Lately I've been getting back into playing my ukes. I've been picking them up randomly during the day and just playing while I'm thinking on a problem with work. It's really soothing for me and Ami. It's good that they hang right over my desk.
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| From 2010-04-23 |
Today was a pretty typical day. We just worked all day and had pizza for supper. It's still cold (for us anyway). I had to thaw out the shallow bowl that is a bird bath/cat water saucer with several pitchers of hot water but knowing the cats and birds have something to drink is well worth it. I'm going to get some more bird food and probably some suet when we get groceries.
Today's picture is of one of my new year's resolutions. I'm going to play my ukuleles more.
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| From Photo 365 |
This post is a bit late but it needs to be said. Saturday was the first time I met another ukulele player in person, other than the great Jake Shimabukuro and he's like meeting Superman, so it's different. I attended the 1st Annual South Eastern Uke-2-Gether at Sweetwater Creek State Park east of Atlanta. I met so many uke players and one thing really struck me about each and every talented individual that I met was how nice they all were. I'd never met anyone there but they all treated me like family. Everyone was not only willing, but eager for you to try out their uke. I don't think I've ever met another group of unrelated people that have been so nice. Here are some pictures that Ami took while we were there.
The event was put together by Uke Republic, the only ukulele focused music store that I know of in the south east. I wouldn't actually care to know about another one since Mike, the owner, is so nice. He and his wife Donna put on a great event. He has so many tempting ukuleles! I kinda fell in love with a couple, a Pono figured mango soprano that is gorgeous and a Mainland mahogany concert that played soooo well and was gorgeous. I had Ami take a pic of me with it. Concert size is probably my favorite size so that's where I'm leaning if I get a new one.
I can't wait until the next Uke-2-Gether and hopefully at the next one I will be able to jam with the rest of the guys!
I got a kit from Grizzly and built myself a soprano uke! I didn't do too badly on it I think but I learned a lot so next time will be even better. Once I get the parts I'm going to be building a cigar box uke.
They start out like this.
After a bit of this.
And this
They look like this.
It's not strung right in that picture. It is now though. It sounds pretty good. It's got a bit of a tinny sound to it but sometimes that's what you want when the song calls for it.
All I can say is wow. I knew he was going to be amazing, I just had no idea how amazing. He's the reason that I started playing the ukulele and he just wowed us. Our friends Billy and Ed went with us and I think they both became fans tonight. Of course we took a few pictures.
Jake playing, and I mean PLAYING!
Jake talking to the audience (us).
Me talking to Jake.
Jake signing my DVD cover and CD.
Jake giving me a hug!
Me and Jake.
Ami and Jake.
Ed, Jake, and Billy.
I told Jake that he was the reason that I started playing the ukulele and that it's my first instrument. He seemed genuinely touched. He asked how long I've been playing and told me how it opens up a whole new world. He was unbelievably nice and gracious. I really couldn't have asked for a better experience. I'll definitely be seeing him live again when he comes back and I might have him sign one of my ukes since other people were having him do that.
This weekend we'll be just around the house. We don't typically do anything on holiday weekends if we can help it. If we do, it's just to go down and see our parents usually. We try to stay off the roads when there are lots of people traveling.
Next weekend, however, will be a big one. We're going to see Jake Shimabukuro live in Atlanta. He's an AMAZING ukulele player. As seen here:
That video is one of the reasons I picked up the ukulele. I was just amazed at what that little instrument can do.
I've been slacking on my practicing lately and really need to start back practicing in earnest. We bought some wall hangers for my ukes and hung them over my desk so they're at hand all the time. I think it's since I've gotten my new laptop that I just started slacking. Ah, the siren call of video games.
