https://www.facebook.com/lunkerville/videos/10152590836177653/ My observations. This is a huge group of percussionists for that age group. I don't think we had more than a couple of drummers at Wheat Elementary. Lots of percussion equipment - I dont think we had that much, even at the SR HS level. I'm glad this district has the money for these instruments, given the number of students wanting … [Read more...]
Kinky Boots in town
August 2, 2015 By
Went to the Orpheum Theater this afternoon to see the musical "Kinky Boots". Loved the absolutely hilarious movie a few yrs ago, and decided to see this - I'd forgotten the show was a musical, and thought it was just a play (silly me). Anyway, while it was just "ok" in the beginning, by the middle of the first act, and especially the second act, it just got better and better, with a great … [Read more...]
New music: Post Modern Jukebox
August 2, 2015 By
New music "Post Modern Jukebox" (opens in a new window) Since you "liked" this, I wanted to share with you that this is my new fav group, having seen a different video of theirs recently ("All about that bass"). I've subsequently bought one of their "albums" on iTunes called "Historical misappropriations". Great music. … [Read more...]
Daughter Elyse and her “new” camera
July 25, 2015 By
Ah, and one last thing. I loaned my Sony Mirrorless camera to Elyse after she came out here in early June. She's never been into photography (or so she told me), until we went to downtown MPLS together, and she shot a few pictures (300 of them, to be "exact"). So, she's had the camera for almost 6-7 weeks now, and she went on a sightseeing trip with a friend for a few days, and ended up taking … [Read more...]
Recommendations: shows, food, movies, etc
July 25, 2015 By
Today's miscellaneous Recommendations: Chilies restaurant: margarita chicken tex mex bowl, combined with their white queso appetizer and salsa on top is just DELISH! Yum. Locally, here in "beautiful downtown" Apple Valley, a "smash burgers" opened up a yr or so ago. I've eaten there a couple of times (but not recently), but they're pretty good. On the other hand, "Five guys" opened up their … [Read more...]
Growing up in the wrong musical era
July 21, 2015 By
https://www.facebook.com/DrumTalkTV/videos/853846431360689/ I sometimes think I was born in the wrong era. I think I should've been born ten - fifteen years earlier, what, with my strong appreciation for big band music, as well as not being able to fully appreciate (when I was growing up) the talents of Frank, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett as well as Sammy Davis. I wish I'd been able to see … [Read more...]
U/ST Final grade for Object Oriented Software Analysis (“UML” class)
July 21, 2015 By
i'm just one lucky SOB [son of bob?]. Been logging into U/St. Thomas almost on a daily basis. Grade was posted today for the summer class: "A-", giving an overall GPA of 3.52. Last course starts after Labor day. … [Read more...]
Various thoughts about cameras, photography
July 20, 2015 By
I have four "cameras" (my trusty Canon DSLR, the "newer" Sony Mirrorless, a Sony P&S (that fits in my pants pocket) and, of course, like everyone else, my cell phone). All of them have the now (pretty much) standard LCD screen that you can't see a frigging thing on when you are outdoors in bright sunlight. The first two do have a separate eye viewfinder but I've been leaving the DSLR home … [Read more...]
Behind in my posts!
July 15, 2015 By
Well, I'm kinda behind with my posts - it was a busy weekend and start of the week for me. I just posted pictures of the "Thrust" stage at the Guthrie - and was admonished by the volunteer usher that "ALL" photography was "Verboten!" (even when the musical hadn't yet started). I guess they don't want anyone to steal their scenery ideas. Rick and I had a great time, first, while eating at the … [Read more...]
U/Saint Thomas – Summer class final exam
July 13, 2015 By
So, the final exam tonight (for my "Object oriented software analysis & design" class) was closed book, but we could bring a double sided cheat sheet to use. I got there, and the whole row behind me (4-5 people) were poring over copies of someone's cheat sheet - font size 6, double column - I laughingly made a comment about the font size, so one person handled me a copy. I showed them that I … [Read more...]
