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Patrycja

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Everything posted by Patrycja

  1. ^ Thanks a lot, Kiwi, that finally did the trick. I switched to Firefox because no amount of clearing of everything in Chrome worked. The left link Kiwi posted still doesn't work in Chrome, but the right one does. I'm using Chrome now. p.s. On my phone, I still get that 'community is temporarily unavailable' page after clearing everything. The '.../index.php' link works to access the forum, and I can navigate throughout, but then when I hit the 'home' tab it goes back to the 'temporarily unavailable' page.
  2. Patrycja

    Tennis

    Novak was taken to five tough sets by Frenchman Simon. He's got a very tough next match against Nishikori who's playing exceptionally well. Should be an interesting match. After defeating Wawrinka in his own tough five-setter, Raonic has a test in contrasting styles against Monfils. Fed's up tonight against Berdych. Tough match, I'm nervous about it and it's on at the same time as Warriors / Spurs BAH!
  3. Just finished watching a five setter in which Milos Raonic defeated Stan Wawrinka for the first time to advance at the Aussie Open !!!
  4. Be safe and warm, forum friends in the midst of Snowmageddon 2016!
  5. Patrycja

    Tennis

    As soon as I saw Nadal sliding on hard courts I knew he was shortening his career. Sure enough, knee problems are affecting his career, accelerating its end. Compared to Fed who has a very light style - he sort of floats around gracefully - Rafa's aggressive and hard style - on the weakest joint, no less - is also less amenable to adaptation as the years go by. He gambled that he could get it done withing a shorter window and will likely fail. Part of Roger's staggering run has been staying healthy, and his style of play is pliant in adjusting to the needs of any given surface or opponent. Rafa could barrel through on strength and speed and a deadly spin (which is most effective on clay) but once those start going, well we are seeing the results. There's no way he plays to Roger's current success at this age. I'm glad that Woods isn't going to beat Jack's record simply for the sake of bringing Icarus down. He was so arrogant - a trait I find more distasteful than just about most other negative ones, a willful blindness to one's context in the greater schemes of so many things - that a feeling of just desserts fill me that gentleman Jack gets to keep the record till a more deserving knight can claim it. He's changed the sport, no doubt, but it's nice to see other guys in it now. Same reason why I hope LBJ - the self-proclaimed king before he played a NBA game whose been trying to justify the hype ever since - won't be ranked above MJ when all is said and done. I wouldn't even put him ahead of Kobe, who is having a sad demise this year, but it's also touching to see all the love he's getting on his farewell tour. Again, it's nice to see other players coming up and playing their own style and succeeding. Curry is incredible to watch. A magician who mesmerizes with his skill and dominance. Timmy ,Tony and Manu have done very well, and when it's their time, they will surely feel as if they'd done all they wanted and more. Ultimate careers. Glad they didn't decide to hang it up yet as they're quietly - yet again! - having an amazing season. Same with Brady when he retires. Serena looks like she's bionic and could continue for another hundred years. When ever it is that she retires, she'll probably still be #1. In current Aussie news, Shriekapova won. Too bad. I'm sure everyone on the court who watches her play wishes they could mute the match as I do the TV every time she plays. Hopefully she loses soon. SO annoying. Fed's playing now, and has just won the first set. Another benefit to Rafa losing is that Fed's had poor results against him so this opens things up a bit (not sure if Rafa was in Roger's bracket, actually). Now if only someone could play the match of his life and take out Joker...
