Dec 2007
Day 151: New Year’s Eve—Die Fledermaus
Day 151 — New Year’s Eve—Die Fledermaus
31-December-1971 (Fri.)
A day filled with New Year's Eve traditions—spending all day in a standing room line, an ad-lib performance of Die Fledermaus, sneaking in champagne into the opera house (?), Kärtnerstrasse, Stephansdom Platz, and partying. Great performances. Great traditions. Too much to drink. Read More...
31-December-1971 (Fri.)
A day filled with New Year's Eve traditions—spending all day in a standing room line, an ad-lib performance of Die Fledermaus, sneaking in champagne into the opera house (?), Kärtnerstrasse, Stephansdom Platz, and partying. Great performances. Great traditions. Too much to drink. Read More...
Day 150: Lord of Wagner's Ring
Day 150 — Lord of Wagner's Ring
30-December-1971 (Thur.)
Before
the Lord
of the Rings movies,
there was
Richard Wagner’s Ring
Cycle. I go to
see the first opera, Das
Rheingold. Although
there is no CGI (computer-graphic imagery) in these
operas, as in the movie, the live staging and effects
that an opera company often produces for a Wagnerian
opera can often be quite dramatic and inspiring.
What do these girls (above) have to do with Wagner? Nothing. A Montclair State friend, Lucille, informs me that they are heading to Munich soon. Yay.
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30-December-1971 (Thur.)
What do these girls (above) have to do with Wagner? Nothing. A Montclair State friend, Lucille, informs me that they are heading to Munich soon. Yay.
Read More...
Day 149: My Google ranking drops; about the Blog
12/29/07 12:10 PM Filed in: Vienna
Day 149 — My Google ranking drops; about the Blog
29-December-1971 (Wed.)
Today has nothing to do with Vienna.
In 2007, my Google ranking seems to drop to ZERO. I am no longer viable. Is my content boring? Google engineers have programmed me into oblivion. No one likes me. A vacuum closes around me. I’m alone. I do not exist.
I talk a bit, once again, about the reason for this blog—inspiration—and the difficulties of getting a blog noticed in the blogosphere. Hmmm, I haven’t actually done any marketing yet.
In today’s post, I’m being rhetorical and dramatic purely for journalistic purposes. I hope Sergei and Larry from Google call me, and invest. I’m ready. Larry? Sergei?
Read More...
29-December-1971 (Wed.)
Today has nothing to do with Vienna.
In 2007, my Google ranking seems to drop to ZERO. I am no longer viable. Is my content boring? Google engineers have programmed me into oblivion. No one likes me. A vacuum closes around me. I’m alone. I do not exist.
I talk a bit, once again, about the reason for this blog—inspiration—and the difficulties of getting a blog noticed in the blogosphere. Hmmm, I haven’t actually done any marketing yet.
In today’s post, I’m being rhetorical and dramatic purely for journalistic purposes. I hope Sergei and Larry from Google call me, and invest. I’m ready. Larry? Sergei?
Read More...
Day 148: Fly Dutchman, Fly
Day 148 — Fly Dutchman, Fly
28-December-1971 (Tue.)
A normal
school day; my first Wagnerian opera ends the
day. Read
More...
28-December-1971 (Tue.)
Day 147: Get your eyes checked regularly
12/27/07 11:36 AM Filed in: Vienna
Day 147 — Get your eyes checked regularly
27-December-1971 (Mon.)
I’m back at school and work. Today is about letters from family and friends. I reminisce about a good friend of mine, Andre, to whom I am indebted for my eyesight. Get your eyes checked regularly. I know the title has nothing to do with Vienna, but it's important.
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27-December-1971 (Mon.)
I’m back at school and work. Today is about letters from family and friends. I reminisce about a good friend of mine, Andre, to whom I am indebted for my eyesight. Get your eyes checked regularly. I know the title has nothing to do with Vienna, but it's important.
Read More...
Day 146: My Christmas present
Day 146 — My Christmas present
26-December-1971 (Sun.)
SUMMARY
My Christmas present comes today—a package of candy from the elderly lady whose money I found on the bus.
Other than that, myself and two girls wander Vienna's famous graveyard, the Central Cemetery, where many a famous composer is buried. It is foggy. It is eerie. Are the spirits talking to me?
A delightful Bedrich Smetana opera ends the day. Read More...
