Friday, December 24, 2010
OldSouth Wishes One And All A Merry Christmas: Jessye's Carol At Ely Cathedral
O God, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thy only son, Jesus Christ: Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him, when he shall come to be our judge; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols From King's College Cambridge
Christmas arrives for OS on Christmas Eve morning (since he first heard the service in 1980), with the broadcast of The Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols from King's.
It begins with one boy's voice, singing in the silence:
'Once in royal David's city, stood a lowly cattle shed...',
as humble and understated an event as the Incarnation itself.
Quietly, and with that calm British dignity, the story is read from scripture, the carols are sung, from Genesis to the first chapter of John's gospel. Few experiences are more moving than to sit still and listen to the story told in this manner.
This week, OS ruminated over the past decades of Christmases from 1980.
Some of those years were very good, some incredibly dark. Some years, it was that ninety minutes on Christmas Eve that kept him going. The events of the past thirty years have arrived to this Christmas, with OS's hopes and fears so overwhelmingly met that words fail. The story can't be told for decades yet. But it does find a parallel in the story told at King's.
Merry Christmas, ya'll, wherever Christmas finds you this year. It's a privilege to know that a few folks around the world read his scribbles and benefit from them.
The link to access the webcast is here.
3:00 pm GMT BBC Radio 4
In the US:
10:00 am Eastern
9:00 am Central
8:00 am Mountain
7:00 am Pacific
It begins with one boy's voice, singing in the silence:
'Once in royal David's city, stood a lowly cattle shed...',
as humble and understated an event as the Incarnation itself.
Quietly, and with that calm British dignity, the story is read from scripture, the carols are sung, from Genesis to the first chapter of John's gospel. Few experiences are more moving than to sit still and listen to the story told in this manner.
This week, OS ruminated over the past decades of Christmases from 1980.
Some of those years were very good, some incredibly dark. Some years, it was that ninety minutes on Christmas Eve that kept him going. The events of the past thirty years have arrived to this Christmas, with OS's hopes and fears so overwhelmingly met that words fail. The story can't be told for decades yet. But it does find a parallel in the story told at King's.
Merry Christmas, ya'll, wherever Christmas finds you this year. It's a privilege to know that a few folks around the world read his scribbles and benefit from them.
The link to access the webcast is here.
3:00 pm GMT BBC Radio 4
In the US:
10:00 am Eastern
9:00 am Central
8:00 am Mountain
7:00 am Pacific
First White Christmas Since 1993 On The Way To Middle Tennessee!
OS plans to hunker down. This could be quite something. Conditions are developing for a real snowfall.
There had been plans earlier in the year to visit friends in the UK this week--blessedly canceled, considering the chaos winter has created there. We could have traveled over into one blizzard and home to another. Hunkering down seems like the better option. Oh to be a kid again, with a sled, a dog, a long hill, and the fearlessness of youth. Christmas 1969 was magical.
From National Weather Service:
..POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR FIRST MEASURABLE SNOWFALL ON CHRISTMAS IN
17 YEARS...
A STORM SYSTEM CURRENTLY IN THE SOUTHWESTERN STATES WILL MOVE INTO
THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES THIS WEEKEND INCLUDING MIDDLE TENNESSEE.
MOISTURE WILL BE DRAWN NORTH AHEAD OF THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM AS
COLDER AIR SINKS SOUTHWARD. A MIX OF SNOW...SLEET AND RAIN IS
EXPECTED FRIDAY NIGHT...WITH SNOW CONTINUING INTO SATURDAY NIGHT.
AT THIS TIME...AN ACCUMULATING SNOW IS EXPECTED WITH UP TO TWO
INCHES OVER MOST PARTS OF THE MID STATE AND UP TO THREE INCHES
ALONG THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU BY LATE SUNDAY. SINCE THIS EVENT IS
STILL TWO TO THREE DAYS AWAY...UNCERTAINITY REMAINS IN THE
EVENTUAL TRACK OF THE STORM SYSTEM AND SNOW AMOUNTS.
PEOPLE PLANNING TRAVEL ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS DAY...MAY
WANT TO CONSIDER TRAVELING EARLIER...PERHAPS THURSDAY OR EARLY FRIDAY
AS IT APPEARS THE WINTRY PRECIPITATION COULD BEGIN IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE
AS EARLY AS FRIDAY AFTERNOON...AS ROAD CONDITIONS WILL LIKELY DETERIORATE
QUICKLY ONCE THE SNOW BEGINS.
