Some More Good News

Now that I've been able to report that my relative is doing better, I thought I'd also talk about something I've been hoping to share with readers for some time.

Long-time readers of JA.O know that one of my hobbies is square dancing. It's something I started doing several years ago as a way of getting exercise, having something to do evenings and weekends, and enjoying the simple pleasure of moving to music that God built into human nature.

I also do other forms of dancing, such as round dancing (ballroom dancing with cued instructions) and a little bit of contra and line dancing, but square dancing is the form I enjoy most. It's dynamic, cooperative, social, and basically just good, wholesome fun.

It's also liquid geometry set to music.

And these days, it goes way beyond its country roots, using a blend of musical styles including rock, jazz, world beat, and others. (Maybe sometime I'll put up some brief, non-copyright-infringing samples so you can hear what I'm talking about.)

What I haven't talked about on the blog up to now is a project I've been working on for some time.

Basically, I've learned to call square dances.

This has been a very difficult skill to acquire. The only thing of comparable difficulty that I've ever tried is studying another language.

In fact, square dance calling is a lot like speaking a language. Depending on what what level you're calling at, you have up to 100-200 (or more) commands that are part of the square dance "vocabulary." You then inflect them by indicating which dancers you want to do them (similar to the way we change the form of nouns and verbs to indicate who or how many). And there is an overall "grammar" governing how the commands are strung together so as to make sense, the same way we have to put words together a certain way for a statement to be intelligible.

Another aspect of modern square dance calling that is language-like is that it is generative, meaning that you make it up as you go. Neither the dancers nor the caller tend to know what is coming next. Callers usually don't plan a sequence of calls rigorously in advance any more than speakers of a language rigorously plan their sentences in advance. Callers and speakers both generate meaningful strings of words in a spontaneous manner.

That spontaneity adds excitement and is part of what makes modern square dancing fun.

On top of the ability to generate meaningful choreography on the fly, square dance calling also involves a number of related skills, including being able to time the choreography to the music, showmanship, humor, and the ability to sing (something I didn't previously know if I'd be able to do; turns out I can).

So . . . learning how to do this has been something of an accomplishment, and I wanted to share it with readers.

To give readers a sense of the task, most people who try calling give it up without ever calling a gig.

A minority end up breaking through to the "working caller" level (meaning: you're doing gigs on a regular basis).

To attain full membership in the main professional association of square dance callers–CALLERLAB–one needs to call at least 12 gigs a year for three years.

I haven't been doing this for three years yet, but in the 2008 I called approximately 50 gigs, so about once a week on average.

I'm scheduled to do at least that number in 2009, because–and this is the reason I decided to talk about calling now–I've just crossed a new threshold as a caller. In addition to being a working caller, I'm also a club caller.

That means that a square dance club has asked me to call for them on a regular basis. I'm now calling the regular Friday dances for the Alpine Squares of Lakeside, California.

Being a club caller is considered the hardest job in square dance calling since you can't just have one "act" that you do. You have to be able to regularly come up with new material to keep the dancers entertained.

It'll be an interesting challenge!

As I've been learning this skill, I've been taught and mentored and given opportunities by some of the best in the business, and I owe them an enormous debt. I can't begin to thank them enough.

If anyone is in the San Diego area (or knows someone who is) who would like to see what square dancing is like, or who would like to see me call, my club is having a series of community dances in January (no experience needed, no partner needed).

LET ME KNOW YOU'RE INTERESTED and I'll get you the pertinent details.

Up next . . . answers to some questions from readers.

Good News for the New Year

I want to wish everyone a blessed celebration of Mary, Mother of God and also a Happy New Year.

I'd also like to share some good news and thank everyone who has been praying for my close non-Catholic relative.

I'd also like to give a special thank you to SDG and Tim J, who have been providing their always-welcome contributions to the blog, and particularly while I've been dealing with my family situation and the on-top-of-it-all busy holiday season (December was already going to be a massively busy month for me even before the family situation arose).

The news is that, although my relative has a very unusual condition, whose cause is unknown, but which responds well to treatment.

Although my relative is still in a precarious position, and will need months to recover, my relative is no longer in imminent danger and is making steady if slow improvement. My relative has been moved from ICU in an acute care hospital to a physical therapy center. It is expected to be quite some time before the relative could go home, however, so prayers are still very much appreciated!

Best of all, after my relative regained consciousness I was able to explain the anointing of the sick, and my relative requested and received it.

I am very thankful to all who have been praying. Being able to make sure that my relative's sacramental needs are met is truly an answer to prayer, and I am profoundly grateful.

Praise God, and thank you all!

Up next . . . more good news

The Surplus Population

One less "useless eater" to worry about.

The
"bio-ethicists" and ivory-tower academics who blithely discuss an
ethics of utilitarianism and openly promote ideas like euthanasia and
infanticide can take partial credit for this man's murder. By abusing
their positions of trust, they help create a culture of death. The same
way the Bush administration is blamed for sending signals and pulling
strings to create a culture of tolerance (if not enthusiasm) for
torture.

