What would you do if you won a million dollars

[thalbergmad]

Anyway, bearing in mind your recent contributions to another thread on this forum, might one reasonably presume that, if you did indeed win such a sum, you'd earmark a decent amount of it to buy the Powell OC recording when it comes out?

Bearing in mind your recent contributions to another thread on this forum, might one reasonably assume that i would not get much change.

Thal

[ahinton]

Bearing in mind your recent contributions to another thread on this forum, might one reasonably assume that i would not get much change.

I think that there should be a question mark after that, in order to identify it as a question but, since I have already done that, my unequivocal answer is no, unless the US dollar had collapsed almost completely by the time you happened to get around to purchasing the item and you sought to purchase it in US dollars rather than with a more sustainable currency.

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

OK, I am prepared to pay 500,000 Zimbabwean dollars for said disk.

Thal

[ahinton]

OK, I am prepared to pay 500,000 Zimbabwean dollars for said disk.

In which case I rather think that you'll be unlikely to get it (unless the record company that makes it has a Zimbabwean distributor, which is, I suspect, somewhat unlikely).

Best,

Alistair

[communist]

i would spend it on booze and pot

[pmz310]

i would spend it on booze and pot

for your communist party? hahaha

[rc]

i'll bet it wouldn't take too long to spend a million on booze and pot.  I once whittled away 20,000 partying over a couple of months.  oops.

[ahinton]

Maybe send Thal to charm school - oh, no, wait abit, a mere million wouldn't cover the fees, would it?...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

How about sending Hinty back to Jockland.

You could get a massive croft on Lewis, a giant wine vault and enough change for some Jonathon Powell Cd's.

Of course, it would have to be sufficiently remote to ensure there would be no internet access.

Thal

[ahinton]

How about sending Hinty back to Jockland.

You could get a massive croft on Lewis, a giant wine vault and enough change for some Jonathon Powell Cd's.

A slight mix - and/or inconsistency - or pronouns here, it would seem, since the first paragraph appears to be addressed to anyone who might think of sending someone somewhere but the second appears to be addressed to me personally - and I don't think that even you would consider the notion of my sending myself anywhere.

Of course, the cost of relocating me to another country would not be small and would have to be borne somehow and by someone who is hopefully not "strapped" for cash" ("Jock" and "Strap" - geddit?); it would also be an inordinate waste of money, since I propose in any case to relocate myself to another country in due course (albeit not Scotland). I must admit that I had no idea that there were "giant wine vaults" on the island of Lewis; one learns something new every day. I already have all the Jonathan Powell CDs that I need, thanks - apart, of course, from those which have yet to be released and those which he has yet to make. Wouldn't the island's proximity to St. Kilda (albeit not THAT close, of course, but certainly much closer than Bath) bother you?

Of course, it would have to be sufficiently remote to ensure there would be no internet access.

Whilst I am no authority on the subject, I imagine that the island of Lewis now has broadband access and, even if it doesn't, it soon will have.

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

I already have all the Jonathan Powell CDs that I need, thanks - apart, of course, from those which have yet to be released and those which he has yet to make.

Well done, you actually didn't mention the long awaited recording of the OC.

Hope you have enough palm leafs for said recording and don't forget to hire a donkey from the animal sanctuary. Such a world shattering event deserves such treatment.

Thal

[ahinton]

Well done, you actually didn't mention the long awaited recording of the OC.

Why would I do so here? You, not I, were the one who raised the subject of Jonathan Powell CDs, after all - and now you're doing it again, so the least that I can do is thank you for the free PR...

Hope you have enough palm leafs for said recording

Why? I'm sure that the recording will take place indoors, so they wouldn't be required to shelter the pianist...

and don't forget to hire a donkey from the animal sanctuary.

For what purpose? To turn pages? I said I might ask you to do that and, whatever anyone else might think, I, at least, am well aware that there is a difference between you and a donkey.

Such a world shattering event deserves such treatment.

I'm sure that, in due time, it will get the treatment that it deserves; in the meantime, what treatment you ought to have is quite another matter and one upon which I have insufficient medical qualifications, expertise and experience to enable me to pronounce.

Best,

Alistair

[pmz310]

ahinton and thal, you guys are always arguing, what is it with you guys?

[ahinton]

ahinton and thal, you guys are always arguing, what is it with you guys?

