My good friend Bri sent this to my email account. CHECK IT OUT!!!...as it is one of the best You Tube Videos I've seen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ul7X5js1vE
Damn that sh*t is funky!!!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Busy, Busy, Busy
Hey everyone...
So sorry for the lapse in Washabaugh's World updates, things have been quite busy these days and I just can't get to the Zone to get things updated.
Anyway...
Kelly and I had a wonderful time at the White Swan ballet on V-day. Kelly was a bit sick with a cold but we still had a blast getting dressed up to the "9s" and hanging with Eugene's "high society". The ballet itself was quite good and even though I don't really have a trained eye for dancing, I was blown away by the skill that these dancers possessed. It must take so much dedication to get to that level.
Other than the ballet, I have been trying to get back into practicing bass regularly. The bass is such a cool instrument. I still have so far to go in terms of learning the techniques of the instrument...but when I practice I have so much fun. I am hoping to return to formal lessons with an extremely talented local bass player soon.
I am still plugging away with learning Chinese. It is very slow going, but I am starting to get a bit more confidence with the phrases that I have studied so far. One day, I hope to be able to say, "Wo shuo Zhong Wen" and really mean that I can speak the language. I'll keep everyone posted.
As most of you that know me already know, I've always been a bit of a "ponderer". Lately, there has been no shortage of things to reflect on. Out of the many things that have surfaced out of all of this thinking, one of the revelations that rose to the surface quickly was what truly makes me happy. I won't bore you with the whole list...but..I will share that in making that list, I quickly acknowledged that I often have too many things on my plate to really enjoy any of them. This doesn't really surprise me, as I have been aware for a long time that I am the type of person who has their amp on (to sort of quote Spinal Tap), "0 or 11". My hobbies were no exception. I was either not doing much, or doing way too much. Lately, I have worked very hard at identifying all of the things that I am passionate about and have attempted to sort them into a "short term/long term" list. After doing this, I feel freer as a person. It is quite exciting! And although it was difficult to come to terms with some of the hobbies that are more "long term", I know that I have things to look forward to in my life. I also have been able to be more mindful of the things that are on my current "short term" list. It feels like a win-win to me.
What are things that you all would put on your "short term/long term" list? I'd love to know so post a comment.
Thanks for reading.
Peace,
Washabaugh
So sorry for the lapse in Washabaugh's World updates, things have been quite busy these days and I just can't get to the Zone to get things updated.
Anyway...
Kelly and I had a wonderful time at the White Swan ballet on V-day. Kelly was a bit sick with a cold but we still had a blast getting dressed up to the "9s" and hanging with Eugene's "high society". The ballet itself was quite good and even though I don't really have a trained eye for dancing, I was blown away by the skill that these dancers possessed. It must take so much dedication to get to that level.
Other than the ballet, I have been trying to get back into practicing bass regularly. The bass is such a cool instrument. I still have so far to go in terms of learning the techniques of the instrument...but when I practice I have so much fun. I am hoping to return to formal lessons with an extremely talented local bass player soon.
I am still plugging away with learning Chinese. It is very slow going, but I am starting to get a bit more confidence with the phrases that I have studied so far. One day, I hope to be able to say, "Wo shuo Zhong Wen" and really mean that I can speak the language. I'll keep everyone posted.
As most of you that know me already know, I've always been a bit of a "ponderer". Lately, there has been no shortage of things to reflect on. Out of the many things that have surfaced out of all of this thinking, one of the revelations that rose to the surface quickly was what truly makes me happy. I won't bore you with the whole list...but..I will share that in making that list, I quickly acknowledged that I often have too many things on my plate to really enjoy any of them. This doesn't really surprise me, as I have been aware for a long time that I am the type of person who has their amp on (to sort of quote Spinal Tap), "0 or 11". My hobbies were no exception. I was either not doing much, or doing way too much. Lately, I have worked very hard at identifying all of the things that I am passionate about and have attempted to sort them into a "short term/long term" list. After doing this, I feel freer as a person. It is quite exciting! And although it was difficult to come to terms with some of the hobbies that are more "long term", I know that I have things to look forward to in my life. I also have been able to be more mindful of the things that are on my current "short term" list. It feels like a win-win to me.
What are things that you all would put on your "short term/long term" list? I'd love to know so post a comment.
Thanks for reading.
Peace,
Washabaugh
Friday, February 13, 2009
Cupid's Crosshairs - Vday
These days my observation is that it's become quite popular to hate Valentine's day. And while I am able to admit that it is totally over commercialized, the concept of taking time to spend some QT with a loved one (or loved many - as in friends) doesn't seem too evil to me.
