Ultimate Frisbee Pittsburgh Westinghouse Group over the years..
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Monday, August 22, 2016
Beyond the mere brocade
Frequent movement all around, with percussion to astound.
Harmonies give light to sound, christening a pluck redound.
Subtle serenade subsists with symphonies and blades.
Yet gentler rhythms spark the nightly shade.
Listen to the flowing holographic chant: it's just been made,
moving over altitudes beyond the mere brocade.
And it's said, that nothing happens,
unless an act can move from here to there, and then we'll trade.
Harmonies give light to sound, christening a pluck redound.
Subtle serenade subsists with symphonies and blades.
Yet gentler rhythms spark the nightly shade.
Listen to the flowing holographic chant: it's just been made,
moving over altitudes beyond the mere brocade.
And it's said, that nothing happens,
unless an act can move from here to there, and then we'll trade.
A Whirlwind of Stolen Time
She was more like anything I've ever dreamed of and she was no dream.
She waxed elusive hidden in plain sight wearing an exquisite red evening
gown with trailing tails which flowed behind her as she entered the
stage, bowing and seating herself before the grand piano. She was
Valentina Lisitsa, and she was here to play Edvard Grieg's piano
concerto. Then she began and time seemed to stand still, yet minutes
passed and the beautiful music progressed faster than I would like, for I
wanted it to last forever.
Lively passages quickly give way to passionate vibes, as unyielding concentration poured heart and soul into vigorous sequences of splendor. Then came a smile as she gently leaned forward as if contemplating the next measure for measure. Fingers sprightly danced over the keyboard coyly flirting with oboe and cellos, and again the PSO repeats the refrain. Hands now seemed to attack the keyboard for only a quick few notes, then softly silhouetted a sanguine solo sequence.
Fast forward to the end, and my friend exclaims: 'outrageous' meaning it was so magnificent as to go beyond mere description. I agree. Time has stolen itself back again, as the concerto is now over as the audience applauds, and I again have been robbed of the beautiful music from my ears. Yet I'll return to hear again.
Lively passages quickly give way to passionate vibes, as unyielding concentration poured heart and soul into vigorous sequences of splendor. Then came a smile as she gently leaned forward as if contemplating the next measure for measure. Fingers sprightly danced over the keyboard coyly flirting with oboe and cellos, and again the PSO repeats the refrain. Hands now seemed to attack the keyboard for only a quick few notes, then softly silhouetted a sanguine solo sequence.
Fast forward to the end, and my friend exclaims: 'outrageous' meaning it was so magnificent as to go beyond mere description. I agree. Time has stolen itself back again, as the concerto is now over as the audience applauds, and I again have been robbed of the beautiful music from my ears. Yet I'll return to hear again.
Usurp the Clock
Even now as I write this the full toned voice of Joshua Bell's violin is
still ringing harmoniously in my mind. He has conquered the savage
temperament of his instrument and masterfully tamed its pinpoint
delicacies with such precision as to elicit chords of such beauty
Countenance became an expression of a tempestuous glowing fervor deep within the musical composition, which only he, the soloist could feign to adroitly release before the rapturously assembled audience whose attention could not be broken by nary a cough nor sprinkling of applause between movements. Indeed each of the patrons around me seemed spellbound by the performance unraveling before us.
Enthusiasm expressed by
his mastery of the violin and the score exposed a smile in my heart
translated to my lips. Simultaneously the music would affect my
introspective mind as I discovered the notes were fixed yet offered
more: the rhythm and other aspects of his solo interpretations
supplanted subtle expectations and were deliriously absorbed by every
ear.
The pure notes reached my soul and produced the most exquisite feeling of joy within me. I felt the greatest eagerness to fully hear more, yet at the same time furiously usurp the clock to slow down time so that I may savor the delicious sounds, to bathe in their silky texture and to break the surface of each luxurious tone like a swimmer emerging from a pool, refreshed.
