Haikus: December 2007

HAIKUS: December 2007

By Peter Y. Chou
WisdomPortal.com

These haikus were written as exercises in mindfulness—
an attempt to catch the fleeting moment in my daily walks,
while reading, listening to music, and pondering about life.
(Underlined words are not for emphasis but to web links.)
This web page best viewed with Times font size 14.

Saturday, December 1, 2007, 10:18 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)
Symphony #6, Op.74 "Pathetique" (1893)

Tchaikovsky's music
wakes me up— the finale
to his "Pathetique". Saturday, December 1, 2007, 11:32 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube: Karl Bohm, Toscanni)
Symphony #5 in C minor, Op. 67 (1804)

The most famous four
notes in music— Beethoven's
Fifth Symphony theme.

Saturday, December 1, 2007, 7:35 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube: Artur Rubinstein)
Piano Sonata #25 in G "Cuckoo", Op. 79 (1809)

This sonata is
called "Cuckoo" for the music
jumps around a lot. Saturday, December 1, 2007, 7:45 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Camille Saint-Saëns
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube: Heifetz)
Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28 (1863)

Sarasate was
such a virtuoso that
Saint-Saëns wrote this for him.

Sunday, December 2, 2007, 10:37 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Antonin Dvorak
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)
Rusalka: Song to the Moon, Op 114/B 203 (1900)

The water nymph sings
to the Moon so the witch's
spell may be broken. Sunday, December 2, 2007, 11:02 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: George Frederick Handel
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube) (Score)
Acis & Galatea: As When the Dove Laments her Love (1719)

The dove laments for
her love— singing so sadly
that it sounds so sweet.

Monday, December 3, 2007, 11:08 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)
Sleeping Beauty Suite, Op. 66a (1889)

Sleeping Beauty wakes
me up— What's more beautiful
than deep silent sleep? Monday, December 3, 2007, 1:03-1:43 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johannes Brahms
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube: Poco Allegretto)
Symphony #3 in F major, Op. 90 (1883)

Theme from Third Movement
used by Carlos Santana
in "Love of My Life".

Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 12:19-12:39 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Jon Nakamatsu playing
Frederic Chopin (listen) (CD) (YouTube) (1831)
Andante Spianato & Grande Polonaise, Op. 22

Chopin's music takes
me to a fragrant garden
that is full of peace. Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 4:00 pm
Fry's Electronics, Palo Alto
Meeting Foothill College colleague
Salim Madjd, CEO, CrazyMenu.com

True entrepreneur—
always at the cutting edge
inventing new things.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 1:00 am
Green Library, Stanford University
Watching Video of Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture"

He's in such good health
doing one-hand push-ups while
dying of cancer. Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 2:00 am
Green Library, Stanford University
Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture"

He's dying but talks
about living the good life—
inspiring us all.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 2:00 am
Green Library, Stanford University
Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture"

His Mom says: "My son
is a doctor but not the
kind that helps people." Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 2:00 am
Green Library, Stanford University
Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture"

I say: "Randy is
a doctor of science and soul
helping millions and more."

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, 7:30-9:35 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto, Jimmy Stewart,
Jean Arthur & Lionel Barrymore in
Frank Capra's "You Can't Take It with You" (1938)

He's not interested
in banking but engines in
grass that makes them green. Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, 9:45-11:15 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Ricardo Cortez & Lina Basquette in
Frank Capra's "The Younger Generation" (1929)

Mom loves Morris while
Dad loves Birdie setting up
sibling rivalry.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 2:10 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube: Pollini)
Piano Concerto #21 in C, K. 467 (1785)

I love Rubinstein
playing this piece that makes me
feel love all around. Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 7:00-8:50 pm
Stanford University, Annenberg Auditorium
Last film of ItalGen 144: "Comedy— Italian Style"
Nanni Moretti, "Caro diario" (1994)

They hop from island
to island searching for peace
and not finding it.

