May 12, 2010 - 22:05
Just so you know, comments have been answered in the comments section where questions were asked.
Here is a URL to see what tenor drumming is like. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X83KG7chhM&feature=related This girl a is a top scorer ... and I must point out that I have a different style. For one thing, I've worked my music out for myself. (I guess you could say that I wrote it.) And I've only been playing for about two weeks. Or rather, it's been about two weeks since my instrument was finally EXPLAINED to me. One of the main things everybody agrees on though is this ... There are two kinds of players for the tenor. Those that never flourish, and those that never actually touch the drum. I hope to create a third category that places me somewhere in the middle. I wish to play as much as I flourish. By the by, "flourish" means "spin the sticks" ... A tenor drummer is considered the "cheerleader" of the group ... without the short skirt. (Sorry, guys.)
So, I have adopted a microwave, a slow cooker, and a vacuum. I have also borrowed a sofa until I can find one for myself. I pray that my roomie doesn't drink coffee. then again, I don't drink it, so he's on his own in that department anyway. LOL! I noticed that the sofa is stained (as well as dirty and ripped) so it may not improve the smell of the place, but at least I can wash the cushion covers and I'll have a place to sit and read, or chat with a friend. It's temporary, and rent-free, so I'm not going to be fussy about the condition.
Roomie shows up this Friday, so I have to get all my cleaning done tomorrow. As well as get money out of the bank for this month's rent (which I haven't given yet.) *sigh* Stupid money problems. I hope that my income taxes come back fast. :( I wanna go to Jasper!
I also have to bust my butt and get my flourishes practised. I may be competing at the Highlander Games after all. I'll have to be ready, just in case. Not sure if I should be nervous or not. I managed to impress a half-blind legion member (Ret. Navy) at the parade ... I doubt I'll be so lucky with the judges.
I have a PartyLite party this Saturday as well! Cross your fingers for me, as this may earn me some groceries! Whoop!! Going to be a good turnout, I'm sure, because I'll be sharing the party with a company that sells adult toys, etc. Bring on the PASTA! LOL! Also, the lady who helped me to open my account may be making an online order as well. That would be sweet ... Really. Especially if she spreads the word!
and on that note, I'm off to bed. I spend a lot of time in the sun at work, now that it's stopped raining every day, and I'm TIRED! I re-organised racks, built a pond, faced the store, and watered EVERYTHING. and all the while, the customers "kept coming, and going, and going and coming ... and always too soon." I'm pooped.
Sweet Dreams!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Oh, Say Can You See ... My Happy Glow From Over There?
(aka I Am ... the Queen of Tenor Drums)
May 8, 2010 - 21:27
VE Parade Day. For those who aren't in the know, and I was one of them, today is the 65th anniversary of the Victory in Europe. Which means that yesterday was the anniversary of the day that the Germans surrendered. Earlier this week was the anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. If you don't know what these are, then our schools suck indeed, you skipped, or you were just not paying attention. Google them.
Anyway, today didn't start of too well. I didn't sleep very well, for one ... which means that the alarm went off WAY too early. I didn't know how half of my uniform went on, so I stuffed most of it into a bag. (Coolest part was the knife in my sock ... Yes, I was armed all day. No, nobody was killed, but it was close.) And then ... my toilet exploded. Okay, minor exaggeration. A seal had deteriorated in the ball cock and it was spraying water every time I flushed. Apparently, they started last night, but I didn't notice until I reached for a bit of toilet paper ... and found a completely soaked roll. A full roll, of course. What a waste. No time to fix it. Land lord (who conveniently lives next door) came over as soon as I got home from the ferry and he fixed it for now.
I digress again ... The parade ... WAS FANTASTIC! AND SO WAS I!!! There were two other tenors drummers there and I worried a bit when I heard that the bands would be playing together, but it worked out like a dream. I pointed out that I'd go in the middle. (Parade was three player wide.) This would balance things visually with our kilts as well as our style, because I wasn't flourishing yet. Technically, I'd been a member since early this year (Robbie Burns Night) but I'd only really been playing for about two weeks. So had one of the other tenors, and he was happy to hide his possible mistakes by not being right beside his usual partner, who has been playing for seven years. By the way, her evaluation of my performance was that even though I didn't flourish, I had a wicked supportive beat. I'm not traditional, but I like my drum style, and so does my Pipe Major and my Drum Sargent (who was unfortunately absent today) so things are going well for me. We played another couple of sets after the parade while the guests ate supper ... I got lots of nods/winks of approval from my band mates as we played and the Pipe Sargent made sure I knew that he particularly liked the beat to a song we'd just played.
Who needs drugs?!?
After the parade/ceremony, we headed over to a legion Seniors lodge and thrilled them with a mini parade, just for them. People on the street who were passing by stopped, pulled over, etc to watch and listen. If you thought my accomplishments couldn't get any brighter, well, you underestimated me. The earlier confidence booster gave me a new level to climb from. I not only performed excellent beatings, I FLOURISHED ... and didn't miss a beat doing it. Simple flourishes, but enough to make the seniors ecstatic and get applause from the bystanders.
Can you see the glow from your place?? Perhaps you are wondering why the sun is taking so long to set? :)
So I have a happy heart, sore feet, stiff neck, and I'm utterly pooped ... and I'd go again tomorrow if I could!!
Thought for the day ... I don't need a man who sparkles in direct sunlight, but ... I do admit that I'd like one who looks like he should!
Sweet Dreams!!
