Celebrating Martin Allard's 55th


I just love Indian cuisine, especially the authentic cooking. This is just lovely, only four starters and 7 dishes for nine of us! It's a good thing Barry also ordered 12 side dishes!

Yeah and at the other end of the table, they can discuss solar spots and black holes and what happened a second before the big bang and what are the probabilities that the big bang might have missed its entrance cue,while over here we're just gonna enjoy the meal. Oh yes, you see, we we're listening!

Well actually we were discussing decibels what is the attraction of old musical instruments and why they are so popular in a culture which is so rock and jazz driven.

And what is the value of valve listening?

You listen to valves?

No I listen to the warmth and contour that they add to any kind of music!









Well we like the wine, a nice red from South Africa. David feels at home here with the curry, though his curries are a lot hotter and spicier!















In my spare time I bang samba drums and I just love those open street concerts where everybody joins in and plays music with us. Trouble is when they stop and I keep going, I gotta know the beat!

Hmm beats me, everytime I hear a samba drum I see solar spots!







My son Alex should be here, he'd enjoy this conversation -- drums, decibels, solar activity, computers, valve technology. While all you guys are talking, he'd eat up all the food!

Martin, we know you're listening, so in your honor, I think we should rename these gatherings the Martin E. Allard technology discussion dinners.