My wife and I used to have season tickets to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra.
The tickets were for 6 concerts over the course of the season. The first time we went, it was the last concert in the old concert hall. The new Kimmel Center had just been finished and the orchestra was moving in. It was just dumb luck really, but it was nice to hear one concert in the Academy of Music before they moved.
It also turned out to be Wolfgang Sawallich's last year with the Orchestra. Health problems forced him to retire. Christoph Eschenbach replaced him the next year. He had a 5 year contract and he only lasted 5 years. I'm not sure what the problem was. The music he selected was different than Sawallich's and perhaps the powers that be in the orchestra didn't care for it. Also mentioned was a lack of chemistry. I guess it really doesn't matter.
Another problem we had was during his last 2 years. The orchestra had scheduled a special 4 concert series of more modern music for those who like that sort of thing. But they apparently didn't want to just play these concerts one time. A waste of good practice time, I guess. So they scheduled a second series of these 4 concerts which unfortunately, were 4 out of the 6 concerts that we attended. Perhaps some people liked them. We didn't like them at all. So when they did it again the next year, we immediately exchanged those 4 concerts for 4 others. Fortunately, you could do that.
That was probably the best season we went to under Eschenbach, because we were able to pick the 4 concerts we really wanted to see. However, when we went to the 2 concerts from that season that were programmed with more traditional music, we found that the concert hall was virtually empty. Most of the people that listened to this music the first season simply cancelled or switched series instead of changing individual concerts. This was also Eschenbach's final season.
The next season, of course, they cancelled the series altogether and we had to select a different night.
For a lead conductor, they brought in Charles Dutoit. The NY Times says he has a "caretaker role" as chief conductor and music director, and that his contract is for 4 years. We attended for his first 2 seasons but didn't like the choice of music in those seasons so we aren't going back this year, and probably not next year either.
I hope they find someone that selects music that is more to my liking. I'll miss them over the next couple of years.
Where is Wolfgang Sawallich when you really need him?
- - - - -
There’s nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself. - Johann Sebastian Bach
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
NRA Convention
I've been a member of the NRA since I started shooting regularly a few of years ago.
When I bought my first pistols, one of the manufacturers must have sent my name to NRA or something, because shortly afterward, I heard from them. Then again, the man who owns the gunstore and range where I shoot is on the NRA board, so maybe he put my name in. It really doesn't matter, because I was interested anyway.
I becamme a regular member of the NRA, and started reading their magazines. However, I really didn't think too much else about it.
Last year, the second year I was a member, they had their convention in Louisville. I've never been to Louisville, or Kentucky for that matter, and it was in driving distance, so I decided to go.
It blew me away.
I made my reservations late, so I missed the first day, but even though it's enormous, and even though I spent an hour in the members meeting, I got through it in one (very long) day. The member's meeting is actually longer than an hour, but I didn't even know about it and when I stumbled on it, it was half over.
The rest of the day, I spent walking the aisles. I'm primarily a pistol shooter now, so I didn't look too hard at the rest of the exhibitors. And I wasn't looking to buy anything then, so it was very casual.
Nevertheless, the scope of the offerings there was amazing to a first timer like me. In addition to pistols, rifles and shotguns, which is what you'd expect, they had and enormous number of exhibitors. They specialized in ammunition, reloading equipment and supplies, holsters and other equipment and apparel, used weapons, knives, telescopes and telescopic lenses, clothing, holsters, flashlights, laser sights and a number of other things. There was also a row of travel sites and another row of historical sites.
I was so impressed, that I made my reservations in December for the convention this year. It was in Phoenix. I flew out and didn't rent a car. I was trying to do it on a budget and largely succeeded.
I was there all 3 days of the convention and planned to spend 2 of them in the convention site. Part of that time was 2 different meetings on the first two days. The rest of the time was spent on the floor again. This time, I was actually looking at pistols I might want to buy and spent some time talking to the salesmen of several manufacturers.
I left the third day to travel Phoenix, but since I didn't have a car, I didn't really see as much as I'd hoped.
The NRA is growing seriously lately. You could see it at the convention. At least one area of the economy that the president has been good for is weapon and ammunition manufacturers. It's still tough to get some types of ammunition. And I for one upgraded to an NRA Life Membership shortly after the election.
The next convention is in Charlotte, North Carolina next May. I've already made my hotel reservations.
- - - - -
A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both. - Dwight Eisenhower
When I bought my first pistols, one of the manufacturers must have sent my name to NRA or something, because shortly afterward, I heard from them. Then again, the man who owns the gunstore and range where I shoot is on the NRA board, so maybe he put my name in. It really doesn't matter, because I was interested anyway.
I becamme a regular member of the NRA, and started reading their magazines. However, I really didn't think too much else about it.
