...Izee's Thread

[Izee]

...Bach Toccata and Fugue...

https://youtu.be/zhH53UODLEM?si=jd58O7odzlhxUAqy

This is an ASTOUNDING presentation of the work!  We usually hear it performed on an Organ, this is played on a piano, and the graphic background helps one hear the counterpoint and the several voices.  I WISH that the technology to produce this was present back when I was a teenager studying cello at the Conservatory, it would have been entertaining to watch works like this with other Music Majors.  I bet Theory & Composition Majors would have really learned a lot!   

This really is an amazing work by Bach.  I wonder what was going through his mind when he composed and wrote this out.  The opening is SO simple, but challenging, just a 7 note theme that is repeated, I envision it being a question.  And then the ANSWER COMES!!!!

[Izee]

...Karate Katas...

I had a very good impromptu lesson in the Korean Hard Style Karate School I attended for a couple years when I was in College.  I had achieved the 'Yellow Belt' rank that was the 3rd Rank above White Belt, so I had some basic skills and was beginning to be taught more complex Katas.  For those unfamiliar with the term, a 'Kata' is a series of punches, kicks, blocks that are executed one after the other.  A Kata can be short, or in the school I studied in, they could take up to three minutes.

When learning a Kata, you take it very slow at the start, and then get it going faster as your muscle memory kicks in.  Although, even in the VERY high ranks, you practice a Kata very slow so you can study on focusing your punches and kicks and on shifting your weight. 

I had, I thought, mastered an early Kata, and was practicing it on my own at the side of a small matt, there were no classes going on.  I was aware that the 'Shifu', the Master Instructor, and Owner of the Dojo, was watching, and so I did it a couple times.  He came over, and said, "Do it again."  I was EXCITED, I had NEVER had a lesson from him, so I did, and I thought that I did it well.  I finished, holding the final position, and he came over.  He gently shook my shoulder, and intensely said,

..."A Kata is meant to not only show your technique, but to show how you would fight five or six opponents who all attacked you at once.  You are moving fairly well, but, you are treating it as if you are doing a DANCE!  Yes, a DANCE!  And, despite Hollywood and Eastern films, a REAL fight is NOT a dance!  So, when you do a Kata, I want to see you focusing on opponents, and punching, blocking, and kicking as if you are trying to disable each one with one or two punches or kicks!  So, when you practice, IMAGINE that you are fighting a bunch of attackers at one time!"...

He patted my shoulder, and walked away.  I was floored, to say the least, and my mind was whirling, so I went to where we would meditate, and knelt on the mat and held my body straight as I focused on just what he had said, and how that would affect my practice.

It had the effect he wanted, I believe.  Katas became more interesting, as I let my imagination flow as I fought imaginary opponents, and it didn't feel like I was just practicing a dance.  I earned my Blue Belt, and then my Green Belt very quickly.  But, other aspects of life took more importance...one was that I had to take very careful care of my hands so I could play the cello and the piano...trying to play an instrument with sprained or stiff fingers was very difficult.  So, I dropped out when I was learning very advanced martial techniques that you had to master before you became a Brown Belt.

[Izee]

...I have had a bit of problems with an aspect of my personality at times, mainly, that at times I have little respect for Authority.  I had a difficult early childhood, we moved from our home when I was about 4 years old because we got flooded out twice.  So, when we arrived in the new neighborhood, I was the odd child out.  I was bullied, and learned that I could NOT rely on 'friends' when I being bullied, they just took off.  So, I was a 'loner' until I got to College, although I did gather good friends in H.S.

So, I did things 'my way', and questioned authority, I wasn't being difficult, I just wanted to understand why someone wanted me to do something in a particular way.  I figured that since it was MY task, well, I could do it as I wanted to do it.

I did have an amusing experience when I was helping put on a Community Musical, it was Music Man, and the Director wanted me to hire the musicians, since I had done a lot of musicals and knew a lot of musicians.  So, I recruited the musicians for the Pit Orchestra, and the Director was satisfied, and we were set to perform for 6 weekends.