Thursday, December 6, 2007, 11:40 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony #7 in A, Op. 92, 2nd movement
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube: Karajan) (1812)

Wagner danced to this
symphony with Franz Liszt
playing the piano. Thursday, December 6, 2007, 3:00 pm
California Street, Mountain View
Friend takes me grocery shopping
at Trader Joe's and Milk Pail

Alfafa sprouts, eggs,
baby carrots, broccoli,
blackberries and bread.

Friday, December 7, 2007, 11:40 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Roman Hofstetter
Serenade in C, Andante cantabile (1777)
(Listen) (CD) String Quartets Op. 3, in F major #5,
formerly attributed to Joseph Haydn

Light tune for dancing
the minuet or polka
or the merengue. Friday, December 7, 2007, 4:30 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Typed memorable quotes from Randy Pausch
Writing poem: "The Last Lecture"
to honor Randy Pausch's courage.

Lao Tzu and Buddha,
Hui-Neng and Alphonse Daudet—
now add Randy Pausch.

Saturday, December 8, 2007, 10:10-10:21 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Alexander Borodin
Prince Igor: Polovetsian Dances (1869)
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)

He's chemist by day,
composer by night weaving
beautiful music. Saturday, December 8, 2007, 8:45 pm-12 am
Cubberley Pavilion, Palo Alto
Ballroom Dancing, Michelle Regal demo
Viennese Waltz & West Coast Swing

She taught us about
style in dancing— now she shows
how to dance with grace.

Sunday, December 9, 2007, 2:00 am
Home in Mountain View: Reading Ann's
gift of November issue of Poetry magazine—
Richard Rapport's essay on Dick Blessing's
poem at his own approaching death.

Not like entering
a mirror nor closing a door—
It's nothing like that.
Sunday, December 9, 2007, 4:40 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
Dean Koontz, The Darkest Evening of the Year
Monks visiting him say the supernatural
can enter the world through animals

Dogs bring us back to
our childhood, those wonder days
when our hearts are pure.

Sunday, December 9, 2007, 4:42 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast to Coast AM interview
Dean Koontz, The Darkest Evening of the Year
Koontz talks about his golden retriever Trixie,
staring into her eyes for 20 minutes—

I stared at her eyes
and said "I know who you are—
you are an angel!"
Sunday, December 9, 2007, 4:44 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
Dean Koontz, The Darkest Evening of the Year
Koontz told his golden retriever Trixie
that she's an angel and this happened—

Trixie raised her head
as though I knew her secret—
She leaped up and ran.

Sunday, December 9, 2007, 11:23 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Handel (Listen) (YouTube) Xerxes: Ombra mai fu "Largo" (1738) (CD)

The King is in love
with the tree in his garden
more than his palace. Sunday, December 9, 2007, 3:30 pm
Mountain View, Friend takes me shopping
at Lucky, Walgreens, Longs, and Safeway

Pomegranate juice,
garlic, salmon fillets, red
grapes, radish, and milk.

Sunday, December 9, 2007, 7:00 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Finding 7 books in Bing Wing on "Life of Buddha"
Buddha's last words in Mahaparinibbana-suttanta, VI.7

All composite things
pass away— Perfect your
practice with diligence. Sunday, December 9, 2007, 11:00 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Reading Dean Koontz on Trixie—
Giant butterfly swooped down on him

Three weeks to the minute
after Trixie died, a bright
golden butterfly came by.

Monday, December 10, 2007, 12:35-12:44 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: George Frederick Handel
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus, HWV 56 (1742)
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)

Handel was in tears—
"I have seen the face of God"
when writing this piece. Monday, December 10, 2007, 1:02-1:33 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
"Serenade for Strings in C", Op. 48 (1880)
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)

His melancholic
music could bring our soul
to a mountaintop high.

