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Interview with Cynthia Webster
By Lorraine and Dale Kay
JUNE 2011 – LOS ANGELES – I recently visited the new location for Cyndustries and thiaMedia in Glendale, California with my photographer and sidekick Dale Kay. We were met by engineer/ designer extraordinaire Cynthia Webster and were later joined by one of four other influential engineers and partners Dr. Herbert Kuhnert. We were given the royal tour of the facilities and talked about the company's products and future dreams.
The first thing we realized early on in the interview is that Cynthia is a multi-faceted lady who the more we talked to her, the more facets were exposed. Our initial reason for visiting was her flagship music electronics company Cyndustries.com, for which she was getting ready to launch a major marketing campaign to promote the company's newest product releases, so we jumped right in. Entering her building she proudly showed us her products and awards and we could see what was obviously the beginning of a total renaissance in the company.
LK – So Cynthia, where do we begin?
CW – Welcome to Cyndustries. Here is my office and our 2007 Electronic Musician Editor's Choice Award for the Zeroscillator, the first and I believe the only synthesizer module to ever win this prestigious award. It won in the Best Analog Synthesizer Category, which beat even the huge musical equipment corporations. So the Zeroscillator really has gone where no module has ever gone before!
Part of its appeal is the design, a pretty remarkable combination of functions presented on one panel. Also unique is that we made it in five different modular system formats. No one had done that before. Nicknamed the ZO as opposed to a typical VCO, its blockbuster release was not only an engineering coup, but it also signaled the beginning of a fundamental change in modular thinking and marketing.
As you see, we've got an array of exciting new product designs that are part of an overall master plan. Everyone is ready for a new paradigm in modular synthesis, new things to try, and new approaches to their music. Cynthia brand modules are the perfect blend of sophistication in circuitry, and diversity in marketing. By offering so many rich new opportunities to modular synthesists everywhere, we are constantly re-inventing ourselves.
We've been concentrating on the new web campaign working for weeks on all of the designs and the screen navigation and site updates. I do all the graphics here, and Les Mizzell writes all the code in South Carolina. Between shipping products and designing the new product line, we haven't had a day off in months. Although this is our ninth year building synthesizers, we feel we're just getting started.
LK – Before we start in about the new modules tell me how did Cyndustries come about?
CW – I had worked as a Director of Photography in the film industry for 20 years, having shot 42 feature films, when the life I was living took an abrupt turn in the summer of 1995. Heading to an early morning shoot in Malibu, in my five-ton camera/ grip and electric truck, I descended Trancas Canyon toward Pacific Coast Highway and realized the heavy truck under me was loaded with tons of extra equipment and was not slowing down. Stomping or pumping on the brakes, downshifting, and engaging the parking brake had little effect. I was careening toward a red light and cross traffic at a major intersection on PCH and I was helpless to stop the momentum. Roaring into oncoming traffic and then turning to avoid a wall of granite triggered the next disaster. I saw the Earth turn in my windshield, like seeing a wide screen movie in slow motion as the truck rolled over, a shower of sparks in the rear view mirror. I continued to slide – steel against asphalt, and when the truck finally stopped on its side, it was as though I was climbing out the hatch of a tank, like Patton emerging after battle. Physically I was OK, but the accident had US Highway One blocked in both directions for 45 minutes while rescue crews used air bags and cranes to right the truck. A helicopter hovered overhead, and a news crew and paramedics arrived on the scene. Traumatized, having glimpsed the end of my life, I sat sobbing on a bus bench watching all the players, and decided it was time for a new beginning. It was then that I started a spiritual journey to find myself again and figure out what I really wanted to do.
I come from a film family. My Father was a film director and producer, and my Mother was an actress and writer. My Grandmother "Webby" was the script girl on the original Dracula with Bela Lugosi and my Father used to sit on coffins around the set doing his homework. For me the film industry was leaving California to other states and countries offering big financial subsidies. It's been a real shock to Hollywood and the thousands of talented people who've found themselves out of work.
It was a difficult decision for me, but thinking back I guess my accident was fortunate in a way. I sensed what was going on a bit ahead of the curve and started looking for something else. Also at the time HD video was starting up and no one could really make up their mind just what the format actually was. The consolidation of film and television companies into a handful of huge corporations which made them less willing to take chances on smaller independent films added to my decision. The glass ceiling I'd been experiencing was dropping on my head. I finally sold the cameras and the truck and all my equipment, and that's when I really started shifting gears.
I'd been dabbling on the web, exploring the whole web experience pretty early on, and it seemed to be the right direction for me at the right time. Having had a brush with death and realizing how precious life is, I decided that the truest course was to redefine my bliss. Back in the 70's I'd had, an Arp 2600 synthesizer, and attended the Boston School of Electronic Music, I was totally absorbed in synthesizers and circuitry, and even started a magazine about them, Synapse Magazine, which went international with my good friend Doug Lynner at the helm, and I went off to college in San Francisco where I continued playing live electronic music and recording. That opened the door to doing sound for theater, movies, and television, and it lead to wonderful careers in special effects and live-action cinematography. It would be more than twenty-years before I looked at a synthesizer again.
Modular synthesis is so much bigger and better now, with more variety, and it is so much more affordable. Cyndustries jumped into the internet modular phenomenon fairly early in 2002 and now there are over forty-six more modular manufacturing companies than when we started. I was inspired by this phenomenon and in turn, I'd like to think that we've somehow continued the inspiration.
LK – You keep saying "we" – Who is the team?
CW – At any given time, there are as many as eight people working at Cyndustries, which is a sole proprietorship. My design partner in circuitry is Mark Barton. I am proud to put Mark's name on every module he's involved with since he is truly a world class electronics engineer. I've known Mark since I was in high school when we excitedly devoured every new Emerson, Lake, & Palmer album and each new issue of the ElectroNotes newsletter, the bible of analog synthesizer circuitry. He really helped me to understand electronics. I'm mainly self-taught having never taken any formal classes in electronics so I say my knowledge of circuitry is like a Swiss cheese – tasty, but full of many holes!
Dr. Herbert Kuhnert, a PhD in electronics, is doing some rather remarkable new surface mount circuit board layouts using OrCad, Louise Liebi, our mechanical AutoCad specialist, has an architectural background. Albert "AP" Lawrence was a military electronics expert in the air-force and is our chief technician. Brent Bowman reliably builds assemblies used here. Dr. Bill Sequeira has inspired us greatly in marketing over the years and Les Mizzell is of course our incredibly talented webmaster. With this very focused team of players, we are addressing engineering as well as fulfillment head-on by establishing an international dealer network. We have several dealers included already, and more coming on board.
LK – What are the new modules?
CW – We call these the Density Series and in developing them we've been fighting the good fight to provide more function per square inch of panel space than the competition. Our customers are clearly the winners in this campaign with more VCAs in less space than ever before; more filters, more envelopes, and more of everything coming! The first three new modules are called the Four Transients, the Four Filters, and the Octal VCA and are all available in each of five different modular formats.
For instance, the Four Transients modules (a transient is any spike above zero volts) are basically very tight envelope generators that are great for percussive sounds like those hemi-demi-semi-quavers we're all looking for. The suite of envelopes can also process sound like a wave-shaper or filter, and you can even form the four of them into an event circle to make various types of oscillations in asymmetrical quadrature! I sometimes call them the doomsday envelopes because, in one of the modes, when you fire them, there is no way to recall the event. The missile is launched. Even if you remove the stimulus, the envelope will self-complete. Since there are four of these in one module, you can mix them, or cascade them, to form more complex types of events! The same philosophy is applied to the Four Filters module, allowing complex serial or parallel processing of the audio. Like a resonant construction set, you can build any combination you like.
We're moving away from creating modules in only one format. Everything now is multi-format in Euro Rack, Dotcom, Motm, FracRak, and Modcan A-Series. That is exciting for us and for the customers because it gives most every system a broader selection of new capabilities. We started as a sidecar to Modcan and I was comfortable with that, thinking there was some sort of ego involved in the thought of making a whole system using our modules exclusively. For a long while I resisted the idea of creating a complete system, but now that we're already half way there and have a plan for the future, I've changed my mind because ultimately the customer decides. To make the exciting changes we're thinking of, it's actually essential now that we implement whole system thinking. We already have the Zeroscillator and Sawtooth Animator in multiple formats which are doing extremely well. With the release of three more designs we're up to twenty-five action packed modules. Even more modules will be released this year allowing customers to expand exponentially over the months ahead!
This is changing dramatically too with the function of the international dealer network to represent our products more locally. Eventually we plan to eliminate direct sales from our website completely.
LK – What is the creative process for you?
CW – Sometimes I take what might be described as a shamanistic approach towards the vision thing. Thoughts really are things as they say, and I usually have the ability to concentrate on ideas intensely. I see long range visualization as a necessary responsibility to my craft. Perhaps that is also why I am a Cinematographer.
Also, at the risk of exposing my own preference, I dream in Modcan, and then translate that design to the other formats, so the Modcan A-Series is always first on the drawing board because it was my first love.
But like any business, it's the people that make the difference, and all of us here have years of experience and passion about what we do. It doesn't matter who presents an idea, like knights of the round-table, there is no ego involved. It is always the best ideas that win. Not to be confused with 'design by committee' – Picasso did not market survey his ideas to decide what to paint. Each painting's inspiration came from within him. At Cyndustries, it's important that we respect each artist's inspiration and work collectively to complement each concept without watering it down; always anticipating the customer's needs, and not adding unnecessary features. This is what makes Cynthia brand products so special.
When we come up with designs that are radically different, people may not get it at first, but if I say, "Okay would you like eight Voltage Control Amplifiers – "Eight VCAs in one compact slim module?" Well sure they would love that because normally it would take up four times the space. If we do something simple as a Voltage Control Amplifier, then we make the very best circuit possible. I love the process of being methodical, absolutely making each product the best module possible. We never compromise on the design or the cost of the components, and then we like to show off a little by packing in as many features or functions as possible. It's our way of throwing down the gauntlet to the competition, putting them on notice that they better not use crap components and stop wasting panel space.
This is all in good fun though, since I'm sure they like a challenge as much as we do!
LK – Back to the Zeroscillator can you explain it for the layman?
CW – The Zeroscillator, pronounced 'Zer-Oscillator', is a one of a kind oscillator. Oscillators are basically the sound engines for synthesizers. Without them there is almost no sound unless you use a noise source or resonate a filter, which can be somewhat chaotic. Over the years, oscillator designs had seemed to stagnate. One oscillator sounded like another, with possibly one or two different features. Mark and I sat down and made a laundry list of all the things that were possible, or had never been tried. The industry wide un-obtain-ium was 'through-zero' modulation. Normally, an oscillator can only modulate a positive control voltage that is above zero, but when you put a negative voltage into the Zeroscillator, you get a negative phase which is unique, and at audio rates, the result is profoundly more musical. Think of a typical oscillator as a tuning fork with a piece of tape stuck to one of the tines – it cannot ring true. The Zeroscillator removes this theoretical piece of tape allowing push-pull modulation instead of just push-push all the time, so it behaves and sounds much more natural. There is a 'through-zero' switch that allows one to compare the ZO modulation capabilities to that of a normal VCO, and when people hear the difference in their systems, they're totally sold on the advantages of 'through-zero' modulation.
I chose to make the Zeroscillator layout consistent throughout nine different formats, including rackmount, Buchla, and Wiard, so it would be universal and provide the same user experience regardless. This consistency allows users of various systems to transcend format and actually speak the same language! To me, front panel design is a religious experience. Along with unique module ideas, it's what I think I do best in the modular arena.
LK – What are you doing with FM Synthesis?
CW – Before the Zeroscillator, it was not practical to attempt Chowning style Linear FM synthesis in the analog realm. There was simply not enough precision available to track a keyboard accurately or to maintain the wave shapes through any sort of range. Some manufacturers said it could never be done, and that was a major motivation at Cyndustries. We spent ten-months banging our heads against breadboards until we had the major breakthrough. During the design phase, not even daring to pronounce the "Z" word, it was known as the McGuffin Project until we had hammered it out fully.
(Alfred Hitchcock used to refer to the central theme or object of each of his movies as the McGuffin).
LK – Everything looks really functional in here. You do all your own design and prototypes here? How does it begin?
CW – Mark Barton and I cook-up the ideas for modules and their features. He then fine-tunes and finalizes the circuits, while I do all the front panel designs, marketing, and web graphics.
We do all the production, except for manufacturing the fiberglass circuit boards and letting robots stuff all the parts. Our stereo inspection microscope assists us in doing most everything now in surface mount and since everybody wants a shallow module in a shallow boat or case, we're totally doing that. We think the new sexy is thin modules.
The building itself is multi-functional. It's a creation center of many kinds, consumer electronics manufacturing, electronic music recording studio, and visual laboratory. These are our workstations for R&D filled with parts and little things to measure and incorporate into CAD. Over here is our future post production area for editing, video synthesis, and computer graphics.
This is our tiny lounge up here on the mezzanine where people can find a little quiet and change of venue when needed. This end of course is the shipping department, the very last stage of the new pipeline we've created. Down there is all of the grip and electric gear for digital cinema production. It feels good to reincorporate the joyful things from my past as a Director of Photography here in the studio again, although we've done some music videos, and an experimental Augmented Reality project for Beck's Beer, ninety-nine percent of my time is completely dedicated to Cyndustries because it is what keeps the doors open and what ultimately allows my production company, thiaMedia, to be more selective in the types of projects it does accept.
We are always looking for ways to bridge the gap between the combination of sound and video production along with modular synthesis. One area I'm quite keen on exploring is discrete surround sound in realtime, which might go a long way in the democratization of analogue surround production. If you think about it, there are millions and millions of 5.1 surround sound installations in homes across the world, yet as an artistic audio community, we are herded mainly into stereo as our principal means of expression. Why is this so, and what can we do to open this up?
From what I've seen, a lot of surround sound production is a non-realtime digital rendering process with front and back pairs layered separately, and the center channel usually added later as a band-aid. Let's start talking about full surround sound environments that swoop and bleep from channel to channel as holistic patches that address the medium as a single six-channel recording pass, instead of a post-production composite of discontinuous parts.
LK – With such innovative designs do you find it difficult to get the word out effectively about these products?
CW – The burden of education in releasing new types of modules is not insignificant. We dedicate a single page of text to each module at Cyndustries.com explaining the new functions conversationally, but concisely.
Along with the website, I'm active on Facebook, and represent our Cynthia brand products to musical merchandizers and synthesizer gatherings and user groups. Of course, I'm always available through email and on the phone. I answer calls personally.
LK – What do you want people that are new to these products to know?
CW – Many people own a synthesizer, perhaps a keyboard instrument in particular, and have run into their limitations or want to try a different way of working. Eventually, they start looking around at what else is available, but a lot of it can seem too technical or confusing. I say, trust your instincts – if something looks cool then go for it! The best thing is to start small, buy only a handful of modules. Actually, the fewer the better, because then you will get to know what that handful of modules is really capable of. After learning the functions inside and out, you can expand this process gradually by adding new modules to your system over time.
With modular synthesizers, there's some new vocabulary and patching technique, which has to be assimilated, however. If you hesitate trying to figure-out what in the heck they're talking about, you'll miss all the fun! I started my personal Modcan format system with just three modules. I knew what the modules did in concept, but had never tried one of their systems. The modules arrived and were everything I'd hoped for and more so I bought more cool A-series modules from Bruce Duncan. I was also inspired by the wonderful modular synth projects Jim Patchell, Dave Brown, and the late Larry Hendry were doing in the modular DIY community… and well, here we are!
Just like reading difficult technical journals or reading schematics, if you don't understand something, don't stop. Have the perseverance and faith in yourself to plow forward in spite of not comprehending it all, because eventually you'll understand more of it than you think. Understanding new modules can be the same way.
Cyndustries is committed to supporting five formats, not just Euro which has seen a great rise in popularity lately because of the dealers' desire to simplify their stocking requirements by only selling one format that is the smallest and least expensive. Don't be afraid to proudly ask your dealer for modules in other formats of your choice! We are happy to provide high quality designs in Euro, but unlike most, we are committed to supporting the other formats as well, pretty heavy lifting for such a small company, but we feel that all modular format boats will rise together by our doing this. Hopefully customers and dealers alike will see the value in this and encourage our efforts. Everyone benefits!
LK – With so many ideas it must be difficult to produce the finished products. What have you done to economize your time and materials and how does that translate to the users?
CW – From very meager beginnings in 2002, At long last we have a fully professional infrastructure set up. We have a large commercial building now, a growing dealer network, and a team with the perfect blend of technical capabilities. We have the parts, the drive, and the inspiration to take this to the next level. It's not just about us though. We have the plans and variety of format offerings to really upgrade the entire modular experience for everybody. The long term benefits of this will be more obvious to our customers over the next few months and it's really exciting to know where all this is heading! Are our plans top secret? Of course, but I can say that we've found ways for everyone to repurpose their investment by finding totally new uses for all of the modules that they already have…
LK – In spite of everything – you were able to keep Cyndustries going?
CW – When we released the Zeroscillator I was operating Cyndustries out of two apartments in Santa Monica. When my Father passed away in 2006 leaving my Mother alone, everything changed. As an only child, I had promised Dad that I would take care of her, never putting her in an old folk's home. I loved them both dearly and I took great care of Mom for four years until she passed away a few months ago. For those four years, the business was moved to, and run from, the family home in Pacific Palisades. Assembly was in the garage, and I had an office in the bedroom – less than ideal, but it worked. I never realized what an impediment this full-time sequester would be to my business.
During that time, I mostly cooked, cleaned, soldered, and constantly ordered more parts! My social life dwindled to zero, I didn't need a cell phone, and my car sat idle growing rust. Not to mention brewing thousands of pots of tea (after all, she was British), but I followed through on the commitment to my family, a promise that put the company in the back seat for a while.
When she passed away last October I was of course quite devastated, but I was also very anxious to revitalize the company. There were a lot of things we had in the works that had gotten shelved, and suddenly I had a cosmic green light to make Cyndustries my priority again.
I had been totally there for Mom, but now it was my time, and I seized the opportunity with gusto. It was immensely satisfying to reactivate so many aspects of my life, getting out and doing things, meeting with vendors and our new distributors, interviewing people to form a new team, hell just shopping at the mall! Oh my God! What an explosion of opportunities, a Cynthia renaissance!
Of course over that time, not every project had gone smoothly. A small group of friends and customers begged us to make the Zeroscillator in Buchla format and perhaps foolishly I said yes, because I didn't quite realize what I was getting myself into… We did the ZOe project as a very low profile release because we were responding to requests, not trying to raid Don Buchla's shores like Vikings. I have great respect for Don Buchla and have attempted to stay out of his limelight. It was already difficult to physically cram so much circuitry into the format's dimensions, along with practically doubling the number of jacks on the front panel in order to accommodate both miniphones and bananas. Having successfully made the ZO in so many different formats, this time we had to use different types of voltages than the others, and there seems to be some confusion out there in determining exactly what those standards are, because there have been changes and improvements over the years between their 100, 200, and 200e series systems. Getting it right cost us a lot of time, as well as three different versions of the same circuit board for the front panel components, and ultimately a redesign of the Zeroscillator engine itself. This resulted in a new ZO Mark II design, reducing the four circuit board through-hole assembly down to a single surface mount card. Now all new Zeroscillators are only about two inches deep and track keyboard voltages better for more octaves.
To do this we had to make a few tradeoffs, such as simplifying the synch circuit and removing some oversized components including the chip sockets, which makes servicing more difficult, so both the original Zeroscillator, and the new Mark II have their advantages. For example, we can finally fit them into the portable Dotcom and Eurorack cases. Having taken so long on the ZOe Buchla format Zeroscillator, I was under tremendous pressure and although I could have shoved them out the door the way they were, this is what I do and who I am. My name is on every front panel and no matter how difficult, I had to do the right thing for the Buchla community by adhering exactly to the correct electrical standards. Finally, I can say that we've solved all the issues with the Mark II, and they're a really great addition to Buchla systems. Orders will be fulfilled within a month, and then we will retrofit the one in the field.
