Tag Archives: Loreena McKennitt

Pontificating for fun and profit….

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Ffolkes,

“The secret of Happiness is Freedom, and the secret of Freedom, Courage.”

~~ Thucydides ~~

impatient

Super Pom, on a mission from god….

Hajime…. If the science of meteorology has advanced to a point of reliability, today’s heat, again up into the mid-nineties (Fahrenheit, thankfully; if it were 90º C, we’d all be in serious trouble), will fade tomorrow, retreating for the next week into the low-to-mid-80’s. Since weather is one of those things we all pay attention to, but, have trouble accepting, I’d like to be the first to acknowledge, there isn’t much that we can actually DO about it, but, learn to enjoy it, no matter how it may otherwise feel about it. Feelings, after all, will not alter anything but our own attitudes….

Now we’ve cleared that up, with just a smidgen of smarmy curmudgeonry at the end, let’s move on to items of interest which may prove to be more amenable. It can’t be any less so, can it? No, didn’t think so. I realize it’s poor technique to retreat into such triteness so early in the day, but, try as I might, I couldn’t think of anything better. Some days ya got it, some days ya don’t. Since which of those we’ve seen thus far today is patently clear, I think it best if we just move on, pretending we’ve never seen that, and it didn’t happen.

Gosh, look at this! Three paragraphs in, & we haven’t actually said ANYTHING. Neither have I, for that matter. To avoid the conundrums which would otherwise naturally occur in such instances, I shall employ a heavy degree of pontification, combined with some sly misdirection, to get us out of what is turning, rapidly, into an unrecognizable pile of rubbish. Well, unrecognizable by any relevant authority, anyway. For us, it’s just the way it is, and, we’re pretty good at letting reality enforce its own policy standards. We have to be; one doesn’t reach such tender years without learning THAT one….

But, such frankness, in this situation, is indulgent, and could conceivably be actionable, under the proper conditions. Rather than test the truth of that, le’s do this, instead….

Shall we Pearl?….

“The old patterns of the hero’s quest still hold true.
The latest incarnation of Oedipus
is standing at the corner of 5th Avenue and 42nd Street
waiting for the lights to change.”

~~ Joseph Campbell ~~

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loreena

Since discovering this artist some months ago, I’ve become rather attached to her music. I find myself listening to this concert a couple times a week, just for the joy of hearing her ensemble, and her voice, both of which attained near-perfection on this occasion. I hope it provides y’all with some of what I find in it, for it is a grand feeling, I can attest…..

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Loreena McKennitt
Nights from the Alhambra

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Comedy_Tragedy

After the odyssey….

Portraits of iconic symbols, crashing, singing, forgotten;
evolving into mature innovation, as yet pale, and rotten.
Still water justly breeds, impenetrable primal verses resound;
unholy moments tarry, emotion swirls in passion unbound

Spiritual ovulation precedes each pregnant pause;
gravid, time moves on, following destiny’s cause.
Cast adrift on waves of confusion, to a final, damp landing;
salvation beckons sweetly, fed well on understanding.

Dreams directly fall, in night’s grey bower, unbidden;
lingering flavors in simple taste, lovingly, cleverly hidden.
Childish laughter sounds, joyful, bright, and clear;
no need ever to hide, no more monsters to fear.

Temper most foul arrives under unregistered mail;
forgotten taunts live on, lashed by an ancient flail.
Plain dealing delivers such lasting specks of honest hate;
savage in retrospect, never hasty, always running late.

Forever, cries an ambient lover of the pending night;
his pale, weak issue forms its own failing light.
Still, fortune favors such as those who apprehend;
Sweet love of Gaia, let it never end.

~~ gigoid ~~

3/10/2013

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Pathways are not always clearly marked….

*******

“Remember what the dormouse said…
FEED YOUR HEAD…”

~~ Grace Slick ~~

*******

“One’s action ought to come out of an achieved stillness;
not to be a mere rushing on.”

~~ D. H. Lawrence ~~

*******

“An it harms none, do what thou will.”

~~ Wiccan Credo ~~

*******

“A little Madness in the Spring
Is wholesome even for the King.”

~~ Emily Dickinson ~~

*******

“Virtues are acquired through endeavor,
Which rests wholly upon yourself.
So, to praise others for their virtues
Can but encourage one’s own efforts.”

