Exquisite Turkish Rugs

When I was a kid, my dad had a number of really beautiful and exquisite hand woven rugs where he worked. Quite honestly I do not recall which were Persian, Turkish or from elsewhere in the Orient, but I always remember how interesting they were to me. I remember my dad talking about how old and valuable they were. Childhood story book tales of 'Magic Carpet' rides were strangely fascinating to me. Some thirty years later I still have appreciation for, and a fascination with, hand woven rugs. Whenever I see one of those high end Oriental Rug stores an involuntary force makes me stop; invariably I find myself having a "mental drool" session--that is until the prices snap me back to reality.

Tree of Life design

Regular readers know I travel overseas regularly. On several visits to Turkey I had opportunities to shop for and acquire hand woven Turkish rugs for my home. Incidentally, the term "rug" usually means a floor covering smaller than the whole room and is not attached to the floor (versus a carpet which is large and usually refers to something wall to wall type covering). Anyway Turkey is full of Rug shops, all ready to sell to the unsuspecting tourist. 

If you want to buy an authentic Turkish rug, be prepared to negotiate and haggle. Don't feel badly about doing so, it is merely how business is done in that part of the world. It always starts with some offer of apple tea, or Turkish coffee, followed by lessons on how the rugs are made. Explanations of hand woven versus machine, silk versus wool, natural dyes versus synthetic, etc. And like any good salesman, they always show you the nicest, most expensive rugs first. After you hear the price you pass out, and they gradually bring a selection of rugs that may fit your budget.

Never, ever ever pay full price. Period. Depending on the time of year (late season yields better bargains) you should be able to get a rug for 30% to 40% of the original asking price. However don't engage in the bargaining process unless there is a chance you will buy. This post isn't intended to be about the bargaining process but a word to the wise...

Now, about the rugs. It all depends on what you can afford. I've seen many rugs that were exactly what I liked, but were more than I could afford. Nothing else they show you ever compares to the very best, so you just have to get it out of your mind, and allow yourself to like something else in your price range. Hand woven, silk rugs with high knots per inch and natural dyes are of the highest quality. However, hand woven wool rugs with high knots per inch can also be very very beautiful.

Look at the rugs carefully. Turn the rug upside down to inspect the back. A rug with a more complex, detailed design will have a higher number of small knots. The greater the number of hand tied knots per square inch (KPSI) means higher price. It makes sense considering the work that goes into the rug. I've read that rugs with 150 knots per square inch is average, while high quality rugs may have a knot count of 500 to as many as 2,000 per square inch.

During my most recent visit to Turkey, I went to see some local women making rugs by hand. The Turkish government is trying to maintain the skills of younger generations by providing incentives for young people to learn the trade of authentic hand weaving. I met several of these people working that day.

I saw them making silk rugs. It starts with these dry silk cocoons which were harvested from the silk worm, and dried for later use. They don't look like much at all, in fact I initially thought it was made just to fool tourists, but it is the authentic way silk is produced. 

When they begin to make a rug, the cocoons are placed in water, and then threads of fine silk are made by pulling them with a dried bunch of sticks or something. Look closely, you will see the tiny strands being pulled up from the cocoon pods in the water. It is remarkable how anyone would have ever figured this out centuries ago from something so basic in nature.
Perhaps the fact that this is basically the same process that was started back in the 13th century that fascinated me. The modern western world has my generation far removed from this kind of basic textile production, although then again I am a city kid. Anyway I digress.

The threads are pulled into a looming machine which create twisted strands of silk thread. They explained to me that silk has a very high "tensile strength" and can be twisted easily into fine strands. The thread from just one of these silk cocoons can stretch up to an amazing 82,000 feet. Remarkable, huh?  Now for the really cool part.

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The women who were learning the skill of hand-knotting were developing a skill they could use to make rugs in their own home for income. In this photo, the lady is tying individual tiny hand knots on each vertical strand you see. She uses different colored thread, following a distinct pattern, working horizontally one row at a time. It is very very slow work as you can imagine.

This photo may give you a better idea. Here is another rug in production. Above the bar is a photo of the pattern the person will follow for all the hand knots. Depending on the size of the rug and the pattern, a single large rug could take 8 months to make. Again, no wonder why they are so expensive- these are not mass-produced machine made rugs.

