Archive through August 27, 2004

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 1281
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 02:54 pm:

nice looking pad lar!

no place for 7.1 speakers though! lol.

and yes the surrounds do look a little small.

no center channel?

Relevant Product Info

Silver Member

Username: Wryter

Naples, FL
US

Post Number: 193
Registered: Jul-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 02:54 pm:

Well (phew!) Finally figgered out how to cut the pics down to size - not very experienced at that. Making do with 21-in. TV until we can afford a flat-screen one (2018?). Liddle ring atop TV is powered FM antenna. That's it - simple, but "noble." G R I N
Respectfully, Larry R.

Silver Member

Username: Wryter

Naples, FL
US

Post Number: 194
Registered: Jul-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 03:34 pm:

Kegger: Yep, seveal folks have told me that I need larger surrounds - but once I get a new subwoofer, I'm hoping that they'll be fine. Don't really want big stuff back there, anyway?
GHIA C - Hey! a fellow "French-Cherokee?" Really! Now I KNOW to be proud of who I am! And John A. be durned! DOUBLE GRIN HERE. . .

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2036
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 03:51 pm:

Kegger,

"if you are x and can't change it, well it's still
better to be proud you are then to be ashamed! "

I agree. For some reason I get on my soap box here every weekend. I 'll get off now.

Larry,

Thank for the pictures. Really nice. There is a taste factor in all that. Good looking (and sounding) mains (try toeing 'em in a bit) with sensible stands, plus gorgeous room. Do not apologise for the TV: see our 12", above. Subs are overrated. See Rick's post about those Spendor LS3/5s. 70 Hz, I think he said. I really liked Jan's "Do not disturb; I am listening to music"

Must go. All the best.

Silver Member

Username: Ghiacabriolet

NC

Post Number: 270
Registered: Apr-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 04:03 pm:

LarryR,

Thanks for posting the pics! Love those black leather chairs! Seriously, those are the coolest things I've seen in all the pics. And, the use of the rug on the wall (MR did this too) is a great idea. Might have to look into that myself but don't think I can afford a real persian. How do you hang a rug?

True, there's some French-Cherokee blood in me. My mother's side of the family traces back to 1066 to General John Benfield of Normandy who fought in William the Conqueror's army. Subsequent generations are traced through England, Scotland and Ireland. The Cherokee part comes from a great-great-grandfather who married a Cherokee woman.

Hopefully, JohnA knows we are being a little tongue-in-cheek when the peacock spreads its feathers! His point (and Ojo and MR) is valid but there's nothing wrong with having a little pride in your heritage. It becomes a problem when you take stances such as "you are either with us or you are against us" ala President W.

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2037
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 04:10 pm:

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2038
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 04:27 pm:

Ghia,

If you have 2 parents, 4 grandparents etc. etc., and a generation is let's say 33 years, then, in 1066, General John Benfield of Normandy was one of 268,435,456 people you could claim as your ancestor, according to my calculator. Probably an equal number were on the other side. And a lot of them were the same person. Never mind, I guess I take these thing too seriously!

That's another pic of Bond, btw. All the best.

Silver Member

Username: Ghiacabriolet

NC

Post Number: 272
Registered: Apr-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 05:18 pm:

Oh, guess I'll have archive that ancestry story. Thanks, John.

Silver Member

Username: Ghiacabriolet

NC

Post Number: 273
Registered: Apr-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 05:19 pm:

LarryR,

Forget the French-Cherokee connection. I'm merely Amerikan.

Silver Member

Username: Ghiacabriolet

NC

Post Number: 275
Registered: Apr-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 05:51 pm:

On further review, I apologize for the terseness of the 2 previous posts. I'm sorry.

Silver Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 540
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 06:09 pm:

Ghia,

Never noticed the terseness - and yes, everyone is entitled to take some pride in their heritage. My comment was merely to point out (and I never really needed to with you people) that being human is more important than being anything else. So many these aren't! Gawd - really deep!

Larry

See, there you go. What a great looking house!
I bet you and Mrs R enjoy it as much as your music and operas.

John A

Bond are okay by me! And consider hands shaken!

