Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[LBS-bass]

Checking in to be present and accounted for. This weekend is a bit meh. I played a lot of music yesterday, practiced standards with a guitarist and drummer, then the drummer got to hang out in the swimming pool while I went to work for an hour, then came back and had rehearsal with him in a different band.

Today I rehearsed with another group. I'm very tired right now. We have no gigs on the book. I am totally in love (platonic) with the drummer from that band, too, but we are both feeling like there's not much going on with what seemed at first to be a promising situation. But we aren't giving up just yet.

I feel like I get into these situations with people and the more important outcome usually is just the people you meet.

Tomorrow I get all my hair cut off in the morning. Long story but I damaged it with bleach a while back and I've nursed it along for about as long as I can. So it needs to change. I'm not happy about this, but I'm willing to accept it. Maybe I'll start collecting cosplay wigs to wear on stage.

And on Sunday I have another group descending here for some rehearsal. We have a show on August 9 so we're getting ready for that. Not sure how ready we'll be, but I will have most of my parts down, so hopefully that will help.

Otherwise, nothing much planned.

 

[GonePlaid]

Checking in to be present and accounted for. This weekend is a bit meh. I played a lot of music yesterday, practiced standards with a guitarist and drummer, then the drummer got to hang out in the swimming pool while I went to work for an hour, then came back and had rehearsal with him in a different band.

Today I rehearsed with another group. I'm very tired right now. We have no gigs on the book. I am totally in love (platonic) with the drummer from that band, too, but we are both feeling like there's not much going on with what seemed at first to be a promising situation. But we aren't giving up just yet.

I feel like I get into these situations with people and the more important outcome usually is just the people you meet.

Tomorrow I get all my hair cut off in the morning. Long story but I damaged it with bleach a while back and I've nursed it along for about as long as I can. So it needs to change. I'm not happy about this, but I'm willing to accept it. Maybe I'll start collecting cosplay wigs to wear on stage.

And on Sunday I have another group descending here for some rehearsal. We have a show on August 9 so we're getting ready for that. Not sure how ready we'll be, but I will have most of my parts down, so hopefully that will help.

Otherwise, nothing much planned.

So...What are you doing in your spare time?

 

[LBS-bass]

So...What are you doing in your spare time?

It sounds like a lot but my musical life is really feast or famine. The marathon day seems to have come about due to a miscommunication of some sort. Last week this guitarist texted me on Thursday to say he couldn't make it over. I thought, hmmmm... wasn't expecting you, but I just told him I hoped he felt better. Then Thursday this week he texted me to ask if he could come by early. So I guess, somehow, in his head, Thursday is our day to get together. It's also the day my main originals band gets together, so that makes for a long day.

The thing today is meeting monthly at this point. Platonic love affair drummer and I would like it to meet more often, but we don't really have anything on the books that makes it necessary. So we're waiting for the lead person to figure out where and how she's going to book us. It's a good act; we will do well if we ever actually manage to get in front of some people.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Fishing in Alaska....

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Nice enough vehicle. Hauled my guitars and a couple of Silvertone 1484 Twin Twelve amps to lotsa gigs. But would've been a heckuva lot nicer with A/C!
.

I didn't even think of that. With the changing global weather patterns, it's gotten unbelievably hot for Sitka. Wife Carey said at home on the deck the outdoor weather station read 94 degrees! I go down and start up my car five minutes before I get off work and crank the air conditioner. By the time I get in the car it's a cool 60 something. Thank goodness for air conditioning! Back when we were young we called the air conditioning 4-by's-- 4 windows open!

 

[GwenOnBass]

I think all of us GOF's owned some form of a VW in our young lives.... they always seemed cheap and available...

The VW simply worked and that's a lot to be said.

After three weekends of work, hope to have two days off to enjoy being outdoors, rain or shine. Will hit a couple of farmer’s markets. Want to start working on some Christmas songs, have nothing yet.

It’s pizza Friday!

And the Growers' Market this-a-morning. Plums are on radar.

