Saturday, October 12, 2013
Steve: October
Not enough time in Edinburgh and surrounds, but it didn't rain at all!
- 10:47 pm... 70 comments
Comments:
nick: Steve how did you travel to Scotland, was it on the train? Nice ride? What is there to see in Edinburgh?
I am thinking of doing John O'Groats to Land's End on the bike next year. I thought "maybe on day 1 I should aim for Edinburgh if Steve can recommend somewhere nice".
But it's 270 miles!! I had no idea Scotland was so long.
Tim is back from his (most recent) holidays as well, so there ought to be some nice sunny pictures from him.
nick: Went to see this play last night. Bit mixed: Sheridan Smith was pretty good but I didn't like David Walliams (over the top and camp).
Most memorable thing was that I was sitting next to a mother and daughter and was talking to them about other Shakespeare we'd seen. I said one of the ones I was most impressed with was "The Winter's Tale" at the old Vic (this production) which had Rebecca Hall in - I really think she's good.
Daughter said "I used to go to school with Rebecca Hall" and "I acted with her in school theatrical productions, and her dad (Peter) came along to help). So I've had a brush with fame. Plus, I'm pretty sure Sheridan smiled directly at me.
Steve: Yes by train. A fair bit looking at the sea - 5 hours total including one change setting of from Stevenage. I think Reading goes up there. Fantastic city. Too much to do in the 3 full days we had. Need a week really.
I'm not as in love with train travel as you are. I mean 5 hours each way is a lot. The scenery gets very samey. And you are crammed in with loads of other people. (Don't forget I can't bear people.) Maybe 1st class is worth it.
I'm sure you have mentioned that woman before! And you just don't like David Walliams let's face it. But how middle class talking to a stranger about what plays you've seen... Never catch me doing that. Or drinking out of a water filter.
nick: Steve - yes, I have been told this. Hard to believe it wouldn't be more uphill doing it that way though..
Steve: I was assuming you would be doing it as an organised thing to carry clothes etc and support. But then you said about going to Edinbugh so it doesn't sound like that.
And then you still end up miles from home.
nick: Not really planned it through fully but expecting to have panniers with rudimentary essentials (clothes, inner-tubes, laptop, DVD collection etc.) and do say 120 miles a day, staying at motels every night.
Use train to get to/from start and end points: there seem to be plenty of "how to do it" web sites talking about this.
I suppose Lesley might be persuaded to rendezvous at certain locations but I was assuming I would
do it without support.
You and Tim are free to do it with me!
nick: Tim it would be helpful if you could be available, so I can call on you if I get lost and need help with maps.
nick: re: pre-programmed route - apparently it will be possible to do this soon "Plan a trip on your Mac and send the map directly to your iPhone, where Maps can give you turn-by-turn voice navigation as you go"
Means relying on apple maps though, which can be a bit dodgy).
Can't I just call you on the handsfree?
Tim: This is all you need. Type in Land's End Hotel and John O'Groats. Press Route and Drive. And pedal a bit jerkily.
nick: Steve, convert all your FLAC back to WAV!
Please be aware that many audiophiles prefer WAV or AIFF over ALAC or FLAC, even though the files are much larger. The argument is that the computing power required to expand “lossless” files into playable bitstreams results in diminished audio quality. I realize that many people don’t believe it, but the difference is audible on a truly high-resolution (very expensive) stereo system.
from a blog post about FLAC support
Steve: You see stuff like "I can here a difference. WAV sounds more open and diffuse, while FLAC sounds narrower and more direct." The FLAC comes back to the identical binary data. And aren't more disk seeks worse than a smaller file and some more processing?
All they can be pointing to here is jitter between the samples. Which must be what we were hearing on that terrible rendition using the PS3.
Still not watched any Breaking Bad or The Wire. The film Tinker Tailor was a winner though. Seen Moon yet?
nick: Steve, no not watched "Moon" yet. Need 2 hours when Lesley's out and I'm not cycling or playing Close Combat with Tim, which limits opportunities a bit
Saw Tinker Tailor (I assume you're referring to the Gary Oldman one) at the cinema and also have the DVD - really liked it. Special mention for the way it ended - the music/action really went well together I thought
Steve: Just got Trilogy by ELP - it is flipping amazing. And as someone put on a forum, one of their best as they are relatively calm on it. Don't think I could do the Tarkus/Brain Salad end of the spectrum.
nick: Steve had you not had Trilogy before? One of my favourites from back in the day - I remember listening to it a lot in 1978!
