Camelot and Chaos

"Camelot"

I was 9 years old in 1960 When John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his running mate Lyndon B. Johnson were elected to the top offices in the land. Kennedy was a Senator and Johnson was Speaker of the House at the time of their election.  Johnson passed the Speaker ship to fellow Democrat and Texan Jim Wright.  Wright represented the district in which my Mother served as Precinct Chairman and Election Judge.  Her relationship with Wright would prove to cause me problems later on down the line.

I was not yet 13 when President Kennedy was struck down presumably by Lee Harvey Oswald upon which there is still some conjecture.  Oswald himself was in turn killed in the basement of the Dallas Police station while being transferred to the County Jail by Jack Ruby who later died in jail for the crime.

The years in between JFK's election and his untimely death came to be known as the era of Camelot  alluding to  the "handsome King" JFK and his "beautiful Queen" Jacqueline.  It was a  magical time in America that had its fair share of challenges much the same as that time in my life. 

During the election however, much of the discussion nationwide was not political but religious.  JFK was the first non protestant to run for president.  He was a practicing Roman Catholic (even if not always faithful to its tenants).  I could not understand the big deal at the time as I had a Catholic girl in my class and she was as nice a person as I could hope to meet.  JFK picked Johnson as a running mate for a couple of reasons.  Number one, he was Speaker of the House with a large constituency in Texas as well as a Southern coalition that could deliver the Presidency to JFK.  Here in Texas, most of the folks voted for Kennedy because of Johnson who was a good ole boy from Texas with a lot of political power which did and still does count for a lot politically here in Texas.

In the Spring of 1961 after Kennedy's inauguration and the first magical 100 days in office.  I had the first magical experience of my young life at still the tender age of 9.  I was in the fifth grade at Glen Park Elementary School and best friends with a boy named Neal.  We had been classmates since first grade and best friends for a couple of years at that time.  Neal introduced me to my first sexual experience period not withstanding that he was another boy.  I knew and trusted him so when he came to me and said he was going to teach me how to screw, I said OK.  Being the naive young fellow I asked him what screwing was while around others and he shushed me then explained later.  Typically, it happened at recess and of course in the boys bathroom.

At that time in my life most little boys were into sports and such as well as "being nasty".  Basically we all played the game of rack 'em which is where one boy tries to be the first or best to bop another boy in the balls.  There was a tall athletic kid in my class named Bobby that was good at everything.  One day before my experience with Neal I was behind Bobby in line as we filed into the bathroom after lunch.  He had a large bulge in his pants for one his age and I reached around with both hands and grabbed his package and manhandled it rather roughly for a moment where upon he of course groaned.  After the queasiness in his stomach passed, he congratulated me for getting him so good which raised my stature among the other boys just a bit.  I was sort of chubby and asthmatic as a kid so sports and running were not among my strong points, so I needed whatever "boy points" I could get.  Unfortunately I never got to see Bobby's developing package for myself as he drowned accidentally  in Lake Arlington the next year.

I often played along with Neal with the girls at recess.  We seemed to have more in common and I could play the games they enjoyed.  Neal and I had become best friends because we were much the same when it came to sports and having more in common with the girls than the boys.  I had already come to realize I was not like other boys but not exactly how and I had already begun to subconsciously feel my Mother's disappointment with me for some reason.

One day at recess Neal and I went to the bathroom which was not unusual for the teacher as we often did everything together.  He led me to the last stall and began to explain about "screwing".  Neal was a tall boy and had a man size dick if not much hair yet.  He took down my pants and underwear and his, laid his dick in the crack of my ass and began to masturbate me.  I was amazed at the feelings coursing through my body and my mind was awash with sensation.  I did not ejaculate but I had my first dry orgasm which literally drove me to my knees in pleasure.  It was the first time I ever thought my "pee pee" could do something besides leak water.  It was to be our secret he said, to which I readily agreed.  Needless to say I was worthless at recess when we returned but I really did not care, I was still basking in the glow of the most intense experience of my young life.   And I could tell no one about it.  Our secret games continued until about the seventh grade when my older brother and his friends humiliated me on the way home from Neal's house after a sleep over.  We never played again and he became increasingly flamboyant while I became confused and withdrawn with the first signs of bipolarity exhibiting themselves.  Back then they called it manic/depressive but it amounts to the same thing.  I did not receive any treatment as prayer and supplication was supposed to give me peace of mind.  I did give a big mixed bag of emotions but peace of mind was not among them.

