Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Etymology: Jeep

Jeep Brought Home to Popeye
Jeep a great vehicle, but where did they get that name?  I know where Tacoma is?  I know what a Super Nova is!  Impalas run fast!  But where did they get that name for the ultimate fun on four wheels?

The name, Jeep, came from a moment in 1936 when Olive Oyl (Popeye's Girlfriend) delivered a package that contained a small animal.   The sound the creature made was JEEEP!

And then Popeye deemed the new Pet, "Your Name will be Eugene Jeep!"...

Now to the vehicle:The U.S. Army needed an all purpose vehicle for military use.   The U.S. manufacturers came out with the G.P.  (General Purpose).  But what type of name is G.P:  (Gang Plank, Go Push it, Genuine Particle).   The army privates pronounced it geep, the vehicle then became known as Jeep.   The general enlisted grew affection for a vehicle named after Popeye's lovable pet.

By far FORD is more popular than Jeep or Oldsmobile; according to the NGRAM viewer.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Poetry Museum: Frank O'Hara

In Remembrance to a Poem by Frank O' Hara

A Day in the Life




It is 11:10 in Lakeland, a Tuesday,
two days after the World Series,
it is 2012 and I brush my teeth pearl white,
because I will get off the cozy couch in my abode
at 1:15 and then go straight to Publix,
and I don't know who will buy my chicken.

I walk up the freezing, tree lined, dead end street
and open the mailbox with my small golden key
a stack of unwanted bills and political ads
greet my blue oil pocked hands.

                                        I go on to my deli
and Miss. Calmwater (first name Bernice I once heard)
doesn't even tell me to cut the salami thinner.
And I ponder O'Keefe as I exhibit the slice,
or did I re-imagine film-scenes  from the Artist,
that dog stole the show, and made me smile; or
was I thinking about which friends I would call,
the images were practically lulling me to sleep,
with salami on my slicer.

And then I am asked to help Ms. Cherry
I tread on to the kitchen cautiously
but my feet slip Chaplinesque from the grease
spilled onto the floor.  I wake up from my dream
and stab the dead chickens.

And I am sweating a lot, because it is time to go
homeward bound, and so much to clean;
while Patsy Kline sings the lines to Crazy
written by Willie Nelson.
                                  I push my broom faster.  
 
Influenced by the Format of The Day Lady Died by Frank O'Connor.

Notes on the Poem:
What I like about O'Hara's writing is the  narrative is told in his Poem. He writes in the present tense during the whole poem, which gives us a feeling of walking with the author.   I had trouble with the line, becuase I will get off the 4 : 19 in Easthampton  The reason for the trouble was Lakeland has no complicated bus line,  so I had to think of what he was saying and how I could relate it to my locale.   You gain greater insight into a poem by attempting to relate the intent to your own condition.


  


Saturday, October 27, 2012

Interest of the Saturday Afternoon Club: On Asses

Proverbs on Asses


  • The ass that brays most, eats least.
  • Every ass thinks himself worth to stand with the kings horses.

Feast of the Ass


A pretty girl was placed on an ass to commemarate the exodus, she was paraded through town and then through a church where everyone would bray.  The Priest was to bray three times.  The feast was celebrated January 14th.  

George Fox, the founder of the Quakers,  stood on a chair for three hours before he spoke to a gathering of friends.  He spoke the words of the LORD.

Friday, October 26, 2012

On Monsters



On Monsters and Especially the Damnation Game, and Hell Raiser by Clive Barker


from the Institutes of the Christian Religion

Seneca's complaint, as given by Augustine De Civit. Dei, c. 10, is well known.

"The sacred immortal, and invisible gods they exhibit in the meanest and most ignoble materials, and dress them in the clothing of men and beasts; some confound the sexes, and form a compound out of different bodies, giving the name of deities to objects, which, if they were met alive, would be deemed monsters."

Calvin, John (2008-04-03). Institutes of the Christian Religion (Kindle Locations 1845-1848). Signalman Publishing. Kindle Edition.

Anything constructed outside of God's will becomes an ugly perversion of what had one purpose and then takes on a monstrosity, a compound out of different bodies.   Frank has to reassemble his destroyed body through the blood of other people.   This is the monster that is created in Hell Raiser.   We see a man who in order to live most shred men and profit from their skins.    

