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I still like to buy CD's.
Not because of the artwork. Being blind, I couldn't care less about that. You children of the digital age may not know this, but, MP3's aren't CD quality audio. Yes, iTunes and every other retail site that sells digital content uses them, but, that don't make it right:-)
It is better quality than FM radio and satellite radio for that matter, and for the casual listen (like driving to work), working out at the gym or hanging out with friends on the beach - it sounds great! But I gotta tell you audiophile, it aint.
Don't get me wrong, I love my iPod and that is the best MP3 player on the market for my money but, it still doesn't give you the depth of sound a CD will.
I don't want to bore you with the technical details. If you want that kind of discussion, take my music tech class at Mercer University.
I am just saying, that unless I can't find the CD in my local retail store; I just have to have it now; I get a song that I like okay, good enough to buy; or I want anything else the artist has ever done and will ever do, I'll GET the CD! Point in case, I just found at the local B&N a remastered CD of the Smiths greatest hits, pure magic.
So, dust those old CD's off and crank up the stereo and enjoy some fidelity sound!
J
This Thursday, 9/29/11, I am excited to share with you that it has been 30 something years sense my brain tumor was successfully removed!
It is quite an amazing story and one that should bless your faith in a higher power, regardless of what faith you embrace.
For the full story, come to one of my inspirational talks! But, for here and now, I want to share this:
The reason I am blind and have some other health obstacles is because of the brain tumor that was found and removed when I was a baby. My mom knew something was wrong with me but, the doctors told her she was just over-protective.
"Moms, always listen to your instincts!"
Anyway, she didn't give up and they figured out that, indeed, something was wrong with me because I fell down a flight of 30 stairs. Gee, guess I couldn't see after all:-)
Well, they told my mom that it was a very difficult surgery and if they came out in less then 7 hours it had gone badly for me. I might add here that the surgeon was not a religious person. They came out after about 2 hours.
My mom and dad were terrified but the doctor said, "I don't understand it, but, the surgery went well - it was like someone else was guiding my hands!"
My friends, we are all called to a purpose. Maybe you haven't found it yet, but, it is there, and in your DNA waiting for you to bless the world. I am living proof that there is much more to this universe then just what we can perceive through our senses.
I hope you on this day, Thursday 9/29 find a reason to celebrate like I do and find reasons to feel blessed in your amazing life!
J
I was deaply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Bob Parris this week.
He was and remains a true music legend for those of us that called Mercer Home for our musical education! below is a reposting of the announcement from the Dean of Music.
Friends,
I write to you today to inform you that our friend and colleague Bob Parris passed away early yesterday morning. Many of you know that Dr.
Parris has been battling cancer for the past two years. He went home from the hospital with Hospice on Monday and his wife, Ellen, and all of his children have been with him.
Two years ago this month, Bob told me of his cancer. He fought an amazing battle with little complaint. His work and his students kept him going and I am convinced played an important part in his determined struggle.
Few people can say that they have given the best of their professional lives to one institution. Dr. Parris came to Mercer as a young faculty member approximately 32 years ago. His contributions to the music school, Mercer University, his students and colleagues have been invaluable.
A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 582 Walnut St., in Macon, tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 24) at 10:00 a.m. A reception for friends and family will be held immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert Parris Organ Scholarship Fund through the Townsend School of Music. I know Ellen and the family appreciate your prayers.
I was reading Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel's Spiritual Anthology and came across this passage:
"Our greatest problem is not how to continue but how to return. 'How can I repay unto the Lord all his bountiful dealings with me?' (Psalm 116:12). When life is an answer, death is a home-coming. The deepest wisdom man can attain is to know that his destiny is to aid, to serve . . . This is the meaning of death: the ultimate self-dedication to the divine. Death so understood will not be distorted by the craving for immortality, for this act of giving away is reciprocity on man's part for God's gift of life. For the pious man it is a privilege to die."
John Dickson, Dean and Professor of Conducting Townsend School of Music Mercer University
Okay, for those of you that know me, you know that I am very hard to offend! Not only am I not offended or sensitive about being blind, but, I have quite the repertoire of blind jokes. You know like two blind guys walk into a bar…
Furthermore, I don’t burst in to tears when I hear the song Blinded by the Light and one of my favorite movies is Hear No Evil See No Evil!
In fact, I have felt offended with the media very few times, at least in regard to comments about blind persons, but, I have been offended three times to date.
The first time was in the movie Dumb and Dumber. To say that a blind kid wouldn’t notice that he had been given a dead parrot with its head taped back on is just stupid, but, so was the film.
The next time was in some movie with Bill Murray where he made the comment that some kid that was playing baseball hit like Helen Keller. I am sorry, but, there is nothing funny about Mrs. Keller! She is one of a few we can truly call a hero and I am hard to impress!
However, in comparison to the promo that is running for the Sarah Silverman show on Comedy Central the previously mentioned infractions upon my sensibilities was nothing!
Sarah does a promo where she says that she is out cutting the hair of some blind woman as her public service and that you should remember that while blind people can’t laugh, you still can and to watch her show. Here’s my problem with this statement. It’s not funny! It is also not helpful to the general population’s concept of blind people. It is hard enough dealing with being blind and trying to change how people look at who you are as a blind person without some stupid @!*^% making fun of you and confusing the issue even more.
Again, if her joke had been funny, like about a blind guy driving, painting or mowing the lawn, then I would say, laugh on. But, I guess if you aren’t funny to begin with and you think that dating Jimmy Kimmel is a good idea, then we shouldn’t judge Mrs. Silverman too harshly.
Hey folks!
Welcome to my blog! Hope you'll enjoy some of the silly, interesting and informative stuff I put out on here.
Looking forward to hearing from all of you!
J
I LOVE Ducks!
I don’t know why, but I find ducks very cheerful and God knows we need that in the 21st century!
I can’t see that they are brightly colored as I am blind, but, something of their brightness must come through spiritually–I guess because they can always cheer me up!
So, I love ducks. I collect them in all shapes, sizes and colors!
If you want to ever get me a gift, then I’ll take a duck. Here is a picture of me and a giant duck at the Annual Duck Race in Macon, GA.
Well, go out and have your own duck experience!
J