A summary of pool (Cue games) rules, equipment, lingo, … can be found here:
Much of the physics and math involved in making a bank (reflection) shot is summarized here:
Additional information for improving your understanding and skill can be found here:
For more than you want to know, but glad to know it exists; check this out:
For those with a physics interest there is a nice tutorial here:
LIMITATIONS: WAIT a minute
The tools presented here are inaccurate! To be used only in obtaining an approximate direction to send the cue ball. The real skill in adjusting the shot direction involves making changes appropriate to the table conditions, the following assumptions and uncertainties. Practice.
The important assumptions are that the angle of approach (incidence angle) is equal to the angle of departure (reflection angle); and that the ball has no spin. Neither of these assumptions is valid! (These conditions exist for light reflecting from a perfect mirror.) The angle of departure will always be slightly less than the angle of approach because the table cushions absorb some energy. Striking the cue ball exactly through the center of gravity and level, is extremely difficult to accomplish. Variations from the ideal will results in a spinning cue ball, which will alter the bounce.
Another obvious assumption is that there are no obstacles (other balls or pockets) already in the chosen path.
TOOL 1: MIRROR-MIRROR-MIRROR – set me Straight
Using mirror reflections, as an aid for determining, a 1st approximation for, a pool bank shot.
Much of the physics of using reflections is discussed here:
For a 3 cushion bank shot; 3 mirrors are used, one at each reflection (bank) position.
On the miniature table; place the BLUE/GREEN ball at the target location, place the WHITE cue ball (with attached cue stick and archery sighting) at the start location, point the cue stick (attached to the cue ball assembly) in a direction close to the final shot direction. Make final adjustments by changing the pointing angle while sighting through the archery sight. When the BLUE/GREEN ball image is contained in the sight circle, the correct shot direction is determined. Trim your adjustments. Note: sometimes the BLUE/GREEN ball will be hiding behind the cue ball assembly, use your judgement.
The basic table setup for a 3 rail shot
Using 3 perpendicular Mirrors
This is the direction to shoot a 3 rail shot
to hit the target ball —->
Similar techniques are used for 2-rail and 1-rail bank shots where one or two mirrors are used.
TOOL 2: JUST GO STRAIGHT THERE – bumps are Bounces
Using folded overladed transparencies that represent a REAL pool table, and several VIRTUAL pool tables as an aid for determining, a 1st approximation for, a pool bank shot.
I can’t find a reference for this overlay technique … but it works.
You start with a representation of a REAL pool table. Next to it you place a number of VIRTUAL pool tables. The virtual table is the same size as the real table and is placed aligned and abutting the real table. These virtual tables are attached to the real table with hinging material (scotch tape or real hinges) so that complete (flat) folding is possible. Multiple virtual tables may be attached to previous virtual tables. On the real table you mark the location of the cue and target balls. You then draw a straight line from the cue ball location to a virtual table target ball location (not always easy to determine). Draw with a marker pen that can be easily erased. Each time the straight line crosses a table intersection it represents a rail bounce. After a rail bounce encounter the line continues straight into another virtual table. Now fold the tables so that they perfectly align. Observe the path of the cue ball when sent in the direction of the line (cue stick).
TOOL 3: GROUP EFFORT With Big Mirrors
Probably the best tool is a set of 3 mirrors and 3 friends. The friends hold the mirrors at the location of rail encounters. The mirrors must be held vertically along the rail. The cue stick is pointed at the reflection of the target and the cue ball is struck in that direction. (Be sure to get the mirrors out of the way first.) Friends can be replaced by C-clamps.
Snapmaker, the people who made my 3D printer/Laser cutter & engraver/CNC carving machine, is conducting a contest for creations using the machine. I have trouble passing up a contest, especially since I’ve created so many masterpieces. And the prize is a machine add-on to enable etching on a round surface drinking glass.
They encouraged submissions that employed recycled material; a natural for my obsession with reusing wooden cigar boxes.
I have been thinking of creating models of magic stage illusions. At the top of the list was what is called a “production box”, a box that appears to be empty when examined through the “front” door, but which contains hidden items (like rabbits, women, lions, elephants, …) obtained through the “top” door. The illusion of emptiness is created using a mirror and judiciously placed objects surrounded by wall and floor coverings using symmetry. The modern mind, conditioned heavily by vertical and horizontal architectural environments, is easily confused by such images.
So I collected the parts and designed a very effective illusion. I started with my cigar box collection for the physical sides, top and bottom of my “hide box”. I paid dearly (about $50) for a quality front surface reflective acrylic mirror. Obtained a box design from ‘MakerCase’ and used Tinkercad and Inkscape to embellish it.
The Hide Box from the outside back
The Hide Box from the outside showing the 2 doors
Hide Box with doors open
The “floor covering” is a favorite M.C. Escher drawing. You may be intrigued to ponder that this drawing was made on Christmas 1941. Considering what was going on politically in his part of the world, we can imagine his thoughts. This drawing very effectively creates the “back” wall, which is really the floor.
Hide Box with front door open
I believe that the use of horizontal symmetry of selected letters (B C D E H I K O X) to add to the overall illusion is original. I used the words “HIDE BOX” to accomplish this. I would have liked to use “OKEECHOBEE OHIO” but couldn’t fix it in. I also considered using letters with vertical symmetry (A H I M O T U V W X) like MATH and TOY but decided to save those for another project.
The side walls are covered with beautiful Islamic tiling, perfect for the angular symmetry needed. These tiles I found in Pedralbes Royal Palace, Barcelona Spain.
The ball and small green box are simple additions to further confuse a befuddled mind.
The hidden item I have chosen is a famous world leader, which you may remember, who appears to be very upset with himself.
Hide Box with top door open
Here is a video which will help explain everything …
The sequence that I follow is:1st (*) I make a JPEG image of a picture containing the object to be 3d printed.Next (**) I select the object to be 3d printed and save it in SVG format.Then (***) convert the SVG to STL, and finally (****) slice the STL into G-Code ( the 3d printer compatible format).
(*) Sources of JPEG Images:
Your Camera/Phone; you can capture essentially anything the eye can see.
Your Computer Screen; using “Screen Dump” (Command+Shift+3 on Apple)
(NOTE: What you have just done or about to do may be illegal!)
Copyright and Patent Rights may exist – don’t think of selling anything!
for example:
International Copyright laws protect all of the work of M.C. Escher, as well as his spoken and written words. Any reproduction of his work, including downloading, is prohibited without the express written permission The M.C. Escher Company.
(NOTE: What you think you are doing is legally important!)
I use “Inkscape” to select the object to be 3d printed, and save in SVG format.Inkscape offers several ways to create a selection path around a portion of the image.I use the Bezier Curve tool.
Inkscape offers a SVG format Save option, but not the STL format that is needed.
(***) “TinkerCad” can be used to translate SVG format to STL format.
(****) There are a number of Freeware Slicing tools. Most 3D printers come with their own.My printer (SnapMaker) comes with a slicing tool, which I use.It also handles the printing details like scaling and quality control.
