Chaconne by Johann Sebastian Bach as Performed by Nathan Milstein

I promised a classical piece this week for my musical blog after doing a tribute to LeRoi Moore last week in place of one for this week. For those of you that do not have an appreciation for this genre of music I suggest that you watch a friend of mine's "Video of the Week" from this past Saturday, featuring Benjamin Zander Actually, I encourage you to watch the video even if you do have the aforementioned appreciation.

Partita for Violin No. 2 by Johann Sebastian Bach is considered one of the most difficult pieces of music for a violinist to master. Attached you will find the Fifth Movement (The Ciaccona), which is an exhausting 13 to 15 minutes in length and dwarfs the prior four movements combined.

The version that I am presenting to you is performed by Nathan Milstein and is in 2 parts (It's a long piece). I hope you enjoy.





~L

Smiles!

Everyone should check out this site and have some ridiculous fun.

Yearbook Yourself

I'll post some pics when I get a chance.

My LOTR-type Journey to Get My Books

Modes of transportation used: Metrobus, Metro, Cab, Omnibus & VRE.

But, after the numerous changes, I got my books for my classes that started today and I have done my assignments for Week #1 in 2 of the classes. WOOT!

So, glad to have this chapter of my life underway. Hopefully, it will be a good one.

~L

Most of Life is a Game...

And really should be treated as such.

With the exceptions of those that you allow close to you and those that allow you to be close to them, everyone else is merely a player in this stage of your life. When you start dealing with these characters as such, their actions all of the sudden seem appropriate for them and have less cause of drama on your actual life.

I am very lucky to have people who get me, who I believe will always be a part of my life in one regard or another. One has already been there for a good chuck of my life and the others I have just recently (within the year) had the pleasure of gaining their friendship. They are the ones that matter and they are the ones that will be allowed to affect me.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that I won't be open to anyone else coming along. I am not completely full, but at this very moment I have everything I need.

Sex and the Olympic City

A funny and fantastic article written for the Times UK edition. It's amazing just how much sex goes on during the Olympics. Well, maybe not amazing. It does make sense. You put together a large group of aggressive persons with fantastic bodies in a village to which only they have access. Oh and have them stay there after they have been eliminated from competition. I think a little something something is bound to happen.

~L

So, how about a haiku...

Your lips are so soft,
Your conversation graceful,
It's just--you're not him.

-Joel Derfner

That can be so true sometimes.

~L

"41" by Dave Matthews Band



I was going to do a music blog this week with classical music. But, unfortunate events do change things from time to time.

LeRoi Moore, founding member of the Dave Matthews Band and a ridiculous saxophonist, died yesterday at the age of 46. Read the AP Obit on the NYTimes.com

Throughout my lifetime I have seen the Dave Matthews Band perform several times at different venues. This combination of musicians has always been one of my favorites. "41" is my favorite of their songs for its complicated simplicity (oxymoron, I know). I think it showcases the entire bands talent, especially Roi Moore's.

So, today's song is a tribute to Roi. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have over the years. Rest in Peace, Roi.

~L

Yes! It has been a week!

Sorry, I have been lame...yet again. I did not even put out a music blog last week. Oops!

But now I am back and I wish I could locate the on-line version of the commercial for "The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!" The sinister way that the announcer says "...Ever!" on 5 different occasions is amazingly sinister and made me laugh over and over again.

Ironically, it did work to get me to remember the album name and to listen to some classical music last night. One of the pieces I am sure I will post about tomorrow (foreshadow). Also, tomorrow night on Project Runway, the designers will be designing costumes for drag queens & I am hosting a little gathering in Manassas at the Compound followed by some redneck karaoke, it should be tragically fun.

So, I hope there is some good posting from here on out. :-)

~L

Level One: A quick review.

Last night, I was by association invited to dine at Level One, the new restaurant that will be opening its doors to the public very, very soon.The restaurant is located on the first floor of the building that also houses Cobalt & 30 Degrees. Overall, for a employee opening it was a fantastic success. There were some minor critiques given to the management staff that I hope they take constructively.

The Cajun Chicken Sandwich, Burger with Gorgonzola Cheese & Pot Stickers were among the favorites for our table. Very good quality cheese is being used for the burgers and the taste was exquisite. The pot stickers were fried to perfection and the sauce accompanying it was delicious as well.

