INSPIRED MUSIC
Beethovan's Ninth Symphony never ceases to inspire me. Undoubtedly the greatest symphony ever composed, it uses Schiller's poem, "An die Freude" as its centerpiece:
"Joy, bright spark of divinity,
Daughter of Elysium,
Fire-inspired we tread
Within thy sanctuary.
Thy magic power re-unites
All that custom has divided,
All men become brothers,
Under the sway of thy gentle wings."
Also, anything by Telemann!
WHAT IN THE HELL HAPPENED TO WAYNE DYER?
I've had two of his books gathering dust for the past couple of years. One is "Feeling Good", which is mostly about depression. In fact, depression is mentioned constantly throughout the book. Along with guilt. A therapist recommended it to me and I bought 2 copies, one large print. What a waste of money -- it feels good to unload them.
Albert Ellis accused Dyer of plagerism in regard to Dyer's book, "Your Erroneous Zones."According to Ellis:
that book is "the worst example" of plagiarism of Ellis' Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT).[4] In a 1985 letter to Dyer, Ellis claims that Dyer had participated in a workshop Ellis gave on REBT before Dyer published his book, in which Dyer appeared to understand REBT very well. Ellis adds that "300 or more people have voluntarily told me... that [the book] was clearly derived from REBT." Dyer never apologized or expressed any sense of wrongdoing. Ellis admonishes Dyer for unethically and unprofessionally not giving Ellis credit as the book's primary source, but expressed overall gratitude for Dyer's work, writing: "Your Erroneous Zones is a good book, ... it has helped a great number of people, and ... it outlines the main principles of REBT quite well,... with great simplicity and clarity."[5]
I admire Ellis a lot and took his course in grad school and attended a conference where he was the keynote speaker.
I had no idea that Wayne Dyer had died (2005). Otherwise I would have avoided my salty language.
100 things I'm grateful for:
1. I haven't fallen
2. Chatted w/ Ed this am in MA
3. Finally got my bed made up
4. Watched a doc on the Harlem Hell fighters yesterday
5. Asked for help w/ getting the docs in to archival sheets
6. Durham Church
7. All the great folks in my fam
8. being a grandma
9. indigenous cultures
10.Julie
11. Tofu in fridge to lessen the tendency to eat unhealthily
12. Memories of Mimi
13. Got a request out today
14. Chat w/ John last Night
15. That passage from the Beaumont Bull
16. Andy's in Lisbon
17. No calls or texts this morning - yay!
18. Beautiful apt.
19. that's quiet and peaceful
20. opening other angles to WW1 -- i.e. it failed, not the "war to end all wars" -- Daddy discussed this with John
21. De-colonization is a global term
22. the public library here
23. lots of energy today
24. not rushing
25. WW1 songs
26. getting my flu and booster shot next week
27. 20 breaths even tho I only got to 10
28. Sangha tonight
29. Blythe's bf produced a film showing on uTube now
30. sorted thru some docs that are going to UVa, about JT Kincanon
31. John Hope Franklin Center -- need to get there
32. memories of Dee
33. feeling content
34. off to the gym in 10 min.
35. hitting the library tomorrow
36. it's all about love
37. my strength
38. Apple support
39. Gaylord
40. the Royal Albert Hall
41. I didn't get Covid
42. My hands feel strong today.
43. Jackie Shelton Greene
44, Renewed Netflix
45. Watching Windsor now. Description of the Prince of Wales, as the Princess Di or David Beckham of his day
46. glad I got got the gym, if only for 15. min.
47. thankful I got to see Q Elizabeth II when I did, on her "Silver Jubilee" == what a great memory, really, I'=m amazed that I did that! Taking a bus to Wimbledon, Centre Court. Virginia Wade was the only time a woman from Britain won Wimbledon! Wow...
48. my son and the current Prince of Cambridge were born around the same time, special!
49. I'll always be an admirer of Diana
50. She changed the monarchy for ever.
51. Glad we have Harry now.
52. got to bed early tonite but then again, I feel like I'm "coming down with something"
53. Grateful I stopped romanticizing WW1
54. Daddy was let down afterward
55. Maybe the process won't be so anxiety producing from now on.
56. We're having a freeze here tonight...good time to stay cozy in bed.
57. Spoke with new employees in the office. One woman is from Iran. Her family moved to Germany.
58. Opened up the "big table" to work this morning
59. I find winter soothing. Leaves are falling.
60. Over 300,000 Black people fought in WW1.
61. I really think I should get another cat. A dog is out of the question.
62. Jack is 12 now.
63. I'd still like to volunteer at Windsor
64. Very lucky to have my brainy bro...he is like a rock
65. The Windsor doc on Netflix now
66. Spoke with Penny, a reference librarian at Small Library of UVa. Lovely chat with her. She went to Kent State for library school, has been at Small for about 8 years. From Northern Ohio, knows about Wright-Patterson AFB. The Base is in Fairborn, where I was born!