Silver Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 541
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 06:13 pm:

ThereIgoagainreadingwithoutmyglasses - "So many these days aren't" was the intended sentence.

Silver Member

Username: Ghiacabriolet

NC

Post Number: 276
Registered: Apr-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 06:18 pm:

For clarification, my posts of 5:18 and 5:19 were a result of JohnA's 4:27 post which felt a little belittling to me. My 5:51 post was after a cooling down period and understanding/hoping I misinterpreted his intent and also to apologize for allowing that negative energy into the forum.

Silver Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 542
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 06:35 pm:

Ghia,

Well, I'd think you'd be right and kudos for your attitude. John would never intentionally belittle any one of the regulars here.

It's just that he can be a bit strange on occasion: mad dogs and englishmen out in the noonday sun and all that!

Kidding John - really and truly!

Silver Member

Username: Wryter

Naples, FL
US

Post Number: 196
Registered: Jul-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 08:44 pm:

Ghia C - glad you like the chairs. They were bought in Chicago, at a Scandanavian Import store, when I was still making a good living. They are still available at some specialty shops in big cities. Last time I saw them in Chicago they were selling for $1,500 apiece. Really. I got them for $800 apiece back in the 80s. Teak frames and leather - and they weigh almost nothing, but are about the most comfortable chairs I've ever sat in!
Hanging a rug. Sigh. Well, this one is all wool, and weighs a ton. Here's what we did. Got a 1 x 4 board, and screwed three picture-hanging "hoops" on the back. Or you can just drill three holes spaced to match wall-studs. Sink a 10-penny nail or larger in the wall, on an angle upwards. Let about 3/4 inch stick out - to go into the board-holes.
Now - on the Front side of the board - lay it down on the floor, and put the rug so it laps over the board and overlaps about a quarter inch. Then take about a million half-inch Brass brads, and carefully drive them through the rug and into the board. The rug "fluff" will cover the nails, but be sure not to drive the heads Through the rug! Easy does it - and we've hung many rugs that way.
Seriously, I think there are about 50-60 liddle nails in the rug.
For light stuff, such as weavings, we take the ever-popular tack-down "carpet strips" - you know, the wood strips with all those little nails that stick up at an angle?
Well - take out the large nails that go through from the front - and then find studs in your wall. Use about 6-penny nails with heads - or even finishing nails will do fine - and drive them through the strip and onto the wall. Level it, of course!
Then, just take the weaving or small rug, and carefully align it with the top of the strip - and push, push, push the rug onto the nails. We often use an old kitchen sponge to help out - but you'll get "stung" a few times, no matter what.
I have a wonderful weaving from Chimayo, NM, hanging on our bedroom wall - been there for two years now, and hasn't "sagged."
If you're interested in more, I'll be happy to walk you through the steps.
OK - despite John's oft-expressed curmudgeonness, I'm still proud to have Cherokee and French blood in my system. My great great grandfather - a French Canuck - married some sort of Cherokee princess. Other relatives kept records, but I don't have them.
And yes, Ghia, I have often felt "belittled" by John A. Sure he doesn't mean it - but if often comes across that way.
Oh, yes - the Persian. Well, my dear wife had a friend who had a friend who owned a large import company. Seems there was some sort of company fight, and part of the group decided to sell out. They not only sold out - but nearly gave everything away, just for spite, I guess. Anyway, we got the $12,000 rug for - are you ready for this? How about $1,200. Yep, as Kegger would so wisely say. Been authenticated, and has provenance tags, etc. One of my better "finds."
Again - that was back when I was earning very good money. Sigh. Retirement sucks.
Respectfully, larry R.

Silver Member

Username: Wryter

Naples, FL
US

Post Number: 197
Registered: Jul-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 08:50 pm:

OOps, Ghia C. My wife says there are way more than 100 brass brads in that Persian. But who's counting? GRIN LarryR.

Silver Member

Username: Ghiacabriolet

NC

Post Number: 278
Registered: Apr-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 09:34 pm:

Larry,

Yes, those chairs are awesome. I've seen similar chairs with chrome frames but the teak really gives them another identity. Very modern but not austere.