~~ Nagarjuna (c. 100-200 AD) ~~

*******

“He bids fair to grow wise who has discovered that he is not so.”

~~ Publius Syrus — Maxim 598 ~~

*******

“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.”

~~ Philip K. Dick ~~

*******

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Hmm…. All things considered, that went pretty well. It’s done, anyway, so, I’ll refrain from getting into the same sort of amorphous wandering we found in the intro, & end this before it can get away again. I will, if my efficiency at dealing with the heat allows, be back tomorrow, to try, once more to get this just right…. I don’t know what I’d do if it ever does, but, I’m willing to find out…. See ya, ffolkes; stay strange. If naught else, it FEELS really good….

Y’all take care out there,
and May the Metaphorse be with you;
Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy
and everyone else, too…

When I works, I works hard.
When I sits, I sits loose.
When I thinks, I falls asleep.

Which is Why….

Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes,
I just sits.

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

dozer3

À bientôt, mon cherí….


			

			
								

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
On to the bonus round….

			
						

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Ffolkes,


“E’en from the tomb the voice of nature cries,

E’en in our ashes live their wonted fires.”


~~ Thomas Gray, “Elegy in a Country Churchyard”, Stanza 23 ~~


morning color


Bravery….


Hajime…. Once again, I find myself with the elements of today’s Pearl ready, but for the opening, and closing sections. As is generally the case, inspiration deserts me just when needed, so, here I sit, vainly typing away, hoping some sort of opportunity to find a direction will present itself. Often, I can find such chances before ending the opening paragraph, but, it’s looking pretty grim right now for the home team. Ah, well, so be it. It will just have to be one of ‘those’ days; I’m not in the mood to fight with that particular demon this morning, so, we’re going to utilize our recently acquired ruthlessness to save the bacon, which I can no longer chew, but, use for soups….


Soup. Now, there’s an opportunity, one which, sadly, presents itself too late for our purpose. I’m done searching for my muse, & the day outside in the BBR promises to be a good one for a photo safari, so, this is all you’re going to get here. In fact, I am preparing to exercise executive authority; otherwise, we’re stuck with broth instead of soup. While you’re trying to figure out if that is a true, or merely metaphorical statement, I’m sending out the command to cease and desist. Hang on to your beverages, ffolkes, we’re going in hot….


Shall we Pearl?


“Ignorance is the ally of deception.”


~~ Subtle Bee ~~


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loreena


SIGH…. I’ve fallen in love with another redhead with an angelic voice…. This one is Canadian, by birth, though she, like most enlightened people, would probably consider herself, as did Socrates, Einstein, and others, a citizen of the world. I can only say, she is an example of how bright a human can shine….


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The Journey So Far

Loreena McKennitt






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Comedy_Tragedy


Tuesday’s Child, from an Oblique Angle


When I really stop to think, it isn’t too much to expect

a warm bed, a bite of food, a loving smile to reflect.

We all need such comfort and supportive attention,

so basic to our soul, there is no real need to mention.


Life often offers us opportunities disguised very well,

illusions are rampant, what is real can be hard to tell.

To honor old ties may seem like the only thing one can do,

but evidence is real, despite one’s wish it were untrue.


Those who love us truly, without thought of any gain,

hate for us to experience life’s portions of pain.

They also know we each must follow our own chosen way,

for the lessons we learn, we all have our own price to pay.


Still, wishing and hoping can’t do any true harm

and wishing good things to friends feels welcome, and warm.

The pageant of society will pass on to the next day

what new sights and sounds it will bring me, I thankfully can’t say.


~~ gigoid ~~


10/5/2012


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pearls_3


Naked Pearls


Daily Tautology Lesson….


*******


“It is always best to start at the beginning.”


~~ Subtle Bee ~~


*******


“If a man will begin with certainties,

he shall end in doubts;

but if he will be content to begin with doubts,

he shall end in certainties.”


~~ Francis Bacon ~~


*******


“Every one is bound to bear patiently the results of his own example.”


~~ Phaedrus ~~


*******


“Depend not on fortune, but on conduct.”


~~ Publius Syrus ~~


*******


“True, we love life, not because we are used to living,

but because we are used to loving.

here is always some madness in love,

but there is also always some reason in madness.”


