It's a Raggedy Life

North Dakota Weather Alert!

2011-10-15T00:11:00.001-05:00

2996 (2001-2011) Michael B.Packer

2011-09-11T11:44:00.011-05:00

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
~Kahlil Gibran

World Trade Center

Michael Benjamin Packer

Remembering Michael B. Packer
Rekha Packer, wife of Michael B. Packer, submitted this note for publication in Harvard Magazine.
It is with deep sadness that I report the death of my husband, Michael B. Packer, also Class of 1976, a managing director in Merrill Lynch's corporate and institutional client group, who was scheduled to deliver the keynote address at an e-commerce conference on the 106th floor of the World Trade Center's North Tower on September 11, 2001.
Michael, age 45, was a widely respected leader in the financial and technology communities; in 1999, Institutional Investor named him one of the country's top online finance leaders. After four years at Exeter, Michael earned his B.A., magna cum laude, in Applied Sciences and Engineering from Harvard, where he built and tuned several harpsichords for Harvard-Radcliffe and performed in keyboard concerts, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from MIT.
In spite of his many accomplishments, what is most memorable about Michael is his insatiable curiosity within and outside his many fields, his boyish enthusiasm, and his eagerness to share his knowledge with others. Michael was forever an optimist, always insightful into situations that perplexed others, confident that he could work to improve any situation, whether in strategic and management consulting, investment banking, the publishing industry, or the brokerage business. His quiet strength and cheerful optimism carried us through many difficulties during our devoted 22-year marriage, including my life-threatening illness in 1990.
Michael was a tireless and dedicated father to our two children, Sarita (age 11) and Jonathan (age 7), who would light up as soon as they heard him return from work each weekday. Whenever Daddy was around, there was sure to be something interesting ahead, whether it be travel within or outside the United States or the latest gravity-defying office toy. On weekends, Michael enjoyed golfing, woodworking, fuming over impossibly hard Liszt compositions on the piano, and involving the whole family in scientific experiments. He was so happy to see the children's growing interest in the charitable foundation we set up last year. We will miss the joy that surrounded Michael, and I, for one, will miss so much the warm company of my best friend.
Rekha Packer

He Had Technical Talent, and a love for Classical Music.

May 3, 2002

Michael Benjamin Packer was among a relatively small but significant number of people who didn't usually work in the Twin Towers yet became one of terrorism's victims there.
Packer, 45, was scheduled to present the keynote address at the Waters 2001 Financial Technology Congress at Windows on the World in Tower One.
"He shouldn't have been in the building, except he was going to give the speech," recalled his wife, Rekha. Packer, a mechanical engineer, worked nearby for Merrill Lynch at the World Financial Center where he was managing director of an electronic-commerce group for the bond firm.
"He was an incredible man," his wife said. "Above all, he liked learning about new innovations and that included highly technical things." But as technically gifted as he was, she said that her husband also had a deeply innate talent for artistic pursuits.
"His life included many things in the humanities, art and drama. He was an excellent pianist. In college, he performed concerts," she said.
One of Packer's avocations was building kit replicas of 18th century harpsichords, which he thoroughly enjoyed playing -- especially classical music of the masters.
"He would perform works by Bach, Liszt and Chopin," said his wife. He also enjoyed listening to jazz. At one point, the family, who lived in Hartsdale in Westchester County, found themselves with six harpsichords. "We gave away five and had one left," she said.
Packer possessed an enviable academic background. After attending Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, he earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and went on to get a master's degree and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His wife, an attorney, also graduated from Harvard. They celebrated their 25th Harvard class reunion in June.
Married for 22 years, the couple had two children, Sarita, 11, and Jonathan, 8. "He was an extremely good father and very dedicated to his children," Rekha Packer said. She said his children's birthday parties were "phenomenal." There was the time their son was fascinated by bulldozers. So through a friend's help, one arrived at their home for the boy to explore. And the time their son became intrigued with airplanes, Packer arranged for one to fly into Westchester County Airport so the child could examine it.
In addition to his wife and children, Packer is also survived by his parents, Leo and Dorothy Packer of Cambridge, Mass.; a sister, Janet Packer of Groton, Mass., and a brother, Alex, of Somerville, Mass.
Bill Kaufman (Newsday)

The following letters are from Michael’s guest book:
Michael,
I will always remember you as a man filled with so much enthusiasm for life. I'm thankful I had the privilege of working in your home for one year. Your dedication to Rekha, Sarita, and Jonathan was evident every day - when you spent your evenings and your weekends with them, they lit up with excess excitement. That will stay imprinted upon their lives forever. They thought the world of you and they will miss you the most.
For your optimism, joy, strength, laughter, intelligence, kindness, and devotion to your family: you will never be forgotten.
To Rekha, Sarita, and Jonathan: I wish you the best of all good things. May Michael's enthusiasm for life, live on in yours.
God Bless,
Love,
Janelle L. Anderson
(Former Nanny, 1999-2000)

Michael,
On 9/11/01 I emailed you with an "are you OK" message. I never received a reply. Fearing the worst and hoping for the best I held my breath. Well, I was notified of the worst just two weeks ago and have since been contemplating my message and words below.
Although I worked with and for you in my role as a consultant, I always thought of you as a friend. You were always kind, good humored and considerate, enthusiastic and receptive. In my view, you were always a force for good, and an agent of positive change.
It goes without saying that you will be greatly missed by your family, friends, colleagues, company and country. We just lost a vital and capable human being who contributed much and gave everything to all those around him.
To your wife and family I extend my personal heartfelt condolences and those of my family and colleagues in the UK and USA. We can only imagine the intimate sense of loss they must feel, but it might help to know that we remember too, and our thoughts and prayers go with you all.
Michael, we are all going to miss you.Prof Peter Cochrane

Below is the link to Michael's Guest Book

Michael's Guest Book

CNN Special

Several months before the WTC attacks, Michael Packer offered to assist, pro-bono, the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center -- a non-profit, consortium of schools in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties -- in achieving our goal of being an organization synonymous with excellence. He was a world class business executive with a successful track record as a strategist, team builder and manager. When he first met Michael in August, we were impressed by his expertise and humor, as well as his genuine wish to help us. In one meeting, he established a bond of trust. We decided to get together again on September 14th, and we all had the highest hopes. We at the LHRIC were but a small part of Michael Packer's world but his kindness and sincerity were evident in each of our encounters.
~Peter Reilly, acquaintance

Musical and Mechanical

Michael B. Packer had a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which came in very handy at his children's science fairs and birthday parties.
"When you walked into the house, you usually walked into a scientific experiment," said Ronald Soiefer, a close friend who had met Mr. Packer when they were Harvard undergraduates. One contraption had a microphone hooked up to a laptop computer, which recorded human voices and showed them as sound waves on a colored screen.
Mr. Packer, 45, of Hartsdale, N.Y., had many other sides. He played the piano and, in his spare time, made harpsichords, a trade he had learned as a student at Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard. He made sure that his children — Sarita, 11, and Jonathan, 7 — were steeped in the classics. In June, he and his wife, Rekha, took the children on a tour of the Aegean Islands, following in the footsteps of Homer's Ulysses.
Mr. Packer, who was to be the keynote speaker at a technology conference at Windows on the World on Sept. 11, joined Merrill Lynch in 1999 as a leader of a major e-commerce initiative. "He was very good at managing things," said Mrs. Packer, who remembers most vividly how he coped with the family, the house, his job and her convalescence when she suffered a brain injury in 1990. "Nothing really got him down. We really miss him for that now."
Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 12, 2001.

Short video, Please take the time to view..

September 11th Tribute

I am honored to participate in 2996.

Sarita is 21 this year and Jonathan is 17. My thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family. I hope they are all doing well. I am honored to post this tribute for Michael.
I think it is beautiful that the blogging community has taken on and supported this wonderful way to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their friends and loved ones in this tragedy.

I just finished listening to your name being read at the memorial service. They have called it "Ground Zero" and have set up a beautiful place for people to visit all of those who were lost on that terrible day ten years ago. My thoughts are with you, your family, and all of those who had the wonderful opportunity to know and love you. God Bless all of those struggling with the loss of such a wonderful man. Huggles

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"
~Martin Luther King, Jr.

“What is objectionable, what is dangerous, about extremists is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents.”
~ Robert F. Kennedy

Sunday August 28, 2011

2011-08-28T09:30:00.004-05:00

1 Peter 3:13-17 - Courage
Now who there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? But even if you do suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have not fear of the, nor be troubled, but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; and keep your conscience clear, so that when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than for doing wrong.

Sunday January 18, 2009

2009-01-18T00:42:00.006-06:00

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009-01-01T17:57:00.003-06:00

New Year's Day:
Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions.
Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.
~Mark Twain

2996

2008-09-11T00:00:00.013-05:00

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
~Kahlil Gibran

Michael Benjamin Packer

World Trade Center

Michael Benjamin Packer

He Had Technical Talent, Love for Classical Music

May 3, 2002

Michael Benjamin Packer was among a relatively small but significant number of people who didn't usually work in the Twin Towers yet became one of terrorism's victims there.

Packer, 45, was scheduled to present the keynote address at the Waters 2001 Financial Technology Congress at Windows on the World in Tower One.

"He shouldn't have been in the building, except he was going to give the speech," recalled his wife, Rekha. Packer, a mechanical engineer, worked nearby for Merrill Lynch at the World Financial Center where he was managing director of an electronic-commerce group for the bond firm.

"He was an incredible man," his wife said. "Above all, he liked learning about new innovations and that included highly technical things." But as technically gifted as he was, she said that her husband also had a deeply innate talent for artistic pursuits.

