Marriage Is What Brings Us Together Today - 24 January 2022 - Plague Journal Day 683

Micah 6:8
John 2:1-11
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?


On 24 January 1776 the German author E.T. A. Hoffmann was born. His writings were the source of the only opera I have seen more than once (in person) - Offenbach's "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" (the Tales of Hoffmann) - which I've seen twice.

The second time I was surprised/delighted at how much Heidi remembered of the first production we had seen. Her reminding me of that time made the second performance even more enjoyable.
Ah, but that first time.
This was our first date, and we had only fairly recently become engaged. Good times.
Oh, that sounds odd to you? Well perhaps it was.
As the Metropolitan Opera's tours tend to sell out quickly, I had to ask Heidi if she would go with me well in advance of the performance. She agreed - our first actual date.
Ah, but in the intervening weeks we spent lots of time together and I (in my own particular way) asked her to marry me and she said yes. Please note that I didn't even know Jarrod, let alone go there, this was an old-fashioned engagement in some ways.
At any rate, there we were already engaged to be married, but going on our first date. These are the kinds of stories I need to actually write down so Christian knows about us when we don't remember or when we're not there to tell him.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our insane lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Cimmerian - 22 January 2021 - Plague Journal Day 316

Micah 6:8
Mark 6:21-29
Romans 1:13-15
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today would have been the 215th birthday of Robert E. Howard, the fabulous pulp fiction writer, creator of Conan the Cimmerian (often called Conan the Barbarian). This character has lived on well past his creator's death in print and on film. Without him, what would Arnold have done? How different might our world be without all those spectacular catch phrases from his various films? Clearly Robert E. Howard was a main driver of today's popular culture, regardless of how few people today have read his work.

One spectacular piece of pop culture (to coin a phrase) was this clip from the classic film, UHF. Enjoy!

In addition to pop culture, we should also celebrate something highbrow, don't you think? Well you're in luck - today is also Dance Of The Seven Veils Day! This is a commemoration of the premiere of the Opera "Salome" by Richard Strauss at the Metropolitan Opera in NY. Feel free to do your own dance to celebrate - perhaps there should be a dance of the seven masks to be more contemporary?
At any rate, I've found a performance from the Royal Opera House in London (Covent Garden). Here is a link to the video, but (oh, you Brits!) it is most royally Not Safe For Work! You have been warned!



Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.