Paris photos

All the Paris photos are now online here. Meanwhile these are not what most of us think of as crepes, are they? They are whole wheat. Mine contained mushrooms and cheese. Hers contained bacon and cheese. We had dessert crepes with caramel that were to die for and were the more traditional white but still square. The place is Josselin Creperie, 67 Rue du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris, France. Don't miss it.

Not

on the way to Paris. Yet. Flight cancelled. Rescheduled to fly thru Atlanta tomorrow. Stay tuned...

By the way, the delay is good for the cats as the neighbor who feeds them is away till Saturday. Of course, they may not get home when planned. Snow has disrupted lots this year. Tho I suspect the flight tonight was canceled less because of the weather and more because it was only half full.

Off to Paris

IF the weather gods allow us to get off the ground at PIT and the air traffic controllers allow us to land at CDG, I'll be flying to Paris. Doubt there will be any blogging but who knows? Be safe, warm and happy while I'm gone. Don't start any fights you can't finish. Scritch and pet the critters. And hug whenever you get an opportunity.

Sights

Winston Salem's answer to Charlotte's tower which now has competition from other buildings making it less obvious. Then a little ways up the road...
Hee.
I promise I won't post this again even tho I'll probably travel this route often. I'll still giggle tho.

Thruway thoughts

Today I drove the Thruway from the Taconic to the Pennsylvania line. Whenever I transverse that highway I have many memories pop into my head. I've been going to the Berkshire Choral Festival since 1985 using that route for most of those journeys. This year I have been on portions of it several times. Here is what ran thru my thruway thoughts today.

I love the Taconic in good weather. It is a lovely drive and there is rarely anyone else at the tollgate, especially when I'm eastbound.

I wish I could have visited FranIAm today in Albany. Oh well, there is next year.

When Glenn was still at the cathedral in Albany, I would sometimes leave BCF early enough to attend mass then have lunch with him - before Karen. When they married, they invited me to sing with the choir which I did.

During the wedding festivities, I stayed with a gal in Schenectady whose name I can't recall at the moment. Sorry. On my way east last week, I visited a college friend Lynn near there. When a portion of the Thruway collapsed awhile back, I had driven over it only a few hours before and still recall where it was.

A number of years ago I drove recording equipment from Amherst, MA to Denver, CO for a friend who was recording the organ works of Langlais in the churches where he performed. The first night out I stayed at a Motel 6 in Utica. There were two rather large friendly ladies at the desk who welcomed me. Painted on a block wall on one side of the driveway was a message that there will be no noise after 11 pm. Around midnight there was noise and suddenly a big voice reminded the rowdies that they know the rules and there was quiet immediately. The next morning I commented that they run a tight ship. The same ladies just smiled.

On the way to Montreal I visited friends in the vicinity of Utica and saw the church he leads in downtown Utica. I was too late to attend the eucharist as I stayed to hear the recording of the first half of the concert so I just waved as I went by. I waved at lots of people today. New memories and old.

Many years ago I hauled my Sunfish behind my TR4A to a race at Cazenovia Lake which seemed more like a large pothole to me. I met some wonderful people who appeared here and there afterward too.

My father owned and I learned to sail Lightning 1182 whose keel was laid in Skaneateles the same year mine was. It had a double planked cypress hull and weighed 900 pounds which is why I could sail it single handedly in fairly strong winds.

Awhile ago I attended the Long Island Choral Festival and met a lovely gal from Rochester but lost touch with her. A few years later I had an opportunity to attend one rehearsal for the Verdi Requiem in Rochester before singing tenor at Chautauqua. I found my friend's email and hoped it worked then spent the night with her renewing a precious friendship.

A month ago I drove thru Buffalo to Fort Erie to get my Nexus pass which was very useful going to and from Montreal. I have other Buffalo memories but they are too many to detail.

Among the Buffalo memories are the folks at Holy Trinity Lutheran. I knew a number of people in that choir because they were also BCF people. One was a special friend who lived in East Aurora. I was sad to see his name on the list of people for whom the requiem would be sung last year.

Coming farther west, I always have to chuckle when I pass Silver Creek. I met a gal in summer choir at Westminster Choir College before I was a student who was from that town. She was always annoyed that I pronounced it Silver Crick. And still do.

Years ago I crewed on a 40 foot Rhodes 27 out of Erie Yacht Club. We always used the Dunkirk stacks as a landmark. I still look for them for some unknown reason only now from the highway side.

Dunkirk used to have a restaurant that served all the lobster you could eat. On the way back from a meeting in Buffalo with coworkers one time, we stopped there. I had way too much to eat and drink. I will never forget the headache.

The Dunkirk exit is also the one to take to experience the New York State Summer School for the Arts performances which I did once.

