Gary J. Wolff's Blog Archives
October-December, 2023
This page shows archived posts for Gary J. Wolff's blog from
October-December,
2023.
Enjoy...
Cheers,
Gary
Dec. 26,
2023 - Duo Mosaico, Saci Perere, Christmas Eve 2023
Duo Mosaico, Saci
Perere, Christmas Eve 2023
(If player above is not visible, you can view video
at YouTube here.)
0:00 White Christmas
2:52 Fato consumado
6:00 Summer Samba (Samba de Verao)
8:45 O sol nascerá - A voz do morro
These 2 delightful & talented ladies... Tomoko Nozawa (野沢知子) &
Sachiko Yoshino (吉野幸子)... entertained the lunch crowd on Xmas Eve at
Saci
Perere, Tokyo's famous Brazilian restaurant founded in 1974 by the
father of boss nova superstar Lisa Ono.
These are just 4 of the many
wonderful songs they performed, all sung in Portuguese. More videos of
the amazing Duo Mosaico can be found here.
"The multilingual free magazine att.JAPAN launched in the year 2001 and
with this edition, proudly marks its 100th issue. Over the past 23
years, through firsthand reporting, we have brought the best of Japan
to the world, from classic sightseeing spots to little known hidden
gems, from food culture to festivals and performing arts.
att.JAPAN's editors know every corner of this country, and here have
selected 100 experiences we hope every traveler to Japan can try. Have
faith in these recommendations as everything here was directly
experienced by members of our team at att. JAPAN. You're sure to
uncover a new side to this island nation, and open the door to
unforgettable experiences.
Whether you're a first-time traveler wondering where to start, or a
seasoned, well-traveled fan of the country, read on to find the perfect
something for you!"
To avoid confusion, this city just installed new signaling for a
roundabout
Photoshop courses, the best tool to change your body
Airlines cutting back on maintenance costs
Dec. 5,
2023 - Tens of
thousands of illegal aliens invade Texas on Mexico's dangerous
La Bestia "Death Train"
A recent video from the Center for Immigration Studies highlights the
role the Mexican cargo train system, “La Bestia,” plays in transporting
migrants from deep in Mexico to the Texas southern border. Tens of
thousands of mostly Central Americans and Venezuelans travel on the
“death train,” getting a free ride north and avoiding Mexico’s
temporary visa requirement.
Todd Bensman, the Center’s senior national security fellow, narrates
his video that starts with the migrants jumping the trains in
Monterrey, Mexico, 250 miles from the Texas southern border. Past
presidents, like President Obama, realized that U.S. border numbers are
fueled in part by the large number of migrants riding "The Beast” and
successfully worked to have the Mexican government crack down on the
dangerous practice. President Biden met with the president of Mexico
recently, but there was no public mention of stopping this popular
illegal path to the Texas border.
Tens of
thousands of illegal aliens invade Texas on Mexico's dangerous
La Bestia "Death Train"
(If player above is not visible, you can view video
at YouTube here.)
Nov. 27,
2023 - "O Holy Night" by father-son opera singers
Paul Hartfield Sr. & Robert Hartfield
My all-time favorite rendition of this sacred Christmas song by
the best father-son opera duo ever. Raised in the East Texas city of
Lufkin and a
graduate of the famed Stephen F. Austin State University music school,
international opera singer Paul Hartfield is in style and spirit a true
Italian tenor.
Mr. Hartfield earned a number of America's most prestigious singing
awards early in his career, and was very soon singing with the Lyric
Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Greater
Miami Opera, Seattle Opera, Kansas City Opera, Utah Opera, Tampa Bay
Opera, and San Diego Opera.
Mr. Hartfield's international engagements have included the Theatre des
Champs-Elysees, Opera de Monte Carlo, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, the
Bel Canto Festival (France), Hong Kong Opera, and Cape Town Opera.
By all means, don't miss the finale beginning around the 4:08 mark
which sends chills down my spine every time I hear it. A very Merry
Christmas, everyone...
