Mike Whitla’s Blog

Canadian Squash Classic

I had the opportunity to get out and see some of the earlier matches at the Canadian Squash classic.

This pro tournament features 32 of the best squash players from around the world in a week long tournament.

They had the squash court up on a stage in a the John Basset theatre at the Metro Toronto Convention centre. It was very sci-fi.
These incredible athletes play a game that is largely ignored by the sporting mainstream. The main reason for this is usually it is too difficult for spectators to see the ball and to follow the action. However the special court used for this event had the usual colours of the court reversed so that it is easier for the audience to see what is going on.
I must say it ws the best view I have ever had for watching squash.

Click the “read the rest of the entry” link to see a little video clip of a bit of the action. Read the rest of this entry »

Ave Maria for Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!!
Thought I would share a recording of Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria”that I had made back in 1999. My brother in law Alan Gasser sings and I play the guitar. Our version is a very intimate and personal rendering.
Although not specifically about Christmas is about the Virgin Mary and is very much associated with Christmas today.

I think it is perhaps one of the most beautiful songs every composed.
I used to busk this song in the Read the rest of this entry »

Speech Accent Archive

I have always been interested in how accents of speech develop and change. I was very interested to discover this website that features English accents from all over the world. This is a fairly systematic study of the way English is pronounced using the same text sample. You can hear accents from Mongolia to California and everywhere in between. Read the rest of this entry »