I then use a memory stick to move the G-Code format file from the computer to the 3D printer.
The Sequence is:Image -> JPEG, -> SVG, -> STL, -> G-Code, -> 3D Printer.
OR find
‘Ready made’ sources of STL files:
thingaverse.com is a shareware website where you can share your creations.
The creations that others will share are numerous and wonderful!
I carry, attached to my keys, a Magic Square; the original can be found displayed on the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona Spain. See: a later post titled “Sagrada Familia, Barcelona” for further speculation about this particular Magic Square:
This square is considered magic because adding each row, or each column, or either diagonal, or other groups of 4 numbers yield the same sum.
Here is how you can use a spreadsheet to create a Magic Square.
As with all spreadsheets; the Columns are A, B, C, D, & E and the Rows 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5. Now; we enter values and perform calculations in your Spreadsheet:
You may enter any values you wish into the cells in the first row; A1, B1, C1, and D1.
Then enter the following formulas into your spreadsheet:
If you wish, the cells in the 1st row can contain your birthday and another number.
For Example: Here is a Magic Square using the birthdate of September 29, 2008 and 0:
Try it with some birthdates! Then ponder how it all works.
Now try entering other numbers, like zeros and negatives into A1, B1, C1 and D1. Maybe it will be clearer now how it all works.
There is more information about Magic Squares HERE. You may notice that the Wikipedia article contains a ‘Birthday Magic Square’ which is very similar to your spreadsheet. It uses the date convention of Day/Month/Year and it contains the Century value, yet it is using basically the same method of construction as your spreadsheet.
Incidentally; if your birthday is 5/4/8 (May 4, 2008), you may have noticed that South American relatives send their birthday wishes a month early on April 5th. A reason for this can be found HERE, A very confusing lack of standards, which has led to many misunderstandings!
HERE is a web site that presents a Mind Reading trick using Magic Squares.
I found the Binary Notation connection to this card trick very interesting. I was struck by the educational possibilities for people who have had an introduction to Number Theory, but needing a practical application to make sense of it. Young people of the age of ‘formal thought’ are attracted to magic and the challenge of ‘how it is done’ understanding. I put together this brief explanation of the math involved in creating this card trick. When finished viewing you must click on the back button “<” to return to this page …
I wanted to use my new laser cutter, so I made boxes to serve the same function as the cards above:
Each box contains the appropriate number of beads (0,1,2,4,8,16, or 32). The subject chooses a secret number, then empties the box(s) containing that number on its face, counts the beads, and amazingly they add to the secret number!
Here is a video of a analog computer doing arithmetic in Binary …
This year I refurbished a 1964 pinball machine. It’s a New York machine, so it gives ‘Extra Balls’ (Continue to Play) instead of free games.
I haven’t included all of the back-glass lights. A previous owner painted the inside of the back-glass with NON-translucent paint, so back lighting presents an unattractive display.
The playfield is very clean, with a few wear spots, and is complete. I have added new rubber and replaced all the lamps with Led’s. The four flippers made Merle happy, allowing me to move it from the garage to the dining room.
New legs and 3 months of fiddling produced a machine that is fully functional.
A previous owner painted the cabinet, to the original design. The work is not professional quality, but presents very well.
I added the clown artwork to the back door. The image was copied from the internet with no credits available, although the artist is probably Jacqueline Macou.
The only hacks that I’ve added so far are a switch to silence the bells, and a post between the bottom flipper. The post is appreciated by all my non-professional players.
This Winter it will be housed in an un-heated house in the Adirondack Park, upstate New York. The temperature extremes are large, but the humidity should be low. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and will be anxious to play it next Spring.
This is my 3rd renovation, all electro-mechanical Gottlieb machines. I wouldn’t say that I’m hooked, but I am looking for and EM ‘Home Run’ or ‘Playball’ for my daughter’s home.
My current passion is to restore a 1968 Gottlieb electromechanical (EM) pinball machine to the theme of Paul Bunyan. We chose this machine primarily because it has 6 flippers, giving us a better chance to keep the ball in play. After searching for six months or so, a pinball enthusiast (Cliff Rinear) I had contacted, spotted one for sale near Modesto California. After looking at a few pictures and talking with the ‘owner’, I gave him $325 sight unseen. Jessie and I drove up to get it, in my Prius. Seeing it, I was having serious second thoughts and had I not already purchased it, … It had been stored for 30 years without the playfield glass or a back cover, the paint flaked off in our hands when we lifted it. After a month or so the cosmetic part is essentially complete. Most of the game features work. I’m hopefull! Here are some pictures:
First my copy art … there are those purists who will say that I have gone beyond the acceptable limits of responsible restoration. Oh well …
The Right side of the Wedge.
The Left side of the Wedge.
The Back of the Wedge.
The Sides of the Playfield.
And now for the machine:
I have spent the last year bringing it back to life. EVERY feature now works! All lights are switched to LEDs. The coin chute works, but is not required. All free game conditions work. Now I’m customizing.
You can see the portholes and mirrors that are added for spectator viewing. I had considered making a transparent cabinet, but decided that it was beyond my capabilities. I’ve added labels to all major components and a few LEDs to give a small light show.
From this view of the Playfield bottom you can see the area of my flipper hacking. The purpose of the next phase is to make the machine handicap accessible. The first step is to add a Flipper crossover, which causes all 6 flippers to respond to either flipper button. That hack is complete and can be seen upper right in the photo. I love using knife switches and have used them in all hacks to date.
This view of the back of the wedge head shows some additional hacking that I’ve done. I have a Tens and Hundreds bells hack that permits silencing those bells. There is a free game hack for bypassing the 10 cent coin chute. All of my hacks are reversible with the throw of a knife switch.
My most recent hack is to add audio to the playing experience. The audio is provided by a hacked security device, sitting in the lower right of the picture above. This Recorder/Player is attached to a New contact that I added to the 1000 point relay. When a 1000 point addition is achieved the recorder plays a version of “The Lumberjack Song” by Monty Python:
I’m a lumberjack and I’m OK. I sleep all night and I work all day.
I cut down trees, I skip and jump. I like to press wildflowers.
I put on women’s clothing and hang around in bars.
I cut down trees, I wear high heels, suspendies and a bra.
I wish I’d been a girlie, just like my dear Mamma.
I’ve added several additional features:
A mild verbal chiding has been added following a TILT.
Sip action is complete. Sip and Puff are alternative choices – you can’t have both at the same time. I went with Sip on both Sensors, but changes are easily made
Wii Nunchuck control has been completed. The accomplishment of this feat involved using a Arduino Pro Mini with software. I used the switch and joystick actions to control the right and left flippers. I made no use of the 3-axis accelerometer data (see what’s next list below). The software has the values and they will be used in other applications.
Here are a number of images showing the accomplishment of remote control of my Pinball machine:
The Red and Green buttons and associated Puff/Sip tubes control the flippers, the White button controls the Replay Button, and the Yellow button will control the ball plunger (yet to be implemented).
