o-BOMB-a!

I've lost faith in our new president. I gave him the benefit of the doubt in my blog on inauguration day... but today I am ashamed of him. For him or any other American to go to another country and put down the country that I love is dispicable! Calling us 'arrogant, dismissive, derisive'... how dare he! I've had my doubts about Obama since I'd watched him deny knowing about Reverend Wright's anti-American "sermons" while attending that church for 20 years. But this is a stab in the heart of every American, all our troops, not to mention each and every soldier that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. This arrogant, egomaniac has been granted TOO much power for any one man and we're all going to suffer for the way he is making America look weak. And we're all going to suffer, as will our children and their children - for the trillions he's spending putting us further and further in debt. He should be ashamed of himself!

Grammy's Best for a Change!

Now THIS is a change we can believe in! Last night's Grammy's actually highlighted REAL talent - musicians and performers who can sing and play their instruments - instead of a show featuring flashy dancers with hot bods.

It was fun, exciting, historic and colourful - not the usual ego-fest featuring 90% rap and hip hop. From U2's live debut of their just-released single 'Get On Your Boots' to Album of the Year winners, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - every performance was thrilling and exhilarating. I thought the most moving ones were Jennifer Hudson's 'You Pulled Me Through,' Kid Rock's rousing 'Amen,' Coldplay and Carrie Underwood, featuring her rock lady lead guitarist.

I liked that they didn't have a host stumbling through teleprompter gaffs and cheeky one-liners; and, thank heavens, there were very few mentions of politics or the Big 'O.' What, with live performances by Paul McCartney, Al Green, Smoky Robinson and "the Duke" from The Four Tops, Neil Diamond... you can't go wrong! It didn't seem like an awards show, but rather a showcase of great talent... very refreshing.

Of course, we had to stomach way too much Justin Timberlake; Gwyneth Paltrow gushing over not her own husband's band, but Radiohead; that prepubescent egomaniac dimwit Miley Cyrus; and that dingbat 'I Kissed a Girl' chick flopping around on stage like a rag doll... but overall, the Grammy's reminded me why America is the great bastion of the best music on earth.

Welcome, Mr. President and First Lady Obama

I didn't have time to watch all the festivities today between all the calls and e-mails I was getting from the media all day... but I watched a few moments of the Obamas dancing. What a sight! Michelle looked gorgeous and Obama, quite dashing. It was fun to watch and exciting to think of all the possibilities of a new era. I wish them the best and God speed, happiness, health and strength to solve all the many problems we face in our country.

Obvioiusly the First Lady of Soul hasn't lost that golden voice. It was wonderful to hear Aretha sing, "My Country 'Tis of Thee..."

Let's all have faith in the future and get behind our new president so we can build a stronger America. Good luck, Obamas! God bless!

A Fond and Loving Farewell

I read this transcript of a Rush Limbaugh caller today. I think it's only fitting for me to re-post this today as President Bush leaves office. My sentiments exactly.

I want to bid my commander-in-chief a fond and loving farewell, and I'm probably going to get emotional because, "I want to thank you, Mr. President, George Walker Bush, for keeping us all safe. I can truly say this: You have read those intelligence reports. You know and you have always known the attempts that this enemy has made on our own soil throughout your entire presidency. You truly have protected us. You love our families. You love our sons, our daughters, our nieces, and especially our nephews, as if they were your own, and it's a testament of how you were raised: so humble and so proud. Wealthy or not, you're one of the most humble men, you and your father, that I think this country has ever known."

The Passing of Andrew Wyeth

The passing of one of the 20th century's greatest American artists, Andrew Wyeth, reminds me of my own roots in art - having studied some of his great techniques in art class as a youth. Below is an excellent article and a link to his biography.

