Author Archives: Laura

Poetry Wednesday 07/01/09: Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive

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Right: Aretha Franklin Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive” was a popular song written by Harold Arlen and the lyrics by Johnny Mercer, and it was published in 1944. It is sung in the style of a sermon, and explains that accentuating the positive is key to happiness. In describing his inspiration for the song, Mercer told the Pop Chronicles radio documentary “I went to hear Father Divine and he had a sermon and his subject was ‘you got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.’ And … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 11/11/09: The Building Of The Ship

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The Commissioning of The USS New York New York Harbor Photography by Laurita Saturday, November 7, 2009   The Building of the Ship by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “Build me straight, O worthy Master! Stanch and strong, a goodly vessel, That shall laugh at all disaster, And with wave and whirlwind wrestle!” The merchant’s word Delighted the Master heard; For his heart was in his work, and the heart Giveth grace unto every Art. A quiet smile played round his lips, As the eddies and dimples … Continue reading →

Looking For Work is a Career

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It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. Actually, millions are doing it. I’ve been doing it for a while now. Trying to return to a career 16 years after having a child is probably worse than what the college graduates are facing for the first time. Left: The IBM System 3 Model 10: The first mini computer which revolutionized the computer industry that I had the priviledge to work on in the 1970s. (It used punched cards!) Being a technology veteran in … Continue reading →

Jethro Tull

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Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in Luton, Bedfordshire, in December 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969, after he replaced original guitarist Mick Abrahams. Initially playing blues rock with an experimental flavour, they have also incorporated elements of classical music, folk music, jazz, hard rock and art rock into their … Continue reading →

The First Mini-Computers in New York

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My first job was in 1976. I started out as a keypunch operator. Keypunch operators worked on off-line, stand- alone machines. They were responsible preparing the data entry information that would be fed into the main computer system. The information was punched on small 90 column cards that could fit in the size of your hand. If the information needed to be put into a certain order, you had to manually run the cards through the card sorter. Sometimes the sorting process took a long … Continue reading →

Laurita’s New Year’s Resolutions For 2013

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Laurita’s New Year’s Resolutions for 2013 This year, I resolve to: Always replace the gas nozzle before driving away from the pump. I will always “check for paper” when leaving the restroom. I will try to drive closer to the speed limit. I will always wear clean underwear, “just in case” when playing twister at a party. I will keep an extra safe distance when driving behind police cars. I will no longer park the BMW next to fire hydrants. So what’s your New Year’s … Continue reading →

All in the Family

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One of my favorite television shows growing up was All in the Family. All in the Family is an acclaimed American comedy that was originally broadcast on the CBS  television network from January 12, 1971 to April 8, 1979. In September 1979, the show was revamped, and given a new title, Archie Bunker’s Place. This version of the sitcom lasted another four years, ending its run in 1983. Produced by Norman Lear and based on the British television series Til Death Us Do Part, the … Continue reading →

In The Studio – The Moody Blues: 20th Century Masters

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The Moody Blues are a British rock band originally from Birmingham. Founding members Michael Pinder and Ray Thomas performed an initially rhythm and blues–based sound in Birmingham in 1964 along with Graeme Edge and others, and were later joined by John Lodge and Justin Hayward as they inspired and evolved the progressive rock style. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their seminal 1967 album Days of Future Passed. The band has had numerous hit albums in the UK, U.S., … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 06/11/08: Michael McClure & Ray Manzarek

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A Marriage of Rock and Poetry Michael McClure, Ray Manzarek collaborate on stage, reflecting a new trend in poetry.  Oakland poet and playwright Michael McClure first met pianist Ray Manzarek in 1968, during a recording session for the Doors’ classic album “Waiting for the Sun.” Doors lead singer Jim Morrison introduced the two, starting a friendship and creative association that has lasted three decades. Their latest collaboration, “The Third Mind,” is a performance video-documentary featuring live concert footage of McClure reading his poems to the … Continue reading →

Lady Sings The Blues

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Music: “The Man I Love” , by Billie Holiday- sung by Diana Ross Lady Sings the Blues is a 1972 film about jazz singer Billie Holiday based on her 1956 autobiography of the same name. It was produced by Motown Productions for Paramount Pictures. Diana Ross portrayed Holiday, alongside a cast including Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, James T. Callahan and Scatman Crothers. The movie was adapted by Chris Clark, Suzanne De Passe and Terence McCloy from the book by William Dufty and Billie Holiday. It was directed by … Continue reading →