Inside the box: Only the fearless dare to tread here …
The hose connector to the Right is for Puffing (a higher pressure)
Inputs and Outputs of the Relays are indirectly from the normal Flipper switches.
Nice Remote Control Device, via BlueTooth.
Well I haven’t done any of the above, but I did come across a sound sensor and decided to add sound triggering of the flipper control circuit.
The sound board with power and relay controls is installed.
The sound capture is installed, but the whole thing does not function properly. I’ll have to ponder this one for awhile.
Next hacks:
I’ve found a IR sensor that will respond to any click on any remote control, I may install that next.
I’ve been considering adding head-tilt as a control of the flippers. It would be easy to implement, actually only 2 lines of code since the accelerometer values are read in with all the others. The problem is that the accelerometer values are very sensitive to giggling and random movement. Filtering would be the answer, confirmation, or smoothing, or … Once this is working, other movements can be added; like winking, or …
I want to add a solenoid and hardware for remotely actuation of a ball plunger; without hopefully interfering with the manual plunger. It’s not as if it’s never been done. There are a number of Stern machines that use a Auto-Launch assembly. I can get a new one for $80, but am advised that considerable modifications to my cabinet may be required. Not that I am haven’t done that already.
For my Christmas gift to young people next year (2020), I plan to put together a Play Nim game package. The Box will be one that I produce with my new laser cutting skills. The instructions and explanation will be the following:
Since High School days I’ve had a fascination with the game of NIM. I’ve tried on several occasions to write a program to play the ‘perfect game’, but for one reason or another didn’t make it.
Recently I was having fun with a Arduino MEGA 2560 microcontroller. I started with a UNO board but quickly found that it didn’t have enough inputs for my needs. The MEGA has 54 digital inputs and 16 analogs, that should hold me for awhile.
Now I’ve done it! Here is a picture of the hardware side of the solution:
The software side is harder to show, but it works! Sorry, but this is all I have to show:
I recently came across a large stash of used Cigar Boxes, many more than I had stuff to store. So I’ve been exploring ways to use these beautiful pieces of art …
Here are my desk lamp creations:
And speakers for my computers …
And clocks to keep me on time …
And Sensors to keep me safe … For most of them, they detect motion and turn on a light, chime, siren or my recorded voice. One gives light emphasis to sounds. And one sends me an e-mail video when it detects a sound or motion …
This is the coolest sensor of them all … it uses my iPhone and a free Apple App called Presence. It secretly uses either camera and the microphone to report goings-on to my iPad which could be thousands of miles away. There is much more that it does – if you’re interested, check the App out at the Apple store. It uses old iPhones with working cameras and wi-fi and it can support a large number of them. So, if you have an old iPhones that you are not using, I have a use for it!
And now … they house Robots. The first is a Lady of the Night, who Seeks the Light.
Now they help conserve energy by having AC feed itself. Not really … It is an AC control box that uses an Infrared sensor (PIR) to detect humans and then turns on the AC for them.
W.C. Fields used cigar boxes in his juggling routine …
I still have a lot remaining, and can get even more; so if you have an idea let me know.
Emily Lattella: What’s all this fuss I keep hearing about violins on television? Why don’t parents want their kids to see violins on television? I thought the Leonardo Bernstein concerts were just lovely, now, if they only show violins on television after ten o’clock at night, the little babies will all be asleep and they won’t learn any music appreciation. They’ll learn to play guitars, and bongo drums and go to Africa and join these rock’n roll outfits and they won’t drink milk! I think there should be more violins on television and less game shows, it’s terrible the way…
Chevy Chase: Um, Littella, that’s Violence on television. Not violins.
Emily Litella: Oh, well that’s diffrent. Never mind!
BUSTING SCHOOLCHILDREN
Emily Litella: I’m here tonight to speak out against busting schoolchildren. Busting schoolchildren is a terrible, terrible thing. I hear this is going on all over the country. Mean policemen arrest little children and put them in jail in the wrong neighborhood, so they can’t even play with their little friends. Imagine, busting schoolchildren! The food in jail isn’t good, and even though they get bread, I don’t believe they can get toast. Or nice cake. Now, who will tuck them in? Where will they hang their leggings? Where will they set up their little lemonade stands? Well, they don’t have toys in jail, except maybe..
Chevy Chase: [ interrupting ] Miss Litella?
Emily Litella: Yes?
Chevy Chase: I’m sorry. The editorial was on bussing schoolchildren. Bussing. Not busting.
Emily Litella: Oh. I’m sorry. Never mind.
PRESIDENTIAL ERECTION
Emily Litella: What’s all this fuss I’ve been hearing about the 1976 presidential erection? Now, I know they erected a monument for Mr. Lincoln and President Washington, but that’s because they’re DEAD! Hopefully, the 1976 President won’t be DEAD! So he won’t NEED an erection! If Americans are going to spend money to erect anything, why don’t we tear down those nasty slums and erect luxury high rises for poor people and senior citizens! Not for presidents who can afford to pay for their OWN erections!
Chevy Chase: Miss Litella –
Emily Litella: I can’t believe the way things are turning out in this country — what?
Chevy Chase: I’m sorry. That’s election. The editorial was about the presidential election, not the presidential erection. Election.
Emily Litella: Oh, that’s very different.
Chevy Chase: Yes.
Emily Litella: [ smiling ] Never mind.
SOVIET JEWELRY
Emily Litella: What’s all this FUSS I hear… about saving Soviet jewelry? Now… what makes Soviet jewelry so special? Will it be worth more in a few years? Why… prices what they are today… ALL jewelry will be worth more! now, if I recall correctly, Mrs. Kruschev didn’t wear very much jewelry… and her husband, the Premier, didn’t even wear a watch! Not the mickey mouse watch, anyway. Why, they wouldn’t even let him into Disney Land! And now he’s DEAD!! Well, I’m infuriated! Save Soviet jewelry?! Where are we going to put it? I say keep it over THERE, with all their ballet dancers! Let them keep their own jewelry AND their own ballet dancers! As a matter of fact, why don’t get the ballet dancers to save the jewelry?! Americans have more important things to save! And electricity! And what about our fuel? Now, THAT’S important! Not jewelry!
Chevy Chase: Miss Litella. Miss Litella.
Emily Litella: What?!
Chevy Chase: It’s Jewry. Jewry. Not jewelry.
Emily Litella: It’s what?
Chevy Chase: Soviet Jewry. The editorial was about Jewry, not jewelry.
Emily Litella: Oh! Well, that’s very important.
Chevy Chase: Yes.
Emily Litella: [ she smiles ] Never mind!
