the Power of Lake Erie

Sometimes I am surprised that my birth sign, Virgo, is of the earth. I assimilate easily with Pisces and am drawn to all things water. My childhood was spent splashing in the creeks and rain. Presque Isle growing up was a refuge in the summer sunshine. I am stupefied whenever I look out over either coast ocean. A sunset over the waves is heaven on earth to me. I am mesmerized by its wonder.


It was monumental to revisit those Lake Erie shores this Fall and make the pilgrimage up to Niagara Falls again. Comfort in the reflection of the blue and the pounding waves.

I am immediately taken by these photographs I am sharing by Dave Sanford who  lives just on the other side of the border in London, Ontario. To get the full lake effect he submerges himself in the water and gets shots of the power at eye level. They are beautiful and epic. Take a look at the few posted and see more at his page link.

Sandford pix

Jake the Man

In my usual menagerie of Jake, Chris Evans, Ryan Gosling and Mr. Clooney - there is much to like about all of them. Each handsome, articulate and seemingly socially conscious. But of the bunch, it seems like Jake Gyllenhaal is likely the most human and similar to the rest of us. I guess this would translate as "normal."

Somehow, he survived the curse of childhood actor from his early days in City Slickers, Donnie Darko & Bubble Boy to emerge as well balanced and humble at the same time. He has loyal family ties, a dog and the dashing crooked grin. Since then he has grown up and grown into complex roles from the demented Louis Bloom of Nightcrawler to the psychotic Tommy Cahill in Brothers and action hero in the Prince of Persia. This year he even added musical theater and Broadway star to the litany of possibilities. But his turn in Brokeback Mountain carves the most memorable scar for many.

Listening to this recent interview on the Hollywood Masters  he talks about that pioneering portrayal. But even more so, on the smart and sensitive soul that is Jake Gyllenhaal. More to like about him - the kind of guy you'd want to take home to meet the family or spend a day at the zoo with.

Dance Like Your Life Depends On It

Although I am quite sure my days of dancing in the chorus are over, I am spiritually affected by the way dance steers the soul. There is something about both the music under it and the vocabulary of the body that will always remain transcendent for me. In much of what I see, I amazed that new generations of dancers & choreographers continue to find ways to reinvent our bodies and craft a language that is uniquely their own. Constantly. I see it every year in color guard, SYTYCD, our local companies..... 

Here are two clips that both passed my way and I felt they were worthy of a share although they come from opposite sides of the spectrum. The first is from I.aM.mE crew member and former So You Think You Can Dance contestant Phillip Chbeeb and Renee Kester. Apparently there is a whole live action element in New York on Fridays and Saturdays called "showtime" where they invade the subway system and create spontaneous works among crowded cars and poles. This lovely piece is to Elliot Moss' "Slip"and uses the concept of suspend and release that is both acrobatic as well as evoking. There in an instant and then gone, which is also so different from the usual mode of rehearse, produce and archive. Thankfully, with digital technology, there is the option to share at large.

Then, at the total opposite end of the spectrum is our American heritage of dance preserved in vaults of musical theater. All the greats are featured from Gene Kelly, to Fred Astaire to Eleanor Powell. These names are familiar to me, but likely slipping into the history books of forgotten legends with new generations? But in this genius collage, they are all painstakingly assembled by The British Film Institute to Mark Ronson's monster smash Uptown Funk. What amazes me is that these vintage clips from over a 100 years so seamlessly align in style. What a trip down a fabulous memory lane. Enjoy them both!

 

Macy's Step in Time

Just one short year ago was a lifetime dream realized as I marched with brothers in spirit, the Madison Scouts in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. 365 days later, visions of sugar plums and Santa sleighs still dance in my head along with sheets of chilly winter drizzle and throngs of fans along Columbus Circle.