THERE HAVE BEEN ONLY NINE CHRISTMASES WITH MEASURABLE AMOUNTS OF
SNOW SINCE SNOWFALL RECORD KEEPING BEGAN IN NASHVILLE BACK IN THE
WINTER OF 1884 AND 1885. THE LAST TIME MEASURABLE SNOW FELL ON
CHRISTMAS DAY IN NASHVILLE WAS IN 1993 WHEN THREE TENTHS OF AN
INCH WAS MEASURED. TRACE AMOUNTS OF SNOW FELL ON CHRISTMAS IN
2002. STATISTICALLY THERE IS ONLY A 7 PERCENT CHANCE OF MEASURABLE
SNOW ON ANY GIVEN CHRISTMAS. THE MOST SNOW EVER TO FALL ON
CHRISTMAS IN NASHVILLE IS 2.7 INCHES IN 1969.
There had been plans earlier in the year to visit friends in the UK this week--blessedly canceled, considering the chaos winter has created there. We could have traveled over into one blizzard and home to another. Hunkering down seems like the better option. Oh to be a kid again, with a sled, a dog, a long hill, and the fearlessness of youth. Christmas 1969 was magical.
From National Weather Service:
..POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR FIRST MEASURABLE SNOWFALL ON CHRISTMAS IN
17 YEARS...
A STORM SYSTEM CURRENTLY IN THE SOUTHWESTERN STATES WILL MOVE INTO
THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES THIS WEEKEND INCLUDING MIDDLE TENNESSEE.
MOISTURE WILL BE DRAWN NORTH AHEAD OF THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM AS
COLDER AIR SINKS SOUTHWARD. A MIX OF SNOW...SLEET AND RAIN IS
EXPECTED FRIDAY NIGHT...WITH SNOW CONTINUING INTO SATURDAY NIGHT.
AT THIS TIME...AN ACCUMULATING SNOW IS EXPECTED WITH UP TO TWO
INCHES OVER MOST PARTS OF THE MID STATE AND UP TO THREE INCHES
ALONG THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU BY LATE SUNDAY. SINCE THIS EVENT IS
STILL TWO TO THREE DAYS AWAY...UNCERTAINITY REMAINS IN THE
EVENTUAL TRACK OF THE STORM SYSTEM AND SNOW AMOUNTS.
PEOPLE PLANNING TRAVEL ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS DAY...MAY
WANT TO CONSIDER TRAVELING EARLIER...PERHAPS THURSDAY OR EARLY FRIDAY
AS IT APPEARS THE WINTRY PRECIPITATION COULD BEGIN IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE
AS EARLY AS FRIDAY AFTERNOON...AS ROAD CONDITIONS WILL LIKELY DETERIORATE
QUICKLY ONCE THE SNOW BEGINS.
THERE HAVE BEEN ONLY NINE CHRISTMASES WITH MEASURABLE AMOUNTS OF
SNOW SINCE SNOWFALL RECORD KEEPING BEGAN IN NASHVILLE BACK IN THE
WINTER OF 1884 AND 1885. THE LAST TIME MEASURABLE SNOW FELL ON
CHRISTMAS DAY IN NASHVILLE WAS IN 1993 WHEN THREE TENTHS OF AN
INCH WAS MEASURED. TRACE AMOUNTS OF SNOW FELL ON CHRISTMAS IN
2002. STATISTICALLY THERE IS ONLY A 7 PERCENT CHANCE OF MEASURABLE
SNOW ON ANY GIVEN CHRISTMAS. THE MOST SNOW EVER TO FALL ON
CHRISTMAS IN NASHVILLE IS 2.7 INCHES IN 1969.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Nile Gardiner Says It Best: Obama As The Anti-Reagan
Sometimes, it takes a view from overseas to confirm what we dare not tell ourselves.
With Barack Obama there appears to be no great moral cause which drives his foreign policy, no overarching strategy for enhancing American global power, no concept of a global war against Islamist militants, and no desire to strengthen America’s defences. In fact Obama’s approach to international affairs is the exact opposite of Reagan’s. It is based upon a naïve belief that America’s enemies can be won over through “engagement” rather than confronted with maximum strength, and that US security can be advanced by making major concessions. Obama’s extending the hand of friendship to Iran, and his drive to sign a New START Treaty with Moscow which gives the Russians a say over America’s missile defence plans are perfect examples.
