Herongate Rehearsal

I've just completed two rehearsals for a musical theatre gig that I'm a part of. The rehearsals went well but I have a few things that I need to work on. Otherwise, I think I should be okay for these performances. More on this later. If you'd like, visit www.herongate.com

Electric woes

For a while now, my electric bass has been out of commission. I took it in last night to see what was the problem. It turns out that it just needs a bit of soldering. No problem. Although, the person looking at my electric did feel that there was a major problem with the action on my bass; I concurred. In fact, the action/tension on my electric has been horrible for a long time now. Anyway, I'm finally going to have that looked after as well. Hopefully this won't break the bank on a beat up electric bass. Coming out of there, I couldn't help but feel like I was dropping my bass off at a car dearlership's service department. Anyway, here's hoping they won't charge as much as well.

Quote of the Day

"Get all the fools on your side and you can be elected to anything."
- Frank Dane

"If I'm on the winning side, am I really that foolish."
- BassBassDude

Aikido Recap

All attacks were Ushiro Tekubi dori (Two wrists grasp from behind). Techniques applied were Shihonage (Four comer throw), Kotegaeshi (Throwing by turning out uke's wrist), and Iriminage (Entering throw). After working through these techniques, we had to apply them in a 3-man randori. Shortly after Randori, we had to apply 2 types of Kokyunage (Breathe throw), JiJunage (Arm entering throw), and Koshinage (Hip throw). Overall, randori practice is a great workout (as either nage or uke) and can easily display one's level of Aikido.

Lesson learned: Never stand still in Randori. Keep in mind where you are going next and keep in mind your center.

5ths Tuning

Here's a bit of insight on tuning the Double Bass to 5ths courtesy of Wikipedia.

Fifths tuning is a non-standard tuning for the double bass, used primarily in classical and jazz music. In this tuning, the double bass is tuned like a cello but an octave lower (C-G-D-A low to high).

Although once the most common double bass tuning in France in the 19th century, standard fourths tuning (E-A-D-G) has since become the most used tuning for the instrument. Fifths has recently been repopularised by a handful of bassists, most notably American Red Mitchell and Canadian Joel Quarrington. Other players who use the tuning include Dennis Masuzzo, Silvio Dalla Torre, and Larry Holloway. Although still relatively uncommon (most fifths players are in Canada), its popularity is ever increasing.

Its advocates say the advantages of fifths tuning are:

* Increased resonance, volume and quality of sound (the strings have more common overtones, causing the strings to vibrate sympathetically).
* Superior intonation with the rest of the string section due to the uniform tuning (for classical players).
* Best method of obtaining a low C, without an extension or a fifth string.
* Mostly used by jazz players for the major tenth which can be played easily without a position shift.

visit: en.wikipedia.org

Quote of the Day

"Washington is the only place where sound travels faster than light."
- CVR Thompson

"Washington... yummy Washington."
- BassBassDude

The Change to 5ths

I've decided to make the switch. By the end of September, I will be changing my bass to be tuned in 5ths as opposed to the traditional tuning in 4ths. I've had many conversations with a bass player about this and he feels that this will be a good change for me. Although I am a little concerned about where this will lead with my playing or whether I can wrap my head around re-learning the bass, I am certain that this will be a venture that will be beneficial for myself as a bass player. Essentially, it's just another way of having a deeper understanding of my instrument.

Quote of the Day

"This is the sixth book I've written, which isn't bad for a guy who's only read two."
- George Burns

"The sixth book I've written is still in the works, along with its five predecessors."
- BassBassDude

Quote of the Day

"An executive is a person who always decides; sometimes he decides correctly, but he always decides."
- John H. Patterson

"A procrastinator never gets anything accomplished. I'll tell you more about it later."
- BassBassDude

Sittin' in the sun

Sittin' in the sun
Originally uploaded by BassBassDude.

I have a firm belief that nothing beats sunlight when it comes to photography. On top of that, nothing beats using sunlight at either sunrise or sunset. It is at these two times where it seems like you get the most colour and vibrance out of your photography. Anyway, I took this shot on a gorgeous day just before sunset. I would have liked to see how the photo would have come out had it been a few hours later. Unfortunately, my subject was not very cooperative with this idea. Kids these days...