  6. You're welcome, Strider, I'm happy that you're so enthused about the animations, and that they're on Youtube. These are new to me to it was interesting to get a feel for others' interpretations of Poe's incredible imagination and skill in expressing it. You never know what you'll stumble upon on Youtube now. I love browsing around and stumbling into cool things, be it virtually or better yet in real life. You just get out there and you never know... "The Tell-Tale Heart" is one of my favourites, well that and "The Cask of Amontillado", well at least at the moment. I remember reading "A Descent into the Maelstrom" and being so affected by how the condition of his being in the heart of it really felt like an emotional state of turmoil. Every word fits in each story. Brilliant. Have you seen Coppola's Twixt? It's Poe related but don't want to spoil it for you or others who've not seen it. It's a 'different' sort of experiment of a film... I quite liked it, but many didn't.
  7. And in before midnight, it also would have been the great Lead Belly's birthday today. https://www.facebook.com/Lead-Belly-70716543503/ http://www.12stringking.com/ http://leadbelly.org/re-homepage.html
  8. Like Janis, yesterday would also have been Edgar Allan Poe's birthday. I'll choose a short story to read tonight, but wanted to share some animations that were created in his honour: Celebrate Edgar Allan Poe’s Birthday With Three Animations of “The Tell-Tale Heart” January 19th, 2016 Today is Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday, or would be had he lived to be 207 years old. I can’t imagine he would have relished the prospect. When Poe did meet his end, it was under mysterious and rather awful circumstances, fittingly (in a grimly ironic sort of way) for the man often credited with the invention of detective fiction and the perfecting of the gothic horror story. “True!” begins his most famous story, “The Tell-Tale Heart“—”nervous, very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am,” and we surely believe it. But when he finishes his intimate introduction to us, we are much less inclined to trust his word: But why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses—not destroyed—not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily—how calmly I can tell you the whole story. Have we ever been confronted with a more unnerving and unreliable narrator? Poe’s genius was to draw us into the confidence of this terrifying character and keep us there, rapt in suspense, even though we cannot be sure of anything he says, or whether the entire story is nothing more than a paranoid nightmare. And it is that, indeed. In the animation above by Annette Jung—adapted from Poe’s chilling tale—the madman Ed resolves to take the life of an old man with a creepy, staring eye. In this version, however, a central ambiguity in Poe’s story is made clear. We’re never entirely sure in the original what the relationship is between Poe’s narrator and the doomed old man. In Jung’s version, they are father and son, and the old man is rendered even more grotesque, Ed’s psychological torments even more… shall we say, animated, with clearly comic intent. Jung publishes a web comic calledApplehead, and on her short film’s website (in German), she refers to her “Tell-Tale Heart” as “an animated satire.” Poe’s talent for sustaining controlled hyperbole and for creating unforgettable images like the old man’s evil eye and loudly beating heart make his work especially inviting to animators, and we’ve featured many animations of that work in the past. Just above, see the original animated “Tell-Tale Heart” from 1954. Narrated by the ideally creepy-voiced James Mason, the film received an “X” rating in the UK upon its release, then went on to an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short (though it did not win). Just below, Aaron Quinn—who has also animated Poe’s“The Raven” and other 19th century classics by Oscar Wilde, Lewis Carroll and others—updates Mason’s narration with his own frighteningly stark, animated take on the story. Poe, had he lived to see the age of animation, may not have been pleased to see his story adapted in such graphic styles, but we, as his devoted readers over 150 years later, can be grateful that he left us such wonderfully weird source material for animated films. http://www.openculture.com/2016/01/three-animated-adaptations-of-edgar-allan-poes-tell-tale-heart.html It's fascinating how different art forms have an influence on and are adapted by other forms. You can't help but picture Poe's richly descriptive stories in your mind. This ability is as unparalleled as his insight into the tormented mind is uncanny.
  9. Patrycja