26-December-1971 (Sun.)
SUMMARY
My Christmas present comes today—a package of candy from the elderly lady whose money I found on the bus.
Other than that, myself and two girls wander Vienna's famous graveyard, the Central Cemetery, where many a famous composer is buried. It is foggy. It is eerie. Are the spirits talking to me?
A delightful Bedrich Smetana opera ends the day. Read More...
Day 145: Vienna! Frohe Weihnachten—Merry Christmas!
Day 145 — Vienna! Frohe Weihnachten—Merry Christmas!
25-December-1971 (Sat.)
A
wonderful Viennese Christmas day with my roommate,
Pavel, his sister, and her friend who have come to
see Pavel all the way from California. A good day
with some sightseeing, dinner, and conversation. A
Verdi opera concludes a great day.
The spirit of Christmas is about families. Meet John’s family and brothers. A photo bonanza. (There are so many photos today—you may need a fast Internet connection for this post.)
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25-December-1971 (Sat.)
The spirit of Christmas is about families. Meet John’s family and brothers. A photo bonanza. (There are so many photos today—you may need a fast Internet connection for this post.)
Read More...
Day 144: Goodbye Innsbruck; Christmas Eve
Day 143: Skiing Mutters
12/23/07 09:47 AM Filed in: Austria
Day 143 — Skiing Mutters
23-December-1971 (Thur.)
Today is
my last skiing day in Innsbruck. I hit Mutters
mountain and find some icy skiing. Yes, skiing
matters, I mean Mutters. A quick goodbye to my
newly-found ski partner, Elisabeth. I will miss her.
I am reminded of a ski story with my wife, Olga. Looking for ski partners. Read More...
23-December-1971 (Thur.)
I am reminded of a ski story with my wife, Olga. Looking for ski partners. Read More...
Day 142: Skiing Igls with Elisabeth
12/22/07 09:24 PM Filed in: Austria
| sightseeing
Day 142 — Skiing Igls with Elisabeth
22-December-1971 (Wed.)
A short
day of skiing with Elisabeth. Trying to do too much
in too short a time. Igls has sunny skiing, providing
a day of good skiing and picture taking.
Being a student is a bond that facilitates meeting other students internationally. Being young is a special time. Enjoy it, responsibly.
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22-December-1971 (Wed.)
Being a student is a bond that facilitates meeting other students internationally. Being young is a special time. Enjoy it, responsibly.
Read More...
Day 141: Great skiing at Igls
12/21/07 10:47 PM Filed in: Austria
| sightseeing
Day 141 — Great skiing at Igls
21-December-1971 (Tue.)
A great
day of skiing at Innsbruck’s Igls mountain. The
weather was sunny and the snow was in perfect
condition (not icy). I have a great dinner and
conversation with Elisabeth. I keep mentioning my mom
and seek Sigmund Freud’s help.
Read More...
21-December-1971 (Tue.)
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Day 140: Skiing; Elisabeth; naked men in a sauna
12/20/07 08:00 PM Filed in: Austria
| sightseeing
Day 140 — Skiing, Elisabeth, naked men in a sauna
20-December-1971 (Mon.)
I have an
extremely long journal post today. Why? I love
Innsbruck. It was an incredible fun-filled day. From
rain in Innsbruck to snow in Seegrube, to the extreme
but pleasant torture of an Innsbruck health
spa—complete with sauna, cold bath, hot and cold foot
and body baths, and naked men in saunas.
There is only one Austrian in my ski class. She is a good-looking Austrian girl, Elisabeth. She becomes my skiing partner and a welcomed source of information on Innsbruck. When I said, “Where can I run around naked with a bunch of old men?,” she was right there pointing me to the health spa. Only kidding.
Read More...
20-December-1971 (Mon.)
There is only one Austrian in my ski class. She is a good-looking Austrian girl, Elisabeth. She becomes my skiing partner and a welcomed source of information on Innsbruck. When I said, “Where can I run around naked with a bunch of old men?,” she was right there pointing me to the health spa. Only kidding.
Read More...
Day 139: Innsbruck: Seegrube Ski School
12/19/07 09:31 PM Filed in: Austria
| sightseeing
Day 139 — Innsbruck: Seegrube Ski School
19-December-1971 (Sun.)