In those days the 7th grade was the first level of Junior High School with the 9th graders being the top dogs.  My older brother was a 9th grader when I was in 7th and a favorite with everyone it seemed especially our band director Mrs. Mildred von Tungeln (more often referred to as Ms von).  At that point I was the pale imitation of my older brother and felt awkward, out of place, out classed and thoroughly confused.  I could not be like my brother, and I did not want to be someone as flamboyant as Neal.  I just wanted to be some one other than me.  It was also at this time that my obsession with "bad boys" began.

There was a boy who was chasing the girl whose locker was next tot mine.  He was a tall, handsome Italian who wore the tightest white pants  I had and have ever seen on a guy.  You could count the wrinkles in his scrotum (really, I swear to god!).  My infatuation with him led me to want to emulate him as much as was possible.  He was a bad boy with rolled up sleeves whether long or short along with the whipcord body as well as the aforementioned white pants.  He also smoked, which of course led me to ask him to teach me how.  He did and I was a sneak smoker as my Mother and the church were totally against it even though my Dad was a smoker.

I did not equate my infatuation with him as "good or right"  just damn desirable.  Which added to the quandary growing in my brain as to who and what I was as all the feelingS I was having were in the "bad side" of the equation according to my Mother and my religion although I could not discuss my secret with her or the church.  This led to more depression as I had absolutely no one in which to confide.  I did not feel God would listen because my Mother was his appointed spokesperson and she would never and did never understand, accept or come anywhere close to warming to the idea that one of her sons was a homosexual.  It was also about this time, I believe it was in Bible School the Summer before seventh grade when I was complaining about having to leaRn all these long Bible verses to my Mother.  She turned to me and said "My girls can do it, I don't see why you can't" and walked away.  It was at that moment the realization came that my not being one of her girls or her daughter was the source of her disappointment with me.  This added to the chaos in my brain as I was not, could not and would never be one of her girls or her daughter.  This was mind fucking to say the least.  And still there was no one in whom I could confide.  By the time JFK was assassinated that fall which sent the world into chaos, the chaos in my brain was drowning out all rational thought.  I hated me and I knew that God did not or could not love me as it was so pronounced by both my Mother and my church.  From this point on until the day my Mother died, I tried to make her proud of me and failed. I will never recover from that failure as even on her deathbed she asked me "Please don't let any of my friends find out that you are gay, I would be so ashamed".

Now she is gone and the chaos in my mind became too much and I finally found someone I could confide in and have been confiding in her ever since.  I will be forever grateful to her for helping me make the chaos into music in my mind.  There are many chapters yet to come between then and now, but I have come to the end of my energy for today.  We will pick it up yet again next week when you come to visit me again. 

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For your listening pleasure today, I thought I would take you to the movies  so to speak and feature Movie Music composed by Luigi Bocchereini.  Luigi Boccherini, although thoroughly Italian, wrote several pieces in the Spanish Style, two of which figured prominently in the movies.  The first piece is Guitar Quintet Number 4 in D Major "Fandango".  This piece was the musical centerpiece of the Kevin Costner movie "Fandango" with all the movements used throughout the movie including several intimations of the finale which is the fourth movement "Fandango", the love theme featured in the movie's finale.  This performance is by Eros Roselli, guitar and La Magnifica Comunità. 

The second piece also in the Spanish Style was featured in the Russel Crowe movie "Master and Commander, the Far Side of the World".  The main theme of La Musica Notturna delle Strade di Madrid - Op. 30 n. 6 was featured in a scene in the Captain's cabin with the Captain (Crowe), the Doctor and the First Officer playing this piece with Crowe playing the Cello part.  This performance is by Manfred Kraemer (violin I), Pablo Valetti (violin II), Angelo Bartoletti (viola), Bruno Cocset (violoncello I), Antoine Ladrette (violoncello II) and Le Concert des Nations / Jordi Savall (conductor).



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Finally for today, I have a retrospective look at some of the finer images sent to me by the Photographer Biron, whose multicultural images are strikingly beautiful while allowing the viewer to intimately connect with the subjects themselves.  You will find the retrospective posted just below.  Thanks for the visit, come again and often.  And as always, Enjoy!

