Who JohnQuixote…John Pollard

[bobswench]

Date: 2/23/2005 7:34:41 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
My kitty cats, Jordan & Kobayashi.

As in Kobayashi Maru? Or the Jazz band, Kobayashi, from Montreal? None of the above?

I agree with the previous posters. Great read!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 3/18/2005 9

3:55 PM
Author: bobswench

As in Kobayashi Maru? Or the Jazz band, Kobayashi, from Montreal? None of the above?

I agree with the previous posters. Great read!

BW, hi

You got 1/3 of it right on.

"A Tale of Two Kitties"

1. I got Jordan on the day Michael Jordan returned to the Bulls in 1995. He got his name because, as a kitten, he could jump unbelievably high into the air when tempted with a kitty toy... Air Jordan! Now, this was a quandry, as my favorite BB team is the Houston Rockets. Sorry, but I just couldn't bring myself to name him Olajuwon. I'd like to think he is thankful about that.

2. I rescued my second kitty from a shelter in 2003. He gave Jordan a run for his money in running and leaping stats (thankfully not dribbling!), so I named him Kobe in honor of the NBA’s heir-apparent to the Jordan throne. Not long after, however, some unscrupulous behavior from the ‘real’ Kobe caused my cat’s good name to be dragged through the mud by visiting friends and neighbors. He requested a name change via the universal language of ‘Hey! I’m annoyed!’ furballs, so I extended Kobe to Kobayashi... First in honor of the Trekkie's Kobayashi Maru (the unsolvable problem – it fits), and now, coincidentally, in honor of H Kobayashi of Taiko who filed the first approved US patent for a Hearts & Arrows viewer.

Like typical cats, they KNOW their names but do not heed them unless food is involved.

 

[JohnQuixote]

J&K

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 3/6/2005 11:36:57 AM
Author: Richard Sherwood
Lord, I want to be like John. Just for a day, Lord, just for a day.

Ahhh Señor Ricardo de Sherwood, the grass - she is always greener from the other side, no? I pray one day you'll school me in the high art of quick, concise & dry humor...Shaken, not stirred. I'd gladly trade a plethora of days to acquire your madd skillz.

Yellowfan and Twinkletoes - I thank you for stopping by. You have vast patience and tenacity to make it through the vast narrative. And Twinkle - my sword and shield are ever at the ready for you, fair lady (sweeping bow).

 

[lostdog]

The kitten on the right appears to be melting.

 

[Lord Summerisle]

Date: 3/6/2005 11:36:57 AM
Author: Richard Sherwood
Lord, I want to be like John. Just for a day, Lord, just for a day.

Sorry pal... its just not a request I can forfill... try that bloke *points and runs*

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 3/24/2005 8:17:40 AM
Author: Lord Summerisle

Date: 3/6/2005 11:36:57 AM

Author: Richard Sherwood

Lord, I want to be like John. Just for a day, Lord, just for a day.

Sorry pal... its just not a request I can forfill... try that bloke *points and runs*

ROFL

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 3/24/2005 8:17:40 AM
Author: Lord Summerisle

Date: 3/6/2005 11:36:57 AM
Author: Richard Sherwood
Lord, I want to be like John. Just for a day, Lord, just for a day.

Sorry pal... its just not a request I can forfill... try that bloke *points and runs*

Lord, won''t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz?

 

[Patty]

Date: 3/24/2005 3:40:35 AM
Author: lostdog

The kitten on the right appears to be melting.

LOL!

 

[yeewl]

Hello,

Was just ''surfing'' around ps ....still have lots of places unexplored yet
Thank you for sharing your bios with us. I enjoyed reading it.
Glad to know you are still actively involved in music education and performing.. most friends i know... once they had a career changed... they lose touch or just doesn''t want to get involved in their former trade again.

I obtained my music education from Australia with a BA(mus). Piano is my 1st and violin as 2nd instrument. Had so many ideas of how I want to startup a music studio, teaching children to appreicate music, find different yet effective methods of teaching. I tried kodaly, orff (briefly) and suzuki methods. Using 2 pianos to teach side by side help the kids to understand and shaping of the music better. Perhaps someday we may even get to share some teaching tips on how to motivate kids to practice more often.

When I first bumped into DT, all I wanted to do was some diamond research , asking questions and price comparing.Then came to PS by mistake/accident. That was the BEST ''mistake'' I made ...found this wonderful website. (Thank you Leonid, for creating such a wonderful and user friendly site)

It motivated me to take up a distance-ed course offered by IGI on diamond education which I completed ...finally..

