Loro música

Right now, I'm listening to a jazzy interpretation of Ravel’s Boléro by Jacques Loussier Trio. The birds really like it! One of the birds burst into impromptu mating song, syncopating his phrases with the beat of the Boléro. I've added it to the birds' playlist in iTunes, but they hardly ever use my computer. Bird C did type out a happy face once while I was working though. It made sense for him to type that out before anything else, since he IS the happy-go-lucky one. =)

The other week, I went to watch an Anton Kuerti piano master class. The master class was fascinating for a listener: it made me conscious of all these little distinctions in playing and interpretation that I wouldn't necessarily have thought of before. Kuerti advocated the Fresh Finger Rule for ornamentations for the student who played Mozart's Piano Sonata in D Major. What really impressed me was how Kuerti would demonstrate on his piano and have this beautiful sound come out in just a bar or two. I heard him play at a recital years ago, and his playing was beautiful then, as well -- but hearing two people play the same notes, back-to-back, both on Steinway grands, made Kuerti's mastery really obvious. I don't know how he gets that gorgeous tone with just a few notes... He must have magic, soulful hands.

The Relieving & The Ridiculous

I'm glad to report that Bird B's foot got better. I'm relieved that it was temporary and so must have been a muscle strain.

Though it's been much colder lately, I've still been trying to take the birds outside when I can. I figure it's good for the flock, even if it's for 2 minutes to get some cool fresh air.

B was especially good when I brought them out a few days ago. He took off from my hand for his flight exercise, flew around the yard in a circle, then landed right back on my hand! Usually, I would expect him to land on the roof instead, and make me wait and plead before coming back, but maybe he knew it was cold out and so didn't want to be caught out on the wet roof.

I'm posting some older photos of the birds looking all well and clean after a shower. Apologies for not having more up-to-date photos; I haven't been shooting much lately.

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I did Yoga for the first time in probably a couple months last week. My sister had brought me a Richard Freeman Yoga tape, so it was the first time I'd attempted this one. At first, it didn't seem all that different from my usual Richard Freeman Yoga Breathing and Relaxation tape, but after an hour of this new one, I was sore afterward for days! Literally days! Three days, I think. There were all these ridiculous poses that were reminiscent of stretches that would usually be done sitting on the floor, except that they were supposed to be done standing up. On one leg. I couldn't pronounce these poses, let alone do them. Those ones made me laugh at the absurdity of the effort -- and I'm not just talking inner smile!

Limber

I'm worried about the birds. Bird B in particular has suddenly started favouring one leg. He puts very little weight on his right leg/foot and limps around everywhere. Given that he can fly, and is extremely strong and agile (remember his inversions), it seems highly unlikely that he hurt himself. So this worries me. I resort to hoping that he did indeed have an accident, however unlikely, and strained a muscle, since I can't bear serious consideration of the alternative: a tumour pressing on the nerve.

This is an older photo from his more limber days.