In the Beginning

Sunrise Over 7th Street, looking East from my store.

Before I begin, I would like to extend my condolences to one of my oldest friends, Steve R. in Virginia who lost his Mom this week.  She was a gentile Southern Lady who was charming, funny, gracious and compassionate.  She will be missed I know, but the circle of life will continue and memories of her will warm the hearts of all who knew her.

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 When I first came to the offices of Stay The Course at the behest of the VA, I did so with not a little trepidation but a lot.  Was I ready to reveal all my deep dark secrets?  I did not know, but I did know that I had to change the course of my life and thoughts or I was going to end up in that rubber room with a straight jacket.  I had been seeing my psychiatrist, Dr Moradi, at the VA on a quarterly basis and she recommended I engage a therapist and pointed me in the direction of Stay the Course.  I placed a desperate phone call and of course got voice mail.  I left a message and Tempa called me back and set an appointment for our first session.  It was early in the establishment of her practice with just she and one other therapist.  I have watched her practice grow to several therapists and staff members.  Many of the staff there are either Veterans themselves or spouses of Veterans, all of whom have the best interests of the Veterans and First Responders who come to them for assistance foremost in their minds.  Tempa herself is married to a Veteran and knows first hand how difficult life is when transitioning from military to civilian life.  Our common experiences as Veterans or First Responders results in a shared bond which one cannot really understand without having been there, done that for yourself.

Tempa is a tall willowy red head with a heart as big as Texas with whom I found it easy to talk.  In our first session, she asked me what my goal was for my course of therapy.  I forget now what turn of phrase I used at the time but basically I wanted Clarity,  Stability and Sanity.  I am a classic bi-polar person.  It was either depression so deep as to be inconsolable or giddy happiness that knew no bounds.  I wanted to be somewhere in the middle with the ability to handle the daily stress that comes with life.  If there is anything I have learned in my lifetime, it is the fact that I can only handle so much stress (very little in fact) before having an adverse reaction to it.  Medication certainly helps, but the ability to handle stress for me is that core feeling of inner peace, and I had no such feeling when I began my sessions with Tempa.

I am prone to erratic behavior, irrational thought, extremely OCD and easily angered.  I am also the caring, compassionate, witty 'Uncle' to everyone.  I often try to provide the means to achieve that inner peace for others that I so desperately seek for myself.  Unfortunately for me, that inner peace has never been possible.  I am closer now than ever I have been.  Tempa has guided me in my journey to get as far as I have.  I have revealed to her things I have never told anyone, often not even myself.  She helped to pry open the cellar door in my mind, sweep out the corners and is helping me to discover what I need to keep and what I need to throw away.  She has helped me to see that staying in the here and now moving forward is the more preferable state of being.  The Past is full of pain, pitfalls and traps which lures me in and then destroy my mental state which has painful physical ramifications.  However, by taking past events in my life, examining them one at a time, then deciding whether it is a treasure to be kept or just plain trash which needs to be disposed of properly has not been an easy task.  I have had to remember things sometimes best forgotten and un-remember things that did not promote a healthy mental state.  I am by no means done with my journey, but before I can tell you where I am going, I must first tell you where I have been. I have hopes my story will help someone else avoid some of the pains and pitfalls life throws at one when one least expects it.

It will take a while for the whole story to come out and deciding to share my tightly bound and hidden secrets was not an easy choice.  However, I have learned to loose their bonds, deal with them face to face one at a time and move on.  Learning how to deal with my issues has helped me face life with a few more tools in the box to deal with whatever comes my way and the way of others in my life.  I have held some of these things so tightly and buried so deep for so long, I had no recollection of them.  In order to discover what has been hidden in the corners of my mind, I must first sort through the pile of crap covering them before I can see what is truly in those dark corners.  Next week I will begin the uncovering with events of my youth, which of course is long past at his point and not always on ready recall.  The past is never as really clear as what we think it is and only by a careful examination of these things can one retain as valuable or reject as unnecessary what it is one finds there.  I hope this will not be as painful for you as it has proven to be for me.

