Incredible football kick

This is quite unique: with one kick the ball hits both goal posts.

estivaLugano: Gruppo Mandolinistico Gandria

The "Gruppo Mandolinistico Gandria" performed a beautiful concert of a wide variety of musical pieces in Piazza San Carlo in Lugano on Tuesday. Most enjoyable.

From the progamme:
Concert of the Gandria Mandolin Group, founded in 1976 with the intention of diffusing the mandolin tradition. The repertoire includes original pieces for pizzicato and classical pieces.

estivaLugano 2011: Rancho Folclórico Regiões de Portugual

The Portuguese folkloristic group Rancho Folclórico Regiões de Portugual gave an open-air performance in Lugano tonight as part of the estivaLugano cultural events offered free of charge by the city of Lugano.

Concert in Lugano: Maristella Patuzzi

On Sunday evening I went to the violin concert at the Lugano Conservatory of Music. Of the three pieces performed by Maristella Patuzzi, I liked the the  String Quintet in C major by F. Schubert best.

Concert in Lugano

It was at a nice concert in Lugano, performed by students of the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana. At the request of a spokesperson for the student association I am not uploading a video to YouTube.

Svizzera in movimento

I walked in this year's competition of "Switzerland moves", a most enjoyable hike. Got lost a couple of times, but found my way again quickly. I recorded my track and uploaded it here on Google maps.

It is an annual event promoted by the Federal Office for Sport to motivate people to do physical exercise for the benefit of good health. The population of several neighbouring municipalities compete for a symbolic trophy.

Hike on Monti di Medeglia

Went for a short hike yesterday, 6.4 km (4 miles), with a friend on the west slope of Monti di Medeglia near Rivera, Ticino, Switzerland. I uploaded the recorded track here on Google Maps.

Wild strawberries

I picked the first wild strawberry in the garden today. Delicious!

The arrogance of authority

Got a good joke forwarded to me today:

A DEA officer stopped at a ranch in Texas and talked with an old rancher. He told the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs."

The rancher said, "Okay, but don't go in that field over there.....", as he pointed out the location.

The DEA officer verbally exploded saying, "Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me !"

Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removed his badge and proudly displayed it to the rancher. "See this badge?! This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish.... On any land !! No questions asked or answers given!! Have I made myself clear......do you understand ?!!"

The rancher nodded politely, apologized, and went about his chores.

A short time later, the old rancher heard loud screams, looked up, and saw the DEA officer running for his life, being chased by the rancher's big Santa Gertrudis bull......

With every step the bull was gaining ground on the officer, and it seemed likely that he'd sure enough get gored before he reached safety. The officer was clearly terrified.

The rancher threw down his tools, ran to the fence and yelled at the top of his lungs.....
"Your badge, show him your BADGE........ ! !"

Robert Schumann: Quintet, op. 44

Note added on 17 May 2011

- - - -  D E L E T E D  - - - - 

At the request of a spokesperson for the student association I deleted my video on YouTube and consequently also my comments here.

Darius Milhaud: Suite, op. 157b

Note added on 17 May 2011

- - - -  D E L E T E D  - - - - 

At the request of a spokesperson for the student association I deleted my video on YouTube and consequently also my comments here.

Concert in Lugano

The second concert in this year's series of six concerts organised by the student association of the Lugano Conservatory of Music was performed splendidly. The programme is unfortunately not available online but on request I received it by email and this PDF file can be viewed here.

The concert comprised:

1. Darius Milhaud: Suite for violin, clarinet and piano, op. 157b
2. Edvard Grieg: Lieder (6), op. 48
3. Robert Schumann: Quintet for two violins, viola, cello and piano in E flat major, op. 44

I video-recorded the first and third part of the concert and will upload the videos to YouTube later today or tomorrow. Gloria de Piante Vicin, whose photo I show above, played the piano in the Robert Schuman quintet.

Hike on Monte San Clemente

Back in Switzerland, I went for a hike with a friend today on Monte San Clemente, which is really just a hill. The little church on top was under repair and the photo I am attaching is from last year's visit to that place. I recorded the hike and put it here on Google Maps.

Buying mangos at Chatuchak fruit market.

The only problem is the limited weight allowance of 20 kg on the flight to Switzerland.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5 (subsequently edited)

Bhumipol bridge in Bangkok

Two days ago, on my way to the dentist, I was for the first time driven accross the Bhumipol bridge that was opened for traffic in September 2006. Very impressive construction.

Happy New Year 2011

Best wishes to my readers for good health and happiness in the New Year. In Bangkok, Thailand at the moment I went for a dinner cruise on the Chaophraya river with friends, followed by viewing the fireworks display at midnight.