I have learned so much from the pro and especially on the topic on facet yaw (written by you) and some articles by richard sherwood regarding diamond is a good investment and by jim from DCD on buying the biggest, whitest rock with the lowest clarity you can afford and don''t get too hung up on the numbers alone.

(Sorry to hijack your thread)
Just wanted to add something on what Richard had mentioned about the Jews during the WWII, hiding loose diamonds under their blouses and fled.

During the Asia economic crisis in 97-98, http://www.facts.com/icof/i00063.htm#I00063_02
Countries like Indonesia currency were losing as much as 80% of what it''s worth, the rich bought lots of diamonds (either set or loose stones) as they were easily transportable, came to Singapore and sold them off. Converted into either Sin$ or US$ (more stable currency). This story were told to me by not one but a few people who still are in the jewelry/diamond trade.

I knew of this few years ago but didn''t have the courage to post on that particular thread started by abbott regarding whether is diamond a good investment. It was such a hot debate and I was afraid to be harpooned down and grilled for contributing.

Glad to know you enjoyed working at WF. Wish I was given such opportunity too. Anyway, hope to see more articles written by you @ ps in future.

Regards
WL

 

[JohnQuixote]

Yeewl,

Thanks for your generous, informative comments.

Keeping music in my life provides a sense of balance and perspective I would not have if I was blindly pursuing one thing only: I have seen colleagues (in more than one field) become so engrossed in obsessive singular pursuit of their trade that they burn-out, suffer poor health or become intolerable as a result. I’m obsessive about the things that I commit to doing, but have learned to enjoy contrast and variety. For me, going hard and relentlessly at a project in one field until I’m spent, then moving to one in a completely different genre allows fresh perspective - and better results in both areas.

Professionals I work with who have families also have a great mix of ability AND balance in their lives, as they have two priorities and can freshly focus on each one each day. Since I do not currently have a family, my love-affair with music and literature – balanced with my enthusiasm for science and beauty – keeps me ‘fresh’ on both fronts.

Piano and violin are a beautiful combination. You can tape your own accompaniments!

I am a drummer and vocalist, but the parents forced piano lessons down my gullet for several years, so at parties I can blow through a few pieces with terrible technique and great enthusiasm.

I ran the Orff, Kodaly and Bandura gamut at university but my favorite ed psych personality was Skinner (of course, anyone familiar with him will know this is tongue-in-cheek! …mostly!)

Thanks for the kind words about my discussions of facet yaw. This is something occurring in real-world practice that is very difficult to quantify on paper and in computer modeling. Brian Gavin has known about it for years and recently revealed it - so it is just now that we have begun to communicate its particulars and effects on performance to people in the trade. Brian has a small cadre of leaders in the industry involved – more to come.

Best regards,

 

[AGBF]

Just in from a concert. The first two pieces were without any melody whatsoever: "Shaker Loops" by John Adams and "Opus Number Zoo" by Luciano Berio. The third, "Piano Quintet in F-sharp Minor" by Amy Cheney Beach, was melodic. I am, nonetheless, laboring under a feeling of ill-usage since I went to the concert so that my daughter could write about one and then I learned she needed prior approval (which she had not bothered to obtain) before choosing a concert to review!

Hmmm...I wonder why writing about John makes me think about music?

Nice piece you shared here, John!

Deb

 

[sjz]

John, loved your story! I''m a band geek, so I was really interested in learning of your roots with music and bands. I love marching bands especially myself! Of all my experiences in music, marching with my high school band was the best! My freshman year our band was named Grand Champion at the nationals and as part of the rewards, we got to march in the King Orange Jamboree Parade in Florida that year, and perform at the half time of the Orange Bowl game. I will never forget that experience as long as I live. We shared the half time show with KC and the Sunshine Band...lol. That was the closest brush with fame I ever had in my life.

You have quite a way with words and story telling. It was a treat to read your bio.

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 3/24/2005 3:40:35 AM
Author: lostdog

The kitten on the right appears to be melting.

HI:

Very, very funny.......

cheers--Sharon

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 4/3/2005 5

8:59 PM
Author: AGBF

Just in from a concert. The first two pieces were without any melody whatsoever: ''Shaker Loops'' by John Adams and ''Opus Number Zoo'' by Luciano Berio. The third, ''Piano Quintet in F-sharp Minor'' by Amy Cheney Beach, was melodic. I am, nonetheless, laboring under a feeling of ill-usage since I went to the concert so that my daughter could write about one and then I learned she needed prior approval (which she had not bothered to obtain) before choosing a concert to review!

Hmmm...I wonder why writing about John makes me think about music?

Nice piece you shared here, John!

