"The men dying like flies, the flies, dying like men........."
Ok, we're all wusses over here in the UK, but it's getting soooooo hot....
How do you all cope ?
I remember reading an Australian complaing that the action of his mandolin had changed noticeably, then remembering that the rainy season had just started, and the wood took in all this moisture and swelled...
And then there's the US, where the air-conditioners pump the heat out of your apartment into the open for everyone else to suffer.......
A friend of mine carries one of those little moisturiser sprays for indoor plants, to keep his bodrhan cool and slack....
One of our sessions has fussy neighbours next to the pub, so he has to close the french windows to the pub back garden, to keep the noise in.....
Yeah, not too much fun, izzit? Here in New England, after a practically non-existent spring and a rather cool, very wet June, July has been downright nasty: We've had heat and/or high humidity practically every day this month.
Which means, of course, that all that nice sweat building up on my hands makes its way onto my strings, which doesn't exactly do wonders for their longevity or sound quality. And with the high humidity, my non-tuneable bodhran is about as effective as a large semi-deflated rubber ball. I have to stow it in our bedroom with the air conditioning on and hope that whatever pub session I go to is well-ventilated and cool.
Next Saturday, I'm hoping to go to the Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival in Central Massachusetts, and possibly back up a performer friend of mine on a couple of sets. I'm piously hoping there's lots of shade and shelter there, and will plan to bring an enormous water bottle.
I am your typical type 1 skin type (as classified by the doc from 'This Morning' ) all red hair and sunstroke victim!!!
Cant hack this heat, and I think I am definately getting a light tan, which has never happened before! Goes to show how different the sun strength is this year.
We are in the midst of what is predicted to be near 100 degree heat with high humidity today. Frankly I am grateful that my air conditioners are pumping the heat outdoors as I am one that needs to heed the warning that those with respiratory, heart, or immune conditions should stay indoors. Truth be told I would prefer to be in the air conditioning anyway during such heat and humidity. I am told it is unusually unbearable up in the mountains as well and that has been my normal retreat during such times here in the city so as not to have to run the air conditioning. We were planning on going there yesterday but spoke to someone up there and were told that it was very hot and humid. There are no air conditioners in our cottage.
As to the humidity and the bodhrán, we played an outside Bastille Day celebration this Saturday past. I nearly ran out of adjustment on my bodhrán. The changing humidity in these parts is the very reason I purchased a drum with an adjustable tone ring. Each time I picked it up I had to tighten the screws a little more. Yesterday I backed off the screws and I am letting the skin dry out in the air conditioning. I also completely used up any life my that morning restrung guitar strings had in them. And we still have August to look forward to.
Who’s up for a trip to the river for a little swim?
It's been mid 90s and extremely humid for the last 4-5 days in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The hot water went out in our house on frinday and we didn't notice til this morning.
It's another blistering day in New York!--supposed to hit the 100 degree mark this afternoon -thank god for central air-conditioning. Just returned from the catskills and the heat was a killer there too--didn't have too much effect on the tunes though--the week was awesome!!! (helped a lot that I had an air conditioned room-not that we were there too much!)
Do not stop heating up there in UK!! Cause I'm coming to England next week from the Netherlands....It's hot here as well, but I don't want to come if it rains all day, with a temp. at 10 degrees....:S
Will you take me across the channel,
London bridge is falling down.
Strange a woman tries to save
What a man will try to drown.
And he's the rain that they predicted,
Its the forecast every time.
The rose has died because you picked it
And i believe that brandy's mine.
And all over the world
Strangers
Talk only about the weather.
All over the world
It's the same
It's the same
It's the same.
makes me feel like Superman with me nickel-plated, heat-reflecting, coated string mandolin sending off death rays in all directions. Or maybe Lex Luthor
OH MY GOOD LORD.
What a beautiful instrument!!!!
Where did you get that Ptarm? I dont think I have ever seen a stringed instrument as pretty, but what does she play like?
Those 29 frets are just for show, who has a fingertip thin enough to distinguish between them at that close range ?
And what's the pickup ? Does this machine roar ?
It's been hot here in Pennsylvania (we topped 100F, yesterday), too!
We went to an Irish music festival (Adams County Irish Festival: http://www.adamscountyirishfestival.com/) on Saturday, and it was in the mid 90's and very humid most of the day. Tommy Makem was the headliner, and he told some great stories and jokes and played a number of great old tunes and songs!
Luckily, I think I've got one of the toughest fiddles around; it went from my A/C house, to the car for a 40 minute drive, to the outdoor festival and it was still in tune when I joined in the big session after the festival broke up!
Hey, Pete. I have a friend who has “bear paw” hands and still manages to be a pretty good mandolin player. His pinky is bigger than my thumb! First time I saw him play, I couldn’t believe it.
The only redeeming feature in July and August is Jersey tomatoes and maybe peaches. For the rest, give me February!
And no, my AC is not pumping out heat ... don't have one. We cool our house with fans and natural ventilation. Close it up by day and open it up by night. Works, but it's work.
Thunderstorms due tonight are supposed to cool things down...I can't wait.
I am playing my fiddle at my neighbour's charity garden party this afternoon- luckily she has a very large old rambling stone house where most people will be because of the heat- very cool inside - but still far too hot to contemplate playing fast jigs and reels - my friend (on guitar) and I have decided to play some nice slow lazy stuff - Martin Hayes style!
We're only really going because of all the home made chocolate cakes ......!
The shade temperature in my garden, as I write, is a very clement 37C (98F).
Ottery, I trust your man, dressed as he doubtlessly is in collar, tie and pin-stripe jacket and trousers, is not unduly distressed by this seasonal weather. My wife and I, at Vadsighond Hall, take the view that one's staff should always be dressed in a manner appropriate to their station, despite weather conditions, so as to be ready to receive any visitor. After all, one never knows "Who" that unexpected visitor may be!
Don't worry, lazyhound. My man has been allowed to put his usual serge jacket and moleskin trews aside and don tropical gear, consisting of a lurex thong and solar topee. As far as receiving unexpected visitors goes, they don't seem to hang around for long after he opens the portcullis.
The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
"The men dying like flies, the flies, dying like men........."
Ok, we're all wusses over here in the UK, but it's getting soooooo hot....
How do you all cope ?
I remember reading an Australian complaing that the action of his mandolin had changed noticeably, then remembering that the rainy season had just started, and the wood took in all this moisture and swelled...
And then there's the US, where the air-conditioners pump the heat out of your apartment into the open for everyone else to suffer.......
A friend of mine carries one of those little moisturiser sprays for indoor plants, to keep his bodrhan cool and slack....
One of our sessions has fussy neighbours next to the pub, so he has to close the french windows to the pub back garden, to keep the noise in.....
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Yeah, not too much fun, izzit? Here in New England, after a practically non-existent spring and a rather cool, very wet June, July has been downright nasty: We've had heat and/or high humidity practically every day this month.
Which means, of course, that all that nice sweat building up on my hands makes its way onto my strings, which doesn't exactly do wonders for their longevity or sound quality. And with the high humidity, my non-tuneable bodhran is about as effective as a large semi-deflated rubber ball. I have to stow it in our bedroom with the air conditioning on and hope that whatever pub session I go to is well-ventilated and cool.
Next Saturday, I'm hoping to go to the Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival in Central Massachusetts, and possibly back up a performer friend of mine on a couple of sets. I'm piously hoping there's lots of shade and shelter there, and will plan to bring an enormous water bottle.
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by sts
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
I am your typical type 1 skin type (as classified by the doc from 'This Morning' ) all red hair and sunstroke victim!!!
Cant hack this heat, and I think I am definately getting a light tan, which has never happened before! Goes to show how different the sun strength is this year.
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by blas
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Then get out of the kitchen!
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by Compo
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
1) Shade
2) Beer
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Hey Pete,
We are in the midst of what is predicted to be near 100 degree heat with high humidity today. Frankly I am grateful that my air conditioners are pumping the heat outdoors as I am one that needs to heed the warning that those with respiratory, heart, or immune conditions should stay indoors. Truth be told I would prefer to be in the air conditioning anyway during such heat and humidity. I am told it is unusually unbearable up in the mountains as well and that has been my normal retreat during such times here in the city so as not to have to run the air conditioning. We were planning on going there yesterday but spoke to someone up there and were told that it was very hot and humid. There are no air conditioners in our cottage.
As to the humidity and the bodhrán, we played an outside Bastille Day celebration this Saturday past. I nearly ran out of adjustment on my bodhrán. The changing humidity in these parts is the very reason I purchased a drum with an adjustable tone ring. Each time I picked it up I had to tighten the screws a little more. Yesterday I backed off the screws and I am letting the skin dry out in the air conditioning. I also completely used up any life my that morning restrung guitar strings had in them. And we still have August to look forward to.
Who’s up for a trip to the river for a little swim?
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by ejsant
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Here in Savannah, Georgia, it's 97. Time to pull out the polymer flute!
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by O'Lehane
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Its very warm here in Ireland also at present. Won't complain though!!!
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by ceolgal
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
It's fantastic here, the lawn's looking a bit dry though, I'll have to get my man to switch on the sprinklers when he brings the next Pimm's.
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by Ottery
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
It's been mid 90s and extremely humid for the last 4-5 days in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The hot water went out in our house on frinday and we didn't notice til this morning.
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by Nathan G
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
It's another blistering day in New York!--supposed to hit the 100 degree mark this afternoon -thank god for central air-conditioning. Just returned from the catskills and the heat was a killer there too--didn't have too much effect on the tunes though--the week was awesome!!! (helped a lot that I had an air conditioned room-not that we were there too much!)
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by fiddlefamily
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Wait till you get your utility bill for all that A/C being used!!
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by griffith
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
I'm in Jerusalem where it must have sneaked into the nineties today. Alas everyone in the region seems determined to turn the heat up even further.
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by sergeant fox
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Do not stop heating up there in UK!! Cause I'm coming to England next week from the Netherlands....It's hot here as well, but I don't want to come if it rains all day, with a temp. at 10 degrees....:S
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by ainekenaz
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
103 degrees in Denver yesterday- only 100 today. Whew!
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by Murph
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
It's snowing in Christchurch New Zealand. Hurrah !
Anyone coming on the piste ?
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by duffgen
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Snowing on the mountains here tonight.
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by Shrog
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
AGAIN? That explains why its so cold in Wellington
# Posted on July 17th 2006 by Joze
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Uh ... Santa Barbara ...
High 77
Low 62
Typical July
I'll find something else to whine about.
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by Eliot
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Will you take me across the channel,
London bridge is falling down.
Strange a woman tries to save
What a man will try to drown.
And he's the rain that they predicted,
Its the forecast every time.
The rose has died because you picked it
And i believe that brandy's mine.
And all over the world
Strangers
Talk only about the weather.
All over the world
It's the same
It's the same
It's the same.
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by llig leahcim
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Who wrote that, Michael? Sounds like Leon Rosselson.
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by oldstrings
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
It's the one and only Tom Waits, of course! (Bet he doesn't turn up in these discussions too often...)
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by Squeezeboxgirl
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
I have one for you...my mother thinks Tom Waits is an overweight African American Louis Armstong lookalike. BWAHAHAHAHA
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by Joze
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
makes me feel like Superman with me nickel-plated, heat-reflecting, coated string mandolin sending off death rays in all directions. Or maybe Lex Luthor
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by Bren
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Bren, does this look anything like your - "nickel-plated, heat-reflecting, coated string mandolin"?
http://www.causewaymusic.co.uk/nickel_plated_heat_reflecting_mandolin.html
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
OH MY GOOD LORD.
What a beautiful instrument!!!!
Where did you get that Ptarm? I dont think I have ever seen a stringed instrument as pretty, but what does she play like?
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by blas
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Those 29 frets are just for show, who has a fingertip thin enough to distinguish between them at that close range ?
And what's the pickup ? Does this machine roar ?
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
It's been hot here in Pennsylvania (we topped 100F, yesterday), too!
We went to an Irish music festival (Adams County Irish Festival: http://www.adamscountyirishfestival.com/) on Saturday, and it was in the mid 90's and very humid most of the day. Tommy Makem was the headliner, and he told some great stories and jokes and played a number of great old tunes and songs!
Luckily, I think I've got one of the toughest fiddles around; it went from my A/C house, to the car for a 40 minute drive, to the outdoor festival and it was still in tune when I joined in the big session after the festival broke up!
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by KeepFiddlin'
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Hey, Pete. I have a friend who has “bear paw” hands and still manages to be a pretty good mandolin player. His pinky is bigger than my thumb! First time I saw him play, I couldn’t believe it.
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by Bob himself
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Bless you squeezebox girl for the Tom Waits reference!
Now, can you post all the lyrics to "Step Right Up"?
And I think anyone who plays the keyboard needs to learn "The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me)."
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by sts
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
The only redeeming feature in July and August is Jersey tomatoes and maybe peaches. For the rest, give me February!
And no, my AC is not pumping out heat ... don't have one. We cool our house with fans and natural ventilation. Close it up by day and open it up by night. Works, but it's work.
Thunderstorms due tonight are supposed to cool things down...I can't wait.
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by KateG
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Not as fancy pTarmi but a lot more shiny http://www.donmo.com/jpg/mandolin_case.jpg
No knobs on and no pickup required
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by Bren
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Ooooh Secksy - a mirror Mandolin! Nice one!
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Bren, check this page for photos of a 'Resonator Mandolin' & a "Dobro" - made from a Weber barbeque!
http://www.mimf.com/archives/homebuilt_resonator.htm
Now, which instruments do you think could, or should, be made into Barbeques?
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
The low whistles, we could use them to roast a pigs a lá spit style!
# Posted on July 19th 2006 by blas
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
I am playing my fiddle at my neighbour's charity garden party this afternoon- luckily she has a very large old rambling stone house where most people will be because of the heat- very cool inside - but still far too hot to contemplate playing fast jigs and reels - my friend (on guitar) and I have decided to play some nice slow lazy stuff - Martin Hayes style!
We're only really going because of all the home made chocolate cakes ......!
# Posted on July 19th 2006 by calum's van
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Calum, why not take along 'The Bag of Ice':
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/796
You could also play these 'COOL' tunes:
Slip on Ice:
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/5622
As I Went Out Upon The Ice:
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/1113
# Posted on July 19th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
The shade temperature in my garden, as I write, is a very clement 37C (98F).
Ottery, I trust your man, dressed as he doubtlessly is in collar, tie and pin-stripe jacket and trousers, is not unduly distressed by this seasonal weather. My wife and I, at Vadsighond Hall, take the view that one's staff should always be dressed in a manner appropriate to their station, despite weather conditions, so as to be ready to receive any visitor. After all, one never knows "Who" that unexpected visitor may be!
# Posted on July 19th 2006 by lazyhound
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
Don't worry, lazyhound. My man has been allowed to put his usual serge jacket and moleskin trews aside and don tropical gear, consisting of a lurex thong and solar topee. As far as receiving unexpected visitors goes, they don't seem to hang around for long after he opens the portcullis.
# Posted on July 20th 2006 by Ottery
Re: The heat, the heat, I can't stand the heat !
113F with thunderstorms in Riverside, California yesterday. A trip to NZ sounds good right now.
# Posted on July 23rd 2006 by raincross_whistler