Reviews: On Reviewing

Dietrich Eckart  

My opinions are my opinions, so do not read too much into them! I do not believe anyone has true critical insight... and will not edify my position and tell my readers that I have it right, and they have it wrong.   Professors commit this crime in order to maintain their position, at highly ranked Universities.  


Ueber Goethe's Faust. At the fifty-third page I came to a dead stop. Except quite incidentally neither Goethe nor Faust had as yet been mentioned. These fifty-three pages had been entirely devoted to what seemed to my rather unmetaphysical mind a not very luminous or edifying dissertation on the difference between Ansicht and Einsicht--between mere Opinion and true critical Insight; and, as far as I could discover, the only conclusion as yet arrived at was that the writer possessed an exclusive monopoly in the last-mentioned article.

Cotterill, H.B.. The Faust-Legend and Goethe's 'Faust' (Kindle Locations 35-39). manybooks.net.

Checkout these early reviews on Classic Books at Flavor Wire.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Musical Notes and Mathematical Tragedies: Fractals




What am I currently listening to on Spotify.







  1. Dan Deacon America discovered from the review, in  the September Issue of Mojo Magazine.  His sound is very ambient and seems to be the sound of the Zeitgeist of our current American Dream.


  2. Blackalicious: My favorite hip hop band just released a new album. 


  3. I first heard The Reverend Paytons' Big Damn Band at a Flogging Molly concert.  Also listened to Doo Rag.


  4. Bill Fay- Life is People discovered from the  review, in the September Issue of Mojo Magazine. He is the voice of the invisible worker, and his Life is People shares a unique perspective.  The album at times shares the pain that is the modern condition.  


  5. And my list of 50+ Greatest Electronic Records ever Produced according and influenced by Mojo Magazine.   Mojo Magazine, the best rock and roll magazine ever produced, released their 50 greatest Electronic Records of all time in the September Magazine.   The Spotify list is three days long and is full of ambient noises to keep you company, while reading your favorite novel.  Or writing your favorite novel.  

Mathematical Tragedies: Fractals



rho = sin(a * phi)^b + cos(c * phi)^d + sin(e * theta)^f + cos(g * theta)^h

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Etymology: Sacrifice

History


Sacrifice was borrowed from Old French, ultimately combining two parts the Sacri which means to set apart as sacred, and facere to make.   So a sacrifice means to set apart something in order to make it dedicated to a Deity.   Abraham sacrificed his son, in order to set apart a nation for God. 

Quote


 To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.
Steve Prefontaine

Ngram Popularity


Sacrifice was a word that hit its most popular use in the period right before the Civil War.   Sacrifice was the highest form of works for a citizen to do.   The word was often used in conjunction with the Christian Church, and especially concerning Jesus Christ mighty work.





Saturday, October 20, 2012

Interest of the Saturday Afternoon Club: For Children Only?

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was written by the same author who brought James Bond, Ian Fleming.

Spy Kids and El Mirachi were directed by the same director, Robert Rodriquez.

Donald Duck appeared in anti-Nazi propaganda films, created for the U.S. Government, during World War II.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Reviews: Spotify Service

I love Spotify because one can find almost any song one desires.   Currently I am listening to Chet Akins and Les Paul on the Album Chster and Lester as recommended by 1,000 Albums to Listen to before you Die.   It is groovy.
My buddy Tim and Mike last night had a lot of fun finding reggae songs, and old UB40 songs to listen to.  Mike is excited about his wedding and was looking up songs he wanted at the reception.
 I also found an obscure band called Do Rag, who wowed me one night at a live show at the Fox Theatre in Boulder Colorado.  The band only has a 7" and Spotify Found it for me.
  I also listened to Reverend Paytons' Big Damn Band.  They opened up for Flogging Molly.   All in all the service is fantastic and I highly recommend it.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Musical Notes and Mathematical Tragedies

What am I listening to currently, week of 10-18-2012:

  1. Jarvis Cocker (known for his stint as the frontman for Pulp).  I love his quirky lyrics, they tell of a life so normal that it seems to be odd.  I love writers and Jarvis Cocker is definitely a  humorous writer:

    And so I come to you filled with guilt and self-loathing
    And I am praying that you could make me good
    And so I fall upon your neck just like a vampire
    Yeah, like a vampire who faints at the sight of blood
     
  2. London Phillharmonic's The Greatest Video Game Music. 
  3. Unashamed Ad for Spotify  
    I am now subscribed to Spotify and think that it is such a place of discovery for music.   Check it out and I bet you will love the service.  

