Coolest New Blog Toy EVER!

Posted on by Dana
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Yay! I got it up and working finally. Welcome to my new Radio Blog! Right now, there are several classical music selections on the turntable.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composer; performed by Academy of St.-Martin-In-the-Fields under Neville Marriner, Amadeus soundtrack; Piano Concerto in D Minor, K. 466, 2nd Movement (Romanza)
  • Giacomo Puccini, composer; performed by Jussi Björling, “Nessun dorma” from Turandot
  • Giacomo Puccini, composer; performed by the Chorus Of the Theatro Nuovo Di Milano and the Hamburg Radio Symphony Orchestra under Napoleone Annovazzi; “Humming Chorus” from Madama Butterfly
  • Claude Debussy, composer; performed by Roger Rundle on Souvenirs; “Clair de Lune” from Suite bergamasque, for piano, L. 75
  • Fryderyk Chopin, composer; performed by Dmitriy Sokolov; Prelude No. 15 In D-Flat Major (Sostenuto)

A little commentary is forthcoming. Many of you are familiar with the movie Amadeus, which is one of my favorite movies of all time. The first piece comes from its soundtrack. The second piece is one of my favorite arias (my husband sings it often) sung by Jussi Björling, one of my husband’s favorite tenors (and the tenor Pavarotti admired and modeled himself after). This recording is older, so the sound quality isn’t perfect. The third piece is the “Humming Chorus” from Madama Butterfly, which I discussed in more detail in yesterday’s entry. The fourth piece is one of my all-time favorites: “Clair de Lune” by Debussy. I think I will always close my eyes and cry as I listen to it. You might have heard it in the movie Seven Years in Tibet (which was a great movie). The final piece is by another favorite composer, Fryderyk Chopin. It is one of his 24 preludes. It makes me think of big, fat drops of rain rolling down the window. If there’s thunder, it is only gentle rolling, and the lightning simply isn’t there at all.

Please give it a listen. I hope to change the playlist about once a week.

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Madama Butterfly

Posted on by Dana
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The Atlanta Opera is currently rehearsing a production of Madama Butterfly. I have to defer to my husband, as he is clearly the expert in this area. In fact, I only know a little more about it than you, probably. And I only say that because I think most of the people who visit me here probably know nothing about opera, and I know something.

I haven’t exactly been able to see an opera. I’ve only heard all or almost all of two operas (though I’ve heard lots of tenor arias from others): La Bohème and Madama Butterfly. My husband likes the former, and he ought to know. But I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the latter. You see, the first time I fell asleep in my husband’s arms, he was telling me the story of Madama Butterfly, almost whispering at times, singing softly at others. Then, I went into labor with Maggie the first time my husband showed me his videotaped version of Butterfly. There is something about that story and about the music that really speaks to me, and I guess you don’t have to be an opera expert to feel that way.

If I ever get a tattoo — and that’s a big if, since I’m not sure I’ve got the courage — it would be a butterfly on my left shoulder in honor of Madama Butterfly.

This evening, my husband sat studying his music while he listened to a CD of the opera — this one, in fact. He held Dylan close and rocked him while the Humming Chorus played. It was perhaps one of the most beautiful, tender things I’ve ever witnessed. And Dylan loved the music.

I hope he’ll always love the music.

Butterfly Links

AOC’s Production
Synopsis
Libretto
Giacomo Puccini and Madama Butterfly

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I’m Not Nearly Nerdy Enough for This

Posted on by Dana
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I downloaded what appears to be a really good program that enables me to rip music from my CDs and convert them to mp3s. This is cool for a couple of reasons: 1) when I get my domain up, I will have a radio blog, and I can share my CD collection (small though it is right now) with you; 2) I can share my husband’s singing with you as well. He has been asked by others, some of whom may be reading this, if he might be able to share that way, and soon, the answer will be yes. Here’s how uncool I am: I didn’t know such technology existed until today. Why? I didn’t really jump on the whole mp3 bandwagon when it exploded with Napster and more recently with Kazaa. So I haven’t really been following the progress of developments on that front. I’ve ripped four tunes, and they all sound great. If you want this software, you can get it from Audiograbber for free.