EAGLE RIGHTS
Emily Litella: What’s all this fuss I hear… about an Eagle Rights Amendment? Now, I realize that the eagle is the symbol for the United States of America. But I wouldn’t like to sit next to one on the bus! Well, I think the eagle’s been treated fair enough! We put them on the back of the quarter, didn’t we? Well, I’m angry! Do those birds expect to vote? They don’t even have fingers to push the little lever in the booth! And they’ll get their wings caught in the curtain! It’ll be a mess! Between you and me, if we give eagles rights, the next thing you know, we’ll have to give rights to pigeons! And then robins! And parakeets! Why, you won’t be able to get a seat in the park! It’ll be the BIRDS sitting on the bench throwing US little pieces of toast! If we’re gonna give birds rights, we’ll have to give them to parrots! At least they can talk! Not the eagle! They don’t do a thing! I –
Chevy Chase: Miss Litella? Miss Litella?
Emily Litella: What?!
Chevy Chase: The editorial was in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment. Not Eagle Rights — Equal Rights.
Emily Litella: Equal Rights?
Chevy Chase: Yes.
Emily Litella: For who?
Chevy Chase: Well, people, Miss Litella.
Emily Litella: Oh. Well, that’s reasonable.
Chevy Chase: Yes.
Emily Litella: Never mind!
CANKER RESEARCH
Emily Litella: I believe the American people are pouring too much money… into CANKER… research! Now, how much can you learn about a little tiny sore inside your face?! Why, JUST the other day… a lovely lady came to my door and asked me to donate money to the American CANKER Society! But I said, “Goodness gracious, NO!!” I’m saving up my money for more important diseases! Mind you, Cankers can be nasty little buggers! But they don’t KILL you! Now, my cousin Mildred used to get them all the time! On the inside of her lip. And it hurt like HELL when she ate grapefruit! So I told her, “Mildred! Don’t eat grapefruit!” And it didn’t cost her a cent! Why waste your money, America? CANKERS can be beaten! Don’t eat grapefruit! [ she pounds the desk ] And if you DO have cankers… don’t put your fingers in your mouth, and don’t keep fiddling around with them!
Chevy Chase: Excuse me, Miss Litella? Miss Litella?
Emily Litella: What?! What?
Chevy Chase: Miss Litella, I’m sorry. That’s… cancer. The editorial was in favor of money provided for cancer research. Not — not canker sores. Emily Litella: Oh! Well, that’s very necessary.
Chevy Chase: Yes, it is.
Emily Litella: [ she turns to the camera ] Never mind.
DEAF PENALTY
Emily Litella: What is all this fuss I hear about the Supreme Court’s decision on a DEAF penalty?! It’s terrible!! Deaf people have enough problems as it is! I know I myself occasionally have difficulty with my hearing — but that doesn’t mean I want to be punished for it! And what do they do to them, anyway? Shout nasty things at them behind their back? You mark my words: If we start punishing deaf people, they’ll get back at us! They’ll close their eyes when we talk to them and they won’t be able to see a thing we’re saying!! I say, instead of making deafness a penalty, we ought to start doing NICE things for them. Like talking louder. [ shouting ] YOU HEAR ME?!! CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME OUT THERE?!!
Chevy Chase: I’m sorry, Miss Litella. That’s death penalty. Death penalty.
Emily Litella: [ confused ] What?
Chevy Chase: The editorial was about the Supreme Court’s decision on the death penalty — not deaf penalty. Death penalty.
Emily Litella: Oh. Well, that’s very different.
Chevy Chase: Yes.
Emily Litella: [ she smiles ] Never mind!
ENDANGERED FECES
What’s all this fuss I hear about endangered feces? That’s outrageous. Why is feces endangered? How can you possibly run out of such a thing? Just look around you – you can see it all over the place. And besides, who wants to save that anyway?
MAKING PUERTO RICO A STEAK
What’s all this fuss I hear about making Puerto Rico a steak? Let me warn all of you: if you make Puerto Rick a steak, the next thing they’ll want is a baked potato-with sour cream and chives and little bacon bits. And then they’ll probably want a salad bar! Why, they’ll be lined up for miles!
When the only sound on the empty street
is the heavy tread of the heavy feet
that belong to a lonesome cop
I open shop
The moon so long has been gazing down
on the wayward ways of this wayward town
that her smile becomes a smirk, I go to work
Love for sale
appetizing young love for sale
love that’s fresh and still unspoiled
love that’s only slightly soiled
love for sale
who will buy
who would like to sample my supply
who’s prepared to pay the price
for a trip to paradise
love for sale
let the poets pipe of love
in their childish ways
I know every type of love
better far than they
if you want the thrill of love
I have been through the mill of love
old love
new love
every love but true love
love for sale
appetizing young love for sale
if you want to buy my wares follow me and climb the stairs
love for sale …
and here is a video with Ella Fitzgerald:
Cole Porter songs (I believe this to be a complete list, but …)
A Fool There Was
A Football King
A Humble Hollywood Executive
A Lady Needs A Rest
A Little Rumba Numba
A Little Skipper From Heaven Above
A Man Must His Honor Defend
A Member Of The Yale Elizabethan Club
A Picture Of Me Without You
A Sight-Seeing Tour
A Step Montage
A Stroll On The Plaza Sant’ana
A Table For Two
A Toast To Volstead
A Weekend Affair
A Woman’s Career
A-Stairable Rag
Abracadabra
Absinthe
Absinthe Drip
Ace In The Hole
Adam And Eve
Adios Argentina
After All, I’m Only A Schoolgirl
After You, Who?
Ah Fong Low
Aladdin
Aladdin Dance
All I’ve Got To Get Now Is My Man
All Of You
All Through The Night
Allez-Vous-En
Almiro
Alone With You
Alpine Rose
Altogether Too Fond Of You
Always True To You In My Fashion
Am I In Love?
Americans All Drink Coffee
Amo Amas
Announcement Of Inheritance
Another Op’nin’, Another Show
Another Sentimental Song
Antoinette Birby
Anything Goes
Anytime
Apache Dance
Aqua Sincopada Tango
Art
As I Love You
As Long As It’s Not About Love
As On Through The Seasons We Sail
Assembly Line
At Last In Your Arms
At Long Last Love
At Longchamps Today
At The Dawn Tea
At The Rainbow
At Ye Olde Coffee Shoppe In Cheyenne
Au Revoir, Cher Baron
Auf Wiedersehen
Away From It All
Baby Games
Baby, Let’s Dance
Back To Nature
Bad Men
Be A Clown
Be Like The Bluebird
Beach Scene
Beautiful, Primitive Indian Girls
Bebe Of Gay Paree
Begin The Beguine
Bellboys
Bertie And Gertie
Between You And Me
Beware Of The Sophomore
Beware Of Yale
Bianca
Bichloride Of Mercury
Big Town
Bingo Eli Yale
Blow, Gabriel, Blow
Blue Hours
Bobolink Waltz
Bon Voyage
Boogie Baracarolle
Boroff’s Ode
Bridget
Bring Me A Radio
Bring Me Back My Butterfly
Brittany
Broadcast A Jazz
Brush Up Your Shakespeare
Buddie Beware
Bull Dog
But He Never Says He Loves Me
But In The Morning, No
Butterflies
Buy Her A Box At The Opera
By Candlelight
By The Mississinewah
C’est Magnifique
Ca, C’est L’amour
Cabinet Music
Cablegram
Café Society Still Carries On
California Scene Dance
Can-Can
Carlotta
Caroline
Carry On
Casanova
Chaperons
Charity
Chelsea
Cherry Pies Ought To Be You
Class Of 1909 Song
Class Of 1913 Song
Cleveland
Climb Up The Mountain
Close
Close To Me
Cocktail Time
Coffee
Come Along With Me
Come On In
Come To Bohemia
Come To The Supermarket In Old Peking
Comrade Alonzo
Concentration
Cora, The Fair Chorine
Could It Be You?
