4 Virtuos...

 

The players?  Well, I'm talking about the Emerald Virtuo guitars in our group of 7.  Yesterday was music day, and the first time since last spring that all 7 of us have been together.

After being under the weather for a couple weeks, it was really good to get back together with my music buddies! 

A while back, I had mentioned to the folks at Emerald (the guitar maker from Ireland) that we now have 4 Virtuos in our group: Mark's, Tom's, Carl's, and mine.  In addition to those, Mark also has an X10 Slimline, and I have an X20, and X10, and an X7 (my first Emerald from 2016).  Alistair at Emerald said they'd like to see some photos or a video with our group.

Today, Cindy (Mark's wife) took some photos for us.  Here's a look...

 The 7 of us, truly a "garage band" today, at Mark's home.  L to R: Gil, Carl, Ron, me, Mark, Tom, and Danny.  It is always a good time when we are together.

 The Virtuo players...

 Cindy asked us to step outside to get a bit of Arizona in a photo...

 I wasn't sure how my singing voice would be - it has been nearly a month since I've gotten together with these guys.  I am over the nasty cold, but the lungs are still needing some re-build time.  Surprisingly, I was able to sing in my full range.  And, with 5 singers, I didn't have to do all the lead singing.  Plenty of good harmony.

We are all in our 70s.  With a combined playing experience on the far side of 400 years.  Whew - now I feel even older.  We all use iPads for our charts.  It is easy to put your nose in the iPad and not look up to see how much fun we're all having... I had issued a challenge for today: each person submit two songs where they don't even look at the iPad.  Yes, we did it.  I first used an iPad when playing out in 2012 - it was for my set lists and an occasional glance at a chart to check lyrics.  With these guys, we play a lot of songs that are new to us (unlike the songs I've been doing for years when I play solo) - it is helpful to have the lyrics and chords while playing.

I had been looking forward to this for weeks - a truly good time!  And Ron brought pizzas!  We generally get set up, run though a song for a sound check, then have lunch before going after it for the afternoon.  Oh, and a short cookie break - 'cause man does not live by pizza alone.

 

 

Walking Bacon...

 

 I was reading through some van groups on Facebook and came across this...

From Seniors and Camping group. I found my new favorite takeout. Walking Bacon. LOL

 

We like to travel to new places at least once a year. Last year we got up into Pennsylvania in a little town south of Altoona called Roaring Spring. We were walking down the street looking in shop windows and it was getting close to lunchtime (nap time) and we were standing in front of a sandwich shop. They had an outdoor menu so my wife decided what she wanted and I did too. She continued to look in store windows and I went in to order.

 

I got the sandwiches and the guys asked me if I wanted some “walking bacon.” I’m like what? He said "Walking bacon, we give you 3 slices of bacon to get you home." Well I just stood there and he said, "I can tell by the bewildered look on your face the answer is yes. " So I got my sandwiches and bacon went and found my wife and she said, "Are you crying?" I said I didn’t want to talk about it, but this town has to be the greatest place on earth and that sandwich shop is more than likely the center of the universe. I’ve met very few true geniuses in my life, but that guy……sorry I’m tearing up again.

 

Cracked me up.  And now, all I want in the world is... Walking Bacon.

 

 

Anticipation...

 

If you said, "Carly Simon, 1971," you get 15 bonus points.  If you said, "From the catsup commercial," you get an additional 5 bonus points for having a sense of humor.

Today, I am full of anticipation.  If you said, "Well, he's full of something," no bonus points, but thanks for the chuckle.  It's gonna be a good day.  I am feeling better.  Not 100%, but definitely better.  Getting over a cold with asthma takes time.  While in the car yesterday, I sang along with the radio.  Not loud, but I could push out some sound.

Tomorrow, I get together with "the big group"... that is 7 of us.  First time since we played out late spring last year.  Mark, Ron, Danny, Gil, Carl, Tom, and me.  They got together two weeks ago, but I was sick... I missed seeing my friends.  I may not have full voice, but I'll sing what I can and the other guys will do their part (and some of mine).  I am already anticipating what gear I'll take.

 

A file photo from the last time the 7 of us were together. 

This morning, when I got up and started getting breakfast ready for Murphy and Stella, they played together.  Nicely.  No growling or hissing.  After their breakfast, Murphy and I went outside for our "walkabout and guy time."  Back inside, when I sat down, Stella jumped up on my chair and into my lap; a first.  And right now, they are sitting by the patio door, looking out...

 They share plenty of toys, but that is Murphy's chair.  It has a cooling pad on it, for his comfort; we move the chair in front of the door so he can look out.  This morning, Stella joined him; well not on the chair; he fills that.

Murphy gets to go outside, in our yard, not on a leash.  I am anticipating that the time will come soon for Stella to go outside - in a backpack, in a stroller, or on a leash (with a harness - if we can find one to fit her wiry physique).  Stella often looks through that patio door glass to see what we are doing.  Yes, Stella survived on her own, in a parking lot, before we rescued her.  While I'd like to think that she knows she has a good deal here with us, I have no idea if she is a flight risk.  And, I don't want to chance it.  At this point, she has made no attempt to get out the door when I am coming or going with Murph.  I'd like to keep it that way.

 

 

Snuggle Time...

 

Is this going to be a TMI post, Jim?

