You Might Be a Music Nerd If...
...you hear a symphony on the radio that causes you to war with yourself trying to guess who wrote it. You know that the harmonies and melodies are absolutely Mozartean, but something just sounds off, and ninteenth-century-ish. But the harmonic language is just not ninteenth century! You are driving yourself crazy wondering what it is.
Suddenly you realize it is Mozart, and the thing making it sound nineteenth-century-ish is that the recording is of a large orchestra using modern instruments. You have become so accustomed to recordings using period instruments in period-sized orchestras that an alteration in the shape and number of violins makes even the well-known Jupiter Symphony sound weird and unfamiliar, at least until you hear that thunderbolt figure.
17 March 2009
10 March 2009
04 March 2009
House
I tend to watch episodes of "House" online a week after they come out. Tonight I watched the episode "The Softer Side." Leaving aside the story dealing with the patient, the story dealing with the doctor himself was very interesting. For those of you who aren't familiar with the series, Dr. House suffers from chronic pain, for which he pops Vicodin like candy and which makes him chronically bad-tempered. (spoilers in next paragraph)
In this episode he was cheerful, which made everyone suspicious. It was revealed that he had started a dangerous new course of treatment for his chronic pain: methodone. At first, his friends pleaded with him not to take it, because it could cause him to stop breathing. He refused, because he was free of pain for the first time in years, which made him happy. But at the very end of the episode, he realizes that his happiness caused him to be willing to capitulate to other people, and his willingness to capitulate almost killed a patient. For House this is unacceptable, and he decides to stop taking the methodone, resume his cranky persona, and continue to help people.
It is possible that this is an entirely selfish decision. Cuddy remarks that he needs to have his intellect, because he believes he is nothing without it. However, the lesson remains: House's willingness to suffer in order to better practice his profession means that other people's lives are saved. This is a very Catholic message, and particularly good for Lent. I have noticed other rather Catholic messages in episodes of "House" before--so has Thomas of American Papist, who blogged about "House" for a while, as I recall.
In other news, it took me more than a week to recover from whatever made me sick, and I am still sniffling a bit, but mostly I am none the worse for wear. Also, my grandmother was very ill after her fall, and we were all terrified yesterday when the doctor said she had pneumonia in her left lung, but today she was feeling much better. My mom said she wanted to perform basic hygiene tasks herself, like brushing her hair, and she complained that her food arrived late, which means she is hungry again. Also, she was asking when she will leave the hospital, and what her choices were for an assisted living facility where she will receive physical therapy and aid before she is ready to go home. (Thanks for your prayers, Fr. Z!
I tend to watch episodes of "House" online a week after they come out. Tonight I watched the episode "The Softer Side." Leaving aside the story dealing with the patient, the story dealing with the doctor himself was very interesting. For those of you who aren't familiar with the series, Dr. House suffers from chronic pain, for which he pops Vicodin like candy and which makes him chronically bad-tempered. (spoilers in next paragraph)
In this episode he was cheerful, which made everyone suspicious. It was revealed that he had started a dangerous new course of treatment for his chronic pain: methodone. At first, his friends pleaded with him not to take it, because it could cause him to stop breathing. He refused, because he was free of pain for the first time in years, which made him happy. But at the very end of the episode, he realizes that his happiness caused him to be willing to capitulate to other people, and his willingness to capitulate almost killed a patient. For House this is unacceptable, and he decides to stop taking the methodone, resume his cranky persona, and continue to help people.
It is possible that this is an entirely selfish decision. Cuddy remarks that he needs to have his intellect, because he believes he is nothing without it. However, the lesson remains: House's willingness to suffer in order to better practice his profession means that other people's lives are saved. This is a very Catholic message, and particularly good for Lent. I have noticed other rather Catholic messages in episodes of "House" before--so has Thomas of American Papist, who blogged about "House" for a while, as I recall.
In other news, it took me more than a week to recover from whatever made me sick, and I am still sniffling a bit, but mostly I am none the worse for wear. Also, my grandmother was very ill after her fall, and we were all terrified yesterday when the doctor said she had pneumonia in her left lung, but today she was feeling much better. My mom said she wanted to perform basic hygiene tasks herself, like brushing her hair, and she complained that her food arrived late, which means she is hungry again. Also, she was asking when she will leave the hospital, and what her choices were for an assisted living facility where she will receive physical therapy and aid before she is ready to go home. (Thanks for your prayers, Fr. Z!
