tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573977233253344952024-03-13T10:59:46.208-04:00In Spite Of It All (ISOIA)Random NotesGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-36011414104748973202016-01-11T07:06:00.002-05:002016-01-11T07:06:52.133-05:00David Bowie, R.I.P.<a href="http://nyti.ms/1JEBDlj" target="_blank">David Bowie passed due to cancer.</a> He seemed invulnerable to the conditions around him so perhaps it had to be something internal that took him from The World too soon. <br />
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This was the exact moment I became aware of his work, <a href="http://nyti.ms/1RhN597" target="_blank">1971</a>. I was working in a gas station too close to the local rock radio station's (WMEX) transmission tower in Quincy, Mass. We could hear their broadcast on our phone line. WMEX would play their #1 song at the top of the hour, every hour. Space Oddity was played at least that often. We finally got a radio and were able to hear the song more clearly. (Why it took 2 years for this song to break out in the U.S. I never did learn.)<br />
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I followed Bowie's work from that time forward. It wasn't immediately accessible most of the time, and I think that was a part of his appeal, too. He wasn't writing, performing, producing and touring for everyone...he was living for the rest of us. The World is a smaller place today.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
Greg<br />
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<br />Greg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-7553029270293303592015-09-29T18:06:00.000-04:002015-09-29T18:10:06.957-04:00Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry WalkThis past Saturday, I participated in this fund raising and awareness walk. This was the fourth consecutive year that a Walk was held. The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) is open to anyone seeking a bone marrow transplant. The shortage of available Armenian donors spurred its formation but it's not exclusive to Armenians. <a href="http://www.abmdr.am/" target="_blank">Read More Here.</a> We raised a little more than $18K on Saturday. It was a very young crowd as many school groups participated. (The road marshals were adults...and you know how adults can be...)<br />
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Anyone who has known me for a while knows I'm not an Armenian Armenian. I'm very proud of my heritage, but I didn't participate in the usual Armenian groups and schools growing up. That's a mixed blessing as I know I missed out on significant opportunities to learn more about my heritage then (in addition to missing out on an opportunity to learn to speak and write Armenian as a child.) Living so close to Watertown, I frequent Armenian grocery stores, and I get to as many Armenian social and cultural events as I can. OK, back to the Walk.<br />
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The Walk started at the <a href="http://acecwatertown.org/" target="_blank">Armenian Cultural and Educational Center</a> (ACEC) in Watertown on Nichols Avenue. It's an impressive place.<br />
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Everyone congregated in the main hall and waited for the start at 11AM. </div>
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A few minutes before 11, several speakers reviewed the route with us in addition to how the road marshals would work. Road marshals had yellow t-shirts, and we walkers had green t-shirts. The road marshals blocked every cross street (no easy feat in Watertown on a Saturday afternoon.)</div>
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Once we set off walking, it was pretty residential all the way. We did pass St. James, so I had to make note of the forthcoming Bazaar: October 16-17.</div>
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We made it to the park just outside Watertown Square next to the firehouse on Main Street. It turned out there was a major fair in progress: live band, food, crafts and more.</div>
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We streamed through the crowd to an open space at the far corner of the park. Organizers had placed ABMDR markers there for us to circle around while we waited for closing remarks and several drawings.</div>
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We received water and bananas while we waited, and then the raffles began.</div>
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There were some impressive prizes...I walked home with a new t-shirt, some hummus from an Armenian food booth, and a good feeling for having spent some time helping to improve life for someone else. </div>
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My donors: Thank you for sponsoring me. This was a local walk that helps people world wide. Now that you've had to wade through my writing...here's a professional review from <a href="http://armenianweekly.com/2015/09/22/abmdr-walkathon-2015/" target="_blank">The Armenian Weekly</a>.</div>
