Tag: Music
-
42 Years Ago, in a High School Not So Far Away (A Tempus Fugit Gig)
—
by
in Alex Diaz-Granados, Billy Joel, Blogging, Cold War (1945-1991), Computers, John Williams (Composer), Life in Florida, Life in Miami (1972-2016), Life in South Florida, Personal History, Personal Thoughts, Personal Thoughts, South Miami Senior High School, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Tempus fugit, U.S. History42 Years Ago, in a High School Not So Far Away…. Late Morning, Tuesday, June 17, 2025 — Miami, Florida “It was only high school, after all—arguably one of the most bizarre periods in a person’s life. How anyone emerges well-adjusted is nothing short of a miracle.” — E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly A…
-
Summer Heat, a Writer’s Doubts, and Music as Medicine
—
by
in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Creative Writing, Depression, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Life in Florida, Life in New Hampshire (December 2023 – October 2024), Melodies and Memories: Music, Songs, and Singers, Personal Thoughts, Reunion Duology, Reunion: Coda, Summer in FloridaAfternoon, Friday, June 13, 2025, Miami, Florida The subtropical sun is relentless today, casting its familiar heat over Coral Terrace. At 87°F (31°C) under mostly sunny skies, the humidity sits at a heavy 67%, making it feel more like 93°F (34°C). A southeasterly breeze at 14 MPH (23 Km/H) offers a little relief, though not…
-
Where Time’s Winds Blow: The Scene That Started It All
Every story has a beginning. Sometimes, that beginning is clear and deliberate—a spark of inspiration that feels undeniable. Other times, it sneaks up on you, a seemingly small moment that quietly takes root, only revealing its true significance years later. For Reunion: A Story, that moment came in the late 1980s when I was a…
-
Midweek Musings: Music, Memories, and More ‘Reunion: Coda’ Royalties!
—
by
in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Creative Writing, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Kiri Sings Kern, Kiri Te Kanawa (Dame Kiri), Life in Florida, Life in Miami….Again, Life in New Hampshire (December 2023 – October 2024), Music, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: CodaAfternoon, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, Miami, Florida Hello, Dear Reader! It’s a splendidly sunny late spring day here in southeast Florida. The temperature has climbed to 88°F (31°C), and with the humidity sitting at 52% and a gentle west-southwest breeze wafting at 5 MPH (8 Km/H), it feels closer to 95°F (36°C). Yes, it’s one…
-
More Musings for Mother’s Day 2025: Of Mothers, Sons…and Music
Evening, Sunday, May 11, 2025 – Miami, Florida Mother’s Day always brings a mix of emotions. The ache of missing my mother is ever-present, but today, I choose to celebrate the memories—the quiet, joyful moments that defined our bond. Mom and I shared an unspoken connection through the things we loved: books, films, dogs, and…
-
A Musicale for the Last Monday in April 2025
Late Morning, Monday, April 28, 2025, Miami, Florida Hi, there. Here in my corner of South Florida, it is a hot, sunny first day of the regular workweek. Currently, the temperature is 82°F (28°C) under sunny skies. With humidity at 58% and the wind blowing from the east at 9 MPH (15 Km/H), the heat…
-
Late Night Reflections: Writing After Dark
Night, Sunday, April 27, 2025, Miami, Florida If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. It’s almost 10 PM here as I write this, the second blog post on this last Sunday of April 2025. I rarely do this so late; I may have done it a few times when I lived in Tampa,…
-
Behind the Music: “Boy of Harvard” and Its Dreamy Origins
Exploring the playful creativity of Reunion: Coda When it comes to weaving whimsy into storytelling, the dream sequence in Reunion: Coda is a standout moment. Set during Jim Garraty’s high school commencement, this scene offers readers a glimpse into the humorous and poignant workings of Jim’s imagination as he dozes off during an inspirational speech.…
-
Dear Reader, Let Me Tell You a Story…: Where Memories, Music, and Fiction Cross Paths
The Winter Concert: A Glimpse into ‘Reunion: Coda’ In various chapters of Reunion: Coda, I’ve sought to weave together echoes of my past and the vibrant, emotional textures of high school life. This particular excerpt comes from “The Winter Concert,” a chapter based on my memories of South Miami Senior High School in the early…
-
Dear Reader, Let Me Tell You a Story…: A Fusion of Memory, Music, and Fiction
This scene holds a special place in my heart because it draws deeply from my own high school experiences—the adrenaline of performing, the camaraderie of backstage friendships, and the bittersweet ache of a crush you can’t quite reach. It’s a spoiler-free glimpse into Jim’s high school arc and brings together the Big Three of this…
A Certain Point of View, Too 