Not at all. I cannot speak for Thal, of course, but I endeavour to respond to his posts in an appropriate manner and I don't think that there's much actual argumentative content in those responses; as to Thal himself, he writes as he chooses and, if he wishes to give the impression of being argumentative, abrasive or anything else when writing (whether or not in exchanges with me), that is surely his prerogative and no one else's.

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Why? I'm sure that the recording will take place indoors, so they wouldn't be required to shelter the pianist...

But surely he will want to arrive in some style, so the Sorabjians can be allowed to adore him.

Thal

[ahinton]

But surely he will want to arrive in some style, so the Sorabjians can be allowed to adore him.

If by "He" you mean Jonathan Powell, he will arrive in the style in which he would customarily expect to arrive at the recording venue concerned, almost certainly unaccompanied; the only people likely to be present at the sessions will be the engineer/producer, assistant, page-turner and piano technician, so your suggested requirement for palm leaves remains highly dubious.

Anyway, I don't see what this has to do with what people here would do if they won a million dollars in currency of unspecified origin beyond its use of the name "dollar".

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

This is not right, such an event should not be so low key. And what about the crane needed to lower the score onto the piano?

Perhaps like Liberace, he should arrive in a pink Rolls Royce. Private jet should also be considered.

I was thinking about using my million dollars to hire the new Wembley Stadium for the first live performance. Do you think there will be enough seats?

Thal

[ahinton]

This is not right,

No - we agree there.

such an event should not be so low key.

Thal, this is where you seem remarkably unable to understand realities; the occasion of the recording itself will be a "big event" only to those directly involved in that recording. Nothing to do with it will resemble a "big event" until the recording it out there to be assimilated by listeners, critis and the rest.

And what about the crane needed to lower the score onto the piano?

No such equipment was required to do this for previous recordings, so why should Jonathan's be any different?

Perhaps like Liberace, he should arrive in a pink Rolls Royce. Private jet should also be considered.

For God's sakes, make you mind up as to which! That said, since John Ogdon didn't have either of these modes of transport available to him when he recorded the work and since Liberace never expressed any desire to record it, why do you suggest this?

I was thinking about using my million dollars to hire the new Wembley Stadium for the first live performance. Do you think there will be enough seats?

First obtain your million dollars and make sure that they are worth something sufficient to finance anything worthwhile in regard to OC (that caveat applies almost equally to US or Canadian dollars as it does to Zimbabwean or Zambian ones, given that there maybe no dollar-appellated currencies worth anything at all at the time). Do also bear in mind that Jonathan has already given quite a few public performances of OC and also that his were not the first, so "the first live performance" bit's a waste of time, since the composer himself gave that in what was at the time the Stevenson Hall in Glasgow, almost 78 years ago.

I still hope that you win that million dollars, that the dollars conerned will not have fallen through the floor when you win them and that you may accordingly be able to help in financing the forthcoming recording that you, without anyone else's provocation, have had the decency and courtesy to mention yet again, thereby providing even more PR for it, for which, once again, I express in advance my sincere gratitude.

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

You have encapsulated yourself.

What is a critis?

I did not know about the previous live recordings. The Telegraph and News at 10 appear to mave missed out on that snippet of News, but i think i remember Blair mentioning it a while back.

Anyway, I think i can get the Albert Hall for about 50k, but that will leave many thousands waiting outside. I can avoid this problem,  by erecting one of those giant screens in Hyde Park.

Please do not choose Wimbledon week, as Sharapova will not like attention diverted away from her legs.

Here is a breakdown of my expenditure.

1. $200,000 lease of Ian Woosnem's Learjet
2. $100,000 hire of Lady Peneolope's Rolls Royce
3. $50,000 hire of Albert Hall
4. $100,000 for giant LCD screen and licence from the GLC
5. $100,000 beard clippers for ahinton and his entourage.
6. $100,000 diamond encrusted Bechstein
7. $50,000 sleeping bags for those that cannot stay awake
8. $100,000 Powells fee including tips for the the sound crew
9. $50,000 after concert party at Pizza Express.
10. $50,000 Secuity team to keep out the gatecrashers
11. $50,000 Printing and advertising
12. $50,000 Valium and ear plugs
12. 85 cents page turning fee.

Total $1,000,000.85

Bollox, i have overspent.

Thal

[ahinton]

You have encapsulated yourself.

