ofthisandthat This World ... |
The cherry blossoms ---
a snow reprise --- hold within
an artist's promise.
----- Arshad M. Khan
Spring in Japan --- from Zeenat Mansoor
________________________________________________________________________
A fascinating journey through the human body --- contributed by Zeenat Mansoor
STORY HERE
Vanishing Car --- STORY HERE
New Airbag Motorbike Jacket --- STORY HERE
_______________________________________________________________________
It's always surprising how music spurs memory. This beautiful song (circa 1863) is
the work of Spanish composer Sebastian Yradier --- the habanera form recalls the
composer's 1861 visit to Cuba. Some claim it has been recorded by more artists
than any other song written; it is certainly one of the most popular. Here are
three versions to satisfy most tastes ---
For peace then and for Spring ---
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y5ikAyE64Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBHkn8_ApJw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLM5dNwxnHQ
For opera fans, here is another habanera adapted by Bizet for Carmen (prends
garde à toi!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJLyZqETuBU&feature=related
And some other popular arias ---
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvrHxQ3qjAE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDtcidMR_6I&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aef9DGvZ8Qo&feature=related
And for something completely different --- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan LINK HERE
Handel's aria from Rodelinda, "Dove sei amato bene" LINK HERE
To celebrate Spring with Vivaldi --- VIDEO HERE
Bach Prelude to Suite #1 VIEW MUSIC VIDEO HERE
WORLD'S SHORTEST SUMMARY OF GERMAN CLASSICAL MUSIC?
Ah! the German composers. Mahler strikes a vein deep and mines it rich.
Brahms? He has a lot to answer for --- a forty-year argument with my better half!
For some reason, he just leaves me hanging in the air. Now Bach appeals to the
engineer part and as a salve for this soul; then mighty Beethoven, he yanks it out
for display leaving one breathless and awed by genius. Oh Schubert, I almost
forgot --- isn't that what always happens to you? --- you tenderest of lovers, shy as
a tulip in early Spring, you touch the heart. And then there is Mozart, little playful
Mozart; if ever I have found a kindred spirit ...; if the others now and again send
us to heaven, you have already come from there. There you are gentle folk, a
little summary of some German composers --- I can already think of the omitted
ones, Richard Strauss for example, who I love, and how could I have forgotten
Wagner ... and Schumann ... and Papa Haydn ... and ... .
...... Arshad M. Khan
_______________________________________________________________________
Archives:
"Maru Bihag" Begum Parveen Sultana sings --- Indian classical music
Tone, range, perfection --- morning dew to honey --- what more can one ask for?
VIEW MUSIC VIDEO HERE
Wind powered car breaks world speed record --- FULL STORY
'Brain decline' begins at age 27
Old age begins at 27 when our mental powers start to decline FULL STORY
Speared boy saved by doctors: FULL STORY
Bush having trouble raising funding for his library: FULL STORY
Lingerie, the secret to a town's success in Brazil: FULL STORY
Paul Krugman for Secretary of Treasury --- VIDEO HERE
Cremona violins thrill virtuosos
The Italian town of Cremona, once home of master violin maker Stradivari, still
produces highly prized violins.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/europe/6688821.stm >
Vanuatu cargo cult marks 50 years
Vanuatu's John Frum movement, the world's last surviving cargo cult, marks its
50th anniversary.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/6363843.stm >
World's longest hair! --- PHOTO HERE
Afghan poets tackle scars of war --- FULL STORY
Russian daredevil parachutes into active volcano. Valery Rozov jumps into the
Mutnovsky volcano on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula VIDEO HERE
Lance Armstrong in controversy again --- FULL STORY
World's most accurate clock --- FULL STORY
Tree found growing inside a man --- FULL STORY
A standard green chilli is rated at about 1500 Scoville units for hotness; a ghost
chilli is over a million. So how many could you eat in two minutes? One? Five?
Ten? A 26-year old Indian woman sets a new record. And just for more fun, rubs
her eyes with chilli seeds.
VIDEO HERE
An award-winning poignant film --- a small window on our world
..... Contributed by Zeenat Mansoor VIDEO HERE
To celebrate Earth Day, April 22, 2009, a bit of doggerel....
The earth took a dive today;
It fell and dented its head,
Got up groggy and dazed,
It fell again flattening its butt.
Ask why it out of orbit jumped --
Pray tell! I shall, I will, yes, I must --
It tried to shake off the vermin,
Mostly human, crawling on its skin.