Not quite a starry night with these fireworks

Not quite a starry night with these fireworks
Originally uploaded by BassBassDude.

Fireworks.

It's funny how much money you would spend for a few seconds of flashy fun. Either way, this shot was on a 30sec shutter speed. I guess that's why the shot seems to be taken in the middle of the day. Ah, the fun things you can do with the Rebel XT.

Quote of the Day

"Isn't it interesting that the same people who laugh at science fiction listen to weather forecasts and economists?" - Kelvin Throop III

"Isn't it interesting that the same people who laugh at Chuck Norris are usually not around to see their next birthday. Nobody laughs at Chuck Norris and lives to talk about it." - BassBassDude

The Bell City Chase-Team Running to Stand Still

"Complete 10 of 15 events that are scattered all throughout the city".

Since it first came to Toronto in 2004, I have been a huge fan of the Bell City Chase. This past Saturday June 24th, was no exception. Great weather, great people, great race. Although we did not win, it was the journey and all the events that took place that were the highlights including some personal highlights. Unlike some competitors, my teammate Dave-o and I can hold our heads up high for finishing without cheating and for running the race as hard as we could with the spirit that the City Chase had intended. Here is how "Team Running To Stand Still" ran the Toronto I Bell City Chase.

Starting Line. Dundas Square, at the corner of Yonge and Dundas, was our starting point for the race. We warmed up to "hip" style of Tai-Chi and went over all the rules of the race. The race began when we were told that our clues were at the two fire stations in the downtown core. Team Running to Stand Still decided to run East along Dundas, past Parliament, all the way to Regent Park's Fire Station to pick up our clues.

First Event. Dave-o and I decided to run North up to Riverdale Farm where we (we being only Dave-o) carried a bale of hay down a hill. From there, we had to build a life-sized Scarecrow. When completed, we had to take apart the Scarecrow, and then take the bale of hay back up the hill. Only one qualm with this event; our team arrived first but the event was not ready for us. In the long run, that didn't hurt us, but we did waste energy running around park looking for this event.

Second Event. We ran North to Bloor, then West to Mt Pleasant then North to Branksome Hall. Behind the school was a field where we had to quickly pitch a tent. No problem seeing that both of us are (ex)campers.

Third Event. I'm not sure why, but we ran South on Sherbourne all the way down to Queen St to Moss Park's John Innis Pool. With both of my calves begging for mercy, we both jumped into a pool of floating golf balls and rubber ducks. Each golf ball had a number that coinincided with a duck that needed to be found. This was a good event that didn't take too long because it was a chance to wash all that hay off us from our first event. Too bad my buddy forgot to take his wallet out of his shorts.

Fourth Event. Ran down to King St and grabbed a streetcar to 40 King St W. Under the Scotiabank building, we teamed up with another team and participated in a photo hunt with a Bell Mobility Cell phone. We had to find a man with moustache, a person with the City Chase logo, a manequin wearing jeans, and a person eating ice cream. This took a bit of time, but still, was not overly long.

Fifth Event. We jumped on the King street car and headed West to Fraser St (East of Dufferin) and ended up at Joe Rockhead's where we both had to do some rock climbing. I personally thought that this would be difficult, but it took no time at all to finish. By this time, my legs were not cooperating with my brain and refusing to run.

Sixth Event. We caught the King streetcar heading East to Strachan. Jumped off and ran up to Trinity-Bellwoods Park to play ultimate frisbee. The object was to play against another City Chase team and score 2 points in order to advance. Loster has to stay and play again. Our team forced a turnover and we scored a nifty point as I sqeezed a pass to Dave-o into the endzone. After another turnover, Dave-o threw a pass into the endzone where I made a diving catch to score our second point enabling us to advance. You usually know it's a good catch when everyone on the pitch start jumping up and down cheering and congratulating you on such a spectacular feat. This was easily my highlight of the day and thank God for Robaxacit Platinum.

