um.

i was just updating a tYpo on my own blog, and somehow the post disappeared from my blog and ended up on Sibling Rivalry. i have no idea how it happened, but i apologize for the disturbance.
Derek

ok, FINALLY figured it out. stupid tyPos!

Hey Favorite, are you back to work

How's the foot. Do you drive fast as feared?

Let it Snow?

Make it stop.

Damn. We skied today and the drive back was treacherous. Very scary. Very long. Normally, it takes 40 minutes. Tonight it took over 2 and a half hours. We were traveling at 5 mph for a long time - after being motionless for 45 minutes.

This is what it looked like:
http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/winter/dayphoto.asp?Dir=&Image=io.jpg&Page=

Last year no snow. This year approximately 4 feet of snow will have fallen Friday night, this weekend alone. Current base = 108 inches. You do the math.

http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/winter/index.asp

They closed the pass after we left and the cars were backed up for miles, going eastbound. The web cams looked non-functioning when I realized it was just that foul. It was black

FXL

Tuba come and I wanna go home

This is a long thread and a bit indulgent on my part to add to the blog. It just seemed the right place for it. And really? It was one of the more fun threads for me in awhile .

I omited a couple minor digressions for meandering humor. I don't think you'll mind. But if you do, there are always comments.

And to keep the spammers away:

• Cornet is J.
• Harmonica is Redsy.
  
  ------------------------------
  From: Big Brother
  Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 6:29 PM
  To: Moi; Cornet; 'Kid-Rolla'; 'Trouble Mag'; 'The Favorite'; 'Harmonica'
  Subject: Re: tuba
  
  I made a comment to Dad and I don't think he'll mind if I make it again. The living room had a drum kit in it. Yes. A couple kids in our neighbor hood have garage bands (always at the drummer's house). And the drums are clearly audible from a couple houses away. It made me think, how in the HELL did Mom and Dad put with that racket in the living room of a small house. I'll point out that there is no door now nor was there before. I said this to dad and he said simply, "I never thought it sounded that bad." That is both sweet (you big lug) and telling? I can honestly say it takes a fair amount of patience to listen to beginners.
  
  But the kids are playing the tuba at home, which is sort of funny. I even thought I was younger than Nathalie when I started? In fact I was one year older than Marc? That's impossilbe. But it's true. I grew to hate the sousaphone because compared to a real tuba, they sound thin and are little amateurish. But I don't think I would have been able to play a real tuba. They are big and heavy and dangerous.
  
  As I recall, Dad bought some used musical instruments from various and sundry places rather than renting. I'm finding out that this is a good idea. For the record, a cello costs about $64/month for about 28 months. A typical non-sucking student cello costs about $1,400. A used, intermediate cello costs anywhere from $1,000 to 1,700 and is more than likely a better, easier to play instrument. So we recently returned the rental and I have my eyes out for a used one. My musical connection at work occasionally gets them and he is keeping his eye open.
  
  Big Brother
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Moi
  To: 'Big Brother' ; Cornet ; 'Kid-Rolla' ; 'Trouble Mag' ; 'The Favorite' ; 'Harmonica'
  Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 4:21 AM
  Subject: RE: tuba
  
  I think we played (the older ones) because we saw it as a great opportunity to do something interesting and different. Remember those were the days when kids romped around in the backyard for entertainment rather than getting shuttled from gymnastics to karate to music and other various playgroups. We had to make due with our neighbors and each other ;)
  
  I remember distinctly that Lisa Hadley was going to take Jazz and Tap dancing lessons with Mrs. Capalette or something like that, up the hill from the Methodist Church. I was given the choice in grade 4 to either do one of those with her, or take up an instrument. I figured, rather narrow mindedly looking back, that my only choices were flute or clarinet since that's what girls played. I think I chose clarinet because of the two it was the less predictably girlish.
  
  I loved marching band and the football games. I enjoyed the other stuff, but knew I was never better than okay. In the early years, Michelle Hamel set the bar for clarinet players. She was really good. I am sorry she gave it up. The rest of us (my peers) were mediocre.
  
  Seems to me people have an inherent interest in music. It is natural. Especially if you have any musical influences like Dad playing harmonica, or Uncle George playing guitar at Christmas at Mémère's.
  
  I know Mom used to comment on our forming a band or simply playing together at home. We had a nice variety of instruments, especially when Mike took up the drums, which she said she loved. (She loved the French horn also.)
  
  Picture the living room with a drum kit in it. Did that come at Christmas time? (My clarinet was a Christmas gift.)
  
  Like John's comment about Emily, I was wondering if Nathalie's taking up cello has helped stir up Fran's ruminations, in addition to the MS Orchestra opportunity.
  
  Xoxox
  
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Trouble Mag
  To: Moi ; 'Big Brother' ; 'Kid-Rolla' ; 'The Favorite' ; 'Cornet' ; 'Harmonica'
  Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 5:26 PM
  Subject: Re: tuba
  
  Yes, I'm listening, just getting over a migraine and catching up.
  
  I was going to add the Ireland trip but I see someone else remembered...
  I occasionally pick up my flute - it needs to be re-padded - that helps me sound bad! I can't remember much, but it entertains Camile, so I try.
  I should be a few beginner books...
  