    Tennis

    Rafa's done at the Aussie Open. First round. WOW...
  10. Very interesting read, Walter, thanks for posting. It's a funny thing that when one goes about the daily business of life, events seem random and outcomes uncertain. But then looking back, one can see how pivotal some small events and their connections were: the early drug use, the faithful friendship, the costly realized dream (that whole 'be careful what you wish for lest it come true...). It's hard not to ask 'if only...' by surviving loved ones. Scott seemed like he could soar but needed a solid foundation from which to do that and on which to land. He always had the former in his friend, but the latter grew weaker as he spiraled into deeper drug use. It helped to flesh Scott out more, and people can see him not just as an OD statistic but as a complex human being. It's too bad he couldn't find his way to solid sober ground; he had such a shining gift.
  11. "Gladiator". SO many great lines in this movie. Can't believe it's been 15 years since it was made. Excellent story, well acted, directed, and told. An increasing rarity...
  12. At the risk of glazing people's eyes over for repeating this point, I posted Volodya and Jonesy as examples of musicians for whom age isn't that much of an issue because they practice regularly, not necessarily religiously. Perhaps I should have made a more comprehensive list (I can still do it if people have a hankering for it), for it is extensive and indicates that it is not, in fact, unusual for musicians Jimmy's age and older to continue playing at a very high level. Mithril's post above on this page lists some performers as well. Put another way, even though age is a factor, it is larger if one does not practice. It just seems fans run to 'age' first, when there are comparables that mitigate its impact. I don't think that the MJ example is an apples-to-apples one, though. Generalizing about age in sports versus music does not effectively make the point because they have very different set of specific variables. The point is about being prepared, and by Jimmy's own admission, it doesn't sound like he has spent a lot of consistent time actually playing the guitar and it sometimes it showed more than others. It's a shame, really, because he's one of the most intriguing composers and players out there.
  13. There's no need to apologize. I didn't think you meant to disparage anyone's contribution to the band; yes, they all had equal input to Zep's unparalleled greatness. But your point about Jonesy taking up Jimmy's guitar for the night is another side-step from the main issue (after all, if Jimmy had to pick up Jonesy's bass or piano, for instance, we wouldn't expect as much either). It's not about perfection, but about ongoing maintenance of an artist's craft. Mithril's post above on this page addresses that directly. So far, we've had age, injuries, drug use, 'unfair' comparisons, being busy with other projects, playing another musician's instrument, being so 'in the moment' and exploring sonic expressions, overall contribution to music as reasons why Jimmy's playing is not what he has shown capable of. It's not either/or. Yes, all of these may be contributing factors, but simply put, practicing and playing regularly is as well. I don't know why it's so hard for fans to acknowledge that, even if we don't know the reasons behind it.
  14. Maybe, but then again, these are but two among plenty of musicians who play in and around Jimmy's age, with drop offs that aren't that significant. And jimmy himself had worse dips in performance before getting back up to the O2 show. And I'm not dogging it as I thought the concert was a tremendous achievement given all the forces at play. Neither Volodya nor Jonesy to my knowledge had broken fingers, and Jimmy has now come back twice from damaged hands, and done it well. Django came back from a significant hand injury, too. Injuries may be a factor, not discounting it, but it seems like a simple explanation is being side-stepped. At the risk of straining courtesy with bluntness, the two I mentioned, among many other working musicians, simply practice and play regularly. So the question isn't so much then 63-year-old Jimmy to his younger self, but practicing Jimmy to not regularly practicing and playing Jimmy. Look I absolutely love Jimmy's playing, and his music has changed my life for the better. His sound is so unique and has this almost mystical blend of feel and ingenuity that captures you right from the start. It's almost criminal that we don't get more of it because of whatever factors have/are contributing to his just not playing regularly (and no, I don't think he owes us anything). "If I skip practice for one day, I notice. If I skip practice for two days, my wife notices. If I skip for three days, the world notices." - Horowitz Sorry, but no. This just takes away from what Jonesy did and really diminishes Jimmy's role in his own readiness (if I'm understanding your point correctly that Jimmy somehow had the harder job to prepare for). Jonesy may not have taken centre stage during the Zep days, but he was easily the most versatile in the group and the parts he played were so often absolutely blazing, no less so than Jimmy's efforts on guitar. The roles may have been different, but Jonesy's contribution was critical to Zep's sound and soar. And having seen Jonesy in concert several times post-Zep, I can attest that when he does take centre stage, he makes sure that your attention stays there. He can blow audiences away with the fast and hard as much as with soft and subtle. Unparalleled range and dynamics and technical skill. Such a high level of intelligence and heart.