CENTER FOR DOCUMENTARY STUDIES Robert Pluma, instructor
October 30, 2021 - Robert Capa
Capa was a Hungarian Jew born in 1913, who became the most renowned war photographer. His most famous shot, called "Falling Soldier," was taken at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. There is some controversy about the photo, as some critics believe it was staged, which I believe is nonsense.
Capa stated that he was in a trench at the time and held the camera above his head. He wasn't even sure what he had taken. However, the photograph has become an enduring image of war.
"Capa" means shark in Hungarian and was the name of the street where Robert Capa grew up. His real name was Andre Friedman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMDkvJRHaNM ("Falling Soldier")
credit: Met Museum, Web Archive
There is another photograph/film (almost) equally as famous as Capa's, which was taken on 911. It is called "The Falling Man" and was filmed by Richard Drew. It was a front page image in newspapers around the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMDkvJRHaNM ("The Falling Man")
credit: Time Magazine
Robert Capa moved to Berlin in 1930. He fell in love with Gerda Taro (real name: Gerta Pohorylle) who became his professional partner. They published their photography under the name pen name "Robert Capa."
October 30, 2021 :"On Becoming a Bad Ass" (again)
I'll have to admit that the CDS course is more difficult than I had imagined. That's probably due to my tendency to procrastinate, because the subject matter makes me feel a bit anxious. And I'm a bit of a techno-phobe. I hated doing the spreadsheet. But got it started. It will be cool to be able to search for a particular photo, maybe I'll even fall in love with spreadsheets. As Erin said "I love me a good spreadsheet." She loves my cussin.' It is, frankly, a great outlet. You cannot hold it in.
Now, why do humans procrastinate? Personally, I think it might be due to fear of failure. Dan Ariely of Duke gave some short videos on this topic. Here's an idea, give yourself a deadline. Then, reward yourself.
Ok, I can do this. I can set a timer for 30 min. My reward will be exercise, so I'll be "killing two birds with one stone."
I can also tell my self doubt to fuck off. I've done really hard projects in the past, abeit 20 years ago. And they turned out well. Like the Library of Congress project and the Master Trainer one.
Starting the timer now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23yQR0V0cq4 (I'll Stop Procrastinating Tomorrow w/ Dan Ariely)
The value of knowing: I must say, I'm awfully glad I invested in Audible a couple of years ago. At the moment I'm listening to an eyewitness account. Arthur Lee Gould was a British pilot during World War 1. My favorite part so far comes in chapter 5, where Lee describes what he is wearing, including silk under gloves. Not least of his attire is his "Sam Brown" belt. Brother John explained the Sam Brown and our father is wearing one in his photograph.
I hadn't realized that Brits wore Sam Brownes also --- till listening to "Open Cockpit". The author describers the challenge of taking a pee while fiddling with the belt and buttons and "obstinate underclothes" and using a funnel (chapter 5 at 15:10). But gather the biggest challenge was trying to stay warm in the open cockpit.
November 1 2021
Just spoke with Holly and she gave me some good advice with tech issues and agreed to be my collaborator with the CDS project. She's been interested in the project all along. Here is another collaborator, my brother, John.
Nov. 4, 2021. Spoke with Penny, a reference librarian at Small Library of UVa. Lovely chat with her. She went to Kent State for library school, has been at Small for about 8 years. Since I spent a significant portion of my life as a librarian, this interested me. From Northern Ohio, Penny knew about Wright-Patterson AFB. The Base is in Fairborn, where I was born!
And where daddy worked /volunteered during WW2.
Penny referred me to Molly Swartzburg, archivist at Small...I need to talk with her b/c there are some special things to consider when mailing archives.
CALL MOLLY!
November 8, 2021 -
What is it about Telemann? First of all, he's from the Baroque Era.
He was incredibly prolific, self taught, played a lot of different instruments. Very calming music.
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POSSIBLE Titles: The Sorrow and the Beauty. Beauty from Ashes.
THE VILE ? AND THE SPLENDID
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November 10, 2021
SHIPWRECK explore this and look up "Rise Again", the song
https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/edmund-fitzgerald-wreck-lake-superior/846814
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November 10, 2021
Anxiety:
Today is November 10 and tomorrow is armistice day, or Remembrance Day as it’s referred to in Europe.
Armistice Day in Europe
Not the war to end all wars....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0j4yTY_eGI&list=RDS0j4yTY_eGI&start_radio=1&rv=S0j4yTY_eGI&t=8609
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November 12, 2021
Day after Veterans' Day. I had an idea to visit/volunteer at the VA Hospital in Durham. Will have to check that out, as they may not be allowing volunteers now b/c of the pandemic.
Made a new friend today, Kingsley. He's in med school studying radiology. I told him about my project and he related how he too had studied WW1 poets, and was touched by their beautiful style of writing. We traded phone numbers and he was sympathetic toward my getting my car stolen last year. Very recently, it has really started to wear on me. I love Toyotas and Fiats. Don't know if Fiats are any good, really, but they sure are cute!
November 15, 2021
First, five things I'm grateful for: my bro, Holly, Erin, nearing the end of my paper, good food to eat today! Also, a beautiful spot outside to collect my thoughts and relax, even in the cold.
