I finally settled in after a long day of chores, and other mundane but necessary tasks, and began to catch up on Substacks that came in.
Just finished reading yours, and very much appreciated it. I am new to your stack, and not so familiar with your writing style. Simply, I like it.
Very accurate descriptions of people and events from the recent past, and what we are dealing with now. And it seemed like a note from a friend. A friend who shares the same reactions to this.....life stuff.
You have done a great job building your workshop. So neat and well appointed. And I can't get to cleaning out the piles of miscellaneous items and mail in various corners of my small house. The workshop is for instrument repair? Did you play professionally?
I played clarinet in the high school band and orchestra decades ago. Not the best choice for me, I would have done better with the flute or percussion. My sister just sent me a video of my grand-niece who finished high school, and played flute and piccolo with the orchestra. She did the piccolo solo on Stars and Stripes Forever with their final performance.
Glasses, one pair for driving and one for reading. Never had to wear them until I was 55.
I visited Vancouver BC once a long time ago. Strange story.
Thank you for your kind words... I used to play oboe in a Canadian Armed Forces Band many years ago.. 3 years of malicious whispering courtesy of an embittered alcoholic Master Warrant Officer resulted in my being kicked out of the military on about the lowest honorable release category they could find and a notation on my record barring me from ever re-enlisting.. "You should look on that as a compliment" said Richard, the Principal Oboe of the Toronto Symphony with each of my horror stories.. he was a Vietnam Vet, played in the US Military bands at the time, so had some idea what the Military is capable of...
Aged 44 - 46 I took a course in Instrument Repair 2003 - 2005 in a desperate bid to heal a dying marriage / salvage something from my musical experience... got divorced anyway, came to Victoria, BC at my parent's invitation.. All my family but me have passed now, but I have a new wife out of it, and she's much nicer than the old one.. ❤️
If you're at all interested you can check out my other writings at "Sex Diary of an Oboist" named after my favourite author Colin Wilson's curious novel "Sex Diary of a Metaphysician" (https://sexdiaryofanoboist.wordpress.com/)
Hopefully that mythical border between Canada and America will evaporate soon.. "it's an ill-wind that blows no-one good.." As I said to David: Feel free to borrow, in whole or in part if any of it is of use to you.
Wonderful Piece. Brought back a lot of memories as I was living in BC at the time of the plandemic. Totally crazy. Lost many friends as I refused to play the game. Sinéad O’Connor had a very interesting life and tragic ending. I still watch old youtube videos. She appeared so authenic and her pain came through in her music. Nice work you are doing. Keep going, keep plugging along...Life as a way of mending itself if you get out of the way. Cheers!
Excellent
Thank you! - Feel free to borrow, in whole or in part if any of it is of use to you.
I finally settled in after a long day of chores, and other mundane but necessary tasks, and began to catch up on Substacks that came in.
Just finished reading yours, and very much appreciated it. I am new to your stack, and not so familiar with your writing style. Simply, I like it.
Very accurate descriptions of people and events from the recent past, and what we are dealing with now. And it seemed like a note from a friend. A friend who shares the same reactions to this.....life stuff.
You have done a great job building your workshop. So neat and well appointed. And I can't get to cleaning out the piles of miscellaneous items and mail in various corners of my small house. The workshop is for instrument repair? Did you play professionally?
I played clarinet in the high school band and orchestra decades ago. Not the best choice for me, I would have done better with the flute or percussion. My sister just sent me a video of my grand-niece who finished high school, and played flute and piccolo with the orchestra. She did the piccolo solo on Stars and Stripes Forever with their final performance.
Glasses, one pair for driving and one for reading. Never had to wear them until I was 55.
I visited Vancouver BC once a long time ago. Strange story.
Thank you for your kind words... I used to play oboe in a Canadian Armed Forces Band many years ago.. 3 years of malicious whispering courtesy of an embittered alcoholic Master Warrant Officer resulted in my being kicked out of the military on about the lowest honorable release category they could find and a notation on my record barring me from ever re-enlisting.. "You should look on that as a compliment" said Richard, the Principal Oboe of the Toronto Symphony with each of my horror stories.. he was a Vietnam Vet, played in the US Military bands at the time, so had some idea what the Military is capable of...
Aged 44 - 46 I took a course in Instrument Repair 2003 - 2005 in a desperate bid to heal a dying marriage / salvage something from my musical experience... got divorced anyway, came to Victoria, BC at my parent's invitation.. All my family but me have passed now, but I have a new wife out of it, and she's much nicer than the old one.. ❤️
If you're at all interested you can check out my other writings at "Sex Diary of an Oboist" named after my favourite author Colin Wilson's curious novel "Sex Diary of a Metaphysician" (https://sexdiaryofanoboist.wordpress.com/)
Actually have a look at this one: "Mending the Deck Chairs on the Titanic – A Plan of Action" -- https://sexdiaryofanoboist.wordpress.com/2023/06/11/mending-the-deck-chairs-on-the-titanic-a-plan-of-action/
Wow! Very impressive.
Awesome work. Good for you. I am taking a pic if I may to someday replicate it.
Better yet, if you ever want a visit to the south, your room, board and materials of course, are covered if you want to recreate it elsewhere.
Opps, I just realized it may be specific to musical instruments.
Hopefully that mythical border between Canada and America will evaporate soon.. "it's an ill-wind that blows no-one good.." As I said to David: Feel free to borrow, in whole or in part if any of it is of use to you.
The power that comes with the restrictions is just too tempting. Power attracts the corruptible.
I cannot see or understand it. Although it does seem to be true, unfortunately.
Cannot see or understand what, exactly?
Wonderful Piece. Brought back a lot of memories as I was living in BC at the time of the plandemic. Totally crazy. Lost many friends as I refused to play the game. Sinéad O’Connor had a very interesting life and tragic ending. I still watch old youtube videos. She appeared so authenic and her pain came through in her music. Nice work you are doing. Keep going, keep plugging along...Life as a way of mending itself if you get out of the way. Cheers!