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The inappropriately named ECWtravelogue returns across the border into Wales, this time dipping its toe into Monmouthshire.The entrance way to Chepstow CastleChepstow was an important trade route on the River Wye, and into the Welsh Marches. Understandably the stronghold of Chepstow Castle dominates the river, towering over the river, situated on top of the cliffs.Chepstow looming over the WyeDuring the First Civil War the castle was surrendered to Waller's Parliamentarian …

Where does all this content belong? Most of the content on this site is an aggregate view of my work in other venues. How do I want to manage that process going forward? It’s 2024, and I’m including this post in a series called redesign 2022. That’s when I ripped out all the styles on my site, and declared my intent to renovate with a light touch. How much can …

It always surprises me when singers sing so loudly that they can’t hear the rest of the choir. photo by Constantin Tacke It’s hearing the other harmony parts that keeps you on the straight and narrow, and it’s where the singing pleasure lies. I had this guy in a workshop once (and, yes, it’s often the men!) who had been to many of my events over the years. He came …

Donnie De & The Star Fires / Donnie Dee & The Starfires / Don DeFilippo from Poughkeepsie, Upstate New York. Elusive picture sleeve added today to 45catI'm Sticking With You

A scene from Abel Gance's epic drama 'La Roue' (1923).The time has come, or is at least close upon us.On Saturday, Sept. 28, starting at noon I'll attempt to create music for Able Gance's neglected masterwork 'La Roue' (1923)—all seven hours of it, all in one marathon screening.The venue is the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, Mass. Tickets are $25 per person for this immersive cinematic experience, which will run from …

The gondolas of London. Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881), Describing the horse-drawn hansom cab

I am fascinated with monastic communities. I recently watched a short documentary about one.[1] Mount Athos is a somewhat inaccessible mountain on the Athos peninsula in northeastern Greece governed as an autonomous region by a community of twenty monasteries and various small and single occupancy hermitages. The architecture of the monasteries is beautiful, and the art decorating them and stored there is priceless. They feature, however, a more traditional monastic …

A break in the rain meant I could cook outdoors for once!

Sandwiched between two perpetually murderous nations (Germany and russia), Poland has had its fair share of tragedy over the course of its history. It is situated at the western edge of the region termed Bloodlands by historian Timothy Snyder who described the reign of destruction inflicted by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. At various points in time, Poland ceased to exist as a state, having been parceled up and …

A versatile mushroom chili recipe so good you won't miss the meat. In fact, the finely chopped or ground mushrooms taste like meat. And you can add meat if you like! Mushroom Chili is the latest post on Hunter Angler Gardener Cook.

subtext: in my opinion, and for companies (and their users) that want a good balance between protecting their core business with Open Source ideals. Following up to my thoughts on the case for funding Open Source, there is a second topic I want to discuss in more detail: Open Source and commercialization. As our founder likes to say: Open Source is not a business model. And indeed it really isn't. …

[tv] Why Was the ‘Miami Vice’ Pilot So Good? … A look at how the 80s crime series was developed. ‘But it wasn’t just the pilot. Miami Vice season one was one of the best freshman seasons of that decade. It churned out one knockout hour after another (including the gemlike perfection of “Evan,” starring a then-baby-faced William Russ as a closeted gay cop). It sparked depiction-vs.-endorsement arguments about its …

Shocking when it was first staged at the Royal Court in 1956 where outrage was focused on the ferocity and candor of central character Jimmy Porter’s working class disillusionment and violent inner life, John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger is now just as problematic, not least because of its deeply misogynistic tone and Jimmy’s overtly […]

Each year I like to run Castle Ravenloft, either through the original I6 Ravenloft adventure from 1983 or the updated Castle Ravenloft from Curse of Strahd. While I've typically run Ravenloft using 5e, in 2023 I ran it with the excellent "old school feel, modern sensibilities" Shadowdark RPG. It was a perfect fit. Shadowdark captures the feeling of dread and horror in Castle Ravenloft better than I've ever seen it. …

We had our first rainy day in several weeks today. As such, our kids were a little on the bored side and needed some help from me on what they could do. Some of my ideas were: Get out the paint sets Read a book Read a book to your younger sister/brother Do a puzzle Play with legos Sit outside and listen to the rain. Sit outside and listen to …