Thanks for the tips on the rug hanging. Glad to see Merri keeps you on the right tack, er, track. I'm going to keep my eye out for a rug that would work as a wall hanging in my place - unless, I have a windfall that would allow me to purchase the painting mentioned above.

As long as you have a music system and you can do some traveling and you have someone to share it all with, you're doing ok. Sounds like retirement is blissful! And, if things get too tight, you can always take a profit on the rug! hehehe...

Bronze Member

Username: Ojophile

Toronto, ON

Post Number: 34
Registered: Jun-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 11:05 pm:

John A., see what you've done! Everyone suddenly dug up their family tree searching for their roots! Just kidding...

Seriously, the brief exchange of ideas that John and I had about one's roots stemmed from our common contempt of the judgmental attitudes prevalent in the classical music scene (see John's original August 21, 2004 - 06:51 am posting); and to a certain extent, the jazz scene as well. I guess it's safe to say that any self-respecting audiophile/music lover couldn't care less whether the featured violinist is a Russian prodigy, or the drummer is from, say, Brazil, or the bass player is an immigrant from the Far East.

Music is universal. Therefore, it follows that the players who participate in it should not be judged by geographical, cultural, and ethnological backgrounds. Therefore still, it follows that the end-listener has no mind whence the player or the music originated from.

"Imagine there's no country...nothing to kill or die for... Imagine all the people living life in peace." John Lennon was right. How I miss him!

Bronze Member

Username: Ojophile

Toronto, ON

Post Number: 35
Registered: Jun-04

Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 11:23 pm:

Great photos, Larry R.

Re: pics of my own, my wife and I are in the process of upgrading our Price Club (Costco) home-theater-in-a-box setup to something more worthy of discussions in this beloved forum.

We started with a pair of PSB Alpha Intros LR for surrounds and had the wires run through the wall. You will notice the wires and banana plugs coming out of the wall in one of the links below. The plan is to get (a) the NAD 753 A/V; (b) a Denon Universal player; and (c) a pair of PSB Image 4T's for mains, 8C for CC, and sub.

However, our A/V and HT budget is in jeopardy. A couple of weeks ago, a new "baby" came into our lives. This "baby" had been in the dream stage for the last 20 years. In March, we bit the bullet and decided to plunge head-on into it.

The WAF is not an issue in the A/V HT upgrade. We're equally divided on our interests, yet mutually agreeable on our upgrade plans: I'm 80% audio and 20% video; she's 80% video and 20% audio, but we both want a better A/V system and a new HDTV (we have a 27-inch Sony WEGA)-- see my post on this new Sony direct-view TV.

Anyway, here's the "baby" and the FROG where the future A/V HT upgrade is also planned to be located.

http://www.geocities.com/ojophile

Cheers!

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2039
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 05:43 am:

No offence was intended to anyone here, and I apologise if any was taken. I wrote on August 21, 2004 - 01:20 pm "...there is one reply that is guaranteed to cause offence every time" and it seems I've done it again. I think MR and Ojo take my point. So would John Lennon, I think; thanks for the sanity Ojo! The point is "I am proud to be X" is OK if X is something you chose, worked for, etc. Otherwise it "belittles" those who are not X. None us chose our ancestors, or where we were born. Sorry to be solemn and yes curmudgeonly, but people feeling entitled, by an accident of birth, to something denied to others - who are "not-X" - is one of the recurring problems of the world, in my estimation. Take a look around. How can we be so slow to learn?!

Ojo, I tried mystery tune (see MR's "goodbye" thread) on a Yamaha keyboard, nothing to compare with that baby; you are miles ahead of any hifi for "being there at the performance"! And still have a great audio system planned.

Peace and friendship to all.

Silver Member

Username: Ghiacabriolet

NC

Post Number: 279
Registered: Apr-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 07:54 am:

JohnA,

Everyone is aware of what you wrote Aug 21 at 1:20pm and I doubt there are many on this forum (at least the regulars) who disagree. While I obviously lack the philosophical insight of you and John Lennon, I actually do understand Lennon's "Imagine" (and am always moved by it/wished more people lived by it) and I even understood your original point. Some of us dumb Americans decided to have a little American fun with the statement but it obviously is too serious of a subject in which to engage levity. We Americans never learn do we? Oh wait! That question exemplifies the attitude of entitlement, doesn't it?.

