The Squamidian Report – Dec. 14 / 13
Issue #603 Including: The Ontarion Hi All, A friend of mine, one of our riders in my motorcycle chapter, is a criminal defense lawyer. He's has a lot of pretty interesting stories to tell. He can also be a little misleading at times which is to be expected because like I just said, he's a lawyer. I don't have a problem with that in general but he lied to me and I get great satisfaction in reminding him of the fact that he lied and telling him that I've proven him to be very wrong. You see, he told me that writing songs was easy. Thats a blatant lie. It is hard, very hard. My lawyer friend has the same taste in music that I do such as being a big fan of Ian Tyson's music although he doesn't like the person very much at all. Seems they have met and my friend came away rather disappointed, which has nothing to do at all with this story. Anyway, my friend plays in a small band that does the same kind of music I'd do if I were in a band. Apparently, he wrote a song several years ago that his band still plays and it goes over quite well. He had claimed that writing that song had been easy and had advised me to give song writing a try. And like I just said, I've tried and it is not at all easy. You're probably wondering where all this is going so I'll tell you...as many of you have now figured out, I did go ahead and write a bunch of songs throughout the last year. Yes, it took almost a year on and off to write, arrange and record the 9 songs that are on the CD that has been sent to some friends and even some family as Christmas gifts. These songs are not and were never meant to be in any way 'commercial' in quality or intent. Thats for song writers to do. What they are is my attempt at expressing myself musically. Each number being an experiment in sound, composition, arraignment and so on. It took the better part of almost a year to come up with the 9 numbers on that CD because each number required an idea in order to get started, and finding the viable 'idea' is perhaps the hardest part of all. Each of the 9 'projects' basically took a month to come up with, work up into a proto- song and then try various directions and themes and chord progressions until it began to fall into place. The funny part is, once they did fall into place, the actual song does sort of seem easy, it just 'happens'. But thats only the final step in a series of often frustrating steps. Only about 3 of the songs actually ended up the way I envisioned them when I started out. They probably each only took a day from start to finish, but that doesn't happen very often. The rest changed direction and mood and feel several times along the way. There were several numbers that never made it to the CD because they turned out to be dead ends. After what seemed like a good start, I'd find myself struggling with them as they spiraled downward out of control. Thats where the old garbage bin comes in real handy. The reason for sending my CD of original music out at this time of year is that I certainly can't afford to give Christmas gifts to a whole bunch of people and I do not believe in purchasing meaningless store-bought, Chinese made junk just to hand out. Home made cookies or some form of Arts & Craft that come from someone's own hands are much more genuine and thoughtful, especially if they have virtually no commercial value because 'commercialism' is what is wrecking the Christmas we all actually want. Thats what this CD is. Its home made, it comes from my hands, or mouth, but that sounds a bit creepy. It also gives me the chance to share this hobby with others should they care to partake. As rewarding as writing songs might be, there is perhaps even more satisfaction from inventing my own 4-part harmonies. I'm actually quite proud of that aspect. Because I have a very limited vocal range and the comfort zone is below the middle, I need to place the melody near or below the middle of my range. That only leaves room for one lower vocal track below the melody. I then place a higher harmony above and then, if vocal room permits, I add a 'highest' harmony. It is the harmony that shapes and directs the flavor of the song. A good example of that is the last line of the 4th verse in 'The Old Farm'. The 'highest' harmony comes in and give that line a laid-back, almost nostalgic, summery sound. At least I think it does. I've sent them as Christmas gifts to people I think would be interested in listening to my stuff. If I missed anyone, oops. However, if I did miss someone that wants a copy, there are 3 easy ways to get one. First, let me know and send your mailing address. I'd be happy to send you a copy. Second, find someone who has a copy and make a copy of their copy. Third, find someone who has a copy but does not really want it, and just take it from them. Its just that easy. Everyone wins. So, I truly hope anyone who plays the CD enjoys it. If they don't, well, I'm not responsible for anyone else's taste in music, just my own. Interestingly, my friend has never tried to write another song. He says after the first one worked out ok, he's afraid to try again incase it flops. Go figure. *