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Cheers,</div>
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Greg</div>
Greg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-55766023847697693542013-06-16T10:53:00.001-04:002013-06-16T10:54:08.081-04:00Carmen Souza @ The Regattabar, Saturday, June 15th<a href="http://www.carmensouza.com/" target="_blank">Carmen Souza</a> and her band energized a full house at the first of two evening shows at <a href="http://www.regattabarjazz.com/" target="_blank">The Regattabar</a> in Cambridge, Mass. Born in Portugal and infused with Cape Verdean and African rhythms, Carmen and her band delivered a strong set with plenty of space for band solos.<br />
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Carmen is touring behind her new CD, Kachupada. Her band (drum, piano and bass) is strong on every instrument and showed a real zest for getting rhythms into the audience. Catch her on tour and check out her music, too.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-77562965928031771692013-04-01T06:37:00.000-04:002013-04-01T06:37:30.206-04:00Paul Williams, R.I.P.Paul Williams brought <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawdaddy!" target="_blank">Crawdaddy</a> to life, and Crawdaddy fueled my love of and interest in music. Sadly, Paul <a href="http://nyti.ms/10fABBR" target="_blank">passed away last week</a>. I used to sit outside The Harvard Coop waiting for the delivery of new issues. (How I knew the delivery schedule eludes me today.)<br />
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Crawdaddy was informed and exceptionally well written rock journalism. Everything else followed it IMHO. I was definitely impressionable at the time, but the impression stuck, and I'm still happy with it today.<br />
<br />Cheers,<br />
<br />
Greg<br />
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Greg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-63807325607747038592012-11-29T06:07:00.000-05:002012-12-11T20:23:55.842-05:00Zig Ziglar, R.I.P.<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/29/business/zig-ziglar-86-motivational-speaker-and-author.html?smid=pl-share" target="_blank">Zig Ziglar</a> was a very prolific motivational speaker. Everyone knows Dale Carnegie, but Zig was more accessible (at least for me.) I used some of his cassettes to help orient myself to being more effective at my work (e.g., for my team members and customers) back in the 80's. I wasn't alone.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-13864584216302866792012-11-09T06:47:00.003-05:002012-11-09T06:48:40.062-05:00The Travel Industry Takes On Human TraffickingHuman trafficking is growing. Unwitting accomplices in the travel industry are focusing on the problem and trying to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/09/giving/the-travel-industry-takes-on-human-trafficking.html?smid=pl-share" target="_blank">do something about it</a>. I support the <a href="http://www.catwinternational.org/" target="_blank">Coalition Against Trafficking in Women</a>. You should, too. <br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-5719531801562528132012-11-06T07:19:00.003-05:002012-11-06T07:19:42.926-05:00Rockaway Beach Needs Your HelpGood friends of mine rent a house there each summer. Their friends live their year around and saw their homes destroyed. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olForyqALZ4&feature=colike" target="_blank">Watch This.</a> Make a difference and fulfill a need through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/registry/wedding/32TAA123PJR42?tag=gmgamzn-20" target="_blank">Occupy Sandy's Registry on Amazon.com</a>. I did. You can <a href="http://interoccupy.net/occupysandy/" target="_blank">learn more about Occupy Sandy here</a>. <br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-71206646839959558552012-11-03T10:26:00.001-04:002012-11-03T10:26:27.488-04:00Trixie Whitley @ Cafe 939 in Boston<a href="http://www.trixiewhitley.com/" target="_blank">Trixie Whitley</a> kicked off her solo tour in Boston last night in a small room on Boylston Street: <a href="http://www.cafe939.com/" target="_blank">The Red Room at Cafe 939</a>. She's a very emotive performer, and you need to experience her music live to really feel the impact of her work. Her band (drums, bass guitar) was super, too.<br />
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She has a few <a href="http://www.trixiewhitley.com/music/" target="_blank">releases</a> available, and she's planning a major release for January. Try to catch her on this tour. It will be a memorable night. This room is also a star of its own...capacity 200, open space with a few seats. No alcohol (which makes it better IMHO as there's much less chatter.)<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-47883380687875538872012-10-21T08:40:00.002-04:002012-10-21T08:40:41.745-04:00RZA Hits The Big ScreenI've been a fan of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/21/movies/for-rza-hip-hop-was-just-a-prelude-to-kung-fu.html?smid=pl-share" target="_blank">RZA</a> since I saw that he scored Ghost Dog, a movie I can't watch often enough. Now he's directed a feature film being released November 2nd: The Man With The Iron Fists. I'll definitely be there to see it that weekend.<br />