Now corrected; thanks.

What is a critis?

"Critis? What critis?", as the late Jim Callaghan famously once said. "Critics", I daresay but, since I cannot immediately find the reference concerned and haven't time to look, I'll simply have to leave you with that best guess.

I did not know about the previous live recordings.

You surely knew that they existed? Madge's two were taken from live public performances whereas Ogdon's was recorded in a London church.

The Telegraph and News at 10 appear to mave missed out on that snippet of News, but i think i remember Blair mentioning it a while back.

The Daily Telegraph certainly covered the Ogdon QEH performance and I'm pretty sure that it included a review of his recording as well; I can't speak for News at at 10 and would go to considerable lengths to avoid all mention of the person that you name.

Anyway, I think i can get the Albert Hall for about 50k,

Yes, they'd probably sell it to you for around that amount in today's depressed property market.

Here is a breakdown of my expenditure.

1. $200,000 lease of Ian Woosnem's Learjet
2. $100,000 hire of Lady Peneolope's Rolls Royce
3. $50,000 hire of Albert Hall
4. $100,000 for giant LCD screen and licence from the GLC
5. $100,000 beard clippers for ahinton and his entourage.
6. $100,000 diamond encrusted Bechstein
7. $50,000 sleeping bags for those that cannot stay awake
8. $100,000 Powells fee including tips for the the sound crew
9. $50,000 after concert party at Pizza Express.
10. $50,000 Secuity team to keep out the gatecrashers
11. $50,000 Printing and advertising
12. $50,000 Valium and ear plugs
12. 85 cents page turning fee.

Total $1,000,000.85

Bollox, i have overspent.

Ah - that's so easily done! Never mind, Thal - let's see if we can make economies in and amendments to your business plan.

1. $200,000 lease of Ian Woosnem's Learjet
It's Woosnam, actually - and if you're thinking of having Jonathan transported in that, he'll doubtless tell you that if a standard class train carriage was good enough for his Purcell Room performance it'll suffice for this one, too.

2. $100,000 hire of Lady Peneolope's Rolls Royce
Why on earth would you need a Learjet AND a Rolls Royce? Anyway, if you must insist on the latter, wouldn't you be better off hiring what was once Lord Berners' one, which had the advantage of a clavichord in the back so that Jonathan could practice bits of Clavi on the way to the hall? I bet that this would cost far less.

3. $50,000 hire of Albert Hall
Have you checked that this amount is correct?

4. $100,000 for giant LCD screen and licence from the GLC
Schmooze with Red Ken for abit and I'm sure that you'll get the latter for much less.

5. $100,000 beard clippers for ahinton and his entourage.
I'm sure that those among the said entourage that use such things will already have their own.

6. $100,000 diamond encrusted Bechstein
Forget the diamonds. Forget the Bechstein, too. Get a Bösendorfer. I know that this will cost more, but we're making so many other economies that this will hardly notice.

7. $50,000 sleeping bags for those that cannot stay awake
Given Jonathan's gift for eliciting audience concentration, you can dispense with these, too.

8. $100,000 Powells fee including tips for the the sound crew
No arguments with that! (apart from the need for an apostrophe in "Powell's")...

9. $50,000 after concert party at Pizza Express.
This budget can be neatly trimmed by drastically reducing the number of invitations.

10. $50,000 Secuity team to keep out the gatecrashers
What's "secuity"? And don't you have a few friends that could provide this service for the cost of a few beers apiece?

11. $50,000 Printing and advertising
I'm sure you could get that for far less, too.

12. $50,000 Valium and ear plugs
The latter won't be necessary; nor will the former, actually, but I daresay you could persuade Hofmann la Roche to provide some gratis in return for abit of advertising - it's a shame that you'd be too late to invite Paul Sacher himself...

12. 85 cents page turning fee.
I thought that you'd be providing this service yourself, so I'm sure that this exorbitant amount could be negotiated downwards.

Anyway, in case anyone wondered, this admittedly mildly amusing piece comes a day and abit too early...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Hinty, you have encapsulated yourself again.

Learn how to use a computer.

Thal

[shortyshort]

If I won a million pounds I would buy this web-site and "BAN" anybody who posted more than 100 words at a time. 

[ahinton]

Hinty, you have encapsulated yourself again.

Again, corrected and again, thanks!

Learn how to use a computer.

