulda been the pills,
Coulda been the dream she was trying to kill.
But there won't be a mention in the news of the world
About the life and the death of a red dirt girl
Names Lillian
Who never got any farther across the line than Meridian.

Now the stars still fall on Alabama
Tonight she finally laid
That hammer down
Without a sound
In the red dirt ground

A Sunburnt Country

Reprint as the profile on the Queensland premier is worth reading.  She is quite a lady dealing with the devastation.  With the horrible floods that have destroyed so many homes, closed mines, and ruined crops in Australia, I started to think of one of my favorite poets, Dorothea Mackellar and particularly her beautiful tribute to her homeland, with the lines "of droughts and flooding rains".  It is a land of extremes and right now even with the famous Australian temperament of rising to the occasion, many are suffering.  Here is a profile on Anna Bligh the Queensland Premier:  


My Country

The love of field and coppice,
Of green and shaded lanes,
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins.
Strong love of grey-blue distance,
Brown streams and soft, dim skies -
I know but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise.

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror –
The wide brown land for me!

The stark white ring-barked forests,
All tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon,
Green tangle of the brushes
Where lithe lianas coil,
And orchids deck the tree-tops,
And ferns the warm dark soil.

Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When, sick at heart, around us
We see the cattle die –
But then the grey clouds gather,
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady soaking rain.

Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the rainbow gold,
For flood and fire and famine
She pays us back threefold.
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze.

An opal-hearted country,
A wilful, lavish land –
All you who have not loved her,
You will not understand –
Though earth holds many splendours,
Wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country
My homing thoughts will fly.

5 On Friday - Everything Old Is New Again

Travis of Trav's Thoughts has devised this neat meme. If you've never joined in, give it a try.

I know you've got some favorite music you'd like to share with the FoF gang. You can use any music source, but here are the official directions to play along. Be sure to sign in on Trav's blog so that we can all share your choices.

1. Grab the banner, make your post title Five on Friday, and be sure to link back here.
2. Go to Playlist.com to make your play list of five songs. You may choose a particular theme to share with us, or post random tunes if that's your vibe for the day. You can simply post the play list, or you can add a little summary about what you are sharing.
2a. Don't feel restricted by the tracks listed on Playlist.com. And don't be discouraged if the Embed code won't work. You're welcome to use any type of media to share your Sets.
3. Be sure to sign Mr Linky so everyone can visit your Set.
4. No tags, but feel free to invite your friends to play along if they need a post topic on a Friday. Go forth and enjoy music!

The Manilow video has Barry laughing at himself for loving this type of Big Band era music with a 1980s song:  I Was A Fool To Let You Go..



The video: Billy Wilder's 1950 Motion Picture "Sunset Boulevard". The Singer: Debra Byrne from the Australian cast of Andrew Lloyd Weber's 1993 musical "Sunset Boulevard" singing "With One Look".



The Video: Scenes from the motion picture "All That Jazz". The Singer: Peter Allen with his tribute to the 30s and 40s: Everything Old Is New Again



The Video and Song: Michael Buble with a throw back to the great latin dance numbers with a new song:  SWAY



Model, actress, and First Lady of France, Carla Bruni,  has done a new version of this golden oldie, but I still have to go with the original: Joe Stafford, You Belong To Me

Amfalula

In A mood for some nonsense and no one does nonsense better than Eugene Field
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Dinky Bird

By Eugene Field

Tis the land of Wonder-Wander,
Whither children love to go;
It's their playing, romping, swinging,
That give great joy to me
While the Dinkey-Bird goes singing
In the amfalula tree!
There the gum-drops grow like cherries,
And taffy's thick as peas -
Caramels you pick like berries
When, and where, and how you please;
Big red sugar-plums are clinging
To the cliffs beside that sea
Where the Dinkey-Bird is singing
In the amfalula tree.

So when children shout and scamper
And make merry all the day,
When there's naught to put a damper
To the ardor of their play;
When I hear their laughter ringing,
Then I'm sure as sure can be
That the Dinkey-Bird is singing
In the amfalula tree.

For the Dinkey-Bird's bravuras
And staccatos are so sweet
His roulades, appoggiaturas,
And robustos so complete,
That the youth of every nation
Be they near or far away -
Have especial delectation
In that gladsome roundelay.

Their eyes grow bright and brighter,
Their lungs begin to crow,
Their hearts get light and lighter,
And their cheeks are all aglow;
For an echo cometh bringing
The news to all and me,
That the Dinkey-Bird is singing
In the amfalula tree.

I'm sure you like to go there
To see your feathered friend -
And so many goodies grow there
You would like to comprehend!
Speed, little dreams, your winging
To that land across the sea
Where the Dinkey-Bird is singing
In the amfalula tree!