Please forgive me for being so self-centered (and entitled) as to pick up on Larry's French-Cherokee heritage (whether real or tongue in cheek) and to offer a connection of my own. Whether you believe it or not, there are geneaology trees that trace my mother's side of the family back to 1066 and John Benfield. I doubt you have any interest in it but should you, the following link traces the Benfield family from Normandy to America's own NC & SC. My mother is a Benfield born in NC. Your post of 4:27 in regards to the hundreds of millions of people I could claim in my ancestry, while likely accurate, is condescending (my first impression was right, after all). But,since you can't choose your ancestry there's no point in having an interest in it or telling anyone else about it. Forget geneaology, we're all one big family.

JohnA, I do respect your opinions and wealth of knowledge. But, sometimes you have a self-righteousness that is overbearing. At any rate, you've made your point and because evidently I appear to be (at least in your esteemed estimation) one of the entitled, there's no viewpoint I can have that would be valid so I'll keep further insights (assuming there have ever been any) to myself.

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2040
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 09:27 am:

Ghia,

I intended no offence, and certainly no condescention. Each of us has something like 268,435,456 ancestors in 1066, probably lot more; the average generation time has probably been less than 33 years. If you go back that far, probably most people with any European ancestry at all are related, in some way, to Mr Benfield. But, as MR said, it is deep water, and a long way from HiFi and music. I am sorry I don't understand the last point. "Entitled" to what? And in my estimation? "...there's no viewpoint I can have that would be valid..." What did I say....?! The validity of anyone's opinion has nothing to do with who they are, where they come from, as far as I can see. An opinion stands as a good one, or not, independently of all that. And everyone is equally entitled to hold an opinion, and express it. Sorry if this, too, seems self-righteous and overbearing. It is what I think. I can't see what other option I have. It would be rude not to respond at all. I am, honestly, puzzled!

All the best.

Silver Member

Username: Wryter

Naples, FL
US

Post Number: 198
Registered: Jul-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 10:09 am:

Ghia C - think you may be referring to the Mies van der Rohe chairs - classics, those! These have higher backs and less of a "bend" where seat meets back, so they're more comfortable.
The rug, BTW, is a classic "eye of God" pattern. When my rich doctor-friend was readying a new home, he wanted a similar rug - so he awayed to some hi-end rug merchants here in Naples. Found one with slightly different hues, and about 1-foot larger. He bought it - for the "bargain?" price of $17,000. Gulp. Sure wish I had dat guy's money!!! It's on his living room floor - I've stepped on it many times. Sigh.
Ojo - Great Piano! Wife once tuned pianos, and says you've got a "goodie" there! Had to laugh about your Costco stereo - you oughta see the one Merri prizes in her studio! Talk about embarrassed to discuss! Mer claims it has a Chevy front end and junkpile speakers. She's about right, but it's hers, and she's happy with it.
And - beating the poor dog to death. Sorry, but I have to side with Ghia on the geneology issue here. John - for Goodness' sake - let us have our little corner of fun and pride! We're not trying to say that because we have Cherokee and French blood in our veins that we're "better" than you, or anybody else, for that matter. Have we said that? Have we Implied that? don't think so.
So back off, OK? Enough of the psychological mish-mash, and let us just enjoy conversation about music, equipment, and yes, our lives, which make up our world, and which, on occasion, we have a good time sharing with others. Frankly, this current word-snarl is why I often just scroll past John A's more cantankerous postings.
Ghia - wasn't tongue-in-cheeking- really do have that lineage. As to being "better?" Do all of you remember the "trail of tears?" Cherokees do, as to careful history-readers. Canucks? Hey, they were the, pardon, "nig*ers" of California during the Gold Rush. My family has written accounts of great grandparent and how the men were often dragged through town streets behind horses.
We all have a common heritage, if you believe in such things as Adam and Eve. But we also have our built-in "tribal" pride, earned or not.
OK - shifting gears.
My Rantz - please, sir, post a closer picture of that Indian weaving on your wall. It looks like a classic pattern, and I hope that you take good care of it - bargain or not!
The picture of the staircase brought tears to my wife's eyes - we had a similar wood staircase and wall in our long-ago house up in Black Hawk, Colorado. A mountain chalet that was, if you are to be believed (grin) was, as you describe your home, sorta shaggy outside, but proud inside!
Well, that gets rid of a lot of pent-up frustration! Sigh.
Big Question: anybody out there have a clue as to why This happens? Turn on the amp with FM station - the sound is nice and full.
Turn off the amp, wait an hour or so. Turn it on again - same settings. This time the sound is rather thin - just not the same. Oh, I know, music is different, but announcer is the same, and now sounding sorta tinny.
I can toggle the amp on and off this way, and never have consistent sound. So - what's wrong here? No apparent distortion, just that nagging suspicion that something "isn't right."
No shops in SW Florida that I can trust to check out the Onkyo - would have to send it to an "authorized" repair facility at my cost. Sigh.
Hope somebody may either have had similar experience, or an idea to help (if possible).
Respectfully, Larry R.