Here is one of my Turkish rugs, which Owen seems to be quite fond of for napping in the afternoon sun. I sometimes think the pets get as much pleasure from them as I do. Not surprisingly they prefer to lounge on the rug instead of the bare tile floor. But why is it that Own insists on running to the carpet when he has a hairball? ::sigh:: Oh well, if I wanted to live in a museum I wouldn't have pets. Nothing in my home is more important than the living creatures within, even my beloved Turkish carpets.

The Adventures of Sheldon & Duncan: Photos with Santa

Our Photo with Santa at Petco

Today I brought Duncan and Sheldon to the Petco store in Palm Springs to have their photo taken with Santa. From the moment they saw the front door of Petco, they were excited...they know that means good stuff for them! We made our way to the area where Santa was, conveniently in the Natural Balance food section, which is what they eat, of course :-) Duncan was eyeing the Duck and Potato dog food rolls, which he **loves** as a snack in between meals. Fortunately I got them both to sit like good boys, long enough to snap a few photos. 

Sheldon Gryffindor drives to Petco

After the photos, Sheldon used his own Twitter account 'SheldonGryffin' to upload and share his photo with Santa. He has been building a nice base of followers. We also posted the photo on Petco's Facebook page, as they were running a photo contest. As you might imagine, Sheldon is quite the social poodle, and loves to go for rides around Palm Springs. You can tell how much fun he was having by the smile on his face in this photo above. It was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit, so "thanks" Petco, for hosting the "Photos with Santa" event today!

Janet Jackson Helps Raise $1Million for Our McCallum Theatre

Last night I went to see Janet Jackson in a special concert performance in support of the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert. Just before the concert started, I saw Katherine Jackson, Janet's mother and Jermaine Jackson, her brother enter the theatre, which signaled that this was to be a special night. Over the years, I've attended quite a few of the McCallum's Annual Fundraising Gala events and regular season concerts, but this one was quite different. It was a full-fledged major rock concert show with major sound and light production and a cast of dancers and back up singers. The choreography was visually  interesting (although semi-provocative at times), with a smooth rhythm that complemented the music. Janet sang and danced throughout the concert with the energy of woman half her age. 

Janet genuinely seems to enjoy performing for a live audience; she is still as cute as ever. Her smile is infectious and makes you feel happy just seeing her on stage. There is no question Miss Jackson is hugely talented; I felt she gave a stand-out performance last night, singing primarily a range of her hit songs from her long career. At times it was difficult not to think about her brother Michael, whose music legacy endures boldly across the pop music landscape.Their similarities in voice, manner and presence was uncanny. Janet paid homage to her late brother in one of the later sets, which evoked a huge audience response.

A page from the Gala program

I was thrilled to hear that last night's event raised $1 million for the McCallum Theatre. The sold-out concert was a significant step in broadening the base of the McCallum's base. From my vantage point in the concert, I observed a bizarre blend of core (older) McCallum contributors grooving along with a much younger base of Janet fans. I suspect last night may have been the first time many of the younger fans in the audience had ever even considered buying a ticket at McCallum. 

Without a doubt there were some in the audience who perhaps didn't realize the type of music Janet Jackson performs. For that very small minority the volume proved too much, and they quietly exited after a few songs. That made more room for the rest of the audience who wanted to stand and dance. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of older McCallum attendees who stayed the entire night and did their best to appreciate a different music style.

I would imagine the choice of Janet Jackson as the headliner for their annual fundraising gala was considered to be quite a departure in style and genre for some if its core supporters. That being said, it is my opinion that this was a bold but very wise move, as they attracted the attention of a broad base of residents in the Coachella Valley who may be future patrons in the next generation. Or at the very least they will now have the McCallum on their radar as an entertainment venue in their hometown.

I can honestly say that I've been a Janet Jackson fan since I was a kid, but for some reason my iTunes account only had one of her albums. I enjoyed the concert enough that when I returned home, I purchased her current album Janet Jackson Number Ones. It was nice to be reacquainted with her long music career and relive my younger years, even if just for awhile.

