Gyuto Thibaudet Binassi

I've been a traveling fool since Discovery Inc. showed me the door December 8. I've been to Mexico, Charleston, Ft. Lauderdale, CLEVELAND (See comment section) and Buenos Aires. As soon as VS gets back from BA, I will share my photos and maybe spin a yarn or two, so don't fret.

While in Chicago, I've been busy too. I went to a Bulls game and it was just as boring as on TV. The NBA is dead to me.

I've also seen pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet rok some Beethoven at the Chicago Symphony Center. The building was as beautiful as the music, but that Frenchie can really tickle the ivories to be sure. I also saw the Blue Man Group put on one hell of a show at the Briar Street Theatre. Very fun and entertaining - those that visit Chicago should make it a must see.

But by far the strangest and best thing I've seen lately is the Gyuto Monks, a Tibetan Tantric Choir. Words are my isht, but I'm not sure there are words to describe these fellas. The 12 monks assembled themselves on stage in the flying V formation, nestled in their robes and sitting Indian style on their red oriental rugs. Then one of them cleared his nasal cavity and proceeded to emanate one of the strangest guttural sounds ever emitted by a human. He would go for about 15 seconds, gently lowering his arm, once he reached the bottom, the rest of his buddies joined him in the hypnotic sound. This went on for about 45 minutes. My western ears haven't heard anything like it before or since. I sat and heard Tibetan monks pray. I think I took one more step toward enlightment. Once again, my week beats your year - bitches.

While I try to find an example in newsgroups, here's the antithesis musically. Here's Benny Binassi "Satisfaction" and Sean Paul "Temperature." Say what you want, I love it.