Rocky road

Rocky road
Originally uploaded by dwfletch.

As a favor to some friends and former colleagues in the UK, I recently inspected a few rock samples. Geology isn't normally my forte, but as I handled the samples (from some of Earth's oldest deposits) I was struck by their staggering age. Not to sound too morbid or pseudo-philosophical, but in emphasising the ephemeral nature of life they reminded me of Lincoln's words: this too shall pass. It's comforting, sometimes, to be reminded that nothing is really forever.

Le weekend

Le weekend
Originally uploaded by dwfletch.

So, I went to the opera on Friday with Anastasia to see Donizetti's "Lucie de Lammermoor". It was pretty good (especially the "mad scene"). It was set in Scotland and the scenery used was great - moody grey clouds over moody grey granite! The set designer had obviously spent time there! Anyway, it was an interesting contrast with the Nine Inch Nails gig I went to earlier in the week.

On Saturday I drove down to the cape and round to Provincetown. The drive was a blast: 90mph in 4th gear with the top down and the stereo up :-)

Here's a random photo of me on our verandah. It reminded me of the Father Ted scene: "You see, Dougal, those cows are large but far away, whilst these cows are small, but nearby".

Doesn't it make you feel better?

Wow! I Just got home from seeing Nine Inch Nails - they were bloody amazing! Among other things they played "Only", "Closer", "Something I Can Never Have" and "Head Like A Hole". The Son et Lumiere were great and the performance was very intense.
Tomorrow I'm making babies at an IVF lab and on Friday I'm off to the opera with Anastasia. A fun week all round, really.

My Corvette, Emily

My Corvette, Emily
Originally uploaded by dwfletch.

Here are some photos of my car. She's a 1999, 12,000mi Chevrolet Corvette C5 convertible (named 'Emily', in accordance with my family's custom relating to Chevrolets). She's front-engined, rear-wheel-drive, accelerates from 0 to 60mph in just 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 175mph. She has a naturally aspirated, longitudinally mounted, 5.7 litre, cast aluminium, V8 engine (overhead valves, two per cylinder), that develops 345BHP at 5600RPM and 350lb-ft at 4400RPM. She also has a manual, six-speed gearbox. She weighs in at just under 1.5 metric tons, has two seats and a soft top.
More here.

Trip to Manchester with Anastasia

Trip to Manchester with Anastasia
Originally uploaded by dwfletch.

On Saturday I made a trip to Manchester and Townsend with my friend Anastasia. We're both interested in Frank Lloyd Wright, so we went to see the Zimmerman House. It was a sunny day, the driving was fun and Manchester turned out to be a lot prettier than I had expected. More here

Xylophone

Xylophone
Originally uploaded by dwfletch.

Out and about with pals last night, we encountered a random band with

an electric xylophone - not something you see everyday.

'Cos it doesn't remind me of anything

Audioslave played in Lowell last night and I went along to see them. They were fantastic: really exciting and up for it. Amongst other things, they played "Doesn't remind me", "Be Yourself" and "Killing in the name". I couldn't get my camera in, but these photos give you some idea.
Only a few days to go till the NIN concert!