But the parade has ALWAYS been a monumental part of my holiday tradition. I would bet that every year of my life was spent watching it in front of the television in pajamas with the morning paper in hand, and a cup of coffee as soon as I was able to drink it. With the invention of social media, I now run a regular commentary on the event as it happens; which for me is the next best thing to being there. I am sure I will return to those sidewalks of New York for another live viewing in my lifetime yet. But it is with joy and anticipation that I am now announcing the line-up and talent for this years Grand Event. The musicals The Wiz, Fiddler On the Roof, Something's Rotten, On Your Feet, The King and I and Finding Neverland. Stars Pat Benatar, Maria Carey, Andy Grammer, Shawn Mendes and Jennifer Nettles among others. The count down is on. Stay tuned to Facebook to watch it unfold LIVE.

Also a link to new balloons; Red Angry Bird, new Ronald McDonald, Ice Age & the Sinclair Dinosaur.

4 New Balloons 

Macy's Line-up

High Art

I have always been a fan of art, museums and historical culture. And especially the satire and parody where different worlds collide. For some reason these two photo blogs found there way to me at relatively the same time.

One is the comical world of Rowan Atkinson and his insufferable Mr. Bean. He should be annoying in that he has a single "bit" that has made his fame with his smug Cheshire grin. And yet I always find myself laughing at his childish antics. Here are a few shots of him photobombing classic works of art.

 

And for the second offering, the loft of Squarespace in NYC decided to have some artistic fun with spare time and a steady supply of office supplies. See what a creative minds can come up with.

 

 

Birthday Wisdom

In honor of my big day - 54 - I am sharing some wisdom from virtual peers through the years. I have always thought of myself as a wise and sane soul. Hopefully as I am getting older and maturing into my age, this becomes more into focus for me in my perspective of myself and the world. The idea of hindsight benefits us all. ANd I found it smartly told in this chronology by CBC Radio. Tidbits told with humor, reason and experience. Not all of them apply, but maybe some do. Give it a watch.

 

Tilted Thinking

In homage to the State Fair, I am passing on some Midway memories for you. I think my earliest recollections of amusement rides were the Tilt A Whirl at Erie's Waldameer and the Wattsburg County Fair. It was the first ride along with the Scrambler and Merry Go Round that I remember from both. Totally old school. I have vividly burned in my head the image of someone in the car behind me getting sick and projectile vomiting on the ride as I heard it splattering on the side of my spinning car until the carny stopped the ride for us all. I also dreadfully recall the maniacal jerk at the Minnesota State Fair who got some kicks out of giving us all a 15 minute ride of torment which ruined the rest of the day at the fair as we just laid in a grassy knoll and waited for the waves to subside. 

 

That is why I was most enamored to read in a current magazine that the ride is a local invention from right down the road in Faribault. Herbert Sellner, woodworker extraordinaire, grabbed a patent for an "amusement apparatus" in 1927. It started when he was entertaining his young son on a chair placed atop his kitchen table. They operate on the chaos theory of math with 4-7 cars rotating around a fixed point on an adjustable platform. The weight distribution in each car can vary the intensity of each ride. Ironically one of the 2 oldest remaining original rides in the country still exists in Conneaut Lake Park where I also spent summers of my childhood. That one was put into operation in 1949.

Do You Copy.....?

Usually when I write a blog post, it comes from a place of strong opinion. However in this case it is a veritable Pandora's box with no obvious solution. It is the subject of copyrights, royalties and streaming rights.

It has been rearing it's ugly head in the world of drum corps and marching band where I have several links. But also at work in the world of theater, cabaret and music too. Napster scandals were just the tip of the iceberg. We hear about Spotify and Taylor Swift - but these are just the big players. If you are not aware: How many of you remember recording your high school band concert and selling it as a vinyl record? Or videotaping your high school production of Oklahoma and selling dubbed copies to the cast? Not anymore! Yes your schools still have to pay a hefty royalty to TamsWitmark, but that only allows you the rights to perform the production for a meager weekend or two. Anything more than that is an entire can of worms.

In the marching world of color guard, DCI and Bands of America, all three have had to renege on their entire video catalogues of historical archives. We used to be able to pay an annual fee to stream the 1976 Blue Devils or buy a Legacy Series set of the 1983 Championships. That is all on hold for an extended time until lawyers and publishing companies can come to an agreement on what was paid in advance and what is due going forward. Very sad to say. There might be some small profits to be made on this, but I am thinking the Aaron Copland estate is not making any sort of big bucks on his Appalachian Spring that was first published in 1944. Either there are some very greedy descendants or a publishing company in NYC that is trying to suck blood from paper.

