Good Sunday morning

I know, I know, no blogs all week. I've been sick, sick, sick. I'll spare you the unseemly details. Slowly getting better after getting antibiotics on Friday. Ordered and waiting for the L.R Baggs Para DI acoustic guitar preamp to arrive. Been so sick that I have barely played and haven't been able to sing. The new Snowball usb mic is just sitting there waiting for me.

Editing photos from the wedding, yes still. Got about 60 or so ready to go but only halfway through the total shot. They are tuning out better than I expected and the bride and groom should be pleased.

New York City

My best travel buddy, friend and ex-wife (#1) Vicki and I took our annual trip this past week. We had to reschedule from last month when I twisted my ankle. I twisted it again a couple of days before this trip but was determined to go anyway. I bought a cane and limped my way through the city.

We both flew out from our respective cities, around 5am (Vicki uses the Norfolk Airport) and timed it so we arrived within a few minutes of each other at LaGuardia.  Used some of her frequent flier miles to pay for the tickets. Taxi into Manhattan during rush hour. I'm thinking that the scariest roller coaster in the world would not match the terror of a New York taxi ride.

We arrived at the Hampton Inn on 8th and 51st and left our bags until we could check in that afternoon. We paid for the four nights on Vicki's hotel points. The hotel is in the Midtown West area between Broadway/Times Square and Hell's Kitchen (which in no way is represented by the name). We took that opportunity to walk to the Museum of Modern Art. We spent about 3 hours there looking at some amazing modern art. I far prefer non representational art, so a gallery dedicated to those movements in art, makes me happy. Looking at great art gives me the same emotional experience as listening to music.

Afterwards we checked in, unpacked and rested our little feet until dinner. Nicknaming this trip at the "Poor Tour", both being unemployed this trip, we ate the free breakfast at the hotel each morning. We would skip lunch and have an early dinner.  We used two sources for choosing restaurants for each dinner. A pocket sized Frommers guide and the smartphone app UrbanSpoon. UrbanSpoon lists restaurants by location, using the gps data from the phone to draws a map to where you choose. The first evening we decided to find a Thai restaurant, which was excellent. I had Duck red curry. Vicki had the Shrimp green curry.

The next morning was the American Museum of Natural History. Since Vicki didn't want to take the subway, we took a cab. The heat wave had made it across the midwest and hit hard, upper 90's on Thursday. We saw ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and special exhibitions of Dinosaurs and the Human Brain. Dinner was suppose to be Mexican but the restaurant was not where we thought so we enjoyed burritos at Chipolte's.

Friday morning we started by taking a trip to Guitar Center where I got to play a $5,000 Gibson "Doves in Flight" Serious Gibson tone with a really narrow neck. Beautiful Inlay. Then a Gibson Songwriter that was very nice. Then the guy in charge of the acoustic guitar room handed me a Taylor G8. A short scale ohm sized guitar with real balls. For a strumming guitar it had power and was pretty loud. I would consider owning one. I think it was about $3000. Then we headed to Metropolitan Museum of Art. Their Modern Art collection is probably the best in the US. The temperature outside had soared to 103F, setting a new record for that day in New York City. After about 3 hours of art we headed back to the hotel to cool off. We decided to celebrate my birthday since we'd missed it in June. We found a highly rated Italian restaurant close to the hotel. Vicki had a seafood dish and I had chicken marsala.

Saturday we decided just to wander around Times Square. Having only brought my 50mm lens and finding it totally inadequate, I bought a cheap Sigma 18-200mm 3.5 - 6.2f. I started shooting with the wide angle to get the buildings and the whole flashing scene. It was fun. I've been meaning to get an all-purpose lens for years, although I was thinking of a better one. But, when in need and all that. We went back twice and found chairs in the middle of the square, which is not square and watched the crowd. Then we found a great pizza restaurant and had the best pizza ever.

