Saturday, June 30, 2007

Friday, June 29, 2007

Lazy L3 Ranch


One could not paint a better backdrop for a Friday evening gathering.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Cadillac Ranch Photoshoot

As part of the K-Week festivities, I helped prepare for a photoshoot at the local attraction, The Cadillac Ranch.

The original concept for the shoot was to paint the logo on one of the cars and pose the new MD in front of the car. Further, the shoot was deemed a production issue and the preparation of the site was left in my care.

I pride myself on creativity and the successful execution of any creative project. Painting a single logo on a car would never do. After much thought, I decided that the car needed to reflect the look of the season. Why? Well, first of all a logo would not "read" well on an already graffittied car. Further, the symphony is making a conscious effort to rebrand itself with a fresher feel geared toward a younger set (translate - anyone younger than 70). With an idea in my head I set about to create a series of stencils including various sizes of the symphony logo and circles that would be used to create concentric circles on the car. Kelly and Darryl agreed to pitch in and help with the project. The result of our two hours of painting was this:
Unfortunately, we finished the painting 2 hours before the photo subject and photographer would arrive at the site. Due to the nature of the ranch we had to remain on site to guard our creation.


Darryl sits high on his perch warding off the pesky tourists armed with cans of spray paint.









To entertain ourselves and pass the time, many photos were taken of the site







And of the critters that came to visit us.








And of the critters that found their way into our cars. (Ayden, age 5)













Of the personal damage incurred by the project. (This was before we realized the degree of sunburn we had acheived on this balmy day.)




Of friends










At the end of the day, the value of the images captured far exceeded the cost of the production.




Wednesday, June 27, 2007

High Noon on the Square

Symphony brass entertain hundreds at High Noon.

Kelly and Jenny enjoy the summer sun at High Noon on the Square. (And Jenny says she doesn't take good pictures...ha!)

The leadership.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Kimbo Week

I returned to Amarillo in time to celebrate Kimbo Week. Our new music director was in town for one week to get to know his new hometown and many of our donors. The week was filled with dinners, outings and cocktail receptions.

We had planned to host a party at a Dilla Baseball game. Unfortunately, fate had other plans and the evening took a different direction. Yes, it seems if you would like precipitation, ask the Symphony to host an outdoor event. Symphony musicians retreat from the game. (Yes, the one on the right is the oldest member of the symphony.)
However, our fearless artistic leader could not resist the temptation of a free box of popcorn. Or was the exuberance a result of the realization that he would not have to throw out the first pitch at the baseball game? (I'm sure the PR folks would not like this image circulating!)

To close the evening, he insisted on celebrating with a Texas-style Chicken Fried Steak Dinner. In true Texas fashion, he did finish every last bite of his meal.

In case you are doubting the intensity of the rain that caused the cancellation of the game on Tuesday evening, I will tell you that Amarillo experienced severe street flooding and our ballpark experience was worthy of a photo in the local paper the next day. Symphony staffers: Kelly, Chip and Sue seek refuge from the deluge.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Gaf

What techs do when chaos errupts. Entertainment abounds on-stage and off.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Red Earth Dancers

Earlier last week OAI presented the Red Earth Dancers from Oklahoma. The dancers presented a vibrant colorful celebration of tradition that this image fails to capture completely.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Reptile Rendezvous

Photographic proof of today's encounter with the wildlife on the mountain.

Saturday, June 09, 2007

What Movie is your love life like?

Well, Chiara prompted the taking of this survey. The fact that I took a survey about a non-existent love-life makes me chuckle. In addition, the movie title selected to reflect my non-existent love-life makes me chuckle. Guess I'll have a cheery afternoon.

Your Love Life is Like The Princess Bride

"Since the invention of the kiss, there have only been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind."

For you, love is like a fairy tale - albeit a fairly twisted one.
You believe romance is all about loyalty, fate, and a good big of goofy fun.

Your love style: Idealistic yet quirky

Your Hollywood Ending Will Be: Perfectly romantic

Friday, June 08, 2007

Uninvited Guest

After this morning's work call I came back to my room to find that an unexpected guest decided to stay in my room at the lodge. Fearing that he had only lost his way to his true desired vacation destination, I gave him a ride in a clear transportation vessel (a glass) to the nearest warm rock. He seemed grateful for the free ride.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Is it really a mountain?

Yes, it is. At least according to Wikipedia and several other web references. The mountain is part of the Wichita Mountain Region. According to Wikipedia:

The geologic history of Quartz Mountain, as with the wichita mountain region, began with the deposition of late Precambrian to early Cambrian sandstones. These sandstones were intruded by coarse gabbro sills of about 575 million years ago as the region began to rift apart in a failed continental breakup. The gabbro intrusion was followed by erosion and further intrusion of granite accompanied by volcanic eruptions of rhyolite lava and explosive volcanic breccias some 50 million years later. Following these igneous episodes the region subsided and shallow sea sediments were deposited over the area consisting of sandstones and limestones.
During the Pennsylvanian Period (330-290 million years ago) the region was subjected to intense pressure during the continental collision. This resulted in faulting and folding along with up to 20,000 feet of local uplift. This uplift created rugged mountains which have been reduced to their present state by subsequent erosion.

Monday, June 04, 2007

The view

I am now at Quartz and am preparing for the Summer Institute. The next three weeks will combine work with a little bit of vacation. How could it not? This is the view from my room at the lodge. Tough, eh?