~~ Friedrich Nietzsche, “Thus Spoke Zarathustra,” ~~


*******


“No matter where you go, there you are.”


~~ Buckaroo Banzai, “Buckaroo Banzai – Across the 8th Dimension” ~~


*******


“I better be going. I have to get up sometime tomorrow.”


~~ Jim from Taxi ~~


*******


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The sun is already shining, the birds are chirping madly, & the day is calling. I’m outta here, and, therefore, so are you. I’ll try again, hopefully soon. If not, well, then, not. But, I will return, of that you may rest assured. I do like to give fair warning. Until then, be well, be happy, & stay strange….


Y’all take care out there,

and May the Metaphorse be with you;

Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy

and everyone else, too…


When I works, I works hard.

When I sits, I sits loose.

When I thinks, I falls asleep.


Which is Why….


Sometimes I sits and thinks,

and sometimes,

I just sits.


gigoid, the dubious


The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.


PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.


“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch


dozer3


À bientôt, mon cherí….



		
	
					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Oatmeal is multi-talented….

			
						

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Ffolkes,


“The Soul is born old, but it grows young;

that is the comedy of life.

The Body is born young and grows old;

that is life’s tragedy.”


~~ Oscar Wilde ~~


Galway stained glass


Church window, Galway, Ireland…


Hajime…. In the TV series, Northern Exposure, Cris Stevens, the local DJ, made the observation: “There’s a dark side to each and every human soul. We wish we were Obi-Wan Kenobi, and for the most part we are, but there’s a little Darth Vader in all of us. Thing is, this ain’t no either-or proposition. We’re talking about dialectics, the good and the bad merging into us. You can run but you can’t hide. My experience? Face the darkness. Stare it down. Own it. As brother Nietzsche said, being human is a complicated gig. So give that ol’ dark night of the soul a hug. Howl the eternal yes!”


“…being human is a complicated gig.” There are mornings when this phrase assumes a relevance that always amazes. The mental process involved in creating one of these Pearls, as I have discovered of late, is more of a function of will than it is of reasoned effort. The reasons we find to perform those tasks for which we assume responsibility are, of course, personal, not valid for others. This means one must learn to trust oneself, allowing both reason and passion to guide and direct us. When we do, we become both sides of ourselves, which is, ultimately, both our goal, and our raison d’etre, our reason to be….


You may be asking yourself right now, just what is he getting at? Well, that, too, is somewhat personal, but, essentially, what I’m saying is, all you can do is all you can do. In the past weeks, I’ve managed to complete and post a Pearl most days, even those days when it seemed less than productive to even get out of bed. (Yes, there are still demons hanging about….). But, I got it done, and that has, again, saved my sorry ass from falling into the abyss, which exists always, nearby, ready to claim yet another victim to internal fears. In the process, I, necessarily, have been too distracted, too tired, and too unfocused in my mind to perform the other side of blogging, to wit: visiting other sites & exchanging views… In short, I’ve neglected my friends, if only in my own estimation….


I can only offer the excuse above, which, in the larger picture means little, but, in my mind, means a lot. I offer my humble apologies to those who usually see me, and hope to redress my absence in the near future. It’s tough, because, frankly, I’m finding more to engage my attention outside, in the Big Blue Room, a place we all need to remember is our true venue. Cyberspace, while attractive, and quite fascinating, isn’t actually reality, much as it seems it is.


Well, golly! Would ya look at that? Four paragraphs of philosophic blather, bowed, but, unrepentant; cheap at the price, too. I think I’ll go now, & find something better to do. Wanna come with? Okay, follow me….


Shall we Pearl?


“Everything has two handles,

one by which it may be borne; another by which it cannot.”


~~ Epictetus (c. 60 AD) — Enchiridion, xliii ~~


***************************************


loreena


Last night, I watched this video, describing the elements and processes involved in putting on a tour, as well as the mindset required to do it her own way. It’s a fascinating story, with the added bonus of a number of most excellent performances from live concerts and pre-concert sound checks… The process, as related, reminded me very much of the food catering business, which is essentially the same exact process…. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did….


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Loreena Mckennitt

A Moveable Musical Feast






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Comedy_Tragedy


Off the proverbial cuff….


I never meant to kill that period of time,

it didn’t give me any choice.

It tried to hem me in without reason, or rhyme,

refused me any vote, or any voice.


