Hammer & Sponge

We did it again! My friend Ariah and I had another gig at WineKraft in Astoria, November 17. We had a decent turnout, and I think everyone had a good time. We played about 2-1/2 hours. The only downside was that I had to get up at 5 a.m. the next day to work a 12-hour shift. That's not an easy thing to do. We're saving up our tips for a spa trip.

 

Now I'm in the process of learning a couple new songs. The fingers of my left hand are so calloused, that I need to modify my technique when palpating veins for IV starts. Thank goodness I'm adaptable. 

Music, and Playing Out

Today our basement band played a few songs on Troll Radio Review. The Review is a variety show broadcast live the last Saturday of each month, and features the house band (Beerman Creek String Band), the Troll, Stinky Toadwort, the Troll Radio Theater Troupe, and guests. Our band was one of the guests.

 

The show is typically held at and broadcast from the Fort George Brewery. It's family friendly, and lots of fun. Since our band *still* has no name, we needed something for this special Halloween show. So for today, we were The VanHelsingers. Man, oh man, were we nervous - but what a rush when it was all over!

 

Members of our band are all employees of Columbia Memorial Hospital. We play together for our enjoyment. Early this year we were asked to play at the Astoria Regatta, which occurs each August. Our participation was at Regatta Square, which was hosted by CMH and included a community health fair and other activities. That was (for us) a huge show, as our usual playing out consists of an annual gathering of friends, neighbors and coworkers at a summer party/potluck.

 

Also earlier this year, my friend Ariah (second from left) and I decided to be brave and daring and play out in public - just the two of us. That's scary in a whole different way. We'd been compiling a list of songs we like and were capable of singing and playing. So August 24th, we parked ourselves outside WineKraft, a local wine bar (with permission), and set to playing. We chose that location so we could speak with the owner about the possibility of playing *inside* the venue this fall/winter. So it was an audition, so to speak.

 

Our first inside gig was September 7. The turnout was great. We were nervous in the beginning, but more importantly we had FUN. We played again October 26th. We call ourselves "Hammer & Sponge." It's a long story, but it's based on our leadership styles.

 

Our next gig is November 17th. WineKraft showcases many musicians, as well as Tipsy Painting sessions. Check out their Facebook page.

Another Fantastic Summer Party!

The event we look forward to every year has come and gone, and it was a huge success. We weren't sure how many would be able to attend, what with the eclipse, but the turn-out was great.

Due to our frustratingly incompatible work schedules, we were only able to really rehearse for the party a couple of times. Hopefully we can fix that for next year's party. And maybe finally come up with a name for our little group.

Photo by Deborah Cooper

Now we can plan our next big Music Night at our house, more relaxed and open to friends who just want to jam or hang with us.

Still Looking for a Band Name

From left to right: Chris, Deanna, Ariah, Acadia (guest singer), Julie, JD

 

Last week was busy, right up through the weekend. Our band played music at yet another very successful summer party at Julie & Pat's house. And we still don't have a band name. It seems next to impossible to get five people to agree. And when we do like a name, a quick Google search tells us there's already a band with that name. It's a bit frustrating.

Creative outlets...

I haven't had much time to sew or do much in the way of art journaling lately. I've been busy working, spending time with family, and playing music.

Last Friday we were invited to an open mic at a local brewpub (Hondo's). I was pretty nervous, but I think it went really well. There were some really good musicians there that night. I'm sure we'll be doing more of this (playing out), but we're struggling to find a name for our little group.

We've got a music night planned at our house on the 30th (sorry, neighbors). Ariah (second from left) is my music buddy, and her mom will be visiting from Idaho. We LOVE playing and singing together. I think it'll be a really good time, and I'm so looking forward to it.

Last week I started sewing a little witch pin doll, using my Hazel pattern ~ one of my very early patterns. I haven't made one of these for years, though I really doubt I'll get her done by Halloween. I'll try to work on her a little today. These little pin dolls can take as long to make as bigger dolls.

I may even get a chance to work on an art journal page, though my to-do list for today is pretty long and includes boring things like laundry and vacuuming.

Musical Getaway! (BlogAlong 13/30)

Going to work this morning for a day of meetings at work (ok, I'm escaping a little early), then we're heading to the Edgefield to see Steely Dan at an outdoor concert. I'm excited to see all the artwork throughout the buildings and grounds. Better bring a hat, cuz it's supposed to be in the upper 80s in Portland today!

 

Historic Edgefield, built in 1911 as the county poor farm, is a destination resort in the Pacific Northwest that blends Oregon's natural beauty with McMenamins' signature whimsy: original buildings carefully restored with cozy interiors, gardens grown using organic methods, great food and drink, live entertainment and more.