LK – There are other modular creators – why should people buy your products over those created by others? What makes yours different and better? How much can you tell me about your secret sauce recipe without giving away industry secrets?
CW – One of our secret ingredients at Cyndustries is that we've made a big investment in a computer controlled Multilayer PCB Rapid Prototype System.
This means we can repeat the Test & Update process on each circuit board layout and actually make beautiful new boards here – several times a day if necessary.
Auto routing allows us to re-arrange our parts placement on the fly, and this ability to turn our designs on a dime allows us to incorporate customer suggestions and improvements to our products almost instantly. Everyone benefits from this new level of sophistication.
There is more to it than only using high quality components and not scrimping on critical costs. Thinking out of the box and thinking long term is perhaps our greatest asset. What we bring to the table is a smorgasbord of life experience. As far as myself doing synthesizers for a while and getting away for several years and then coming back was a wonderful thing because in the meantime I learned a lot.
As far as our products – I would like to think that the aesthetic is as highly desirable as the function what drives it, and that it's all about learning and growing from experience, both good and bad. For example we have a product in design called ScanOpan®. At first, we developed a scanner module that would scan through many inputs, and then we developed a companion panner module which was to take one source and pan it to many different outputs. I started thinking of the possibilities of using the two in concert and asked my design partner Mark Barton, "Could we combine the two of these into one?… Why couldn't it be a dessert topping and a floor wax?" so to speak. The synergy of that idea lead to more innovation, including the ability to do some wicked granular synthesis in analog. This promises to be an educational challenge.
One lesson was that we did about twenty different circuit board designs to accommodate the Zeroscillator in so many different formats, which added greatly to our delivery times and costs. Now we've streamlined our multi-format approach behind the scenes, by using more circuit board layouts in common for all of our new products. We've invested a lot in research as well as keeping the orders shipping and providing customer support. In addition, we have risen to the new environmental demand that all our assemblies be lead free. Not everyone does this.
LK – So why did you leave Pacific Palisades and move to Glendale?
CW – As I mentioned earlier, I have a multi-media production company here called thiaMedia with an emphasis on experimental imaging. Just like the way we design our modules at Cyndustries looking for new music, thiaMedia is heavy on research and development, always looking for exciting new ideas for film and television. We have some neat optical, computer, and video toys, and a computer driven 16-axis Kuper motion control system with a robotic camera crane of our own design. There is seventy feet of precision linear track for the camera that came from Industrial Light & Magic. As far as I know, it was used on "Jedi", and all of the Back to the Future movies, and possibly for the ore bucket mine chase with Indian Jones. Here is number 12, the actual computer controlled pan and tilt head used to make the stationary Mothership model appear to fly in "Close Encounters". I was working in multiple departments, including the smoke room, at Doug Trumbull's Entertainment Effects Group on CE3K Special Edition and for a year as Special Assistant to Photographic Effects on "Star Trek, the Motion Picture". I learned so much there and never imagined that someday I'd own any of this. As the equipment arrived at the building we had a few quiet moments of humble reverence, promising that we would strive to continue its fine legacy. We may get the chance soon as we are presently negotiating with representatives of a Disney stop motion project in 3D.
Quickly getting the motion system and shooting stage functional, as well as the Cyndustries electronics prototype lab, assembly line, and shipping department running again was a monumental challenge! Setting the building up with new utilities, email, permits, insurance, and doing it by the book naturally took some time. So finally, six months after moving, people are just starting to see a little of what we're up to. The synergy of combining the abilities of both companies has just begun to result in some powerful medicine with waves of new ideas permeating everything we do. After all, isn't this type of thinking why we all like modular synthesizers in the first place?
LK – Have you thought about video synthesis?
CW – Video Synthesis is a wonderful thing. I really look forward to spending more time using some of the latest video modules that people are making, especially for our own productions because the new gear is so very cool. I've found the full video synthesis look as I remember it in the 70's to be a bit illusive though. There were some great designs, and I actually have a collection of schematics and circuit board layouts for several, but a lot of the parts are no longer available because people were using them to build boxes to get free cable TV, and I think the evil empire reacted by destroying the chips forever. The technology changed in the meantime. The systems that I see coming out today are very interesting, however so far, I think that they're all NTSC or PAL, and if we were to design any video modules, they would be in full High-Definition format which is all digital and completely non-trivial! If you're a video engineer with module designs, then we're interested. A couple of video engineers we spoke with wondered why we wouldn't just use a desktop computer instead, which I feel rather missed the whole point.
LK – So what exactly is the point? Is it all about being totally analog? I know you have a pretty solid philosophy about the modulars you build and your business. Do you want to share a bit of that?
CW – We are very proud of the fact that the Zeroscillators are completely analog, but we're not analog purists per se´, our commitment is to the modular synthesis experience itself, and we use whatever technology is appropriate to put our desired functions behind the panels. I design the front panel first, and then figure out how to make the electronics do it in back. It's apparently the way Don Buchla has been doing it all these years, and as a similar electronic musician / instrument designer, I always liked to view the design from the musician's perspective first. Sometimes a new chip or component comes out that inspires us, we get all the electronic magazines and all the trades, and we look through them and sometimes see something really nifty. "Wow, Corn! Now we can make tortillas, we've been waiting to do this for hundreds of years!" any great idea, or some new DSP processing chip that trivializes what was full of parts in circuitry before is considered. There's no reason not to, as long as it can support a good user experience, and has great sound, and that last part about the quality of sound and timbre, is why we always seek a totally analog solution first. We're not "analog-only nuts". We are happy to use microprocessors where appropriate. You know how they say that, "if you're a hammer, then everything looks like a nail?" We don't think we're guilty of that. The user interface is especially important to us. When somebody has been working all day in an office, risking carpal tunnel syndrome and staring into a computer screen, the last thing they may want to do is go home and try the same thing to unwind.
Sometimes watching a lot of television on the couch can just be too passive, when what they really want is to putter-about creatively, using other muscles, or using different frequencies or hemispheres of their brain. Isn't it ultimately all about having fun?
We remember fun!
A lot of manufacturers analyze every single part saying, 'Oh that potentiometer or that knob is three-bucks', or fifteen or whatever it is, and reject the part because it's "too expensive." We are always fearless about using the absolute coolest parts we can find. Synthesizer owners are proud of their systems, selecting each module and putting the systems together is really a big accomplishment, often displayed as a centerpiece in their homes. Their system is much more than just a tool to them, it is an artful presence, an instrument of their expressions, and represents a concert of creative audio control opportunities. Sometimes I think an unspoken truth is that a lot of us synthesists are really just big kids and our systems are a giant busy box. It lets us get away with acting like mad scientists pushing buttons while we experiment away in our sonic laboratories. And, what's wrong with that? If we can all forget our cares in the world for a few hours and be productive and happy, it improves our quality of life.
Other times I like to get serious attempting to make some fantastical future music or create the moody sound design for a nonexistent film because I would love to do one in surround sound here in the studio. A lot of professional bands, composers, and musicians use our gear. Daft Punk on the Tron film soundtrack, Chemical Brothers, Joel Goldsmith, Drew Neumann, Depeche Mode, Richard Divine, Trent Reznor and so many others. In fact, we have thousands of modules in homes and studios in over 35 countries.
LK – What do you tick Cynthia? What do you do for fun or to unwind?
CW – When I was in high school, I used to drive to Cal Arts in LA and beg the composition students there to share a little of their time on the mysterious Buchlas. I saw Don perform live in the 70's while I was in living in Haight Ashbury, San Francisco. There's a reason he's a legend! In recent years I called him to ask for his blessing on releasing a Cynthia version of his famous Low Pass Gate circuit, and while he seemed surprised that anyone might be interested, he was most gracious and said, "Yes". I, on the other hand, was trembling like the cowardly lion in the presence of the great and powerful wizard.
I was also fortunate to spend several days discussing circuitry with Bob Moog, who was equally gracious, and we both benefitted from trading ideas, ultimately implementing suggestions that we had given each other. He even went so far as to finally giving me the go ahead on recreating one of his more obscure designs. I kept talking about how wonderful it was, "Really?"…"You like it that much?"….until he relented, "Ok Cynthia, you can do the module!" He was a very kind man and, of course, had a profoundly positive influence on the world.
I've been to the Xerox PARC Research Center in Palo Alto where great ideas like the computer mouse were born. I was lucky enough to be present at John Chowning's seminal public demonstration of FM synthesis at Stanford where there were so many interesting things going on. I was a young student with plenty of curiosity and free time when I happened to wander into the very first West Coast Computer Fair, in 1976. Jobs and Wozniak were releasing the Apple II, and Bill Gates was just another young nerd with a booth. I've even been to Everest Base Camp in Nepal at 18,000 feet where I learned a great deal about endurance, but's that's another story. What influence these things have had on what I presently do, I don't know, but somehow I've been fortunate to be in some very interesting places at the right time. I can only attribute it to a certain way of thinking – a thirst or a quest? As yet, I probably don't realize a lot of the profound effects these influences have had, but I continue to be true to myself, and let artistic inspiration flow.
Although I run Cyndustries 7 days a week now, I'm one of the lucky ones – I love my work, but I also love history and books and like doing research about how the world came to be as it is today. I particularly like the works of Zecharia Sitchin to learn how it may have all started. I play piano several times a day, mostly my own improvisations. I've been playing for years and got a lot of inspiration at San Francisco State University. Of course I enjoy being known for synthesis and design, and plan on recording a lot more of my own electronic music in the future, but I wouldn't mind if someday people say, "You know, Cynthia makes really cool modules, but she's a damn good piano player, too!"
LK – So potential customers can find out about your products and how to order through the web site?
