Thunderbird Club

[Count Bassie]

Smart people imitate greatness.
Fools will imitate pretty much anything requiring little effort, skill or intelligence.
But let's go with smart here!

(I screenshat my avatar pic from a Google page... )

 

[JIO]

Smart people imitate greatness.
Fools will imitate pretty much anything requiring little effort, skill or intelligence.
But let's go with smart here!

Smart people learn from greatness and grow smarter in the process. You got the fools part correct.

 

[RedVee]

Sorry for beating the Aussie drum, but Delta Goodrem got 4th in Eurovision 26.

This is her performance in the final, not much else she could do imo. Yes, she does play piano, and was one of the co writers of the song.
It almost sounds like a Bond theme.

 

[dagrev]

Smart people learn from greatness and grow smarter in the process. You got the fools part correct.

I was keeping in line with someone imitating our great Count, but yes, otherwise true.

 

[dagrev]

Sorry for beating the Aussie drum, but Delta Goodrem got 4th in Eurovision 26.

This is her performance in the final, not much else she could do imo. Yes, she does play piano, and was one of the co writers of the song.
It almost sounds like a Bond theme.

Nice. I don't think she's one of those Aussie things that will kill you. She won't, right?

 

[Count Bassie]

Nice. I don't think she's one of those Aussie things that will kill you. She won't, right?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Let's GO!..

 

[TBird1958]

9:00 downbeat on the North Coast

 

[JIO]

Sorry for beating the Aussie drum, but Delta Goodrem got 4th in Eurovision 26.

This is her performance in the final, not much else she could do imo. Yes, she does play piano, and was one of the co writers of the song.
It almost sounds like a Bond theme.

Yes - the production nears a Bond vibe, abet a modern overtly pop version. She is obviously a very talented/gifted singer/performer. The presentation/spectacle enhances that. For me as a Bond enthusiast - the last truly great Bond movie song was one that unfortunately never was officially a Bond theme. It was by Radiohead, and it would have been a superb addition to the Bond legacy. However... they broke their contract by playing it at a concert before the movie it was meant for came out. Dumb but sad as it is an exquisite Bond song with all the necessary elements of suspense and beauty the best Bond songs encapsulate.

 

[JIO]

I was keeping in line with someone imitating our great Count, but yes, otherwise true.

I'm down for the Count

 

[JIO]

Let's GO!..
View attachment 7496151

Rock it Mr P!

 

[JIO]

9:00 downbeat on the North Coast View attachment 7496154

 

[Gaolee]

Nice. I don't think she's one of those Aussie things that will kill you. She won't, right?

She might, but do you want to risk it?

 

[Count Bassie]

I'm down for the Count

Lol, thanks you guys.

 

[JIO]

She might, but do you want to risk it?

...it depends...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I've not seen that colour on a VP before... must be a Japan only option

Silver mist is a standard Epi 64 color, but if that’s it, their lighting is funky.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

starting to think this club can survive on oysters alone.....

 

[RedVee]

Yes - the production nears a Bond vibe, abet a modern overtly pop version. She is obviously a very talented/gifted singer/performer. The presentation/spectacle enhances that. For me as a Bond enthusiast - the last truly great Bond movie song was one that unfortunately never was officially a Bond theme. It was by Radiohead, and it would have been a superb addition to the Bond legacy. However... they broke their contract by playing it at a concert before the movie it was meant for came out. Dumb but sad as it is an exquisite Bond song with all the necessary elements of suspense and beauty the best Bond songs encapsulate.

Very good!

 

[ectoflanger]

Hey friends, upon reflection on my original vignette titled Honey, Where's My Bass I discovered some major errors regarding the history of the runic alphabet in Nordic culture and felt that I should rewrite it to address these issues- note that any similarities to any actual persons that may occur or strictly unintentional except perhaps myself!

So without further ado-

Honey Where’s My Bass? ​

Cal awoke nauseous and weak having just served the last hour of a 24-hour flu. Out of boredom he scanned his room with a feverish eye, suddenly noting that his prized bass, a one-off custom-made Valkyrie, was missing!

“Honey, where’s my bass?” he called out.

“You mean the one with the satanic symbols?” his wife Elsa replied from the living room.

What ‘satanic’ symbols?

He thought quickly, then remembered the fret markers, runic letters in beautifully figured abalone.

“Those are runes, not satanic symbols.”

“I know what runes are, after all you are speaking to a Norwegian.”

Her face appeared around the corner, fair-skinned and framed with milky-white hair, her topaz eyes blazing with determination.

He recalled first seeing those eyes, crowned with a nurse’s cap, gazing into his hospital room in a far-off country where he had contracted amoebic dysentery. Elsa was one of several Lutheran volunteers serving where that faith had been long established by a sister country.

It turned out to be a difficult, often embarrassing convalescence for Cal, and he might not have survived were it not for Elsa’s close supervision at the hospital, then later at home when she insisted on continuing her care.

Bearing this in mind, he chose his words carefully.

“So, what’s wrong with them?”

“Runes are the writings of wizards, warlocks, and cults. Have you not heard of a game called Runequest?” she asked, stressing the word “rune”. Vikings were pagans too, and they used runic writings.”

“But the Vikings adopted Christianity around 900, 1000 AD, and for centuries they continued to use the runic alphabet along with the Latin.”

“I know that, we were taught the runic alphabet as school children and even learned to spell our names with them. But who uses them now? I will tell you they are not the Christian churches. Do a search on Amazon and you’ll see that they’re tied in with magic, spells, and divination. Pray tell what do the symbols on your bass represent?”

“Bring it to me and I’ll show you.”

Elsa stepped out and returned with his bass. After a cursory inspection verifiying there was no damage, Cal explained the fundamental landmarks of a guitar fretboard.

