Yesterday's Pet News at 7:25 on WCLV 104.9 FM & wclv.com was about a New Zealand sheep named Sonny Wool, who, like the late octopus Paul, developed a talent for predicting winners.
The story, which I posted on my Facebook page (facebook.com/WCLV's Queen of the Morn), concerned Sonny Wool's prediction that New Zealand would win the Rugby World Cup game against France. Sonny's prediction came true. New Zealand won, 8 to 7.
Today, I received the message "Sonny Wool is following you on Twitter." I went to my twitter page (twitter.com/queenofthemorn). After checking "follow" on Sonny's Twitter page, I sent him a message, in which I asked if he could possibly predict the outcome of the World Series.
"Baaa-tastic," he replied. "Check out my pictures on Facebook."
Mein Gott im Himmel, I am communicating with a sheep.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Thank You for Not Sharing
Of all media, radio is said to be the most personal. People listen while dozing off in bed, making supper in the kitchen and changing oil in the garage. The fact that others may be listening out there in the world isn't necessarily something you think about because YOU are listening where YOU are.
This came to mind on Saturday, when a listener called to ask when we were going to air Oberlin faculty member Peter Takacs's recording of the Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 27. We've been playing Peter's recordings of all 32 sonatas in order during October on WCLV.
When talking to a listener, I usually ask "What city do you live in?" I've taken to phrasing the question that way. In my experience, not including the word "city" means there's a 50-50 chance the caller won't mention the city.
After giving this listener the date and time of the Beethoven sonata, I decided to part with custom. I simply asked where she was calling from.
"Home," she said.
Thank goodness she stopped there. She might have been chatting me up from the Necessary Room.
This came to mind on Saturday, when a listener called to ask when we were going to air Oberlin faculty member Peter Takacs's recording of the Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 27. We've been playing Peter's recordings of all 32 sonatas in order during October on WCLV.
When talking to a listener, I usually ask "What city do you live in?" I've taken to phrasing the question that way. In my experience, not including the word "city" means there's a 50-50 chance the caller won't mention the city.
After giving this listener the date and time of the Beethoven sonata, I decided to part with custom. I simply asked where she was calling from.
"Home," she said.
Thank goodness she stopped there. She might have been chatting me up from the Necessary Room.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Elegant Dining at Severance Hall
From the Cleveland Orchestra gala on Saturday night, here's the menu, prepared by executive chef Zack Bruell: A sushi selection, followed by New York strip steak with truffled cauliflower puree, roasted Spanish onion salad, pickled shiitake mushrooms, corn pudding and South American pepper sauce. For dessert, each person's plate including a dried cherry cannoli, a brownie with creme anglaise, and a grilled peach half and pound cake with Greek yogurt and honey.
Each was paired with a wine: With the sushi, a Lucien Albrecht Pinot Gris "Cuvee Romanus," Alsace, 2010; with the steak, Steltnzer Vineyards claret, Napa Valley, 2008, and with dessert, "Montaribaldi, "Righeij," Moscato D'Asti, 2010.
The elegant table settings were luminous, with four glasses at each table setting, and in the center of each table, tall "trees" topped with orchid sprays and surrounded by votive candles.
Each was paired with a wine: With the sushi, a Lucien Albrecht Pinot Gris "Cuvee Romanus," Alsace, 2010; with the steak, Steltnzer Vineyards claret, Napa Valley, 2008, and with dessert, "Montaribaldi, "Righeij," Moscato D'Asti, 2010.
The elegant table settings were luminous, with four glasses at each table setting, and in the center of each table, tall "trees" topped with orchid sprays and surrounded by votive candles.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Sartorial Cleveland on Opening Night
What a collection of well-dressed Clevelanders showed up for last night's opening gala of the Cleveland Orchestra's new season. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the downstairs Smith Lobby were followed by a 90-minute concert, concluding with Ravel's "Bolero."
Before the concert, Mayor Frank Jackson made admiring remarks about the reputation of the Cleveland Orchestra and its importance to the city. As the gala was also to celebrate Franz Welser-Most's 10th anniversary with the orchestra, Mr. Jackson also presented Mr. Franz Welser-Most with a key to the city.
After the concert, the crowd moved to tables set up outside the Dress Circle and in the main lobby for a meal prepared by Chef Zack Bruell. Sushi was the first course, followed by a delicate presentation of New York strip steak, thinly sliced, sauced, and fanned out, served with carmelized onions. The tripartite dessert included a rich chocolate brownie with nuts and raspberry sauce, a baked peach, and a tiny cannoli. A different wine accompanied each course. Tiny plates of chocolate truffles concluded the meal.
If you ever get a chance to attend a performance of "Bolero," watch how each instrument is folded into the composition. It's a "Where's Waldo?" of music, as your eyes dart around to find the player. The violins and violas strum their instruments much of the time, like one would play a guitar.