You have to admit, I buried it deep and fast,

just as if I cared.

I knew, though, it would never last,

or ever be fully repaired.


No news, no pictures can bring it back,

once is all we get.

No pleas of public good, or even public lack;

in stone the past is set.


Futuristic visions now occupy my dreams,

I’m ready to go on.

Look! It fills up the screen, and it gleams!

Where’s the moment I’m sitting on?


Now, I remembered, at long, long last,

is all we really can hold.

Every moment goes by so bloody fast,

we’d best fill them all with beauty, warm and bold.


~~ gigoid ~~


4/30/2013


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pearls_3


Naked Pearls


Did you know?….


*******


“…all life is only a set of pictures in the brain, among which there is no

difference betwixt those born of real things and those born of inward

dreamings, and no cause to value the one above the other.”


~~- H. P. Lovecraft, from The Silver Key~~


*******


“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past,

not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles,

but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.”


~~ Buddha ~~


*******


“When we try to pick out anything by itself,

we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.”


~~ Muir’s Law ~~

~~ John Muir, “My First Summer in the Sierra”, 1911, page 110. ~~


*******


“A man of genius makes no mistakes.

His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery.”


~~ James Joyce, “Ulysses” ~~


*******


“Rock gives reality to the otherwise abstract notion of transhuman time.”


~~ Edward Abbey ~~


*******


All’s fair in love and war – What a contemptible lie.


~~ Lazarus Long ~~


*******


“Some days the dragon wins …”


~~ Subtle Bee ~~


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Though I won’t make any claims as to quality, I can honestly say, it’s done, & done well, if only measured by intent. This, of course, makes it imperative I try again tomorrow. It won’t make today any better, or easier to digest, but, it will get us outta here without more bother. I’ll also say, I hope to go surfing today, but, we’ll see how the waves are running before I make any firm commitments. I can also say, honestly, I don’t think I can do any more damage, so, there’s only one thing left, and that is to say, see ya, ffolkes. I’ll be back; it’s not a threat, though you may take it as such, should you be so inclined. It is, as far as I can make it, a promise, one I intend to do all I can to fulfill…. Ta, then….


Y’all take care out there,

and May the Metaphorse be with you;

Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy

and everyone else, too…


When I works, I works hard.

When I sits, I sits loose.

When I thinks, I falls asleep.


Which is Why….


Sometimes I sits and thinks,

and sometimes,

I just sits.


gigoid, the dubious


The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.


PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.


“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch


dozer3


À bientôt, mon cherí….

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Afflicted by shadows….

			
						

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Ffolkes,


“So then, these are the foundations, as they call them,

of all mixt bodies, and of all wonderful operations:

and whatsoever experiments they proved,

the causes hereof rested (as they supposed) and were to be found

in the Elements and their qualities.”


~~ Giambattista Della Porta – Natural Magick ~~


ignoring-it-all


Ignoring it all, as only a magicat can….


Hajime…. Rather than search through what I’ve already found to be an empty well, I believe it’s time to reiterate one of the most important, if not critical elements of these Pearls, which we are compelled to label as Virtual Wisdom, in order to maintain the proper frame of reference. Maintaining that frame is the responsibility, of course, of the Gentle Reader, aided as well as possible, when possible, by yours truly, in what I write, and what I try to provide, in the way of validly useful information to give shape, color, and tenor to the frame. The title, then, assumes an important place in the process, since it’s the first thing seen by each reader. That’s why it never has anything to do with the actual Pearl itself; you see, if we tried to do that, you’d come into this with an image, and an idea, that came from your interpretation of whatever the title may say…. To avoid any predisposition, the title, as far as I can make it so, means nothing, and has no relation to what passes below.


This may seem a bit, well, odd, but, it’s what I have found will work the best to prevent the reader from heading off into areas which will prejudice their flow of thought. Instead, knowing it means nothing relevant, each Gentle Reader learns to leave their mind open, free to hare off in whatever direction my insanity takes us; insane, yes, but, on the road to enlightenment. Crazy people aren’t necessarily stupid, you know; crazy isn’t always a handicap for humans. If you’ve ever been there, you’d know…. Besides, if the reader doesn’t know what to expect, it makes for better entertainment, if only for me.