Monday, December 10, 2007, 1:44-2:03 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube: Karajan, Bernstein)
Symphony #9 in D minor, Op.125 "Choral" (1824)

Second movement is
a scherzo with propulsive
galloping rhythms. Monday, December 10, 2007, 5:30 pm
Stanford Green Library— Oslo, Norway:
Al Gore gives 2007 Nobel Peace Speech
on 111th death aniversary of Alfred Nobel

How ironic for
Nobel to make dynamite
and give the Peace Prize.

Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, 7:30-9:40 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto, Jimmy Stewart,
Jean Arthur & Claude Rains in Frank Capra's
"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939)

An honest person
can make a difference in
a world of deceit. Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, 9:50-11:15 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Walter Huston & Pat O'Brien in
Frank Capra's "American Madness" (1932)

Run on the bank scene
would be repeated in It's
a Wonderful Life.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007, 2:10-2:14 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Max Bruch
Scottish Fantasy in E-flat major, Op. 46 (1880)
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)

Dedicated to
Sarasate— based on
Scottish folk melodies. Tuesday, December 11, 2007, 2:14-2:29 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto #2 in B-Flat, Op. 19 (1798)
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)

Triumphant opening
followed by serenity
and playful closing.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 2:04-2:09 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Joshua Bell plays
Antonin Dvorak (CD) (Listen) (YouTube)
Rusalka: Song to the Moon, Op. 114 (1900)

Moon music played on
his Stradivarius can
turn a cold day warm. Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 2:15 pm
Home in Mountain View reading Goethe's
"Italian Journey" on his vegetation studies.
Rome, December 2, 1786— Goethe says:

Though I'm still myself,
I've been changed to the very
marrow of my bones.

Thursday, December 13, 2007, 1:30 am
Stanford Green Library: In my book Goethe's
"Italian Journey", I find Dad's clipping
from the New York Times (July 24, 1998, B37)
"Lessons in Poetry, Science & History from Age of Goethe"

A nice gift from Dad
placed in my book when he was
96 years old. Thursday, December 13, 2007, 2:06-2:36 am
Palm Drive, Stanford University
Walking to Palo Alto CalTrain Depot
Imaginary conversation with Goethe
for my poem "Goethe in Heidelberg"

Power of pen and
paper turning words to
wonder for your readers.

Thursday, December 13, 2007, 1:02-1:42 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Lang Lang plays
Beethoven (Listen) (CD) (YouTube)
Piano Concerto #4 in G, Op. 58 (1806)

Orpheus plays his flute
to tame the Furies as he
enters the underworld. Thursday, December 13, 2007, 1:55 pm
Showers Drive, Mountain View, Bus Stop #35
7th anniversary of Dad's passing (12-13-2000, 4:32 pm)
Looking for a bird or butterfly to come by.

The Bumble Bee flew
to my nose. Is that you Dad?—
always in my heart!

Friday, December 14, 2007, 11:36-11:49 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Simon Rattle conducts
Joseph Haydn (Listen) (CD)
Symphony #92 in G, 'Oxford' (1789)

When awarded an
honorary doctorate at
Oxford— he played this. Friday, December 14, 2007, 4:00-5:00 pm
Cummings Art Library, Stanford University
Scanning "Age of Goethe" New York Times article
and photo (9-2-2007) Purisima Creek redwood tree

Beautiful redwood
bathed in sunlight tells me
to return light with light.

Friday, December 14, 2007, 10:15 pm
Stanford University Oval: Crowd leaves
Memorial Church (Handel's "Messiah") as
I leave Green Library & hitchhike a ride
after typing poem "Goethe in Heidelberg"

Penny from heaven
born in Heidelberg, gives me
ride to catch my bus. Saturday, December 15, 2007, 10:23-10:32 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Sir Georg Solti conducts
Ludwig van Beethoven (Listen) (CD)
Egmont Overture, Op. 84 (1810)
(YouTube: Leonard Bernstein, Charles Latshaw)

Beethoven was praised
by Goethe for expressing
his play with genius.

