Wes Cunningham...

Monday, March 15, 2010 – 11:58 PM

Today is a double-feature. Some of you know about Wes Cunningham, some do not. This post is for both groups. Wes last published an album, Pollyanna, circa 2000. The past few months, however, he has re-engaged with a string of new recordings. You can listen to them at wescunningham.bandcamp.com


I am known for exaggeration. Yet, I exaggerate not in saying that Wes's music is among the most treasured components of my music collection. He is a man ahead of his time, and he is walking proof that much of the best music will not be found on a record label. His story, which I might write at a later time, is a call to get out and support your local artists. Great music is not defined by profit-seeking producers. Get out there and discover music for yourself. 

In any case, Wes is my little example of under-the-radar greatness. I am proud to support him in his underground state. I don't care that he's now pushing 40. I still think he'll become famous, and I hope he does. He will if I am ever in a position to exert such influence. 

Anyway, that's enough to say for now. I hope you take a moment to visit his site, listen to his music, and decide for yourself. 

Permalink | Comment (0)

Magnanimous Epiphany...

8:35 PM

I shall now use the word 'epiphany'.


Last week, I was struck by an epiphany of magnanimous proportion. (Magnanimous means generous, noble, and/or high-minded).

Why should I pay for something that is free? Herein is perhaps my only monetary peeve greater than paying for a good more than once (lost CDs, tolls on existing roads). 

There is an evil afoot. 

Ignorant consumers like myself have long paid for a good that is free. Forget TINSTAFL - we're past lunch time. I'm talking about legit freedom. Corporations took this free good, repackaged it, and sold it to us at what must be a staggering markup. So what exactly am I talking about?

Books.

That's right, books. In my forementioned ignorance, I had not until this past week considered the magnanimous law of public domain. Even the stingiest of nations (I'm looking at you, Russia) recognizes public domain circa 80 years following an author's death. Thus, the question(s) is posed:

- Is your favorite author dead?
- Did said author 'kick it' pre-1930?
- Do you enjoy non-exempt charitable donations?

If you find yourself drawn in by soothing color tones, matte finishes, and the artistic, pastoral cover images of the Barnes and Noble Classics series, your answer to the above is a resounding yes. 

Better idea - go to fullbooks.com. Find an old book. Read an old book. Enjoy your right to do so freely, given to you by every government on earth. You don't need Barnes & Noble. You don't need a Kindle or that oversized bad idea they call an iPad. 

I myself am on Chapter 5 of War and Peace. It's quite good.

Permalink | Comment (1)

Facelift...

Sunday, March 14, 2010 – 7:35 PM

Yes, the only reason I am writing this post is to entice you to take a look at the new skin I've put on my blog. After five years, I have decided to chuck the once-hip dot motif. I think this skin is at least a million times better.

Thanks again for reading. Hopefully I'll keep pace with some of the things I want to write.

Permalink | Comment (1)

Neat Blog...

Friday, March 12, 2010 – 2:42 PM

So this is a first.


I've never before used my blog space to advertise another blog. Here goes.

One of my favorite authors (and people) is Ken Gire. In my college days (the first time around), I had the immense joy of working alongside his son Stephen in Colorado. Today, I discovered that Stephen and his three siblings began a blog to help keep Ken, Judy, and each other up to speed on their lives. The Gire artistic streak is alive and well, taking on unique but similar threads with each sibling.

I have no idea how much reading this blog will mean to others. I fell in love with that family a long time ago, so at the very least, I'm glad to share what has, for me at least, been a very special discovery.

Permalink | Comment (0)

Fwd: Valentine's Day...

Friday, February 12, 2010 – 1:18 PM

The following is an email from my summer home through college, Wind River Ranch. Enjoy.




-------------
The following is a very short, yet enlightening, history of Valentine's Day:

According to church tradition, St. Valentine was a priest near Rome during the reign of Claudius II.  In one of the worst decisions of all time, Claudius banned marriage in an attempt to boost enlistment of soldiers.  His impaired thinking was that married men were too emotionally attached to their families, so to assure quality soldiers, he banned marriage.  Brilliant…

Valentine ignored this edict and continued to marry couples in secret. Claudius learned of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested. The emperor, impressed with the young priest's dignity and conviction, attempted to convert him to the Roman gods to save him from certain execution. Valentine refused and actually attempted to convert the emperor to Christianity.  He was not successful and was sentenced to death shortly thereafter.  

While in prison, he befriended his jailor, Asterius. The jailor had a blind daughter who often came to visit them.  During one of these visits, God empowered Valentine to heal the daughter's blindness.  I imagine her visits became more frequent after that.  On the day of his execution (February 14, 270), Valentine signed a farewell message to her, "From Your Valentine," a phrase that has lived ever after.  
 
Thus, Valentine became the Patron Saint of lovers and unknowingly began a tradition which has kept Hallmark and balloon bouquets in business for years!

Just think, the only reason we know Valentine's name is because he stood against the ridiculous culture of his day.  He held to the precepts of God, and did what God called him to do, even when it became very inconvenient for him to do so. 

You and I have that same choice to make.  In a society that says "if it feels good...do it" and where faithfulness equals stupidity, God expects us to live according to His principles. And in so doing, God is lifted up - and when God is lifted up, He draws people to Himself. 

So as you write your Valentine's Cards this year, remember that our love is different than the world's love.  Our love is a reflection of the Love we have received freely and generously… may we be as free and generous in sharing that Love with all we meet.        - Rob

"This is the message you heard from the beginning: we should love one another." - 1 John 3:11

Permalink | Comment (0)