The Sunday Thread for July 20, 2025

Yes, it's true. Another week has gone by and we're starting a new one. For the past week, the site's response times have been so slow that the browsers I use keep asking me, "Are you sure you want to wait for the page?" If it's on my end, it's not the computer, as I've tried a couple. Is anyone else experiencing slow load times?

I finally had my "annual" physical this week. As expected, my blood sugar is high, I have elevated cholesterol levels and my blood pressure isn't as high as I thought. I put the word "annual" in quotes because I haven't had a physical in something like four years, because I feel pretty good, with the only issue being my back routinely bothers me. Well, so now of course, the doc wants me to get all kinds of check-ups. Sigh.

As many of you know, I played a short set at the folk club last Tuesday and I'm prepping for a longer one in a few weeks. There's a completely unplugged night in two weeks (we do that every month there's a fifth Tuesday). I enjoy those because there are no amps or mics and it's more like the way I play at home. Maybe I'll take my Lowden acoustic and give it its first public appearance.

The heat wave is supposed to break somewhat in the next couple of days. Not today. Hazy, hot and humid are the order of the day. In the news, I find myself very saddened by the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge due to fire. I have very fond and vivid memories of being there, and somehow its loss I feel deeply. I'm sure they'll rebuild it, but that won't be for many years, I'm afraid. Another place that thoroughly enjoy is experiencing volcanoes: Iceland. Those are not unexpected, but several areas have been closed to be safe. So far, Keflavik, the airport is open, as is the road to Reykjavik, but the map is showing quite an impact area. The Blue Lagoon, if anyone cares, is currently closed. I guess I'm not going to either place any time soon.

What I plan on today is the usual: Church, lunch, some afternoon baseball and periods of playing guitar and sorting my playlist for my next performance. Have a safe and cool Sunday, everyone.

I?ll post more as I am heading into a gig at church. But yes the site has been very slow to load.
going to to try and figure out I?ll upgrade the pups and wiring harness in my CV Jazz bass. It sounds great but something inside me says, it has more to give.

I got in some good times on the bass this past week participating in an annual blues fest and then during the week at my weekly Jam session/open mic where we had a new drummer join our house band who gave me a good pocket to work in. A very satisfying week musically for me.

On a downer note, yesterday I was a pallbearer at the funeral of my best friend with us going back 70+ years to our childhood days. That was a hard one to take in.

Yes, I too have noticed extremely long load times for the forum. I hope it?s not a sign of things to come.

Just returned from my morning walk up to the porcupine farm on top of the hill. It's not an actual porcupine farm but they're in such abundance right here that it may as well be.
Still wood shedding for my new bass gig. 30 songs charted and learn in two weeks. 10 songs to go. Not bad for an old dog learning a new trick.
I'm really enjoying bass. The more I play it, the more I feel like I missed my calling in life and guitar is becoming secondary.
After that, there's a really good blues jam nearby from 2:00 to 5:00, and then a little time to relax.
Have fun everybody!

...and yes, this site is painfully slow. I attempted several posts this week but got tired of waiting.

i see that I wasn't the only one with practically dial-up-modem speeds on this site. I didn't notice much just now.

i actually played guitar a couple times this week. We're not talking marathon sessions. Baby steps but steps just the same. Bro and nephew have an elks thing this afternoon so I have the house for a few hours.

had a Saturday with no rain, how unusual. Thought there was going to be an open mic this week, was planning to walk down. Called to be sure. Nope, no open mic this month. darn.

I think I am going to invest into new pups and wiring harness for the Jazz bass. It sounds good but I think it could be exceptional. Down the tone hole I go. While a guitarist mainly, I play bass a lot and enjoy it. I enjoy laying down a backline that allow the keyboards to ease off the left hand and a guitarist to do what the choose to do. I also make sure my passing notes lead vocals doing harmonies into their next note.

Horribly slow speed here on TFF. Nothing going on - slow day in a slow weekend. Tried a new soap with my powerwasher and did all three vehicles in a half hour. Great stuff!

Work day tomorrow - seemed like just yesterday...