Couldn’t Be
Count Your Blessings
Dainty, Quainty Me
Dance Of The Crinoline Ladies
Dance Of The Ragamuffins
Dancin To A Jungle Drum
Dancing
Danse Erotique
Danse Tzigane
Danse Victoire
Dawn Music
Dear Doctor
Die Schöne Wirtstochter
Dinner
Dizzy Baby
Do I Love You?
Do You Want To See Paris
Don’t Fence Me In
Don’t Let It Get You Down
Don’t Look At Me That Way
Don’t Tell Me Who You Are
Don’t Fence Me In
Down In A Dungeon Deep
Down In The Depths
Down Lovers Lane
Down With Everybody But Us
Dream Dancing
Dream Song
Dresden China Soldiers
Drink, Drink, Drink
Drinking Song
Dubarry Was A Lady
Duodessimalogue
Easy To Love
Eli
Entrance Of Emigrants
Entrance Of Eric
Entrance Of Lucy James
Entrance Of Montana
Entrance Of Prince Paul
Esmeralda
Ev’ry Day A Holiday
Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye
Ev’rybod-ee Who’s Anybod-ee
Ev’rything I Love
Ever And Ever Yours
Every Man Is A Stupid Man
Excelsior (Boulevard Break)
Exercise
Experiment
Fair One
Fairy Tale
Far Away
Far, Far Away
Fare Thee Well
Farewell, Amanda
Farming
Fate
Fated To Be Mated
Fi, Fi, Fifi
Find Me A Primitive Man
Fish
Five Hundred Million
Fla De Dah
Flower Maidens
Flower Song
For No Rhyme Or Reason
Fountain Of Youth
Frahngee-Pahnee
Fresh As A Daisy
Friendship
From Alpha To Omega
From Now On
From This Moment On
Funny Little Tracks In The Snow
Gather Ye Autographs While Ye May
Gavotte
Genie’s Theme
Georgia Sand
Gershwin Specialty
Get Out Of Town
Get Yourself A Girl
Girls
Give Him The Oo-La-La
Give Me The Land
Glide, Glider, Glide
Go Into Your Dance
God Bless The Woman
Good Evening, Princess
Good Morning, Miss Standing
Goodbye Boys
Goodbye My True Love
Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye
Greek Scene
Greek To You
Gypsy Song
Ha, Ha, Ha
Ha, Ha, They Must Sail For Siberia
Hail Bibinski
Hail The Female Relative
Hail To Yale
Hail, Hail, Hail
Hail, Hail, To Cyril
Hans
Hark To The Song Of The Night
Hasta Luego
He Certainly Kills The Women
He’s A Right Guy
Hello, Miss Chapel Street
Hence, It Don’t Make Sense
Her Heart Was In Her Work
Here Comes The Bandwagon
Here Must Be Someone For Me
Here’s A Cheer For Dear Old Ciro’s
Here’s To Panama Hattie
Hereafter Hey Sexy
Hey, Babe, Hey
Hey, Good Lookin’
High Flyin’ Wings On My Shoes
High Society Calypso
Hip, Hip Hooray For Andy Jackson
Hold-Up Ensemble
Hot-House Rose
How Could We Be Wrong?
How Do They Do It?
How Do You Spell Ambassador?
How’s Your Romance?
Hush, Hush, Hush
Hymn To Hymen
I Adore You
I Always Knew
I Am Ashamed That Women Are So Simple
I Am Gaston
I Am In Love
I Am Loved
I Can Do Without Tea In My Teapot
I Concentrate On You
I Could Kick Myself
I Do
I Dream Of A Girl In A Shawl
I Get A Kick Out Of You
I Got Beauty
I Happen To Be In Love
I Happen To Like New York
I Hate Men
I Hate You, Darling
I Introduced
I Jupiter, I Rex
I Know It’s Not Meant For Me
I Like Pretty Things
I Love Only You
I Love Paris
I Love You
I Love You So
I Love You, Samantha
I Loved Him But He Didn’t Love Me
I Never Realized
I Shall Positively Pay You Next Monday
I Sing Of Love
I Sleep Easier Now
I Still Love The Red, White And Blue
I Want To Be A Yale Boy
I Want To Be Married (To A Delta Kappa Epsilon Man)
I Want To Be Raided By You
I Want To Go Home
I Want To Row On The Crew
I Want Twins
I Wonder Where My Girl Is Now
I Worship You
I Wrote A Play
I’ll Black His Eyes
I’m A Gigolo
I’m Afraid I Love You
I’m Afraid, Sweetheart, I Love You
I’m An Anaesthetic Dancer
I’m Back In Circulation
I’m Dining With Elsa
I’m Getting Myself Ready For You
I’m Going In For Love
I’m In Love
I’m In Love Again
I’m In Love With A Soldier Boy
I’m Not Myself At All
I’m So Glahd To Meet You
I’m So In Love With You
I’m Taking The Steps To Russia
I’m The Queen Thamar
I’m Throwing A Ball Tonight
I’m Unlucky At Gambling
I’m Yours
I’ve A Shooting Box In Scotland
I’ve A Strange New Rhythm In My Heart
I’ve Come To Wive It Wealthily In Padua
I’ve Got A Crush On You
I’ve Got An Awful Lot To Learn
I’ve Got My Eyes On You
I’ve Got Some Unfinished Business With You
I’ve Got Somebody Waiting
I’ve Got You On My Mind
I’ve Got You Under My Skin
I’ve Still Got My Health
Idyll
If Ever Married I’m
If Ever We Get Out Of Jail
If I Hadn’t A Husband
If I Were Only A Football Man (Became ‘A Football King’)
If In Spite Of Our Attempts
If Only You Could Love Me
If You Could Love Me
If You Loved Me Truly
If You Smile At Me
Ilsa’s Song
In A Moorish Garden
In Hitchy’s Garden
In The Big Money
In The Green Hills Of Country Mayo
In The Land Where My Heart Was Born
In The Still Of The Night
Indian Girls’ Chant
Indian Maidens’ Chorus
Information Please
Innocent Innocent Maids
Is It Joy?
Is It The Girl? (Or Is It The Gown?)
