Stream of Unconsciousness travelogue – part 2
Oct. 9 – 14: Atlanta : Gas in Atlanta is $3.65/gallon (up from $2.95 in Waveland) – 2nd hosts: Rick & Judy Fritz – 2nd liberal democrat. Buckled down to work on 12 page Broadmead newsletter – “High Museum” – best museum of American art I’ve seen – superb collection of folk-art – Museum of Civil Rights & Martin Luther King Memorial – expectably inspiring and absorbing – Southern ambience – Chattahoochie River walk.
Oct. 15 – drive to Waynesboro – vivid Fall colours en route
Oct. 16 – 23 – Connie’s mom – never a dull moment – superb recovery since last may’s “festivities”! – Waynesboro High School Reunion – imagine Connie as you now know her now – in a high school context and you’d have it right: perpetual honour roll, scholar’s club – school and state – school and state honour choir singer and accompanist – editor of the school paper – she was not a cheer leader and didn’t see herself as a member of the “in” or “popular” crowd, but you’d never know it from the reunion. It was really great to watch my wife have a blast – most embarrassing high school fact – she got the Betty Crocker award, even though she “sucked” at Home Economics – she excelled at the True / False test that determined the winner of the award.
Oct. 24 -25 Drive to State College PA – exceptionally beautiful Fall coloured rural drive through Pennsylvania – picnic at a mountain lake – reunion with Carol Motta (Young) – conductor of the Berkeley (Cal) choruses when we toured with them in the 80s and her delightful Brazilian husband Arthur. Visit Penn-State campus – game day – and Amish countryside. 2 fabulous gourmet meals from Carol – (duck and lobster). Carol was a major influence on my choral development, source of many wonderful repertoire ideas and most of all, she convinced me to go on our first international tour in ’87.
Oct. 26 – Pittsburgh – another superbly “restored” river city – baseball city (Pirates) – football city (Steelers) and home of the young Andy Warhol. The Warhol Museum was fascinating and educational – touted as the largest and most complete one-artist gallery in the world – his early works were particularly impressive – to see the depth and scope of his talent. Bad news: because of Steelers game at 5 pm, all parking lots charge $35 anytime during the day. Good news – found a spot in a 10 car free parking strip by a nearby municipal trail.
Oct. 27 – to Muncie – Flat, interstate drive – last 40 miles lovely rolling hills, amish farmland – A wonderful “catch up” with our Hosts Doug and Jean Amman – haven’t seen for 25 years. Doug was another major influence on my “view” of what choral conducting could be in the 80s. Chamber Singers performed at Ball State Pruis Hall in February of ’90.
Oct. 28 – uneventful drive back to O’Hare airport – “the party’s over”…… (s d r f m)
