John Masters, Author at Deep Something

And The Hits Just Keep Coming

April 4, 2011September 5, 2012 B. John 456 Views 0 Comments Music, Ohio, It Gets Better, The Trevor Project, Gay Mens Chorus

I had occasion to hear the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus several times when I lived in Dayton. In fact, it seemed their Christmas Concert and that of the Cincinnati Gay Men’s Chorus were often the same weekend, so I’d do Cincinnati Saturday evening, and then go to Columbus for their Sunday afternoon concert. Both were excellent choruses, and they both had very different styles, so it was a great fun. Here the Columbus Chorus provides a youtube for the “It Gets Better Project” with the Columbus Youth Choir. I’ll just let the music speak for itself.

Politics Congress

For What Reason Did the Gentlewoman from California Rise?

February 18, 2011September 5, 2012 B. John 506 Views 0 Comments Planned Parenthood, Cancer Screenings, haliburton, abortion

Planned Parenthood has long been banned from using federal monies for abortions. But they would have received $330 million through the end of September for preventative-health services, including federal funding for contraception and cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood clinics across the country. But in a vote of 240-185 (with 10 Democrats presumably burnishing their “conservative credentails”) the Congress took aways that funding. But, oh that’s right, we’re a Christian nation, so we can’t provide preventative health services and cancer screenings for the poor and struggling women of this country.

Entertainment Featured Video Fun Stuff

Do Not Watch While High

January 23, 2011September 29, 2018 B. John 351 Views 0 Comments Optical Illusions

Here’s a little something/s to blow your mind. From the “how’d they do that” category comes a compilation of optical illusions. If you’re interested, a little research, and you can find how to replicate most of these either on Youtube or with our usual friend Google.

Fun Stuff Weather Places Kings Mountain Science Culture Holidays Environment Family General Featured

Christmas 2010-A Good One

January 3, 2011September 29, 2018 B. John 511 Views 0 Comments pictures, Christmas, Food, Peace, Video, Gifts

Well, Christmas 2010 has come and gone. Nothing left to do but pack up the decorations. I’d have to rate it as a pretty good Christmas. I think I managed to stick to a fairly tight budget, and despite a few arguments with Lay, we wound up with everyone getting something they really enjoyed. I got my shopping and gift wrapping done well ahead of time this year. The decorations were up right after Thanksgiving, and the Christmas Cards went out just after that, so I never felt rushed or hectic.

Culture Holidays Music

Fireworks in Sydney

December 31, 2010August 10, 2015 B. John 348 Views 0 Comments Fireworks, Australia, New Year, Sydney

I guess there’s really no better way to welcome in the New Year than the fireworks over Sydney I guess there’s really no better way to welcome in the New Year than the fireworks over Sydney Harbor. They always seem to know how to do it up right down under. Give me a choice between ringing in the new year down in Sydney and Times Square, and I’m heading to Australia. Let’s all hope (and if you’re so inclined, pray) for a better year this year than most of us had last year.

Holidays Music Culture

Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring

December 29, 2010August 10, 2015 B. John 372 Views 0 Comments Guitar, Christopher Parkening, Bach, New Year

As we move towards the new year, and after the rush of Christmas, here’s a few minutes to settle back and contemplate what has gone before, and what is yet to come. This is Christopher Parkening playing Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring.

Holidays Music Culture

Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring

December 29, 2010 B. John 372 Views 0 Comments Guitar, Christopher Parkening, Bach, New Year

Holidays Featured Culture

The 22nd Street Santas

December 28, 2010 B. John 511 Views 0 Comments AFA, Santa Claus, Tony Perkins, FRC, Christianists, Micracle on 34th Street, Miracle on 22nd Street, Love thy neighbor, CFC, christian, Bill Donahue, Christmas

It’s been called Miracle on 22nd Street. A gay couple started getting hundreds of letters addressed to Santa Claus at their address on 22nd Street in New York City. They’ve been unable to figure how it was their address that got circulated as Santa’s address, but the miracle of it grew. While many so-called Christian organizations spent millions of dollars to defeat gay marriage initiatives and support themselves…FRC, AFA, Christian Family Coalition of Florida, Catholic Diocese of Minnesota, Bill Donahue of Catholic League who pays himself $400k per year, just to name a few…these two guys enlisted the help of friends and co-workers and went to work answering letters and helping children.

Culture Holidays Music

Take a Few Minutes Out of Your Day

December 25, 2010August 10, 2015 B. John 392 Views 0 Comments Christmas, Kathleen Battle, Frederica von Stade

This is selected especially for this Christmas Day and is something to make pause in reverence. Kathleen Battle and Frederica von Stade sing a medley of carols concluding with “Angels We Have Heard On High.” timpani, Brass, strings and two amazing singers. That’s Christmas.

Culture Holidays Music

Ave Maria

December 23, 2010August 10, 2015 B. John 443 Views 0 Comments Bach, Gounod, Christmas, Ave Maria, Kathleen Battle, Christopher Parkening

Kathleen Battle and Christopher Parkening Performing Bach / Gounod’s Ave Maria Live at the 1987 Grammy Awards. I have the CD of these two, and it is remarkable. What a beautiful performance of a wonderful piece of music. In case you never knew this Gounod wrote the melody superimposed? over the Prelude in C Major, so it’s the Prelude that Parkening is playing.

Culture Holidays Music Featured

Still, Still, Still

December 20, 2010September 5, 2012 B. John 331 Views 0 Comments Christmas, Still Still Still, Vienna Boys Choir

Many years ago, when I lived here in Tampa the first time, I attended the Gay Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert at the Tampa Theater. The ceiling there is painted blue and has tiny lights in it simulating a night sky. I hadn’t noticed that until the Chorus sang this song and my eyes were drawn upward as I enjoyed the music and saw this amazing sight overhead. I think this has been my favorite carol ever since.