Most Recent Stories & Articles for Hobbies
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The Music Man
- Posted On: 8/2/2006
The Starlight Community Theater's production of the Music Man premiered with 3 performances this last weekend from Thursday through Saturday. The play is going very well, despite 2 major interruptions/distractions. On Friday night, I was leading the quartet in a song (I play Jacey the high tenor) across the stage for a Lida Rose reprise when the fire alarms in the high school went off. I would like to thank our stage crew for experimenting with the fog machine for the next scene for the 1st time during that quiet interlude! What did I do mid-stage when the alarm went off? Considered walking everyone off and then decided that the show would go on (at least until we slowly sauntered off singing, seeing the scene through to the bitter end). Both the audience and the cast members had to exit the building, so the quartet decided to entertain the audience until we were allowed back in. On Saturday night, the air conditioning went out in the building a couple of times, requiring maintenance. They were able to fix it, but our audience suffered the heat to enjoy our performance. FYI: Anyone in the Phoenix North Valley of Arizona can look forward to ProMusica auditions over the next few weekends, so sign-up! -
The Music Man
- Posted On: 6/2/2006
Starlight Community Theatre
Anthem, Arizona
Yes, I am back at it again. Having had a small taste of success in Lend Me a Tenor, I tried out for Music Man and received the role of Jacey, the high tenor of the barbershop quartet. I will also be doubling in the opening song with the "Traveling Salesmen" and I will be the understudy for the lead Prof. Harold Hill. Yes, of course, I was a little dissappointed when I didn't get the lead. But, in such a large production for a community theatre (which is only their 2nd adult production), cast members are one big puzzle where different pieces can go in different places. "If we put him there, where do we put him?" I am happy with my part, especially since I will be singing with some of the best male singers in the ProMusica choir (Tyler - plays Ewart, Harry - plays Oliver, and Craig (the bass) - plays Olin). Although I have never sung barbershop (the auditions were tough as hell), I'll certainly be able to say I did after this play; yet another notch under my singing repertoire. ;) -
Liquid Love
- Posted On: 5/9/2006
I took this amazing photo of water from a fountain while celebrating my 3rd anniversary with my wife. *Click the picture for the unique story of "Liquid Love".
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Dio, che nell'alma infondere.
- Posted On: 4/28/2006
Alrighty... I felt the need to practice my duet "Dio, che nell'alma infondere" for the upcoming Lend Me a Tenor production. My singing partner is on vacation, so it's just mio. I wrote out an introduction script to read at the beginning, but I hadn't warmed up my voice, nor had I practiced the timing of the background music without the actual singers. I used my laptop's built-in microphone, so the sound isn't that great and my camera's "Sepia" effect seems to put odd lighting on the cabinets. After reviewing the video, I think it was okay and worth sharing. Hopefully it promotes the play instead of deterring you from seeing it! :)
Click here to see the video -
Operatic Wannabe
- Posted On: 4/24/2006
Previously, I posted about having to prepare to sing "Dio, che nell' alma infondere" for the play Lend Me a Tenor. This weekend we performed all 4 scenes of the play and I was instructed to learn and memorize the rest of the songs, including "Toréador en Garde" from Carmen and "Venga la Morte" from Otello. The Toréador song is awe-inspiring. Some of you may have heard the classic line "Toréador, en garde! Toréador! Toréador!" in a Warner Brother's Bugs Bunny cartoon, but the real thing is full of life and energy. Although the song's about stabbing an innocent bull to death for sport, I can see how, with this song, people get so worked up over the ordeal. Personally, I don't understand having respect for something you are about to kill unless 1) it can give you the same respect and there is a mutually agreed upon reason for death being the ultimate solution or 2) the sacrifice is absolutely necessary, being in the best interests of survival of the killer, when the victim cannot be chosen through the means outlined in #1. As a carnivore, I am guilty of extending the death of animals via #2 for the simple pleasure of eating when it is not always necessary. Whoops! Got off-topic... Anyways, enjoy the songs!
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Lend Me a Tenor Indeed!
- Posted On: 4/3/2006
I discovered a free version of Don Carlo's "Dio, che nell' alma infondere" that Kevin and I will be required to sing in the upcoming "Lend Me a Tenor" play. [Lyrics and Translation]
Rhapsody Compare Online Music Services
[Download this Song] -
North Valley Music - ProMusica
- Posted On: 4/3/2006
The ProMusica chorale and orchestral concerts this last weekend were spectacular and members of the audience were quick to tell us how much they enjoyed the presentation. The Cochise Children's Choir also held the spotlight both on their own as well as joining us for 2 songs. Now that our spring performance is over, work begins for our May summer concerts, including several performances by the smaller Acapella group.
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Guitar - Practice, practice, practice...