Maggie burned her hand today. I don’t know how she turned on the stove, or even if she did. It took us a while to even find out what happened. She was hysterical for about an hour. I treated it with cool water, lidocaine, and bandages. And I feel like shit that it even happened. Why don’t I have a baby gate to keep her out of the kitchen? I’ll be getting one now, you can be sure of that.

I’m almost done with At the Crossing-Places (see Currently Reading on the right). I can’t decide which book on my ever-growing to-read list to start next.

I’m going to get off the computer now. New software toys are dangerous, aren’t they?

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I Am the Master of My Domain

Posted on by Dana
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I have been extraordinarily happy at Upsaid; however, last night, I purchased a domain name. As soon as it is all registered, my husband and I will be moving both of our journals there. I may go ahead and stay with Upsaid and use it to manage my content. Then again, I may go and get Moveable Type. I haven’t decided yet. But having our own domain will allow us to do some more things, as my friends who have one know.

Now. My job interview yesterday. I think it went well. First of all, I have known the woman who interviewed me since I was student teacher. I worked with one of her peers. Second, I showed her a couple of papers I’ve graded. She seemed to approve. I showed her a power point show I worked up to introduce Romeo and Juliet. If you want to access it, I think you’ll have to have a Yahoo ID. She told me that what she is doing is screening candidates for the principal, who will then interview the top few. It is frustrating not to know. It’s also frustrating to think I may have to take still more time off work to complete interviews when I’m not positive I will reap any benefit from doing so. But the school is beautiful. I hope it goes my way. The big metro-Atlanta school district (the one that held the job fair I went to last Saturday) still hasn’t called for an interview. I hate looking for a job.

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Happy St. Pat’s

Posted on by Dana
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It is my half-birthday. I have always kind of thought it was cool that all those Irish people (and wannabes) celebrated my half-birthday.

Kidding aside, I hope you all wore your green. You know, any teacher who doesn’t wear green on St. Patrick’s day is asking for it.

I have the worst bunch of ADD-addled, noisy kids I’ve had all year this quarter. I had to call about eight parents today. For those not in the know, that’s a ridiculously high number. From ONE class, no less. Anyway, let’s hope the parents will follow through and yank a knot in the tails of those little demons children.

On the plus side, Friday, I have a job interview! It was funny. I checked my e-mail after my 8th grade class left, thinking, oh please let there be some good luck, some good news for me on St. Patrick’s Day. And there was an e-mail from the department head at one of the schools I’d applied to. I’m going to try to make another job fair on Friday, too.

Anne always shares the coolest links. I followed one about the history of St. Patrick’s Day that was really cool. Enjoy the last hour and a half of this holiday. Erin go bragh, ya’ll.

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Saturday

Posted on by Dana
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It was a nice day today. Beautiful weather. I went to a job fair for a large metro-Atlanta school district. Let me just say, I am extremely impressed with this school district. They are doing things with students that I wouldn’t have thought possible for high schools. Their test scores are great. The people I met today were incredible. I had two promising interviews. One school wants to interview me again, so I guess that means I passed the pre-screen. I really want to get a job at one of those two schools, especially after checking out their web sites and meeting the few faculty members that were there today.

I was appalled at the way some of the people were dressed. One woman was wearing a very tight knit shirt. It was so sheer I could see her bra through it. And she had quite a prodigious chest. I’m sorry, but if I were conducting interviews, I wouldn’t even consider someone who comes to a job fair dressed like that. And there were quite a few clueless-looking folks there. There were lots of women in shoes I’d describe as stripper heels, too. But there were also lots of very good candidates and friendly folks. I wish everyone well, but I hope they don’t get the job I want!

I took the kids to the doctor on Thursday. According to the nurse practitioner, I feed the kids too much junk, and I need to take away Dylan’s pacifier. I am ignoring all that and will continue parenting as usual, since my kids are healthy, robust little people. I must not be screwing up too badly.

Maggie’s birthday was Wednesday. She had a party at school with cupcakes and party hats. Her class made a really big deal out of it. It was cool. I can’t believe she’s three. Seems like only yesterday that Sarah was three.

