The Gun-Carryin' Librarian

Here’s Another!

Tom Rink — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:19:32 +0000

: Reflections of Medicine

Another painting (original watercolor) by Larry Hood, that is. This one, “Reflections of Medicine,” also came with a handwritten (and signed) note from Larry explaining the story behind the painting:

“This painting shows a medicine man and his reflection behind him and his shield which is an image of a ghostly figure of which is really him or the power suggestive in his realm of reality of maybe unreality. He wears bear claw earrings. His medicine is very strong and is sought [sic] out by many who want his powerful healing qualities.” (Larry Hood)

Try Something New!

Tom Rink — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:29:18 +0000

Courtesy of www.despair.com

Here are a couple of “dueling” quotations . . . the Yin and the Yang . . . which perspective suits you? On the motivational side, you have:

“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” — Brian Tracy

Many times this is easier said, than done. But, on the other hand . . . on the demotivational side you have “risk.”

Happy Monday!

Fun With Words?

Tom Rink — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:59:02 +0000

This post is for all of you “wordsmiths” out there. I’ve probably overdone this a bit, but it was worth a try . . . My goal, to use four ”non-everyday” vocabulary words (that I had run across within the last few days) in the same sentence.

The tenebrous atmosphere inside the conference room was a direct result of the conflation of politicians and diplomats maundering amongst themselves in an attempted irenic spirit of debate over the latest issues of the day.

The Favorite “Classics” for Kids!

Tom Rink — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:54:39 +0000

Kids’ top 10 classical music composers (and the piece)

1 John Williams Harry Potter’s Theme (I had not realized this “pop” movie soundtrack composer had already risen to “classical” status).
2 Howard Blake Walking in the Air (The Snowman)
3 Sergei Prokofiev Peter’s Theme (Peter and the Wolf)
4 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (The Nutcracker)
5 Sergei Prokofiev The Duck Scene (Peter and the Wolf)
6 Paul Dukas The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Fantasia)
7 Edward Elgar Pomp and Circumstance Op. 39, No. 4 (Fantasia)
8 Johann Pachelbel Canon
9 Sergei Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet
10 Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov Flight of the Bumblebee

All in all, not a bad list of classical favorites (in my humble opinion).

Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Tom Rink — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:35:16 +0000

Happy Friday! This week I found a couple of really useful quotations. So, as we head in to the weekend, let’s try to put our worries aside . . .

“It is not work that kills men, it is worry. Work is healthy; you can hardly put more on a man than he can bear. But worry is rust upon the blade. It is not movement that destroys the machinery, but friction.”
– Henry Ward Beecher

And, “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.”
– E E. Cummings

Cynicism . . . an Art Form?

Tom Rink — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:39:41 +0000

Several years ago I was given a book: The Cynic’s Dictionary, by Aubrey Dillon-Malone. It is a wonderful collection of alternative definitions . . . “gems of epigrammatic cynicism from some of our greatest wits” (from the inside from cover). And, considering my previous profession (law enforcement), I can really relate to the jaded negativity (of course, I’ve been retired over two years now and am slowly recovering from my own cynicism).

Here are some cynical definitions of cynic and cynicism. Enjoy!

CYNIC
“Someone who, when he smells a flower, looks for a coffin.” (H.L. Mencken)

“A sentamentalist afraid of himself.” (Lambert Jeffries)

“A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be.” (Ambrose Bierce)

“Someone who found out there wasn’t any Santa Claus when he was ten, and is still upset about it.” (James Gould Cozzens)

CYNICISM
“Intellectual dandyism.” (George Meredith)

“The intellectual cripple’s substitute for intelligence.” (Russell Lynes)

“An unpleasant way of telling the truth.” (Lillian Hellman)

An Oklahoma Treasure!

Tom Rink — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:49:25 +0000

Today we celebrate the birthday of one of America’s great humorist, Will Rogers. Rogers was born on November 4, 1879, at Oologah, Oklahoma.

Some quick facts: he traveled around the world three times, made 71 movies (50 silent films and 21 with sound), wrote more than 4,000 nationally-syndicated newspaper columns, and became a world-famous figure.

“So let’s be honest with ourselves and not take ourselves too serious, and never condemn the other fellow for doing what we are doing every day, only in a different way.”

– Will Rogers

(Source: Audri and Jim Lanford)

And Now For The Women!

Tom Rink — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:08:05 +0000

The Women’s College Basketball preseason poll has been published and the Michigan State Spartans have also found themselves in the top ten of this list!

At the top of the list, the University of Connecticut followed by Stanford (#2), Ohio State (#3), Baylor (#4), and North Carolina (#5).

Rounding out the top ten are Duke (#6), Notre Dame (#7), Oklahoma (#8), Tennessee (#9), and Michigan State (#10).

Let the fun begin! Go Green!

Fireworks!

Tom Rink — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:54:37 +0000

: Hong Kong by Alexander Chen

Here is another painting from my collection by Alexander Chen. This one depicts a fireworks celebration over Hong Kong. The detail is phenomenal and the colors bright, despite it being a nighttime depiction.

Enjoy!

Planning?

Tom Rink — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:26:40 +0000

Courtesy of www.despair.com

Ran across yet another great quotation.

“If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning
for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime,
educate people.”

– Chinese proverb

And, while this proverb is rather sensible, here’s a humorous demotivator on the subject (courtesy of www.despair.com) that rings so true you may be wondering if it was meant to be funny.