It's been a while since I posted some of the Foster cats that have came through our house.

The next three came in to us the week of September 15th 2004. They were Joy (below), a grey and white momma with her two tabby girl kittens, Mia (left) and Brandi (right). They were names after the US Womans Soccer players: Joy Fawcett, Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain. They were not with us long all getting adopted fairly quickly. Mia was first to go the week of October 19th 2004, followed by Joy the week og Oct 26th 2004 and finally Brandi the next week.

-Richard

University

Tall, grim blocks of flats rise high
Above the seeing vision leaving
The view beyond entirely up to the imagination
Of the mind. The mind so young,
So impressionable, unable to appreciate
Situations above and beyond the that known rises
And falls as it tries to reach goals. Goals that
Seem unattainable, seem beyond the scope
Of an immature, unstretched being. University?
A university that teaches, not subjects
Deemed to stimulate, designed to cram
The brain full of information useful
Only in the passing of exams, obtaining a degree
Thats use is beyong negigible, but,
A university who's education develops men.
Graduation is in life, a person that can reach
The very depth of his soul, the very depths
Of his personaliti. A mature, useful mind
That into the world can survive, so the view
Above the flats can be seen.

14th November 1991 - West Ealing, London, England.

-Richard

I listened to:

"The Dharma at Big Sur" composed by John Adams and performed by Tracy Silverman (electric Violin) and The BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Adams
"My Father Knew Charles Ives" composed by John Adam performed by Bill Houghton (trumpet) and The BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Adams.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Powaqqatsi" composed by Philip Glass conducted by Michael Riesman.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Symphony No.3 in E flat major, op.55 "Eroica" and "Leonore Overture No.2". Both were composed by Ludwig van Beethoven and were performed by The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Bernard Haitink.

-Richard

Score Update:

International Cricket: Australia beat England by 206 runs. Australia lead the series 3-0 and regain the Ashes.

Rugby Union: West Hartlepool 63 Hartlepool Rovers 3. Friendly.

Football: Bury 0 Hartlepool United 1. League 2
Hartlepool United 2 Grimsby Town 0. League 2. Pools move up to 5th place in the table.

American Football: New York Giants 22 Phildelphia Eagles 36
New York Giants 7 New Orleans Saints 30. The Giants fall to 7-8 and are in 3rd place in the NFC East.

Ice Hockey: Tampa Bay Lightening 2 Carolina Hurricanes 3
Philadelphia Phillies 1 Carolina Hurricanes 2
Carolina Hurricanes 5 New York Islanders 1
Florida Panthers 2 Carolina Hurricanes 3. The Canes have 42 points and are in 2nd place in the South East Division 6pts behind Division Leaders Atlanta Thrashers.

Basketball: Los Angeles Clippers 103 Houston Rockets 108
Portland Trail Blazers 89 Houston Rockets 87
San Antonio Spurs 78 Houston Rockets 97
Houston Rockets 93 Los Angeles Clippers 98. The Rockets are 16-11, in third place in the SouthWest Divison 4 1/2 games behind Division Leaders San Antonio Spurs.

College Basketball: North Carolina Tar Heels 105 Florida Atlantic Owls 52
Saint Louis Billikens 48 North Carolina Tar Heels 69. UNC improve to 10-1 on the Season and are 0-0 in the ACC. They are 7th place in the ACC and ranked 2nd in the Nation.
Duke Blue Devils 79 Kent State Golden Flashes 72
Gonzaga Bulldogs 54 Duke Blue Devils 61. Duke are 11-1 on the Season and 0-0 in the ACC. They are in 6th place in the ACC and are ranked 5th in the Nation.
North Carolina State Wolfpack 75 Alabama Crimson Tide 82
Cincinnati Bearcats 80 North Carolina State Wolfpack 71. NC State fall to 7-4 on the Season. They are 0-1 in the ACC and are in 11th place.

-Richard

I listened to:

"The Threepenny Opera" composed by Kurt Weill performed by Rene Kollo, Mario Adorf, Helga Demesch, Ute Lemper, Milva, Wolfgang Reichmann, Susanne Tremper, Rolf Boyson, and The RIAS Berlin Sinfonietta conducted by John Mauceri.

-Richard

I am going to indugle myself one more time. I found another famous Morecambe and Wise sketch and another of my favourites. Singing in the Rain.



