Paul's Falls

 Saturday we took our grandson for an outing in Chicago.  We experienced the Museum of Science and Industry and had a wonderful time.  We were pleasantly surprised at the new train and bus depot in Milwaukee.  It was clean, bright and beautiful - a far cry from the recent past.  The train ride was excellent.  It left promptly on time and arrived a minute early in Union Station.  

We took two taxi rides in Chicago.  Both drivers - with unpronounceable names were pleasant and their cabs were clean and neat.

The museum was the highlight.  Hundreds of kids bouncing off the walls with excitement, and parents enthusiastic as well.  We were hesitant to try the cafeteria for lunch, but it turned out to be better than expected.  There were ample food choices and they were prepared well.  The surprise was the price.  We were not ripped off.  At the airport the price would have been double and of lesser quality.

We came home exhausted but feeling great at the same time.  At home we sat and watched the Community Christmas Card on Cable Access channel 14. The warm and fuzzy glow continues to this moment.

Merry Christmas, all!
 

 Sadly, mainstream jazz seem to be declining right now.  This artform has been widely appreciated by decades of Americans as our contribution to a unique music genre.

This is my favorite music. Freeform, expressive, plus a host of other unique descriptive adjectives, may give you a hint what this is  all about.  Sadly, in much of today's music, mindless strumming accompanied by outright aggression on instruments has wandered into the listeners spotlight.

To hear some real American jazz give this a try.  Regina Carter, a jazz violin virtuoso from Detroit is performing in Brookfield next month at the Wilson Center.  If you would like to experience music that is beautifully performed, and not inflicted on you, give this a try.  I bought my tickets today.

Regina Carter Quintet
8:00 pm Friday January 18th
Wilson Center, Brookfield
 

Watching the 6 o'clock news tonight, I was again annoyed by the picture being out of sync with the sound. The faces lips moved a fully a quarter second before the accompanying sound was broadcast.
Technology is wonderful when applied properly.  But, why cannot the broadcast engineers make the sound come out at the same time the lips move?

High definition TV is beautiful.  The audio going along with it stinks.  And, it's not only WTMJ.  Each of the others have the same problems now and then but it gets my ire most on channel 4. (Perhaps that's because I watch their local stuff more than the others.)

Futher annoyance is when people's mouths move earlier than the rest of their faces (cheeks, eyebrows).  They call it artifacts.
I'm beginning to respect analog broadcasting for it's high quality.
 

 Nothing in this life is free. That said, becoming a candidate for election is a costly matter both for you and the taxpayers of Menomonee Falls.

There are governmental costs as well.  For each candidate taking out nomination papers there are reams of paperwork and staff time necessary to fulfill the requirements of state election laws.

There are paybacks, however. For you, the good feeling that what you do will set the direction of the Village for years to come.  And for the citizens, a well-run, efficient, governmental organization working smoothly for the common good.

 Disclaimer:  I lean toward the Libertarian philosophy - conservative with a buck, and liberal with your personal freedoms.

Today Don Imus returned to the airwaves around the country on several venues.  No matter how you might feel about his on-air remarks a few months ago, this maverick of the airways has a way of interviewing political candidates and pundits that is not regulated by a "party line" or sponsor/network influences.

If you really want to know about a national candidate and his/her feelings, you might give his program a chance. He is irreverent, and doesn't hold back his feelings about controversial  issues.

His program is on from 6 to 9  a.m. in this area.  You will find him with a live stream at wabc.com on the internet, or the RFD-TV channel on selected local cable and satellite channels.  Imus is not for everyone.  My Aunt Maude would probably be spinning in her grave if she ever heard that I was writing this.

But, she can't.  So, fair warning - perhaps you might enjoy his show.
 

 For all you snowbound people on Saturday:
Once you are shoveled out and the salt is applied, get yourselves over to North Middle School on Sunday.

Falls Patio Players is performing "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" .  I saw the Friday night performance and left with tears in my eye.

Don't miss it.  You won't go wrong!  See Fallspatioplayers.com for show times