Only, food complaints from me were as follows: The calamari were just not right. They lacked the right flavor and the use of only the rings was just not getting it done for me. On an up note the chef was not particularly happy about this dish and seemed to take the feedback well. The Lemon-Caper Aioli was a good sauce to accompany calamari and I am hopeful that this dish will be improved when they are fully open. The bun for the burgers were burnt and I think that has to be stopped from making it to a table in such a state.

The staff, overall seems friendly, but I think further training in their respective areas will yield better results. No where on 17th Street do you get exceptional customer service at a restaurant and I think this leaves Level One with a fantastic opportunity to capitalize on this failure, just by being friendly. The host stand did not know exactly how to be the face of the restaurant and did not greet us in the most friendly of manners, which I hope is only because of the hecticness of the situation and not a foreshadow to future performance.

The night was a success and great times were had over a couple bottles of wine with good friends. I wish them good luck and hope to see a lot of success come from this space. Once their website is up and running I will give a link to it.

You Know You Are Firing On All Cylinders When...

The following conversation happens with a drag queen, who is noted for being on her toes and quick to respond.

Drag Queen, upon leaving: "So, I'll see you at home."
Me: "Yes, wear something tight." (Line stolen from the same drag queen)
Drag Queen: "..." (evil glare, no words)

Priceless Moment.

~L

On Ralph Waldo Emerson & Transcendentalism

So, I mentioned in a post at the beginning of the week that I would be blogging in regards to a great man (like taxis in San Francisco...of which there are 5) and I am trying to be a man of my words. So, without further ado, ladies & gentlemen, I present to you Ralph Waldo Emerson.



So, why an entire blog about his man? Let's start with giving you a brief bio pulled from our friends at Wiki.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (25 May 1803 – 27 April 1882) was an American essayist, philosopher, poet, and leader of the Transcendentalist movement in the early 19th century. His teachings directly influenced the growing New Thought movement of the mid 1800s.

Emerson gradually moved away from the religious and social beliefs of his contemporaries, formulating and expressing the philosophy of Transcendentalism in his 1836 essay, Nature. As a result of this ground breaking work he gave a speech entitled The American Scholar in 1837, which Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. considered to be America's "Intellectual Declaration of Independence".[1] Emerson once said "Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you."

Considered one of the great orators of the time, Emerson's enthusiasm and respect for his audience enraptured crowds. His support for abolitionism late in life created controversy, and at times he was subject to abuse from crowds while speaking on the topic, however this was not always the case. When asked to sum up his work, he said his central doctrine was "the infinitude of the private man."


Internal monologue (externally projected)

-So, that made this blog very clear.
-Wait! No, it just talked a bit about who he was. So...What?!?
-It shows he's a great man, an inspired thinker & a fantastic orator.
-And?
-You want more?
-Yes, please.


What does all that mean? Well, let us start with Transcendentalism (powerful word in scrabble). I hope you noticed the subtle fact that I linked the same topic three times and took the time to glance over the page that is through those portals.

Transcendentalism was a basis for my personal growth and my faith in myself throughout my young adulthood. I am not going to bore you with the exacting details of the Utopian ideas that were set forth by the movement, but rather what I have gathered from some of the key thoughts.


The closing line of the essay "Nature":

So shall we come to look at the world with new eyes. It shall answer the endless inquiry of the intellect, — What is truth? and of the affections, — What is good? by yielding itself passive to the educated Will. ... Build, therefore, your own world. As fast as you conform your life to the pure idea in your mind, that will unfold its great proportions. A correspondent revolution in things will attend the influx of the spirit.



Perhaps, the proof is not that easy to discern from a couple of lines, but my central beliefs in life revolve around the concepts of the movement. Spend each day being the best you that you can be and by adhering to the purity of your ideas you will create a better world around yourself. Ask questions, learn daily. Attack confrontation, argue for the sake of growth. Forget nonsense, push toward the positive.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, through his thoughts, essays & poems, had a profound impact on the individual that I have become. Piece this together with some of my previous writings and I am sure you have a good basis of the person that resides on this side of keyboard, for better or worse.

Lastly, a few quotes from Mr. Emerson (because this blog is not nearly long enough):

"I notice that as soon as writers broach this question they begin to quote. I hate quotation. Tell me what you know." (

"A friend is one before whom I may think aloud." (I do this a bit too often with my patchwork mind)

"Character is higher than intellect... A great soul will be strong to live, as well as to think."

