Pat,
I sure hope this new med kicks some serious cancer butt!
Way to go. |
Pat,
That's great news about the medication.
Glad you like the Drake album,he has two other albums which are equally as good! |
That is fabulous news about the chemo drug. Seems like a lot of folks are listening and applying the thinking of your musical "hero," Neil Young, when he sings "Long May You Run."
Cigar smoke gives me cluster headaches. Cognac, too. My back is bothering me and I can't sit very long at a time. The hearing is falling off in my left ear. And I always thought dip switches were named for me. But I hope you guys have a good time. :-)
Now you've got me thinking about whether I should use a step-up transformer between my low output (0.5mV) Grado The Statement and my Plinius Jarrah phono stage. Just what my wife wanted: for me to spend more money on gear. I'm telling her it's your fault, Pat.
Warmest regards to all,
Paul |
Some days I feel like I'm running around with a big question mark tatooed to my forehead. I just can't understand why good fortune, considering the circumstances, continues to rain down on me. Here's the deal. My oncologist had persuaded me to try an oral chemotherapy even though my insurance company considers its use to be investigatory in nature and uncovered. The drug, Xeloda-a brand of capecitabine (the iv version) is grossly expensive. If this household had to pay for it out of pocket I would need to sell our home and liquidate all of my other assets. It is that expensive.
The pharmaceutical company gifted me my first round of this medication and I am having little, if any, side effects. The coverage is being appealed to the insurance company and documents regarding its useage as standard protocol have been submitted. It may or may not eventually be covered. The need to continue on the next round of the drug is coming so the pharmaceutical company has again gifted me another course of treatment. My biggest fear is that this stuff would work and I couldn't have it. I'm sure you can understand the emotional side of things if that happened. Well, to make a long story short the cancer clinic I go to has just told me to not worry about it. No matter whether the insurance pays or not I will receive this drug free of charge if it is working for me.
After the second round of chemo I'll get a CT scan and the images will be compared to my last CT to see if the disease has progressed, stopped in its tracks or reversed course. I'm really in touch with my body and its telling me that this stuff is working. I could bitch about a number of things that are no longer normal but I'm in generally good health and can enjoy every day. I can actually make plans and follow through with them. That may not seem like a big deal to you healthy guys but it is what gives me my life back. Previously if I were invited to do something I'd have to qualify my response with "sure, if I'm feeling good enough". Now I can say, "what time?".
On the stereo front the Syrah has been sent off for repair and I purchased a used Wright WPL 10 V just in case. I should be getting it in a few days and I'm sure I'll be happy with it. I also contacted Robert at Ridge Street and ordered another pair of the Poiema! speaker cables since my speakers require two stereo pairs. I also ordered some Eichmann banana connectors to use with these cables from Robert. Now, remember Robert gifted me two pairs of RCA's and one pair of the speaker cables earlier. He charged me so little for all this other stuff that I consider it a gift too. Just the interconnects and the speaker cables have made a huge difference in my system. In fact, the retail price of the cabling exceeds the value of my amps, crossovers and speakers. Well, I did buy them used you understand. Looking at everything in retail dollars the cabling is about 50% of the price of the parts I just mentioned. It sounds better doing it this way than moving up the food chain with my hardware for the same dollar figure. Not long ago I wouldn't have believed this possible.
I now only have one challenge left with the system. Assuming the Syrah never returns I need step up transformers to use with a new cartridge. I just love the Bent Audio transformers. They sound great if broken in and the cartridge loading is very easy to change. They are out of my price range however. If anyone has any ideas about a cheaper way to go I'd be most interested. I really only need about 10 db of gain but configuring for other gain settings would be a plus. Cartridge loading changes would need to be easy because I'm so ignorant about the more difficult ways its accomplished. Dip switches would be okay but the way the Bent Audio unit works is just too cool. You simply clamp the resistors between two posts to attain any value you want. I saw this first hand in Miami thanks to Doug Deacon and was amazed. I was amazed by how easy it was and also how clearly audible very small changes affected the sound.
I also had some good fortune on the software front too. I'd been looking for an affordable MOFI copy of Muddy Waters "Folk Singer". Affordable is a laugh. What I did find was a Chess reissue in mint condition. After having played it I find it difficult to believe the MOFI is any better. This is great content and a wonderful performance recorded about as good as it gets. I love this album. I'm also very impressed by the album Bem Campbell sent me. It's Nick Drake's "Five Leaves Left". This album has really grabbed me after a few plays. Considering that it was originally released around 1968 and I can't remember having heard it before makes it all the more interesting.