Where's @Morrighan ???

BTSOM

I am the odd person out, I guess. I had very close friends who had 'em, tho ' I don't know if any had beetles. I can remember an orange Thing and a van which we had painted in an inverse color American flag. My folks, for reasons well beyond my current comprehension, allowed the painting to take place in their garage. I'm sure there are beetles in my past, but darned if I can remember them.

And they were relatively easy to fix.

Ah yes, there is an Age when a suitably inclined person with a set of tools could fix their own car. And did. But it's easy to spoil the game. Just say "Lucas" and watch. My own skill with car maintenance is nominal. That's okay with me.

A maintenance skill raised ever so slightly above nominal took its course Friday as I adjusted the truss rod to give some relief to the neck on the Stingray. Went from DR Black Beauties to D'Addario tapewounds. The lower tension, you know. Gave the truss rod a quarter turn. Then did a new setup! Yay! I actually enjoy doing a setup. I like my action low. Low-ish. 5/64ths at the 17th fret. So that's where I was, playing and all that stuff like that there.

A replacement for the MSP7100’s might be these:

Martin MA540T Lifespan Treated Phosphor Bronze Authentic Acoustic Guitar Strings Light 12-54

I like Strings and Beyond. Always have good prices, fast delivery, and excellent service.

My problem is that every time I buy new strings everything has changed. Like the bad dream that you had as a kid where you got sick one day and when you returned to class, they changed the seating plan.

These days with strings shrink wrapped, you can buy them in bulk and they will be fresh. So if you find a set that you like and hord them. I’ve done this with some electric sets.

While I actually have no need to change strings right now because tapes last as long as flats, I'd really like to put D'Addario tapes back on the Chowny and LaBella white tapes on the Ray. And totally know what it is to find strings that I wish were still available. Dean Markley Super Rounds were teh besto. And (to me) strings without silks look cheap.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Danny was a 50 year old midget when he was on the show. They spent hours in makeup every day, working to make him look like young kid.

I

In the 70s we all lived like this. I can offer no explanation?

 

[beans-on-toast]

The people on the Martin Forum spend at least as much time discussing strings as TBers do. My own personal choice has been Martin SP4200, which is no longer made, but still available via Amazon. It"s a medium .013-.056 phosbronze. I have never been able to stand the sound of treated or coated strings.

Thanks for that, I will check into those. I haven't bought strings in a few years, as the last time I did I got plenty to last for a long time (I still have some new TI Jazz Rounds I have not put on any basses that I can't remember exactly when I got them; probably about 10 years ago!). I have bought from Just Strings over the years.

Before putting the MSP7100s on the OM-18 I had John Pearce PB Lights that I liked, too, but the Martin strings last so much longer, for me.

People seem to be particular about their strings.

It’s difficult to know which best suits when you don’t change strings often. Manufacturers refresh their products, what’s available today may not be tomorrow. What I like best is plain old Martin Marquis.

I alway date the string package and keep them in my case so I know what was installed and when. I scrub my hands before and after playing and wipe the strings with a microfibre cloth. Seems to help with string life.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Checking in to be present and accounted for. This weekend is a bit meh. I played a lot of music yesterday, practiced standards with a guitarist and drummer, then the drummer got to hang out in the swimming pool while I went to work for an hour, then came back and had rehearsal with him in a different band.

Today I rehearsed with another group. I'm very tired right now. We have no gigs on the book. I am totally in love (platonic) with the drummer from that band, too, but we are both feeling like there's not much going on with what seemed at first to be a promising situation. But we aren't giving up just yet.

I feel like I get into these situations with people and the more important outcome usually is just the people you meet.

Tomorrow I get all my hair cut off in the morning. Long story but I damaged it with bleach a while back and I've nursed it along for about as long as I can. So it needs to change. I'm not happy about this, but I'm willing to accept it. Maybe I'll start collecting cosplay wigs to wear on stage.

