We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
A 23 year-old (legal) Polish immigrant with a US accounting degree. Works for Task Rabbit (taskrabbit.com) on weekends. Strong. Eager to work and lift and to move stuff around and throw out brown furniture that nobody wants or is willing to take away. Dumpster. And we moved or purged tons of books and moved heavy furniture around.
Best thing about this kid: I said after an hour and half of shlepping that it was time for a ten-minute break. Want a coffee? Bustelo? He said "Yes, please. And may I try your piano during our break? I have never played a Steinway." Sure, I said.
Self-taught, played his own sort of Keith Jarrett-like jazz. A delight, a gentle touch. Told him he had God's gift of some talent, and should stick with it. He said he played around with a cheap keyboard.
Great at getting rid of household cluttered stuff. Moving fast with me as a second body. $30/hr is a bargain, and with piano, it feels free.
I thought he was inspired by Jarrett, but he had never heard of Keith Jarrett. I have always loved Keith so I turned him on to Keith. Here's Keith:
Jarrett is wonderful to listen to, not so much fun watch in action. A number of fine artist are like that. I admit I have a preference for a more detached, reserved performance style. But there is no doubting that Jarrett has had a significant and wonderful career as one of the country's finest musicians.
This young man has a good talent stack! Good on him.
Jarrett's performance of Shostakovitch's 24 Preludes and Fugues, and of certain Handel keyboard sonatas, are staples in my record collection. He mercifully refrains from humming during them.
I love this kind of playing. Bill Evans is one of my favorites too. Brubeck too...who us also largely self taught. But for pure piano porn it would be Khatia Buniatishvili over Lang Lang. Both are distracting. Both play well. But Khatia really works the hair.