First day of classes yesterday was surely an interesting experience. Didn’t sleep well, up before 2am, but was ready (after a nap) for things that officially began at 10am.

Two students had trouble knowing how to log in, but everyone was there and on-screen by 10:08 and, frankly, I’ve had other first-days that got started much more than 10 minutes late. It was very nice, indeed to see the group of frosh, though I admit that the inability to be there with them physically was a disappointment for me. But a disappointment that’s just plain necessary.

The tech was ready, and it all worked. It was certainly odd to see students’ dorm rooms as backgrounds, but all were there, and hung in there for the entire session...

As Joe, Cristin and Jackson had to head out of Westchester (no power since Isaias came through last Tuesday, not estimated to get power back until Wednesday morning), they headed up to Joe’s uncle’s place on a lake up in Maine. Some great pix of Jackson getting out on the water!

Our beach damage turned out a bit more extensive, after insurance inspectors came through to do moisture readings…so we’ve packed up half the house, after enjoying the first 5 weeks there since Sept. 2018, and will away their process of pulling up the floors, drying, ordering and awaiting arrival of materials, then installation.  New crew and boss, who promises nothing like the process we’ve all endured since ’18…but, honestly, we’d be crazy to expect to get in there in less than a few months, I’m sure...

Yesterday pleasant, yet with a big disappointment.

The day began with the arrival of insurance estimators at our unit here in Surf City.  They were here, along with the HOA’s liaison with the insurance company, himself a mitigation and construction expert, to assess every unit post-Isaisas. 

And with their moisture meters they found >25% readings from beachside sliding doors back into the (downstairs) living room and (upstairs) master bdrm, on the floors, about 6-10 feet.

Also quite a bit around the window in the master bath.

So, big dryer fans and dehumidifiers are coming in today; and floors being taken up in those rooms. Tile/wall removal around the mbath window.

That, together with knowing that the deck will come down some down in the coming weeks (months?), and we kn...

More video-making, more learning about the importance of getting each vid’s screen-shots or slideshow, or music-files all lined up and ready before actually ‘shooting’ the video. The last few videos have gone smoothly, really just one-shot deals; but I’m finding that each 1′ of video takes about 1 hour of prep-time to properly set up.

In the meantime, the NYTimes “no-knead bread” recipe has again succeeded in being both a welcome distraction and a source of wonderful aromatherapy. And it’ll be good eatin’, too. [It’s an easy, easy alternative to the more time-intensive loaves I make more often; and its crust is just so perfect.]

Yesterday morning was a healthy half-day of debris removal in Greenville. This city boy does enjoy time with a chain saw–even if it is a little wimpy, electric one that sounds like its run by elderly gerbils. A few of the branches that landed in very lucky spots (between structures, really threading a needle) were about 8″ diameter, about 30′ long…just takes time. But it was a good workout, and the yard’s clean.

We packed up and drove to Surf City; easy ride, no road closures. A bit of debris roadside as we got closer to the beach. Getting on the island was a bit eery, as the roads and yards were covered by sand. Looked a bit like a post-snow storm landscape.

Here at the unit, we were pleasantly surprised to hear the a/c working when we arrived...

Awake at about 2:45a, as the winds from Isaias reached peak strength here in Greenville.  Some branches falling in the yard, the impact loud enough to prompt my heading to reassure myself that they hit the yard—not the house.  Then the power started flickering, causing some electronics in the house to sing their ‘power on’ song as electricity came back on.

The rain was already dying down by 3, really leaving the wind as the focus.

Tried, and failed, to return to sleep, so just got out of bed at 3:20, deciding to make coffee before we lose power again.  Strong winds, for sure.  Lots of debris in the yard, trees dancing with very wide arcs of sway (is that a legit phrase?).

We’ve lost trees here in the past, on two occasions big ones crushing the roof of our separate garage b...

Trying to get teaching materials made…have eight done so far, likely enough to get the course introduced, and cover the first one+ week of material. Experienced online teachers suggest a video self-introduction (followed by a first assignment for students to make one themselves). So here’s the quick one I made to introduce myself.

A fresh disaster on the horizon: http://trackthetropics.com/isaias-2020/

With COVID-19 raging, economy tanking and congress not taking action before fiscal help (unemployment, moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, etc.), our incompetent POTUS always ready to send out another idiotic message to the populous (the latest re postponing November’s moment to get rid of him)…and now a series of storms on the way.

Our Surf City haven has now been put back into shape–for about 2 months now. Hoping against hope that we make it through the season without more destruction. Just don’t know if we can withstand another wipeout. At least it’s not our primary home, as much as we’d like it to be.

The daily work is progressing...

Just last night received the url to this posting to Anton Miller‘s performance (and Rita Porfiris‘ video) of Six Humors, for solo violin. This was written as a series of etudes for Plus ça Change, a violin concerto for my colleague Ara Gregorian.

Working with Anton was a real gift—he was just so wonderful throughout.  And then on top of the superb interaction and top-notch recording, he and Rita put together this video!  Couldn’t possibly have asked for a better experience, no matter the conditions.   So grateful to both of them and, of course, to the people at ACA who made all of this happen.

Just so gratifying.

What a gift received over these past days, as Anton Miller sent a fabulous recording of Six Humors, and then followed up with a wonderful, intimately shot video of his session. Violist Rita Porfiris (Anton’s spouse, performing partner, and colleague at the Hartt School), shot the video, and really did a great job. It’s clean, crisp, uncluttered, and does an amazing job of making this into a house-concert-intimate performance. I can’t wait to share this, when it’s legit to do so.

Now just waiting on one more recording from ACA’s Shelter Recordings Project. I know that one, too, will be great, and look forward to what Chris Nappi will do with the solo marimba piece Anima/Animus.