----- Arshad M. Khan
(Copyright 2009)
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dedicated to the brotherhood of man ...
Copyright © 2010 ofthisandthat.org.
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved.
| Questions and Comments backfire@ofthisandthat.org |
Music Archives
Beethoven "Pastoral" Symphony - 5th Movement VIDEO HERE
Blue Tango VIDEO HERE
Lady of Spain VIDEO HERE
Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata (No. 14 in C-sharp minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No.
2) --- the 1st Movement VIDEO HERE
Enrico Caruso - 'O SOLE MIO VIDEO HERE
Yundi Li plays Chopin Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 VIDEO HERE
Yundi Li - Chopin "Fantasie" Impromptu, Op. 66 VIDEO HERE
Beethoven "Pastoral" Symphony - 5th Movement VIDEO HERE
Blue Tango VIDEO HERE
Lady of Spain VIDEO HERE
Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata (No. 14 in C-sharp minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No.
2) --- the 1st Movement VIDEO HERE
Enrico Caruso - 'O SOLE MIO VIDEO HERE
Yundi Li plays Chopin Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 VIDEO HERE
Yundi Li - Chopin "Fantasie" Impromptu, Op. 66 VIDEO HERE
World Stories
When-two-husbands-are-better-than-one FULL STORY
India royals' allowances raised FULL STORY
Baby Whale FULL STORY
Who's Happy And Why? FULL ARTICLE
School for rogue monkeys in India FULL STORY
The Joy of Scratching FULL STORY
Restricting Calories Thwarts Disease, Aging FULL ARTICLE
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt give $1 Million to Pakistan refugees
Please see The Pakistan Refugee Crisis for details
Laser Cure for Age-related Macular Degeneration --- King's College,
London FULL STORY
One World, One Tribe --- A Photo Journal FULL STORY
World's longest tunnel FULL STORY
Pregnant man gives birth --- a second time FULL STORY
Blind Vision: Perspective seen by a blind painter --- from Zeenat Mansoor
VIDEO HERE
World's Fastest Magician? --- 10 illusions in 5 minutes (from Zeenat
Mansoor) VIDEO HERE
Sir Thomas Crapper
Flushed with pride, Thomas went to receive a knighthood. Everyone
agreed this was the most merited honor ever. So, on this Memorial Day,
a quiet prayer of thanks in your room of choice.
Should you desire the authentic original --- LINK HERE
When-two-husbands-are-better-than-one FULL STORY
India royals' allowances raised FULL STORY
Baby Whale FULL STORY
Who's Happy And Why? FULL ARTICLE
School for rogue monkeys in India FULL STORY
The Joy of Scratching FULL STORY
Restricting Calories Thwarts Disease, Aging FULL ARTICLE
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt give $1 Million to Pakistan refugees
Please see The Pakistan Refugee Crisis for details
Laser Cure for Age-related Macular Degeneration --- King's College,
London FULL STORY
One World, One Tribe --- A Photo Journal FULL STORY
World's longest tunnel FULL STORY
Pregnant man gives birth --- a second time FULL STORY
Blind Vision: Perspective seen by a blind painter --- from Zeenat Mansoor
VIDEO HERE
World's Fastest Magician? --- 10 illusions in 5 minutes (from Zeenat
Mansoor) VIDEO HERE
Sir Thomas Crapper
Flushed with pride, Thomas went to receive a knighthood. Everyone
agreed this was the most merited honor ever. So, on this Memorial Day,
a quiet prayer of thanks in your room of choice.
Should you desire the authentic original --- LINK HERE
Music
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue 50th Anniversary
Quincy Jones claimed to drink of it every morning - his 'orange juice' VIDEO
So What - John Coltrane and Miles Davis
Miles Davis --- jazz trumpeter, icon, the music revolutionary with with clean minimalist
lines. Perhaps the most significant jazz musician of the 20th century. 'Cool jazz'. And
John Coltrane another genius. VIDEO
J.du Pré - Granados Intermezzo VIDEO
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White VIDEO
Mambo No.5 --- Perez Prado VIDEO
Folk Music
Ashokan Farewell --- Jay Ungar (1982) --- in the style of a Scottish lament
VIDEO
And here's Jay Ungar himself with Molly Mason
VIDEO 1
VIDEO 2
Twilight
VIDEO 1
VIDEO 2
VIDEO 3
VIDEO 4
Rose and Gould play Beethoven's Cello Sonata in A: 1st movement
VIDEO
J.du Pré - Beethoven Sonata No.3 in A - II.Scherzo
VIDEO
M.Rostropovich - Beethoven Sonata No.3 in A major, 3rd movement
VIDEO
Jacqueline du Pré Haydn Cello Concerto No. 1 Adagio
VIDEO
Jacqueline du Pré - Forellenquintett
VIDEO
Jacqueline du Pré - Elgar Cello Concerto 1st movement
VIDEO
Mozart 'killed by strep throat' FULL STORY
News:
Beethoven's 239th Birthday (Dec 16, 2009)
Happy Birthday Maestro and Heartfelt Thanks ...
