The Ballad of Thistle Blink

View this clip on Vimeo

I just found a cool site called vimeo.com that lets anyone upload video files to the web for free. This clip is a short piece I did for Open House last year. It stars one of my classroom pets, an australian bearded dragon my students named Thistle Blink.

The Brothers Grimm

It could have been one of the creepiest movies I've ever seen, if it didn't have Matt Damon. The big MD in a movie spells big time hokey. The movie was really inconsistent and disjointed, but it definately had its moments. Moments that drew you in, evoking wonder and fear, culminating in some pretty shockingly gruesome details. Overally, the movie created a world of powerful fears without any redemptive hope or grace. It did have the "required" happy ending. Makes sense as it was directed by Terry Gilliam.

The upside is that my interest is now peaked in the real Bros. Grimm. Two wild and crazy guys they were not! They sat at home day in and day out studying law, the German Language, writing dictionaries, and working for German unification. Oh, yeah...they also invited the middle class over to tell them all the stories that were told to them by their nannies and grandmas which they would write down and then edit in order to find (or some would say "craft") the "pure" German folk tradition. The Grimm's stylistic reworkings have become the formulas for what we look for in a fairy tale, but as a smart guy named Zipes says, they are definately "contaminations."

Compared to the Disney versions, the Grimm tales are definately darker and more gruesome. But, it seems that the two brothers, who were brought up Calvinst, actually toned down the original tales.

So far, I've only read three tales, but one scene from a story you will probably know sticks out. It's the one where the princess kisses the frog because he retrieved her golden bauble from the well. One kiss and the frog turns into a prince. Well, in the Grimm version, she doesn't kiss him. She gets sick of him after he has hung out with her all day, and she throws him against the wall in a fit of rage. A bit harsh, but it does lift the spell, and they live happily ever after.

Tuesday's Espresso Report

After just one more day and using just a slightly coarser grind (and maybe a bit higher temp. during the pour) my cup of Yemen this morning was much much better. Super full body (ton o' crema) and great flavors with a fine aftertaste. Can't wait till tomorrow.

A Good Monday Morning

Woke up on time (before 5:30) with pleasant weekend memories.
Put on running shoes, dumped the garbage under the morning stars, and then drove to the trail and went running.
Came back for a first taste of newly roasted coffee -- Yemen Ismali (needs a day or two of rest, plus a different grind, not sure if it needs to be finer or more coarse)
Rocked out to some Kyuss grooves on the way to school.
Then found a sweet quote on my Einstein desk calendar:
"Pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgment in all human affairs."
It's the smart man himself. It must be true. At least Gandalf would agree.

Neighborhood Quote of the Week

Overheard my neighbors last night, while out in my backyard.

"You have THREE seconds to come turn this computer off, or I'm pulling the plug from the wall! And, you KNOW that's what makes them never work again!"

Free entertainment, that's what I call it.

Powder into Jelly

Got up at 5:30 (definately need a shot o'brazillian fazenda before running) in order to go running at 6 with the Munkee in the neighborhood canyon (I love that I can say that in sunny La Habra).
Wore my new New Balance runners. Hope they make a difference. Can't really tell, yet.
The canyon is all dark and moody at the start, and then everything lighten's up by the time we get back to the.. [Geeze! Did you hear that thunder?! There is a rockin' cloud concert going on up in the sky right now.] ...car.
I was going to write more about running, but I cannot believe the rain and thunder that is coming down right now. It's fricken' September! What is that about?
Anyways...I guess the canyon's going to need a dry out, so it's back to the pavement, or better yet, back to sleeping in! Yessssss.

He Knows his Stuff

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
-(Beatles song probably everyone already knew about but me. My guitar teacher's teachin' it to me.)