California Day 5

After a good nights sleep I was overjoyed to wake up to the sound of chipping birds, and blue sky ! California style! Today was wine tasting day. Brynn’s dad was busy outside in the garden doing all his chores. He adored a wonderful bright blue "gas station Johnny" jumper suit , with huge rubber rain boots and a fishing hat. It was worthy of a photo which will be posted later. Brynn and I left at 10am, with a partially packed lunch ( more to add later.. ) to a short coastal visit and drive.

We drove to the "Morro Strand" where I experienced actually walking on a beach from paradise.

I collected some souvenirs, some rocks and drift wood. We then went to the local supermarket called "Spencers", to buy some sandwiches. We both choose lovely turkey. Our next destination was an old scenic road called "Old Creek Road". To our disappointment the road was closed due to landslides. But that didn’t stop Brynn ! She broke the barriers and barreled up the hill, determined to get thru to Hwy 46, at the top of the hill, where we were last night. BUT ! no go, we were forced to turn around after traveling about 5 miles ( 10km) by many yellow men with hats and big tools ! ha.. ha.. ha.. So.. back we went.. a 45 minutes detour ! Darn, but we did get to see the wonderful water reservoir, "Elephant Rock". So back to were we started. We drove back to Cambria, and took it over the hill to Hwy 46. It was gorgeous . York Mountain road, where the "York Mountain Winery" was located was our first stop. Here I had my first taste of California Gold ! We were able to taste several red wines. And for Free ! The Wine attendant gave me a crash course in wine tasting. I had to first swirl the wine around in the glass, then smell it at the same time. I then was to drink a small sip, and put it under my tongue, and in the sides of my mouths to accept the full bouquet. It was an experience I’d never had before. I then had to pour the rest of the wine into the appropriate wine spittoon that was provided. For one does not drink more than one or two sips. I then had to take a bit of a cracker to clean my palette. The next wine was served… same ritual.. I actually was able to begin to detect the fruitiness, or the woodiness or Smokey flavors as well as crispness or dark bold colours in the wines as well. We tasted in total 4 different red wines, which totaled about ½ a glass of wine. Brynn bought the both of us the one we liked the most, the Cabernet, from 2004. Continuing on down around this windy road, we caught the next road which was the main winery road called "Vineyard".

Nothing need be said about that word. We saw vineyard after vineyard, it was wonderful. Brynn had of course researched which ones to go to. We were to drive to the farthest winery called "Justin Winery". The weather was more perfect than perfect by this point.

Here we decided to have our picnic....

The sun caressed our skin like a blanket of warm velvet and soothed our souls. After lunch we went inside the main house to the tasting room which was handsomely appointed with French mustard yellow walls, and racks of wine.

This is the real tasting began. No bottle of wine less than $40US .There was such an obvious difference in the two winery in product quality. Brynn and I were slowly becoming snobs !

Joining the wino troops of Yuppies traveling down from San Francisco and up from L.A. pretending that they knew what the hell they were doing too ! But really what we all wanted to do was get drunk for Free ! with that in mind I purchased a $50US bottle of wine ! And no we didn't get drunk ! as we were coached earlier in the day how to wine taste the proper way, and threw out about 1 full glass of wine back into the spittoon.

I will leave the expert taster my sister Ineke to decide if it was well worth it ! It was getting late in the afternoon, and Brynn wanted to stop at the one and only "Olive Branch" olive oil making farm in this area. It was open and 2 sweet dogs, a black lab and a jack Russell welcomed us at the gates. From wine tasting to olive oil tasting we were bringing to feel the need to pop a TUMS or two for our now upset stomachs.

So the tasting time was over, after purchasing a lovely Orange flavored Olive Oil, more expensive than the first bottle of wine we purchased earlier today. The drive out of wine country on Peachy Canyon road was a splendid taste of the natural world, for all we saw was indeed nature, no houses and no cars. One last taste of nature was the wonderful sight outside the car window of 2 Deer grazing the along side the road.There were about 10 feet away from me,they were started by us, took a pee and ran off into the forest. Wine country ended abruptly by entering the township of Paso Robles, a cowboy town. It’s a good thing we did get into town, as I needed to go to the store to buy another Videotape, as the one in the camera was finished. Michaels house was now the next and final destination for today. Arriving there at about 5pm, he was not home yet. Brynn went inside to practice on her violin, and I sat out side on the drive to soak up the last days sun rays. Michael biked up to the house at about 5:30, and immediately started the chore of cleaning and preparing the BBQ for this evenings dinner of Chicken.

We had a wonderful dinner together, and by now Brynn and I were very tired and exhausted and decided to make our way home.