Rick's Roadshow: Vienna, Austria

I have been traveling again here and there. Recently I had a brief business trip to Vienna, Austria. My time was exceptionally limited but in between meetings and such I snapped a few photos along the way, as I always try to do while traveling. Vienna is a delightful European city, and exceeded my expectations during my brief visit.

Vienna has old world charm but is thoroughly modern in what it has to offer to visitors. The architecture alone is amazing, a wide range of influences including Renaissance, Roman, Greek, Gothic and German. With every step I gazed in awe of the details along windows, edifices, doorways and bridges. The cathedrals and small churches are inspirational and inviting.

No visit to this region would be complete without a beer garden, sausages and local Viennese cuisine. At the suggestion of my business colleague, lunch one day was at Plachutta, a well known group of restaurants locally owned. I had the Wiener Schnitzel which is one of their specialties for sure. In general the food in Austria was very good, and the locals are quite friendly. Just next door to the restaurant was Moulin Rouge (see below) but I was too busy to every go in at night.

The Vienna Opera House at night

An example of the architecture I enjoyed so much

Spending time in meetings with business colleagues is important, but it is also good to spend time in the evening relaxing and enjoying the local culture. This was exactly the case one evening when I attended the symphony to hear "The Sound of Vienna" a classical concert of Strauss and Mozart. Held in the magnificent Kursalon, built in 1865 in a Renaissance style, it is a truly splendid setting to hear the music of these celebrated and revered composers.

During the intermission, I ventured outside onto the terrace of the concert hall. It was a foggy night, but I was struck by the beauty of this view. The building was dramatically illuminated, and the dome of a nearby cathedral was just visible through the fog. It was a memorable evening without a doubt.

The concert included several intervals of ballet, as well as several opera performances mixed in. Sitting in the audience, I tried to imagine what it was like to live here in Vienna during the time when Mozart walked these streets, and presented his music of the day. I closed my eyes and gave thanks for the blessings of my life, to have had the opportunity to experience such beauty and culture. Needless to say Vienna made quite an impression on me. I would recommend a visit to this wonderful city should you have the opportunity to visit sometime.

Daniel Radcliffe Wows Broadway in 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'

I recently had the opportunity to entertain some customers in New York, and brought them to see a show on Broadway. I chose 'How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying'(H2SIB). It's a fun musical that is enjoying tremendous success in it's second revival since the original bow in 1961. The story is a satire on big business, corporate life and office politics (anyone who has ever worked in a corporate office can appreciate this storyline). "H2SIB" stars Daniel Radcliffe, everybody's favorite boy wizard Harry Potter. Without a doubt, the theatre had a significant number of people who were clearly fans of Mr Radcliffe, and were visibly excited by the opportunity to see Daniel on stage. Admittedly I too, found it rather titillating having long been a fan of the Harry Potter series. That being said, I am also a fan of Broadway theatre and musicals especially.

image from digital book I purchased on iTunes

Mr Radcliffe gave an impressive performance on every level as J. Pierrepont Finch who goes from window washer to business executive. He has great stage presence and easily commands attention of the audience. He executes a flawless American accent, and has impressive vocal abilities considering he is not classically trained as a singer. Perhaps it was his dancing that I found equally impressive (incidentally the choreography is really terrific).

With respect to the show itself, the music from How to Succeed In Business is top notch. With a retro feel, it is packed with genuinely catchy and toe-tapping tunes. I left the theatre singing and wanting more, which is always a good sign I think.

image from digital book I purchased on iTunes

John Larroquette is a pure delight as boss J.B. Biggley. The supporting cast were all excellent, in particular Rose Hemingway as love interest Rosemary Pilkington, Tammy Blanchard as the sultry Hedy LaRue and Ellen Harvey as Biggley's secretary Miss Jones. I don't claim to be a theatre critic so this isn't intended to be an all encompassing review. However I do know this: I LOVED How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and highly recommend it for anyone to see if you can get to New York. You will leave the theatre smiling and feeling good, and that is certainly worth the price of a ticket.

Don't just take my word for it, here is a quick video review of the show too.

