There is this girl. . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Leonardo da Vinci, Lisa Gherardini, Mona LisaLeave a comment

There is this girl. Her name is Lisa.  She is captivating and I’ve admired her for a long time. Donna is vaguely aware of my interest in Lisa but she let’s it go.  I have gone on websites to read about Lisa.  And there was one occasion some years ago when our paths actually crossed.  It was in Paris.  There she was.  And I stood. Watching her.  For quite a while.  From about thirty feet away.  Lisa’s last name is Gherardini.

I guess I’m not the only guy in the world who has had a special interest in Lisa.  You see Lisa Gherardini is — the Mona Lisa.  

Lisa – the young wife of Francesco del Gioconda – was painted by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) between 1503 and 1506.  However Leonardo – who claimed he “never completed a single work” – continued to refine Lisa after he moved to France.  He may have applied the final touches of paint in 1516 or 1517.

After Leonardo’s death, the painting was purchased by Francis I of France.  Louis XIV moved Lisa to the Palace of Versailles – and after the Revolution, Lisa was placed in the Louvre.  In 1911, Lisa was stolen by a Louvre employee – Vincenzo Peruggia – who felt that Lisa should be returned to Italy.  Peruggia’s theft was discovered two years later when he tried to sell Lisa to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.  There have been several attempts to deface Lisa – but she continues smiling seductively – behind layers of bulletproof glass.

The aesthetics of da Vinci’s painting are nuanced.  Lisa is sitting upright with hands folded in a reserved attitude.  There is an imaginary landscape behind Lisa which introduces for the first time an “aerial perspective.”  Lisa is considered the most famous painting in the world.  And the most valuable – with an estimated worth of $782,000,000.   I can’t wait to cross paths with her again. . . . .   

Don’t believe me just watch

On By scottpetersenIn Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, Uptown FunkLeave a comment

Over the last few years, I have posted on some favorite music videos (see January 5, 2014); those that have interesting “follow up” (like Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” girls on November 29, 2015); and the record-setter — Psy’s “Gangnam Style” — with 2.6 billion views (see March 5, 2015). 

The third most popular music video in the world (1.7 billion views) is one that everyone has heard (especially if you watched this year’s Super Bowl halftime show).  “Uptown Funk” is a superb choreography and bold music offering.  The song was recorded by British producer Mark Ronson with vocals by Bruno Mars – an American.  Released in November 2014, the song soared to the top of the charts — where it remained for many weeks.  While Bruno Mars does the vocals in the video, watch for Mark Ronson’s cameos.  The song has been a global sensation – winning the 2015 Grammy Award  for “Record of the Year” and “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.”

The music is creative and is influenced by the sounds of Prince, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.  It makes me want to get the old group back together (Donna is not keen on that idea).  As the oft-repeated refrain goes – Don’t believe me just watch.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0    

A Ten

On By scottpetersenIn Scoring pointsLeave a comment

I scored a point or two by asking Donna if she wanted to go out for dinner on Friday (ka-ching).  “No . . . how about if we stay home and have something simple.” Now I have come to realize that “simple” in Donna’s parlance means plain chicken, rice and asparagus.  Three of my favorite things.  Not.   So I offered to make dinner.

I went to Fresh Market (my usual haunt for dinner inspiration) and bought 3/4 of a pound of wild Atlantic sockeye salmon for Donna.  Simple.  But I got three crab cakes for myself (a regular crab cake; the “ultimate” crab cake; and a salmon cake). I wanted to try them all.  The salmon was drenched in olive oil.  Seasoned with turmeric and pepper and baked for 20 minutes at 400.  The “cakes” I sautéed in olive oil until brown. 

Then (be still my heart) I got organic white potatoes; organic carrots; and some Shiitaki mushrooms.  The potatoes I diced thinly and sautéed in butter.  Topped with ground pepper, turmeric, Kosher salt and garlic powder.    The carrots and Shiitakis were washed (the carrots were filthy), the carrots skinned and everything diced and sautéed  in olive oil.   Both took about 40 minutes on low(er) heat.  Candles.  A little Gato Barbieri crooning in the background.   “Well?” I asked.   Donna looked up.  “This is probably a nine and a half.”  She paused.  Savored a bite.  “Actually a ten” (ka-ching).  And then – the píece de résistance – I whipped out a Talenti Sicilian Pistachio gelato to close the meal.  And did the dishes.  Ka-ching ka-ching . . . . .        