Peter Singer, this man's blood is on your hands.

Check Out Tim Jones’ New Daily Painting Blog!

Hey, Tim Jones, here.


Today marks the *official* launch of my long anticipated (by me, anyway… I always was a procrastinator) Daily Painting blog.

Now, "daily painting" doesn't mean necessarily a painting a day…
it just means I plan to paint daily, and I'll offer that work on
the new blog (via e-bay). In practice I look for this to shake out at about
3 paintings a week, though that may increase as things progress.

These are mainly small – even miniature – pieces, but made with all the care I would give to any of my larger artworks.

I will also soon be offering some very special pricing on some of the art from my old fine art website, as I move into this new strategy.

Up
until very recently, making a living in original fine art was mainly a matter
of finding gallery representation (in viable commercial galleries) and
building a reputation (and generating income) that way. Finding
publicity through art competitions and art publications could help to
make you more attractive to these galleries. But the whole process of
vetting and courting galleries – in addition to actually trying to get
any work done (on top of having, like, a day job) – has been like hiking through molasses. One needs almost
to work full time just on marketing, scheduling competitions,
hob-nobbing and the like. It doesn't help that I'm such an intense
introvert.

With the advent of the internet, though, there are now
more and more artists taking their work directly to the public. It's a
transition I've been turning over in my mind for some time, but
hesitated to jump into.

I have now made the jump. That means that
the prices I had on a lot of my artwork will be reduced because I no
longer need to consider the requirements of a third party (the
galleries) or worry so much about impressing collectors that might drop
by. So, in addition to the small daily painting pieces, watch for some
larger work as well.

The long and short is that I would rather
paint – and make my living from painting – than not. If that means
pricing my work so that it will be more accessible to a wider audience,
then that is a change I am happy to make. It could even be seen as very
Chestertonian… a Distributist approach to fine art.

I'll be
offering occasional opinions and commentary on my work interspersed
with with the new paintings, but the next several posts at the new blog will just be
new paintings offered for your viewing pleasure, with a link to the
e-bay auction page for each piece.

Do check in often. I hope you like what you see.

Oh! Also please feel free to drop a line in the combox.

Visit Timothy Jones' Daily Painting Blog

Merry Christmas

A Christmas Carol

by G.K. Chesterton

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s lap,

His hair was like a light.

(O weary, weary were the world,

But here is all aright.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s breast

His hair was like a star.

(O stern and cunning are the kings,

But here the true hearts are.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s heart,

His hair was like a fire.

(O weary, weary is the world,

But here the world’s desire.)

The Christ-child stood on Mary’s knee,

His hair was like a crown,

And all the flowers looked up at Him,

And all the stars looked down.

UPDATED — Holiday Gift Card “Selection” at Amazon

UPDATE: See below.

It’s Christmas Eve, and Amazon.com’s homepage promises the last-minute holiday shopper that, with Amazon’s Gift Cards, you can “Give them exactly what they want — guaranteed.”

“What they want” on Christmas, of course, is Christmas presents. Not everyone celebrates Christmas — about 5 percent of Americans don’t, and we shouldn’t forget them. But that still leaves 95 percent of Americans who do — many of whom object to generic “Happy holidays” greetings (source).

Certainly of people buying gift cards on Amazon.com on Christmas Eve — surely one of Amazon’s busiest days — the percentage who celebrate Christmas is probably something approaching 100 percent. People who celebrate Christmas who give presents to other people who celebrate Christmas want to give Christmas presents.

You’ll be pleased to know that Amazon offers a wide variety of Gift Card designs. The “Winter Holiday” category alone includes no fewer than seven (7) different design options to choose from. Your choice!

Yes, you, the customer, are free to select — based on your deeply held personal beliefs and the traditions of the specific person you are shopping for — from among the following:


Seriously? Out of seven “Winter Holiday” designs, not even the option of a “Merry Christmas”? Not a Christmas tree or a Santa, let alone a Nativity scene?

Hey, Amazon: The flipping United States Postal Service, an agency of the United States government, offers us the option of Christmas stamps — with classical Madonna and Child images, no less. Those who like them can buy them; those who aren’t interested can buy something else. It works out very nicely, and there’s no need for hard feelings or anything.

My wife Suzanne and I went to Amazon.com today for a last-minute Gift Card. We found the bogus non-selection of “Holiday” Gift Card designs frankly offensive. We spend a lot of money at Amazon, but this is one gift we’ll get somewhere else this year.

Amazon: You need to rectify this by next year. Seriously. Offer us the option of celebrating the holiday that makes you your year-end money. Give us the option of card designs that say “Merry Christmas.” Throw in a “Happy Hannukah” too. Heck, throw in a “Happy Kwanzaa” too. That’ll still leave room for four generic holiday designs.

