The Peace Pipe

“This will give you peace of mind,” the ad said. “What is peace of mind, anyhow,” Mort wondered. Every automobile and appliance Mort had purchased ended up disappointing him, even the expensive ones. To Mort, the saying, “you get what you pay for,” usually meant that paying more only bought more headaches, more hassle, more … Continue reading The Peace Pipe →

Of Cabbages and Kings

Once upon a time, there was a king who imprisoned a man because that man publicly protested when the king married his half-brother’s wife. It came to pass that the king held a lavish banquet at which his wife’s daughter danced seductively for the king and his highest officials and wealthiest nobles. The king was … Continue reading Of Cabbages and Kings →

Higher, Louder, Faster

In high school I admired trumpet players like Cat Anderson, Roy Eldridge, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Al Hirt, Doc Severinsen, Harry James, and of course, Maynard Ferguson. Many young trumpeters tried to play like these gentlemen, especially up high. In college, I managed to play a few of Maynard’s arrangements, sometimes even sounding a little … Continue reading Higher, Louder, Faster →

When in the Course

I was born at the beginning of the Eisenhower era and was raised by Republican parents. Even so, they preferred JFK to Richard Nixon, so there’s that. I came of age during the Viet Nam war; however, I was too young to be drafted. Many who graduated high school before me paid a terrible price. … Continue reading When in the Course →

Independence

Tullius: You don’t really believe that do you? Marcus: Yes. I do. The kingdom of God is among us. Tullius: So, you mean in the here and now, not in the next life or that it’s on the way? Marcus: In a sense, it’s on the way, because the choices we make today can nudge … Continue reading Independence →

Efficiency 2.0

Efficiency as an area of expertise did not exist until the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The quest for greater efficiency is therefore a product of the industrial revolution. I’m not convinced the concept even applies to anything beyond assembly lines, shipping, and certain types of office work. In my last post, I questioned … Continue reading Efficiency 2.0 →

A Music Lesson

Before I played the Tomasi Concerto with the IU Orchestra, Keith Brown, the conductor, gave me some advice. He said words to this effect: “Keep in mind, a large orchestra can’t turn on a dime like a pianist can. Think of the orchestra like a tractor trailer, and a pianist like sports car.” Good advice. … Continue reading A Music Lesson →

First Things First

In 1944, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello performed one of the best comedy dialogs of all time. If you’ve never heard it, you should check it out. It starts like this: Abbott: Well, Costello, I'm going to New York with you. You know Bucky Harris, the Yankee's manager, gave me a job as coach for … Continue reading First Things First →