Saturday, December 15, 2007, 11:30 am
Green Library, Stanford University
Classics Reading Room, 351-D
28 paces to stacks of Goethe books

So nice to have so
many Goethe books so close
to my computer. Saturday, December 15, 2007, 4:00 pm
Reading "Conversations with Eckermann"
(June 15, 1828) & Writing Notes to Poem:
"Meeting Goethe in Heidelberg"

Goethe communes with
the three planets in the sky
and the vines of earth.

Sunday, December 16, 2007, 12:08-12:53 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Lang Lang plays
Beethoven (Listen) (CD) (YouTube)
Piano Concerto #1 in C, Op. 15 (1797)
Hamburger, "Beethoven": Notebooks (1818), p. 160

Sacrifice all the
trivia of life to your art!
O God over all! Sunday, December 16, 2007, 1:30 pm
Beethoven's 237th Birthday (Dec. 16, 1770)
Reading Michael Hamburger's "Beethoven:
Letters, Journals, & Conversations" (1960)
Notebooks & Calendars (1814), p. 116

Time rolls on faster
whenever I'm wholly
occupied with my Muse.

Monday, December 17, 2007, 12:43-12:48 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johannes Brahms
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)
Serenade #1 in D, Op. 11 (1858)

Riding Choo-Choo train
across the countryside and
seeing hills and dales. Monday, December 17, 2007, 5:00 pm
Cummings Art Library, Stanford University
Scanning Sun Tree & Philosophical Tree
in Alexander Robb's "Alchemy & Mysticism"

The Tree of Life in
the Garden symbolizes
Cosmic Consciousness.

Monday, December 17, 2007, 10:40 pm
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
Jim Berkland, Earthquake predictions
On why people fear earthquakes?—

People fear earthquakes
because the solidity
of earth is shaken. Monday, December 17, 2007, 11:20 pm
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
P.M.H. Atwater, "Big Book of Near-Death Experiences"
On impermanence of heaven and hell—

Heaven and hell states
do not last forever—
our soul progress onward

Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 4:20 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
P.M.H. Atwater, "Big Book of Near-Death Experiences"
On where do we go when we die—

When we die we go
where we resonate in life
and go to that world. Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 4:33 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
P.M.H. Atwater, "Big Book of Near-Death Experiences"
On the mystery of time—

All past and future
occur simultaneously—
can't describe it yet!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 12:43-12:48 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Helen Jane Long plays
Helen Jane Long, Eclipse (2006)
"Porcelain" album, (Listen) CD

Out in the ocean—
waves eclipse one another
searching for water. Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 5:25 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Reading Goethe's "Autobiography"
on his indwelling poetic talent (II.311)

Through fields and forest
he roams humming little songs,
enjoying his days.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 7:00 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Reading Goethe's "Autobiography"—
hiding from Herder his alchemy studies (II.22)

Hiding from Herder
his mystico-cabalistical
chemistry studies. Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 7:30 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Reading Peter Salm's "The Poem as Plant" (1970)
Biological View of Goethe's "Faust" (p. 35)

Poetry and science
united in Goethe's mind
as heightened awareness.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 11:32 pm
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
David Sereda, Film on Enlightenment: "The Voice"
On Dr. Konstantin Korotkov's 3-D auric camera

Camera can detect
subtle energy fields in
your meditatation. Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 11:45 pm
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
David Sereda, Film on Enlightenment: "The Voice"
On his cosmic vision of Dec. 22-23, 1986

Went through the spheres of
six heavens, each millions more
brighter than before.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007, 1:30 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
David Sereda, Film on Enlightenment: "The Voice"
Buddha's "Lankavatara Sutra" & Dante's "Paradiso"

Need to purge dark side
before ascent to heaven—
Dante knew this well! Wednesday, December 19, 2007, 2:00 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
David Sereda, Film on Enlightenment: "The Voice"
Meditation Enlightenment better than drug-induced ones

