Recent posts

[Crumb - Makrokosmos, Volume II]

#81

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by steve ridgway - July 17, 2025, 10:34:54 PM

Crumb - Makrokosmos, Volume II

More fairly sparse and open music .

#82

The Diner / Re: Life, the Universe, and Ev...

Last post by steve ridgway - July 17, 2025, 10:30:24 PM

Somewhere in this I've been wanting to introduce the process philosophy of A. N. Whitehead, in which the basic units of existence are considered not as 'things' but as processes. But this is already entangled enough!

I'm wondering if the miracle of creation may be the differentiation of the universe into apparent entities able to regard themselves as individuals. Regardless of whether they're "really" processes, transient associations of matter, reflections of circumstances or however you like to break them down.

#83

The Diner / Re: Life, the Universe, and Ev...

Last post by steve ridgway - July 17, 2025, 10:12:39 PM

I do find that the relativistic view of time really does help me to visualise the relation between past, present, and future (to take merely the aspect we've just been talking about). I understand that to your way of thinking this takes me away from the truth, rather than towards it, but it doesn't seem so to me.

I have been thinking about "my allocated portion of spacetime" as if my life was a plot of land, like a garden or estate, given me to inhabit and look after. This is making me more aware of the patterns over time and trying to see, or develop my individual existence, as a whole.

[Takemitsu - Bryce (For Flute, Two Harps, Marimba And Percussion)]

#84

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by AnotherSpin - July 17, 2025, 10:05:36 PM

Takemitsu - Bryce (For Flute, Two Harps, Marimba And Percussion)

I like the combination of instruments in this airy chamber piece.

Lovely image. A promotional poster for French umbrellas, designed by an Italian, on the cover of a Japanese composer's album. And not a hint of contradiction, it comes together rather seamlessly.

#85

The Diner / Re: Birders' Nest

Last post by owlice - July 17, 2025, 09:58:41 PM

The boardwalks never disappoint.

Bald Eagle (so big!)


Red-winged Blackbird (so noisy!)


Common Yellowthroat (so cute!)

#86

The Diner / Re: Birders' Nest

Last post by owlice - July 17, 2025, 09:35:15 PM

So this morning we took ourselves up into the hills, with spectacular views across to the Pennines, and set off on a favourite walk. And there on a post was a male stonechat, calm as you like. We slowed down. He stayed. Eventually he was only a few feet away. I reached for my camera .... but ....

I hadn't brought my camera! Again!

So we stopped and just looked. No need for binoculars. White collar, black head, light red-brown chest. Fabulous. After a few minutes, Mrs Stonechat landed on an adjacent post, and then off they both went. This of course is a 'one that got away' story, but truly I have never had such a close view.

Otherwise the place was devoid of visible birdlife - not a lapwing or a curlew to be seen.

But I really, really have to sort out this camera issue. Apologies, @owlice. I appreciate you are doing your best to help.

This made me lol the first time I read it and every subsequent time, too! 

Maybe print it out and tape it to the door you use to go outside... ? 

Your stonechat encounter sounds enchanting. You might remember it all the rest of your life because you didn't take your camera!

#87

GMG News / Re: Missing Members

Last post by steve ridgway - July 17, 2025, 09:34:59 PM

Welcome back @springrite  .

#88

The Diner / Re: Birders' Nest

Last post by owlice - July 17, 2025, 09:27:48 PM

1. I never knew there were so many over there.
2. The quality of images here is such that I don't know how to comment sensibly on them except in terms like 'Wow' or 'Gosh' or 'Goodness me', followed by some random number of exclamation marks.
3. Each of those sparrows looks like a bird I would want to know, and have a conversation with.

1. I didn't know there were so many over here, either. And that's just in the US; there are also sparrows in most other places on Earth. SO MANY SPARROWS!!
2. You're very kind, and it is the camera. Really! I have often lent my "spare" camera (the P950) to others, and yeah, it's the camera. I could hand you this camera and your pics would require others to buy more exclamation points.... assuming you remembered to take the camera outside. 
3. The birds look forward to making your acquaintance!

[Takemitsu - Bryce (For Flute, Two Harps, Marimba And Percussion)]

#89

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by steve ridgway - July 17, 2025, 09:27:36 PM

Takemitsu - Bryce (For Flute, Two Harps, Marimba And Percussion)

I like the combination of instruments in this airy chamber piece.

#90

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by AnotherSpin - July 17, 2025, 08:45:24 PM

Frescobaldi: Toccate e partite d'intavolatura di cimbalo et organo, libro primo

Sergio Vartolo