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.

YouTubeage – Unique Identity via C Melody Sax

Posted on March 24, 2010 by Gandalfe

Vintage instruments often get a bad rap. But in the hands of professionals they still sing. Shot on November 22, 2009 at Boutique De Son in Montreal, “A Unique Identity” is the second in a suite of short films about … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz, Music, Music Instruments, Saxophone, Vintage, YouTube | Tagged | Leave a comment

Gandalfe and Joe :O)

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Gandalfe

Suzy catches me takin’ a break… again.  :O)

Posted in Health and wellness | 2 Comments

Josie’s New Home – Redux

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Gandalfe

Suzy and I attended an auction and apparently won the house we bid on at auction.com. So we now have a three bedroom, two bath fixer upper on Ames Lake with half an acre of land. Here are some pics … Continue reading →

Posted in Hobbies | 9 Comments

Spell Checker du Jour – ieSpell

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Gandalfe

My favorite spell checker for my Internet Explorer browser is called ieSpell and it’s available for free. I have installed it on all the computers I use. I use it on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and the forums; anyplace you have … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers and Internet | 3 Comments

Keilwerth Toneking 3000 Jazzophone

Posted on March 7, 2010 by Gandalfe

Meet my little friend, the Keilwerth Toneking 3000 Jazzophone. This was the eBay write-up by QuinnTheEskimo (aka Matt) is perhaps the worlds finest at finding unique and playable music instruments: “This is an EXTREMELY RARE Keilwerth Toneking 3000 Jazzophone. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz, Music Instruments, Vintage | Tagged | 6 Comments

Experiments in Saxophone Design

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Gandalfe

What happens when you change the length, size, shape or lacation of a saxophone octave pip? If you’ve ever wondered, you’ll enjoy reading the results of MusicMedic.com’s octave pip experiments. What is missing in this fine article is any specific … Continue reading →

Posted in Saxophone | Leave a comment

Notice to Spammers and Telemarketers

Posted on February 27, 2010 by Gandalfe

I don’t need anything enlarged, no really. I love my job and am not looking for a new one.  I’m happy to say that my wife arranges all my dates. I have enough credit cards and know there is no … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and wellness | 1 Comment

Meet Dad

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Gandalfe

I just found this way cool picture of my Dad at the Pacific Science Center Train show a couple of years ago. He is an avid Z Scale train modeler and collector with an extensive collection of vintage trains from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hobbies | 2 Comments

NYT: The Mediocre Multitasker

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Gandalfe

Madhura sends me this article from the NYT. I’ve always wondered about this: Read it and gloat. Last week, researchers at Stanford University published a study showing that the most persistent multitaskers perform badly in a variety of tasks. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Everyday Science | 4 Comments

san·guine [ sáng gwin ]

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Gandalfe

adjective  Definition: 1. confident: cheerfully optimistic 2. ruddy: flushed with a healthy rosy colora sanguine complexion 3. blood red: of a blood red color 4. bloodthirsty: eager to shed blood ( archaic ) 5. physiology history having blood as dominant … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment | 8 Comments