Mo' pics
>> Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Mauro Maur...trumpet freak of nature.
THE man
Placido Domingo dropped by the other day....you know, just to rehearse Verdi for an evening.
A little of Italy
>> Sunday, July 23, 2006
Just arrived in Italy a couple of days ago! Riva Del Garda is where I'll be for the next 8 days or so....up in the Italian Alps with a crystal clear lake right at the base of the mountains. It's spectacular. The people here are very nice, eager to help the less Italian inclined, and are not afraid to wear speedos on the beach. The food is soooo good. I've been gorging on pasta, gelato and pastries. Ahhhhh, 'tis the life.
We had our first concert here in Italy last night. It was outdoors, right smack dab in the middle of Riva's town square, a view of the lake in front of us, and the mountains soaring right behind us....picture perfect.
Last of Sprouts
Brugge's town square. 
Lacey and I with long-time trombonist with the Cleveland Orchestra, Jim Desano.
The "Modonna and Child" carving by the Michelangelo himself. It was carved around 1504-1505 and was intended for an altar in the Cathedral of Sienna, but the Mouscron family of Brugge bought it and gave it to the church it currently resides. It is one of the few works by Michelangelo outside Italy. 
Inside a church in the town of Brugge, Belgium.
The trumpet section. Lacey....Flavio....myself....Jesse.
Thank you.....string players....
>> Friday, July 14, 2006
I never thought I'd say this, but I would like to thank the string players in YOA for whining...Due to our rigorous rehearsal schedule (9:00am-12:00pm rehearsal, 1:00pm-3:00 sectional, 3:30-4:30 chamber rehearsal, 6:00pm-9:00pm rehearsal), many of the string players have started raising concern about their cases of tendinitis flaring up, sore muscles, and feeling sick. Us brass kids....we're fine. But regardless, the string players raising concern granted us an afternoon free of sectionals and chamber rehearsals....free time for all!
So a group of us took the local train down to the Grote Markt, or Grand'Place, a historic market place surrounded by buildings built from 1402-1695. The cobblestone courtyard is surrounded on all sides by monumental buildings of all sorts, quite spectacular.
We then headed over to St. Michaels Cathedral. It was originally a small church constructed sometime during the beginning of the 11th century, which the foundations for can still be viewed by going down into the crypt. There is a massive organ in the cathedral, but I forgot how many pipes it holds....There's also a handcarved pulpit depicting the fall of Adam and Eve that is quite elaborate. The cathedral is now used for important ceremonies, marrages of royal parties, ect. You don't see a cathedral like this in the states...
All in all, a good trip half day trip! Got to see a lot of Brussels' historic side and at the same time enjoyed a chocolate banana belgian waffle from the street corner. It was tasty.
Pics!
>> Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Belgian water....it always comes in a glass bottle.
My first meal in Brussels. Smoked salmon, mushroom pasta. Super yum-time.
The above two pictures are of World Cup fans that were hangin' out around town. I went around to the different bars and took pictures of the different bars and their affiliations. The streets were full of people wearing their favored flags....nothing but....
The view outside our hotel balcony.....at 10:00pm. The sun doesn't set until a little after 10:00pm here.
A view from inside our hotel room. Fart Machine at my computer.
Your traditional Belgian street, nice and cozy.
Brussel not sprouts
Made it to Europe in one piece! I am now in Brussels, the capitol of Belgium AND....Europe. For some reason, I'm not able to load pictures. The internet here is a little on the slow side and is having a hard time laoding certain types of pages. As soon as I figure out how to post perdy pics, will do!
Colorado
>> Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Joe and I took a trip to Boulder this past weekend. Since the baby kangaroo has a friend currently working on his doctorate in musicology at CU, we thought we'd take the situation of free housing to our advantage.
Although a bit pricey, Boulder is a health conscience town dedicated to the people who live there. 85% of the roads in boulder have designated bike areas, making a trek on your bike a non-nervous road friendly experience. Walk down the main shopping 'strip' and you'll see people taking naps under the shady trees, dogs and their companions enjoying the weather, organic burger stands, homemade ice cream vendors, and of course, your fair share of hippies dressed in their homemade attire.
All in all though, I give Boulder two thumbs up. Wouldn't mind living there at all.
On Saturday, we hopped, skipped and jumped to the Rocky Mountain National Park for a hike up Estes Cone. Our 4.5 hour, 6.6 mile hike consisted of two rainings, some hail, and 1,606 ft. of elevation gain....from 9,400 to 11,006. After a 64 oz. Nalgene of H2O emptied and a chocolate brownie Cilf bar consumed, we made it to the top. Here are some pics from the adventure...
A view of Estes Cone....after hiking around 1/3 of the trail....
So the next time you're wondering what to do when you have an extended weekend?
Drive out to the Rocky Moutains, and go hiking. You'll thank me. :-)
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