To Inspire

[woodelf]

Would anyone like to see my website? I created it so as to inspire people, but I hope it also pleases those who can see it too. the site address is:-

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/theartsight

and I have already received lovely feedback, but this only strengthens my resolve to continue with my painting. Ta Muchly.

[woodelf]

You are rich people Lottie but sadly, those special human qualities don't pay the bills...gentle smile.

[Ethel]

I've just watched one of my favourite programmes, QI.

I really do think it's gone off the boil - far too much innuendo and unsavoury jokes from Mr Fry, who is capable of so much more than that.

I'm not a prude - I would just prefer they didn't use QI as a vehicle for that sort of humour, seemingly throughout every episode, every week, lately.

A great shame.

[woodelf]

I quite agree about QI Ethel, I did watch it once because of Stephen Fry and I wanted to see what else he could do, but I totally dislike the content of the programme, but I think they're just playing to that kind of crowd which will laugh at anything e.g. the French-based prog. last week or so...how many of the audience could understand what was being said. Anyway, other than that, Stephen Fry is a genius at audio book reading (sorry Ethel) and his work on the Harry Potter audios is incredible and I have also listened to a lot of his other audio work too...so he's not all bad...smile.
And what was docspock's smile meant to mean?...pitying?

Have a great holiday Ethel, if I/we don't hear from you beforehand.

[Ethel]

I am a great fan of Stephen Fry - he is indeed a very clever and very funny man, but not on QI any more.

Take no notice of doc - he has a strange sense of humour.

I'm not going until next Sunday, Woodelf.

[Beatrice35]

Ignore docspock everyone here- he is a cynical negative fool( maybe intelligent yet his comments seem to lack this + he often shows he lacks common sense) who likes to gatecrash positive threads like this. He wants attention so just ignore him- best way;-)
Great fan of the erudite Stephen Fry, too, yet QI is not a good a programme as it used to be methinks + agree wholeheartedly with Ethel :-). Would love to have Stephen Fry as a dinner guest, too ;-)!! Big hugs, Bea :-)

[woodelf]

Oh heck!...that means you're gonna be around for another week Ethel!...Big Smile.

[woodelf]

...and we know you're not a prude Ethel...smile. As well as a bird watcher e.g. your garden and the Norfolk Broads, you're also an avid nudist beach scanner...blushing smile!

[Ethel]

Oh dear. There is nothing wrong with nature in the raw.

Strangely I have enjoyed programmes aimed at much younger people - Shooting Starts and They Think It's All Over, and I still watch Never Mind the *********. All can be 'smutty' and I don't mind that. I just don't want an intelligent programme like QI to follow in their footsteps.

[woodelf]

I was only joking Ethel...not about QI, but the rest...smile

[woodelf]

Now it's my turn to ask you a question and I'll try and ask as sensitively as I can. Er um, how er um deaf are you Ethel?...as you can hear what's on the telly, do you think you could listen to audio books?...because there certainly are some wonderful ones out there, including the brilliant Mr Fry...I only ask to try and help as you have helped me...smile...I hope you don't mind.

[Ethel]

Don't mind you asking at all.

I watch tv with the aid of very expensive wireless headphones and the subtitles. The sound is more to get the atmosphere than the words, so no hope of audio books. I do get a lot of books from my local library, and am still able to enjoy reading.



I also play music loudly in the car - the only time I listen to music without headphones.

[woodelf]

Thank you Ethel..I must be stupid...don't agree too quickly; smile...I didn't think of headphones...very glad you can still enjoy music though; I'd be lost without mine....smile.

[Ethel]

I have discovered a most fascination instrument today, Woodelf, which is used to create the eerie music in Midsomer Murder.

Apologies if you already know of the Theremin - it is played without actually touching it. It has a stand with a loop antennae sticking out horizontally on one side, and a straight vertical antennae on the other.

The whole thing is worked simply by moving hands near the antennae. At first sight it looks as if the musician is conducting with one hand, whilst the hand nearest the vertical antennae is moving quite gently with the fingers opening and closing around an imaginery disc. Make a circle with index finger and thumb and move the other three fingers up and down, and open and close the circle.

I am absolutely fascinated.

[Ethel]

Here's a lady playing a familiar tune on her theremin

Argghhh - links don't work for you. Open YouTube and search Theremin Clair de Lune

Here is some info I have copied and pasted:

The theremin was invented in 1919 by a Russian physicist named Lev Termen (in the United States his name was Leon Theremin). Today, this marvelous instrument is once again in the musical spotlight.

Besides looking like no other instrument, the theremin is unique in that it is played without being touched.

Two antennas protrude from the theremin - one controlling pitch, and the other controlling volume. As a hand approaches the vertical antenna, the pitch gets higher. Approaching the horizontal antenna makes the volume softer. Because there is no physical contact with the instrument, playing the theremin in a precise melodic way requires practiced skill and keen attention to pitch.

[Ethel]

The spooky sound of the theremin was used in several movie soundtracks during the 1950's and 1960's. It provided background mood music for such sci-fi classics as The Day the Earth Stood Still, where it played a serious musical role, and It Came From Outer Space, as well in classic, well composed, thriller soundtracks such as Spellbound and The Lost Weekend.


End

[woodelf]

Hi Ethel and many thanks for your info on the Theremin and though I can't remember seeing the films you mention, the instrument you describe with its wavy-about-hands friendly, reminds me of summat I remember ...could this be the same device that Brian Wilson - he of the Beach Boys - used in their "classic" song Good Vibrations?...someone will tell me if I'm right or wrong?...that up and down Ooooooey sound. Try and get a listen to some Tibetan (I think) Singing Bowls...they give a "spooky" sounds too.

[Ethel]

You are right! A quick google tells me that Brian Wilson did indeed play the Theremin in Good Vibrations, albeit it is an 'Electro-Theremin'.

I've watched three vids on YouTube and it seems to be a hands on slide affair which is not nearly as impressive but the sound is very similar indeed. What an excellent memory you have.

I've seen those singing bowls on television - similar to making drinking glasses 'sing'.

Big Smile. That is a lot of new things I learned today. No comments about old dogs, thank you.

How do you spend your days? Do you go out much, see friends?

[LoftyLottie2]

Good morning, Woodelf and Ethel. Just came in to see how you both are. It's a lovely fine, sunny and mild morning here in North Norfolk. I have been wandering around the garden looking at all the new growth that has miraculously appeared in the last couple of days. I love the spring so much.

We went for a walk in Sheringham park on Saturday. Beautiful place with rolling countryside that extends down to the sea and literally hundreds of rhododendrons and azaleas. Some of them are already in flower, a beatiful dark pink variety. The park with its lovely house is now owned by the National Trust.

Here is a link. Can you open links Woodelf?

http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/sheringham_p ark

Tomorrow, weather permitting are going on the Snowdrop Walk at Walsingham Priory.

http://www.users.waitrose.com/~ashleygray/amom entintime.co.uk/walsingham.htm

Enjoy the music!! (not played on a Theremin though)

Try this link.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/pamelia_kur stin_plays_the_theremin.html

Will be very busy this week with infrequent visits to AB, have to find new architects, chase planning departments, etc.

By the way Ethel I do agree with you about QI. Mr Fry being so smutty is just all wrong.

Will pop in soon.

Big Smiles!!

[LoftyLottie2]

It is worth listening to that Theremin link right through. She explains quite a lot about it.

Oh, this is post number 100 on your link Woodelf!!

Smile.