Maxfield Parrish

The Dicky Bird

(Guess she is swinging from the Amfalula tree)

Has It Really Been That Long?

This week's "Take This Tune" is a Bob Dylan song "Ain't Talking" from his Modern Times album.  Now I'm what might be called an "intermediate adopter" as opposed to an "early adopter".  I usually wait until others have some experience under their belt before sticking my toe in the water but is is usually earlier than others who need someone just a little ahead of them to lead the way.  But in the case of Dylan, I was so early that I'm not really sure if he had a record contract before I heard the lines of poetry.

Dylan dropped out of college at the end of his freshman year. In January 1961, he moved to New York City, hoping to perform there and visit his musical idol Woody Guthrie. Guthrie had been a revelation to Dylan and was the biggest influence on his early performances.  I graduated from high school in 1961 and moved to West Covina during the summer in order to start college at Mt. San Antonio in September where I met the boy who would become my husband.  That Christmas I attended a party at the home of his best friend who for some unknown reason had copies of Dylan's poetry and maybe the first record.  He also had a mother who was eccentric to say the least in that she collected the poetry of all the friends of her son that she read while ensconced in her bed until noon whereupon she would declaim in ever more incomprehensible lectures about crystals and spheres of language

It was a delightful introduction into how "the other half lived".  This beautiful home sat on the top of a hill with its pool, den set up for the practical, businessman father's purchased artwork on the walls and once a week poker games, live in maid and every convenience such as a microwave ... a 1961 microwave.  The wealth that supported it and the political figures that wandered through for the annual Christmas all day buffet were eye opening.  But the four young people who hung out in the garage built model airplanes, sang folk songs around the piano, and turned out poetry for the lady of the manor as that was the price we paid to sit in the lap of luxury that three of us had never known until then.  To this day I sort of measure homes by the I-Shaped layout of that house.  We will not mention what I once did under the rock polisher in that garage.

Those were great times up on the hill, building planes in the garage, attending the parties, and writing the poetry. Fifty years later those four youngsters formed two couples, married, had children, divorced, remarried, had grandchildren and now one has died, but Dylan is still here and we are still trying to understand what he has to say in all its layers:

All my loyal and my much-loved companions
They approve of me and share my code
I practice a faith that's been long abandoned
Ain't no altars on this long and lonesome road

Ain't talking just walking
Up the road around the bend
Heart burning, still yearning
In the last outback, at the world't end.

Queen's Meme 71 - The Football Meme

It seems that Queen Mimi Pencil Skirt of Bloggingham took notice of strapping males in spandex this past weekend.  Her majesty was so amused that she now questions her other subjects on the subject.  Should you choose to add your thoughts on the subject of the spandex wearing subjects, you can join in HERE.

(**1919 Green Bay Packers**)

Now that the Superbowl is over, I thought it would be fun to take a little football quiz. I already declare failure but that is beside the point. There are many things about football that endear me to the game. Men in tight pants come to mind, ballet moves, food and music. What could be better?

1. In football, the "ball" is not round. Does this concern you?

No some balls have dancers on a rectangle and boxing matches are fought in a square ring.  An oblong spherical that spirals is very decorative.

2. Can you decipher just one of the sideline hand signals?

If it is a single finger pointed towards God or middle towards the opposition - Yes.

3. What did you think of the halftime show?

I like Black Eyed Peas but usually served with corn bread.  In truth, they are a good group but the format just didn't work for them.  Now the pregame with Keith Urban ... fantastic.

4. I do not understand why it is so important to knock people down if the object of the game is to get back up and run with the ball. Wouldn't it be simpler to just toss it back and forth and see who could catch it first?

If they just tossed the ball, it would be baseball, and the great George Carlin had a few words to say about that.



5. What is a down?

The opposite of an up and ninety degrees from a sideways.

6. Besides the obvious testosterone flying around (ladies) and the cheerleaders in short skirts (gentlemen) what else about the game of football fascinates you?

The celebrities doing the frog march for the photographers lining the red carpet because the billionaire owners want to be seen with them and the Fox sponsors holding their contracts are forcing them to go in exchange for promoting their latest motion picture or recording. It's a hard hard life if only because of the first class jet lag.

7. If you could add a rule to the game, what would it be?

Only one commercial per product.  Anybody remember which car company sponsored which commercial?  Also, the Budweiser Clydesdales must appear free.

Super Bowl XLV

Pre Game:  Lea Michele, Christina Aguilera, Maroon 5, Keith Urban

Half Time:  Black Eyed Peas

All The Commercials

Somewhere in all of the above, there may be a football game and I'm rooting for the Packers.

