update from Jupe

 

Daughter Elizabeth in China noticed that I haven’t posted lately, so here’s a little post.

I had an excellent meeting with Dr. Birky, my therapist, yesterday. He is really quite good. Of course, he was happy to learn that my operation was successful in removing my cancer. I bumped into someone I know as I was leaving. I mentioned how helpful I found Birky and told the person I hoped they would find him so as well. It’s a bit of a privacy concern, isn’t it? running into someone at the shrink. I wish that wasn’t so since mental health is real stuff and therapy is actually pretty much good for all.

On the drive down to see Birky, it occurred to me why I am feeling so discombobulated: I’m still getting used to the idea of having been diagnosed with cancer, having surgery, and then finding out the surgery was successful. This is a lot of stuff to process and I’m sure I haven’t finished doing so. But as I said to Birky despite this I think I’m functioning pretty well.

Image result for the real life of anthony burgess andrew biswell

My biography of Burgess arrived in the mail today. I am so spoiled.

I made bread before leaving to see Birky yesterday. Actually I made the sponge, then let it rise a bit. Then I finished the dough and shaped it for its final rise and Eileen stuck it in the oven for me while I was gone.

Image result for bartok portrait

I spent some time with Bartok on the piano yesterday. I remembered why I like him. His music is not that easy to play but I love his use of Slavonic folk material. It inspires me to think maybe at some point  I could use the wonderful folk tradition of Britain and the USA to make some fun pieces.

Image result for 21 lessons for the 21st century

I continue to make progress with Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century.

Here’s some random shit from my reading (hopefully not as long winded as last time):

“Once AI makes better decisions than we do about careers and perhaps even relationships, our concept of humanity and life will have to change.” p. 55

“The word “Television” comes from Greek, tele which means far, and Latin, visio , sight.”
p. 52

Harari coined the word, “Coca-Colonialism.” Cool.

Speaking of words, my piano tuner gave me a word on the phone. He said it w as new to him and didn’t know what it meant but it was a real word. Indeed it is:

Image result for proslambanomenos

It’s the lowest note in the Ancient Greek scale.

Image result for proslambanomenos

Who knew?

I like the poems in the new New Yorker. Here are links:

“Etiology,” by Maggie Millner | The New Yorker

“American Sonnet for the New Year,” by Terrance Hayes | The New Yorker

Plus there was an article about a person’s passion for Greek.

Greek to Me, by Mary Norris | The New Yorker

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