So, who is the beauty....and who's the beast?
The beauty is the lovely sunset that enchanted me a few evenings ago. I went out on the front porch to capture it with my El Cheapo camera.
Trust me, I don't enchant easily.
And who's the beast?
The beast is myself, of course. The other day, for no specific reason whatsoever, I took a quasi-selfie (with my El Cheapo camera) on the front porch.
This photo isn't particularly enchanting. In order to capture myself, I had to set the 10-second timer on the camera, then run away (actually, I limped away because of my bad back) - then I had to pose and try to look good - - all in ten frigging seconds.
Trust me - it usually takes a few hours and a generous application of embalming fluid for me to look good.
I'm exaggerating, of course. I'm actually adorable.
Here's something you're really going to like (I jest, of course).
This is an extremely rare piano recording that I made in Los Angeles when I was eighteen years old. It's one of my own compositions - the prelude in D minor, op. 5 #24.
The audio quality is poor, at best, but it's only a minute long. I have no doubt that you'll survive.
And just to set the record straight - - this was not recorded on an Edison Phonograph Cylinder.....ha, ha.....
LOVE the self portrait. The sunset was spectacular. And the musical accompaniment stellar. Did you ever in your musical career play any Bach? I would love to hear it.
ReplyDeleteI like Bach, but seldom recorded any of his compositions. I've played all of the two-part Inventions, and the three-part Inventions, many of the preludes, and the Italian Concerto, and other stuff that I can't remember. I think I have a recording of one or two preludes. I'll look for it.
DeleteBeautiful sunset and nice picture of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paula. The sunset was spectacular - it looked better in real.
DeleteYou look so excited in the photo Jon. I like it's style, and yours. And the colors in that sunset are truly beautiful. Damn you get good sky photos.
ReplyDeleteI'm always excited, Maddie......
DeleteLovely composition, Jon. That sky seems quite amazing. You must have clear air where you live.
ReplyDeleteThe air is remarkably clear here (except when we get the morning mountain fog).
DeleteUnfortunately, the trees and the hills do their best to obstruct the sunsets.
The self portrait: 'cool dude' comes to mind. Stark and quite broody actually. MaggieB
ReplyDelete"Stark and broody" is a good description of my current self. I used to be a cool dude.....
DeleteNeat skies, even better selfie!
ReplyDelete... a bit Clint Eastwood-ish, poised to draw your sidearm.
I was hesitant to post this "selfie" because I thought it looked stupid.....but what the heck, I have nothing to lose.....
DeleteYour selfie reminds me of a gunslinger, or a younger Robert Redford. That's complimentary of course... it is a cool shot. I'd never tire of those sunsets. They really are beautiful. El Cheapo camera certainly does the trick. It doesn't appear that you have any snow ?
ReplyDeleteMy El Cheapo camera is actually an OLD Kodak EasyShare CD40, but I like it. I often feel like a gunslinger...and I'm always ready for a showdown.
DeletePiano piece is remarkable, beautiful. And (considering when I was 18 a patient and well-meaning room mate managed to teach me several guitar chords and regretted it) I'm astonished at how accomplished you were at that age. Your photo turned out very well! There's no indication you had just 10 seconds to hurry into that pose --it looks relaxed.
ReplyDeleteI'm never relaxed, Geo, but I desperately try to give the impression....
DeleteWhen I was eighteen, I wrote twenty-four piano preludes - one in every key. The D minor was the last in the series, and has always been my favorite.
Many thanks for the kind words (Gawd knows - I need them).
Your brief musical piece is exquisite, Jon. And the black and white self-portrait I like immensely - just for its artistic qualities: So much mystery and darkness captured in that moment.
ReplyDeleteDylan
P.S. I got one damn valentine (of the email kind) and was grateful for that :-)
Thanks, Dylan. My entire life seems to be filled with "mystery and darkness" lately.
DeleteYou did better than me on Valentine's Day. I didn't even get one Valentine....
Your sunset pics are gorgeous, and for having only 10 seconds to scurry into place and strike a pose, you did darned good, cowboy! You look rather formidable in that picture. (But I know better!)
ReplyDeleteAs for the music? Wow. It's phenomenal that you composed something so complex at such an early age. To me, the music sounds uplifting and filled with hope, even if it is in a minor key. Bravo!
Neither "formidable" nor "ten seconds" are in my vocabulary - although I can do a pretty good job of faking formidable.
DeleteSometimes I actually surprise myself when I hear my music. I'm glad that I'm finally dragging it out of the cobwebs...
Nice pictures, good selfie.
ReplyDelete