2009 — 12 August: Wednesday
Tonight's picture of Christa dates from August 1976:
She was bringing me a nice large mug of tea — I've just made one for myself as a nightcap. Meanwhile, the audio amplifier upgrade conundrum has been solved... in the sense that I've now ordered the Audiolab pre-amp and power amp duo I've been contemplating for some time. Here's the updated system diagram.
Once they're settled in it will be time to contemplate any necessary changes to the loudspeakers. My present main pair are Castle Avons, dating from August 1998; the present surround sound pair are cheap and cheerful Sony speakers that I bought quite casually in the immediate wake of the destruction1 of my beloved Celestion Ditton 66 studio monitors; the subwoofer is a Kef unit, as is the centre (dialogue) speaker. The system could do with sorting out, methinks.
G'night, providing the smell of drying primer doesn't keep me awake. (Bro has just congratulated me on the painting — he hasn't seen it yet, of course.)
Same old, same old...
I've been listening to NPR all morning so far — it's 10:47 and I've just realised I need some breakfast. The world news doesn't change much, and nor does the way it's delivered to me from across the pond. For example, the Republicans are currently moaning about the Democrats' health care (or should that be "health insurance"? — it's huge business over there) reform proposals that tentatively suggest that "seniors" can (and should) document their "end of life" wishes2 and review them every five years. Actually, they're not so much moaning as freaking out.
Meanwhile, I've decided to add back the top-of-the-range Oppo DVD player even though my Blu-ray player is equally capable of handling standard definition material. Besides, I still have spare hdmi inputs!
The rain...
... is obligingly staying away (according to the forecast) but I have to say the heavy-looking clouds are really not going to entice me out with a pot of top-coat just yet. It's 14:57, lunch is a fading memory, and I really need to do a spot of supplies shopping. Nothing that can't wait, however, if push comes to shove. (I'm also trying to impose a tiny bit of order on the chaos3 that is the back half of my living room.) Meanwhile, Mr Postie slammed a couple of items through my venetian blinds and scarpered before I could get to the door...
I've just been reminding myself of the head-rush that is the 15-minute, green screen, version of "Sin City". Fabulous film, beautifully reworked from the equally marvellous graphic novels. And it definitely benefits from its Blu-ray presentation, too. Heavens, it's 15:31 and I haven't even made my bed yet! Time for another cuppa.
Amazing what you can find on the web, isn't it? For (random) example I found Nathan Schneider after reading his piece here. Mind you, he also admits that Wall-E moved him to tears.
It's 19:17 and I'm actually getting hungry (again) (already). There's one portion of "crockpot" left. Yum.