Open Mic at Street 14 Coffee

Astoria may be a small, rural Oregon town, but it's a very artistic community. I love living here. Saturday we attended (and participated) at the Open Mic at Street 14 Coffee. This was one of the talents, Manasseh David Israel, a fantastic musician and vocalist. You can see Chris and I in the crowd as the camera pans, at 1:58.

Sparks - Manasseh David Israel from Cabell Tice on Vimeo.

Here we are, nervous as all get-out and doing our thing at the Open Mic. The premise is that if we do this often enough, the nervous butterflies and jitters will decrease. I don't know why I put myself through this torture, but I guess I enjoy it on some level. Mom, you should be proud of the fact that I played the accordion for the first two songs. And no one threw fruit and vegetables.

Should be sewing...

Yeah, I know I should be sewing. Instead I'm frittering away my time doing that crazy online karaoke. Of course, it's only just past noon, and I've got all day. But it's amazing how quickly time flies when you're frittering...

Actually, I did do something doll related today. I sent my new Averill face sculpt to Jeff Goshon to have new molds made, though I forgot to photograph it as I'd intended. The old face/mold is no more. Her anatomic abnormalities have been bugging me for a long time. It's funny how you look back at your earlier work (thinking it was ok), then time goes buy and you can't stand it.

I love this song, though I am NOT a country music fan. But my friend and colleague Brenda Sue used to sing this when we had our little bluegrass band. I sang back-up/harmony on this one. Brenda had a stroke (she's a little younger than I am), and just can't do it anymore. I miss her.

I bought a webcam this past weekend. I don't think I like to see myself singing - I'd hoped I didn't look that goofy. I was wrong. Notice the cluttered studio in the background?

Where have I been, and just what have I been doing?

Well, it's truly autumn here, and life/work has been busy. I've been itching to make a doll, but it hasn't been in the cards. We're seeing many folks with the flu or "flu-like symptoms" present to the ER every day. Most of us have had our flu shots, but I get the feeling it's only a matter of time before we all start dropping like flies.

I attended a great trauma class last week (certification is required every 4 years). You might notice that the instructors are teaching in a hotel room. That's because the person coordinating the class lacks some organizational skills.

Not pointing fingers ~ I'm just saying...
Good thing they're real ER nurses, and therefore very adaptable and able to go with the flow (though the instructor said she couldn't sleep until she put the dummy away.)

TNCC (Trauma Nurses Core Course) is a comprehensive class, with written and practical exams. When I finished my one-on-one practical exam, the tester asked what courses I instructed. That caught me by surprise. I said, "Uh, doll making?" That's not what he was talking about. He said I'd make a good TNCC instructor because I like "control." I guess I do, but I think I'd rather teach dollmaking ;-)

We also babysit our grandson every Monday and Wednesday. Yesterday (during a rain break) we went to the local park with Ivan. He's so much fun to be around, and his vocabulary is expanding weekly. Dare I say, he's a genius?

Monday, my oldest son announced that he and his fiancee are expecting a girl in April. It came as quite a shock, but at least he knew to tell me in person and not via email. He's very excited and happy about it, and I'm happy that he's happy.

In just a little over a month we'll be celebrating Christmas. I'm sure I'll be ill-prepared as usual. Our Christmas party/auction is on December 19, and we've put together a little ER band for entertainment. We've just started rehearsing a set of songs to perform. The band has two new members that both work in the ER - Ian (drummer) and Kyle (my youngest son, on sax and is learning a little electric guitar). I'll also be playing the electric guitar for the first time. That should be entertaining...or not.

I've also become a little bit addicted to karaoke (at home, in private). Myspace.com has a karaoke feature, which is a good way to exercise the voice. I bought a mic for the computer, and now I can experience the pain of hearing recordings of myself.

The Wobblin' Goblin

I've been trying to remember the lyrics to a song my mom used to sing around this time of year. I looked it up on youtube, and was tickled to hear the original, as sung by Rosemary Clooney.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nprCD04Zfls

The Wobblin Goblin

(Intro)
There once was a sad little goblin,
Who had a broken broom
When he went anywhere, it would wobble in the air
And his heart would fill with gloom
He tried to hard to fix it every night
But he just couldn't get it working right

The Wobblin goblin with the broken broom
Could never fly too high
For right after take-off
Another piece would break off
And soon he would be danglin' in the sky!

Each evening just as he would leave the ground
His radio would say:
"Control tower to Goblin,
Your broom stick is wobblin',
You better make a landing right away."

It soon got so he could only ride
When the witches took him piggy back
Until at last, he used his brain,
And bought himself an aero-plane!

So if you look for him on Halloween
You'll see him zip and zoom
No harm can befall him, no longer can they call him,
The Wobblin' Goblin with the Broken Broom!

Music to my ears

I really miss singing with the local community chorale, especially after watching a fun piece like this: