Here in London it’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining, I’m taking a break to have a cappuccino and pain au raisin, listening to Mick Mulvey playing "Lucky in Love". Ah, the joys of working from home. What’s everyone else up to?
Sitting at my desk in a cold, rainy Cape Town; listening to Mick O'Brien playing pipes, and reading a Spider-Man comic while sipping on a particularly fine cuppa. Occasionally pausing to browse TheSession or work out how long it would take to save up for a Seth Gallagher practice set.
Sitting at my desk, reading emails from fluter Maria in Dublin and looking at Joyce's pictures from Frankie Kennedy. Lovely day outside though with the swallows just back from vacation and the primroses gleaming in the hedgerows. Ah, lovely Leitrim!
Cool autumn evening in Melbourne. Movie on TV and kid noises in the background. Trying to work out the Setting Sun Jig and Shannon Breeze ( not trying too hard ). Send some of that rain from Cape Town our way will you Q - we could do with it.
Pretty spring day for us in Virginia , but chillier than yesterday (its 50. And my last day of spring break- I had the great idea of cleaning the 3rd floor out so I'm a bit dusty. Probably just guilt because I'm going to be gone so much of summer break. Surely I should already know this slide I've just listened to for the at least 50th time!
Hi Deirdre! I was also just reading an email from Maria and wishing I was in Ireland right now hanging out and playing a few tunes.......but I'm sitting at my desk drinking my coffee and getting ready to start thinking about my weekend which will be in Boston : )
It's sunny here in Vermont and my get up to a whopping 54 F degrees (12 C)
Having a quick pit stop during long run around town... in the office (best place to relax, isn't it?). Lots to do in next three crazy weeks. At least, the weather's mighty - seems like the Summer's come before Spring. Singing in the bus (have no time for rehearsal anywhere else, and we're going to perform in Berlin soon). Tonite I'm going Irish dancing with a stunning girl, so what else do I need?
Just back from two hour lunch. Sat in pub (30 seconds walk away) from office having a few pints with a couple of friends and watching Solas DVD (live at the Burlington).
Ah feck that's my afternoon's work ruined I'm goin back at 3:30 to watch the Christie DVD.
Nice and sunny, low humidity, perfect day for lacquering. I am going to try to get wifey to take a break for lunch downtown and play with me at our Friday noon session.
I have some new gold finishing tools to try out as well.
Denver, here, almost 9 am -- beautiful day, simply gorgeous. Feeling a wee bit hung over from last night, just enough to really feel the need for an egg or two for breakfast. Waiting for Emily to come in from New Mexico, going to go for a walk in a bit, I think. Been a hellishly busy week what with deadlines and taxes and such, and I really feel like I deserved last night's workshop with Tommy Peoples and Cody this weekend -- hurrah! After the walk, I'll go shopping to make sure there's food in the house for Pete, who isn't coming along this weekend. Must go by the bank (money is good) and do business stuff and pack for the weekend and do some laundry and neaten up the house.
When I get back from Cody on Monday, I go full bore to get ready for International Convention the first week of May in Chicago -- going to help Sosaidh move to her new house, hurray! -- and that's not promising to be unstressful...
Lazy day...sort of...I have a ton of work to do. But I can't seem to get my mind off music. I have my slow/learning session on sunday and I usually come with one new tune (up to speed and memorized)...well I have been a bit more ambitious it seems 'cause I'm heading off with 2 new reels a waltz and an air. I already have picked out a couple I want to work up for next month. I guess I haven't had a very creative month at my day job or maybe I'm just inspired by fluting again.
Got my fiddle back from the luthier yesterday. He put in a new bridge and took the action down at the nut and hand picked a bow for me. I put the bow to the strings for the first time last night. It didn't sound nearly as horrible as I was fearing...It actually sounded kinda good. I have my first fiddle lesson next thursday...I can't wait.
Maybe I should have called this discussion “Around The World For Sport” … but then I suppose we can do this again any time anyway. It’s great to hear what people are up to.