And on Sunday I have another group descending here for some rehearsal. We have a show on August 9 so we're getting ready for that. Not sure how ready we'll be, but I will have most of my parts down, so hopefully that will help.

Otherwise, nothing much planned.

It won't fix damaged hair - only scissors will fix damaged hair! - but cassia obovata is my BFF. About two weeks before I do my own roots again. Maybe in 10 years I'll let it grow out gray. We'll see. A deal made with henna is a long-term affair. Still working two years later on repairing the damage a helpful stylist achieved. She thinned my hair when she chopped a major bit of length. Big, big mistake. My hair was approaching lower back length The stylist I see now is a gem

 

[beans-on-toast]

In the 70s we all lived like this. I can offer no explanation?

View attachment 3489063​

I bought a color TV in the 70’s. Family thought that I was nuts for throwing money away on new fangled technology. The window air condition was deemed overly extravagant.

Never wanted avocado colored kitchen appliances and fixtures in the bathroom. Or a shag carpet.

 

[beans-on-toast]

It won't fix damaged hair - only scissors will fix damaged hair! - but cassia obovata is my BFF. About two weeks before I do my own roots again. Maybe in 10 years I'll let it grow out gray. We'll see. A deal made with henna is a long-term affair. Still working two years later on repairing the damage a helpful stylist achieved. She thinned my hair when she chopped a major bit of length. Big, big mistake. My hair was approaching lower back length The stylist I see now is a gem

When does one give in and officially change the hair color on their driver’s license.

 

[GonePlaid]

People seem to be particular about their strings.

It’s difficult to know which best suits when you don’t change strings often. Manufacturers refresh their products, what’s available today may not be tomorrow. What I like best is plain old Martin Marquis.

I alway date the string package and keep them in my case so I know what was installed and when. I scrub my hands before and after playing and wipe the strings with a microfibre cloth. Seems to help with string life.

Hmm. Never thought about putting the date on the package. I put it in the case to remember whut kinda strings are on the bass since at the moment it's 4 different strings on 5 basses(2-EB Cobalt flats, 1-Chromes, 1-1/2 rounds, 1- D'A Tapes.) I think.

 

[GonePlaid]

When does one give in and officially change their hair color on their driver’s license.

At renewal when they take a new pic. "I am smiling".

 

[GwenOnBass]

When does one give in and officially change their hair color on their driver’s license.

Got better pictures in a photo booth at the beach than ever seen out of a government office.

 

[Haroldo]

People seem to be particular about their strings.

It’s difficult to know which best suits when you don’t change strings often. Manufacturers refresh their products, what’s available today may not be tomorrow. What I like best is plain old Martin Marquis.

I alway date the string package and keep them in my case so I know what was installed and when. I scrub my hands before and after playing and wipe the strings with a microfibre cloth. Seems to help with string life.

Hmm. Never thought about putting the date on the package. I put it in the case to remember whut kinda strings are on the bass since at the moment it's 4 different strings on 5 basses(2-EB Cobalt flats, 1-Chromes, 1-1/2 rounds, 1- D'A Tapes.) I think.

Maybe I'll turn a new page and start organizing and documenting what strings are where. HA.

This has been an inspiration, though.

Baby steps.

 

[Haroldo]

I

In the 70s we all lived like this. I can offer no explanation?

View attachment 3489063​

[PEOPLE]
Invalid Link Removed

[HAROLD]
Right here in River City!

[PEOPLE]
Right here in River City!

[HAROLD]
With a capital "T"
And that rhymes with "P"
And that stands for pool

[PEOPLE]
That stands for pool!

[HAROLD]
We've surely got trouble!

[PEOPLE]
We've surely got trouble!

[HAROLD]
Right here in River City

[PEOPLE]
Right here!