  15. There's another tribute concert honouring Lead Belly coming up: LEAD BELLY FEST AT CARNEGIE HALL FEBRUARY 4, 2016 By admin Jan. 15, 2016 PERFORMERS TO HONOR LONG-TIME NEW YORKER & ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE LEAD BELLY TO INCLUDE 5-TIME GRAMMY WINNER BUDDY GUY; ERIC BURDON OF THE ANIMALS; SPECIAL GUEST KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD; & MANY MORE CONCERT PROCEEDS GO TO NON-PROFITS THE ASSOCIATION TO BENEFIT CHILDREN AND PROJECT ALS “No Lead Belly, no Beatles.” – George Harrison “Lead Belly wasn’t an influence, he was the influence.” – Van Morrison Lead Belly Fest presents its first US performance at Carnegie Hall on February 4, 2016, a multi-artist, immersive tribute featuring five-time GRAMMY Award winner Buddy Guy and Eric Burdon (the Animals), among others. Lead Belly gave his final performance in 1949 at Carnegie Hall shortly before he died of ALS on 6th December of that year. Tom Paley of the New Lost City Ramblers performed at that 1949 concert and is the last man alive to have played with Lead Belly. Paley will return to the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall February 4. Other performers include platinum-certified guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd; three-time GRAMMY winner Tom Chapin; American songster Dom Flemons; Blues Music Award nominee Nick Moss with Michael Ledbetter, who is Lead Belly’s first cousin twice removed; two-time British Blues Award winner Laurence Jones; Josh White, Jr., (son of legendary folk singer Josh White who sang at Lead Belly’s funeral); Hot 100 Singles charting artist Ali Isabella, the “high-octane” (UNCUT) Walter Trout; “Free Ride” singer Edgar Winter; New York state bluesman and Pete Seeger cohort Guy Davis; Marky Ramone of the Ramones; renowned pianist John Davis; NYC Blues Hall of Famer Sari Schorr; singer and Broadway star Dana Fuchs; and NYC folk and blues artist and Village Voice cover story subject Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton; all playing with a house band led by Jon Cobert. Lead Belly Fest sold out Royal Albert Hall this past June in a concert headlined by Van Morrison and received rave reviews: “The stars came out to pay tribute in an incredible ensemble of talent. ‘Lead Belly Fest’ was, more than just a concert – it was a happening: without doubt one of the most diverse and authentic productions that this venerable hall has witnessed in many a year…”- The London Times A commemorative plaque to celebrate the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s longtime residence at 414 E. 10th Street, which became a hub of the folk revival, will be unveiled by a special guest at a ceremony on Lead Belly’s birthday January 20. Inspired by Lead Belly’s love of children, proceeds from the concert will go to NYC’s Association to Benefit Children (ABC). The Association to Benefit Children (ABC) is dedicated to bringing joy and warmth to disadvantaged children and their families through compassionate, sustainable, comprehensive and integrated services, designed to permanently break the cycles of abuse, neglect, sickness and homelessness. ABC’s humane and innovative programs today include early childhood education for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, educational advocacy, housing assistance, mental health services, family support and preservation, crisis intervention, therapeutic out-of-school and summer day camp programs, youth leadership development and mentoring. Founded in 1988, Project A.L.S. identifies and funds the most promising scientific research that will lead to the first effective treatments and a cure for ALS. The new paradigm for brain disease research, Project A.L.S. recruits the world’s best scientists and doctors to work together rationally and aggressively toward a better understanding of the ALS disease process and, in parallel, better therapeutic strategies. Tickets are on sale now and start at $40 at carnegiehall.org, CarnegieCharge 212-247-7800, Box Office at 57th and Seventh. http://www.12stringking.com/lead-belly-fest-at-carnegie-hall-february-4-2016/
  16. It's just how do you explain 75 year old Vladimir Horowitz playing the monumental Rach 3 better than his 20 year old self? Or closer to home, Jonesy the elder at least equalling his younger self? There's nothing wrong with comparing performances across time and so-called 'natural' diminishing dexterity can only be given so much weight. Age is a small not sole factor of it.
