Monday, August 29, 2005

Weekend Wrap Up

Friday night. After I left the office, I went and did a computer memory upgrade for a client. Then at 7pm, I had a meeting with my brother-in-law and our former pastor. Grocery store next, then home. Supper was leftovers. Bed.

Saturday morning I got up and headed to work. I went and got breakfast for JP and me, but he declined; he'd not eat the chocolate crossaint, the blueberry/cream cheese crossaint, or the lemon poppy seed muffin. Oh well, I tried to be a nice guy. It was very slow at the office. Emma (JP's daughter) came to visit for a while, and in between phone calls I polished tension rods for the Leedy. I had a gig at the Union Fair in the evening, and that went well. The WFLs sounded really nice. A quick walk around the fair, then home. Snappy's pizza for supper, which was (as always) good. If only they had roasted red peppers and chopped garlic.

Sunday I stayed home with the boys. When we take them to church, we always end up downstairs anyway. So we've decided that we'll switch weeks; one week Susan will go to church and I'll stay home, and the next week the reverse. This was my home week. So once I put the boys down for their morning nap, I finished the Leedy. Once they got up, it was time to head for Grampy and Grammy-Nan's for lunch. Lunch was good, and Dad felt well enough to come to the table. Nathaniel decided that walking was faster than crawling (finally!), and I'm glad to say he's quite comfortable with it now. (Matt of course has been walking well for three weeks or so.) In the afternoon, I washed the dishes and made a blueberry/sour cream pound cake. Although I did screw up the method a little, I was able to salvage it and make a pretty tasty cake. Sunday evening was church for the whole family. Then home, then sleep, then Monday.

Just fininshed: Stuffed Peppers
Working on: A website

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Leedy Done

I finished the Leedy Black Elite this morning. There's no mistaking it for a snare from the early '20s. It's still got some use scars on it. But if I do anymore, I'd have to sacrifice the original "Nobby Gold" finish. The Nobby Gold is a copper colored lacquer shot over the brass hardware. So if you want to really shine it, you have to remove that lacquer. You're then left with plain brass (which isn't the color it originally looked like), or you have to have the brass plated with copper. The copper will look more like the original, but of course it's not original. And to do that would be expensive. Plus, there are no platers like that around here. So instead it got a good cleaning, but remains in its original, unaltered condition.

Drinking: Fresca!
Listening to: Mindy Smith

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, August 26, 2005

Crazy Quiz-ocity

Very Well-Rounded


You have:
70% SCIENTIFIC INTUITION and
62% EMOTIONAL INTUITION
The graph on the right represents your place in Intuition 2-Space. As you can see, you scored above average on emotional intuition and above average on scientific intuition. (Weirdly, your emotional and scientific intuitions are equally strong.)


Your Emotional Intuition
score is a measure of how well you understand people, especially their
unspoken needs and sympathies. A high score score usually indicates
social grace and persuasiveness. A low score usually means you're good
at Quake.

Your Scientific Intuition
score tells you how in tune you are with the world around you; how well
you understand your physical and intellectual environment. People with
high scores here are apt to succeed in business and, of course, the
sciences.



My test tracked 2 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
free online datingfree online dating
You scored higher than 56% on Scientific
free online datingfree online dating
You scored higher than 37% on Interpersonal
Link: The 2-Variable Intuition Test written by jason_bateman on Ok Cupid



Emeril Lagasse
Which Food Network chef are you?

brought to you by Quizilla



Take the quiz: "Which Starbucks Drink Are You? (Great Pictures)"

Starbucks Cafe Latte
Starbucks Cafe Latte(www.myspace.com/andrew2)



You Are Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
You are kind, popular, and generous.
You tend to be successful at anything you try.
A social butterfly, you are great at entertaining a crowd.
You are most compatible with strawberry ice cream.




According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

The Fire Engine MI-5

I took the afternoon off to do some shopping--for fire engines! Here's the Billy Rhythm Fire Engine inspired MI-5.

1) A fire truck sure is an impractical vehicle. If you could pick an impractical vehicle to just have fun in, what would it be?
Other than the fire truck (which could be considered somewhat practical... I could still drive it and take it places), I'd like to have my very own two seat convertible. Maybe a little yellow Miata like Keith Wass has. At the far end of "no way I'll ever own one" scale is a B-17 Flying Fortress or an F4u Corsair.

