We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
9:28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.
9:29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.
9:30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.
9:31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
9:32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.
9:33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" -- not knowing what he said.
9:34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.
9:35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!"
9:36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
9:37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him.
9:38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child.
9:39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him.
9:40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not."
9:41 Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here."
9:42 While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
9:43a And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
That is the with-gravity motion that follows the lift or push. It can be almost an isometric stress and, with weight, stress is good so resisting gravity both ways makes better use of your time. Slower is better.
Depending on what you want to hear, sound quality matters a lot. For background sound, or podcasts, it doesn't matter much.
For focusing on ambitious music, it does matter to me. Another factor is choices of music. I like to pick a CD, or sometimes even vinyl. If I am in the mood to hear Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony, Can I do that with wireless?
The expert's conclusion: ... the best working speaker system will always be wired speakers. Their ability to transfer massive amounts of sound data physically from source to device without any interruptions will always put them at the top of the list. Just be sure to invest in a good set of amplifiers and speakers to complete the whole system for the highest quality sound.
I also want to mention that I feel the idea of surround sound is silly.
I have always felt that the most wonderful people are those who make their own music at home. Voice, piano, violin, guitar - whatever.
When I was a kid my Dad was always working on Mozart on the pianny. It used to be the only time I would hear "Damn, damn, damn" from him. Like him, no talent but much desire.
Music in enchanting for me, but not as background sound. Furthermore, I am slow to get it. I need to listen to a piece many times to learn what it seems to be about. Many decades ago, I felt that weed really helped me get the idea of listening to music and it was a help. Reading about it too.
Anyway, I am long past weed but sometimes like to listen to music at night as a break from reading. However, wifi music is not good enough. I use CDs, a good amp, and fancy speakers. Problem is now that Mrs. BD's decorator friend does not want wires around. Too late to re-wire the house. What to do?
Made it to Swan Lake and other Balanchine things at NYCB yesterday. Mrs. BD was enthralled, so that's good.I love the live music. I told her that I was sorry that I still, after all of these years, could not differentiate NYCB from the San Francisco Ballet. She said "Even you can tell great from just OK."
They were sold out, of course. All ages. Yes, we missed Sara Mearns. That will have to be next time, but all perfect enuf for me. By this time I should understand dance, but it eludes me. It is one of many flaws.
If you listen to our WW2 posts, you will learn that Craps was a popular pastime among soldiers. They played street craps of course, not bank (aka casino) craps.
6:27 "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
6:29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.
6:30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.
6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
6:32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
6:33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
6:34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
6:35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven;
6:38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
Alexander Joseph Bohen, Sergeant US Army, World War 2 (DOB: 6 APR 1925, Hometown: Brooklyn, NY)
He recalls England, where the Brits hated the Yanks: "Overpaid, over-fed, over-sexed, and over here." A tough guy, took it all in stride in the fight. I recommend.
NYC Set
Image via P'line's