November 30, 2009

Change you can believe in

Boy, try Googling an Obama quote to make sure you’ve got it right, and you’re in for a world of hurt. Or at least truth-stretching. Just for the record, Obama has not declared open season on fetuses.

That wasn’t what I intended to write about. I wanted to write about the minor meltdown I had in my guitar lesson a few weeks ago. I had worked on an exercise for a total of three hours to perfect it but, when I went into lesson, I played it as if I were sight reading. Awful. The problem, Tom gently suggested, had everything to do with my practice schedule, which crammed all of my practices into three 1.5-hour weekdays. Better to practice more often, even if it’s for less time, as your brain and fingers will remember better.

So I’ve switched to practicing every weekday for 30-40 minutes. It’s working pretty well, though I have to watch the clock carefully to make sure I’m addressing everything assigned to me.

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November 12, 2009
Songs I helped write, one of which even has me playing the guitar!

John has been pushing for me to put the songs we’ve recorded up on Bandcamp. Today, feeling under the weather, I finally did it. Interested to know what people think.

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September 25, 2009

“I think most serious and omnivorous readers are alike - intense in their dedication to the word, quiet-minded, but relieved and eagerly talkative when they meet other readers and kindred spirits. If you have gotten this far in this book, you are just such a singular person.”

  • “Ghost Train to the Eastern Star,” Paul Theroux, p. 453.
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September 23, 2009
Interval exercises turn into a melody. Is a song far behind? The answer is: probably. I recorded the melody into my iPhone, but I probably won’t listen to it again for months. Which is a good thing, as I’ll be more objective about its possibilities.

Interval exercises turn into a melody. Is a song far behind? The answer is: probably. I recorded the melody into my iPhone, but I probably won’t listen to it again for months. Which is a good thing, as I’ll be more objective about its possibilities.

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September 12, 2009
I think I’ll blog about music for awhile, esp. my attempts to master the guitar. Thanks to http://yousaygoodbyeandisaycello.blogspot.com for the idea. Here’s my Strat, plus some interval exercises forced on me by my teacher/taskmaster, Tom.

I think I’ll blog about music for awhile, esp. my attempts to master the guitar. Thanks to http://yousaygoodbyeandisaycello.blogspot.com for the idea.

Here’s my Strat, plus some interval exercises forced on me by my teacher/taskmaster, Tom.

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July 29, 2009
Way to go Seattle, I knew you could do it!

Way to go Seattle, I knew you could do it!

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July 24, 2009
Chicken aoili sandwich & Sterling Vintner’s Chardonnay, Wolfgang Puck Express @ Seatac 20090724

Chicken aoili sandwich & Sterling Vintner’s Chardonnay, Wolfgang Puck Express @ Seatac 20090724

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July 17, 2009
My scrumptious Maximus pork sandwich & the pig truck from whence it came 20090717

My scrumptious Maximus pork sandwich & the pig truck from whence it came 20090717

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July 9, 2009
Skillet Street Food pork sammy & July assignment for Drinking Book Club, Cascade P-patch 20090708

Skillet Street Food pork sammy & July assignment for Drinking Book Club, Cascade P-patch 20090708

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July 2, 2009
Utility pole, Aurora & Mercer, 20090630

Utility pole, Aurora & Mercer, 20090630

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