Better ten minutes
a day than an hour a week
for meditation.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007, 11:11-11:29 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Symphony #8 in B "Unfinished" (1822)
(Listen) CD, YouTube

Unfinished not because
he died but abandoned—
Why did he do this? Wednesday, December 19, 2007, 1:00 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Reading Ronald D. Gray's "Goethe the Alchemist"
found on 7th floor of Bing Wing (832.62.DG78)

Believed in magic all
his life— now abandons it
for faith in above.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007, 11:15 pm
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
Barbara Hand Clow, "The Mayan Code:
Time Acceleration and Awakening the World Mind"

Mayan Calendar—
16.4 billion years as
spiralling of time. Wednesday, December 19, 2007, 11:55 pm
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
Barbara Hand Clow, "The Mayan Code:
Time Acceleration and Awakening the World Mind"

Evolution speed-up:
we can't keep up with the
new technologies.

Thursday, December 20, 2007, 1:00 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
Barbara Hand Clow talks about
Carl Johan Calleman's time acceleration

Calleman Matrix—
Nine underworlds each 20
times faster than before. Thursday, December 20, 2007, 2:00 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM interview
Barbara Hand Clow talks about
Carl Johan Calleman's time acceleration

Time accelerates
more since 1999—
Evolving faster!

Thursday, December 20, 2007, 10:02-10:08 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johannes Brahms
Symphony #3 in F, Op. 90 (1883)
(Listen) CD, YouTube

Expansive music
from Brahms' magnanimous heart
keeps my mind merry. Thursday, December 20, 2007, 10:49-10:54 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Gil Shaham plays Chen Gang
"Butterfly Lovers" Violin Concerto (1959)
(Listen) CD, YouTube

Chinese folklore of
two soulmates too late for love,
changed to butterflies.

Friday, December 21, 2007, 10:21-10:36 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Emile Waldteufel
Les Patineurs (Skaters' Waltz), Op. 183 (1882)
(Listen) CD, YouTube

I'm swirling around
the Milky Way to this waltz—
music of the spheres. Friday, December 21, 2007, 10:36-10:40 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Frederic Chopin
Etude #11 in A minor, Op. 25 (1837)
(listen) CD, YouTube

Winter wind blowing
from the north as birds fly south
to Chopin's Etudes.

Friday, December 21, 2007, 7:30-9:10 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto, Jimmy Stewart
& Margaret Sullavan in Ernest Lubitsch's
"The Shop Around the Corner" (1940)

Box 237—
The letters stopped coming
and illness replaced joy. Friday, December 21, 2007, 9:20-11:10 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto, Cary Grant,
Loretta Young & David Niven in
Henry Koster's "The Bishop's Wife" (1947)

He's an angel in
human form yet they all feel
his holy presence.

Friday, December 21, 2007, 4:23-4:29 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Itzhak Perlman plays
Antonio Vivaldi
Four Seasons: "Winter" Op. 8, #4
(Listen) CD, YouTube

It's Winter Solstice—
darkest day of the year but
Christ will bring more light. Saturday, December 22, 2007, 11:24-11:39 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven
Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61a
(arranged by Beethoven for piano) (1806)
(Listen) CD, YouTube

This piece was written
for his childhood friend's new bride
Julie von Breuning

Saturday, December 22, 2007, 5:25 pm
Galvez Street, Stanford University
Seeing a near Full Moon
on Winter Solstice Day

Walking down Galvez—
seeing the Cold Full Moon
with an orange halo. Sunday, December 23, 2007, 11:17-11:31 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven
Moonlight Sonata for Piano, Op. 27
(Listen) CD, YouTube

December's Cold Moon
is full today and fulfilled
when hearing this song.