It Ain’t Etiquette
It All Belongs To You
It All Seems So Long Ago
It Isn’t Done
It Might Have Been
It Must Be Fun To Be You
It Never Entered My Head
It Pays To Advertise
It Puzzles Me So
It Was Great Fun The First Time
It Was Written In The Stars
It’s A Big Night
It’s A Chemical Reaction, That’s All
It’s A Great Life
It’s All Over But The Shouting
It’s All Right With Me
It’s Awfully Hard When Mother’s Not Along
It’s Bad For Me
It’s De-Lovely
It’s Just Like The Good Old Days
It’s Just Yours
It’s No Laughing Matter
It’s Probably Just As Well
Italian Street Singers
Java
Jerry, My Soldier Boy
Join It Right Away
Josephine
Jubilee Presentation
Just Another Page In Your Diary
Just One Of Those Things
Just One Of Those Things (Not The Famous Version!)
Just One Step Ahead Of Love
Kate The Great
Kathleen
Katie Of The YMCA
Katie Went To Haiti
Keep Moving
Keep Your Chin Up
Kiss Me, Kate
L’après-Midi D’un Boeuf
La Reve D’Absinthe
Ladies In Waiting
Lady Fair, Lady Fair
Laundry Scene
Lead Me On
Leaders Of Society
Les Girls
Let Doctor Schmet Vet Your Pet
Let’s Be Buddies
Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall In Love
Let’s Face It
Let’s Fly Away
Let’s Make It A Night
Let’s Misbehave
Let’s Not Talk About Love
Let’s Step Out
Let’s Vocalize
Lima
Little One
Live And Let Live
Llewellyn
Loading Song
Loie And Chlodo
Lonely Star
Longing For Dear Old Broadway
Look Around
Look What I Found
Looking At You
Lotus Bloom
Love ‘Em And Leave Em
Love Came And Crowed Me
Love For Sale
Love Letter Words
Love Me, Love My Pekinese
Love Of My Life
Ma Petite Ninette
Mack The Black
Mademazelle
Maid Of Santiago
Maiden Fair
Maidens Typical Of France
Make A Date With A Great Psychoanalyst
Make Every Day Holiday
Make It Another Old-Fashioned, Please
Make Way For The Emperor
Mamie Magdalin
Manuela
Maria
Martinique
Maryland Show
Maybe Yes, Maybe No
Me And Marie
Meet Me Beside The River
Melos, That Lovely Smiling Isle
Mercy Percy
Mesdames And Messieurs
Midsummer Night
Military Maids
Milk, Milk, Milk
Mind If I Make Love To You?
Mirror, Mirror
Miss Chapel Street
Miss Otis Regrets
Mississippi Belle
Missus Aouda
Mister And Missus Fitch
Mona And Her Kiddies
Montmart’
Moon Man
Most Gentlemen Don’t Like Love
Mother Phi
Mr. And Mrs. Smith
Music With Meals
My Broth Of A Boy
My Cozy Little Corner In The Ritz
My Darling Never Is Late
My Georgia Gal
My Harlem Wench
My Heart Belongs To Daddy
My Home Town Girl
My Houseboat On The Thames
My Little Barcelona Maid
My Little Piece Of Pie
My Long Ago Girl
My Louisa
My Loulou
My Most Intimate Friend
My Mother Would Love You
My Salvation Army Queen
Mysteriously
Naughty, Naughty
Neauville-Sur-Mer
Never Give Anything Away
Never Say No
Never, Never Be An Artist
Night And Day
Night Club Opening
Nina
No Lover
No Show This Evening
No Wonder Taxes Are High
Nobody’s Chasing Me
Nothing To Do But Work
Now You Has Jazz
Nymph Errant
Octet
Oh, Bright Fair Dream
Oh, Honey
Oh, How I Could Go For You
Oh, It Must Be Fun
Oh, Mary
Oh, What A Lonely Princess
Oh, What A Pretty Pair Of Lovers
Oka Saka Circus
Old-Fashioned Garden
Old-Fashioned Girl (Old-Fashioned Boy)
Olga (Come Back To The Volga)
Omnibus
On My Yacht
Once Upon A Time
Only Another Boy And Girl
Open In Venice
Opera Star
Operatic Pills
Opportunity Knocks But Once
Our Crown
Our Hotel
Ours
Pagliacci
Paranoia
Paree, What Did You Do To Me?
Paris Loves Lovers
Per Favore
Perennial Debutantes
Perfectly Terrible
Peter Piper
Pets
Pick Me Up And Lay Me Down
Pilot Me
Pipe Dreaming
Pitter-Patter
Pity Me Please
Play Me A Tune
Please Don’t Make Me Be Good
Please Don’t Monkey With Broadway
Plumbing
Poker
Poor Young Millionaire
Pretty Little Missus Bell
Prithee Come Crusading With Me
Prologue (of Out of this World)
Public Enemy Number One
Put A Sack Over Their Heads
Quadrille
Queen Of The Yale Dramat
Queens Of Terpsichore
Quelque-Chose
Rap-Tap On Wood
Recall Goodhue
Red, Hot And Blue
Revelation Ensemble
Revenge
Rick-Chick-A-Chick
Riddle Diddle Me This
Ridin’ High
Ritz Roll And Rock
River God
Rolling Home
Rolling, Rolling
Rosalie
Rosebud
Rub Your Lamp
Ruins
Sailors Of The Sky
Salt Air
Satin And Silk
Saturday Night
Say It With Gin
Scandal
School, School, Heaven-Blessed School
Scotch Twins
Sea Chantey
See America First
See That You’re Born In Texas
Serenade
Sex Appeal
She Was A Fair Young Mermaid
Shootin’ The Works For Uncle Sam
Should I Tell You I Love You?
Si Vous Aimez Les Poitrines
Siberia Silk Stockings
Silver Moon
Since I Kissed My Baby Goodbye
Since Ma Got The Craze Espagnole
Since We’ve Met
Sing Jubilee
Sing Sing For Sing Sing
Sing To Me Guitar
Singing In The Saddle
Six Little Wives
Slave Auction
Slow Sinks The Sun
Snagtooth Gertie
So In Love
So Let Us Hail
So Long
So Long, Samoa
So Long, San Antonio
So Near And Yet So Far
So What?