VIDEO 1
VIDEO 2
World's most expensive cities LINK HERE
Vast waves in Hawaii attract surfers LINK HERE
A TV channel promoting understanding throughout the world and certainly
worth watching, MHz Networks offers a multi-cultural perspective.
http://www.mhznetworks.org/
Exercise Pill: The Couch Potato's Dream? Christopher Wanjek STORY HERE
Solar System Wrapped in a Ribbon of Atoms STORY HERE
Time Travel? STORY HERE
Barnacles' sticky secret revealed STORY HERE
The new remarkable Eigenharp STORY HERE
Jaw bone created from stem cells STORY HERE
University Rankings Worldwide (from the respected Times Educational
Supplement):
New (2009) Listing of Top Ten Universities HERE.
2008 Complete List HERE
________________________
The Ten Most Expensive US Colleges HERE.
Norway best place to live --- UN Development Report DETAILS HERE
China celebrates 60 years of the People's Republic STORY HERE
Oct 1, 2009 - Jimmy Carter's 85th
Happy birthday Mr. President.
Congratulations on being one of the most productive ex-Presidents ever.
Oct 2, 2009 - Mahatma Gandhi 140th birth anniversary - born in Porbandar,
India
Oct 6, 2009 - 120th anniversary of the opening of the Moulin Rouge where
the Can-Can originated.
Two years later (1891) Toulouse-Lautrec painted his famous poster (among
many) depicting star dancer La Goulue (Louise Weber).
Videos
Sumo Wrestling --- Here's one of the best in action
VIDEO1
VIDEO 2
Beethoven's 239th Birthday (Dec 16, 2009)
Happy Birthday Maestro and Heartfelt Thanks ...
VIDEO 1
VIDEO 2
World's most expensive cities LINK HERE
Vast waves in Hawaii attract surfers LINK HERE
A TV channel promoting understanding throughout the world and certainly
worth watching, MHz Networks offers a multi-cultural perspective.
http://www.mhznetworks.org/
Exercise Pill: The Couch Potato's Dream? Christopher Wanjek STORY HERE
Solar System Wrapped in a Ribbon of Atoms STORY HERE
Time Travel? STORY HERE
Barnacles' sticky secret revealed STORY HERE
The new remarkable Eigenharp STORY HERE
Jaw bone created from stem cells STORY HERE
University Rankings Worldwide (from the respected Times Educational
Supplement):
New (2009) Listing of Top Ten Universities HERE.
2008 Complete List HERE
________________________
The Ten Most Expensive US Colleges HERE.
Norway best place to live --- UN Development Report DETAILS HERE
China celebrates 60 years of the People's Republic STORY HERE
Oct 1, 2009 - Jimmy Carter's 85th
Happy birthday Mr. President.
Congratulations on being one of the most productive ex-Presidents ever.
Oct 2, 2009 - Mahatma Gandhi 140th birth anniversary - born in Porbandar,
India
Oct 6, 2009 - 120th anniversary of the opening of the Moulin Rouge where
the Can-Can originated.
Two years later (1891) Toulouse-Lautrec painted his famous poster (among
many) depicting star dancer La Goulue (Louise Weber).