Before the 3rd performance, the Bass Player contacted me, and had to miss that one due to a personal matter.  I figured, "No problemo", I knew 4 other Bass players.  But...NONE were available, they had other gigs or something.  So, I pondered, and thought that another cello might work, but, a cello just doesn't sound like a Bass.  But, when I was pondering the problem after having a couple 'adult beverages', I came up with the ANSWER!!!  So, that weekend, when the Conductor entered the pit, a TUBA was sitting in the Bass chair.  The Conductor stared at me...he had a very 'interesting' look on his face...and I just smiled, held up my hands, and softly said "Best I could do..."

But it went well, the Tubist could 'temper' his instrument, so he didn't overpower the strings, and it went OK.  The Conductor was relieved, but at the end, he did tell me to NEVER SUBSTITUTE an instrument WITHOUT his approval ever again!  I just smiled, looked embarrassed, and promised him that I would never do that again...

...But I did...a year later...

[Izee]

...I REALLY don't think I lied...but...

I had taken on a business client when I was practicing Law that I soon wished that I hadn't...

Well, he was a VERY handsome man, and had a nice business, and I helped him open a new one.  But, he disclosed that he had OTHER business ventures that I hadn't known about, and they were in trouble.  So, I went ahead and signed him up, he had paid me a VERY nice retainer, and I figured that I could get him squared away...and he HAD bought me a VERY NICE LUNCH!   

Well, it was like a door opened and a waterfall poured out, I was spending a LOT of time in Court with him appearing on various lawsuits that had been filed against him.  His name was "Brian B"...(Not his real name)   

So, one morning I was in Court with him, and was in the Hallway outside of the Courtroom, he had gone to get us some coffee.  I could see him approaching with two cups of coffee, and some attorney came up to me, and said, "I hear that you represent Brian B, I need to discuss some issues he had with one of my clients".  The attorney was facing me, Brian was approaching, and I loudly said, "Well, if I see Brian B, I will tell him you are looking for him."  Brian heard me, and apparently knew the man, and did a very precise 'about face' and heading off in the opposite direction.  The attorney looked at me, and then turned around and looked at Brian's retreating back, and looked at me again.  I did my best "Don't know nothin 'bout nothin" look, and the attorney looked at me for a moment, and then walked away.

I had to get Brian to release me from all of his lawsuits, he had no money, and the Partners were all over my ass over the time I was spending on his matters without getting paid.  Brian ultimately filed for Bankruptcy, and, 'sighs', I was a creditor.

[Izee]

The Secularists keep going after Religions, I just read an article where a 'Scientist' said that the Earth may have been terraformed by an advanced alien civilization.  Well, doesn't the Bible mention that the Earth was just formless matter, and then God commanded "Let there be light"...and populated it with animals and life.  Both sound the same, and maybe the 'Aliens' were 'Angels'.  But, even if you believe that Aliens brought life to Earth, well, how were the Aliens created? And how did they learn to create life?

Again, life is a very compelling concept when you try to figure it out.  Just HOW does dirt somehow become organic, and then evolve into creatures who have consciousness? Just WHY would dirt need to become conscious? I think dirt and rocks would feel fine just being dirt and rocks, even in water. 

I have seen articles written by genius scientists who said that they were Agnostic until they REALLY studied life.  They said that when they got down to the molecular level that they couldn't conceive just how matter evolved and became conscious.  So they concluded that SOME OUTSIDE force had been active.

I also do believe that there have been very high level civilizations here on Earth.  Just look at the Pyramids in Egypt and Mexico and Central and South America.  We would find it difficult to construct one, now.  Makes me wonder what happened to them.     

[Izee]

...A picture is worth a thousand...WHAT???

Interesting times we live in, the Dems are making a big issue over a letter that Trump allegedly wrote to Epstein, and published a copy.  Back in the 'good ol days', before computers and WORD, that could be a matter to discuss, especially since it has a 'signature.'  Trump denies preparing it...and it EVEN includes a poorly done outline of a female torso.

Hell, with todays technology they can prepare pretty much everything.  As for signatures, they can be scanned onto anything.  The replies take issue with the signature, saying that it is NOT like his usual signature.  Of course, others point out examples where his signature is different on various authentic documents.  I haven't seen any articles that say that it was actually written by hand.  But, I have encountered people who could easily mimic my signature.  One was an Expert I was deposing, I was trying to get him to ADMIT that a signature is always unique to a person, and couldn't be easily copied.  He pushed a sheet of paper to me, and said, "Write your signature".  I did...and he quickly rewrote it down five times on the paper...and they ALL LOOKED THE SAME!  I said that that talent must be rare, he said yes, like all talents it is rare, but with practice one can learn to mimic a persons handwriting for a word or two.  "But, if I tried to write an article in your handwriting, it would regress to be more like my handwriting."