CW – Yes our website is Cyndustries.com
You can navigate it the usual way, or through much of it cyclically by clicking on the images of the modules themselves. Clicking on the Cynthia logo usually takes you to the News Page & Ordering Info. We offer direct sales on the site, but we are quite committed to providing our dealers with strong support. A page on the site will direct customers with links to dealers through their icon badges. As we shift to an expanding network of dealers we hope to phase out direct sales, though part of this requires more dealers willing to distribute a wider variety of formats. There are a great number of Dotcom, Frak, and MOTM format installations out there with a huge community of hungry customers who deserve immediate gratification too. That's the gap we are now filling, and it is a sleeping giant of a market for distributors. Let's all do this.


text:
Zarghona Salehi
Article Images
KABUL (Pajhwok): The Integrity Watch Afghanistan (IWA) and other civil society organizations on Saturday rejected the government's national anti-corruption strategy and demanded an independent commission to deal with graft related matters. IWA... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) on Wednesday asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to intervene and investigate war crimes and human rights violations in Afghanistan because the domestic system... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Institute of Agriculture and Veterinary (IAV) on Sunday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on future cooperation. Under the MoU, the FAO would cooperate with IAV in... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) leader Gulbadin Hekmatyar on Saturday said Afghanistan needed a strong central government, asking the international community to stop foreigners and neighbors from interfering in the country's... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): If active, on average, 15,000 mid-level taxpayers deny paying an estimated 17 billion afghanis amount in taxes annually in Afghanistan, Pajhwok Afghan News has learnt. An official at the Ministry of finance (MoF) said some... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): The prices of liquefied gas, firewood and Russian gold dipped while that of sugar, ghee and flour increased last week in capital Kabul, market sources said Saturday. Sayed Islam, a firewood seller in Charahi-i-Shahid area of... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): The prices of gold, firewood and flour increased while that of sugar decreased last week in Kabul, market sources said Saturday. The week also saw the Afghani currency depreciating against the US dollar and the Pakistani rupee in... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) on Wednesday said banknotes with their color changed or covered by ink could be exchanged until March 20 and then no longer usable for transactions. A statement from DAB to Pajhwok Afghan News said... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): The prices of firewood and petrol increased while that of flour and Arabia gold decreased during the just concluded week in capital Kabul, market sources said Saturday. Sayed Islam, a firewood seller in Charahi Shahid square in... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has said honouring the country's Constitution Day meant celebrating Afghanistan independent, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The president expressed the view at a gathering that marked the... read more

subset: commoncrawl


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Harry Bubbins has been an activist and organizer in the South Bronx for years. Through the organization Friends of Brook Park he has helped establish community gardens, organized environmental tours and help bring to light local struggles of the South Bronx area.
The latest mission has been to provide water access to Mill Pond Park. Here is a recent blog entry and video:
A bucolic canoe trip along the serene shores of a recently built park on the Harlem River in the South Bronx of New York City. With interview of local residents who support advocacy efforts to make the waterway accessible to all.
Mill Pond Park Along Harlem River-
As Part Of Yankee Stadium Replacement Parks Project, New 10-Acre Waterfront Park Opens with no official waterfront access.
Mill Pond Park, a new 10-acre waterfront park created along the Harlem River does not currently allow human power boating access. Help us make canoeing possible in the safe protected coves.
As part of the Yankee Stadium Replacement Parks Project, the City invested $64 million in funds to transform this waterfront site into a new ten-acre park, but with no actual water access.
Parks plans to unveil the newly-restored historic 25,800-square-foot Power House building in Mill Pond Park and will seek an operator to develop 12,900 square feet of space for public programming on the building's second floor. Friends of Brook Park wants to provide public canoe programming, environmental educational services and mollusk restoration with our Bronx-based partners.
As you can see from this video,such recreational opportunities are safe, desirable and highly needed in our South Bronx community.
For more information about how you can help achieve waterfront access in the Bronx, visit: www.friendsofbrookpark.org
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Mountain Home with Great Views
Breathtaking views of Mount Washington turned Texans into New Hampshirites
Texans don't scare easily, and that's a good thing. Transplanted Houstonites Nancy and Dick Gould faced an uphill battle when they decided to erect a spectacular mountain retreat on a hilltop with sweeping panoramas of the Northeast's tallest mountains—the Presidential Range of northern New Hampshire's White Mountains. To take advantage of breathtaking vistas, builders blasted through bedrock, as well as created a three-quarter-mile-long winding driveway.
Now, the couple's handsome home looks like the retreat of a colonial gentleman, but it functions like a sky-high weather observatory. "As morning clouds settle in the valley, we're suddenly transported to what looks like a fjord," says Dick, a real estate developer. The immensely welcoming, two-story beauty with its postcard views is securely nestled on rugged Beech Hill in Twin Mountain.
The Goulds enjoy sunsets from every seat (bathtub included) in the house. "The power of outside transforms the interior more than in any other house we've lived in," explains Nancy, a crafty, antiques-loving bibliophile with an engaging smile and gentle Southern manner. "The southern sun in winter throws orange light on all the fabrics and case pieces and makes them bolder—impossible to ignore."
It took three years to build what Nancy affectionately calls the "tree house." The grand brick facade has Tudor echoes with a porte cochere out front, but the back and side wings are clad in more humble clapboard. A low fieldstone base runs a continuous course and visually pulls the parts together. Out back, a bluestone patio offers an inviting place to stargaze or sip iced tea. "There's nothing else around—just the animals and birds, like red-tail hawks," says Nancy. "From up here, you can get a close-up view of what's real in the world. How a tree blossoms is a story in and of itself."
Just as captivating are the man-made architectural details—from the angled roofline that flares at the end like a hat to the copper gutters that grow more beautiful with age.
Acute observers of the animal kingdom, Nancy and Dick are still in awe of tracks in the snow (whether bear, turkey, or moose), purple mountains wreathed in clouds, and vivid fall foliage. After four years of full-time mountain living, the born-and-bred Texans (with a twang to prove it) ask themselves only one question: "Why did we wait so long?" laughs Dick, only half joking.
With the help of architects Rob Turpin and Sonya Misiaszek as well as builder Dale Blackley, the house the Goulds built is both stylish and substantial. Inside are paneled walls painted dark slate green, an entry graced with a hand-forged iron chandelier, and, flowing to either side, hallways lined floor-to-ceiling with books. "To me, the secret to making a house look lived in is lighting fixtures," says Nancy, who lassoed three matching colonial-style chandeliers in a single lot at a Houston auction.
The hallways reveal one of Nancy's most serious collecting passions—modern first-edition books. (John Steinbeck is her favorite author and Travels with Charley her favorite book.)
She, however, has a roaming eye and is loyal to no one author, collection, or craft. "I dabble in stuff," says the gifted amateur, who has tried her hand at rug hooking, crocheting, needleworking, felting, scissor-cutting (scherenschnitte), and sewing, among other crafts.
Of course, she has interior motivation. "I love to collect, and I love to display," enthuses Nancy, who has accumulated Black Forest carvings, pyrography (designs burned into wood), French ivory, vintage tape measures, porcelain Limoges boxes, turkey platters and plates, theorem paintings, cookbooks ("recipes are a window into how people lived"), copper-luster china, and English enamel Battersea boxes, to name a few. But it's colonial-style crafts made by skilled artisans that put a gleam in her green eyes.
In fact, Nancy made a career out of Early American-style crafts in Houston, where she founded the popular shop Gallery Americana. There she sold handmade furniture by American furniture makers Eldred Wheeler, Gregg E. Perry, Jack McGuire, and David T. Smith, among others, as well as folk art—pottery, basketry, metalwork, and textiles. Most of the shop's top talent lived in New England, which is how the Goulds ended up heading north.
"At first I wasn't convinced about reproductions," admits Nancy, "which shows you how ignorant I was on the subject. Dick got me to look at them 30 years ago, but now I'm absolutely convinced of their worth and usefulness, especially as the antiques we want to live with become less available." So shoppers wouldn't be confused, she never mixed period antiques with reproductions.
But at home, Nancy seamlessly blends old and new. She takes the hard edge off new construction with a sponge-painted fireplace overmantel that duplicates the look of smoke. "Historically, smoke graining was done with the smoke from a lighted candle," explains Nancy, who adds that no interior is complete without books. "We only use old books in the dining room because it adds softness while we're eating," she says. Two heart-and-crown banister-back chairs that sit at the dining room table were made by superstar cabinetmaker Allan Breed of York, Maine.
The Goulds recently discovered the New Hampshire Furniture Masters Association, a group of talented artisans who band together to offer their expertly crafted original designs. "The craftsmen have an annual auction every September, and we've hosted them here," says Dick, who is obviously pleased to stumble upon a homegrown furniture movement. "Ninety-five percent of the people who worked on this house live north of the [Franconia] Notch," he says. "They understand it isn't how fast one works but how well."
Photography: Jonny Valiant and Jospeh St. Pierre
Architects: Robert Turpin and Sonya Misiaszek, Misiaszek Turpin Architecture & Planning, One Mill Plaza, Laconia, NH 03246; 603/527-1617, misiazszekturpin.com.
Builder: Dan Blackey, Twin Oaks Construction, 30 Crescent St., Plymouth, NH 03264; 603/536-1051, twinoaksconstruction.com.
Drapery and upholstery workroom: Lord's of Littleton, 603/444-5336.
The paneled entryway is punctuated with a vintage hand-forged chandelier, a tiger-maple corner cupboard by artisan David LeFort, an antique pedestal game table, and a painted octagonal box by Betsy Salm, author of Women's Painted Furniture.
Wall paint ("Safari" #SW-7697): Sherwin-Williams, 800/474-3794, sherwin-williams.com.
Ceiling paint ("Canvas" #267): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Table (antique pedestal game table): Sherry Kelly's Antiques, 713/520-7575.
Chandelier (antique): Lewis & Maese Auction Co., 713/869-1335, lmauctionco.com.
Corner cabinet (corner cupboard in Tiger Maple): David LeFort, 781/826-9033, lefortfurnituremakers.com.