Steve: Nope, hardly touched ELP as I don't/didn't like them. Had Welcome Back on LP which I do like. Latterly on CD this, plus their first which I really like and Works which is not great. Got it for Pirates but that doesn't live up to expectations.
nick: Trilogy is my favourite of their albums (maybe because of the associations it has). I'll have to listen to it now. "Why do you stare - do you think that I care/you've been mislead by the thoughts in your head". Class.
nick: Saw the Mitchell and Webb thing ("Aambassadors") and quite liked it. Not laugh a minute but I thought quite nicely done - will watch more
Steve: Yes a slow start but the 2nd half was very good. The security guys' comments are classic. Next week looks even better.
Camel gig Monday, you have your tickets Nick. See you there I guess. D checked to see if she was invited, yes... wonder if they'll do Snow Goose... THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF IT! Sure I mentioned it...
nick: yes I liked the security guys. The stuff about "pov" (?) was good.
I do have my ticket (and my brother's) thanks.
Not sure when I last listened to the Snow Goose but I think it'll sound pretty familiar. I'm also lined up to see Rick Wakeman doing "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" with Tony, and I've never heard that so far as I know. I keep putting off buying it though..
Steve: You've got some of him on Yessongs, that's plenty.
It's POD BTW, I wonder of it's a reference to POD in Snog Marry Avoid where POD the computer tells them what to do.
Tim: It's all gone a bit 70s on the music front hasn't it?
http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/the-original-tubular-bells-order
Steve: There was a great BBC4 documentary the other week on Mike Oldfield's early days, esp TB. He said that hire order was for another recording and as they were returning it he nabbed the tubular bells for his album.
nick: I still didn't watch that Mike Oldfield documentary yet.
Someone here just brought in cakes to celebrate something or other. Needless to say, the description on the box for the Waitrose carrot cake includes the word "moist" (and yes, it is!)
Tim: The score is 3 knackeredish fence panels and a missing ridge tile, do I win? Also a couple of trees in the road on the way to work, but they only count as a tie-breaker.
nick: I forgot to check the garden this morning but on the way in to work (I came in early because I am doing an interview today) there was not much except leaves on the road.
Needless to say trains are all cancelled anyway, so my interview candidate isn't coming in.
Trying to work out how to get to Camel this evening: SWT says that "A service will operate during peak hours only in the morning and evening." so I won't be able to rely on getting the train back here.
nick: Primer on ECC cryptography I can understand the first bit (RSA) and that's quite good although I have trouble following the stuff about curves
Steve: One fence panel which was on its way out, haven't looked at the roof yet.
Apples still on the tree so wasn't too major.
No trains between Luton and London so looks like a drive tonight.
nick: I think I'll be trying to drive to Richmond and train in from there, looks like the route between Richmond/Waterloo is OK
Steve: Yes was very good although let down by poor sound. This review of another gig sums it up. BTW Fox Hill is terrible, I have no idea what they were thinking when they put that on an album.
Have Mirage in the walkman today.
nick: Yes, pretty fair review I think. I'm glad the reviewer mentioned Nude and Stationary Traveller, both of which I like. I'll be listening to ST today. And the commenter mentioning the drummer was right - he was really good. I was impressed by the setlist in part 2 in that they didn't just play their greatest hits (I really like "Ice" but don't mind that they didn't play it). The fox one wasn't a highlight though.
How We Made The World At War in the Guardian today.
Tim: Fox Hill is long after my time. I've just checked Discogs and it turns out that I only know about half of Camel's output.
Steve: That was very good, I need to print this out.
Thinking I need to buy Camel - Camel as I never had it and it comes before Mirage. And reviews seem good.
Tim: So there's a new recording of Snow Goose, not sure why. Have you already said that? Did you buy it?
nick: Have you a link to the new Snow Goose album? I have a feeling that it's a "re-recording" but I can't remember where I read about it.