"His life included many things in the humanities, art and drama. He was an excellent pianist. In college, he performed concerts," she said.

One of Packer's avocations was building kit replicas of 18th century harpsichords, which he thoroughly enjoyed playing -- especially classical music of the masters.

"He would perform works by Bach, Liszt and Chopin," said his wife. He also enjoyed listening to jazz. At one point, the family, who lived in Hartsdale in Westchester County, found themselves with six harpsichords. "We gave away five and had one left," she said.

Packer possessed an enviable academic background. After attending Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, he earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and went on to get a master's degree and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His wife, an attorney, also graduated from Harvard. They celebrated their 25th Harvard class reunion in June.

Married for 22 years, the couple had two children, Sarita, 11, and Jonathan, 8. "He was an extremely good father and very dedicated to his children," Rekha Packer said. She said his children's birthday parties were "phenomenal." There was the time their son was fascinated by bulldozers. So through a friend's help, one arrived at their home for the boy to explore. And the time their son became intrigued with airplanes, Packer arranged for one to fly into Westchester County Airport so the child could examine it.

In addition to his wife and children, Packer is also survived by his parents, Leo and Dorothy Packer of Cambridge, Mass.; a sister, Janet Packer of Groton, Mass., and a brother, Alex, of Somerville, Mass.

--Bill Kaufman (Newsday)

The following letters are from Michael’s guest book:

Michael,
I will always remember you as a man filled with so much enthusiasm for life. I'm thankful I had the privilege of working in your home for one year. Your dedication to Rekha, Sarita, and Jonathan was evident every day - when you spent your evenings and your weekends with them, they lit up with excess excitement. That will stay imprinted upon their lives forever. They thought the world of you and they will miss you the most.
For your optimism, joy, strength, laughter, intelligence, kindness, and devotion to your family: you will never be forgotten.
To Rekha, Sarita, and Jonathan: I wish you the best of all good things. May Michael's enthusiasm for life, live on in yours.
God Bless,
Love,
Janelle L. Anderson
(Former Nanny, 1999-2000)

Michael,
On 9/11/01 I emailed you with an "are you OK" message. I never received a reply. Fearing the worst and hoping for the best I held my breath. Well, I was notified of the worst just two weeks ago and have since been contemplating my message and words below.

Although I worked with and for you in my role as a consultant, I always thought of you as a friend. You were always kind, good humored and considerate, enthusiastic and receptive. In my view, you were always a force for good, and an agent of positive change.

It goes without saying that you will be greatly missed by your family, friends, colleagues, company and country. We just lost a vital and capable human being who contributed much and gave everything to all those around him.

To your wife and family I extend my personal heartfelt condolences and those of my family and colleagues in the UK and USA. We can only imagine the intimate sense of loss they must feel, but it might help to know that we remember too, and our thoughts and prayers go with you all.

Michael, we are all going to miss you.

Prof Peter Cochrane

Below is the link to MIchael's Guest Book

Michael's Guest Book

Several months before the WTC attacks, Michael Packer offered to assist, pro-bono, the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center -- a non-profit, consortium of schools in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties -- in achieving our goal of being an organization synonymous with excellence. He was a world class business executive with a successful track record as a strategist, team builder and manager. When he first met Michael in August, we were impressed by his expertise and humor, as well as his genuine wish to help us. In one meeting, he established a bond of trust. We decided to get together again on September 14th, and we all had the highest hopes. We at the LHRIC were but a small part of Michael Packer's world but his kindness and sincerity were evident in each of our encounters.
~Peter Reilly, acquaintance

Musical and Mechanical

Michael B. Packer had a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which came in very handy at his children's science fairs and birthday parties.

"When you walked into the house, you usually walked into a scientific experiment," said Ronald Soiefer, a close friend who had met Mr. Packer when they were Harvard undergraduates. One contraption had a microphone hooked up to a laptop computer, which recorded human voices and showed them as sound waves on a colored screen.

Mr. Packer, 45, of Hartsdale, N.Y., had many other sides. He played the piano and, in his spare time, made harpsichords, a trade he had learned as a student at Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard. He made sure that his children — Sarita, 11, and Jonathan, 7 — were steeped in the classics. In June, he and his wife, Rekha, took the children on a tour of the Aegean Islands, following in the footsteps of Homer's Ulysses.

Mr. Packer, who was to be the keynote speaker at a technology conference at Windows on the World on Sept. 11, joined Merrill Lynch in 1999 as a leader of a major e-commerce initiative. "He was very good at managing things," said Mrs. Packer, who remembers most vividly how he coped with the family, the house, his job and her convalescence when she suffered a brain injury in 1990. "Nothing really got him down. We really miss him for that now."
Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 12, 2001.

Short video, Please take the time to view...

September 11th Tribute

I am honored to participate in 2996.

Sarita is 18 this year and Jonathan is 14. My thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family. I hope they are all doing well. I am honored to post this tribute for Michael.
I think it is beautiful that the blogging community has taken on and supported this wonderful way to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their friends and loved ones in this tragedy.

Sunday March 2, 2008

2008-03-02T19:15:00.006-06:00

An angel can illuminate the thought and mind of man by strengthening the power of vision.
~ St.Thomas Aquinas

Dear God,
Please Forgive
All that I ought to have thought and have thought not.
All that I ought to have said and have said not.
All that I ought to have done and have done not.
All that I ought not to have thought and yet have thought.
All that I ought not to have spoken and yet have spoken.
All that I ought not to have done and yet have done.
For thoughts, words and works, I pray, for forgiveness.
Amen

Sunday January 27, 2008

2008-01-27T04:00:00.001-06:00

“Every evening I turn my worries over to God.
He's going to be up all night anyway.”
~Mary C. Crowley

Sunday January 13, 2008

2008-01-13T22:54:00.002-06:00

"God enters by a private door into every individual."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Shlomo Artzi

2008-01-07T02:42:00.004-06:00

Music is the universal language of mankind.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Shlomo Artzi
From Wikipedia

Shlomo Artzi (Hebrew: שלמה ארצי‎) is a popular Israeli folk rock singer-songwriter and a composer.

He was born on November 26, 1949 and spent his childhood in Ramat Israel.

During his career, he has sold more than 1.5 million records in Israel.

His parents were survivors of the Shoa (Jewish Holocaust) in Europe/Germany and their memories deeply influenced him and his sister.

When Artzi was 8 years old, his family moved to northern Tel Aviv.

After enjoying success in the Israeli Naval Corps Entertainment Group (Lahakat Kheil Ha'Yam) and winning the 1970 Israeli Song Festival, Artzi's singing career had some ups and downs, which culminated in a string of records that failed to sell well in the late 70's.
In 1977, almost ready to give up on singing, he wished to make one last record "the way a record should be made", and was allowed to do so by the record company.
The success of this album, "A Man Losing His Way" (Gever Holekh Le'ibud), persuaded Artzi to continue with his singing career, which rose throughout the 1980's and reached unprecedented peaks for a musical artist in Israel with the release of the albums "Dance" (Tirkod) and "Restless Night" (Layla Lo Shaket) which sold tens of thousands, and with the live shows that accompanied these albums, which would sell out the largest parks and theatres in Israel.
His later album sales, in excess of a hundred-thousand per album, and the immensely popular live shows that followed each album, made him the most popular artist in Israel; Based on album sales and gross income from live shows, he is the most successful singer in Israel.
Artzi has sold a total of over a million and a half albums, an unprecedented achievement in the Israeli music industry.
He is well known for his marathon live shows, some of which last over two or even three hours.

Early life

Artzi's schoolmates thought he would become an actor, not a musician, as he was known for his acting skills at primary school.
However, at the age of 12 he started playing the guitar and singing in a boy scouts group and at friends' parties.
At age 16, he began writing and composing songs.

During his military service, he was first recruited to the Artillery Corps, and after serving for a year and a half, he joined a successful army entertainment group, Lehakat Kheil Hayam (Naval Corps Entertainment Group).
During his service in the group, he took part in the programs "And On The Third Day" and "Rhapsody in Blue", alongside other soon-to-be Israeli celebrities, such as Rivka Zohar, Dov Glikman, Avi Uriah, Riki Gal, and more.
He was yet to stand out during the first program, but by the second program he became the lead singer and one of the main stars.
He sang lead vocals on several songs on the Group's LPs.

In 1970 Artzi had the opportunity to take part in the Israeli Song Festival, a prestigous song contest held every year.
Still in military service and wearing a military uniform, he sang Pitom Achshav, Pitom Hayom (Suddenly Now, Suddenly Today), also known as Ahavtiha (I loved her).
The song was written by Tirza Atar, and composed by Ya'akov Holander.
Surprisingly, he won the first prize.
The song was included in his first album that came out in 1970, simply titled "Shlomo Artzi".
The song won first place in the annual Kol-Israel chart-toppers countdown, and Artzi was awarded the title of Best Singer of the Year.

After the Army, he worked hard to become a well-known musician and sang wherever he could.

Musical career

In 1975 he was selected to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest.
The selected song was At Va'Ani (You and Me), written by the legendary Israeli songwriter Ehud Manor, and composed by Artzi himself.
To seize the moment, Artzi's record label preassured him to record a completely new record in less than 2 weeks.
However, At Va'Ani didn't win the contest, and the album was a big disappointment.
This marked the beginning of the worst era of Artzi's carreer.
During the next several years, Artzi released several records that failed to sell well, and produced very little hit singles.
Later, most of these albums would become rare collectibles, as they were never released again. These include, among others, Miskhakey 26, Shlomo Artzi Shar Ve'Mesaper Al Ian HaGamad, Yesh Li Isha Yalda Ve'Lambreta Ve'Ani Gar Be'Tel-Aviv, Romansa U'Piyut, and a selection of his best songs from the period 1970-1973 which was released in 1976.

