Ennui or Not?

For those of you wondering what the heck - its the new word for the day! If you are wondering here's the entry in Merriam-Webster. A FYI - I like this site as it has the audio pronouncation.

I can say I am NOT ennui. Are You?

Ennui is related to one's level of consciousness and focus. Actually I was surprised to see the amount of studies that have been preformed at trying to obtain a better understanding. According to a study done with college students, those individuals that had a high positive self-awareness, i.e. awareness of their own internal states—reported lower overall ennui. In contrast, those who showed a lot of negative self-awareness—characterized by judgmental ruminations—had high ennui. My niece with her PMAs from Hoby is not one to have or become ennui. In another study as related in this article of Scientific American, the personality characteristics attributed to high ennui are generally not great ones to put on a resume or how to attract and influence friends.

So what to do? Get yourself in the groove (am I dating myself?) and make the day! Whatever it dishes up (today was a lulu), take a moment to laugh, smile, dance, and feel good. Whenever I feel good(most of the time), I don't have any ennui in my life!

Ship or Boat ?

I've been on both - though one does wonder what is the difference between them. I've been on a cruise ship, sailed on yachts, and raced sail boats in college. They are both used in the water to carry people and cargo. The picture is of the "HMS" Rose and I was on the ship for this snappy! We we going from London to France back in 1996.

In general - a boat can fit onto a ship but a ship can not fit onto a boat.

A ship needs a crew to run, while most boats may need only one person to run it.

Ships can carry lots of cargo, boats can't really carry much - some maybe a swin suit or two.

Boats tend to manuver quite easily, while ships are another story and may take a tugboat to bring them in.

So is that enough? Per the National Martime Museum the difference is :The Historic Ships Committee have designated a vessel below 40 tons and 40 feet in length as a boat. However, submarines and fishing vessels are always known as boats whatever their size.

Go Figure? Isn't life grand - By the way - either boat or ship - expensive and fun!

HSO and a new Star is Born

Last evening I had the opportunity to sit at the Chubb table at the Talcott Mountain Music Festival last night. What an amazing treat! Thanks Lori. It was Hartford Symphony Orchestra conducted by our beloved Maestro Edward Cummings.

We sat up front, well worth being that close to see the muscians, and perfect placement to watch the concluding fireworks. Of course it was a patriotic theme to the night. Selections from Francis Scott Key, Jerome Kern, Edwin Bagley, John Philip Sousa, Frederick Lowe, Charles Ives, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Tchaikovsky, and Irving Berlin.

There were two pieces that were very special to me. First, the Armed Forces Salute - this is where each of the songs of the Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, Airforce were played and those members of the audience that served were asked to stand and be recognized for their service. Wow, it was very powerful, solemn yet proud moment. One of our table guests stood up for the Army - WWII. My dad and brother, Mike were in the Navy. There was a moment for those that didn't return. For whatever reason that they decided to serve our country, thank you for your service, thank you for protecting our way of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

As for pursuit of happiness, mark down this name... Raymond H. Clark, III. His composition called "Cost of Combat" was premiered by the HSO last evening. What a treat for us and for this composer! To get to hear, 'for the first time', a new symphonic piece is a real treat for me. When I closed my eyes and listened, the music took me to the fields of battle, to the relief of winning, and the dawn before the storms of fighting. There were highs and lows, and overall made you feel good. It is a big piece, not long in time, but in how all the lines of music, notes for all the instruments come together to tell a story. Mr. Clark was in the audience and was asked to come to the stage and tell us about this piece and his future plans. An engaging chap, who told us that the music just came to him one night, and in less than a week, the composition was complete. What talent and the audience just loved him! By the way, he will continue to help out at Bloomfield High School when he can, but he's off to begin college this fall, yes... this musical genius is only eightteen years old. Ray - thank you for sharing.

Happy Birthday America!

You don't need to relocate Seattle to get the rain

If you are reading this and reside in CT, you know what I am talking about. We have a Flood Potential for today and the weekend! Happy 4th! The folks in Seattle are not getting the rain ? Seems we have done a flip/flop.

Did someone do something to Mother Nature lately? The amount of rain is just amazing - I mean like every day! The CT River is only this high in the spring with the snow melt. One of the reservoirs is at record height for this time of year. In CT we only expect to recieve about on average from 32 to 64 inches a year. We got some 8 inches last Friday and my 'ducky' measureing device outside needs to be emptied every day!

Heck I'm not all by myself on this one. Our elected officials have issued a report Rev 3/16/09 regarding what we will have to do to not only protect property, but to deal with the consequences with wastewater treatment; dams, flood plains, the roads, ----- Go Get 'em DEP!

Any way - my plants are not growing, the tomatoe plant is getting yellow and the herbs are not flourshing. Though my association must be saving $$s as the lawn is only mowed once every two weeks.

So I bring out my own Sunshine - go to the Library - stop by and pick up a Museum and Attraction pass and give yourself a stay-at-home-vacation! There is so much to do and you may just surprise yourself.

Anyway Happy 4th!