Solomon
Somebody’s Going To Throw A Big Party
Something For The Boys
Something To Shout About
Something’s Got To Be Done
Song Of The Birds
South Sea Isles
Spring Love Is In The Air
Step We Grandly
Stereophonic Sound
Strolling
Strolling Quite Fancy Free
Submarine
Success
Suez Dance
Sunday Morning, Breakfast Time
Suttee Procession
Sweet Nudity
Sweet Simplicity
Swing That Swing
Swingin’ The Jinx Away
Syncopated Pipes Of Pan
Take It Easy
Take Me Back To Manhattan
Tarantella
Technique
Tequila
Texas Will Make You A Man
Thank You
Thank You So Much, Mrs. Lowsborough-Goodby
That Black And White Baby Of Mine
That Little Old Bar At The Ritz
That Rainbow Rag
That Zip Cornwall Cooch
That’s The News I’m Waiting To Hear
That’s What You Mean To Me
That’s Why I Love You
The American Express
The American Punch
The Band Started Swinging A Song
The Bandit Band
The Banjo That Man Joe Plays
The Bearded Lady
The Big Parade
The Blue Boy Blues
The Boy Friend Back Home
The Chiripah
The Cocotte
The Dollys And Their Collies
The Extra Man
The Garden Of Eden
The Gold Dusters Song
The Good-Will Movement
The Great Indoors
The Gypsy In Me
The Happy Heaven Of Harlem
The Harbor Deep Down In My Heart
The Heaven Of Harlem
The Heaven Top
The Judgment Of Paris
The Kling-Kling Bird On The Divi Divi Tree
The Lady I Love
The Lady I’ve Vowed To Wed
The Language Of Flowers
The Law
The Laziest Gal In Town
The Leader Of A Big-Time Band
The Life Of A Sailor
The Lost Liberty Blues
The Lovely Heroine
The Motor Car
The Night Of The Ball
The Old Rat Mort
The Old-Fashioned Waltz
The Ozarks Are Callin’ Me Home
The Perfume Of Love
The Physician
The Poor Rich
The Prep School Widow
The Queen Of Terre Haute
The Ragtime Pipes Of Pan
The Red Blues
The Scampi
The Side Car
The Snake In The Grass
The Social Coach Of All The Fashionable Future Debutantes
Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.
Sex is emotion in motion.
A hard man is good to find.
I’ve been in more laps than a napkin.
I’ve been things and seen places.
Don’t ever make the same mistake twice, unless it pays.
How do you do, Miss West? How do you do what?
When I’m good I’m very, very good, but when I’m bad, I’m better.
A man in the house is worth two in the street.
I generally avoid temptation unless I can’t resist it.
I like a man who’s good, but not too good – for the good die young, and I hate a dead one.
I like restraint, if it doesn’t go too far.
I never loved another person the way I loved myself.
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.
I only like two kinds of men, domestic and imported.
I speak two languages, Body and English.
I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
I’d like to see Paris before I die. Philadelphia will do.
I’ll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure.
All discarded lovers should be given a second chance, but with somebody else.
An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.
A dame that knows the ropes isn’t likely to get tied up.
A man can be short and dumpy and getting bald but if he has fire, women will like him.
A man has one hundred dollars and you leave him with two dollars, that’s subtraction.
A man’s kiss is his signature.
A woman in love can’t be reasonable – or she probably wouldn’t be in love.
Any time you got nothing to do – and lots of time to do it – come on up.
Cultivate your curves – they may be dangerous but they won’t be avoided.
Don’t keep a man guessing too long – he’s sure to find the answer somewhere else.
Don’t marry a man to reform him – that’s what reform schools are for.
Every man I meet wants to protect me. I can’t figure out what from.
Give a man a free hand and he’ll run it all over you.
He who hesitates is a damned fool.
He’s the kind of man a woman would have to marry to get rid of.
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
I only have ‘yes’ men around me. Who needs ‘no’ men?
It isn’t what I do, but how I do it. It isn’t what I say, but how I say it, and how I look when I do it and say it.
When women go wrong, men go right after them.
His mother should have thrown him out and kept the stork.
I always say, keep a diary and someday it’ll keep you.
I believe in censorship. I made a fortune out of it.
I believe that it’s better to be looked over than it is to be overlooked.
I didn’t discover curves; I only uncovered them.
I enjoyed the courtroom as just another stage but not so amusing as Broadway.
I’m a woman of very few words, but lots of action.
I’m no model lady. A model’s just an imitation of the real thing.
If I asked for a cup of coffee, someone would search for the double meaning.
It ain’t no sin if you crack a few laws now and then, just so long as you don’t break any.
It takes two to get one in trouble.
It’s hard to be funny when you have to be clean.
It’s not the men in my life that count, it’s the life in my men.
It’s not what I do, but the way I do it. It’s not what I say, but the way I say it.
Look your best – who said love is blind?
Love conquers all things except poverty and toothache.
Love isn’t an emotion or an instinct – it’s an art.
Love thy neighbor – and if he happens to be tall, debonair and devastating, it will be that much easier.
Marriage is a great institution, but I’m not ready for an institution.
One and one is two, and two and two is four, and five will get you ten if you know how to work it.
Opportunity knocks for every man, but you have to give a woman a ring.
Personality is the glitter that sends your little gleam across the footlights and the orchestra pit into that big black space where the audience is.
Personality is the most important thing to an actress’s success.
Right now I think censorship is necessary; the things they’re doing and saying in films right now just shouldn’t be allowed. There’s no dignity anymore and I think that’s very important.
Save a boyfriend for a rainy day – and another, in case it doesn’t rain.
Say what you want about long dresses, but they cover a multitude of shins.
She’s the kind of girl who climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong.
Ten men waiting for me at the door? Send one of them home, I’m tired.
The best way to hold a man is in your arms.
The score never interested me, only the game.
Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often.
To err is human, but it feels divine.
Too much of a good thing can be taxing.
Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.
Virtue has its own reward, but no sale at the box office.
Goodness, what lovely diamonds. Goodness had nothing to do with it, dearie.
No gold-digging for me… I take diamonds! We may be off the gold standard someday.
I’m no angel, but I’ve spread my wings a bit.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about you lately. You must be awful tired.
I’m a woman of very few words, but lots of action.
I can always tell a lady when I see one. Yeah? What do you tell ’em?
Too many girls follow the line of least resistance–but a good line is hard to resist.
Some men are all right in their place–if they only knew the right places!
I see you’re a man with ideals. I better be going while you’ve still got them.
Men are all alike–except the one you’ve met who’s different.
Men are my hobby, if I ever got married I’d have to give it up.
It’s not the men in my life that counts– it’s the life in my men.
Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?
I’m no model lady. A model’s just an imitation of the real thing.
Women with “pasts” interest men because men hope that history will repeat itself.
There are no withholding taxes on the wages of sin.
The best way to learn to be a lady is to see how other ladies do it.
Let men see what’s coming to them, and women will get what’s coming to them.
The curve is more powerful than the sword.
Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.
Some women pick men to marry–and others pick them to pieces.
Good women are no fun… The only good woman I can recall in history was Betsy Ross. And all she ever made was a flag.
You can do what you want, but saving love doesn’t bring any interest.
Love is the only industry which can’t operate on a five-day week.
Women want certain things in marriage–the right to a title and a front seat in the lap of luxury.
Men are easy to get but hard to keep.
It’s easy to get married, but hard to stay that way.
Kiss and make up–but too much makeup has ruined many a kiss.
A girl in the convertible is worth five in the phone book.
Life’s just a merry-go-round. Come on up. You might get a brass ring.
You may admire a girl’s curves on the first introduction, but the second meeting shows up new angles.
I take it out in the open and laugh at it.
Brains are an asset to the woman in love who’s smart enough to hide ’em.
Look your best–who said love is blind?
Girls, give all your gentlemen friends an even break, even if you have to break them in the attempt.
If you put your foot in it, be sure it’s your best foot.