Silver Member

Username: Ghiacabriolet

NC

Post Number: 280
Registered: Apr-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 10:31 am:

JohnA, I think some of this, on my part, is a result of lingering perceptions going back to our past differences of opinion regarding my employer. I frequently find myself in agreement when you make points such as your "X" point but sometimes there is an underlying current received (by me) in which it seems only you are capable of such insight. Probably paranoia on my part.

I'm at work and don't have time for adequate response. Even so, it's probably better for me to let this lie because I doubt I can articulate the issue. Perhaps, its best for me to move on anyway.

Best wishes to all.

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 1285
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 10:50 am:

allright everyone step back take a breath and gain some composer!

just like ones religion,heritage,political stance
,music choice or color of skin!

some feal very strongly about those and can be very touchy
subjects.

that does not mean they should not be talked about or discussed.

but it also does not mean they should be thrown out blindly
without the thought of the possable repicussions
that may incure!

john obviously does not feal as strongly about his heritage as others.
that is fine it is also fine that others feal very strong and passionette about it.

but john did not say anything to intentional belittle
anyones views.
he merely brought up another touchy subject. and
has stirred some contraversy.

now we all realize it is a touchy subject and need to
deal with it in an appropriate manor.

john will bring on many or spur on many deabates.
and some can be very deep. to me that is the point
of the socalled clan we have hear. otherwise it's
just another ordinary forum that you pass by and
don't come back to.

this does not mean john can say anything he wants
and not have some backlash. but as he has stated many
times and usually before he says it that he does
not mean to dis anyone elses beliefs. from many a
sparring session with john he is very straight forward
with his views and when taken to strongly may affend.
but he will be the first to tell you that he may
have overstepped the bounderies.
but that is john. he is not going to mask his feelings
to appease others.

just realize this is one of those touchy subjects
and from quality discussion something good may be learned.

if you don't care to particapate or get lost in some of the deep discussion
do not contribute until the deabte/discussion has ended.

that's what i do!

Silver Member

Username: Wryter

Naples, FL
US

Post Number: 200
Registered: Jul-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 10:55 am:

Kegger - with due respect - may I borrow one of your better comments in response?
"Yep." Respectfully, Larry R.

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 1286
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 11:03 am:

ghia please don't let this or any other discussion
push you away from the forum.

not only do your contributions spur conversation.
they are the only womans point of view we have! lol

if this is to touchy of a subject and you feel it should no longer
continue. give the word and i'm sure all will cease!

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 1287
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 11:14 am:

oh yah by the way my heritage was not toungue and
cheak either.

I am pretty much 50% american indian and 50% irish
both sides of the family.

but yes i do believe most of us spend to much time hear.
even myself! but i'm not going anywhere i have learned
to much hear in the past year to just walk away!
in some respects it keeps me in touch with other
parts of the world and reality!

Silver Member

Username: Wryter

Naples, FL
US

Post Number: 201
Registered: Jul-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 11:22 am:

Kegger: as Indian/Irish, you've surely read of your ancestors' troubles, and accomplishments. Sorry, but it's good to be proud of your heritage.
Like it or not, we all are basically "tribal," and have that in our genes. What we do with our tribal instincts makes the difference between mere pride and overbearing activities.
As to leaving the forum? I doubt that any of us will do that - but twice burned in once learned.
Respectfully, Larry R.