20 February 2009
*Coughcoughsniffleblargh*
On Monday morning I woke up with a very bad sore throat and body ache. I immediately thought that it wasn't the flu--I had flu in November, and a cold last month, and this was a much worse sore throat, not accompanied by post-nasal drip. I saw the doctor Tuesday morning, she instantly diagnosed strep throat, did a throat culture (which I never heard the results of), prescribed amoxicillin and suggested a pain reliever/fever reducer as well.
Wednesday, the sore throat started to go away, but I started to have a hacking, dry cough, and by that evening my nose was running as well. Today I have a horrible cough, insistently congested nose, and on-and-off mild fever. I know it's not exactly the worst illness ever, but it's weird because I was really sure I didn't have flu and now it looks an awful lot like flu, except that it's progressing much more slowly than most flus I've had. I mean, not getting a stuffy nose until three days in?
On Tuesday evening, my 86-year-old grandmother fell and broke her hip. She's had surgery, and seems to be recovering ok, but I'm having trouble getting any more information than that out of my parents. My mom actually admitted that she and my grandfather had never spoken to the surgeon--which indicates to me how upset they are by this situation. They must be really worried if they're not up front demanding answers.
To top it off, on Wednesday evening, my husband got into a minor fender-bender in my car. And I have comprehensive exams in six weeks.
It's all pretty minor, everyday stuff in the long run, but it's combining to stress me out. Prayers would be much appreciated.
On Monday morning I woke up with a very bad sore throat and body ache. I immediately thought that it wasn't the flu--I had flu in November, and a cold last month, and this was a much worse sore throat, not accompanied by post-nasal drip. I saw the doctor Tuesday morning, she instantly diagnosed strep throat, did a throat culture (which I never heard the results of), prescribed amoxicillin and suggested a pain reliever/fever reducer as well.
Wednesday, the sore throat started to go away, but I started to have a hacking, dry cough, and by that evening my nose was running as well. Today I have a horrible cough, insistently congested nose, and on-and-off mild fever. I know it's not exactly the worst illness ever, but it's weird because I was really sure I didn't have flu and now it looks an awful lot like flu, except that it's progressing much more slowly than most flus I've had. I mean, not getting a stuffy nose until three days in?
On Tuesday evening, my 86-year-old grandmother fell and broke her hip. She's had surgery, and seems to be recovering ok, but I'm having trouble getting any more information than that out of my parents. My mom actually admitted that she and my grandfather had never spoken to the surgeon--which indicates to me how upset they are by this situation. They must be really worried if they're not up front demanding answers.
To top it off, on Wednesday evening, my husband got into a minor fender-bender in my car. And I have comprehensive exams in six weeks.
It's all pretty minor, everyday stuff in the long run, but it's combining to stress me out. Prayers would be much appreciated.
12 February 2009
Musicology Quotes Part 15 (or thereabouts)
"The rondeau: the earliest-known 'green' musical form!"
On the excesses of postmodernist musical pluralism:
"It's like the bad school cafeteria, where chicken, bell pepper, onion, and rice can become Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Hawaiian, or Indian food just by adding one more ingredient."
"The rondeau: the earliest-known 'green' musical form!"
On the excesses of postmodernist musical pluralism:
"It's like the bad school cafeteria, where chicken, bell pepper, onion, and rice can become Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Hawaiian, or Indian food just by adding one more ingredient."
30 January 2009
Society for Catholic Liturgy Conference
I'm here in Omaha, freezing in the 1 inch of snow (L.A. has made me wimpy), sniffling because I have a cold, and rejoicing because I went to my first FSSP High Mass (complete with FSSP seminary choristers), heard awesome presentations today, and am having dinner with Fr. Rob Johansen this evening, among others. Fr. Johansen has been very kind, giving me rides back to the hotel from St. Cecilia Cathedral, because I am without a car (it's only a mile, so I could walk, but it's cold and I have a cold...so I bum a ride). He also gave a thought-provoking presentation on the liturgy as inspiration to cultural phenomena, taking the Dies Irae as his primary example.
I am cold, I have a cold, and I wish my husband were here with me because I know how much he'd enjoy it. Still, I am enjoying myself immensely. I have to go now, because I'm going to spend a little time revising my presentation for tomorrow, but I hope to have time to give a full report on the conference later. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so there won't be pictures. I wish you could all be here--it is wonderful!
I'm here in Omaha, freezing in the 1 inch of snow (L.A. has made me wimpy), sniffling because I have a cold, and rejoicing because I went to my first FSSP High Mass (complete with FSSP seminary choristers), heard awesome presentations today, and am having dinner with Fr. Rob Johansen this evening, among others. Fr. Johansen has been very kind, giving me rides back to the hotel from St. Cecilia Cathedral, because I am without a car (it's only a mile, so I could walk, but it's cold and I have a cold...so I bum a ride). He also gave a thought-provoking presentation on the liturgy as inspiration to cultural phenomena, taking the Dies Irae as his primary example.