Jesse recalls words from a distance of over four decades, the words of Bobby Kennedy.
It is not realistic to solve problems and take action unguided by ultimate moral aims and values, although we all know some who claim that it is so. In my judgement, it is thoughtless folly. For it ignores the realities of human faith and of passion and of belief; forces ultimately more powerful than all the calculations of our economists or of our generals. Of course to adhere to standards, to idealism, to vision in the face of immediate dangers takes great courage and takes self-confidence. But we also know that only those who dare to fail greatly, can ever achieve greatly.
Both posts within one-half hour of one another, authors five time zones separated from the other.
Any questions?
With Barack Obama there appears to be no great moral cause which drives his foreign policy, no overarching strategy for enhancing American global power, no concept of a global war against Islamist militants, and no desire to strengthen America’s defences. In fact Obama’s approach to international affairs is the exact opposite of Reagan’s. It is based upon a naïve belief that America’s enemies can be won over through “engagement” rather than confronted with maximum strength, and that US security can be advanced by making major concessions. Obama’s extending the hand of friendship to Iran, and his drive to sign a New START Treaty with Moscow which gives the Russians a say over America’s missile defence plans are perfect examples.
Jesse recalls words from a distance of over four decades, the words of Bobby Kennedy.
It is not realistic to solve problems and take action unguided by ultimate moral aims and values, although we all know some who claim that it is so. In my judgement, it is thoughtless folly. For it ignores the realities of human faith and of passion and of belief; forces ultimately more powerful than all the calculations of our economists or of our generals. Of course to adhere to standards, to idealism, to vision in the face of immediate dangers takes great courage and takes self-confidence. But we also know that only those who dare to fail greatly, can ever achieve greatly.
Both posts within one-half hour of one another, authors five time zones separated from the other.
Any questions?
A Christmas Gift To Give Yourself: The King's Singers Christmas Special With Mormon Tabernacle Choir
You can purchase it here.
OS has had the joy of hearing The Kings Singers in person several times over the past few years, and nominates them for the Green Shoots Award for 2010.
They sing flawlessly, with enough confidence to record a live album at Cadogan Hall in London this month, and sell it hot off the CD duplicator to the audience in attendance. That requires truckloads of chutzpah in this age of manufactured studio recordings. You can buy that one here.
It isn't just the flawless singing, across every musical genre, from Renaissance to avant-garde to Beatles and jazz--it's the joy and goodwill they exude. After every concert, they stand on their feet for another hour and talk with any and all in the lobby afterward, patiently answering the same questions, spreading good cheer, signing programs and CD's, having their pictures taken, etc. etc. etc. All gladly done, and in many ways, the best part of the event for the audience.
OS had heard the group as they were in the throes of preparation for the Mormon Tabernacle special, which involved several journeys to Utah. They were excited about the project, and tonight, OS heard why. It was just...glorious. Not just their singing, but the whole event.
So, this one gets bought for the family collection, even though it arrives next week.
If any of OS's readers are within any reasonable drive of a Kings Singers concert--don't deny yourself the joy of hearing them. The entertainment industry has been sucking the culture dry for decades. These guys add value back in, everywhere they go.
Their website, and a jolly good one it is, is here.
OS has had the joy of hearing The Kings Singers in person several times over the past few years, and nominates them for the Green Shoots Award for 2010.
They sing flawlessly, with enough confidence to record a live album at Cadogan Hall in London this month, and sell it hot off the CD duplicator to the audience in attendance. That requires truckloads of chutzpah in this age of manufactured studio recordings. You can buy that one here.
It isn't just the flawless singing, across every musical genre, from Renaissance to avant-garde to Beatles and jazz--it's the joy and goodwill they exude. After every concert, they stand on their feet for another hour and talk with any and all in the lobby afterward, patiently answering the same questions, spreading good cheer, signing programs and CD's, having their pictures taken, etc. etc. etc. All gladly done, and in many ways, the best part of the event for the audience.
OS had heard the group as they were in the throes of preparation for the Mormon Tabernacle special, which involved several journeys to Utah. They were excited about the project, and tonight, OS heard why. It was just...glorious. Not just their singing, but the whole event.
