Monday Meanders 1-18

Right now I'm listening to Beethoven's 7th - the Second Movement, Allegretto. I close my eyes and try to imagine what it must have been like to be there, on opening night, to listen to the first performance of this magnificent piece. The opening of this movement - the first 3 minutes and 20 seconds - is the most emotional and evocative piece of music there is. Try this, if you can: Turn off all the lights, shut out all other sound, listen to this piece and see if you don't finish the first 3:20 with tears in your eyes. And then imagine what it must have been like to have been in the original audience - the one that attended the performance with no idea what they were going to hear.

I do shit like that. It helps me stay in touch with my emotions.

Beethoven's 9th, Eroica, gets me that way, too.

The "Turbulence" theme published Saturday on 'The Inferno'. I am so stoked - so pleased - so happy - with the respones. I am humbled to be in the company of such amazing writers. Click here to see all seven responses to the challenge. Really. Read them, if you have time.

God, I love this music.

The next challenge for 'The Inferno' is going to be, again, the same as the challenge on the Artist Challenge site. Although I'm not going to preempt the official announcement, I will say this, the next challenge is going to be absolutely amazing. Keep an eye out for the announcement.

The music now is "Ashokan Farewell", Jay Unger and others, the theme from Ken Burns' Documentary film, "The Civil War". I've been 'farming' and so quite a bit of music has transpired.

God, I love this music.

My friend Fred, of Moneythoughts, is finally home from vacation (minus luggage - he is NOT happy) and he has received and opened the tube in which I sent him a print of the train interior in trade for a print of his painting, "Two Sunflowers Discussing Van Gogh".

He's going to have it framed.

He likes it.

The music now - Mussorgsky's "Great Gate at Kiev". Such majesty.

Haiti is a tragedy of such monumental proportions it literally defies description. That said, I am so proud of my fellow man, that they have rushed, and continue to rush, to the aid of the poorest country in our hemisphere.

Pat Roberts is insane and belongs in an institution. The only deal with the devil made by anyone, was his.

Further, as long as I'm on a roll, they should retire Leno, fire Letterman, shoot Conan and go back to movies at 10:30 (11:30 eastern) like they used to have. The one guy they should keep is the Scottish dude that comes on after Letterman, Craig Ferguson.

Ah, work, work, work. The first day of the rest of the week. The only problem with weekends is they fall right into a Monday.

My ribs are much, much better. Once in a while they'll jump up and bark at me, and once in a while I have to take a regular Tylenol to calm the beasts down - but by and large they're better.

Thank you all, who have wished me well.

Ndinombethe.