3,451

(1,528 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)

Sigh.  Circuit changes aren't enough ... but I think I see ones that are.  I have to see whether they would make the voltage detector too sensitive to the battery voltage.  The L07011 and TN0620 mosfets can take the extra voltage.  Hmmm.

Organ music will vary by recording, since the organist chooses the registration to match the piece to the instrument.

Two pieces come to mind: Saint-Saens's Organ (3rd) Symphony, which provided the music for Babe and the Toccata from Widor's Fifth Organ Symphony.  The first uses the organ as several parts added to the orchestra, the second is a pure organ piece.  The Saint Saens symphony is unlikely to be strident in any recording, except possibly for a few very brief moments when flutes and piccolos are pushed.  The Widor piece is more dependent on performer, instrument, and hall.

Note that many organs are tuned to an older concert pitch.  If Collin has true absolute pitch, he may notice this.

French Romantic organs have some of the best rumble, hum, and purr, especially those by Aristede Cavaille-Coll, whose works are each landmarks in the art.  Franck, Widor, and Saint-Saens played on such instruments, or those modelled on them, will -generally- be less strident.  There are exceptions.

I'm especially fond of Franck's Cantabile, Piece Heroique, and the Chorale nr 3 in b-Minor.  Again, stridency will vary from performance to performance.  Franck's work tends to be introspective.

For harmonic complexity, you cannot beat Bach.  The problem is that organists like to use the upperwork in the densest harmonies, and much upperwork is strident.

In Bach, look for recordings of the Little Fugue in g-Minor.  You might also try recordings of The Art of the Fugue, not necessarily on the organ.  A piano or harpsichord performance will avoid the stridency while maintaining all the melodic and harmonic complexity.

Also try the Mahler 8th Symphony.  The 2-part recording on Youtube by Dudamel is a wonder, more for the circumstances of its creation.  Dudamel got just about every vocalist and chorister over the age of about five in Venezuala in one hall and rehearsed for a week or so.  At over 1400 vocalists, it's believed to be the largest one ever.  (He uses only 3 of the 4 keyboards the work is written for, either omitting the harmonium or giving its parts to the organ.)  The best recording may still be the one by Neuman from around 1980 (plus or minus).  The symphony has a few dramatic dynamic moments, but mostly it's a stream of beautiful sound.  The opening few bars are louder, in varying degrees depending on the recording.

I once kept a six-year-old tranquil for 40 minutes or so by plopping Walkman headphones on her and playing a tape of the Neuman recording.  She sat transfixed the whole time.  She'd be around 22 now.  I wonder from time to time if she ever remembers that music and wonders what it was.

I saw a hockey game at MSG many years ago and the home-team goal horn was so loud it hurt my ears.  Collin was lucky.

Organ music does tend to show off the dynamic range and timbral powers of the instrument, but there are exceptions.  I'm thinking particularly of the Bach F-Major Toccata, which is also one of the happiest pieces I know of.  It's paired with a fugue that is more dramatic, but you can find recordings of the toccata alone, especially on youtube.  Although, even there you might want to turn the treble down a bit and ride the volume.  I'm sure there are recordings which wouldn't cause a problem, but you'd have to hunt for them.  Maybe a couple of the old regordings by EPBiggs?  Organist builders and organists are fond of upper harmonics, though they often take it too far.

There are--or were--facial depilatory product, but I would be leery of using them on an unwilling or less-than-competent person because they still have to be strong alkalis, just very well bufferred, and your using them in the vicinity of lips, mouth, and eyes.

The buzz comes from an oscillating 'motor', usually driven right off the powerline frequency.  The rotary (3-head) Norelcos don't have that buzz because they are (wait for it) ...) rotary.  That doesn't mean they don't have sounds, and maybe even a pseudo-buzz.  You should find out, assuming they are still available.