I decided to go with a 1920's theme...columnar tea-length dress, silk velvet jacket, long jet beads tied in a knot, and feathers in the hair. Fortunately, the evening ended before I started molting.
Before the concert, Mayor Frank Jackson made admiring remarks about the reputation of the Cleveland Orchestra and its importance to the city. As the gala was also to celebrate Franz Welser-Most's 10th anniversary with the orchestra, Mr. Jackson also presented Mr. Franz Welser-Most with a key to the city.
After the concert, the crowd moved to tables set up outside the Dress Circle and in the main lobby for a meal prepared by Chef Zack Bruell. Sushi was the first course, followed by a delicate presentation of New York strip steak, thinly sliced, sauced, and fanned out, served with carmelized onions. The tripartite dessert included a rich chocolate brownie with nuts and raspberry sauce, a baked peach, and a tiny cannoli. A different wine accompanied each course. Tiny plates of chocolate truffles concluded the meal.
If you ever get a chance to attend a performance of "Bolero," watch how each instrument is folded into the composition. It's a "Where's Waldo?" of music, as your eyes dart around to find the player. The violins and violas strum their instruments much of the time, like one would play a guitar.
I decided to go with a 1920's theme...columnar tea-length dress, silk velvet jacket, long jet beads tied in a knot, and feathers in the hair. Fortunately, the evening ended before I started molting.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
So, You Think You Want to be in Radio?
Who doesn't? You're riding the air. Spinnin' stacks of wax. Mastering modern technology in service to timeless music.
While we're telling you what you just heard on WCLV 104.9 FM or wclv.com, each of you is in your own world, whether that's at work, home, school, or your car. Inside the control room, however, is OUR world -- planet radio.
You may laugh, but lots of people in radio ARE from a different planet and others should be sent there without delay.
At a different radio station long ago, I worked with a program host whose fetid aroma was so ripe that if your shift followed his, you'd take a deep breath in the hallway, rush through your first break, then while your first piece of music was playing, prop open the door and air out the control room.
In contrast, my WCLV colleagues are clean and well-groomed. We have one staff member who is SO clean that he washes his spare tire. Not his tummy -- the spare tire in the car trunk. We've suggested he get professional help.
While we're telling you what you just heard on WCLV 104.9 FM or wclv.com, each of you is in your own world, whether that's at work, home, school, or your car. Inside the control room, however, is OUR world -- planet radio.
You may laugh, but lots of people in radio ARE from a different planet and others should be sent there without delay.
At a different radio station long ago, I worked with a program host whose fetid aroma was so ripe that if your shift followed his, you'd take a deep breath in the hallway, rush through your first break, then while your first piece of music was playing, prop open the door and air out the control room.
In contrast, my WCLV colleagues are clean and well-groomed. We have one staff member who is SO clean that he washes his spare tire. Not his tummy -- the spare tire in the car trunk. We've suggested he get professional help.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Shaken, Not Stirred
WCLV's offices at the Idea Center at Playhouse Square started shaking around 2 p.m. Eastern time. I was at my music library work station when the chair shook. I felt momentarily dizzy, then realized when it happened again it wasn't me.
Stepping out into the hall I noticed the suspended light fixtures and "exit" signs were swaying. The shaking diminished to something analagous to a simmer, then stopped about 5 minutes later.
By this time, most of the staff came out of their studios and offices and asked if anyone else felt it. I stayed in a doorway, watching the light fixtures for clues. Once they stopped moving, it was safe to go back to work.
We checked our news sources, which stated that the quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.8, was centered about 87 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., and felt in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New York as well as Cleveland.
One member of management walked into the office shortly after the shaking stopped and, listening to the employee chatter, asked, "Was there an earthquake?" When we said yes, he said, "Get OUT!! I was at Otto Moser's (a nearby restaurant) and didn't feel a thing."
Stepping out into the hall I noticed the suspended light fixtures and "exit" signs were swaying. The shaking diminished to something analagous to a simmer, then stopped about 5 minutes later.
By this time, most of the staff came out of their studios and offices and asked if anyone else felt it. I stayed in a doorway, watching the light fixtures for clues. Once they stopped moving, it was safe to go back to work.
We checked our news sources, which stated that the quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.8, was centered about 87 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., and felt in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New York as well as Cleveland.
One member of management walked into the office shortly after the shaking stopped and, listening to the employee chatter, asked, "Was there an earthquake?" When we said yes, he said, "Get OUT!! I was at Otto Moser's (a nearby restaurant) and didn't feel a thing."
Monday, August 15, 2011
Euclid Avenue Flora
Cleveland's Euclid Avenue between E. 6th and E. 12th is closed through August 24th for filming of the comic-book picture "The Avengers." WCLV's Radioquarium is situated east of there, so my coming and going won't disturb the "quiet on the set." These nifty blossom-spilling planters filled with petunias, cannas, and other summer bloomers improve the normal Euclid soundstage.
One of our colleagues at WCLV is an extra in "The Avengers." Everyone wants his autograph.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