Andrew Wyeth's Problematic Legacy: Andrew Wyeth, who died today at 91 at his home in Chadds Ford, PA, was the great problem of American modern art. He was a problem first because he so completely refused to be modern in any terms that the art world cared about or could stomach. Long after it was no longer fashionable or even permissible to practice a flinty, granular realism, Wyeth went on making pictures with the kind of brushwork that specified the world in almost molecular detail. That his technical capabilities were so apparent only made it more annoying to some critics that he wouldn't turn his back on them. Virtuosity of that kind was something that we almost wanted to get off the table, an embarrassing reminder of pleasures that painting had to shed if it was to move forward into the brave new world of Modernism and everything that came after. [more...]

Biography: Andrew Wyeth: A Secret Life by Richard Meryman

What is an "A-Lister"?

You hear it everywhere on tabloid shows - a new rating system they've invented to tell us who THEY think are the most valuable Hollywood so-called "stars" - to influence us to believe these people are greater than they are. When I hear them refer to certain people as "A-listers," sometimes I'm taken aback. What IS this new rating system tabloidists have invented? Is it something political? Are public relations firms PAYING for these so-called ratings? I'd like to know! Because the "A-listers" they chase after and talk about non-stop appear to be average, mediocre people with very little talent, with one differentiating factor: something they've done has caused them to be chased by paparazzi; they're famous for being famous. Do these so-called "A-listers" have any proven track record or any great accomplishments? For the most part, I've observed that those who garner all this attention haven't the accomplishments commensurate with the attention they're getting. So what is this media-driven ratings system? I wonder.

What John Lennon Meant by "Imagine"

I've been a fan of John Lennon's music since I was born. I was intensely inspired by his gift and his incredible way of fusing universal thoughts with gorgeous melodies. To me, he was magical and phenomenal. He inspired me like no other artist. But, as I grew older and more aware, I was astounded by the hate people felt toward him - the resentment, the jealousy. Mostly I was confused and baffled that people could possibly reinterpret his beautiful song "Imagine" to be anything but a positive anthem.

I've thought about it for many years and having read almost every book and article ever written on John Lennon (to a point) - especially about his political problems - I felt I was informed enough to comment on the topic... but, then, right wing and left wing people came along bringing all the divisiveness in our society - and all the arguments and frustration - I'm sure it would be a nightmare for John Lennon, who, in the '70s was frustrated enough to eschew all social, political or financial involvements 'til his untimely death. I just stopped thinking about it. I stopped listening to his music. I stopped feeling his pain and the pain of his assassination. I wanted to find a resolution and could not go on listening to John's words and music until a real solution revealed itself to me.

That solution came today. A friend sent me this wonderful video: a song John Lennon loved and performed ("Stand By Me"), which, I believe, has achieved (via technology) what John Lennon loved, prayed and hoped for in his lifetime. "This globe-spanning YouTube video is inspiring. It comes from 'Playing For Change.' The group provides resources and education to musicians around the world. The goal is to promote peace and connect people through music. This video represents that mission perfectly. A film crew traveled the world with a single song. At each stop they found musicians to play "Stand by Me." The musicians added their own voice and talents to the song. When edited together, it creates a global ensemble." Go here to watch the video now.

They say John Lennon was a political activist... but he wasn't. The words to his masterpiece, "Imagine" have been misinterpreted widely and politicized. There were the billboard events ["War is Over (If You Want it)"] which John and Yoko carried out around the world for their peace campaign... and the bed-ins in Amsterdam when they were married. (In a staged publicity stunt, they used the media's usual hounding of them as an opportunity to campaign for world peace and speak out against the Vietnam War. Later, this would prompt an extensive FBI investigation into the supposed covert, anti-American activities of John Lennon, someone with whom Nixon was growing more and more agitated. But John Lennon was simply using Gandhi's principles and techniques of nonviolent action to express the concepts in his own music.) These ideas represented to me a really practical way to create and use art and music to heal the world.