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His music has always engaged me, too. I've listened to Wu Tang, but their writing (his, really) has always been more inspirational for me than their music, and I like their music.<br />
<br />Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-61457049263770283612012-09-13T09:10:00.000-04:002012-09-13T09:11:22.010-04:00Shine A Little Light on U.S. Government OperationsI just read about the <a href="http://sunlightfoundation.com/">Sunlight Foundation</a>, a non-partisan web savvy group using The Internet to make our federal government more transparent. I like them, and you should check them out, too.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-55382240095247265382012-09-03T05:59:00.002-04:002012-09-03T06:00:14.569-04:00Flight Attendants Talk Shoes<a href="http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/09/02/travel/best-shoes-for-travel-ask-a-flight-attendant.html?smid=pl-share">Come Fly With Me!</a>Greg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-11626221789914162242012-05-14T06:26:00.000-04:002012-05-14T06:26:22.651-04:00Donald (Duck) Dunn, R.I.P.Most people would recognize him as <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/14/arts/music/duck-dunn-bassist-in-booker-t-and-the-mgs-dies-at-70.html?smid=pl-share">Donald (Duck) Dunn</a> from his appearance in The Blues Brothers movie. He was a stellar bassist, songwriter, producer and member of two seminal groups: The Mar-Keys & Booker T. and The M.G.'s He was also a session player in the Stax Records house band (backing hit maker after hit maker.) Otis Redding. Wilson Pickett. Albert King. He played on many of their epic hits (and much more.)<br />
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He was touring in Japan with Steve Cropper (of the same level of accomplishment and fame) when he passes away on Sunday. I love seeing them both in The Blues Brothers movie, and I have their solo work, too. Life is short...get on it.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-75189919870291545972012-05-10T06:13:00.001-04:002012-05-10T06:14:04.959-04:00Vidal Sassoon, R.I.P.How many people impact generations with their view of the world? <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/fashion/vidal-sassoon-hairdresser-and-trendsetter-dies-at-84.html?smid=pl-share">Vidal Sassoon</a> was one of them. I never knew he fought in Israel's war of independence or that he came from an impoverished background. He saw his way into the future and made it happen...a lesson for the rest of us.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-14552142166541066032012-05-01T09:27:00.001-04:002012-05-01T09:27:52.408-04:00Heroic Actions Take All Forms<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/nyregion/george-vujnovich-96-led-rescue-of-airmen-in-world-war-ii.html">George Vujnovich</a> planned and supervised the rescue of more than 500 aviators during WWII. It was his planning skills that resulted in no casualties or losses during these missions. Amazing.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-83771162349684119872012-04-27T08:22:00.001-04:002012-04-27T08:23:05.616-04:00Sometimes Doing Wrong Is Definitely Doing RightCheck out <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/27/nyregion/at-92-movie-bootlegger-is-soldiers-hero.html">92 year old Hyman Strachman's hobby</a> of copying movie DVDs and sending them to deployed military. Could there be a better thing to do?<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-82733393522699975552012-04-22T12:22:00.002-04:002012-04-22T12:22:32.019-04:00Alex Cassie, R.I.P.<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/world/europe/alex-cassie-who-aided-great-escape-from-nazis-dies-at-95.html">Alex Cassie</a> forged German identity papers for men escaping from a supposedly escape-proof prison of war camp in WWII. Although selected to be amongst the first 50 men through the tunnel to freedom, he decided to stay in camp knowing he was claustrophobic and could jeopardize the escape.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-14417271031631185082012-03-29T06:26:00.003-04:002012-03-29T06:27:40.173-04:00Adrienne Rich, R.I.P.<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7fl6dln">Adrienne Rich</a> passed away on Tuesday. She wrote about feminism in a way that was accessible to both men and women. I learned a lot from her work.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-32294804809815084332012-03-06T05:03:00.000-05:002012-03-06T05:03:12.819-05:00Ralph McQuarrie, R.I.P.Ralph' McQuarrie's renderings of George Lucas' initial words about Star Wars got George the financing he needed to make his first Star Wars film. (He had been turned down by two studios before the third studio, seeing Ralph's paintings, agreed to fund the movie.) Ralph's imagination allowed Star Wars to get to the screen.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/movies/ralph-mcquarrie-artist-behind-star-wars-dies-at-82.html">Ralph McQuarrie</a> developed artwork for many other seminal productions: Battlestar Galactica (first TV show), the mother ship in Close Encounters of The Third Kind and many more memorable productions. Ralph worked on each of the first Star Wars films, too. <br />