That being said, to as little purpose as I could manage, I can now relate the bad news. Well, maybe it isn’t bad; like most of the news we see nowadays, it’s just news. Attach too much importance to it, and it can take over your life, leaving you in a state of continuous depression, as wave after wave of downright crazy shit bombards your sensibilities, as the world wends its wobbly path toward its destiny, whatever that may be. Since most of humanity has no clue, about where they’re going, or even where they’ve been, you can see the potential for disaster, I’m sure.


Oh, right, the news. The news is, I’ve got a Pearl finished. It’s not bad, even without a rant to stimulate and balance our angst; I kind of gave up ranting here on ECR, to spend the angst and energy commenting on other blogs & Twitter. I’ve also taken to dropping little rant bombs on Facebook, which amuses me no end, as well as providing valuable cathartic elements for my therapeutic relief. All that aside, this Pearl, while fairly standard, has some decent stuff included, which I find to be comforting, for unknown reasons. But, since the whole point of this process is to find my own balance and sanity, even comfort found without attribution is welcome….


I guess four paragraphs of rambling, introspective blather is enough for any intro, so, without any further waffling, I now declare this Pearl open for business….


Shall we Pearl?


“The worst deluded are the self-deluded.”


~~ Christian Nevell Bovee ~~


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mckennitt1


Loreena McKennitt


Image from innerviews.org via Google Images


I’ve heard this artist’s name a number of times, without ever taking time to explore her work. Like much in my experience, I’ve heard some of it, enough to make what I now hear familiar… It doesn’t detract from the purity of her voice, or the connection her music creates within the listener; it appeals to ancient rhythms that live already in our consciousness, though not perhaps, consciously. I hope you enjoy learning about yourself while you listen, as I do….


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Loreena McKennitt Live





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Comedy_Tragedy


Blithely Untitled


A poem came to me today, willy, nilly,

along with a sharp blow to the head.

Since it left me feeling just a bit silly,

anything that rhymes should lessen the dread.


Manifesting destiny into a small, insidious group

we push on toward sanity, concentrating hard.

Full engaging moments spent navigating the loop

shall ever make a difference to victims found in the yard.


Still corpses of creatures, straight out of nightmare

fill up the corners of our tortured minds.

While ever saddened, the iconic male, most debonair,

gazes softly, ironically, at all the mutual interest he finds.


Moronic public statutes compel outbreaks of sanity,

responding to momentary impulses toward inducing peace.

Still, the motions get completed, in fertile stages of inanity

while the bulk of our inmates can find no surcease.


Reluctant motivation to continue is unbound,

striving to ascertain how far there yet remains to go.

No precognitive guesswork will make any less of a sound

to soften the final strains, or teach us to truly know.


~~ gigoid ~~


2/7/2014


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pearls_3


Naked Pearls


Esoterica….


*******


“How admirable, he who thinks not,

Life is fleeting,

When he sees the lightning!”


~~ Basho ~~


*******


“The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousandfold.”


~~ Aristotle ~~


*******


“It’s exhilarating to be alive in a time of awakening consciousness;

it can also be confusing, disorienting, and painful.”


~~ Adrienne Rich ~~


*******


“I like reality. It tastes of bread.”


~~ Jean Anouilh ~~


*******


“Freedom is what you do with what’s been done to you.”


~~ Sartre ~~


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“Because it’s there.”


~~Sir Edmund Hillary ~~


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“Education never ends…

It is a series of lessons with the greatest for the last.”


~~ Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ~~


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Having developed the process for creating Daily Pearls of Virtual Wisdom over more than five years now, on WordPress alone, I have come to trust it implicitly, for just the reason demonstrated today. It’s done, and done well, in spite of my own mental fog, and a conscious will still only half-awake. Not bad for 0455 am on a winter’s morn, eh? I think so, and, that’s what counts here. Besides, it’s done, and now I can go find something more realistically productive to do. (Fat chance of that…. shhh, he’ll hear me…) Let’s get started on that, shall we? See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes; on that you may rely….


Y’all take care out there,

and May the Metaphorse be with you;

Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy

and everyone else, too…


When I works, I works hard.

When I sits, I sits loose.

When I thinks, I falls asleep.


Which is Why….


Sometimes I sits and thinks,

and sometimes,

I just sits.


gigoid, the dubious


The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.


PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.


“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch


Featured Image -- 2780


À bientôt, mon cherí….