No, but thanks for asking.  I was needing a "feel like a real person" day.  Joan had talked about picking up some stuff at Sam's, and I suggested lunch out.  A real lunch out, not her picking up something and bringing it home; but, a sit-down, order off a menu kinds lunch.

We did just that.  After walking around Sam's - and adding to my spring wardrobe - we went to Olive Garden.  My choice.  I know some people think of Olive Garden as the "McDonald's of Italian food," but I do not agree with that.  I was really feeling like a bowl of their Pasta Fagioli soup.  And some pasta.  And some bread sticks.  Mission accomplished.  Topped off with Black Tie Mousse Cake.  A treat.

Then, to PetSmart.  Kitty food (we are still trying options for Murphy).  We saw a deal on some dog toys, texted it to Steph, and she told us what to get.  Joan got a couple cat toys, as well.

Back home, I tried on my new wardrobe - 3 long sleeve pull-over shirts, for layering, as one does here in the desert.

I am still recuperating from the lung and sinus bug that got me, so time for a mid-afternoon nap.  Old guy or going back to my kindergarten childhood... no matter; it helps.  I was joined by a snuggle buddy...

 My big furry boy Murphy.  He doesn't spoon with me like Rufus used to, but he seems to be happy being "right there" when I need the company.

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The Facebook Memory from 8 years ago today: the day we adopted Rufus...

 That quirky-looking boy turned into the incredibly handsome cat that drew people in.  With a personality as big as he was.  It makes my heart heavy that we only got 5 years with this boy.  Definitely, one of a kind.  He was there to get me through the hip replacement; and the cancer surgery.  And so many good times.  He was beyond the kitten stage when we found each other - a strong, stable force.  I miss you, big fella.

 

The Big Game...

 

I'm in it for the snacks and the commercials.  Apparently, there is a football game being played, too.  Oh, I get it: everyone is a football fan on Superbowl Sunday.  Some more than others.

We're not getting together with Steph and Dan, since Joan and I have both been under the weather.  Steph did bring over a spicy cheese dip she made - tasty.  I am told there will be cheese sticks and burgers, maybe some chicken wings.  Into the second quarter, I haven't seen any of that.

Maybe it is sports overload? Already.  We've had the Olympics on since Friday.  Only six more weeks of that. Could be the "All Kitty Wrestling, All The Time" playing live in the living room.

I think I need to get out of the house.

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I did it.  I downloaded two of the Apple apps from their Creative Suite: Pixelmator and Final Cut Pro.  I shot some video with the HoverAir X1 Pro drone to test the video production and pulled a couple still images from my files.  Yeah, I can work with this.  Probably.  Old dogs, new... you know.

Pixelmator seems simple, but less precise than Photoshop: using a slider rather than putting in exact numbers for color correction.  Final Cut Pro has more options but isn't as intuitive as iMovie.  I will work with them for the next 29 days (free trial), then make a commitment.

 

Edit That Out...

 

What'd ya say this time, Jim?

I didn't do nuthin'.  This time.  I am getting tired.  Not sleepy tired, tired of giving my money to Adobe every single month.  For years.  Ever since they switched to a subscription business model instead of the customer buying the software.  I get it from their point of view: the customer owns nothing, but pays every month.  It is steady income that doesn't wane if the customer chooses to not "update" - the customer is always updating, whether they want to or not.

Photoshop was not inexpensive, even back in the day; around $700 for the original purchase.  Then, another $99 to $129 for updates... or, whenever you updated your computer's operating system.  Still, it was less expensive than this monthly subscription.

Plus, I am looking to upgrade my video editing software.  I have been using iMovie for the last 10 years or so... it comes free on your Mac.  But, I have reached the limit for what I can do with that software.  So, the big decision: what video editing software to buy (or "rent")?  Adobe Premier Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, or Divinci Resolve.  They each have their pros and cons.  And, a new learning curve.  

Apple has a subscription, kinda like Adobe; OR, you can buy each individual program outright.  Big difference: Apple's monthly subscription is $12.99 (for now) and it includes all their Creator Suite programs.  That is less than just Photoshop per month.

For full disclosure, I have never tried Apple's Pixelmator, their option to Photoshop.  But, I am thinking it is time to find out.

Apple gives you a "free trial" depending on when you purchased your Mac.  I'll check into that.  Probably.

 

 

Shhhhhh...

 

We had to make a trip to the store - we are in the process of switching Murphy over from the prescription food he has been eating for almost two years to "over the counter" cat food.  He has been enjoying the new options, and we have been trying only a couple cans of any one flavor at a time.  If you have never had a cat in the family, you may not know the experience of "Oh, he likes this flavor"... only to stock up on that and have him decide that is the worst food possible.

So, we try a new flavor and keep track.  And make sure that there is no issue with it.  The vet, after trying a bunch of different things to cure the ear infection he had when we first got him, thought it might be a food allergy.

Little Stella seems happy with whatever kitten food we put down for her.   And, at some point during the day, they each try out the other's food.

But, right now, I have just gotten up from a short nap.  Murphy laid there with me.  He stayed on the bed when I got up.  Stella is snoozing in her catio.  Joan is watching the opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympics, with the volume quite low.  It is peaceful in the house. 

I know the cats will have renewed energy after their naps.  Let the games begin!