Dinner with Dyan Cannon

Last night I had a chance to catch up with Dyan Cannon, the talented actress, director and screenwriter known for a range of wonderful films, including the 1969 sexual revolution film "Bob, Carol Ted & Alice" with Natalie Wood. You may know her for some other great films like "Heaven Can Wait", or the hilarious "Revenge of the Pink Panther", "Honeysuckle Rose, "Deathtrap", "Out to Sea" and "Caddyshack II" were just a handful of really fun films in which she starred. Of course, Dyan has a wonderful connection to Palm Springs when she was married to the legendary Cary Grant, who was a fixture here in our fair desert city. (Oddly enough one of my favorite restaurants here in Palm Springs is Copley's on Palm Canyon, which is in Cary Grant's former home. They have a great black and white photo of Cary Grant in the restaurant that catches my attention whenever I walk past it). 

At 72, Dyan still looks wonderful, with a perky personality that shines just as bright as it did when I first met her over 20 years ago. Dyan is very excited about her new memoir, "Dear Cary: My Life With Cary Grant". Her marriage to a true member of Hollywood Royalty produced a daughter, Jennifer who also recently wrote a book about her dad. Dyan has been making a series of public appearances on a book tour, and definitely has her followers. I believe she said her book is at #2 on the LA Times best sellers lists. Dyan smiles easily, laughs heartily and enjoys life. Perhaps most impressive is her deep spirituality and how passionately she speaks about finding love within. Dyan is a pure delight. I only just picked up a copy of her book, so I've not read it yet, but knowing Dyan, she has quite a story to tell. I'll let you know how it reads.

Try This Out...You'll Be Amazed!

Classic Cars...The Great American Love Affair

  

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I don't claim to be a car enthusiast or even be knowledgeable about cars. However I can appreciate the beauty of these timeless classic American cars that kicked off the Great American Love Affair with our cars. These cars helped define an era here in America that is gone but not forgotten. I had the opportunity to attend a classic car show recently and really enjoyed it, so I snapped a few photos to share here for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. The only question I have for you, Gentle Reader, is what song or artist of this era popped into your mind as you look at these cars? Personally I had a combination of Elvis and The Four Seasons...although I admit my timing on those might be a bit off for a few of these cars but you get the gist.

Living in the Moment

As most people do when they reach a certain age, I’ve become more introspective and self-aware. Evaluating personal goals, re-affirming what matters most in one’s life and ensuring priorities are correct become paramount.  I’ve always had a touch of melancholy even as a kid—people have long told me I’m an “old soul” but for years I never knew what that meant. My background as a Christian has not prevented me from being a student of world religions. I enjoy learning about how other faiths and cultures view one's purpose in Today I like to think of myself as somewhat of a Buddhist apprentice. The Dalai Lama has written that Buddhists believe the main purpose in life is to be happy. Seems reasonable, doesn't it?

I will always remain Christian, it is part of who I am. Yet I opened my mind to accept other points of view on the matter of life. I firmly believe that we go around a few times on our journey…our path to enlightenment. I have no problem with the possibility that one can be on the same journey to Heaven by practicing faiths across a few lifetimes. That being said, I’d like to go back to where I started.  I have no idea whether this is my first life or I’ve been here before, but one thing I do know: I want to  make the most of this life.  That’s where the priorities part comes in. I’m thoroughly blessed and grateful for everything the Universe has provided.  I am grateful to feel as though life has taught me many important lessons early on, so now I reap benefits of those life lessons.

So what does matter most? Well, to me, it comes down to living in the moment. Enjoy this very moment. Being content, appreciative for what one has- regardless of how much-- or how little. Even when one is going through a difficult situation (you name it), there is always something to appreciate, if you know where to look.

So where does one look? It’s easy. No travel required. No money is necessary. No other person get it for you. It is within each one of us. Learning to look inward for satisfaction, fulfillment and happiness is one of the greatest lessons in life.

During one of my radio shows recently I was talking about this when a listener called in with a question. ‘Suzie’ explained she understood my point about looking inward, but as much as she did, she saw nothing.  I asked ‘Suzie’ what she felt she was good at (hobbies, etc). She replied that she was good at gardening. “And do you enjoy gardening?” I asked. “Yes”, she said, “very much”. I pointed out that part of living in the moment is appreciating the gifts you have. For some people, having a green thumb is very satisfying. Finding as many of those things about yourself is what it is all about.  Interestingly, the next caller was a blind woman who called in to say that although she was blind, she was grateful for mobility. Being blind wasn’t an obstacle for, especially since she has a guide dog. Having legs that work, she told me were a true gift because with her guide dog she was able to get out of the house and explore the world whenever she wanted.