Did anyone here take my advice and buy the David Roth album? Just curious what others think of it.
Two friends from the Midwest are arriving today for a weeks visit. We'll be going out tonight for some live blues. I have some fun things we're going to do while they are here but the bulk of the time will be spent listening to tunes, visiting and getting small. As soon as this is posted I'm going out to buy a good bottle of cognac to go along with those cigars I bought in Miami. Ah, the aroma of stinking up the house with old friends is something I really look forward to. |
glad you folks had fun in miami,i grew up there,way back when south beach was a low rent area,,,becareful; a little cafe goes a long way,,,i really miss the food ,culture and esp. Latin women!!!! |
Yeah, don't pretend like you weren't taking hidden glances yourself Doug, heheh. |
I'd like to thank Patrick for sharing himself with us last weekend, and for especially for sharing his new love with me.
The Cuban coffee, you perverts, not the Cubans!
Patrick took me around to this restaurant he'd found and bought me a cup. Imagine something almost espresso, but sweetened nearly to a syrup. Yum. We were the only two English speakers in the place. Long tables were filled with two or three generations, families sharing Sunday lunch after church, judging by their attire. Wonderful atmosphere, wonderful coffee. |
Pat I hope you enjoy it I think the more you listen the more you'll enjoy it-his music seems quite slight on the surface but repeated plays brings many more layers. |
Ben, How incredibly thoughtful of you. It is all about the music now, isn't it? |
Pat-don't why that name turned up-Ben from Glasgow-hope you enjoy. |
Who is Steve Kay from Evanston, Ill.? I just received a Nick Drake "Five Leaves Left" Simply Vinyl LP from him. Thank you. I'd love to associate a moniker with the name. |
I've got to say that the Latin women were, uhmm, very easy on the eyes. Very exotic looking too. The Cuban people that I saw were a handsome, proud group that took much pride in their appearance and the apprearance of what they owned. Understand though that I was staying in the city of Doral where the golf tournament was held last weekend. We're not talking a low rent district. It's a shame I didn't take my camera as the hotel was across the street from the Miami/Dade County Elections Commission building. I'd love to have had a photo of me in front of the building. |
Sounds like you had an awesome time Pat! Cuban coffee is something I've never heard of, but now I gotta find out. You didn't mention anything about the lovely Cuban women, or had Barb made sure you were wearing your Preakness Blinders? heheh. |
I just returned from Miami. What a gas! I would never have thought that old Lugnut would be soaring so high with the audio eagles. Honestly, I'm so appreciative to have been included with such a select group of very fine people. I also experienced a couple of things I've wanted to do specific to southern Florida. I tasted Cuban coffee and had one Cuban seafood meal. The food was very good but the coffee was addictive, it's that good. Sorry to slam Starbucks but they are amatuer.
I just returned so I've other things to do. I'll write more soon. |
I would also like to echo Bin's comments. Pat, there is not much I can say that others haven't. God Bless, you and your loved ones will remain in my thoughts and prayers. |
Pat- it's obvious your soul is churning up great things.
In the midst of great difficulty, you share with us the bitter and sweet of life. I know you don't feel courageous. I'm sure you feel that you're simply playing the hand you're dealt as best you can. But you my friend are a beautiful man, whom God has richly blessed with kindness and wisdom.
Thank you for talking to us, and helping us understand anew the gift of friendship and love.
For some reason as I close this note, I'm reminded of a quote from- of all people- Carl Jung.
"Bidden or not- God is Present". |
Pat, how does one respond correctly to such gracious comments? Wisdom of that caliber is not of this world. I stand to learn from you, and have followed this thread because I have so much to learn. You are in my prayers! |
Ron,
I've pondered who David Roth reminds me of and I can't think of a single successful singer/songwriter. He does remind me of several club performers I've heard in my life that couldn't get the crowd up and dancing and drinking til they fall down. His type is usually a one night stand in the club scene because the audience sits and listens. This guys music isn't going to be used to hawk tennis shoes, beer or credit cards on tv.
Bin,
Thanks for the compliment. I believe that, in a certain sense, it's more difficult to read my posts than to live them. I have no choice but to face my own mortality but you have CHOSEN to face it, and in doing so, your own.