I am cold, I have a cold, and I wish my husband were here with me because I know how much he'd enjoy it. Still, I am enjoying myself immensely. I have to go now, because I'm going to spend a little time revising my presentation for tomorrow, but I hope to have time to give a full report on the conference later. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so there won't be pictures. I wish you could all be here--it is wonderful!
20 January 2009
Prayer Request
Please pray for K., who has been struggling with emotional and mental health issues for over a year now, and to cap it all off has now lost her job. She has great trust and confidence in the Lord, but her faith is definitely being tested. Pray that she will have fortitude, patience, and above all, joy.
Please also pray for Bernard, the father of a friend of mine, who had a massive heart attack on December 23 and is still in the ICU, and for his family who are very worried about him.
Please pray for K., who has been struggling with emotional and mental health issues for over a year now, and to cap it all off has now lost her job. She has great trust and confidence in the Lord, but her faith is definitely being tested. Pray that she will have fortitude, patience, and above all, joy.
Please also pray for Bernard, the father of a friend of mine, who had a massive heart attack on December 23 and is still in the ICU, and for his family who are very worried about him.
28 December 2008
Family and Children
Today is the feast of the Holy Family. Jesus, Mary and Joseph provide the model for all family life--a loving mother and father, a holy and obedient child. This model of family life is under attack in modern times in a way it never was in the past, from parents who neglect or abandon their children, from children who do not honor their parents or care for them in their old age, from people who think that children do not need both a mother and a father, from married couples who decide never to have children, and from society in general that does not value or support true childhood, motherhood, or fatherhood.
In the light (or darkness) of the recent election, and the looming threat of the Freedom of Choice Act, it seems somehow appropriate that the feast of the Holy Family should fall on December 28th this year, a day on which we usually remember the innocent baby boys that were slaughtered on Herod's orders: the Holy Innocents.
This year, because today is a Sunday, the blood of the Holy Innocents is, as it were, washed away by the Holy Family. This can happen in real life, too. Only if we as a society truly esteem and celebrate family life can we ensure that the slaughter of millions of modern innocents in hospitals and abortion clinics around the world will cease. When I was younger, I used to joke about the feast with which I share my birthday, saying that it was a good day to be born a girl, since all the Holy Innocents were boys and Herod's minions would not have come after me. But today's massacre knows no sex--boys and girls alike are killed in their mothers wombs, and in some countries, many more girls than boys fall victim. I don't joke about it anymore. Rather, because of the day on which I was born, I feel a special call to pray for an end to the needless deaths of innocent children. There are many other people who ought to have been turning 24 today, just like me, but who never had a birthday because their mothers thought abortion was the only way out of a difficult situation.
Pray with me. Pray for the intercession of the Holy Family. Jesus, have mercy on us. Mary and Joseph, pray for us.
Today is the feast of the Holy Family. Jesus, Mary and Joseph provide the model for all family life--a loving mother and father, a holy and obedient child. This model of family life is under attack in modern times in a way it never was in the past, from parents who neglect or abandon their children, from children who do not honor their parents or care for them in their old age, from people who think that children do not need both a mother and a father, from married couples who decide never to have children, and from society in general that does not value or support true childhood, motherhood, or fatherhood.
In the light (or darkness) of the recent election, and the looming threat of the Freedom of Choice Act, it seems somehow appropriate that the feast of the Holy Family should fall on December 28th this year, a day on which we usually remember the innocent baby boys that were slaughtered on Herod's orders: the Holy Innocents.
This year, because today is a Sunday, the blood of the Holy Innocents is, as it were, washed away by the Holy Family. This can happen in real life, too. Only if we as a society truly esteem and celebrate family life can we ensure that the slaughter of millions of modern innocents in hospitals and abortion clinics around the world will cease. When I was younger, I used to joke about the feast with which I share my birthday, saying that it was a good day to be born a girl, since all the Holy Innocents were boys and Herod's minions would not have come after me. But today's massacre knows no sex--boys and girls alike are killed in their mothers wombs, and in some countries, many more girls than boys fall victim. I don't joke about it anymore. Rather, because of the day on which I was born, I feel a special call to pray for an end to the needless deaths of innocent children. There are many other people who ought to have been turning 24 today, just like me, but who never had a birthday because their mothers thought abortion was the only way out of a difficult situation.
Pray with me. Pray for the intercession of the Holy Family. Jesus, have mercy on us. Mary and Joseph, pray for us.
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