Lots of associations with the Westfield/Mayville exit. Jay lives in Mayville now. And of course that is the exit for Chautauqua. Many stories there.

And then there is Westfield. A bunch of us had sailed from Erie to Barcelona Harbor. There was a restaurant in Westfield which, again, served all the lobster you could eat and we ate and drank well. Another memorable headache for me and it wasn't the lobster. One of the men in the fleet had had a financial problem with the owner of the restaurant. After the 15 or so of us had eaten, we left. That's how he collected on his bill.

The Thruway holds lots of memories for me. Helps during the long drive.

Friday morning in Montreal

The penultimate day at BCF is always pretty busy, especially if there are plans for the evening. The day began with a choral rehearsal in Église St.-Jean-Baptiste which is a very large barn of a place. We were greeted with a huge poster outside like those advertising an exhibit at an art museum. Also saw an ad in the Metro. I doubt I will get around to posting photos maybe until I get home. It took some shuffling and last minute bleacher seats to get everyone organized but eventually I ended up where I wanted to be. The gal on my right ear is not easy to sing beside but I can deal. I'm glad I didn't have to sit next to one of the gals I sat with in Vancouver and the lady behind me ports slightly like she is used to country music. As long as I have my favorite alto on my left ear, I'm happy.

At lunchtime Shelly and I found a place called Wok and Roll and ate outside. Inexpensive, filling and good.

The afternoon brought the orchestra and soloists. The bass soloist had a bit of difficulty with the ending of one recit and the men were raggedy but otherwise it went pretty well. The conductor cut the organ from one movement and had some difficulty with the camera setup which was fixed at break. He is an organist so he knew what stops needed to be used. The orgel is a huge thing in the back gallery. I know nothing about it.

During the break two of the altos' bleacher seats collapsed because they weren't locked in place. We learned later that one woman was injured but we know nothing more. My vocal folds were so coated with mucus that I had no idea what was going to come out of my mouth. I need to work on that this afternoon so I can really sing tonight. Probably need to drink lots more water today. Which means lots more time for something else. grump.

The evening was spectacular. We rode the Metro then walked down to the river for Cirque du Soleis. That is a very interesting setup. A huge complicated tent structure that takes a week to set up. When it is removed, an usher told us they find tons of popcorn. LOL. The program was Ovo - about bugs. My favorite part was a slinky-like worm-like thing but the trampoline and wall were fascinating. I sat there with my mouth gaping like a little kid. It was fun. Bette and her mother were there so the four of us took a cab back.

Today we have dress rehearsal in the morning and the afternoon "free". Ha. The afternoon is for shoving everything back in the car except concert and travelling clothes, music, computer and the coffee pot and for going over those nasty bits of music plus, if possible, a nap. We are grateful for buses to take us to the church tonight. It is about a 20 minute walk.

After the concert a party at which we usually roast the conductor tho we did not do so in Vancouver. Wine and beer flow and there are usually lots of hugs and goodbyes till next year. In Austria the party prefaced a miserable next day for me. I'm praying that is not repeated and don't think it will but I'm wary. If it does, it could be the misery of parting again for an unknown period.

I haven't talked to anyone who is also going to Sheffield the first week tho I'll admit I haven't talked to as many people as usual this week, mostly because we don't eat together except a brief breakfast. I'm looking forward to the meals at Sheffield. They are a great time to meet ew people and reestablish old summer friendships. The meals in Austria were together but not here or in Vancouver. That to me is a disadvantage.

Don't know if I will blog later. Will try to do so when I get home tomorrow but don't hold your breath. I need to sleep sometime and haven't done much of that here.

Wednesday not in Montreal

Today we took buses to Quebec City. A long ride. I think we all fell in love with the city, found it very romantic and would love to return. Unfortunately one of the buses broke down so some folks had a bit of an extended stay by Le Château Frontenac. Tough - except they were pretty tired by then. They said the repaired bus would arrive about half an hour after we left.

This is Quebec City's version of the Duquesne Incline.

This guy was playing a song (which was appropriate but I won't mention) on a glass harmonica.

Still the photographer - see my photos from Austria.

We visited the falls at Montmorency.

Didn't buy these but couldn't resist a photo.

Tomorrow we are in Église St.-Jean-Baptiste for the first time. Morning rehearsal just us then afternoon with orchestra. Tomorrow night Shelly and I and two other ladies will go to Cirque du Soleil. You may see a post tomorrow but don't count on it.

Tuesday in Montreal - updated

There was one chorus this morning that seemed very unfamiliar but I had a marking or two so we had gone over it. Wonder where else I'm that lost.
UPDATE We ran the piece tonight. There are LOTS of places that seemed unfamiliar. Of course we have three more rehearsals but I definitely need to do some studying sometime between now and the concert. Argh.

