In 2000, the victory of George Bush was enormously disappointing.
In 2004, when George Bush won a second time, I realized that I was part of a minority in this country. I thought that’s what it felt like to be despondent.

2016? A scene out of a bizarre fictional creation made real.
The past four years a nightmare of global consequence, and of deeply-felt individual tragedies nationwide.

That this election is as close as it is–that this hasn’t been a clear victory for Biden, and for so many Senate-seat challengers–redefines despondency.

We’re in for a difficult few days, to say the least. Even with Biden taking a national majority (nothing new in US political elections for a losing candidate) neither candidate will win with an overwhelming victory...

The scariest read around: the history of the past 3+ years is bad enough, but the last pages (starting the end of p. 6) are a vision of the US as a banana republic.

Over the years, a few friends have been compelled to create music which reacts to our times. This one, from an old mate at Columbia (and my Snow Pond Composers Workshop co-director, while that lasted) is just out.

And the one below, “Conservatives United,” by Andy Rindfleisch from 2011, is still a favorite.

A fantastic read, “How To Fix the Supreme Court,” which multiple ideas about improving the way the Supreme Court operates. Fascinating, really, at least to me.

Readying to work with high schoolers in Fayetteville (remotely) in about 30 minutes. This my second session with them, the previous a week ago. This time they’d like to begin talking about chords, how to make ’em, how to choose ’em. I’m looking forward to this.

Before Pattie and I left town last December, I’d bought a little “roll up piano” to take on the trip, as a resource for writing while on the road. Never used it and, in fact, sent it home in February. But it came in handy in last week’s session, and I’ve rolled it out on the table for today–glad i’m finding a use for it.

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Jackson’s 15 months old (yesterday), and here he is at his check-up, reviewing his growth chart with the doc…

Cuteness defined–received from Joe:

And the boy is clearly an organizer:

I think of the years I’ve lived through in this country, beginning in the 60s. I think of all of the events of those years, wars, assassinations, fiscal fraud, red-lining and the many deeply institutionalized racist laws, regulations, and embedded policies relating to all areas of living.

How is it that I (and many others, I imagine) can live through and be aware of all that has transpired just in my own lifetime–not to mention the first 165 years of this government, or the mass murder and slavery that preceded our separation from England, or the much longer history of man’s inhumanity–and be surprised by where we are today?

In the face of the facts of history, how is it that one can have even a shred of hope in human nature to actually improve the condition of one’s neighbors?

On pretty short notice, Joe learned last week of an interview with an NC (Raleigh) firm scheduled for today. He spent the weekend doing some homework on the firm and people, and just had the interview an hour ago.

He’s a good, cool cucumber, that guy. The interview went well, and so far he feels good about the possibility. Lots of specifics that kept him feeling positive, but the big questions are really ones of the firm’s reputation. With NY firms, it’s a pretty easy things to figure out a group’s rep; not so much when you’re not in the area. If he gets a second interview, he’ll connect with his friends in the region–and he’s got several atty friends, given his UNC-CH days–to see what they report.

They’re planning to make a trip to FL, and will stop in NC for a few days next...

Yesterday morning was a real treat, as I ‘met’ with a Fayetteville h.s. orchestra to talk tunes. One of our administrators has been reaching out to schools throughout the state to offer engagement with faculty (who offer themselves); and a few teachers (Fayetteville, Raleigh) have expressed an interest in a composer talking to their students. This particular group was really engaged, curious, and present, and I was terrifically impressed. Like many schools, any arts classes have to happen outside normal school hours–and these students meet at 7:30am! Teenagers, up and ready to participate, at 7:30am! As I say, I was terrifically impressed. Looking forward to more time with them in the coming weeks.

Up in NY, our little star had his first visit to the Bronx Zoo.

A beautiful morning, another in a series of days with summer-like temperatures here in eastern North Carolina. It’ll be another day during which I try to avoid news about the coming election. We’ve voted; the constant advertising–radio, tv, web, US Mail–just creates anxiety as I, like so many people everywhere, fret over what November 4 will bring. There is little to do in preparation (buy more toilet paper?), and the only productive step seems to be to encourage people to vote. That is a step I take, and will continue to take

Reading the polls? Reading the constant lies? Listening to statements by voters asked about their views? No, these things just make my blood boil, and can only bring on anger and depression...