So Dave Brubeck died today. A great loss, though he lived a very long life. I recall a conversation some years back where a guy told me he’d tried to get into jazz but just couldn’t. I agreed that I don’t get jazz either. “But I do like Dave Brubeck’s ‘Take Five,’” I said.

According to this piece at First Things, Brubeck was a convert to Catholicism. I recall a (different) friend telling me quite a few years ago that Brubeck was coming to his church to lead a musical event. So I’d heard he was a Christian, but didn’t know which branch.

They can always use another ivory maestro in heaven, I’m sure.

Haven’t written a rambling, self-indulgent post about my own life for a while. Come to think of it, our stats have gone up too. I wonder if there’s any connection… no. Impossible.

I did Thanksgiving with the family as is the custom, and it went pretty well. Except that I slipped down the basement stairs in the morning while getting the turkey ready, and came out pretty sore. It’s getting better slowly, but I’m confident I bent my tailbone. Again. I did it once before, years and years ago, and as it happens it occurred right here in Roseville, the summer I was doing youth work here. I should probably move away for my own safety. On the other hand, if it’s another 40 years before the next accident, I guess I’m pretty safe, even if I live as long as Brubeck. I did not go to see a doctor. He’d only tell me to apply heat and take pain killers, which I’m doing anyway.

I finally replaced the rubber stair treads I’d been meaning to put in for seven years, though.

The translation job forges on. I had one of those little “eureka” moments last night. The author, in talking about King Harald Finehair’s political system, used a Norwegian term, “statsapparatt.” I translated it literally – “state apparatus” – but knew a better term was out there somewhere. Last night I got it at last – “political machine.” I’m pretty confident that’s the actual idea. This pleased me no end.

Words are my life. Pathetic, isn’t it?