I Love New York Travel

I discovered this video by accident today. *sigh* It’s a virtual choir, a new term for another Internet phenomenon. Composer Eric Whitacre gathered 185 singers from around the world to record– via webcam– Lux Aurumque. He had the webcam snippets compiled together into an elliptical, democratic, virtual symphonic choir.

I spent the better part of the afternoon, completely intrigued. I was once a drama student (not too good in drama, I might add). But I was good in comedy, and my teachers recommended me to study music because they said I had a beautiful, strong voice. I never pursued the career. I didn’t like the entertainment industry, and turned instead to a career in radio, and then marriage and children.

But seeing this video makes me want to sing again. :) I marvel that it’s no longer necessary to go through years of training at Julliard, sweat through years of apprenticeship, and then *hope* you get a part because you happen to know someone who knows someone. Instead, all you had to do was make a webcam video and upload it. And the effect- the incredible, beautiful, harmonious effect of hearing your tiny voice blend with a hundred others…. it’s a little bit of heaven on earth, it is.

These sat on a shelf in the gift shop of The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY. If I recall correctly, a decorated gourd was close to $10. I couldn’t imagine paying so much for something like this! But the basket was very intriguing– I drew closer to snap a photo. The detail of the paintwork on the gourd is very nice. But $10? I took a photo and am happy with that. I don’t care for knicks-knacks very much, even very unusual and colorful ones like decorated gourds.

Gourds are not edible, is this correct? Why would anyone grow them, except perhaps to pluck the fruit from the vines and paint them? Then again, maybe everything is edible when a person is hungry enough, haha! Not exactly nutrisystem-quality, the average gourd. What on earth do we do with gourds?

Ah yes, I’m pondering the great mysteries of the world today, I am– the mystique and function of gourds. :-p

I’m unhappy the health care “reform” bill passed, is all. And it’s raining today. And my basement sump pumps are going full tilt. And I’m hungry for a hamburger but haven’t the time to make one because I have a handful of deadlines for articles today! LOL, whine, whine, I know. Life is good anyway.

And gourds are kinda cool.

Taken at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. These were just doors. Nothing special. In the summer, I assume they are open to allow guests out to the pond, or the nature trails. On the blustery day that I visited, they were our protection from the icy, swirling Adirondack winds and snows. I love that warm brown color.

The Wild Center is a wonderful place. I noticed that they are hiring, too. What a wonderful place this must be to work! I’m sure many budding young naturalists have made their careers in such places. It’s a quiet, thoughtful, and very beautiful place. I’ve never been a “science” person, but I’ve always loved nature and God’s beautiful creation. How wonderful it would be to come to such a place every day, and get paid, even!