This is the second type of cancer I've faced, the first being in '88. One of my high school classmates couldn't bring himself to even call me back then and has expressed numerous times of late how guilty he has felt about it. He now calls on a regular basis and the conversation always turns to God. We both believe in the traditional, Christian sense. During our last conversation he told me a long story about him wanting to minister to me so that I could have the gift of salvation. I'm aware that his church, and particularly his men's bible study group, prays for me and my family on a regular basis. He has shared most of our converstaions with his pastor and eventually this pastor said to him, "Paul, can't you see that he is ministering to you?". I could tell that he was near tears when he shared this with me. He went on to say that whenever he calls he feels closer to God. Bin, listen carefully here as I think it's important. I'm not ministering to anyone. Not intentionally anyway. If God is using me for a greater good I'm very happy for him doing so. From the beginning of this thread I've felt that this experience was bigger than audio and Lugnut. You guys have reached out to me and lifted me up. I consider this to be a very special gift to me personally, but since it's really about our shared humanity and proof of how good mankind can be, and that's it's something that needs to be shared. If what I write is in some way helping someone else it is not because I'm expressly trying to do so. I give the credit to God. I'm happy if he is using me in this way and He's welcome to use me up. I feel as though I've known all of you guys forever. |
Lugnut,
I admire you more amd more with every post you make... so insperational...though you don't know me I feel like I know you and and think of you often. The world needs more people like you not less. |
Patrick by your description; "David Roth has a manly voice and the entire album is acoustic with perhaps up to five instruments total playing. His music is slow ballads and the lyrics reflect his politics." When I read this, Leonard Cohen popped into my head for some reason, even close? Thanks for your sharing Peace Ron |
|
Ain't nothing out there to prevent me from sending hate mail when Ah feel like it. Its almost funner than openin' a can o' whoop-a$$ on some blue state liberal ;~) |
Steve sat down at his computer to share the information about the recording I referred to above but Audiongon must have been rebooting or something and it didn't get posted. So, with all the spare time I enjoy I figured I'd do the typing instead.
There are only two vinyl records available from this label. Though they have other recording on CD, and I understand they are stunning as well, I can't speak about their audiopile characteristics.
Before I share the artist's name and purchasing information I'd like to express what it is about the album that tripped my trigger. Steve's system is very, very nice and has the ability to reproduce all of the information thrown at it. It's very musical and does a very fine job of not being as picky about source material as you would think. Generic pressings sound very good. But, as the recording quality goes up so does the reproduced sound. My system is very modest in comparison but it too responds well to better recordings and does a very nice job with generics too.
Steve had attended the last CES and had heard this pressing used as demo material and was impressed with the level of detail and the content so he wrote down the purchasing information and ordered it for himself. He didn't say anything to me about its sonic attributes before he put it on his Teres. From the first note I heard things I've never heard quite so clearly on his system. It was like finally a piece of software that wasn't holding his system back. The record exceeds the performance of my system....
The artist is David Roth and the title is "Pearl Diver". It's a direct metal master on the Stockfisch label. Maybe there is an online retailer where you can listen to the content but if you can't find anyway to audition it I offer the following information to try and help you determine if you would like this. David Roth has a manly voice and the entire album is acoustic with perhaps up to five instruments total playing. His music is slow balads and the lyrics reflect his politics. My guess is that he's an environmentalist and a proponent of tolerance. Personally, I prefer artists that don't try to influence my belief system whether I agree with them or not. In this case, I'm not offended in the least as I simply view what he sings about as coming from a gentle soul. The songs that represent his personal views are not "in your face" and come across as sincere and thoughtful. His rendition of Don McClean's "Vincent" is simply incredible. That one cut alone is worth the price of admission.
Stockfisch has only one other vinyl offering and it is a two record set from Sara K.'s "Waterfall". I know you can audition this album online to determine if you like it enough to buy. I've played but one of the records and enjoy it a lot but can't comment of it's sonics. I've not listened to it on Steve's system.
Cut and paste the following to place an order:
www.stockfisch-records.de
The website is mainly in German. Go to the order link and then select viny records. You'll see the two albums and what they sell for in Euro's.
I'm sure that the sonics are about as good as it gets but this is all IMHO, submitted that YMMV and all the stuff that will keep you guys from sending me hate mail if you don't like it. |
Speaking of cars and Connecticut, I spent quite a few weekends back in the '70s with a Lotus 23B at Lime Rock Park in SCCA C-SportsRacer class competition.