Sunday we just took it easy and found a deli and had lunch since we would be traveling until 9pm. We had different flights out of the city and said our goodbyes at the gate, Unfortunately we were not on different flights and Vicki had to scramble to get home. On the way home I watched the clouds out the window and was just happy to be alive.

Today, tired beyond belief.
link to more photos

good morning new york

Hi Guys,

Just a quick note from 8th and 51st in New York City. We got here Wednesday morning and have visited the MOMA, The American Museum of Natural History and the Met. I'm still hobbling on my twisted ankle but it's only slowing us down a bit. Record heat for July 22, 103 degrees. Off to shoot around Time Square after breakfast. We tried to get tickets to the Book of Morman, but $400 each seemed a little high.

Gotta go.

products

Today is a review of interesting electrified guitar accessories and other things.

First, after my generous and thoughtful brother got me a car detailing service to come to the house and do what I'd been putting off for ages, he suggested I buy a car cover. I found a reasonably priced on and have it over my car now. I have a habit of leaving the top down when I don't think it will rain, but all too often have been wrong. So, problem solved. I plan on using it while my car is at the airport for five days later this week. It even has a way of locking it on.

 

 

Becoming more comfortable and familiar with my Santa Cruz guitar. On my third set of strings, this time double wrapped NewTones from England. Expensive but better. Next I may try medium gauge nickel strings next. I think that was the type on the guitar when I bought it. So this past weekend one of the guests at the beach house played the SCGC and I was able to hear it from a distance. Wow! It sounded heavenly. What tone.

Got the Baggs Anthem SL installed last week and have no had a chance to get used to it. Having a microphone inside is quite different than the usual under saddle pickup. Even different than my Yamaha with the System 41 under saddle pick up and goose neck mic. The Yamaha has a built-in preamp that allows for the manual mixing of the elements. Which brings me to the next device.

 

My Zoom A2 effects pedal does a great job with the Martin D-15, but the Gibson and the SC not so much. So now I'm thinking it is time to add a preamp pedal. I've been considering this option for a long time. I like to take a long time and much study before making a purchase. I've been reading reviews, both professional and users, and have decided on the LR Baggs PARA DI (street $169). Besides adding power to the signal, I'll have a way to modify the tone without heading to the amp, where there isn't much control anyway. Once I get back from NYC I'll put in the order. Strings and Beyond is offering three sets of strings with the Para DI at the same price as everyone else, or to Sweetwater who offers a one year replacement guarantee. Both are good about same day shipping.

Looking to record I've found the Zoom H2 recorder to be difficult to use as a straight mic into the computer. So, after much research I decided on the Blue Microphones, "Snowball" usb mic. Plugged it in and set the input device in the control panel and the in Audacity (open source recording software) set the input device and bang! it works. Looking forward to trying out a few songs. I finally feel like I am ready to make some recordings. Once I figure out how to combine multiple tracks, I'll be able to add bass and even mandolin parts and the occasionally second guitar parts, like the 12 string. 

I bought a set up of wireless headphones so I can play back pre-recorded tracks without the sound getting to the microphone to add other parts. I also hope to learn how to edit out mistakes. The other reason to record my practice giving me a chance to iron out the rough patches and enhance the good.

New York City in 3 days. Seems I've injured my ankle again, tripping over Russell. But I'm not going to cancel even if I must crawl through every gallery and museum.

errata

Hi gentle readers.

I just finished the third in the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" series. Very entertaining. If you like crime drama with many plot twists, you will certainly enjoy this. I understand a 4th novel is coming out, even though they had to write it from an unfinished manuscript. The movie versions are in Swedish but also good. Just started "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Vol.1"

Subscribing to: the New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Spin, Wired, the Atlantic, PC World.

Movies: Presently watching "Dark Star: Hyperdrive Edition: Director's Cut (1974)" John Carpenter's first film. Warning, this movie is a comedy very loosely based on 2001 A Space Odyssey.

