Monday Musical Madness

While I have several posts I want to get to this week, Monday is an odd day for posting because of my guitar lessons. Before I forget, thank you to everyone who has helped with those efforts! It truly is a neat and fun way to explore if I can learn new skills after the lightning strike. I’ve had six lessons so far, and I’m not totally horrible and having a lot of fun with it.

The lessons are every Monday morning, barring days where there is lightning or heavy rain. I’ve sprayed commercial waterproofing on the case to beat the band (ba-da-boom), but still don’t want to expose it to the wet if I can help it. If there is lightning around, well, I’m not going out. Heck, I don’t even like to go near a window. 🙂 It is almost exactly 1.75 miles to the lesson, but have found a (mostly) nice route to get there and back. I’m actually using my bus-compliant rolling grocery cart to hold the guitar for the walk. If the weather is iffy, I can take one bus downtown, switch to another, and get fairly close to where I’m going. For now, the walk does me good and gets the week off to a good start.

While the jury is still out on my ability to learn a new skill, my instructor has made it fun to try. He knows about the lightning strike and the issues, so in terms of memorizing he tends to come at it a bit sideways. He warned me today there was some rote memorization coming up, but he’s also found a way to make part of it practicing notes and techniques, which may help with getting some of it into long-term memory.

Rather than rote scales and drills (which made piano and other instrument lessons such a joy when I was a child), he’s got me doing “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” “Wipeout,” “Tom Dooley,” and “The Star Spangled Banner” to work on everything from techniques to scales. We are working on chords as well, and I’ve got the feeling that the chords are going to be combined soon into some well known music just because he is sneaky like that. Within those songs and such, I’m learning a lot and practicing transitions until my fingers can’t take it any more. When I do practice “rote” things, he has found ways to make it interesting, and even a challenge. Boring it is not.

If I didn’t mention it before, my landlord has donated a music stand to the effort. I need to get a guitar stand, and want to get a swivel-top stool for practice as the wooden chair in my room slopes funny and makes it fun to hold the guitar properly. Nothing too expensive, but not in the regular budget. Been looking for used on both, but no joy so far. A couple of big-box music stores have gone out of business here, but they mostly shipped things out to other stores rather than putting a decent price on them. Oh, not sure I ever showed you all a photo of the guitar you helped me get.

It is an Alvarez, and it was one of many owned by my barber, who actually has encouraged me to take up guitar for a number of years. He got into playing as a way to help his arthritis, and he really got into it — and into collecting guitars. I bought it from him, and my lessons are taught by a buddy of his in the barber shop while it is closed. I’m apparently one of several who come in on Monday’s when it’s closed. The buddy is a professional musician who, at 70 or 70+, is still playing at a number of venues around town. I suspect he’s forgotten more about playing guitars than I may ever learn. He makes it look so easy…

He’s also already dangled a couple of other guitars in front of me. One is a nicer acoustic, and one is an electric. On the latter, I was a bit surprised as there is a (vintage?) Stratocaster in baby/robin-egg blue but he says the other one is the better guitar and the better buy. Basically, if I keep going and get good, I might get a good price on either (or both). Good incentive as while I do have a good guitar, I’ve also learned to appreciate even better ones. If I can learn this new skill, it would be a good reward.

The only issue with the lessons is that with the time to get there, when the lesson is scheduled, and then the walk back, it does make posting on Monday’s a little bit of a challenge. Especially as I am usually having to deal with calls, follow-ups, and other delights on most Mondays. It’s not that I’m forgetting you, it’s just a busy if fun (the guitar part at least) time.

More soon!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Thank You!

I had my first real guitar lesson this morning, thanks to your generosity. In fact, I had carefully saved part of that generosity so that I could pay up front for three more lessons besides this one. Net result is that by paying ahead I found out I also get a free lesson.