Area rug (antique Heriz Serapi): Matt Camron Rugs & Tapestries, 713/528-2666, mattcamron.com.
The book-lined hallway is set on an east-west axis and provides a strong organizing element for the layout.
Desk: Terry Moore Fine Furniture, 603/526-7770, terrymoore-furniture.com.
Desk chair ("Lolling Chair"): Eldred Wheeler Furniture, 800/779-5310, eldredwheeler.com.
Chair fabric: owner's collection.
Lights over bookcase ("Dorchester 18-Inch Picture Light"/Bronze #CHD5137): Circa Lighting, 877/762-2323, circalighting.com.
Bookshelves (custom): Dan Plante and Brian Lineman, The Wooden Thumb, 603/444-0004.
Area rug (Antique Persian Serab Runner): Matt Camron Rugs & Tapestries, 713/528-2666, mattcamron.com.
Hallway Desk
An elegant wooden desk sits in a niche of the sunny hallway.
Sunroom Fireplace
The sunroom lights up in every season. The fieldstone fireplace was custom-designed by stonemason Chad Sanborn.
Lounge chairs; coffee table: Crate & Barrel, 800/996-9960, crateandbarrel.com.
Area rug (Antique Sultanabad Mahal):Matt Camron Rugs & Tapestries, 713/528-2666, mattcamron.com.
Fieldstone fireplace (custom): Chad Sanborn, Stone Age Design, 603/267-6600, stoneagedesignnh.com.
Andirons (antique): owner's collection.
Trim paint ("Dash of Pepper" #1554): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Vintage and reproduction lighting fixtures—including this six-light iron chandelier with tole shades—spread a warm glow on new construction. The sofa and chairs are from Crate & Barrel.
Doctor-turned-cabinetmaker Gregg E. Perry of Topton, Pennsylvania, crafted this tiger-maple secretary, which sits in the living room. "I love its velvet feel, curls, secret drawers, and hidden compartments," says Nancy. "It was made here in America with explicit honesty to its original design." Nancy inherited her love of English copper-luster china from her mother.
Wall paint ("Enduring Bronze" #SW-7055): Sherwin-Williams, 800/474-3794, sherwin-williams.com.
Ceiling paint ("Canvas" #267): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Secretary ("Bonnet Top Secretary"/Tiger Maple): Gregg Perry, Gregg Perry Conservation, 610/682-4224, perryantiqueconservation.com.
Living Room
The paneled living room walls, painted in Sherwin-Williams's "Enduring Bronze," change color depending on the light. A pair of armchairs beside the window are covered in a burnt orange damask to complement the antique Turkish Oushak rug underfoot.
See more of this room on the following slides.
Sofa: owner's collection.
Sofa fabric: Sunbrella, 336/221-2211, sunbrella.com.
Coffee table: Theodore Alexander, 336/885-5005, theodorealexander.com.
Chandelier (antique): Lewis & Maese Auction Co., 713/869-1335, lmauctionco.com.
Pair of chairs in toile: owner's collection.
Chair fabric (discontinued): Pindler & Pindler, 805/531-9090, pindler.com.
Round table beside toile chair (antique candlestand); floor lamp: owner's collection.
Area rug (antique Turkish Oushak): Matt Camron Rugs & Tapestries, 713/528-2666, mattcamron.com.
Pair of chairs at window; drop-leaf table between chairs: owner's collection.
Chair fabric ("Trevi Damask"/Spice #18397): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Living Room Detail
Dick scored the Black Forest shadow box and adjusted the glass shelves to display Nancy's hand-painted porcelain Limoges boxes.
Living Room Table
An antique library table creates a quiet space for games and reading in the living room.
Library table (antique); chairs at library table (antique): owner's collection.
Chandelier (antique): Lewis & Maese Auction Co., 713/869-1335, lmauctionco.com.
Living Room Fireplace
A pair of love seats by Henredon sit before an elegant fireplace with a marble surround. The antique Heriz Serapi area rug reflects the sophisticated blue-and-red palette of the rest of the living room.
Love seats (by Henredon): owner's collection.
Love-seat fabric ("Cozy"/Henna #7673, discontinued): Pindler & Pindler, 805/531-9090, pindler.com.
Plaid pillows: owner's collection.
Round table between love seats ("Tiger Maple Tilt-Top Pedestal Table," by Dean Gutzwiller); small round tables flanking fireplace (antique candlestands); table lamps; sconces above fireplace (antique): owner's collection.
Area rug (antique Heriz Serapi): Matt Camron Rugs & Tapestries, 713/528-2666, mattcamron.com.
Fireplace surround: Rojo Alicante marble.
Fireplace fabrication: Dan Plante and Brian Lineman, the Wooden Thumb, 603/444-0004.
Fireplace installation: Scott and July Ellis, 603/527-0526.
The Windsor stools are by New Hampshire furnituremaker Bill Morse. "We both cook, and I am terrified I will cut my arm off someday while lost in a sunset out that window," says Nancy.
Cabinetry: Twin Oaks Construction, 603/536-1051, twinoaksconstruction.com.
Cabinetry hardware (#98 CKP Brand Bail Pull): Cool Knobs and Pulls, 800/811-6302, coolknobsandpulls.com.
Countertop (custom, Tiger Maple): Dan Plante and Brian Lineman, The Wooden Thumb, 603/444-0004.
Chandeliers ("French Bell Classic"/Old Tin #C15): Classic Lighting Devices, 860/267-8814, classiclightingdevices.net.
Wall and cabinetry paint ("Safari" #SW-7697, customized); ceiling paint ("Oyster White" #SW-7637): Sherwin-Williams, 800/474-3794, sherwin-williams.com.
Windsor counter stools (custom): Bill Morse, Dungan-Tingley Chair Works, 603/774-7811, dungan-tingleychairworks.com.
Cooktop: Viking, 888/845-4641, vikingrange.com.
Backsplash (cream subway tile, Classique Wall Tiles): owner's collection.
Area rug (Antique Persian Serab): Matt Camron Rugs & Tapestries, 713/528-2666, mattcamron.com.
Dining Room
A great fireplace makes a room look special. The Goulds warmed up the hearth with sponge painting that looks like smoke (on overmantel and crown molding). "We copied the look from a photograph of an old English fireplace," says Nancy.
Table (trestle table in Tiger Maple); side chairs (bannister-back side chairs): Jack McGuire, McGuire Family Furniture Makers, 802/928-4190, mcguirefamilyfurnituremakers.com.
Armchairs ("Heart and Crown Bannister Back Armchairs"): Allan Breed, , 603/749-6231.
Chandelier (antique): owner's collection.
Area rug (Antique Heriz Serapi): Matt Camron Rugs & Tapestries, 713/528-2666, mattcamron.com.
Mantel and over-mantel (custom, reproduction of an early English fireplace surround): Dan Plante and Brian Lineman, The Wooden Thumb, 603/444-0004.
Grain painted by Jim Gerhold, Houseworks of Houston, 713/459-2351.
Candle sconces (antique); drapery (from previous home): owner's collection.
Paint ("Safari" #SW-7697): Sherwin-Williams, 800/474-3794, sherwin-williams.com.
Glazing: Jim Gerhold, Houseworks of Houston, 713/459-2351.
Ceiling paint ("Canvas" #267): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
A quartet of adirondack chairs and a settee from Restoration Hardware make the perfect spot for sunset cocktails on the spacious patio.
Adirondack chairs: owner's collection.
Settee: Restoration Hardware, 800/910-9836, restorationhardware.com.
Homeowners Nancy and Dick Gould, transplants from Houston, kept artisans and contractors fueled on barbecue and homemade pies and cakes.
The Goulds' collection of unique wooden crafts are displayed throughout the home.
Kid's Bedroom
A stylish room encourages the couple's 14-year old grandson to read after a day of fly-fishing with the family.
Built-in beds: designed by owner.
Bed drapery ("Janice"/Linen): Interior Fabrics, 888/442-6277, interiorfabrics.com
Striped bed linens ("Ticking Stripe Flannel"): L.L. Bean, 800/441-5713, llbean.com.
Table (antique, Cookie Corner Game Table): owner's collection.
Chairs ("1760 Bow Back Side Chair"): Warren Chair Works, 401/247-0426, warrenchairworks.com.
Area rug (Antique Hamadan): Matt Camron Rugs & Tapestries, 713/528-2666, mattcamron.com.
Wall paint ("Polar Bear" #SW-7564): Sherwin-Williams, 800/474-3794, sherwin-willims.com.
Guest Bedroom
The Goulds collect German Black Forest carvings like the vintage table lamp. The upholstered armchair is covered in "Inglebury Silk Check" by Schumacher, and the sepia-toned wallpaper and curtain fabric, "Harwood Toile," is by Cowtan and Tout.
Twin beds; table between beds (antique); table lamp; chandelier (antique): owner's collection.
Bed cover: discontinued.
Wallpaper and drapery ("Harwood Toile"/Sepia, discontinued): Cowtan & Tout, 212/646-9000, cowtan.com.
Ceiling paint (Rattenberg" #AF-70): Benjamin Moore &Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Lounge chair; tole table: owner's collection.
Chair fabric ("Inglebury Sil Check"): Schumacher, 800/523-1200, fshumacher.com.
Master Bedroom
High ceilings add drama to the master bedroom, painted "Raintree Green"—a soothing slate green by Benjamin Moore—which laps up southeast morning light.
Details on the following slide.
Bed: David LeFort, LeFort Furnituremakers, 781/826-9033, lefortfurnituremakers.com.
Drapery and exterior bed drapery ("Slub Dupioni"/Surf): Interior Fabrics, 888/442-6277, interiorfabrics.com.
Interior bed drapery (#41809-430, discontinued); pillows (#31244-405, discontinued): Duralee, 800/275-3872, duralee.com.
Bed-skirt fabric (#25775, discontinued): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Bed linens (antique): owner's collection.
Duvet and quilt ("Pick Stitch"): Pottery Barn, 800/922-5507, potterybarn.com.
Bedside table (antique, 2-drawer Sheraton nightstand); table lamps; throw on bench (antique paisley shawl): owner's collection.
