My Other Awesomwly Cool Blogs!

 In my last post, I mentioned that, among my many interests, are model rocketry, LEGO building, and woodworking.

I happen to write blogs on all of these subjects.

If any of you readers of this blog have an interest in any of those subjects, feel free to check out my ramblings on those sites.

Even if you don't have an interest in those subjects, the blogs are a great read anyway.

In my opinion.

The links appear on the top right of this page.

One note: the woodworking blog is integrated into the Lumberjocks woodworking website.

Over the last few years they have re-done their site, And I have found it very difficult to navigate to my blog.

The posts do appear, but they are not in chronological order, and have some of my forum posts mixed in with the blog posts.

Just have to work through it.

Anyway, enjoy...!

SEVEN - OH !!

 "The world needs more people who refuse to act their age."

Last week I completed my 70th trip around the sun, a journey that started way back in 1956.  (Jeez, that was when silver dimes, quarters, and half dollars still circulated in our pocket change!)

The above quote is more relevant to me than ever before.

Remember when you were growing up, your parents would scold you with the ""Act your age!" line?

I do.  Now that I have transitioned across the numerical threshold of being 'middle-aged' to the status of 'old', I want nothing to do with acting my age!

That being established, I think it's safe to say that, not only do I not feel like I'm 70, I certainly don't act like it, either.

After I hit my retirement era five years ago, I worked through all the difficulties associated with 'I don't have any place to be today' and 'what do I do with my empty house' and 'where did all my work friends go?',etc, etc, etc.

Now that I am into my 7th decade, my focus has shifted to prioritizing my own activities, and spending more quality time with the missus.

First and foremost, more attention has recently been paid to exercise and diet.

Every early weekday morning is spent at the local rec center engaging in a rather rigorous 'cross-fit' regimen consisting of a large variety of weight, cardio, and core exercises.

Diet changes consist of the increase in protein and vegetables, and much less in the consumption of carbs, processed foods, and sugar.

In addition, I make sure that I get a full eight hours of sleep every night. That's more important to mental and physical well-being than many people realize.

Needless to say, I look and feel in much better shape than when I was half my age.

In addition to that, I stay physically and mentally active during the remainder of the day.

Recently, I've been on a binge of de-cluttering the house, ruthlessly getting rid of things that I no longer need or ever will use. 

There's definitely going to be a substantial yard sale this coming Spring!

Also, I have many hobbies to keep my grey matter busy:

Model rocketry

LEGO  building

Music performance, practice, study, and writing

Woodworking

Philatelics and numismatics

Gardening

Journaling

Reading

My wife says I have too much, but I think not!

Even though I own a La-z-Boy chair, it sees very little use. Most days, none at all.

Another important thing is that I limit my media intake, both social media and televised stuff.  I don't even have a Facebook account.  And I'm better off for it. I tend to view most media content as 'clutter  for the brain'.  And since I am in de-cluttering mode right now, well, you know...

With all this said, I am greatly looking forward to the next decade.

Lots to do and accomplish!

A New Music Writing Reference Tool

 This Christmas, I was gifted with a book that is a much welcome addition to my growing music reference library.

This is "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Music Composition" by Michael Miller.

I'm assuredly not claiming to be an idiot, but there is much I need to learn as I embark on my new theatrical music 'career'.

This book contains a wonderful amount of useful information covering all aspects of music writing: melody, harmony, chord progressions, song structure, lyrics, dynamics, and so on.

The book has sections covering orchestration as well, which will be highly useful to what my main focus of the play-in-progress encompasses. 

Let the study begin.....

My First Ever Music Recording

 I always enjoy going through the old storage totes that reside underneath the basement stairs in my home.

Something forgotten and interesting is always found there.

This past week I ran across an envelope that contained a 33-1/3 vinal record.

The recording features a selection of short classical pieces performed by a Colorado Springs elementary school string orchestra.

I was a part of that group, being a fifth grade student.

The concert was performed in 1967 as part of a large music educators' convention.

The music is horrible....

Imagine, if you can, 50 or so kids, new to their instruments, trying to hold together a music performance.

An out of tune cacaphony for the ages!

Side B of the record contains a piece by Haydn and Bach each, performed equally cringe-worthy as the first side.

But, hey, at least I can say that I've actually played the famed Broadmoor Hotel Ballroom!

(The record producers mis-spelled the name Broadmoor on the label....)

Cheers!

Musical Theater, Part 2

 In my last post, I stated that I had no previous experience with musical theater.

Not true...

The other day, I was going through a storage tote of memorabilia.  Inside the box was a large envelope containing programs and  playbills from concerts and music programs in which I was involved in orchestras during my grade school and junior high days.

Though I couldn't find a paper program for it, I recalled a musical play that was put on by Washington Irving Junior High School in Colorado Springs in either '69 or '70. The play was called 'The Columbus Caper'.

I played violin in the pit orchestra!

Voila....musical play experience....

....now back to writing!

A Brand New (Musical) Adventure

 

As most of you readers know from past posts on this blog, I have a deep interest in performing and writing music.

Until now, most of the writing I have done has been limited to fingerstyle acoustic guitar pieces that I have subsequently performed at various gigs and open mic venues.  The majority of these songs reside only in my head and on my fingertips.  In other words, I've never bothered to pull out a pen and some staff or tab sheets to write any of it down.

Recently, I've taken on a project that requires me to make drastic changes to this scenario:

Back in September I got a call from an old buddy (Mark) with whom I have played a great deal of music in the past.

He has another old acquaintance (Neil) who is in the process of writing and producing a major musical theater show.  This gentleman has asked my friend to write and score the music for it.

Mark has turned around asked me if I would like to collaborate with him on the project!

How cool is that?!!

And how intimidating...

Mind you, I have no experience with musical plays. I've never even attended one, save for a couple of high school productions years ago in which my daughters participated.

This current project requires Mark and I to write, arrange, and score for voice actors, on-stage chorus, and a twenty piece pit orchestra!

I have no experience doing any of this.

The one thing I do possess is deep appreciation and knowledge of a wide array of music genres, from baroque and classical up through pop, classic rock, progressive rock, fusion, and jazz. 

Over the decades my vinyl turntables, cassette decks, CD players and streaming devices have not been idle.

Playing multiple instruments in public and studying music theory has come in a bit handy, as well.

I'm not entirely sure yet how big this musical is destined to be. It definitely is off-Broadway, but big enough to tour around the country.

So, starting back in September, I've been in major musical-theater-learning mode.

Lots of material to write.

Premier performance is scheduled for late 2029.....gotta get crackin'!

More to come, right here on Eddie's Random Ramblings!

Space-Themed Bunk Bed, Part 4

 This weekend's work on the bunk bed planets consists of filling in the wood grain of the plywood cutouts to make smoother surfaces for painting.

This is done by applying several coats of thinned carpenter's wood filler and sanding in between coats.

Here are all of the planets just after the second coat has been brushed on:

It will likely take a third coat before the grain is adequately filled in. Sanded high-grade birch plywood has pretty decent original surfaces to begin with and thus don't require too much prep work to achieve smooth results.

I bet you are wondering what that strange semi-circular piece is doing among the planet cutouts.

That will be revealed in due time.

Stay tuned ...