It was intense, my fingers are sore, and it was fun. He is teaching me how to (re) read sheet music since that seems to be one of the memories misplaced; strings, chords, and more; how to pick, how to grin (lets see who picks up on that), and how to strum; and basics from how to hold the guitar to hand positioning for picking and strumming. I am to practice every day, and more than once a day if possible (gotta build those callouses you know).

It is going to be a challenge to learn all of this, from strings and notes, to the movements involved. Some of it is easier if I don’t think about it, but for some of the complex work you really do need to be able to think about it.

Well, we will soon know if I can learn a new skill. Even if there are problems, it is a lot of fun. Had some laughs and got fist bumped over doing a couple of things right. His take is that he might not can make me into Eric Clapton, but he can get me to playing. I can live with that.

Thank you again so much!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Pray & Prepare

The verdict in the show trial of Donald Trump should surprise no one. It was a foregone conclusion from the start, and the antics of the “prosecution” and “judge” were farcical to the point of making Chinese, Soviet, and Nazi show-trail judges shake their heads. There was absolutely nothing fair, proper, or even legal about the proceeding.

Those telling you to respect the jury system, the rule of law, etc. are telling you exactly who and what they are, and who they serve on Earth and beyond. This is especially true for non-Democrats doing such. Make note of them and shun them, for they are not your friends, comrades, or allies.

Those gloating in the guilty on all counts verdict, even when none can tell you the crime committed other than Trump being Trump and winning the election, the same applies. They do not respect rule of law, our Constitutional Republic, and are happy to go watch any they consider their enemies die horrible deaths in the local arena for their pleasure and to remind the masses what fate awaits those who oppose the state.

Indeed, what we are seeing used to be the norm and while many are pointing out the similarities to the late Roman republic, you can see it in modern China and other countries where to lose power is to condemn you and your family to rather nasty deaths or slavery. It was one of the reasons why our Founders enshrined the peaceful transfer of power as a foundation of the Republic, and it was one of the first times such has worked for any length of time.

Undermining both the Rule of Law and a Justice (not legal) system, that was to be equal for all, kicks two crucial supports out from under the Republic. It’s been clear for a while we had a two-tier system of justice (if not further divided) and that the rule of law was dead — especially when it comes to individual liberty, individual property rights, individual right of self-defense… I could go on, but if anyone has missed the points made by Ruby Ridge, Waco, the extra-judicial murders of various online cranks (see here for one example of several) and those daring to exercise their second amendment rights (see also prosecution here where ‘the 2nd amendment doesn’t exist in my court rooom’), or even self-defense and the defense of others (see here for one example). Yes, I do mean to say extra-judicial murders: what else should one call it when raids are conducted with no-knock/no-announcement, at early or odd hours, only when target present, no body cameras, target cameras taped over, etc. in defiance of law and regulation? There are many more examples for you, and it is clear the ATF, FBI, etc. have taken the lessons of the KGB (and the Gestapo) to heart with early morning raids and the deliberate mistreatment of family and others even after killing their target. This was actually a good discussion on X about this yesterday.

In their ignorance and arrogance, those desperate to cling to power and corruption have chosen to do anything needed for that end. That they are sowing a wind that will reap them a whirlwind that could plunge the world into darkness (not hyperbole, but a subject worthy of more than one long post) does not even cross their minds. They foolishly believe they can control this, use this to create more J6-style detentions and trials, and cow the rabble into submission. They are at best fools, and we may all pay the price for it.

As for those who think they will stop with just fines or a slap on the wrist in this Trump trial, what makes you think that given all they have done they will go to half measures now? They are making an example to discourage anyone from challenging them again. I will be amazed if it is not the maximum possible sentence in prison. Further, as I mentioned here before, I told another writer almost two years ago that if Trump showed any possibility of winning or did win, that he would not live to take office. I fully expect that he, and his family, will be killed. Most likely by a deranged individual that has been encouraged if not aided to do exactly that ‘to save our democracy’. If you think this is too much, look back at all the mass shooters (and there is a trans connection there too) who were ‘known subjects’ to the FBI and other law enforcement. Seriously, go back to the Pulse nightclub shooting and move forward. Take a look at the knowledge and even relationships between them and LE. Coincidence?