In 1977, almost ready to give up on a singing career, Artzi wished to record one last album "the way a record should be made", and was allowed to do so by the record company.

He recorded He Lost His Way, a sort of last good-bye to the business.
Nevertheless, the album was a big success and revived Artzi's career, which from this moment on would rise, and keep rising, to unprecedented heights in the Israeli music industry.

In 1979 he recorded Drachim (Ways), with a fresher style.
His 1981 LP Chatzot (Midnight) was the second part of Drachim.

In 1980 Artzi started his own radio show on Israel's Army Radio, Galey Tsahal.
In this show, he talked about the week's headlines and tells interesting stories he has heard or seen during the week.
Od Lo Shabat (It isn't Saturday yet) is still broadcasted every Friday at 13:10 local time.

His records Tirkod (Dance, 1984), "Layla Lo Shaket" (Restless Night, 1986), and Chom Yuli August (July August Heat, 1988), are milestones of Israeli 80's songwriting.
The albums sold in excess of a hundred thousand copies, an unprecedented achievement in the Israeli music industry, and the live shows that accompanied the albums would sell out even the largest parks and theaters in Israel.

1992
Shlomo Artzi - Moon שלמה ארצי - ירח

In 1995 the best Israeli musicians recorded together a CD in memory of Yitzhak Rabin, named Shalom Chaver.
Shlomo Artzi played two songs during the memorial service, which later became anthems of those days --Haish Ha'hu (That Man)

Shlomo Artzi - That Man שלה ארצי - האיש ההוא

Uf Gozal (Fly Little One) ,which is written by Arik Einstein and Miki Gavrielov.

Shlomo is singing this song with Gidi Gov.

Gidi Gov(Hebrew: גידי גוב, born Gideon Gov: גדעון גוב) (born in August 4th, 1950) is an influential Israeli singer, entertainer and actor of Israeli cinema and television.

Uf Gozal Shlomo Artzi and Gidi Gov

In 1996 he released an album called Shnayim (Two), which has sold 160,000 copies (4x platinum).
The most notable songs in this CD were the title track, sung with Israeli singer Rita, "Menagev Lach Et Hadmaot" (Wiping Your Tears) and "Ze Ma Shenish'ar" (That's All That Is Left).

Shlomo Artzi - Ze Ma Shenish'ar

Containing his best love songs, Artzi released Ahavtihem (I Have Loved Them) four years later. His album Tzima'on (Thirst), which was released in 2002, sold 150,000 and is one of Israel's bestsellers.

At the end of 2006 Shlomo Artzi announced his new album Shfuim, to be released in the spring of 2007.
A new single from this album, "HaAmiti", became available during the first days of January, 2007.

Shlomo Artzi-Island (Iceland) שלמה ארצי-איסלנד-שפויים

Sunday January 6, 2008

2008-01-06T18:22:00.000-06:00

May you live a long life

Full of gladness and health,

With a pocket full of gold

As the least of you wealth.

May the dreams you hold dearest,

Be those which come true,

The kindness you spread,

Keep returning to you.

~Irish

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T23:10:00.000-06:00

Twas The Night Before Christmas

2007-12-24T03:11:00.000-06:00

Sunday December 9, 2007

2007-12-09T03:16:00.001-06:00

"Going to church no more makes you a Christian than standing in a garage makes you a car."
~Garrison Keillor

Wordless Wednesday

2007-12-05T17:27:00.000-06:00

Visit Wordless Wednesday Participants

Sunday December 2, 2007

2007-12-02T21:35:00.000-06:00

God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at mine end, and at my departing.
Source unknown (found in Pynson’s Horae, 1514)

I Survived NaBloPoMo!

2007-12-01T14:17:00.001-06:00

Feast One Hundred & Seventy

2007-11-30T14:36:00.001-06:00

Appetizer
What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?

I do not enjoy carnivals or amusement parks.

Soup
How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?

With a smile.
When fired upon I return fire.
Sarcasm is good tool.

“If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned""
~Epictetus

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?

It depends on who the conversation is with.
It could be a 1 or a 10 depending on the company or the topic.

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”
~Robert McCloskey

"Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious."
~Brendan Gill

Main Course
Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?

I did not get one yet.
I am undecided at this time.

Dessert
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?

I do not watch ANY television.

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Thursday Thirteen (27th)

2007-11-29T20:48:00.000-06:00

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Wordless Wednesday

2007-11-28T20:35:00.000-06:00

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Departure

2007-11-27T08:18:00.000-06:00

Oh the nerves, the nerves; the mysteries of this machine called man! Oh the little that unhinges it, poor creatures that we are!
~Charles Dickens

I don’t know what was wrong with us.
Mother and I couldn’t sleep last night.
We stayed up until the clock nearly struck 3AM!
We had slept well all of the other the nights here.
The weather turned bitter cold for the first time here.
I woke her up at 5:30AM
The outside temperature was 11 below zero (-23C) with a 23 below zero (-30C) wind chill.
Kkkkkkkcold!!!!

I had planned to take her to the airport with Jaycee but with the extreme cold and weather Hubby’s sensible mind prevailed.

She packed all of her things.
I packed up the smoked turkey breast that I bought for her dinner party next week.
(She really liked the smoked turkey from our butcher here that we had for Thanksgiving)
I also packed some salt pork, bacon, dried beef, and beef sticks.
North Dakota food is flying to Philadelphia.
Maryland crab cakes flew here and we enjoyed them when she arrived here on the 15^th.
I could not get over how scrumptious those crab cakes were!

We had a wonderful visit.
I did not get many pictures this time because we were too busy having fun.

Hubby and mother left in the cold at 6:30AM to make the drive to the airport.
He just called to let me know they made it to the airport without any problems.
We were worried about the fuel gelling in the truck.
Extreme cold temperatures were not expected this early so the stations have not started mixing fuels yet.
The plane is on schedule.
She is due to depart at 8:00AM.
She will fly to Minneapolis and from there catch her flight to Philadelphia.

Safe journey mother!

Update:
Her journey went well.
She arrived home to sunny skies and fifty degrees (10c).

Peace

2007-11-26T20:29:00.001-06:00

I wonder if my mother is thinking this quote? *giggles

“No matter how old a mother is she watches her middle-aged children for signs of improvement.”
~Florida Scott Maxwell

This music post is dedicated to my mother, Rachel.

Rachel is an activist.
For as long as I can remember she has worked with devotion and passion to bring about social and political change.
My mother is still hopping on the buses and heading to Washington for the rallies and peace marches wearing her buttons and carrying her signs.
She is a leader in her community for the democratic cause and works at the polls for minor as well as major voting issues.
She still campaigns door to door.
I remember when we could not eat grapes or lettuce because of the boycotts.
The civil rights movement was a cause she worked very hard for.
Currently she is involved with Beyond War
and The Southern Poverty Law Center.

From Wikipedia

This conception of peace as a mere absence of overt violence is still challenged by some as incomplete.

Mahatma Gandhi suggested that if an oppressive society lacks violence, the society is nonetheless not peaceful, because of the injustice of the oppression. Gandhi articulated a vision of peace in which justice is an inherent and necessary aspect; that peace requires not only the absence of violence but also the presence of justice.

During the 1950s and 60s, when Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement carried out various non-violent activities aimed at ending segregation and racial persecution in America, they understood peace as more than just the absence of violence. They observed that while there was not open combat between blacks and whites, there was an unjust system in place in which the government deprived African Americans of equal rights. While some opponents criticized the activists for "disturbing the peace", Martin Luther King observed that "True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice."

“ Peace is what happens when all peoples are free to develop themselves in the way they want, without having to fight for their rights. ”~Bruno Picozzi

John Denver “The Strangest Dream”

Bob Dylan & Joan Baez "Blowing in the Wind"

This Land Is Your Land

Bobby Darin "Simple Song of Freedom"

Joan Baez "Where have All The Flowers Gone"

"Whether I'm Wrong" Allison Crowe

I was having internet trouble so this post is up very late.
4 more days and I will have made NaBloPoMo!

Sunday November 25, 2007

2007-11-25T22:03:00.000-06:00

May the friendships you make,
Be those which endure,
And all of your grey clouds
Be small ones for sure.
And trusting in Him
To Whom we all pray,
May a song fill your heart,
Every step of the way.
~Irish

Award for my Blogging Buddies

2007-11-24T11:09:00.000-06:00

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgivingfor my friends,
the old and the new.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Please take the award above and post it on your blog!

I, Raggedy hereby bequeath this award to the following recipients:

Snowman, Karen, Monica, Walker, Merle,
Jamie Dawn, Cara, Judy, Naomi , Deb, Moogie, Kelly, Cascokat , Rachel, Windfall Woman, Mr Haney, Skunkfeathers , Hoss ,Cliff, Cube , Lz Blogger, Lightning Bug's Butt, Jerry, Chief, Ralph, Mike, Peter, Ed, SophMom, Hula, Leann, Jan , Little Jen, Monty, Teresa, Phoenix , Lois Lane, Aunt Josefina, Meow, Tammi, Muzikdude,Trucker Bob, Joe, Warren, Jen, Andrew , Dan, Sloop, Mia, Cat, Miss Cellania, Jude, Gattina, Poopie, Jules , Mamma K , Lee-ann, Bossy , Jim, Abby,Dakota Lifestyle, Writings on My Wall, and Dallas Meow.

I miss you….

Miss Vickie, SteelCowboy, exscientia, and Pea Patch !

