I was fascinated when, in articles celebrating the life of Pope John-Paul II, it was pointed out that he began his pre-pastoral years as a THEATRE MAJOR. All know that Ronald Reagan was an actor as is Arnold Schwarzenager. There are so many who criticise Theatre and Arts programs in various High Schools as being a waste of time and resources. Obviously, these people and misinformed and mistaken. The so cherished 'outside the box' thinking is a normal part of any arts training. The performing arts are basically all about problem solving and troubleshooting. Deductive reasoning, logic, time management, Human Resource management are but a small part of any stage director's, conductor's, or producer's life. Training in the performing arts can prepare young people for almost any situation in the so called real world.

***************************************************************************

The 2004 American Guild of Organists convention in LA was a beautiful experience. There was much fine music making - Especially by James Hopkins, Joseph Adam, Mary Preston, Alexander Mickelthwate and the LA Philharmonic.

It is so wonderful to see composers of today writing such fine music for organ and orchestra. Wonderful, too, to see new pipe organs built with appropriate voicing and power to play with modern orchestras in new acoustically interesting concert halls. I can only hope that this continues to encourage orchestral composers to consider the organ as a major player in and with the orchestra.

Hector Olivera ROCKS!!!!!!!

David Hyde Pierce was very insightful, and wildly funny!

***************************************************************************

Why do people have so much of a problem with death and dying? So much emphasis is put upon prolonging biological life ad infinitum and little on just why or how that life continues. When somebody dies unexpectedly, it is said that they did not live out a 'natural' lifespan. I would say that they did. Their natural was just not some else's natural. Death is just simply the the last great voyage in what we know as life.

Why are music and the music business not very exciting anymore? Much experimentation is gone, replaced by a certain homogeneity among performers. I am almost never surprised at a concert anymore. Does everyone simply live and die by recordings? Are all searching for the one-and-only correct and proper performance to the exclusion of all others?

Are those who are eclectic and versatile penalized (fairly or unfairly) for their continual lack of focus? Is the narrow specialization so cherished by this society really a good thing?

Airbags are overrated! Do you really enjoy driving in a vehicle with an explosive device within inches of your face that could (and has for some) detonate at ANY TIME. This can be VERY dangerous!

Is the AGO a religious organisation? Why does the pipe organ have such a hard time surviving as a viable concert instrument? Can pipe organs not survive without religion? I hope this will not be the case.

Why are Americans such bad drivers? I easily drive 30,000+ miles per year and am continually astounded by what I see! This is what happens when a license is granted after one pays a very small sum and then wanders around in a parking lot for about 2 minutes.

I love Muscular women! Especially bodybuilders.

Aren't storms just the most wonderful thing? They can show the 'all powerful' humans just who or what is boss! The earth really does rule. No matter what some may say!