Last year, the second year I was a member, they had their convention in Louisville. I've never been to Louisville, or Kentucky for that matter, and it was in driving distance, so I decided to go.
It blew me away.
I made my reservations late, so I missed the first day, but even though it's enormous, and even though I spent an hour in the members meeting, I got through it in one (very long) day. The member's meeting is actually longer than an hour, but I didn't even know about it and when I stumbled on it, it was half over.
The rest of the day, I spent walking the aisles. I'm primarily a pistol shooter now, so I didn't look too hard at the rest of the exhibitors. And I wasn't looking to buy anything then, so it was very casual.
Nevertheless, the scope of the offerings there was amazing to a first timer like me. In addition to pistols, rifles and shotguns, which is what you'd expect, they had and enormous number of exhibitors. They specialized in ammunition, reloading equipment and supplies, holsters and other equipment and apparel, used weapons, knives, telescopes and telescopic lenses, clothing, holsters, flashlights, laser sights and a number of other things. There was also a row of travel sites and another row of historical sites.
I was so impressed, that I made my reservations in December for the convention this year. It was in Phoenix. I flew out and didn't rent a car. I was trying to do it on a budget and largely succeeded.
I was there all 3 days of the convention and planned to spend 2 of them in the convention site. Part of that time was 2 different meetings on the first two days. The rest of the time was spent on the floor again. This time, I was actually looking at pistols I might want to buy and spent some time talking to the salesmen of several manufacturers.
I left the third day to travel Phoenix, but since I didn't have a car, I didn't really see as much as I'd hoped.
The NRA is growing seriously lately. You could see it at the convention. At least one area of the economy that the president has been good for is weapon and ammunition manufacturers. It's still tough to get some types of ammunition. And I for one upgraded to an NRA Life Membership shortly after the election.
The next convention is in Charlotte, North Carolina next May. I've already made my hotel reservations.
- - - - -
A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both. - Dwight Eisenhower
Friday, August 21, 2009
I've been reading Investor's Business Daily off and on for years.
I used to buy the paper on the way to work for several years until I changed jobs about 15 years ago. After that, depending on where I worked, I either had it delivered or didn't read it.
After I retired, I signed up to start getting the online edition. But despite all of that, and the fact that I believed that following their rules would make me money, I never invested using their methodology.
The main reason is time. It takes time every day to look for the right stocks to buy at the right time. So I invested using newsletters. I never found ones I really liked for more than a few years, so I kept changing. Nevertheless, the year before the market turned, I made a decent return.
Unfortunately, I found out again, that when the market starts to go down, some of the newsletters tend not to sell fast enough. And when they do, some of them then tend to take the money and put it into something else. Maybe they're optimists. Nevertheless, I lost a fair amount of money before I gave up and sold everything. Fortunately, I got out before the worst of it.
I guess it's not their fault. They try their best to pick stocks that do well, and in an up-market, they do. In a down market, I guess they feel that no one would be interested in a newsletter that said to sell everything and didn't buy anything for several months. They're probably right about that as well.
But it suddenly dawned on me that I'm retired now. Some things take a while to sink in, I guess. So now, I not only get the IBD electronic version every night after the market closes, but I've also signed up for their Premium Stock Graphs, Industry Groups and Custom Screen Wizard. I've since sold all of the stocks from the various newsletters I get and will be investing solely using these tools.
I'm trying to learn how to use all of their tools. I've also bought the Level II: Intermediate Strategies for Successful Investing course. (After so many years reading their newspaper and books, I didn't think I needed the Level 1.) I haven't looked at it so far, mainly because I haven't had the time. But with the market in correction right now, I will at least start the course this weekend.
It will take a while before I know how I do, but at least, picking my own stocks, I'll only have one person to blame if I don't do well.
- - - - -
People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they can’t find them, make them. - Gail Sheehy, Writer
I used to buy the paper on the way to work for several years until I changed jobs about 15 years ago. After that, depending on where I worked, I either had it delivered or didn't read it.
After I retired, I signed up to start getting the online edition. But despite all of that, and the fact that I believed that following their rules would make me money, I never invested using their methodology.
The main reason is time. It takes time every day to look for the right stocks to buy at the right time. So I invested using newsletters. I never found ones I really liked for more than a few years, so I kept changing. Nevertheless, the year before the market turned, I made a decent return.
Unfortunately, I found out again, that when the market starts to go down, some of the newsletters tend not to sell fast enough. And when they do, some of them then tend to take the money and put it into something else. Maybe they're optimists. Nevertheless, I lost a fair amount of money before I gave up and sold everything. Fortunately, I got out before the worst of it.