Lime Rock is a fun track. The roads around it aren't bad either.
Cams? Yes the Lotus had a pair of them, on top of a hemi-headed big valve 1300(1600 de-stroked to make C class), short ported with dual Weber DCOE, dry sump, mid engine, 5 speed Hewland transaxle with Elektron hubs, all tube space-frame chassis, Bruill custom bodywork, and all Colin Chapman design and handling. It was originally the Lotus Factory entry in the Nurburgring 1000km(w/twin fuel tanks) with Jim Clark behind the wheel. We got it later, and raced it as a C-SportsRacing class car.
That was about 215hp at 11,500rpm, not bad in those days, out of only 80 cubic inches displacement. The car weighed just over 900 pounds. No turbos, no injection, no nitrous, just plain ol' normally-aspirated Cosworth aluminum.
We always wanted to drop a 285hp Cosworth BDF 4-valve injected motor into it and run Class B, but it cost too much to do. Eventually we had to sell it because it was too expensive for a privateer to run against the "big bucks" sponsored boys. |
Doug,
There are always residental streets. They still have corners in Miami, no? he he |
Ron,
Sorry for the confusion. Overhead cams? What are cams? What do you use them for?
RX8man,
Great website! I love winding the rotary out and I'm not into drag, on street, track or nightclub, but that's some cool stuff. Have you posted on rx8club.com? Lots of modders there.
John,
Austin who? Them's fightin' words baby!
Pat,
We could always try to wangle a test drive out of a dealer. No good roads near Miami though. Everything's pretty flat and straight AFAIK. Give me New England hills or your mountains for RX8 driving. |
Oh no. Doug's going to think less of me. I helped my neighbor slip a 350 into his old RX. One reason for doing so was that his motor went belly up and there were no replacements to be found. Now, get this, this was just about the cheapest and cheesiest transplant I've ever seen. We had to leave the hood off permanently since the only radiator we could afford was too tall to allow it to close. Because of a lack of funds we didn't do any front end modifications to handle the extra weight. The car proved to be dangerous but the owner had fun. He later put some slicks on it and added nitrous and went street racing against my advice. He is a fun guy and luckily outlived the Mazda.
I can't remember the cars name but another friend took the original rotary coupe from the 80's and inserted a motor that dyno'd at over 1000 h.p. before the four stages of nitrous kicked in. It made approximately 2500 h.p. on the bottle and ran in the low, low seven second range. This was a real street legal car that was driven regularly. This fellow hauled this thing around the U.S. competing in the fastest street car shootout races for big bucks. Deep down he was a street racer and lost his life behind the wheel of this car in a spectacular crash while racing another car for pocket change. When I later drove out to the crash site of this lonesome two lane road I found that the quarter mile measured an actual third of a mile with a huge dip and corner at the end of the straight away. His wife and daughter were spectators at this late night illegal event.
I like Doug's car a lot and yes, it is very sexy. Too bad that he is flying into Miami. If his car were there I'd love to be a passenger while he pushes it to the maximum. From what I've read about these cars the cornering is unreal. That would probably raise my heart rate higher than listening to tonearm and cartridge changes.
Gimme a BOSS HOG!!! |
02-27-05: Dougdeacon
Rockinroni,
Why would you put a big block (or any block) in an RX-7? Are you mad? MAD?! What could be more fun to drive than a rotary? Hey Doug, I thinks you have me confused with rx8man Besides I like my STS just fine, love that dual overhead cam 32 valve 300hp kickass V8! zoom zoom I was also glad to here a digital ear guy got to here a Walker. Now that is life in the fast lane, Zoom Zoom Zoom!!! Peace Ron |
Thanks John,
I didn't think being a hobbyist mechanic made engine swaps morbid, maybe I am mad.
I came up with RX8 WAY before Mazda conceived theirs.
The car is professionally retained in its form, 50-50 weight, so on, so forth, just go to Grannys Speedshop.com
My main post here was to say hi to Patrick and wish him well, with a touch of humor. |
Oh behave.......Yeah baby.......Groovy......
Doug, you sound just like my sworn enemy, Austin Powers.
BBBWWWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
BBBWWWAAAAAAAHHHAAAAAA!!!!
BBWWWAAAHHHHAAA!!!
BWWAAHHAA!!
BWAHA....
Hey, is this thing on.....tap, tap............... |
Rockinroni,
Why would you put a big block (or any block) in an RX-7? Are you mad? MAD?! What could be more fun to drive than a rotary?