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For your listening pleasure today, I have another of my favorites among the Italian Baroque composers, Luigi Boccherini, with this recording of 5 of his 6 Flute Quintets featuring Jean-Pierre Rampal, Flute; Régis Pasquier, Violin; Roland Pidoux, Violoncello; Mathilde Sternat, Violoncello and Bruno Pasquier, Viola.  You will find the play list after the video.  Also after the playlist is this week's visual treats.  This week we are sticking with the Art side of Male Art with 7 more paintings of young men.  Thank you for the visit, please do come again and as always, Enjoy!

Quintet No. 3 in C Major, G. 439 : I. Allegro vivace (Instrumental) 00:00 

Quintet No. 3 in C Major, G. 439 : II. Cantabile (Instrumental)  

Quintet No. 3 in C Major, G. 439 : III. Andante con variazioni (Instrumental) 

Quintet No. 2 in G Major, G. 438 : I. Allegro (Instrumental)15:00 

Quintet No. 2 in G Major, G. 438 : II. Adagio non tanto (Instrumental) 

Quintet No. 2 in G Major, G. 438 : III. Andante con variazioni (Instrumental) 

Quintet No. 1 in F Major, G. 437 : I. Allegro (Instrumental) 28:51 

Quintet No. 1 in F Major, G. 437 : II. Largo (Instrumental) 

Quintet No. 1 in F Major, G. 437 : III. Grazioso (Instrumental) 

Quintet No. 5 in G Major, G. 441 : I. Moderato (Instrumental 41:00 

Quintet No. 5 in G Major, G. 441 : II. Adagio (Instrumental) 

Quintet No. 5 in G Major, G. 441 : III. Grazioso (Instrumental) 

Quintet No. 6 in B-flat Major, G. 442 : I. Allegro (Instrumental) 53:45 

Quintet No. 6 in B-flat Major, G. 442 : II. Adagio (Instrumental) 

Quintet No. 6 in B-flat Major, G. 442 : III. Rondeau. Grazioso (Instrumental

On The Menu!

I have spent a healthy chunk of change lately upgrading the equipment in my kitchen in order to improve the culinary experience for Will and I.  In the past month I have purchased an Aroma Rice Cooker/Food Steamer, a cast iron reversible griddle/grill that covers two burners on my stove thus expanding its capabilities, new cooking utensils and of course my most recent purchase of the NuWave Oven.  Yesterday was payday and now that I have my Thursdays off again, I can take care of all my chores and errands thus leaving my weekend free for recreation and recuperation.  

So yesterday I planned the weekly menu to take advantage of all the new tools at my disposal along with healthier meal choices for us.  Last night was the kick off of the new menu and the first use of my NuWave Oven.  I must say it was a complete success with lots of deliciousness to fill our tummies.  On the Menu:  Baked Chicken, Rosemary Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Corn, Cornbread Stuffing and a Creamy Chicken Gravy.   Including prep time this delicious meal went from package to table in under 2 hours, the kitchen was not heated up, and cleanup was a snap.  Not bad for a first attempt.  Here is what I did:

I took a Trader Joe's minimally processed free range 5 pound frying chicken rinsed and drained, then rubbed a small amount of olive oil on the outside.  On the inside I put chopped garlic, onion powder and half a lemon, squeezed.  I then rubbed onion powder and poultry seasoning into the skin, tied the legs and placed it on the 1 inch grill, breast down, in the NuWave Oven.  Placing the dome on top, I set it for 350 F and the timer for 40 minutes.  When that timer went off, I flipped the bird breast side up, removed the lemon and squeezed the remaining juices over the breast, then cooked for an additional 35 minutes.  I added foil for the last 5 minutes to prevent over browning.  The chicken was cooked to perfection (internal temperature 165.4 F measured with my new digital meat thermometer), tender juicy and delicious!

While the Chicken was cooking I steamed some Trader Joe's gold potatoes with some salt and Rosemary for 25 minutes in the Aroma steamer.  I removed the potatoes then steamed some Trader Joe's organic sweet corn for 10 minutes.  I mashed the potatoes with butter and milk, reheating them in the microwave for 2 minutes just before serving. On the stove, I prepared some Stove Top Cornbread Stuffing using chicken broth instead of the water in the recipe and made the gravy.  The gravy is simple, take a can of cream of chicken soup, add onion powder, poultry seasoning and a little chicken broth, heat and voila instant gravy!  Every thing came together at the same time for a wonderfully delicious, hassle free meal!

