Wednesday, January 21, 2004
interesting things i've learned recently
a reliable enough source told me that listening to mozart further stimulates an infant's prenatal and postnatal development. i didn't get to clarify whether this was intellectual, emotional, physical or what, but i figure it's neuro-related.
but the point is that music by a specific composer could actually influence something such as the development of an infant human. i could understand when we say that oh, don't listen to rock, or don't listen to 'hard' music, listen to classical stuff in general. but the works of one person in particular having a universally profound effect? whoa, that's better than getting $300M in ticket sales in a year- this transcends whatever precincts you can think of. did it occur to the dude then that he would be making such affecting music?
come to think of it, mozart wrote operas at, what, 16, 17 years of age? what the heck, this guy's better than any modern pop/rock genius out there. what 17-year-old would be having his pieces still played (and enjoyed immensely) over a century after his death? he, apparently.
of course, you can argue that he's 'one in a googolplex', but, heck, so are we. that only adds to his legacy, and possibly inspire us of our own.
because is it really so that only a 'one in a googolplex' person like mozart is capable of acheivements like his?
special mention to my reliable source
i also found out that this aforementioned reliable source is acquaintances with a certain otto penzler. otto penzler happens to be the mystery series editor for the best american series. i have read a few volumes from this series (and am eagerly anticipating borrowing another one), and i must say that his task is daunting- having to choose fifty among hundreds of submissions from various sources (the guest editor chooses around 20 from penzler's initial selection), and not to mention fun- i would gladly take up part of his load and read mystery stories all day to make an eventual selection.
anyway, in the description to the mysterious bookshop, it says that it's a two-story bookstore with the artist's rendition showing what looks like a small, old loft. turns out, however, that the place has a huge back door that actually houses a library- think floor-to-ceiling bookcases- of more titles you can shake a finger at. i'm sure it's a reader's dream to visit the place and actually see this library, and i've added this place to my list of places of pilgrimage (along with a damn barnes and noble already- damn, bn rocks!)
another notable collection
ed gorman's the world's finest mystery and crime stories is also a superior collection of mystery tales, maybe even more so, due to the fact that this considers international entries. i have also read a couple of editions of these books, the stories of which are bound to either thrill, startle, or leave you with a wry smile (the last reaction of which i can assure you of.)
i may be posting online sources, but these books are available at the local bookshops here (i'm a bit particular to a place in makati that used to be the franchise of a singapore bookseller.) and if you come across them, do give them a quick browse. the contents of these books definitely live up to their pedigrees.
and finally (since we're talking about shops)...
my favorite stores. what i'd give to go back to these places and spend a day each in them. yeah.
a reliable enough source told me that listening to mozart further stimulates an infant's prenatal and postnatal development. i didn't get to clarify whether this was intellectual, emotional, physical or what, but i figure it's neuro-related.
but the point is that music by a specific composer could actually influence something such as the development of an infant human. i could understand when we say that oh, don't listen to rock, or don't listen to 'hard' music, listen to classical stuff in general. but the works of one person in particular having a universally profound effect? whoa, that's better than getting $300M in ticket sales in a year- this transcends whatever precincts you can think of. did it occur to the dude then that he would be making such affecting music?
come to think of it, mozart wrote operas at, what, 16, 17 years of age? what the heck, this guy's better than any modern pop/rock genius out there. what 17-year-old would be having his pieces still played (and enjoyed immensely) over a century after his death? he, apparently.
of course, you can argue that he's 'one in a googolplex', but, heck, so are we. that only adds to his legacy, and possibly inspire us of our own.
because is it really so that only a 'one in a googolplex' person like mozart is capable of acheivements like his?
special mention to my reliable source
i also found out that this aforementioned reliable source is acquaintances with a certain otto penzler. otto penzler happens to be the mystery series editor for the best american series. i have read a few volumes from this series (and am eagerly anticipating borrowing another one), and i must say that his task is daunting- having to choose fifty among hundreds of submissions from various sources (the guest editor chooses around 20 from penzler's initial selection), and not to mention fun- i would gladly take up part of his load and read mystery stories all day to make an eventual selection.
anyway, in the description to the mysterious bookshop, it says that it's a two-story bookstore with the artist's rendition showing what looks like a small, old loft. turns out, however, that the place has a huge back door that actually houses a library- think floor-to-ceiling bookcases- of more titles you can shake a finger at. i'm sure it's a reader's dream to visit the place and actually see this library, and i've added this place to my list of places of pilgrimage (along with a damn barnes and noble already- damn, bn rocks!)
another notable collection
ed gorman's the world's finest mystery and crime stories is also a superior collection of mystery tales, maybe even more so, due to the fact that this considers international entries. i have also read a couple of editions of these books, the stories of which are bound to either thrill, startle, or leave you with a wry smile (the last reaction of which i can assure you of.)
i may be posting online sources, but these books are available at the local bookshops here (i'm a bit particular to a place in makati that used to be the franchise of a singapore bookseller.) and if you come across them, do give them a quick browse. the contents of these books definitely live up to their pedigrees.
and finally (since we're talking about shops)...
my favorite stores. what i'd give to go back to these places and spend a day each in them. yeah.
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