Out and about

As the cleaners were coming today I left the house fairly early and headed to Ian's Acoustic Cafe for coffee.

After getting my shot of caffeine I headed into town to find a digital radio for Noel. I found what I thought was appropriate at the M store but the only earphones they had were too expensive. I managed to find some cheaper ones elsewhere and then jumped on a tram to Royal Park.

Noel was well and I got the radio out, only to discover that, unlike every other model of small digital radio that I've ever looked at, this one doesn't have a headphone jack. I can exchange it (I still have the receipt) but have realised that I can give him the one I have by my bed and keep the one I bought today.

I'll probably go back on Wednesday, as Thursday and Friday are taken up with mailout.

Sunny Sunday

Despite being cold today, it's been a gloriously sunny day. I started the day with coffee and a walk before sitting down to do the Sunday Age general knowledge crossword.

Daniel M. dropped in after lunch to pick up his book and CDs of his Widor program. During the afternoon I sorted through some more of the program collection and started a curry.

Also caught up with a few recorded TV shows.

Later tonight is Sunday Night Late.

First draft

Being Saturday, I was collected by Peter and Bruce around ten for our regular shopping safari. No farmers' market so it was just Vic Gardens.

Lunch was at Backstreet Eating and for me involved baked eggs with chorizo. Delicious.

This afternoon I went back to the radio station and spent three hours completely the first cut of MV's Berlioz program for Illuminations. So far, so good, except that it's just under four minutes over time. I may have to do some early fade-outs to gain the time.

I'll probably spend a bit more time on it tomorrow or Monday. As I get more familiar with the software the process gets easier.

Hard day at the office

I was at the radio station all day today - my usual shift on Reception was fairly quiet, then after Juliette arrived I went for a quick lunch around the corner with Joseph B.

Then I spent the afternoon in studio three, beginning the work on Mark Vendy's Berlioz program. After a slow start I'm gradually getting the hang of it, though I only got to page four of twelve in Mark's script.

At least I've got a week to finish it.

Busy day

I had a call early this morning from Christie, Robina B's daughter, to organise an iPad for Noel T. Then, later in the morning, I went over to RMH Rehab to see him and let him know what's happening. He was pretty bright and we had a good chat.

Today we had the hottest July day on record: 23.6°C. It was certainly very nice in the sun, although the northerly wind was fairly unpleasant.

In the afternoon I went to 3MBS to record an Illuminations program on Berlioz - this went well, but I now have a large job to put the bits together with the music ... and only a week to finish it.

By the time I left the change had been and gone - I gather I missed a thunderstorm and all.

Piano lesson

Today I had my first piano lesson in over forty years. The lovely Leigh Harrold from the Syzygy Ensemble came around and we spent a very pleasant hour and a half talking music and piano playing.

It was great to have some advice on how I play. He made a couple of suggestions on posture and hand position which make a lot of sense; he also had some great ideas on musical expression. After having played on my own for so long it was terrific to get some feedback. I hope he enjoyed the time as much as I did.

Then in the afternoon I went in to The Age to look at some clippings files the John had kindly retrieved for me. I'm hoping to provide the Victorian Opera Facebook page with some information about productions in the 60s and 70s. It was nice to see some of my old colleagues.

Weekend

As Peter and Bruce went to Castlemaine for the weekend I went to the farmers' market first thing before heading to the radio station for the second part of the producers' training course.

In the morning session we talked about methodologies for producing various types of programs. Then in the afternoon we spent time in studio 3 with Paul Kelly increasing our knowledge of Audition 3.

Today I finished off the shopping before settling down with the Sunday Age and the general knowledge crossword. Later this afternoon I made Methi aloo to use some more of the fenugreek greens. I had some with the remains of the Methi gosht and some rice. Yum!

Winter pix

Sunday sunshine