Ken Burns ... watch out!

I stumbled on a nice collection of lectures on the History of Jazz created by Dr. Gordon Vernick of Georgia State University and published on iTunesU.

You can go to iTunesU and search for the lectures, or you can get there directly to listen or to subscribe (you need iTunes on your computer in either case) at


History of Jazz, Dr. Gordon Vernick, Georgia State University


Great 10+ minute discussions of jazz greats, jazz history and evolution plus segments focused on particular instruments - all backed up by representative examples of the ideas Dr. Vernick is exploring.

This is good stuff - if you're a jazz fan, you'll appreciate Vernick's approach, and if you haven't spent much time with jazz, give it a listen - you won't be disappointed.

Maybe this one should be called "So What!"

There's always something ...

Wars, financial collapse, security, energy policy, political foolishness, flu breakouts ... there is always something to think (or write) about.

There is also good stuff like golf, pets, music, food & wine and travel (mostly good anyway).

I'll put something here from time to time about one of these - or about something ...

Today I noticed Texas Tea in The Texas Observer [& commented on same in a Review from the Top].

Why do Texas Governors keep putting themselves in the news with this sort of foolishness?

Perry for President?

Now that's a stretch!

Of course, I thought the previous Texas Governor didn't have a chance either.