“Here at the third fret on the fourth is where we have the “G” note,” he said, indicating the runic symbol that appeared thus:



“That would be ‘gebo’ which stands for the ‘G’ sound in the Elder Futhark runic alphabet,” Elsa explained. “In the context of magic, it can be used in a spell to foster partnerships and generosity.”

Cal continued, “The next position down would be the ‘A’ note.”

“Ah, that would be ‘ansuz’ representing the letter ‘A’. Associated with the Norse god Odin, it is a staple in modern occult practices.



Cal sighed wearily and indicated the next symbol down.



“That would be ‘berkano’ the runic letter for ‘B’,” Elsa explained. I take it that it’s for the ‘B’ note?

“That is the note at the seventh fret,” Cal replied.

“Berkano or birch. It refers to the birch goddess who was associated with birth, life, and fertility. Are you sure you want to continue?”

“The next position is C sharp.”

“That explains the two symbols. The first, ‘kenaz’ represents the letter ‘C’ and the one next to it, ‘thurisaz’ can mean ‘sharp’, hence the thorn on stem visual reference. Clever, but it can also represent the god Thor.”



“Kenaz symbolizes fire or illumination in the context of knowledge and creativity as in the fire in one’s soul to create,” Elsa continued. “I can see why the headstock bears the same symbol assuming there is a correlation.”

“Kaun is the make of the instrument,” Cal replied.

“A variation of kenaz.”

Encouraged by the sudden change in tone of her voice, he pointed out the final symbol at the 12th fret.



“This must be for the ‘E’ note give it is the runic symbol for ‘ehwaz’ which has significant occultic connotations in the areas of spiritual transformation. It’s used as a bind rune for spells.”

“I believe I’ve seen enough,” she said, reaching for his bass.

Cal pulled the instrument to himself in a protective embrace.

“You’re not being fair, after all you once spelled your name beginning with that funny ‘M’! And all they represent is fretboard positions.”

“All right, you’ve convinced me,” Elsa conceded. “But please be more mindful with future purchases.”

The doorbell suddenly rang. This was followed by vigorous knocking on the front door.

“That’s probably Timmy. Would you mind letting him in?”

“Ok, but we better not let him get too close, you might still be contagious.”

The eleven-year-old burst into the room, his expression lit with excitement.

“I heard about Valkyrie bass. Can I see it?”

“Sure but stay on the opposite side of the bed as I’m just getting over the flu.”

Timmy dashed to the other side where still lay the fabulous bass, its body finished in translucent white over an ash body with gold hardware, the runic symbols scintillating in the ebony fretboard as he turned it over in the light.

“Wait Timmy,” Cal cried out as the boy tugged vigorously at the suede leather cover fitted onto the back and sides of the body.

But it was too late. Beaming, the boy displayed the back of the bass featuring the image of a blonde woman with fiery eyes and wielding a spear, descending from the sky on a winged white steed.

“Timmy, do you know what this is?” Elsa asked.

“Yes ma’am. It’s a Valkyrie! They helped fallen warriors make it to heaven,” he exclaimed proudly.

Timmy … do you like chocolate chip cookies? There’s a fresh batch on the counter cooling under a towel if you would like one.”

“I thought something smelled good. I would love one.”

“You can have two, but no more. And at the kitchen table.”

Elsa waited for Timmy to exit the room before holding up the Valyrie image toward Cal.

“What about this? So much for innocuous connotations. And you hid it from me, I’m really disappointed in you.”

“But the cover came with the bass to protect the artwork from buckle rash,” Cal replied.

“I’ll give her a rash,” Elsa said angrily before taking the bass and storming toward the door.

“Eight hundred wet,” Cal blurted out.

She was back in an instant, eyes blazing.

“What did you say?”

“What do you think I said?” he asked, a slight tremor in his voice.

Though in comely proportions, her six foot plus Nordic frame could be formidable when she was provoked and he was not up to a physical altercation, particularly in his weakened state. She could be a handful from his recollections of playful tussles in the early days of their courtship

“What did you say?” she asked again, almost nose to nose.

“I meant 800 grit wet sandpaper to minimize damage to the wood,” he said mildly.

Disarmed she set the bass down, then ran a hand gently across the forehead.

“You’re still running a mild fever and looking a bit peaked. You should lie down and rest.”

Grateful for the respite, he did just that though he dared not enquire about the status of his bass.

She returned with a glass of water and aspirin. Caleb took his medicine but nearly choked when she picked up his instrument.

“Calm, calm,” she said as she placed the leather cover back on and leaned it against the wall. “Your bass will come to no harm, though I don’t like that image.”

“I could have it altered and refinished if you like,” Cal said.

“You do as your conscience leads you,” she replied, before giving him one of her radiant smiles.

“Would you do me favor?”

“What’s that?”

“Smile like that again but take a selfie and send it to me.”

Elsa took his phone, snapped the picture, then showed it to him.

“Now you lie back and rest.”

Cal lay back and stared at the image then made a phone call to his luthier friend.

“Say Tom, remember that favor you owe me?”

A few days later the two regarded the instrument as it lay on Tom’s workbench.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Tom asked. “It’s only one of five handcrafted by Johann Kaun that featured the custom airbrush work.”

“Elsa is one in a billion.”

“Ok, send me the picture and I’ll make a reference scan. Mind you it may take a few months.”

One morning Cal presented the newly refinished bass to Elsa.

“What do you think?”

“It’s not the best likeness, but it’ll pass.”

“Enough for a kiss?”

“Barely.”

She gave him a quick kiss and bid him goodbye before heading off for work.

Cal watched her walk down the drive and reflected.

Who needs the image of a Valkyrie when you have the real thing?

 

[GonePlaid]

Starving? Hallucinating? Insane?

"D", all the above.