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 Frankentenor by JBT

Posted on July 16, 2010 by Gandalfe

More tales from the Woodwind Forum, this one from John and touching my luv of vintage sax patinas and custom engraving: …Jason Dumars is the one who deserves the credit. He is a gifted artist and craftsman of the highest caliber, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Saxophone | Leave a comment

Tag Clouds and Wordle.net

Posted on July 5, 2010 by Gandalfe

Every once in a while I like to play with tag cloud generators. A tag cloud or word cloud is a visual depiction of user-generated tags, or simply the word content of a site, typically used to describe the content … Continue reading →

Posted in Everyday Science | Leave a comment

The Dissonance Redux ~ 2010

Posted on July 3, 2010 by Gandalfe

The Dissonance, a jazz xTet,  got together again at the Ballard Locks for a reunion gig. All my favorite peeps were there and we reprised the set list from our last gig. There were some recordings and pictures taken and … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | Leave a comment

Barry Deutsch ~ Economic Cartoons

Posted on July 2, 2010 by Gandalfe

By my favorite new cartoonist, Barry Deutsch.

Posted in Humor | Leave a comment

Email Faux Pas and other Tips and Tricks

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Gandalfe

If you send me an email with the subject line of “Hi” and your email is in my junk folder, I won’t read it. Would you? Nine out of nine times that email is really junk. Junk email is becoming … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | 2 Comments

New Toy: Vintage Schwinn ‘57 Wasp 26” Balloon Tire Bicycle

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Gandalfe

I recently purchased a 1957 Schwinn Wasp that I hope to ride in Redmond’s Derby Daze parade next month. Anyone else riding vintage bikes on that day let me know and we’ll hook up. The bike has nice S-2 rims, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycles, Health and wellness, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Vintage | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Response to email asking “How do I get in a band?”

Posted on June 12, 2010 by Gandalfe

So you want to return to music performance. And it’s been a lot of years since you last picked up the instrument, maybe even as long as high school or college. I was there once and here are some tips … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

My Dawg wrote this…

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Gandalfe

Well, maybe I should have said my dawg *could* have written this if she knew how to write. It’s actually from Hyperbole and a Half.

Posted in Humor | Leave a comment

11 Amazing Tree Houses

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Gandalfe

Temple of the Blue Moon, Fall City, Wash. “Pete Nelson is a rare triple threat: a writer, a photographer and a treehouse builder. Nelson is also an architect and a contractor, as well as a family man, and he has … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | 1 Comment

Drive: The surprising truth about motivation

Posted on June 1, 2010 by Gandalfe

This lively RSA Animate, adapted from Dan Pink’s talk at the RSA, illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us at home and in the workplace. http://www.theRSA.org Fascinating talk a number of levels. I shared this with my peeps … Continue reading →

Posted in Everyday Science | 1 Comment