California Day 4

So as I mentioned last night, today our big trip to the Hearst Castle. After enjoying a nice bowl of Cream of Wheat that Rhoda prepared for us, Brynn and I left at about 10am for the castle. We arrived at the visitor’s center only to find that indeed the tour we were about to embark on would include having to climb about 200 stairs. Brynn suggested we find out if we could join the special disabled tour, which meant NO stairs at all. After visiting the proper office to arrange this, we were happy to learn that indeed we were able to take the special disabled tour after all. We had some time to kill before the tour was to start at 12:20, so we decided to go and see the film about William Randolph Hearst, in the newly build movie theatre. I am so glad we did, not only was it a spectacular movie on a huge IMAX screen, it was done extremely well, of course lots of money was able to generate the quality, but as well we had learned all about the inspiration behind the building of this castle and how it was done, therefore being able to later enjoy the tour even more. After the screening I bought the available DVD to take home to show the rest of the family plus it’s a great souvenir.


At 12:20 Brynn and I made our way over to the private bus. The 2 of us, plus 2 other boys from Indonesia, (one had a sprained ankle) were the only ones in the bus. We traveled up 5 miles of a very winding road, up to the top of the mountain were the castle was situated. From there we first got a to see the indoor Roman pool , then we got into a golf cart, the 4 of us, and our private tour guide gave us a tour of the grounds. We saw, the tennis courts, the outdoor Greek pool and the private guesthouses.
We were able to also enter one of the guesthouses as well. They were just stunning, with each room decorated in beautiful, very costly furnishing and painting. The view from the bedroom alone was breathtaking,
looking down to San Simeon Pier that I had visited the day before.
our tour continued around the grounds, and finally at into back of the main house, where we were able to enter the enormous kitchen . From the kitchen we then entered the Dinning hall, adorned with Belgium tapestries and 300-year-old silver candleholders. The table was set, including a bottle of Ketchup and mustard from the 1930’s. Mr. Hearst and his film star guests occupied the 26 chairs that lined this long teak table. The upper gallery was a small balcony for the various musicians that performed at the dinners. From the Dinning Hall we then entered the waiting room, this room was where the guests would have a pre dinner chat and cocktail. Once Mr. Hearst shows up , they then entered the dinner hall for their evening meal. From here we went to the room that was between the dinning hall and the billiard room,

which was designed for the women to freshen up in the powder room and the men to have an after dinner drink and a cigar before they would all continue on to the billiard for a few games of pool. After the pool games they were invited by Mr. Hearst into his 100 seat private art deco movie theatre for the evening movie which usually included his girlfriend/actress Marion Davies. This was then the end of the tour. We made out way back down the road to the visitors center to even more gorgeous weather. Later that afternoon we traveled along Hwy 46 on out way to finally visit Michael, Brynn’s new boyfriend, in Atascadero. This Hwy is traveled about 4 times weekly by Brynn and is one of the most scenic commutes I have ever experienced.

We stopped and took some photos of the rolling green hills that extended down all the way to the sea. it was like a painting ! we continued on to Cowboy country ! Yee haaa… we entered Michaels town, and I counted 10 pickup trucks that drove by in 20 seconds.. this is the land of pick up trucks… ??? so we then drove to Michaels quaint yellow ranch style house with flowers in the front, and found a garage full of Motorcycles and bikes. Michael greeted us… we then all went to see the evening farmers market in San Luis Obispo. A wonderful market full of fresh produce and lots of smoking BBQ stands. Street musicians and artists alike, people making political statements and every kind of person you could imagine enjoying this wonderful array of natures wonders. We bought some fruit, and headed back to the van, were we then decided to go and have dinner at a great Mexican Restaurant called La Mexicana. What a great day, we ended out meal, said our goodbyes, and Brynn and I drove back over the hills in the full moon light, the light was so strong it guided us safely home !

California Day 3

I awaked from a very good night sleep only to find Brynn on her way out the door to her part-time job as physical therapist assistant
(more later.. ) I had some breakfast and was trilled to see that FINALLY the sun was shinning! I went out to the patio deck and just sat on the bench and soaked up the Vitamin A that the sun was sharing with me. It felt so wonderful! It was just a perfect temperature, about 18 degrees. At 9:45 Rhoda and I hopped into the Van and drove to Brynn’s work. . She works in a small Gym like looking place right in the middle of the town of Cambria. She helps manly elderly patients with there exercises. Accompanying them on the various exercise machines. At about 11am we both got into the van and drove to a tiny tourist oriented village up Hwy. 1 to the Silver Surf Motel in San Simeon, were Brynn needed to continue her work as a pool aerobic exercise instructor, this is a public aerobics class which can be attended by anybody. I opted to take the van and continue north to a very famous cove/beach named San Simeon pier. ” it happened to be adjacent to the entrance to the Hearst Castle visitors center . The San Simeon pier was used back when the Hearst Castle was being built and later for all of the shipped items for the castle. Ranging from food to building material, just everything! There the sun was still shinning brightly and I took some more pictures, it was now a pleasant 22 degrees

