@Daniel
I was in a local jewellers a fortnight ago and was shown a fabulous tanzanite ring. Ā£13,000
I kid you not, stunning rich blue, large of course.
It's gone
(no not me
)
but they still have some earrings...
https://bradleysthejewellers.com/search?q=tanzanite*&type=product
@ShiroKuro
Omaze was banned in the USA.
Now over here, they give a small percentage of their takings to charity (the bulk goes to the company).
So it's all good.
And it is possible to enter the competition free by post (85p stamp). So its all good.
Would a bedroom suit, or convert the gym to a music room?
Love the open plan design and space. Not sure where you put the piano so as not to disturb your partner/family.
I'm going to enter this house competition I like it that much:
https://omaze.co.uk/pages/lake-district-iii?origin=serp_auto
When I win, where to put the piano?
If its anything like the UK, probably nowt really changes very much over a few years.
I mean, we gave 6 billion to Ukraine last year in our 'proxy war' with Russia and what do I recall?
A few people protested about some things, like wages not keeping up with inflation, or some world injustice.
But taxes, illegal immigration, price of a tin of soup? All go up a bit as usual. Climate change doesn't affect us.
Newish LabourDem Starmer government will be the same as the old boss.
I've completely stopped worrying, often have little whinge at the news (often aimed at young males who haven't a clue), then go do something like play with the dog.
@pique
I'm sorry to read about your arthritis and hope you find some treatment.
My mother got it when very old in her eighties, my father never did; fingers crossed I have Dad's physique.
Great to hear your piano still thrills. Perhaps little and often will be the way to prevent pain?
That's how I now play now we're retired, to avoid left arm aches from playing 10ths. I wander into the sitting room maybe three times a day to noodle for half an hour.
After reading through your book I took a closer look at the internals of our piano and decided it needs regulation work as well as tuning. I have to choose from a few names suggested by Steinway & Buthner. That takes some concern out of the process, but I guess everyone here will understand the worry of a stranger messing with the pins on what is like an extra child in the family.
About time we named him. I feel he's a he
Terrific article that makes me want to see the whole collection.
@kluurs
You're spot on, black fits and does look good. And my sister had to have black, "it's the proper finish". (But when did it become the norm?)
Chappels must have had 20 pianos and they were all black. Bluthner the same.
Looking at the Korg website, this was new:
https://www.musicradar.com/news/korg-chopin-piano-poetry?origin=serp_auto
Apple
I recall Mark, isn't he also an astronomer? But posts at tncr?
The next video that comes up is of Mary Anna, sounding very nice. Is that perhaps a NY Steinway she's playing?
Wow thanks for the replies.
Couldn't remember exactly who had what, now two decades ago! Was it Sir Lurksalot who had an Estonia.
Anyway, Ax, such lovely playing on your Kawai, and like your artistic style.
Kawai remain quite rare; unlike Yamaha probably thanks to Chappells and their marketing. Very popular, piano produced for all levels and types of performer.
Kluurs, what finish has your SteinwayB?
I notice my piano change timbre over the day as temperature/humidity change slightly. Even a couple of degrees temperature can change it.
Re digitals, when we lived in a flat 1990-2002 I got us a Korg. Loved it and soon forgot the cost.
Weighted keys, double sampled Bosendorfer and three mode choices room/hall/concert. Plus a spinet option and key-change.
Cost a fortune for no fancy stuff, but at the time it was the nearest any digital could be to a decent piano.
After a dozen years of regular practice the plastic keys were showing their age, some lacking original touch, so sold it on cheap to a complete beginner as it fit under her stairs.
BigAl, 30 years service from any electronics has to be pretty damn good value for money. Maybe get another Yamaha if you like their sound.
My sister has a Roland inherited from an Aunt, which is probably a similar age, though little used.
Can I ask you all another question. Is it only me that's a bit bored with black 
PK. Most engaging and entertaining book, bringing to mind much from my search in 2002/03.
But going much further, all very interesting.
Are you still perfectly happy with Marlene?
I was wondering if other people from back then are still happy or have changed e.g. Jon & Jolly with Bosies, Ax a yamaha? George an Estonia?etc
It would be interesting to know what piano people here have and love?
I had to settle for an upright, beautiful though the sound is. The full concert size Stuart & Sons was the one piano that stopped me in my tracks (probably as your Grotrian did for you). Had been prepped for 5 days for a concert the night before. And I recall roughly what Axtremus said "If my piano could be prepped for 5 days"
Lol.
Ah well, S&S size is still problematic, so perhaps I'll settle for the Steinway B walnut 8x8 Spirio I rather liked and which they inform me is in their November sale, about 25k off.
Now a snip at Ā£302,250
š¤Ŗ
She is a beautiful dog and an absolute live wire!
@ShiroKuro
Quote is from one of the better UK newspapers, the i.
Talking of foreign press, Trump isn't popular in Germany and this weeks Die Zeit was amusingly concise with a piece headlined in bold:
F***
It's true that people assess their lives by whether they can afford things, a little luxury, a new car or holiday. If not, they are ready to punish people in power.
Yet the USA has economic growth we Brits can only dream about; your inflation, your pay packets.
"It's hard to summon up the kind of empathy which explains why someone votes for Donald Trump. It's hard to conceive of how someone could hear him talk of eugenics, could watch him slip into violent fantasies, could see this representation of all the most selfish and childish instincts in the human personality and think:
yeah, I want more of that."
Genius indeed. Where to start, how about with one of the greatest albums ever:
Off The Wall, 1979 produced with Michael Jackson in his youthful prime.
One of my daughters is holidaying in Japan, happily reporting that Trump winning has improved her Sterling-Yen exchange rate.
I do wonder if, 30-40 years from now, people will be writing half hour sitcoms with amusing songs about our times.
For WW2 we made Dad's Army, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, and Allo Allo.
Kudos where it's due.
He's a fighter, been under assault psychologically, politically, legally and literally.
It only takes a couple of % swing, the US is so evenly split. And the anti-incumbent thing is a factor.
Will he finish his wall?
Will he impose more Chinese import tariffs?
Stop aid for Ukraine and give it all to Israel?
Is the Pope catholic
@wtg Interesting article.
Any person that charges in any way for what is a religious/Christian act is highly suspect of being a fraud imo.
Ouija boards 
Though a small/nominal contribution toward the running of a church circle/healing service may be excepted if you turn up.
My mum worked at Consett Iron Works in the late 1940's. One lunch she walked in on other girls trying a ouija board. Put her finger on whatever is meant to move and it moved. Freaked them out. She'd be about 18/20 at the time.
Dad and his siblings all had this gift.
My Mum & Dad were brought up CofE and Methodist. But I realised later they also occasionally went Wednesdays to a local spiritualist church.
When they sat with me at home they used A-Z cards from a game called Lexicon, spreading them in a circle on our dining table, and a 3" glass on which you could just fit about 4 finger tips, maybe 1.5" in diameter (it was used for various spirits
).
Directly, automatic writing, whatever, if you can do it, you can.
Or to develop, find a sincere and mature group of people who will allow you to sit with them.
