Debute with the Melodica

Thursday after teaching I said "Dad, let's try playing some of our jazz songs with the melodica". So we practiced for about 10 minutes and then decided to play at open mic night at our local Big Island Brewhouse (formerly Tako Taco). Our band name was "We just practiced for the first time 10 minutes ago". Korabushka (the Russian tune at the end) sort of took the house down. They loved it! Oh how I love having my parents visit!

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A Western Washington Music Education reunion

I haven't seen my fellow music major friend Kelli since our college days at Western 9 years ago. She used to love coming over to study at our house because Alex and I kept our indoor air temperature at a balmy 89 degrees in the winter thanks to a wood burning stove insert. Kelli grew up on Oahu and stopped by the Big Island with her husband during her visit home for X-mas! Thanks to facebook, we reconnect a few years ago and I surprised her by telling her I'VE lived in Hawaii for the past 8 years. Would that make me kama aina now? What's even more amazing and coincidental was that our two college professors Dr. and Dr. Rutschman were visiting the Big Island the same week Kelli was here. Unlike most professors, whom you will usually have for just one class for one quarter, the Rutschman's were our music professors all 5 years at Western! (4 years and one fall quarter for me to be exact!)

It was fun reminiscing and getting the inside scoop of all of our dear former professors still teaching away at Western. Kelli and I also put our college education to good use and recorded a duet together! Kelli is an amazingly talented pianist who pursued her career of musical theatre in Chicago!

Seasons Goatings!

One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mom was coming to visit; this stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out at heaven knows where. More stress.

Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whiskey. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hid the liquor and there was nothing to drink.

In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the coffeepot and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made of. Just then the doorbell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas Santa. Isn't it just a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Isn't it just a lovely tree? Where would you like me to stick it?

Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the tree.

Happy Holidays!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Me and my Grinch

The entire show from last night at Waimea Country School!

The Melodica

My brother gave me the coolest early Christmas present! Last night I opened a Melodica. I immediately went to YouTube and practiced the entire Amelie' soundtrack. Here is a video of my awesome high school student playing Le Comptine from the Amelie soundtrack. I had to rest the Melodica on my knee because I couldn't support the instrument during the fast part! I told my brother "It would be so much easier if I didn't have to blow to make the instrument work", and he said "But then it would just be a keyboard"....oh yeah!

A little treasure

I have been converting home videos to DVD lately and have stumbled upon all kinds of treasures. This clip is for Kimi on her Birthday and I just could not wait 4 more days until her actual birthday to send this to her! I'm so bad with waiting for things like birthdays or Christmas. Kimi, you have always been the sweetest addition and completion to our family. I'm sending home the entire DVD of this Christmas 1992. Happy Birthday to my favorite sister (even though it's still 4 days away). XOXO

Fiddling with Pa and Grandpa

I think this is my favorite video of me fiddling with my dad and Beebop!