How much stranger can things get in this class?

Well you are about to find out, all in the few minutes we normally wait before starting the quiz.

There's a Biochemistry class in here at 3 pm following the MWF class.
The man that teaches the class comes in every day
and plays music just before the start of class.
That's something I've though I might try here in NATS 101.
Why not play some soothing music today, for example, before the quiz, to relieve tension.

One big problem
I own a total of 2 CDs
both by the same artist, someone you probably have never heard of.

I had pretty much given up on the idea
until last Tuesday night










We had a poll in this class and in the MWF earlier this week
(results will appear on the class webpage)

There were a small number of students in the MWF class that suggested
one of the topics we should cover
was how I spend my time when I'm not at The University ??!!?

Well one thing I do, is watch more television than I probably should
(Survivor, The Amazing Race, American Idol, that sort of thing)

I was watching American Idol Tuesday night (the theme was inspirational songs)
(you should know by now what I'll be watching tonight)

One of the contestants, Jason Castro a young man with dreadlocks,
 announced he would be singing

Brother Iz's version of "Somewhere over the Rainbow"
He was referring to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (Iz for short)

My jaw dropped open at this point and
I said to myself "I don't believe it."












Because a couple of years ago
I was watching another TV show (Cold Case)
and right at the end when justice was being served
and all the loose ends were being tied up
on comes this really beautiful version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Turns out it was Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
and those 2 CDs that I own
are Iz CDs that I bought after hearing the song on TV

Jason Castro did a nice job last night
and got enthusiastic reviews
but Iz's version is a lot better











So I'm going to play it for you today

I hope you like it and do well on today's quiz

If you don't like it,
sorry
but the song will be over in about 3 1/2  minutes
and we'll start the quiz at about the same time we normally would











Iz died in 1997 of weight related respiratory illness at the age of 38
at one point he weighed over 700 pounds
his coffin lay in state at the state Capitol in Honolulu
the 3rd person to have received this honor











The song will be over soon.

This probably a good time to start to clear materials off your desks
If you're wearing a hat please either take it off or turn it around backwards.