I owned two first gen RX-7's and now own an RX-8. 6 speed gearbox + 9,500rpm redline = zoom! Redlined it in 3rd and 4th just yesterday. That was some movin'.
And yes folks, this is relevant. Pat loves cars and he thinks my RX-8 looks sexy. He's right of course, but mostly because I was standing next to it! ;-) |
It's always wonderful to read about good news,as seems to be the case here.I am a newcomer to the forum,but am very happy to see the apparent outcome here!!Great luck,for a really LONG time!!! |
Pat, I was shocked to hear what happened, I'm sure glad you're O.K. !
Thank God.
It's been a while since we talked (a little about cars, that is) !
By the way, my digital ears made the mistake of listening to a Walker Proscenium Gold at a buddy of mine yesterday for 4 hours !!
It was like putting a big-block in my RX7 !!!!!!!!!!
You take care now and God Bless,
.................. Pat |
Gajgmusic,
I've not forgotten about the recording I mentioned earlier in this thread. Vetterone introduced me to this record. I've been waiting for him to write about its virtues, not wanting to steal his thunder. I'll contact him and see if he has time to write a review of this piece as I had hoped. If he doesn't I'll not forget to post about it here. My copy should be here any moment. |
Patrick
You really do sound like yourself again. Glad to hear this. Have a great trip in Miami. Out of curiosity what was the great record you were listening to a few threads back. Take care
Gary Gelfand |
Patrick thanks for the update, I was wondering why the thread kinda stalled. Now about this depression thing, Patrick you hit the nail on the head with you assessment of the situation. I believe you are handling your present circumstances better that most. You are gettin out and about a lot more than me, lol.
Buy the way I will keep you in my prayers, and have a great time in Miami.
Peace, Ron |
Pat, glad to hear your spirit is rallying (and that you're sleeping better!). I also just received some good news about my sick cousin I recently visited (the latest chemo is effecting a measure of remission at this time), so I think we're all feeling a bit better today.
I'd like to send you some nice unfamiliar music - one of the stuffs of life! - for your listening pleasure if you're up for it. I'll email you...Keep on livin' it up, Alex. |
Paul...you should have known better. When you read Lugnut's response in the 'Reevaluating vinyl' thread, you know that he's alive and kicking.......
Pat, keep on rockin' in the free world ! |
Glad to see you're back, Pat ... I was wondering. |
Such offer is un-pass-uppable. Only damage control is possible (wear extra pair underwear when hug foreseen). Love the posts, Pat. Thinking of you daily. |
How does one pass up an offer like that??? |
Doug,
You aren't safe buddy. I'm going to hug the shit out of ya'. |
As many of you may have noticed I'm back to posting in my traditional fashion. My "wordly" emotions are coming through loud and clear which is an indication that I'm feeling much better. I did notice that Pat, and was very happy to see it. Thanks for the update. Your kindly doctor is wrong about the depression I think. Nobody as loud and opinionated as you or me could be depressed. Say, why not invite that insurance company exec out for an evening of pool? You could probably sandbag him for enough to cover the pills! He'd never admit he was taken to the cleaners by Frankenstomach! <:^) Oh, leave the blindfold home when you come to Miami. I'll feel safer. See ya' soon! |
Pat, I'm really interested in hearing all about that Miami gig.
I can't go, but I wish I could.
I hope you can be the one to post the full report.
Every day you feel good is a "plus"!!!
Not too shabby for an "old timer" with a "Frankenstomach"!
:^) |
Tom, you said a mouthful with that last paragraph. I'm so proud of this community. Hopefully this isn't really about me but rather about our shared humanity. Even the folks that are simply readers of this thread are special.
Sorry to all for not giving you updates for awhile. I sometimes wonder how much information you all want or need. I did have my drain tube removed also. Now that I don't have any mechanical devices protruding from me I feel more normal in spite of what I have now termed my "Frankenstomach". This extensive modification should be reserved for hotrods or older tube gear, not to the human body.