Lincoln Portrait

Could this man get elected today?

While the Aaron Copeland piece below is about Abraham Lincoln, it is quite often performed in the summer. The first time I heard it, the Fresno Symphony was giving the city a gift with a free concert and a local DJ as the narrator of the Lincoln quotes. It was impressive then.   Here you get the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Gregory Peck. The blank space in the recording was for a video presentation during the performance.





In 1942, shortly after the U.S. entered World War Two, conductor Andre Kostelanetz commissioned Aaron Copland to compose a work to fortify and comfort people during that time of national distress that has since become a touchstone in times of crisis, and one of the most enduring works in American music, "A Lincoln Portrait."  Copland used excerpts from different Lincoln speeches, combined with musical quotations from American songs.  Below are the quotes used.  In this time when things around the world are so unsettled, particularly in the Middle East, and events at home have left so many in distress, a dose of Lincoln may give some comfort or guidance.

"Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history."  That is what he said. That is what Abraham Lincoln said.

"Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this congress and this administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation. We, even we here, hold the power and bear the responsibility." [Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862]

He was born in Kentucky, raised in Indiana, and lived in Illinois. And this is what he said. This is what Abe Lincoln said.

"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves and then we will save our country." [Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862]

When standing erect he was six feet four inches tall, and this is what he said.

He said: "It is the eternal struggle between two principles, right and wrong, throughout the world. It is the same spirit that says 'you toil and work and earn bread, and I'll eat it.' No matter in what shape it comes, whether from the mouth of a king who seeks to bestride the people of his own nation, and live by the fruit of their labor, or from one race of men as an apology for enslaving another race, it is the same tyrannical principle." [Lincoln-Douglas debates, 15 October 1858]

Lincoln was a quiet man. Abe Lincoln was a quiet and a melancholy man. But when he spoke of democracy, this is what he said.

He said: "As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy."

Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of these United States, is everlasting in the memory of his countrymen. For on the battleground at Gettysburg, this is what he said:

He said: "That from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion. That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. That this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth."

5 On Friday - Interesting Weather We're Having

To participate in 5 On Friday head on over to Trav's Thoughts to sign in and share one of the best memes out there now in to it's 54th successful week.  This week I wanted something to counteract the doom and gloom of the news.  Poor souls globally have been getting hammered with the weather of late, so the least I could do was come up with a sound track for the events.

Gung Hay Fat Choy

Year of the Rabbit (Beginning February 3, 2011)