I then drove back to Brynn at the motel, as she was finished her class at 12pm. We then went to have lunch at a nice seaside restaurant called Moonstone beach bar and grill after lunch we went back to town, and I dropped Brynn off at the physical therapy center, then I took the van, and parked in town. I walked around town a bit. I visited a local souvenir gift store that was owned by Brynn’s cousin. There I bought a book about this area. I then drove back to the house and had a nice cup on tea and a cookie, with Rhoda. Rhoda went off and did some shopping for tonight’s dinner. She later came back, and at 5pm I went off in the van to go and pick Brynn up from work. Brynn and I then drove to a ranch owned by the city of Cambria called the East/West Ranch, a nature preserve with numerous hiking trails in which we have chosen the cliff side trail, there we walked for about a mile, along the coast,

We could look right down the cliffs at the waves crashing against the rocks and up to the bright green hillsides with patches of forest areas and bursting vegetation . Let us not forget about all of the new flowers. There were hand made wooden benches made from the driftwood that had washed up from the ocean. It was my first experience of a heavenly California sunset, but most certainly not my last!

We drove home and Brynn got busy cooking in the kitchen, tonight a great pork chop meal, in front of the TV with her mom and we are going to watch a film “ Being Julia”

This was a really nice Day! I just love it here!

I announced to Brynn today that I would be coming back here every single March for the next 30 years!

Tomorrow lots of exciting things to happen, starting at 11am with a tour of Hearst Castle!

California Day 2

This morning I woke up very early, feeling like its 9am, its really only 6am. I met Claude in the kitchen; he was busy preparing himself to go out to the gym for a work out. Slowly the whole house was waking up. When Claude got back from the gym, we all sat down together for a nice, Dutch style, breakfast. After breakfast I went for a little walk outside and took some video and pictures. The rain had finally stopped and I was able to enjoy a dry spell. Once Brynn and Rhoda were ready we all piled into the van and went out to see a bit of Cambria. We went down to the local and closest beach, only to find that half of the beach had been just wiped away but a flash flood. It had rained some much in the last 24 hours that part of the beach was washed away by a very overflowing creek that meets the ocean below. as shown in this picture. We then continued our little tour, and went into town. There Rhoda dropped me and Brynn off, it was alreay 1pm by this time, and we went for small bit to eat at a small eatery that was next to the physical therapy clinic where she works a few times a week. After lunch we continued walking around town, and then headed off to the do-it-yourself crafts shop. There Brynn and I did some crafts,
I worked on decorating a coffee mug and Brynn was working on a kind of creation of sorts… at one point Rhoda walked in, after finishing her grocery shopping. And she continued to work on her project, and ceramic coffee tray. What a great place. So therapeutic as well… there should be a center like this in every community! Every one needs to be creative once in a while, and this is a great outlet. This store was set up by a kind of Martha Steward type of women who actually also had her own Crafts show on TV. She set this up for the locals, and tourist alike to visit a be creative, especially on raining days like this one, as of course the rain started to come down in buckets once again. I finished my mug, and the owner will fire it in the Kiln at the end of the week, and I should have it back by Sunday before I leave. We said our goodbyes and then headed off back home again. There we sat and talked had a nice dinner together, Brynn cooked, and later I watched some TV as Brynn continued to practice her violin in preparation for this Sunday’s Easter recital. The rain stopped for a while, I did actually see the sun and blue sky, but that was for only a short time, as right now at 11:36pm its raining once again...….. !!!

Hopefully tomorrow will bring lots of sun !

CALIFORNIA ... HERE I AM !