Silver Member

Username: Ghiacabriolet

NC

Post Number: 281
Registered: Apr-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 11:35 am:

Kegger,

As always, you come through with the greatest clarity and understanding. -----YEP-----

I don't want to censor any conversation or debate on this forum except for my own because at this point I can't figure out if I have a valid point or if I've totally misinterpreted everything.

My apologies to all for any negative energy I've brought on board with this topic. Carry on.

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 1295
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 12:11 pm:

thanks guys/gals.

ghia that's the way i feel on the old dogs thread a lot.

i can't figure half of what they mean on there.
so i generally pass over a lot of it. but hey it's
all good over their most of them understand it.
it's just over my head.

but if there was something on one of the threads that our "clan"
basically particapated on and i felt uncomfortable about
the subject being discussed i would not hesitate to ask
for it to stop.

so if you feel that way speak up! were all friends hear!

Bronze Member

Username: Ojophile

Toronto, ON

Post Number: 38
Registered: Jun-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 12:27 pm:

Let's put the lid down on Pandora's Box now.

Isn't it great to realize that we are truly human beings after all? Despite the leaps and bounds that technology is taking every day and its impact on the way we communicate and interact as a group, e.g., e-mail, forums, newsgroups, we remain what we are: feeling, rational, civilized people.

We can all laugh now and get back to this forum business.
**
In the last few weeks, I've been enjoying the songs sung by Stacey Kent and aired over Toronto's all-time, non-profit jazz station, Jazz FM 91.1 Stacey's voice has a clear, sweet timbre and her phrasing is well delivered. Her choice of songs is superb, too: standards, evergreens, and classic jazz tunes. (BTW, my wife and I are proud regular supporters [donors] of Jazz FM 91.1)
**
Do you wish you could audition CD's at no cost before buying them? Why not visit your local library and ask if they have the ones that you're looking for? If you can inquire on-line, that would even be better. I do it all the time, and fortunately, our local library has a very good selection. I take home the ones that I'm interested in, audition them, and decide which ones to buy and which ones to avoid. The downside? Sometimes the liner notes and even the jewelcase inserts are missing. There are people who take them so they can insert them after they've copied the CD's. Human nature.

In the last 7 years, I've bought a trunk full of CD's wisely, that is, thanks to all the free tryouts.
**
Larry R. - I have already reserved the "Songs of Auvergne" at our library here for audition. I'm sure I will like it and have already set aside a few $$ for my eventual purchase of it. I will also check out Natalie Dessay's French album.
**
This is the best forum I've joined. Members can discuss topics and react with civility. I left two other forums (one on piano, the other on jazz) because a simple dissenting opinion would cause other members to foam at the mouth and trap the "subversive" into a corner.
**
On a final note, here's my favorite mantra, Desiderata by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945)

"Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

Cheers!

Sem

Silver Member

Username: Sem

New York
USA

Post Number: 222
Registered: Mar-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 12:45 pm:

I agree Kegger and Ojophile. We have far too much in common to let the petty differences drive us apart. Respect. That's the name of this tune, in surround.

On another topic, am I the only one who swears the first few notes of Beck's "The Golden Age" from 'Sea Change' sounds an awful lot like the beginning of the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses" ??

Silver Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 543
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 01:07 pm:

Ghia,

I too am often amazed with Kegger's insight. There's never been any doubt he's one smart dude. ....YEP..... And this forum would not be the same without him, you, John A and the rest of the usual suspects. So, don't spit the dummy like I almost did, we're all good mates here - but we are all different too and we need to make concessions for our peccidillos.

I can see why you have taken on John A about his "tribal" and "heritage" comments and I think you have a valid point as well as having misinterpreted his comments a little. I think John (and Ojo') was more concerned about the snobbish use of a performers heritage as if it explains why that performer was bestowed special gifts such as a specific talent or insight.

And then, as John does occassionally, went off the wall about it - a bit!

John basically said, "if you are proud to be part x and part Y, you're still part X and part Y even if you are not proud of the fact." So essentially it seems that he's saying there's not much point in being proud about it.

