24 years today - what a woman I married!

23 Years!

Lori has put up with me for 23 years on the 13th.  Wow, and what a woman!

My "Shingle"

Know anyone who needs some computer work done?  I can do the following:

• database designer / engineer / maintainer / administrator / programmer
• network engineer / administrator / maintainer
• remote / virtual assistant
• copy editor
  
• transcriptionist (English only, sorry)
• programmer (C, C++, C#, VB, etc.)
• graphic artist
• CAD/CAE/CAM drafting (specializing in architecture using SketchUp)
• web / internet design

I know people who can do other computer work, so if I can't do it I can probably find someone who can and get you in contact with someone.

Here's to hoping 2021 won't be a dumpster fire continuation of 2020....

 10 years today.

Music

I grew up surrounded by music.  Mom and dad had a stereo in the living room that, if it was on, had classical music playing.  I had to either love it or tune it out -- I learned to enjoy classical music (although I still cringe at traditional opera, sorry).  Dad loved his Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera tapes and records either playing in the basement on that big console stereo we had down there or on a tape player in the garage, and most of the time was singing along in that baritone voice of his. Most of the time it was even the right notes. 😊  I really liked that kind of music too, and not just for the connection to my grandparents (they performed most of these operas in their own comic opera company in the late 1800s and early 1900s).

I played the tuba but played the keyboards by ear, and mom really enjoyed me playing on the pump organ spinet in the living room they had restored.  One of mom's last days was spent singing along while a family friend came over and played hymns on that organ.  I played tuba in the church band (before "worship bands" were a thing) with a few friends and fellow teen group members, and enjoyed it greatly.  I took lessons from a great musician and man, Mr. Oscar Lagassé.  Dad and mom used to drive me over to my lessons in Royal Oak and then when the lessons were over, sit with Mr. and Mrs. Lagassé and chat for hours.

The tuba opened up many doors for me, opened my eyes to an entire genre of music to enjoy, and was supposed to be part of my future.  Instead I joined up in the Air Force and my tuba was left sitting on a shelf in the basement, forlorn and forgotten.

I am now trying to revive my relationship with music again.  I am practicing my tuba.  I have cleaned up the keyboard I got while I was in the Air Force, and am trying to get it operational.  I am working on getting the MIDI tone generator Dad got me as a present working again.  I am actually listening to music, and having music playing in the background while I do other things.  I forgot the influence that music can have, either to calm or get excited or pump up or even draw a few tears.

The biggest impact is that I am going back to college to finally get a degree.  I'm going for a double major in Music Education and Management Information Systems.  I'm going back not because I'm in the middle of a mid-life crisis, but because I want music to have a (big) part in my life again.  I remember the impact music had on me growing up, and I want some of that back, and I want to be able to share it with others.

I'm not very good at the tuba yet, but I'm continuing to practice and hopefully get better.  I still can't read keyboard sheet music.  I'm nervous about returning to collage at <mumble-mumble> age, and I'm nervous that my mental and/or physical health will give me problems.  I've got the full support of my family, and I can only hope that their shared strength along with my desire to succeed are enough for me to make it a reality.

I'm anxious about returning back to college, but at the same time excited by the potential.  It won't be easy for me, but with enough self-discipline and help from family, I think I'll do well.



Wish me luck!


Time to tune into Amazon Prime Music and see what 'stations' they have available....

One year ago today

One year ago today....

I miss you, dad.
The kids miss you, papa.
Your friends up here miss you, Elly.

I still miss you, mom.

You're finally together.

 

About a year ago, we talked to my dad for the last time.

We didn't know he was so close to dying.  We just knew that my brother and his girlfriend gave us the opportunity to have a video chat with him. They set everything up and we chatted for a while.  The kids enjoyed it, and so did my wife and I.  Dad looked a little off and sounded a bit tired, but he was 97 years old after all.

Then, a few days later, we get the phone call from my brother that Dad had passed away.

I am grateful that my brother gave us time that we could spend it with Dad.