My first
day of skiing in the Austrian Alps is at Seegrube. I
take lessons to improve my paralleling—after all this
is Austria. If they can’t teach me to ski, no one
can. I love it. I love the fresh air. Just thinking
about it, I want to go back. Right now!
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19-December-1971 (Sun.)
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Day 138: Arrival in Innsbruck
12/18/07 08:11 PM Filed in: Austria
| sightseeing
Day 138 — Arrival in Innsbruck
18-December-1971 (Sat.)
I’m in
Innsbruck. Yay, my first look at the Austrian Alps,
or any Alps for that matter. A little bit of
sightseeing and then I get ready for some exciting
skiing tomorrow. St. Anne's column in Innsbruck's old
town is a well-known landmark.
Read More...
18-December-1971 (Sat.)
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Day 137: Christmas in class
12/17/07 07:58 AM Filed in: Vienna
Day 137 — Christmas in class
17-December-1971 (Fri.)
While drinking a little wine in class, we create some Christmas tree patterns on an oscilloscope. How's that for education? We’re about to break for the holidays. Tonight I leave for Innsbruck.
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17-December-1971 (Fri.)
While drinking a little wine in class, we create some Christmas tree patterns on an oscilloscope. How's that for education? We’re about to break for the holidays. Tonight I leave for Innsbruck.
Read More...
Day 136: Nothing today
12/16/07 07:55 AM Filed in: Vienna
Day 135: “Letter Home” is finished
Day 135 — “Letter Home” is finished
15-December-1971 (Wed.)
A good
full day. I finish my electronic music letter. I plan
on taking a skiing trip to Innsbruck. I see a second
Anton Heiler organ concert.
Yay. Yay. Yay.
Read More...
15-December-1971 (Wed.)
Yay. Yay. Yay.
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Day 134: Zappa's 200 Motels
12/14/07 06:12 PM Filed in: Vienna
Day 134 — Zappa's 200 Motels
14-December-1971 (Tue.)
It’s Frank Zappa at the movies today—200 Motels.
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14-December-1971 (Tue.)
It’s Frank Zappa at the movies today—200 Motels.
Read More...
Day 133: Wrote a new song
12/13/07 08:05 PM Filed in: Vienna
Day 133 — Wrote a new song
13-December-1971 (Mon.)
Wrote a new song today. I don’t know what that song is, but I wrote it. Maybe, one day, I'll release it to the public. Maybe. One day.
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13-December-1971 (Mon.)
Wrote a new song today. I don’t know what that song is, but I wrote it. Maybe, one day, I'll release it to the public. Maybe. One day.
Read More...
Day 132: Music and art
Day 132 — Music and art
12-December-1971 (Sun.)
A good day with both contemporary art and Romantic music. I have great subscription seats in the Vienna Musikverein, where I can see the conductor as he conducts the orchestra. From the front. Nice.
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12-December-1971 (Sun.)
A good day with both contemporary art and Romantic music. I have great subscription seats in the Vienna Musikverein, where I can see the conductor as he conducts the orchestra. From the front. Nice.
Read More...
Day 131: Beautiful Burgtheater
12/11/07 09:25 PM Filed in: Vienna
Day 131 — Beautiful Burgtheater
11-December-1971 (Sat.)
A full day
of electronic music followed by a play in the
absolutely beautiful Burgtheater.
Read More...
11-December-1971 (Sat.)
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Day 130: Electronic letter
12/10/07 08:18 PM Filed in: Vienna
Day 130 — Electronic letter
10-December-1971 (Fri.)
Nothing happening today. Just working on my electronic letter.
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10-December-1971 (Fri.)
Nothing happening today. Just working on my electronic letter.
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Day 129: Planning for St. Anton
12/09/07 06:08 PM Filed in: Vienna
Day 129 — Planning for St. Anton
09-December-1971 (Thur.)
I make reservations to ski at St. Anton in the Austrian Alps. (Wait until you see the pictures.) I am nervous about the money, but hope it will be worth it.
My French horn needs some fixing. Oh boy.
Read More...
09-December-1971 (Thur.)
I make reservations to ski at St. Anton in the Austrian Alps. (Wait until you see the pictures.) I am nervous about the money, but hope it will be worth it.
My French horn needs some fixing. Oh boy.
Read More...
Day 128: My first “thunder-snow”
Day 128 — My first “thunder-snow”
08-December-1971 (Wed.)