This is a picture of the landscape around Cambria

My Trip to California, Day 1

So after a long long day of traveling I am finally here in Cambria ! it's 9:00pm California time. After driving through a fresh layer of snow early this morning in Toronto, I took a flight to Chicago then on to San Francisco. I arrived in S.F at about 2:00. There I met Brynn, with open arms. We piled into her borrowed parents Van, and we then hearded out on the highway away from S.F. and on to the coast. We took hwy no. 1 all along the coast down from Montrey and Carmel. Little did I know what was in store ! it unfortunatly was raining by now, and it was a bit hard to see in the distance, never the less, the views were breathtaking. Many rolling green hills/mountians on the left side, and on the right, was the vaste angry Pacific Ocean. The waves were crashing against the cliffs and rocks below sending a spray white wash up high into the air. I learned a new word - " Sea Stack" that is a rock that has been carved by thousands of years of smashing water, and ends up looking like different shape statues and underneath the water they extend down hundreds of feet ! At this point I had to stop Brynn, so as I could retrive my Video camera to also record these wonders. This Highway is literally carved into the mountian side. We stoped at Big Sur and viewed some California Redwood trees. Found ourselves in a lush evergreen forest enjoying a peanutbutter and chocolate ice cream cone in this wet, dark, cool crappy weather... but it tasted great and hit the spot. Brynn was really happy with the lack of tourists in the campground gift shop, we were they only ones there ! in the summer it's packed ! you can't move in the giftshop ! After Big Sur, we sure were in a big hurry to catch the fading light. By this time it was about 5pm, and we still had another 2 hour drive ahead, with now lots of hairpin turns, at very low speeds. Plus the rain continued ...the view became more spectatcular at every turn, I wanted Brynn to stop, but I knew we were really on a tight time schedule, as I was not looking forward to attempted to drive hairpin turns, in the rain, followed by treacherous cliff drops to the ocean in pitch blackness.... The lighthouse was our beacon. The light represented Cambria, at each turn, we finally got closer. There was no cell phone coverage on either of our phones, so if we were to drive off the cliff, no body would know. By this time as well, Brynn was getting very tired, as she drove for 7 straight hours. Her Mom, called many times, but could not when we were on this most extraodinary highway. Finally we saw the lights of this sweet small Town of Cambria. A town about the same size as Huntsville. She gave a quick tour of the town, and finnally drove up the hill to her parents house. But the trip was not over yet, because she warned me of the fabulous easter decorating job that the neighbor suzy had done to the outside of her house. So driving up the street, I was overjoyed and laughing my head off as I saw the lit up Bunnies and eggs lining her neighbors driveway ! The easter eggs were hanging like icycles from the eaves like christmas lights , it was quite the site ! ONLY IN CAAAALIFOOORRRNIA...

I was greated by 2 very relieved parents... we had a nice cup of tea... and now we are off to bed !

First Day of Spring !?

Even though today is offically the first day of Spring, it sure as hell didn't feel like it!

My Sister Melinda took off for Ocho Rios, Jamaica today, nice and warm.. hummmm !

As you can see we are still in the deep freeze here in Toronto, here is our beach ! when I took this picture today, the wind was blowing very hard, and its about
1 degree Celsius.

now the beach(es) that I will be seeing on Monday in California will be quite different, and hopefully a lot more inviting !

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Today is St. Patrick's Day. There was a large parade down Yonge Street right outside my apartment. I thought to take a few shots of the event.

Of course lots of pipe and drum bands ...

It was nice, good weather for once... who would want to march down 3 km of road in the middle of the winter. But the sun was shinning and saint patty did approve. So if you go to an Irish pub today, which by the way is right accross from Ineke's apartment, you can enjoy GREEN beer ! ... no thanks !

Like Milo I will just stay home and enjoy the sun that is streaming into my apartment

I do miss Easter in Holland

Oh my god, talk about a picture that tells a thousand words. My mouth is watering !!

I do so miss Easter in Holland, the tradition of having and enjoying such wonderful chocolate creations as shown above in this picture. When I lived in Amsterdam, my mom would come every Easter for about 2 months; enjoying all the many Easter like treats, and many nice get togethers and parties with our family.

I will be celebrating Easter Sunday this year in California.. Now I wonder what that will be like ? My friend Brynn told me that the area is covered in beautiful blooming spring flowers now.

Very Romantic!

I just had to post this picture ! It is just so typically Dutch.. but not.. Holland has had a lot of snow this past week, and this picture taken of a famous hotel and spa in Den Haag called Kurhaus Hotel; showing how wonderful a horse drawn sleigh ride could be on the Beach !

We still have alot of snow here in Toronto. In fact its snowing as I type this, but no where here in Toronto do we have such a picturesque place or site.

Vanessa

Last night a new good friend of mine came over for dinner.
Vanessa, she is a clarinetist with the Oshawa Symphony and an Actress.

Also a neat trivial connection , is that her mom is Nicholas's Doctor !

Small world!

Any way, Vanessa and I had a nice dinner and talked deep into the night about relationships, music, politics, being Jewish ... stuff.. intellectual interesting stuff !

I really love have friends over to my place. I took this picture of her last night.. she is quite narcissistic, so she had to choose which one I was aloud to post.

Happy Birthday Noor !

Today Mom and I went to see and celebrate Noor Haslam's 80th Birthday !
It was again a freezing cold day ! with the windchill -28.. but we made our way up north to Marham, and in the end really glad we did. The Haslams are very close to our family, we all go way,way back; as Noor and my mom met year ago in the first place because they were both interested in Weaving. Now many years and laughs later we are still enjoying each others company.

As you can see we celebrated in true dutch form, as all Dutch birthdays are, in a circle !

Happy Birthday Noor, you are a trooper !

Easter is around the corner

So Toronto is still deep in the snow ! although with the daily temperatures getting higher, like today is +5 degrees, the snow is finally melting. Now my daily park walk include having to deal with a very muddy dog!
Not too much has happened this last week, work wise, I finished 2 grant applications and did some needed accounting administration. I had a nice weekend with visiting my sister and watching some great videos. Ineke and I also ventured out to IkEA on saturday. As I still had a $100 gift certificate from Amici and had not used it yet. Ineke and I love IKEA ! but you can not spend less than $100 or one can not spend less than 2 hours there. You have to make it a whole day experience. I bought some new lamps for my kitchen and bedroom.