Small Time Crooks was a fun film from Woody Allen. The Salton Sea was excellent.

Tomorrow my brother and are going to see the Final Harry Potter movie.

Time to go play more guitar.

Wedding at Pawleys Island SC

I'm home after a 4 days trip to Pawleys Island SC. Erin Butler and Mark Myers finally tied the knot and asked me to shoot their wedding. The ceremony was to be on Sunday so I left here on Saturday. The couple offered to put me up at the beach house where they, 4 children and a revolving cast of characters were also staying. Seems that Erin and Brock Butler's grandfather had built the cabin by hand. The story goes that when Hugo (the giant hurricane of 1989) hit, this structure was one of the few that survived. A girlfriend of mine, named Sloane (1990-91) grew up on that island, so I'd heard all about it but never visited. When Sloane and I would go on vacation, we'd go to Charleston. It was her to first introduced me to that wonderful city.

In preparation, I had replaced all my polarized filters and lens hoods, since the ceremony would be outdoors and on the beach. I was concerned about the direct and intense light. Got my Santa Cruz back from my guitar tech so I could show it off to Brock who'd said he wanted to see it when I was talking to him at a PGroove show. Packed everything I could possibly I could fit on the car and headed out on Saturday morning, after having an early breakfast with my brother. I had not driven that far from home alone in 3 years and was a bit apprehensive about how I would hold up. The trip took almost 5 hours and through a part of South Carolina I'd never seen. Because there a no interstate roads that go anywhere close, I drove for over 100 miles on two lane roads. Reminded me of driving in the 1960's. I saw so many photography opportunities. Old barns, barren fields, old abandoned houses, just wonderful scenes from a time long gone. 

 

 

Erin suggested I not get there before 2pm. I arrived at 2:01 with having not gotten lost once. I got lost on major interstates coming home from Charleston, SC twice last summer.  Unpacked and got to spend time with the happy couple before the others began to arrive.  Early in the evening everyone when to the Litchfield Inn for the rehearsal dinner and to plan the ceremony. On Friday night Erin stayed at the hotel and Mark was left to entertain me. I had only met Mark and few times over the past few years and sitting on the porch that evening we found a friendship. Only three adults were at the house on Friday night. Brock and Suzanne didn't now arrive until 2am and I was already asleep. People started pouring in on Saturday. 

The Ceremony was held at 2pm and it was hot, hot, hot. The minister was not informed that we wanted on aisle so I could shoot. He called everyone to crowd around making it impossible to shoot. "In battle, the first causality is always the plan." I'll start on the shots today (and yes I'm writing this blog now in order avoid getting to work).

I was very excited to get to have time to spend with friends and to meet new ones. I managed to be able to spend a lot of the time with both Erin and Mark, helping the couple with their respective anxieties by being that "calm non-anxious presence." I believe that I was more useful being there for the Erin and Mark than as the photographer.

Erin and Mark both asked me to stay another day, repeatedly. I caved and on Monday night we made a dinner that allowed us to have several people assigned to creating different parts of the meal while I ran around supervising. Boiled shrimp, corn on the cob, salad break and steamed veggies.

Brock played his guitar almost every moment he was awake. Everyone was happy to hear so much fantastic music.

I was surprised to find I was able to function for 4 days. There were periods of exhaustion and I could have had more restful sleep.  All in all it was a great experience. Upon returning home I slept for almost 12 hours.

welcome new readers around the world

New readers from Japan, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Taiwan, Austria, and Colombia, glad you dropped by.

Sometime I write about my life, photography, shortwave radio, guitars, music, and politics.

I think today's blog is pretty interesting.

Say hello next time you stop by.