The extreme cold that had gripped the west coast for a
couple of weeks is now sort of over. We had -10 temps for several days
with -20 or colder wind chills. The Interior and out across the
prairies had been a lot colder than that. One of the things that was
quite interesting is that this time of year the coast is normally
pretty wet. It had been so cold for so long that there was no moisture
at all left in the air. Usually if it drops below freezing there is
thick frost and ice all over everything. Black ice on the roads,
impenetrable ice and frost on vehicle windows. Once we had been under
the influence of the Arctic Outflow for a few days, there was no more
frost or ice. Too dry. Everything was clear. No frost on roofs or
windshield or roadways. In fact it was so dry that we actually had
static electricity jumping around under our bed covers. No, get your
head out of the gutter. All I did was pull up the soft velour blanket
and a whole light show took place. Bright blue sparks jumped all
around. When I ran my fingers over the blanket they left bright blue
streaks. Quite interesting.We are back to more 'normal' weather now. Rain on the coast and at lower elevations, snow up in the hills. *
Hey, next weeks's Squid is the last one before Christmas so
if anyone wants to have a story or article included in it, please get
it to me by Thursday evening so I have lots of time to assemble the
weekly. I do however require that it be your own composition, something
you wrote yourself.doug
**** THE ONTARION REPORT Hello everyone! Well, it finally happened, we got snow that hasn’t left the next day! I guess it’s here for the next few months at least. I managed to get the snow blower out and use it yesterday and the tune up seems to have worked. With the oil thickened up by the cold though, I had to resort to starting it with the electric start the first time. Of course after that it started with a pull every time. I only had to pull start it twice after I shut it off to shovel a spot that the blower wouldn’t get. I’m glad I spent the time and money to have it tuned, it’s working great! With only two weeks till Christmas I’m glad that I have almost all of my shopping done. I still have a few little things to get so I’ll be getting out again soon to complete my list of should I say “other peoples” lists! LOL! That’s about all I can say in this public forum! I wonder if the malls will be less busy this year with so many people doing their shopping on-line? I don’t think so since people still like to see in person what it is they are shopping for. The on line way of shopping is ok but it’s just a tad too impersonal for my liking. I still like to browse and see what’s out there for my Christmas shopping. Besides, with so much to view, there are always new ideas that you come across while looking for the items on your list. It’s always fun to see what’s new and to enjoy the atmosphere of the Christmas season! As usual, I don’t have a clue what to ask Mrs Clause for again this year. Most years I don’t ask for anything specific and somehow great gifts with my name on them seem to appear under the tree. I’m just glad that my Mrs Clause has good ears and a good memory and keeps her “good ears” open when I’m talking all year long. She manages to catch it when I say how cool something is and that I’d like to get this or that as I’m yacking. Then she thinks back to what I’ve said all year long when the Christmas season comes along. In fact, she’s had years where she’s done a lot of her Christmas shopping months and months in advance. She never seems to have to rush at the last minute to get her shopping done. I guess that’s a good thing! If I were to try that, I’d forget half of what I bought and forget where I put most of the gifts I bought early! LOL! Guess I’ll just have to stick to my method of shopping a few weeks before the big day and then I’m able to keep track of it all! With only 11 days left till the big day, I’m glad I started my shopping early. Not much time left for those of you who haven’t yet started shopping so you’d better get cracking! That’s about it for this week folks! Thanks for tuning in and I’ll look forward to talking to you all again next week in The Ontarion Report! Bye for now … Greg
PS: Something To Think About> Once again I’ll ask: “How many reindeer does Santa have pulling his sleigh?” I say 10! “Can you name them?” ****
Have a good one.. the doug http://www.thedougsite.net The Fine Print! The articles in these issues are the sole property of the persons writing them and should be respected as such. |