Is it bad to love shopping?

Happy Birthday Sis !

Today is Ineke’s Birthday ! … yesterday (Sunday) we had a nice dinner together at Mom’s.
I gave her two books and so did mom… such a book worm…

Here is a picture of her… she looks good, she has lost quite a bit of weight now, and is proudly wearing her gift to herself, a leather jacket and brown leather pants !

MAHLER IN OSHAWA

Last night, I performed Gustav Mahler's 1st symphony with the Oshawa Symphony

Boo hoo.. the Mahler is over ! darn… it was so much fun ! I wish we could have had at least 3 performances of it..


The section ! … Left to Right.. Scott Weavers ( 5th horn), Nichole Alexander ( 7th horn) , David Haskins ( 6th horn) , Me (1st horn) , Heath Allan ( 4th horn) , Sheila Goldman ( 3rd horn ) Leah Bell ( assn’t 1st horn) , Tom Wade West ( 2nd horn)

I wanted a second try at the performance… for even more perfection ! We had a blast last night.. it was a tough day.. with playing the whole work from beginning to end in the afternoon, then again the whole thing of course at night… playing in community based orchestras is tougher , way tougher than with orchestras like the TSO or the KWS that are better regulated by the Musicians Union and protect the musicians from conductors that want to practise too much, like ours yesterday ! Any way.. I had such a cool time.. and I had such a fantastic horn section.. I was really pleased !

Way too go guys !!

The Quilt of Belonging

The Quilt of Belonging is a unique national textile art project celebrating Canada's ethnically diverse family. Artistically expressed through an extraordinary array of materials and compelling designs, the collaborative work of art, made in community not only reflects each nation's past, but also illuminates a path to the future, where all may share pride of place.

This is a picture of the Dutch block that my mother, Aleida Limbertie, created for this project. Colourfully embroidered, the house represented in the Netherlands block reflects the pride the Dutch take in their homes and the importance of family in their lives

The quilt is approximately 36 metres long and 3.5 metres high (120 feet by 10 feet) and includes a textile art piece from all 263 main aboriginal and world nationalities found within Canada

The official launch of Invitation: Quilt of Belonging, will take place at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC) on the evening of April 1, 2005. Organized in partnership with CMC and the Canadian Ethnocultural Council, our gala will take place in the Grand Hall of the Museum in Hull, Quebec. Among the invited guests will be Canadian dignitaries, our volunteers, blockmakers and sponsors. Following the inaugural launch, the quilt will remain on exhibit from April 2 – 10, 2005.


In this photo of the mock up you see two temporary panels, about 15 feet of the 120-foot length. (June 3, 2004)

For more information on this amazing quilt project go to:
http://www.invitationproject.ca/

Playing Mahler on a cool Bike

This week has been a blast ! a Mahler Blast ! I just love playing the horn, and what beter composer to express this than with every Horn players favorite, Gustav Mahler !

I received this photo last night from my good friend Brynn, a very talented concert violinist, and she just bought this motorcycle for herself !

Brynn the motorcycle MAMA !

Brynn has been my good friend for the last 10 years, as she also lived in Holland and played with the Residentie Orchestra in The Hague. She now lives in California, and she is the one I am visiting next month on March 21st. I just wrote her last night how I would think it would be so cool for the entire Mahler Horn section, all 8 of us, to play the ending of the last movement, the part where the Horns stand up and play the most famous Mahler horn call, all sitting on cool motorcycles, like the very one she bought !! and then ride out of the theatre at the very end !!! Ha ha.. ha.. that would really turn heads !

Don't you just love to fantasize ! and some people really do act on the fantasies !

Bridgenorth , Ontario

This is a picture of me and Ann Millen in front of Ann's house in Bridgenorth, which is close to Peterborough Ontario ( about 140 km north east of Toronto) . I stay for a few days at Ann's house every time I play with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra. She has a lovely house and I really enjoy staying with her. She is becoming a great new friend !

Snowy Toronto - STILL.... !

This morning I woke up to an fresh 20cm layer of new white snow. A rude reminder that this winter is not quite done yet. Milo loves the snow, only it does slow her down in her morning ritual of chasing squirrels. Thank god it was cold enough to snow, it could have been rain if it were only 5 degrees warmer, and turn out like flood raged L.A.

The first day of spring is still one month away, although we were warned by Mr. Gopher that spring will be late because he DID see his shadow, lets keep our fingers crossed it 'aint' so !

Now that's Loud !

Nicholas is as happy as a bug in a rug!
Today he got a new set of drums. He is very happy and practising every day. His teacher recommened to me to get the real thing, and plus buying this set (thanks to EBay) cost the equivilent of 3 months rent of the electric set he had. Now we can really hear if he is practising every day! Ineke and Caroline are ok with the new added noise, but its really not all that bad when the door is closed. I, of course play on it as well, so all I need now is a Bass and Piano and we can jam away !!!