Think that those currently in power won’t do something like that? History, including recent history, says different. The Biden Regency and others clinging desperately to power more than live up to Amb. Molari’s quote on arrogance and stupidity in one neat package. As I said above, they really do think they can control and use what is to come. I think them fools.

That said, the first thing I think we should do is pray. We need to pray for the Republic, we need to pray for guidance, and we need to pray for the worst not to happen for this could well set the world on fire (think Ukraine, China, ME, etc. where they want more endless wars) and plunge it into darkness for centuries. Worst case, but still a case I can make quite easily.

Last night, Sarah A. Hoyt brought up Psalm 7 on X. It is a good one to read right now. It is a good one to pray. Right now, especially with all the Fed Boi’s on social media working as hard as they can to get people to say or do stupid things so they can pull out the J6 playbook again, Prayer is the best thing we can do. Please don’t be stupid and fall for the provocations.

Second best thing we can do is prepare. In this case, not just with physical supplies, but mental and spiritual as well. Quickest way to prevent something is to plan for it, so plan for that worst case. In addition to food and such, tuck away in secure storage copies of Locke and the others who influenced the Founders of our Republic; copies of the books and textbooks from the late 1800’s to around 1910, for they covered history, philosophy, language, and more; tuck away books on how to do things, from how the Romans did plumbing to how the pioneers preserved foods and cooked; and, tuck away Christian writings including the Bible, for Progressives worship the state and loathe those who worship God. Remember, you will eat the bugs and wear the rags and like it, and you will not have any other god but them and the state. Prepare accordingly.

Worst case covered, plan for now. For all that I think every effort will be made to ensure a dishonest election, vote. Encourage others to vote. Vote as if your life and the lives and future of your family depend on it. Vote not for individuals (put not your faith in the princes of men), but for the Republic and those who will support and defend same. If you get a stupid law or order, malicious compliance is a thing. Even at great cost, fight any injustice done unto you and any effort to erode your rights and liberties. Document, turn Alinsky back on them and make them live up to their statements. They won’t, but that just makes it easier to document, point, and laugh and ridicule them. They can’t stand the latter, so make as much fun of them in as many ways as you can. They truly are ridiculous, so share it far and wide. When they do things (or are caught), point it out and do so in a way that makes people laugh at them. It truly is their kryptonite, though expect backlash and examples to be made of those who dare do it.

Now, some of you were already doing this step long before it became a thing, but look at the Benedict Option and how it can (still) be implemented. For all that I am not a fan of Mr. Dreher, he has pushed a good idea for people of Faith. Some of you have already done something similar, pulling together in communities with shared ideals and grouping together people with needed skills should things go towards the worst case. It is a good idea, and if I get the chance to move (once health assured) would love to join such a grouping.

All that said, and as far as the Republic has fallen, I still think we are not yet beyond repair and redemption. For a musical take, I think we are still On The Border in regards the opportunity to recover and restore the Republic. That said, I think we are rapidly approaching the point of The Story In Your Eyes and having to go from the ashes we can build another day. I really hope that we can avoid, for this or any other reason, needing to play Genesis Ch1, V32 as a theme song. If you need something to buck you up, I like Victory despite disagreeing with some of the lyrics. If you need something a bit more martial, may I suggest Preliator? I’m afraid, however, that some of us — even now — may end up needing to play Winterborn, but if so let those who do and those who remember them wear and remember their names with pride. For there will be martyrs created by those who seek power for themselves, their children, and grandchildren no matter the cost. Best is to put Faith into Prayer, and hope for the ballot box and the courts, despite the strong efforts underway to de-legitimize both.

So, buck up. It may not be easy or fun, but few worthwhile things rarely are such. Be prepared, keep your family and friends close, and your things where you can find them in the dark. Pray.

