Other and better minds than OS are covering the comic opera of Europe in breathless detail. In summation, though, the consensus is: They're screwed. We're screwed, maybe, as well.
It reminds of OS of those ensemble scenes in Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, where everyone simultaneously sings to the audience while the orchestra grinds away, each proclaiming his/her own side of the story; but not one of the characters will actually bother to tell one another the truth of who they are and what they're attempting to accomplish.
Chaos ensues, comic chaos in Mozart's opera, something less amusing in real life today.
It isn't like this obvious sort of unraveling wasn't something unexpected. After all, if government debt is 120% of GDP (Italy referenced here), and yields climb above 7%, well then, you're screwed. The students can riot in the streets, the unions can strike, the religious fanatics can preach, the politicians can speechify forever. The math is the math is the math--it is inexorable.
They're screwed.
Enough about that. We now get to witness the proverbial other shoe drop in our generation, and wonder what will arise to take hold of the situation. And how much of the bill we here on Main Street will foot for the great welfare state experiment of post-1945 Europe.
Closer to home, this has been one of those weeks, one in which OS notices that it has become increasingly laborious to get simple stuff of life done. The firms he has encountered this week, in different industries, all seem to suffer from 'too much work/too few employees' syndrome, or 'internal conflicts of interest' syndrome, or 'failure to think ahead' syndrome, or 'failure to think pragmatically' syndrome.
It's been frustrating. Yesterday afternoon, OS just had to take a break and go for a walk, to calm down. He called a couple of friends who helped restore perspective. It's good to have friends.
Today, he's back in harness, pulling his load into the stiff headwind of the culture of the United States.
No great insights to lend, no news to report, no scandals to incite. OS is simply tired.
One bright spot however, comes from BBC Radio 3 this week. The Choral Evensong from Ely Cathedral was glorious this morning. The broadcast repeats Sunday afternoon, and then in podcast for a week after that.
Showing posts with label BBC3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BBC3. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Monday, December 20, 2010
OldSouth's Christmas List
No, no, no...not a list of stuff he wants. He's got more stuff than he can use, needs to offload some of it, if truth be known. He's overwhelmingly blessed above anything he deserves. Making a list of desired 'stuff' would be, well, crass.
And not a snarky list of things he's like to see happen, like seeing Zimbabwe Ben marooned in Zimbabwe for six weeks...other people do that stuff better anyway.
Rather, OS hopes to make a list of suggestions for a happy, blessed Christmas, here in The New Normal; which, if we take the right approach, could make it a really great Christmas for his readers.
If you live within a drive of a city or university town in the English-speaking world, there is at least one church (usually more) offering really good Christmas music--like performances of Messiah, or Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Avoid the schlock churned out by the evangelicals, all throwaway cheesiness with dramatic sounding titles like 'Bethlehem's Hour' or 'The Sheep Meet The Baby King Jesus'. It's just shit, and is best avoided.
If you're really fortunate, you'll get to attend a performance of of Ralph Vaughan-Williams' Hodie, hands-down one of the best pieces of music produced in the twentieth century.
The good 'organs and choir robes' churches also provide Christmas Eve services. OS hopes you avail yourself of that opportunity as well.
On Christmas Eve afternoon, at 3:00 pm UK time (that's 10:00 am Eastern US, 9:00 am Central US), the great tradition of Lessons and Carols from Kings is heard 'round the world via BBC3.
Many American Public Media radio affiliates carry the broadcast as well.
The Lessons and Carols service is a work of genius. An opening hymn, a bidding prayer, nine lessons from the Bible retelling the story from Genesis through the Gospel of John, nine sung carols. No sermon needed, and one of the most powerful presentations of the Christian message ever devised.
The service booklet is found here. It's a valuable aid as you follow the service.
And, if you'll notice--almost every bit of this glorious Christmas music is offered gratis to the community.
A blessed Christmas to all.
And not a snarky list of things he's like to see happen, like seeing Zimbabwe Ben marooned in Zimbabwe for six weeks...other people do that stuff better anyway.
Rather, OS hopes to make a list of suggestions for a happy, blessed Christmas, here in The New Normal; which, if we take the right approach, could make it a really great Christmas for his readers.
If you live within a drive of a city or university town in the English-speaking world, there is at least one church (usually more) offering really good Christmas music--like performances of Messiah, or Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Avoid the schlock churned out by the evangelicals, all throwaway cheesiness with dramatic sounding titles like 'Bethlehem's Hour' or 'The Sheep Meet The Baby King Jesus'. It's just shit, and is best avoided.
If you're really fortunate, you'll get to attend a performance of of Ralph Vaughan-Williams' Hodie, hands-down one of the best pieces of music produced in the twentieth century.
The good 'organs and choir robes' churches also provide Christmas Eve services. OS hopes you avail yourself of that opportunity as well.
On Christmas Eve afternoon, at 3:00 pm UK time (that's 10:00 am Eastern US, 9:00 am Central US), the great tradition of Lessons and Carols from Kings is heard 'round the world via BBC3.
Many American Public Media radio affiliates carry the broadcast as well.
The Lessons and Carols service is a work of genius. An opening hymn, a bidding prayer, nine lessons from the Bible retelling the story from Genesis through the Gospel of John, nine sung carols. No sermon needed, and one of the most powerful presentations of the Christian message ever devised.
The service booklet is found here. It's a valuable aid as you follow the service.
And, if you'll notice--almost every bit of this glorious Christmas music is offered gratis to the community.
A blessed Christmas to all.
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