In a Reflective Mood, Again

 Reflected through a glass darkly.



Over the past few days, there has been a lot of navel-gazing here at Paideia. Too be honest, those are the easiest types of posts to write, much easier than producing a quality essay or coherent review. Don't worry!!! I plan on putting up posts with greater substance shortly.

I'm just getting back up to speed. One of the problems is that the holidays have not been conducive to going out and doing interesting things, at least things interesting to a general audience of readers. ;-)

Of course, time constraints are also a problem. For instance, today is J.R.R. Tolkein's date of birth, in 1892. I would have liked to write a bit about it, but I guess we'll make do with a few bits of music inspired by his works.

Stop the Clocks!!!

 Triple stop!!! Within a puddle, the stop sign is reflected.



It would have been a bit humorous, after all the bold proclamations of yesterday, if I had failed to put up a post on the second day of the year. Fortunately for my pride, I made it under the wire with a nice “reflection” photo. There is something cool about looking at the world upside down in a body of water.

Anyways, I really thought that I had a bunch of time tonight to write up a full blog post, but somehow it slipped away. If only we could stop the clock, making the hours stretch until we can accomplish all those things that we desire. There are too many movies to watch, books to read, stories to tell, and delights to experience to fit into the leftover time of the day, after the daily grind in finished.

Well, we'll make it work out somehow.

Opportunites Presented by the Calendar

 Perpetual Calendar by Hemisferium (front)

If one is going to undertake a project, then it ought to be worthy of one's best effort. This is especially true for “labors of love” which give no material rewards, providing satisfaction only in having done it well. This is the situation that I find myself facing with this blog. I'm writing here merely because I want to share my thoughts and inspirations with the readers, but haven't been doing it as well as I would like. Therefore, it's time to rededicate myself, to return to a regular rate of blogging, to entertain and inform as best as my time and talent will allow.

With the flip of the calendar, I am presented with a new starting point, an opportunity to get back on track. I'm going to be putting back my old features to establish a reliable rhythm of blogging, from Silly Saturday to Friday Flowers, from Weekly Wraps to Monthly Dance Parties. Moreover, my 365 Photo project will formalize the previously haphazard “Image of the Day” posts upon which I have been heavily relying over the past few months.

At least, this is my intent. This is my resolution. I love writing, playing with words, conveying my experiences through prose and verse, even if they frequently drift to the shade of purple. So, I am again committed, dedicated anew to blogging, compelled to do it properly.

 Perpetual Calendar by Hemisferium (back)

And, hopefully, these words are worthy of you, my darling readers. ;-)

Dancing Ganesh

 Dancing Ganesh, the Lord of Obstacles

Bangladesh, Dinajpur District

11th-12th century

Los Angeles Museum of Art



Starting off my year-long photography project, I figured it would be auspicious to showcase Ganesh, the Lord of Obstacles. I have two reasons for this. First, it stays to the theme set last time, when I featured a few photos of Shiva Nataraja for the New Year, thereby establishing a Hindu spin to the calendar change. Second, since I'm trying to get this blog back into steady production and high quality, it seems only appropriate to honor a being who legend claims can remove difficulties from my path or, alternatively, set obstacles before me that will help me grow as a thinker and writer.

Moreover, although I did not intend for this to be an “Art” blog, featuring artworks has been an essential part of Paideia since I began, nearly two years ago. So, it seems fitting that the first of 365 photo posts features a lovely work from my local museum. Yeah, we'll see plenty of the normal fare, landscapes and still life, scenes from my daily travels.

But, for today, we have Ganesh. And you can't beat a dancing elephant for an interesting way to start a project. ;-)

Ending 2012

Mr. Snowman wishes you all a Happy New Year

Another year comes to an end, but the blogging goes on.

Yeah, there were times in 2012 that I considered closing up shop. My production schedule slowed to such a degree that doing the Weekly Wrap wasn't worth the effort. Likewise, I felt silly putting Friday Flowers back to back to back.

But we're turning the page. With the new year, we have a fresh opportunity to get back into the groove. For certain, there will be more posts, mainly because I'm going to do the 365 Photo challenge, but I'll also make a point of putting up worthwhile essays, reviews, and reports. There are so many awesome things that I experience every day, such magnificence, such excitement.

