Positively Puzzled

Snowy Owl , originally uploaded by Laura Erickson .

Winter sunlight 9 , originally uploaded by Julia Skobeleva .

Half are Fred and Ginger movies...we love 'em! Swing Time (1936) His Girl Friday (1940) Flying Down to Rio (1933) Return of the Jedi (1983) The Gay Divorcee (1934) Roberta (1935) Alfie (1966) Top Hat (1935) Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (1967) Cincinnati Kid (1965) more stills

Musica della sera for January 22, 2009 The latest show is now up on the Internet to listen to on demand; see below for locating the link. The main work on the program is Kurt Rodarmer's guitar transcription and performance of J.S. Bach's Goldberg Variations. His approach to the work is remarkable and interesting, which he describes extensively in the liner notes . A few highlights: Glenn Gould's second and last release of the Goldberg Variations on piano was for me a landmark event. He attempted to connect each of the variations on the basis of rhythmic relationships rather than considering each as simply a variation upon the theme. The work is based upon the opening Aria, which originally appeared in the Klavierbüchen of Anna Magdalena Bach from 1725 as a Sarabande... The thirty variations which follow are based loosely upon the bass or harmonic progression rather than on any melodic theme. When I first evaluated the possibility of transcribing the work, it became clear ...

Here are some of the vintage short subjects, cartoons, blooper reels (Warner Bros. called them Breakdowns) , etc., that appear as part of the special features for movies in our DVD collection. I decided to compile a list, because I can never remember where to find them. Some are real gems, others are just interesting historically. The old blooper reels are fascinating. This is just a start. I'll be continuously updating this list...unless I get to be too lazy or it becomes too tedious. Jack Benny in the droll 1930 short The Rounder . Sorted by Main Feature title: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938): Breakdowns of 1938 (1938) (Blooper Reel (Warner Brothers)); Cavalcade of Archery (1946) (documentary); Cruise of the Zaca (1952) (documentary); Freddie Rich and His Orchestra (1938) (musical); Glorious Technicolor (1998) (documentary); Katnip Kollege (1938) (cartoon); Rabbit Hood (1949) (cartoon); Robin Hood Daffy (1958) (cartoon): Cavalcade of Archery (1946) (documen...

Seems we watched twice as many movies during the holiday season. Roman Holiday (1953) A Star Is Born (1937) Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) Bambi (1942) Niagara (1953) A Christmas Carol (1938) It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Goodbye, Mr. Chips (2002) To Be or Not To Be (1942) Boy's Town (1938) The Portrait of a Lady (1996) The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) Atonement (2007) It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002) Bitter Moon (1992) Elf (2003) A Christmas Story (1983) Carefree (1938) Star Wars (1977) The Empire Strikes Back (1980) more stills

As someone who appreciates the joys of alcohol, but also recognizes its sundry deleterious effects, I have found it useful to take a break from consuming it. Santa Cruz columnist Bruce Bratton proposed this idea of a booze-free January decades ago, and most Januarys I like to observe it. It gives me a chance to reflect on whether the joys of imbibing outweigh the negatives. The jury always seems to be perpetually out on this. If you're a moderate to immoderate drinker, I hope you will consider this proposal. It's always nice to know others are doing this with me. I should have posted this earlier...if you start a few days late, just finish a few day's later. Those of you who have quit alcohol for good, I very much honor your success.