“Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack:” Kevin Dayhoff – “Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies” - https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ combined with “Dayhoff Westminster” – The mindless ramblings of a writer, artist, fire and police chaplain. For art, writing and travel see https://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Several weeks ago we became the landlords to new tenants at our wildlife reserve here in the Westminster City Limits – a family of Robins decided to build a nest right outside our back door.
Today, I tried (once again) to get some pictures of Mr. (or Mrs.) Robin feeding their chicks…
I know very little about Robins.Although I have observed, what I have hypothecated to be, Mr. and Mrs. Robin trading places in tending to the eggs and the hatched chicks…
As an aside, I’ve always liked my digital camera – although I at first, reluctantly let go of my old professional grade Konica camera equipment.
Rarely have I missed the old Konica equipment – until moments like this…With my old Konica film camera I could zero in on Mr. and Mrs. Robin as if you were standing inches away from them.
Not so, with the current grade of point-and-shoot digital equipment that I have – “Nikon Coolpix 5200,”
So I guess now that I have truly discovered the drawbacks of the current grade of equipment – I either need to go out and purchase an upgrade – or what I may very well do; and that is - - go upstairs in the attic and dig out my old equipment…
Thanks – I was going to leave a comment on their post – but the other day, try as I might - I was not bright enough to negotiate their comment sign-in protocol…
Parents who lose children, whether through accident or illness, inevitably wonder what they could have done to prevent their loss. When my son was killed in Iraq earlier this month at age 27, I found myself pondering my responsibility for his death.
Among the hundreds of messages that my wife and I have received, two bore directly on this question. Both held me personally culpable, insisting that my public opposition to the war had provided aid and comfort to the enemy. Each said that my son's death came as a direct result of my antiwar writings.
This may seem a vile accusation to lay against a grieving father. But in fact, it has become a staple of American political discourse, repeated endlessly by those keen to allow President Bush a free hand in waging his war. MORE
Thanks – I was going to leave a comment on their post – but the other day, try as I might - I was not bright enough to negotiate their comment sign-in protocol…
Parents who lose children, whether through accident or illness, inevitably wonder what they could have done to prevent their loss. When my son was killed in Iraq earlier this month at age 27, I found myself pondering my responsibility for his death.
Among the hundreds of messages that my wife and I have received, two bore directly on this question. Both held me personally culpable, insisting that my public opposition to the war had provided aid and comfort to the enemy. Each said that my son's death came as a direct result of my antiwar writings.
This may seem a vile accusation to lay against a grieving father. But in fact, it has become a staple of American political discourse, repeated endlessly by those keen to allow President Bush a free hand in waging his war. MORE
May 31, 2007 - CarrollCounty officials announced today (Thursday, May 31), that due of anticipated high temperatures, the Department of Citizen Services is operating six cooling centers around the county. Residents who are vulnerable to extreme heat and who do not have air-conditioning in their homes are invited to cool off in any of the following locations until the close of business at 5 p.m.:
* Mount Airy Senior and Community Center, 703 Ridge Ave., Mount Airy
* North Carroll Senior and Community Center, 2328 Hanover Pike, Greenmount
* South Carroll Senior and Community Center, 5745 Bartholow Road, Eldersburg
* Taneytown Senior and Community Center, 220 Roberts Mill Road, Taneytown
* Westminster Senior and Community Center, 125 Stoner Ave., Westminster
Officials said water will be available for those who need it at any of the cooling centers.
The CarrollCounty Emergency Management Division is also encouraging people to follow safety tips when temperatures and humidity are high:
* Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day.
* Wear loose, lightweight, and light-colored.·
* Eat fewer proteins and drink plenty of water.
* Stay in air-conditioning.
For more safety tips, refer to the Citizen's Guide to Emergency Preparedness, available online at http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/pubsafe/emer-prep.pdf, or by contacting the Emergency Management Division at 410-386-2877.
For information about Carroll's senior and community centers, call the Bureau of Aging at 410-386-3800.
"The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words."(Philip K. Dick)
In the last several days I have run across several references to a evocative movie, “37°2 le matin,” or as it is known in the United States: “Betty Blue.”