Learn how to spell, punctuate and use upper case characters appropriately.

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

If I won a million pounds I would buy this web-site and "BAN" anybody who posted more than 100 words at a time. 

The thread is about dollars, not pounds and, in any case, if you did that you'd end up with almost no actively contributing members at all - but then maybe that's what you might want. As it is, the forum is Nils's, not yours and, like Ezra Pound's Temple, it is "not for sale"...

Best,

Alistair

[shortyshort]

The thread is about dollars, not pounds

As I do not know, or wish to know what a, presumably, American dollar is actually worth, I don't see why I should restrict my fantasy spending spree to it.

As it is, the forum is Nils's, not yours and, like Ezra Pound's Temple, it is "not for sale"...

As stated above, I do not think that this thread is supposed to be confused with reality, much like many of your posts.

[ahinton]

As I do not know, or wish to know what a, presumably, American dollar is actually worth, I don't see why I should restrict my fantasy spending spree to it.

Fair enough - but do bear in mind that I was not the instigator of this thread nor the deciding force behind its specific title; you would be wise not to know, or wish to know, what an American dollar is worth, because its worth will almost certainly deplete while you're thinking about it, just as will that of the British pound which has now reached only a whisker above 1.25 Euros and may descend below parity to a handful of Eurocents.

As stated above, I do not think that this thread is supposed to be confused with reality, much like many of your posts.

Whaever the intended or unintended purpose of this thread, any confusion, shortyshort, is or your own making and therefore yours and yours alone; live therewith.

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Again, corrected and again, thanks!
Learn how to spell, punctuate and use upper case characters appropriately.

BOLLOX

[Bob]

Get a room you two.

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,29240.0.html


(Bob wonders if someone is going to have to pull this thread over right now...)

[ahinton]

BOLLOX

It's "bollocks", actually.

But never mind that. Should we all have a whip-round here and see if we can raise a million dollars and make a gift of them to Thal so that he can spend them and then tell us how he did so? I'll start the ball (or should that be bollock?) rolling by pledging 85 cents; any more takers?...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Perhaps a million dollars would by hinty a sense of humour and some computer lessons.

Thal

[lucylucy]

some people say that they will give it to the poor countries...
I don't think i will do it !!!
it's very selfish but......LIFE LIKE THIS !!!
if i had 1 milion of dollars i will buy a lot of beautiful clothes, beautiful house....

[pmz310]

some people say that they will give it to the poor countries...
I don't think i will do it !!!
it's very selfish but......LIFE LIKE THIS !!!
if i had 1 milion of dollars i will buy a lot of beautiful clothes, beautiful house....

..........and pay the supposed man of your dreams to love you  hahahaha

[pianochick93]

..........and pay the supposed man of your dreams to love you  hahahaha

Why does the saying 'money can't buy you love' come to mind...

[pmz310]

Why does the saying 'money can't buy you love' come to mind...

hahaha

[Bob]

Can't buy love, but it can sure buy a lot of happiness.


I would really wonder how I won million dollars without entering anything, but I'd be glad I did whatever I did.

[Essyne]

I'm glad you're glad. 

[Bob]

Ok. 


I'm glad too....


... sort of.     






Actually more confusified than glad.   




So I guess I'm just confused.



Which makes me a little annoyed.




And somewhat frustrated....




And I should be working....


So now I'm just a little ticked off....


Thanks.  Thanks for that.  Thanks for making me glad.  I hope you're real pleased with yourself for making me glad.  Have a nice, happy happy day... gladmaker.


(Bob goes back to attacking his work.)

And thank you!

[Essyne]

You're welcome.

[Bob]

(Bob considers a special thank you hand gesture.)

[Essyne]

(Essyne bows and curtsies - "For me? Oh, Bob, how sweet - I always knew I was 'Number one!'")

[Bob]

(Bob does a thumbs up but is starting to get lost and had to read over that last reply a couple times before it finally sank in.)




This all joking by the way.

[lucylucy]

..........and pay the supposed man of your dreams to love you  hahahaha

it's nasty 
he broke my heart ! and you're laughing about that...

[shortyshort]

it's nasty 
he broke my heart ! and you're laughing about that...

lol

[pianochick93]

just wondering...are those smiley faces in any kind of order, like a code or something? 

[Bob]

Actually the smileys are more like guidelines.