Countenance became an expression of a tempestuous glowing fervor deep within the musical composition, which only he, the soloist could feign to adroitly release before the rapturously assembled audience whose attention could not be broken by nary a cough nor sprinkling of applause between movements. Indeed each of the patrons around me seemed spellbound by the performance unraveling before us.
Enthusiasm expressed by
his mastery of the violin and the score exposed a smile in my heart
translated to my lips. Simultaneously the music would affect my
introspective mind as I discovered the notes were fixed yet offered
more: the rhythm and other aspects of his solo interpretations
supplanted subtle expectations and were deliriously absorbed by every
ear.The pure notes reached my soul and produced the most exquisite feeling of joy within me. I felt the greatest eagerness to fully hear more, yet at the same time furiously usurp the clock to slow down time so that I may savor the delicious sounds, to bathe in their silky texture and to break the surface of each luxurious tone like a swimmer emerging from a pool, refreshed.
Naked Strings Commence
Naked Strings commence
Percussion joins
Dissonant Horns fledglings hatch
Piano transcends
Drums ravage common tempo
Trombone segway her entrance
Cello stumbles
Bells ascend
Bass girds
String screech like an owl
Trumpets enunciate
Big O notes from Trombones emancipate
Drums roll thunder
Slowness descends
Piano and woodwinds ripple
Xylophones harmonize
Trumpets Sustain
Violas Scarily announce
Trepidatiosly drumming
Cellos grind
Horns accent
Percussion train has arrived
Revelry ground
Fluttery sounds underground
Grand scale top
Wood Xylophone promenade
Brass Dominates
Conductor yields ascending lines
Magical variations as the wand waves
Culminating Revelry like bees swarming
Darting hither and thither, pouncing, gone
Principle Mastery in unison
Yet dissonant sounds unavoidable
Shifting gears
Shattered grandeur
Strings enunciate
Flying heights
Woodwinds enjoin
Final Ascent
Hectic Hay-day
Resolving to naught
again Naked Strings
as in the beginning, so it is again
Monotone metronome drum
Heart beat methodically
building
volume, fullness
Louder, ready to Burst
Percussion joins
Dissonant Horns fledglings hatch
Piano transcends
Drums ravage common tempo
Trombone segway her entrance
Cello stumbles
Bells ascend
Bass girds
String screech like an owl
Trumpets enunciate
Big O notes from Trombones emancipate
Drums roll thunder
Slowness descends
Piano and woodwinds ripple
Xylophones harmonize
Trumpets Sustain
Violas Scarily announce
Trepidatiosly drumming
Cellos grind
Horns accent
Percussion train has arrived
Revelry ground
Fluttery sounds underground
Grand scale top
Wood Xylophone promenade
Brass Dominates
Conductor yields ascending lines
Magical variations as the wand waves
Culminating Revelry like bees swarming
Darting hither and thither, pouncing, gone
Principle Mastery in unison
Yet dissonant sounds unavoidable
Shifting gears
Shattered grandeur
Strings enunciate
Flying heights
Woodwinds enjoin
Final Ascent
Hectic Hay-day
Resolving to naught
again Naked Strings
as in the beginning, so it is again
Monotone metronome drum
Heart beat methodically
building
volume, fullness
Louder, ready to Burst
An ardor flirtingly revealed
Is it a sturdy cacophony replete with waving baton, or a
measured gravitational series of waves that roll ceaselessly over my
senses, caressing the very depths of my being? Either or, it makes no
difference, it is anxiously perceived.
In my minds eye I imagine a subtle smile detected, with long flowing
hair flung opulently as if to obscure my concentrated view, but not in a
direct line of flight to the ensemble, but rather a subtle diversion
reaching from within the orchestra's core competency, softly mixing
harmonic elegy to show an ardor flirtingly revealed.
A temporal dilemma arises, hitherto redacted prose replete with singularly intimate imbalance replenishes softly my consummate repose. Already scribed with abundance, the text remains. Hearing quiet sounds, the concert continues, no need to amplify, my conscience returns in ample abundance.
