Still confused about blogs - #2

Does this save it as the same blog? Or a different one? Damn you to hell Mr Blog - Dispense with caution and forge onwards regardless!!!

Jane & I had a fab weekend, spending it with my brother and sister in law in Sydney. Took Bob for a scuba dive after he hasn't done so for 35 years. Saw a weedy? sea dragon, two massive blue groupers and some lovely canyons and shelves. It was great.

Professional development involved seeing a 'Dragapella' show, which Bob n'Ilse gave us for Christmas. It was great to see a drag show (part of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras) that wasn't crap miming and just blokes prancing around in dresses. Rather it was a well choreographed, excellently researched, great politics and a nicely paced show of acapella and very very funny. The Kinsey Sicks performed (www.kinseysicks.com - have a look at "We Arm the World" www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2kZKI7pSHs). Great lyrics (parodies of popular songs). I cannot complain if my professional development involves seeing shows like this!

One last thing. Last Tuesday at Teralba an elderly couple sat on the couch for 2 and a half hours listening to the LakeMacUkestra learn and practice. They seemed to revel in it.

I got a call from them on Friday and they said (in rather frail voices - each had a phone to themselves), 'we have bought some ukes and will be along on Tuesday, but we want a lesson first'. I had the temerity to ask how old they are. '84'.

I seem to be doing a good thing!

Must wash trumpet today

Entry #1 - Star Date ..... is this how a blog is supposed to start???

A full on day of book-keeping/tax and then a packed house at Lingard Hospital, with one beautiful harmony voice there and one guy who persisted (and mastered) the uke. About a dozen listeners and singers. Then had a half hour uke student at home...then....Nikki & Mick arrived for the evening's Flying Penguin rehearsal.

This was our 3rd ever rehearsal. 1st was at their house in the bush near Bulahdelah, 2nd up at my Mum's Bay House (Fingal Bay), 3rd at my house in Merewether.

We bolted off to Bar Beach for a photo shoot (we have been asked to play at St Albans Folk Festival in April). Mick, Nikki and I wandered down with an array of instruments and dressed up. There was an immediate buzz - 'where are you playing?!', 'gee you look good!'. etc. etc.

Thanks to friend Lisa for the photos - t'was very fun as always is a fotie shoot, we sang Kiss next to the water and made sure the pink radio and trumpet and double bass didn't get wet by the occasional surge.

That done, we decided to go under the shelter and practice a wee bit. The shelter seemed like the perfect bass amplifier and it sounded wonderful. We could tell because a crowd gathered on the level above and REALLY quite desperately asked where we are playing. 'Got contact details'!

Tadaaaa!!!! I was able to pull out my brand new business cards and distribute. One guy said - 'well do you have one for me? I am looking for bands for the Port Stephens Country Music Festival and you guys would be great!'.

I think all we need to do to start playing is for me to get our PR shit together and get booking!!!! Yay!!!

And how does one end a blog entry? Rodger over and out?