You Make A Strong Case...

 

You won an argument, Jim?

Well, if it is really an argument, does anybody win?  

There was no argument from me - I really like my PRS SE Studio Standard guitar.  It plays great.  Lots of good tones.  Looks decent (although I am very partial to the forward thinking Emerald designs).  The only thing that is less than great about the PRS is the gig bag.

You may be aware that I really like a well-designed gig bag.  The Emerald gig bags I have for the X7 and X10 are great - the have something solid in the sides that keeps their shape, and a neck support that provides protection for the neck, headstock, and tuning keys.  The PRS gig bag looks very nice, but... nothing solid in the sides and no neck support; every time I pull the guitar out of the gig bag, the tuning keys have been moved and the guitar needs to be tuned.  Tuning isn't a problem, but the fact that those keys get moved around means there is no real protection for the neck and headstock.  When it was shipped, there was a piece of foam around the headstock.

So, I have been researching cases and gig bags.  The Studio Standard has a similar look to the venerable Fender Stratocaster, but the physical dimensions are not the same.  With actual measurements in hand, Joan and I both researched options.  After extensive research (more time into this than that put into selecting the guitar), I had narrowed it down to two options: an injection molded thermoplastic case with interior appropriately shaped, and a more traditional wood/Tolex case like what I have for my Taylors and the Gibson ES335.  A significant price difference.  I liked the look of the wood/Tolex case (it was a deep blue on the outside, tan on the inside), but having other ABS molded cases for a couple of my Emeralds, I know that, with the right interior, it gives better protection for the guitar.

Joan said, "Forget about the price.  You plan on keeping this guitar a while, don't you?  Get the case you want."  I made the decision, and she pressed "Add To Cart."  Done.

The SKB...

 I thought the case looked too small when I pulled it out of the box.  As you can see in the top photo, it is a perfect fit.  All that research paid off.  With the neck supported, there is room around the headstock, so the tuning keys won't get knocked around.  Another plus: the injection molded material is tough and light weight.  

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I'm not the only one to get something.  Murphy and Stella got another bed/toy - they heavy felt structure, with a carboard scratcher, and noisy plastic balls underneath that they can reach in and bat round.  We have one like this, just a different color.  The cats love this toy.  It took Stella about 12 seconds to pull it apart and get the noisy plastic balls out of there.

Murphy looks a bit too big for the bed part of it, but can can relax most anywhere...

 Joan has another one on order.

An Autumn Ride In The Desert...

 

It's been a while since I took the CTX out for a ride - I took care of that this morning...

 I shot some video with the DJI Action 4 camera, mounted on a chin mount on my helmet.  So, the perspective is all from that angle.  But, on the bright side (for me): no editing!  That makes for a long video that will likely have just one viewer (me), but the longest part of the process was picking out a few music clips.

Cut to the video...

 A really nice ride - the temperature was 67º when I pulled out of the garage.  I got to wear my lined riding jacket (instead of a mess version) and actual riding pants.

When I got back to the garage, a shot from the camera, showing the signs on the garage wall...

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National Cat Day!

A day to celebrate and dote on our cats.  So, yeah, like every other day.  I woke them from their nap to take these photos...

 "Yeah, yeah, we're cute - now let us get back to our naps."  So sweet.

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Stephanie sent us a photo of her latest Guide Dog for the Blind puppy in her Halloween costume...

 Joan replied "Cute".

Steph asked, "Cute enough that she will be in the blog?"

It's National Cat Day, not National Embarrassed Puppy Day Because Someone Dressed Her Up Like A Wendy's Fountain Drink Day.  But, I threw her a bone (Get it?  A bone, because it's a dog.) and put the photo here in the blog.  Because I also dote on our daughter.  And, who ever heard of a Wendy's soft drink in a black container?  This is one of those costumes that you will have to explain every time. 

This was part of the text discussion between the 3 of us...

 No, we will not be doing that.

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Perhaps the last one for a while...

A change in the weather coming up.  80% chance of precip for tomorrow, 20% on Saturday, 100% on Sunday.  The weather weasels are talking 1/2 of the normal annual precipitation happening over the next three days.

I was outside with Murphy.  Joan and I had picked up furniture cushions, the flag, and other things we didn't want to get wet.  We weren't expecting any significant wind with these storms... then, Joan came out and said, "We are in a "Tornado Watch" area for tomorrow."

Guess we better put away the patio umbrellas.

I took this photo as the sun went behind the mountains to the west...

 I'm pretty sure it is going to be a few days before we get to see anything sun related.  We'll enjoy it while we can.

 

 

 

 

Do they really get along?

 

Yes, really.  Of course, I'm talking about Murphy and Stella.  They will wrestle and chase each other around the house, but they are good together.  They eat side-by-side; get treats the same way.  They both like to be on or near their Momma.

And when she isn't there, they are just fine being side-by-side...

 Pretty sweet, huh?

 

Nothing Says "Rock 'n Roll"...

 

Like a morning gig.

A morning gig?  Yes, just like I wrote in that line above.  I think it was last spring when we did one of these Memory Cafe morning gigs.  We've done this one several times before.  This is for a group that meets once a month for care-givers for Alzheimer's patients.  The VIPs (those who have the disease) and their caregivers attend.

