<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" xmlns:v = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1 = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16481" name=GENERATOR><o:SmartTagType name="State" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagType><o:SmartTagType name="City" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagType><o:SmartTagType name="country-region" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagType><o:SmartTagType name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagType> <STYLE>  </STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY lang=EN-US style="WORD-WRAP: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space" vLink=purple link=blue bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>I'll second Jeannie's opinion regarding Kent's efforts.  I didn't go to the Pianotech Live event, pretty much because it wasn't what I wanted in a Pianotech meeting.  I do think we should consider the spirit in which Kent made this decision - evolving Pianotech meetings, and striving to provide something unique for the group.  I extend kudos to Kent for making an honorable effort to give to the group.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>I'd go for a luncheon, wander around style.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>William R. Monroe</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT><BR></DIV> <DIV class=Section1> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Calisto MT" color=blue size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calisto MT'">Hi Kent,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Calisto MT" color=blue size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calisto MT'">I missed the meeting this year because I misread my schedule that day.  (When I’m in that environment I get so disoriented as to what day of the week it is.)  What I’ve observed in the past is that the List members take care of the technical issues thanks to email and the Internet and all the classes offered by the Institute.  What is lacking is the human contact…attaching faces and names.  Every year I’ve heard people asking for more of a social gathering.  Of course, because of our natural tendencies, we end up talking about pianos and continuing our previous threads in person, but I don’t see this as the main reason for getting together.  Given that, a luncheon or at the very least, a room in which to assemble would be a great start.  I remember one year we were offered a place behind a curtain in the Exhibit Hall.  It took me almost the whole time allotted to find it.  <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Calisto MT" color=blue size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calisto MT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Calisto MT" color=blue size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calisto MT'">As far as taking the Pianotech discussions into the class setting….Great!!!!  Everyone should benefit, not just those on the List.  I really appreciate your intentions to ‘evolve’ the group and I hope more ideas along this line will flow in.  When we consider the volume of topics discussed and the numbers of people involved whether openly or lurking, it is an awesome task to find something that will appeal to everyone.  Thanks for the effort.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Calisto MT" color=blue size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calisto MT'">jeannie<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Calisto MT" color=blue size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calisto MT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Calisto MT" color=blue size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calisto MT'">Jeannie Grassi, RPT<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><FONT face="Calisto MT" color=blue size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calisto MT'">Bainbridge Island</SPAN></FONT></st1:City><FONT face="Calisto MT" color=blue size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calisto MT'">, <st1:State w:st="on">WA</st1:State></SPAN></FONT></st1:place><FONT face="Calisto MT" color=blue size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calisto MT'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <HR tabIndex=-1 align=center width="100%" SIZE=2> </SPAN></FONT></DIV></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">I would not assume that this year's Pianotech Live session will be typical of future ones. I wouldn't even assume that the Pianotech Live name will stick.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The pianotech meeting at the convention has been a hit and miss session over the years, and I thought it might be appropriate to try to evolve it a bit. One idea I have heard would be to have lunch together (social) and then extend the session into third period and deal with tech issues.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The institute is planned out months and months ahead of time. I thought it might be cool to have a session into which last minute items might find a place. The chance to have Mr. Stopper came about at the last minute, didn't cost us anything, and dealt with tech stuff that had been on the list. I thought the Pianotech Live was a good first effort, especially when the soundboard animations starting working...<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">A subject that came up even later on the list was the little discussion about string coupling. I would have loved to take that discussion into a class period at the convention. All we would need would be a piano and some interested techs. This is the idea for Pianotech Live -- current topical stuff that people care about. I certainly am not trying to do away with the social stuff; I like the idea of wearing some identifying something so we can be running into pianotech people all week long.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The board apparently is making me chair of the electronic communications committee in the coming year, so I will attempt to keep the Pianotech Live session going; I suspect it will be different every year.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Suggestions welcomed. Even at the last minute.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Kent</SPAN></FONT></st1:place></st1:country-region><o:p></o:p></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><STRONG><B><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#c00000 size=1><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #c00000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><SPAN style="WORD-SPACING: 0px; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0">List,</SPAN></FONT></B></STRONG><FONT face=Helvetica color=black size=1><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><STRONG><B><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#c00000 size=1><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #c00000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">I remember this dust-up from approximately a year and a half ago (I haven't checked the archives to date it precisely)...and the exchange below is precisely why I felt that the List meeting had been hijacked. It was predictable that this would be the outcome. May I now be on record as saying that next year (and farther into the future, as well) I sincerely hope that we can get back to having a chance to MEET with fellow Listers without the infomercial?</SPAN></FONT></B></STRONG><FONT face=Helvetica color=black size=1><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><STRONG><B><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#c00000 size=1><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #c00000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">Not being sure whose idea it was to go this route, I can't direct my displeasure privately. Am I the only one disappointed?</SPAN></FONT></B></STRONG><FONT face=Helvetica color=black size=1><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><STRONG><B><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#c00000 size=1><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #c00000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">Stan Ryberg</SPAN></FONT></B></STRONG><FONT face=Helvetica color=black size=1><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><STRONG><B><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#c00000 size=1><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #c00000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">Barrington</SPAN></FONT></B></STRONG></st1:City><STRONG><B><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#c00000 size=1><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #c00000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"> <st1:State w:st="on">IL</st1:State></SPAN></FONT></B></STRONG></st1:place><FONT face=Helvetica color=black size=1><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></DIV></SPAN> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>