Sunday night chat

[Stillhomewardbound]

Good evening, everyone. Just popping in towards the end of a most curious and enjoyable weekend.

Friday, I was invited by friends with tickets to a television recording of one of those talent shows for ITV at the Hammersmith Apollo. Those records last an eternity but I was surprised that much of it was very entertaining and not the gladiatorial feeding of the christians to the lions that I might have expected.

My highlight definitely was last night at a Guardian Book Club event in Notting Hill where the guest was 'Tales of the City' author, Armistead Maupin. I've long been an admirer of his and it was a delight to find him so engaging, humourous and entirely without ego. Those that might be interested can follow the link below for a fuller account of the evening by myself.

Sufficet to say, how much more can you admire an author who spends two hours off the back of an appearance, signing copies and greeting each of his admirers? What a guy! What an author!

http://www.latelygay.com/2014/02/a-tale-of-armistead-maupin.html

[Petrushka]

Only three weeks until Cheltenham and racing will be more interesting again.

I'm quietly having a few wins on Saturdays, actually prefer the going to be heavy as it makes it slightly easier to pick those winners. Had three 8/1 winners this year and several seconds and thirds and am £60 up so far in 2014.

I've got my ticket for Gold Cup Day and am hoping for a repeat of last year when I picked up £200.

[EdgeleyRob]

I haven't got any room left for CD shelves

An unexpectedly fine day here, dry and sunny though still a cold wind blowing.

As usual went to see my mother in the care home this afternoon. She's been in there for nearly three years now apparently with vascular dementia. I say 'apparently' because in the past few weeks we have all noticed a distinct improvement. The care home staff are somewhat bemused to find this and so are we. My mother is showing distinct signs of recognising her children again and speaking lucidly and coherently. We were told that dementia is a degenerative disease but we believe that her damaged blood vessels caused by a series of mini-strokes are possibly regenerating. We're not expecting any miracles but it runs counter to all expectations which was of a downhill spiral without hope of reverse.

Any neuro-surgeons on the Forum?

That's good to hear Pet.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

A ridiculously busy week in which I packed in the day job, had three review assignments plus a trip to ETO's King Priam. Today, polished up an interview with the lovely Aiyln Pérez ahead of her role debut as Liù tomorrow in Puccini’s Turandot: http://www.opera-britannia.com/index...iews&Itemid=14

And tomorrow, I start a new job! I'm the new Classical Music Editor at Bachtrack - a very exciting change, but one that's going to involve a lot of commuting which will doubtless come as a shock to the system. Butterflies abound...

[EdgeleyRob]

So does Sunday Night Club meet only every fortnight now ?
I much preferred the weekly get togethers.
How are you all ?

[teamsaint]

So does Sunday Night Club meet only every fortnight now ?
I much preferred the weekly get togethers.
How are you all ?

Well thanks for asking.
I am well. Enjoyed the first glimpses of spring yesterday before a grim old day weatherwise today. Saw The oysterband on Friday night, top class folk rock.
managed to tidy up my CDs a bit today. A bit, that is.
Prolly have a trip out to see the Vienna Tonkers play some Rach and Dvorak on Wednesday at Basingstoke, so something to look forward to.

Alison won't have to wait long now to get that bubbly open.....hope she has a win on the nags to pay for it !!

[amateur51]

As usual went to see my mother in the care home this afternoon. She's been in there for nearly three years now apparently with vascular dementia. I say 'apparently' because in the past few weeks we have all noticed a distinct improvement. The care home staff are somewhat bemused to find this and so are we. My mother is showing distinct signs of recognising her children again and speaking lucidly and coherently. We were told that dementia is a degenerative disease but we believe that her damaged blood vessels caused by a series of mini-strokes are possibly regenerating. We're not expecting any miracles but it runs counter to all expectations which was of a downhill spiral without hope of reverse.

Any neuro-surgeons on the Forum?

That's very encouraging news about your mum, Petrushka - sorry to be so late in responding to it.It always cheers me up when the medical status quo is confounded

[Alison]

Good shout Robbo.

All well in Chelmsford. Visit to the folks over in Hertford today with Bruckner 9 on the CD player.
Nice basket around M&S food hall on the way back.

I've got some Atterberg symphonies lined up for car journeys to work this week. I have my own composer of the week.

Last week was my first proper encounter with Johan Svendsen and I enjoyed his music very much.

Any Delians out there ? I'm still a floating voter with him. Splashed out on the Chandos Delius in Norway collection with only intermittent pleasure.

[amateur51]

A ridiculously busy week in which I packed in the day job, had three review assignments plus a trip to ETO's King Priam. Today, polished up an interview with the lovely Aiyln Pérez ahead of her role debut as Liù tomorrow in Puccini’s Turandot: http://www.opera-britannia.com/index...iews&Itemid=14

And tomorrow, I start a new job! I'm the new Classical Music Editor at Bachtrack - a very exciting change, but one that's going to involve a lot of commuting which will doubtless come as a shock to the system. Butterflies abound...

Belated congrats on the new job IGI - I hope it has started well & that you enjoy it hugely

[EdgeleyRob]

Weatherwise it's been a weekend of 2 halves.
Wonderful sunny Saturday,grim wet miserable Sunday.
Sounds like that could be a good 'un on Wednesday ts.
I am a Delian Alison.
Have you tried the Violin Sonatas (Tasmin Little,about 3 or 4 squid on t'internet),the Late Swallows String Quartet,Brigg Fair,Mass of Life....and so on and on and on...

[Alison]

Right on. It's the Violin sonatas next.

Thanks for all the Chelmsford soccer updates by the way!

[Beef Oven!]

Weatherwise it's been a weekend of 2 halves.
Wonderful sunny Saturday,grim wet miserable Sunday.
Sounds like that could be a good 'un on Wednesday ts.
I am a Delian Alison.
Have you tried the Violin Sonatas (Tasmin Little,about 3 or 4 squid on t'internet),the Late Swallows String Quartet,Brigg Fair,Mass of Life....and so on and on and on...

Walked into the gym at 6.45 tonight, when I came out at 9.00, there was a bloody monsoon going on!!

[Petrushka]

That's very encouraging news about your mum, Petrushka - sorry to be so late in responding to it.It always cheers me up when the medical status quo is confounded

Unhappily not the case, I'm afraid. The care home have altered her medication slightly leading to what was a false dawn. You get a few of these with dementia then the tablets to control the disease take hold again. We've been told it's very difficult to get the balance right between her sleeping a lot and being overactive. It's very distressing to see someone you love with an illness as damaging as this. There are no positives, I'm afraid.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enough of all that.

Alison, I'm afraid Delius is a total blank spot for me and am happy enough for it to stay that way. What I've heard over the years (some of it live) doesn't fill me with an urge to hear any more.

Another four day week for me this week as it's yet another meet up with friends for coffee and cakes. What's more next week is also a four day week as I'm off to the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the 14th. Ticket prices are stupidly expensive (£75 in the Club Enclosure where viewing is best) so only going the one day this year. With a £42 rail ticket and betting money added on it's an expensive jolly. Just hope for a repeat of last year when I won over £200.

[Alison]

We'll have to revive the racing thread next week. I'll be able to watch Cheltenham on the Tuesday and Friday.
The Champion Hurdle looks a really interesting race this year.
The festival seemed to take ages to come round in the New Year but we're virtually there already. Astonishing.

[EdgeleyRob]

We need tips guys.