August 26, 2004
Musical Cats
I always thought our kitten, Chloe, just enjoyed my company.
I spend hours every day at my “music station” in the basement practicing guitar, and she usually comes down and lays under my desk the whole time (or plays with her imaginary friends, she’s a little crazy.) So the other night, my sister was watching Godfather III, and you know the scene at the end where everyone gets whacked and the son is singing opera? Well, the second he started singing, Chloe pricked her ears up and stared at the tv until he was finished singing. I guess she likes crappy guitar playing, and lovely opera singing, lol.
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August 22, 2004
Hangin with Shel and Matt
I drove down to Fairfax Station, VA (near DC) Thursday night, and have been spending a great weekend with Lachelle and Matthew. Friday night we just hung out after they got home from work, it was nice to order pizza and just chill. Yesterday Matt took me out in his CJ-7 Jeep, so cool. This jeep has no doors, and a soft top. It’s great for sightseeing, but not so great on gas. I think we burned like half a tank just running around town, lol. Tim, wasn’t it a CJ-7 that you had? You know, the one that burned up on the side of the freeway? =P Anyway, we stopped by a couple guitar shops (I was able to contain myself and not buy anything thank God), and then stopped at Jammin Java, a very cool cafe/recording studio/concert venue. I’m going to be back down here next week to house/dog-sit for Shel and Matt, so I’ll be going back to JJ’s to see Ellis Paul, whom Davi has been talking about ever since I’ve known her. (Ok, ok Davi, I’ll go check him out. I know you’re jealous, even though he probably sucks, haha! =P )
Then last night we went to a show at the Birchmere in Alexandria. What a great venue. I should have brought my camera, the interior of the place is really neat. We went early and got a table right in front of the stage. Had some food and some drinks, and then Roger Clyne and PH Naffah (of Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers) went on. They put on a great show and had quite a few hardcore fans there to support them. They were followed by John Eddie. I had seen him before opening up for Bob Schneider (THE MAN) at the Roxy in LA a few years ago. He put on another really fun show, full of his signature “I’m-makin-love-to-my-guitar” playing style. ‘Twas a good night.
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August 16, 2004
Dreaming of Road Signs
No really, I was dreaming last night of road signs. Merge. No Parking. Stop. Wrong Way. Yield. Go Away. Don’t Do Donuts On My Lawn. Ok, just making sure you were paying attention. It amazes me how crappy the roadways are in the NY/NJ/PA metropolitan area. I’ve now driven across the country and up and down the east coast, and didn’t get lost anywhere until I was 40 minutes from home last night on the way back from Maine. I think there are just too many damn highways and interstates. The maps I have don’t even list many major ones.
So, I’m glad to be home, but I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy a road trip by myself. On the way up I took a direct route, but on the way back I took some detours that I otherwise might not have if I was with someone. It was really nice not to have to rush (even though I got back in just 2 days.) If you would like to see my 160 pictures – I LOVE my digital camera – let me know and I’ll send you the ofoto album.
The week at Guitar Intensives was really awesome. I didn’t realize when I signed up for this workshop that I would be studying with such a great teacher in Howard Morgen. I would recommend Guitar Intensives – he plans on teaching again next year – to any guitar players that I know. Ask me for more information if you’re interested. Also, Howard and Alice Schiller (directer of GI) could use some help with their websites. If you’d like to help them out, maybe you could get some type of discount on some very high quality guitar lessons. =)
GI was held in Bar Harbor, which is on Mount Desert Island. That was a very nice, but very touristy, crowded town. After a week of intense learning, I was a little “guitar’ed out”, so I packed up and headed further up the coast to Schoodic Point. That was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been in my life. Up past Bar Harbor, there were very few tourists. The only bummer was on the way to Schoodic Point (pronounced Skoo-dik), in Winter Harbor. Looked like a great little town with a great view, I just happened to pick the one day of the year they had a parade, and the streets were packed, so I got the heck out of there and kept going. I spent a lot more time in Schoodic Point than I originally planned, but kept driving till ~10:30pm and ended up in New Hampshire that night.
The next day I spent a lot of quality time in the Connecticut River Valley at Nehantic State Park. I drove about half an hour on a dirt road with tons of pot holes and puddles (I think I need a truck), and then came to a really nice, quiet camping area by Uncas Lake. I finished my sightseeing at Gillette State Park , the castle of William Gillette, the original Sherlock Holmes. I know, sounds corny, but the grounds there were awesome, and the castle overlooks the Connecticut River. Nice backyard dude.
Time to stop typing. I know you’re all extremely interested in the minutia of my life, but I have a lot of guitar practicing to do.
ps – Some great music to check out:
Etta James – Etta James Rocks the House
Be careful, this cd has the ability to burn down your house. (Thanks again Paul)
Pat Metheny – First Circle
This was played for me at Guitar Intensives and knocked me off my feet. (Thanks Tom)
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August 06, 2004
On the road again...
Well, as usual I’ve left my packing to the last minute.
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August 02, 2004
Well hello there!
Well, here it is, the much anticipated weblog of Jean Holmes.
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