I Wanna Do That!

"This guy could at least make it look hard."



I think he missed a note in there somewhere. Schmuck!

The Musician's Advantage

"At Least I Have An Option."

In further consideration of the question of purchasing a nice trombone and regaining my proficiency in this area, I got to thinking about the music paradigm vs. the sports paradigm. My thoughts drifted to high school athletes who thought they were really good (and some actually were), but whose playing career - much like my music career - ended abruptly years ago.

I remember going to my ten year high school reunion, the last and only one I intend to attend. I watched (with no little disdain) as all of the jocks (fat and balding by that time) sat around and watched old football game footage and congratulated themselves on what studs they were.

To this day it's easy to pick guys like this out at little league football games. They can't play anymore, so their kids are burdened with the responsibility of being the superstars that their balding, fat parents always wanted to be. What a sad way to raise kids. But to each his own.

Anyway, this weekend I had my own version of the jocks watching themselves play football. I spent some time remembering the awesome opportunities and experiences I enjoyed in high school and college playing trombone. And it occurred to me that whether I get another one or not, I am every bit capable, given enough time and effort, of playing just as well today as I did back then.

What a cool thought. The big shot jocks who were (are?) so arrogant and full of themselves would kill themselves today if they dressed out and tried to participate in the activity they grew up loving so much. I can smugly sit here and contemplate whether or not to do so in my own life. But at least I have the option.

Score one for the nerdy band jocks!

Should I Bitch or Be Excited?

"Be careful what you ask for..."

Earlier I noted that I weighed less than 200 lbs for the first time this century. Unfortunately I gave a few pounds back in the past few weeks. I decided to do something about it.

My old trainer left to go play baseball. He was a great guy and a good trainer, BTW. I actually miss him. But he's history and life goes on. I tried to continue the progress myself with varying degrees of success. Basically, I maintained the level we achieved together, but forward motion was slow at best, stagnant most of the time.

I noted in my last post that I needed to look at it this way: The fat old man that used to be me died. Now I am a 200 pound guy that needs to weigh 180. What do I need to do to get there?

I needed a new trainer. I got one. He isn't as good as the old one, and I've had more intelligent conversations with my Jack Russell. But he gets me to the gym consistently and doesn't let me skip the hard stuff.

Actually, he's kicking my butt. He's working me out a lot harder than the other guy did, and I really don't like it. I don't like the guy, his training style or how tired I am when we're done. I'm having to remind myself that I'm doing this with the mindset of taking medicine, not as a new hobby.

I got just what I asked for. I got a trainer that has no concept of the fat guy who couldn't hardly lift his right arm over his head a few months ago. And I'm already stronger than I was before. And he's pushing me. And I don't like it.

So, what do I do. Do I suck it up and perform? Do I complain politely and tone things down?

I think I know the answer. I'm already sucking.

Choices With No Wrong Answer

"Hitting the bullseye is easy. Choosing the right target is the hard part."

I've been thinking lately about my trombone playing days of yesteryear, and seriously considering getting another one and rekindling my relationship with the trombone playing paradigm. It's been almost 30 years and I really miss it. I went so far as shopping online and in a local store this weekend. The good news is that there are a bunch of trombones out there. The bad news is that they are incredibly expensive.

I've thought about it enough to get stressed out. I had to stop this morning and remind myself that there is no wrong answer.

I can go get a nice trombone. I can learn to play again - it won't take nearly as long as it did the first time. I already know what to do. It's no different than working out. It's just a matter of execution. I will never be great. But I will quickly be good. Good enough is not possible in artistic endeavors, so good will have to do.

I can hear the loud pop, let reason take over and not get a new horn. For a lot less money, I can buy some good albums and listen attentively to the great, legendary trombonists. I already have a few. Arthur Pryor (circa 1905) recorded a version of "Blue Bells of Scotland" that nobody today can even touch. And when he recorded it, there was not way to copy the recordings, so he made 40 recordings a day by playing the piece 4 times in front of ten individual recording devices. I don't have to play a trombone to respect those who do it well. I can enjoy Arthur Pryor and a hundred others whenever I want to without spending a ton of money or practicing.