[Izee]

...Hello Darkness, my old friend........

Here is a performance of the Simon and Garfunkle song by a very intense performer, Disturbed...

https://youtu.be/u9Dg-g7t2l4?si=nWcy8UUxkESADjOM

This song hit me very hard when I was young.  I was heavily involved in music, I practiced the cello and the piano for hours every day in H.S....I actually didn't ever touch a cello until I was a Frosh, and TOTALLY SUCKED FOR TWO YEARS!!!    But something woke up my mind...namely my manic/depressive illness...and during the first manic episode I was a bit out of control.  I didn't need to sleep more than an hour or two a night, and I was full of energy.  I excelled at all of my school subjects, AND practiced the instruments all hours of the night.  I also took long, 3 and 4 hour walks after midnight, once almost halfway up Mt Diablo...getting back in the house as light began shining in the East.

I guess being out at night made the idea of darkness being a friend, people couldn't see me, often if I saw a car approaching I would quickly get behind a car or a bush so I couldn't be seen.  I would also be very deep in my head, and a few times did trip when I just didn't notice that I was coming to the edge of a curb.

I tried to walk when I was depressed, but stooped trying.  I would be so depressed to the point that I had Pscho-Motor Retardation, I just couldn't walk.  Just getting out of bed and to the couch took all that I had, and I had to hold on to something since my sense of balance was gone.

Back then, I don't think that people were aware of mental health issues as they are today.  I was still a 'nice girl' to those around me, but I cut down on socialization.  They got me to an MD, and I believe that they tried EVERY anti-depressant on me before they found something that worked.  I took Trazadone when the depression cycles hit.  I would get the depressive cycle twice a year, and they would last for 2 to 3 months.  They stopped when I hit my forties, and my moods have been fairly stable.

Understanding the illness REALLY helped me.  I KNEW that my mind was just not functioning normally when they arrived, so I could cope with both cycles.  I just tried to tamp down the manic cycles, but actually got to like them!  Not needing to sleep and having a mind that functioned very well and was creative was fun!  And, when the depression hit, well, it was...

...Hello darkness my old friend...you've come to talk with me again...

[Izee]

...Jaqueline DuPre'....

She was an amazing Cellist, and was married to an amazing Conductor, Daniel Barenboim.  Here they are together, and Jackie is performing the Elgar Cello Concerto.  She is the performer who brought out the work, Critics had disliked the Concerto and it was rarely performed.

https://youtu.be/UUgdbqt2ON0?si=34GRIYJqMXZUOJpV

It is a very moody work, Elgar wrote it after WWI, seeing that Europe would never be the same again.  The cello opens the work playing several angry and discordant chords, and then starts a melody, and just trails off...as if losing focus. The violins introduce a very simple melody, that is soothing, and the cello takes it up.  The rest of the movement is very unusual, at times the cello just SCREAMS!!!!

I studied this on my own at Conservatory, my Professor of Cello said that it was a minor work, and not worth trying to master.  Well, the second, fast movement is very difficult, the bow arm and right hand get a real workout, then comes the elegiac part, the cello is sobbing.

Elgar really expressed the feelings of the British after the War ended, and I think that the work is well worth studying for any serious cellist.

[Izee]

   Being a caddie...

I earned pretty good money as a teenager caddying at the country club, a lot more and in less time than babysitting or having a paper route.  And, it was healthy, walking for about four hours on varied terrain while carrying a bag of clubs was good for the legs and the respiratory system.  I got compliments on my legs when I wore short dresses.  *Blush* I saved a LOT of money and bought my 1910 cello with some of it, and had a lot still in savings when I went away to college.