I’m afraid my exposure to Denver was all too brief. After being cooped up on the Amtrak (with Amtrak food!) from Chicago, we had a two-hour stop in Denver on the way to Oakland. It was the only long stop of the journey, so we dived off the train and found the nearest bar, called the Billabong. It was very impressive to see old guys knocking back large whiskies at eight in the morning. I hope I didn’t disturb the atmosphere too much by putting Patsy Cline on the jukebox and ordering a Denver Omelette
London again. Still a bright day here today. Recovering from my post-Lent Guinness exertions and two hours of sleep. I awoke at 4 this morning, having gone to bed at 2. I blame it all on the Dixie Chicken hot-wing feast I had before going to bed. You've all done it before - gone to a nice session (St Cedd's, Seven Kings for those who are interested), put a few jars away and decided that the perfect way to finish the evening is with a piece of slightly luminous meat that bears no resemblance to beast alive or dead. Ah well, had to get my passport renewed at 7.45 this morning anyway in time for my trip to......Dublin! Heading over in two weeks, hoping to meet up with a few thesession "beings", or "banes" as they say in Belfast. I've earmarked Gogarty's and possibly the Harcourt and O'Donoghue's ('cos I like Joe Foley).
LOL Orson -- nah, that's what most of the train-ies do...the weirdest thing about Amtrak is the way the trains often stop in the absolute middle of nowhere for no real apparent reason. I finally asked one of the baggage guys what was going on, and he said that it meant that something had tripped up the line and they had to send someone out to check the line manually before they could send the train hurtling over a possible line problem.
This is why I fly. ;)
Conán, last night I had for dinner: three chocolate chip cookies, smoked salmon, some brown bread with butter, three glasses of wine, and some stout ice cream -- oh, and a small square of apple pastry something or other. I slept anyway. (I did however wake up at 7:30 am without any prompting, which was a shame since I'd slated this morning to sleep in...)
“Eeyore stood by himself in a thistly corner of the Forest, his front feet well apart, his head on one side, and thought about things. Sometimes he thought sadly to himself, “Why?” and sometimes he thought, “Wherefore?” and sometimes he thought, “Inasmuch as which?” and sometimes he didn’t quite know what he was thinking about.”
Its a beautiful pensive night in Central Australia - perfect.
Cheers everyone
My brownie points are going to have to wait! I'm off home. Yippee!!!! Maybe see some of you not-so-regulars at the Porterhouse on Sunday. great way to wind down after (watching) all that running in the London marathon.
Ok, if no-one else is going to join in ... I was trying to answer Trevor's question It's P*ss Off Early, Tomorrow's Saturday. It even has its own website now (http://www.poetsday.com/) ... bizarre.
Work over, just heading off for a night on the town in lovely Drumshanbo at the Comhaltas session. Last time out it was ruined by a man in wellies, playing an accordian, very badly, and very drunk. Lets hope he doesn't turn up tonight. Have a great week-end everyone and play tons of tunes.
deirdre - Joyce, those photos were great, seems like you have a lovely time in Donegal.
LOL -- that's hilarious Orson! However, I rarely have to concentrate on the attitude embodied by POETS! ;) Right, I'm off to go to the bank, some quick shopping (must get another folding stool)...Have a great weekend, all!
POETS day reminds me of when I used to work for a pharmaceutical firm and we had a society known as the FLUIDS (aka Friday Lunchtime Unplanned Informal Drinking Sessions). These guys had set up a database where all members input the amount of lunchtime they wanted to devote (we worked flexitime), whether they wanted to eat as well, whether you were willing to drive and the machine worked out which pub in the local area would be best. You then had to complete a feedback form (if capable) of what you thought of the beer, food, ambience etc! It was good fun and strange that mostly people rarely were seen on Friday afternoon!
Its pitch dark so it should be as its 4.35 am in the morning. im sitting at my desk on the night shift.Only 3 and a half hours to go.Then its bed for a couple of hours and off for a few pints.I ll have to give up this work its upsetting my social life.