The movie, released November 7th, 1986, was based on a novel, also by the title of “37°2 le matin,” by Philippe Djian.The movie version of the novel is directed Jean-Jacques Beineix, who also directed another one of my “all time favorite movies, “Diva.”
The music for the movie is by Gabriel Yared.The recurring musical theme is as haunting as the movie; a piano progression, which will remain in your head for the longest time…
In many of my old movie notes from many years ago – this movie is consistently listed in my all time top-ten movies…
According to several published accounts, “The film received both a BAFTA and Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 1986, as well as winning a César Award for Best Poster. In 1992 it was awarded the Golden space Needle of the Seattle International Film Festival.”
For those not aware of the movie, it is not a movie for the weak of heart. It is about a writer who gets involved with a woman who is psychologically disheveled but nevertheless somewhat socially acceptable at the beginning of the movie. The movie documents her precipitous quixotic psychological deterioration... The excellent use of a narrator was effective and affective...
“Zorg is a handyman working at in France, maintaining and looking after the bungalows. He lives a quiet and peaceful life, working diligently and writing in his spare time.
One day Betty walks into his life, a young woman who is as beautiful as she is wild and unpredictable. After a dispute with Zorg's boss they leave and Betty manages to get a job at a restaurant.
She persuades Zorg to try and get one of his books published but it is rejected which makes Betty fly into a rage. Suddenly Betty's wild manners starts to get out of control. Zorg sees the woman he loves slowly going insane.”
Wikipedia says:
“Betty (Dalle) and Zorg (Anglade) are passionate lovers who live in a shack on the beach. He works as a handyman who does odd jobs to pay the bills. As the film begins, they have only been going out for a week and are in a very passionate stage of their relationship. Zorg narrates the story of their relationship via voiceover. He describes Betty, “like a flower with translucent antennae and a mauve plastic heart.” She yearns for a better life and quit her last job as a waitress because she was being sexually harassed by her boss.
Zorg’s boss asks him to paint the 500 shacks that populate the beach — a fact that he keeps from Betty who thinks they only have to do one. She attacks the project with enthusiasm that quickly turns to anger once she learns the actual number. In response, Betty covers the boss’ car with pink paint.
During a nasty fight, Betty accidentally discovers a series of notebooks that contain a novel Zorg wrote years ago. She reads it and falls in love with him even more. She then makes it her mission in life to type every hand-written page and get it published. Betty's freespiritedness and devotion to Zorg develop into alarming obsession, aggression and destructiveness, and the film alternates between comic and tragic modes.
Roger Ebert lists it on his top-ten “most hated films.”
Oh well.Mr. Ebert likes Michael Moore…
A reason Mr. Ebert may not like the movie is that he is frequently hyper-critical of movies that have “hypocritical agendas” such as “a confrontational film that is passed off as art, but is merely lurid and sensational; Ebert has levelled this charge against such films as The Night Porter and Blue Velvet.”[Cited by Wikipedia (although I have seen this in other published accounts.)]
“Now comes ‘Betty Blue,’ which opens with a shot of two people sideways on a bed, making love beneath a portrait of the Mona Lisa, while the narrator says: ‘I had known Betty for a week. We made love every night. The forecast was the storms.’…
[…]
She finds a manuscript he has written, determines that he is a genius, and types it up, tens of thousands of words. (Typists will enjoy the typing scenes, in which she makes typing errors, causing her to throw away countless copies of Page 1, and then has the whole manuscript typed in no time. This is the way typing is thought about by people who always use yellow legal pads themselves.)
What is Bieneix trying to say in "Betty Blue"? I am not sure. The behavior of the characters is senseless and boring. We lose interest in Zorg because anyone who could tolerate Betty Blue would scarcely have the discrimination to write a good book. One scene follows another senselessly, like in a soap opera, until Betty goes mad and we can go home.
And yet the movie has made millions in France, where it will not have escaped anyone's attention that Betty is played by an attractive young woman named Beatrice Dalle, who is naked as often as not.