  Anyway, go for it Fran! Like someone pointed out, it doesn't matter if it's a hobby or a passing thang - if you want to do it - just do it.
  
  Am I typing in tongue, must be the headache.
  L, Mh
  
  
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Kid-Rolla
  To: Kid-Rolla ; Big Brother ; Cornet ; moit ; Trouble Mag; The Favorite ; Harmonica
  Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 5:06 PM
  Subject: Re: tuba
  
  Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I loved playing. In fact, I particularly enjoyed marching band.
  
  I will be taking singing lessons once I graduate. And after that, some dance classes.
  
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Kid-Rolla
  To: Big Brother ; Cornet ; moit ; Kid-Rolla ; Trouble Mag; The Favorite ; Harmonica
  Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 5:05 PM
  Subject: Re: tuba
  
  
  I played because you guys played. I played flute because Chou played flute (and it was cheaper than a trombone). What a dorky family - we really are the Brady's - sha-la-la-la la-la la-la-la...sha-la-la la-la. Let's get together and form a band
  
  ________________________________________
  From: Big Brother
  Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 7:07 PM
  To: Cornet; Moi; 'Kid-Rolla'; 'Trouble Mag'; 'The Favorite'; 'Harmonica'
  Subject: Re: tuba
  
  It's possible that you just thought it might be fun, right? That's the part thats easy to lose touch with. I'm just figuring that out. So what if it isn't more than a hobby? So what if it was a passing thing? I don't think that Nathalie should have persisted at ballet anymore than I should have persisted at ballet ( I did take ballet and modern dance - full disclosure - lot of fun too - plus class if full of women in tights - just saying).
  
  You can do stuff just for the fun of it and if Emily wants to take sousaphone for one year, let her. I'll even buy her method books when she is done!
  
  Big Brother
  
  P.S. I probably should have put this on the blog. Maybe I'll capture it for posterity.
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Cornet
  To: Big Brother ; Moi ; 'Kid-Rolla' ; 'Trouble Mag' ; 'The Favorite' ; 'Harmonica'
  Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 3:11 PM
  Subject: Re: tuba
  
  No Fran ,
  You really suck. It was all a conspiracy. ;)
  
  
  I sometimes miss my musical days, and my musical skills are completely rusty. I am reminded of that as Emily approaches ( 5th grade) the age of having the possibility to play a musical instrument. I think we started to play in 4th grade. I am not sure exactly how we were all interested in playing and wondered if there was a little more than encouragement from Mom and Dad or the peer pressure from the other siblings playing already. Whatever it was I am very thankful for the experience. I think that I would very much enjoy being in a pit band and playing at the local play house or something. I think that it would be a great hobby.
  
  I say get the tuba, I am sure there will be opportunity for you to play! (even if you still suck.. lol)
  
  love,
  John
  
  
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Big Brother
  To: Big Brother ; Moi ; 'Kid-Rolla' ; 'Trouble Mag' ; 'The Favorite' ; 'Cornet' ; 'Harmonica'
  Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 5:10 PM
  Subject: Re: tuba
  
  I'm not at all sure why I felt the need to unload all that on you guys.
  
  Thanks for the encouragement.
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Big Brother
  To: Moi ; 'Kid-Rolla' ; 'Trouble Mag' ; 'The Favorite' ; 'Cornet' ; 'Harmonica'
  Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 8:54 AM
  Subject: Re: tuba
  
  I'm not sure what to call my sudden lack of confidence or whatever. But thanks for reminding me of the facts.
  
  Here is my recollection. Now I don't know if this is some kind of "Glory Days" exaggerated recollection of youthful exuberance. Or, a more meaningful rememberance of something that has, at present, slipped through my grasp.
  
  I was the Principal Tuba player in the Central Mass Symphony Orchestra - I played ballets, the regular concert series, and other "Pops" related concerts including the summer series. This was a position that I essentially grew into. Me and Joe Halko (along with Brian Scannell, Marc Flynn and Johan "John" Songdahl) all played in the Youth Orchestra. When it came time to go to college, Joe and I played in the adult orchestra (as we called it - or the professional orchestra that people paid to go see). It was a union job so I was also in the local musicians union.
  
  Hank Kulik, who was my teacher (the person you identify as your teacher is a big deal in music circles), had gotten many of us (his students) into the union at a fairly young age. Probably 14 or 15 so that we could play gigs as needed, including those with the Pulaski Brass Band - also professional though a much lower caliber. Hank also hired us for other gigs he did - such as Heinrich and the Barbarians - a brilliant alter ego band that played Oktoberfests, etc.
  
  We played lots of parades and festivals in the summers in various incarnations. It also meant that we were occassionally employed in other ad hoc settings - brass choirs to play x-mas carols.
  
  There were districts, all state and finally, a number of us were in a select group that played in Ireland in the summer 1980.
  
  What all this means is that by the time I got to Lowell, I had a lot of experience in a variety of settings. And, I knew that I was one of the better, if not the best, tuba player at my school. (There may have been a total of 15 players at any one time but probably less.) In a way, this was a little disappointing. I don't think I ever had the desire to progress much further at that point.
  