The love story is still building, ever longing, building, longing the way it was intended in the opera, the way it has always been. Is it a splendid tragedy? No, it's ever my immortal hearing of a beautiful love told in music which never fails to send shivers through my soul
In my minds eye I imagine a subtle smile detected, with long flowing
hair flung opulently as if to obscure my concentrated view, but not in a
direct line of flight to the ensemble, but rather a subtle diversion
reaching from within the orchestra's core competency, softly mixing
harmonic elegy to show an ardor flirtingly revealed.A temporal dilemma arises, hitherto redacted prose replete with singularly intimate imbalance replenishes softly my consummate repose. Already scribed with abundance, the text remains. Hearing quiet sounds, the concert continues, no need to amplify, my conscience returns in ample abundance.
The love story is still building, ever longing, building, longing the way it was intended in the opera, the way it has always been. Is it a splendid tragedy? No, it's ever my immortal hearing of a beautiful love told in music which never fails to send shivers through my soul
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
2015 Trip to Panama City Beach
Day 1. Doug picked up a bike he found on craigslist. Dave was having a showing of his beach house, so we passed our time eating at Pineapple Willies. Later, we played ultimate Frisbee on the beach.
After dinner we all tried to use the house elevator. It stalled and
wouldn't respond. Dave called for help, but it seemed apparent no one
would get there quickly. Being rather hot and cramped, we started to
find an emergency release. There didn't seem to be one. Doug used his
car key as a makeshift screwdriver. After much fiddling and fidgeting,
and desire not to break the mechanism, Alan and Doug decided that we needed to jointly pull back on the door to release tension, while Doug pushed up on the solenoid plunger. It worked and we were free!
Bigfoot sighting on the beach... Frightened beach goers flee into the Gulf of Mexico. This joke became references to Sasquatch in Panama City Beach Florida, and Dave Markus playing Frisbee with us became 'Squatch'.
Tod was kidded about 60% eyesight depth perception because
he suggested that perhaps he was using looming to perceive the frisbee.
It was proven he did indeed use depth perception -- tests with one eye
closed.
Larry was kidded about shark bite. He hit his head on the fake shark we used for a photo op.Doug was kidded for a possible hot bike (being from craigslist). Nobody kidded Dave T. We idolized him for his capitalist achievements.
Sunsets every night. Walks along the beach. The shells were small, but i collected many.Swimming in the pool, soaking in the connected hot tub with jets. One sign on the second level: "Attention: Do Not Jump From Deck Into Pool Below. Serious Injury Or Death Will Occur." If not form the fall, then from the owner.
Doug stepped on a jagger with hooked spurs. Dave said to look out for them because they not only hurt but were hard to remove. Alan arrived to play late and said he came barreling down and must have got half a dozen in his foot.
We heard a Great-horned Owl the first night, which seemed out of place for beachfront. Could it have been a recording?
Day 2. More Frisbee. Everybody went to see Steelers at Pineapple willies. Doug instead rode his bike to Conservation park.
Day 3. Played Frisbee twice on some days, and every day until
Alan and Dave left Wed back to Pittsburgh. We found teams that were
evenly matched. Larry, Dave T and Tod against Alan, Doug and Dave M.
Playing barefoot no the beach was much more difficult than turf,
although we did get better as time went on. We experienced new muscles
in our calves. Injury of note, Larry pulled his toes during an amazing
dive. 
The wind on the beach was the biggest factor, we made adjustments
but it was a daunting task to hit our teammates. Later, looking from the
house to the sand, there was multitudes of footprints between the
marked goal-lines, and very few actually in the end-zones. Nearly
everyone took advantage of the soft sand to take dives for the Frisbee
(chicks dig it), even bionic folks. On one particular morning was there
no wind, that was really nice.
