Category Archives: Psychology and perception

What Mom taught me

I’m very lucky that my mother is still alive, an amazing example. My dad passed away when I was very young, so my family is matriarchal, lucky for us. I only have 3 or 4 solid memories of my father. … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, My mother, Popular music & culture, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mandala: The Beauty of Impermanence

I heard from Larry Beckwith, who is Artistic Producer of Confluence Concerts, that they’re offering something titled Mandala: The Beauty of Impermanence: “Premiering OnlineWednesday,January 27, 20216:30 pm Pre-Concert Chat:Make a Mandala6:50 pm ConcertAvailable untilWednesday,February 10, 2021 onConfluence Concerts’YouTube ChannelCLICK HERE” … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Personal ruminations & essays, Press Releases and Announcements, Psychology and perception, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Beethoven 250: his double life

Composer Ludwig van Beethoven was born in 1770, almost 250 years ago. The Heiligenstadt Testament was addressed to the composer’s two brothers, Carl & Johann, as a last will and testament. Written in October 1802 as the composer approached his … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Saturday morning dream

I had a dream this morning. It started out as a nightmare, that classic things going wrong dream, where you have a show to give or a piece to perform and don’t remember your lines. I was to give a … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception | Leave a comment

Mary Trump’s Too Much and Never Enough

I read Mary Trump’s book yesterday. I couldn’t put it down, and no that’s not just a figure of speech. I confess it did take me past midnight, reading 200+ pages, skipping nothing, re-reading a few key passages. We bought … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Psychology and perception | Tagged , | Leave a comment

An agnostic musing about leadership & talent

As I was tidying my office today, I fell into a book. You know how it is. You open it and are seduced or abducted, suddenly lost to yourself, deep in the book. While Jim Fisher’s The Thoughtful Leader: A … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, University life | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Disturbance in the Force: a Natural Experiment with Audiences

With all the performers, musicians, artists social distancing at home, you might think that this is an opportunity, that they’d be busy singing, strumming, painting…. All that time to create, right? Yet it’s not what I hear on social media. … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Essays, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, University life | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gone With The Pandemic

Last night we watched the first half of Gone With the Wind. The film began at 10:00 pm taking us up to the intermission around 11:30 pm.   Whatever misgivings I have about the story it remains an amazing achievement. What … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, Psychology and perception | Tagged | Leave a comment

Talking to Stacey about fearing fear: Choose Joy

When you have a toothache you go to the dentist. When you’re feeling troubled in spirit where do you go? At times in my life I’ve gone to a psychotherapist or to a church for solace. Live theatre & concerts … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Food, Health and Nutrition, Interviews, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The Lost Karaoke Tapes

I’m impressed. Nicole Lizée has more reason to be pompous & full of herself than any composer or performer I know. But she seems to be totally unpretentious. Exhibit “A”: the piece we saw & heard tonight is called “Karappo … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, Psychology and perception, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments