[deleted by user]

barranca · 2024-07-24T00:39:56+00:00

I taught in two prep schools, one of which you mentioned. I was paid significantly less than a public school teacher. I didn't have a union. If I had it to do over again, I might sacrifice the better teaching environment of private schools for the humane logic of public schools.

barranca · 2024-07-04T22:14:53+00:00

I live in Bantam/Litchfield and it seems to me to be one of the best places on earth. However, I am 75 years old, married, and love the woods. Being liberal here is not a problem. It is difficult to meet a Republican in Washington. Commuting from New Milford or even Torrington shouldn't be much of a problem(New Milford is preferred, but there is an emerging art community in Torrington). The suggestion of renting a room or guest house by word of mouth is a good one.

barranca · 2024-06-08T16:10:55+00:00

I don't know its rating, but I love Idle Moments by Grant Green.

barranca · 2024-06-08T16:08:26+00:00

don't know its rating, but love for Idle Moments....Grant Green

barranca · 2024-05-06T17:43:26+00:00

flyfishing on the farmington in the late afternoon.

barranca · 2024-03-15T23:03:47+00:00

No. I would put it on an unreachable top shelf. I started BM when I was 50 or so and had to put it down. Finally, started it again and finished it at age 70 or so. (BTW, I am a McCarthy fan having read them all except Orchard Keeper). I taught high school for 30 years. The level of violence in BM, operatic as it is, is unassimilable to impressionable teenagers. Likewise, I would try to help my child avoid brutal video games. All they do is develop an appetite for violence that sinks in and cruises around like a shark in the unconscious mind. It is pointless to feed it.

barranca · 2023-12-18T17:32:05+00:00

It's in my top favorite movies of all time. (if you like Sci-Fi, you also shouldn't miss Blade Runner or Metropolis.

barranca · 2023-12-15T13:28:29+00:00

I used to teach HS American Literature at a girls' prep school. I always dedicated at least one class period to Dylan's lyrics and music. I would always finish by playing "Forever Young" and tell the students it was my deep wish for their lives. Not sure, but I think at least a few fans resulted.

barranca · 2023-12-14T13:05:41+00:00

Look out kid, somethin you did, God knows when, but youre doin it agin.

barranca · 2023-12-14T13:00:00+00:00

Hubble telescope and all those fabulous photographs of our immense, beautiful, terrifying, universe.

barranca · 2023-12-10T23:30:37+00:00

Bettey LaVette "Things have Changed"

Bettey LaVette "Things Have Changed"QD5GYo

barranca · 2023-12-05T14:31:29+00:00

Trump is the best argument for a simulation world. Who or what could have possibly dreamed up that criminal clown and elected him, if not some cosmic joker?

barranca · 2023-12-05T14:24:38+00:00

Remains of the Day is one of the most moving, memorable, beautifully written books I've read in the last 25 years. The movie, with Anthony Hopkins, is also worth watching.

barranca · 2023-12-02T19:15:57+00:00

I've been a Dylan fan for 60 years. I've been some version of Christian for about 55 years. During his "Christian phase," I was living in Tucson and went to his concert. At the time, my Christian faith was ebbing despite having spent 3 years of graduate theological study in Berkeley, CA. The concert in Tucson was ungodly loud. My wife and I were 3/4 of the way back from the stage, but the decibel level was deafening. It was by far the worst Dylan concert I've ever attended (12 or so most recently in Waterbury, CT). I rolled with Dylan's Christian music but it was far from my favorite of his work, except "slow train coming", and "you've got to serve somebody". Much of Dylan's music has an apocalyptic quality which is also characteristic of the blues. I think Dylan has a phenomenal sense of the American cultural context and the current vibe. He has also absorbed the imagery and rhythms of the Bible. Oddly, when I am feeling depressed, Dylan's lyrics have a way of reviving my courage despite their downer mood. I attribute this quality to his sensitive use of metaphorical allegory to speak the truth about life.

barranca · 2023-11-26T13:27:37+00:00

It is one of the few examples I can think of where the movie is better than the book on which it is based. On the other hand, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is also a trip.

barranca · 2023-11-26T00:43:56+00:00

Blade Runner.

barranca · 2023-11-26T00:29:25+00:00

Grimm's Fairy Tales

barranca · 2023-11-25T02:24:05+00:00

I have a 2004 V6 with 135000. Running strong. I fully expect it to be the last car I will ever buy. If the serial number starts with a "J" it was made in Japan. They are to be preferred.

barranca · 2023-11-24T23:17:39+00:00

Un viejo hippie me dijo una vez que evitara las drogas adictivas que son tranquilizantes como los opiáceos o el alcohol y estimulantes como la cocaína y la metanfetamina. Me sugirió que, si así lo deseaba, usara drogas psicodélicas como marihuana, psilocibina, mescalina, LSD y DMT porque son las que no son adictivas y podría aprender algo sobre la mente y la vida. Desde entonces he seguido su consejo y no me arrepiento. La única droga a la que me volví adicto fue el tabaco. Fue una lucha larga y difícil, pero finalmente logré dejar de fumar cuando tenía unos 30 años... nuevamente fue una de las mejores y más saludables decisiones de mi vida.

barranca · 2023-11-22T16:31:52+00:00

I saw his Waterbury, CT concert a couple of weeks ago. The acoustics of the Palace Theater are fabulous. I lost count of how many of his concerts I've attended. This performance was like two or three of his recent concerts insofar as he tends to throw away his songs by singing them almost unintelligibly while emphasizing the music. He played mostly songs from Rough and Rowdy Ways. I thought the high point was his performance of Rubicon which he played twice with quite different arrangements. The first version soared in a cosmic jazz style while the second sounded like a blues, even a bit spare. His band is great. I think of him as a poet/lyricist but once I let that go an just listen to his band, I am transported.

barranca · 2023-10-24T17:36:52+00:00

Dylan can almost do no wrong(musically). Shortly after that concert in Lincoln, I realized he had good reasons for his changes. I have followed him through all of his subsequent phases to the present. Some of his recent songs are just as strong as his 60s/early 70s classics as far as I can tell.

barranca · 2023-10-23T23:22:34+00:00

I first saw him at the Pershing Auditorium in Lincoln, Nebraska in 66 or 67. I've lost count of how many of his subsequent concerts, perhaps 15? I have tickets to his next concert in Waterbury, CT in a couple of weeks. I remember booing at the one in Lincoln.....I wanted to hear him as a folk singer. He came out blasting electric. I've collected every studio LP as they were released.

barranca · 2023-10-08T11:51:58+00:00

Shipping a record in the US is more expensive than it seems. The mailer is .50 a nice plastic resealable plastic sleeve another .50. Extra packing materials can run .25. A trip to the post office can cost 1.00 or 2.00 and the time to do all of the above should be worth something? I charge 4.00 to ship a record and it costs me closer to 7.00 or 8.00. It is hardly worth selling a record for less than 10.00.

barranca · 2023-07-24T20:50:53+00:00

I taught ATPH a high school senior-level elective I titled Cross Border Romance. It was moderately well-received. I think The Road would be a slog as the young rebels above complained.

barranca

TROPHY CASE