Trip to Seaside where they filmed "The Truman Show" and saw the Modica Market in Central Square. Further on we toured a house worth $1.25 Million, in Pittsburgh it probably would have been 1/3 that price.
Day 4. Shell island. "Fairies, we ain't got no fairies here
boy. What we got is a shuttle. No fairies. Maybe go on over to Neverland
for those fairies." -Al's impersonation of entry guard to state park,
in southern drawl.
Poker. Tod purportedly didn't know the first thing about
it, used his smart phone to see which hand beats what. And of course he
did best winning the most. I guess sheer luck counts most.
Day 5. Lynn and Lisa arrived. A welcomed addition to our guys
outing. Lynn was a cheerful early riser. Lisa a fabulous host with tasty
home cooked treats!
Tod and Larry went snorkeling, Tod and Larry found a
beautiful shell with a resident crab. Photos were taken before Tod took
him back down to the sea for release.
Day 6. Group met Doug at Conservation Park and walked
around viewing the wetland ponds. Talking about possible wildlife, could
there be an alligator? Birds. Tree-sap. Several different lizards.
Cypress lake trail. Easy to get lost, went in different directions.
7. Golf tennis. Grueling matches in the hot southern sun.
8. Day back. Delta airlines with connecting flight through Atlanta.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Trilling Trembling Tremolo Excite Along Vibrant Vibrating Dashes
During the third 
movement of the Beethoven Symphony 9, Ode to Joy, I improvised a few poetic words that immediately came to mind:
Cantankerous bellows drum their accord below the din
of flautist lines weaving gently beyond the bows
drawn in tandem along vibrant vibrating dashes.
Horns enunciate gently below the brow of dark waving chords,
trilling trembling tremolo excite the bend of flesh,
fingers pluck pizzicato in rhythm to the tempo.
Trumpets rudely interject temporal disharmony,
yet robust fullness returns undaunted by the blunt phrase,
again the brass sounds the alarm as if to announce a premonition.
Drums and strings insist their harmony: they will not be undone,
flowing, meandering, forever transforming, sometimes flirting,
and eventually pausing, making ready- building one last time,
level, the music subsides, all words and notes are done.
Cantankerous bellows drum their accord below the din
of flautist lines weaving gently beyond the bows
drawn in tandem along vibrant vibrating dashes.
Horns enunciate gently below the brow of dark waving chords,
trilling trembling tremolo excite the bend of flesh,
fingers pluck pizzicato in rhythm to the tempo.
Trumpets rudely interject temporal disharmony,
yet robust fullness returns undaunted by the blunt phrase,
again the brass sounds the alarm as if to announce a premonition.
Drums and strings insist their harmony: they will not be undone,
flowing, meandering, forever transforming, sometimes flirting,
and eventually pausing, making ready- building one last time,
level, the music subsides, all words and notes are done.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Warblers: Celebrating Nature in Murrysville
I enjoy hearing and seeing Warblers migrating back south starting in August and into September.
Murrysville is a great place to hear warblers during migration because of its rural nature. These tiny birds which flit around the tree tops are in constant motion. It's really hard to spot one even when you know their songs. I'm still learning the songs of the northern summering birds, those only seen in our area of Western Pennsylvania during spring and fall migrations. The resident birds like the Hooded Warbler, the Ovenbird and the Yellow Warbler I hear all summer long. But others, like the Cerrulean, Magnolia, Black-throated Green and Black-throated Blue Warblers I enjoy mostly hearing and sometimes seeing during migration. Then there are many others that migrate through our area, for which I haven't quite learned the songs for yet, like the Tennessee and Blackpoll Warblers.