Give us the option of unambiguous Christmas imagery. Santa and Christmas trees would be a start. Consider a Nativity scene. It’s one option among seven. Then see which designs sell.

P.S. Let Amazon know what you think! (Sign in with your account info if you want a reply, or just send a message without account info.)

UPDATE — Amazon responds

Received from Amazon in response to my email: “Please accept our apologies if you were offended by the use of the word ‘holiday’ (instead of ‘Christmas’) on our website. Our intent is to be as inclusive and respectful as possible at a time of year when people of many faiths celebrate important holidays.”

My reply:

I certainly do NOT object to “holiday” on your website — how could I? My issue has to do with available design options for Winter Holiday Gift Cards, from which customers are free to pick as appropriate for their own and their recipient’s sensibilities.

If Amazon offered the OPTION of a “Merry Christmas” Gift Card as well as “Happy Holidays” Gift Cards, those who celebrate Christmas would be free to pick the former, and those who don’t would be free to pick the latter. You might also offer a “Happy Hanukkah” Gift Card option, perhaps even a “Happy Kwanzaa.” For everyone else, there’s always “Happy Holidays.” THAT would be “inclusive and respectful.”

What is NOT “inclusive and respectful” is six different “Happy Holidays” design options, one “Winter Wish,” and not one choice of “Merry Christmas.” I don’t see why anyone needs six different “Happy Holidays” options, but certainly customers should have at least one option out of seven of a “Merry Christmas” Gift Card.

Although it is true that Christmas is not the only important holiday at this time of year, 95 percent of Americans do celebrate Christmas, including many who are NOT religious or who belong to religions other than Christianity. To EXCLUDE customers who wish to choose to send a “Merry Christmas” message, as your present design options do, is NOT “inclusive and respectful” of the 95 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas.

Realistically, you ought to have half a dozen “Merry Christmas” options and one or two “Happy Holidays.” (Then you could see which designs sell.) If the U.S. Postal Service can offer the option of Madonna and Child Christmas stamps, Amazon can offer the option of a “Merry Christmas” Gift Card.

Two more from YouTube — Christmas & Star Wars

EDIT: Comments below revised.

SDG here with another Christmas song from Straight No Chaser, this time a straight rendition of Silent Night.

And also, I can’t resist posting a non-Christmas acapella song pointed out to me by JA.o reader Matheus on another subject beloved of JA.o fans. I have a few comments on this one below — but don’t read the comments below until you’ve watched the second video!

Straight No Chaser – Silent Night

Star Wars – John Williams Tribute

Comments on the John Williams tribute below.

(you did watch it, right?)

  1. HT to Bill for pointing this out: This song was written and recorded by an acapella group called Moosebutter. A different YouTube video is available showing , but not this recording of it (you can tell it’s the same voices, but not the same recording). The video above shows a “paid YouTuber” name Corey Vidal lip-synching a different recording of the song. Thos video was apparently made with Moosebutter’s cooperation, but lots of people (including me at first) haven’t glommed that Corey isn’t actually singing. Anyway, I’m keeping the Corey version here because the recording is cleaner, with less mugging, and I like the way it sounds better, but it does dampen my enthusiasm to know that that’s not the real guy singing.

  2. One of my favorite bits is the E.T. theme, where they’re doing Luke complaining to Uncle Owen about not getting to go to Toshi Station for power converters — they get Luke’s whiny tone exactly right.

  3. I also love the goofy dissonance between the soaring, majestic Jurassic Park theme and the sinister dialogue they put over it.

Decent Films doings: A good year for family films, part 2

SDG here with a follow-up to my June post on family films of 2008.

As the year draws to a close, it looks like my sense of 2008 as a good year for family films was on the money. In fact, the premise of my June post became a full-fledged article which appeared first in the December issue of Catholic World Report and is now available in an abridged version at Decent Films:

Family Films Move Forward in 2008

Unfortunately, many of the films that, in June, I was looking forward to hopefully didn't pan out. I knew some of them wouldn't pan out, but I was hoping for more than we got.

The one spectacular exception, of course, was Wall-E, the crown jewel of the year's family films, as I hoped it would be.

And today, a worthwhile film opens that wasn't even on my radar in June: The Tale of Despereaux.

At least one other film, Bolt turned out to be better than I expected. OTOH, City of Ember turned out to be a visually stylish disappointment, kind of cool but not very good. Journey to the Center of the Earth was a little more fun, but also not exactly good.

Fly Me to the Moon was barely a flyweight contribution (and the buzz I heard on Armstrong's involvement was wrong — it was Buzz Aldrin who voiced himself, which makes a lot more sense on multiple levels). And The Half-Blood Prince didn't even arrive — it was postponed until next year.

Still, between Wall-E, Horton Hears a Who, Kung Fu Panda, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Prince Caspian and The Tale of Despereaux, plus a raft of tol'able also-rans… not to mention, for families with older kids, The Express and Son of Rambow… definitely a good year, all in all.

The Tale of Despereaux review | Family films article