I worked on weekends, and would take the bus at 6:30 am so I could get to the station in Orinda, and then walk the two miles or so to the Clubhouse.  On Saturday mornings, a grumpy old elderly man would come in at 7:15 and solo play 9 holes.  He had been a Founding Member of the Country Club, and he was addressed as 'Doctor'.  The Caddymaster ALWAYS had ME caddy for him, which I did, of course, although he was very CHEAP!!!!  He BARELY paid the usual rate for 9 holes.  I would be sitting on the caddy fence after a round with him with $1.75 in my pocket, rather than three or even four dollars which was the usual payment.

Being stingy also meant that he did NOT want to lose any balls, so when one went way into the rough, I would have to search for it when most players just dropped another ball and continued.  Once, I waded across a small creek to search for his ball, and I found 5 other nice, clean balls, but none were his.  I returned and showed him the balls and said, "I couldn't find yours, Sir, but I found these."  He grunted, and took ALL of the balls out of my hand and put them in his pocket and then got ready to play.  I was struck dumb...I mean...I found them...so they were MINE!...(And good balls cost about $1.50 EACH!!!)...but he TOOK THEM!  But, being a servant, I didn't confront him, I expected that he would increase my pay to compensate me for the appx $7.50 worth of balls I found for him!  I sat my butt back down at the end at the caddie fence with the usual $1.75 in my pocket...

I did complain to the Caddymaster, and he just laughed and said, "Don't show the Doctor any balls you find from now on, that will solve the problem."

[Izee]

...Once, I saved a good friendship by FIRING a guy who worked for me!     I was the CFO of the road construction company, and I took a months LOA to study for the BAR exam...and then a week to recover!     When I returned, the President of the Company had hired a new accountant to add to my staff as an Internal Auditor.  He had finished his enlistment in the Army, he had been a HELICOPTER PILOT, and had done three tours in Vietnam.  He was a very engaging man, and we became friends.  We socialized, and I even bought his small sailboat when he wanted to sell it.

Problem was...he was NOT cut out to be an accountant...   He was smart, but didn't do very well sitting in a small cubicle and using an adding machine all day.  (This was before computers came into the office, you had to WRITE everything down on paper, and punch the keys of the adding machine to get totals.  You also had to WRITE OUT BY HAND financial statements and such!  Yes, you young people, your wrists would get sore from punching the hard keys on the machine!)  So, I was constantly having to coach him on what to do.

Part of his job, as an Internal Auditor, was to go out into the Field and help the Field Accountants and to review their books.  I began getting complaints from the Field Managers that he didn't do much when he went out.  I tried to work with him, but he just got MORE difficult, and the President of the Company was beginning to bust MY chops for his performance.  So, one afternoon, when I was discussing his performance, he got angry...and so did I!  So, I just stood up, and said...

..."I'm sorry, Jim, but this job isn't working out for you, and we can't have that.  So, you are FIRED!  Go ahead and clear out, I will send you one month's severance pay for lack of notice."

I walked out, and in about an hour I saw him walking to his car carrying a box.  I felt bad, but, business is business, he had been hired at a very good pay, and he just couldn't do the important job!

I didn't try to contact him afterwards, I figured that he would be very sore at me.  But, a few weeks later, he dropped by and visited with everyone, and he looked very good.  We did speak, and he said that he got a job flying helicopters for a travel agency, and was making more than I had been paying him, although his Wife wasn't happy about him flying.  He said that she married him when he was flying, and certainly knew what he did, and SHE had been the one who had nagged him into becoming an accountant.  We went and had a drink...it was noon...and he dropped me off at my home that evening.     We didn't do anything improper, we had dinner...and a few more drinks...and talked of other matters.

Gee...flying helicopters    or sitting in a cubicle punching an adding machine  ...two different ways to make a living...it was clear what was best for him.

I ALMOST decided to go to flight school...but didn't.  Flying sailplanes was the extent of my life's experience as a pilot...

[Izee]

...Asking a silly question...

Years ago, when we were in our early 40's, I was feeling my mortality for some reason, and I asked my husband, "Honey, if something were to happen to me, would you get married again?"  I guess I was hoping that he would say something like "No, you would still be with me in my mind, and I would not dishonor my memory of you." 

Well, I got a VERY QUICK answer...

He calmly said, "Of course, I wouldn't want to live alone, it would be boring.  I'd find me a cute '30 something', get married, reverse my vasectomy and have a couple kids to seal the deal, and play tennis with her every weekend."   