What I think John means (and please correct me if I'm wrong) is that using one's heritage as an excuse or explanation of a talent, deed or anything else is nothing but snobbery or just superfluous information - similar to that so oft seen in the art world. My understanding of John is that he is a very learned person and it is in his nature (or a trait born by profession) to pull apart and disect almost everthing with which he comes in contact, and then express his opinion or resulting theory. And in doing so, it sometimes makes him appear a touch condescending because he rattles our senses with his erudition.

And I think it would do us all good to remember that what we have here in this forum are mostly opinions and how we treat them.

So let's all maintain our pride in our lineage - even if some of us are the offshoot from some kicked out convict - then hop into that big melting pot, big enough to take the world and all it's got!

A big hug everyone!

Silver Member

Username: Wryter

Naples, FL
US

Post Number: 202
Registered: Jul-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 01:30 pm:

Welllllllll. . . OK (grin)

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 1298
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 03:09 pm:

u give me too much credit rantz! i just play off
what you guys give out.

do you remember how i entered into this little gang!

seems a long time ago that you guys were all girlymen! lol

Silver Member

Username: Wryter

Naples, FL
US

Post Number: 205
Registered: Jul-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 03:19 pm:

Laughing out loud here, gang! Just got an e-mail from a clinical psychologist friend out at Arizona State University. She's beein quietly monitoring this forum - at my suggestion - and says she is grateful. She says she has more than enough information for a paper on abnormal psychology in communication - and I think she's serious about that! Hmmm. . . She told me to impart (she wants to stay far off the forum!) the following:
Man jogging along sees an obese woman trying to jog towards him, waddling and swaying. His first thought: "what a horrible-looking woman." His second thought: "How noble of her to try to improve her life." His third thought: "who the hell asked you?" He chose the third one. (I know I've read that somewhere before - maybe on one of these threads?)
Message conveyed. For whatever reason - don't know, because who the hell. . . well, you know. Back to Mahler's 3rd. Ahhh. . .
Carry on with courage and kindness. Larry R.

Bronze Member

Username: Ojophile

Toronto, ON

Post Number: 40
Registered: Jun-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 03:55 pm:

Let's all lighten up!

Upload

Cheers!

Silver Member

Username: Ghiacabriolet

NC

Post Number: 283
Registered: Apr-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 04:45 pm:

Ojo,

Thanks for the sensible advice about trying out CD's through the library. Will have to investigate to see what the selection looks like. This suggestion is similar to good advice given in books on "simple living".

When I was visiting Toronto, Jazz 91.1 was one of the stations I listened to. Glad to see you are supporting public radio! I volunteer time (during fundraising drives) and donate money to my favorite public station, WNCW which has an eclectic playlist including blues, bluegrass, rock, country, jazz, big band, etc.

LarryR,

Geezus, man! Some of us were already paranoid enough without having a clinical psychologist anonymously monitoring us! Abnormal, indeed! LOL

I need a serious Mahler fix after this....might even be time for the pathos of Sym 10.

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 1301
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 05:23 pm:

ghia just kick back with a good bottle of wine and
crank up some steely dan.

maybe even give the hemp cones a work out!

"The cuervo gold
The fine columbian
Make tonight a wonderful thing"

Two Cents

Silver Member

Username: Two_cents

Post Number: 287
Registered: Feb-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 05:40 pm:

Did someone mention Mahler?

Two thoughts: (1) Count me as another admirer of LarryR's awesome chairs. Would like to add those to my collection of mid-century chairs. (2) That photo of the Bond girls/women/dominatrices??? is tres silly. Looks like they just finished a classical rendition of Madonna's "Like a Virg*n". I've only been perusing the pix on this thread. Can you tell? Might've missed something in the text.

Carry on, mighty centurions of the forum.

Two Cents

Silver Member

Username: Two_cents

Post Number: 288
Registered: Feb-04

Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 05:48 pm:

LarryR,

Can you ask your psychologist friend if there is such a thing as "normal" in psychology? The more time I spend with people, the more I'm beginning to believe "normality" is a fallacy.

That'll be twelve cents please. (My two cents on dime store psychology.)