Deb

Deb, LOL. New age minimalism is something my dad likes to call ''long wrong-note music.'' Of course, he''s a vocalist marching in step with Robert Shaw, so he has little tolerance for anything that does not have roots in traditional folk music or religion... Can you imagine his reaction when I went through my C.W. McCall phase in grade school? I cringe to admit it. Then, of course, my JH/HS drumming ambitions had me covering everything from Max Roach to Lars Ulrich! Funny that dad really always fancied Rush (largely due to Peart''s lyrics), though he thought Geddy Lee was a female for some time.

Now-a-days I like me some Steve Reich and some of the more accessible minimalism like Adams'' "Short Ride...", but most of my classical collection centers around Romantic and 20th centruy composers. Dvorak 9 is the bomb for me, as well as your common Samuel Barber and Bernstein''s soundtrack music.

But...I still like to get jiggy with some AC/DC when the mood is right

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 4/21/2005 9:43:52 PM
Author: sjz
John, loved your story! I''m a band geek, so I was really interested in learning of your roots with music and bands. I love marching bands especially myself! Of all my experiences in music, marching with my high school band was the best! My freshman year our band was named Grand Champion at the nationals and as part of the rewards, we got to march in the King Orange Jamboree Parade in Florida that year, and perform at the half time of the Orange Bowl game. I will never forget that experience as long as I live. We shared the half time show with KC and the Sunshine Band...lol. That was the closest brush with fame I ever had in my life.

You have quite a way with words and story telling. It was a treat to read your bio.

Thanks sjz... Your screen name reminds me of my favorite dynamic marking: sfz!

Wow - you''ve been at BOA Grand Nats? And won? What a fabulous experience. The band that I have worked with primarily has been the TX state champion 2x and finished in the top 5 at Grant Nats twice (winning the National Music Title in 2001).

I never intended to stay in full-time education as long as it lasted but I would not trade any of it - and I am blessed to be permitted to stay involved. It''s the incredible feeling generated by seeing young people meet and wildly exceed goals that keeps adults involved and inspired to keep on keepin'' on.

I appreciate the kind words.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Sharon (and lostdog) - That kitten melts every time it wants to be fed...or held...or pampered.

I''m a sucker for melty kitties and batted eyelashes.

(P.S. Sharon - I still have not replied to your Cervantes observation. It turned into a long and fun reply. I will post it soon, I promise!)

 

[belle]

sir john,
where is this long and fun cervantes reply that you speak of?
i too have read cervantes (and the english guy and a russian

) and am looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
something (in your name) tells me you will have a favorable reply!

the first time i encountered don quixote, it ws in the form of required reading

talk about steak and peanut butter! i found the self referential narrative complicating and more than a little hard to digest. it was with minimal, and only very superficial, understanding of the work that i finally finished it. (well, that, and i had to for a grade.)

it wasn''t until years later that i made the purposed (and willing!) attempt to reread, and hopefully even understand, the fundamental principles cervantes was trying to present.
i was amazed, not to mention enlightened, to discover that those complex narrative stuctures that i struggled with previously, were there for a purpose!

i won''t go into the issues of morality and personal honor that i felt cervantes was trying to create in using such rich narration, but i look forward to your take on his work and possibly an explanation of any similarities in your screen name.

btw....how''s the melting kitty?

 

[JohnQuixote]

(Long alert!)

Sorry for the lateness of this reply, but once I began writing I warmed to the subject. I’ve added to it as convenient over some time now.

Sharon – Thanks for the props. I’m sure the cool is always cooler on the other side of the fence! (that’s me getting my fellow drummer’s back…tell your bro I said word-up.’

As for steak and peanut-butter, chewed, swallowed and digested… There is much to say.

WARNING: For any not interested in broad philosophic meandering, skip to the next post.

Belle – The melting kitty melts in my lap every evening. Sometimes he’s hard to type around, but what can I do? He’s my master.

With the words ‘morality and personal honor’ you speak volumes. We are all familiar with the common ingredients for a narrative. From my interactions with you I suspect you’re familiar with writings spanning a broad range of time and culture so you may share my passionate embrace of iconoclast works that incorporate elegantly subtle (or not so subtle) ironies that make ordinary characterizations extraordinary. Thusly, my choice of screen name proceeds from love of such literature. I would never presume to assume that my inklings of idealism, religion or politics should be foisted on anyone else. Every soul must make philosophy according to personal circumstance and beliefs. But, since you ask, I will share my private perspective here.

I had a wicked, wicked professor who insisted we wade our way through Wolfram von Eschenbach’s Parzival as well as the Cervantes (which is almost whimsical by comparison!) in one six-week period. Fortunately a house landed on him and I wore his ruby slippers to graduation.