Clean up was easy, the juices from the chicken were gathered in the liner pan of the oven, so I just poured them in a jar for disposal, and every thing else disassembles and is dishwasher safe (except for the power head on the oven), so in it went and I was done.   A very successful beginning to our grand experiment. 

Now getting to the Music and the Men, I was in a mood for some Boccherini today, so I found a great video (posted below) of 3 Boccherini Quintets for Piano and Strings Opus 56, Number 1 and Opus 57, Numbers 3 & 4.  That performance is by Roberto Panuzzo on Piano and members of the Stumentisti del Teatro alla Scala.  Over on my tumblr, I have my favorite among Boccherini’s Cello Concerti, the Cello Concerto in B Flat Major.  That marveleous performance is by the Bavarian Chamber Philharmonic under the baton of Philip Greenberg and features Xavier Philipps as the Cello Soloist.  His performance is on  a Cello  crafted by Matteo Goffriller Venedig in 1710, was recorded live at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.

Then since it is Friday, it is time to indulge in a little phantasie fantastique with some gorgeous guys in compromising or suggestive situations that are sure to delight one and all.  You will find your Friday Fantasy Fuel posted down below.  Over on my tumblr, your Hottie of the Day! is there offering his 'Open Invitation...'.  Thanks for the visit, see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!

The Other Side of the Coin

Yesterday I told you about that Neanderthal Judge in Denton County and his crock of shit document.  Today I would like to tell you of someone , also from a suburb of Fort Worth, who is definitely on the other side of the coin philosophically from Judge DipShit in Denton.  Towleroad.com alerted me to this Facebook post by the Mayor of Burleson, Ken Shetter.  Burleson is a community of 40,000 mostly rabidly conservative folks located just South of Fort Worth.  Mayor Shetter posted the following in response to a challenge from a constituent regarding the Mayor's stance on the SCOTUS Affirmation of Marriage Equality for All:

Last week I was challenged by a citizen as follows:

    I need our mayor Ken Shetter, who has had some posts on my FB wall, post that he is happy with the supreme court ruling on gay marriage, or anyone else that is OK with gay marriage, to quote me a bible verse, that states gay marriage is acceptable to God, the Almighty!!! Just pick a book, old or new testament, that has a verse or chapter, from God, that says he condones this type of behavior!! Good luck!! If you do not quote a bible verse by book & chapter, don't bother replying!! - no replies in this manner will mean you know it is wrong in the eyes of God...I'm not real smart, but I do know that 2 men can't have a birth child & neither can 2 women, adoption ruled out. All of us are here because of 1 man & 1 woman. Anything else is taught by someone other than God! Is anyone that reads this, ready to stand before the almighty, on their judgement day, and say gay marriage is OK with them. I'm afraid praying for mercy on your soul, will not work, in god's eyes. Begging for forgiveness from God, of your foolishness, is out of my control!

I'm going to respond, not in point-counter-point style, but by trying to articulate my views as mayor and then as a Christian. I can't stress strongly enough I am not attempting to create, extend or participate in a debate. I am not trying to change anyone's opinions or express disrespect for any particular point-of-view, just to explain my own.

As the mayor, I congratulate LGBT citizens of Burleson on their right to marry. Further, I am pleased the Supreme Court's ruling is just one of many ways we are telling members of the LGBT community (particularly LGBT youth) they are fully accepted and valued participants in our society--no matter where they live.

I have strong and long-held Christian beliefs. Obviously those beliefs inform and ultimately help shape my views and the decisions I make as a public servant. It would be impossible for me to completely separate my spiritual beliefs from my role as mayor. However, I believe the separation of church and state, as written into the First Amendment to the Constitution, forbids me from allowing my Christian beliefs (or any other religious beliefs) to dictate policy or official action. So, I will not quote any verse of the Bible in justifying my mayoral views. I will simply say I will uphold the Constitution, as interpreted by the Supreme Court of the United States (that's how it works in our system, at least since Marbury v. Madison). I will also be true to my commitment to do everything within my power to make Burleson a great place to live, learn, work and play for all...And all includes gay citizens of Burleson.