Meanwhile I got a macro lens. It's very helpful for determining whether my chain needs cleaning
nick: oh yes that must be where I saw it. But that record doesn't appear to be available (in Amazon, or on the camel website, or iTunes) so far as I can see
Tim: I think I read somewhere it was due to be on sale at the gigs. CDS say it was due for release a couple of days ago.
nick: oh ok I think they did have some kind of merchandise stall at the Barbican but I didn't stop to look (concert ended at 22.40 and I wanted to catch train)
Steve: Great idea that - the classic albums thing.
What is happening Saturday? And if you have a keen taker for my ticket you are welcome to it. I don't know how you talked me into it. Although it does say on the website "each section offers a different perspective on Glass's mesmerising world of sound". When you say "different" what do you mean exactly?
nick: Steve - bring your ebook reader? It's quite pleasant music to have on in the background while you're reading. Maybe we'll be allowed/encouraged to wander in and out like Einstein.
I've got no particular plans for Sat so could get up a bit early for a cup of tea in the Southbank cafe? Not sure there's anything I particularly want to do in London although I will bring my camera in case I can get a nice macro shot of RFH.
I assume it ends around 9pm so I'd be happy to go for something to eat afterwards but that might mean Tim getting home quite late.
Steve: Oh flip, starts at 5 and ends at 9. Ok see you there 4? Although the cafe is pretty poor from memory.
I should get back afterwards as it's our going out anniversary. So mess-ups all round really.
Tim: Chaps, a bit of surfing suggests that there might be intervals on Saturday, and a post-10pm finish.
Review from last year
Previous performance we somehow missed.
Steve: Nicely written piece with some pretty funny stuff in there such as "As the first part gave way to the second part, a change in lighting took place in order to show the obvious change in the music."
nick: Fell off my bike yesterday so have a bit of a bruised leg.
With luck it should be fixed in time for these organised rides around Basingstoke from Evans though - it's a bit weird looking at the maps and recognising everything
nick: In a way it feels like I ought to do both of them.
I have put an order in for one of these so conceivably I could use it for both rides.
nick: I thought some of these pictures of the invisible man were good - although I'm not sure who deserves the credit - the "invisible man" or the people doing the painting?
nick: more from The Guardian - reader comments suggest some scepticism about the value of this type of music
nick: Is it time for a new post? Tim- have you got a nice picture to start it with? Otherwise you're going to get subject to another macro shot
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nick: Steve how did you travel to Scotland, was it on the train? Nice ride? What is there to see in Edinburgh?I am thinking of doing John O'Groats to Land's End on the bike next year. I thought "maybe on day 1 I should aim for Edinburgh if Steve can recommend somewhere nice".
But it's 270 miles!! I had no idea Scotland was so long.
Tim is back from his (most recent) holidays as well, so there ought to be some nice sunny pictures from him.
nick: Went to see this play last night. Bit mixed: Sheridan Smith was pretty good but I didn't like David Walliams (over the top and camp).Most memorable thing was that I was sitting next to a mother and daughter and was talking to them about other Shakespeare we'd seen. I said one of the ones I was most impressed with was "The Winter's Tale" at the old Vic (this production) which had Rebecca Hall in - I really think she's good.
Daughter said "I used to go to school with Rebecca Hall" and "I acted with her in school theatrical productions, and her dad (Peter) came along to help). So I've had a brush with fame. Plus, I'm pretty sure Sheridan smiled directly at me.
Steve: Yes by train. A fair bit looking at the sea - 5 hours total including one change setting of from Stevenage. I think Reading goes up there. Fantastic city. Too much to do in the 3 full days we had. Need a week really.I'm not as in love with train travel as you are. I mean 5 hours each way is a lot. The scenery gets very samey. And you are crammed in with loads of other people. (Don't forget I can't bear people.) Maybe 1st class is worth it.
I'm sure you have mentioned that woman before! And you just don't like David Walliams let's face it. But how middle class talking to a stranger about what plays you've seen... Never catch me doing that. Or drinking out of a water filter.
nick: Steve - yes, I have been told this. Hard to believe it wouldn't be more uphill doing it that way though.. Steve: I was assuming you would be doing it as an organised thing to carry clothes etc and support. But then you said about going to Edinbugh so it doesn't sound like that.And then you still end up miles from home.
nick: Not really planned it through fully but expecting to have panniers with rudimentary essentials (clothes, inner-tubes, laptop, DVD collection etc.) and do say 120 miles a day, staying at motels every night. Use train to get to/from start and end points: there seem to be plenty of "how to do it" web sites talking about this.