Watching John Lennon heal himself and thus, heal others through his art, had a great influence on me; because of his brand of raw expression, I underwent a long series of healings that began a year before he was assassinated. Even his death would inspire music in me, just as it caught the imagination of the rest of the world. I wrote a song in tribute to him: "Let's Save the Human Race," based on Yoko's statement: "John loved and prayed for the human race; let's do the same for him."

AMAs: Slick Bods, Great Hair, No Talent

I'm glad I'm not the ONLY one who was disappointed watching the American Music Awards. Here's a blog that pretty much says it all.

Over the past year or two, I rarely even bother to watch these music awards shows any more because they're so annoying and disappointing. Last night I noticed a lot of slick bodies, great hair and makeup, but mostly mediocre talent - or lack thereof. The songs are forgettable; and when they're not lip-synching, they're off key; it's just plain boring and uninspiring. It just seems to be all about fashion, dancing and stripper poles.

From the whiney Rihanna singing, to the tribal dancing Beyonce, to those no-talent Pussy Cat women doing stripper routines with their ass cheeks hanging out... I was annoyed the entire time (I couldn't stomach the whole show). And how about those Jonas kids and their whiney whimpery out-of-tune singing? Too bad these 21st century Beatle wannabes didn't sound as good as they looked. But the biggest disappointment for me was Annie Lennox live - she's such a brilliant singer! What happened to her voice??

I didn't have to watch Miley Cyrus to know what she'd do - she's always the same: annoying. She needs to go to school and learn a few skills and hone her minimal talent. And what was with that eye patch on Rihanna? I was hoping they'd take it off halfway through the song and they did... that was the highlight of her performance. I thought that Natasha was good, but her hair was really irritating to watch with the wind machines blowing it in her face.

All in all, it was totally forgettable and disappointing. No great songs. No great artists to remember.

An Historic Day for America... and a Special Thanks to Our President

I want to join others in offering heartfelt congratulations to Barack Obama on his incredible victory and may God bless him and lead him to help our country overcome its hardships, to face the monstrous challenges that lie ahead. The big thing that is so important in my mind is that Americans divided by race may now have the chance to once and for all heal the wounds of our tainted history... now we can all stand together as American citizens without thought of race. At last, equality is not just a dream, but a reality!

By the same token, I wanted to let President George W. Bush know how much I appreciate all his hard work, discipline and determination. So here's my letter to him:

Thank you, Mr. President, for keeping us safe and sound since 9/11. I am so sorry you've had to suffer such terrible criticism... but I, for one, have enormous respect for and appreciate you and ever since the day I had the privilege to shake your hand at the Talker Magazine convention in NYC right before you ran for President, I have admired you greatly. You looked into my eyes, gave my hand a firm shake, and I knew right then that you were a decent, courageous man and you have not failed me yet! You and Laura brought dignity and class back to the White House... you both will always hold a special place in my heart because you inspired me to vote for the first time in my adult life. --Your American citizen, SF

Here are two wonderful articles that echo my feelings:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122584386627599251.html
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/11/an_election_day_note_thanks_pr.html

Van Gogh's Colors of the Night

MoMA is featuring the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh which focus on the night, sunsets and nocturnal landscapes and interiors. It's a very moving show which features some of his actual letters to Theo and the gorgeous "The Starry Night over the Rhone" and, of course, "The Starry Night," which Don McLean made famous in his song about Vincent. There are paintings in this exhibit I've never seen before such as "Night" (after Millet) and "The Dance Hall in Arles," in which you can see Gauguin's influence. Every time I see Vincent's paintings, I'm so touched to witness up close and personal brush strokes, the effervescence of his colors and the special touches of himself in every painting. Van Gogh is a rock star - the most famous artist to ever live - and that is evidenced by every showing of his work where the lines are a mile long just to get in and how difficult it is just to see the paintings up close. But it's well worth the pain because he himself went through hell to create these paintings in the first place. In his Poetry of the Night, I could imagine him with his straw hat filled with candles struggling with his paints traipsing across the landscapes in the darkness to capture twinkling lights and a beauty all his own.