Ok I exaggerate a little bit… It’s all true except for the house/slippers.

I gained a lot from the project. They are two similar but contrasting approaches that stand out among the many incarnations of the eternal champion pursuing the "Impossible Dream.” It’s interesting how, separately, the settings for those 2 works are commentaries on distinctly different times and cultures, but taken together there is an incredible juxtaposition of climates that would-be protagonists experience in modern idealistic pursuits.

Noble sanction, freely given by common man, is constant in Wolfram’s telling of the Galahad tale. It proceeded from Chretian de Troyes’ poetic idealism and was guided by a far, far different moral compass – one that was a staple of enduring literature of the time. That backdrop is in clear opposition to the cynicism, mockery and suppression inherently surrounding Quixote; Partly because of the nature of Cervantes’ satire, but more insidiously due to the author’s negative feelings about religious and political practices occurring around him. Those unspeakable feelings guided his hand in painting broad but subtle underlying strokes on his canvas in highly critical colors.

Both protagonists in these stories are inspired by an identical chivalric code. They share the same vision. The forms of adversity vary, but their reactions within the code are of a kind. The supporting casts are similar but Parzival’s fellows are motivated by intrinsic loyalty and admiration from the start, while Quixote’s undergo a process of forbearance, evolving into respect and ultimately maturing to loyalty and admiration (of course, in classic Shakespeare/Wagnerian cathartic tradition it’s too late for him to enjoy).

~

So here’s the connection I make to the modern world: Among our fellows (our supporting cast), engaged in idealistic pursuits, we enjoy a brothers-in-arms attitude. We are sure our cause is just and when ‘thar be dragons’

we need only look inward to feel certain our moral compass points us in the right direction. However, modern crusades are commonly met with skepticism from the masses. Whether it’s government, law, business, healthcare, education - even religion these days - new movements are ‘suspected before accepted.’ A modern day protagonist putting forward an idea or initiative is met with the presumption that a hidden agenda of self-service motivates the cause. Today’s burden of proof weighs on the crusader. There is rarely assumption of ‘just cause’ anymore.

Therefore what I view as a pure and clear quest for what is ‘right’ in my idealistic crusade, others may see as myopically or selfishly tilting at windmills. My supporting cast believes in my nobility because we share the same vision. We know our cause is just. But from the outside that vision is not always clear.

As a society we’ve become more and more inclined to assume guilt before innocence. We assume greed rather than generosity...And therein lies the rub: I believe more good exists in mankind than evil. However, the evil that some men practice resonates so strongly that (to borrow from Shakespeare) it has “left a kind of blot; To mark the full-fraught man and best indued with some suspicion.” I experience this at the airport when I’m selected for a pat-down search: ‘What? I’m getting patted down?’ My knowledge of my innocence does not make any difference in the skepticism/suspicion with which I MUST be viewed as a result of the evil of other men. Even further I accept and even welcome the existence of that blanket suspicion I encounter - for my own protection. Such ironies are rife.

It’s true. When protecting oneself and loved ones it is prudent to assume guilt before innocence (don’t talk to strangers!). This is what we practice as a society. This way perhaps we won’t get burned.

It is what I call the common man’s firewall.

So, how can honest man get a fair shake when the public trust is abused again and again? How can he overcome such bias when presenting his cause? That is where the modern-day Quixotic quest is my adopted mantle. Those who will be convinced – those who will be converted – will convert because they have weighed and measured aspects of a given crusade for themselves without being compelled: They have seen with their own eyes that the cause is just.

Compulsion is no longer an option for avid crusaders. People will not be bullied into belief. Instead they must come to believe in their own way, in their own time. The formula? 1. Leadership by example. 2. Patient demonstration of how your cause benefits others. 3. Strong values, stated without accusation. 4. Non-combative posture unless threatened. Today’s champion is a patient paladin. He works in such a manner that others may see and judge their worthiness of his cause on their own terms.

~

Parzival had it easy. He was presumed chaste. His word was his bond, good enough for peasants and kings alike. He was a full-fledged knight, worthy of acceptance into any court thanks to pedigree. Quixote was perceived as a yokel. He had to persevere amidst the slings and arrows of boorish critics and cynics. His opposition was not as dire, but his convictions had to be infinitely stronger.

In the end, Quixote was more effective: His leadership was not granted, it established itself in the example he set, so people were converted from within, not from without. His was leadership by example. When people came to believe in his cause on their own terms they joined in the crusade with more devotion than bloody compulsion could possibly inspire.

Joe Darion’s summary lyrics from the musical “Man of La Mancha” are less profound than the book, but memorable nonetheless.