[…]
Reviews have been written debating the movie's view of madness, of feminism, of the travail of the artist. They all miss the point. "Betty Blue" is a movie about Beatrice Dalle's boobs and behind, and everything else is just what happens in between the scenes where she displays them.
I saw the movie twenty years ago…Who knows, with my current sensibilities, perhaps I would see the movie again and not like it either…I do not remember the gratuitous nudity for which Mr. Ebert objects, although I have no doubt that there is a great deal of that in the movie…The trailer is rated “R” or I would embed it in this post.Although, curiously enough, the “R” rating for the trailer is because of the nudity of the male protagonist.
I remember being fascinated by the portrayal of the artist–writer and his interaction with the madness of his companion.Sorta like a “Five Easy Pieces” on acid.(“Five Easy Pieces” is another all time favorite of mine.I will always remember that it opened on my birthday, September 11th, - in 1970.
"The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words."
“Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit, and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these.”
With the Memorial Day weekend behind us, so begins the summer driving season. Increasingly a critical part of the summer getaway calculus is congested roadways and the cost of gasoline.
The move for charter government won't be stifled by bomb-throwers. Like every grassroots movement, there will be those who attempt to kill it before it reaches the public and for purely selfish reasons.
Several years ago, while driving around England, I dropped in on the Winchester Cathedral. The stone knights rested peacefully under the vaulting ceiling. It was summer and in that part of the world the sun threatens never to set; the light lingers, giving the stained glass windows a peculiar hue.
For many people, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer. But hopefully you will take time out today to remember the greater meaning of Memorial Day - especially at a time when our great nation has more than 253,000 men and women in uniform deployed away from their families and loved ones - in nearly 80 countries oversees.
Somebody must have treated and turned on those pesky Winchester Hall fountains again. I have long suspected that John "Lennie" Thompson had his own water supply. But now the other commissioners display strong symptoms.
Recently, Gov. Martin O'Malley joined the governors of 21 other states who sent a letter to the congressional leadership asking for an investigation of the rise in gasoline prices.
Back in the fall of 2004, then Alderman David Lenhart wanted to reduce the increase in property assessment on which City of Frederick taxes would be based by 50 percent. You'd have thought the world was coming to an end.
Citizens of Maryland beware; drugs are not the only evil working to breakdown the fiber of our society. There is another addictive force at work, with its roots in Annapolis - taxes.
In his keynote graduation address Sunday, U. S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates challenged the 2007 graduates of the College of William and Mary to serve the greater good of the nation by voting, volunteering, and participating in public service.
One-time U.S. Senate candidate and former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele used the S-word. It happened Saturday night in Annapolis. Before about 200 of the Republican faithful, the Washington Post reported; he declared:
In April, I wrote an article on the state's budget and slots, (Robbing Peter to Pay Paul). I recently referenced that article on a forum where the discussion of slots came up. I was rightly asked, "Well smarty-pants, we know what you don't like. What would you suggest to fill this $1.5 billion dollar shortfall?"
George W. Owings, III, was relieved of his duties as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs by Gov. Martin O'Malley on May 7. Secretary Owings was not dismissed for any reason other than he had been appointed by former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
A number of prominent writers reveal what font they compose in and why. Courier was the clear favorite among our unscientific sample, but Times New Roman, Palatino, and something called Hoefler Text had their champions as well. It seems to come down to whether a writer's formative experience came on an Olivetti or an Apple.
I found this fascinating…Especially the previous post… 20070525 The Helvetica Hegemony and Click here to read a slide-show essay about Helvetica and the art of the font.
I’m just a regular kinda writer who just likes to write…My favorite font is Bookman Old Style.After that I like Georgia, Baskerville Old Face or Century Schoolbook.
Although I am not aware as to why I like Bookman Old Style…
Bush pays tribute to "new generation of heroes" killed in Iraq, Afghanistan
Battalion in Iraq honors its slain and missing soldiers
Top general asks for patience to give new Iraq strategy time to work
ARLINGTON, Virginia (CNN) -- President Bush marked Memorial Day with a call for Americans to stand firm in their efforts against U.S. enemies around the world and with a tribute to fallen troops.