As Oscar Wilde said "work is the curse of the drinking classes" Maybe you need to start a session with other shiftworkers - surely there are enough shifty musicians in Dublin? Or maybe you can be the "day shift" at an all-nighter, if such things still exist there?
Idle thoughts
Idle thoughts
Here in London it’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining, I’m taking a break to have a cappuccino and pain au raisin, listening to Mick Mulvey playing "Lucky in Love". Ah, the joys of working from home. What’s everyone else up to?
# Posted on April 15th 2004 by Just a person
Re: Idle thoughts
Orson - While you are writing this, I am simultaneously posting a "cheerful Friday" discussion about non-playing sessioneers. Get over there.
# Posted on April 15th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: Idle thoughts
Sitting at my desk in a cold, rainy Cape Town; listening to Mick O'Brien playing pipes, and reading a Spider-Man comic while sipping on a particularly fine cuppa. Occasionally pausing to browse TheSession or work out how long it would take to save up for a Seth Gallagher practice set.
# Posted on April 15th 2004 by Q
Re: Idle thoughts
Sitting at my desk, reading emails from fluter Maria in Dublin and looking at Joyce's pictures from Frankie Kennedy. Lovely day outside though with the swallows just back from vacation and the primroses gleaming in the hedgerows. Ah, lovely Leitrim!
# Posted on April 15th 2004 by MollyB
Re: Idle thoughts
Cool autumn evening in Melbourne. Movie on TV and kid noises in the background. Trying to work out the Setting Sun Jig and Shannon Breeze ( not trying too hard ). Send some of that rain from Cape Town our way will you Q - we could do with it.
# Posted on April 15th 2004 by harry
Re: Idle thoughts
Pretty spring day for us in Virginia , but chillier than yesterday (its 50. And my last day of spring break- I had the great idea of cleaning the 3rd floor out so I'm a bit dusty. Probably just guilt because I'm going to be gone so much of summer break. Surely I should already know this slide I've just listened to for the at least 50th time!
Jennifer
# Posted on April 15th 2004 by Jenthur
Re: Idle thoughts
Hi Deirdre! I was also just reading an email from Maria and wishing I was in Ireland right now hanging out and playing a few tunes.......but I'm sitting at my desk drinking my coffee and getting ready to start thinking about my weekend which will be in Boston : )
It's sunny here in Vermont and my get up to a whopping 54 F degrees (12 C)
Joyce
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by JMH
Re: Idle thoughts
Having a quick pit stop during long run around town... in the office (best place to relax, isn't it?). Lots to do in next three crazy weeks. At least, the weather's mighty - seems like the Summer's come before Spring. Singing in the bus (have no time for rehearsal anywhere else, and we're going to perform in Berlin soon). Tonite I'm going Irish dancing with a stunning girl, so what else do I need?
All the best to everyone
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Janek
Re: Idle thoughts
Just back from two hour lunch. Sat in pub (30 seconds walk away) from office having a few pints with a couple of friends and watching Solas DVD (live at the Burlington).
Ah feck that's my afternoon's work ruined I'm goin back at 3:30 to watch the Christie DVD.
Cheers
Conrad
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by darnoc
Re: Idle thoughts
You can tell the pints worked the brackets are in the wrong place.
Ah well feck it its Friday
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by darnoc
Re: Idle thoughts
It is indeed a lovely day... and wot have I been doing???? the weekly shop in Sainsburys ...and only a few days of holiday left... I know how to live!
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Sarah the Flute
Re: Idle thoughts
Birmingham, Alabama
Nice and sunny, low humidity, perfect day for lacquering. I am going to try to get wifey to take a break for lunch downtown and play with me at our Friday noon session.
I have some new gold finishing tools to try out as well.
