I Travel Because

I couldn’t think of a suitable title for this post, and may come back and change it (and this post) if I can think of something more appropriate.  Why?  The reason is simply complex:  I decided to take a mini-vacation to accept my “elevation,” and since it was hard to justify a “down-and-back” overnight trip (cost-wise, time-wise, etc.) and since I had a surplus of vacation time coming to me, decided to extend the trip.  Fine.  But then what?

Well, I decided to do what I’ve done before:  Let someone else house and feed me for a few days.  So, here I am, less than a week away from another Caribbean cruise.

carnival cruise lines logo

Carnival Cruise Line’s iconic smokestack and logo.

This is a four-night excursion, most of which takes place asea. There is one stop, Cozumel, Mexico, which I have visited several times. I doubt I will even get off the ship. But I might go ashore for a couple of hours just to walk around.  I’m feeling lazy, so my plans are to just wander the ship, eat, and relax in my stateroom, practicing guitar.

Speaking of which — I just ordered a new guitar specifically for this purpose.  Somehow, I learned of a kickstarter-funded company that was making carbon fiber travel guitars.  The carbon fiber makes them virtually impervious to temperature and humidity changes (they have wooden necks — I ordered my with carbon fiber truss rod reinforcement).  The key here is that the neck is removable, make the guitar a “foldable!” So it’s downsized and foldable, which means it should be packable in a suitcase!  These are KLŌS Guitars, and they get surprisingly good reviews!

KLŌS Foldable Guitar

KLŌS Foldable Guitar

Order fulfillment said 2-6 days, and not wanting to risk not getting it in time, I paid extra for expedited shipping. I hope it’s worth it! I’ll post a review when I return.

Finally, I hoped to be included in the special Chef’s Table meal (I did it last time, and it was FABULOUS). I received an email saying they had filled all the seats, but I’ll be waitlisted. If I make it, great. If not, that’s fine too.

Sail away!

An Elevation Surprise

Four years ago, in 2014, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I had been “invited” to become a Knight of the Order of Salvador, a chivalric group of patrons of the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.

I have been a long-time member, supporter and patron of the museum, so this was a recognition of that.  Not that I thought I’d done anything extraordinary to deserve it, but it was a nice gesture, and it resulted in a silver (real!) medallion that I am to wear on formal social occasions and government events.

Today, I received an envelope from the museum.  I expected it to be the annual notice of the Ceremony of Investiture and Elevation.  Just earlier, I had debated going.  But it was more than an invitation, it was notification that I will be “elevated.”  This is like getting promoted.  I anticipate being invested as a Knight of the Order of Salvador First Class.

Outside the museum it’s a pretty meaningless award, but I’m thrilled and honored.

I’ll post more after the ceremony (I’ve already made my hotel reservation.  Next is my flight…).

A Four Song Playlist

I’ve been giving this some thought:  There is an “open mic night” at the church every week.  And though it’s aimed more for the younger crowd, I’ve been thinking of taking the stage and practicing my live performance capabilities.  Performers are only allowed three or four songs per set, so what songs would I play?

These are the songs I’ve been playing and practicing.  Some are new (to me) and others I’ve been playing for years (but have gotten of practice):

  • Daydream (Lovin’ Spoonful)
  • Presence of the Lord (Clapton)
  • Dino’s Song (Quicksilver Messenger Service)
  • Pride of Man (Quicksilver Messenger Service)

As backup songs, I might also consider:

  • Thinking of You (Loggins & Messina)
  • My Sweet Lord (George Harrison)
  • Melissa (Allman Brothers)
  • Little Wing (Hendrix)

The latter four are more complex, and would require more practice before I feel comfortable playing them in public.  Heck, I would have to practice all of them before playing publicly.  But no dream is to great, eh?

Daydream - Lovin' Spoonful

The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Daydream”

Presence of the Lord - Clapton

Eric Clapton “Presence of the Lord”

Pride of Man / Dino's Song - QSM

Quicksilver Messenger Service: “Dino’s Song” and “Pride of Man”

Loggins & Messina - first album

(Kenny) Loggins & (Jim) Messina

George Harrison - My Sweet Lord

George Harrison – All Things Must Pass solo LP

Melissa - Allman Brothers Band

Allman Brothers Band – Eat a Peach (Melissa)

Little Wing - Jimi Hendriz

Jimi Hendrix Experience – Axis: Bold As Love (Little Wing)

Teaching An Old Dog New Tricks

They said it can’t be done.  I beg to differ.

In fact, I think I knew intuitively that I could change and grow by getting professional help, but I resisted.  For years.

That has all changed.  I have now had four guitar lessons from a professional guitar player and teacher. (for more see this autobiography of Steve Tjernagel). This past month has been an eye-opening experience, and almost makes me regret not having done it sooner (I don’t believe in regrets; as they say, “It is what it is”).

Going back to square one.  I approached my first lesson with trepidation, thinking to myself that if he wanted me to do scales and finger exercises I might have second thoughts.  Walking out of my first lesson, my homework was scales and finger exercises!  And he was absolutely right!

The finger exercises are getting more complex, and the music theory that goes along with some of them is increasing my knowledge.  I took several music theory courses in college, but that was over 40 years ago!

Memorizing the Cycle of Fourths was one task I put my mind to.  Having examined it and played it using the four-note chords he’s taught me has begun to make things “fit.”

(The above image is located at deftdigits.com, a page that nicely explains how the Cycle of Fourths and its counterpart, the Circle of Fifths works).

Other concepts that Steve is hammering into my brain:  Knowing where the root, third, fifth (and currently 7th) notes are on any give chord form.  This coincides with the basic premise that one should memorize the entire fretboard (sorry to keep using the deftdigits site, but it has a nice visual layout and the descriptions are easy to read).

After playing guitar (on and off) for 50 years, I am not embarrassed to admit to friends that I’m taking lessons.  Heck, even Tiger Woods has a golf coach!

The 7th chords I’m learning.  And playing in the Cycle of Fourths.

Four notes, four fingers. These are “core” chords