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.

Is the Earth Overcrowded?

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Gandalfe

There but for the grace of God go any of us. Enjoy the solitude and music of small family gatherings.

Posted in Technology | 2 Comments

A Pacific Cascade Big Band Christmas 2009

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Gandalfe

The Pacific Cascade Big Band played their last holiday gig yesterday at Bravern in Bellevue. The PCBB is a relatively new band for me, one started by splitting the Woodinville Community Jazz band into two groups; one is funk and … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

Gandalfe buys a Eppelsheim & Reese C Soprano

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Gandalfe

We started talking about this new instrument re-designed and hand-finished by Benedikt Eppelsheim in the Woodwind Forum in the post titled IW C Sop by Eppelsheim? So I have ordered one and look forward to reading music over Suzy’s shoulder … Continue reading →

Posted in Eppelsheim, Saxophone | 4 Comments

Sources of Insight: Top 10 Lessons Learned in Happiness

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Gandalfe

Top 10 Lessons Learned in Happiness by Gretchen Rubin  These are the top 10 lessons I’ve learned about happiness …   Lesson 1. First Splendid Truth: To be happy, you need to consider feeling good, feeling bad, and feeling right, … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and wellness | Leave a comment

Gizmodo: Phaidon books celebrate a century of product design

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Gandalfe

Gizmodo has a great gallery of photos from a design book series published by Phaidon called Pioneers, Mass Production, and New Technologies. It’s a three-volume set showcasing 333 of the best designed products from the past century, including Lockheed’s Blackbird … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | Leave a comment

Project Honey Pot: 1 Billion Spammers Served

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Gandalfe

One of my fav service providers, Project Honey Pot is a community of tens of thousands of web and email administrators from more than 170 countries around the world who are working together to track online fraud and abuse. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Security | Leave a comment

Xmas Dance in Bellevue

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Gandalfe

We had a gig last night and the band was hot. Halfway through the second set the singer calls up some guy named Jason who introduces us to a girl he won a dance contest with earlier this year. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz | Leave a comment

I’m a go with the flow kinda guy…

Posted on December 11, 2009 by Gandalfe

This one’s for you Nick. Be well.

Posted in Humor | Leave a comment

Men, Redux

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Gandalfe

A furniture salesman wanted to expand the line of furniture in his store, so he decided to visit Paris to see what he could find. After arriving in the famed French capital, he met with some manufacturers and selected a … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | 6 Comments

The Windows Club: Ready-to-use Win7 shortcuts

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Gandalfe

Friend Ciprian has taken the pains to create 99 (oof!) ready-to-use Windows 7 desktop shortcuts ! Simply download them and place the one’s you want on your Windows 7 desktop. The collection of 99 shortcuts have been neatly classified  and … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers and Internet | Leave a comment