Monday, December 24, 2007, 11 am
The Great Mall, Milpitas, Lunch date
with Cathy & Larry from Las Vegas

Hustle and bustle
at the Mall— people doing
last minute shopping. Monday, December 24, 2007, 11:20 am-1 pm
Fresh Choice, Great Mall, Milpitas
Cathy treats me for lunch

Fresh healthy salad,
clam chowder, tapioca
pudding and jello.

Monday, December 24, 2007, 1:30 pm
Alum Rock Park, San Jose
Our annual Christmas Eve hike

So great to see friend
from afar and talk of books,
science and poetry. Monday, December 24, 2007, 1:40 pm
Alum Rock Park, Cathy shares an old haiku
her roommate wrote to her in NY that touches me

I fish for blood
and hook up flesh—
tears no words can tell.

Monday, December 24, 2007, 2:00 pm
Alum Rock Park, Children Playground
Take photo of Stone Eagle Statue

Seeing three hawks in
the sky, I now come eye to
eye with this eagle. Monday, December 24, 2007, 3:00 pm
Alum Rock Park, Stone Bridge
My mind flies to Joshu's Stone Bridge

Donkeys cross over,
horses cross over this bridge—
Cross over! Cross over!

Monday, December 24, 2007, 3:45 pm
Alum Rock Park, I show Cathy
some ballroom dance steps

Near the end of our hike—
we dance the bolero,
rumba and tango. Monday, December 24, 2007, 4:04 pm
Alum Rock Park, Parking lot
Gift exchange at the end of our hike

She gives me cashews
and chocolates. I give her
poems written this year.

Monday, December 24, 2007, 9:30-11:50 pm
Home in Mountain View cooking
for Sally's Christmas Potluck Party—
Stir-fry crispy noodles with broccoli

Lotus roots, bok choy,
green onions, water chestnuts,
egg, peas, garlic, shrimps. Tuesday, December 25, 2007, 1:14 am
KSFO 560 AM: Coast-to-Coast AM
George Noory says of all the Christmas Carols
this gives him the goose bumps— "Scarlet Ribbons"

If I live to be 200,
I'll never know from where came
those scarlet ribbons for her hair.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007, 11:20-11:24 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: George Frederick Handel
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus, HWV 56 (1742)
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)

Hallelujah!— Christ
is born today— Bringer of
Light, so let us cheer! Tuesday, December 25, 2007, 11:56 am-12:02 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Ave Maria (1825)
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)

Dove comes to Maria—
The Holy Seed is planted—
Jesus Christ is born.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007, 3:45-3:49 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Twelve Days of Christmas
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)

What gift would you like
from Twelve Days of Christmas?
Ah! Five golden rings! Tuesday, December 25, 2007, 4:30-10:00 pm
Los Altos Hills, Sally's Christmas Potluck,
Junk Exchange, and Christams Carols Sing

Sumptuous potluck
then Sally plays piano as
we sing Christmas songs.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007, 9:00 pm
Los Altos Hills, Sally's Christmas Potluck,
Thinking of Mom who died two years ago today

Why Mom didn't do
Potluck like Sally instead
of cooking it all? Tuesday, December 25, 2007, 9:00 pm
Los Altos Hills, Sally's Christmas Potluck,
Thinking of Mom who died two years ago today

Mom had so many
friends that she got 300
Christmas cards each year!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007, 9:30 pm
Los Altos Hills, Sally's Christmas Potluck
After dinner conversation on when was Jesus born.
Persian deity Mithra also born on December 25.

It doesn't matter
when Jesus was born but if
Christ is born in you. Tuesday, December 25, 2007, 9:45 pm
Los Altos Hills, Sally's Christmas Potluck
When asked about Jesus as savior, I tell them
that he's one of the sages who enlightens me.

We're saved already—
the wave is enlightened
knowing it's water!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007, 10:49-10:53 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Mstislav Rostropovich plays
Robert Schumann, Kinderszenen
(Scenes from Childhood), Op. 15, #7 (1838)
(Listen) CD, YouTube

Music so tender
and sweet that all children
could be rocked to sleep. Wednesday, December 26, 2007, 11:09-11:31 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Leonard Bernstein conducts
George Gershwin
Rhapsody in Blue (1924)
(Listen) CD, YouTube

Gershwin's jazzy tunes
that Fred Astaire danced so well
in The Band Wagon.

Thursday, December 27, 2007, 9:04-9:13 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
String Quartet #17 in B flat major, K. 458
"The Hunt" (1784) (Listen) CD

If joy is within—
why are we hunting for it
outside all the time? Thursday, December 27, 2007, 9:49-10:03 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johann Strauss, Jr.
On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op. 314 (1867)
(Listen) CD, YouTube

In your dancing waves—
Blue Danube, so bright and blue
hurrying to the sea.

Friday, December 28, 2007, 9:05-9:23 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Horn Concerto #3 in Eb, K. 447 (1787)
(Listen) (Score) CD, YouTube

Romance (Larghetto)
between two Allegros as
horn serenades on. Friday, December 28, 2007, 10:10-10:30 am
Winter Break: Stanford Shuttle Bus not running.
Get off Bus #22 at El Camino and walk up
Galvez Street, Stanford University

Rain forecast today—
I bring umbrella and walk
fast to Green Library.

Saturday, December 29, 2007, 10:32-10:39 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ottorino Respighi
Ancient Airs & Dances, Suite #1 (1917)
(Listen) CD, YouTube

Apollo playing
Ancient Airs on his lyre while
the nine Muse dance. Saturday, December 29, 2007, 8:45-11:55 pm
Cubberley Pavilion, Palo Alto
Tuxedo Junction Ballroom Dancing
Steve Rebello teaches Intermediate Cha Cha

Practice cha cha with
Ann who is the instructor's
partner in the lesson.

Sunday, December 30, 2007, 10:40-10:54 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Sharon Isbin plays
Joaquin Rodrigo, Concierto de Aranjuez (1939)
(Listen) CD, YouTube

Guitar strumming sad
music— yearning & longing
for loved one to come. Sunday, December 30, 2007, 1:05 pm
Showers Drive, Mountain View
Grass lawn in front of Wal-Mart
while waiting for Bus #23

A hundred blackbirds
chirping, pecking on the lawn—
then chorus of flight!

Sunday, December 30, 2007, 3:20-5:20 pm
Los Altos Library, Los Altos
Trashing 744 emails to WisdomPortal
since November 28, mostly spam

Ninety-five percent
spam email— only a few
interested in wisdom. Sunday, December 30, 2007, 5:00 pm
Los Altos Library, Los Altos
Jack from Sunnyvale comes to library after
emailing me "Happy New Year" yesterday.

My friend Jack is here—
he's taking care of his Mom.
So glad to see him.

Monday, December 31, 2007, 8:31-8:37 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Evgeny Kissin plays Chopin,
Mazurkas, Op. 33 #2, Op. 59 #3, Op. 30 #3
(1838, 1845) (listen) CD, YouTube

Waking to Chopin's
Mazurkas— so delightful
to start this morning. Monday, December 31, 2007, 10:30 am
Totem Pole Grove, Serra Mall, Stanford
Boo-Qwilla, Medicine Man of Wisdom
with Orca, Grey Wolf, Raven, Thunderbird

Prayer to Boo-Qwilla—
Blessings for my work & friends.
Joy & Peace on Earth.

Monday, December 31, 2007, 11:32-11:36 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Evaristo Felice Dall'Abaco,
Concerto in E, Op. 6, #11 (1735)
(Listen) CD, YouTube, Biography

Such haunting music
whisks me away not to a
New Year but New Space! Monday, December 31, 2007, 11:42-11:49 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven
Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43, #18: Finale (1801)
(Listen) CD, Complete Ballet Music Score

Beethoven keeps me
company on New Year's Eve
with Promethean fire.