Vienna is an amazing city. So amazing that there was thunder and lightening during a snow storm. Wow. I have never experienced that again, even to this day. The opera, Othello, based on Shakespeare play, ends the day.
Read More...
08-December-1971 (Wed.)
Vienna is an amazing city. So amazing that there was thunder and lightening during a snow storm. Wow. I have never experienced that again, even to this day. The opera, Othello, based on Shakespeare play, ends the day.
Read More...
Day 127: Christmas $$
12/07/07 04:42 PM Filed in: Vienna
Day 127 — Christmas $$
07-December-1971 (Tue.)
In 2007, I come to the realization that Christmas is, has been, and will always be expensive. I complain about spending 20s for mailing Christmas cards in 1971. Today, I wish I was only spending 20 schillings.
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07-December-1971 (Tue.)
In 2007, I come to the realization that Christmas is, has been, and will always be expensive. I complain about spending 20s for mailing Christmas cards in 1971. Today, I wish I was only spending 20 schillings.
Read More...
Day 126: Guitarist Julian Bream
Day 126 — Guitarist Julian Bream
06-December-1971 (Mon.)
A Julian Bream guitar concert reminds me of the wonderful experience of hearing top artists perform “live.” Hey, I find some YouTube videos of Bream. Why didn't I think of this before?
I encourage you all to experience as many live music and concert events as are affordable and convenient to you. An apartment or condo in New York City would be nice. And convenient. And expensive.
Read More...
06-December-1971 (Mon.)
A Julian Bream guitar concert reminds me of the wonderful experience of hearing top artists perform “live.” Hey, I find some YouTube videos of Bream. Why didn't I think of this before?
I encourage you all to experience as many live music and concert events as are affordable and convenient to you. An apartment or condo in New York City would be nice. And convenient. And expensive.
Read More...
Day 125: Good friends depart
12/05/07 11:08 AM Filed in: Vienna
Day 125 — Good friends depart
05-December-1971 (Sun.)
Nothing
happening in 1971.
In 2007, two good friends, Lisa and Kathy, are departing work.
Read More...
05-December-1971 (Sun.)
In 2007, two good friends, Lisa and Kathy, are departing work.
Read More...
Day 124: Improvisation
12/04/07 10:40 AM Filed in: Vienna
Day 124 — Improvisation
04-December-1971 (Sat.)
We’re improvising today in electronic music class. Yes, that means were making things up. I learn that improvisation is not easy and is a learned skill. As with everything, practicing helps to develop those skill sets. Read More...
04-December-1971 (Sat.)
We’re improvising today in electronic music class. Yes, that means were making things up. I learn that improvisation is not easy and is a learned skill. As with everything, practicing helps to develop those skill sets. Read More...
Day 123: Splicing a letter home
12/03/07 02:05 PM Filed in: Vienna
Day 123 — Splicing a letter home
03-December-1971 (Fri.)
I start writing, err splicing, an audio letter to my family for Christmas. It is corny. I guess, back in 1971, I was just a corny young guy. Today, I am still a corny old guy, perhaps. Oh well.
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03-December-1971 (Fri.)
I start writing, err splicing, an audio letter to my family for Christmas. It is corny. I guess, back in 1971, I was just a corny young guy. Today, I am still a corny old guy, perhaps. Oh well.
Read More...
Day 122: Frank Zappa rocks Vienna
Day 122 — Frank Zappa rocks Vienna
02-December-1971 (Thur.)
It’s
Vienna—Mahler, Mozart, Beethoven, Puccini, opera,
symphony orchestras, and Frank Zappa and the Mothers
of Invention. Zappa rocks the Konzerthaus in Vienna.
Hippies all over the place. It was a blast of a
concert. 2007 sees its first mini-snowfall.
Read
More...
02-December-1971 (Thur.)
Day 121: Thanking Rotary
12/01/07 01:05 PM Filed in: Vienna
Day 121 — Thanking Rotary
01-December-1971 (Wed.)
Today, I
begin writing Christmas cards to send home. I single
out two cards that I am sending to two special
Rotarians that awarded me the Rotary fellowship—Mr.
Spaulding, the District Governor of Rotary #749, and
Mr. Mitchell, the Chairman of the Walter D. Head
Foundation. I am truly thankful to Rotary Clubs
International and my sponsor and boss, Nick Lioy
(pictured left, standing right), for this incredible
year.
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01-December-1971 (Wed.)
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