The Big Project

We are undertaking a landscape renovation with our son Willy directing the architectural elements and his friend Scot taking on the specific landscaping architecture part. Very exciting for all involved and though of modest magnitude, an exciting project.

The Curious Value of Music

I just finished reading Dr. Oliver Sachs's book Musicophilia. He describes and presents explanations of the effects of the music on people with various forms of brain damage and/or congenital disorders. He expands on how helpful music therapy can be for folks with motion disorders like Parkinsonism, stuttering, etc. He also goes into the issue of folks with no ability to appreciated music emotionally. The brain pathways are described as best one knows them that correspond to the things described. I found the plasticity and ability to repair itself via music therapy most positive. So keep listening (and maybe learning to play music).

More Utah

The images from Utah continue to attract me. So here are some more. They are in Black and White because I am playing with that a bit.

Odd Bits and Pieces

I recently got back from a trip to Virginia and posted the images on my SmugMug blog. You probably have seen them. I recently went back to a Utah Elderhostel set of photographs which I found interesting. Finally, as some of you might remember, I reported on a new preamp from Bent Audio. This has been an ongoing pleasure. Most new audio gear sort of becomes less enlightening as time goes by. I think when the combination of equipment is right the music always comes through and the equipment sort of fade into the background. Next time I will list some of my favorite recordings.

Obviously the px are from Utah.

Atlanta Aquarium-A Magical Garden of Fish

The Atlanta Botanical Garden was treasure one of our trip. Treasure two was the Georgia Aquarium. It is an underwater treasure. The total experience reminds me of the Beatle's song about the octopus's garden.

Have fun and there is probably more to come.

Listening

It is time for a listening post for those who dig such. I am not generally a fan of giant collections but the reissue on CD of the Complete Haydn Symphonies conducted by Antal Dorati is worth the $70 it costs. The recordings are good so far. I have listened to the first 3 disks including symphonies 1-12. This has been done over a few evenings. The music is extremely interesting as it is full of surprises in structure and rhythm. The sound is rich, spacious and makes make want to go hear the symphonies in a live concert.

The set is Decca 478 1221 and has 33 CD's. All that music for less than dinner for two at a decent restaurant and a movie.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

This weekend we took a trip to Atlanta. The first destination was the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Botanical gardens are magical places and this garden is one of the best. I will probably put a larger selection on my SmugMug