If I missed anyone let me know and I will add you!
This award is for everyone.
Give it to everyone in your blog circle of friends too!
Share the love and appreciation of friendship!

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked”
~ Bernard Meltzer

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

2007-11-23T22:30:00.000-06:00

“A line is a dot that went for a walk.”
~ Paul Klee

Raggedy is Mashed Potatoes

Ordinary, comforting, and more than a little predictable. I am the glue that holds everyone together.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

So Cute Washing Dishes!
(less than half a minute long)

Thursday Thirteen (26th)

2007-11-22T23:32:00.000-06:00

Why my Birthday was Special:

A charter bus took our son away on Thursday morning on the 15th of November.
Destination- Minneapolis!

Joe would arrive back at 4:30AM on Sunday just in time for my birthday!
He went to the FCCLA cluster meeting in Minneapolis.
It was a wonderful experience for him.
He stayed at the Hilton!

What is the FCCLA?

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a dynamic and effective student organization that empowers young men and women to become leaders by addressing personal, family, work and societal issues through family and consumer science education.

FCCLA Quote of the Day

There is no cause half so sacred as the cause of a people. There is no idea so uplifting as the idea of the service of humanity. - Woodrow Wilson

Onward to my Thirteen….

1. A big bird

brought my mother

here from the east coast on Thursday afternoon on the 15th.

2. I called a friend to watch Jaycee and we went to a very early birthday dinner celebration on Friday the 16th in the evening at a place called Sanders. Hubby and mother had the prime rib and I had the seafood grill. My mother gave me a beautiful birthday card. Sanders is not open on Sunday's or Monday's.

There was a band!

The band that was there played a jazzed up version of Happy Birthday and it was very nice.

The meal was fantastic!

We went Friday because Saturday was the Community Thanksgiving celebration dinner here in our town with a singer, comedian/magician, and free flu shots.

The National Guard and 200 volunteers were in town over the weekend helping with roofing and shingling.
We are still dealing with the aftermath of the big
Tomato!
The children thoroughly enjoyed the magician.

Saturday night after the community center dinner and festivities my mother and I went to the local bar with Shelly and Karen for karaoke night. I was thrilled that Judy was there. I used to work with her. It was wonderful to see her again. The entire bar sang a karaoke Happy Birthday to Shelly and me because her birthday is the 21^st.

Sunday the 18^th the real DAY!

Joe came home!
He had a great time.
He was tired.
I enjoyed hearing about his trip.
Birthday wishes from family are treasured the most.
He gave me a beautiful silver bracelet.

The card he gave me was beautiful!

Jaycee was making up songs and singing them.
Love songs!
She was singing with feeling.
She was singing about how much she loves me.
Some songs were about finding me roses!
It was adorable!
She made this wonderful picture.
It was a big secret.
She made it at Miss Tara’s.
That is where she stays when we are working.

My sister Laura called twice!!!
Woooooooohooooooo!
I lOVE YOU SWEETIE!
Give Nichole a big hug from her Aunt and tell her I Love her!

6. My brother Mark called and left a Happy Birthday message on our phone!
I am sorry I missed your call.

When we were kids.....

Yaha Yaha....we grew up...sorta...

I LOVE YOU!!!!!
I Miss you!!!

7. My Mom and Dad called from Maryland with Happy Birthday wishes!
I had a wonderful visit with you over the phone.
I miss you both so much!

The cards you sent were beautiful!

They were the kind of cards that made me cry because they meant so much!

8. My Mom sent these breathtaking earrings.

9. My dad sent a box from

The box contained 2 bags of raw peanuts in the shell so I can roast my own peanuts.
I also got some chocolate covered peanuts and salted peanuts as well.
Yummmm.....

Thank you!
I LOVE YOU BOTH!!!

10.

Hubby gave me a beautiful card!

Hubby gave me flowers!

Hubby gave me this!

And so that will play in my car.....he got me this!

Yippee!!

11. My mother cooked dinner& of course there was cake!

12. My blogger friends stopped by and left Happy Birthday wishes.

13. I feel blessed, I had a glorious day, life is grand!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday

2007-11-21T21:55:00.000-06:00

Visit Wordless Wednesday Participants

Circle of Prayer & Thank You

2007-11-20T22:21:00.000-06:00

“Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.”
~ Unknown

Thank you Merle and Karen for the Birthday Posts.
You touched my heart.
You are both dear and precious to me.
I love you!

Dear Commenter’s,

Deb~ one of my long time bloggirlfriends. I treasure you!

Miss Cellania~ I was thrilled to see you dropped in! Your blog can always pick me up when I am down.

Kenju ~ a bloggirlfriend I have been reading for a long time. I truly enjoy your blog!

Walker~ you made my day babe!

Monty~ smooches, I heart you!

Jim~ your comments have brought me joy!

Meow~ my Sister Kitty whom I adore! Psst...You were right on time…. (Time difference)

Naomi~ you are special to me in many ways. I love you!

Jamie Dawn~ delightful, creator of the word Hitonous, the one who got me hooked on truffles, bloggirlfriend of mine, I adore you!

Jude~ a bloggirlfriend I enjoy reading.

Gattina~ a bloggirlfriend I delight in visiting!

Peter~ me mate from Aussie land, a true friend indeed. When I was ill you jumped in and helped me out with my blog. I owe you more than one. You are a wonderful man! Thanks mate!

Audrey, Nikki-ann, Granny, Kimberly, Tracey, Joared, and Autumn Storm I will get by to visit as soon as I can.

Your birthday comments meant more than you can know.

I cherish them.

You helped make my day even more special!

Thank you!

Dear bloggerfriends,

Yes you! Links!

Over there on my sidebar.

The quote is for you as well.

I know we can’t keep up with each other all the time.

Huggles and Love~ Raggedy

I got my first gift from a blogger.
It was not a birthday present but that didn’t make it any less special!
I was thrilled to receive it.
I am the proud owner of a Duck!
Thanks Hoss!
I look just ducky now!
I lubbs ya babe!

Circle of Prayer

"Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted."
~Matthew 5:4

Visit Jamie Dawn

From Jamie Dawn’s Blog:
“Our week ends with great sadness because the precious little girl from our church in CA lost her battle with leukemia.”

Visit Hoss

November 14th

“Shucks. I have been in the hospital for two days. Miss me?”

OF COURSE WE MISSED YOU!

“Some people don't favor the way I am not breathing. Almost not breathing. They haven't got rid of me yet, but I am giving more thought to my reincarnation plan.”

BREATHE! BREATHE! BREATHE!
Raggedy says: BREATHE!

November 18th

“More sick-nik news: I am able to visit your b**g, but commenting wears me out. I visited everybody on my b**groll Saturday. I can write a post, although it takes a long time. Very long.... “

GET BETTER BABE!

Visit Sugarfused

Deb is stressed out right now. She is going in for surgery on February the 8^th.

Keep thoughts and prayers for Miss Vickie as well. We all miss her so much!

Ricky Skaggs

2007-11-19T00:57:00.000-06:00

There is nothing in the world so much like
prayer as music is. ~William P. Merrill

Ricky Skaggs
From Wikipedia

Ricky Lee Skaggs (born July 18, 1954, in Lawrence County, Kentucky) is a country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He plays fiddle, guitar, banjo, and, primarily, mandolin.

Biography

Early career

Ricky Skaggs started playing music after he was given a mandolin by his father. At age 5, he played mandolin on stage with Bill Monroe. At age 7, he appeared on television's Martha White country music variety show, playing with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. He also wanted to audition for the Grand Ole Opry at that time, but was told he was too young.

In his mid-teens, Skaggs met a fellow teen prodigy, fiddler Keith Whitley, and the two started playing together with Whitley's banjoist brother Dwight on radio shows. By 1970, they had earned a spot opening for Ralph Stanley and Skaggs and Keith Whitley were thereafter invited to join Stanley's band, the Clinch Mountain Boys

Skaggs later joined J. D. Crowe's New South. For a few years, Skaggs was a member of Emmylou Harris's Hot Band. He wrote the arrangements for Harris's 1980 bluegrass-roots album, Roses in the Snow. In addition to arranging for Harris, Skaggs sang harmony and played mandolin and fiddle.

Move to Nashville

Skaggs moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1980 and was signed to Epic Records, where he produced his debut album, Waitin' For The Sun to Shine. The album produced four successful singles, including two number one hits with "Cryin' My Heart Out Over You" and "I Don't Care" in 1982, songs that sparked the birth of the neotraditional country movement.

Skaggs' lifelong dream of joining the Grand Ole Opry finally became reality in 1982. He racked up 12 number one hits and six top 10 singles during the 1980s. Skaggs picked up dozens of industry awards in the ensuing years, including four Grammy Awards and eight awards from the Country Music Association including Entertainer of the Year in 1985.

He married Sharon White of the family group The Whites in 1982. Together they have two children, a daughter Molly Kate and a son Lucas. Ricky also has a son, Andrew, and a daughter, Mandy, from his first marriage.

Neotraditionalism and experimentation

Into the 1990s and 2000s, Skaggs has embraced his bluegrass roots, as well as experiment with new sounds. With his band, Kentucky Thunder, he is a perennial winner of Grammy Awards and International Bluegrass Music Association for best bluegrass album.

"I always want to try to promote the old music, as well as trying to grow, and be a pioneer too," Skaggs once said.

In 2000, he shared the stage with the now defunct jam band, Phish. On March 20, 2007, Skaggs released an album with rock musician Bruce Hornsby.

In 2007, Skaggs is slated to release an album he recorded with The Whites on his Skaggs Family Records label.