- Posted On: 3/3/2006
My brother-in-law expressed an interest in learning the guitar yesterday, asking for resources & pointers. I have realized over the past year that learning the guitar can be relatively simple, but you can spend your life learning new things on it. Here were my suggestions... -
Choir Concert
- Posted On: 3/1/2006
ProMusica's AZ Chorale & Orchestra North Valley spring choir concert will be held here in Anthem, AZ on March 31, 2006 and April 1, 2006 at the Boulder Creek High School performing arts center. The concert, titled "Cowboys, Country, and Copland" (the composer, not cop land) revolves around old time country favorites like "Buffalo Gals" and some favorites of the American composer Aaron Copland. See his collection of works here.
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Drama - Lend Me a Tenor
- Posted On: 3/1/2006
Update: 2006-03-02I received the part of Max last night and realized during my readings that, although the play is about someone else entirely, I will have the most lines. Better get memorizing...
Original PostCallbacks for "Lend Me a Tenor" will be held February 28, 2006 and I'll be trying out for "Max". My aspirations to join this play are actually to warm up for their "Music Man" production this summer, which I will be shooting to be the official music man.
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My Song
- Posted On: 8/20/2005
Okay... I listened to my song today after recording it yesterday and I hated it. So, I removed it. Ah well... I need a music mixer or something to play with. Thanks for the referral Abbie!Anyone good with mixing background music? Maybe we can get some beats behind my voice... Sorry, it's a 2.8Mb WAV file and I don't have the software to condense it for you all. I also apologize if you think it totally sucks. Hopefully, you just laugh... maybe even tap a finger or foot. -
Half a month of voting on languages...
- Posted On: 7/2/2005
Okay... it's been half a month of voting on which 3rd language I should learn (I already know English and "enough" Spanish).
What language do you think I should learn?Language Votes Chinese: 6 French: 2 Japanese: 1 Arabic: 1 Italian: 1 Latin: 1 Danish / Swedish: 1 Tibetan: 1 Turkish: 1 -
What language should I learn?
- Posted On: 6/14/2005
If I were to learn a new language, what should it be and why? I learned Spanish throughout high school and college. Although I never use it, it gets me by in a pinch. I have considered Chinese, because of their looming presence in this world. Such a big country with such a booming population. When China, as a country, makes a move in this world, you will feel the ground tremble. I have also thought about learning French. Mainly to allow me to visit Canada and many parts of Europe more freely than if I only knew English. I also wanted to learn Japanese, but only to enable a possible business opportunity in the tourism industry. -
Lullaby for My Nephew
- Posted On: 2/14/2005
I wrote a song for my nephew as a present to both him and my sister before he was born. I figured I would share it with the world now. Feel free to sing it to your children, but keep in mind that I do have rights to the song, so don't try to make money off of it (if that's even possible)!
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Photography Update
- Posted On: 2/1/2005
I was able to take some even better photos last night of the orchids than yesterday's shots. Getting better with practice I suppose. I use the 5 megapixel Canon Powershot A95. My step-son uses the Canon Powershot A80, a very similiar 4 megapixel model. Everything I've read says to buy the A80 instead of the newer A85. So, if you don't want to pay for the A95, then look for a refurbished A80.
- Shop for the Canon A95
- Opinions on the Canon A95
- The A95 is a top-10 digital camera
- Read in-depth digital camera reviews by the pros that you can understand
My eyes were opened to the many complexities of photography last night. It's truly fascinating. Digital photography helps to automate so much of the manual world. I realize that the pros out there still prefer manual photography with a professional camera for many of their own reasons, but I can't help but stand in awe at what our society has accomplished. Apperature settings and f-stops, shutter speeds, flash output, optical vs. digital zoom, image effects, lighting settings, ISO speeds, and the list goes on and on....
What truly boggled my mind was the hour I spent using Macromedia's Fireworks MX (I am very familiar with Adobe Photoshop as well, so I'm not forgetting about it). The number of effects and possibilities for manipulating your prints astounded me. Using just one of the shots below even!
Well, I am hooked on this photography thing. I'll have to take a few more shots of the orchid, but I'll quit posting them left and right on my blog :) I'll work on some general shots for ya'll.
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Photography
- Posted On: 1/31/2005
So, I started taking some "serious" photos last night. I wanted to get a nice close-up of the orchids in bloom. I'm unsure what kind of orchids they are, but am simply excited that they have bloomed here in Arizona. Care and love is all a plant sometimes needs.
Below are some of the shots I took. I have never had the pleasure of a professional photography course, or even an amateur one for that matter. So, please provide input if you have some! I attempted different lighting effects and backgrounds. I learned quite a bit last night and may make some additional attempts this evening.
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Digital Camera!
- Posted On: 1/3/2005
I ordered my Canon PowerShot A95 yesterday from BuyDig.com for my birthday. I decided on the camera after reading several reviews on DCViews.com and then searching Google's Froogle shopping search engine. HINT: If your birthday is on or around Christmas, or you celebrate Christmas with gifts, give people gift promises and buy after the holiday, taking advantage of the incredible discounts!!! Stick it to Corporate Christmas!!!FYI: ALWAYS check for better prices on accessories at the store you are buying from! That's where they make some of the biggest mark-ups in price.
Should be coming in the next week or so... So, maybe I can update my sucky photo album that is entirely too me-centric. Makes me look like an egotistical, selfish @$$!
