We experienced our first Arizona in 2021. Mother Nature was impressive that year with all sorts of storms hurdled in our direction during Monsoon Season. During the first or second storm the tree in the decorative circle in the middle of our driveway came down.
Original tree after the storm in 2021.
We replaced the tree the following winter with something a little more appropriate to the desert climate. Here’s a photo of the tree in early 2023.
Apparently our new tree is quite happy because it has been growing and blossoming like crazy. It’s adding a good deal of color to the front of the house.
Every morning I look out my office window and see this tree thrive puts me in a sunny mood. It’s a good way to start the day.
It’s hard to believe this album is nearly 30 years old. Released in 1997, “ESCM” by BT is one of the most inspirational feats of music I have ever enjoyed. ESCM stands for Electric Sky Church Music.
The album was first sent to me when I was working in radio. The CD was included in a pack from the record company. They weren’t really pushing it hard, as I don’t think they knew what they wanted to do with the album. Was BT a pop artist? Trance? A new genre not yet explored? I don’t think Warner Brothers knew what they had in BT and his next album moved to one of the EMI labels. When I asked the record rep about “Remember”, one of the singles released from “ESCM”, they told me it wasn’t a priority.
BT (Brian Transeau) is a musical genius of the times. His combination of this genius with technology has produced impressive results for three decades. He’s been doing amazing things with music and computers when Apple and Microsoft were still figuring out where they were going.
If I’m remembering correctly, the CD single for “Remember” had a Quicktime file on it featuring the official music video.
I needed some inspiration today. I’m listening to “ESCM” as I write this blog entry and get through the workday. This quote from BT’s webpage has given me the kick I need.
I am a man who believes that sound can change lives, perform miracles, and bend the human condition towards good,. This belief has kept me getting out of bed every day for the last 20+ years.
– B.T.
Here’s the track listing of the U.S. edition of the album (from Wikipedia).
No.
Title
Length
1.
“Firewater” (with T.H. Culhane)
8:42
2.
“Orbitus Teranium”
8:10
3.
“Flaming June”
8:31
4.
“Lullaby for Gaia” (with Jan Johnston)
5:26
5.
“Memories in a Sea of Forgetfulness” (with T.H. Culhane)
7:40
6.
“Solar Plexus”
4:14
7.
“Nectar”
5:55
8.
“Remember” (with Jan Johnston)
8:01
9.
“Love, Peace and Grease (BT Puma Fila Edit)”
3:52
Best enjoyed on a solid pair of noise canceling headphones.
For those not interested in watching ads before my videos hosted on YouTube, I am now sharing my videos via Vimeo as well. Here’s last night’s video hosted from Vimeo; please let me know if you have any issues viewing it.
I just ran across this meme and I 99% agree with this. The exception is if you absolutely blow me away with your charm and service. Then I’ll put you in the 1%.
This song came out when I was a freshman in college back in 1987. Though it didn’t do that well on the U.S. Top 40 charts, I remember it doing quite well on the dance charts. I also remember playing it at one of my very first club DJ gigs and the song was well received.
Pepsi & Shirlie formed the duo when backup singers for Wham. George Michael and Aretha Franklin’s “I Knew You Were Waiting For Me” kept the track from reaching #1 two weeks in a row in the U.K.
And I must note the men in this video are quite attractive. I miss the male grooming habits of that era. I’ve never been particularly attracted to younger men but well groomed men have always turned my head. Especially those in white t-shirts and jeans. I am definitely a product of my generation.
From 1987, here’s Pepsi & Shirlie with “Heartache”.
For the past several years I have taken a selfie right before going to bed. This activity goes hand in hand with my nightly journaling practice. I have been journaling for well over a decade. It reinforces my gratitude for what I have in life and it helps me work through whatever happens to be lingering in my mind for the day.
When I go through my old selfies I find it interesting to see how much I change from day to day, month to month, and year to year. My weight goes up and down, my mood goes from left to right, and evidence of the natural aging process shows up on a constant basis. It’s all a reminder of who I am and who I want to be. What’s happened in the past is done, but looking back on a moment can be a good learning experience. As a person that tends to think visually, the daily selfies help trigger a memory.
Just a guy with a husband. We’ve been together 28 years and he still makes me see fireworks on a daily basis. Hiker. Storm Chaser. Private Pilot. Tech Guy. Hackerish.