  I played more bass and, by my senior year, I was playing only a minimal amount of tuba in my ensembles and playing more and more bass guitar. A number of us from Lowell played in the CMSO and we would commute down to the Harry Levenson gigs together. Me, Joe Halko, from the earlier group, and Margo McGowan, prin. clarinet, and James Lounsberry, first desk violin.
  
  The highlights of my college playing were these: playing in a touring brass ensemble that took a 2 week trip in New England. Challenging the tuba player in the Wind Sinfonia (the number one ensemble) at school and having the adjudicator put circus music in front of me for the site reading. It was like giving a dog a bone. Thanks to Hank, we regularly scorched circus music in lessons and in groups. I smoked it. I knew I won the challenge, which are supposed to be anonymous. Of course, they aren't if you know the players sounds. I always had the big sound that Hank liked. Later, I didn't get into the group because the conductor, who was then my tuba instructor and an ass who could easily identify my sound, would not accept me. I ended up in a sit down meeting with the Dean of the College of Music. He informed me that I had apparently burned a couple too many bridges and was told that my attitude had lead to a lot of conductors not liking me very much. This was a big crossroads for me. I basically walked out of that meeting a bass player.
  
  I figured f-them basically. It was a real eye opener because it showed me that playing ability wasn't the only thing. I benefited in a change to the rules at the point. I could play a very minimal amount of tuba even though I was a tuba major as long as I was in one ensemble. My roommate, Tom O'Toole, and I formed a tuba-euphonium quartet and that was it for the most part. The rest was bass guitar. It was great because we ended up 'premiering' a lot of pieces for composition majors including Mark Neslusan. People loved to write for tuba quartet because, wait for it, they are inherently funny.
  
  Anyhoo, i guess it is all a little more complicated than just getting my chops back. I had some real skills, just not a lot of savvy.
  
  Big Brother
  
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Harmonica
  To: Big Brother
  Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 8:08 AM
  Subject: Re: tuba
  
  This is unbelievable, Sunday past I was playing my usual oompha oompha music on the old fashion radio(happy music for happy people) and my thoughts were almost exactly as what Crisso wrote to you. I will add to the list although I don't know if she will remember that you were also the youngest person to carry a tuba in the parade festivals. Your ears must have ringing I dug out a CD that was made for me by Larry Waterhouse I liked it because it reminds me of you and Hank Kulik. I will put it in the mail, I tell the kids that's you playing. IRONIC love eal
  
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Michael Langlois
  To: Kid-Rolla ; moit ; Big Brother ; Trouble Mag; Cornet ; Harmonica
  Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 5:04 AM
  Subject: Re: tuba
  
  you would get my vote for Hollywood
  
  ps
  N your face is beautiful
  pss
  Everybodys face is beautiful, and the rest of the body and person too
  
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Kid-Rolla
  To: moit ; Big Brother ; Kid-Rolla ; Trouble Mag; The Favorite ; Cornet ; Harmonica
  Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 4:52 AM
  Subject: RE: tuba
  
  I can only what Chrisso said due to the fact that I was ages 5-9 while you were in college. I don't recall the playing per se, but I recall the activities. I can also attest to the fact that one loses one's chops after a while, but that doesn't mean you can't get them back. They're muscles, you gotta work em out, obicularis oris and the buccinator muscles especially. I tried to pick up my flute a while back, and I was as good as second chair second flute (which doesn't compare to the vast accomplishments of Big Brother, but hey) and couldn't play a scale withought sounding windy and having my face hurt. Yeah, Mike, I know...It's killing you too.
  
  love, N
  
  
  
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Moi
  To: 'Big Brother' ; 'Kid-Rolla' ; 'Trouble Mag' ; 'The Favorite' ; 'Cornet' ; 'Harmonica'
  Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 4:20 AM
  Subject: RE: tuba
  
  Rather than waste your time with mere flattery, I'll try to remind you of some of the facts as I can recall them with my own omissions / embellishments:
  
  1. You played PROFESSIONALLY with Hank's Polish band.
  2. You played with Mr. Levinson's orchestra.
  3. There were other youth orchestral experiences and marching band at U formerly L that were selective and they let you play.
  4. If there were an American Idol for tuba players, after getting your chops back in shape you'd be going to Hollywood!
  
  ________________________________________
  From: Big Brother
  Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:47 PM
  To: Kid-Rolla; Trouble Mag; The Favorite; Cornet; Moi; Harmonica
  Subject: tuba
  
  I work with a guy who sells musical instruments on the side. He recently got 4 or 5 tubas and let me take one home. Boy do I suck! I used to be good, right? I mean I could play. I took a lot of lessons.
  
  It is an amazing tug of war for me. I'm thinking of finally buying a tuba, right when I need it the least. But on the other hand, it is really fun playing it again. I'd like to get back to at least not sucking.
  
  This guy of course immediately invited me to play in the Microsoft orchestra. What? I didn't even know there was one. He clearly hasn't heard me play.
  
  Yes. I am fishing for compliments but also a little reassurance. I could play, right?
  
  Big Brother