Beethoven on Deck

Where are we on transporter technology? Because not only would I live elsewhere (like near a beach/water) and not have to worry about my commute, and be closer to the nieces and nephews, I would be able to attend the activities my extended circle of "honorary" nieces and nephews.

Today in St. Chuck, Kari's Krew is performing Beethoven on the Deck as the Catalpa Trio of chamber musicians.

I am BUMMED I can't be there. Those girlies are so lucky -- for a variety of reasons.

I came to chamber music at the end of my formal training. Things were different when I taking lessons. It was more about solo tracks, and not what is now known formally as "Collaborative Piano" - chamber music, training on how to be a equal chamber music partner, and even training on how to be a 'real' chorus, ballet, or rehearsal pianist for theatricals. I picked up a lot on the "job" at church and high schoo chorus/pitl, but there was a lot I didn't know. I know for a fact that some orchestral directors had negative things to say about my playing when I worked with instrumentalists, but they didn't know that *I* didn't know what to do. I was working with what I knew - and the fact that I was highly uncomfortable? (Well, that's another story.) When I played for vocal auditions at UCONN for some regional competitions or auditions, some of those adjudicators and coaches were kind enough to give me some feedback, in the middle of the singers' auditions. (Sorry!) It wasn't until I got to college when I REALLY got chamber instructions - and I have to thank my fellow TRIO NON SACRA* cohorts, Jane and Kristin, for putting up with me -- and Dr. B, Dr. C, and Dr. LaM.

TRIO NON SACRA 4EVAH!

Thanks to social media, I can get glimpses of what the girlies are up to as part of their youth symphony orchestra and in rehearsal. (Not to mention have actual SM interactions with them and now play I spy with parental units. (BECAUSE I MISS THEM. NOT IN A CREEPER WAY!)

My parents are like a @timbuk2 ad! #swag pic.twitter.com/ePSgWYm9Gl

— Stella (@StellaChilds) July 3, 2015

Representing #EYSO last day of Swedish Days! #stringworks http://t.co/HEk60MGPl4 thanks for hosting The Catalpa Trio. pic.twitter.com/EQZfa889sQ

— Kari Childs (@karimamasaywhat) June 28, 2015

@EYSO Fall Camp volunteers. pic.twitter.com/otseFzGx5P

— Kari Childs (@karimamasaywhat) August 29, 2015

@kristins4kids last week @gpmf so grown up! pic.twitter.com/LzOvo2I55k

— Kari Childs (@karimamasaywhat) July 13, 2015

Thanks to WQXR's swag from Opening Night -- Beethoven's Ode to Joy - I sent along my love and a semi-permanent reminder that I am there in spirit, if not body.

Break a leg, girlies! Have FUN!

Beethoven on the deck with the #catalpatrio pic.twitter.com/WzMF3DIEPI

— Kari Childs (@karimamasaywhat) August 22, 2015

Catalpa Trio play Beethoven on the deck at 3pm #obeythoven pic.twitter.com/vJ91LxNUHH

— noel childs (@noelchilds) August 22, 2015

*Unholy Trio

43 Ideas for Birthday 43: Konnecting with Kari

I think this is a shared 43rd Birthday wish.

Happy Birthday @karimamasaywhat! Miss you lots & lots. Let's try & party in Chicago again before our next milestone. pic.twitter.com/eJX6Ele3T5

— AuntieNettie'sAttic (@NettiesAttic) January 2, 2015

Halloween Wrap-up 2014!

I think I'm more scared of how fast the last year has gone than I am of some of these scarey folks. Looking back through my archives, I think I missed doing a 2013 wrap-up of the Back to School photos and the Halloween photos. What a bad, er, busy, Auntie I've been.

At least I remembered to eat (occasionally), unlike this guy I spotted:

With thanks to all my friends and family for these photos. I wished upon my Halloween Tree to receive them through the etherspere.

The Nevada crew traveled up to see their cousins in Utah, and Drew and his older cousin Levi dressed up as Rodeo Clowns. (Photos courtesy of the bro, from Facebook.)

What a difference a week makes. That happy face was replaced by a super sad one, when he bashed his head on the kitchen island and cracked his head open. Too bad. He could have dressed up the staples to be a mini-Frankenstein's monster. He's okay now, but what a night... We've talked, and have compared our stories on how we cracked our heads open and got our scars. He was bummed that Grumpa had sent me picture BEFORE he could call and tell me.

 Tile meet head:

In less dramatic fashion, up in Idaho, the kids were super cute. I spy a silly shark, a shy kitty, and an orthodontic-ally challenged vampiress/goth girl. (Photo courtesy of the bro, courtesy of Facebook - and Grumpa.)

The little shark is just ... killing me with his cuteness! (Though, doesn't he look like he's doing the evil scientist hand rubbing thing?)

Thanks to Grumpa for pulling some photos off Facebook to share with me, courtesy of the brothers.

Some of my friends' kids are getting too old  (?!!!!!) to trick-or-treat, but I did find out that Kari's Krew were quite Kreative. Thanks to her Twitter feed for the photos and permissions.

There was an homage to some YA characters, based on "Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou! we love @lainitaylor":

"Hot Sauce" 

 "Zombie Neurosurgeon"

 

Up in Maine, it appears that "mainly" most of Krippy's older ones were either too cool, too busy, or too camera shy, but there were at least two representing the family: an "80s fitness instructor" and a "hippie." Thanks again to her Twitter feed for the photos and permissions.

Special shout out to family friend Rowan, for her creative entry: Rainbow Dash Equestria Girl! Thanks to her mom for the photo and permission.

