Autumn in Yosemite

A week ago, me and a couple photographer friends headed to Yosemite for a photo exhibition, capturing Yosemite's fall goodness. It was gorgeous. Here's some of my shots. (Click the picture to enlarge).

Along the river just before Wowona...

Alder Creek...

Valley floor...

Stretch of the Merced River heading north on 140...

Back in the Valley for the sunset...

The Duduk

There's an ancient Armenian instrument called the duduk. Which is a double reed instrument made out of Apricot wood. It has the most haunting, lonely sound ever.

The first video I would like to show you features the great Armenian musician, Djivan Gasparyan, playing a piece based off of Hans Zimmer's "Duduk of the North" (a piece Hans wrote for "Gladiator"). This is where it's at folks!



This video is Yanni with a composition featuring the duduk. Which leads into Yanni's lustrous "Nostalgia".

The Rescue

Here's an issue that I was not aware of. How comfortable we are in our pretty country, these tragedies slip by are notice!

I would like to share this documentary with you if you care to have your eyes opened to a PRESENT issue. It is very well done.

Content Advisory: I would not show this to little girls (age 2-10+), because of subject matter and disturbing images.

The Rescue: Full from Invisible Children.

EE-Tauw and Happy Easter

I saw this testimony a long time ago, and then more recently found it again. It's a true story about the conversion of an entire "primitive" tribe. It vividly shows the impact of the Gospel on lost people. Beautiful and inspiring!

Content Advisory: In the beginning there's a few strange clips of a ritual this tribe did when they lived 'in darkness'. And then 1.5 minutes in, there's a reenactment of a murder (it's not graphically portrayed, but just letting you know).

Lord of the Rings - Original Cast Recording

Recently I downloaded a Lord of the Rings musical by the Oscar winning composer, A. R. Rahman. As I’ve been reading the books (I’m in “Treebeard” of “The Two Towers”), I’ve noticed the presents of songs and poetry. It is a significant part, and one of the best parts, of Tolkien’s writing. So when I saw a musical made for it, I thought it was a brilliant idea.

Rahman has done a great job, although I don’t think it is the end-all for Lord of the Rings musicals (like perhaps the films are for that medium). A. R. Rahman is from India, and a lot of his previous work has been scoring music for Indian films. What he brings to this production is and ethnic quality that I think is needed for middle-earth. It needs a sound that we haven’t really heard before, especially for the elves, who are the theme of a lot of the poetry and songs in the books.

One of the real strengths in this production is how it represents the important aspects of the story. It captures the simplicity of the hobbits, and also the grandness of the issues at hand. I think elvish music should be more ethereal than epic...but the songs here are still good. I especially like “Wonder”.

As far as the actual stage production, I’ve seen some videos and it looks like quite a thing. I understand that it takes place on a one million pound revolving stage and is the most expensive production in West End history. Too bad they don’t come to Oakhurst. :P

Sit by the firelight's glow
Tell us an old tale we know
Tell of adventures strange and rare
Never to change
Ever to share
Stories we tell will cast their spell
Now and for always