Roger O Green

CHQ, Day 2: church and music

backgammon

CHQ is a designation of the Chautauqua Institution. My wife and I received little magnets with those letters at a meal early on at the Presbyterian House. One was a rainbow heart, the other like a bumper stick you might find on a car.

Incidentally, Presby House is the only religion-affiliated house serving three meals daily. There are several other places to get food on the ground, from food trucks to fancy restaurants, but we did not utilize any of them.

In some ways, CHQ is like a college campus with narrow streets. It has a center square where one can play games, go to the bookstore, mail items, get directions, and much more.

The key to being at Chautauqua is the realization that you simply can’t go to everything. Since it was our first time, we overdid it at least once. Each week, there’s a two-sided, roughly 22″ by 11″ (56cm by 28 cm) sheet with columns in six-font type. On Sundays, there are many different worship services at 9:30. After breakfast, the Presby House pastor for the week led a service in the chapel downstairs.

Then, there was a 10:45 service at the Amphitheater, also broadcast on the CHQ Assembly on the YouTube channel, led by the Rev. Kate Braestrup, a best-selling author and the chaplain for the Maine Warden Service, which is probably not what you might think it is.

I should admit that my wife went to far more religious services and lessons than I did. Part of it was that she was more theologically enamored with Rev. Braestrup than I was. Also, I had to finish the book I was reporting on the following week.

88 keys

After lunch, we attended a 2:30 “scintillating program of works for one and two pianos, with repertoire drawn from virtuoso works of the great classical composers and arrangements of popular and familiar tunes” by the Chautauqua School of Music.

I’m listing the pianists to say I saw them when one or more of them broke through nationally or internationally. The music links are not theirs.

(I’ll Build a) Stairway To Paradise, 1922 and Strike Up The Band, 1927 -George Gershwin (1898-1937) (arr Logan Skelton). Sean Yang and Eric Yu. I thought the first piece was by Scott Joplin because Gershwin borrowed from him.

2 Pieces for 6 Hands: Romance and Valse, 1890 -Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943). Even Cao, Ellen Li, and Letizia Palmieri

Brasileira from Scaramouche, 1937 -Darius Milhaud (1892-1974). Sebastian Castillo and Runyang Wong

From Jeux d’enfants, Op. 22 – Georges Bizet (1838-1875): Trompette et tambour  (Trumpet and drum), La toupie  (The spinning top), Petit mari, petite femme (Little husband, little wife), Le bal  (The ball). Karina Tseng and Vivian Yang

Ondine from Gaspard de la nuit, M. 55, 1908 – -Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). Seohee Yang. Based on this and a later performance, my wife and I felt she was the breakthrough artist.

Tarantella from Suite No. 2, Op.17 -Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943). Dongwon Shin and HaEun Yang

A classical steal

España, 1883 -Emmanuel Chabrier (1841-1894). Yujin Han, Cheonmi Park, Sean Yang, and Eric Yu. I thought I didn’t know the composer; wrong. From Wikipedia: “Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)” is an American popular song written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning. The song is almost identical in melody and triple-time rhythm to a portion of Emmanuel Chabrier‘s 1883 composition, España. It was published in 1956. The song was recorded by Perry Como,” and went to #1 on the Billboard pop chart.

Danse Macabre, Op. 40 -Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921). Karmen Grubisic and Seohee Yang

Prelude in D-flat major, Op. 32 No. 13 – Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943). Alexei Aceto

A Scott Joplin Rag Rhapsody, 1997 – Kevin Olson (b. 1970). Yujin Han, April Lee, Yali Levy Schwartz, and Kyuree Kim. Ah, familiar Joplin themes.

Where ARE we?

Then, we attended a 4:00 orientation for new Chautauquans. By the time we finished dinner, I didn’t want to go anywhere.

Fortunately, at breakfast, the Presby House pastor had indicated an interest in playing backgammon. I hadn’t played a human in years, only on my phone. We were well-matched, as she beat me two games to one, even as we (mostly I) engaged in a running commentary to benefit a young man watching us who had read the game’s rules but had not played.

Then I played him a few games, even as we listened to the 8 pm Sacred Song Service in the nearby Amphitheater. This brought me joy.

One of the quirks, at least at Presby House, is that you don’t lock your doors when you go out. When my wife was in the room, even though she had opened and closed the door, she inadvertently locked me out. It took only a day or so to get used to it.