 Lest you think things were all serious, here's an official photo off of work's Facebook page, featuring most of my colleagues goofing off.

c. Caramoor

Do you like my costume? I was the Invisible Girl/Camera Shy Shyster/"Oh Hell NO I'm not in photos" taking photos of the merriment.

I knew it was going to be an interesting couple of days when Mr. Peanut and the Edwardian Caroller walked by my office. Then I saw Harry Potter and a Pirate. And that was the Marketing Department!

The next day we had a Black & White masked Soiree at work, with a photo booth for the entertainment. The staff may have spent some time "testing" it out.

Lots of fun was had by most..... Especially the ghooooooosts.

Three final shout-outs for honorable costume mentions, thanks to online Twitter feeds and other social media. I actually don't have permission, but will give attribution.

1. L Train

Photo by: @Emersson 

"My son as the L Train on the L Train Stop as the L Train approaches. #Halloween @MTA"

link

2. Extra-Long CVS Receipt Costume: Article on BuzzFeed

ohn Baker / Via imgur.com

3. New Halloween Tradition c. of the web series, Classic Alice: BOOLING

c. @thealicerackham

 

 Link:

Booling: Bowling as a ghost, ala Rip Van Winkle, Washington Irving, homage.

The biggest ghosts of my life these days are those Ex Machina, aka in the railroad machines ... My commutes have been eventful. Thanks Mother Nature and Deferred Capital Maintance Programs at the MTA. *anger fists*

Retroblogging: Chicago Trip 2012, Reunion Roaming

It's been a year of incredible warp speed and I just haven't been able to keep up. I'm resorting to retroblogging about the events of January 2012, for goodness sake.

2012 started off on a wonderful note - re"k"onnecting with my friend Kari in Chicago. As I mentioned way back during the 40 Diamonds for 40 run in February, Kari is one of the first of the gang to hit the milestone and I colluded with her husband to surprise her with a visit in Chicago and then in her next of the woods. A present for both of our birthdays .. and turns out for Noel too. (Sorry Noel - thanks for letting me celebrate with you!)

It hadn't felt like 16 years. ... or didn't until January 2012 ... when down the dark, windy streets of Chicago walked my still-miraculously blond friend into a very long, overdue hug and tears. We just kept grinning like Cheshire Cats the whole first night.

We hit the streets to wander around and find dinner and it was the one evening on my trip when Chicago decided to show me what her winds were all about. It was windy and chilly, but not nearly as bad as it could have been. Or so I was told. It was still cold having coming from Southern Utah when it was 65 and I was kayaking not the day or two before.

See, they even have "warming" bells to alert you to the weather. The whole week was "warmer;" no snow, no ice, weather in the high 30s, low 40s - it was downright balmy for Chicago.

I got a hotel in the "theater" district and so got to see some of their famous lights, "corncob" landmarks, and modern art.

You never know what you're going to find along the way to sushi. You know, just a random giant Picasso sculpture.

Oh, framing up a giant Christmas tree. The Art Institute had a little version of what became this installation.

It was fun to wander and to use Mother Nature to keep me awake. That 3:00 a.m. wake up call for the airplane shuttle was too dang early.

One other observation - I thought New York pigeons were savvy - using the subway and MetroNorth to commute, but Chicago pigeons, they don't mess around.



Here's the Eternal Flame in Daley Plaza.

Location:
118 N. Clark St, Daley Plaza
Chicago, IL 60602

According to Explore Chicago:





"This is the heart of Chicago and I know the heart of Chicago is with us today."

With those words, Mayor Richard J. Daley dedicated an eternal flame in what was then called the Civic Center Plaza. At the time of its dedication on August 22, 1972, the eternal flame was Chicago's first memorial to honor the dead from four wars, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

The Eternal Flame Memorial at Daley Plaza is a granite slab bearing a bronze circular disk containing a natural gas flame that burns perpetually. An inscription reads: "Eternal flame in memory of the men and women who have served in our armed forces." City officials created the Eternal Flame in response to veterans organization leaders' pleas for a memorial that would serve as a monument to deceased service personnel.

The flame was lit by Mrs. Albina Nance, the president of the Illinois Gold Star Mothers in 1972. The Eternal Flame is enclosed by a wrought iron fence near the Picasso sculpture on Daley Plaza.

Such a wonderful way to kick off that portion of the trip. Art, walking, talking ... which is what we did the next day when we also hit the aforementioned Art Institute.

Retroblogging: Chicago Trip 2012, Art Institute

Art Institute of Chicago, January 2012

Jackson Pollock
American, 1912–1956

Greyed Rainbow, 1953

Oil on linen
182.9 x 244.2 cm (72 x 96 1/8 in.), unframed
Signed and dated: recto: "Jackson Pollock 53" (bottom right in black paint); verso: "Jackson Pollock / 53" (upper left in black paint)
Gift of Society for Contemporary American Art, 1955.494

© 2012 Pollock-Krasner Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York 

For more information, click here.

Retroblogging: Chicago Trip 2012, Art Institute

Art Institute of Chicago, January 2012

 What? Really? You know, sometimes I just don't "get" modern/contemporary "art."

 Kari more closely examines the "art"

 and follows the directions. What a good art patron!

Of course, then we had to schlep that rolled up piece of "art" all over Chicago and the trains.

Felix Gonzalez-Torres
American, born Cuba, 1957–1996

"Untitled" (Silver Beach), 1990

Offset print on paper, endless copies
50.8 x 66.4 x 58.7 cm (20 in. at ideal height x 26 in. x 23 in.)
Through prior bequest of Marguerita S. Ritman, through prior gift of Lucille E. and Joseph L. Block; Sara Szold and Marjorie and Louis Susman Funds, 2005.19

© The Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation. 

Check back here to see when this interactive piece of art will be back on display.