I suppose Lesley might be persuaded to rendezvous at certain locations but I was assuming I would
do it without support.
You and Tim are free to do it with me!
nick: Tim it would be helpful if you could be available, so I can call on you if I get lost and need help with maps. nick: re: pre-programmed route - apparently it will be possible to do this soon "Plan a trip on your Mac and send the map directly to your iPhone, where Maps can give you turn-by-turn voice navigation as you go"Means relying on apple maps though, which can be a bit dodgy).
Can't I just call you on the handsfree?
Tim: This is all you need. Type in Land's End Hotel and John O'Groats. Press Route and Drive. And pedal a bit jerkily. nick: Steve, convert all your FLAC back to WAV! Please be aware that many audiophiles prefer WAV or AIFF over ALAC or FLAC, even though the files are much larger. The argument is that the computing power required to expand “lossless” files into playable bitstreams results in diminished audio quality. I realize that many people don’t believe it, but the difference is audible on a truly high-resolution (very expensive) stereo system.
from a blog post about FLAC support
Steve: You see stuff like "I can here a difference. WAV sounds more open and diffuse, while FLAC sounds narrower and more direct." The FLAC comes back to the identical binary data. And aren't more disk seeks worse than a smaller file and some more processing?All they can be pointing to here is jitter between the samples. Which must be what we were hearing on that terrible rendition using the PS3.
Still not watched any Breaking Bad or The Wire. The film Tinker Tailor was a winner though. Seen Moon yet?
nick: Steve, no not watched "Moon" yet. Need 2 hours when Lesley's out and I'm not cycling or playing Close Combat with Tim, which limits opportunities a bitSaw Tinker Tailor (I assume you're referring to the Gary Oldman one) at the cinema and also have the DVD - really liked it. Special mention for the way it ended - the music/action really went well together I thought
Steve: Just got Trilogy by ELP - it is flipping amazing. And as someone put on a forum, one of their best as they are relatively calm on it. Don't think I could do the Tarkus/Brain Salad end of the spectrum. nick: Steve had you not had Trilogy before? One of my favourites from back in the day - I remember listening to it a lot in 1978! Steve: Nope, hardly touched ELP as I don't/didn't like them. Had Welcome Back on LP which I do like. Latterly on CD this, plus their first which I really like and Works which is not great. Got it for Pirates but that doesn't live up to expectations. nick: Trilogy is my favourite of their albums (maybe because of the associations it has). I'll have to listen to it now. "Why do you stare - do you think that I care/you've been mislead by the thoughts in your head". Class. nick: Saw the Mitchell and Webb thing ("Aambassadors") and quite liked it. Not laugh a minute but I thought quite nicely done - will watch more Steve: Yes a slow start but the 2nd half was very good. The security guys' comments are classic. Next week looks even better.Camel gig Monday, you have your tickets Nick. See you there I guess. D checked to see if she was invited, yes... wonder if they'll do Snow Goose... THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF IT! Sure I mentioned it...
nick: yes I liked the security guys. The stuff about "pov" (?) was good.I do have my ticket (and my brother's) thanks.
Not sure when I last listened to the Snow Goose but I think it'll sound pretty familiar. I'm also lined up to see Rick Wakeman doing "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" with Tony, and I've never heard that so far as I know. I keep putting off buying it though..
Steve: You've got some of him on Yessongs, that's plenty.It's POD BTW, I wonder of it's a reference to POD in Snog Marry Avoid where POD the computer tells them what to do.
Tim: It's all gone a bit 70s on the music front hasn't it?http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/the-original-tubular-bells-order
Steve: There was a great BBC4 documentary the other week on Mike Oldfield's early days, esp TB. He said that hire order was for another recording and as they were returning it he nabbed the tubular bells for his album. nick: I still didn't watch that Mike Oldfield documentary yet.Someone here just brought in cakes to celebrate something or other. Needless to say, the description on the box for the Waitrose carrot cake includes the word "moist" (and yes, it is!)