Kelly and I are celebrating Valentine's Day this year by filming a puppet show for my sister's kids and then going down to Eugene to see Swan Lake at the Hult Center. I know nothing about this ballet...so it will be cool to see what Kelly is so excited about. The last ballet I saw was the Nutcracker with Kelly and her mom, Nancy, back in Raleigh. I enjoyed myself that evening despite almost dying in a "wrong way in a one way" situation. I gotta believe that Swan Lake will be good as Kelly tends to have very good taste.
Kelly and I are celebrating Valentine's Day this year by filming a puppet show for my sister's kids and then going down to Eugene to see Swan Lake at the Hult Center. I know nothing about this ballet...so it will be cool to see what Kelly is so excited about. The last ballet I saw was the Nutcracker with Kelly and her mom, Nancy, back in Raleigh. I enjoyed myself that evening despite almost dying in a "wrong way in a one way" situation. I gotta believe that Swan Lake will be good as Kelly tends to have very good taste.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Exploring New Music In Cottage Grove
Music was (and still is) a big part of my life. During my "grumpy teenage years" I spent lots of time listening to local Chapel Hill bands to try and help figure my life out. Places like the Cat's Cradle(show to the left) served as my therapist's office as I tried to navigate the many pressures of being a teenager. Like many other aspects of my upbringing...I was blessed. The 90's were an unbelievably fruitful time for the Chapel Hill music scene. Bands such as Superchunk, Her Majesties Secret Cervix, Archers of Loaf, and Hellbender, helped defined "indie" music before it became a mainstream term.
My lifelong musical journey has taken many twists and turns, and continues to be a source of exploration both internally and externally. Since moving to Corvallis, the exploration process has slowed. Corvallis is wonderful is so many ways...unfortunately a strong music scene is not one of it's strong points. Before leaving for China, I've pledged to make more of an effort to get out to Eugene and Portland and to reconnect with the strong scenes there.
This past weekend, I, along with my good friend Travis and a new friend Landon, ventured down to Cottage Grove (just south of Eugene) to check out a local club I have wanted to explore for some time. The name of the club is the Axe and Fiddle. We went down to see Marco Benevento, a piano/keyboard player that I had heard things about but never seen. The opening act was a local band called The Guitar Recovery Project. Here are two pics from the evening:
I really enjoyed both acts. The Guitar Recovery Project was a simple trio but had a very large sound. Marco and his group had a very cool atmosphere about them...I also liked the real time visual effects that one of their friends was working from the front of the stage. Overall, the experience at the Axe and Fiddle was great. A great find in the interest provoking town 0f Cottage Grove (they had a machine gun shop on the small main drag of the town!). Please send me any new bands that you all hear of that I need to check out.
Monday, February 2, 2009
I Hope To Kill 'Em
I have elected to push myself into something that I've been to chicken shit to try in the past. I am going to perform stand up comedy in the next month or so. I have been working on some material and working on my delivery. I am f***in' scared! I will keep you all posted. Wish me luck!
Super Bowl Me
The Super Bowl is the most American of inventions.
A day of pure indulgence and frivolity. At this point in my life, I have out grown a my youthful passion for sports. Although I still occasionally enjoy playing some of the sports that I once followed, I really am not that into watching sports. ESPN means nothing to me. I would much prefer to spend my time banging on my guitars or cooking. That being said...I, like many other Americans, do enjoy drinking beers with my friends while having no particular goal in mind. Hence, I do enjoy the SUPER BOWL. Yesterday, I spent the morning in the kitchen preparing the most glutenous of foods....baby back ribs
....in preparation for the big game. I had only found out days earlier that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be playing the Arizona Cardinals this year. Having had family that lived just outside of Pittsburgh for many years, I was glad to have a team to support for the game (if only marginally). Anyway, a few friends got together and did what every Super Bowl watcher does...eat a shit ton of "bad for you" food and drink beer. Like I said, my contribution was ribs...but we had plenty of other morsels that will clog, bloat, and overload our most precious of organs. I had a great time. My stomach and butt hurt by the end of the game. TOTAL VICTORY!!! Oh, and the game was pretty good too....Congrats STEELERS!
....in preparation for the big game. I had only found out days earlier that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be playing the Arizona Cardinals this year. Having had family that lived just outside of Pittsburgh for many years, I was glad to have a team to support for the game (if only marginally). Anyway, a few friends got together and did what every Super Bowl watcher does...eat a shit ton of "bad for you" food and drink beer. Like I said, my contribution was ribs...but we had plenty of other morsels that will clog, bloat, and overload our most precious of organs. I had a great time. My stomach and butt hurt by the end of the game. TOTAL VICTORY!!! Oh, and the game was pretty good too....Congrats STEELERS! 
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