Chandelier (reproduction of an early tin chandelier): David Claggett, 802/824-3194, vermonttinsmith.com.
Bench (custom): David Lamb, David Lamb Furniture, 603/783-9912, davidlambfurniture.com.
Wall and trim paint ("Raintree Green" #1496): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Ceiling paint ("Ivoire" #SW-6127): Sherwin-Williams, 800/474-3794, sherwin-williams.com.
Carpet: Couristan, couristan.com.
Master Bedroom Details
At the foot of the bed is a hand-carved bench by talented New Hampshire furnituremaker David Lamb.
Master Bath
A pedestal bathtub from Sunrise Specialty Co. offers scenic views of the mountains outside.
Wall paint ("Victorian Garden" #1531); trim paint ("Tapestry Beige" #975): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Flooring ("Soho White Hexagon Mosaic"): Walker Zanger, 713/880-9292, walkerzanger.com.
Bathtub (pedestal bath): Sunrise Specialty Co., 510/729-7277, sunrisespecialty.com. Available through Antique Bath Boutique, 800/892-0136.
Bath fixtures ("Hand Shower Tub Filler"): Antique Bath Boutique, 800/892-0136.
Small round table (miniature tray-top candlestand): owner's collection.


text:
Hassan visiting NH hybrid race car competition
The Boston Globe
April 30, 2013
Gov. Maggie Hassan is attending a hybrid race car competition at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The Formula Hybrid Competition is founded and run by the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth.
Hassan is stopping by the track on Tuesday morning.
This year, 20 teams are registered for the event, which runs through Thursday.
The competition inspires budding engineers to think innovatively—and sustainably—as they tackle high-power electronics, hybrid drivetrain design, and restrictions on fuel efficiency.


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The old, old palace is really the heart of the property. This is where you hang out all day, where you eat in one of the five dining rooms and where you sip tea in the one of the six parlors. This where jazz blasts through the loudspeakers and where some of our greatest art is hanging. It's the place to be.
Below you will find a detailed list and images of all the dining rooms and parlors at the palace.
The palace was built in 1657, and has had many eccentric owners since. Each owner influenced the property to meet their fancy, usually by investing large sums in outlandish and avant-garde projects. Like for example building Sweden's very first olympic sized outdoor pool, constructing a water slide from the upper floor into the pool, or digging an underground tunnel between buildings to avoid the perils of a rainy day. On the upper floor of the palace, you'll discover a gothic room made out of wooden panels that were smuggled to Sweden from Mary, The Queen of Scots' castle in Scotland. There's also a dungeon where the delinquent were punished in the basement, a golden bathroom upstairs, an ancient and superbly functioning mechanical bowling alley, and a state of the art kitchen that prepares the most delightful Slow Food.
Rumor has it he in particular enjoyed having a private stair leading directly to the maid's room.
This is the room where the maids lived. All the staff who worked for the Wenner-Gren's had a very beneficial contract; they had full wages, food and lodging all year even though the Wenner-Gren's only stayed at the palace during the summer months.
On the weekend, you check in by the palace entrance, whereas on weekdays you do so at Ljungberg's House down the road. Just to jazz things up a bit.
The sword is believed to be the one Viking Sote used in his battle with Olav Haraldsson in 1006. The two canons by the entrance are Russian from the end of the 15th century. The floor, the star vaults and the vaults in the stairs are original.
Most of the hunting trophies are from the Wenner-Gren era, but Olle Hartwig shot the only golden deer ever spotted on the peninsula.
Due to its location right next to the wine cellar, the dungeon was also a good spot to put roisterers for the night. These days, they get to sober up in a hotel room instead.
The faucets used to be real gold too but Marguerite's trustee, Birger Strid, sold them after Axel's death. Birger Strid was later sentenced to eight years in prison for embezzlement as he had emptied the palace of all its furniture, art and valuables. Long time after he returned to the palace with a bust of Axel that he wanted to return to its real home.
Torsten Kreuger built the swimming pool in the 1930's according to the Olympic standards, 25 x 50 m, of those times. It was the first outdoor swimming pool in Sweden. From this bathroom window he put a slide straight in to the pool. Marguerite unfortunately did not find the slide appropriate for a palace and had it removed.
The room is decorated with a hand painted border by her good friends Dagmar and Olle Lodén. It depicts the history of fashion worn by icons from each era, from Cleopatra to Josephine Baker. Napoleon and his wife Josephine, Elisabeth I, Gustav V, Marlene Dietrich, Karl Gerhard, Hjalmar Branting, Bertil Malmberg, Greta Garbo, Zarah Leander, Paul von Hinderburg, Charles Lindbergh, Harriet Bosse, August Strindberg, mrs Wenner-Gren herself and a lot of other celebrities are depicted on the board. How many faces do you recognize?
The portrait of Lord Oliver Cromwell above the fireplace has an interesting story. It was sold by the trustee Birger Strid following the death of Axel Wenner-Gren and thought to be gone forever. The Hartwig family, who lived in the palace in the 70's, were dedicated to finding and retrieving as many of the lost antiques as they could. One evening the Hartwig family was watching The Persuaders, with roger Moore and Tony Curtis, on TV and saw the portrait in one of the scenes. They immediately called the BBC who sold it back to Häringe Palace.
By the windows is a painting of Gustav Horn who built this palace in 1657. Next to Horn is King Gustav II Adolf, the woman is unknown. The scene is probably taking place in Germany since it was only there the two gentlemen ever met. There is an historical error in the painting that reveals that it is not from the 15th century; kings did not wear the blue ribbon until the age of King Gustav III, i.e. by the end of the 16th century.
Above the doors are motives painted by Flemish artists in the 16th century.
On one of the sides you will find Sweden's first refrigerator where Kreuger stored night snacks and beer. The cabinet weighs over 1000 kg and cannot be taken out of the room. It was the only piece of furniture left in the palace when Olle Hartwig bought the palace on an executive auction in 1974 for 1.7 million SEK.
An impressive collection of wine was included in the deal when the Wenner-Grens took over Häringe Palace from Torsten Kreuger (who was imprisoned and forced to accept a veritably disgraceful bid). The wine cellar here was informally called "Gyllene Freden," due to the fact that the total value of all the wines in here at the time would have been enough to purchase the distinguished restaurant located in the Old Town of Stockholm.
Torsten Kreuger later stated that he could forgive his friends the Wenner-Grens for buying Häringe – including all furnishings – for a paltry sum, but he could never forget that Axel and Marguerite gave Torsten's old parents only six days to move out. You could say that eventually the tides were turned when Birger Strid – the trustee who emptied the palace of everything of value after Axel Wenner-Gren's death – didn't stop at selling the remaining wares, but even sold off the wine cellar shelves.
Torsten Kreuger had this tapestry made. It is a map of the property with all the names and coat of arms of the previous owners. Kreuger was not part of the nobility and his family did not have a coat of arms so he simply created one. As he was an engineer and a constructor he chose a compass and some bricks as his symbols, there are also some freemason symbols in it.


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It's dark, it's light, it's green, it's red. It's full of aliens that want to eat you (or marines that need to be eaten). And there's a bar where you can go to wash away your woes of losses in liquid happiness. Meet the reveal of the new Docking map. You can play it as of sometime tonight (potentially tomorrow) when it's made available.
If you didn't know about Natural Selection 2, where strategy meets first-person shooter, it's definitely a game to keep your eye on.


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The first few weeks without sugar were very challenging and there may or may not have been an incident where I threw myself, flailing, onto the bed like a child proclaiming that this was too hard and I was quitting. The awesome boyfriend in his infinite wisdom dragged me to the grocery store and assured me that we would find something there to cure a sweet tooth.
We came home with a plethora of goodies including sugar free popsicles, low carb ice cream with sugar free chocolate sauce, peanut butter, very dark chocolate, and dry pudding mix. After some careful calculations we decided that making the pudding with heavy cream instead of skim milk might yield some tasty, lower carb results. I'm glad we tried it because it is delicious, and super easy to make.
1 box sugar free Jello pudding in chocolate fudge flavor
2 C heavy whipping cream
- Add entire contents of dry pudding mix to a large bowl.
- Add 2 Cups heavy cream to dry pudding mix.
- Stir briskly with a whisk or a fork until powder has dissolved and there are no lumps.
- Use a spatula to transfer pudding to whatever containers you plan to store or serve it in.
- Place containers in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve cold. Enjoy!
- You don't actually have to transfer the pudding to smaller containers. Sometimes I transfer it to cupcake size cups if I'm bringing it to a party, or I transfer it into single serve containers to keep at home. If you have good self control you can just keep in the large bowl.
- Make sure that whatever you store the pudding in has a lid. You'll get a weird film on the top of it if you don't cover it in the fridge.
- This dish is very calorie dense, so even though the carbs are low you'll want to keep an eye on that and not stuff yourself with it. The entire recipe has about 630 calories so govern yourselves accordingly. If you split it into 4 servings each one will have 160 calories and 7 net carbs. Split it into 6 servings and each will have 105 calories and 4.5 net carbs.
|Halfway through I remembered that there are 2 Cups in a pint.
Go, team elementary school math.
|Tastes just like cookies and cream- I promise!


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Press Room
Town and Country in the News
Thanks to our personalized attention to our clients and our passion for rentals, Town and Country is the fastest growing rental company in Southern California. Our attention to detail, great attitudes and decades of experience have transformed Town and Country into Los Angeles' fresh, new alternative in event rentals!
Here is some of what people have been saying:
We're a listed vendor for a featured wedding at Malibu Rocky Oaks in Inside Weddings! Click the image to view the article and gallery.
A warm, vibrant shot of a Town & Country Latitude 22 Bamboo Latern Tent was included in the Fall Edition of Modern Luxury Weddings California.
Check out the ceremony shot of our Vineyard Cane Back Chairs included in this featured wedding on Carats & Cake.
October 3, 2013
Looking to throw a Gatsby-inspired bash? Look no further, Town & Country Event Rentals has all the decor and equipment to make your vision come to life! We'll provide the rentals; you provide the Leo look-alikes! See our Pinterest board for more!