Tim: The score is 3 knackeredish fence panels and a missing ridge tile, do I win? Also a couple of trees in the road on the way to work, but they only count as a tie-breaker. nick: I forgot to check the garden this morning but on the way in to work (I came in early because I am doing an interview today) there was not much except leaves on the road.Needless to say trains are all cancelled anyway, so my interview candidate isn't coming in.
Trying to work out how to get to Camel this evening: SWT says that "A service will operate during peak hours only in the morning and evening." so I won't be able to rely on getting the train back here.
nick: Primer on ECC cryptography I can understand the first bit (RSA) and that's quite good although I have trouble following the stuff about curves Steve: One fence panel which was on its way out, haven't looked at the roof yet.Apples still on the tree so wasn't too major.
No trains between Luton and London so looks like a drive tonight.
nick: I think I'll be trying to drive to Richmond and train in from there, looks like the route between Richmond/Waterloo is OK Steve: Yes was very good although let down by poor sound. This review of another gig sums it up. BTW Fox Hill is terrible, I have no idea what they were thinking when they put that on an album.Have Mirage in the walkman today.
nick: Yes, pretty fair review I think. I'm glad the reviewer mentioned Nude and Stationary Traveller, both of which I like. I'll be listening to ST today. And the commenter mentioning the drummer was right - he was really good. I was impressed by the setlist in part 2 in that they didn't just play their greatest hits (I really like "Ice" but don't mind that they didn't play it). The fox one wasn't a highlight though.How We Made The World At War in the Guardian today.
Tim: Fox Hill is long after my time. I've just checked Discogs and it turns out that I only know about half of Camel's output. Steve: That was very good, I need to print this out.Thinking I need to buy Camel - Camel as I never had it and it comes before Mirage. And reviews seem good.
Tim: So there's a new recording of Snow Goose, not sure why. Have you already said that? Did you buy it? nick: Have you a link to the new Snow Goose album? I have a feeling that it's a "re-recording" but I can't remember where I read about it.Meanwhile I got a macro lens. It's very helpful for determining whether my chain needs cleaning
nick: oh yes that must be where I saw it. But that record doesn't appear to be available (in Amazon, or on the camel website, or iTunes) so far as I can see Tim: I think I read somewhere it was due to be on sale at the gigs. CDS say it was due for release a couple of days ago. nick: oh ok I think they did have some kind of merchandise stall at the Barbican but I didn't stop to look (concert ended at 22.40 and I wanted to catch train) Steve: Great idea that - the classic albums thing.What is happening Saturday? And if you have a keen taker for my ticket you are welcome to it. I don't know how you talked me into it. Although it does say on the website "each section offers a different perspective on Glass's mesmerising world of sound". When you say "different" what do you mean exactly?
nick: Steve - bring your ebook reader? It's quite pleasant music to have on in the background while you're reading. Maybe we'll be allowed/encouraged to wander in and out like Einstein.I've got no particular plans for Sat so could get up a bit early for a cup of tea in the Southbank cafe? Not sure there's anything I particularly want to do in London although I will bring my camera in case I can get a nice macro shot of RFH.
I assume it ends around 9pm so I'd be happy to go for something to eat afterwards but that might mean Tim getting home quite late.
Steve: Oh flip, starts at 5 and ends at 9. Ok see you there 4? Although the cafe is pretty poor from memory.I should get back afterwards as it's our going out anniversary. So mess-ups all round really.
Tim: Chaps, a bit of surfing suggests that there might be intervals on Saturday, and a post-10pm finish.Review from last year
Previous performance we somehow missed.
Steve: Nicely written piece with some pretty funny stuff in there such as "As the first part gave way to the second part, a change in lighting took place in order to show the obvious change in the music." nick: Fell off my bike yesterday so have a bit of a bruised leg.With luck it should be fixed in time for these organised rides around Basingstoke from Evans though - it's a bit weird looking at the maps and recognising everything
nick: In a way it feels like I ought to do both of them. I have put an order in for one of these so conceivably I could use it for both rides.
nick: I thought some of these pictures of the invisible man were good - although I'm not sure who deserves the credit - the "invisible man" or the people doing the painting? nick: more from The Guardian - reader comments suggest some scepticism about the value of this type of music nick: Is it time for a new post? Tim- have you got a nice picture to start it with? Otherwise you're going to get subject to another macro shot