My insurance company has denied coverage for the pills since they consider their use to be in the investigational phase. It's being appealed by my doctor, bless his heart. But, I do know this, no matter the outcome he will still want to "fix" the unfixable and I constantly struggle with how to handle him. He's a caring and kind soul and that is what I want on my side through this. But, what I consider to be unnecessary, heroric measures that would most likely be to my detriment, he considers standard protocol. He's indicated in my diagnosis that I'm depressed and I'm pretty sure he'd like to give me meds for that too. Give me a break. Of course, I'm unhappy and maybe I am depressed for being in the box I find myself in but this is normal. I'd be depressed if my cat was suffering. My job is to deal with this because failing to do so would bring more anguish than I can imagine a human enduring. Besides, and I think this group would agree with me, I think I'm doing a pretty good job of getting a handle on it. You guys, as well as my traditional friends and family, have validated my existence for the last 54 years and I thank you.
As many of you may have noticed I'm back to posting in my traditional fashion. My "wordly" emotions are coming through loud and clear which is an indication that I'm feeling much better. Hey, it's not like I'm normal as I define it but I did go out and play pool again last night, kicked ass, eyeballed the tight jeans and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I slept better last night than I have in several weeks. We have a big day planned for this Sunday with a few of my friends from our audio group. Listening to a SOTA viny rig at one house, moving onto audition new MBL speakers at another and finally dinner at a third members home. This is living large guys.
And, next week is the Miami gig. If I can improve on how I now feel this will be more fun than being a blind folded judge at a titty contest. |
Pat, it's alot of fun getting to break-in and tune-up a whole new system, isn't it?
Hey, that Steve is a great guy to get another Syrah for you, like he did. Paul and Doug did a great service with their spearheading the system donation efforts. All the donators are wonderful for their generous actions too.
In fact, I think everybody that has done anything, posted on these threads, or did any praying or well wishing, is a heck of a guy, and I'm proud to be associated with people who'll come together for a buddy in tough times. |
Alex,
The stories you tell about your personal experiences with cancer are heart breaking and, sorry to say, all too common. As I have said before I am one of the lucky ones. I was diagnosed in 1988 with mixed cell nodular lymphoma. I didn't respond to the traditional West Coast therapies so I was placed on a very aggressive regimine as practiced on the East Coast. This type of lymphoma is considered 100% non-cureable. I've lived until now without any evidence of a return only to get this shit.
This last Wednesday we met with my oncologist to establish a course of treatment. I had decided that no further treatment was the best course of action since I had reacted so severely to the first round of chemo. There is another drug that's usually reserved for people with a fighting chance for cure. It requires you to be hooked up to a pump for 21 days and then one week off. The side effects are minimal and the drug is a good one for slowing the progression of the disease. The pharmaceutical company that had developed this drug has now developed an oral dosage of the same compounds. That was offered to me on Wednesday. It was an exciting prospect since it would only require me to take 8 pills, 4 twice a day. So, here's the problem. The iv drugs are covered almost 100% by my insurance but the oral meds are covered under our standard prescription plan. Since there is no generic equivalent we pay 80% out of pocket meaning that the per dose cost would be close to $50 per pill. For the mathematically challenged, that's $400 per day for 14 days and then one week off or $5600 every three weeks. That's not an option for us and I wish I didn't even know about it.
I continue to work on my system and can say in no uncertain terms that the Audio Points made a substantial difference when used with my speakers. Imaging has become more stable and the stage is layered more than before. Interestingly, it seems to get better each time I listen and I guess that this is a function of breaking them in. I'm using Audio Points under my two amplifiers and am also using the Ridge Street interconnects from the preamp to each amp. The interconnects have made the biggest difference in my system with an increase in detail, transparency and smoothness in presentation. I'm now using the Ridge Street speaker cables to the tweeters on my speakers and a pair of basic transparent wires on the mid/bass drivers. I think I need some break-in time with these but will say more detail than ever is getting through. I'll let you know what I think after a week or so of burn in. I'm sure I'm approaching the maximum potential of my system.
Steve (Vetterone) has found a piece of vinyl that is really special. So special that I consider it to be the finest recording I've ever heard. When I listened to it on his system last week I was simply blown away. Finally, a piece of software that set his wonderful system free. I've urged him to write a review of it now that I've got my own copy coming my way. I'm guessing that it will be one of those records that will demand big money on the used market as I think it will be a limited production piece. I can't speak intelligently of the recording techniques used since it was in a language other than English but I believe it is a direct to disk recording. If only all software was this good.
Sad to report that the Syrah did not get fixed. But get this, Steve has purchased another one for me to use. It should be here soon. What a guy!! You gotta love him. |
Patrick: I haven't encountered this thread before today, and didn't have time to read through it all just now. But you and I had some enjoyable correspondences in the past when I was more active around here, and I've always highly regarded your thread contributions. You just kind of know who you'd personally like and respect on Audiogon were you to meet them in the flesh (which I hardly ever do, since I don't go to shows or join clubs, etc.), and I certainly count you as one of those guys.