Bob
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by bt
Re: Idle thoughts
Denver, here, almost 9 am -- beautiful day, simply gorgeous. Feeling a wee bit hung over from last night, just enough to really feel the need for an egg or two for breakfast. Waiting for Emily to come in from New Mexico, going to go for a walk in a bit, I think. Been a hellishly busy week what with deadlines and taxes and such, and I really feel like I deserved last night's workshop with Tommy Peoples and Cody this weekend -- hurrah! After the walk, I'll go shopping to make sure there's food in the house for Pete, who isn't coming along this weekend.
Must go by the bank (money is good) and do business stuff and pack for the weekend and do some laundry and neaten up the house.
When I get back from Cody on Monday, I go full bore to get ready for International Convention the first week of May in Chicago -- going to help Sosaidh move to her new house, hurray! -- and that's not promising to be unstressful...
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Idle thoughts
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Should get up to 75 F today finally....warmth
Lazy day...sort of...I have a ton of work to do. But I can't seem to get my mind off music. I have my slow/learning session on sunday and I usually come with one new tune (up to speed and memorized)...well I have been a bit more ambitious it seems 'cause I'm heading off with 2 new reels a waltz and an air. I already have picked out a couple I want to work up for next month. I guess I haven't had a very creative month at my day job or maybe I'm just inspired by fluting again.
Got my fiddle back from the luthier yesterday. He put in a new bridge and took the action down at the nut and hand picked a bow for me. I put the bow to the strings for the first time last night. It didn't sound nearly as horrible as I was fearing...It actually sounded kinda good. I have my first fiddle lesson next thursday...I can't wait.
~Autumn
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by autumn
Re: Idle thoughts
Maybe I should have called this discussion “Around The World For Sport” … but then I suppose we can do this again any time anyway. It’s great to hear what people are up to.
I’m afraid my exposure to Denver was all too brief. After being cooped up on the Amtrak (with Amtrak food!) from Chicago, we had a two-hour stop in Denver on the way to Oakland. It was the only long stop of the journey, so we dived off the train and found the nearest bar, called the Billabong. It was very impressive to see old guys knocking back large whiskies at eight in the morning. I hope I didn’t disturb the atmosphere too much by putting Patsy Cline on the jukebox and ordering a Denver Omelette
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Just a person
Re: Idle thoughts
London again. Still a bright day here today. Recovering from my post-Lent Guinness exertions and two hours of sleep. I awoke at 4 this morning, having gone to bed at 2. I blame it all on the Dixie Chicken hot-wing feast I had before going to bed. You've all done it before - gone to a nice session (St Cedd's, Seven Kings for those who are interested), put a few jars away and decided that the perfect way to finish the evening is with a piece of slightly luminous meat that bears no resemblance to beast alive or dead. Ah well, had to get my passport renewed at 7.45 this morning anyway in time for my trip to......Dublin! Heading over in two weeks, hoping to meet up with a few thesession "beings", or "banes" as they say in Belfast. I've earmarked Gogarty's and possibly the Harcourt and O'Donoghue's ('cos I like Joe Foley).
Hope to catch a few of you there.
Conán
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Idle thoughts
Of course, for many people today is Poet's Day.
Trevor
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Idle thoughts
There was a young fella called Trevor
An by all accounts he would never
Play out of tune
Or make noise on a spoon
Who, Trevor? No never, not ever.
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Idle thoughts
LOL Orson -- nah, that's what most of the train-ies do...the weirdest thing about Amtrak is the way the trains often stop in the absolute middle of nowhere for no real apparent reason. I finally asked one of the baggage guys what was going on, and he said that it meant that something had tripped up the line and they had to send someone out to check the line manually before they could send the train hurtling over a possible line problem.
(I did however wake up at 7:30 am without any prompting, which was a shame since I'd slated this morning to sleep in...)
This is why I fly. ;)
Conán, last night I had for dinner: three chocolate chip cookies, smoked salmon, some brown bread with butter, three glasses of wine, and some stout ice cream -- oh, and a small square of apple pastry something or other. I slept anyway.