 

[mikeoso]

Townspeople:
Oh, there's nothing halfway
About the Iowa way to treat you,
When we treat you
Which we may not do at all.
There's an Iowa kind of special
Chip-on-the-shoulder attitude.
We've never been without.
That we recall.
We can be cold
As our falling thermometers in December
If you ask about our weather in July.
And we're so by God stubborn
We could stand touchin' noses
For a week at a time
And never see eye-to-eye.
But what the heck, you're welcome,
Join us at the picnic.
You can eat your fill
Of all the food you bring yourself.
You really ought to give Iowa a try.
Provided you are contrary,
We can be cold
As our falling thermometer in December
If you ask about our weather in July.
And we're so by God stubborn
We can stand touchin' noses
For a week at a time
And never see eye-to-eye.
But we'll give you our shirt
And a back to go with it
If your crops should happen to die.

Farmer:
So, what the heck, you're welcome,
Glad to have you with us.

Farmer and Wife:
Even though we may not ever mention it again.

 

[LBS-bass]

It won't fix damaged hair - only scissors will fix damaged hair! - but cassia obovata is my BFF. About two weeks before I do my own roots again. Maybe in 10 years I'll let it grow out gray. We'll see. A deal made with henna is a long-term affair. Still working two years later on repairing the damage a helpful stylist achieved. She thinned my hair when she chopped a major bit of length. Big, big mistake. My hair was approaching lower back length The stylist I see now is a gem

I was so darned careful with my hair over the past few years; I hate that this happened. I always babied it with moisturizing oils and heat protective formulas and it stayed pretty healthy in spite of the bleaching for quite a few years. It's all my own fault, I put some heavy bleach on, set the timer, got engrossed in something I was doing, hit the timer when it rang and failed to get up to rinse it all out for another fifteen minutes. Big OOPS! It wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it has gradually been breaking and leaving me with these awful, wispy pieces that are driving me crazy.

I can't let my natural color grow out, and I need it to be blonde. I have patches of gray, a skunk stripe in the middle, and it's still deep brown in places. Looks awful when I try. When I keep it blonde, the gray roots where I part it are much less obvious and I don't look so much like what I am, which is a little old lady trying to cling to a youthful appearance.

I was blonde as a kid, my eyebrows are still blonde, so the blonde works for me.

I reckon the men are scrolling over this the way I'm scrolling over the conversation about fixing cars. I really do love cars. I just don't know squat about fixing them. And I'll let the hairdresser fix my hair. I hope. In about a half hour <gulp>.

 

[GwenOnBass]

I was so darned careful with my hair over the past few years; I hate that this happened. I always babied it with moisturizing oils and heat protective formulas and it stayed pretty healthy in spite of the bleaching for quite a few years. It's all my own fault, I put some heavy bleach on, set the timer, got engrossed in something I was doing, hit the timer when it rang and failed to get up to rinse it all out for another fifteen minutes. Big OOPS! It wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it has gradually been breaking and leaving me with these awful, wispy pieces that are driving me crazy.

I can't let my natural color grow out, and I need it to be blonde. I have patches of gray, a skunk stripe in the middle, and it's still deep brown in places. Looks awful when I try. When I keep it blonde, the gray roots where I part it are much less obvious and I don't look so much like what I am, which is a little old lady trying to cling to a youthful appearance.

I was blonde as a kid, my eyebrows are still blonde, so the blonde works for me.

I reckon the men are scrolling over this the way I'm scrolling over the conversation about fixing cars. I really do love cars. I just don't know squat about fixing them. And I'll let the hairdresser fix my hair. I hope. In about a half hour <gulp>.

Yup, started life blonde and no real intention of changing now. Yup, eyebrows are still blonde here too. The henna I use is a strawberry blonde mixture. Any hair that's still naturally blonde goes a bit red. All the gray hair goes blonde. And my stylist is all I didn't know henna could do that! But henna is a deal one makes. I do it at home (because no hairdresser west of Italy will touch henna). It takes a good part of the day. I just call it My Own Day when it's henna day and feel very good about it.

 

[LBS-bass]

When does one give in and officially change their hair color on their driver’s license.

I don't know that "blue/silver ombre" has ever been an option on my driver's license.