For anyone who feels the statement above infringes upon their rights as a Christian, I would hasten to say I am bound by the free exercise clause of the First Amendment just as much as the separation clause. My views as public servant do not in any way inhibit your ability to exercise your religious beliefs, no matter how they relate to the issue of gay marriage.

On a personal level, I celebrate the right of my gay friends to be married, as well as the fact they are accepted and embraced more fully in today's society. I do so not in spite of my Christian beliefs, but at least partially because of my Christian beliefs.

I know some who read this will immediately begin making a list of bible verses to contradict my belief that the teachings of Jesus lead me to accept and embrace my gay friends without a "not accepting their lifestyle" qualifier. Adam Hamilton, a very well-respected Methodist minister, summed up my views more succinctly than I possibly could:

    The Bible, in its writing, content, and canonization, is wonderfully complex and we do not do it justice, nor are we always able to discern God’s will, simply by quoting a handful of verses. If it worked this way we’d still embrace slavery, polygamy, and concubinage. Victims of rape would still be forced to wed their rapists. We’d not allow women to serve as pastors; but rather, we’d require them to remain silent in the church.

There are a lot of people I love and respect who have a "believe every word literally or believe none of it" view of the Bible, but my analytical brain won't let me do that. As I have sought to gain a greater understanding of the Bible and God's will throughout and for my life, I have focused on the words of Jesus, the nature of God and what it means to truly love one another.

I was challenged to identify a biblical justification for my beliefs. Here you go:

    8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

    13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13: 8-13

    34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

I believe very strongly being gay is not a choice, it is simply who you are. Given that reality and what I believe about the nature of God, I can not believe God would disqualify gay people from sharing deep love and intimacy with a soul mate. Beyond that, Jesus was very clear to me about my role on this earth. My job is to love people where and how I find them without judgment.

Before you tell me I am wrong in not reading the Bible literally, or that I am misinterpreting the teachings of Paul or Jesus, let me say I recognize I am neither God nor a biblical scholar and I could be wrong. This is what I believe after many years of thought, consideration and study--my beliefs are not a result of cultural pressure or brainwashing by the Internet and mainstream media. You may believe something different, and I am good with that.

If you agree with me 100%, great. If you think I'm going to hell or that I'm not a true Christian because of my beliefs, not great, but okay. If you agree with me about gay marriage but don't believe in God, I respect you all the same. Whatever your views on this or a host of other issues, I'm going to do my best to love you. It's what Jesus taught me to do and it's just a better way to live life.

Now that is the way a True Christian would respond, with love, not hate.  I certainly wish we had a lot more politicians, hell more people just like Mayor Shetter.  Almost makes me want to move to Burleson, but not quite, lol.  

Musically today I am in a Boccherini type of mood so that is what you will be getting.  However, I will not whack you over the head with another round of his Cello Concerti, though I love them dearly.  Today I thought I would post this set of 6 String Trios, Opus 47, G 107-112 written in 1793 and performed beautifully by Trio L'Europa Galante: Fabio Biondi (Violin), Angelo Bartoletti (Viola), & Maurizio Naddeo (Cello).  The video description was so informative that I thought I would include it here also: 

"For a long time, it was thought that Boccherini spent a considerable amount of time in Prussia (1787-1796), this on the strength of a quite spurious document. The fact was that he never left Spain, but he did receive an allowance from Friedrich Wilhelm II, who greatly appreciated his music. Boccherini sent him a fair number of his compositions, and it is for this reason that the Staatsbibliothek in Berlin houses copies of the Opus 47 Trios, to give just one example. These trios date from 1793 and were composed between February and October of that year. Compared with the 'great' trios, Opus 14 (1772) and Opus 34 (1781), they are treated in a far simpler manner. These Opus 47 works, unlike their predecessors which consisted of three or even four movements, have only two movements. Not one of them, incidentally, is written in the minor. One may well ask oneself what lies behind this evolution. Was the composer intent on achieving a greater degree of purity in his music, but at the same time lending it increased subtlety? Or was he out to capture a wider audience by means of more accessible music? It really would appear that Boccherini had set his heart on writing less complex pieces, whatever the genre. Later on, following an insistent request from his Parisian publisher, Pleyel, he even agreed to write a collection of six pieces, two works in his own style and four 'according to your desires'.

