Monthly Archives: October 2010

The Delicate Aura of Mayhem

Posted on October 31, 2010 by midiguru

P. D. James is depressing. She’s a fine writer; this is not a criticism of her talent or technique. At least, not directly. It’s the materials she chooses for her stories that cast long, gloomy shadows. Right now I’m reading … Continue reading →

Posted in fiction, writing | Tagged | 3 Comments

Thrilling Climax

Posted on October 30, 2010 by midiguru

It is a convention of the mystery genre that in the climactic scene, the hero must directly confront the villain, one on one, toe to toe, with no outside aid of any kind and preferably with no weapon. The hero … Continue reading →

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Tune Me Up

Posted on October 27, 2010 by midiguru

For microtonality freaks only — I gathered the information below for an article in Electronic Musician. It’s still available on their website, or was the last time I looked. But just to spread it around a little, I thought I’d … Continue reading →

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Choose Your Poison

Posted on October 25, 2010 by midiguru

It’s very clear that free market capitalism produces a certain type of abuses — human suffering, in other words. If you doubt this, you might want to read up on the history of the industrial revolution. Read about the Triangle … Continue reading →

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Noble Truths

Posted on October 24, 2010 by midiguru

When asked if I have a religious affiliation, I usually say I’m a crypto-Buddhist. By this I mean that I don’t know a whole lot about Buddhism, but what I know seems fairly sensible. Buddhism isn’t really a religion; it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in random musings, religion | Tagged | 4 Comments

Would You Like Oxygen with That?

Posted on October 21, 2010 by midiguru

I’ve never moved anyone into assisted living before. I talked to people, asked questions, looked at various facilities, and selected the one that seemed best for Mom. Mom is now on oxygen. When the head of the medical staff of … Continue reading →

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Cutting Meat

Posted on October 20, 2010 by midiguru

I’m not entirely convinced that economists know enough to tie their own shoes. Friedrich Hayek won the Nobel prize for his work in economics, but after dipping into The Constitution of Liberty, an influential book he wrote in the late … Continue reading →

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Traveling Light

Posted on October 18, 2010 by midiguru

Last week we moved Mom into an assisted living facility. Of necessity, she’s traveling light: She could take only a few treasured things and a few familiar items of furniture to make it feel more like home. I now have … Continue reading →

Posted in random musings | 2 Comments

Once More, With Feeling

Posted on October 17, 2010 by midiguru

Went to a concert last night. Anonymous 4, an amazing a cappella vocal group. Four women singing mostly Medieval liturgical music for an hour and a half. Pure, exquisite tones and intonation in an authentic early music style. My friend Ernie … Continue reading →

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The Hayek Perplex

Posted on October 13, 2010 by midiguru

I had never heard of Friedrich Hayek until somebody on Facebook dragged his name into one of those off-the-cuff discussions of political ills that seem to be a popular online pastime. By googling him, I learned that he was a … Continue reading →

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