Mathematical Tragedies the history of Pi


1699: Sharp used Gregory's result to get 71 correct digits
1701: Machin used an improvement to get 100 digits and the following used his methods:
1719: de Lagny found 112 correct digits
1789: Vega got 126 places and in 1794 got 136
1841: Rutherford calculated 152 digits and in 1853 got 440
1873: Shanks calculated 707 places of which 527 were correct
 2012 Rothbard finished scarf of Pi.  

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Poetry Museum

Ode to James Schulyer's: A Man In Blue 
by Gregory D. Rothbard
Entranced by Moby Dick on You Tube, this October afternoon
a grey cat is stalking string
around the living room, (he stealthy
pounces on it).  Next door
guinea pigs sleep.  "You got
a zoo."  sort of. A square metal bird cage
holds a tweaked "love-bird", pecking a wooden rod.
"You got a zoo..." The Melville day
lapses from drops to waves.   Grass,
 weather-beaten, as Orson Welles'  beard....
is stretched, ordered, pious above his wearied flock
"wide and high as an idea of heaven"
in which Melville turns his face like God upon exposed eyes,
John Houston amused at the dialogue.
and says, "There is something I must tell you!"
to Sir Orson Welles.   "In the First Movement
of my Ninth, think of it as if soldiers
going off to war first thing tomorrow,
in terms of other sermons.  A Pastors Prayers,
heavenly hymns ." Sir Orson Welles
in a white oxford, worn with suspenders says, 
"Let me read it for you."

Italics are words taken directly from the Poem.  I had no other way to write it... I want to give credit where Credit is due.  







Monday, October 15, 2012

Men Naked in the Woods

I went to Egypt and Israel for a month in my final year of college.  The trip was tremendous.  When I went to Israel, and stood before the wailing wall, I had no clue what to say.   So I said, "Shama Israel, Adonai Elohaino, Adonoi Echad."  Those words were so fitting for I was asking God to tell me and shape me into the man he so desired.

Men Naked in the Woods

On Romans 7
In the fire I am
Consumed.
Passions thwarted,
But arise anew.
Behind curtains,
A candle lit view:
I'm doomed.  

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Interest of the Saturday Afternoon Club

Foot of Hercules, is the idea
that something can be deciphered
by one of its parts. 
The Word Dixie comes from the Louisiana Dix, or $10.00 bank.

Columbus brought Chilies from the Caribbean to Spain in 1493.

William James wrote, "The Ocean is a damned wet disagreeable place."


Friday, October 12, 2012

Reviews: Cool Ideas

Independent minds float, on freedom of ideas.



I love the freedom of E books because:
  1.  One does not have to go somewhere to get the book.The bookstore, library, or bookmobile does not have determine what you read.
  2. The reader can choose the price they are willing to pay for the books, or how much they can afford to pay in order to get a book. 
  3. Classic books are free and can be found most easily.  This has increased the reading of 19th century literature.  I am appreciating ROMANTIC writers, because of Good Reads and Guttenberg.org.
  4. No back aches. Imagine if I had to lug around 303 books in my backpack, I could not move the bag.  Lets see 303 books each book a pound, that is 303 pounds.  Eecks. 
  5. The Humble EBook group has even allowed the buyer the role in how the funds are to be divided.  One can give 90% to the author, 5% to the Publishing Company, and 5% as a donation to the chosen charity.   






Thursday, October 11, 2012

Musical Notes and the Tragedy of Math



















What 5 Artists or Albums are you listening to right now?  A New Weekly Installment, inspired by my brother Andrew Rothbard.    I am no guru of one sound, and my eclectic tastes at times need refinement. (week of 10-11-2012)

Wowzer: Spiders (Rock and Rolled Me)

  1.   Black Francis - Frank Black (off of Spotify)
  2. Spiders: A band from Sweden that sound like they come out of the 1970's and great bands like Aeorosmith (Toys in the Attic), Blue Oyster Cult, and The MC 5.  Wowzer!  I am a fan of Southern Rock and Bluesy Chunky Music.  
  3. Septembers Mojo collection.
  4. The Digital Underground 
    (Italic means off of Spotify). 
  5. Digster's Awesome Seven Hour Playlist for October and Rock and Roll.  

