WTF-Beta

A few decades back, I remember a guy at our gym who would serenade us with songs from the big band era. We were charmed by his dreamy memories. And now I'm the age he was - wondering if others now think of me as a friendly fossil as I thought of him.

Doug's old enough to remember the start of agriculture in the fertile crescent.

There was another similar book, Play It Again: An Amateur Against the Impossible by former Guardian editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger, who wrote about learning Chopin's Ballade in G minor. The book also weaves his life into the story of learning the ballade. He talked about using social media and his connections to musical elites — like Alfred Brendel. It wasn't a life-changing endeavor, but it was a pleasant read. I liked it a bit more than Noah's book — though I enjoyed both. Anyone with piano lust always gets my attention.

I just finished the audiobook. I liked it. She studied piano - and it comes through. There's a little bit of music interlaced into the audiobook - but not a lot - mostly, very brief excerpts. I recommend it.

love it

That's one nice looking turntable. It's kind of amazing that there are more high end tables now than back in the heyday of vinyl. How many were there - Dual, Thorens, Garrard, AR, Denon, Linn, Technics, probably a couple of other Japanese...

Back in the day, I'd rent a car to shuffle from appointment to appointment when traveling. Even at its best, that's a pain. Using Uber was cheaper and much easier for everyone involved. Even today in Chicago, I find it easier to get an Uber than a cab.

Have you tired other dealers for the SQ home-style dryers? Grand Appliance and Ferguson also supposedly carry them. It's probably the same deal as Abt. Or check SQ's website for dealers in the 'hood.

Sorry, late to get back to this - and Daniel's question. By way of a story, I bought a pair of Bally shoes on the recommendations of an acquaintance many, many years ago. In almost no time, I was having knee pain and thought I was about to become a cripple. Everyone's feet and gate and angles are different. it is best to get evaluated for the type of shoe that will work for you. They do that at running stores - and some stores that do hiking. AND, it sometimes takes some experimentation. For older folks, there's other issues - which is that at some point it's common for people to start to shuffle walk - and this makes a person more prone to tripping and falling. Some people develop a type of neuropathy that results in less sensation in the bottom of the foot - which also can lead to problems. It may be wise to see a podiatrist or someone who specializes - for ultimate assistance. Right now, I'm using Merrill Moab hiking shoes for much of my walking. They're heavy as hell - and probably don't give me any feedback as to what I'm walking on. On the other hand, I'm still running - and the calves, ankles and feet are doing Ok - knees are a starting to be a little more risky. I'm doing increased work to help them.

Walking may help - but ONLY if one has the right shoes. One can really cripple one's self in the wrong shoes, especially if putting some distance on the shoes. And not all of us have the same geometry, especially for women.

Dave is always good. I remember a column he wrote on dating. Sent a copy to a friend - and the next thing I knew it was being faxed all around the country.

I had two for a while - a Yamaha U1-Silent Piano - and a regular grand piano. I sold the Yamaha when I didn't think I needed to worry about the disturbing a roommate, but then for the same reasons, I bought a digital piano where I can use headphones.

This just confirms my previous sense that even collectively, this group fails to match my quotient of weird. I am clearly the Charles Foster Kane of WTF.

It's a game we can all play. When I was a child, my parents had something like 9 televisions - of which we used 3 and some were original to the 1950s and didn't work. They also collected empty boxes - cuz you might need one someday. Sadly, I've got those genes - maybe you have to a lesser extent.

How many lamps (not counting wall or ceiling fixtures) do you have in your living room?

Me - 24

How many colanders do you have in your kitchen/pantry?
8 that I know of.

Feel free to chime in on your living room lamps or colander collection - but also join in and add your "gee, I wonder if I have enough ______ in your house." Don't think of mentioning compact discs. Wondering how many wing tips Doug has....

@ShiroKuro said:

I have never attended a HS reunion. Has anyone else here gone? Does anyone go regularly?

Nope. We had a 1000+ graduating class but don't believe any of my closer friends attend so not much point to catch up with people I didn't know back then.

Heh... It depends on how much you like/love a piece. CDL is one of the few pieces that even non-classical music lovers know and love. Even once you have all the notes down, there's a gestation period before you really get to work in the depth of the piece.

I think I spent forever learning the 1st Contrapunctus of Bach's Art of Fugue. It was a real slog through a tropical jungle with some swamps along the way. And a couple of years hence, I'm still learning from that journey - sorting out touch and tone issues that I didn't capture the first round. And it's only 3 pages long!!

Personally, I would keep at it, but perhaps down the intensity of your focus - just settle for a measure or 2 at a time. As for the jury, maybe take a stab at something easier - but I would encourage you to keep some effort on Clair de Lune.

Having said that, I know longer think about learning a major Beethoven Sonata. i prefer to learn a prelude, mazurka, song without words, waltz, Bach pieces - or recently, Standchen by Schubert/Liszt - still a relatively shorter piece.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

@RealPlayer said:

Ms. Kluurs sounds high maintenance.

Her lungs can shut down. It's amazing how sensitive she is to dust in particular - but fragrances can set her off as well. We have to be careful.

As for maintenance - not a big deal - and she puts up with me. I think most sane women would be putting a pillow over my head while I slept within a couple of months of living with me.

Yup - old people. A bunch of college friends suggested getting together for lunch. I was thinking, "that will be nice. There are a lot of restaurants i'd like to try." Email came back with the restaurant selected - "Mother's Day Restaurant." Now, I realize that does sound awfully highfalutin - but sadly, you'd be mistaken. My first thought after hearing the selection was "that's a restaurant for old people." Second thought: "You are an old person." Third thought, "I was a little embarrassed years back when my parents wanted to go there." The circle of personal humiliation has come full circle. Oh yes, it was everything I remembered - except now... I belong.

I'm thinking of trying it - though Mrs. Kluurs will not wish to surrender an inch of property to a non plant-based item. Perhaps, I can squeeze it under the porch....

Ok. Spouse left town Wednesday morning - back on Saturday morning.

Kluurs is on a rampage - of cleaning as spouse is deathly allergic to dust, cleaning products, aerosols, smoke, etc.

But first - need to replace the wax ring on the t-bowl. Should be a 30-45 minute project. Wasn't. My fault, I decided to use a new fangled product that was wax-free and would last as long as the pyramids - maybe longer. Leaked the first 5 installs. So...off to the Home Despot. 45 min project was multi-hours. Spent the rest of the day - washing tiles, tub, floor, ceiling, etc.

Day 2 - "Day of Dust". I had hoped to do dust day as part of day 1 - but.... So day of dust went well though birds were a bit annoyed at the vacuum. As part of day of dust, shampooed the carpeted stairs. Washed towels and anything that looked cloth like.

Day 3 - Redid some of day of dust stuff as somehow I was seeing things on the carpet that should have been gone. Wrapped presents for spouse's birthday - and birthday party for friends. Journeyed halfway to Canada (not really) to pick up a small (very small) piece of fused glass that would look perfect over Mrs. Kluurs's art desk. made a side trip to downtown Chicago to pick a gift. Washed walls in kitchen and went to friend's birthday.

Day of Return - Plan a run in the a.m. shower and pick up she who hates dust. Pray that no dust remains in the house. Windows have been open - central air fan has been on for 3 days. Baking soda in bath. I know it will be a failing grade - but can only hope.