February 29, 2008
Gitane DG-255
It seems the particular Dell Arte guitar I was lusting after recently is simply not available anywhere at this time. The parent company as well as the luthier who designed it, claim that more are forthcoming from the manufacturer in Asia but nobody can say when. All the retailers worldwide said that it has been unavailable for many months now.
In the meantime a similar guitar has become available at a price I can live with. The Gitane DG-255 from Saga. Suggested retail: $950, street price: $690, typical eBay price: $600 (without case or warranty)... my price, brand new w/hard shell case and warranty: $550.
Granted this is still an entry-level guitar just a step up from the $200-300 student models and a long way from the $3,000+ hand-made European models, but it fits the budget. If it proves to be something that can be used at work then an upgrade might be considered.
Maybe it has something to do with playing in a French restaurant for the past eight years, but I do feel the urge to learn more about playing the gypsy jazz guitar style pioneered by Django. Jean Baptiste "Django" Reinhardt (January 23, 1910 – May 16, 1953) was a Belgian Sinto Gypsy jazz guitarist who lived in Paris.
If you don't know what it sounds like, here's a good Gypsy Jazz internet radio station from some guys in Germany... Hot Club radio
February 26, 2008
Violette Slideshow
The slide show is hosted on another server and frequently stops, presumably due to bandwidth issues, so I'll have to make my own and host it on my servers. In the meantime this will do.
Here's a photo Erin took on Valentines Day with the old boys sporting their formal wear...
February 24, 2008
Macabre 2/24
The weather conditions were not particularly favorable for a fast pace on the Macabre route today but the team of mostly roulers kept things moving.
Eddy was in the GTC colors and doing some work at the front. Mark rode strong and set the pace on many of the climbs. Marshall is nearly recovered from the dreaded flu and is coming back strong. TC said he wasn't feeling all that great but his legs were saying something different.
54.6 @ 2:39 = 20.6
Eddy, Theron, Dan, Mark, Marshall (photo: Marshall)
February 22, 2008
The End of the Oil Era
The 20th century was powered by oil. It was an era that saw the development of new technologies that greatly improved the quality of life. But the end of the oil-driven era is inevitable, and so the challenge now is to consolidate the gains achieved with fossil fuels and move beyond this finite resource. Meanwhile develop energy sources with less of an environmental impact - for goodness sake!
It is human nature to fear the unknown -- the end of cheap oil -- and to want to delay its arrival for as long as possible. However the sooner we take intelligent and decisive action, the less traumatic it will be.
OK here's a clue; Shanghai has banned bicycles from the city streets. How long do you think the oil will last when China and India are driving cars like we do?
Hello, is anyone awake out there?
February 20, 2008
Dog Blog
RachelJean's dog blog...
mellowmiles.blogspot.com
February 14, 2008
Valentines
A splashing of colors occurred on the kitchen table this morning and a stack of valentines appeared. Here's a few of them...
February 13, 2008
Music - Reality Check
Recent article found at The Onion...
Activision Reports Sluggish Sales For Sousaphone Hero
Phil Woods Quote:
"Teaching jazz is like fattening frogs for snakes. I don't teach, but I tell kids at clinics what I'd do if I did teach at a University. I'd put them on a bus and paint the windows black, give them ugly uniforms and 400 pieces of music out of order that need all sorts of doubling (clarinet, oboe, flugelhorn). I'd drive them around campus for 30 hours in circles, going nowhere. Then I'd stop, drop everybody off, put on the plastic uniforms, set up on a dark stage with no sound system or sound man, tune up, call out a number 1479! They'd have to scramble to put their music in order "All right, now put it all away, hang up your uniform, get back on the bus and drive around in circles for another 30 hours." After a few days, I'd ask them, "Now, who wants to make this their life?" You can save people a whole lot of trouble, because this is what the music business is. It's not about the music. The music is easy! It's all that other stuff. To play with young energy is simple, but to sustain a career in music takes a lot of dedication. You may major in Coltrane, but you gotta play Britney Spears on tour for a living."
-- Phil Woods (in Downbeat magazine).
Thanks for sending, Adam.
February 10, 2008
2/10 Macabre
The weather map showed lots of isobars indicating wind from the west. A nearby weather station said it was sustained 13 mph with gusts to 28 mph. The wind was not much of a factor when we started and rode east but by the time we turned around it was a different story.
The second half of this route is much harder than the first half, in fact we joke about the first hour or so being 'the ride to THE ride'. Toss in some strong headwinds from the west and you got your work cut out for you.
Much carnage happen behind as TC and I led the way home.
Greg, Theron, Dan, Jeff, Shawn, Mark, Marshall
K9 AM
My dogs like to lay where the morning sun comes in the windows.
Miles
February 09, 2008
Meet Miles
Rachel adopted an Australian Shepherd mix, 2.5 months old. He's so chill and totally cool that he was dubbed "Miles".
The 1948-50 BIRTH OF THE COOL sessions Miles Davis usually slowed down the tempo and tended to add more impressionistic colorations...via an expanded, mid-sized ensemble with arrangements by Gil Evans and others. At the same time, Miles retained the advanced harmonic lessons he'd learned from the likes of Parker, Gillespie, and Monk. What Davis sacrificed in velocity he recovered in emotive depth and nuance. These strengths would be further defined--and redefined--by Miles in the coming decades.
February 07, 2008
Flowering Rosemary
This plant lives next to our driveway and has grown big. I often touch it, smell it, cook with it and sometimes carry twigs with me. It has lots of flowers this time of year.
February 06, 2008
Selmer/Maccaferri-style guitars
I hear this guitar calling my name.
Hommage 14 F Dmodel
February 05, 2008
Verifiable Elections
There is something to be said for paper ballots, kept in public view, hand counted by citizens.
"Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything." —Josef Stalin
February 03, 2008
Game Room
We went to Dave and Carol's to play pool and watch the Super Bowl commercials.
Dave breaks on his new table
Super Bowl Macabre
2008 Super Bowl Sunday was a beautiful day for a bike ride. I hope everybody else got to enjoy the weather today. The macabre group featured a handful of local horsepower including an ex-pro racer, the reigning GTC champion, some mean old guys and a new guy.
54 miles @ 2:38 = 20.6
Doug, Jeff, Theron, Dan (not pictured: Eddy, the new guy)