One Down - Four To Go

     The first month of the new semester has been quite busy here in Durham.  Nan has three sections this semester which means that she been spending more time working than playing.  We have had a couple of opportunities to step-out and enjoy some of the attractions Durham and Duke have to offer.
     The first came when we went to see a production of  "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" presented by Hoof 'n' Horn at Duke. Hoof 'n' Horn is a student drama group that performs musicals.  When I say 'student drama group' I mean it.  Everything is done by the students and generally they're pretty good.  This production was very entertaining.  Considering almost half the cast were freshman, they did a great job..  'The Spelling Bee' got its start at Barrington Stage in Pittsfield, and is just a fun ride.  The cast included some audience members who were drafted to be participants in the Bee.  The cast also inserted a few Duke oriented jokes which I'm sure were not in the original script.  It was a fun night.  We're looking forward to their April show 'Parade', a much different type of musical.
     One of the neat things about Durham is the music scene.  Many places feature both local and nationally known artists.  You can have a good meal and listen to great music at the same time.  One of these spots is the Beyu Café in downtown Durham.  We went on a Monday night had a great meal(many vegan options for Nan) and heard some equally enjoyable piano jazz delivered by Gary Brunette.
     Often times the Duke Music Department will present concerts which feature faculty members.  Such was the case on January 26th, when we went to see the Red Clay Saxophone Quartet.  This group, celebrating their 10th anniversary, is made up of  Susan Fancher(Duke) on soprano sax, Robert Faub(High Point University) on alto sax, Steven Stusek(UNC-Greensboro) on tenor sax, and Mark Engebretson(UNC-Greensboro) on baritone sax.  They played a variety of different selections.  We particularly liked the second movement of Every Thing Must Go by Martin Bresnick.  The Quartet showed their versatility in Drastic Measures by Russell Peck.  In the second movement they used a technique known as slap tongue accents that is the saxophone equivalent of violinists plucking their strings.  Their final presentation was a work written by Mr. Engebretson which used electronic tracks looped and played with the quartet.  It had a rock feel to it and was a great way to end a very satisfying concert.
      We closed this month's cultural activities by seeing Emanuel Ax in concert.  Originally this concert was supposed to feature both Mr. Ax and his wife, pianist Yoko Nozaki.  However, due to Ms. Nozaki's illness we had to 'suffer' through Mr. Ax's solo presentations.  Mr. Ax holds a special spot in our hearts as Nan and I saw him play Brahms 2nd piano concerto on the lawn at SPAC back when we were first starting to date.  It was a very romantic night.  In this concert he played 4 pieces by Beethoven and Brahms(2 each) including Beethoven's very recognizable Pathetique.  It was wonderful.  It turns out that Ms. Nozaki's father taught at Duke and Mr. Ax and she were married in Durham.  When we go to a concert featuring the piano we always try to sit in seats where we can see the performer's hands.  We were lucky enough to be in a perfect position to see Mr. Ax.  It was great to watch, and he did it all "without a lick of music in front of him", as my father used to say.  It was an equally romantic evening.

Busy Holiday Season

     As soon as the semester was over and marks posted we headed North for the holidays.  We took two cars so that I could stay up a little longer to ski.  We didn't have to wait long for the snow to arrive.  Two days after we landed home we were the recipients of about 10 inches of the white stuff.  This gave son David and I had chance to ski together at Jiminy Peak in Hancock, Mass.  We went half a day, skiing in light snow and great conditions.  My legs were up to about 12 runs while David added a couple more.  It was the first time he skied in years as he became a convert to snowboarding over a decade ago.  I think he has seen the light and will be skiing from now on.  We also got a chance to take in a RPI hockey game  RPI beat the US Under 18 team 2 to 1. (At this point I would normally insert a picture of David and I at the game.  However, for some reason I'm not currently able to transfer pictures to this blog.  Sorry.)
     Unfortunately mid-winter turned into a December thaw and most of the snow disappeared.  We were scheduled for a Christmas hayride with extended family, but sleighs don't run well in mud.  Anyway, nice brunch at Maxon Road on the 22rd. We celebrated Christmas on the eve of the 23rd and had a nice evening. (Imagine a picture of our Christmas tree at this point.)  On the 24th we went to friends Tom and Jackie's open house in the afternoon and then I sang at church in the evening. Christmas Day we got in a nice hike in bitter cold conditions.
     A second large snowstorm struck mid-week and I was able to get up to Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area and see my friend Walt Kirsh.  Conditions were great and I skied about 12 K.  (Imagine a picture here of me standing amidst snow laden pines) The snow was washed away again a few days later by warm temps.
     Nan's Spring Semester started early so she went back on January 3rd.  I stayed with the hopes of getting in some more downhill.  Snow had all but disappeared in the Capital District, but I took the opportunity to spend an hour or two skating at the ice rink at HVCC.  (Imagine another picture of me on skates.)
     My time North culminated with a trip to Stratton Mountain up in Vermont.  Many thanks to Tyler Hake, one of my son's friends, who came with me.  Also thanks to his brother, Bruce, who is on the Ski Patrol and listed me on his friends and family list.  Tyler was great.  He's an excellent skier, but was very patient with me and didn't laugh too hard when I fell ass-over-teakettle on the Cub Carpet, which is a conveyor belt lift for kids.  Nobody told me to lean forward.  Anyway great day on well maintained trails.


(Imagine a beautiful picture of the Green Mountains from the top of Stratton.)