The faculty gave a little concert after rehearsal. Those are always good and this one was especially fun. A song by Tom Lehrer and a special one by Rossini were featured. I won't say what or who in case someone reading this goes to Sheffield and they repeat them there.

Conductor Julian Wachner had an extended question and answer session after that. An amazingly talented young man. When asked if there were something he dreams of doing, he finally said that being the BSO conductor would be it.

This afternoon I set out to find the McGill bookstore. It was a bit of a walk but it was where the map said it should be. Bought a device for reading camera cards. Interesting that it was cheaper in Canadian dollars than at home. Also some blank CDs. Can now make CDs of photos for some folks.

Then I started home taking a different route. I didn't take a map but looked at it carefully, I thought, before I left. I got kind of lost and probably walked four or so miles including some hilly places. Had the iPhone with me but the battery was dying. Lasted just long enough to get me to a street that led home then died. Whew! Thanked my guardian angel profusely. Saw some interesting parts of Montreal. And didn't get any blisters tho one toe feels like it was developing one. Have had my exercise.

Meanwhile those who have read my blog for awhile know that I look for unique flowers and ducks wherever I go. Well I haven't seen any mallards yet. But I did get a photo of my favorite flower.

Monday in Montreal

Sometimes when we go back over stuff we did Saturday and yesterday it feels like I've never seen it before. Of course, when I've done something at BCF then go back to it years later I often wonder where my brain was the first time.

Our conductor Julian Wachner really is wonderful. He has all sorts of tricks to get problems cleared up. He reminds me of Brady Allred in some ways. I doubt I will ever sing Paulus again but I suspect I'll remember it if I do. And I'm learning How Lovely are the Messengers auf Deutsch.

We learned about next season. I signed up for one week in Sheffield conducted by Anton Armstrong. I've done the Poulenc Gloria. I've never done Rutter's Te Deum or Bizet's Te Deum. Haven't decided about Italy yet. I wish I had a specific person to go with and room with. If I decide against that I may go the first week to do Handel's Judas Maccabeus which I don't think I've ever sung. Our Austria conductor is doing that. The concert in Italy will be all a cappella including RVW's Mass in G. I would love to return to Montreal to work with Jane Glover but not to do Die Schöpfung (Creation). If anyone reading this is interested, email me and I'll send the rest of the schedule.

My roommate is happy. We finally have a phone, a working floor lamp and a working TV. I am going to regret the last. She watches stuff that will give me nightmares. Ugh.

Shelly and I planned to visit the Science Museum or whatever it is but we got started too late. We rode the Metro down to the waterfront and walked around a bit then came back. We found where Cirque du Soleil is. We will take the Metro down probably after rehearsal then find a cafe - there seem to be hundreds - until the performance at 8.

Some favorite photos

We walked up and down this hill many times between the hostel and town. The foggy greyness was with us for most of the first week.

Mondsee countryside.

The Basilica at Mondsee. St Michael is the patron.

A funeral procession.

Box lunch sandwich made us laugh.

A tunnel on the road to Eagle's Nest.

The canal which brings water to Salzburg.

The Mondsee basilica at night.

Mallards and a duck with lovely tail feathers in a pond in front of one of the numerous palaces.

Across the Danube.

Folks in photo teased me about the computer store.

From one country to another across the Danube.

Parliament in Budapest.

Chain Bridge in Budapest.

Now it is time to put Austria behind me and get on with life. sniff.

From the ridiculous to the sublime

This was our room in the youth hostel in Mondsee. Roomie was Joan here.

This was our room in Vienna. Roomie was Shelly. That was confusing especially for me.

(This isn't my roomie.)

In Budapest we were back to a traditional hotel room. I didn't take a photo.

People

These are some of the photos of people I took. The first is waltzing on the sightseeing boat on Lake Mondsee. Note the camera waiting. When asked what she does with her photos, she said nothing. Pretty much true for lots of us. But I did find my Vienna roomie in one of my Vancouver photos. We didn't even know we were there together in June.

Two new friends.Water bridge at Hellbrun Castle.

Listening to the tour guide. We clumped like this often. Lovely weather we had. Ugh.

My first week roommate and I at Eagle's Nest.

Illinois friends and more at Eagles Nest.

Waiting, waiting, waiting. In this case for rehearsal to begin. At least we could sit down.

Our conductor.

A common sight as we all poured over maps of Vienna and Budapest constantly.

Ducky travels everywhere.

This ice cream cone was gorgeous. Petals like a flower.

Gals at a mountaintop stop for a view of the Danube.

More folks at that stop with the Danube in the background.

The retired teachers who included me in their group. My 2nd week roomie on the left.

There was a mirror above us.And more photo takers.