However that may be, there is no lack of invention in the pieces and once again, one finds that inexhaustible melodic charm which characterizes all Boccherini's chamber music. Although five out of the six trios end with a minuet, the first movements are highly diverse, as though the composer had set out to give each page his own unusual psychological character. There is a remarkable ambiguity about the music: smiles or melancholy? By such subtle shifts of lighting, Boccherini, just like Haydn and Mozart, manages to make his way along the narrow ridge dividing the language of the baroque era from romantic expression." - Jacques Bonnaure (trans. John Sidgwick)

Painting: Six studies of a cat, Thomas Gainsborough

 Included in the play list are Trios Number 1 in A major (G. 107); 2 in G major (G. 108); 3 in B-flat major (G. 109); 4 in E-flat major (G. 110); 5 in D major (G. 111) and 6 in F major (G. 112).  Now little know by a lot of folks, Boccherini also wrote a series of Symphonies in various keys and lengths that are not really heard much in the concert halls now days.  To help bring light to these lesser known works, over on my tumblr you may join the Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss under the direction of Johannes Goritzki for their performance of Boccherini's Symphony in E flat major, Op. 12, Number 2, G. 504.

Now for some visual delights, scroll on down the page to the next post where you will find an abundance of Random Hotness just waiting for you to drool all over them.  While over on my tumblr your Hottie of the Day!, Armondo Adajar is a scrumptious site with an ass that begs to be eaten, check him out.   Thanks for the visit, see you again real soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!

Boccherini Quintets

After a long, wet weekend, events have conspired to delay my arrival in these pages today until now.  I was going to rant a little about the some nefarious doings down in the TX Legislature, but I will save that for another day when I have more time.  I still need to get some rest before truck night so I am heading straight into the Music and the Men. 

Your Featured composer today is Luigi Boccherini.  Boccherini is in that trio of Italian Baroque Composer I love so well, Boccherini, Corelli and Vivaldi.  I woke up in a Baroque mood and Luigi beat out Antonio and Arcangelo for today anyway.  I have Boccherini's String Quintets, Opus 27 posted for you down below.  Today's performance is by La Magnifica Communita and a complete play list may be found here.  Over on my tumblr, you may join Lucca Baccion Flute and Rossella Isola on Harp for 3 of Boccherini's Sonatas for Flute and Harp.  That play list is over on my tumblr. 

I did not forget the Men either, you will find a plethora of sexy studs in this edition of Random Hotness posted down below.  Then the Hottie of the Day! begs you to "Wrestle me....Please?!?!?!", check him out on my tumblr.  Thaks for hanging out til I got here, see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!

Giants of the Guitar - The Composers IV

It Thursday & pay day, so of course I am running a little behind.  But hey, it is still Thursday, right?  Anyway, we continue on our journey of exploration into the Giants of the Guitar with this week's focus on The Composers.  Most of the Music we have heard over the last couple of weeks has been solo works, concerti or works for other instruments transcribed for performance on the Guitar.  However the Guitar lends itself well to duos, trios and other groupings of instruments in an ensemble.  I have a particular affinity for the Baroque period with composers like Boccherini, Corelli and Vivaldi among my favorites as composers.  Luigi Boccherini wrote a large amount of chamber music, including over one hundred string quintets for two violins, viola and two cellos (a type which he pioneered, in contrast with the then common scoring for two violins, two violas and one cello), a dozen guitar quintets, not all of which have survived, nearly a hundred string quartets, and a number of string trios and sonatas (including at least 19 for the cello). His orchestral music includes around 30 symphonies and 12 virtuoso cello concerti.

I have the surviving Guitar Quintets for you today recorded in a marvelous performance by the ensemble La Magnifica Comunità with Eros Roselli on Guitar.  The play list includes Guitar Quintette Nr.1 d-moll G.445; Guitar Quintette Nr.3 B-dur G.447 22:41; Guitar Quintette Nr.5 D-dur G.449 44:45; Guitar Quintette Nr.6 G-dur G.450 1:04:25 ; Guitar Quintette Nr.4 D-dur G.448 1:19:59; Guitar Quintette Nr.2 E-dur G.446 1:38:21 and Guitar Quintette C-dur G.453 1:57:50.