The Year of the Tiger is going out with a tiger's ferocity and even the gentle Rabbit won't be able to change things to begin with. The Year of the Rabbit officially begins on February 3rd, 2011 and the energies are again metal and wood, similar to the Tiger year we’re leaving behind. Some of the conflicts of the Tiger year will carry over to the New Year; however, Rabbit years are usually calm, creative, and positive -- a much-desired change from the volatile Tiger! Rabbit is a peace-seeking symbol, and we can expect that there will most likely be more effort at diplomacy politically. But don’t expect everything to go smoothly, because any accord is always underscored by discord. This year's focus will be on arts and culture, getting our financial house in order, cultivating intimate relationships, and building family and community. Because of the inward focus on the Rabbit, domestic agendas at home will trump those outside of the border and the appetite for playing Big Brother internationally will assuredly wane. The Rabbit ({1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011) People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog. The Rat The Rat  (1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008) People born in the Year of the Rat, will see considerable improvement in their energy and luck in the year of 2011 compared to 2010. Events will be smoother this year for all age groups. You will be lucky in love and romance, with even chances of being blessed with babies! It is also possible to settle down this year if you already haven’t. You will do well in business, career, social life, and romance too. However, take care not to indulge too much in the known vices and be cautious about gossip and vile words from others. Wise investments will bring in great harvest as your wealth luck is superb in 2011.  The Ox The Ox (1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009) Those who are born in the Year of the Ox need to be real patient in 2011 as this year may not be your best year. Be mentally prepared and do not think too negative about the uncertainty of the future. Save often, as your wealth luck is at a low ebb this year. Conflicts in marital life should be avoided, business rivalry can cost you dearly, do not start new ventures without careful analyzis and planning, do not make haste in decisions on any front. Students got to work harder to to acquire more knowledge and skills this year. Be in control of your emotions and show love, care and kindness for family, friends and loved ones. Your luck will improve towards the middle of the year. The Tiger The Tiger (1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010) If you were born the Year of the Tiger, you can relax knowing that your lucky stars are gathering together to stabilize your luck towards the end of 2011. However there will still be impediments in your business plans. Think twice before starting any new ventures. Try to keep a low profile as gossips may hit you hard. Take care of your health and try to go for your regular checkups. Take good rest and do not overwork. Be careful when playing in pools and rivers. Work and career progress may be slow, do more networking and be cautious about what you speak to others. This may not be the year to find your true love. Those who are already together, try to be more compassionate towards your partner. Everything will be brighter and pleasant by the end of the year. The Rabbit The Rabbit / Cat (1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011) This is the Year of the Rabbit. For those who are born under this zodiac, things may not be very rosy, as evil stars can cause much obstacles in your life in 2011. Although this may be your year, your wealth luck is not strong. Do not get into arguments, drive safely, manage your finances well, avoid risks in all fronts, curb your anger and be more considerate towards your loved ones. Make new friends, focus your thoughts, and be prepared for all impediments in your path. But do not despair, there will be spikes in your luck from time to time. The Dragon The Dragon (1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000) Those born in the Year of the Dragon, will experience much better luck and life in 2011. The lucky stars will guide you to safety. Take chances, swim upstream, your mainstream income will be sufficient for most. Those who are in love or married will have a wonderful time of life in general. There will be great leaps forward in your career, business, and there will be some pleasant surprises all along. You will gain fame and money this year. But remember to avoid known perils. Avoid water themed games and eat only healthy food. The Snake The Snake (1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001) If you are born in the Year of the Snake take extra care this year on your health and investments. Remember that taking too many a medical leave will effect your appraisal! You need to be extra cautious with new investments. Do not make rash decisions. Although there will be challenges at work, take them in your stride as 2011 will be a good year for your career. Do not bring home your workplace issues. Balance your finances and do not overeat. Your wealth luck will be at its peak towards the last quarter. The Horse The Horse (1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002) Great news for those who are born theYear of the Horse! Your lucky stars are shining bright this year. As your luck is stable there is no need to switch careers. But take care to not to fall for scams and traps set by evil people. Businessmen should take good care of their subordinates. Business will be hectic, so, make sure you take a proper diet every day. Be careful with your actions and words during business or social networking sessions, as competitors will try to take advantage of them. Enjoy yet another year of good fortunes. The Goat The Goat / Ram  (1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003) 2011 will be a mixed bag for those who are born in the Year of the Goat. There will be great opportunities as well as obstacles in your career path. Invest in properties as you have great wealth luck this year. Its difficult to find sincere people to stand by you, even though you will be surrounded by friends of the opposite gender. There will be increased activity in your business, but may not really be very fruitful. Be patient and alert always. You may get hurt by sharp objects. Singles will get many chances to find mates. The Monkey The Monkey  (1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004) You have to let go of your feelings. Make peace with your inner self. Those who are born on the Year of the Monkey will get affected by common illnesses like flu and other seasonal sicknesses easily. Be a little stringent and reign in your urge to spend more than necessary. Try to live a healthy life. You may be confused with the selection of mates, leave all relationship matters to fate. Take care of your valuables and residence, avoid dark alleys, be careful about slipping and falling from high places. Your wealth luck will be relatively stable in 2011. The Rooster The Rooster (1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005) Almost like a follow up on last year, 2011 also is not going to be a very pleasant year for those who were born on the Year of the Rooster. You need to be in harmony with everyone. Scandals, gossips and lawsuits may follow you around. Your valuables might get damaged easily, your relationships might go through patchy times, and your wealth luck will be rugged. Although your health will be ok, little illnesses will trouble you. Try to stay happy and keep your spirits high. Get some exercise. Be more proactive with your loved ones. Things will start looking up towards the middle of the year. Save for rainy days, and remember that harmony is the key to your success! The Dog The Dog (1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006) This is going to be one of the best years for those who were born on theYear of the Dog with lucky stars surrounding you! Students will do brilliantly, business plans will go through smoothly, health is better, there will be harmony in family life, and your wealth luck will be excellent with wise investments bringing in great returns. Career and business growth will be high. However, being a little cautious while participating in outdoor games will be a good idea. Ease up on indulgence while social networking. Do not forget to spice up your life with your partner by enjoying a vacation some time in 2011. Enjoy! The Pig The Pig (1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007) In 2011 lucky stars will be weakened for those who are born on the Year of the Pig. Spend less, avoid direct confrontations with anybody, always be on guard against vile persons, try to be calm and composed, put major investments on hold, relationships will be troubled by gossips and scandals, and health will also be weakened. Guard against breath related illnesses. Laugh often. Students study harder. Be more understanding in love. Reign in your bad temper. Save while you can and do not take loans. Things will definitely get better towards the end of the year. Wishing You All A Very Happy 4709