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Cheers,<br />
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GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-17496221276996722622012-02-29T07:05:00.000-05:002012-02-29T07:05:50.647-05:00Bruce Surtees, R.I.P.<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/29/arts/bruce-surtees-oscar-nominated-cinematographer-dies-at-74.html">Bruce Surtees</a> helped tell stories with planning and lighting. Clint Eastwood chose to use him repeatedly (when he could have used anyone I expect.) I learned to watch the credits closely (thanks Diane!) to see who brought the movie to life, who did the casting, whose family worked on the film, etc. He'll be missed.<br />
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Bruce died due to complications from diabetes. Reason 108,201 to eat healthy food, get some form of exercise daily and sit for health exams.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-6802212905234023962012-02-02T07:36:00.000-05:002012-02-02T07:36:04.542-05:00Don Cornelius, R.I.P.Sad to read that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/arts/music/don-cornelius-soul-train-creator-is-dead-at-75.html">Don committed suicide</a> this week. He brought a lot of joy to many for several decades. His was a show my younger sister and I could watch together (without fighting over the TV. Yes, a 1-TV household.) I saw so many artists early in their careers on that show that I'm still using that experience for music listening (and buying.) I couldn't dance like the people on the show, but it got me off my chair at clubs and onto the floor more than anything else.<br />
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Don ended each show with his send-off: "Peace. Love. And Soul" I hope he's getting major doses of all 3 in the afterlife.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-47725023541071443102012-01-20T07:29:00.002-05:002012-01-20T07:30:56.127-05:00Johnny Otis, R.I.P.Did this guy <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/arts/music/johnny-otis-musician-dies-at-90.html">live a life</a> or what!? He backed so many greats to make them greater (and then wrote about it.) Renaissance Man Now Gone.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-36014358074837802502011-12-28T12:04:00.000-05:002011-12-28T12:04:50.316-05:00"... living in a fool's paradise" - Mose Allison<span id="goog_1308378842"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1308378843"></span>Minutes after I posted that warm-up article, I went out and didn't warm up sufficiently (for the 21F temperatures.) I have what is likely a partial tear in my left gastroc (right side)...No fun. I'm doing more of <a href="http://www.floota.com/SMR-Calves.html">this</a> now in addition to foam rolling, icing and remaining off my feet.<br />
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No Mr. Non Warm-up Guy!<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-78374894202859388102011-12-27T05:35:00.000-05:002011-12-27T05:35:27.028-05:00A Thorough Warm-upI know I've skimped on warm-ups in the past, and I think some of my injuries are the result. This article presents a thorough (and thoughtful) warm-up: <br />
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<a href="http://www.cathletics.com/articles/article.php?articleID=127">Catalyst Athletics: Our Warm-up is a Warm-up by Greg Everett - Catalyst Athletics Articles</a><br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-32697892222958090022011-12-26T08:13:00.000-05:002011-12-26T08:13:33.674-05:00Mike DeStefano Puts Life In PerspectiveIs this what life is supposed to be or what? Read this <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/12/22/magazine/the-lives-they-lived.html#view=uneasy_rider">article</a> from top to bottom. Both their spirits flew on that ride, and Mike's flew on for the rest of his days.Greg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657397723325334495.post-87322068881243134612011-12-25T08:25:00.000-05:002011-12-25T08:25:59.038-05:00Cesaria Evora, R.I.P.<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/arts/music/cesaria-evora-morna-singer-from-cape-verde-dies.html">Cesaria Evora</a> passed away last week. She didn't get a lot of notice in The States, but in her home country of Cape Verde, she was a giant. I've listened to her music, a style called morna, and it pulls you in slowly but completely. Check out her music. Cape Verde declared a 2-day period of mourning to celebrate her life.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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GregGreg Tutunjianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061029619937741546noreply@blogger.com0