Words | Trees, Skeptical Optimism, and Selflessness

These two quotes, in combination, do a fair job of summing up my world view.
Martin Luther's reflects the way I am. Nelson Henderson's, the way I wish to be.

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”

~ Martin Luther

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

~ Nelson Henderson

Henderson's family left Ireland during the Great Hunger to settle in Ontario, but the promise of newer lands, free to hard-working young farmers, drew he and his two brothers to Manitoba to the Swan River Valley. He served in the trenches of the Great War, made a farm, married, and raised a large family.

Luther made trouble for the Catholics. Good for him.
 

Words | Dubious Eggs

Ain't it the truth...?

To Miss Wurtz's assesment of his talents onstage—namely, that there were no boundaries to his "possibilities" as an actor—Mrs. McQuat countered with her own little scrap of truthfulness she found in the pages of Middlemarch. " 'In fact, the world is full of hopeful analogies and handsome dubious eggs called possibilities.' "

~ Until I Find You, by John Irving

Images | Pittsburgh

Visual diary of the week in Pittsburgh between Christmas 2011 and New Years 2012.

Images & Sounds | Sita Sings The Blues

Thanks to the great folks over at Fandor for sharing this. 

Turn off the lights, get...relaxed, crank up the speakers, full-screen this baby and please to enjoy...

Find out more about Sita, here.

Images & Sounds | Monster Mask

"Hello. How are we today? A little quiet? I’m feeling a little blue myself. You know, a little anxious for no particular reason. A little sad that I should feel anxious at this age. You know, a little self-conscious anxiety resulting in non-specific sadness. A state that I call blue. Anyway, whenever I’m feeling this way – blue – I like to listen to my music." ~ The Drowsy Chaperone, by Bob Martin

To relieve today's bout of free-floating funk, I've reached out to my two crushes over at Pomplamoose. Please to enjoy...

Images | Death Takes The Stage

I don't know you, Tiago Guedes, but thanks for getting this image out on the Facebook/interwebs:

Anybody track down where this took place and what production it is?

Images & Sounds | Andrew In Drag

I was recently introduced to The Magnetic Zeros by Alex Brandwine, the automation carpenter on our tour. He's a fine fellow and I recommend you take him to breakfast. Anyway, now  The Magnetic Fields pop up on the All Songs Considered blog, a treasure trove of new music. What's with all the excellent magnetism? Please to enjoy this odd video for...

"Andrew In Drag"

Read more about the song and video over at the NPR site: All Songs Considered | Andrew In Drag

Quotes : The Problem With Problems

“The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.”

~ Theodore Isaac Rubin

I love this quote. I never knew it or anything about the quoted, Theodore Isaac Rubin. All of these quotes are things I sorely need to remember. Thanks, Jonathan, for the introduction. You're a mensch. 

Sounds : Susan Johnson

This morning's ear worm is Susan Johnson singing "When The Tall Man Talks" from the original cast recording of Whoop Up! You might not know this singer or this musical unless you have a Ben Whiteley. I do. Having Ben as a friend is pretty much like being on the perpetual upgrade list in life. You should run out and get yourself a Ben Whiteley. But, while you're wainting, please to enjoy Miss Susan Johnson...

 

Uke Love : You Are My Favourite

This morning's ukulele love comes from the delightful Sophie Madeleine. Check here site out here. Listen on Soundcloud here.