Town & Country Event Rentals is proud to celebrate Earth Day and is continuously committed to the preservation of the environment with our "Green" efforts! Be assured that behind all of our party rental operations, we are working hard to lessen our carbon footprint!
February 15, 2013 / by Nicola in Be Inspired, Weddings / Photo by Emma Wynn Photography
By Lauren Matthews / Bizbash / Posted February 5, 2013
Photo by Christopher Todd Studio
January 15, 2013
By Alesandra Dubin / BizBash / Posted January 14, 2013
January 9, 2013
By Joana Mangune / Bizbash / Posted 1-7-13
November 10, 2012 - Lisa Boone / L.A. Times
November 6, 2012 - By Alesandra Dubin / BizBash
By Alesandra Dubin / BisBash / Posted October 10, 2012
October 2, 2012 - Alesandra Dubin / Bizbash
September 24, 2012 - By Alesandra Dublin / Bizbash
May 29, 2012 - By Alesandra Dubin / BizBash
April 26, 2012 - U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow, the travel industry's major international marketplace, wrapped its run from Sunday through Wednesday at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
April 25, 2012 - Casa Elar ('L' 'R'), Ojai Valley Inn & Spa's Private Estate, has recently been released for weddings and special events.
April 23, 2012 - Avant/Garde Diaries, a Daimler/Mercedes-Benz-backed initiative to bring together art and culture communities, launched its second festival on Thursday, kicking off the buzzy, Mike D-curated "Mercedes-Benz Transmission L.A.: A.V.
March 15, 2012 - Recalling shades of huge-scale, fan-mobbed Twilight premieres, Lionsgate opened The Hunger Games on Monday at L.A. Lives's Nokia Theatre with big buzz and a throng of fans eager to lend their enthusiasm to build excitement around the picture.
February 27, 2012 - The Visionary Group designed racing-style chairs using actual Ford seats, at which guests could sit and customize vehicles using iPads. Kinetic uplit the area in blue, and Town & Country provided the event's rentals.
Photo: Sean Twomey/2me Studios
February 27, 2012 - The Elton John AIDS Foundation celebrated its 20th annual viewing party at the newly redesigned West Hollywood Park, a change of venue from its usual haunt, the Pacific Design Center.
February 27, 2012 - At the U.S.-Ireland Alliance's seventh annual awards, three Academy Award nominees (John Logan, Melissa McCarthy, and Michelle Williams) scooped up the honors. Entertainment came from Irish singers Sharon Corr, Cathy Davey and Colin Devlin, and Size2Shoes, a.k.a.
February 16, 2012 - A nice little treasure has recently appeared in the Pasadena wedding and event family. The empire of Town & Country Event Rentals has just established a showroom on Arroyo Parkway.
Among the colorful events to celebrate the 500th episode of The Simpsons was a party at the
Summit Entertainment's new thriller, Man on a Ledge, premiered with a screening Monday night at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
Sunday brought a threat of rain, so the sprawling red carpet at the Beverly Hilton got a clear-top tent for the 69th annual Golden Globes
With only two days to go before the Golden Globes awards show, workmen are rolling out the red carpet and constructing bleachers alongside it for fans who are lucky enough to have tickets to see the stars arriving up close.
- Veuve Clicquot Polo Event
- HBO Emmy After Party
- Fox's 'X Factor' Premiere
- LA Times: The Taste Food & Wine
- Kardashian Kollection Launch
- Malibu TV Critics Party
- CBS Television Critics Association Party
- Top Influential's in the Event Industry - Featuring Richard LoGuercio
- Angeleno's Restaurant Awards and Live & Dine L.A.
- Univision and TeleFutura Local Upfront
- BET "Pre" Dinner Before the BET Awards
- RadioShack and HTC Pop-Up 3-D Lounge
- Muscle Milk Fitness Retreat
- T&C Expanding to New Pasadena Location
- Town & Country Features New Products at the BizBash Expo
- The Price is Right Wrap Party
- Michelle & Ryan's Wedding
- Maxim Hot 100 Party
- Style Unveiled: Multi-Colored Chiavari Chairs
- Rental Items for Summer - Featuring Town & Country
- Nescafé Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine Launch
- Battle: Los Angeles Premiere
- NBA All Star Pre-Game Show & After-Party
- Santa Barbara Wine Country Wedding Photo-Shoot
- Inside Look: Golden Globes Red Carpet Set-Up
- Fox Golden Globes Party
- HBO Golden Globes Party
- Green Hornet Premiere Arrivals & After-Party
- Kicking off the New Year at the Rose Bowl
- People's Choice Award After-Party
- Divine Design Gala Night
- American Music Awards Arrivals & After-Party
- Beverly Hills Fashion Festival
- Santa Barbara Wedding - Valerie & Blaine
- The Women's Conference 2010
- French Outdoor Wedding Inspiration
- Cool New Chairs - Featured on Special Events
- The Bar Scene
- HBO Emmy After Party
- ATAS Party for Emmy-Nominated Writers
- BlackBerry Torch Launch Party
- A Mod Wedding
- InStyle Weddings Magazine, Summer 2010 - Boone/Chorney Wedding
- Salt Premiere Party
- Concern Foundation Block Party
- 4 Summery Ideas for Entertaining in Los Angeles
- The Karate Kid Premiere
- Disney Media Distribution International Upfront
- Maxim Hot 100 Party
- Capcom's Launch for Lost Planet 2
- Chagoury Couture North American Debut
- The Colleagues Spring Luncheon
- Clash of the Titans Premiere
- Vanity Fair Oscar Party
- HBO's Pacific Premiere Party
- The Ultimate Wave Tahiti Premiere
- Art Director's Guild Awards
- Valentine's Day Premiere
- Party Rental Forecast for 2010
- CBS Films Chooses Historic Hollywood Venues to Debut First Feature
- Choice Seat - Amalfi Stool
- HBO Golden Globe After Party
- Fox TV Critics Party
- 2009 Special Events Gala Award "Best Achievement in Rental Support"
- Avatar Premiere
- Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Launch
- Project Angel Food's Divine Design Opening Night
- American Music Awards Arrivals and After-Party
- Hello Kitty's "Three Apples" 35th Anniversary Pop Up
- Michael Jackson's This Is It Premiere
- The Women's Conference 2009
- Huntington Hospital Advocate: Fall 2009: LoGuercio Article
- Contributing To Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- 4 Ideas for Food-Focused Events
- The Simpson's 20th Anniversary and "Treehouse of Horrors" Episode Party
- Alfred Mann Foundation Gala
- HBO's Post-Emmy After Party 2009
- HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm Premiere
- Kenneth Cole's Feed Health Backpack Launch
- The CW's Melrose Place Launch Party
- Television Critics Association Press Tour
- Tag Signature Series Launch
- Universal Picture's Funny People Premiere Party
- Entourage Season Premiere Party
- Paramount's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Premiere
- The Taking of Pelham 123 Movie Premiere & Party
- Lupus L.A. Orange Ball
- Star Trek Premiere and Party
- HBO's Grey Gardens Premiere Party
- Allergan's Latisse Launch Party
- Emmy's College Television Awards
- ColleagueLuncheon & Fashion Show
- Paramount's I Love You, Man Premiere s Spring
- Elton John's Oscar After Party
- Street Fighter IV Launch
- Class Fashion Trade Show
- HBO Golden Globe After Party - Golden Revival
- SDSA MarketPlace 2008
- The Women's Conference in Long Beach
- Esquire House in the Hollywood Hills
- HBO's Emmy After-Party
- HBO's True Blood Party
- 90210 Premiere Party in Malibu
- California Culture - Fashion Trade Show
- Introduing Town & Country's Newest VP of Sales & Operations
- Your Day, Your Rules - Give Your Wedding a Personel Touch
- Italian Sneaker Brand Superga Hosts Family Picnic
- Santa Barbara / Wedding Chic Blog - Amalfi Cabana & Vogue
- Angeleno Magazine's Favorite Picks
- Hancock Premiere
- Santa Barbara / Wedding Chic Blog - Translucent
- Ranch Dressing - Bony Pony Ranch fund-raiser
- Tabletops That Send a Message
- Scrabble Diamond Anniversary Celebration
- Got a Light? - Trendy Candleholders
- Angeleno Summer Release Party
- Maxim Magazine: "Hot 100" party's New York-to-L.A. move
- Tea Time: A private home set up for high tea and spa services
- International Relations
- A Multi-Color Light Show at Smashbox Studios
- Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation's Annual Stellar Night Gala
- BlackBerry's Pink Pearl Launch Woos the Ladies
- Starz's Party gave the Mondrian Hotel's classic Skybar a fresh look
- Dussault Opening on Melrose Avenue
- Guitar Hero Takes Over Best Buy Rooftop With Burning Man-Style Launch
- Padres Contra el Cancer's Benefit Dinner
- Starz Party Features "Stratospheric, Suffocating" Designs
- Purple Reign - Thai-inspired spectacle that was HBO's Emmy party
- The Simpsons Movie Premiere and After-Party
- Out to Pasture - Peetes' Good Karma Grows Fund-Raiser
- ABC International Television Upfront Presentation.
- Diesel Launch Takes Over Melrose Place
- The AIDS fund-raiser at the Abbey
- Event Report: HBO Golden Globe 2006
- Special Event Magazine: The Last Word.


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Topic: OS X 10.8
Apple again blocks latest version of Java through OS X anti-malware system
01/31/2013, 09:01 am
The recently released Java 7 Update 11 has been blocked by Apple through its XProtect anti-malware feature in OS X.
OS X Mountain Lion overtakes Lion internet share for first time
01/04/2013, 05:01 pm
Apple's newest operating system, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, accounted for more than 32 percent of all internet traffic originating from Apple computers in December, and is nearly doubling the growth seen previously by OS X 10.7 Lion, a recent study found.
