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For A Change – **OPEN THREAD**

By Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy on September 29, 2009 at 6:11 AM in Current Affairs

I don’t know about you, but I could use a day off from all of the rancor of politics – ACORN, Health Care Reform, Iran, Afghanistan, all of that. It will still be there tomorrow (unfortunately). So, since I’m feeling pretty good – my beloved Yankees are the AL East Champions, completing a sweep of their arch rivals, the Red Sox, it’s a beautiful day, so time for a little break.

For something funny, I recommend The Onion’s, “Cat Congress Mired In Sunbeam.” Just to whet your appetite, here’s what their Congress looks like in action:

C’mon, how cute is that? At least they were TRYING to get something done before the Sunbeam came along…

I have a funny story of my own to tell you – though it has nothing to do with cats. Way back in December, I had a post which included a video of my favorite opera singer, Kathleen Battle. Huh – I guess there is “Kat” in there, so yeah, I guess these are related after all. Anyway, the other day, I got a bulletin in the mail from the Charleston Concert Assoc. I was glancing through it, and lo and behold, Kathleen Battle is coming here in December.. I was ecstatic – couldn’t believe my eyes!! I fired off an email to my partner licketty split, telling her of this exciting event, and the need for us to get tickets tout de suite. She wrote back, and I quote, “…I’ve known abt this since JUNE!! It’s a done deal.” Meaning, she had already gotten us tickets for my holiday present. Turns out she had been sneaking out all of the bulletins coming in the mail so I wouldn’t see this (she was out of town at the time this came). Poor thing – I ruined her surprise…But I’m still mighty excited. I saw this woman perform at the Metropolitan Opera while in graduate school, by herself, and once with Jessy Norman. Battle is a former school teacher from Ohio, now recognized as one of our greatest opera singers. Here’s a reminder (with bonus very cool footage from the movie from which the song came):

If opera isn’t your cup of tea, I have this, another song that soothes the soul from one of our greatest singer-songwriters:

And one more to round out the day:

Hope you’ve enjoyed the break!

  • Portia Elizabeth

    Thank you for the laughs and the music. Both are greatly appreciated. Whoever wrote that Cat Congress story must know cats very well. Mine are totally into sunbeams and tinfoil.

    While Battle has an amazing voice, I saw a story on her a few years ago (60 Minute?) which made her out to be a supreme diva and a an operatic tyrant. Do you know if it’s accurate or even partially true? I suppose with talent like hers, she has a right to be demanding.

    And I love Capercaillie! TY

  • Katmoon

    Thank you RRRA, I needed the break, It is a feeling of saturation that often is the gateway to political depression or rage at this point. I really appreciate the MCC video, and am off to view the cat congress, capercaillie(makes my soul smile) and lover’s song, thank you, great idea.

  • Elder Jane

    not funny at all

  • yttik

    LOL, so that’s what the fat cats are up to, huh?

    I’d suggest we’d be better off if we put the cats in charge, but anybody who has cats knows they’re already in charge.

    I’ve had a good anti-politics week. I did some major horseback riding, ’bout killed myself being so out of shape for it. Then I went to a fireman’s fund raiser, really sweet bunch of guys who run a kid’s cafe providing free lunches every summer. They had a dunking tank, carnival games set up.

    You really have to spend some time focusing on all that is good and wonderful about America, because politics is not always our best side.

  • Jackarooty

    Love the Cat Congress…they should have referred to the “hairball filibusters”…

    Oy vey Amy…Yankees, huh? I’m waiting for my beloved Red Sox to clinch that stupid wild card! Red Sox Nation is generational. My grandfather went to the opening of Fenway Park in 1912. My father never got to see a Red Sox WS win. He died in 2000. The day he died I promised that no matter where I was I would bring him the newspaper the next day. In 2004 I got to do that! My playoffs ritual is to put his photo with my Red Sox hat on top of it and set them on my cable box. Nothing can be touched until the fat lady sings. I will do it again this year but honestly I’m not feeling the magic. I think your boys are going all the way.
    ~sigh~

  • Tricia Spiegel

    Lovely break indeed–I needed that!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Amy.

  • Portia Elizabeth

    Yay!
    Angela Merkel won for the right in Germany on a platform of lower taxes! Conservatism lives!

    Gordon Brown is also trailing badly to the Conservatives in England.

    Hey, O-man, the clock is ticking down and you’ve used up all your time-outs.

  • http://N/A breeze

    OBAMACARE FEARMONGERING

    Patrick Kennedy picks up where Pelousy left off….

    http://www.projo.com/news/content/KENNEDY_ON_HEALTH_CARE_DEBATE_09-27-09_K7FRTR_v20.3617923.html

  • http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

    Hey, Portia Elizabeth -

    Glad you liked the story and music! YES, the author clearly knows cats.

    Well, yes, actually, I do know something abt that aspect of Kathleen Battle. I had neighbors when I lived in NYC who played for the Met. Opera. And yes, she was a HUGE diva and tyrant, according to them. She was quite demanding, as I recall.

    One can hope she has mellowed in older age, right? :-)

  • http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

    LOL, Jackarooty – good one!

    Oh, sorry – didn’t mean to step on any toes with my love for the Pinstripes. It is amazing how well they have done considering losing their ace (Wang) early, early on, after he gave up a few games (before they realized he was injured). You just never know how a season is going to go, do you?

    What a lovely ritual you have to honor your father. I am sorry for your loss, and that your father was never able to see the RS win the WS. I know that must pain your heart…But holding his memory like you do, and the ritual you have, is touching, Jackarooty.

    If it helps any, my Boston friends and cousins definitely are Red Sox fans. We have a good natured rivalry…

    I am proud of the Yankees, I have to say. :-)

  • http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

    Thanks, everyone. Glad you enjoyed the break!

  • Jackarooty

    Oh thanks, Amy! I know your love for the Yankees is as hardcore as any member of Red Sox Nation’s love for their own! My MA born and bred sister has lived in NYC for over 30 years and many years ago became a Yankees fan. My father forgave her (I think!)
    My father was Mr. Baseball. There were two things he loved most in this world…my mother and baseball and not necessarily in that order! :-)
    Several years ago Boston.com ran an article asking people to comment on their post season rituals. They ranged from which side the dog must sit on the sofa to not changing underwear!

    I love your non-political open threads. They are very welcome after weeks and weeks of “Oh God, what now?”. We need an update on your animals soon! I hope your mother is doing better.

  • Bob

    Hey does anybody keep it in their pants— David Letterman multiple adulterous John Edwards —- Elizabeth Edwards is and was an enabler

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