"I'm With The Band" (My First Dancing Fox)

 Gotta love spending the whole day jamming with other musicians from all over    8)       8)
Many many thanks to woodwindy  for the invite!

I understand how this event might not be for everyone;  There was a lot of post-period music jamming.     There were a lot of post-period dances.     According to my dance maven friends,  some post-period dances are always presented there as The  Easier, More Fun Alternative.     sigh. 

That said, there were up to thirty enthusiastic dancers (led by two masters) on the floor at one point, I think.      Dinner and dessert were abundant, varied (the vegetarians were VERY happy) and delicious -- especially the boiled cream  with spices and the marzipan subtlety   (this was the first marzipan I've ever eaten that wasn't cloyingly sweet and overwhelming with almond extract.     I had seconds   8).   

Afternoon before dinner and evening after dinner I was on a stage surrounded by new (to me) music and instrument toys (including a "professional-level" tambourine...just like Linda McCartney's, I guess  8) ...it WAS a lot of fun to play since it was designed to respond to even very slight hand movements)    The Blondel was examined a little and played by several of us, and I borrowed a bodhran when my frame drum went "flump" due to moisture absorption   8(

The shire made a lovely presentation to the Branslers, of embroidered (and scotch-garded) table linens, with the theme of animals playing instruments.    It all came in a beautifully decorated wooden chest -- I heard someone say it was "like a gift for a king", which made me realize how much I approve of bestowing such gifts on any gentle(s) one deems worthy, not just the ones who are the Focus Of Everyone's Attention (tm).      

It was nice   8)

Ready For Some Football...To Be Over

Normally, if I watch the Super Bowl at all, it's for the more entertaining of the commercials.

This year, I watched with more attention than usual, to honor the memory of my beloved friend Robert the Giants fan, who suffered through a number of disappointing seasons in the years I knew him   8)      Football  used to be a male-bonding experience with his family, sometimes including the men having to remind each other that, no matter what the provocation, Men Do Not Cry.

During the six Big Games when I knew Rob, the games were often very one-sided affairs decisively over before half time.    Today's game was not one of those.     I Am Not A Sports Fan, but even I could appreciate two relatively evenly-matched teams having equally good playing days.

This year, for those who are interested, a website has been created for viewing just the commercials   (Budweiser had ads which claimed their beer now conferred Special Benefits like the power of flight or the ability to breathe fire.    Those were cute.    FedEx showed a company which trained hi-tech carrier pigeons to deliver their packages.    Also cute.)

www.myspace.com/superbowlads