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.

The Washington State Democratic Caucus was on Fire!

Posted on February 10, 2008 by Gandalfe

I showed up to find record crowds. Last year there were only a third of the people compared to this year. That doesn’t include the people who gave up after a half hour of waiting in line after the caucus … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 8 Comments

Benoît Sauvé does Blue Train a la Coltrane with a Recorder

Posted on February 7, 2008 by Gandalfe

Where to start. I’m simply flabbergasted; how does he do it. Here’s a transcription of John Coltrane’s chorus "Blue Train". It is transcribed and played by Benoît Sauvé with the Recorder (Flûte à bec/Flauta Doce/Blockflöte). If Benoît can do this … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | 7 Comments

Men at Work

Posted on February 7, 2008 by Gandalfe

From my good friend Elaine, "These men are installing and setting solid steel pillars in concrete to stop vehicles from parking on the pavement outside a sports bar in downtown Norman, OK. They are cleaning up at the end of … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | 8 Comments

Sharing Photos Made Easy

Posted on February 5, 2008 by Gandalfe

I’ve been meaning to start moving my best photos to the Internet so they are available as I travel to visit friends and family. Don’t get me wrong, I already have thousands online, but I want to figure out how … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers and Internet | 8 Comments

Strange Maps: America the Mall

Posted on February 5, 2008 by Gandalfe

I so luv this site called Strange Maps. A number of blogs that I read have been pointing to it so I added it to my RSS. So the map this week is this one: This cartoon, ‘America the Mall’, … Continue reading →

Posted in Everyday Science | 7 Comments

Can you name this instrument?

Posted on February 2, 2008 by Gandalfe
Posted in Music | 13 Comments

Microsoft Conference Call

Posted on January 31, 2008 by Gandalfe

Microsoft has a love affair with the corporate conference call. Part of that ubiquitous event involves listening to the hold music while we wait for the call to start. Here’s what can and does happen on occasion behind the closed … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | 9 Comments

Two Bass Saxes – Performance by Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band

Posted on January 29, 2008 by Gandalfe

Paul Woltz, shown with the gold lacquer bass sax, was fixing my Buescher bass sax and told me of how the sax he is playing here was runover by a car. He was so devistated that he couldn’t look at … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | 3 Comments

For my blog posse: How to find Mr. Right

Posted on January 26, 2008 by Gandalfe

There are a number of friends out in the blogisphere who ‘might’ be looking for the proverbial Mr. Right. Life is such a dice roll, but with the hormone rush of youth in the past for many of these people, … Continue reading →

Posted in Too Spicy for some | 7 Comments

Gandalfe buys a Shakulute!

Posted on January 25, 2008 by Gandalfe

Yesterday after some research I purchased this recorder type mouthpiece for my Gemeinhardt flute. Here is the most stuff that I have seen about this instrument that is a bit a rarity: The Shakulute! Bamboo Head Joint for Silver Concert … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Oddities | 4 Comments