"From their deaths must come a world where the cruel dreams of tyrants and terrorists are frustrated and foiled, where our nation is more secure from attack and where the gift of liberty is secured for millions who have never known it," he said. "This is our country's calling. It's our country's destiny."
Bush spoke after a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington, Virginia, addressing a crowd that included relatives of the dead, veterans, military officials and members of Congress and the public.
[…]
Bush noted that Arlington National Cemetery holds the bodies of seven generations of Americans, including 360,000 from the Civil War, 500,000 from World Wars I and II, and 90,000 from the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
[…]
"Our enemies long for our retreat," he said. "They question our moral purpose. They doubt our strength of will. Yet, even after five years of war, our finest citizens continue to answer our enemies with courage and confidence."
The conflict will end some day "because all wars do," he said, adding, "Our duty is to ensure that its outcome justifies the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in it."
It's Memorial Day weekend and the start of the summer driving season, so naturally it's time for Congress to grandstand against $3-a-gallon gasoline. And right on cue, the House passed legislation last week to criminalize gasoline "price gouging," whatever that is. Perhaps this is all designed to distract the public from Congress's own role in raising gas prices.
Under the anti-gouging law, service station owners could face up to 10 years in prison if they dare to raise their prices too much when supplies are low. Representative Bart Stupak, the Michigan Democrat who sponsored this scheme, said the vote would determine whether Members "side with Big Oil" or "side with consumers who are being ripped off at the gas pump." Who elects these guys?
The inconvenient fact is that there's no evidence of price rigging by Big Oil or the tens of thousands of independent service station owners across America. The causes of higher gas prices include $65-a-barrel oil caused by rising global demand and geopolitical tensions, a record high U.S. gasoline consumption of 380 million gallons a day, and refined gasoline shortages caused by Congressional rules and mandates. Far from withholding production to raise prices, U.S. gasoline production of 8.8 million barrels a day is higher than any time in history and refineries are getting more gas per barrel of oil than ever before.
The world's oldest commercially produced camera — built in 1839 in the early days of photography — was auctioned off this weekend for nearly $800,000, an auction house said.
The camera, a Daguerreotype by Susse Freres of France…
L’Atelier de l'artiste : un daguerréotype de 1837, réalisé par l’inventeur de ce procédé photographique, Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre (1787-1851).Source: [Société française de photographie].Date: 1837Auteur: Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre (1787-1851)
A 27 year mystery solved… 1980 Pulitzer Prize for photography: Jahangir Razmi
By PRADNYA JOSHI
Published: May 28, 2007
[…]
In 1979, a photographer stood nearby as executioners shot Kurdish prisoners in Sanandaj, Iran. A picture he took for an Iranian newspaper was picked up by United Press International and published worldwide. To protect the photographer, his name was not printed.
But the image proved so compelling that it was awarded the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for spot news photography. It was the first and still the only time that the Pulitzer, the highest honor in print journalism, has been given to an anonymous winner.
The Westminster Historic District Commission's "History is Looking Up in Westminster" continues through May 31, when all entries are due at City Hall.
The entry form, which appeared in the May 2 edition of The Westminster Eagle, challenges residents to identify 12 historic buildings in the downtown area.
The first six of these are shown here. If you've had trouble finding them based on the initial clues given May 2, here are a few Bonus Clues that might help unlock this mystery of history:
BONUS CLUES
1: Two of these six buildings are located on streets other than Main Street. In other words, on side streets just off Main Street.
2: One of these has been both a church and a library in the past.
3: One of these used to house the National Guard; and another currently houses cash.
4: Two of these buildings were grand Main Street houses in the past and are now busy offices.
JOIN THE HUNT
If you haven't started looking yet, there's still time. Copies of the official entry form are available at the office of The Westminster Eagle, 121 E. Main St., Westminster, during regular office hours, and at City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster.
Forms are also available at the Westminster Family Center on Longwell Avenue, the Westminster Branch Library, Historical Society of Carroll County/Tourism Office, the Carroll Arts Center and in the Great Hall at Carroll Community College.