Videos
Sumo Wrestling --- Here's one of the best in action
VIDEO1
VIDEO 2
World TV
Live free TV broadcasts of BBC, Al
Jazeera, ITN, France 24, and many other
channels.
http://www.livestation.com/
Live free TV broadcasts of BBC, Al
Jazeera, ITN, France 24, and many other
channels.
http://www.livestation.com/
Some music to relax with over the hectic holidays
Luigi Boccherini: Minuet
VIDEO
Pachelbel Canon in D Major
VIDEO
Mozart - Rondo Alla Turca
VIDEO
Luigi Boccherini: Minuet
VIDEO
Pachelbel Canon in D Major
VIDEO
Mozart - Rondo Alla Turca
VIDEO
Great retirement destinations LINK HERE
Wine tips for the holidays:
Wines can be divided into Old World wines (Europe) and New World wines
(Americas, Australia). For a very general classification (fraught with exception)
one can say that old World wines tend to be high in acidity, not very fruity, and
better with food. This is due to the climate - a shorter growing season. New World
wines are better when drinking wines by themselves, and often beat old world wines
in tastings because they are more complete (longer growing season so more sugar
in the grapes). They are also higher in alcohol.
It is really difficult to mismatch food with wine to the point of undrinkability. But if it
should happen, one thing to remember is butter goes well with every wine! So if a
wine is mismatched with the food being eaten, take a bite of bread with butter
before sipping the wine.
How to taste wine (now this is tasting not drinking) -
Pour about a centimeter of wine in a tulip-shaped wine glass ...
1. Look at color
2. Swirl the wine to aerate holding the glass by the stem. Then smell (put nose
right in glass) the wine.
3. Taste consists of two parts -
Feeling - Swirl in mouth like mouthwash. The feeling is either acid i.e. feels sour
(can be sour enough to make lower lip salivate), or tannin (feels puckery)
which is present in red wines and comes from crushed skin.
Flavor - Then chin down (if you don't, the wine will dribble out!) suck air into mouth
to let it flow over the wine to bring out the flavor. Let the wine linger on the
tongue, then swallow.
4. See how long taste lasts in mouth - called the
Finish - usually about 10 secs can be as long as 45 secs. Generally (but not
always true) the longer the finish the better the wine.
Wine tips for the holidays:
Wines can be divided into Old World wines (Europe) and New World wines
(Americas, Australia). For a very general classification (fraught with exception)
one can say that old World wines tend to be high in acidity, not very fruity, and
better with food. This is due to the climate - a shorter growing season. New World
wines are better when drinking wines by themselves, and often beat old world wines
in tastings because they are more complete (longer growing season so more sugar
in the grapes). They are also higher in alcohol.
It is really difficult to mismatch food with wine to the point of undrinkability. But if it
should happen, one thing to remember is butter goes well with every wine! So if a
wine is mismatched with the food being eaten, take a bite of bread with butter
before sipping the wine.
How to taste wine (now this is tasting not drinking) -
Pour about a centimeter of wine in a tulip-shaped wine glass ...
1. Look at color
2. Swirl the wine to aerate holding the glass by the stem. Then smell (put nose
right in glass) the wine.
3. Taste consists of two parts -
Feeling - Swirl in mouth like mouthwash. The feeling is either acid i.e. feels sour
(can be sour enough to make lower lip salivate), or tannin (feels puckery)
which is present in red wines and comes from crushed skin.
Flavor - Then chin down (if you don't, the wine will dribble out!) suck air into mouth
to let it flow over the wine to bring out the flavor. Let the wine linger on the
tongue, then swallow.
4. See how long taste lasts in mouth - called the
Finish - usually about 10 secs can be as long as 45 secs. Generally (but not
always true) the longer the finish the better the wine.
World Stories
Can battlefield robots take the place of soldiers? FULL STORY
Last speaker of ancient language Bo dies FULL STORY
Genes reveal biological aging FULL STORY
Can battlefield robots take the place of soldiers? FULL STORY
Last speaker of ancient language Bo dies FULL STORY
Genes reveal biological aging FULL STORY
For Valentine's Day we go down memory lane ... Judy Collins brings to life
Joni Mitchell's beautiful encapsulating lyrics VIDEO
And here's an encore VIDEO
Winner of 2009’s " Ukraine ’s Got Talent", Kseniya Simonova, 24, drawing a
series of pictures on an illuminated sand table STORY HERE
Grow your own medicines STORY HERE
Unfortunate Names STORY HERE
Odd Names STORY HERE
Airline Passenger Eats Winning Ticket STORY HERE
Fantastic Lego Creations PHOTOS HERE
series of pictures on an illuminated sand table STORY HERE
Grow your own medicines STORY HERE
Unfortunate Names STORY HERE
Odd Names STORY HERE
Airline Passenger Eats Winning Ticket STORY HERE
Fantastic Lego Creations PHOTOS HERE
Music - Scarlatti Sonata L23 in E Major VIDEO