Jun 4, 2014 · 2 minute read · Comments runningFrick ParkPittsburghLuna Sandals
This is my third year of celebrating National Running Day. The first year, I did so by running in Schenley Park; last year, I quietly did my usual Frick Park run.
This year, I ran in Frick Park again, a shorter run, because I took such a long break from running since last October, and only recently returned to regular running.
Luna Venado Sandals Since it was a shorter run of just 3 miles, I wore my thin Luna Venado Sandals (only 7 mm thick) instead of the Luna Mono Sandals that I wore on last year’s run.
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I went to something like my twelfth CMU Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences staff appreciation lunch (I’ve lost track). Basically, they feed you, recognize people who have worked some multiple of five years, and hold a raffle for ten cash prizes topping out at $100 (I won $75 last year). It’s a pleasant annual social event, but one whose details I don’t really remember from one year to the next.
But this year was different. I will not forget this year.
May 28, 2014 · 2 minute read · Comments musicdanceAaron CoplandAppalachian SpringPittsburgh Symphony OrchestraCarnegie Mellon UniversityballetMartha Graham
I follow Greg Sandow’s blog on the “future of classical music”. He posted an article that got me thinking: he was all excited about an unorthodox performance of Aaron Copland’s half-hour-long “Appalachian Spring” by the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra in which the students of the orchestra actually moved around and danced as well as played their instruments.
I have a confession to make: back almost four years ago, in November 2010, I went to a “Carnegie Mellon Night at the Symphony” in which “Appalachian Spring” was on the program.
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Over Memorial Day weekend, Abby and I went kayaking on the Kiski River, at the invitation of Steve, the guy we first met six years ago. There’s a story I’d like to share about what happened by chance six years ago.
May 21, 2014 · 3 minute read · Comments cookiesCarnegie Mellon University
Today’s was Carnegie Mellon University’s annual “staff picnic”. Basically, they provide some reasonable food in the University Center, including a variety of sandwiches and wraps (with many good vegetarian selections, by the way), and salads, and ice cream billed as “homemade ice cream sandwiches”.
The menu in recent years has been pretty good, and stayed the same.
I ate a single one of the ice cream cookie sandwiches, which was plenty!
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May 18, 2014 · 2 minute read · Comments hikingFrick ParkPittsburgh
Because of the rain forecast and fatigue (I had a tough week), Abby and I ended up not venturing out of the city of Pittsburgh for a hike yesterday. But this afternoon, things seemed to clear up enough that we went for a hike in our local Frick Park. It was a bit chilly actually, so we wore raincoats and also I wore a hat in gloves (yes, it’s May).
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We had another great turnout for the monthly meeting of the Pittsburgh Recorder Society. We got another new member, Joanna. I counted fifteen of us, total.
Today, the highlight for me was discovering some music I don’t remember encountering before, by Alonso Lobo, who lived roughly 1555-1617. Fred passed out parts for his “Versa est in luctum”, a sacred motet for voice (which we are playing as a recorder ensemble instead).
This music is beautiful and new to me, and Fred provided instructive interpretive guidance I will discuss.
I’d never heard of Lobo before (outside of recorder playing, I simply have very little knowledge of early pre-Baroque music) and had to look up Lobo after the meeting.