I've endured too many losses due to cancer in my as-yet fairly young life to indulge in much cheery well-wishing. Tomorrow, my brother and I will rendezvous on the opposite coast to visit with a cousin who grew up as a virtual twin brother of our late father's (the two of them even shared the same names); at 80, he has what is now metastatic colon cancer and is on his second course of intensified chemo in under a year.
We wanted to see him while he's still in relatively good shape and spirits, and have a lot planned over four days, including attending a talk this cousin will give to a civic group concerning his WWII experiences helping to liberate a Nazi death camp. Within a month after we leave, he and his wife have a 2-week trip planned to Italy in between doses.
My cousin knows medicine and death - he was chief of anesthesiology for one of the country's largest metropolitan hospitals, while his first wife died of lung cancer - and though he is committed to fight his disease, he has made it clear that he does not want any treatment that overly diminishes his ability to live fully in the time he has left. I look forward to spending some of it with him; he's the closest thing to a parent I have left.
When my brother got married the year before last, his bride's father was slowly dying from kidney failure resulting from advanced cancer. With continued treatment at that time, he could have lived several more months or longer, but didn't feel well enough under the grueling regimen to attend their wedding. I didn't know this man - I met him for the first and only time at the gathering. He had discontinued treatment and dialysis expressly so he could travel to make the event. He had to lie down during the ceremony, but seemed very happy just to be there, with his family all around him. He died two weeks afterward.
It's a very tough call. My own mother worked, ironically enough, for the National Cancer Institute, so that when she got agressive ovarian cancer in her late fifties, all the most cutting-edge protocols were tried on her over an increasingly brutal 18-month period before she died. The whole situation left me feeling she was more of an experimental guinea pig than a nurtured patient. It had been her regular gynecologist who had initially found her disease; when she operated on it, she blanched and began crying, telling my mother there was no hope from what she had found. My mom was furious at her for her unprofessional reaction and ended their relationship, but it turned out this doctor and former friend had been more correct in her impression than the parade of well-intentioned truthsellers that followed. I was close by to my mother for all of that time, and to this day I couldn't tell you if the kindled and dashed hopes, let alone her extended physical torment, could ever have been worth it compared with possibly taking a different, probably shorter but more certain and maybe humane approach.
However, she was also reacting in a way to the death of her mother (my grandmother), who when she got breast cancer for the second time after many years having been cured, broke my mom's scientific heart by blithely ignoring her expertly-researched advice and doctor-shopping until she found one who told her she didn't need any treatment and could live comfortably until she would have died from old age anyway, whereupon she soon became sick (and unfortunately demented - it must have gotten to her brain) and died within a year - needlessly, so her daughter was sure. What proved to be my mom's fatal diagnosis came only two months after my grandmother's passing; my father was always positive the two things had a causal link. As for myself - not being as generally optimistic by nature as my dad was or as steadfast as my mom - witnessing my sister-in-law's father's choice cast my grandma's actions in somewhat of a new light.
On the other hand (leaving out several more instances on the first hand, I'm sorry to say), a daughter of the cousin I'm about to go visit has survived, taught school, danced flamenco, and raised a beautiful family while fighting cancer in four separate bouts over probably two decades, and we'll be seeing her on our trip as well. And my girlfriend's sister recently survived a virtual terminal diagnosis for inoperable cervical cancer the size of a grapefruit - on top of which she contracted chronic hepatitis while in the hospital - but she's in amazingly good health today. (Her hair grew back curly, just like my mom's did at one point.)
So to you I simply say, whatever you do, do it well my friend. I'll look for you around here whenever I can, and one day I'll make good on that threatened return and peregrinate all the way from the bottom to the top of Idaho state (or what's left of it after W. and Jeb get through :-) and maybe stop by, or if not then think of you sometime.
Peace Love & Light, Alex. |
I've been invited to a members home to listen to some tonearm/cartridge comparisons with some other guys and maybe catch some rays in the process. I might not want to come home until May or so. ;)
Dean, I've found a pastel t-shirt. Think that would work? I might even have some pastel socks but did Sonny ever wear socks? |
---Stupid question alert---
What is happening in Miami that everyone but me is talking about? |