Check out the Cool Guys at Amoeba Records and their interviews with stars who shop there, and what lies within their bag.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Poetry Museum


Haiku to someone that Wrote In


Like a Big Moon Pie,
Like the moon, and sweet tasting, 
Life is a TURNIP? 




Saturday, October 6, 2012

Interest of the Saturday Afternoon Club

In Synch with Numbers?


  1. Grant's Overland Campaign, during the civil war (May 4June 24, 1864) lasted exactly forty days.  
    • Casualties and losses
      55,000[2] 32,000[2]
       
  2. What Really Happened at Promontory Point Utah: 
    •  The Official Picture was this one, can you spot any one that is Chinese or Asian? 

    • Chinese Americans had a large part in creating the Trans Continental Railroad.
 3. Synesthesia: Is a condition that some people see numbers and Letters as colors.  Here is an example of how one might see:

    Thoughts worth pondering:

    h
    How many stripes does a Zebra have?  Both Black and White?
    Why was the Zebra never tamed, or husband like its cousin the horse?

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Musical Notes and the Beauty of Mathematics




It is impossible to cut a sandwich into thirds, one part will be bigger than another, unless you have a bit left over.  Look 1/3 + 1/3 +1/3 = 3/3 but then again it should be 100%, right? 1/3 equals .33 so if we are to write 1/3 into decimals we get:  .33 + .33 + .33 = .99 where did the .01 go? Hmmm, very interesting. 

Checkout the Mathematical Problem of the Week:
Math Counts 
Math Forum and Drexel Math Department

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Poetry Museum


Poetry and Music are interconnected in a relationship of delighting, crushing, and seething bewilderment    Feliks Kornaski, the Polish Writer, Songwriter and Cabaret Performer, wrote the song Red Poppies on Monte Cassino.  The song is a psalm to the savage violence of World War II.
  
Red poppies on Monte Cassino, | Czerwone maki na Monte Cassino
Instead of dew, drank Polish blood. | Zamiast rosy piły polską krew...
As the soldier crushed them in falling,| Po tych makach szedł żołnierz i ginął,
For the anger was more potent than death.| Lecz od śmierci silniejszy był gniew!
Years will pass and ages will roll, | PrzejdÄ… lata i wieki przeminÄ…,
But traces of bygone days will stay, | Pozostaną ślady dawnych dni!..
And the poppies on Monte Cassino | I tylko maki na Monte Cassino
Will be redder having quaffed Polish blood. |Czerwieńsze będą, bo z polskiej wzrosną krwi.

Krysia Jopek, the author of   Maps and Shadows,  introduced me to the beauty of Feliks Kornask

Monday, October 1, 2012

Top Three Third Quater


The Best Reads July through September 2012

This was a slow period for books that really engaged me. There were a number of great books that I have not finished as of yet including, Thomas A. Lindsay History of the Reformation, George Fox's Auto-Biography, and Uncle Silas by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

However, there were three that stood out:
  1. The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness (Tim Keller) (Religion)
    • Keller is the man.  He is such a great pastor, with the power to illuminate all sorts of topics.  My church currently is reading the marriage book by him.
  2. The Metaphysical Club (History)
    • I hate to list a book as a favorite for one I did not finish.  But this one is too good to pass up.  It tells the history of the period in the development of Pragmatism and the shaping of American Thought.  If you ever wondered why the 19th century is such a pivotal point in the American Experience look no further.  The book even answered why Thoreau's list of seeds was so pertinent for the American Character.  The Metaphysical Club is a great book to savor, and I have checked it out from the Lakeland (Florida) Library numerous times.
  3.  Some of Your Blood (Horror)
    • A tale about Vampires written by Theodore Spurgeon.  One of my first books by this author.  The book follows the psychological recovery of a boy who has an awful secret.  
Read More: The Top  Top 9 Books Read So Far
 


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