The current rights to music extend from 70 years for works prior to 1977 and up to 120 years for music since then! That is over a century of legal hassles. And this is just for performance purposes and speaks not at all to the discussion of sharing via any sort of digital platform. I find this ridiculous. Although I don't begrudge anyone the rights to what is theirs, but considering a normal life expectancy..... I have also found that in a parallel track to patents, a new drug carries only 20 years until it can be reproduced without penalty. I know a different egg, but still there is a 100 year discrepancy which I find quite curious.

So the bottom line, is who should get what? It just seems silly to go after Seneca High School, the Madison Scouts, Black Watch color guard, or the Minneapolis Figure Skating Club who are not seeking to dethrone a publishing empire or pirate a composer. Where does this conversation even begin and who has a rightful place at the table against corporate law? Discussion encouraged.

Fashion Plate

I would hardly call myself a GQ type, although I am an advocate and subscribe to the magazine. I do enjoy dressing up with my own unique flair, but have never really been a fashion plate. It seems to come and go in phases. Days that I feel like putting on a nice pair of cufflinks even for work and coordinating a bright pair of socks to make a statement. Sometimes the right hat and certainly a rack of colorful button down shirts. But during these summer months it is whatever pair of shorts are on the pile and a pull over in the right palette to match. I'm sure as weather cools the inspiration will kick in again.

I can tell by looking at old photos that I was a dapper child. Then I made some bold choices to say the least in high school and college. After that, maybe an occasional trend or something that caught my eye. Maybe because I was often wearing a costume, I didn't feel the need for self expressions as much? But I do like a dress up for the Ivey's or even a date night.

Thus this Mode.com video short. Of course you can't but notice the hunk in his underwear at the onset. But it is a clever time lapse as he dons era after era. I guess I would say I am drawn to the 20's 30's and 40's. Or maybe all of them - even the bad 70's. Does this make me a fashion plate?

It's a Mad World

I am always amazed at the creativity of these video montages. It goes to show how editing can make or break a story.

In this one the world of Mad Max is superimposed onto the world of the road caper It's a Mad Mad.... World from the 60s. I remember the terminally long film from my childhood with its shameless onslaught of cameos and slapstick. Stars I was familiar with at the time. But by adding a bit of voice-over narration and compelling soundtrack - it almost looks like an apocalyptic satire and could very well work. Share what you think.

 

The Great Escape

I have been talking with this much over friends the last few weeks. Although I love my job, it is difficult for me during summers watching everyone else make their pilgrimages to all parts East & West while I don't have the luxury of a getway during the 3+ months of summer. I have friends checking out Route 66 via convertible,  family trips to the Badlands and the Dells, and European vacations in my Facebook feed. It's not that I don't have access to vacation. It is just that such a large part of our American and World cultures are about that exotic getaway or even the vintage road trip during these summer months. I yearn to be able to just get in the car and drive, destination intact but no itinerary to bind me down.

Maybe that is why this travel promotional ad by Graubunden really ignited something in me. I don't know all their details - if a travel service or train line - but watch this creative marketing campaign. I can tell that it takes place via the train station in Zurich and involves a free ticket for bold travelers. Otherwise I won't give away the genius ploy. All I say, is that I would be On That Train in a second.

Brain Freeze

I'll admit that I have been scattered a bit as of late. Not paying attention to traffic lights, missing bits of conversation.... Hopefully it is a sign of distraction and not the early onset of Ahlzeimers!

Here is a posting on the scientific side from a recent read in the Dispatch Times. If can remember back to High School Biology, you will recall the idea of long & short term memory, neurons, and synapses. Theory has always been that amnesia or other losses were a permanent breakdown in the way the human brain communicates. But new findings (no sources noted?) seem to indicate that the storage in the brain is intact. Instead, it is nerve damage that prevents the signals from being interpreted or accessed. There are new methods being explored called optogenetics - and from what I gather it sounds like a deep tissue massage of the brain with ultrasound that joggles those nerve synapses and can slowly reignite the the pathways to access the memories.

