trumpets

My father is a "retired" trumpet player. He played the trumpet in high school and college, and for a few different church bands when he was younger, but he hasn't picked up his trumpet in years now. In fact, I'm pretty sure he actually gave his trumpet away a few years back - since he wasn't using it, there was no reason to keep it. Not to mention, *if* he wanted to start playing the trumpet again, he'd have to buy things like trumpet slide grease at Musicians Friend, AND he would have to find someplace where he would be allowed to practice, since we wouldn't let him practice in the house!

harmonica

When I was in college, I had a friend who was teaching himself to play the harmonica. He had a mini harmonica at m123 that he took with him everywhere. I never really understood it. It's as good an instrument as any other, but he was really hung up on how "portable" it was and, in my opinion, would practice at really inappropriate times... like while he was driving! There are some times when you just shouldn't split your attention.

amplification

Last week, I found this really fascinating story about famous speeches given before modern amplification. It's an interesting - and kind of strange. I guess this clearly shows my "first-world", post-industrial-revolution tendencies, but it's hard for me to imagine giving those massive speeches to thousands of people with no amplification beyond the speaker's voice. I suppose it was nice that they didn't have to worry about finding a way to save on crown microphones or speakers or whatever, but... man, what a different world...

headphones

I have a crazy collection of headphones in my office. I primarily use headphones for running, and that can be very hard on headphones, so I try to buy a pair anytime I find them for under $5. I know some people put a lot of emphasis on getting "the best sound" or whatever from their headphones, but I'm not too worried about that. I just want them to get the job done, play music, and entertain me while I work or exercise! I have destroyed so many pairs in the process that for me, the best headphones tend to be the cheapest!

fiction strangeness

Writing fiction can be so frustrating at times. I may know what I want to happen, but I don't know how to make it happen. For example, right now I'm trying to figure out a scene in which my main character has to find wholesale cabinets and then install a secret compartment in one of them. My imagination is only carrying me halfway - I need to figure out where and how they will find and and install these cabinets! It can be strange inside my head sometimes!