It’s all right for a perfect stranger to kiss your hand as long as he’s perfect.
The best way to behave is to misbehave.
He who hesitates is last.
I’m single because I was born that way.
Marriage is a great institution. No family should be without it.
A man has more character in his face at forty than at twenty–he has suffered longer.
Don’t come crawlin’ to a man for love–he likes to get a run for his money.
Don’t cry for a man who’s left you–the next one may fall for your smile.
I’d give half my life for just one kiss. Then kiss me twice.
Oh, Miss West, I’ve heard so much about you. Yeah, honey, but you can’t prove a thing.
Never ask a man where’s he’s been. If he’s out on legitimate business, he doesn’t need an alibi. And, girls, if he has been out on illegitimate business, it’s your own fault.
Several years ago we decided to spruce-up an old canoe. Merle had some fiberglass repair experience, so we patched up the holes and thin skin spaces. We painted it with marine paint and then I added designs. The animal images are mainly Northwestern Indian designs. The one exception is the icon of the Adirondack Park Museum ‘Otter chasing a fish’ design.
Right Side Center – Frog
Right Side Rear – Turtle
Left Side Rear – Loon
Left Side Center – Fish
Left Side Front – Frog
Right Side Front – Otter
Right Side looking Rear
Left Side looking Rear
Right Side looking Forward
Left Side looking Forward
and … It all worked. Now several years later, it still works. But has been replaced as our primary canoe by a much lighter teflon beauty
Somewhere in the state of Washington is a canoe that I decorated in the 90’s. I don’t have pictures but the designs were from Chumash Indian cave paintings. Below are some of the paintings that I had …
We very much enjoy every Hertzog film that we’ve seen and found this one especially educational. We saw it in 3D and recommend that media, but don’t avoid it if only 2D is offered.
In preparing for our 2002 trip to China, we came across a most charming film “The King of Masks”. And then in China I discovered a set of matchbox covers with representations of more than 100 opera masks. These events piqued my interest and upon returning home I put together the following slideshow of mask changing.
The face changing, or “bian lian” in Chinese, is an important aspect of Chinese Sichuan opera. Performers wave their arms and twist their heads, and their painted masks change repeatedly.
Famed Sichuan Opera performer Wang Daozheng in a 2006 interview said the secret of “bian lian” leaked out during the 1986 visit of a Sichuan Opera troupe to Japan. Wang laments the leak of this Chinese traditional secret performance art and is concerned the foreign performers in Japan, Singapore, South Korea and other countries are not well-trained. Wang argues that “bian lian” is one of the traditional arts protected by PRC secrecy laws but PRC Ministry of Culture officials said that that is not true.
Recently, Hong Kong pop star Andy Lau learned this secret art from skilled masters by paying them about 3,000,000 yuan (360,000), much to the chagrin of other old experts. Andy Lau only learned how to do the trick, but has not yet mastered it. This secret has been passed down from one generation to the next within families. In fact only males are permitted to learn Bian Lian. The old way of thinking was that women do not stay within the family and would marry out, increasing the risk the secret would be passed to another family. Therefore the art is technically forbidden to women. A Malaysian Chinese girl named Candy Chong has recently become a popular performer after learning it from her father.
Bian Lian is rarely seen performed in the United States because foreigners are not permitted to learn the art form. American Magician Dan Chan is one of a handful of performers who perform Bian Lian in the United States. Dan has been featured on Chinese newspapers, radio and television discussing Chinese culture and variety arts in China. Juliana Chen introduced her card manipulation on a World’s Greatest Magic TV special with a brief black light performance of Bian Lian. Michael Stroud, creator of the long-running Magique Bazaar theater show, is the first professional magician to bring it to the US after a cultural exchange with China.
Several years ago in Los Angeles for the Chinese New Year celebration we were treated to a Mask Changing performance. I don’t remember the performers name but it probably was Dan Chan. He was very impressive and did about a dozen mask changes.
Throughout Europe, Spain & especially Barcelona images of Saint George slaying the dragon are very common. When we arrived in 2003 it struck me that I was being welcomed by all this “George” celebration, and so I was driven to take pictures of them all… (14 minutes worth if you have the time)
Perhaps the reason why the story about Saint George is so important to the Catalans is that it is seen as an allegory of their own history, the evil dragon being a symbol of Madrid/ the Central Power and the local knight the savior of the village. Saint George is the Patron Saint of Catalan, as well as for many other communities.
from Wikipedia: La Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George’s Day), also known as El dia de la Rosa (The Day of the Rose) or El dia del Llibre (The Day of the Book) is a Catalan holiday held on 23 April, with similarities to Valentine’s Day and some unique twists that reflect the antiquity of the celebrations. The main event is the exchange of gifts between sweethearts, loved ones and respected ones. Historically, men gave women roses, and women gave men a book to celebrate the occasion—”a rose for love and a book forever.” In modern times, the mutual exchange of books is also customary. Roses have been associated with this day since medieval times, but the giving of books is a more recent tradition originating in 1923, when a bookseller started to promote the holiday as a way to commemorate the nearly simultaneous deaths of Miguel Cervantes and William Shakespeare on 23 April 1616. Barcelona is the publishing capital of both Catalan and Spanish languages and the combination of love and literacy was quickly adopted.
In Barcelona’s most visited street, La Rambla, and all over Catalonia, thousands of stands of roses and makeshift bookstalls are hastily set up for the occasion. By the end of the day, some four million roses and 800,000 books will have been purchased. Most women will carry a rose in hand, and half of the total yearly book sales in Catalonia take place on this occasion.
The sardana, the national dance of Catalonia, is performed throughout the day in the Plaça Sant Jaume in Barcelona. Many book stores and cafes host readings by authors (including 24-hour marathon readings of Cervantes’ “Don Quixote“). Street performers and musicians in public squares add to the day’s atmosphere.
23 April is also the only day of the year when the Palau de la Generalitat, Barcelona’s principal government building, is open to the public. The interior is decorated with roses to honour Saint George.
Catalonia exported its tradition of the book and the rose to the rest of the world. In 1995, the UNESCO adopted 23 April as World Book and Copyright Day.
This Slideshow is of people we met in Bhutan and India during our visit there in 2009. In general the pictures progress from Bhutan through to southern India.
We started our adventure in Calcutta. After the shock of poverty, we flew to Paro Bhutan, then to Timphu and the remote areas. Then we flew to Delhi and on to Jaipur, Ranthambhore, Geejgar, Agra, Varanasi and Cochin. We finished our visit in Mumbai. The map below will give you a general feeling for our path.
Many of the smiling faces were produced by my “magic”. I have one wonderful rope trick that I perform very well and often. Whenever we were in the company of locals I would “put on my show”. I would enhance the joy by opening my hand to show the tangle of ropes responsible for the illusion. They loved it! And Merle was ready with her camera to catch their response.
The slideshow was produced using iPhoto.
We hope you enjoy these smiling faces as much as we have.
Jorge's Ponderings 