Fireworks – Redux

On By scottpetersenIn Fireworks, Fireworks - an editorialLeave a comment

On this eve of Independence Day, I thought I would have a rare “repeat.”  This one is from October 10, 2012.

So what do you think about fireworks? Firecrackers? Cherry bombs? Should they be legal? I was in Wisconsin this last weekend and the fireworks stores seem to outnumber cows.  The weekend festivities were punctuated by the staccato of firecrackers or boom of a larger “device.”

When I was 9 years old (and on), I loved firecrackers and fireworks. Loved the smell of cordite. We used to break open firecrackers, shake out the fulminate of mercury powder into cigar tubes with homemade fins, balance them on an incline and then light a fuse sending the “rocket” skyward (often with an enormous explosion). We would pack match heads into the tubes, pouring in the powder for more incendiary displays.  And bombs.  It was wonderful! 🙂 Every guy had a supply of firecrackers, cherry bombs, M-80’s and such.

I am keenly aware of all of the arguments of the armchair howlers (“what about accidents?” “they can blow your finger off!”).  Give me a break.  I believe that fireworks (at least firecrackers) have a place in a young boy’s life. Wisconsin and 39 other states have got it right. Illinois – as usual (with its regulations on everything) – is marching to the wrong drummer. . . . .

Listen to the Crickets. . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Slow down and listen to the cricketsLeave a comment

My daughter was driving my 4 year old granddaughter to camp earlier this week. The windows were down.  As they approached a train crossing gate, Eve yelled to Lauren “SLOW DOWN!” Lauren turned and dutifully slowed down.  And stopped the car by the crossing gate.  And looked back at Eve.

Eve said “listen mommy . . . . listen to the crickets.” And through the open windows came a heavenly choir of chirping crickets – or “hot bugs” as I used to call them – singing in the trees.  And Eve said “listen” to the chorus of birds singing.  Lauren said she had really not paid attention.  It took a 4 year old to appreciate this music of nature. 

When I heard this story, my eyes got a bit misty.  I know we are often told to stop and smell the flowers but I’ve never really thought of stopping to listen to the crickets.   There are five traditionally-recognized methods of perception:  taste; touch; smell; sight; and sound.  Five senses.

I love the smell of a campfire.  The taste of spaghetti carbonara, the sight of a golf ball (my golf ball) heading toward the green and the feel of hot sand under my feet.  But I sometimes forget about slowing down to truly enjoy the world’s auditory offerings.  Like listening to crickets.  

The Last Box

On By scottpetersenIn The last boxLeave a comment

I’ve been doing some cleaning up around the house. Going through old boxes.  Getting rid of “stuff” and trying to get organized.

Up in the attic, in the corner, there’s been one box. Gathering dust. For 45 years.  Before Donna and I moved into our first house, I boxed up “stuff” that I’d accumulated and sealed the boxes with tape. Over the years, all the boxes had been moved around, opened and emptied at one time or another. Except one.  One box.  Sitting in the corner of the attic.

Flash back 48 years.  In 1968, I bounced around out West with my pal Tap Tap.  A year later, with my bud Ox.  Driving my blue 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint convertible.  Chrome under the hood.  Sweet.   On one foray in the middle of nowhere in Montana, we found some old bottles (one dating to 1850) and some green glass telephone pole insulators.  I shoveled them into the trunk and we went on our way with the haul.  It is that collection that ended up in that last box.  Sitting in the corner of the attic. 

Last weekend, those bottles and insulators saw the light of day for the first time in nearly half a century.  I opened the box.  Washed up the bottles and piled them in some bags to take to a local antique shop.   Maybe I can get a few bucks for them.  If so, I can retire a day or two earlier than planned. . . . .  

Are We Embarrassed Yet?

On By scottpetersenIn Are we embarrassed yet?3 Comments

Is anyone embarrassed about the state of politics in America?  Disappointed?  Angry?  Think about it. . . . .

Donald Trump.  A derisive, racist and despicable bully. Would you want /trust him as a friend?  If your 1st grader acted like him, you would march him off to his room.  He would deserve a sharp whack.   

Hillary Clinton.  Corrupt.  Arrogant.  Liar.  Has more baggage than the Queen Mary (that goes back 40+ years).  

And of course there’s still Bernie Sanders.  Wants to turn America into Venezuela with long shuffling lines for gas, food, bread and water.  Never held a real job in his life.   All he talks about is stealing money from those who pay taxes.   