Of course, you could get him used to organ music, with its bassy pedal and its wide variety of tootling, roaring, buzzing, snarling, braying, squealing, and sparkling pipes.  Short example here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V2rIlIsi7XA  .  (Incidentally, 'snarl' and 'buzz' are both terms organbuilders use in describing the sounds of pipes.)

Incidentally, have you read Not Even Wrong?

3,456

(1,528 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)

You make it sound like I know something.  If I know something, I don't know it.

You're hoarding clues, too.  Clues, too, yes, you!  (AABA)

I do need to get stuff out.

3,457

(1,528 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)

As I wrote elsewhere, I've got two frustrating distractions, and I'm trying to recraft Erevain and his chapters.  I'm trying, but so is the task.

3,458

(1,528 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)

No, as to the documents signed.  I'll give you a very thin hint: two words whose Pitman outlines (and thus, whose consonant structures) are very similar, ending with the 'small shun hook', except that one of them is plural--simple 's'.

amy s wrote:

Soon, I’m going to have to learn to shave him.  Can’t wait.  There’s no way I’m going to let him look like a half-Japanese terrorist and let him grow a beard.  Any advice on how to get an autistic kid to hold still for electrolysis when he won't let a razor into the same zip code?

I take it electric shavers are out?  If he can't stand the buzzy kind, you might see if they still make the Norelco rotaries.

New design error.  When I got back to this last section (the 'pigeon flasher') I did a circuit layout for it and redesigned the glue circuit paths, completely forgetting why I had done it that way in the first place.

Conceptually it's easy--I think.  I just need room for the right parts in the right places.  Once that all works I can begin to work up the master layout for the soldered board.  And then, back to physical design.  And I'll probably use the amber OSRAM LEDs instead of the yellow for the extra brightness.

I've got a couple of other distractions going on, too.  I have no idea how people like Amy find time to eat and sleep, much less write.  (But I'm glad you do.)

50 degrees Celsius?  Unless I've lost all arithmetic ability (*) and my most basic knowlege of the physical sciences, that's 122 degrees Farenheit.

Well, Perth is very nearly on the exact opposite side of the globe from the NY metro area.

*And I could almost believe it when I consider the circuit design error that's been sitting around waiting to be built and found.  It may be relatively easy to fix.  I'll have to see.

New York and New Jersey didn't flip their lids.  Their control freak governor/mayor did.

I won't claim a review on this, but if that's an RC priest you might want to be sure whether that's a Bible or a prayer-book.

Asking someone to start reviewing first isn't a bad idea.  If you can't find works you feel competent to review, and that you feel comfortable reviewing, you're not going to be able to participate.

What about allowing someone who's earned points as a free member to use a few of them--maybe 25?--to post and see if he gets useful reviews?  But they should be earned.

I don't know how to judge the 50% surcharge.  Is it too low or too high?

If someone pays for his presence by quantity or review, should we fear that quality will suffer?

3,466

(15 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)

We're a jolly little band here.  You'll fit right in.  Did you meet Kitty-cat?  I think I saw her in the conservatory with Cousin Ophelia.https://fbcdn-photos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-0/10592729_555990944533209_7977611849969120386_n.png?oh=e02eb5864fd1b7696fc35939f388b190&oe=5563253B&__gda__=1432546435_1dd1269d5bf201273dbd374622db7136

3,467

(15 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)

The Amy who loves tormenting her second-best characters (unlike K, who prefers to kill them off).

3,468

(520 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)

Do you need to tell us any more than you are telling now?  If not, you probably don't need a prologue.  In the review I mentioned a couple of little things you might add.  A prologue would be conspicuous consumption excess for them.

3,469

(1,528 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)

janet reid wrote:

njc - here is my complete review, the @#$%& site cuts my regular reviews left, right and center for some unknown reason *grunts*

Hey njc

I (think I) have sorted out most of my beginners problems to start looking for new eyes again.  And I guess you’ve been on my reading list long enough too.  And if it all goes according to plan, I’ll also be able to understand what you guys are talking about in your thread! (a pretty high hope, but a girl can dream!)  wink

It’s only suggestions/comments/thoughts, but I hope one or two will help.

