Torcon update, learning German

Why is this Nazgul getting on a TTC car? Find out from Allison.
Photo by Allison.


Only a few weeks left until Torcon! Urban Tapestry's concert is on Saturday, Aug. 30th at 3:00 p.m., for those interested. If you have a concert/panel at the convention, feel free to plug it in Blatherchat.

Looks like the company printing our CDs is a bit behind schedule, but supposedly the CDs should be shipped very soon. Please keep your fingers crossed for us! Allison, Jodi and I have been REALLY looking forward to releasing the CD at Torcon.



Jodi at Concertino. Photo by Jim Leonard.


I'm quite enjoying learning German. Some of the sounds are challenging but way fun to say. Take "das Frühstük", for example (breakfast). It's strangely satisfying to say this word. I want to try working this into casual conversation as much as possible. Can't wait until Jeff wakes up so I can start practising on him, especially before he's had his morning cup of coffee. "Hey Jeffy, want some Frühstük?" "You gotta start your day off with Frühstük." "Stop scowling at me, have some Frühstük!" Oh, happyjoy, this'll be fun.

I've just started learning about verbs. Holy cow, this is going to take some serious study. There are weak and strong verb forms, and also seem to be different verb endings depending on the person you're talking to, and how familiar you are with the person you're talking to. Reminds me of French a bit, especially since there also seem to be masculine and feminine nouns. (And neuter nouns, Rika tells me...still haven't reached that chapter yet :-))

I can see why the German language would appeal to historians of all types, and anyone interested in languages in general. Already I am finding so many connections between words in German and words I already know. Not just in every day English conversation, but also to certain proper names, musical terms, other subjects.



Rand in concert at Concertino. Photo by Jim Leonard.


I study German whenever I am taking an arm break from typing on the keyboard or using ViaVoice. I've copied the CDs onto my iPod. Whenever it's time for me to give my arms a rest, I take out my German course book, put on my iPod headphones, and go through a lesson. I end up repeating the lesson about 10-12 times during the course of a day, helping to cement the words and phrases in my memory and pronunciation. Sometimes I just listen to earlier lessons without the book in hand, just to see how much I understand. I'm up to Lesson 9 of 40 lessons.

It's already become clear to me that even after I go through the course, I'm going to have to work hard on building up my vocabulary, and listen to as much German as possible. I'm going to check out libraries in Toronto for tapes and CDs in German.

Thank you so much to those of you who suggested online resources. Here are a few:

http://www.cas.usf.edu/german/forms/webforms.htm
(from Katy: "good for verbs, but overall rather for advanced learners (and there's some mistakes in the java mouseovers, unfortunately, so some pages are not usable)")

http://www.germanfortravellers.com/learn/index2.html
(from Katy: "fun, with pronounciation mp3s and movie clips!")

German cartoon site
http://www.nichtlustig.de/main.html
(From meritmatt on LJ)

I also found the following:

German vocabulary and pronunciation

About.com's German Language Resource

BBC's German Learning Resources



Dave Weingart and Daniel Glasser. Photo by Jim Leonard.

August/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ

10 years of Urban Tapestry

Outside the recording studio for our first album (1993)


I used to swear that I would never sing in public. When I first began to attend open filk circles, it took all my courage to open up my flute case and take out my instrument. Took even more courage to actually start playing it. But singing? Forget it.

Then I met Allison and Jodi. I love hearing them sing. Allison's smokier folky voice and Jodi's sultry "torch song" voice blend incredibly well, the contrasting vocal textures enhancing each other. I was happy just playing flute accompaniment.

If Urban Tapestry was just a music group, I would likely still just be playing flute. But over the years, the three of us have become good friends, and the trust and encouragement fostered within the circle of our friendship has resulted in each of us growing as musicians and songwriters.

I remember being terrified the first time I tried adding a harmony to an Urban Tapestry song. My voice was shaking so much that it was hard to stay on key. Allison and Jodi were so supportive, however, that I was encouraged to keep trying. And while I am far from being nearly as good a singer as Allison and Jodi, I no longer hate my voice. Well, at least not nearly as much as before. :-)

The first track on our new CD is "The Friendship Song", a three part a capella song I wrote and arranged specifically for our three voices. I figured out the three lines on manuscript paper first, then taught Allison and Jodi their parts. When we finally put everything together, I remember getting SO excited that I'm sure Allison and Jodi thought I was going to pass out.

We have had our ups and downs over the years, like any friends; we've all grown accustomed to each other's strengths, weaknesses and quirks. :-) Whenever one of us needs a shoulder to lean on, the other two are always there. One of my favorite Urban Tapestry songs has always been "Days We Spend Together" (co-written by Allison and Jodi), not only because of the way it perfectly captures the essence of our friendship, but also the heart of what I love most about the filk community.

Allison has put together a fantastic scrapbook of memories from the 10 years of Urban Tapestry and special message board. Please do drop by for a visit!

August/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ

more watergun party pics

Michelle and me at Reid's and Luisa's watergun party


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PARKI!



David Barker, looking intimidating. Note Jeff creeping
up behind him on the left...




Jeff dumps a bucket of ice-cold water over David's head.




Jeff demonstrates the Spider-man set-up that I wore at the party.
Pressurized water tank backpack, easy-to-press lever, up to three water streams.
Not too effective as a water attack weapon, unless you count incapacitating
your opponent with hysterical laughter.




Luisa in attack mode.




Backyard water war zone.




Scott Murray.




One of the favorite pool activities was creating a whirlpool
by having everyone walking or swimming in one direction around pool.




Andy.




ScottM attacks Reid.

August/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ

pool pics, learning german

Luisa's nephew Eric.
(click for larger image)


Much frivolity, fun and water at Reid's and Luisa's watergun party yesterday. Andy Beaton and Peter Cook assaulted us as soon as we stepped out of the car, both already armed and eager to soak newcomers. Though much improved, my arms still aren't up to the task of the pumping up a watergun multiple times, so Jeff set me up with something else (more watergun photos and details tomorrow).

This year, I also smartened up and brought along a waterproof plastic case for my camera. We tested it underwater for the first time yesterday, and it worked perfectly! See photos above and below for a sample.

Scott and Anita left yesterday. Jeff and I will be going to Vienna for their wedding (date still not decided), so I've decided to start learning some German. I bought the Random House Living Language 3-CD course at Chapter's yesterday as well as The Complete Idiot's Guide To Learning German. I still need to pick up a good English-German / German-English dictionary, and welcome suggestions - preferably it should be compact enough so that I can take it with me when travelling.

To you Germans out there, or those fluent in German: any recommendations about good online resources for learning the language?

Hope you're all enjoying your weekend!



Peter Cook.
(click for larger image)




Harald Koch.




Luisa.




Luisa's son, Michael.




Me. :-) Photo by Jeff.

August/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ

waiting for frodo in okinawa

Hey, check out the Waiting For Frodo sweatshirt in Japan!
(click for larger image)


The photo above is of Waiting For Frodo fans Octavia and her daughter at the first showing of The Two Towers at a military base on Okinawa, Japan in January. Octavia sent me the photo a couple of days ago after I finally updated the comic. I think this is VERY cool. :-)

Speaking of Lord of the Rings movies, ex-Weta-Digital guy Shane McEwan has his own media message board and invites people to drop by and visit!

August/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