By Juan C. Ayllon WOODSTOCK, IL -- For many, the 1993 comedy, Groundhog Day, is a perfect metaphor for the year 2020, and Woodstock Square, where much of the film was shot, will be forever linked with the hit that starred actors Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.
Earlier today after dropping off a Jimmy John's tuna sub to my wife, Belle (who was at work), I traveled the country roads out to Woodstock, IL. I had spent a lot of time there with a childhood friend, and having just submitted an audio equipment review and being on holiday with no one to share the afternoon, it seemed like an opportune time to get out and see this old haunt.
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By Juan C. Ayllon Yesterday, my wife, Belle, made up her famous French Toast accompanied with leftover ham and apple slices, and the results were both magical and scrumptious! We savored her culinary delight as we binge-watched an exciting HD TV series. Accompanied by the Pass Labs XP-12 preamplifier, X250.8 amp, Torus Power AVR2 ELITE 20 Isolation Transformer, Lampizator Big 7 DAC, Usher Mini Dancer 2 DMD speakers and Hsu Research ULSl-15 Mk2 sub, the resulting aural treat was spectacular!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Last night, I decided to expand the focus of my blog to include more on the social and spiritual aspects of life, and I thought that this interview of my longtime friend, Tom Morris, written in 2016, would be a perfect way to kick things off. PALM DESERT, CA — He came close three years earlier at a Billy Graham Crusade, but it wasn’t until a fateful ride in a Hearse that he began his journey of faith -- which ultimately led to his outreach program for grief stricken teenagers. “I wanted to go forward,” Tom Morris recounts of his Crusade experience, “but my parents told me I didn’t have to because I was Presbyterian.” He laughs. READ MORE... Life Imitating Art -- a Home Haircut Inspired by Colin Farrell's Character in Netflix's 'Ava'12/13/2020 By Juan C. Ayllon Last night while my wife and I experienced the Netflix movie, Ava, on big screen TV and two channel hi-fi, we were impressed with actor Colin Farrell's rakish, military style buzz cut. With the widespread COVID-19 alerts abounding, we'd already been discussing the prospects of her cutting my hair. Looking at each other, we said, "Why not?"
For the first time ever, Belle gave me a haircut, and the results are quite gratifying. I think I've found my new barber! By Juan C. Ayllon Christmas and the winter holidays are fast approaching, and with the uncharacteristic decline in social gathering, shopping and other public activities due to COVID concerns, this translates to more time spent at home than usual. Here at Prairie Audio, that means remote teaching, an online Spanish class, lifting weights in the basement, binge-watching with Belle, tying-off some reviews, preparing for others, and shaking things up in the equipment rack.
By Juan C. Ayllon With the winter holidays, COVID-19, and the myriad of distractions of living in our 21st Century post modern world, it's easy to disregard seemingly inconsequential warnings that, left unheeded, could prove more costly or disastrous than we'd ever imagine.
It's 5:45 AM Wednesday and it's dark outside. Achy and sweating, I am sipping coffee on a weight bench in our basement storage room gym, regrouping between sets of heavy squats. Getting back in shape is hard work, and with remote teaching lessons, an SIP meeting afterwards, diet and review considerations ahead, I am psyching myself up for the next set. |
Juan C. AyllonA writer, artist, educator and owner of Prairie Audio Man Cave, he lives with his wife, Isabel (AKA Belle), and their Goldendoodle, Liam, enjoys listening to high fidelity music and all things hi-fi at their home in the greater Chicagoland area.. Archives
March 2024
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