  17. I've always found this discussion interesting, the one where different standards apply to musicians of different genres. This has been said before, but in classical music, physical dexterity of younger performers is expected, but it's the feel and interpretation of a piece that is looked to as a measure of an artist on his or her way to mastery. That said, older classical musicians were still expected to hit the notes. Yet in rock, where in general the pieces are less complex (which doesn't mean the ideas are less interesting), people point out that dexterity diminishes with age. There are many musicians Jimmy 's age and older who were and are absolutely brilliant in terms of technical proficiency (I've mentioned being mesmerized by Itzhak Perlman, but also, closer to the genre, Jonesy). So unless there's something the matter physically, it seems that keeping at it through regular practice has a lot to do with being near a top level for any given performer and whatever talents he or she has been honing. Whatever regular physical limitations do set on with age can be offset with interpretations or remaking of songs to express an artist's voice that says this is who I am now. But in order for that to be accepted, musicians have to keep experimenting and growing so they're not boxed in by expectations of their much younger selves, be it from fans or from themselves. The transformations within Zep throughout its ascent (and why it soared) are still being marveled at and rightfully so. Looking at say, SIBLY, compared to TFO or IGC, people point to the blazing power and speed of the guitar solo (to isolate but one aspect of focus in relation to the topic), but the solos of the other two songs have no less an emotional depth and range (if not more), are SO moving and SO Jimmy yet don't need ten times the notes at ten times the speed to convey it. Again, that's a certain kind of mastery, not as a substitute for, but in addition to, technical proficiency. This added layer you can't get so much through practicing hours a day as through living and having something to say about it (which brings us round to practice, not only how much, but what kind). So it's not so much that Jimmy played well ' for an older guy' or not as well ' compared to his younger self'; it's more, at least to me, about hearing where they are now and what that sounds like, given life and practice. That may be trickier to pull off in a one-off show where the fan expectations for the songs are for them to be closer to the albums, or at least what fans are used to from live concerts, but the Zep lads still made it an epic night on their own terms. Funny thing about expectations, though. While the other three were criticized for various reasons, Jonesy once again wasn't (not that he should have been, and not that much of the criticism of the others was legitimate). But we can't say, oh Page was good for his age when the guy on stage right tore it up all night, right? Jonesy mentioned how he'd forgotten how complex GTBT was, but then, you know, he practiced, showed up, and kicked ass. I guess to sum up what I'm saying is that yes, age plays a part, but really not so much (unless there's an onset of a condition) that qualifications for a performance ought to be made. Expectations from fans and performers alike are also a factor. But if a qualification has to be made, surely it's the utter weight of the concert itself, and given that and all that had transpired before it, yeah, they were absolutely brilliant. We expected nothing less and got left with wanting more. Mastery.
  18. ^ Well tit for tat. They tried certain schemes to get the shift to their advantage (location, which they lost), and now the Zep lawyers are turning over every stone, whether the plaintiffs think it's relevant or not. I just hope that at the end of the day, there's no settlement where they have to split credit because that would be a travesty. Forty some odd years later and now the song sounds familiar enough to sue for. I'm sure it's about the integrity of the enterprise, right?
  19. Uuuugh... Gutted... Cancer can go and fuck right off already. There was a Leonard Cohen tribute at Massey Hall a while back, and Alan Rickman was one of the presenters. He read a poem. You don't really appreciate that velvety voice and moving, crafted delivery unless you've heard it live. Great actor, concerned citizen, and caring human being. From many accounts of others who've worked with him, he was committed to his community and very supportive of his fellow actors, tending in particular to the young. I feel so sad. What a loss. Heaven's gain. Wonder what role he'll play up there. Rehearsal's at 2pm...
  20. Some more trips down memory lane. I've always loved ABBA for their compositions and harmonies. Great songs, and spectacular costumes ^ I used to sing the chorus with my uncle when he'd play this song, the only one who could get me to sing (well, not counting school choirs). He was a musician in his younger days. Good, if bittersweet, memories. Ok, prepare yourselves for the groovy skintight shimmer LOL
  21. There will be a tribute - memorial concert for David Bowie on March 31, 2016 at Carnegie Hall in New York: Featuring (so far): CYNDI LAUPER • BETTYE LAVETTE • JAKOB DYLAN • PERRY FARRELL • ROBYN HITCHCOCK • THE ROOTS • THE MOUNTAIN GOATS • ANN WILSON OF HEART • TONY VISCONTI (HOUSE BAND) See link for more info about the event and various ticket packages: http://www.musicof.org/ General admission tickets can be purchased through Carnegie Hall's Box Office: http://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2016/3/31/0800/PM/The-Music-of-David-Bowie/
  22. A couple of my earliest musical memories (on reel to reel, if I recall...): And I'll throw this one in because he's smoldering here in that hot self-deprecating but still-have-you-eating-out-of-his-hand sort of way. Sweet Jesus
  23. Patrycja