Logic votes for the second answer. Plus, getting a trombone means making a commitment to it. It takes an hour a day, every day, to do it well. Logically and financially, getting another trombone makes no sense at all. It's not like I don't have other things to do with both my time and money just now.

But, of course, logic and artistic ventures are incompatible by definition, so who gives two shakes of a fat rat's ass what logic says?

Should I get one? Which one? Will I do what I need to do to play well (I won't be able to tolerate playing badly). Should I wait and see if prices come down or if the passion subsides? Should I refocus on the piano and guitar I already have? Should I be logical and responsible? Should I go for it and enjoy it? Should I just think about it summore?

The answer is a resounding, "Yes!". But what is the question again?

Target Of Future Drone Attack Urges American Intervention In Syria

"DAMASCUS—The target of a future U.S. drone strike aimed at taking out anti-American extremists strongly urged swift U.S. military intervention in Syria, sources confirmed Thursday. “President Obama and American forces must step in and help us overthrow Assad,” said the radical Islamist who will be the object of what will one day be an intense and lengthy manhunt by the CIA and whose death will reportedly be hailed as a major strategic victory by counterterrorism officials. “There needs to be a new regime in Syria immediately.” At press time, a non-target of a future drone strike, currently indistinguishable from the target of one, was saying the same thing.-www.theonion.com"

I love the Onion News Network. I usually don't repost anything like the story above on my blog, but this one time, the article really sums up my opinion of the situation in Syria.

We're considering some level of military retaliation for the use of chemical weapons. Fine. But the rhetoric, pomp and circumstance surrounding the discussion sounds a whole lot like the discussions preceding the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

On the anniversary of Sept 11, I would like to point out the following:

Some group of terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center, and the U.S. responded by taking down two countries. The rest of the BS about weapons of mass destruction, etc. was just a bunch of talk. Frankly, I'm OK with that outcome. I think the U.S, should worry less about preventing terrorist attacks and focus a whole lot more on inappropriate and overwhelming responses to future attacks. I think we should publish a list of cities we will destroy in the event of future terrorist attacks on our soil, and update the list monthly. Let those cities and the leadership thereof fight our terrorist war for us. Let us quit trading our freedom for supposed security, etc.

Obama poked a lot of fun and threw a lot of rocks at Bush and McCain for pursuing those wars, and now he's the one starting another one just like those. That's gotta be hard - even for a sleazy politician.

There is not a 'good' side in Syria. Nobody over there is our friend, and no matter how the ongoing conflict there is resolved, the U.S. loses. It's in our best interest to let these folks continue to fight with each other so that the leave us the hell alone. Why would we intervene in that situation at all?

I don't think the world needs a policeman. If it does I don't think it should be the U.S.

So, let Syrians solve the Syrian crisis. If the culture over there allows their leadership to involve chemical weapons, so be it. Hopefully, the guys that hate us so much over there will continue to fight amongst themselves until they become insignificant. Until oil was discovered in the Middle East, that's the way things were anyway.

Finally, I am among those who will never forget Sept 11, and who believes a strong military response to such actions in the future will always honor those who died that day.

Musical Memory Lane

"Good Things Come In Three's."

I know that my previous two posts have been about music, and here comes another one. In an event unrelated to anything else in life, I decided to go to my nephew's (5 of Six's) piano recital this weekend. It was held at a venue I have never visited called the UCO Jazz Lab. That venue opened in 2002, but despite my past connections to jazz, the music department at UCO, etc. I've never been there.

And first thing inside the door is a picture of my trombone professor, jazz band director, director of music, et al from 1982. I have very fond memories of my time at UCO and with the music department there. Unfortunately those times did not last.

I was never good enough to play professionally, and my vision made it impossible to sightread on that level. I found other things to do with my life, and put down the trombone and the music paradigm many, many years ago.

But it was more than fun to have my picture taken with Dr. Kidwell (or at least his picture) at a really cool place that basically stands as a monument to his talent, leadership and vision.