Epistemology

Epistemology is the philosophical study of  the theories of knowledge. I think this is subject may explain some of the social disagreements currently experienced in our culture. Two competing  philosophies of how knowledge is acquired are at the heart of the matter. This competition has be ongoing since the late Middle Ages. The Bible and religious logic was the only source of knowledge in the early Christian era. The Bible was invented in 325 A.D. at the Council of Nicaea. All knowledge was considered to be contained in the Bible. Nothing else was necessary. What passed for logic was the only method for gaining answers for this one source. This was not the formal logic known today. So when we discuss the notion of belief, this word loses meaning for many abstract thinkers. There is no such reliable concept for the scientifically minded. What one "believes" is irrelevant. One can "believe" almost anything, even that dinosaurs coexisted with mankind. For the logical thinker, believing something does not make it so. For those who find Truth in the Bible, it does. Try talking someone with deluded beliefs and then present logic arguments and you will find it is nearly impossible to get them to give up their notions of how Truth is determined.

Descartes is considered the father of Modern Thought. He pioneered application of formal logic to the problems of philosophy. Prior to that there was nearly no science and alchemy was the reigning "scientific" activity. The Scientific Method of Modern Thought was considered a great threat to the established religions. Written scientific tracts was very dangerous and many scientists were threaten by The Catholic Church. Descartes and Kant tried to allow for a Creator but still the conclusions being draw in logic and science were too dangerous to the established order.

In Piaget's theories of cognitive development the last two stages are Concrete and Formal Operations. Concrete Operations is the stage between 7 and 11 years of age where the child can begin to recognize relationships between objects but cannot think abstractly. In Formal Operations the person can begin to apply logic and reasoning to ideas, to consider abstractions. Estimates as high as 50% of adults achieve the final stage of thinking. That means about 50% do not. The application of logic and reasoning is simply beyond their ability. My experience with these people is that they become very frustrated and then hostile when confronted with a way to thinking that they cannot understand. They seem to feel mocked by those who think like adults. The Christian Churches continue to promulgate the idea that if not all knowledge then all moral knowledge comes from the Bible only. Therefore if one does not believe in same way they do, them they are against them. The pandering to the Religious Right is evident when the Republican Presidential candidates are all denying the theory of Evolution in public and on stage.

So, the Ideologues in the the political theater use this issue of the inability to use logic to rally the mass who seek simple answers to complex issues. Two legs bad, four legs good. Jews, African-Americans (aka Shiftless Negroes), homosexuals, illegals and liberals, are responsible for  the problems in this county. Hitler used this way of thinking to rally the Germans against Jews, Gypsies and homosexuals. Does sound familiar? This is the way of thinking to today's Right Wing and Tea Party. Karl Rove once said, "A Democrat is a man with a Ph.D." Pitting the "common man" against the intelligentsia. Intelligentsia being anyone smarter than you. With enough money to buy ads that incessantly pound simple solutions to complex issues, as does Fox News, one can get the concrete thinker to believe almost anything. To wit, Michelle Bachmann. For her and Sara Palin, facts appear to be fluid concept. Obama, being an intellectual, makes an easy target for folks who are unable to understand the nuanced language he uses. 

The inability to accept the concept of climate change is another example of the basic mistrust of science and scientists, who speak in a language that is incomprehensible to the concrete thinker. The logic of worrying about leaving massive government debt for the next generation doesn't square with not worrying about a leaving them a planet damaged by pollution. Why one but not the other? Money and power. Vested interested and the returns of immediate profits push the agenda that suits their needs and nothing more. Shameless greed and the subversion of our democratic process combine to create this political of movement using those disenfranchised by their inability to understand the complex issues, who are offered easy solutions.

The breaking down and the splitting of the middle class leaves the Oligarchs in control of everything. They are using this split in concrete and formal thought to mobilize the troops to march in lockstep to act against their own best interests.

 

 

 

boring little details

I think my mind is getting a little better. My reading speed to increasing, my recall is better, and my ability to move items in memory is improving. After a three year downhill slide I'm excited for anything positive, especially if it means I'm not heading into dementia. I spend most of my days reading, playing music, learning new songs, and photography. For the past two weeks I've been cramming the various movements in modern art into my brain in anticipation of the New York trip.

