Our friend Ron was in town on Wednesday night and came over for dinner. We always really enjoy Ron’s company and it was very nice to be able to spend the evening catching up, telling stories, and laughing. Oh, let me not forget that Diana (Deeawna Lasagna – phonetic pronunciation help for Ron) made a lovely dinner as well on short notice.
The rest of the week was pretty quiet as we enjoyed improving weather and Saturday was the first day this year where it’s been warm enough to sit outside and read.
Our pleasant weather was in stark contrast to the Scottish climate – variously described as “The Beast from the East” and the “Hysteria from Siberia” were blizzard type conditions in Glasgow and throughout much of Europe. My parents didn’t get it too bad in Stewarton but were still experiencing new snow when we talked to them on Sunday afternoon. They described the snow as like “polystyrene (Styrofoam) balls” and very dry making for very slick driving conditions. Here’s a picture from the New York Times of a pedestrian in blizzard conditions in Glasgow.
Our usual coffee and a crossword on Sunday morning generated some humour around the clue, “Foe of Montague”. Diana couldn’t believe I didn’t know the answer was “Capulet” from “Romeo and Juliet”. I replied that I bet my Dad didn’t know that answer either – but of course he got it correct straight away when asked. That generated a reminiscence about the BBC television quiz show that my Dad participated in when I was very young and my question, “How did you get inside the television Dad?”.
We’re working on completing our Oscar ballots for the awards show tonight. Here’s what I have so far:
With no travel this week, I had some extra time to browse around on YouTube. This “Tuba Virtuoso” performance had me laughing out loud. Having played this instrument for several years, this guy is exceptionally talented and brings a lot of humor to his show.
The other one I really enjoyed is with John Mayer and the Wynton Marsalis septet performing “I’m Gonna Find Another You”. Mayer really is one of my favorite guitar players – such a sweet and round sound that he gets.
We watched a documentary on Eric Claptop, “My Life in 12 Bars”, which was pretty good. The highlight by a long shot was this clip of Blind Faith (his band with Steve Winwood) in Hyde Park. Steve Winwood looks like he’s still in high school.
I discovered a new TV show from last year, “I’m Dying Up Here” on Showtime. It’s about stand up comics trying to make it at a club called Goldie’s in LA in 1974. The acting and writing are very good and I’m also really enjoying the music. I’m of the opinion that all the best rock music was created in 1973 and 1974 and this show certainly supports that. Episode One had both “Calvary Cross” by Richard and Linda Thompson (best guitar solo ever) and “Strawberry Letter 23” by Shuggie Otis – two of my all time favourites.
I continue to slog through my book about a New York Times journalist living in Turkey. I enjoyed this paragraph:
“Here’s the thing: no one ever tells Americans that when they move abroad, even if they are empathetic and sensitive human beings – even if they come clean about their genetic inability to learn languages, even if they consider themselves leftist critics of their own government – that they will inevitably, and unconsciously, spend those first months in a foreign country feeling superior to everyone around them and to the nation in which they now have the privilege to live.”
The musical lagniappe this week is “Baby Bluebird” by the Fruit Bats. I pulled this album out this week and didn’t remember enjoying this song as much when I first listened.