summer plans
May 17, 2008
Things have been pretty crazy around here over the last few weeks. Restarting the Somerset banjo project has been a challenge, I am trying to finish up Singing with the Banjo & Guitar, we are shipping banjos out almost every day and on top all that I am trying to get used to working without a headache.
Yeah, you read that last part right. I haven’t had a migraine headache in almost a month. It’s been about ten years since I have felt this good – and that is pretty fantastic – but the downside is that I am not used to feeling good. Working without a headache has been even more jarring than last year when I had to learn how to work without taking a cigarette break.
I need a little bit of time and space to get my bearings, so I am stepping back from the daily workshop schedule. Now that I have my Canon XL1 all geared up for remote work I will be releasing one video workshop a week along with the occasional audio workshop.
I also won’t be posting pictures on Tangier Sound every day. I needed the daily snapshot program to learn how to use the camera, but now that I am getting a little bit more comfortable taking pictures I don’t need to force myself to go out every day.
The camera has been surprisingly fun. I still don’t know what I’m doing (and that won’t change anytime soon because the local library system is pretty limited when it comes to digital photography books) but I have had a blast messing around with my camera all over Crisfield.
We were hit with some pretty wild thunderstorms yesterday afternoon, and when the sky started clearing at sunset I ditty-bopped down to the Bay to take a couple of random pictures.
For $150 the Canon A580 is a nifty little camera.
I submitted a couple of prints to the Somerset County Arts Council for a county photography exhibit. I’ve never done anything like that.
In other news, I have my bus ticket to run down to Florida for a private workshop in August. That may not be my only road trip this year. Kelly is talking about bringing me to Chicago and Dear Old Dad said something the other day about maybe doing a workshop in Canada.
Next weekend we’ll be in Pennsylvania for the Spring Thing and after that we have to run up to meet with Lowell to finish planning out the Somerset banjo.
Lots of good stuff all around. This is going to be a wonderful Summer!
Oh yeah – I almost forgot. I ran across this article from 2006: Hearing Aids for Musicians and it was pretty exciting. I was wondering if anybody out there had any experience with the Digi-K hearing aid – or if something better has come along since the article was written.
May 17, 2008 at 11:18 am
Patrick:
Great news with your Summer Plans. Looks as if you have a full plate. I can’t wait for “Play Along With Banjo And Guitar”.
Your photography is fantastic. If you are looking for a resource book, try “Digital Photography For Dummies” by David Busch. It is a 7 in 1 book that covers all you would want to know. It is available at Amazon, list price $29.99.
It’s different waking up to feeling well, almost like a mixed blessing – something is wrong. If you want the headaches to return, just let me know. I am sure I can come up with something suitable.
God Bless,
Pastor Roy
May 17, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Shame about the Daily Workshops, but summat had to give somewhere, it certainly sounds like you’re busy enough as it is.
I’m really looking forward to the new book. Put me down for an advance copy
I know kinda what you mean about not knowing how to cope with feeling well. I’ve had insomnia most of my life, and NOT being dog tired REALLY freaks me out, I just don’t have any experience of it at all.
Stay healthy and happy
Danny
May 17, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Patrick – best wishes for a wonderful summer and a new beginning with the Somerset after that false start. Sometimes you need to step back a bit to get things in perspective (but you know that anyway as a photographer!) A weekly workshop will still keep us busy anyway – I know there’s no way I keep up to a workshop a day and do it properly, so maybe this will give some of us a chace to catch up!
May 17, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Thanks for the heads up concerning your summer plans. It is vacation time for many and you both certainly deserve some space. Concerning the headaches I have been plagued by them also, turns out that high blood pressure has a lot to do with it. Lisinopril 10 mg a day has helped, enjoy the summer.
May 17, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Hi Patrick,
I am a musician and long time hearing aid wearer. I am currently wearing GN ReSound Metrix hearing aids and love them. I really enjoy playing my banjo with these aids. Since they are digital an audiologist can tweak them for your particular hearing loss.
Bob
May 18, 2008 at 1:05 pm
All sorts a good stuff in this post….but I am figuring the BEST thing would be if there were some action on this whole hearing business for you, Patrick. If you are having a bit of adjustment issues with getting used to not smking and working without a headache, imagine what it would be like to hear again.
You may find the world a tad bit nosier than you recall….but it would be great to hear your music clearly again. Good luck with that whole thing!