“Halfway Home Café”

“A Simple Life”

"Somebody's Praying"

Bill Monroe joins Ricky for the classic “Uncle Pen”

Sunday November 18, 2007

2007-11-18T20:53:00.000-06:00

Birthdays are good for you.
Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.
~Larry Lorenzoni

National Veterans Awareness Week

2007-11-17T01:20:00.001-06:00

“It is not our purpose to become each other; it is to recognize each other, to learn to see the other and honor him for what he is.”
~Hermann Hesse

President Bush proclaimed November 11th through the 17th as National Veterans Awareness Week.

The senate resolution :

RESOLUTION

Designating the week of November 11 through November 17, 2007, as “National Veterans Awareness Week” to emphasize the need to develop educational programs regarding the contributions of veterans to the country.

Whereas tens of millions of Americans have served in the Armed Forces of the United States during the past century;

Whereas hundreds of thousands of Americans have given their lives while serving in the Armed Forces during the past century;

Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by the people of the United States;

Whereas the advent of the all-volunteer Armed Forces has resulted in a sharp decline in the number of individuals and families who have had any personal connection with the Armed Forces;

Whereas this reduction in familiarity with the Armed Forces has resulted in a marked decrease in the awareness by young people of the nature and importance of the accomplishments of those who have served in the Armed Forces, despite the current educational efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the veterans service organizations;

Whereas the system of civilian control of the Armed Forces makes it essential that the future leaders of the Nation understand the history of military action and the contributions and sacrifices of those who conduct such actions; and

Whereas in each of the years 2000 through 2006 the Senate has recognized the need to increase the understanding of the contributions of veterans among school-aged children by approving a resolution recognizing the week containing Veterans Day as “National Veterans Awareness Week”: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate —

(1) designates the week of November 11 through November 17, 2007, as “National Veterans Awareness Week” for the purpose of emphasizing educational efforts directed at elementary and secondary school students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans; and

(2) encourages the people of the United States to observe National Veterans Awareness Week with appropriate educational activities.

'A Soldier's Things'

God Bless All Veterans

Thank You

If you haven’t visited the Veterans Day post it can be found

HERE

Feast One Hundred & Sixty Nine

2007-11-16T08:52:00.000-06:00

A Hoagie !

Appetizer

What was your first “real” job?

I worked at a Deli. I made cheesesteaks and hoagie’s at lighting speed.

The cheesesteak is a comfort food for natives of the Philadelphia region. It was invented in the city in 1930 and is considered to be a city icon along with other foods such as Tastykakes, water ice, the Philadelphia soft pretzel, hoagies, and scrapple.

Soup

Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?

I would go inside my head or for a walk.
If I had some money I could really be creative.
A girl can dream eh?
I would love to spark my creativity in Ireland or Australia!

Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

Salad

Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…

I am embarrassed when I do something stupid.
I have noticed that….
The probability of someone watching you is proportional to the stupidity of your action.

I like this quote:

“Perhaps, on the whole, embarrassment and perplexity are a kind of natural accompaniment to life and movement; and it is better to be driven out of your senses with thinking which of two things you ought to do than to do nothing whatever, and be utterly uninteresting to all the world.”
~Margaret Oliphant

Main Course

What values did your parents instill in you?

Love, Faith, Goodness, Compassion, Simplicity- The greatest joy can be found in simple things. The beauty in nature and life is incredible! My Dad took the time to be with me and witness the awe and beauty of the sunrises and sunsets. He held my hand as we walked along the beach listening to the sound of the waves, taking notice of the different tides, watching and listening to the birds, feeling the sand on our feet and the breeze on our faces. We took long drives to witness the beauty of the fall colors. Harmony, Concern for Others, Practicality, Integrity, Honesty, Respect, Interest, Tolerance, Openness, Commitment, Determination, Passion, Drive, Enthusiasm, Self-Reliance, Generosity, Responsibility, Honor, Courage, Empathy, Gratitude, and Continuous Improvement and progress throughout life.

“But some emotions don't make a lot of noise. It's hard to hear pride. Caring is real faint - like a heartbeat. And pure love - why, some days it's so quiet, you don't even know it's there.”
~Unknown

Dessert

Name 3 fads from your teenage years.

Earth Shoes

Mood Rings

Hip Huggers

To visit the rest of the Friday Feasts
Click Here

Thursday Thirteen (25th)

2007-11-15T20:52:00.000-06:00

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WAR OFFICE

Dept. of the Army Regulations For Operation Of Aircraft Commencing January 1920

There were 25 regulations.
I picked out 13 because, well, because this is Thursday Thirteen!

1. Don't take the machine into the air unless you are satisfied it will fly.

2. Never leave the ground with the motor leaking.

3. Don't turn sharply when taxiing. Instead of turning sharp, have someone lift the tail around.

4. Never get out of the machine with the motor running until the pilot relieving you can reach the motor controls.

5. Pilots should carry hankies in a handy place to wipe off goggles.

6. In case the engine fails on takeoff, land straight ahead regardless of obstacles.

7. No machine must taxi faster than a man can walk.

8. Learn to gauge altitude, especially on landing.

9. If you see another machine near you, get out of the way.

10. Do not trust altitude instruments.

11. Before you begin a landing glide, see that no machines are under you.

12. Hedge-hopping will not be tolerated.

13. Do not use aeronautical gasoline in cars or motorcycles.

Bonus:
If an emergency occurs while flying, land as soon as possible.

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday

2007-11-14T12:11:00.000-06:00

Visit Wordless Wednesday Participants

Plane Fun

2007-11-13T23:54:00.000-06:00

“Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute.”
~ G. B. Stern

405

A man was flying from Seattle to San Francisco.
Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sacramento along the way.
The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft the plane would re-board in 50 minutes.

Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind.
The man had noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her Seeing Eye dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her throughout the entire flight.
He could also tell she had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached her, and calling her by name, said, "Kathy, we are in Sacramento for almost an hour.
Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?"
The blind lady replied, "No thanks, but maybe my dog would like to stretch his legs."

Picture this:
All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a Seeing Eye dog!
The pilot was even wearing sunglasses.
People scattered.
They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines!
True story....

Have a great day and remember...

THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS AS THEY APPEAR

Barbershop Quartet

2007-11-12T18:33:00.000-06:00

Barbershop quartet singing is four guys tasting the holy essence of four individual mechanisms coming into complete agreement.
~Meredith Willson

Barbershop music
From Wikipedia

Barbershop harmony, as codified during the barbershop revival era (1940s-present), is a style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly homophonic texture. Each of the four parts has its own role: generally, the lead sings the melody, the tenor harmonizes above the melody, the bass sings the lowest harmonizing notes, and the baritone completes the chord. The melody is not usually sung by the tenor or bass, except for an infrequent note or two to avoid awkward voice leading, in tags or codas, or when some appropriate embellishing effect can be created. Occasional brief passages may be sung by fewer than four voice parts.

Barbershop Harmony Society

The Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. (SPEBSQSA), was the first of several organizations to promote and preserve barbershop music as an art form. Founded by Owen C. Cash in 1938, the organization quickly grew, promoting barbershop harmony among men of all ages. As of 2004, more than 30,000 men in the United States and Canada are members of this organization whose focus is on a cappella music. The international headquarters was in Kenosha, Wisconsin fifty years before moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 2007.

The 2007 International Contest and Convention was held in Denver from July 4 to 7 with fifty quartets and thirty choruses contending. The Quartet Quarter Finals, Quartet Semi-Finals, Association of International Champions (AIC) Show, Chorus Contest, The Bank of America Collegiate Contest, and the Quartet Finals were all webcast live.

The quartet champion for 2006 was Vocal Spectrum

The quartet champion for 2007 is Max Q

Denver 2007 BHS
Vocal Spectrum "Scarborough Fair" with the Gas House Gang

When Vocal Spectrum sings “Good Vibrations”
they are AMAZING!!
I hope you enjoy the performance as much as I did!

Denver 2007 BHS
Vocal Spectrum "Good Vibrations"

Denver 2007 BHS- The quartet champion for 2007
Quartet Finals~ Max Q "Here's to the Losers"

Denver 2007 BHS- The quartet champion for 2007
Quartet Finals~ Max Q "Somewhere"

Denver 2007 BHS-Second Place for 2007
Quartet Finals~ OC Times "Surfer Girl" and "Fun Fun Fun"

Denver 2007 BHS- Third Place for 2007
Quartet Finals~ Storm Front "Don't Fence Me In"

Denver 2007 BHS- Third Place for 2007
Quartet Finals~ Storm Front a parody of "Bright Was the Night"

Veterans Day

2007-11-11T19:07:00.000-06:00

Veterans Day - November 11, 2007

2007-11-10T20:54:00.000-06:00

“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
~Douglas MacArthur

Veterans Day
From Wikipedia

Veterans Day is an American holiday honoring military veterans. Both a federal holiday and a state holiday in all states, it is celebrated on the same day as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to United States national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.

Observance

The Uniforms Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to insure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. After protests by veterans groups, it was moved back to November 11 in 1978 (most states had reverted to the original date during the 70s). Even though it is a federal and state holiday, it is formally observed in most parts of the United States only by government offices and banks. Some schools and almost all businesses stay open on regular schedules. Most public transit systems thus stay on regular schedules. Most businesses cite the holiday's proximity to Thanksgiving (when many businesses close for a four-day weekend) as the main reason for staying open on Veterans Day, but some schools and most businesses also stay open on Columbus Day, a full month earlier.

World War 2 Band of Brothers

SGT Harold Finke discusses his service in WWII.

An interview with World War II Veteran Cecil Clevenger.