Security

By happenstance, the day we returned from Chautauqua, CBS reran the segment from 60 Minutes detailing when Salman Rushdie was stabbed on the Amphitheater stage. I had seen the piece before, but it was somehow more disturbing, having been in that place. In 2022, access to the stage appeared less secure.

I don’t know exactly what measures they had then—there are people I should ask—but there are now several folks responsible for security. The ones in the blue shirts appeared to be armed. While undoubtedly necessary, this made me a little sad.

Sunday stealing: creature feature

what winter?

The Sunday Stealing this week includes a creature feature.

1. How would your pet describe you

We only have one, Stormy, since Midnight died this summer. I’ve written a post about her that will show up soon. But let me tell let me tell you a related story. One morning this week, I was in my office and heard a rustling sound. Initially, I thought it was the fan blowing against the window treatment or a CD not playing correctly. Eventually, I leaned over to look into one of our garbage cans, and there was a bat. It was a live bat. I don’t mean a baseball or cricket bat, but a mammal. It could not get out. I took another garbage can, covered up the opening, and carried them out to the back part of our yard, where I released the creature.

I’m wondering whether the bat came into the house via the chimney or possibly the basement or attic. Perhaps Stormy saw the bat and attacked it and the bat flew into the garbage can and couldn’t get out. Or did Stormy place the bat into the garbage can? I do not know the answer to this question.

What’s the Story?

2.. Tell us a story

This week, I gave a book talk about The Undertow by Jeff Sharlet, a tome I will eventually review in this blog. Interestingly, when the conversation about the book ended, it launched into a very interesting discussion about the political process in the United States and what democracy is. As a political science major, it was very interesting to me. I posited that I HATE when people don’t vote.

3.. What do you pack in your beach/hiking bag

I have no such bag, but if I did, it would probably have something to read, probably some newspapers or magazines to read. A hat, sunscreen, and water.

4.. How do you like to spend great weather weekends

I’m not a guy who hangs out a lot outdoors. I don’t say, “Ohh, it’s nice out. I’m gonna hang up at the beach,” or “I’m gonna hang out at the pool.”

I can walk under ladders

5.. Describe a time when the circumstances fell in your favor

I’m sure I told this story before, but I will repeat it. I was in Corporate (frickin’) Woods, where I used to work. Most know I hated working there. I had to get to an appointment for some reason, but I just missed the bus and was very upset. It was cold and windy. I needed to walk up the hill to get out of the complex. I was wearing a red Santa Claus hat with a white ball, I had a beard, and I was heavy enough. Somebody who I did not know, a young woman, stopped to give me a ride to the next place where I could catch a bus, on the Northern Boulevard. She said she picked me up because she couldn’t stand to see Santa Claus walk.

6.. Which summer sounds do you enjoy

it tends to be summer songs, especially Sly and the Family Stone’s Hot Fun In The Summertime and Summer In The City by the Lovin’ Spoonful.

7.. It’s not really summer until …

I turn on the air conditioner, which involves my wife and me placing it in the front window. Considering the number of times we have installed the behemoth, it seems like we’ve never done it before. Where does that piece of wood go? Is it level? Where should we put the padding? It’s always a drag.

8.. What music are you listening to these days

I always listen to lots of music, but currently, I’m listening to people whose birthdays are in August. That would include Elvis Costello, Tori Amos, Count Basie, The Clash (for Joe Strummer), Robert Plant, John Hiatt, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, Tony Bennett, and Louis Armstrong.

In The Summertime

9.. How much has changed since last summer

The difference between last summer and this summer is that my wife didn’t take off any time last summer. She was working all the time, and we didn’t do a whole heck of a lot. She took off for eight weeks this summer, so we went to Chautauqua Institution. But we also worked on many household chores which had fallen by the wayside.

10. What are your favorite things to wear in summer

Hats, specifically caps, sunglasses, and, oddly enough, long-sleeved shirts, because I fear getting sunburned.

11. What do you miss about winter

Winter in Albany, NY, is wussy. We haven’t had a whole lot of snow or cold. It’s not very impressive. We had one very cold winter in the past decade. Our snowfall has been pathetic compared to our average norm of about 5 feet (1.5 m) for the season. People elsewhere tell me, “Oohh, it snows a lot up there.” Well, it did, but for the most part, it doesn’t, and of course, it’s largely a result of global warming.