It was the perfect way to wrap up my show that day. It also served as a reminder to me, yet again about how easy it is to find happiness within.  Regardless of your age or personal situations going on, try your best to get your priorities in line. Live in the moment, take time every day to appreciate what you have and do what matters most. It’s amazing how unimportant everything else suddenly becomes.

The Adventures of Sheldon & Duncan: Before & After The Groomer

Before the Groomer Visit

The Adventures of Sheldon and Duncan continue once again with a fresh installment. It was a perfect Autumn morning in Palm Springs, bright sunshine, yet cool enough to run around in the yard like total maniacs. Duncan raced out the door to go potty, Sheldon just inches behind. Their usual spot for morning relief was waiting as always. Duncan's favorite lamp post received its daily does of yellow rain. Sheldon was still searching for just the right spot. There was no time to dawdle. I had things to do and places to go, but I know better than to rush Sheldon Gryffindor. All in his own sweet time. Something in the pencil tree caught my eye, so my attention was diverted from the poodles for a few moments. Suddenly both of them came charging around the corner smiling broadly.


I asked them both, in my best pitch if they wanted to go the grooming salon today. Their ears perked up as they cocked their heads in unison. Tails began to wag hurriedly, as they made their way back into the house. Just the jingling of my keys was all that was necessary to rally them to the front door- they were ready to head out. They climbed into the car and waiting impatiently- stomping their front feet in expectation of a day of fun and frolicking at the groomer's with all the other dogs. Take a look at the photo of them above, neither were too shaggy, but both needed a good brush and fluff. When we arrived at the salon, they quickly disappeared behind the counter and quickly forgot all about me, opting instead for their canine buddies.

riding home after the groomer's

After work that day I returned home to pick them up from the salon. I waited to hear a report card from Pat, the salon owner. Pat loves both Duncan and Sheldon, she's a poodle person anyway. She proceeded to inform me that Duncan spent most of the day sitting on her lap or table platform as she groomed other dogs. He likes to be the center of attention, so that was a good place to be I suppose. She told me Duncan even knew to stand up when smaller dogs needed to walk past him, the really tiny dogs were able to walk underneath him as he stood up, then returning to a seated position once he saw the small dogs in place. 

After the Groomers, all clean & fluffy!

They were both thrilled to see me when I walked in, which always makes me feel better than the abandonment when I drop them off. They were supercharged--feeling clean, fresh and fluffed, and they knew it. Sheldon in particular paused to admire himself when he passed by the mirror. That dog has quite a personality. Maybe that's why he has his own Twitter account @SheldonGryffin . 

Back home, they charged into the house, where Owen scattered as he heard his brothers galloping in the foyer. Everything was back to normal at home, once again.

I've Been Writing and Writing and Writing

For the past few years I've been working on writing a book. Well make that a few books. Writing has always come easily to me. As a kid I enjoyed writing so much I maintained a journal. Through school, I loved my typewriter. Then in college I made the switch to a computer-thingy. These days of course I'm a Mac Book guy and still enjoy writing. 

The book(s) I've been writing (I use that term 'book' loosely) are still very much rough draft concepts, yet I know that among the hundreds of pages are a subset text that will one day rise from the file and become a reality. One of my life goals is to publish a few books pertaining to self-motivation, and turning dreams into reality. Yesterday I wrote a post about the power of positive thinking. Those concepts have guided me through life since I was "knee-high to a grasshopper", so it is hardly a surprise to me that I am still drawn to these basic truths. 

I expect that I will continue to write around this subject matter until the moment is right; when the time comes I'll know it. Just the other night I awakened from a deep sleep with an idea of someone with whom I could partner on a book concept. Not sure exactly why that person's name came to me while asleep, but I'll never question it. I sent her an e-mail the next day to see where it may lead. Until then, I'll continue writing and writing and writing...

