On Loop

It's almost 2am. I've been listening to a live recording of Isaac Stern's playing of a Mozart violin concerto on loop for the past hour, silently celebrating the life he had and remembering back to the day he passed away nearly a decade and a half ago. At around 4 minutes, a distinctive sneeze is heard. Twice. A further third sneeze half a minute later. A fourth one at 5 minutes. And another one after that during the theme reprise.

Someone, please hand that lady a tissue.

Usually, this would annoy me and I'll change the track or listen to another version. While it is most definitely a pity that it is forever recorded into an otherwise stunning performance by a great master, the wonder of Isaac Stern's playing is that no matter what distractions there are, it doesn't ruin it, nor does it take anything away from the quality in which he plays. I'm not a big fan of Mozart either- my previous violin teacher knew that and never had me play any of his pieces. I wasn't given a choice and my current teacher's first suggestion was a Mozart violin concerto. Oh well, one can only learn and not complain- here's my chance to figure out why I cannot play a classical piece in all its simplicity. Minimal glissando, minimal flare, play the notes on the page, take note of the timing. Isaac Stern as a reference...

Repeat.

From fooood

Back to food. This short entry brings us back to Eastwood, a suburb nice and close to home. Not really. Closer than Strathfield or City at least.

Located at the Korean side are several cafes, notably Bom's, Pishon, Oliver Brown, and recently, Le Bistro Dorine. La Vigne Bakery is directly opposite Pisshon and went through a renovation before reopening. Now, hidden at the back, is an open courtyard sitting area, perfect atmosphere for a friendly catch up, and, unfortunately, for smoking as well.

From fooood

They have a good selection of cake, from which I chose a citrus mousse cake. Slowly starting to like citrus flavored food. My dad used to always eat marmalade on bread and I could never understand as a kid why. There are so many better jams out there- strawberry, cherry, blackberry, you name it and it's better than bitter orange marmalade, especially with the peel in it. 

Then this kid grew up and started acquiring a more sophisticated taste for food. I joke, but with the essence of time, people do grow up and learn to understand, to appreciate things that previously they had never been able to comprehend before...

But there will always be some things that stay with you. Like coriander. That stuff should just all self combust and get out of the gene pool.