Also, lest I forget: cheap (but good) wine, a yummy dinner, a desire to visit France when the time is right. Issodoun is high on my list!!! Every year, they honor the men and women who trained there during WW1. They constructed a memorial, and have a ceremony on Armistice Day (called Remembrance Day over there).
I am fucking tired. Time to "take five" and chill a bit.
November 21, 2021
Finished my paper -- it's about 10 pages. I'm satisfied and relieved. Still need to add photos.
For future success and satisfaction with writing,
I need to:
Learn Microsoft better
Take a tutorial on iMovie
Learn Excel (library has classes)
Had an idea to use iMovie for my CDS class
Install a new keyboard
Go to Frontier and work. it's too distracting in the apartment. or Lily Library would be great.
Get a mouse.
Set my alarm to wake up earlier...DONE!
Jan. 13, 2022:
DISCOVERIES!
2022! Still adjusting to writing 2022 and not a bit unhappy to see 21 fly by.
Currently obsessed with Hugh Mangum. And his breath-taking photography. Sarah Stacke's book is triumphant and I just discovered this blog by Elizabeth Avedon. Wonder if she is Richard's daughter?
https://elizabethavedon.blogspot.com/2019/07/day-or-night-archive-of-hugh-mangum-by.html.
Feb. 21, 2022
Feeling a little blue today b/c of a death in my extended family. George Keplsey, age 93, former editor and reporter for the Roanoke Times, for like 50 years. Sent my essay on "WW1 coming to Southwestern Virginia" to his journal. Here is his obit:
I spent all the fucking day on Tuesday in the emergency room. To start the day off, I had a terrible, bumpy ride to Duke Fitness on the Access Van. The van was on time but made a stop to pick up someone else, which I wasn't expecting. Tho the person didn't come out to meet the van, the extra wait caused me to miss my appt. at the gym. Plus, it was hot and the driver was curt. Entering the gym, I could see that the class had already started...so I went up to the desk, and was told I looked pale and they wanted to check me out. One thing led to another and I ended up at the emergency room at Duke Hospital after being checked over by paramedics. To make a long story short, after an 11 hour wait, I finally saw a doctor who diagnosed "anxiety." My tests all checked out. What a wake up call, to take better care of myself and manage the anxiety.
Doing the best I can here....
Food for today:
B'fast: protein shake with almond milk and banana
Lunch: guacamole, cucumber juice, apple
Dinner: tofu, broccoli, peach
Here's a Haiku I wrote:
So What
So what if your friend finished his thesis.
That is not your reality.
So what if your support group wanted to
talk about food,
So what? That group isn't for you. There are others.
So what if the van driver made you late for your class?
You may be in a position to buy another car now. Morgan's is for sale.
Check it out.
So what if Bennet commented on your poem?
Find another group.
So what if writing about your father brings up pain?
Accept it and move on.
The writing is important, and what you have to say is valuable.
So what if you spent a day in the emergency room and it was only
"anxiety"?
It's ok. This was a wake up call and the tests were OK.
Accept that life is hard,
Cultivate willingness to do what is effective and pleasurable
FOR YOU!
August 9, 2021
Positivity helps me to recover. Here are some positive aspects to this day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T4dCdW4Kgg
852 Frequency (The Love Frequency)
Article From Medium: https://medium.com/illumination/how-to-heal-your-mind-and-body-with-powerful-sounds-c8ee64a1dbd
(Sometimes called the Verdi frequency)
THE CASE OF THE MISSING LETTERS
A few years ago, I got a box of family letters from Cousin Aylette in Charlotte. Included were letters from my father who was in the First World War.
I decided to take the unopened box to Wilson Library at UNC-Chapel Hill, find a big study table, and go through the letters. Imagine my shock when I opened the box and there was a stack of empty envelopes. Empty envelopes, no letters in them. They were right on top.
After re-gaining my composure, I took the box and told the librarian about my predicament. He mentioned that the envelopes would have value. I thought about that but then threw them away, considering them just clutter. I wanted to get to the "meat" of the box, the actual letters.
I tell this story to illustrate the importance of family letters to heirs. A bit of background...the box had been found in Roanoke in an attic. The person who found them knew that my cousin, Andy Stone, was the president of the SW Virginia Historical Society. She gave the box to him.
I just found out that he removed and kept the front page of an old newspaper, about the end of WWI. My father was in WWI, and trained as a pilot in France, where he crashed and recovered.
My brother and I are writing an article about our Father's WWI experiences. There are letters written by my father to his family from France, however, he seems not to have written much about his flying experiences.
I keep in mind that at least three pairs of hands handled the documents before I received them: the woman who found the box, Cousin Andy, Cousin Aylette, and finally, me. Were some of the letters removed, and kept, with just the envelopes saved? We do not know.
I do know as of last night, that Cousin Andy kept the old newspaper in the box, about the end of WWI. Turns out it is actually Petite Parisian....he'll send it to me.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Mary_Mapes_Dodge#/media/File:Mary_Mapes_Dodge's_Desk.jpg