With Our Thoughts We Make Our World

About ten years ago, when I first moved to Palm Springs I had been living in San Diego for a few years. I can't truly say I was unhappy, because San Diego is a fantastic place on many levels. However I knew it was not where I wanted to hang my hat and settle in. Back then, the reality I knew was that my employer was in San Diego; my career going very well, and life- as I knew it- revolved around work. It wasn't all that bad actually. Yet I recognized there was something missing. Not so much material things, it was really about how I was spending my free time and LIVING.

I'll spare all the details- those belong more in the pages of a book than a blog post. But suffice to say I had an epiphany one weekend that the center of my universe was about to shift away from San Diego to a pleasant desert community about two hours away. It seemed crazy. Work was in San Diego, "I CAN'T" go there, I thought. But quickly those negative thoughts were replaced by an understanding that "I CAN". Yes, certain sacrifices would be made, with an eye toward the future. Yes, a few mistakes might have been made along the way, but none that interfered with the vision of the world I wanted.

When the relocation to Palm Springs happened, it didn't take long for the Universe to respond--in spades. Within a short time, my life was filled with the very things that were missing just a few weeks prior. That change initiated a series of actions that have affected me (positively) ever since. I remember a time when I thought I was "stuck" in San Diego, yet once I shifted my mind I found a reality of how to move my world.


Back then, I didn't understand the power of positive thinking, or how our thoughts can affect us. I like to describe it as a combination of prayer and positive thinking. Prayer is a very powerful force. The act of acknowledging a Higher Power and directing one's thoughts and mind toward that can be incredibly effective.


Today I am blessed with a life that is just what I envisioned. To achieve that is very fortunate indeed. The road of life is filled with many twists and turns, some painful and full of sadness. Yet how we handle those twists in the road, how we think about them, makes all the difference. The energy we expend with our thoughts is like a "cause and effect". So regardless of your current situation, your current reality, or the current "world in which you live", always remember that with our thoughts we make our world.


If you are reading this, chances are you, or someone else you know may need this message. Feel free to share it as needed. If it sparks a thought to just one person, it was worth the time it took to type this post. But in truth, I already know it is.
You are welcome to hear more on this topic from my radio radio show clicking here.

A Sunday Funny....

Happy Sunday all! Can you believe it is October 9th already? Where does the time go? I've done so much traveling this year that it seems to have flown past even more quickly than usual. Or is it true that time passes more quickly as one ages? At any rate I stumbled across this image recently and thought it to be rather funny. For those of us living in today's 'social media' world of Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and yes, even Blogger, we need to remember to live in the moment which sometimes means forgetting about telling everyone else we know about the experience and just living it! So remember, in case of fire, exit the building BEFORE Tweeting about it!

Happy Sunday!

The Importance of Good Grammar & Punctuation

For as long as I can recall, proper use of the English language- both spoken and written has come easily to me. I don't profess to be the best writer by any means; doubtless there are numerous posts within this blog over the years that have grammatical errors. I would attribute those to a hastily written post more than a lack of technical knowledge. Some people struggle with using proper English on a daily basis, using poor grammar, incorrect use of words, and bad punctuation. I have been blessed with a good upbringing and excellent education so that I merely hear or see something to recognize it as incorrect. Being a voracious reader of books, I may have subliminally enhanced my knowledge of the English language further still.

This post is not written as a rant toward anyone in particular, but more from a point of view that I miss the days when using proper English mattered within our society. Our fast paced world of e-mail and texting has brought a host of abbreviations, acronyms and seemingly a loss for attention to detail. While these may be appropriate in a text, it frustrates me to see these trends creeping into formal written communications. I'm not sure what is worse, the fact people communicate poorly, or that they are not aware their grammar is so poor. Perhaps some people just do not care.

Case in point: I've been assisting a friend with recruiting and hiring for an open position for her company. I offered to sift through a few cover-letters and resumes, and be part of the interview panel. Throughout the process, I have been mortified by the quality of cover letters and resumes submitted for this position. Resumes with spelling errors, poor punctuation, and wrong use of words were common among the candidates. One person's cover letter read as follows:

"...During the first year I, killed my bosses and also her bosses number to. Everyone told me, how much better I was at it then my co-worker's before me did it".