I have released two BookCrossing books, but whoever picked them up didn’t come back to BookCrossing and register them. That is sort of disheartening. Looking around the site, it seems like that’s pretty common, but I do wish people would join in the fun. After all, they got a book for free. The least they can do is let the giver know they thought the free book was cool. Well, the second one I released may not have been picked up. I left it at the kids’ doctor’s office waiting room. But the first one was definitely picked up, because I went back by later, and it was gone.

Well, I’m going to go read. I need to finish this Kevin Crossley-Holland book, because I’m dying to read the books I bought at Borders the other night when I treated myself after having the day from hell. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory and All He Ever Wanted by Anita Shreve.

I added a new photo album with pictures of my ancestors. You can also access it in the future by clicking the Photos link in the sidebar.

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Teacher Workday

Posted on by Dana
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How is it I get less done on teacher workdays when the kids are out?

Anyway, wish me luck. I may have a decent shot at a job I heard about.

I am starting a Family Heritage/Genealogy scrapbook. Found too many cool things at Making Memories. Scrapbook stores are evil.

Tomorrow is Maggie’s birthday. She’ll be three. I can’t believe it! She’s very excited. She’s itching to get into her cupcakes for snack at school tomorrow.

My grandparents are coming to visit my parents for Spring Break. I can’t wait to see them. They’ve never seen Maggie or Dylan.

My mom was just diagnosed with diabetes. Both of her parents have it, too. I think they’re going to try to control it with diet. My grandparents have to take medication, I believe. But then, my grandmother can’t have been really trying with the diet. Not if I know her.

Speaking of family, I may be getting a new cousin. My uncle, who divorced my aunt after about 25 years of marriage a few years ago, is trying to have a baby with his girlfriend (who is only a few years older than me). My aunt left him for some loser. I think my uncle deserves happiness. Still, it will be weird to have a new first cousin so much younger than I am. Maybe it won’t be weird. I don’t know. Certainly not as weird as it will be for my cousin (up until now, my uncle’s only child), who never imagined he might have a sibling.

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New Photo

Posted on by Dana
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Just a short entry to tell you I posted a new picture of Maggie and Dylan.

Also, I’m working on getting a radio blog up here, like the one Cranky Dragon has, but I’m not sure if I can upload the necessary files to Upsaid. Meanwhile, check out Cranky’s radio blog, because she has some really cool music up right now. Cranky, you and I are kindred spirits in more ways than you know. How many other people my age do I know that like that sort of music?

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It is Finished

Posted on by Dana
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Well, Sarah and I finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix today. Now we’ve read the whole series. We began reading the series back near the beginning of the school year. I think she enjoyed them, but she doesn’t often tell me things right away. She usually steps back a bit, then makes comments sometimes even months later. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the books with her. I am going to be reading her Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain Chronicles next.

Now she’s anxiously awaiting me to turn aside from the computer and do some scrapbooking with her. I guess I’d better get cracking.

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Move Over, Mr. LeTourneau…

Posted on by Dana
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[This is an oldie but goodie from the vaults of my husband, reprinted here with his permission.]

I have lost my wife to a 12-year-old too.

I knew the first time I saw his round, sensitive blue eyes and the way she seemed enthralled at his every act, word, that there was trouble.

Oh, I kept saying to myself, no way, not Dana!!

She’s above all that, she’s…*sniff*… but now it’s official. I think she was with him again last night, and I know for a fact she’s with him right now… I can hear them in the other room. He’s… entertaining her again.

And here Maggie and I sit, all alone, no sheets on the bed, she with only a plastic box to play with and the lone chicken nugget she’s been working on for the last half hour.

What do I DO??? I can’t take this cuckolding, made only worse by the youth who has stolen her affection from me — that little BASTARD!!

I can’t do any of those manly revenge things — like jump him in a blind alley and drop a garbage can on his head and beat it with a brick, or put sugar in his gas tank… he isn’t OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE!!!!!

Not cars, anyway.

So that’s it, everyone. Now you know the tragedy of Dana and Steve. I am a cuckolded man. Thanks to that evil, winsome, athletically and spiritually gifted….

HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!!

Come back, my love…I can forgive you, I know I can. Just…put…the remote…down…*sob*….

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