"Colleges hate geniuses, just as convents hate saints."

"Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better."

"Don't waste yourself in rejection, nor bark against the bad, but chant the beauty of the good."


Okay, I think you get it now or at least stopped my internal dialogue in regards to the fact. Either way, that brings this blog to a close. Have a fantastic weekend, all!

~L

"Life Is Sweet" by Natalie Merchant



I have always had a bit of a gay boy crush on Natalie Merchant, since her time with the 10,000 Maniacs through to her solo career. I was intoxicated by her voice and her subtle beauty. The MTV Unplugged that they did in 1993 was, in my humble opinion, one of the best done by any performer for the series.

This song is from her second solo effort Ophelia. It is not the most successful single from that album, ("Kind & Generous") but it was my favorite.

The lyrics:

It's a pity It's a crying shame
He pulled you down again
How painful it must be
To bruise so easily
Inside
It's a pity it's a downright crime
It happens all the time
You wanna stay little daddy's girl
You wanna hide from the viscous world...
Outside
Don't cry you know the tears will do no good
So dry your eyes
Your daddy he's the iron man
Battle ship wrecked on dry land
Your mamma she's a bitter bride
She'll never be satisfied
You know, and that's not right
But don't cry
You know the tears will do no good
So dry your eyes
They told you life is hard
Misery from the start, it's dull
It's slow, it's painful
But I tell you life is sweet
In spite of the misery
There's so much more, be grateful
Well, who do you believe
Who will you listen to, who will it be
Because it's high time that you decide
In your own mind
I've tried to comfort you
I tried to tell you to be patient
That they are blind and they can't see
Fortune gonna come one day
It all gonna fade away
Your daddy the war machine
And your momma the long and suffering
Prisoner of what she can not see
For they told you life is hard
Misery from the start, it's dull,
It's slow, it's painful
But I tell you life is sweet
In spite of the misery
There's so much more, be grateful
So who will you believe
Who will you listen to
Who will it be
Because it's high time that you decide
It's time to make up your own
Your own state of mind
They told you life is long
Be thankful when it's done
Don't ask for more, be grateful
But I tell you life is short
Be thankful, because before you know it
It will be over
Because life is sweet
Life is all so very short
Life is sweet
And life is all so very short
Life is sweet
Life is sweet


Life is very short and it is very sweet. Remember that when the miseries set in. They will come and go with time if you embrace the joy and the joyness. ;-)

So, as always, I hope you enjoy it.

~L

An Affected Youth & Emotional Evolution

As many of you have come to know me, I am sure that you are realizing that I am a creature of emotion. I feel them, I sense them in others and I like discussions that bring them into play, in one form or another. This is not to say that I am ruled by my emotions. I do not use them as the sole reason for making any decision. As a youth, I stopped allowing myself to feel and dealt with everything in a rational, yet cold, manner. In my mid-to-late twenties, I allowed myself to feel too much and not rationalize at all, hopelessly romanticizing my existence. How did I transition through all of these phases? What caused each phase shift?

At the age of 13, my parents divorced, and I was uprooted and relocated to Delaware with my younger brothers and my mother. I had no desire to move from where I was already settled or be away from my father. The divorce was bitter and my mother used the fact that my dad left her as a tool to breed anger in her sons. I have resented her for this my entire life, though now I have an understanding of the her character and see why she thought it necessary, which I am not going to address.

This event catapulted me toward not feeling emotions and to become more of an adult and less a child at an age that I feel is too young to make that abrupt transition. I would not allow myself to become attached to anyone or anything on the chance that tomorrow they went away. I was also dealing with the fact that I was more attracted to guys than I was to girls. I existed in an emotional shell and most of my friends from that era would probably agree that they knew only two key things about me: I was intelligent & I was fast witted.

I did not cry between the ages of 13 and 22. I would not allow it to happen and feared the weakness that it would show. I felt these emotions inside of me that were conflicting with everything that seemed to be correct. I did not trust anyone. I did not take any chances. In short I did not live.

In June 1999, my mother told me she was going to sell the house that I was living in and that I would either need to move with her to Salisbury or that I would need to find some other living arrangement. I cracked. Later that night in the house that was my safe place, I cried for the first time for hours. It was the cracking of my shell of control, something that I had not experienced in my young life. Up to that point, I felt that I had ultimate control over everything that happened in my life.

