Post #666

Devil School Girl by Coop

So, I was considering what the topic was going to be for today's blog post. Was I going to finally put up some museum photos? Or would the Christmas festivities get the spotlight? And then I noticed my post total. It was 665 posts.

Well, only a persistent blogger gets to enjoy a 666th post. So, here's a lovely, popsicle-suckin' Coop devil girl to celebrate the event right. ;-)

And how about some music. . .

Space Age Nostalgia

The Jetsons first aired on September 23, 1962.

A couple things have turned my mind to the Space Age over the past few days.

First, today marks 50 years since The Jetsons premiered. Although the original run was just one season, I must have seen each episode multiple times as reruns. I never really loved the show, but it did capture my imagination with its bright mid-century futurism. Yeah, it was a cartoon, but the science fiction tropes of the setting authentically reflected optimistic views of future technology, such as the robotic maid and flying cars.

Well, with fifty years yet to go before we get to the Jetsons' time, we might have robotic servants, but I'm doubting that there will be floating cities and flying cars anytime soon. ;-)

Space Shuttle Endeavour flies over northern Redondo Beach

The second thing that brings up Space Age nostalgia took place last Friday. As the Endeavour flew around the Southland, it seemed to be a bittersweet celebration. The dreams of manned space flight feel so distant, from a different era. Of course, I have no fond memories of the Cold War and living under Mutually Assured Destruction, but the space program seemed like the bright and inspiring silver lining to the long nuclear standoff.

Finally, when Endeavour flew into view, I was so excited to wave goodbye to this old icon. Certainly, I enjoy looking at the images from our robot explorers on Mars or floating through space, but I really hope that a manned space program isn't too far away in the future.

Oh well, there's always our imagination in which to explore new worlds and fantastic situations. ;-)

Judy Jetson, dreaming of a bright future.

Let's listen to some music.

Faraway Thoughts

Marriott Hotel in Torrance

Honestly, my mind just hasn't been up to blogging over the past few days.

But it's a passing state. ;-)

I've been spending too much time looking at the Olympics, reading, and just letting my concentration drift. Let's just say that I'm on vacation.

Some place faraway. . .

Springing into Spring Time

Detail of Irises (1889) by Vincent van Gogh


A Prayer in Spring
(By Robert Frost)

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfil.


Finally, we've made our way past winter, my least favorite season. The cold, the gloom, the lack of flowers, these all drag on me, weighing down my spirit. Writing helps alleviate the heaviness, but I hate the inefficiencies that nag at all my projects.

If I keep on blogging for a series of years, you'll recognize the seasonal pattern. But Spring is finally here!!! And I'm ready to have some fun! ;-)

Detail of Spring (1896) by Alphonse Mucha

So, let's listen to some music.

Stairways to Nowhere

"Like floating sheets of white flame, the stairway ascended into the darkness."

Where does my time go?!!

Well, rather than let another day pass without a post, I'll share a few more photos of stairways. Yeah, this is going to be a running theme here at Paideia, but that's cool with me. I've always had a fascination with stairs.

So, let's kick off our second year's collection of blog posts with some ascending and descending architectural structures. ;-)

"The green serpents take you to Hell, but the stairways. . ."

Fun stuff!!!

Never Gonna Say Goodbye

Detail of cover photo from Natalie Cole's album, Unforgettable. . . With Love (1991)

After a couple dark, haunting art posts, I figured some uplifting songs were in order to brighten up the blog, chasing away the shadows with some catchy grooves. So, taking a look at today's birth date list, I brought away an odd blend of music.

On this date in 1945, reggae legend Bob Marley was born. In 1950, R&B singer Natalie Cole was born. In 1962, Axl Rose, lead singer for Guns N' Roses, was born. And, in 1966, dance-pop icon and viral internet sensation, Rick Astley was born.

That will make for an interesting playlist. ;-)

Image from Rick Astley's video for Never Gonna Give You Up (1987)

Let's listen to some music!

If That's Your Best, Your Best Won't Do

Peter Finch as Howard Beale in Network (1976) delivering the "Mad as Hell" speech


Today is "I'm Not Going to Take It Anymore" Day.

I find it odd how popular culture has such fondness for this scene from Network. In the "Mad as Hell" speech, Howard Beale isn't imparting information or advice to the viewers, but, rather, he is engaged in a pointless rant of enraged demagoguery; he is angry and wishes to vent it in pointless yelling. Whereas he ought to be delivering the News, Beale instead provides fury-laced "info-tainment" of no value.

Yet, many people consider this scene to be inspirational?!! Heck, JG Wentworth financial services even references this scene as a positive model in an especially annoying commercial.

It is as if the cultivation of loud-mouthed discontentment is a civic virtue. It is as if perceived victimization allows one to wear a mantle of self-righteousness. It is the elevation of aggressive self-entitlement over cooperative rationality and the civil resolution of complaints.

Now, I'm not saying that there aren't problems in the world that inspire anger. Rather, I'm saying that rage in and of itself is not an answer to these problems. In fact, blind fury is often an impediment to one's ability to find a lasting resolution to such problems.

Dee Snider of metal band Twisted Sister, noted for the song "We're Not Gonna Take It" (1984)

My point is that happiness is more reliably derived from taking positive actions to make the world into a better place, while anger-fueled self-aggrandizement leads only to failure and further frustration. Moreover, it is best to remember the old saying, "Don't get angry. Get even." ;-)

Between the Sacred Silence and Sleep

Daron Malakian in the video for "Chop Suey!"


Wow! It's already been 10 years since System of a Down released Toxicity. A whole decade!!!

I remember listening to this album when it just came out. The emotional intensity of the lyrics and performance was captivating. Being a long time enthusiast of both heavy metal and alternative rock, these songs captured the best parts of both styles. In the autumn of 2001, I must have listened to this album a hundred times while exercising.

Serj Tankian's voice can be both comforting and harsh. In either case, it's cathartic. I really adore this album.


System of a Down's Toxicity was released on September 4, 2001.


Let's listen to some music.

Shot Through the Heart and You're to Blame

Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet (1986) originally had this planned for the cover art.

Ah, the power of nostalgia. I used to despise Bon Jovi's music back in the day, but, listening it to now, I actually am charmed by the enthusiasm and forthright style of performance and composition. For instance, Livin' on a Prayer has a rich authenticity underlying the cheesiness of Bon Jovi's lyrics. It's an engaging bit of music.

Maybe it's a function of not having to hear it being played on the radio or MTV a zillion times per day. Maybe it's that the "Pop Metal" sound of the late '80s carries positive associations with my youth. Maybe it's because I've grown more sophisticated in appreciating the positive qualities of music regardless of genre or style.

Whatever the case, here's celebrating 25 years of Slippery When Wet.



You Give Love a Bad Name!!!


Killer, Dude!!!

We're Off to Never Never Land

Metallica (Black Album) released in 1991

It's weird to think that it's been twenty years since Metallica's Black Album was released. I was an enthusiastic fan of their previous album, . . . And Justice for All, and was looking forward to this new album. I wasn't a hardcore thrash fan, but I found their style compelling. When the Black Album came out, I was mixed in my assessment.

On one hand, I wanted more of the style that they had developed through their early work. On the other hand, although the style was significantly different, the music was engaging. Twenty years later, I can comfortably say that this was a good record. We can play "What if. . ?" games regarding Metallica's thrash style, but the answer to the "What did. . ?" question is clear: the band changed their style and created a compelling heavy metal classic that would appeal to a more mainstream rock audience.

More importantly, I like it. ;-)

Enjoy!!!