As usual, an excellent description and analysis, Strider. I've visited Bayreuth and am a passionate admirer of Tannhauser and Lohengrin. (btw, I once heard The Flying Dutchman in the famous Sydney Opera house)

Ebk, it sounds delicious. I'm looking forward to hearing how the rest of your trip goes.

I've heard that "The Whisperer in Darkness," is fun, although I've never seen it.

Arguably the most brilliant philosopher of them all.

The Invisible Man

Moon River -- Andy Williams

I was wondering about the cutout as well.

Geekfreak, which operas do you prefer?

Virginia is a gorgeous name.

Lovecraft is a fine author, but he hasn't been left off the radar these days, at least not in the States. He has a dedicated following. I've read two of his works, including "At the Mountains of Madness," which I enjoyed.

My appetite just disappeared

Thanks for posting, STZ

Led Zep III

There is a school of thought which maintains that most people have a latent ESP capability, but that most of us either won't or can't tap into it further.

I really just meant that I was too young to understand some of the band's nuances, mysteries and dichotomies.

I know these sensory deprivation tanks were very popular at one point and many people were using them. I would try one if given the opportunity. However, when I see the subject mentioned, I initially always get a creepy feeling because it reminds me of the torture/interrogation scene in one of Tom Clancy's books (the Cardinal of the Kremlin?) where a super-sophisticated sensory deprivation water chamber is used by the KGB to extract information from a perceived enemy of the state. Clancy's description of the chamber and of the victim's ordeal is harrowing and anyone who reads it will never again view sensory deprivation tanks in quite the same way.

I saw Zoso live last summer near my home, and I largely agree with Ddlladner's assessment. What I'm still waiting to see, though, is a tribute band who can faithfully recreate one of Zep's live performances complete with improv's, etc. When I saw Zoso, they largely played the album versions of the songs note for note

I love some of the old Hammer vampire films. Did anyone here like Anne Rice's "Interview a With Vampire" book and/or the subsequent film.

As an illustration of why someone should holiday in this area: I'm currently packing for a trip down to Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia Beach. I also plan to re-visit Jamestown, Yorktown, (maybe)Busch Gardens, and one of the country's largest waterparks -- all within easy driving distance of Richmond.

I'm packing for a trip down to Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia Beach. I also plan to re-visit Jamestown, Yorktown, (maybe) Busch Gardens, and one of the country's largest waterparks.

I'll PM you soon.

Venlo doesn't sound bad ...and it's only a few hours from Amsterdam. I've been there as well -- a nature-lover's paradise.

These are great books/authors/films. I like Leslie Howard.

Michigan is a scenically beautiful state, and it's near the wonderful Great Lakes. As mentioned above by ebk, Detroit has great museums as well.

Great description, Charles. You've made me want to visit Nova Scotia straight away, too. Here in the Richmond area we have great kayaking opportunities and biking/walking areas along the James River in "plantation country." Some of these plantations are open to the public. We have great used bookstores, record shops, and a world-class French film festival, not to mention lots of Civil War history. Lol.