Summertime

12. How would you spend summer vacation as an adult

I would travel a lot based on money, but I’ll probably want some downtime and my laptop ready to keep track of everything.

13. Describe your ideal get-together/party

We so seldom throw parties that it’s a hard question to answer. Lots of people are eating food and have a place to talk. I liked the party that one of our choir members held. It was on their back deck. Part of it was covered so I could stay out of the sun while others stood out on the outside deck.

14. What makes you feel like part of your community

Church. The library. Talking to my neighbors. I am looking out for things that are a little askew in my neighborhood and noting it to whoever might be able to do something about it.

15. How was your July 2024?

I’m overly busy and barely have time to write about it.

No 1964 Billboard Soul charts

Sam Cooke, the Impressions, Dionne Warwick

There were no 1964 Billboard Soul charts. Why is that? Per Joel Whitburn’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles, the magazine didn’t publish a chart from November 30, 1963, through January 23, 1965, because the magazine thought there was so much crossover between the pop and RB charts to create.

For the book, Top 50 In R&B Locations published by Cash Box, a national music trade magazine was used,

Three titles crossed over, hitting #1 on both charts. Unsurprisingly, all were from Motown. My Guy by Mary Wells (seven weeks RB, two weeks pop), Baby Love by the Supremes (four weeks pop, three weeks RB), and the group’s previous hit, Where Did Our Love Go (two weeks each).

Funny – Joe Hinton, four weeks at #1 RB. I always knew this Willie Nelson song as Funny How Time Slips Away. #13 pop.

What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am) – The Tams, three weeks at #1 RB. #9 pop. From Atlanta.

The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss) – Betty Everett, three weeks at #1. #6 pop.

Walk On By – Dionne Warwick, three weeks at #1 RB. #6 pop. I watched Finding Your Roots. They misspelled her name on an earlier record. It should have been Warrick. She was initially furious, but her grandfather suggested that Warwick could be her stage name, and it was so.

Let It Be Me – Betty Everett and Jerry Butler, three weeks at #1 RB. #5 pop.

Let the people say…

Amen – The Impressions, three weeks at #1 RB, #7 pop. Featuring Curtis Mayfield

Hi-Heel Sneakers – Tommy Tucker, three weeks at #1 RB, #11 pop

Under The Boardwalk – The Drifters, three weeks at #1 RB, #4 pop

Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um – Major Lance, two weeks at #1 RB, #5 pop

Good Times – Sam Cooke, two weeks at #1 RB, #11 pop

Keep On Pushing – The Impressions, two weeks at #1 RB, #10 pop

Mercy, Mercy – Don Covay & The Goodtimers, two weeks at #1 RB, #35 pop. Co-written by Covay.

Reach Out For Me – Dionne Warwick – two weeks at #1 RB, #20 pop

Good News – Sam Cooke, one week at #1 RB, #11 pop. Composed by Cooke.

The Way You Do The Things You Do – The Temptations, one week at #1 RB, #11 pop

Viewing the EGOT shows

history

The Emmy Award nominations were announced on July 17. The awards will be given out in September. It got me thinking about my history of viewing the EGOT shows.

There are many other award shows, such as the Golden Globes and the Country Music Awards, but these are the Big Four.

Emmys

“The 1st Emmy Awards, retroactively known as the 1st Primetime Emmy Awards after the debut of the counterpart Daytime Emmy Awards, were presented at the Hollywood Athletic Club in Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 25, 1949.” However, the first three Emmy ceremonies were primarily given to shows produced or aired in Los Angeles and only broadcast there.

“Starting with the 4th Annual Emmy Awards, nominations were considered on a national television network basis.” There’s a complicated history involving the East Coast versus West Coast branches of the Academy.

From the 1970s to the early 2000s, I watched the Emmys regularly because there were shows I watched that I rooted for, mostly on the on-air networks, from The Mary Tyler Moore Show to Hill Street Blues. “Cable programs first became eligible for the Primetime Emmys in 1988. Original online-only streaming television programs then became eligible in 2013.”

Changing environment

Also: “Networks shell out big bucks to get those winged ladies sitting in their offices. TV Guide reports that an average Emmy campaign costs between $150,000 and $500,000. In 1993, HBO reportedly spent $1 million on its campaigns, an investment that paid off when the network took home more awards than most broadcast networks for the first time.

