August 2006

August 31, 2006 16:55

Atlanta has proven as ugly as I thought. After waiting on the tarmac (Continetal, operated by Delta) for an hour for 40 planes to take off. The pilot determined that there was something wrong with the front wheel.

Had to get off the plane and have been in the airport for 6 hours. I might not make it home tonight.

Not complaining about the wheel thing at all. I don't want to ride a broken plane. Just hate the congestion and wait.

Violin got on fine :)

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Chicago to Atlanta no problems on American Airlines.

August 30, 2006 17:17

I flew from Chicago to Atlanta (Hartsfield) with no issues. Although the counter agent asked my if my instrument was a Strad. :)

I'm dreading getting out tommorrow because Atlanta is notorius for being a problem airport.

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Dallas to Chicago the Quest Continues

August 29, 2006 18:04

Went from Dallas (DFW) to Chicago (ORD) with no problems on a American Airlines. I did about 20 minutes of Pizzacato in airport and people really looked at me funny :)

I helped a hispanic family from Mexico board, pickup their luggage and I called their son in Chicago to come pick them up (he was caught in traffic).

They spoke no English. My 12 weeks of tax payer paid Spanish training in the Army really paid off LOL.

Looking forward to practicing tonight. Listened to Suzuki CD's on my IPOD on the plane. (Left my sync cable/charger at home UGH!).

That's it for now.

Oh and people think I'm insane to ask for a 1/2 sized, black violin with carved lion head for Macalah so far 4 Luthiers have turned me down.

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Flying not a problem so far. Austin to Orange County to Dallas

August 28, 2006 21:08

Flew from Austin to Orange County on America West. No problem what so ever. Then flew from Orange County to Dallas this afternoon. Three planes in one day, got through security fine and was able to put the violin in overhead with no issues.

We'll see if the luck keeps up :)

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Hitting the road for this week.

August 27, 2006 20:22

Well, I'm all packed up for my roadshow this week. I have to go to all our offices and conduct sales training. I'll be hitting a city a day for two weeks.

I'm bringing a Romanian Workshop violin with me to practice in my hotel room. I hope the airlines don't give me trouble. I'm using American, United and Continental.

I've give more data on my airline experience later in the week.

My first flight is from Austin to Irvine, Ca and it leave at 6:00 AM so I'm off to bed.

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Refinishing the top of a 100 Year old Violin.

August 26, 2006 21:02

I've decided to try and refinish the top of my JB Clopton Violin #20 made expressly for Marsh JF Nash of Bastrop.

I got the violin from his Grand Daughter and it was in poor shape, the nut was missing, finger board on crocked, no saddle etc... I got it put to gether with some new fittings, but the top varnish was horrible worn and bare in many areas, perhaps someone dropped some alchol in it?

I started wiping it with de-natured alcohol, and the finish did not seem to come off as well as I hoped, I'm going to try it for a few sessions. Some did indeed come off and see if I can get totally down to the wood.

I know that re-varnishing de-values the violin, but I'm not concerned with that as it's made by an american maker and not expensive and I intend to keep it.

I've been looking for some tips on the web, but haven't found any comprehensive info on how to refinish a violin.

I'm excited to see if I can do this.

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Returning to my old friend Pizzacato

August 26, 2006 20:58

Tonight my wife wanted to watch a movie on the Sci-Fi Channel called the Dragon Knight I think. We've gotten into the habit of watching the new made for TV movies on SF from time to time.

I decided to work on Pizzacato as we watched the movie, practicing Minuet 2 from Suzuki 1. It was a great way to practice and watch TV. I got to where I could comfortable finger the tune and pluc the strings, we'll see what it did for my actual playing tommorrow.

It does seem to help me get repetition in.

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The Puppy that's kept me from playing :)

August 24, 2006 20:37

I thought that I'd throw up a few pics of the Puppy who's kept me from playing these past few months. Her name is Bailey and she's almost 5 months old:

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Got the Joshua Bell Tickets

August 24, 2006 10:31

Got the Joshua Bell tickets sitting in the front Orchestra Section. Should be great fun!

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Austin Symphony Joshua Bell

August 23, 2006 20:54

So time flies. I haven't been able to play as much as I'd like. I got a new puppy, a female white German Shepherd named Bailey and that's been quite a bit of work to make sure I'm responsible large dog owner to have a pet that does not jump on people or try to eat them.

She has a very sweet disposition and it's worked out well. She's 4.5 months old now.

I just started playing in earnest again and it's been a welcome respite.

I got Sascha her own violin for her 12th birth day, a Gems I 7/8 from Gliga (www.violinslover.com). She loved it and was very excited. I'm amazed how long it takes to get simple songs out of kids in a year :). She can play Twinkle, Twinkle and some other things but really seems to like it.

Macalah, 7, is excited to get her own violin for her birthday in November (they've been using rentals). She wants a black violin or one with a Lion Head scroll. It will be challenge to get a quality 1/2 size violin in that unique of a pattern. Her neck to mid palm measures 19" maybe she'll need a 3/4 by then?

SO it turns out Joshua Bell is coming to Austin in September. I definately will go see him.

Work is really busy, our company got acquired by a public company and I'm going a road show to train the sales people. A city a day for two weeks, I'll be taking a travel violin to practice in the hotel room :)

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More entries: September 2006 • April 2006