10,000 days clean today. That's a very long time. Staying clean by be the thing I've done best in this life. You might be wondering what I've learned through recovery. I've learned that life and emotional pain are hard to work through without the cushion of changing brain chemistry, even on a temporary basis. I've learned that life is better experienced directly. While emotions can be and often are painful, they must be experienced directly.  I have learned I can survive everything. I've learned that I can take anything and find a way to adapt to the changes. What I found in my recovery is courage. Often what worked at one point in life wasn't going to work in the next. Change is rarely easy but it is the rule not the exception. What I've learned is change what you can, accept what you must.

On Tuesday evening I received a call from a friend to which I haven't spoken in a long while. Sloane was one of my best friends when we were both at UGA studying child and family development. An exceptional women.


Yesterday the fellow came to detailed the car. He did a very good job. Then it rained. Nothing lasts. Hard to believe that my BMW Z3 is 10 years old. It still looks new. I'll have this car for many more years. While totally impractical, is it fun to drive.

I won two tickets to see the Aquarium Rescue Unit at the new Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga. next month.

Today house cleaning. Tomorrow I'll pick up the Santa Cruz and get to packing for the trip. But right now, I'm going to play some music.

preparing for the trip

Getting ready for the trip to Pawley's Island to shoot Erin's wedding and hang out with friends. Took the new Santa Cruz to Statesville to install the Baggs Anthem SL pick up. I made James swear it would be ready by Friday. Got to go show it off.

I bought polarizers  and hoods for all my camera lenses because I'll be shooting in bright, bright sunlight. Reminds me to take the flash unit and extra batteries. I'll take 15 Gb of cards and my computer to use as back up storage. I should take the tripod, too.

My brother's birthday present to me was a car detailing service, which is scheduled for tomorrow at 1pm. Handwash and wax here at the house. Oh happy day. Guess I'd better get all the crap out of it, lol.

I need to burn a few CD's for the ride.

Now, ankle heal! Better but not well.

Another Sunday Morning

Organic Indonesian coffee and the usual Sunday morning homemade chocolate chip muffins and the movie Zoolander. I know, it an amazingly bad, strangely funny movie, but right for a Sunday morning.






Seven days until Erin's wedding. I bought all new polarized lens filter and hood covers since it will probably be brighter on the beach than any venue I have shot. Planning on taking 14gb of storage cards and the laptop for storing and reviewing. I expect to shoot 10,000 photos. OK, maybe not 10k, a bunch anyway. I've only shot one wedding and I worry so since "do overs" are kind of difficult to accomplish. I cannot wait to take a swim in the ocean and hang out with friends.

The New York City trip is back on and booked. We are leaving on the 20th and returning home on the 24th. I'll have to miss a few shows that will be here that weekend. In preparation for the trip, I've been studying the movements in modern art. Never been a big fan of realism in art, I gravitate towards Impressionism and the French and German artists of the late 1800's and early 1900's. Also the Surrealists and other non representational arists, like Klee and Pollock. My mother's second husband was an artist and I grew up watching him paint. Some of my favorite experiences have been in art galleries. I love the Tate Modern in London and MOMA (the Museum of Modern Art) in New York. This trip I hope to take it slowly and spend lots of time in the Met, MOMA, the Gugginheim and the Frick. The only other place to see the American Natural History. We plan to take one whole day there. There is always the temptation to see everything, but this trip we plan to visit just a few places and spend moe time in each.

I made this trip in 2005 with Harriet to the galleries. I am so looking forward to seeing my favorite art again. Bucket list left is Paris and Madrid.

Looking at art brings me the same experience as listening to music. Speaking of music, my new downloads have been Mumford and Sons, Kate Bush, Bela Fleck's new album, and Stone Temple Pilots. There is so much great music out there.

I am in the process of learning new songs on the guitar and removing from my binder the songs I've given up on playing.