Apple's Fusion Drive cuts Mac startup time in half, triples read/write speeds
11/09/2012, 09:11 am
A hands-on test with Apple's Fusion Drive inside the new Mac mini has found that the hybrid hard drive, with both solid-state flash memory and a traditional spinning hard drive, offers a significant performance boost.
Parallels Desktop 8 update enhances support for Windows 8
11/08/2012, 01:11 pm
Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac has been updated with expanded support for Microsoft's newly released Windows 8 operating system.
Microsoft reveals strong pre-sales of Windows 8 in quarterly earnings
10/19/2012, 03:10 pm
Sales of Windows PCs plunged ahead of the forthcoming release of Windows 8, but Microsoft saw strong pre-sales for its next-generation operating system ahead of its Oct. 26 launch.
Apple releases Mountain Lion 10.8.2 with Facebook integration
09/19/2012, 01:09 pm
On the heels of the release of iOS 6, Apple has also publicly issued OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2, a major update featuring system-wide Facebook integration for the Mac.
Apple seeds second OS X 10.8.2 build in three days, hints at imminent release
09/14/2012, 10:09 pm
Three days after Apple pushed out build 12C50 of OS X 10.8.2 Mountain Lion to developers, the company has seeded an updated version, possibly hinting that a public release is imminent.
Apple working to improve Power Nap feature in latest 10.8.2 beta
09/05/2012, 09:09 pm
Apple seeded a new OS X 10.8.2 beta on Wednesday, asking developers to focus on a number of areas including the Power Nap feature introduced with Mountain Lion.
Parallels 8 now available with 30% faster 3D graphics, 25% faster Windows startup
09/04/2012, 08:09 am
Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac officially launched to the public on Tuesday, offering new features like support for Apple's Retina display MacBook Pro, along with improved performance and faster startup times.
Apple's OS X passes Windows Vista in worldwide usage
09/03/2012, 08:09 am
Total Web usage of Apple's OS X operating system has exceeded Microsoft's Windows Vista, while for the first time, Windows 7 has topped Windows XP to become the world's largest operating system.
OS X Mountain Lion passes 10% adoption in one month, on track to outperform Lion
08/30/2012, 07:08 pm
A study from ad network Chitika found that after only one month of availability, Apple's latest OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion has garnered over 10 percent of all Mac-based ad impressions after enjoying a high adoption rate that shows no signs of slowing down.
Apple continues testing Facebook integration with second beta of OS X 10.8.2
08/29/2012, 06:08 pm
Apple on Wednesday provided developers with the second beta of OS X 10.8.2 Mountain Lion, less than a week after the first beta became available.
Apple invites developers to begin testing OS X 10.8.2
08/22/2012, 02:08 pm
Even before OS X 10.8.1 is publicly released, Apple has begun inviting developers to test the following version of OS X Mountain Lion, identified as 10.8.2.
OS X 10.8.1 beta said to substantially improve battery life
08/21/2012, 11:08 am
Apple's pre-release build of OS X 10.8.1 Mountain Lion has improved MacBook battery life by as much as four hours, according to one developer.
OS X Mountain Lion may be degrading battery life, test shows
08/09/2012, 12:08 am
In response to an Apple Support Communities forum thread, a report on Tuesday offers anecdotal evidence that the new OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion may be causing battery life issues for some MacBook users.
OS X Mountain Lion users reporting laptop battery life issues
08/03/2012, 02:08 pm
A number of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air owners who updated to the recently-released OS X Mountain Lion are complaining of battery performance issues, with some reporting their batteries only last half as long as when OS X 10.7 Lion was installed.
Downloads of Apple's OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion top 3 million in 4 days
07/30/2012, 08:07 am
Apple's newly updated Mac operating system, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, has been downloaded more than 3 million times in its first four days, the company announced on Monday.
Apple OS X Mountain Lion hits 3.2% penetration in two days
07/27/2012, 04:07 pm
After being on the market for just 48 hours, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion is already accounting for 3.2 percent of all Mac web traffic and is on track to become one of the most quickly adopted operating systems in history.
Mountain Lion easter egg references debut of original Apple Macintosh
07/26/2012, 04:07 pm
Incomplete downloads in OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion show a "Date Modified" of Jan. 24, 1984, a reference to the day when Apple's very first Macintosh was unveiled by Steve Jobs.
Apple OS X Lion pulled as Mountain Lion rolls out
07/25/2012, 06:07 pm
Apple on Wednesday pulled its last-generation OS X Lion from both the Mac App Store and brick-and-mortar Apple Stores amid the launch of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion OS.


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H_ow Hillary Clinton wishes the Wiki-Leaked cables had read:_
SOURCE: Embassy Berlin
(S/NF) Following a series of heated telephone exchanges, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) met face to face with German deputy Rolf Müller to discuss the abduction and rendition of German national who CIA believed was Al Qaeda mastermind Abdul al-Wassam—later discovered to be Wacky Fritz, a popular children's television personality.
(S/NF) DCM responded to Müller's concerns in a calm, mellifluous voice—his tone equal parts firm and soothing—artfully defending the CIA's methods while reiterating USG's deepest regard for both Wacky Fritz and the larger community of German children's television personalities.
(S/NF) Within five minutes, Müller appeared wholly mollified—perhaps even touched—by DCM's argument. Schnapps was poured and the meeting concluded with warm embraces and assurances of mutual coöperation, at which point Müller volunteered the address of Hoppy Boing Boing, a beloved Stuttgart-based kangaroo puppet with suspected ties to North Korea. (END DISPATCH.)
SOURCE: Embassy Tel Aviv
(S/NF) Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak visited post to review new State Department-sponsored peace initiative. After carefully reviewing the one-page, six-hundred-word document, Barak removed his reading glasses and whispered, "By God, you've done it. You've actually done it." He continued in a quavering voice, "And who could have guessed it was so simple!"
Within two hours, Barak was joined by Benjamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas, who both reacted with the same combination of relief and euphoria, and Abbas estimated chances of success at somewhere between "one hundred per cent and one million per cent." Netanyahu was similarly effusive, praising the State Department's "seemingly preternatural ability" to anticipate and resolve "every infinitesimal detail" of the byzantine conflict without necessitating any territorial, economic, or sociological concessions from either side.
(S/NF) Although Abbas and Netanyahu were eager to make a joint statement immediately, Ambassador successfully convinced them to delay the announcement until spring, 2011, so as to insure the best possible weather at Camp David. (END DISPATCH.)
SOURCE: Embassy Moscow
(S/NF) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov entered meeting in a combative mood, denouncing the Pentagon's proposed ballistic-missile-defense site in Poland in the strongest terms. Lavrov suggested to DCM that continued US intransigence could destabilize US-Russia relations.
(S/NF) What followed can only be described as a masterpiece of modern diplomacy. Shifting effortlessly between Russian, French, and Ancient Greek, DCM unfurled a sweeping counterargument—not so much a policy discussion as a grand, deeply human drama worthy of Tolstoy—that incorporated elements of ballet, puppetry, and Hindu mysticism, and elicited both raucous laughter and bitter tears on four separate occasions. DCM concluded his presentation with a humble paean to the moon, accompanied by the soft roll of a timpani to symbolize the march of time.
(S/NF) Immediately, the room erupted in ecstatic applause, and the DCM was besieged by starstruck Russian diplomats who had apparently come to think of him as some sort of god. Foreign Minister Lavrov apologized for his insolence, and insisted that the USG proceed with the proposed missile-defense site with all haste. (END DISPATCH.)
SOURCE: Embassy Seoul
(S/NF) DCM invited South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Sung-hwan and his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, to informal luncheon at post, to defuse tension between PRC and ROK regarding North Korea strategy. Meeting got off to an inauspicious start when Yang arrived thirty minutes late and then refused a plate of specially prepared kimchi, stating, "It looks like throw-up."
(S/NF) With Chinese MFA already on edge, Kim committed a severe faux pas by making reference to a classified PRC intelligence report. It was at this point that Yang seemed to "snap"—screaming obscenities in Mandarin while hurling daikon radishes across the table, clearly aiming for the eyes.
(S/NF) Suddenly, Yang clutched his chest and collapsed to the ground, suffering a massive coronary. Calling on his training as a lifeguard during lazy boyhood summers in Maine, DCM sprang into action and administered CPR to the Foreign Minister—depressing his sternum precisely five cm., and maintaining the ideal compression-to-ventilation ratio of 30:2. After eight harrowing minutes, the Foreign Minister regained consciousness and exhibited a strong, regular pulse.
(S/NF) Yang returned to the table a changed man. He said that the near-death experience had really "put things in perspective," and pledged "transparency in all things" going forward. Then, totally unprompted, Yang suggested an unscheduled stopover in Taiwan, musing that he was "feeling lucky." (END DISPATCH.)
SOURCE: Embassy Kabul
(S/NF) At approximately 2300 hours, Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) Frank Ruggiero was summoned to the Presidential palace in Kabul. SCR was escorted through a hidden passageway to the banquet hall, where, to his astonishment, he found President Hamid Karzai chatting amiably with Taliban leader Mullah Omar and several members of the Pakistani ISI. At center was a large table laden with kebabs, savory flatbreads, and seasoned rice, and it was obvious that everyone had been smoking hashish for several hours.
(S/NF) Mullah Omar said that after weeks of soul-searching he had decided that it was time to "let bygones be bygones," and that there was no issue that Taliban, GIRoA, and USG could not resolve through simple compromise and friendly games such as rock-paper-scissors. "After all," he said, "it's just religion."
(S/NF) At this point, the President's brother Ahmed Wali Karzai (AWK) entered and presented SCR with a cashier's check for USD 400,000,000,000 to cover various military and diplomatic costs incurred in Afghanistan since 2001, plus an eighteen-per-cent gratuity.
(S/NF) SCR then attempted to congratulate the newly minted allies, but found himself rebuffed, as Omar and Karzai insisted that their truce would not have been possible without the wisdom, tact, and unfailing discretion of the US diplomatic corps. Official announcement scheduled for spring, 2011, so as to insure the best possible weather at Camp David. (END DISPATCH.) ♦