It seems a shame that so many fine memories of this outgoing year have been left to fade away in my mind, unshared and unreported. It's one of those “tears in the rain” situations, where these inspiring sparks of life's glory go away when I go away, unless I first convey them to my readers. That may sound really self-important, but I feel that we all should share the wonderful tales of our everyday existence, sifting through the dross of routine expectations and finding the special aesthetic moments, like gemstones, that can brighten our lives.

So, hold on to your hats and glasses, 'cause there will be a lot of stories, ideas, images, and memories coming this way. ;-)

Holiday Cheer #3

Happy Holiday Barbie (1993) wishes you a Happy New Year!!!



Although the bulk of the Winter holidays have come and gone, in celebrating the season we are not quite done. Heck, even past New Year's Day, we still have Orthodox Christmas about a week away! There yet remains plenty of cheer to joyfully start off a most happy New Year.

So bust out the brandy and drain the last eggnog. Turn on the tree lights and spark up the Yule log. The winter season has just begun, and, if we must be cold, then let's try to have fun.

Though a Scrooge and a miser and an atheist too, I love festive times just as much as do you. Especially the music, carol and song, it lightens my day, and my spirit makes strong.

Santa puts a beat down on the Thanksgiving turkey!!!



Now, let us listen to harmonies gentle and melodious sounds. And end this dreadful poem which sets into howling the hounds. ;-)

Up and Down, In and Out

Outside of the Long Beach Library, facing Pacific Ave.


Over the next few days, I may not be doing much blogging.

So, have a great weekend.

And wrap up the year with fun times!!!

;-)

Finery of Faberge

Empress Josephine Tiara


No, that is not what I got for Christmas. ;-)

A while back, I visited the Bowers Museum and checked out their exhibit, Faberge: Imperial Jeweler to the Tsars. It was an impressive display of works, not just eggs. The detail of these pieces was awesome, examples of the most amazing craftsmanship. I could have spent the entire day admiring but a handful of the luxurious delights on exhibit.

Sadly, the show is wrapping in a little over a week, on January 6, 2013. So, I figure that I'll share a few photos with you all.

Faberge Eggs


Yeah, it isn't a Faberge show without some eggs.

But there was so much more, from cigarette cases to carved figurines. The spirit of opulence and extravagance that characterized the Tsar's court was brilliantly conveyed.

Holiday Cheer #2

Christmas tree at the Promenade on the Peninsula

I'm not fond of the consumerist elements that have come to define the holiday season. I've gone on that rant many a time since starting this blog. However, I'm fully in favor of anything which promotes goodwill and compassion.

Personally, my favorite element to the season is the music. No, not the jingos that echo through the mall. Not the sappy tunes that ooze from "easy listening" radio stations. Those types of holiday fare are not necessarily bad, but they don't capture my interest like traditional carols, sounds from the centuries past.

So, let's enjoy a few "old school" tunes.

Turkey Time

Turkey with candy tail feathers. Yum!!!


It always annoys me how the seasonal decorations jump straight from Halloween to Christmas, skipping Thanksgiving in the mad rush to fuel consumer enthusiasm. After all, you don't generally sell costumes or gifts for Turkey Day. And, therefore, we go from pumpkins to snowmen overnight.

Well, in defiance of this trend, here's a photo that I took in late November. ;-)

Anyways, we can give thanks for our happy situations regardless of the date. And it's always a good time to have a fine meal.

And music.

Holiday Cheer #1

Celebrating the season with an inflatable puppy and penguin

Well, I haven't much to say today. I think that the long malaise that has been plaguing my health, sapping my energy, may finally be leaving. That makes me very happy.

And, therefore, I'm up for some holiday cheer.

Let's listen to some music.

So You're Keen on Music?

"The Korova milkbar sold milk-plus, milk plus vellocet or synthemesc or drencrom, which is what we were drinking. This would sharpen you up and make you ready for a bit of the old ultra-violence."


I've been sitting a few weeks on some photos from the Stanley Kubrick exhibition at LACMA. However, to celebrate the traditional day upon which we recognize Ludwig van Beethoven's date of birth, I figured that we could post up a couple images from the Clockwork Orange section.

And here's a quote from Alex, while listening to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony:

"Oh bliss, bliss and heaven. Oh, it was gorgeousness and gorgeousity made flesh. It was like a bird of rarest-spun heaven metal or like silvery wine flowing in a spaceship, gravity all nonsense now. As I slooshied, I knew such lovely pictures!"

Well, Alex and I probably experience the music in radically different manners, but I can't disagree with his admiration for ol' Ludwig van. ;-)

Alex's costume from A Clockwork Orange


Let's look at some vids.