It almost sounds similar to the plotline of the current Pixar feature Inside Out which battles teen depression. Good news for those of us aging and in danger of losing our minds.

Dispatch Times - Lost Memories

Tyne Daly - It Shoulda' Been You

It has been a month now since jumping on the new Gay Marriage proclamation and the Pride parades. But I did find this curtain speech by the triumphant Tyne Daly and just have not had the time to make the posting.

Of course the New York scene and all things Musical Theater were all over this bandwagon when SCOTUS struck down the ruling. But I found her curtain speech especially heartfelt and apropos. I had no idea of her marital status, nor did I realize that she was a pioneer in the civil rights movements decades past. Watch below if you have not already seen it and hear her share her story of marrying a black man in a generation that was also resistant to change and how this new ruling mirrors her own history. Humbling.

 

Biker Road Rage

I have been deliberating on this post for a long month. But it seems to be a regular, if not daily, occurrence on my regular route of Bryant Ave. So in the spirit of friendly virtual venting read on with caution..

I am certainly an advocate of urban living, bike trails and all things public transportation. But I do claim frustration at the arrogance of city bikers who have overtaken the side streets of Minneapolis. I do understand that they need to be recognized and have as much right to me for pavement, especially on designated bike routes like my very own Bryant Ave. But what seems to be entirely lost on them is the concept of Sharing the Road. If I have to be respectful of them, the privilege needs to be returned. Not only because I have a bigger car...

Why do they not have to stop at the same signs and intersections I do? I hate drivers that don't signal their turns and pull out in front of me. When the same happens with bikers it becomes a life threatening situation. Not for me in my Ford Escape, but for them on their sporty Schwinn. Then I also get that you are traveling in sync with another biker, but that does not qualify you to take over the entire lane, belligerently denying that I am directly behind you. The speed limit is 25 or 35 and not 10 MPH. Graciously go single file and allow me to pass just as drivers do on a crowded highway out of courtesy. My grandmother understands this concept. When they are called on their arrogance they lash out as if they are the victim of civil rights disobedience. We all have somewhere to go! Let's be mindful of the person behind or in front of us. Our Uptown streets are narrow enough as they are. In winter they cannot handle dual lanes which is why we have snow emergencies. It has gotten as bad during the summer months with the additional traffic going in both directions. We both have a right to be there. Enough said. Sorry to be a hater!

Summer Board-dom

I keep promising myself that summer should be a time for friends, a drink on the back patio and a round of Board Games that I love so much. In a fit of late spring cleaning, I scoured the den closet and tossed out some 20+ board games like Dr Ruth's Sex Game and Barbie Dream Date. They were bought at garage sales or thrifts stores and never played. Even so; I am left with a solid 4-shelf rack of every favorite you could ever want.

You like @Clue? My favorite. But I don't stop there. I have Master Detective Clue with double the suspects and rooms. Museum Detector Clue with wired detectors and special snoop privileges. Clue Mansion with audio clues and magnet playing pieces. The Simpson's Clue. James Bond Spy Clue. And the elusive find I have yet to nab, The Office Clue. (If you have it lying in a basement or ever see it on a shelf; hold it for a belated holiday gift.)


I bring all this up to tie into a Metro UK blog list of 17 Board Games from the 80's & 90's which supposedly made an impact on our life. Of course I was curious. Of course Monopoly, Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit top the list. I have deluxe versions of all three! But there are other gems there like the Game of Life which I loved - where you had to make strategic choices on career and family with the gorgeous rainbow spinner in the center. Mousetrap with it's many pieces. It takes patience to play, but boy is it fun when you all reach the end of the board with the mouse net contraption and your spare pieces of cheese! How about Operation with its funny bone, tweezers and buzzer of a red nose? I have the Shrek version which adds even more hilarity to the game. One called Ghost Castle which I'm pretty sure is the step child of my Green Ghost which had a raised board with glow-in-the dark playing pieces and a ghost spinner.

I bring all this up not to reminisce, but to make sure all friends encourage me to have some summer slumber party fun and get them out to play. They are no fun sitting in a dark closet and I love playing any of them with any other eager nuts.

