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.

Fall in the Northwest

Posted on October 1, 2007 by Gandalfe

It rained all day today but the vibrant Fall colors are making the day anything but dreary. As you can see in these very nice pictures from a photographer called Ingwar, autumn brings more than brisk cool mornings and, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and wellness | 2 Comments

WebMD: Stress Breaks Hearts

Posted on September 28, 2007 by Gandalfe

Emotional Stress Alters Heart Function, Ups Heart Disease Risk By Daniel J. DeNoonWebMD Medical News Sept. 20, 2007 — Here’s a health fact most of us understand better than our doctors do: Emotional stress really can harm our hearts. Intense … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and wellness | Leave a comment

Nectarine’s ‘Barely out of Beta’ Comic Strip

Posted on September 27, 2007 by Gandalfe

Fresh from the Nectarine bat-cave is this new effort with a lot of promise. BTW, I’ll be glad when my editor of choice fixes the way it’s process fuzzes the picture. :o( 

Posted in Humor | Leave a comment

Halo 3 – when you’ve finished your homework. :o)

Posted on September 25, 2007 by Gandalfe

This is mostly for my Grandson. Nick, when you finish your homework tonight, I have an unopened copy of Halo 3.  :o) There are some perks to working at Microsoft. Didn’t help me with advanced copies of Harry Potter books though. ;o) 

Posted in Games | 5 Comments

Great gigs, Seattle Symphony, and Good Luck Chuck

Posted on September 24, 2007 by Gandalfe

I took Friday off so in my mind that’s when the weekend started. The Dissonance Big Band soon to be renamed Inspektor Gadget performed twice as a part of the King County Day of Caring. The nicest comment we got … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 3 Comments

Emoticons, En Dashes, and Enchiladas

Posted on September 20, 2007 by Gandalfe

I stumbled upon this from the ‘more stuff, less fluff‘ blog in their ‘Emoticons, En Dashes, and Enchiladas‘ post. It tickled me so I thought I’d share it with my favorite people, my blog posse, my readers. It is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | Leave a comment

Weird Instruments – the Sea Organ

Posted on September 18, 2007 by Gandalfe

I am so enjoying this new find of mine, the Unusual Instruments Music Video blog. Today’s post is about the Sea Organ located in Zadar, Croatia. Alexander Zakharow seems to be a true connoisseur of unique and interesting, okay let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

Join 98.9 Smooth Jazz at the Release Party for our CD Sampler Volume 11

Posted on September 13, 2007 by Gandalfe

I love the Smooth Jazz KWJZ 98.9 guys and the money from this project goes to the Jackson Street Music Program supporting the rich Jazz history of Seattle and children’s education programs. Volume 11 features Rick Braun’s Sao Paulo along with … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | Leave a comment

Richard Wiseman: Quirkology, the Curious Science of Everyday Lives

Posted on September 12, 2007 by Gandalfe

Yesterday I got the chance to hear Richard Wiseman, the chair of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and the author of Quirkology, the Curious Science of Everyday Lives. For over twenty years, psychologist Richard Wiseman … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | 1 Comment

Grenadilla Wood, Environmental Effects, and Organic Bore Oil

Posted on September 10, 2007 by Gandalfe

The best read on this subject that I have read to date: by Larry R. Naylor “I have received copies of Web discussions, involving whether grenadilla instruments can become blown-out, from customers and repair technicians from around the country. Since … Continue reading →

Posted in Clarinet, Music | Tagged | 5 Comments