December 1 - The Light Gleams for an Instant

Up very early, through the fog dissipating in the Sulfur Springs Mountains, to take the car for routine maintenance, wondering how long a 2002 Toyota Echo with 285,000 miles can hold up.



Return home past ever-evolving fog-nuanced landscapes,



to orchestrate several more pages of Samson and Delilah: V. Disorientation. Then off to DVC, where Sean, Dustin, and Neill (with an honorary mention to Sheyda for helping out) are at bat for dictation, with a video game song (the former) and original composition (Dustin). Work on a composition with Luis and board harmony possiblilites for John after, followed by lab recording S&D: III, IV, and part of V.



Foggy all day in Pleasant Hill; head back over the San Pablo wetlands under clearly impressive skies to pick up car (brakes still O.K.)



and return to Harriet, finishing orchestration of Samson: V, and beginning that of VI. Downfall.

June 26 - Darkest Before Oncoming Train

Through the Renaissance in History (at least up to birth of opera, which really occurred before the traditional reckoning of the Baroque -- 1600), and Louis Bourgeois Old Hundreth for dictation and harmony in Theory, then home with the smokiest skies yet. Rather surreal -- sun still visible and casting enough light to be reflected off passing autos,



yet all headlights on -- oops, that didn't work -- let's try again..




yet all headlights on (somewhat visible even through a rearview window screaming "wash me, please"),



firetrucks perhaps redeploying,



transport vehicles mebbe maybe, too, the local hills waiting,





waiting,


waiting --



some have waited long enough -- and waiting upon page 4 Mice and Men, Act V, Scene 2 C publication preparation.



With Harriet at the pool, after the requisite bike, lo the upper atmosphere bears a few high tropical puffs and suggestions of blue (remotely resembling above Iowa sky), so perhaps the worst has past.