Photo Journal: The Up North Get Away

The Fish House on Lake Superior

Sometimes one just needs a break from the city life.  We, of course, were suppose to spend time this week in Germany in a small Bavarian town where folks still wear traditional clothing and drink beer in shade while celebrating the spring (Maifest).  But, since the volcanic ash of Iceland triggered a world-wide airport shut-down, we decided to go up north instead.

Journeyman Guitar-Players Jam Session at PJ's Barbershop "Cliques"

PJ ~ Owner of Cliques Barbershop

PJ's barbershop "Cliques" is a chilled out spot in Dinkytown to get a reasonably priced and high quality haircut. Besides, its on the University of Minnesota campus, which reminds me of my college years. So, when it was turn to sit in the barber's chair, I give PJ a ring and head over to Cliques.

This time, I was not traveling alone...I brought my Crimson Red Pearl Ovation CK057! Well, it wasn't too long after I my haircut was finished that Ashton - another Journeyman Guitar-Player - showed up and the visit to Cliques turned into a jam session . . .

The Baby Loves My New Song for Jordan: The Future is the Past by CHICKENFOOT

I'm hooked...CHICKENFOOT is a just plain awesome...so, this Journeyman Guitar-Player found 12 new songs to wear out for friends and family. Of course I picked my first song off of this album by how it sounded...the strumming that transitions into a funk rhythm with a classic sound. Oh yeah! (pun intended) the chord progression of D to D suspended 4 to C w/9 to a G (sound familiar?...ehem...Bon Jovi??)..."I got a funky, funky feeling..." hey, it still sounds cool...besides that's Joe Satriani on the axe...oh, it's drop-D tuning to get that nice flexible-low sound.  Sammy Hagar kicks new lyrics...and brought Michael Anthony with him from Van Halen...Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers is keeping time.  It sounds natural...like they have been together for years.

The Bard's Tale: A Blast from the Past

Over the TG weekend, I spent some time at my parent's house collecting some of my things to bring back with me to NoMi. One of the items I found was an old PC game that request 256K (which was really fast at the time) called "the Bard's Tale." The long story short, this was one of the first D&D style computer games that allowed you to have 4 characters at once, with cryptic instructions. Let me tell you, I was swept away with nostalgia when I found this game!

Hill, Pond and Parkway People Toast!

Gobble, Gobble! Happy TG to all in NoMi-World!

A few of us met last night for what was best described as gathering of the "Hill, Pond and Parkway People." We spend hours that were far from counted establishing new friendships, while enjoying old ones, as we debated political questions and contemplated the meaning things in life. It was a wonderful regenerating experience in NoMi and I am grateful to our host who was far from having a shortage of friends, food and Irish Mist...

Also, for this Journeyman Guitar-Player, my road crossed path with another six-stringed journeyman...it was great to jam into the wee hours learning, playing, laughing and toasting...in North Minneapolis.

CHEERS!

"Damn Good" Songs

During this extended TG-weekend, like many NoMi residents, I will find myself gathered together with friends and family (with one unfortunately missing). For many of them, it will not be an unfamiliar sight to see this journeyman guitar-player around a fire, either the indoor fireplace-type or the backyard kind, armed with "a loaded six string on my back." Aside from the steel-string generated ambiance, you can be sure that at least these five special dedications are at my fingertips: