I know you are out there!!!

[GreatCarouser]

Thalberg?

[Angie Parkes]

Hi all,

A little bird in Toronto told me that my absence had been noted, so I thought I'd pop in.

I'm in an epic battle at the moment fighting off the alligators in the swamp. Score so far is Gators - 1, me - quite a bit less.

Apart from that, health etc. in good measure. Kid #1 finished 3 years classical guitar, did 1 year electric and then said, "Could I please go back to classical?", providing overwhelming proof that a Higher Power exists after all. That said, HP has a sense of humour, as K1 also plays 1st trumpet in school band. Playing "Last Post" in tomorrow's Remembrance Day assembly.

Kid #2 can't carry a tune in a bucket, so we figured he must take after someone other than his father. Except that it turns out that K2's talent is rhythm and astonishing eye-hand coordination (he certainly didn't get that from me). You guessed it: happy home now resonates with drum set in the basement, right next to my office. K2 (not quite 11 years old) in second year percussion and wants to be: 1) principal percussionist in CPO when he grows up, 2) a helicopter pilot between orchestra concerts.

So, I now get to hear practice: violin, guitar, trumpet, percussion, and occasionally electric guitar and percussion playing Ozzy Osborne's "Crazy Train".

CPO doing well financially, 3 years in the black, and musicians' salaries regained 10% of the 30% lost when CPO closed down for 5 months a few years ago. New conductor was a charmer when auditioning; after being hired, has turned out to be a card-carrying member of the Ego From Hell club. Household Violinist recently did a wedding gig for a gay couple, very moving, and very posh as the entire congregation and both members of the bridal party were in black tie.

It seems most things on the B.com board are much as usual. Let me know if there are any momentous occasions I've missed (other than Altoid et. als. birthdays!)

Cheers,
Angie

[Shapley]

Angie,

Great to hear from you!

V/R
Shapley

[Catmando]

Angie,

Hello to you, my fellow Canadian, and Western Canadian too! Bonus!

Just kidding Marye

Ray from Winnipeg.

PS - Both our football teams' seasons are over.

[Trumpetmaster]

Hi Angie!

[Angie Parkes]

Hi Trumpetmaster, Shap, and Catmando!

I'm not sure I'll have a lot of time to post, but I'll come on every now and then, even if only to see if Shap, barfle, and OT have reached a political rapprochement.

Another Canuck on the board — pretty soon we'll reach critical mass (although there are a good number of folks here who are pretty critical already ). Keep warm in Winnipeg!

Cheers,
Angie

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

...if only to see if Shap, barfle, and OT have reached a political rapprochement. ...

Trying to visualize that. Ow. My brain hurts.

So glad you dropped in, Angie. It was good to hear the Family Status Report, too.

[barfle]

I'm not sure I'll have a lot of time to post, but I'll come on every now and then, even if only to see if Shap, barfle, and OT have reached a political rapprochement.

As soon as Shap and OT come to their senses...

[piqaboo]

Most excellent to hear from you, and excellent news as well. When you tie the alligators, will you start draining the swamp?

Kid #2 can't carry a tune in a bucket, so we figured he must take after someone other than his father. Except that it turns out that K2's talent is rhythm and astonishing eye-hand coordination

Funny, my sib is same. Except, first time thru a tune, note perfect. Then it wanders further and further afield with each subsequent note/rendition.
I wonder why my folks didnt get her started on drums? (Could it be that me on violin was punishment enough?)

[Angie Parkes]

Hi Piq,

Drums weren't our idea for K2 -- didn't even occur to us.

The school music teacher had a class set of djembes. K2 came home after music class and drummed some rhythms on the kitchen table, moving from the "centre" to the "edge" with alternating hands really fast and really evenly. Rob showed him some percussion fundamentals and we immediately realized that the kid had talent.

After smacking ourselves in the forehead, we asked K2 if he'd like percussion lessons and he lit right up. That was two years ago.

I wish Rob and I could take credit, but it all belongs to a grade 4 music teacher.

[GreatCarouser]

Hi Angie...glad (most) things are well!

[barfle]

No new users since Sept 25 '06......it's an Enigma!

First new one I've seen in quite a while today!

[Serenity]

How did Frodo17 get in there?
Did he use the ring?..................... "my precious"

[Shapley]

He must have used the ring, since he's been invisible ever since he arrived.

I was happy to see albus_dumbledore join the group to. Maybe he'll conjure up some interesting discussion...

[Serenity]

Speaking of Frodo......today on the home page of Wikipedia, there was an article on Tolkien (funny coincidence).

[stever]

This is Stever signing in after a long, long absence.

[Shapley]

Hello, Stever.

Welcome back to the B.com BB!

V/R
Shapley

[Shapley]

I see our newest registered member, PAULG, likes 'music, woodworking, beer, and travel'.

He should fit right in around here.

Welcome aboard, Paul!

[barfle]

Send him a PM! The more the merrier!

[barfle]

Let's welcome Ed Carr to the BBB!