I guess it's not their fault. They try their best to pick stocks that do well, and in an up-market, they do. In a down market, I guess they feel that no one would be interested in a newsletter that said to sell everything and didn't buy anything for several months. They're probably right about that as well.
But it suddenly dawned on me that I'm retired now. Some things take a while to sink in, I guess. So now, I not only get the IBD electronic version every night after the market closes, but I've also signed up for their Premium Stock Graphs, Industry Groups and Custom Screen Wizard. I've since sold all of the stocks from the various newsletters I get and will be investing solely using these tools.
I'm trying to learn how to use all of their tools. I've also bought the Level II: Intermediate Strategies for Successful Investing course. (After so many years reading their newspaper and books, I didn't think I needed the Level 1.) I haven't looked at it so far, mainly because I haven't had the time. But with the market in correction right now, I will at least start the course this weekend.
It will take a while before I know how I do, but at least, picking my own stocks, I'll only have one person to blame if I don't do well.
- - - - -
People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they can’t find them, make them. - Gail Sheehy, Writer
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I'm going shooting this afternoon, as soon as I finish typing this.
I'm really pretty good. Last summer, I joined a shooting contest at the range I go to and came in right in the middle. It was a 10 week contest shooting 50 rounds per week.
Coming in right in the middle is a little misleading. Only serious shooters who come out at least once per week join up.
The first time I competed was 6 months or so after I started shooting regularly. That time, it was in the winter, rather than the summer, and there were more shooters. Nevertheless, I shot next to last. I wasn't the worst, but right next to it. I've improved a lot since then. The next time I join up, I hope to move up a little more.
I have 2 pistols I shoot regularly. The main one is a .22 automatic. I fire 250 rounds per week at 25, 15 and 10 yards. My other pistol is a .38/.357. I shoot this a little less often.
The .38 doubles as household protection. I keep it loaded in a quick unlock box in the house, (no kids), and it has a laser sight targeted for 7 yards. It is VERY accurate. I use ammunition designed to NOT penetrate walls. I've got neighbors.
I'm actually looking to purchase two more pistols. I have a 2 floor house and want the other floor covered as well. I've spoken to several people and am looking to buy a .40 caliber automatic. With laser sighting, of course.
The last one will be a carry pistol. I live in New Jersey and for those of you who don't know, I won't be able to carry in this state. It's not exactly forbidden, but it's very strictly regulated and I just don't have a good reason. Self-protection is obviously not a good reason. I do, however, have a non-resident carry permit from one state and am waiting for one from another. Once I have both, I'll be licensed to carry in about 30 other states.
I'm not sure what to get for a carry pistol, although it will probably also be a .40 caliber automatic. I want it to have stopping power while not being too big, and a friend told me that some .40's fit the bill. No rush, since I can't carry anyway. I'm going to take my time and find the right pistol.
I guess the reason I'm doing this right now is the Obama administration. While I don't think they'll succeed in outlawing pistols entirely, they will certainly try to make everything more difficult. So I decided to get things done now. A lot of other people apparently feel the same way. The Obama administration is the best thing to ever happen to gun and ammunition sales.
- - - - -
People are afraid of the future, of the unknown. If a man faces up to it, and takes the dare of the future, he can have some control over his destiny. - John Glenn, Astronaut, US Senator
I'm really pretty good. Last summer, I joined a shooting contest at the range I go to and came in right in the middle. It was a 10 week contest shooting 50 rounds per week.
Coming in right in the middle is a little misleading. Only serious shooters who come out at least once per week join up.
The first time I competed was 6 months or so after I started shooting regularly. That time, it was in the winter, rather than the summer, and there were more shooters. Nevertheless, I shot next to last. I wasn't the worst, but right next to it. I've improved a lot since then. The next time I join up, I hope to move up a little more.
I have 2 pistols I shoot regularly. The main one is a .22 automatic. I fire 250 rounds per week at 25, 15 and 10 yards. My other pistol is a .38/.357. I shoot this a little less often.
The .38 doubles as household protection. I keep it loaded in a quick unlock box in the house, (no kids), and it has a laser sight targeted for 7 yards. It is VERY accurate. I use ammunition designed to NOT penetrate walls. I've got neighbors.
I'm actually looking to purchase two more pistols. I have a 2 floor house and want the other floor covered as well. I've spoken to several people and am looking to buy a .40 caliber automatic. With laser sighting, of course.
The last one will be a carry pistol. I live in New Jersey and for those of you who don't know, I won't be able to carry in this state. It's not exactly forbidden, but it's very strictly regulated and I just don't have a good reason. Self-protection is obviously not a good reason. I do, however, have a non-resident carry permit from one state and am waiting for one from another. Once I have both, I'll be licensed to carry in about 30 other states.