2) Fire trucks are generally red, but they sometimes come in yellow or white. Name three things cool you own: one red, one white, and one yellow.
I own a '92 Ford F-150 called "White Lightnin'," but it's not really cool. I used to own a set of yellow Gretsch drums. Red? I have a cool red couch that Susan and I bought just after the boys were born.

3) My fire engine love comes from childhood. What childhood hobby/dream/love would you like to have now?
I'd like to get into stamp collecting again, but this time with a theme: first day covers. When a new stamp is released, it has an official Post Office that acts as the official release site. There's usually some kind of small ceremony there. You can then put the stamp on the envelope, and mail it from the official Post Office, and you'll get a special "First Day of Issue" cancellation on the stamp. Many people will decorate the envelope in the style of the stamp. See this FDC celebrating Maine's 150th birthday. As you can see from the cancellation, Portland ME was the official station.

4) Very few people own a fire engine. Most people would think owning one rather odd. What do you own that some people may think odd?
One summer, Uncle Ade's family came up from New York. Aunt Ginny invited Lisa (my sister) and I to go out galivanting with them for the day. We had lunch at The Lobster Pound in Lincolnville Beach, and I remember all the folks from NY were surprised I didn't order the lobster. (I ordered chicken strips. I didn't like lobster then.) Then we went to Perry's Nut House where I bought a paperweight that had a scorpion in it. I still have it.

5) If I owned a fire truck, I'd take you for a ride someplace fun. Where would you like me to take you?
I'd like to take me to Dorman's for ice cream, then down to the Maine Mall.



According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Monday, August 22, 2005

The Weekend Wrap Up

OK, let's start with Thursday night, actually. I've been sitting on some gift certificates to a local restaurant for almost two years. And as a way of saying "thank you" to neighbors Michael and Erica (who help us frequently with the kids), we decided we'd like to take them to dinner with us. So Susan's folks took the kids, and we went to The Whitehall Inn. Susan and I had the filet minion, wrapped with bacon, with seared bleu cheese on top. Erica had the Chicken St. Vincent Millay, and Michael had some kind of pork loin with apple, cranberry, and mango. Dessert was a Bananas Foster cheesecake, and it was exceedingly good. The meal was nice, but it didn't "super-wow" us. The menu was somewhat limited; there were about 5 offerings, 3-4 specials, and 3-4 apeptizers. (None of the appetizers appealed to me.) Don't get me wrong. The food was good, but for the money, The Samoset will still be Susan and my restaurant of choice.

Friday day was work at the office. In the evening, Three Button Deluxe played a USO-styled swing dance fundraiser for the Knox Museum. For whatever reason (the locked main door, the huge sidewalk construction outside), the dance wasn't well attended. But those who showed had a great time. (To see the whole night's pictures, click here.)

Saturday morning, I went to Mom and Dad's to pick up a crib. I set that up in the boy's room, and since then they've been sleeping in the same room--pretty successfully, I might add. (I never thought it would work.) That afternoon I DJd a wedding for Eric and Jade. Even after six hours of non-stop music (about four of those hours dedicated to nothing but dancing) they wanted me to go on. The contract they had with the hall said they had to stop at 9pm. It's something they do to keep the neighboors happy. (Echo Hill is a nice place to play, and Janet--the owner--is super nice!) I was home and in bed by midnight.

Sunday had no major outings. Church in the morning, dinner at the folks. A small nap in the afternoon, then back to church in the evening. Home and bed. Tah da! Weekend over. :-(

Just finished: toast with peanut butter
Listening to: John Schofield

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

MI-5, Dreadfully Late!

1) Name 5 songs that always make you feel good:
"Jungle Boogie," Kool and the Gang
"Sumthin, Sumthin," Maxwell
Anything where Satchmo sings
"September," Earth, Wind, and Fire
Almost anything by James Brown, but especially "Sex Machine" or "Papa Don't Take No Mess."
(Ok, technically that's six...)

2) List 5 things you keep around, but don't know why:
Receipts from gas stations
Foam peanuts (useful when you need them, but I don't need them too frequently)
A couple of lengths of old garden hose. Too good to throw away, but I have enough hose to go down the block!
Socks with holes in them.
Record albums I know I'll never listen to.