UPDATE: This is a good, if short, read on the Romans, looking forward to the promised parts to come. If you want good, first-hand history on China, show trials, and more, allow me to recommend Xi Van Fleet. As always, Stephen Green/Vodka Pundit, is doing some good work. One of several I think. Lot of good takes at Hot Air.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Musical Interlude

Sorry for the odd posting schedule, but the body and I have been having a disagreement about eating that has been playing hob with me for a week now. Rather than gripe about that, I thought I would share a little bit of music. Three very different artists, all of whom I would love to see in concert. Which says a lot given my thoughts on crowds and loud these days.

First up, Lindsey Stirling. Beyond cute, with both inner and outer beauty shining through. If I were younger and Mormon…, as who wouldn’t be charmed by a true class act. I’ve been fascinated by violins since an early age and it was what I wanted to play in band, but economics (could borrow versus buy) said trumpet. Was given one very briefly for a play, and had it taken away as I was actually practicing with it and getting good while the character was supposed to play horribly. Right now, my looking at getting a guitar as opposed to a violin to see if I can learn to play after the lightning strike is mostly economics. Would love to see her in concert as you can tell she puts her all into each performance.

If you haven’t listened to her, start with Shadows and then explore. As for the class act designation, this is just one of the good things she’s done for others. Think it’s a separate clip, but note that when she plays with the young lady she clearly takes second fiddle (pun intended) so the girl can shine. That is true class.

Next up, and very different, is The Hu. Metal meets Mongolia in a way that takes tradition and turns it into something new and very enjoyable. Love their videos. Start with Yuve Yuve Yu and explore. Be sure to catch the mix of Black Thunder featuring two members of Bad Wolves. I keep seeing their music pop up in interesting places, and seem to recall that two members of the band invented a language for one of the Star Trek vehicles and may have even had a cameo. Oh, and if you just want audio and no video, check out their YT Channel as it has just audio of most of their work as well as videos. Would love to see them in concert, though I can’t afford the cheap seats much less the VIP package.

Finally, there is Loreena McKennitt. There’s a lot in her work to unpack, and I had the hair stand up on my arms listening to her sing a true and potent curse (May God reward you well for your treatment of me). Most of the world knows her for her rendition of Bonny Portmore (I think it the best), and if you get the chance to listen to All Soul’s Night on Halloween night sitting in front of a fire, do so. I used to have all her CDs, wish I still did. She ranges from truly ancient tunes to more modern pieces with ease, and my inner Celt is always happy with her takes on Celtic music. Explore and enjoy. She’s coming here to Indy in a couple of months and I’m looking at going if budget and surgery allows. Seriously will check the date of the show before setting the date for the new shoulder.

Something different for the morning, and we will see what the afternoon holds.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

A Musical Interlude

If the site is slow loading or you’ve had trouble getting through, my apologies. We are experiencing growing pains as I move from regular blog to high-traffic blog. Working on it, feel free to hit the tip jar to help me keep going and upgrade the site. Your gifts truly do make the difference. Working on adding a mail-in option, GabPay, others; if interested in mail-in for now drop me a line.

I’ve always had eclectic tastes in music. If it is good music, no matter the genre, I will listen to it. My mother was something else, forbidding a wide array of modern music while forcing show tunes and more on me. At least between her and my Dad I got exposed to some great Bluegrass… I also still take pride in my favorite line from Oklahoma! being “I knew I loved her, when I saw the moonlight gleaming off, the barrels of her father’s shotgun.” She was so disappointed.

While I’ve been on something of a metal kick the last few years (Sabaton, The Hu, others), recently I’ve found myself going back to the music of my teenage years. I had to sneak the Doors, Stones, and so much more, and the first album my mother ever allowed me to buy was Herb Alpert. It was the Whipped Cream and Other Delights album, and even to my seven-year-old(?) self, it caught my eye and imagination. Even then I was smart enough not to say why I was interested and came up with something else to focus on.