I'm not sure what to get for a carry pistol, although it will probably also be a .40 caliber automatic. I want it to have stopping power while not being too big, and a friend told me that some .40's fit the bill. No rush, since I can't carry anyway. I'm going to take my time and find the right pistol.
I guess the reason I'm doing this right now is the Obama administration. While I don't think they'll succeed in outlawing pistols entirely, they will certainly try to make everything more difficult. So I decided to get things done now. A lot of other people apparently feel the same way. The Obama administration is the best thing to ever happen to gun and ammunition sales.
- - - - -
People are afraid of the future, of the unknown. If a man faces up to it, and takes the dare of the future, he can have some control over his destiny. - John Glenn, Astronaut, US Senator
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Since this is my first post, I'm going to start by introducing myself. My name is Lou Dornbach, I live in South Jersey, I'm married almost 40 years with 2 daughters, I'll be 62 on Saturday and I'm retired.
My wife is a registered nurse and works in a nursing home. She has been doing nursing home nursing since she went back to work after our youngest was born. Before that, she did a lot of different types, including working on the hospital floor, emergency room and even drug rehab.
My daughters both graduated college and are both working. My oldest works for the state corrections department and plans to get married in December. My youngest, who has a degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, is going back to college for a nursing degree and plans to follow in her mother's footsteps.
As I say in my profile, I have 3 main hobbies: playing the piano, investing and shooting.
I started playing the piano when I retired about 2 1/2 years ago. I'm not very good and I'm not really trying to be. I took guitar lessons from when I was 7 until I graduated high school and I made my spending money playing in a group all through high school. I've always wanted to play the piano so I started taking lessons as soon as I retired.
Prior to retiring, I did not have a lot of time to spend on investing, so I used a lot of newsletters. I did well when the market did well and poorly when the market turned down. I found out the hard way that newsletters don't sell when the market turns down, or they sell one thing and buy another. So now I'm using Investor's Business Daily and it's tools. Instead of having 50 stocks, I have 5. I'm too new at it to say how things will go, but at least, you sell when the market turns down.
I'm a firm believer in the right to defend yourself. The first time I shot a rifle was in Boy Scout Camp and the first time I shot seriously was at Parris Island. I didn't keep weapons in the house when my girls were little but now I have 2 pistols and am buying 2 more, (any thoughts?) I try to go shooting about once per week but sometimes I miss, so we'll call it 40-45 times per year. I shoot about 250 rounds per week so after about 3 years, I'm pretty good. I have out of state concealed carry permits that will let me carry in over 30 states. Unfortunately, New Jersey is not one of them.
I plan to post quotations that I've collected also. Short ones will go on Twitter; longer ones will go here.
So that's me. I wanted to tell you about myself in a nutshell, but later posts shouldn't be this long.
-----
Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill. - Muhammad Ali
My wife is a registered nurse and works in a nursing home. She has been doing nursing home nursing since she went back to work after our youngest was born. Before that, she did a lot of different types, including working on the hospital floor, emergency room and even drug rehab.
My daughters both graduated college and are both working. My oldest works for the state corrections department and plans to get married in December. My youngest, who has a degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, is going back to college for a nursing degree and plans to follow in her mother's footsteps.
As I say in my profile, I have 3 main hobbies: playing the piano, investing and shooting.
I started playing the piano when I retired about 2 1/2 years ago. I'm not very good and I'm not really trying to be. I took guitar lessons from when I was 7 until I graduated high school and I made my spending money playing in a group all through high school. I've always wanted to play the piano so I started taking lessons as soon as I retired.
Prior to retiring, I did not have a lot of time to spend on investing, so I used a lot of newsletters. I did well when the market did well and poorly when the market turned down. I found out the hard way that newsletters don't sell when the market turns down, or they sell one thing and buy another. So now I'm using Investor's Business Daily and it's tools. Instead of having 50 stocks, I have 5. I'm too new at it to say how things will go, but at least, you sell when the market turns down.
I'm a firm believer in the right to defend yourself. The first time I shot a rifle was in Boy Scout Camp and the first time I shot seriously was at Parris Island. I didn't keep weapons in the house when my girls were little but now I have 2 pistols and am buying 2 more, (any thoughts?) I try to go shooting about once per week but sometimes I miss, so we'll call it 40-45 times per year. I shoot about 250 rounds per week so after about 3 years, I'm pretty good. I have out of state concealed carry permits that will let me carry in over 30 states. Unfortunately, New Jersey is not one of them.
I plan to post quotations that I've collected also. Short ones will go on Twitter; longer ones will go here.
So that's me. I wanted to tell you about myself in a nutshell, but later posts shouldn't be this long.
-----
Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill. - Muhammad Ali
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