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Idle thoughts
You make - a me sick! Zina, I'm STILL at work. Oh woe is me....
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Idle thoughts
LOL, Conan
Trevor
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Idle thoughts
Brownie points for anyone who'd like to write a few lines about the meaning, significance and sociology of Poet's Day. Conan, Dave, Danny?
Trevor
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Idle thoughts
“Eeyore stood by himself in a thistly corner of the Forest, his front feet well apart, his head on one side, and thought about things. Sometimes he thought sadly to himself, “Why?” and sometimes he thought, “Wherefore?” and sometimes he thought, “Inasmuch as which?” and sometimes he didn’t quite know what he was thinking about.”
Its a beautiful pensive night in Central Australia - perfect.
Cheers everyone
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Clear Drops
Re: Idle thoughts
Off
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Just a person
Re: Idle thoughts
Uh...who is that aimed at, Orson?
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Idle thoughts
My brownie points are going to have to wait! I'm off home. Yippee!!!! Maybe see some of you not-so-regulars at the Porterhouse on Sunday. great way to wind down after (watching) all that running in the London marathon.
See ya
Conán
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Idle thoughts
Zina, I hope it's me 'cos that's just what I'm doing
C
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Idle thoughts
LOL -- Me too -- off to shop, pack, and wait for Emily, who is probably a good 50 miles closer than she was when she called earlier...
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Idle thoughts
Ok, if no-one else is going to join in ... I was trying to answer Trevor's question
It's P*ss Off Early, Tomorrow's Saturday. It even has its own website now (http://www.poetsday.com/) ... bizarre.
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Just a person
Re: Idle thoughts
Oops I thought you were being offensive Orson. Heaven forbid! ;¬) I've even heard of that acronym before....
Bye
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Idle thoughts
Jan, sorry my messages bracketed yours. A pensive night in Central Australia sounds wonderful
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Just a person
Re: Idle thoughts
Work over, just heading off for a night on the town in lovely Drumshanbo at the Comhaltas session. Last time out it was ruined by a man in wellies, playing an accordian, very badly, and very drunk. Lets hope he doesn't turn up tonight. Have a great week-end everyone and play tons of tunes.
deirdre - Joyce, those photos were great, seems like you have a lovely time in Donegal.
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by MollyB
Re: Idle thoughts
LOL -- that's hilarious Orson! However, I rarely have to concentrate on the attitude embodied by POETS! ;) Right, I'm off to go to the bank, some quick shopping (must get another folding stool)...Have a great weekend, all!
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Idle thoughts
Hey, I know the guy who runs the POETS Day website! Small world.
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Jeremy
Re: Idle thoughts
POETS day reminds me of when I used to work for a pharmaceutical firm and we had a society known as the FLUIDS (aka Friday Lunchtime Unplanned Informal Drinking Sessions). These guys had set up a database where all members input the amount of lunchtime they wanted to devote (we worked flexitime), whether they wanted to eat as well, whether you were willing to drive and the machine worked out which pub in the local area would be best. You then had to complete a feedback form (if capable) of what you thought of the beer, food, ambience etc! It was good fun and strange that mostly people rarely were seen on Friday afternoon!
Have a good weekend folks
Sarah
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Sarah the Flute
Re: Idle thoughts
Its pitch dark so it should be as its 4.35 am in the morning. im sitting at my desk on the night shift.Only 3 and a half hours to go.Then its bed for a couple of hours and off for a few pints.I ll have to give up this work its upsetting my social life.
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Dphil
Re: Idle thoughts
As Oscar Wilde said "work is the curse of the drinking classes"
Maybe you need to start a session with other shiftworkers - surely there are enough shifty musicians in Dublin? Or maybe you can be the "day shift" at an all-nighter, if such things still exist there?
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Just a person
Re: Idle thoughts
Nice one Orson,Never thought myself as a shifty musian.Great name for a session .The shifty musicans and the up all nighters.
# Posted on April 18th 2004 by Dphil