[delete] (add)

Kirsey seemed [unaware](barely aware) of it all.
* it feels as if there’s a disconnect between the preceding detailed description like Kirsey holding the bag and him being completely unaware

As I wrote before, the affect of the other oldsters is part of the situation here.

His gait became lively and quirky; his eyes [ became] active and watchful, his face intense and alert.
* not sure about the proper punctuation, but the ; could probably be a , and still be ok (I usually get slaughtered for run-on sentences and the likes, but I think it’s a writing style and I don’t mind it)

Actually, I'd prefer to make them both semicolons.  Yes, that means two fragments, but I prefer to think of them as sentences with elisions.

I like how you’ve contrasted disinterest/placidness with his sudden change to excitement/interest.  Makes one go – why?  And that’s a good thing.

Kirsey joined the mass of students treading its front stairways.  He passed their throngs at the money-changing windows which, he swore, multiplied each time he came.
* I’m still outside when you started talking about money-changing windows which I assume are inside – maybe consider having Kirsey (and the reader) go through a door or something first (I’d like to know what the door looks like too – Kirsey is now noticing things, so I think I should too)

Fair point.  I can make the motion a little more explicit.

Kirsey requested a withdrawal [in](of) gold[,] in mixed denominations.
(?)  <---- this means I’m not sure sure, but at least it would avoid the repeat of “in”  smile

Following Strunk and White, I have thrown off my phobia of repeated words.  For so minor a preposition as 'in' it hardly seems worth having it in the first place.

What neither the teller nor anyone else there could see was that Kirsey was watching the spells at work.
* I’ve missed something really important here – what spells?  Kirsey’s accounts being visible on the glass?  Or that he could be identified so easily?

All of it.  How was he recognized?  (He's bound to the Academy by spells, as you see later.)  How did the gold simply appear in front of him?  We haven't seen that happen before--except, in a way, we have.  But I don't expect the reader to catch it.  So it's exceptional sorcery for the present.

I did however pick up that Kirsey, Minor Major, non-resident is a sorcerer without being spoon fed.

In those days, Masters lived apart from students, and their *staffs*--the Minors--lived between.
* staffs or staff – there is a difference to me, I think of staffs as sorcerer sticks, and staff with people working for you (technically, staffs can be the multiple of staff where it’s meant to be people working for you, but I don’t think it’s used much these days in that context and staff is used for single and plural – and hence my trip)

If I say "Make sure the Masters have their desserts," it seems clear that there is one dessert per Master.  If I say "Make sure the Masters have their dessert," they may be sharing one big bowl of raspberry compote.

Each Master has his (or her) own staff of Minors and Leasts.  Nobody has to share, which is good because it's hard to have two bosses sharing you, especially when each makes his own house rules.

A few older Masters, *Kirsey's* among them, had met the changes with their privilege of adding their own places to the Academy.
* this tripped me (not hard to do BTW!) – I had to reread to be sure that you meant Kirsey’s Master and not Kirsey even though the sentence is technically 100% correct – consider:  A few older Masters, including Kirsey’s, had met …

The change just doesn't seem to scan as well.  The accents do not fall so felicitously.

(“)He'll want to see you, even if you have to wait for him."

Yeah, gotta fix that.

Sedlane brought the tea.  He would have poured it but Threckesrom took the honor to himself.  He poured Kirsey's without difficulty but his hand shook as he poured Sedlane's, and he needed both hands to pour his own.
*  this is a lot of pouring – maybe see if you can’t mix it up a bit?

As before, I do not fear repeats.  Repeats, I fear them not.

*  good writing, you’ve told me something important here about Threckesrom

Interesting.  I think a couple of reviewers missed that.

