Robert Fripp's Diary

Breakfasting Chamber Hotel Quite Acceptable

09.52

Breakfasting Chamber, Hotel Quite Acceptable, Mendoza.

Morning reading I…

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Wessex (Batsford 1950) by Ralph Dutton, 8th. & last Lord Sherborne (of Sherborne House fame). (see Hinton Ampner Garden.)

The picture of “Strip Cultivation” seen from the air, at Bishopstone, Wiltshire is 3 miles down the road from DGM HQ & I drive past this every time if go to, and from, DGM. The farmhouse & outbuildings, just by the strips, was a building I inspected when it came on the market in the early 1990s, just before it was developed into a series of individual properties. It seems I have been looking for suitable properties for decades. And actually, this is the case: I have been driving around (initially & primarily) Dorset since 1964 in search of… what exactly?

11.25  There are now 12 people who have formally committed to tithing.

A letter has come in from a Guitar Circle Representative in response to various arising enquiries that have been directed to them from members of the GC community.

Q:        How will tithing work for the tithed? Is the amount variable, or do we commit to a specific sum?

A number have cited life-changes that would affect how deep their pockets will be - marriage, house moves and so on. The centre of inquiry seems to be about the practical, rather than the principle.

A:        Practicalities: the sum proposed is 10% of disposable income, for a 3-year period beginning on June 21st. 2007. For some of the Team, their income is fixed; for others, variable in the nature of their employment and/or changing life circumstances.

For those contributing monthly, the sum may be varied in response to their varying income stream; and for those on fixed income with changing circumstances, similarly. For those on fixed income & given circumstances, a definite amount is straightforward.

Some of those committing may prefer to make an annual contribution.

Q:        Is now a good time to buy in the UK? There’s some concern that the market is poised for some realignment.

 A:       Is now a good time to buy in the UK? Who knows?

Is now a good time to buy the Ideal House in the UK? Yes.

The Ideal House presents itself at the time it presents itself: the right time! My concern is that we are able to respond to this opportunity. Windows of opportunity open for a while, then close for the period. The last opportunity in England was 21 years ago, with the RLH (1986-89).

So, whether it’s the right time or not for the UK housing market, it is the right time for the Ideal House. And in 21 years’ time, I’ll be 82.

Q:        Are we hoping to raise a separate deposit?

Some concerns are regarding a secondary fund-raising for this, and how we’d go about it: again practical rather than principle.

Tithing will not, itself, provide sufficient funds to acquire the House. Summarising our discussions here, on the road in Argentina with The LCG, there are 5 primary ways of money-raising:

1.         The benefactor.
2.         Undertaking specific & dedicated pieces of work.
3.         Selling stuff.
4.         Donations.
5.         Tithing.

I have been involved in all of these, at various times & for various undertakings. Currently, I am looking at selling a 1959 black Les Paul.

The technicalities – gift or soft loan – are being addressed.

The quality of a person may be seen in their dealings with money, sex & their use of time. Money is a pointed stick & engages conscience. Tithing is not primarily about money, more about commitment. Tithing is clean & comes without conditions. As soon as a lengthy discussion is engaged – what, why, if, how, but – this is an end, not a beginning, conversation.

11.34  There are now 13 committed to tithing.

12.53  Final view from room Huge, Hotel Quite Acceptable I…

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The Gigster gets going I…

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We have been invited to lunch, followed by a private presentation of dance by the Compañía de Danza Contemporánea Lucía y Valentina Fusari at the Fusari Dance Studio, a few blocks from here.

23.44  To the Estudio de Danza I…

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Lunch is almost ready…

… and Mr. Geezer’s recommendation is this exceptional organic wine – of course from Mendoza…

… followed by a rose from the same vineyard. Fripp drinks Mendoza wine…

The second was exceptionally complex, like a deeply ambiguous chord (even by Crimson standards): you know something’s going on, not sure what it is, not sure if you like it or not, but the onus is on you to figure it out.

The Mother of the Sisters Fusari, Professor of Philosophy at Mendoza University, was a generous host, and superb company. The private performance, for invited guests, was exceptional. We are bidden farewell by Mother & Daughters…

… and set off to the airport I…

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Kabusacki is flying with us to Buenos Aires…

… but most of the Team are on a sleeper-bus (14-15 hour drive).

Check-in is exceptionally slow…

… followed by a final coffee with Mr. Geezer. Then a 90-minute flight…

… and into town past the restaurant on the River Plate where the Crims had dinner with Hernan in 1994 (when The Double Trio hit town)…

This is a town that comes to life when night falls…

The LCG are fine on their ‘bus are fine with reclining seats, reportedly, and Biff is happy with the DVDs on offer during their overnight journey.

Here, the equipment van that left Mendoza at 07.00 was delayed by floods on the road, and took roads that weren’t even roads to get back on roads that were; so they arrived at the theatre too late to unload & came here instead. The equipment is now loaded into our apartment.

A light supper, Marcello has left. Hernan & myself are alone here at Apartment Quite Acceptable, Av. Belgrano, Buenos Aires, until the rest of the Team arrive around 09.00.

Dribble dribble.