O Holy Night -
Paul Hartfield Sr. & Robert Hartfield
(If player above is not visible, you can view video
at YouTube here.)
[I had the pleasure of meeting Paul back in his college days in
Nacogdoches thru Ted
Stewart, a mutual friend, who also studied opera at SFASU. I
absolutely LOVE this beautiful song, "It is Well with My Soul,"
that Paul sang at Ted's funeral 15 years ago. By all means, don't miss
the amazing crescendo in this song starting at the 4:20 mark where you
can hear
Paul's gifted operatic voice!]
Nov. 15,
2023 - Singing is good for you!
HOW SINGING AFFECTS OUR HEALTH:
Singing informs the body the "right" vibrations that
increase our vitality;
During singing, special chemicals are produced in the
human brain that help us feel peace and joy;
Singing improves blood circulation in the throat
area, which has a beneficial effect on the vocal chords and numerous
lymph nodes in the throat and therefore significantly increases local
immunity (in other words, we less often get colds);
Improving the blood supply while singing leads to an
increase in brain activity: it begins to work more intensively, memory
improves, any information is easier to perceive;
Singing is very beneficial for lung diseases, as it
works as a breathing gymnastics, which promotes chest development,
proper breathing, and significantly reduces the number of acute lung
conditions;
With regular singing, the levels of immunoglobulin
and hydrocortizone, which are signs of good immunity, increase in the
body;
Methods have been developed that treat hiccups
through singing and help improve diction;
Singing is even used in the fight against obesity:
sometimes it is available to overweight people when they feel hungry,
instead of eating, they can just sing 2 or 3 songs.
Attention, girls! Singing improves blood supply to the head area and
generally rejuvenates the body while skin condition improves.
This is why experts recommend singing at least 5 minutes a day,
equating singing to physical exercise.
In my daily ongoing search for truth, an interesting news story crossed
my radar the other day. If like me you are tired of fake news &
all the lies we've been fed over the past several years, you may have
an interest in the free 9-day (Nov. 1-9) Propaganda Exposed!
[UNCENSORED] docu-series by Charlene & Ty Bollinger, founders of
TheTruthAboutCancer.com.
Nov.
2, 2023 - Murders,
cartels, squalor: Colony Ridge just northeast of Houston, Texas is a
haven for illegal aliens
Just 35 miles northeast of Houston lies Colony Ridge (“Terrenos
Houston” in Spanish), a sprawl of homes, trailers and even tents, is
home to as many as 75,000 people in an area at least 50 percent bigger
than Manhattan.
One of the biggest housing developments in the country has become a
no-go zone, a home to criminals and drug cartels, and a magnet for
illegal immigration.
The 40-square-mile development on unincorporated land in Liberty County
was launched 15 years ago & its latest and largest subdivision,
when complete, will hold 30,000 lots.
The developers offer owner financing to prospective buyers, meaning
undocumented migrants can bypass the credit rating and proof of
residency required for traditional bank loans.
But once they put down a small down payment, buyers have to pay credit
card-style interest rates of up to 15 percent as well as hefty fees for
water and sewage hookup.
The owners are accused of preying on people, especially migrants, by
advertising a 1950s-style fantasy of suburban home ownership that in
reality is a vast, shoddily constructed, environmentally unsafe trailer
park run on predatory lending practices.
Murders, cartels, squalor: Colony Ridge just northeast of Houston,
Texas is a haven for illegal aliens
(If player above is not visible, you can view video at YouTube here.)
Location and size of Colony Ridge
(image courtesy New York Post)
Oct.
27, 2023 - U.S. government is warning Americans not to travel to these
countries right now
After the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas that has increased
tensions across the Middle East, the U.S. State Department has issued a
worldwide caution alert on Oct. 20 for Americans traveling abroad.
The State Department issues travel advisory levels for more than 200
countries, with advisories ranging from Level 1 to Level 4. Generally,
Level 4 (Do Not Travel) countries (marked in red in the map below) have
a high risk of
unrest, terrorism, or conflict, which means that people likely
shouldn't travel there.