"Before You Go" is offered as an expression of heartfelt gratitude to those who fought and won the Second World War - for their bravery, gallantry and sacrifices that assure the continued enjoyment of freedoms unprecedented in the history of mankind. It can be viewed Here.

Lyrics for "Before You Go"

Quietly you’ve all turned gray
You did your job you saved our way
Our life and freedom you preserved
We’ve thanked you less than you’ve deserved
You never boasted, bragged or asked
For adulation for your past
You did the job you knew was right
And quietly, you cry at night
For bodies maimed and comrades lost
For sights beyond our furthest thoughts
For what you’ve lived and felt and seen
For what the cost of freedom means
You leave us blessed with every breath
That cost you arms and legs and death
You won the worst and greatest war
We owe you more, we owe you more
Thank you for your wondrous feats
For open speech and quiet streets
For worship as we choose to pray
For preservation of our way
Before you go, we need to show
That in your silence we still know
What you accomplished and what you did
For who we are and how we live
So go with love from wives and sons
and daughters for a job well done
From kids who’ve never seen a tank
We give you thanks, we give you thanks
Thank you for your wondrous feats
For open speech and quiet streets
For worship as we choose to pray
For preservation of our way
For homes and jobs and baseball games
For many colors many names
You saved our lives and we’re still free
From shining sea to shining sea
Thank You, Thank You,
Thank You…. Go in Peace

On March 23, 2007, 200 people paid their respects to Army Corporal Howard Ramsey, the last known WWI combat veteran from Oregon, who died February 22nd, just one month from his 109th birthday.

There are some living WWI veterans but they are not from the United States.
John Babcock from Canada is now 107.
Henry Allingham, who is 111, is Britain's oldest war veteran and one of the last Great War veterans still alive.
Harry Patch is the last British Tommy to see action in the treches of the Western Front. He was wounded at Passchendaele on September 22nd 1917. He celebrated his 109th birthday on June 17th 2007.

“We've got to continue to find ways to honor our 25 million veterans that have served our country with such honor and distinction.”
~Zack Wamp

Dear fellow Veterans,
Thank you for your service.
Your sacrifice will never be taken for granted.
I am blessed to live in a Nation of democracy and freedom.
For those blessings I thank you.
I honor you for protecting and securing my freedom.
Thank You.
God Bless.
Raggedy

Feast One Hundred & Sixty Eight

2007-11-09T22:19:00.000-06:00

Appetizer

Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies?

Popcorn

Soup

What year did you start using the internet?

1995

Salad

What is your first name in Pig Latin?

Aggedy-Ray

Main Course

Name something you are picky about.

There is a place for everything and everything must be in its place.

Dessert

Fill in the blanks: I ____ ____ yesterday and I ____ ____ today.

I watched the sunrise yesterday and I will watch the sunrise today.

To visit the rest of the Friday Feasts
Click Here

Thursday Thirteen (24th)

2007-11-08T22:41:00.000-06:00

FELINE PHYSICS

1. Law of Cat Inertia- A cat at rest will tend to remain at rest, unless acted upon by some outside force, such as the opening of cat food or a nearby scurrying mouse.

2. Law of Cat Magnetism -All blue blazers and black sweaters attract cat hair in direct proportion to the darkness of the fabric.

3. Law of Cat Thermodynamics -Heat flows from a warmer to a cooler body, except in the case of a cat, in which case all heat flows to the cat.

4. Law of Cat Elongation-A cat can make her body long enough to reach just about any counter top that has anything remotely interesting on it.

5. Law of Dinner Table Attendance-Cats must attend all meals when anything good is served.

6. Law of Obedience Resistance- A cat's resistance varies in proportion to a human's desire for her to do something.

7. Law of Bag/Box Occupancy- All bags and boxes in a given room must contain a cat within the earliest possible nanosecond.

8. Law of Cat Embarrassment- A cat's irritation rises in direct proportion to her embarrassment times the amount of human laughter.

9. Law of Furniture Replacement- A cat's desire to scratch furniture is directly proportional to the cost of the furniture.

10. Law of Cat Landing- A cat will always land in the softest place possible; often the mid-section of an unsuspecting, reclining human.

11. Law of Cat Disinterest- A cat's interest level will vary in inverse proportion to the amount of effort a human expends in trying to interest him.

12. Law of Pill Rejection- Any pill given to a cat has the potential energy to reach escape velocity.

13. Law of RandomComfort Seeking- A cat will always seek, and usually take over, the most comfortable spot in any given room.

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Wordless Wednesday

2007-11-07T20:19:00.000-06:00

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New York Yankees–Boston Red Sox

2007-11-06T18:38:00.000-06:00

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
~Douglas Adams

This joke comes via my dear friend Chatter.

On the first day of school a first grade teacher explains to her class that she is a Yankees fan.

She asks her students to raise their hands if they, too, are Yankees fans.

Wanting to impress their teacher, everyone in the class raises their hand except one little girl.

The teacher looks at the girl with surprise, "Janie, why didn't you raise your hand?"

"Because I'm not a Yankees fan," she replied.

The teacher, still shocked, asked, "Well, if you are not a Yankees fan, then who are you a fan of?"

"I am a Red Sox fan, and proud of it," Janie replied.

The teacher could not believe her ears. "Janie, why are you a Red Sox fan?"

"Because my mom is a Red Sox fan, and my dad is Red Sox fan, so I'm a Red Sox fan too!"

"Well, " said the teacher in a obviously annoyed tone, "that is no reason for you to be a Red Sox fan. You don't have to be just like your parents all of the time. What if your mom were an idiot and your dad were a moron, what would you be then?"

"Then," Janie smiled, "I'd be a Yankees fan."

Yankees-Red Sox rivalry
From Wikipedia

The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is one of the longest and the most bitter rivalries in professional sports. For over 100 years, baseball's New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox of the American League have been chief rivals, compounded by their geographic proximity.

Since the Red Sox' defeat of the Yankees in seven games in the 2004 American League Championship Series, the rivalry has become more intense than ever before. USA Today has dubbed it "the fiercest rivalry in sports.

On September 28, 2007, Boston won the AL East after a win against the Minnesota Twins and a loss by the New York Yankees against the Baltimore Orioles. This was the Sox first AL East Championship since 1995, ending the Yankees' nine-year reign in the division.

James Taylor

2007-11-05T06:34:00.001-06:00

“The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.”~James Taylor

James Taylor - "Secret of Life" – 1992
At his home in Massachusetts during his pre-tour rehearsal.

James Taylor

From Wikipedia
and James Taylor - Official Website

James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, born in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Taylor's career began in the mid-1960s, but he found his audience in the early 1970s, singing sensitive and gentle acoustic songs. He was part of a wave of singer-songwriters of the time that also included Joni Mitchell, Tom Rush, Cat Stevens, Carole King, John Denver, Jim Croce, Don McLean, Jackson Browne as well as Carly Simon, whom Taylor later married.

James Taylor - Long Ago and Far Away

His 1976 album Greatest Hits was certified diamond and has sold more than 11 million copies. He has retained a large audience well into the 1990s and early 2000s, when some of his best-selling and most-awarded albums were released.

Early years
James Taylor grew up in Carrboro, North Carolina, where his father Isaac M. Taylor was the dean of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine from 1964 to 1971. His family spent summers on Martha's Vineyard.

Early career
Taylor first learned to play the cello as a child in Carrboro (near Chapel Hill), and switched to the guitar in 1960. His style on that instrument evolved from listening to hymns, carols, and Woody Guthrie. He attended Milton Academy, a prep school in Massachusetts, and summered with his family in Martha's Vineyard, where he met Danny Kortchmar. The two began playing folk music together. After dropping out of school, he formed a band called The Fabulous Corsairs with his brother, Alex. Later, he was committed to McLean Hospital for depression. He earned a high school diploma while in the hospital, and then left and formed a band called the Flying Machine with Kortchmar and Joel O'Brien in New York City. The band was signed to Rainy Day Records and released one single, "Brighten Your Night with My Day" (B-side: "Night Owl"). The single was not a success. (A UK band with the same name emerged in 1969 with the hit song "Smile a Little Smile for Me".)

While living in New York City, Taylor became addicted to heroin. One night, after receiving a desperate phone call, his father drove to New York and "rescued" him. Taylor later wrote a song called "Jump Up Behind Me" that paid tribute to his father's help during a time of desperate need. The song also reflects on Taylor's memories of the long drive from New York City back to his home in Chapel Hill.

In 1968, Taylor moved to London. He was signed to Apple Records after sending a demo tape to Peter Asher (of Peter & Gordon) and released his debut album, James Taylor. Despite the Beatles connection, and the presence of Paul McCartney and George Harrison on one track, the album did not sell very well, and Taylor's addiction worsened. Moving back to the United States, Taylor checked into a hospital to treat his drug problem in Western Massachusetts outside of Stockbridge (where he lives today). By 1969 he was well enough to perform live, and had a six-night stand at the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles. On July 20, 1969 he performed at the Newport Folk Festival. Shortly thereafter he broke both hands in a motorcycle accident on Martha's Vineyard and was forced to stop playing for several months.

1970s
Once recovered, Taylor signed to Warner Bros. Records and moved to California keeping Asher as his manager and record producer. His second album, Sweet Baby James, was a massive success, buoyed by the single "Fire and Rain", a song about his experience in an asylum and the suicide of his friend, Suzanne Schnerr. The success of this single and the album piqued interest in Taylor's first album, James Taylor and propelled the album and the single, "Carolina In My Mind", back into the charts.
Taylor worked with Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys on a film, Two-Lane Blacktop, but this was unsuccessful at the time. 1971 saw the release of Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, another hit album. He won a Grammy Award for his version of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend".