-Richard

Listening to Andre Previn play and conduct The London Symphony Orchestra reminded me of when he was on Morecambe and Wise. Morecambe and Wise were (are) my Dads favourite comedy duo. As such, we spent many hours watching them on TV. In my opinion they are still very funny now. The Previn appearance was and still is one of my favourite. I managed to find a little documentary on YouTube that features this sketch. Enjoy!!



-Richard

I listened to:

"Rhapsody in Blue", "An American in Paris" and "Piano Concerto in F" . All were composed by George Gershwin and performed by Andre Previn (Piano) and The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andre Previn.

-Richard

I mentioned earlier this week of my love for art. I first gained this love when I was living in London. I regularly visited The National Gallery and The Tate Gallery and spent hours in the impressionist and modern sections especially. My favourite painting and infact the only one I have copy of is "Boating on the Seine" by Pierre Augustus Renoir (below) which is in my home office. I spent hours staring it, especially times when I was feeling stressed just to escape. I often stopped in the Gallery on my way downtown on the way to Concerts at the South Bank. The art and the ambience always put me in the right frame of mood to relax, and soak up the music. Lots of happy memories!! For those visiting the City it is on my top of my list of recommendations to visit.

I am extremely grateful that I married a girl who also loves and enjoys art!!

-Richard

I listened to:

"Pomp and Circumstance March Op.39, No.1 in D Major" and "Pomp and Circumstance March Op.39, No.4 in G Major" composed by Edward Elgar and performed by The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Daniel Berenboim.
"Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.85" performed by Jacqueline du Pre (cello) and The Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim.
"Variations on an Original Theme, Op.36 "Enigma"" performed by The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim.

-Richard

On Monday I took the day of work to go to a special "Monet in Normandy" at the North Carolina Museum of Art here in Raleigh.

It was a beautiful experience. I love art, especially the impressionists. The way they re-create nature and God's creation is breathtaking. It gave us an hour escapism from the craziness of life. Normandy is also my favourite place in France having visited it several times, so that was an extra bonus.

Jenn and I are actually members of the Museum. We believe in support local art and every year we choose something to support this year it is the Art Gallery. I have chosen two Monet's to post here. They are both actually part of the Museum's permanent collection. Click on them and it will take you to the Museum web-page giving the story and credits.


-Richard

I listened to:

"Plymouth Town" composed by Benjamin Britten and performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Grant Llewellyn.
"Nocture" composed by Benjamin Britten performed by Andrew Kennedy (tenor) and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Douglas Bostock.
"Ballads for Orchestra" composed by Grace Williams performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Baldur Bronnimann.

-Richard

Score Update:

International Cricket: England drew with Western Australia. Warm up match.

Rugby Union: West Hartlepool Technical Days School Old Boys 5 West Hartlepool 47. Friendly
West Hartlepool 3 Middlesbrough 27. League North 2 East. West slip to 4th place.

Football: Hartlepool United 1 Rochdale 0. League 2. Pools stay in 7th place.

American Football: Carolina Panthers 13 New York Giants 27. The giants improve to 7-6 and stay in 2nd place in the NFC East Division.

Ice Hockey: Colorado Avelanche 5 Carolina Hurricanes 2
Carolina Hurricanes 3 Toronto Maple Leafs 4. The Canes stay 34 points and fall to 3rd in the South East Division 8 points behind Divisioin Leaders Atlanta Thrashers.

Basketball: Washington Wizards 109 Houston Rockets 114
Houston Rockets 94 Los Angeles Lakers 102
Golden State Warriers 109 Houston Rockets 107
Los Angeles Lakers 112 Houston Rockets 101. The Rockets are 14-9 and in 3rd place in the South West Division, 3 1/2 games behind Division Leaders San Antonio Spurs.

College Basketball: North Carolina Tar Heels 94 High Point Panthers 69
North Carolina Tar Heels 93 North Carolina Asheville Bulldogs 62. UNC improve to 8-1 on the Season and ranked 3rd in the Nation.
North Carolina State Wolfpack 74 Savannah State Tigers 53
North Carolina State Wolfpack 80 Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers 65. NC State are 7-2 on the Season and 0-1 in the ACC. They are in 11th place in the ACC.

-Richard

Fighting

The towns are fighting.
Riots in the street:-
Fire's lighting,
With a bass drum beat
Of stone's being thrown
At anything breakable.
Through the noise a drone
Is heard. Police trying to make is stable.

The nations are fighting.
Bombs are stockpiled,
Armies are marching.
However mild the problem seems
Panic ensues
As each leader dreams
Of holding all the cues!

The earth is fighting
To stay alive
As pollution is creeping
In a relentless drive
To deprive its natural resources,
To destroy every living thing,
It seems as all the courses
Can only terror bring.

