from the keyboard and camera of Gerry Hornik

ROSA sat so Martin could walk

MARTIN walked so Barack could run

BARACK ran so all children may fly

Yesterday the Office of the President-Elect released the new official portrait for President Barack Obama. It was taken by Pete Souza, the newly-announced official White House photographer. It is the first time that an official presidential portrait was taken with a digital camera.

President-Elect Barack Obama

But the model (from the New York Botanical Garden annual Holiday Train Show), made completely out of plant parts, is pretty cool.

IMG_1186

We were just watching "From the Top" on WGBH-TV, a program hosted by Christopher O'Riley on NPR radio weekly and on PBS television occasionally that features young musicians (teens). If you've never heard/seen it, it's well worth the time.

Music page-turning by computer

Are there any podcasts that you never miss an episode of?
Submitted by Kadeeae.

VentureCast; it's always interesting and worth listening to. (Of course, David is my son, but on this subject I am completely unbiased.)

Have you ever met any celebrities? Any interesting stories?
Submitted by Tasha.

Governor Jerry Brown

One year at the beginning of the presidential campaign, when Jerry Brown was running for president, as we arrived at The Mall of New Hampshire, he, too, was just arriving to spend some time meeting the shoppers. As we both entered the mall, Jerry Brown greeted us and shook hands with us.

When we had completed our shopping, as we were leaving the mall, so was Jerry Brown, who took one look at us and said, "Didn't I just meet you?," and shook hands with us again on our way out.

Quite the politician! And what a memory!

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?
Submitted by sami711.

It used to be taking the whole family to see an epic movie, like Superman or Star Wars, on Christmas Day. After all, what else is there for a Jew to do on Christmas day? And you got to meet all your Jewish neighbors at the theater.

Blogger George Vaccaro recently had a problem with his Verizon based on an unfortunate miscommunication of currency. The crux of the matter was that he was quoted .002 cents per kilobyte for data during a trip to Canada but was charged .002 dollars. Normally this would have been an easy fix, however several humorous calls later the Verizon reps still were unable to discern the difference between the two rates. You really have to hear it to believe it. Kudos George, you have the patience of a saint.

Show us a happy memory.
Submitted by Liz.

Many a happy memory enjoying great music in this beautiful setting with friends and family:

Tanglewood Music Shed