SPRINGFIELD, OHIO — In April, 22-year-old Eric Barga arrived Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Ohio, waiting for music practice to begin, but he was early.
He took out his bassoon, sat on his car and started playing.
….
Springfield police received a 911 call shortly after with concerns there was a man sitting on his car with a weapon. Police responded cautiously but quickly learned there was no weapon, just a musical instrument.
Fortunately, no innocent citizens -- or bassoons -- were shot.
Just saw a snippet of video from the ceremony for our new embassy in Jerusalem; I don’t think so many ties have ever been worn at one time in Israel in seventy years. 🙂
“…or one of those missile-launcher things, and he’s pointing it up at the sky!!!“
Yup…he was blowing into the bocal to pressurize the propellant and oxidizer; good thing the police stopped him in time. (Flawlessly performing the first three bars of Le Sacre du Printemps initiates the launch sequence, providing a very robust safety interlock.)
Sent the bassoon tale to several musician friends earlier, including some excellent multi-woodwind players. Just got this response from one of them:
It’s his own damned fault…he was early for a rehearsal. Always show up late, make a b-line for the punch bowl, guzzle/swill the contents thereof, and then proclaim in a loud voice, “where’re all the white wimin”?
Apparently the quality of education at the New England Conservatory has really gone downhill.
Gosharooties…another Monday; Mac’s thread GIF accurately reflects my boundless enthusiasm for the week. 👿
Good thing this guy was playing a bassoon; an alto clarinet might have been mistaken for a fully semi-automatic assault woodwind:
https://www.ajc.com/news/national/ohio-man-bassoon-mistaken-for-gun-911-caller/ZFRs9NkGDVPyeg5WpPU4cM/
Pics at the link.
Did they shoot him anyways? “In fear for my life of those of the civilians around the vehicle, I fired three shots…”
“…homeowners are encouraged to contact the department during normal business hours for property damage claims resulting from the errant shots.”
Hai, Sven --
Fortunately, no innocent citizens -- or bassoons -- were shot.
Just saw a snippet of video from the ceremony for our new embassy in Jerusalem; I don’t think so many ties have ever been worn at one time in Israel in seventy years. 🙂
Happy Monday, Gerbil Nation!
Good morning, Fatwa, and Sven!
Mothers Day dinner went well last night. The skies cleared up and we were able to enjoy appetizers out on the patio.
“Officer -- he’s got a gun, or a bazooka, or one of those missile-launcher things, and he’s pointing it up at the sky!!!“
Hai, Paddy!
Yup…he was blowing into the bocal to pressurize the propellant and oxidizer; good thing the police stopped him in time. (Flawlessly performing the first three bars of Le Sacre du Printemps initiates the launch sequence, providing a very robust safety interlock.)
Sent the bassoon tale to several musician friends earlier, including some excellent multi-woodwind players. Just got this response from one of them:
Glad “Blazing Saddles” got made in ’74; you sure as hell couldn’t make it now (or for the foreseeable future). Sad!
Very sad!
You know, I’m not even sure if I ever saw Blazin’ Saddles. I recall the Alex Karras knocking the horse out scene…if that was in that movie.