Mushrooms might be key to Stradivarius sound

If the violin sounds good, it might be the mushrooms.

A Swiss researcher announced Thursday that treating maple wood with a certain mushroom improves its sound quality.

Speaking at a conference in Basel, Switzerland, Francis Schwarze said his maple violin, a replica of a 1698 instrument made by the Italian master Antonio Stradivari, has a sound comparable to the elusive timbre of a Stradivarius, according to a report from Agence France-Press.

Schwarze, of the Zurich-based Federal Materials, Science and Technology Institute, treated the wood with Xylaria longipes, a mushroom that grows on the bark of trees. The mushroom nibbles lightly on the wood, reducing its density and intensifying the sound, he said.

Xylaria Longipes

“It has a very good sound and also carries well,” violin maker Michael Rhonheimer said at the Swiss Innovation Forum in Basel.

Many researchers believe the unmatched sound of Stradivarius violins comes partly from the instruments’ age.

Researchers have studied the density of the wood, the quality of the finishes and the shape of the violins and other string instruments made by the Stradivari family in an effort to determine why their sound is so rich. As of yet, the sound has proved irreproducible.

Because of the high value placed on the violins, which can sell for more than $1 million, numerous con artists have tried to pass off other instruments as Stradivariuses.

How on earth did it occur to this researcher to treat the wood with mushrooms, of all things? I wonder if were to eat mushrooms before my gigs if it would make me play better too? Hm.

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BloodyLucky.ca

I did, however, check the website on my computer once I got back home. It’s essentially six graphic videos depicting workplace injuries that could have been prevented. Some are a little hilarious, but all are very graphic and almost hard to watch. Gross. I watched all six videos and they send the message loud and clear - check it out and see what you think.

On another note though, at the bottom of their website are two links, one for “accessibility“, and the other for “using this site“. I was able to learn a lot about website accessibility, web standards and government policies when I worked (briefly) for the Government of Ontario. I find it hilarious that these links even exist on the Bloody Lucky website because the site is not accessible at all, and even fails W3C’s Markup Validator with 15 errors. Bloody Embarrassing!

If you click on the accessibility link on the page, you get directed to another page, which reads:

The Government of Alberta has made every effort to make this website accessible and easy to use for everyone, no matter which web browser you choose to use, and whether or not you have any disabilities.

This website was specifically designed to take into account visitors who are visually impaired or blind. It is fully compatible with popular screen reading software. Also, this website was designed for those who for a variety of reasons may not be able to use a mouse. This website can be navigated using the keyboard on your computer or using other assistive devices.

This website uses Skip to Navigation and Skip to Contact links on every page so that you can quickly move to important information if you are navigating by keyboard or assistive devices.

This website also conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines of the Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C). All pages on this website should comply with Priority AA checkpoints.

All of which is false for the BloodyLucky website. Hm.

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U.S. pilot was ordered to shoot down UFO

By Peter Griffiths

LONDON (Reuters) - Two U.S. fighter planes were scrambled and ordered to shoot down an unidentified flying object (UFO) over the English countryside during the Cold War, according to secret files made public on Monday.

One pilot said he was seconds away from firing 24 rockets at the object, which moved erratically and gave a radar reading like “a flying aircraft carrier.”

The pilot, Milton Torres, now 77 and living in Miami, said it spent periods motionless in the sky before reaching estimated speeds of more than 7,600 mph.

After the alert, a shadowy figure told Torres he must never talk about the incident and he duly kept silent for more than 30 years.

His story was among dozens of UFO sightings in defense ministry files released at the National Archives in London.

[...]

“He threatened me with a national security breach if I breathed a word about it to anyone,” he said.

[...]

The files are online at: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ufos

And here’s another interesting article recently published by CBC news about scientists finding how to erase select memories in mice:

Scientists find way to erase select memories in mice

In a finding worthy of a science fiction novel, U.S. scientists reported they could selectively erase specific memories in mice without affecting recall of other events.

Research published in the journal Neuron found that the manipulation of a type of protein in the brain can wipe out certain memories in the brains of mice.

The study elicited memory loss by manipulating the activity of a protein called alpha-CaM kinase II, which is involved in learning and memory.

[...]

The study said it may be possible in the future to develop a pill that wipes out traumatic memories, like war-related ones, but lead researcher Joe Tsien of the Medical College of Georgia cautioned against the wisdom of the benefits of erasing a person’s bad memories.

[...]

Science. Hm.

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I decided to focus on familiarizing myself with the user-interface (and comparing it to Pro Tools), but I ended up spending the majority of my time setting up an extensive preset on my keyboard (M-Audio Axiom 49) to integrate with Logic as much as possible.

At the same time, I wanted to explore some of the various software instruments in Logic, and more specifically, some of the world instruments samples. I’ve also had batá samples for ages now, but haven’t had a chance to do anything with them, until now.

So, in the process of this exploration, I created a song using “different” instruments. It all started from two different batá rhythms, (which I entered using the pads on my keyboard), and then got weird from there… The result is hilarious and sounds like something from Mars. I’ve decided to call it “El Baile Marciano” (Martian Dance) - you can play the song and have a listen. Now I just need to find someone to make an animated video for it… Haha! Feel free to laugh! (Arrangement-wise, it doesn’t make any sense at all and the parts are all over the place, I know - there’s a reason it’s not on my music site! But it’s still funny nonetheless.)

So on a serious note, I think I’ll continue to use Finale as my primary writing tool, and I’ll likely continue to use Pro Tools for audio. But the software instruments that come bundled with Logic definitely open up some doors for me and really simplify my workflow process quite a bit. I’m quite happy with the broad range of instruments in Logic. And I still haven’t had a chance to browse through any of the loops yet either…

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How does that happen? Weird.

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Have a look!

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When I was in San Francisco during the Labor Day weekend, I passed by these dancers on Market Street that were a hoot. This old(er) lady took over the guy’s show and danced up a storm. It was hilarious to see in person - view the video to see a short clip. Unfortunately, there was this guy in a green sweater blocking the view for part of it, but you get the idea…

Notice when she goes into the running man at the end… LOL!

There’s a ton of pictures of my California Trip on DMpix.com

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From the Winnipeg Free Press:

Man claims he impregnated woman while asleep

WINNIPEG - A Winnipeg man claims he was asleep when he impregnated a woman and is suing her for damages, including mental distress and anxiety, because
legally he may now have to pay child support.

In a statement of claim filed in Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench last week, the man claims he was visiting the woman in October or November 2006 when he
fell asleep.

The man alleges he woke up and found the woman was having sexual intercourse with him.

The man says that when he “demanded that she cease and desist,” she complied.

But about nine months later the woman gave birth to a child that he agrees is his.

According to court records, the woman launched a court action for child support in Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench last year.

The man is seeking damages including reimbursement for all child support expenses paid and payable by him.

No statement of defence has been filed and the allegations have not been proven in court.

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Thanks to Marcin for sharing this with me!

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