Another form of ensemble expression is the Guitar Quartet.  There are some works written for a Guitar Quartet but a lot of the Guitar Quartet repertoire consists of transcriptions of works for other groupings.  One excellent example is the Orchestral Suite from the Opera Carmen by Georges Bizet.  The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet has transcribed the suite for Guitar Quartet and you will find their performance over on my tumblr.

And no I did not forget the eye candy, you will find the dynamite in denim in the Men In Jeans post down below and in Mr October, the Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr.  Thanks for sticking around, tune in tomorrow for more Giants of the Guitar.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!

Thursday Trifecta

I have had a busy morning what with it being pay day and all that goes with that.  However I did run across a trio of articles on Outsports that reiterate a lot of my on feelings on the subject matter at hand.  There is a new study out which concludes: LGBT people change the minds of others on our issues, not straight people.  Many LGBT Activists, myself included, and our allies have contended this for a while now.  Straight people and their attitudes towards LGBT issues make a palpable change for the better when exposed, even briefly, to real LGBT people and their stories.  Live in person, in print or over the Internet, our stories matter and they are not only the most effective but the study indicates that it is the only way others hearts and minds are changed.  It is hard to hate someone you know!  

Two companion articles illustrate the conclusions of the study brilliantly. In one,  Coach Julie Shaw feels fear every time she comes out.  She does it anyway tells the story of Julie Shaw, obviously, who is the Head Women's Basketball Coach at the University of LaVerne.  Julie is Openly Gay and gives training sessions in a variety of forums to other Coaches and Administrators on how to handle LGBT issues in their own organizations.   The fear she feels is the same fear we all fear, the fear of a negative reaction and rejection for who we are.  Julie says her voice shakes every time she tells her story:

"So if I am asked to share my story I will share it, just like I am today. I think in so many areas of our life it is important to share your story, because by sharing you are giving someone a chance to connect, grow, change, and sometimes even give them strength. I have gained so much strength, inspiration and motivation from the many people who have shared their stories with me, and for this I will continue to share my story.

For those who have thanked me for this small act, I want to say "thank very much" for making it easier for me to speak without my voice shaking."

The third story that so aptly illustrates the value of telling our stories, 108 athletes, coaches, officials and sports administrators came out publicly this year, provides a wealth of inspiration with the stories of these 108 people in the public eye who have made a difference in other peoples lives.  They have done that by being themselves, coming out and living to tell their stories.  Their stories are all different, yet very similar.  They tell of individual struggle, self awareness leading to self acceptance which then private acknowledgement.  That final step of public acknowledgement is most often the biggest single hurdle in any LGBT person's life.  They are however encouraged and inspired when they see, hear or read about someone just like them that found the courage to be themselves.  To know us is to love us. 

So there's your trifecta, a trio of articles that reinforce the part we all play in the march towards Equality for All.  I will continue to do my part always looking to inspire you with my own personal trifecta:  Words, Music and Art.  All of which I have shared with you joyfully over the last 8 years to your most gracious reception.  Thank you for allowing me to be some small part of your life.  Now on to the entertainment portion of this party!

Your Thursday Musical Moment follows along with the trio thing we have going today with 6 String Trios, Opus 47 (G 107-112) by Luigi Boccherini.  These trios date from 1793 and were composed between February and October of that year. Compared with the 'great' trios, Opus 14 (1772) and Opus 34 (1781), they are treated in a far simpler manner. These Opus 47 works, unlike their predecessors which consisted of three or even four movements, have only two movements. Not one of them, incidentally, is written in a minor key.  Today's marvelous performance is by Trio L'Europa Galante: Fabio Biondi (violin), Angelo Bartoletti (viola), & Maurizio Naddeo (cello).  You may also hear one of my favorite Boccherini pieces, La Musica Notturna delle Strade di Madrid - Op. 30 n. 6 (G. 324) with a performance by Le Concert des Nations under the baton Jordi Savall over on my tumblr. 

Then to serve up some sizzling sultry sexiness of the my machismo variety, this week's edition of Men in Jeans should provide fuel enough to fulfill the fantasy on any guy's Erotic Christmas Wish List.  Someone else who might appear on your ECWL or mine would be the Pretty Country Boy who is your Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr.  Thanks for hanging around until I arrived. see you again tomorrow. Until next time as always, Enjoy!