17 Board Games

Holiday Weekend Eats

This holiday weekend has not been very conducive to the onset of summer and picnics at the lake. I did manage to light the small grill up on Friday night to cook a brat with some baked beans and an ear of corn - which was far from summer ripe. But other than that, the rain has been a bust for both gardening and outdoor eats.

So instead, I have opted to try out some of the great restaurants around town with great results. Let's start with the Smack Shack. What began as a meager food truck is now a swanky place in the Warehouse North Loop. I grabbed a happy hour umbrella in the shade of the city and was not disappointed. There were great beer & food options to choose from, but I had to try the infamous Lobster Rolls they are known for - even at a whopping $17 price tag. I don't think I have ever had such substantial pieces of lobster meat, even when cracking out of a shell myself. This is not little shreds; I had a whole claw staring at me out of the sandwich. The french fries were saved only by the Old Bay seasonings, but the pickle was worthy. I'd be anxious to try more on the menu.

Next up was my new go-to joint of the George & the Dragon down the street tucked away on 50th & Bryant. It is upscale British pub with neighborhood vibe & prices. In the few times I have been there I have always been eagerly pleased. That is when there is no wait for the mere 15 tables. Lunch is the safest bet, but even that was crowded on a holiday weekend. With Morel Mushrooms in season I went with the mushroom burger. Certainly not just a mouthful, but also a handful. It needed no condiments and stood entirely on its own. I always opt for the deep fried green beans, which are delish but far too heavy for my stomach. The truffle batter is a guilty pleasure.

Last, was a Sunday brunch with Jeff at Red Cow. It also has become a favorite with a menu that has plenty of options. The beef is always a feature, but I have had several other twists like Root Beet Pork that surprise at every turn. I took the servers advice and got the Chilaquiles brunch option. A mound of all things Tex-Mex breakfast. Perfect poached eggs in a bayou hollandaise. All on top of incredible marinated pork, hashbrowns and incredible thick home-made tortilla chips. Very filling but managed to down the whole plate. Great offerings on a blustery weekend!

Summer on Sesame Street

Sesame Street & the Muppets have defied so many trends it is boggling. As the show nears 50 years, they somehow always manage to stay on the edge of hip and attract new generations always. I for one, am excited that they will be returning to regular weekly television. Nothing except the Simpsons has managed to make such a cultural dent in the same way. They attract cameo stars of A list prestige and take on the heavy topics as well as the rudimentary ABCs.

Sometimes their projects take on a life of their own as this new video that deals with eating healthy and the food groups. It takes on the Box Office behemoth of the Avengers which will be the rage at theaters for the entire summer. It parodies with its own posse called the Aveggies in tandem with Cookie Monster who is nearly as old as I am. Guilty pleasure in so many ways.

Family Reserach Council

I am sorry to add another post to the wealth of opinions about Religious Equality, Marriage Rights and Black Lives Matter. The last 6 months have been so saturated with such venom and outrage that I truly feel like we have migrated back 25 years in the cultural fabric of this country. I cannot explain why the lines are so firmly being drawn in the sand, tolerance is at a tipping point and we seem to be back to square one on issues like birth control that have been settled decades prior?

This latest post is another slam masquerading as Stand For Marriage Sunday and espousing freedom of religion - of course at the expense of others not as privileged. Our dear friend Tony Perkins who continues to ignite tempers - and I am not referring to the mama's boy from Psycho - although one could argue this label. Defining homosexuality as morally wrong and even siding with Death to Gays in Uganda - he will obviously never be an ally. The whole ploy is merely a marketing infomercial video alluding to the nebulous area of "convictions" and "free exercise." And while I get incensed at the minds behind this strategy, what baffles me more is the hordes of lemmings who choose to follow. Hopefully we can and should learn from our history. This video by Matt Baume explains the very definite difference between what you believe vs what you practice. And therein lies the freedom that needs to be given.

Religious Freedom

Between Marriage Equality and Black Lives Matter - there is big civil rights struggle dividing our modern cultural ideology. Although I remember very little of the 1960's environment, this must seem quite a bit reminiscent for those older that do recollect it. Opinions are quite divided and lines are drawn firmly in the sand.