May 8, 2010 - 21:27
VE Parade Day. For those who aren't in the know, and I was one of them, today is the 65th anniversary of the Victory in Europe. Which means that yesterday was the anniversary of the day that the Germans surrendered. Earlier this week was the anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. If you don't know what these are, then our schools suck indeed, you skipped, or you were just not paying attention. Google them.
Anyway, today didn't start of too well. I didn't sleep very well, for one ... which means that the alarm went off WAY too early. I didn't know how half of my uniform went on, so I stuffed most of it into a bag. (Coolest part was the knife in my sock ... Yes, I was armed all day. No, nobody was killed, but it was close.) And then ... my toilet exploded. Okay, minor exaggeration. A seal had deteriorated in the ball cock and it was spraying water every time I flushed. Apparently, they started last night, but I didn't notice until I reached for a bit of toilet paper ... and found a completely soaked roll. A full roll, of course. What a waste. No time to fix it. Land lord (who conveniently lives next door) came over as soon as I got home from the ferry and he fixed it for now.
I digress again ... The parade ... WAS FANTASTIC! AND SO WAS I!!! There were two other tenors drummers there and I worried a bit when I heard that the bands would be playing together, but it worked out like a dream. I pointed out that I'd go in the middle. (Parade was three player wide.) This would balance things visually with our kilts as well as our style, because I wasn't flourishing yet. Technically, I'd been a member since early this year (Robbie Burns Night) but I'd only really been playing for about two weeks. So had one of the other tenors, and he was happy to hide his possible mistakes by not being right beside his usual partner, who has been playing for seven years. By the way, her evaluation of my performance was that even though I didn't flourish, I had a wicked supportive beat. I'm not traditional, but I like my drum style, and so does my Pipe Major and my Drum Sargent (who was unfortunately absent today) so things are going well for me. We played another couple of sets after the parade while the guests ate supper ... I got lots of nods/winks of approval from my band mates as we played and the Pipe Sargent made sure I knew that he particularly liked the beat to a song we'd just played.
Who needs drugs?!?
After the parade/ceremony, we headed over to a legion Seniors lodge and thrilled them with a mini parade, just for them. People on the street who were passing by stopped, pulled over, etc to watch and listen. If you thought my accomplishments couldn't get any brighter, well, you underestimated me. The earlier confidence booster gave me a new level to climb from. I not only performed excellent beatings, I FLOURISHED ... and didn't miss a beat doing it. Simple flourishes, but enough to make the seniors ecstatic and get applause from the bystanders.
Can you see the glow from your place?? Perhaps you are wondering why the sun is taking so long to set? :)
So I have a happy heart, sore feet, stiff neck, and I'm utterly pooped ... and I'd go again tomorrow if I could!!
Thought for the day ... I don't need a man who sparkles in direct sunlight, but ... I do admit that I'd like one who looks like he should!
Sweet Dreams!!
Friday, May 07, 2010
Takin' the High Road ...
May 7, 2010 - 22:00
I can't write much as Ihave to get off to bed right quick. It's going to be an early morning as I have to play in a parade tomorrow. I thought I'd be puking all day with nerves, but I've been calm all day. Odd. I hope I can sleep ...
I also hope that somebody gets pics of me in my kilt. :)
Thank you to Jackie and Sandee for their glowing support, and Lavendar for her immediate nags upon discovering that I am online again. Yes, you heard it .. I'm back. I have no funiture, dishes, cooking supplies, or a microwave ... but I am online and in contact with my loved ones.
My new place is a 3 bedroom, double wide trailer. Rent is $900/month, and I've got a roomie coming mid-month to help with that. My hours are also going to be picking up in June (if not before), so I should still be able to afford to go to my birthday bash in Jasper. Might even be able to afford a tent. Maybe. Meanwhile, I'm saving ... and saving ... and wondering how I'm going to get there! LOL!
I know I have more to say, but my brain is fried from all the work I did today. Work was super busy, and then I cleaned my old place after that ... and PB&J just doesn't cut it for an energy recovering meal. I need a microwave ...
Oh, I do have a piece of good news ... somebody on the island wants to have a candle party with me ... combined with a "Joy Toy" show ... LOL! Should produce some good sales, and maybe I can get that microwave! :)
Sweet Dreams!
I can't write much as Ihave to get off to bed right quick. It's going to be an early morning as I have to play in a parade tomorrow. I thought I'd be puking all day with nerves, but I've been calm all day. Odd. I hope I can sleep ...
I also hope that somebody gets pics of me in my kilt. :)
Thank you to Jackie and Sandee for their glowing support, and Lavendar for her immediate nags upon discovering that I am online again. Yes, you heard it .. I'm back. I have no funiture, dishes, cooking supplies, or a microwave ... but I am online and in contact with my loved ones.
My new place is a 3 bedroom, double wide trailer. Rent is $900/month, and I've got a roomie coming mid-month to help with that. My hours are also going to be picking up in June (if not before), so I should still be able to afford to go to my birthday bash in Jasper. Might even be able to afford a tent. Maybe. Meanwhile, I'm saving ... and saving ... and wondering how I'm going to get there! LOL!
I know I have more to say, but my brain is fried from all the work I did today. Work was super busy, and then I cleaned my old place after that ... and PB&J just doesn't cut it for an energy recovering meal. I need a microwave ...
Oh, I do have a piece of good news ... somebody on the island wants to have a candle party with me ... combined with a "Joy Toy" show ... LOL! Should produce some good sales, and maybe I can get that microwave! :)
Sweet Dreams!
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