In 1972, Taylor returned with One Man Dog and married fellow singer-songwriter Carly Simon on November 3.

The joy they had performing this song is evident in this video!
Mockingbird - Carly Simon and James Taylor

James Taylor & Carly Simon - Close Your Eyes

His next album, 1974's Walking Man, was a disappointment but the following one, Gorilla, was a success partially because of a successful single cover version of Marvin Gaye's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)". This was followed by In the Pocket in 1976 and then a greatest hits album that included some re-recordings of Apple Records-era material. It became a huge hit and remains Taylor's best selling album.

Taylor signed with Columbia Records and released JT in 1977 winning another Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for his cover version of "Handy Man". The snazzy song "Traffic Jam" from the album has since become a favorite jingle for rush-hour radio traffic reports.

After collaborating with Art Garfunkel and briefly working on Broadway, Taylor took a two-year break, reappearing in 1979 with the cover-studded album Flag featuring a Top 40 version of Gerry Goffin and Carole King's "Up On The Roof." Taylor also performed at the No Nukes concert in Madison Square Garden and appeared on the album and the film from the concert.

1980s and 1990s
In the early 1980s Taylor's career was again beset by drug problems. Additionally, Taylor's wife, Carly Simon, was unhappy with his extended absences due to touring. After an ultimatum that he spend more time with their children, Taylor responded with the 1981 album Dad Loves His Work. He and Simon divorced in 1983.
In 1985, Taylor married his second wife, actress Kathryn Walker, who helped him through recovery of his substance addictions. According to Taylor, he remains clean and sober to this day.
Taylor's two albums of original material from the 1990s were notably successful. His thirteenth album, New Moon Shine, went platinum in 1991 and he won the Grammy for Best Pop Album in 1998 for Hourglass.

2000s

In 2001 Taylor wed for the third time, marrying Caroline ("Kim") Smedvig. Part of their relationship was worked into the album October Road, on the song "On the 4th of July". The couple has twin boys, Rufus and Henry, born in 2001 to a surrogate mother via in vitro fertilization.
In 2002, Taylor teamed with bluegrass musician Alison Krauss in singing "The Boxer" at the Kennedy Center Honors Tribute to Paul Simon. They later recorded the Louvin Brothers duet, "How's the World Treating You?"
In 2004, after his Columbia/Sony record contract was not renewed, he released James Taylor: A Christmas Album with distribution through Hallmark Cards.
In December 2004, Taylor appeared as himself in an episode of The West Wing entitled "A Change Is Gonna Come". He sang Sam Cooke's classic "A Change Is Gonna Come" at an event honoring an artist played by Taylor's wife Caroline. Taylor's rendition was then released over the Internet.
In 2006, Taylor performed Randy Newman's song "Our Town" for the Disney animated film Cars. The song was nominated for the 2007 Academy Award for the best Original Song.
Taylor performed the National Anthem at Game 2 of the World Series in Boston, Mass. on October 25, 2007.

James Taylor - Fire and Rain (Beacon Theatre)

James Taylor "Still Crazy After All These Years"
Taylor's performance at the The Library of Congress
Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in honour of Paul Simon.

James Taylor's music embodies the art of songwriting in its most fundamental form. He has been at it for decades: transforming introspective meditations into lyrics, melodies and harmonies that comfort and reassure the listener with the sense that these sometimes painful, sometimes celebratory moments are a part of life, shared by us all. In 1971, James was featured on the cover of TIME magazine, who heralded him as the harbinger of 'the singer/songwriter era". Today, the quintessential singer/songwriter has seen that era crossover into the 21st century. James currently resides in The Berkshires with his wife, Caroline and their sons Henry and Rufus.

Starbucks will Release:
'One Man Band' DVD/CD: November 13, 2007

Sunday November 4, 2007

2007-11-04T10:45:00.000-06:00

Oh, you weak, beautiful people who give up with such grace. What you need is someone to take hold of you - gently, with love, and hand your life back to you.
~Tennessee Williams

Cow Trouble

2007-11-03T19:35:00.000-05:00

“The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it”~ Terry Pratchett

TAP DANCE COW! WOW!

A farmer walked into a bar and saw the local tractor salesman sitting there, head hung low, obviously upset, drowning his sorrows in his beer.

"What's up, John?" asked the farmer.

"Gosh Bob, I'll tell you what ... if I don't sell a tractor soon, I'm gonna have to close my shop."

"Now John, things could be worse," said Bob.

"How do you figure?" asked John.

"Well, John - you know my ornery cow, Bessie?

I went to milk her this morning and she just kept flicking her tail in my face.

So I grabbed a piece of rope and tied it up to the rafter.

Then, the nasty thing went and kicked the bucket away!

So I tied her leg to the wall.

Then she kicked my stool right out from underneath me!

But I was out of rope.

So I took my belt off and used it to tie her other leg to the other side of the stall.

Well wouldn't you just know it...my damn pants fell down."

"And John, if you can convince my wife that I was in there to MILK that cow,

I'll buy a tractor from you TODAY!"

A farmer ordered a high-tech milking machine.

Since the equipment arrived when his wife was out of town, he decided to test it on himself first.

So, he inserted his 'manhood' into the equipment, turned on the switch and everything else was automatic.

Soon, he realized that the equipment provided him with much more pleasure than he would have expected.

When the fun was over, though, he quickly realized he couldn't remove the instrument from his 'member'.

He read the manual but didn't find any useful information on how to disengage himself.

He tried every button on the instrument, but still without success.

Finally, he decided to call the supplier's Customer Service Hot Line with his cell phone

(Thank God for mobile phones!).

‘Hello, I just bought a milking machine from your company.

It works fantastic, but how do I remove it from the cow's udder?'

'Don't worry,' replied the customer service rep,

The machine will release automatically once its collected two gallons.'

Perfect Post Award

2007-11-02T17:24:00.000-05:00

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”
~Dr. Seuss

There is a blogger who rocks my world…..
His name is Ol' Hoss
and he done went and gave me one of these!!!!

For this

I feel special.
I am flattered.
I am honored.
I do love to listen to some Doc.

I found a few more Doc Videos!

Doc Watson - 1991 - Black Mountain Rag

Doc playing and singing with his new Henderson guitar in Wayne's shop Aug 06

It doesn’t get any better than this…
Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, and Ricky Skaggs
Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms

Doc Watson is special and so is Ol' Hoss .
The Cool Ol' Raggedy One Lubbs da Ol' Hoss …
Thank you!

FYI:
Be on the lookout….
FTS is BACK!!!!!!
He is now a Snowball
posting in Snowmansland….
Woooooooooohoooooooooo!!!!
Head over and give him a big welcome back!

Thursday Thirteen (23rd)

2007-11-01T17:38:00.000-05:00

On Speakin’ Southern

Attair: Contradiction used to indicate the specific item desire. "Pass me attair gravy, please"

Awl: An amber fluid used to lubricate engines. "Ah like attair car, but it sure does take a lot of awl."

Bawl: What water does at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. "That gal cain't even bawl water without burnin' it."

Bleeve: Expression of intent or faith. "Ah bleeve we ought to go to church this Sunday."

Cent: Plural of cent. "You paid five dollars for that necktie? Ah wouldn't give fiddy cent for it."

Everwhichways: To be scattered in all directions. "You should have been there when the train hit attair chicken truck. Them chickens flew everwhichways.

Far: A state of combustion that produces heat and light. "Ah reckon it's about time to put out the far and call in the dawgs."

Flares: The colorful, sweet-smelling part of a plant. "If yo wife's mad at ya, it's smart to take her some flares."

Griyuts: What no Southern breakfast would be without - grits. "Ah like griyuts with butter and sawt on'em, but Ah purely love'em with red-eye gravy."

Hale: Where General Sherman is going for what he did to Etlanna. (Atlanta) "General Sherman said "War is Hale" and he made sure it was."

Jew: Did you. "Jew want to buy attair comic book, son, or just stand there and read it here?"

Kumpny: Guests. "Be home on time. We's havin' kumpny for supper."

Likker: Whiskey; either the amber kind bought in stores or the homemade white kind that federal authorities frown upon." Does he drink? Listen, he spills more likker than most people drink.'

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Wordless Wednesday

2007-10-31T20:27:00.000-05:00

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Music for the child inside you

2007-10-29T21:49:00.001-05:00

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.
~Franklin P. Jones

These are the videos that I have the pleasure of listening to over and over and over again.
I thought I would share them with you.
These are Jaycee’s current favorites.
Enjoy!

Sunday October 28, 2007

2007-10-28T13:30:00.000-05:00

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”
~ Ashley Smith

Coyote Medicine

2007-10-27T11:04:00.001-05:00

What our grandfathers and grandmothers taught us was to be open to the miraculous.

As an old Dineh song from Arizona says:

I walk in beauty
Beauty is before me,
Beauty is above me,
Beauty is below me,
Beauty is around me,
I walk in beauty

The point of this is that we can never know with certainty that which is possible and that which is impossible. Our capacity to analyze and apprehend the world is so limited that our goal of "full knowledge" will never be realized.

~Lewis Mehl-Madrona, M.D., Ph.D.

From Library Journal
All readers, from those with a casual interest in Native American healing to health providers who want to learn more about alternative medicine, will enjoy and learn from this book.

Coyote Medicine

Sam Kinison

2007-10-22T15:46:00.000-05:00

PART ONE

I have an addition to Music Monday. Naomi has written a beautiful post.
Click on Here in the Hills for the story.
I am posting the videos only.