And what's up with life bringing my music oriented past back to focus all of a sudden? Is the universe trying to tell me something? Do I need to get on eBay and buy a trombone? My ears are open, but I don't get it yet.

In Memory Of...

"Score another one for the guy that lives in a bottle of booze."

I suppose I'm old enough to start losing friends occasionally. I lost one earlier this year.

My friend and I went to high school together circa 1980, before cell phones, Facebook or even personal computers. He was a musician - a damn good one. His primary instrument was the tenor sax, but he could competently play anything with a reed. My friend and I were invited to play in a local college jazz band when we were both still in high school. It was an honor, and it allowed us to spend a lot of time together. My friend was a great guy as well as someone to follow. I really admired him and appreciated our relationship.

A year older than me, he graduated and left OKC for the University of Miami. At the time, that school had one of the three best jazz music programs in the country. My friend went on a full ride scholarship. I was very proud of him and he was excited to go. He was full of hope and anticipation, ready to embrace a music career and bright future.

He returned home after just one semester. In the almost 30 years since, I never saw him sober again.

Somehow, my friend met the guy who lives in a bottle of booze, who moved in and took over. My friend changed completely. He was a loud, sloppy drunk, and absolutely no fun to be around. His future was destroyed. His parents spent thousands of dollars trying to make him well again. He lived in hell for the rest of his life and died last May.

And the guy who lives in a bottle of booze took yet another life.

It occurs to me that if people are warned about AIDS, they start using condoms. If they are warned about food poisoning, the are more careful to cook better. But the guy that lives in a bottle of booze is a clever one. He doesn't take everyone, just the ones who love him dearly.

And before he takes their lives, he lashes out at countless others through car 'accidents', child abuse, financial ruin, broken marriages and a host of other weapons in his arsenal.

To the guy that lives in a bottle of booze, I say, "I hate you! With all of my heart and everything inside me, I hate you for all of the harm, pain and death you cause."

To my friend, I say, "I'm really, really sorry. But I'm not surprised."

I Wish I Was A Musician

"Our government got it right when they created our National Parks"

I had the occasion, as part of a really boring Labor Day weekend, to just sit and watch TV. I hardly ever do that, so I took advantage of the opportunity while the rest of the family went to the lake - and were miserable because it was so hot.

Channel surfing, I came across an episode of the Ken Burns series on the US National Parks. This episode covered the time up to 1890, and discussed the first National Park (Yellowstone) and three subsequent parks in California (including Yosemite). I was not aware of the history of these parks and the conflicts and work involved in getting them established. I was enthralled by the stories and the beauty of these places. Hopefully I'll get some more TV time soon. The whole series is available for free on Amazon Prime Videos and probably on Netflix.

As I watched the episode, of course I remembered my own trips to Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, the Grand Canyon and other National Parks I have had the honor and pleasure of visiting. My favorite is Glacier National Park in Montana on the Canadian border. I drove into the park the week after Labor Day (yep, about now) in the early 2000's. I drove to Lake McDonald and turned right, following one of the streams. The park was empty and the pass had already been closed for the season due to snow. I found a turn out, got out of the car and hiked down to the stream.

I listened to the leaves fall, the riffles, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed sitting there in the cold wind and warm sunshine as the seasons competed. I thought about music, and how a real musician (which I am not) can recreate at will music that is just as lovely and beautiful and inspiring as the setting that surrounds me. I thought about beauty, God, creation, music and a ton of stuff. What a great day!

Unfortunately, my musings were interrupted by the park ranger, who told me to get my butt back up to the road and into my car. I wasn't doing anything wrong, there were just reports of two bears in the area. Said bears would undoubtedly be on the prowl for a last meal before they went into hibernation for the winter. I would make a perfect candidate if I wanted to volunteer. Otherwise, I should not sit there anymore.

I appreciated the wisdom of the park ranger, and got back in my car. But I can close my eyes and be back there again anytime I choose, just like the musician can disappear into a musical composition any time he chooses.

After the Ken Burns episode was finished, I turned off the TV and did just exactly that. What a good weekend.