Every person is fighting
An inward fear of turmoil -
A dormant fear no longer sleeping
A peaceful existance to spoil.
Emotions all mixed up
From hate to love and back
As if everyone has a full cup.
The only way out - attack.

God is fighting -
To save man
From all the eveil feeling.
The hatred that began
When Satan dropped to Hell
Through all the work he's done.
Many fell -
Until there came God's "only begotten Son".

12th September 1991 - West Ealing, London, England.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Symphony No 1 in B Flat Minor" composed by William Walton performed by The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Colin Davis.

-Richard

I listened to:

"String Quarter No.3 in F Major, Op.73", "String Quartet No. 7 in F Sharo Minor, Op. 108" and "String Quartet No.8 in C minor, Op.110" all composed by Dmitri Shostakovich and performed by The Hagen Quartet.

-Richard

Finished Reading:

"The Dark Wind" by Tony Hillerman.

-Richard

Here are the two goals scored last week by Hartlepool's Darryl Duffy in their 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers.



-Richard

Score Update:

International Cricket: Australia beat England by 6 wickets. Second Ashes Test Match. Australia lead the series 2-0. Durham's Paul Collingwood scored 206 in England's 1st innings.

Football: Notts County 0 Hartlepool United 1. League 2
Bristol Rovers 0 Hartlepool United 2. League 2. Pools move to 7th place in the table.

American Football: New York Giants 20 Dallas Cowboys 23. The Giants fall to 6-6 and stay in 2nd place in the NFC East Division.

Ice Hockey: Calgary Flames 3 Carolina Hurricanes 0
Edmonton Oilers 3 Carolina Hurricanes 1
Vancouver Canucks 4 Carolina Hurricanes 3 (over-time) The canes have 34 points and stay in 2nd place in the South-East Division 6 points behind Division Leaders, Atlanta Thrashers.

Basketball: Houston Rockets 81 Cleveland Cavaliers 63
Houston Rockets 118 Golden State Warriers 90
Minnesota Timberwolves 90 Houston Rockets 84
Charlotte Bobcats 62 Houston Rockets 92. The Rockets record is now 13-6. They are in 2nd place in the South-West Division, 1 1/2 games behind division leaders, San Antonio Spurs.

College (American) Football: The Texas Longhorns have been invited to play in the Alamo Bowl on December 30th against The Iowa Hawkeyes. They finish the regular Season ranked 18th in the Nation.
Oklahoma Sooners 21 Nebraska Cornhuskers 7. The Big 12 Championship Game. Nebraska finish the Season 9-4 and ranked 22nd in the Nation. They have been invited to play in the Cotton Bowl on January 1st against The Auburn Tigers.

College Basketball: Duke Blue Devils 57 Holy Cross Crusaders 45. Duke move to 8-1 on the Season and are ranked 7th in the Nation.
Virginia Cavaliers 67 North Carolina State Wolfpack 62
West Virginia Mountaineers 71 North Carolina State Wolfpack 60. NC State are 5-2 on the Season and 0-1 in the ACC. They are 12th in the ACC.

-Richard

Natural Cathedral

The Cathedral rises,
Rock jutting out above.
Heath land descending form a Congregation
For the services.
The hills climb:-
Ascending into Heaven
Where the choir is that of Angels.

18th August 1991 - Staffordshire, England.

-Richard

Last weekend was "Santa Paws". This where folks can bring there pets to Petsmart to get their picture taken with Father Christmas (Santa!!). Local rescues do the work and Petsmart donate a share of the proceeds to the group. Petsmart do an awful lot of work with animal rescues and have donated a lot of dollars to Snowflake over the year. I would like to thank them here.


I was on "Santa duty" last Saturday morning. My last "customer" was our dog, Vanilla Bean for her annual Christmas photo. Here is she is (below). She had no idea who Santa was!!


- Richard

I listened to:

"Violin Concerto in E minor, Op.64" composed by Felix Mendelssohn performed by Zino Francescatti and The Cleveland Symphony Orchestra conducted by George Szell
"Violin Concerto in D major, Op.36" composed by Peter Tchaikovsky performed by Zino Francescatti and The New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Thomas Schippers.

"The Tale of the Priest and his Worker, Balda Op.36" composed by Dmitro Shostakovich performed by The Moscow State Chamber Choir conducted by Alexander Solovyov.
"Symphonic Suite for the Opera "Lady Macbeth of the Mtensk District, Op.21a" composed by Dmitri Shostakovich performed by The Russian Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Thomas Sanderling.