Why couldn’t it be Joe Biden against Mitt Romney?  Seriously.  Whatever your politics, most would concede that Biden and Romney are good/honest individuals.   What ever happened to guys like Ronald Reagan?  JFK?  Ike?  Even Bill Clinton?

If America’s choices in November are this toxic trio, as I said on April 16, 2016, I will write in the name of someone who is honest.  Dependable.  Has integrity.  Treats everyone with respect.  My poodle.  Name is “Daisy.”  D-A-I-S-Y.    Yes.  I am serious. 

Clearbrook 3 – 75 _ _

On By scottpetersenIn Clearbrook 3, Wrong numberLeave a comment

When I was about 10 years old, my pal Darryl M. lived across the creek from my home. Darryl and I would walk across a narrow foot bridge to play catch or just hang out. Darryl’s telephone number was CLearbrook 3-75_ _ .  Sometimes I would call him.  We’d chat.  And hang up. 

One bright day, I called Darryl’s number.  (Ring) (Ring) (Ring) And a woman answered “Hello.”  I said “hello is Darryl there?”  Sounds pretty innocuous.  Eh?   Well it was the wrong number.  This woman began screaming into the phone “you #$&*$X. . .  you have the wrong $%@&@X number!”  I sat there listening.  Mouth open.  Mesmerized.  I realized I’d dialed a “7” instead of a “6.” 

I got on my bike and rode over to Darryl’s.  Darryl answered the door and I pushed inside.  Grabbed Darryl, picked up the phone and said “listen to this. . . .”  And I dialed the wrong number again.  (Ring) (Ring) (Ring) And a woman answered “Hello.”  I said cheerfully “hello is Darryl there?”  And she began screaming again.  This was really something special.  We shared the “wrong number” with our pals.   It seemed entertaining (at the time) and we all learned new four letter words in the process.  Mind you — these were the days before caller ID. . . . .  

The Problem. . . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Saudi Arabia2 Comments

Talk to Muslims.  The faithful.  And ask them what the problem is in the world of Islam.  Many (as I observe on 8/19/12 and 12/20/15) will confide that the problem in Islam can be summed up in two words:  “Saudi Arabia.”

Saudi Arabia is a paragon of hatred, repression and discrimination.  Saudis are Wahhabi — the ultra orthodox branch of Sunni Islam.   The country is the hub of anti-Semitism.  A glowing, seething inspiration for groups like ISIS. Boko Haram.  The Taliban.  Al-Qaeda.  Al-Shabaab.  An instigator of state terrorism.  Responsible for the murder of 2,977 souls on September 11th.  Women are subject to genital mutilation.   They must be completely covered (it is the woman’s fault she is a woman).  Cannot leave home without a male relative.  May not drive.  Or marry without permission.  No passports.  Higher education is haram (forbidden).  The penalties for defiance are steep.  Women may be beaten or killed for missteps.                  

On Fridays, one can saunter down to the public square to watch beheadings, eye gouging, stonings or hands getting chopped off.  Children too – can watch.  Or have a hand amputated for misdeeds.  Thus enforcing Sharia law.  If you are a kafir (an infidel) – you are not welcome in Saudi Arabia.  There are no tourist visas (except for business or to visit a family member).  And a non-Muslim may never visit Mecca or Medina (see 11/16/14).  Criticism of the government is a crime punishable by imprisonment.  Or worse.  Saudi Arabia has been condemned by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.  But they are an ally of the U.S. . . . . .             

Shuji Shuriken

On By scottpetersenIn Cutting of the nine ideographs, Shuji ShurikenLeave a comment

Kenjutsu is the overarching term for all schools of Japanese swordsmanship.  Swords.  Very important in the martial arts in Japan.  And to the samurai class.   The study of kenjutsu has been a sub-culture in Japan since feudal times.  For practice, they used the bokuto (solid wood stick) or shina (bamboo pole).  For battle, they used the real McCoy.    And only the most disciplined of swordsmen could repeat and internalize the magic words of the Shuji Shuriken — “the cutting of the nine ideographs.”  Only the most devout of Japanese swordsmen could give life to these nine words.  

U – Being 

Mu – Non-being 

Suigetsu – Moonlight on the water     

 Jo – Inner security 

Shin – Master of the mind  

Sen – Thought precedes action 

Kara – Empty:  the Void.  Virtue       

Shinmyoken – Where the tip of the sword settles.   

Zero – Where the way has no power. . . .

It was not enough to merely think or speak the words.  The words and their meaning must be summoned from deep within.  The thought was – if you get through the first one while meditating and contemplating, you’re doing pretty well . . . . .