At least 21 countries around the world have a Level 4 advisory; they
include Haiti, Russia, Ukraine, North Korea, Belarus, Venezuela,
Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria,
Somalia, Yemen, and Israel, among others.
Countries marked in red are places where Americans should not travel.
(U.S. State Department/screenshot via The Epoch
Times)
Oct. 18,
2023 - A Christmas Gift - 20th Year
"Finally, after 4 years of waiting, we can hold 'A Christmas Gift -
20th Year'! We are excited to celebrate this year's event with a
wonderful group of talented artists. Please mark your calendars and
join us on this very special day!!"
Franciscan Chapel Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
Fri. Dec. 15, 2023, 7 pm
Presented by The
Voice Music project, and organized & led by Ms. Charito Vergara
One of the most prominent jazz vocalists in Japan, Charito has achieved
global recognition with her voice, expression, and musical artistry.
Aside from her professional and successful music career, Charito acts
as the founder of the nonprofit group "Because We Care" that is
dedicated to spearheading and supporting various charity works focused
on creating a better future for children in need in both Japan and the
Philippines.
A Christmas Gift - 20th Year
(a larger image of the poster above can be viewed here: The Voice Music
Oct. 10,
2023 - New “Ain’t No Rock and Roll” song calls out rock stars who
pushed
compliance with Covid-19 & vaccine mandates
Brad Skistimas of Five Times August in his new music video “Ain’t No
Rock and Roll” calls out legendary rock stars who sold out during the
Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in the needless deaths of millions across
the globe.
The music video below features images, previous headlines, and quotes
of legacy rock stars including Neil Young, Gene Simmons of KISS, Mick
Jagger of The Rolling Stones, and Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters among
others (*) who threw their support behind government mandates,
performed shows exclusively for the vaccinated, and shunned fans who
questioned government mandates.
(*) Lady Gaga, John Legend, Elton John, Pink, Bruce Springsteen, Queen,
Brian May, Dead & Company, & Green Day
“Ain’t No Rock and Roll” by Five Times August
(If player above is not visible, you can view video at YouTube here.)
Oct. 7,
2023 - Triple Trouble
band at What the Dickens in Tokyo
Great classic rock tunes Friday night by the Triple Trouble band led by
a couple of extremely talented Canadian guys. Don't miss all the wild
dancing & stunning electric guitar solo in the "Move It On Over"
song.
Triple Trouble,
What the Dickens, Tokyo, Oct. 6, 2023
(If player above is not visible, you can view video
at YouTube here.)
0:00 Dead Flowers, The Rolling Stones
3:52 Two Dollar Bill, old bluegrass classic
8:28 Stay Home Blues, Damian MacIntosh
12:57 Paint It Black, The Rolling Stones
17:29 I'd Love to Change the World, Ten Years After
20:54 Crossroads, Cream
25:44 Move It On Over, Hank Williams
29:50 Lucky Man, Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Oct. 5,
2023 - You were right...
...People don't land on their feet!
You were right... People don't land on their feet!
Oct. 3, 2023
- Aurora, Ontario in Canada says NO to 15-minute cities!
Aurora, Ontario in Canada says NO to 15-minute cities!
(If player above is not visible, you can view video at YouTube here.)
Climbers using the most popular trail on Mt. Fuji are expected to be slugged with a doubled fee of 4,000 yen ($26) from next summer as the Yamanashi prefectural government seeks to tackle overcrowding…
Performed December 13 at the "A Christmas Gift 2024" charity Christmas concert in Tokyo, Japan by singer Charito & dancer Ikumi. In its 21st year, the annual charity concert is organized & sponsored b…
BIG CHANCE! Smashwords, the world's largest publisher of indie ebooks (>228,000 participating ebooks from nearly 60,000 authors) is now holding its 8th annual end-of-year sale from now till Wednesday…
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