-Richard

About time I posted another poem.....

Desert Music


I can see the values
So long cherished,
So long held dear -
Evaporated.

When life was gentle,
Security the key,
Time enjoyed -
Harried.

There once was harmony,
Tunes so clear,
Melodies so fresh -
Disonence!!

7th August 1991 - The Royal Albert Hall, London, England.

This was written during the performance of "Desert Music" by Steve Reich. My first exposure to his music which led me to becoming a huge "fan" of his.

-Richard

Finished Reading:

"Everest The Hard Way" written by Chris Bonnington.

-Richard

Score Update:

International Rugby: England 14 South Africa 25

International Cricket: Australia beat England by 277 runs. 1st Ashes Test Match.

Rugby Union: Sheffield Tigers 19 West Hartlepool 5. League North 2 East
West Hartlepool 22 Morpeth 28. League North 2 East. West drop to 4th place in the Table.

Football: Hartlepool United 0 Rochdale 0. Hartlepool win 4-2 on Penalties. FA Cup 1st Round Replay.
Hartlepool United 2 Wycombe Wanderers 0. League 2. Pools move up to 12th Place.
Macclesfield Town 2 Hartlepool United 1. FA Cup 2nd Round.

American Football: Jacksonville Jaguars 26 New York Giants 10
Tennessee Titans 24 New York Giants 21 The Giants fall to 6-5 and to 2nd place in the NFC East Division.

Ice Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes 5 Dallas Stars 4
New York Rangers 4 Carolina Hurricanes 0
New York Islanders 4 Carolina Hurricanes 2
Boston Bruins 1 Carolina Hurricanes 5
Carolina Hurricanes 1 Ottawa Senators 4
Carolina Hurricanes 4 Montreal Canadians 2
Carolina Hurricanes 5 Boston Bruins 2. The Canes have 33 points and are in 2nd place in the South-East Division 3 points behind Division Leader Atlanta Thrashers.

Basketball: Detroit Pistons 104 Houston Rockets 92
New York Knicks 90 Houston Rockets 97
Houston Rockets 86 Washington Wizards 82
Houston Rockets 85 Memphis Grizzlies 76
Houston Rockets 82 Minnesota Timberwolves 75
Phoenix Suns 102 Houston Rockets 91 The Rockets are 10-5 and in 3rd place in the Southwest Divsion 1 1/2 games behind Division Leaders The Dallas Mavericks.

College (American) Football: Texas Longhorns 7 Texas A & M Aggies 12. Texas finish the Season 9-3 overall, 6-2 in the Big 12. They finish 2nd to Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 South and are ranked 17th in the Nation.
Nebraska Cornhuskers 37 Colorado Buffaloes 14. Nebraska are 9-3 on the Season and 6-2 in the Big 12. They are ranked 19th in the Nation.
North Carolina State Wolfpack 16 East Carolina Pirates 21. The Wolfpack finish the Season at 3-9

College Basketball: Duke Blue Devils 71 Air Force Falcons 56
Duke Blue Devils 62 Marquette Golden Eagles 62
Duke Blue Devils 75 Davidson Wildcats 47
Duke Blue Devils 54 Indiana Hoosiers 51
Duke Blue Devils 61 Georgetown Hoyas 52. Duke are 7-1 on the Season and are ranked 11th in the Nation.
North Carolina Tar Heels 103 Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs 50
North Carolina Tar Heels 74 Gonzaga Bulldogs 82
Tennessee Volunteers 87 North Carolina Tar Heels 101
North Carolina Tar Heels 98 Ohio State Buckeyes 89
North Carolina Tar Heels 75 Kentucky Wildcats 63. UNC are 6-1 on the Season and ranked 7th in the Nation.
North Carolina State Wolfpack 78 Valparaiso Crusaders 0
North Carolina State Wolfpack 88 Gardner-Web Runnin' Bulldogs 76
North Carolina State Wolfpack 74 Michigan Wolverines 67. NC State are 5-0 on the Season.

-Richard

Time to post another one of my favourite Sporting Videos. Here is one I found on you tube. It is the second leg of the MLS Cup play-off 1st round between the San Jose Earthquakes and the evil Los Angeles Galaxscum. LA won the first game 2-0, and as you can see scored two more goals to make it 4-0 on aggregate before the fun started!!



-Richard

Finished Reading:

"Skinwalkers" by Tony Hillerman.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Russian Revolution" by Alan Moorehead.

-Richard