Mithrandir

Simple is Harder

George Ninos — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:33:51 +0000

Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.

– Steve Jobs

Farewell Steve

George Ninos — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:15:31 +0000

Thank you for your vision, innovation, and determination.

Off to School

George Ninos — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:25:27 +0000

Yesterday was the first day my daughter and son attended school. Well, my daughter attended when she was much younger — kindergarten and grade 1, but my son has never attended school before. I should mention that my children are home-schooled.

So entering high-school in grade nine for my daughter is a big step. Although we didn’t plan to put my son in school for another while, he asked if he could attend. He will be attending grade 7.

It’s quite a change for them both. Speaking with them when I arrived home yesterday, they were excited and enjoyed their day — both looking forward to returning.

Time will tell how they find school as the winter comes and it is not as pleasant coming and going to school — walking in the cold and snow to catch the bus in the early morning.

I guess this is a milestone in each of our lives and I wish these beautiful, bright, children the best in their time at school. I know they will do great and make some friends they will remember throughout their lives.

Happy Birthday Freddy

George Ninos — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 22:28:46 +0000

On what would have been Freddy Mercury’s 65th birthday today, I was touched to see Freddy Mercury’s Google doodle tribute to the incredible singer. Truly fitting! Thank you Google.

Queen’s The Game album was the very first record I bought. I was hooked from that point forward. I went on to find all their older albums, each amazing me with it’s own theme (A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, News of the World, Jazz…) The magical singing of Freddy combined with Brian May’s guitar playing had me eagerly awaiting each new album as it was released.

In the early 1980′s, I saw my first rock concert — Queen of course! I was 14 and visited Maple Leaf Gardens in downtown Toronto with my best friend Mark and his older brother Paul. I didn’t realize at the time, but it was one of Queen’s final concerts before Freddy’s illness stopped the shows. It was an incredible concert. To this day I have never seen a more entertaining and energetic concert then that first one. I was truly lucky to see them live.

So today, it is a little bittersweet to listen to those old albums — appreciating the great music and Freddy’s unrivaled voice. Enjoying the music, but missing the artist behind it.

Happy birthday Freddy. You are remembered and missed.