Author Archives: Gandalfe

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About Gandalfe

Just an itinerant saxophonist trying to find life between the changes. I have retired from the Corps of Engineers and Microsoft. I am an admin on the Woodwind Forum, run the Pacifica Big Band (formerly the Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra) and participate in other ensembles. Mostly enjoy time with family and friends.

Obligatory Cute Puppy Pictures

Posted on August 6, 2008 by Gandalfe

We are having so much fun with little Amelia, our new German/Aussie Shepherd mix 8-week old. You might remember we rescued here at the Woofstock festival. I hear my brother Andy has a new pure breed puppy so I’m throwing … Continue reading →

Posted in Pets | 8 Comments

Really? Six Degrees of Separation?

Posted on August 4, 2008 by Gandalfe

This stuff fascinates me. I thought I would share it with my blog posse. You kind of intuitively, okay maybe that’s just me, believe this to be true and they go and prove it. Way cool… “Turns out, it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Everyday Science | 7 Comments

Meet Amelia, the new puppy in the house

Posted on August 3, 2008 by Gandalfe

We attended Woofstock in Tacoma today and came home with a new puppy. Shelby, 12-years old shep, luv’s this mixed German and Australian shepherd dog. The cats have been hiding ever since we brought the puppy home. What’s that about?  … Continue reading →

Posted in Pets | 7 Comments

Wilbur Sweatman and his Jass Band

Posted on August 2, 2008 by Gandalfe

I’ve been listening to a series of recordings of Wilbur Sweatman and his Jass Band which are some of the earliest Jazz recordings ever. The first recordings were made by "The Original Dixieland Jass Band". Fred at the SOTW sez, … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | 3 Comments

Chris Botti with Sting – My Funny Valentine

Posted on August 1, 2008 by Gandalfe

The interplay on this out take from a DVD by Sting and Chris Botti is fun and funny in a quietly jazzy way. And as Chris sez, these mesh-ups introduce a whole new audience to Jazz. Enjoy. Who is that … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | 4 Comments

Dance like no one is watching…

Posted on July 29, 2008 by Gandalfe

This video  by Matthew Harding just makes me smile. I’ve seen it a couple of times now and it is so joyful and thus so powerful. Some call it contrived; I call it inspired. So many happy people contributing to … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 7 Comments

Stop? “The Process”

Posted on July 29, 2008 by Gandalfe

  Again thanks to Catherine for noting the YouTube video did not allow embedding. Click on the stop sign to be transferred to the YouTube presentation.

Posted in Humor | 7 Comments

Tips on Making your House Safe from Burglaries

Posted on July 28, 2008 by Gandalfe

Making your house safe from burglaries is something that I have preached to my family and friends. The trick is to make your house the hardest one to break into on your street. Because so many people are lazy about … Continue reading →

Posted in Security | 11 Comments

No reciprocity

Posted on July 26, 2008 by Gandalfe

“There is no reciprocity. Men love women, women love children, children love hamsters.” — Alice Thomas Ellis A tip of the hat to Eolake… again.

Posted in Humor | 4 Comments

Buffet-Crampon.com – Making Beautiful Music

Posted on July 24, 2008 by Gandalfe

Someone asked for the name of the song on the Buffet-Crampon.com site. So I wandered over and was struck by both the visual beauty of the site and the very nice song. I called Suzy in, the clarinetist in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 2 Comments