So far no complants from the neighbour's

Remember - " Making Music makes you Smarter ! "

Adrian Limbertie - Died Feb. 13, 2004

One year ago today. Dad we love you, we miss you ! We all got together today at Mom's and Melinda cooked up your favorite! Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding. You where in our thoughts the whole day, and we hope to see you again one day !

We love you Dad !

" FEARLESS ! "

Today I attended a Horn Clinic given by Jeff Nelson (from the Canadian Brass) . This is Jeff and me. It was a very, very educational afternoon, and extremely helpful! The key word for the day was “ FEARLESS”… I was the only one to volunteer to play for him, with a room full of horn players.. Why? What a great opportunity to play and get some great comments! Jeff is coming out with a book on the Art of Auditioning.. I did not bring my horn, I was not planning to play, but, since Yahama had a whole table of horns on display I picked one up and played a bunch of excepts by memory and the Strauss 1 and Mozart 4… and got some great pointers… yes I am Fearless, and one has to be to be successful in life.. and successful at horn playing !

I ‘m glad I went !

TIME JUST FLIES !

Wow, has it been that long since I last ' blogged' ... sorry about that, so much has happend in the last 6 weeks as well. Lets see, I played a few concerts with Oshawa Symphony and the Peterborough symphony. I am practising like made, getting prepared for the upcoming concert this month on Feb. 26th with Oshawa Sym, where we are going to perform Mahlers' 1st Symphony. Now that will be a blast ! 8 horns !
and me at the helm !

Caroline celebrated her 18th Birthday on Feb. 4th. She got a kareoke machine and a CD burner for her birthday. She has a new job, she works for a local resturant called,
" Shopsy's " she is the seating hostess. She really enjoys it, and is doing very well.

I have been invited once again to audition for the Principal Horn job with the Toronto Symphony. That will take place on April 15th, Fingers Crossed !

Next year, February 2006, I have been asked to perform as a soloist with the Scarborough Philharmonic, Benjamin Britten's, Serenade for Horn, Tenor and Strings. It have been a life long dream to one day perform that work, it is so beautiful. Britten orginally wrote it for his lover !Tenor - Peter Pears ....

And the big news is I booked my flight to CALIFORNIA yesterday. I'm going to visit my good friend ,Brynn, from March 21st till the 27th. I've never been in california ! She lives about 250 km north of San Fransisco, in Cambria. Wow.. I'm really looking forwared to seeing her, and finally seeing California !

My dad's one year Memorial of his death is coming up this Sunday, Feb. 13. I can't believe its been one year since he died. We are all going to my mom's for a nice dinner Melinda is cooking up, Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding. And of course a toast to my dad !

I miss him... but he is looking down and smiling!

Peterborough Symphony Orchestra

I had a real nice mini vacation this past weekend.

I was asked to come up to Peterborough to play an all Johannes Strauss JR. program with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra.

I was first of all quite surprised how far Peterborough really is from Toronto. 140 km ! one way. This orchestra has a wonderful conductor, and a great dedicated horn section. I was able to billet with the 2nd horn player on Saturday night.

To my wonderful surprise I was invited to a winter wonderland picture postcard of a house. The first thing you realized when I traveled to this house, you think were the hec are we going. My drive to the house, winding roads, and finally a small tree covered road opened up to this large area and with a large 19th century typical 2 story Ontario Home. There was about one foot of fresh snow on the ground, and all the trees were covered with a large amount of the white stuff as well.

I really felt like I just drove up to house that was featured in the December issue of Homes & Gardens ! When you entered into the home you were confronted with a wonderful Christmas smell in the air of sugar and spice. The banisters where all covered in Christmas holy, every were there were beautiful Christmas ornaments and really tasteful decorations. When you walked down the long hallway, you entered the heart of the house, the Kitchen and Kitchen den. Fresh cookies were just baked, the fireplace was roaring the Christmas stocking all hung over the fireplace… really, Martha Stewart would approve !

… any way.. I had a wonderful time, Ann and her husband, a CBC hockey Night in Canada announcer, and ex professional NHL goalie were extremely hospitable, and made me feel very welcome !

I just love meeting and making new friends, Canada is a great place to do just That !

Christmas Around the World

Once again the Christmas Around the World festival was held at City Hall. This year once again we were disapointed with the turn out. I had done so much extra advertising this year. Alot of newspapers plus TV news stations did cover the event, but the crowds were very thin. I really don't know how we can improve on this for next year. It remains a great event and all of our groups love taking part every year.

Any way, Merry Christmas, from City Hall from 14 different ethnic communities that took part in this festival.

Playing in Kitchener

So this whole week I have been playing Principal Horn in Kitchener. I always enjoy playing with this orchestra. The members of the orchestra are first of all so very nice, and the environment for playing is very relaxed and fine music making is task no. 1.