Which sort-of leads into my teenage years when I fast talked my way into The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). I think it was all the classical instruments and such that let me sell that one, and the fact that I wasn’t lying or misleading about how some parts reminded me of ships of the British Navy (which I was studying at the time) crashing through the sea, etc. May not have hurt that mom (and to a lesser extent my Dad) was convinced Bev Bevan was a girl because of something on PBS that made it look like he had moobs. This was well before Dipper Gorey, thankfully, though I am amused to this day that ELO’s finger in her eye (Fire On High) became one of their most commercially successful songs. They were also the first real concert I ever attended.

As an aside, my vision for many songs is not the normal one. For example, when Age of Aquarius comes on I see in my mind a Saturn V thundering off the pad because of a certain moon mission. For ELO’s Tightrope, I can see a grinning Scotty being a smartass (and this was before I met Mr. Doohan) beaming down a skein of rope to Kirk instead of beaming him up. Gerry Rafferty’s Home And Dry always had me in the cockpit of an F-15 or similar headed to England. Don’t ask. Just know the picture in my head is rarely the standard shown on the music video or other.

At any rate, I went exploring back through the ELO of my youth, before Bev Bevan, Mik Kaminski, Mike de Albuquerque, Richard Tandy, Mike Edwards, and Hugh McDowell left. Back well before the phase I still refer to as the Jeff Lynne Memorial Ego Project. Innovative, risk taking, and some neat and unusual sound.

Some of the music holds up amazingly well. I still love the melding of classical instruments with synthesizer and modern riffs and chords. Some of the lyrics hold up well as well. Some, well, not so much.

Back in the day, an early form of virtue signally was the ‘War Is Bad’ song that was somewhat de rigueur in the time. A bit earlier it had been a required anti-Vietnam song for so many. At any rate, ELO’s take on it was the epically long Kuiama. I remember loving it, and thinking it was just great.

Today, while the instrumental portion is still amazing in many respects, I really don’t think eye-rolls, snorts, and shaking my head were the responses being desired for the lyrics. My response back then was ‘Oh Wow!’ Today, my response is more ‘Oh Wow is that terrible!’

I did notice in going back through that and other music from my youth, is that I think my brain is trying to augment the lost hearing. One of the more annoying parts of being hit by lightning is that I’ve lost all the high-frequency hearing in my right ear. Makes listening to music not quite as enjoyable, and even a bit annoying on occasion. However, with music I had truly listened to before, it’s as if the brain was trying to “fill in” some of the missing notes. Interesting.

While I may have known it before the strike, I have also been exploring the influence of Alan Parsons. Yes, loved the Project but it is truly amazing how many albums and/or songs by so many different artists are what they are because of him. The common denominator for the albums I like in several different genres is his work on them.

It’s interesting that he is also responsible for one of two songs I think appropriate to play at the end of the world. The first of the two is the suggestion of Roger Zelazny who fashioned a short story around Miles Davis’s rendition of Saeta being the song played by the main character at the end of the world. The second, which is my more modern choice, is Alan Parson’s Genesis Ch.1,v.32.

In reviewing these and other songs, it is interesting to see what has held up, and what hasn’t. Frankly, I’m a bit amazed at how well so much of it has held up. And on others, well, I have also been doing a bit of MST and making fun of the lyrics and such that didn’t. Also, have renamed some of the soft pop of the late 60’s and 70’s as whiney bitch music…

BTW, if challenged I cheerfully admit that the HipHop I listen to is Zuby. My favorite rap song gets me in trouble: One Night In Bangkok by Murray Head.

Oh, final thought: if you come across any ELO concert footage that has Mik Kaminski in it, watch. The man was/is amazing and in that first concert I watched in awe as he plucked, repeat plucked, the Flight of the Bumblebee. Even the other band members were shaking their head at amazement.

*****

If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving to the SW, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo. Getting hit by lightning is not fun, and it is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.