Dear Ron,
I spend a great amount of time in Virgin Records as well because they
have a large variety of world music which I collect especially from
Spain, as you know I play a Spanish/flamenco music. I too at times find
the store to be noisy, but I am probably one of those individuals who
contribute to the enthusiasm of the noise. I may be 60, but I don't act
it, lol.
The music "And I will Always Love YOu" originally written and performed
by our Dolly Parton ( I say our because she is from Tennessee as is
Barb) and she had made that song a very big hit at one time, then along
came Whitney Houston who added to the popularity of that song.
AS we leave for Chicago, I can't help think about the wonderful messages
you write and how brilliant they are especially how it touches each and
all, because the igredients are so wonderfully articulate coming from a
friend and a great survivor who sees life in all its splendor. I and I
am certain many more here are truly blessed by your gift to articulate
with your heart.
Have a great day, my friend. Keep us in your prayers as we travel to see
my Mom. I will write in a couple days to all after surgery.
God Bless
your friend
marty auslander
HewRon wrote:
>
> Dear All,
>
> The weather is wonderful here in Manhattan, quite hot actually but without the
> humidity that comes later in the year and makes me curl up with my air
> conditioner and dream of winter.
>
> We had intended to take a walk or two in the park over the weekend, but
> yesterday I was not up to it because of a gastrointenstinal condition I had
> brought upon myself by eating too much salad the night before (enough said!).
> By the evening, that situation had improved so much that I hungered for a
> visit to our local Indian restaurant, and my wish was granted.
>
> Because of the warm weather, the restaurant windows were wide open and there
> were tables on the sidewalk, creating a strange mix with the many emergency
> vehicles -- fire, ambulance, police -- that went screaming by. We chose to sit
> indoors, which added Indian music to the overall madness, which didn't prevent
> us from having a gorgeous meal. Mine opened with the chicken something-or-
> other, which I always order by description. It consists of four cubes of
> chicken breast marinated in a sauce that makes it one of the most delicious
> dishes I have ever tasted. I followed this with a vegetarian curry that was
> wonderful too, and I washed it all down with some Kingfisher beer. (My doctor
> tells me to eat whatever I feel like, even though I am rather overweight and
> my cholesterol is a bit on the high side. He says it is important for me not
> to lose weight, and the cholesterol is less important than overall nutrition
> and satisfaction. He tells me to eat whatever makes me happy. I am obliging to
> the best of my ability.)
>
> When we had finished our meal, we walked not northward towards Lincoln Center,
> or Central Park, whose bucolic pleasures we were not disposed to savor since
> darkness had fallen, but southward down Broadway towards Times Square, and
> right into Times Square, and right into Virgin Records, which must be one of
> the noisiest environments on earth. In some parts of the store you hear three
> or four different kinds of music at the same time, coming from all directions.
> It seems to me that every day the world gets noisier, the loudspeaker
> announcements more shrill, the popular music more simply unbearable. (But then
> I remember my grandmother saying similar things about music way back then.)
> There is a particular sound that really aggravates me, and it seems to consist
> in a singer seeing how long she can hold a note and how harsh she can make it.
> It is heard in every coffee shop in Manhattan, it seems to me, and even in my
> favorite Chinese. It is as though they are playing "And I Will Always Love
> You" over and over and over and over again. I used to like Whitney Houston,
> but now I would be glad never to hear her voice again. Yet I understand that
> record is the most popular in the world and is now played at virtually every
> wedding. I would rather hear the wedding march played backward.
>
> Anyhow, Broadway and Times Square are really shining now. And there will be
> more and more shining billboards. Originally they had said the very sidewalks
> would be illuminated from beneath, but that hasn't happened yet. It really is
> getting to the Las Vegas level, all this razzle dazzle. And I have to say I
> like it. It is odd to live just a few blocks from such a spectacle. And the
> crowds! That is new too. When I first came to New York Times Square was
> usually pretty crowded, but then, as the sleaze increased, the crowds
> diminished. But now the place is patrolled by special security types, it is
> kept clean, and it glitters like a firework show. Last night it was packed. I
> only hope the noise level doesn't get any higher. One of the more bizarre
> aspects of Times Square (which of course is not a square at all but a
> crossroads) is the group that stands there with Bibles telling you, if you are
> willing to listen, that your race is about to be removed from the face of the
> earth. This group used to commandeer an island in the middle of the "square"
> and broadcast its message to the entire neighborhood. Apparently they have
> been denied that privilege and must now do their "preaching" on the sidewalk
> without benefit of a megaphone. And all around them swirls the crowd, which
> couldn't give a hoot what they're saying. Strange world, but then this is
> Times Square.
>
> After we had had enough of the hustle and bustle we wandered north back home,
> en route stopping at 8th Avenue and 53rd Street, where there are a couple of
> concrete benches, where we sat and chatted for about 15 minutes. We talked
> about the past, about the old days in New York, and about my situation, and
> the possible things to come. This may have sounded morbid to outsiders, but
> when you have acute leukemia there are certain things you must think about and
> discuss with your friends. For me, it was actually pleasant. I enjoyed the
> entire evening. We picked up the Sunday Times, came to my place and watched
> Charles Grodin talking about the media's fascination with the President's
> alleged doings as opposed to those serious matters that should be occupying
> the public's attention.
>
> My friend has to work today, but this evening we are taking the car out for a
> spin around Manhattan after dark. As I have said before, this is one of my
> favorite things: a drive down the West Side Highway, right around the World
> Trade Center, and up the East River Drive, then weaving through the city
> streets back home.
>
> I hope everything's coming up roses with you. At least that things are
> improving all the time.
>
> God bless us all.
>
> -- Ron
>
>
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