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.

Making Improving Health and Balance Easy

Posted on September 8, 2007 by Gandalfe

Two things precipitated this post. First, my five year old computer is DOA. The onboard video chip just stopped working. I thought it was the video card but the Blue Screen of Death should have been enough for me to … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and wellness | 2 Comments

Soprillo Man at the Ballard Locks

Posted on September 3, 2007 by Gandalfe

The Dissonance played at Ballard locks yesterday to a rather large audience. I was expecting a smaller crowd because the Bumbershoot Music Festival, the Ballard Jazz Festival, and some food show was going on. But as Suzy and I arrived … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz, soprillo | Leave a comment

Great find: PlayalongStudio.com

Posted on August 30, 2007 by Gandalfe

  Picture of the BlueLuna combo A friend of my Al Stevens has collected backing tracks of jazz standards in their original keys. At PlayalongStudio.com instead of using the dreaded midi player stuff, Al uses real piano, drums, and bass. These … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | 2 Comments

Protect your computer

Posted on August 27, 2007 by Gandalfe

Q: If I leave a computer running, but doing nothing but setting there, is there any danger of getting spam, virus or other infection? In other words, doesn’t the user have to be actively surfing on the web to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers and Internet | 2 Comments

Quiz: What Instrument Matches your Personality?

Posted on August 26, 2007 by Gandalfe

The Clarinet BBoard has a pointer to the Quiz: If you were in an Orchestra, what instrument would match your personality? We’ll I scored a French horn but I’m guessing that’s only because the saxophone wasn’t on the list. Notice … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 3 Comments

Second Story Rep does ‘A Chorus Line’

Posted on August 25, 2007 by Gandalfe

Suzy and I will once again be in the pit band for the Second Story Rep. You might remember last year we were in their production of Cole Porter’s ‘Anything Goes’. When we auditioned last year we didn’t expect to … Continue reading →

Posted in Theater | 1 Comment

Sold: ’21 Buescher TruTone bass sax

Posted on August 23, 2007 by Gandalfe

I’m anxiously awaiting my new Eppelsheim bass sax and looking forward to using it in the Inspektor Gadget quartet. So I’m getting ready to sell my ’21 (estimated) Buescher TruTone bass sax. It comes with a new Mason Pro hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Saxophone | 3 Comments

Hot New Search Engine: Tafiti

Posted on August 21, 2007 by Gandalfe

I have been playing with the new search engine called Tafiti and luv the functionality! Tafiti, which means “do research” in Swahili, demonstrates the types of Web applications that can be brought to life with the new Silverlight technology.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers and Internet | 3 Comments

Blogging 201 – for after you’ve gotten your blog posted

Posted on August 20, 2007 by Gandalfe

The Coding Horror blog site lays out some very nice rules to consider in the piece ‘Thirteen Blog Clichés‘. I personally don’t agree with all of these but really like the observations about not using the ABOUT the author and … Continue reading →

2 Comments

“Product W” The Ultimate Performance Enhancer!

Posted on August 19, 2007 by Gandalfe

As reported on Sheldon Brown’s site,   We all know that there are lots of different pills available to the athelete with various "performance enhancers." Some of them work, but are illegal. Others are legal, but don’t work very well. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and wellness | Leave a comment