These are moving situations: looking out at the audience and seeing people with memory issues singing along.  To put a more poignant point on it: they may not remember family members' names, but they can sing along with songs from the 60s and 70s.  It also allows their care-givers time to interact with other care-givers.

I doubt I'll have any images on this one - Joan is not going along.  She has come to these before, but it is mostly sitting and waiting while I unload, set up gear, then after playing, tear down gear and load out.

So, an early morning for me - I'll be heading out around 8:15 to get there for a 9:00 load in.  

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So, I didn't think I'd have any photos to share, but Cindy (Mark's wife) was there and took these...

 The place was full and the crowd was very receptive.  Cindy included this photo to remind us why we do this gig a couple times a year...

 The gentleman on the right has Alzheimer's - that is his daughter in the middle.  Mark and Cindy occasionally see them in their neighborhood - the daughter is pushing her father in a wheelchair.  Today, he got up and danced with his daughter; she was amazed.  The lady on the left is Janice, the one who arranges all this.

I was home and had gear loaded in, and gave the neighbor kitties a treat, before 1:15.  That may be a bit early to rock 'n roll, but I might get a nap in this afternoon.  ;-) 

 

Last Night's Gig...

 

Well, to be fair, it was an afternoon gig: happy hour, 3:00 to 5:00 pm.  We got there at 1:30, loaded in gear, set up, and ran a sound check.  Then, 20 minutes to chill before our start time.  Mark anticipated a smaller crowd due to Sunday NFL games - the Arizona Cardinals were hosting the Denver Broncos at the same time we were playing.

The crowd was smaller, but enthusiastic.  Joan and Steph were there, so I had support.  Steph took a couple photos...

 We have a day off, then another gig on Tuesday, Oct 27th in Surprise, AZ.

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The Fall Hunter's Moon...

We were treated to a full moon coming up on the eastern horizon as we drove home after the gig.  Joan rode with Steph to get there, then drove home with me,s while I had some pizza on the ride.

The October Full Moon will be at 9:12 pm tonight, so it will appear full the evening before and after.

"When the moon hit your eye like a big pizza pie..." 

If you said, "The song title is That's Amore, sung by Dean Martin, 1953, written by Harry Warren (music) and Jack Brooks (lyrics)," you get 30 bonus points.  Partial credit for partial answers.

And the moon...

 That is the Fall Hunter's Moon, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.  It is called the Hunter's Moon because it historically signaled the time to hunt and store meat for the long winter.  With fields recently cleared under the previous Harvest Moon, animals were easier to spot.   Also known as the Sanguine Moon, Blood Moon, Migrating Moon, or Falling Leaves Moon.

Also, according to the Old Farmers Almanac: The best time to photograph the moon is Sunday evening, October 25, 2026, around moonrise near sunset.  Thus, the above photo.

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A New Addition...

Loading the RV at this house in Arizona has been problematic: apparently, we have "sensitive" GFCI circuits in the garage, and plugging in the Aspect or the RoadTrek causes the GFCI outlets to pop.  It hasn't been as much of a problem with the van, since it can function off-grid... for a while.  But, when it is 115º, you have to run the coach air and there is a limit to how long the lithium system can provide air conditioning in that heat.  So, we need to have a 30 RV outlet - and now, we do...

 In the words of the philosophers CSN&Y in the song Ohio: shoulda been done long ago.  But, now we can load up anytime we want, and take as long as we want.

 

 

The Morning Routine...

 

I've talked about it, but the most important part is the Murphy and Pops time outside.  Well, that would be the case if you asked Murphy.  Or, it might be that treat time when we come back inside.  The vote could go either way.

It was cool this morning: 56º; I put on a jacket and stocking cap...

 The rest of this post is about Murphy.  Really.

The boy has a good, confident walk...

 There is generally some "observation time," where he will sit to take in his domain...

 Then, always, more walking about...

 We do not do a harness and leash on these walk-abouts since they are always in our yards, and there is a 6' wall around the perimeter.  Can he jump that wall?  Yes, with very little effort.  He did that a few times when he was a youngster; even went over the wall on several occasions.  And, discovered the "other side" isn't nearly as good as his own yard.  He has no interest in that these days.

He lets me know when he's ready to go back inside...

 Then, once back inside, Murphy and Stella know it is treat time.  Now, we can take on the rest of our day.

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Another gig at Pizzicata today, so one last promo image...

 

 

Almost there...

 

Sitting in the hot tub last night, the yard was pretty well lit up thanks to that bright moon - almost full.  The full moon will happen here in Phoenix at 9:12 pm on Sunday evening (Oct 26th).  I'll post more on that on Sunday.  Probably. 

Joan and the cats...

 Everybody looks pretty content there.

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Run, Forrest, Run...

If you said, "A line from the movie Forrest Gump," you get 3 bonus points.  Only 3?  Come on, it's right there in the line.  ;-)

 Out for a bicycle ride this morning.  A pleasantly cool start to the day.  It was 60º when I got up, 64º when I took Murphy out.  67º when I rolled the e-bike out of the garage.  The tires needed to be topped off...

 So, what about that "running" stuff?  Thanks for asking.  As I got close to the park, there were a lot of vehicles parked alongside the road.  Quite a few people out in the grassy area...

 A high school cross country meet was about to start.  I stayed away from the crowd and enjoyed my ride...

Ducks and geese in that photo above.

 A really nice morning for a ride - I did put on a wind shirt for an additional layer over my t-shirt.