So, this one gets bought for the family collection, even though it arrives next week.
If any of OS's readers are within any reasonable drive of a Kings Singers concert--don't deny yourself the joy of hearing them. The entertainment industry has been sucking the culture dry for decades. These guys add value back in, everywhere they go.
Their website, and a jolly good one it is, is here.
QE2: Central Banks Around The World Begin Quietly Heading For The Exits
It had to happen, sooner or later.
It is evident, with the wholesale printing of money by the Fed, Harry Reid's attempt to bend the culture over the table with a 2000 page omnibus spending bill, and all those WikiLeaks cables circulating: There are no grownups in charge in Washington.
Yet.
So, our creditors are beginning to do what all prudent investors do: Get out of town while they can.
All that hot cash gotta land somewhere. Oil/gas/gold/silver/soybean/wheat/rice price spikes, anyone?
Thanks, Barry.
Thanks, Ben.
Thanks, Congress.
It is evident, with the wholesale printing of money by the Fed, Harry Reid's attempt to bend the culture over the table with a 2000 page omnibus spending bill, and all those WikiLeaks cables circulating: There are no grownups in charge in Washington.
Yet.
So, our creditors are beginning to do what all prudent investors do: Get out of town while they can.
All that hot cash gotta land somewhere. Oil/gas/gold/silver/soybean/wheat/rice price spikes, anyone?
Thanks, Barry.
Thanks, Ben.
Thanks, Congress.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Thomas Hardy 'The Oxen': Christmas In Our Time
If you have the privilege of attending a performance of Vaughan-Williams' Hodie,
you will be surprised to experience that the piece's central moment occurs several minutes before its conclusion, when the baritone sings the wonderful setting of Thomas Hardy's poem, 'The Oxen'.
Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.
We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen.
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.
So fair a fancy few believe
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve
“Come; see the oxen kneel
“In the lonely barton by yonder comb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.
It is often intoned that we live in an age of skepticism, a 'post-modern' age, an age of disbelief.
OS begs to differ. He thinks we live in an Age of Disappointment. So much technical progress, so little human progress, so many utopian dreams gone so tragically wrong.
We hear the Song of the Angels, see the images of the Holy Family at the creche, hear the promise of outrageous grace offered us in that child, and so many of us head the other direction, away from the manger. We'll not get taken in this time, thank you. It's too good to be true, and we've learned not to play the sucker.
But, the question lingers: What if, hope against hope, it is all true? If God showed up as one of us, then that has to change our view of things.
This is what Thomas Hardy captured so succinctly, and what Vaughan-Williams set to music so sensitively.
And, here we all are, hoping it might be so.
OS's hope this Christmas is that we will all 'go with him in the gloom', run toward the manger instead of away from it. Our hope lies there, and nowhere else.
you will be surprised to experience that the piece's central moment occurs several minutes before its conclusion, when the baritone sings the wonderful setting of Thomas Hardy's poem, 'The Oxen'.
Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.
We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen.
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.
So fair a fancy few believe
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve
“Come; see the oxen kneel
“In the lonely barton by yonder comb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.
It is often intoned that we live in an age of skepticism, a 'post-modern' age, an age of disbelief.
OS begs to differ. He thinks we live in an Age of Disappointment. So much technical progress, so little human progress, so many utopian dreams gone so tragically wrong.
We hear the Song of the Angels, see the images of the Holy Family at the creche, hear the promise of outrageous grace offered us in that child, and so many of us head the other direction, away from the manger. We'll not get taken in this time, thank you. It's too good to be true, and we've learned not to play the sucker.
But, the question lingers: What if, hope against hope, it is all true? If God showed up as one of us, then that has to change our view of things.
This is what Thomas Hardy captured so succinctly, and what Vaughan-Williams set to music so sensitively.
And, here we all are, hoping it might be so.
OS's hope this Christmas is that we will all 'go with him in the gloom', run toward the manger instead of away from it. Our hope lies there, and nowhere else.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Let No Good Deed...(In Maryland)...
...go unpunished.
Looks like any idiot can qualify for a gun-and-badge these days.
This idiot never stopped to consider that his victims might tell their story to the local CBS affiliate.
Looks like any idiot can qualify for a gun-and-badge these days.
This idiot never stopped to consider that his victims might tell their story to the local CBS affiliate.
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.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
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