GETTING OPERATIC, QUOTEWISE
QUOTES ABOUT opera range from ”Bravi tutti!” to “Wagner’s music is better than it sounds.” A new book reviewed in The New York Times Book Review offers a goodly number … Continue reading
THE STATE(S) OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY
AN ARTICLE IN The New York Times, December 24, 2018, by Nadja Popovich, asks “How Does Your State Make Electricity?” Alas, its graphics seem not to be reproducible here. Instead, … Continue reading
A YEAR IN REVIEW
I THANK YOU ALL for your readership. Here’s an overview of this year’s SimanaitisSays categories and frequencies of their appearance: And Furthermore (120 items); Science & Technology (59); I Usta … Continue reading
IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES, IT WAS THE ODDEST OF TIMES
MY NEW T-SHIRT reads “These are difficult times.” But before we yell “Right On!” or get all Trumpery about it, the T-shirt is referring to musical signatures. Though I love … Continue reading
PROGRAMMIC ADVERTISING—BENEFICIAL OR A BANE?
HOW DO YOU feel about programmic advertising? At this point I am of two minds, though I’m occasionally creeped-out when my computer or cellphone seems to know what I really, … Continue reading
A SENTIMENTAL (AND TASTY) JOURNEY
RAIL TRIPS HAVE been known to offer culinary adventures. There’s the elegance of the Orient Express, the glamor of the Santa Fe Super Chief, the history of the Trans-Siberian Railway, … Continue reading
BEGONE, YE AULD SOD
ELIMINATING PEAT from the Irish energy picture sounds more than a little heretical. But even Ireland’s Bord na Móna, its state-owned peat harvesting and energy company, is in favor of … Continue reading
PIÑATA TIDBITS—CELEBRATING LAS POSADAS
LAS POSADAS, Spanish: “the inns,” celebrates the Nativity and humble birthplace of Christ. These nine days, from December 16 through 24, traditionally involve the breaking of piñatas, papier-mâché objects containing … Continue reading
CHRISTMAS OPERAS PART 2
THE OPERA AIN’T OVER… until we wish each other a Merry Christmas! And here’s Part 2, following yesterday’s Part 1. Today’s Christmas operas include one of Russian folklore, one that’s … Continue reading
CHRISTMAS OPERAS PART 1
ONE OF MY OPERA T-shirts reads “Murder, Treachery, Adultery, and Incest—All Sung to your Favorite Tunes.” In marked contrast, and what with the approaching holiday, I went looking for operas … Continue reading
Simanaitis Says 