3) How about 5 people (outside of family) you couldn't (or wouldn't want to) live without:
Jimmy T
Paddy
Quick
Gordon "White Flame" Page
Mack and Harvey (they come in a set)


4) Tell us your 5 favorite physical places in Maine:
Spruce Head
Megunticook lake
Allagash Wilderness Waterway
This little lake I know in Washington
Spruce Head

5) Finally, your 5 favorite food items (in no specific order):
Pasta, specifically farfalle (the little bow-ties)
Cream
Bacon (The previous two to be used in a sauce to go over item 1)
Chocolate
Coffee



According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Sunday, August 21, 2005

New Photos

New photos from the Three Button Deluxe gig are in the Gallery, in the "Miscellany" album.


According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Two Crazy Dreams in One Night!

OK, weird dream time again. I had these on Sunday night/Monday morning. There were two.

Dream A:
I was heading down Patten Point road in Spruce Head to pay a visit to Jo Barboza. There were two other people with me. One (I think) was Jim Thompson, and I don't remember who the other was. I knocked and rang, and no one answered. Since it's Spruce Head, I open the door which isn't locked and shout "Anyone here?" No one answers, so I go inside to the living room, and across to the deck (wich in my dream is out front, and in reality is out back), look outside, and see no one. So as I'm heading back outside, a man and a woman come down the stairs.

"We want you to know you're welcome here," the guy said "but what are you planning to do next time? Rob us blind?"

I was a little shocked. He thought I was a robber, but he made it a point to mention I was welcome? Huh?

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was looking for Jo," I said.

"She moved back in April."

"Oh," I said, "I must've missed that. I've got new twins, and have been pretty busy lately..."

"April of 2000," they interupted.

"What? Wow, I'm real sorry, I didn't know. Please excuse me, let me get out of your home. I didn't know, honest. Please forgive me."

"You're welcome here you know..."

????

As I'm going out the door, a German shepherd the size of a small bear barrels down the stairs. "He's not going to give me any problems, is he?" Next thing I know, I'm jumping on top of furniture to get away from the beast, and he's coming right after me!

Dream B:
I'm working in an oatmeal factory. My job is to take fresh cherries and put them in a zip-top bag. Then I have this little tin cup into which I measure oatmeal. I pour the oatmeal into the bag, on top of the cherries. Zip the bag, and send it off to packaging. I note that the girls on the assembly line are all flirting with me. Hard. They think I'm the greatest thing since Gus Natale. Swooning all over me, they are. I'm thinking to myself "I can't let this get to me. I'm a married man, I can't have impure thoughts like this." Still, I wonder what so-and-so's (rated R text ahead) nipples look like. Then I woke up. I never found out the answer to my question, and no nudity was involved.



According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Amy's Play-Along

1) Put your name in my comments, and I'll respond with something random about you. I'll respond in the comments section.
2) I'll tell you what song or movie reminds me of you.
3) I'll pick a color/flavor of jello to wrestle with you in.
4) I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
5) I'll tell you my first memory of you.
6) I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7) I'll ask you something I've always wondered about you.
8) If I do this for you, you must post this on your blog. You MUST. It is written.

I saw this at Amy's. This is what she said about me.

BILLY:
2-Paradise City by GNR
3-BLue Raspberry
4-MixCds Rock.
5-Cool Cover to the mix cd
6-panther
7-Ok...what comes first- the lyrics or the music?

This is what I say about:

1) Amy
2) Riding With Private Malone
3) Orange with banana slices
4) For me, the music (usually) comes first.
5) She really picked a good mix of styles.
6) A grizzly bear. Although they appear cute and cuddly, they can be dangerous if provoked! :-)
7) What's your significant other status? Are you married? Dating someone?
8) I have done so.