[After](While) they drank, Threckesrom said(,) "Master Nivras's heir is Master Bonthriss.  He does not view us kindly."
*  after/while – unless it was done on purpose to let the reader know these guys are really comfortable around each other as it would be a pretty long silence until they have finished drinking their tea (which would be awkward/uncomfortable for others!)

Yes, they are really comfortable around each other, and Kirsey is deferring to his old Master.

* or consider – After they took a sip (or some such to indicate they’re not finished with their tea yet)
*  given that Threckesrom adjusts his cup and saucer just now, I’d say they’re not done yet

Or he's nervous about something.  Okay, maybe too subtle.

The residence was built around a small courtyard, with the library on the far side. Kirsey expected to find the books far in (the) back, *in places he'd never seen.*
* this implies Kirsey has been to the library before and since Threckesrom has built the new residence – just checking that’s what you intended here

Yes, it's what I intended.  After trying to argue for 'back', I think you might be right about adding the article.

"Taking your last breaths as a free man?" said [Threkesrom](Threckesrom).

Eh?  Did I misspell something?

"No," said Threckesrom.  "But it will seem like it, and it will change you."
"It will change me even if I never come back."
*  good writing – tells me something without giving anything away

general comment – lots of Kirsey said and Threckesrom said – either see if you can do away with “he said she said” by making it obvious who is talking (maybe even have Sedlane not be there if it will still work - seems it would now that I've read to the end) or by having them do something action of some kind to identify who is speaking?
* this is where the he said-she said got obvious (before it wasn’t too obvious):
Kirsey said "We should have done this between a fancy dinner and the dessert."
"I don't think I could stay up that long," said Threckesrom.  "And Sedlane would see to it I ate only what was good for me, and not much of that."

I try to cover that by using mid-quotation tags.  I'll give this another look, but I expect to keep most if not all of the tags.

He sent Sedlane from the room with an apology then said, with some effort, "Have you have ever heard of the Masters Regent?"
"If I have," said Kirsey "should I admit it?"

only problem is, now that I’ve noticed it, it will be more obvious even though it isn’t or shouldn’t be an issue …

general comment – Kirsey is after some books, and he got them, but you gave me no indication as to what the books are about – I don’t need much, but I do need something even if I could reach an entirely wrong conclusion what Kirsey is about or will do with the books – give me something, otherwise I feel cheated, and I think you’d rather go with me thinking I know what’s going to happen, but not knowing for sure than me feeling cheated out of information?
* same with what Kirsey has to do for Threckesroom

By this time, we have some idea of the problems that Kirsey needs to solve, though maybe not all of them.

As to what Kirsey is agreeing to do, it ought to be obvious, if you think about it.  The remark about dinner and dessert is a giveaway.  But if not, that's okay.

Overall easy to read/understand and I’ll read on.  Because I want to know what Kirsey is going to do with those books and what’s going to happen when Threckesroom dies!

I have a lot to write to get us to that point.

3,470

(520 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic &amp; Sci-Fi)

There are chapters tucked in the end of Book 1 that are meant for later books.  If you care to start with -Kirsey Visits His Old Master at the Academy- I'd appreciate it.

3,471

(520 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic &amp; Sci-Fi)

As they are too busy to notice that the bridge is falling out from under them.

3,472

(520 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic &amp; Sci-Fi)

Do please note that I'm stalled in a major revision pass.

Also, I haven't rreviewd romance before.  (KH's stories  don't count; they resemble the kind of romance Heinlein would have written.)

3,473

(1,528 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic &amp; Sci-Fi)

Not enough room for all the stuff I have to put there ...

3,474

(1,528 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic &amp; Sci-Fi)

And I left the durn thing somewhere, probably in a shopping cart, as the snowfall began, and I had to stop at CVS to buy another.  I had that cane in my cart for five years as a spare for my mother, and the new one reminds me of how poor I am at holding onto things.

You gotta have Horse show up when Kha needs him for something else!