“And the world will be better for this;
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable stars.”

~

Well, you asked for it. Those are my Quixotic ponderings.

Every person’s perception of a great work will vary, and will be infinitely more personal than one man's interpretation can possibly approach. To that end, my meager musings are submitted as entertainment for others and nothing more.

 

[AmantdeChat]

I just stumbled across your autobiography and wanted to let you know what a great story it is. I saw your explanation of your avatar and username in the How Did you Pick your Name/Avitar? thread and clicked on the link you provided. Fascinating story, especially your take on Don Quixote. I started reading this recently and I am about a 1/3 of the way through it. I have found it to be very interesting and entertaining. You can''t help but laugh at the adventures and predicaments that Quixote and Sancho get into.
Although I bought the book for purely entertainment reasons (strange, I know!

), I appreciate your take on the philosophical/deeper meaning to it.

"Compulsion is no longer an option for avid crusaders. People will not be bullied into belief. Instead they must come to believe in their own way, in their own time. The formula? 1. Leadership by example. 2. Patient demonstration of how your cause benefits others. 3. Strong values, stated without accusation. 4. Non-combative posture unless threatened. Today’s champion is a patient paladin. He works in such a manner that others may see and judge their worthiness of his cause on their own terms."

This rang very true for me. Thank your for putting it so elouqently. I will not go into all the reasons I like the quote above, but suffice it to say that if more people believed this way, then maybe the problems we, as a human race, are facing would not be as deep and hurtful as they are. Thanks for the insight!!

 

[belle]

yet another part of you that leaves me with only ''wow''

thanks for taking the time to share your views....i am still digesting.

 

[JohnQuixote]

AmantdeChat,

LOL. After posting that cyber-dissertation above I re-read it and said to myself ''Well self, you''re lucky people made it through the first post in the thread... No one will ever get through this.'' Since then I''ve been pleasantly surprised by a number of PMs, and now your kind comments here. Without getting deep again, have you ever noticed the many different forms Sancho (the companion to Champions) takes in various stories? His is a role as eternal as that of the protagonist.

You are quite welcome, and thanks in return.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 5/16/2005 5:54:29 PM
Author: belle
yet another part of you that leaves me with only ''wow''

thanks for taking the time to share your views....i am still digesting.

Dearest Belle,

I so enjoy the crossing of our paths.

Since the dawn of our first discourse, have I valued our frequent exchanges.
Your elegant prose and uplifting spirit is a daily source of inspiration.
Your wittiness (and your prettiness) enchant me.

Thusly, dear lady... The ''wow'' is mine.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 5/8/2005 4:00:08 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
Today’s champion is a patient paladin. He works in such a manner that others may see and judge their worthiness of his cause on their own terms.

Ah I hear you kind Sir
I wish it were so but today those that are held forth as champions are unworthy of such a proud title.
The age of Decadence has befallen the fair land.
The champians that today are showered with glory are often a blight on the fair land.
There are paladin''s around but they fight a lone battle against the forces of Decadence and are felled long before they gather enough support to be efective.
I weep for the fair land and for the promise it once held but has lost.

 

[lostdog]

"I weep for the fair land and for the promise it once held but has lost."

And it is forever so.

 

[belle]

Date: 5/16/2005 9:25:33 PM
Author: JohnQuixote


Dearest Belle,

I so enjoy the crossing of our paths.

Since the dawn of our first discourse, have I valued our frequent exchanges.
Your elegant prose and uplifting spirit is a daily source of inspiration.
Your wittiness (and your prettiness) enchant me.

Thusly, dear lady... The ''wow'' is mine.

sir john,

you have touched me so, and warmed my heart with your sweeetness.
thank you for the kind words.

 

[Maxine]

What a great story, John.......( btw I played flute/piccolo from age 10-graduation and then in a community band).....
I appreciate your clear communication on the board...it is really helpful!!! My very best wishes to you and Angela (and the cats).

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 5/23/2005 10:43:55 PM
Author: Maxine
What a great story, John.......( btw I played flute/piccolo from age 10-graduation and then in a community band).....
I appreciate your clear communication on the board...it is really helpful!!! My very best wishes to you and Angela (and the cats).

Hey Maxine.

It has been nice getting to know you on the boards as well. I am still astonished that I have actually met a bagpiper here!

(So it''s bookmarked, I''m going to include a link to the musical members thread Lorelei started in the Hangout)

 

[JohnQuixote]

4th of July!

In the spirit of summer, I thought I'd share the story of a home-improvement project I'm very excited about.

BBQ!

Chapter 1:

My house had a blank wall near the patio.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Chapter 2:

The ''master plan.''