The program and soloists where Simon Streatfeild, conductor
Rivka Golani, viola* Beverly Johnston, percussion* the program:Skalkottas: Five Greek Dances, Christos Hatzis: Pyrrichean Dances and Beethoven: Symphony no. 7

The Hatzis piece was especially exciting and different, with Beverly and Rivka as soloists. And as always the Beethoven was a BLAST !

I love music making… :-)

Goodbye My Dear Friend, Anne

Anne Marie Monaco
1957 – 2004

A CELEBRATION OF HER LIFE

Today, a day full of many tears !

Together with 150 other friends and colleagues we paid tribute to my long dearest friend Anne Marie Monaco.

A memorial service had been organized by some close friends of Anne at the Jackman Studio at the Canadian Opera Company’s Tannenbaum Centre.

When I entered the room I was overwhelmed by the effort that went into creating a really wonderful tribute to Anne. The room, a large rehearsal hall, was decorated in large floral arrangements donated by the COC orchestra and the Canadian Ballet Company orchestra. The 2 orchestras Anne was a long time member of. In the middle of the room about 150 chairs set up. On the right some tables set up with hundreds of pictures from photo albums, a table set up with all sorts of awards Anne had won over the years, her Queen’s University Bachelor of Music Degree and many other memorabilia.

Beside the table a large film screen where later at the end of the service Steve Mitchell, Annes first boyfriend will be screening his video tribute to Anne. Beside the screen, a lovely picture of Anne, and her Horn ! I was shocked to see her horn. I know that horn so well, and seeing it made me sad that she was not there to play on it. She loved playing so much.. Anne was all about the horn. The one thing she could count on to make her happy and satisfied was her horn and making music.

On the left side of the room was a speaking podium again some beautiful flowers, and then 2 large tables with food and drinks for a post reception.

Once everyone was more or less settled down and said there hellos the afternoon program begun with Howard Cable conducting the Hannaford Street Silver Band with “Nimrod”, From the Enigma variations, Opus 36 by Edward Elgar. While listening to this , the music just hit the right spot, and my waterworks started. I was overwhelmed and very sad for this tragedy ! Why Anne.. why were you so determined to end it all ! so Sad So very sad !

After the beautiful playing, Cynthia Woods, Executor of the Estate and will, gave her introduction and Greetings. Then some beautiful words and memories by Howard Cable, to which Anne was a great friend with for many, many years, she even worked for him, completely re-organizing his vast music Library. Following his kind words, the Hannaford played and new piece by Howard, “ I’ll Follow” with a nice alto horn solo in it, played by Linda Bronicheski.

We then heard Leslie Magowan from the Essex Winds tell us her wonderful stories and experiences with Anne. The Essex winds was very dear and close to Anne’s heart. The Quintet did travel a lot around the world and in its hay days, the 90’s ,it did very well. The Essex winds was formed from principal players that were members of the Windsor Symphony, to which Anne was principal horn in Windsor for many years. After Leslies memories, I sat in and played along with the Essex Winds. We played the “ Andante’ from a Beethoven Quartet arranged for winds. I was very honoured that the quintet had asked me to play in Anne’s place. The piece we performed ( for, by the way, a room full of horn players) had a very nice horn solo and was a pleasure to play and play with Anne totally in my mind ! my tribute to her, as well as I could !

After the quintet performed, Anne’s brother, Sergio got up and thanked everyone for organizing this memorial and told us all about what it was like to grow up with a horn-playing sister.

Finally at the end, Steven Mitchell talked to us about his experiences with Anne. Steve was Anne’s first and longest boyfriend. They were High School sweethearts, and for 10 years. Steve is now a professional video and film producer, and as his tribute to her was in the form of a still picture slide show with music. A history of Anne in still pictures. It was wonderful and he did an absolutely amazing job with this piece. The nicest thing any one could have done for Anne.

After the film, there was a lot of sniffing and crying in the hall, me included. We then all got up and made our way over to the refreshment table, by that time I needed a stiff drink, but alas only coffee was available. I got to speak to a lot of friends and music colleagues that I had not seen in a long, long time. Some as much as 20 years ago !

Anne knew and was friends with a lot of people over the years, and many of us had not met each other and now because of this, finally we got to all meet each other. A really nice gesture resulting from such sad circumstances !

What a Romantic !

Yesterday I played Principal with the Oshawa Symphony once again. It was a wonderful program with the highlight of the evening of Rachmaninov's 2nd Symphony. The hall was nice and full, and very appreciative of the fine playing. I am really enjoying my new post with Oshawa. Next February I am playing 1st in Mahler 1st symphony, that will be a blast !

Brahms once said : " The horn is the soul of the Orchestra"

A new Pace maker !

