Dartford to Rainham by Thameslink

In local news, Deb had part 2 of her two-part medical procedure done today.  It was quick and she even went in ahead of schedule.  No more stent.  It was an aggravating ten days with it inside of her, and I doubt she will miss it now that it is gone.  As usual I got some reading done in the waiting room.

Last week I played my program for some non-piano friends.  It went well, and I seem to be getting comfortable playing most of the pieces.  One more recital and then I can put these pieces away and begin some new works.

I had a wonderfully clear and cold night of astronomy last night (Wed.), the first of the new session.  But it will be cloudy now for at least several days.

 

In gaming news I am playing the first Amnesia game (Dark Descent), a haunted house mystery puzzler set in a dark and abandoned haunted mansion.  So far it's been pretty good, but I am only halfway through part 1 of 4.  Many times these games begin fairly but end up being unplayable after a time, usually due to bad construction, or a sudden jump of difficulty that only the creator can figure out.  So we shall see....

 

In much more exciting news, I bought Train Sim World 5!  There was a great sale on, and for $22 Can. I got 3 huge packages, with enough engines, trains, and routes to last me indefinitely.  Of course I have spent most of my time at the training center, learning how to drive different locomotives.  I have about 15 or so to choose from, and yesterday I took my first lesson in driving a steam engine.  Not as easy as those electric diesels!  So far my favourite route is driving the Thameslink train from Dartford to Rainham.  This is an exact real time run, with all the correct scenery, tunnels, bridges, buildings, rivers, etc.  So far I have not been able to keep to schedule, as I have not driven at the maximum speed limit very much yet.  The route is about 20 miles and there are 11 stops.  There are uphill and downhill grades and miles of tunnels.  Each time I have driven the route the weather and times have been different.  The earliest run is the 5:58 from Dartford, and the morning fog is gradually dispersed as the sun rises.  I have also driven the final night run, also with some fog, and the moon shining above and some stars.  So far I have not crashed or sped through a red light, but it is hard to stop the train on steep downhill grades.  Anyway, it's been great fun.  The Southeastern segment has at least a dozen runs I have yet to do. and I haven't even had time to get to the German or North American ones.  

 

3 screenshots of my BR Class 700/0 EMU that I drive between Dartford and Rainham.  I still have to learn how to take my own photos within game.  Stay tuned!

 

 In film news we are all caught up for now.  We did finish a six part series called Monsieur Spade. 

Sam's final adventure takes place in France, and though the plot is a bit overdone, it's an enjoyable series to watch, filled with quips and plenty of murders.  The plot centers around a young Algerian boy who is gifted as a code breaker and a code maker.  Everyone wants him.  Set in a unique small French town, it has great locations and camerawork.

 

Mapman Mike

 

2nd Recital

I had a 2nd opportunity to perform my latest recital pieces today.  Thank you to Randy, Kate, and Peter for coming by to hear what I've been up to since last July.  The chance to perform is always a welcome one, and twice in one week is even better.  When Paula and Jenn are back from their travels I will run through the pieces again.  All went pretty well, with occasional slips and lapses.  The first Bach piece went really well, and overall the Haydn was quite fresh and zippy.  The Chopin Prelude, on its own, is a powerful little piece.  The Gnossienne also went really well, as did the Debussy and Glass.  So not a lot to complain about, though I know it could have been even better.  Such is life, and such is live performance.  Here is the program:

 

Michael Ethier

Piano Recital April 2025

"Simple Ingredients"

2-part Invention #9 in f minor

3-part Invention #9 in f minor..........................................J S Bach

Sonata in C major (HOB. XVI/35; L.48)

Allegro con brio

Adagio

Finale: Allegro.........................................................F J Haydn

***********************************************

Prelude #20 in c minor.....................................................F Chopin

Third Gymnopedie

Third Gnossienne.............................................................E Satie

Prelude #6 Bk 1 (..Des pas sur la neige)........................C Debussy

Etude #20.........................................................................P Glass

Mysterious Barricades.....................................................F Couperin

 

The only piece here that I have ever performed before this month was the Couperin.  When I begin working on the new program, the first half will be all Couperin, and on the harpsichord.

 

Deb is still feeling poorly, and likely will be until the concluding half of her medical procedure is undertaken.  Next week the stent will be removed, and hopefully that will end months of pain and infections.  In the meantime, she just has to hang in there, and take a happy pill as needed.

 

As full moon approaches, we have a perfect night tonight, with clear, dry skies.  Useless, though, as far as observing with a telescope goes, thanks to the brightness of the moon.  It's been a bad year so far, with only two usable nights to date.  I have so much work I would love to accomplish before I'm too old to lift the telescope and set it up and take it down.

 

In movie news, there are two to report, as well as Season Two of Picard.  Try to imagine a scenario where Wesley Crusher, Q and the Borg come out looking okay.  All this and more, folks, believe it or not.  Crusher, Q, and the Borg provided some of the most tropy and unwanted moments in Next Generation, and the writers stretched themselves to the limit in Picard to make them come out looking pretty clean and decent.  Unfortunately, there was overuse in Season Two of Picard's childhood background, with his insane mother who ended up killing herself.  There are so many flashback scenes to his boyhood that they ended up dragging down the series.  We get to see Data's creator, and he is evil in Season Two.  I imagine he will return, but hopefully not.  One more season to go, though we will wait awhile before viewing it.  We are still also immersed in Dark Winds and Monsieur Spade.

 

L'Innocente is a costumer by Visconti from 1976.  The main reason to watch the film is to view the parade of women's dresses on display.  Most of the film's budget must have been spent on costumes.  Here is the blurb from MUBI:

In late-19th century Italy, Tullio, an insatiable aristocrat, grows bored with his wife Giuliana and neglects her for his more exciting mistress, the wealthy widow Countess Teresa Raffo. After learning that Giuliana is having an affair of her own, he becomes tormented and descends into madness. 

It's quite a long film, mostly watchable but not always.  High society shows itself, yet again, for what it really is; empty.  Tullio is a hideous character, another less than fine male role model to follow.  To make matters worse, Giannini wears one expression throughout the entire movie, his grim face.  The camera work is excellent, as are the sets, lighting, and mise-en-scene, also spot on.  Visconti is a master director, and all of his skills and artistry are on display in this extravagant film.  I won't say it's the most engaging film I've ever seen, but it's certainly one of the better looking films.  Recommended if you enjoy beautiful women in incredible clothing.

 

The film was showing on Mubi, but has now departed. 

 

The Love Witch, written, directed, and produced by Anna Biller, is a 2016 murder/horror film that tries to emulate films from the 1960s.  Drenched in rich colours, mostly reds, and filmed with humourous parodies of Hammer films and such, the movie is great fun to watch.  A beautiful female California witch uses magic potions and rituals to try to land a faithful and loving boyfriend/husband.  Her spells are successful, but she tends to overdo them, driving the male crazy after a time.  Once she realizes that he is not the guy for her after all, there is only one way to rid herself of them.  The film succeeds on many levels, and its 125 minutes running time passes quickly.  The visuals are stunning, and the lead actress is both beautiful and funny, even though she acts the sincere part, playing it pretty straight.  A must view for fans of early 60s colour horror films!  My only complaint is that she should have been a redhead.

 

Leaving Mubi in three days. 

 

Mapman Mike