Dreaming of: Leedy Black Elites
Listening to: The Temptations

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Sunday, August 14, 2005

The Greatest Snare Drum Score of My Career

I was browsing ebay the other doing what I do: looking for snares. I found this one auction. "Snare drum, stand, and case." That was the title. Opening bid? $50. It was what ebay calls a "Live Auction." That means some auction houses list their catalog on ebay. When they hold their live auction, the ebay bids are treated just like "order" bids. So I looked at this snare drum, and got a little tingle. It was a black, engraved, metal shelled drum. Some of you may be familiar with Ludwig's "Black Beauty." Same kinda deal. But it wasn't a Ludwig. I thought it was a Leedy. The lugs looked Leedy. Anyway, since it was a live auction, I had to register with the auction house; it's another step that sometimes turns regular ebay-ers away. I registered, and threw in some crazy low bid. $301.10 or something like that. Well, again because of the live auction aspect, I couldn't place a bid in that amount. I could do $300, or $325. Being the auction hound that I am, I knew never to take an round figure like $300, so I opted for the $325. Then, I pretty much forgot about it.

Imagine my surprise when I checked ebay Saturday morning (just for something to do, really, not checking the auction in particular) and finding out I'd won!!! There were two bidders. Guess where the other guy stopped? That's right, $300! That extra $25 paid off big time. After I came off the ceiling, I pulled out some vintage drum books I own. What I bought was a Leedy Black Elite, made between 1923 and 1925. When I posted my win on the Internet drum message boards, people went nuts! Mike Curotto (the guy who owns 5 of 7 known Ludwig Triumphal models) has alread offered to buy it off me! Here's one for sale, with all its black worn off. The guy's asking $1500! (Note the four screws used to hold the lugs on. Mine has only two per lug, making it an older model.)

I have never even really considered owning a drum like this. A $1000 snare drum? I'd never do it. I just wouldn't. I wouldn't spend that much. To this point, around $400 is the top end on what I'd spend. And that's still what I spent. But I what I got is just beyond me! I can't hardly wait for it to get here. I know some of you are rolling your eyes, or maybe aren't really reading--just scanning. But this, if I were to use the car analogy, would be like "Hey I have this old car for sale, you can have it for $1000," and when you get there it's a '55 Chevy. It's just crazy. For more info on the Leedy Black Elite, click here.

Feeling: Pretty good
Listening to: Some local bands demo (they're trying to recruit me!)

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, August 12, 2005

Gina's MI-5

The following questions should be answered quickly THEN go back and elaborate.

"If I were..."

1. If I were a chef I would: Open an Italian restaurant. Why? Because we need a decent one around here. Especially one that makes a nice risotto.

2. If I were an innkeeper I would: Have a wicked good time. I have often thought a Bed and Breakfast would suit me well. I could cook a little, get paid to keep my home looking nice, and practice being charming.

3. If I were a wealthy I would: Work a whole lot less! 'Nuff said. Too keep busy I would buy old drum sets and restore them to their former glory.

4. If I were a bonnie pirate I would: Swashbuckle and use my sword. And wear a cape. Sword fighting with a cape on. Could it be any cooler? Yes. The sword could be a light saber! ("An elegant weapon for a more civilized age.")

5. If I were a scientist I would: Develop a cure for cancer. Again, 'nuff said.

Watching: A whole bunch of TV shows about sniping.
Listening to: Sting's La Belle Dame Sans Regrets

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Tuesday, August 9, 2005

As Marvin Would Say...

What's goin on? Well, right now I'm making supper for the fam. Julia got invited to vacation Bible school at Owls Head Baptist, and Susan's gone to pick her up. The boys are sleeping. It's already Tuesday, and I haven't done my weekend wrap up yet. Last night I was right out straight, with a drum lesson, a church meeting, and then a gig. I'm home tonight, and have been doing a little web work. Tomorrow I work until 6pm, and then have another church meeting. This being a deacon bit has quite a bit to it! Thursday night I'm off, so perhaps I'll get the lawn mowed then. And I need a haircut desperately! How bad? You can see from these photos JP took of me playing with Mac on Sunday.

About to eat: Chicken stir-fried rice
Listening to: Talk Radio

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Monday, August 8, 2005

Poetry for Dad

I was reading some poetry the other night, when I came across this one. I was first introduced to Lucille Clifton in college. I liked her hard-hitting, no punches, urban style. I tend to prefer poets who use fewer words, and let my mind fill in the blanks. Stuff that goes on and on is too drawn out for me. Wordsworth? Please. Anyway, I was reading a "greatest hits" of Clifton called "good woman: poems and a memoir, 1969-1980." This one really tugged at me, especially with Dad in the hospital.