This week mom had an operation to put in a new pace maker ! wow... she was operated on and 24 hours later she was discharged. These type of operations have become so
'matter-of-fact' its like a constant converyor belt of patients wheeled in and out of the OR for there new parts , like a car garage almost. Techology today ! amazing !

So any way she has a new, as I call it , Metronome ! and she is feeling great. Her heart rate is not to low any more at night, and has less aches and pains in her legs.

Mom your such a tropper !

It's Pumpkin Time !

Melinda makes this pumpkin pie every fall.. it's to die for !


PUMPKIN CHIFFON PIE WITH GINGERSNAP PECAN CRUST

For Crust
fourteen 2-inch gingersnaps (about 4 ounces)
1 cup pecans (about 4 ounces)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter melted and cooled

For filling
1 envelope (about 1 tablespoon) unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons brandy rum or water
1 cup milk
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
4 large egg yolks
1 1/4 cups canned solid-pack pumpkin
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup heavy cream

Accompaniment: whipped cream
Garnish: chopped toasted pecans

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Make Crust:
In a food processor grind gingersnaps, pecans, and sugar fine and add butter, blending until combined well. Press mixture onto bottom and up side of a 9-inch (1-quart) glass pie plate. Bake crust in middle of oven 15 minutes, or until crisp and golden around edge, and cool on rack.

Make filling:
In a small bowl sprinkle gelatin over brandy, rum, or water and let stand.

In a heavy saucepan whisk together milk, brown sugar, yolks, pumpkin, spices, and salt and cook over moderately low heat, whisking, until mixture registers 160°F. on a candy thermometer. Remove pan from heat and immediately add gelatin mixture, whisking until gelatin is completely dissolved.

Transfer filling to a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and cool, stirring constantly, just until the consistency of raw egg white. Remove bowl from ice water.

In a bowl with an electric mixer beat cream until it holds stiff peaks and whisk about one fourth into filling to lighten. Fold in remaining cream gently but thoroughly and pour filling into crust. Chill pie until set, at least 3 hours and up to 24, covered with plastic wrap after 1 hour.

Top each serving with whipped cream and garnish with nuts.


One 9 inch pie.
Gourmet
November 1995
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/10807

Life is a bit back to normal

So.... pheew.. these past 2 weeks have been so busy, but now finally a bit of a break in the storm. Last Saturday I played my third concert of the week with the Scarborough Philharmonic. It was a nice but heavy program. We performed the Grieg Piano Concerto and Sibelius's 5th Symphony. It went well, and was tons of fun.Mom and Tante Lies couldn't come as they went with Melinda to Kitchener and St. Jacobs Farmers Market for the day.
Sunday I relaxed a bit, went over to mom's, and got Mom and Tante Lies to help me stuff Amici Envelopes of Subcriptions tickets; that was also a deadline that was hanging over my head. Monday Night Tante Lies unfortunatlly flew back to Amsterdam. We had a great time with her here, and my mom is waiting for her next visit. So today back to the grind of the office, cleaning up lots of lose ends and bits of Administration that was backlogged. Now fully up to date, faxes gone, emails replied, I now sit in my practise chair and start working on my next concert next week. I have to play once again with the Oshawa Symphony, Glasinov's Violin concerto and Rachmaninov's Second Symphony.....

I guess this is my life now, I don't mind.. I like it.. a fine balance of Admin during the day, and lots of horn and symphonic work at night !

Roy Thompson Hall got a blast of Brass !

Roy Thompson Hall, home of the Toronto Symphony( I have always refered to it as Toronto's Upside down Pineapple cake )

Wow... what a blast we had last night. The 2nd night performance of Mahler’s 1st Symphony. Mom, Lies and Ineke were in the hall in the first balcony thoroughly enjoying them selves ! Proud as can be watching their Daughter, Neice and Sister Performing with the Toronto Symphony.

I don’t think I have ever played under such a combination of stressful circumstances. Not only did I get the call at the last minute to come and play, therefore getting virtually no time to study my part, but only 2 rehearsals, then last night it was announced that the performance was going to be broadcasted live through CBC radio, across the hole country of Canada ! what is that? a possible 23 million people can potentially listen to my every note, not to mention also live on the Web as well on the CBC site , then on top of the ROMBUS media is filming a documentary about the Toronto Symphony, and on stage last night 4 camera men, perched on little boxes in-between all the musicians, and yuup, one planted right in front of me. So as I’m playing I am not only trying to block out all the radio, not enough rehearsal stuff, but block out a giant camera that in basically filming my every move from 1 foot away !

Pheew… ! but I did it.. ! did a great job… no bloopers.. not a one… it was fantastic… so I can proudly say.. I can play , and play extremely well under ANY kind of pressure or stressful circumstances… I was quite proud of my self…

BUT…

Mahler did have a big hand in my success… the music is just so extremely beautiful, and moving… I was so focused on the music, and so focused on how beautifully some of the players of the TSO were playing there solo parts… well it just made my task that much easier !

Thanks Mahler !