Can you imagine? The errors within that are not only laughable but made me think about calling the police to report a murder confession. For a brief moment afterward I slipped into a gloomy state of mind, feeling as if our world was "going to hell in a hand-basket" as they say. Why is it that learning and using proper grammar is not valued anymore? 

Without a doubt I am a bit of an "old school" person; I still enjoy sending postcards, hand-written thank you notes and holiday cards. I realize that the world is changing and technology is moving very fast. I believe it is important for people to hold one another accountable to communicate properly. Parents need to teach and correct their children. Grandparents should set the example in their spoken word at home. Within the workplace, companies should train their employees to use professional business grammar, and not accept substandard communications.

All I ask is that people slow down a bit, try to use proper English to mean what you say and say what you mean. With that, Gentle Reader this post draws to a close. Thank you for reading this rant.
P.S. all corrections to grammar within this post are welcome!

Steve Job's Perspectives on Dying

The world truly lost a genius today whose brief time on this planet made a real difference to a generation...

I ran across a few passages attributed to former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, commenting about his own battle with pancreatic cancer...some of you may find these words of interest.

“The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is   incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six   months,” he told his shocked audience.

“My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is   doctor’s code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids   everything you thought you’d have the next 10 years to tell them in just a   few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.”

Although a biopsy later showed the cancer was treatable, Jobs said it had made him think seriously about dying for the first time.

“No one wants to die,” he said. “Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it.

“And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

“Our time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.”…

And then these comments too...

 “When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: ‘If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.’ It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."
 
- Steve Jobs

Interesting, huh?

The Amazing Music of Basia...in Concert!

Sunday I went to see Basia perform in concert at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA. Basia has an amazing vocal range and has recorded some really excellent music that remains a staple in smooth jazz stations and home music collections. Her unique style of "cocktail style background jazz music" is great because it is pleasant enough to listen to alone, sing along or as background music that won't overtake a cocktail conversation. 

Her 'Time and Tide' album went Platinum and made her a true International recording star. I was living in Chicago when she first got "big" in the US. There was a great smooth Jazz station in Chicago at the time called WNUA 98.5 FM who played Basia constantly. Some of you might even recall her being a member of the band 'Matt Bianco'.

Born in Poland, she was raised in England and also lived in Chicago for awhile, her speaking voice has an interesting accent for sure. There is no mistaking her Polish roots; Basia's last name is nearly impossible for we Americans to pronounce: 'Trzetrzelewska' so it comes as no surprise why she only goes by her first name.

I recently stumbled on her new album, a live concert recording called “From Newport To London: Greatest Hits Live…And More.” It was co-produced by the Basia and her longtime collaborator and keyboardist Danny White (also a member of 'Matt Bianco'). "From Newport to London" includes her white-hot smooth jazz standards like 'Time And Tide,' Promises' and 'Cruising For Bruising.'

I was in Atlanta last week for work when I saw a Twitter feed about tickets being available for Basia's concert in the Palm Springs area, so I snapped up two tickets on the spot. I was so happy to have the opportunity to see her in concert, despite being a big fan I don't know why I never found a way to see her over all these years.

True fans of Basia will love her in concert, because her voice sounds exactly the same as her studio album voice. I really enjoyed her concert on Sunday, she was personable, friendly and so down to earth. She smiles easily and appears to genuinely love singing and her music. Basia is a master at the jazz samba rhythm sound. Beware of involuntary toe-tapping or swaying while attending her show. I even jumped up at one point and found myself swaying and clapping along to her singing. It was wonderful to be washed over by the wave of song, it made me smile both inside and out.

Basia sang virtually every one of her major hits and then some. She maintained great energy all night, particularly during some of her more difficult songs like "I Must" which features complex chords, very fast versus and broad vocal range. She handled it well, and then moved right into a ballad effortlessly. I can't say enough about Basia and how terrific she is to hear sing live. If you love smooth jazz music, check her out, and better still see her in concert. Find more information from her website BasiaSongs.com

Discography:

Basia

2011 From Newport to London

2009 It’s That Girl Again

1997 Clear Horizon

1995 Basia on Broadway

1994 Sweetest Illusion

1990 London, Warsaw, New York

1986 Time and Tide

Matt Bianco (featuring Basia)
2004 Matt's Mood

1984 Whose Side Are You On?