mikeymad

hehe - Just came back to post that -- 3:02 in... Edit: Shoot - thread roll-over. ...

Oh no - my Captain ... Godspeed Patrick..

I had Ubuntu on my old Toshiba laptop (12+ yo) i5. And it borked during the new update, making it unbootable. I was looking at getting the new version as a download and reinstall from USB, and I thought I would look at other options at the same time. Since it was going to be a full install anyway, I thought it wouldn't hurt to try something new. https://linuxmint.com So I gave Mint a try. Super easy install, it grabbed drivers and media codecs. I was able to install the handful of apps I need/use. And was up and running within the hour. It has been stable and slightly faster. Does it have all the power and the tools as Ubuntu? no, but for surfing and running youtube vids as I fall asleep, works just fine. I have not converted my main rig (MSI) off of Win11 yet. I have a lot of tools and programs that I need to research before making that leap. But happy to report that Linux really is an option for an older machine.

Mi Historia Americana: Sur by Daniil Trifonov (2026) https://open.qobuz.com/album/z5ctty71t1zjt Example: A lot of new works for me. I should have looked at the runtime (knowing Daniil's work in the past). I was not ready for 2.25 hours of music right now. I am a little over half way. I really enjoy it, there are some challenging works mixed in with lovely powerful pieces. Edit: I forgot to mention a feature in Qobuz that I recently found. I don't know how long it has been there. But for some classical recordings they include the digital booklet. So that you can have liner notes and track lists. I do hope that they keep expanding it, because having the back album covers for old jazz releases would be great. Ex. (18 page booklet)

North Node by Natalie & Brittany Haas (2026) https://open.qobuz.com/album/q8qgcdcx9xl6c Example: The Haas sisters back at it again. I thought Brittany was too busy with the Punch Brothers that I missed this one coming out. Just what you would expect from a Cello and Fiddle album. And that is what I wanted with a touch of mandolin thrown in here and there.

Don't forget the pencil.

RIP Chekov, 90 NBC NewsWalter Koenig, actor who played Chekov on original ‘Star...Koenig’s death leaves William Shatner and George Takei as the last two primary cast members of the iconic science fiction show.

Shouldn't this be in the baking thread? Well technically both. I tried an experiment. A pretty standard sourdough mix at 78% hydration. Formed yesterday, sat overnight in fridge. Baked this morning on pellet grill. I use a cast iron dutch oven/combo cooker. I heated the grill to 500 with the cast iron. loaded and scored the bread lowering the temp to 450. I took it out of the cooker and baked in the grill at 350 for an additional 30 minutes. The oven spring wasn't great but good enough, And I probably could have baked it a little longer. But there is a decidedly Smoky flavor to the entire crust. I'm not sure if I would want it all the time but it's pretty darn yummy.

I enjoyed this set.

Rindfleisch

Just a nice personal chat with Paul

Godspeed Margaret.

Noctunes by Clemens Christian Poetzsch (2026) https://open.qobuz.com/album/b7bml0e1lj9ti Example: New release - It is pretty, but sometimes I feel a little too mellow. Almost took a nap, but that maybe just a me problem. I mean they are Noctunes (their spelling) after all.

Secret Of Love by Angelina Jordan Astar (2026) https://open.qobuz.com/album/j1gbvms0n3rqj Example: Based on recent findings. This is a little strange to me, there are highlights like the example. But the overall album falls more into an easy listening vocal album. More background music than what I would expect from a young artist with pipes. She might be having some publication and licensing issues. This seems to be self published and her name changed to - Angelina Jordan Astar - I hope she can get the backing that she deserves and can get some good production.

BABE: ELABORATIO A Tribute To My Mother by Harry Connick Jr. (2026) https://open.qobuz.com/album/goywb8175ywcg Example; Another Classical work from a Piano player. Orchestral this time. I really like it, Gershwinesk. The third movement (3/3) is my personal fav. Orchestra Victoria is the backing players.

I recently found Angelina. Glad I did.

Kurtág, Bach: Játékok by Márta Kurtág (1997) https://open.qobuz.com/album/0002894535112 Example: A lot of this album was tough for me, a lot of dissonance in Kurtág's work. Which is fine, it is when there is an hour of it that I loose the plot a bit. It is broken up by bits of loveliness, like the example, of Bach BWV 106 transcribed for 4 hands. So a worthy album, but I have to admit I will probably only be returning for the various Bach transcriptions.

https://people.com/rock-star-performs-private-piano-concert-for-formerly-abused-bears-12162991 "Rock Star Performs Private Piano Concert to Brighten the Day of Formerly Abused Bears" Rick Wakeman of the band Yes performed piano for the moon bears at Animals Asia’s sanctuary, including compositions he wrote for the animals

Fantasies & Delusions (Opus 1-10 Music for Solo Piano) by Billy Joel (2001) https://open.qobuz.com/album/0696998539723 Example: I remember hearing about this release back in the day, but never really thought about it since. I really like it, great playing, great themes and variations. I will turn to it for modern classical piano, nothing really to do with it being Billy.

Of Time by Pierpont & Helgeson (2025) https://open.qobuz.com/album/tbpyvouhx520b Example: 2025 music sounding like 60s spy movie soundtrack? Sure. I can dig it.

RIP - Freddie Jackson 70