I stared at him, open mouthed, and he started laughing and said, "Oh, of course not!  I'd stay an unhappy widower for the rest of my life!"  I got up, and got myself some ice cream, and sat, eating it...and then I started laughing, too.

Some questions should REALLY not be asked...

[Izee]

...Developing FEARS!!!!! 

Funny how our minds can change on simple things.  All my life, I did NOT fear heights.     I flew sailplanes regularly at 3,000 feet, and once took one up to over 10,000 feet, and had no anxiety.  And, the cockpit of a sailplane is very narrow, my hips almost pressed against the edge of the fuselage, and I do NOT have a voluptuous figure.  At the Grand Canyon, I walked to the edge, and leaned over the railing and looked down.  For a few months I worked on the 20th floor of a building of S.F., and often would stand by the large window and look over the City as I pondered a legal problem.   

But, a few months ago, I went to a Lawyers Office in Oakland, and it was on the 25th floor.  I was in the waiting room, and headed towards the large window to look out...and my head began racing and my breathing got quicker and I felt my heart pounding...and so I stopped about 6 feet away, and quickly walked back.  I calmed down, and figured that my mind was not focused, so I headed back...and the same thing happened!  So, I just stayed against the wall that was the furthest from the window.  A few weeks later, I needed to have some tests run at Kaiser, and needed to walk a narrow walkway that connected the offices on the third floor.  I started across, and the SAME THING HAPPENED!!! I got very anxious, and a bit dizzy when I looked to the side and saw the floor below, so I went back. 

So, I told myself, "You've developed a 'fear of heights' all of a sudden, so just keep looking ahead and hold onto the rail."  I did, but was VERY relieved when I got to the other side.  I took an elevator on that side when I was done, I had to walk more to get to my car.

I'm living in a two story house, but I can still go up and down the steps and look out the windows with no problem, so I guess the 'Fear' kicks in at 3 stories. 

Life is so interesting...

[Izee]

https://youtu.be/IVqoc_GOH-0

'Soliloquy' from the Musical Carousel.   

in H.S. I played in the pit orchestra for a Semi-Professional Production of this musical, I was in Hogs Heaven!!!  I mean, I was playing beautiful music in a small pit orchestra in a nice theatre with lovely props and very talented actors and singers!  And...I got VERY GOOD PAY!!!  My private cello teacher had landed me the gig, and I was very grateful.

This particular song really got to me.  The Actor playing 'Billy' was a very handsome man with a very powerful voice.  I got to briefly visit with him during the Intermission, I had gone to the refreshment area, and had talked the seller of fruit punch into giving me a FULL BOTTLE of a nice strawberry soda, and was on my way to the pit to share it with my stand partner.  The seller got to know me, I appeared every intermission, once carrying my cello, saying that we were thirsty but didn't have any money, so he would just hand me a bottle whenever I showed up.   

Anyway, I was hurrying back to the pit, and came face to face with BILLY!!!!  I stopped, and began gushing how much I enjoyed hearing him sing, and that I played the cello, and he smiled, and then somewhat hoarsely said, "I could use some of that", pointing at the bottle.  Well, I didn't resist...I pulled the top off and handed it to him, and he drank almost half of it.  Then, *giggling*, he PATTED ME ON MY HEAD and said that I was a very helpful girl and gave me the bottle back, and went back to wherever he needed to be. 

I almost DANCED back to the pit, and just ignored my stand mate when she complained about most of the punch being gone.  I just said, "I shared it with Billy" and settled down.  During the ending curtain calls, Billy stood at the edge of the stage, and gestured to the Orchestra so that the audience could applaud us, and he looked down at me and smiled and winked...

My stand partner asked, "Ah, did you share anything else with Billy?"  I just giggled and said "Not tellin' nothin'..."   

But, on a serious note, playing this piece took a lot of focus on my part.  I had to make my playing match the mood of the lyrics, and it is a very moody work.  There is happiness, pensive and thoughtfulness, and sadness.  Plus...I knew what would happen when he sang, "I'll try, I'll try', or die!"  and I would get sad.

When performing music, I found that I could express it well when I got my mind to meld with what moods the music reflected.  So, that is why I was often totally worn out at the end of a performance.