This breaking did have a bit of an upside, I started feeling again. Not to say that I instantly changed my stoic ways, but rather began to progress into feeling emotions. A good thing, yes, but not a great thing. As an emotional sponge, I absorbed everything and took it to heart without ever filtering it through my brain. Movies made me cry, I fell in love instantly, by receiving the attention of another. I became the co-dependent in a relationship that almost destroyed me.

This relationship while short from a lifetime perspective was a significant turning point in my life and my growth. I fell in love with someone that may have loved me, but took advantage of the person that I was and the trust that I now automatically tossed to him. I don't know how many times I was betrayed in this relationship, but it was significant enough that after 18 months and one last betrayal it was time to call it quits. I left without discussion and had an emotional breakdown about a mile from home.

I returned to discuss the betrayal and decided that as a significant co-dependent that I still wanted to work through things. He, thankfully, said that he didn't love me and that he did not want to keep up the charade. The next day, while he was at work, I tried to kill the pain and myself. I took a enough Zoloft to kill a small pony and went to sleep. With great luck, I woke up with the worst headache of my life and stopped taking anti-depressants.

I moved out and moved on. I still had and have issues dealing with that failure of a relationship, but it woke up something within me that I can only describe as a mental filter. I allowed myself to feel emotions and started to learn how to deal with them. It took me a couple of years to be able to trust someone again.

I met Mitchell earlier this year and through his challenges on emotions and many other topics reminded me how to be me. After that reminder, I opened myself to trusting people again, some times maybe too much. Though I am no longer going to brood over someone's decisions and allow them to affect me for an extended period.

My friends help me to grow and learn. I am thankful everyday for the happiness and joy that they bring me, even when frustrating the hell out of each other. Keeping myself on track and understanding who I am will be a continual process. But, I know with my friends help, life will be grand.

I will trust, I will be betrayed, I will love, I will hurt and I will live. I know that I will continue to be plagued by the uncertainties of other people, but that's okay, because I know who I am, I know where I have been and I know, for the moment, where I am headed.

~L

The Weekend That Was

Things learned this weekend:

-- Mario Spinetti puts on an amazing solo show.

-- The show was only enhanced by seeing it with some of the best people in my world.

-- Don't go to the pool on the weekend, you will only be thwarted by the deep end not being open and one-way streets.

-- Watching the sunset over the city from the "Our Lady of Perpetual Help" parking lot is awesome and sometimes we fail to appreciate these things.

-- Some people don't get it. Don't spend your emotional energy here.

-- Some people do get it. Spend your emotional energy here.

-- "Follow You Down" is fun to sing at SNK.

-- I start a bit early on the song "Interstate Love Song" Waiting...still waiting.

-- Road trips looking for a great view are fun, even when trees thwart the view. (Yes, I just used thwarted for now a 3rd time in this post.)

-- There are people, who can listen to the bass of their music at such a level that you can feel it for 4 hours on a Saturday morning.

-- Two thoughts have prevailed well. One, a paraphrase: Concentrate your day around the hundreds of things that go right, instead of the 5 or 6 that go wrong and you will be much happier.

-- The other, a quote: "Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." -Ralph Waldo Emerson (there will be a blog later this week in reference to him)

-- Learning again to have fun, be less serious, never hurt people intentionally, love all, trust few and live life.

-- Learning that I cannot count my thoughts, but will leave that little error, because: I'm Real!

How was your weekend? & What the fuck have you done lately?

I'm Not Feeing You Blasting Your Bass So That I Can Feel It

Wait, yes I am feeling it, my bad. But, seriously, at least make it level with music so I can make out the rest of the shit pumping thru your speakers.

Thanks,

~L

Let's Get This Weekend Started!

If I don't have anything to report on Monday then I am just not trying hard enough...

Schedule of events:

Friday (Tonight)

Working at Town at the FroZone & Hopefully catching some of Round 2 of This Town Has Talent.

Saturday

Nothing until early evening planned but I should be gathering with a few friends as they gather for some pre-Town beverages.

Then it is on to Town, where I will be working upstairs in the typical corner and throwing drinks together for the masses.

Sunday

I hope to make an appearance at a Sunday Kegger

Catching Mario Spinetti at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage at 6 PM

Then swingong on over to Sunday Night Karaoke!

WOOT!!!

See ya all oot & aboot!

~L

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