I certainly have my camps. But I always try to reason as to how something so hurtful and prohibitive manages to escape in the worlds of Indiana & Arkansas among others. Call it what you will, it is hurtful no matter how you disguise it. This article in the Huffington Post gave me clarity in how we arrived where we are. It all hinges on the Supreme Court Decision a year ago with Hobby Lobby. The Religious Freedom adhered to is a vague concept which is meant to cover the MANY types of religious choices in our diverse country with both honor and respect - which sounds worthy in print. But where it gets complicated is at what cost of expression, and then how it imposes on others.  And this is the fatal flaw in the Hobby Lobby case where the courts made a costly judgment error. If the owner of the company has firm convictions, it then becomes your options as an employee also when it applies to women's reproductive choices of your health policy. At this point it is no longer Religious Freedom but Restriction of someone else being imposed onto you.

Thus we are now dealing with a whole Pandora's Box in defense of this ruling. The emphasis seems to be on gay wedding cakes, but it will just as easily apply to prayer sessions over lunch break or the burqa you choose to wear on your head. A business currently now has the right to make those choices for you. So who's freedom is really being advocated and embraced here? In our pluralistic American society of the 21st century it can no longer be assumed that our large population is content to base their lives on the traditional tenets of Protestant & Catholic faiths. Before you scream heresy... As much as we cling to these tenets, our actual founding fathers tried to make a very distinct line separating church and state for these very reasons. Many fled their homelands because of restictions that were placed on them there. They continue to arrive here for similar reasons 200 years later. Until we grasp that idea fairly for both sides, venom will spew and tempers will raise as they are in this day and time.

Huffington Post - Religious Freedom Restoration Act 

Boston Under Cover

Every once a while I am taken in by an architecture feature. I am always intrigued by landmarks and history from around the globe. They are sort of like hidden treasures. This post is exactly that - a hidden treasure.

Underneath Steinert & Sons piano store on Boylston St. in Boston, lies a forgotten 120 year old concert hall. Shuttered now for over 70 years, it was once known as "the headquarters for the musical and artistic world of cultured Boston." It seats 650 and was built underground to bypass the hustle and bustle of the noisy streets upstairs. World-renowned pianists and opera singers graced its stage on a lovely Italian Renaissance music box. It was locked and sealed after the infamous Cocoanut Grove fires of 1942 where almost 500 wealthy patrons died from a lack of fire escapes. Thus followed a new era of safety codes that made a subterranean mecca like this a guaranteed death zone with no possible alternative. 

Decades later after flooding and water leakage it now exists merely as urban legend and a dumping ground for salvage pianos and their parts. If these walls could only speak.

Animaniac Paradise

It has been several years since I have professed my love for these critters. They were a mainstay of my early DVD collection when I stumbled onto them late in their history in the 90's. To me they were the perfect science of old-school cartoons with the sharp edge of modern animation that later ruled with Family Guy and old South Park. Sure, they were modeled with Saturday morning matinee kids in mind, but nearly half of the content went WAY over their heads. Even though the were huge, they only ruled for a short time because both designers and audiences were never quite sure what to make of them.

Wakko, Yakko & Dot defied description even as to what they were - mice, monkey...? Originally described as "Cartoonus Characterus." They had a whole brood of misfits from Mindy & Buttons to Rita & Runt. Great art design in terms of the personalities - Slappy the Squirrel! Voices were masterful! Songs that perplexed, amused and astounded on a weekly basis with Bernadette Peters on board among others. As the brain child of Steven Spielberg, one would expect nothing less. Early episodes explain their pedigree going back to actual toons from the Warner Bros era of the 1930s. From there it veers off to a tangent where the three delinquent mongrels were locked in a vacant water tower on the Warner Bros lot. Celebrity guests were common with every one from Joan Rivers to Arnold Schwarzenegger and even Spielberg himself parodied. Huge 15 minute musical parodies of Les Miz, Gilbert & Sullivan and the Sound of Music were common - almost to the point of plagiarizing. Vixens such as Hello Nurse and Minerva Mink pushed the limits of censorship among children. Maybe that is why I loved them so much. Here is everything you wanted to know about the Animaniacs and MORE.

 

 

Mental Floss Animaniacs