    Bier

    Speaking of strong beer, this is part of the assortment that was shared during Christmas: And shared not just because of the giving season, but because if you have it all by yourself, you'll likely pass out. Here's the set: St. Bernadus Witbier – 5.5% ABV – Slightly tart with orange and lemon zest, phenolic yeast notes, fruity, herb and pepper. Honey and biscuity malt flavours. (The worst of the lot, to my taste. Not because it's the lowest in ABV, but because it reminds me of horrendous Hoeagaarden). St. Bernardus Pater 6 – 6.7% ABV – Light and fruity with some rum and raisin flavours initially, followed by cherry and red grape. Nut and toffee. Finishes with some yeasty spice and breadiness. St. Bernardus Prior 8 – 8.0% ABV – Plenty of dark dried fruit flavour like date and raisin. Some alcohol sweetness; rum, burnt sugar and toffee. Banana and spice. Subtle chocolate. St Bernardus Tripel – 8.0% ABV – Very well balanced and smooth. Light and bubbly mouthfeel. Bittersweet, with bright fruit flavours, orange, lemon, apple. A little banana. Honey, soft caramel and toffee. Crisp and spicy. Watou Tripel – 7.5% ABV – Lemon drop candy, herbal, peppery. Well carbonated and refreshing. Fruity, pear and honey. A biscuity malt and vanilla. Finishes somewhat floral. St. Bernardus Abt 12 – 10.0% ABV – Hey, remember that beer, the one with the $80 six-packs that sold out almost instantaneously at the LCBO a couple years back? It’s called Westvleteren XII and it’s considered by many to be the best beer in the world. Funny story; St. Bernardus was actually contracted by St. Sixtus, the brewery that produces Westvleteren, to brew their beer commercially over a period of 46 years, ending in 1992. When the contract expired, the recipe remained more or less intact and continued to be produced under the name St. Bernardus Abt 12. St. Bernardus Abt 12 certainly is a world class beer that delivers a huge amount of flavour, balanced so that even at 10% it has a certain delicateness that makes it highly approachable. Dark fruit is abundant, like raisin, date, plum and supported with molasses, rich toffee and brown sugar. There’s an underlying creamy chocolate throughout and a honey sweetness. This fantastic beer finishes with a little spice, pepper and ash. (^ The best of the lot, and also the most dangerous. Drink responsibly and with people you trust ). Some more info here: https://craftbeerlove.wordpress.com/2014/12/12/a-six-pack-of-st-bernie-for-your-stocking/ The three best ones (if I recall correctly) are Prior 8, Tripel 8%, and Abt 12. They're only available during the Christmas season here, which is both a shame and a blessing.
  24. Patrycja

    Bier

    I'm trying Saison from St. Feuillien, half of which just ended up all over the floor. I keep forgetting how these Belgians (it's always the Belgians!) explode out of the bottle. I tried drinking through the eruption to save it (never works, does it? Not a pretty sight lol ). Anyway, from what was left over, it was a tasty, bright, and fruity (slightly citrusy) beer. I like strong beer (this one's 6.5%, so it's just in the bottom end of the range), and will get some more, but for me the the fruit flavoured beers are more for selective sipping now and again (a bit sweet going down, which doesn't last but it's more than enough). http://www.st-feuillien.com/SaisonENG.php Followed it with a Guinness Blonde American Lager, sort of a chameleon. Blends in with a variety of occasions and meals, but doesn't stand out in a good or bad way. Serviceable. Tastes better cold (this one's room temperature and I can taste the can, bleh).
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