GammaGlobulin

Somehow, the last half of my previous comment became truncated, inexplicably. Maybe I was too lazy to post it quickly enough, or something… Anyway, Speaking of Maugham… Kind of an interesting character who probably knew more than most about ennui and bondage…although…whether or not he actually practiced bondage is anyone's guess. He was not married for most of his life, of course. And this fact argues AGAINST boredom, in my opinion. Also, his writing style was obviously influenced by his crackerjack education at some rather good schools, such as… The King’s School, Canterbury Heidelberg University, and King’s College London Maugham wrote with great sensitivity and is one of my favorite authors. Maybe, in my ennui, I should begin re-reading all of the writings of good old Somerset. (Why did he choose the name Somerset instead of Summerset, or Sunset, though, is my question. During the Cold Season here in Thailand, I have plenty of time to ask such questions, naturally enough.) Sunset was an ENNUI specialist writing about things like life on rubber plantations or growing copra.

Ennui is sort of a Somerset Maugham kind of word. Think of ennui on some humid tropical island with nothing but gin and sand fleas, and the constant blowing of the trade winds, or something. Somerset wrote a lot about ennui, I think. Nothing good comes of it, and even murders can happen. Just read more Maugham.

I don't even have the motivation to google on Google anymore. So... You are doing quite well, comparatively.

At this time of year, I should be skiing in either Nagano, Japan, or at Aspen, Colorado. Cannot make up my mind... But... Still time, obviously, before the slopes have turned to slush.

There is a time and a place for all things...maybe... Mental illness is no joke. Obviously, some people have their wires crossed. And, it's sad to see. (Personally, I would not want to see it, however.)

My fellow Cold-Season Ennui Sufferers: It happens every year to me, to a lesser or greater extent. Most likely it happens to YOU, too. I wonder what causes this ennui, since I am living in a beautiful environment. Maybe it is seeing the grass turn from bright green to a brownish-green color? Or, maybe it is the changing inclination of the rays from the sun? Maybe it is the darker blue of the sky, due to the angle of incidence as the light from the sun hits the upper atmosphere, causing colors to change on the ground around me. When I lived in a colder climate, such as New England, there might have been a valid reason for ennui. But here in Thailand, even in Chiang Mai, why does the light of winter months still affect us to some extent? Every year, like clockwork, this listlessness arrives with the months of January and February. What do YOU do to combat this slight comparative loss of affect? How do you stay motivated, for example? Even the excitement of continuing to learn passa Thai becomes slightly diminished for me, and I yearn for a more motivated perspective on "things". I realize that if I could JUST GET moving, and if I could engage in useful and helpful activities, then this feeling of slight despair would surely vanish, almost entirely. I know that, come the middle of February, in preparation for the HOT Season, all such feelings I am here describing will surely vanish into the smoke. This is why I like the Smoking Season and the HOT Season here in Thailand. Like a snake or other cold-blooded animal, I seem to crave the heat of Thailand to keep me moving, and moving forward. This is not a JOKE post, of course. What do you do? AND, more importantly for me, what SHOULD I DO? Any useful thoughts on this matter? Thank you. Gamma NOTE: I should have made this post longer and more detailed; but I am feeling the effects of the Winter Solstice Sun Angle, about now, me thinks. NOTE2: In past years, I have always relied on Thai language learning as my go-to anodyne for wiping away the ennui. This year, however, I am feeling more resistance to taking up the flashcard app. I think I may still have not recovered from the PanDumic, almost three years of relative isolation, during which time I was not as engaged with Thai people speaking Thai. If we are unable to speak Thai to Thai people while here in Thailand, then why are we here, anyway? So, speaking Thai to Thai people helps me, greatly, with my Thai-language acquisition efforts, and my feelings of happiness, as well. I really need to talk to the locals, instead of talking to myself, maybe. I have stopped, even, talking to myself in Thai, or answering myself in Thai, these days....It has gotten that bad. More Thai study for me is the ONLY way to get out of my rut, maybe...

Middle of the night makes no difference. I, for one, post most of my comments in the middle of the night, peaking at around 5AM, Thailand time.

The Brandenburg, it seems to me, is sort of the best entry to JS Bach listening for those new to JS Bach and classical music appreciation. In this respect, I would liken it to Vivaldi's Four Seasons....

When you are in the mood....Then Go for it. Life is too short to waste precious moments such as these. I never write with tongue in cheek. Too confusing.

Have you never studied Evolution theory? All your questions should have been clearly answered if you had.

Karajan is great. He has produced a great many recordings. Though he may have joined the Nazi party, I still appreciate the recordings he produced.

The farang pub. Only the Farang Pub on TV....of course.

Normally, I prefer chamber music. Baroque is what I prefer. Anyway, there are musicians that use period instruments to play Bach. This is an old debate.

The point is... One listens to the same piece of music performed by different musicians, composers, and orchestras and form opinions about which is preferred. I prefer chamber music, and I know which performance I prefer compared to others. It's just a matter of preference, based on various important factors.

Besides playing it at half speed, you should really try playing it at quarter speed...BACKWARDS..... Be creative!

Actually, I might think that The Brandenburg is sort of entry-level Bach. And then, branch out from there.... Maybe, after a while, listen to Rostropovich and Cello Solo....for example. Also, the Bach cantatas are amazing....

I believe in JS Bach. JS Bach believed in God.

Different, but still the same. Regards,

My pleasure. Take care. Happy listening....

Full of irony? This is my best guess, by the way.... Chill...a bit....dude!

Hi Folks, I have been listening to Von Karajan for many, MANY years. Here is my favorite which is the Great Von Conducting the Great JS Bach's Brandenburg. What do you think? Good? Great? Sublime? Uplifting? Music for the GODS? JS Bach composed for God. And, Von Karajan was Godlike in his interpretation of JS Bach. So, I will try to attach the music here, if I can. Let's hope all goes as well as it should. Regards, Gamma Note: I have chosen to upload the compressed file I was able to find somewhere on the internet. You can just use something like 7UP to decompress the contained files, and listen. Truly Magnificent. Von Karajan and JS Bach are two of the things that make life worth living for me. NOTE2: Normally, I do not try to be so uplifting in my Topics because most people here are living in the gutter, I assume, and dislike any reference to a higher plane of life. Still, if you listen to JS Bach, the music can change your brain for the better. Of course, not all people on TV will be able to listen...since....I assume...they might just not have what it takes....IQ-wise. NOTE3: The reason I posted this Topic here is because.....The Farang Pub needs a bit more uplifting class, and Classical.... J.S. Bach - The Brandenburg Concertos (Karajan) (1965) [FLAC]-20230407T052818Z-001.zip

Yes. Nobody sells genuine 1 TByte SSd for Bt.1000 The price of RAM/MemoryChips is sort of a commodity, worldwide prices of RAM/Memory are what they are.

Naples? Or, Marco Island....

I find it intriguing and interesting that you were able to hold onto this book for 60 years. Faber published a number of great books over the years. But, how does one hold onto a book for 60 years, I would like to know. Wish I had done so.

Large family, obviously. Cleanliness is next to Godliness, it is said... Think of the amount of electric power you saved by relying on the sun to dry all those clothes and sheets.