|
SubscriptionsSites I Read
|
|
|
|
| I registered for the last time yesterday.  Since my classes from Scotland finally articulated for major credit, I will only be taking two business classes (yawn) and hopefully a music fundamentals class (still awaiting approval from the professor since I have not completed the prerequisite course).
Tomorrow is huge. Interview with Hewlett Packard. Yikes.
| | |
| I still can't believe it. I am overcome with disbelief every occasion I truly ponder the event. Being so close to the person I admire most in the world is an ineffably intoxicating experience.
The program began with music that I am admittedly unfamiliar with, originating from the "Golden Age" of Hollywood. Spartacus (Alex North) and Sunset Boulevard (Franz Waxman) were fantastic, but pieces all were stellar. The entire program was chosen by Williams himself and he worked with every single composer whose work was exhibited (all of them are now deceased, the most recent being Jerry Goldsmith). Following intermission was an extended suite from Memoirs of a Geisha which is basically a cello concerto. It was the first time this suite had been played on the west coast.  The program finished with the main cues from E.T., genuinely quintessential John Williams stuff. He even played The Imperial March as the encore...The Imperial March! Hearing that live in an acoustically superior setting is something absolutely everyone should experience in a lifetime.
I was actually seated behind the stage so I could see Williams' face and expressions rather than stare at his back...unconventional indeed, but far less expensive than equidistant seats placed in front and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone.
I feel truly fortunate to see John Williams live, conducting what he created: arguably the best film music of our era. He is 77 and time is certainly working against him. I sincerely hope he returns for the final installment of the Harry Potter franchise (oh, what the master of leitmotif could do here) and signs on for Steven Spielberg's upcoming works, Lincoln and The Adventures of Tintin.
And I'll leave you with a small sample of the Memoirs of a Geisha suite. The cellist was not Yo-Yo Ma, as recorded here, but he was excellent nonetheless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT1-Uo5eUJk&feature=related
| | |
| http://www.mensa.org/workout2.php
Bored? Take the test and time yourself. I got 21/30.
| | |
| Busy busy busy, but I'm glad of it. I have been so busy I don't have time to think about graduating in just a few months and that's a good thing.
This coming Saturday is a very special day for me. I am going to the Walt Disney Concert Hall to see John Williams conduct a concert of film score music, some of which will be his. Tickets were expensive, yes, but I would have paid more if necessary. One of, if not the, greatest film composers of our time conducting a concert for film score music, with which I am obsessed, in one of the most beautiful contemporary concert halls in North America? Oh, I think so.
| | |
| I'll warn you now, this is a post to vent some frustration. Feel free to quite here.
In short, I am damn sick and tired of the ignorant assault of hatred aimed at domestic automobiles. Nearly every time I or someone else mentions an American car brand, snide remarks and negative comments immediately ensue. This would not necessarily bother me if the people making these remarks had any fucking idea what they were talking about. "Oh yea, my grandfather owned a Ford Taurus twenty years ago and man that thing was a piece of crap. I never drove it, but I know it sucked." Insert any such anecdote and the same conclusion is always reached. I have a friend who constantly barks on about how crappy Mazda's are because he had a bad experience with a very old MX-3. The car he drove was used, exceptionally poorly taken care of, and had over 250,000 miles on the clock. Biased and ultimately uninformed perceptions created in this manner are what spread misinformation. Have most domestic cars been subpar for nearly two decades? Yes, I will be the first to admit this. But do not let their previous efforts warp your perceptions about their newer, infinitely superior vehicles (unfortunately, Europe is still offered the lion's share of the best models, but that should change starting with the 2010 Ford Fiesta - to be renamed - coming sometime Q2 next year and the 2011 Ford Focus which will be based on a global chassis like the first generation).
I believe the following to be a list that represents most new American cars that have significant merit and are competitive in their respective class:
GM
Cadillac CTS (2008+)
Buick LaCrosse (2010+)
Buick Enclave
GMC Acadia
Saturn Outlook
Chevrolet Traverse
Saturn Aura
Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky
Pontiac G8
Chevrolet Corvette (C5+)
Chevrolet Equinox
GMC Terrain
Cadillac SRX (2010+)
Chevrolet Cobalt SS (2009+)
Ford
Fusion/Fusion Hybrid (2010+)
Flex
Mustang (2010+)
Taurus (2010+)
F-Series trucks (say what you will, but some people actually need good trucks)
My current job has allowed me to drive almost every single one of the examples listed above. I don't expect anyone not genuinely interested in cars to remember the names of the aformentioned models, and yes all domestic manufacturers still produce some very poor offerings, but things are improving and they are more than capable of making world-class cars (Chrysler still makes garbage - we'll see what Fiat can do).
My marketing class had a discussion about automakers last quarter and everyone who spoke out in class passionately voiced their disapproval with domestic cars. Did most of these people have any experience or evidence to support their vehemently negative assertions? Undoubtedly not. Think twice before aligning yourself with such sheeple.
| | |
|