Prayer

lighten up

why is your hand
so heavy
on just poor
me?

answer

this is the stuff
i made the heroes
out of
all the saints
and prophets and things
had to come by
this


Watching: This Old House Classics
Just finished: peanut butter fudge

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Saturday, August 6, 2005

New Photos in the Gallery

I've got some new photos over in the gallery. There are some shots of us at the park, and also some of us (taken just a few minutes ago) at the Lobster Fest Parade.


According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Friday, August 5, 2005

Silly Quizes on a Friday Evening

One of my favorite drum hang-outs is closing its doors. Harry Cangany has decided to close the Drum Center of Indianapolis' BBS. Why? He won't say. But he has said he won't sell his forum, and he won't allow the data (posted by users like me) to be exported to another forum. He's just taknig his ball and going home. And that's his right, but it sure does leave a sour taste in my mouth. Anyway, some people got together and started drumforum.org. It seems like most will be posting over there. And of course I still post over at ghostnote.net.

Now, on to silly quizes.

The Princess Bride
I'm sure it's no big surprise to you that your
romance is The Princess Bride. A heartwarming
tale of "Twue Wuve" that has giants,
Spainards and swashbuckling. You really do
think that love can overcome anything. You may
be a touch naive but your heart is certainly in
the right place. You've probably got one of
those relationships where proper nouns have
been replaced with "Snookums" and
"Pookie Pie". Eww. Beware a cuteness
overload.


What Romance Movie Best Represents Your Love Life?
brought to you by Quizilla

HASH(0x8c3a278)
You're a Percussionist. Too cool for school.


What is your inner musical instrument?
brought to you by Quizilla



Feeling: A little sad
Listening to: Allman Bros. (Thanks Harv and Mac!)

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Wednesday, August 3, 2005

Some Good News to Start Your Morning

For the last two days, the boys have slept all night long, and haven't gotten up until after 7am. Yea!

Anticipating: Good Coffee
Just Heard: Delbert McClinton

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

Tuesday, August 2, 2005

The Weekend Wrap Up, Late Again!

So, the weekend, huh? Yeah, I did some stuff. Wanna read about it? Read on, Macduff!

Friday night. Susan was having some scrapbooking dealy-o at my sisters place, and Julia went with her. So that left me and the boys at home. Susan had them all bathed an fed, so we got to spend the evening wrestling on the floor (which they love), and watching James Taylor live at the Beacon Theater. (Steve Jordan on drums and Jim Johnson on bass: Yum!) I ordered a bacon and hamburger calzone from Snappys, and had a generally good evening. Susan got home much later than planned (past 9pm), but the boys were asleep, so no big whoop.

Saturday morning. I was up early with Matt (I think). Shortly after that, Nat got up. I let Susan sleep. They ate a humongous breakfast: a breakfast bar (each), some Cheerios, a couple of graham crackers (each) and a slice of cheese (each). And milk. At around 9am, they were pooped, so they went back to bed. I called over to Château Front and Back to let Paddy know I was able to go to the range a little earlier if he wanted. He was out doing errands, but picked me up a little before 10am. We hit the range, and friends Jim and Doc Blaine showed up, as well as a friend of Paddy's: a custom gun stock maker named Bud. We shot up a couple of boxes of clay pigeons, and had a blast. Jim really seems to have natural talent with the scatter gun. Me? Not so much. We then went over to the rifle side of the range, where I got a chance to shoot my old Winchester now that it has a different front site. At 25 yards, it was right on the money. Time was getting on, and I didn't get a chance to site it at 100 yards, but at least I know it's back in shooting condition now, and will at least put a round on paper. I got home in time to watch the boys for Susan's 1pm hair appointment. I don't really remember what I did Saturday night. Mow the lawn?

Sunday. Another early morning. Matt again. Nat slept a little later. Matt and I watched "This Old House Classics." I put some cinnamon buns in the oven, and made some coffee. We headed out to church. Dwane, our regular song-leader and my brother-in-law, had to work, so I filled in. Lunch was at the 'rents. In the afternoon, we took Julia to a party, and Susan and the boys and I went to Home Depot. I put up the new ceiling fan just in time to get to evening church. Again, me and the song leading. Home again, then bed. All done!

About to eat: Salsbury steak and buttered noodles
Listening to: Julianna Hatfield

According to the prophecy of: Billy Rhythm [Link]

 
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