Return to regularity . . .

Hello:

It has been a while since my last missive. As some of you might know it has been a trying time with the thefts in Barcelona, the draconian carry-on baggage regulations, and the on-again-off-again quality of the internet here at Camargo. But, here I am . . . almost back to normal. Funny how life throws you for a loop and then you kinda have to ride the loop until one comes rightround again and ascertains his bearings. Well, things are beginning to look up. So, a story you say? Yes, let me fill you in on my doings here at THE FOUNDATION.

First of all, Cassis is beautiful. The word beautiful is trivial . . . it cannot describe it, does it no justice; idyllic, perhaps. Angela and I have been assigned a small cottage on a hill overlooking the harbor of this quaint fishing village. Now, some of us here, we fellows, have been given rustic rooms (rustic in a good way) which are perched out and over the bay. Some of our colleagues wake (as well as work and play) to a full-screen view of the Mediterranean. I am in the library now following the blue curve of the Sea's horizon with my eye. The light lends a hand as well, it never looks the same way twice.

THE FOUNDATION is a wonderful place filled with artists and researchers following their own personal whims . . . highly intelligent people they all be. We fellows rise early, swim in the sea, return to our desks, check email (when it's functioning), poke around, read a book, perhaps . . . dare I say research . . . then, return to sea-gazing. Oh, is that a small gaggle of fellows on the Chinese Terrace having a bottle of wine, perhaps some foie gras? They must be addressing personal matters of state, the modification of some thematic corralary to their Table of Contents. . . perhaps . . . ? So, Jason, what have you been doing?

Well, I just finished a fine collection of articles by that cheeky Brit Mr. Stephen Fry which is why I am writing like him. I can't seem to get this upper crust Oxford style out of my head. Witty!
So, I have been reading while I wait for that damn replacement computer to arrive. I began with Nabakov's Lolita which I had never read before . . . it is suprisingly good and a spooky examination of a very disturbed, yet highly intelligent, mind. Oh, I had seen the film adaptations of the book, but really, the book is fantastic! Then I spent a while reading Roads', The Computer Music Tutorial. . . riveting . . . I was specifically working over the FFT and its applications to the transformation of sound . . . I could go on, but that would give away the ending.

But, to get serious, after three weeks here I am finally beginning to settle in at the Camargo Foundation. It has taken awhile, but everyone reaches their point at different times. Now that I have completed the PhD (thus allowing me to, sonically, operate on people) I have come to the conclusion that this journey which began five years ago to simply escape the United States and obtain a Master's degree has really taken me a long way. So much has happened, and as I now embark on a career in investigative research, I find that I am beginning to define myself . . . putting forth the ideas which are important to me. It's a good thing.

I'm looking for a junior research post . . . should anyone come across anything in my area, let me know.

Next time: What is my area?

Til then, I remain,

jason