The form is also available as a pdf on The Eagle's Web site, www.TheWestminsterEagle.com.
Completed forms must be mailed or delivered to City Hall by May 31. Forms may be delivered in person, or mailed to: Preservation Month Scavenger Hunt, c/o WestminsterCity Hall, P.O. Box 710, Westminster, MD21158.
PRIZES ...
First prize in the contest, to be chosen at random from all the correct entries, is a framed, limited edition print depicting historic buildings in Westminster, created by artist Connie Ward Woolard.
Other prizes include gift certificates from local restaurants and merchants.
In addition, ALL those who deliver their entry form in person to City Hall will receive a participation prize -- a commemorative poster of the 12 building sites depicted in the contest. They'll also receive a copy of the CD, the "Buildings of Westminster," while supplies last.
For more information and complete rules, call Tim Rogers at 410-848-4628.
A festival of fine arts and crafts, strolling musicians, art demonstrations, unique food and a variety of family activities. Rain or Shine.
Free
For more information please call The ArtCenter at 410-848-7272 or check out our website, www.carr.org/arts.
Saturday, June 2 2007
Rain or Shine
“Art in the Park” is held the first Saturday of June in the park behind WestminsterCity Hall. This event is held rain or shine. “Art in the Park” is a juried venue that provides local and regional artists and artisans a chance to exhibit and sell their work in a relaxed, festive atmosphere.
This year’s Art in the Park will feature more than 80 talented artists. This is a great place to find that unique painting or gift. The festival has been expanded this year with more exhibitors and demonstrations. Live musical performances by some of the best local musicians will take place throughout the park. A craft tent provides free craft activities for youngsters. Specialty and traditional food and beverages are available for sale in the park.
This event is free and open to the public. The grounds have been carefully planned to offer ADA accessibility in order that everyone can enjoy the event. Food and beverages are available for sale in the park.
Art in the Park takes place on the grounds of WestminsterCity Hall. This area is located between Longwell Ave.Locust St. and Key St. In historic downtown Westminster.
Accessibility Notice: The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to the CarrollCounty Government and its programs, services, activities and facilities.If you have questions, suggestions, or complaints, please contact Jolene Sullivan, the CarrollCounty government Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, at 410/386-3600, 888/302-8978 or TT# 410/848-9747.The mailing address is: 10 Distillery Drive, First Floor, Suite 101, Westminster, MD21157
“CountyLeaders Remind Motorists to Stay Sober, Drive Safe”
Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland, May 23, 2007 ----
Posted May 26th, 2007
Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputies will be out in extra force during the Memorial Day Weekend to protect motorists from impaired, aggressive, and unsafe drivers.
With celebrations a historical part of the Memorial Day Holiday, Sheriff’s Deputies are alerting motorists that in addition to the “Click-it and Ticket” seat belt enforcement initiative, a saturation patrol will be in place throughout the weekend to identify and remove impaired drivers from the road.
During 2005, aggressive driving was a factor in 122 motor vehicle crashes, with alcohol impaired drivers causing more than half of all fatal collisions in CarrollCounty according to Health Department reports.
Last year, Carroll County experienced a 41% increase in fatal traffic collisions according to “2006 Traffic Fatality statistics,” finishing the year with 24 traffic fatalities and the ninth highest rate of fatal traffic collisions among Maryland’s 23 counties.
According to the Maryland Highway Safety Office seat belt use reduces the risk of death by 60%, and risk of injury by 65%.
Memorial Day Weekend also signals the start of vacation season, and the Board of Carroll County Commissioners appeals to drivers to obey all traffic laws. “We remind motorists to drive safely during the summer vacation season, be extra cautious, and always buckle-up.A few extra seconds of attention can make a lifetime of difference.”
Sheriff Kenneth L. Tregoning also urges citizens to avoid consuming alcoholic beverages or, "designate a sober driver before consuming any alcohol, buckle-up, obey the speed limit, and celebrate safely."
Feeding time for the baby Robins…