Rude people texting/FB’ing at the Symphony
July 11, 2015 By
NPR article about Patti Lapone confronting person with cell phone during her performance (opens in a new window) This is getting out of hand - last 3-4 shows at Orchestra hall, I've been seated next to people like this. It's so f'ing irritating/distracting. Good for Patti L. … [Read more...]
Friend’s thoughts about marriage equality
July 10, 2015 By
More thoughts about marriage equality and the bible by my friend Tina Weems Dolechek. Thanks, Tina, for sharing. I have been reading many posts lately about marriage equality and how the Bible says marriage is between a man and a woman. I thought I would do a little Bible research myself. This is what I found. The Bible is ok with men having more than one wife. King David, remember David The … [Read more...]
Orchestra Hall – Singing in the rain
July 8, 2015 By
Orchestra Hall - Singing in the rain (opens in a new window) Got my ticket to see this film & music event at Orchestra Hall tomorrow morning. The musical/movie is a classic, and truth be told, I've probably never seen the entire thing before, so it'll a first for me. Of course, I waited to the last minute to invite a friend to go with me - they apparently would have enjoyed going, but they … [Read more...]
BusinessWeek devotes double issue to “computer programming”
July 1, 2015 By
Not my quote: “It’s no longer acceptable to be ignorant about the ways it <BSW: "software"> works,” he said. “If everybody brought the same ignorance about software to medicine, it would be insane, we would be mocked.” “Software is a completely different discipline and we wanted to help to demystify it for the world that doesn’t think that way. What if you explain code in the same way you … [Read more...]
Gay rights, Stonewall, & President Obama
July 1, 2015 By
Please read this man's letter to the president dated March, 2013, and also read the president's response dated Nov, 2013. People have asked me to repost the letter that I read last night at the Pride Rally. When I finished reading it there was a tremendous round of applause. I cut them off by saying "Wait, here is the icing on the cake, President Obama wrote me back." As far as I know this is … [Read more...]
Gay marriage – my thoughts
June 30, 2015 By
A former HS female friend today posted a comment along the lines of "Why is America encouraging sodomy?" [If I remember correctly, I believe her husband is a church pastor and they are currently doing missionary work overseas.] A different FB female friend - a former work colleague and someone apparently religious enough that they would openly read their bible at work when they weren't busy - a … [Read more...]
“Black and White” song – interesting history
June 30, 2015 By
Spotify #NowPlaying "Black And White" by Three Dog Night. First heard this song in 1972 (at age 13) becoming one of my favs around the time I was just beginning to become aware of, and appreciate "popular" music (on the radio), etc. I didn't know until a few mins ago, it wasn't written by Three Dog Night, in '72, but was written in 1954 by David Arkin and Earl Robinson, in response to the … [Read more...]
Internet down today: Model Railroading
June 30, 2015 By
Two more blog posts to do. Second to last - as previously noted, my internet was down from late Thursday thru Saturday afternoon. The technician comes around my place at 3:30, worked on the outside box for quite some time. Finally comes to the door, introduces himself as a Charter employee, and we talk about my problem. He starts looking at the cabling, etc. In the meantime, he inquires "is that … [Read more...]
Today’s Supreme court decision in Haiku
June 30, 2015 By
The Supreme Court's decision in Haiku (author Daniela Lapidous) Roberts’ dissent: I support you all No, really, I do, but this Isn’t our problem. Alito’s dissent: “Happiness is not the point of marriage, fools. It’s BABIES,” he whispered. Thomas’ dissent: “Liberty” – this word, I do not think Locke means what You think it means. Sigh. Scalia’s dissent: You’re not a … [Read more...]
Miscellaneous unrelated posts – #1
June 30, 2015 By
Ok, a bunch of small short unrelated posts tonight. First, did I mention I had lunch with BFF Rick last week? He lives downtown MPLS, and we usually do something in the SLP or Ridgedale area. We ended up eating at Big Bowl at Ridgedale - hadn't been there in quite some time - had me some Panang Chicken Curry with white rice. BEST. MEAL. EVER. I know there is another Big Bowl in Southdale, but … [Read more...]
