penny whistle

So I'm having way too much fun with this penny whistle thing. I've set up some links at http://www.inkspot.com/blatherings/pennywhistle.html. Mostly for my own use (I'm going to be adding to this list over time), but perhaps others might find it useful as well.

I went through all the songs in the music book (The Penny Whistle Book, by Robin Williamson...cool that you're picking up penny whistle too, Andrea!) and am now going back and doing intensive study on my favourites. I'm also realizing I have to do a lot more listening! If any of you have suggestions for good penny whistle albums, please let me know. I've been listening to "Van Morrison and the Chieftans" as well as the soundtrack to Cal.

Only problem with practising the penny whistle...it's loud, especially the higher ranges! Or maybe I just haven't learned the control. It's far easier for me to play flute at a lower volume than penny whistle.

Cottage activities since my last blathering: visiting Danny Gibson (cottage neighbour; he made our canoe), short hike on the Sam's Lake portage, visited the Tom Thompson totem pole, lunch on Potter's Creek (Jeff narrowly missed being skewered by what was probably the last icicle on the lake!), barbecued steak (yum). Paddling back across the lake to the car was a bit of a challenge because of the headwinds, but the weather was gorgeous.

Today's blatherphoto was taken by my dad. Sara (4) is on the left, Annie (2) on the right.

Site of the Day: LILEKS (James) The Institute of Official Cheer. Make sure you check out the "Gallery Of Regrettable Food".

spring

Took advantage of the good weather to run a couple of errands in the late afternoon...bankstuff (dull), post office stuff (dull), plus follow-up on a birthday present (fun :-)). For my birthday, Jeff got me a custom-embroidered jacket. I finally got around to actually going to the shop to pick out the design of the coat and the embroidery. The latter will be "inkspot.com", of course, with "The Writer's Resource" just underneath. The coat should be ready in a week or so, but I probably won't be wearing it until the fall because it'll be too hot. Picked up a Clarke's Sweet Tone D whistle at Steve's Music Store on the way back home (I figure for 6 bucks, it can't hurt to experiment with another type of whistle :-)). I find it a bit breathier than my Generation D, but with a slightly fuller tone. I'll need to play it some more to get used to it, but so far I like it better.

Hey, check out Karen Linsley and Lloyd Landa's new webpage! And don't forget to buy their CD, ROAD TO ROSWELL!! And I'm not just saying that because I'm on the album. :-)

existenz

I'm creating a new section in Inkspot to help writers who want to create their own web pages. If any of you know of really good basic resources (e.g. beginning HTML tutorials, etc.), could you please let me know? Thanks.

Going to see Existenz tonight with Jeff, Helen, and Craig. I'm not a huge Cronenberg fan but can't resist the lure of the movie's premise (which I won't include here to avoid spoiling the move for some, but you can find out more at the Existenz website.

Went for sushi with Jeff last night. Salmon and white tuna sashimi, yum.

Officemusic: Propellerheads "Decksandrumsandrockandroll"

cuz

So remember when I went to see Existenz? Helen brought a friend, Sandra, whom I had never met before. Whilst waiting in line, she happened to mention that she used to go to Estonia girl scout camp. Waitasec, I said. My brother-in-law used to be Estonian camp scout leader! Turns out that Sandra is my step cuz-in-law.

Existenz was okay, but I liked The Matrix far better. More gross effects in Existenz, though, for those of you into that sort of thing (I couldn't watch some scenes).

Went to a Mexican restaurant last night with Cathy and got mildly hammered on sangria (it took half a glass...am I a wuss or what?)

Seeing Jodi and Allison tonight...

toronto zoo

So I'm working tomorrow and took yesterday off so I could go to the Toronto zoo with my niece Brittany, who turned three on Thursday. My mom- and dad-in-law were there as well as Brittany's parents and friend & daughter. For lunch, we went to one of the MacDonald's outlets in the zoo where we feasted on Happy Meals and a chocolate birthday cake that Larkin (Brittany's mom) had hidden in the bottom of the stroller. We had no plates, so instead dug into the cake en masse, armed with small wooden forks ordinarily used for french fries ("chips" to you UK-types :)). By the time we were done, the cake looked like a war zone.

I love going to the zoo with kids; opens up a whole new world for me. Everything is much more exciting...the colours seem brighter, the air fresher. I pay more attention to details, don't take things for granted. I also sometimes don't get to linger at exhibits, but that's a minor sacrifice compared to the benefits of having a child guide you through the zoo.

I also find it fascinating how having small children (and strollers) with you makes you see the layout of the zoo differently. Where are the public washrooms? Where are the ramps? :-)