“In 2013, Netflix’s ‘House of Cards’ was the first streaming service series to win an Emmy. Hulu’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ was the first to win an Emmy for outstanding drama in 2017, and in 2018, Amazon’s ‘The Marvelous Ms. Maisel’ was the first to do so in comedy.”

I look at the current nominees. I’ve seen some of the shows in the talk series, variety specials, and game shows. (Three of the Outstanding Variety Special (live) are the Grammys, Oscars, and Tonys.) But aside from Abbott Elementary, I’ve seen very few others, so I’m no longer inclined to watch that awards show.

Grammys

“The second Annual Grammys Awards, held on November 29, 1959, were the first to be televised, but not live. The ceremony was broadcast on NBC as a taped special called NBC Sunday Showcase and hosted by Meredith Willson.”

Finally, the Grammys were broadcast live in 1971, and I watched them religiously. I specifically recall Paul Simon winning for Still Crazy After All These Years and thanking Stevie Wonder for not putting out an album.

Then, in the early 2000s, I stopped watching it because I didn’t know the musicians. But as my daughter started listening to music on her own, I restarted watching, precisely because I didn’t know the musicians.

Oscars

On March 19, 1953, “The Oscars presentation was first televised. The NBC TV and radio network carried the 25th Oscars ceremonies live from Hollywood, with Bob Hope as master of ceremonies, and from the NBC International Theatre in New York, with Fredric March making the presentations.”

It was the only one of the four I’ve always watched. When I was a kid, movie stars were almost like royalty, even if I’d never seen their movies. Starting in the 1970s, I watched because I had rooting interests. As late as 1995, I would listen to the radio at 8:37 a.m. Eastern time to catch the announcements of the major nominations. Now, I record it and watch the show at leisure; this is true of most television I watch.

Tonys

“The 21st Annual Tony Awards ceremony was broadcast on March 26, 1967, from the Shubert Theatre in New York City on the ABC Television network. This was the Awards ceremony’s inaugural broadcast on U.S. network television.”

But I don’t remember just when I started watching the Tonys. Perhaps it was in the 1980s when I caught the Kennedy Center Honors. They’re both prestige shows with low ratings that CBS broadcasts year after year.

In 2005, I wrote about them in the first six weeks of this blog. “I watch the Tony Awards because it is generally all I know of the shows on Broadway. I mean, there is usually ONE show I’ve heard of…” Nowadays, I know a lot more about the shows, even if I haven’t seen them.

When the musicals and plays tour and appear in Schenectady’s Proctors Theatre or occasionally other venues, I have a sense of the storyline. Also, “I like to discover that a number of actors better known from other venues are on the boards.”

Here’s my love letter to the Tonys from 2011.

A Wordle mystery

Wordle 1,130 X/6

There was a Wordle mystery that I needed to try to solve. On July 23, 2024, someone posted on a Facebook Wordle site this result:

Wordle 1,130 X/6

The correct answer was PRONG, which means the player had PRO as the first three letters on their first turn but never got the five-letter result, or even another letter, in six turns. For my own sake, I had to determine if this outcome was possible without using the same letter twice. This is in no way meant to mock or disparage the player.

I went to Word Unscrambler and found these five-letter words starting with PRO:

proas probe probs prods proem profs progs prole promo proms prone prong proof props prose proso pross prost prosy proud prove prowl prows proxy

Mystery solved!

Wow, it IS possible. In no particular order: PROOF or PROMO; PROBE, PRONE, or PROVE; PROXY; PROWL; PROPS or PROGS; PROUD. As it turns out, PROBE, PROVE, PROWL, PROXY, and PROUD were used, but the user likely did not know this. Several sites online, including WordFinder, reveal these words.

I limited my choices to words I actually knew. One could trade out PROPS/PROGS in favor of PROAS, a word my spellcheck does not like; it doesn’t like PROSO, either. Other combos are likely possible.

One commenter recommended picking words ending in a list of letters, which might have helped. I rearranged them to a more memorable NERGY ST. I imagine the player likely did use words ending with E, S, and Y but not G.

I might have added H. CH, GH, PH, SH, and TH, which are common word endings I tend to use.