Seventh Event. We ran East along Dundas past Bathurst to Scadding Court Community Center. In the bowels of this center, we found many anxious City Chasers weilding fishing rods surrounding the perimiter of a pool full of fish. In the nearby corner was a table of bait. We had two choices: 1. Spend 30min trying to catch a fish. 2. Spend 30sec Eating a worm. One qualm; don't bite a worm when trying to swallow it.

Eight Event. Dave-o and grabbed a Spadina streetcar and headed north to Harbord. We headed East up Queen's Park to the Royal Ontario Museum. From there, I had the priveledge of properly dressing Dave-o up in a toga. No problem no qualms.

Ninth Event. We jumped on the Subway and headed East to Christie Station. We headed south to Bickford Park where we had to fill a bucket with water using sponges (sans hands). Anyway, that took no time, and was by far the most forgetable of events. At this point, my legs had decided to go home.

Tenth Event. Scavenger Hunt. This was our ultimate low. We wasted over an hour trying to find a business card that had one of our names on it within the Church and Wellesley district. Although it took a lot longer than we were planning, we finished the scavenger hunt and headed to the finish line.

Finish Line. We jumped on the subway and headed south from Wellesley to Dundas and made a final dash to the finish. Our finish time was around 5 hours and 20 minutes.

We both had a blast and we will be in the race again next year with yet another top 10 finish as our goal. As I nurse my race injuries and battle scars, I can hold my head up high and say that Team Running To Stand Still finished with the right spirit in mind from beginning to end. Cheers to all that finished with that same spirit.

visit:
bellcitychase.com

iPod Nano

I just bought a brand new iPod Nano and I am happily impressed with it. It's incredibly small and I need to get a case. It's a lot of fun, but I can't help but feel that I'm going to break it. Here's hoping for a lot of good luck while I have it.

Zephyrologie

A couple of years ago, I went down to the Montreal Jazz Festival and found a plethora of differnt types of music. One of which was a French brass band by the name of Zephyrologie. At the time, I was completely blown away by the sound that these ten musicians could create with what is essentially a marching band with soul. This is a group that cannot be easily described but does have its roots in soul, jazz, funk and rock. Sadly, they will not be anywhere in Canada this year, but hopefully, they will reach our shores in the near future.

Click here to listen.
Also, please visit zephyrologie.com

Marlowe-Richmond Hill tomorrow night

Hi all,

I'll be at the Marlow-Richmond Hill Tuesday June 20th. Here's the details:

155 York Blvd (Leslie & Hwy 7)
Richmond Hill, ON
905-771-8645

We begin playing around 7pm. Hope to see you there.

Too cute... rookie photography mistake

My boy and the ducky.
Originally uploaded by BassBassDude.

With all the photos I shoot, my main problem is that I create motion blur. In a nutshell, I should A) shoot with a higher shutter speed with a possible flash or B) start using a tripod. Then again, I should focus more on C) not moving when I shoot.

Hi tiger

Hi tiger
Originally uploaded by BassBassDude.

Another tiger shot, just a little closer. I contemplated purchasing lenses with Canon's Image Stabalizer on it, but thought otherwise. As a rookie shooter, I'm finding that I need to improve my shooting skills and having the IS models for my camera may turn into a crutch down the road. Besides, the extra dough was a bit of a deterrant.

Don't get me wrong, Image Stabalizers are great in various situations, but in my case as a hack, I'll leave IS lenses off my wish lists (for now).

Waiting Alone

Waiting Alone
Originally uploaded by BassBassDude.

I'm becoming a big fan of the use of lines and shadows in my photography. I'm still working on it, but here's a taste of what I'm beginning to enjoy.

Practice recap

Holy busy batman. I've been in and out of gigs that I can't remember which gig was which. Most of them being wedding reception gigs.

Anyway, I rehearsed yesterday afternoon with a few friends for an upcoming wedding reception which went very well. It's funny how people you've known for years still seem to suprise you with new talents. Anyway, I look forward to playing with these extremely talnted people.