CAROL BRUCE 1919-2007

"Someone to Watch Over Me"

PART TWO

I am dedicating this post to a friend.
Welcome to Raggedyland!

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.
~ Anaïs Nin

Yes'm, old friends is always best, 'less you can catch a new one that's fit to make an old one out of.
~ Sarah Orne Jewett

This post contains a viewer discretion advisory!
This post contains Adult content.
We are taking a walk on the wild side today.
This is a Music Monday mixed with some comedy because Sam is a multi talent and I can’t show the music without the comedy and do him justice.

The information for this post comes from a variety of sources,
Wikipedia
Sam Kinison Official Web Site
About Sam Kinison
Rodney Dangerfield
and video from You Tube .

Sam Kinison

Samuel "Sam" Burl Kinison (December 8, 1953 – April 10, 1992) was an American stand-up comedian and actor.

Kinison was famous for his extremely raunchy humor and amazingly wild, colorful outfits.

Some Sam Quotes:

That's when you know you're pretty f---ed up, when it makes sense to fall asleep... I was driving between Needles and Barstow... It's about 120 miles of desert... It's four in the morning, man...
Hey, this is a pretty good time to go to sleep ... (SCREAMS HYSTERICALLY) So I totaled this f---in' car out, man!... I f---in' totaled it! And it made SENSE at the time!
-Sam Kinison

Detox? There's a bargain. $13,000 for a 3 and a half week treatment. And, folks, I don't want to sound like a casual user or anything, but if you can come up with $13,000, you don't have a problem yet!
-Sam Kinison

Jesus had a tough life. I read about that guy. Jesus is the only guy that ever came back from the dead that didn't scare the F--- out of everybody!
-Sam Kinison

I love women, I swear to God. It may not seem like it, but I do. It's so funny, women are always out there in the audience, going 'How come you don't say what's wrong with men?' BECAUSE A MAN NEVER BROKE MY F---ING HEART! A MAN NEVER LIED TO ME IN LOVE! A MAN DIDN'T MAKE ME WANNA DRIVE MY CAR INTO A F---IN' WALL!
-Sam Kinison

People are going: 'Man, aren't you afraid to tell jokes like that? Don't you get just a small chill that runs through your blood when you tell a joke like that? Aren't you afraid of going to hell?' No, I'm not worried about hell. Because I WAS MARRIED FOR TWO F---ING YEARS! HELL WOULD BE LIKE CLUB MED!
-Sam Kinison

One of his albums featured four songs performed by him and his band, and during one notable The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson performance, he delivered what began as a straightforward version of Elvis Presley's Are You Lonesome Tonight, which descended into angry ranting during the spoken breakdown.

Kinison might be considered a "heavy metal comedian," since he was occasionally accompanied by a touring band; he also had a prodigious appetite for drugs and alcohol. In 1988, he recorded a novelty version of The Troggs' "Wild Thing." The record didn't make the Billboard Hot 100, but the video was a hit on MTV, featuring cameos from Steven Tyler and Joe Perry from Aerosmith, Slash, Billy Idol, rock guitarist Steve Vai, guitarist Frank Zappa's son Dweezil Zappa, Richie Sambora, Tommy Lee from Mötley Crüe, Robbin Crosby, Warren DeMartini and Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin and a raunchy "roll on the mat" dance with Jessica Hahn. Sam hammered out some licks on a custom Stratocaster, with an airbrushed picture of his face frozen in his famous scream.

A Love Song

Sam on Rap

A former revival-style preacher, his standup routines were most often characterized by intense, angry ranting and punctuated by his trademark scream. Sam Kinison became one of the the loudest and rudest comedians of the 20th century. For some, his name conjures up images of a hard-partying, hard-drinking wild thing. His views on religion, women, and world hunger managed to put him on the shock comedy map. However, the fact is this demon from hell was an angel in disguise.

A Comedy Clip

Born in Yakima, Washington, Kinison later attended high school in East Peoria, Illinois. He also lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma for a while with his parents who still live there. His father was a Pentecostal preacher. Sam and his brothers followed in their father's footsteps by touring churches across the Bible Belt and earning a decent living. He was originally a preacher before becoming a comedian. Recordings of his sermons reveal that he used a "fire and brimstone" style, punctuated with shouts similar to the ones he would later use in his stand-up routines. He was forced to leave preaching when he divorced his first wife, at which time he took up comedy.

Kinison's appearance on Late Night with David Letterman on November 14, 1985 is widely considered to be his breakthrough performance. David Letterman's introduction of Kinison would prove to be prescient: "Brace yourselves. I'm not kidding. Please welcome Sam Kinison."

Death

Kinison was working to become clean and sober in the months before his death and he married his girlfriend Malika Souiri in 1992. Just six days after the wedding, Kinison's white Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was struck by a seventeen-year-old drunk driver on US 95, four miles north of where it intersects Interstate 40, near Fort Mohave, Arizona and Needles, California. He was not wearing a seat belt, and his chest struck the steering wheel upon impact. His best friends J.J. Wall and Carl LaBove were in the van behind Sam. Sam got out of his car and fell to the ground Carl picked him up and held him until help came. As they sat on the road Carl reports that Sam was looking down the road and laughed and was talking to somebody and said no not now. Then he laughed and said "no, not yet" and laughed again then he said "ok, ok". He then died in the arms of his best friend. Oddly enough he had a joke that said none of us plan to drive drunk but how are we going to get our car's home for work the next day. His wife survived the accident. The other driver received only minor charges because Kinison was found to have very slight traces of cocaine in his bloodstream, though friends and relatives insisted that the comedian was 100% sober at the time of the collision.

He is interred with family members at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Apparently when Sam had the accident, I heard he got out of the car and look up to the heavens and said, 'I don't want to die,' and then just said, 'Oh, okay,' and laid down and died. It sounds crazy and will probably offend a lot of my fans, but I believe there's a higher power. Some people may think Sam Kinison's in one place, but I know where he is: He's upstairs; he's next to God.
-Ozzy Osbourne

He'll definately be remembered, because someone that funny and that wild you don't forget.
-Rodney Dangerfield

I found this Poem on Rodney's Site:

For Rodney
An old friend of mine died today,
a dear, old friend I never met.
I never had a chance to thank him,
to my great sadness and regret.

He made me laugh a million times.
He was always so much fun to watch
making jokes about his wife, his dog,
and his doctor, Vinnie Boom Botz!

He found the humor in a hard life,
though he was just a "regular guy".
I've heard his act a thousand times
but I always laugh until I cry.

Though he wasn't blessed with an actor's looks,
the world should be glad he heard the call
because he gave a voice to every one of us
who ever thought, "I get no respect at all!"

Ah, Rodney, I wish you could have lived forever.
The world is a lot darker now that you're gone.
But I'm sure you're making 'em laugh up in heaven
and the gifts you gave us will always live on.

Since you were always at the top of your game,
your passing was something I didn't expect.
But I can see you cracking up God right now
and hear Him saying, "Rodney, you have my respect."

That would probably come as a surprise to you
because, let's face it, you weren't exactly devout.
But I can't imagine God having no sense of humor
and I don't think that's what heaven's about.

"Rodney," He'd say, "I know you weren't a choirboy
but you're just as good or better, and here's why -
You made people laugh and forget their troubles
in a world where laughter's often in short supply.

I know you'll like it up here in heaven
and I'm sure that you'll never be lonely
because we've recreated your comedy club
and the place is already standing room only.

A lot of your old buddies are waiting inside.
Just like on earth, up here, you're a star.
Don't worry about being on your best behavior.
There's only one Rodney, so just be who you are.

Sam Kinison's sitting at the bar inside.
Andy Kaufman wants to say hello, too.
In fact, there are millions of people here
who would love to say thank you to you."

Then, with His arm around you, he'll walk you inside.
All your friends will be there, happy and healed.
He'll walk up on the stage, take the mic and say,
"Ladies and gentlemen . . . Rodney Dangerfield."

- Mark Rickerby

If God didn't have a sense of humor before, he does now.
-Members of Motley Crue

His performance style was overpowering, with his screaming and wildman appearance, and it disturbed a lot of people. But to me the screaming was eloquent. It was a vent of rage. It added power and depth to his material.
-Richard Belzer, comedian

When Sam wasn't cracking jokes, he was so incredibly nice. That's one thing that really surprised me when I met him. Some of his jokes were so rude, but he was warm, down-to-earth, caring, full of compliments.
-Lita Ford

When most people memorialize Sam, they remember his scream; his partying; his never-ending diatribe on women, homosexuals and the religious right. I, however, choose to remember something else about him. His soft, vulnerable side. The twinkle in his eyes. The times I spent with him and Malika, giving ourselves home facials and conditioning our hair, while watching his well worn copy of 'North By Northwest'. That is the Sam that I miss most.
- Hope Frederick

Sam Kinison was absolutely fearless. He was like a comedy combination of Chuck Yeager and Evel Kneivel. Most people go to the edge and then stop. Not Sam. He'd see the edge and then just keep going. And I think that scream he was famous for was just the sound he made on the way down.
-Robin Williams

We would jam at Spice all the time, and Sam would intentionally go on out of tune, just to frustrate the other musicians! Sam was a great piano player too. He loved Paul McCartney, and no one could do Paul like Sam could. He'd sing and play and, I swear, something came over him.
-C.C. DeVille, Poison

He hated to even hear the word religion, but he was definately a man who loved God. He had a cross inside the lining of that long coat he used to wear. It was no joke to him.
-Jessica Hahn

RIP Sam.You are missed.~Raggedy

Sunday October 21, 2007

2007-10-21T15:41:00.000-05:00

“I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner peace.”
~Dalai Lama