I've recently read on the PABIRDS email list that there are rising spruce budworm populations in the eastern Canadian boreal forests, on which these warblers feed. So Cape May and Bay-breasted Warblers, known as "spruce budworm specialists," should be more abundant, and will be on my 'to-hear' list this August and September for 'Lifer' birds, first time for me to try to hear or see them. And since they are so hard to see, I'm planning on listening to online recordings of these birds throughout the summer to try to memorize their calls so that I will be prepared. An excellent resource about birds with many online recordings is www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189
Douglas Bauman
Murrysville is a great place to hear warblers during migration because of its rural nature. These tiny birds which flit around the tree tops are in constant motion. It's really hard to spot one even when you know their songs. I'm still learning the songs of the northern summering birds, those only seen in our area of Western Pennsylvania during spring and fall migrations. The resident birds like the Hooded Warbler, the Ovenbird and the Yellow Warbler I hear all summer long. But others, like the Cerrulean, Magnolia, Black-throated Green and Black-throated Blue Warblers I enjoy mostly hearing and sometimes seeing during migration. Then there are many others that migrate through our area, for which I haven't quite learned the songs for yet, like the Tennessee and Blackpoll Warblers. I've recently read on the PABIRDS email list that there are rising spruce budworm populations in the eastern Canadian boreal forests, on which these warblers feed. So Cape May and Bay-breasted Warblers, known as "spruce budworm specialists," should be more abundant, and will be on my 'to-hear' list this August and September for 'Lifer' birds, first time for me to try to hear or see them. And since they are so hard to see, I'm planning on listening to online recordings of these birds throughout the summer to try to memorize their calls so that I will be prepared. An excellent resource about birds with many online recordings is www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189
Douglas Bauman
Reflections at Turtle Creek
The Story Behind the Photo
Often we shield ourselves from the outdoors,
the insects, the extremes of weather. Yet it's the temperate places in nature we yearn for the most, to immerse our souls in greater beings of existence, to squirrel ourselves away from insignificant affairs, endeavoring to envision vaster plains of consciousness.
On such a day I found myself along Turtle Creek trail in Duff Park - a 'favorite' place. Something directed my attention to white birch trees lined on the opposite bank and reflections below. Perhaps it was the way the sun had illuminated 'just so'. I was glad, and snapped a few photos.
When selecting photos to submit, I might just have overlooked it, yet this shot was perfect for the unusual outlook I was seeking.
Favorite places are often shifting. Today I have others. I'll be back to Duff to savor its essence again. I'll be sure to bring my camera. Douglas Bauman
Often we shield ourselves from the outdoors,
the insects, the extremes of weather. Yet it's the temperate places in nature we yearn for the most, to immerse our souls in greater beings of existence, to squirrel ourselves away from insignificant affairs, endeavoring to envision vaster plains of consciousness.On such a day I found myself along Turtle Creek trail in Duff Park - a 'favorite' place. Something directed my attention to white birch trees lined on the opposite bank and reflections below. Perhaps it was the way the sun had illuminated 'just so'. I was glad, and snapped a few photos.
When selecting photos to submit, I might just have overlooked it, yet this shot was perfect for the unusual outlook I was seeking.
Favorite places are often shifting. Today I have others. I'll be back to Duff to savor its essence again. I'll be sure to bring my camera. Douglas Bauman
Friday, May 24, 2013
Musical signature explained..
> Cite vibe demure.
cite, as in talk about 'vibe' or good vibrations that are demure
cite, as in talk about 'vibe' or good vibrations that are demure
> Note ring allure.
note, double play on 'note' as in musical note, and to 'make note of' .
ring, double play on musical ring of bell and to circle, and that associated allure you get with both.
> Fair voice ensure
:)
I originally wrote this a few years ago as an inscription to place on a brick, when challenged on Facebook by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as a contest -- the winner got to have their words placed on a brick that is placed outside of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh. My contest entry wasn't chosen as the winner, but it endures...
--
Cite vibe demure
Note ring allure
Fair voice ensure
I originally wrote this a few years ago as an inscription to place on a brick, when challenged on Facebook by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as a contest -- the winner got to have their words placed on a brick that is placed outside of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh. My contest entry wasn't chosen as the winner, but it endures...
Cite vibe demure
Note ring allure
Fair voice ensure
Monday, February 25, 2013
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