We need more banjo!

Going through my playlist that I mentioned yesterday, I am reminded of the diversity of instruments R.E.M. played from an early time in their career. While listening to Wendell Gee I distinctly recognize the banjo being played. This is the first song from their catalog, that I can pick out, uses an instrument other than guitar, bass, drums, piano/keyboard. A big deal was made of Peter Buck's mandolin playing when Losing My Religion was released. Evidence shows us that R.E.M. were using non-conventional rock instruments in the early 80's. More on this subject to come as I progress through the catalog of great music.

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Buddhapalooza 2019

If you have been following this blog you will know that I have started cycling regularly again. In my past, I tried racing. I never did exceptionally well, but I did enjoy it. Now that I am back on a bike and getting fitter, I decided to give a race a try. I saw a notification for Buddhapalooza and did some research. It looked like the perfect event for me to try racing again. It is set up as a fundraiser, 10 miles long (7 miles on road and 3 miles single track.) It looked like a fun, low-pressure event not so focused on winning and more on having fun. So I registered for the event and showed up to a course I have never ridden. Billed mainly as a mountain bike race, there were several other people on cross bikes like me. It was a Le Mans start, set your bike down in a given area, all the racers are fifty yards away on foot. When the race starts, you have to run to your bike and then start riding. I placed my bike close to the run start line. I think this was a mistake. By the ...

Warning! Danger! A Guide to Car Dash Symbols

Automobiles are becoming increasingly sophisticated each year. Our American society can be a very litigious one. Car manufacturers realize this and in an attempt to keep us safe, and themselves out of the court room, they crowd car instrument panels with warning lights to alert drivers of potential hazards. Below are just a few symbols and what they mean. This is a new feature on a select few cars. When this symbol is illuminated, it is alerting you to the fact that the vehicles Rear Thrusters are engaged. While it should be common sense, a car is no place to play. This is a simple reminder that beachballs should not be tossed about the passenger cabin. Although rare, this is a simple reminder that you are diving one of two conjoined cars. This task is made more difficult when each vehicle has it's own independent power and/or drivetrain. Many cars now have sensors mounted in the rear of the vehicle. They are helpfu...

A Weekend in the VA Mountains

This past weekend we took a trip to the mountains of Virginia. It is an area we have visited before with the Boy Scout troop, but this time we went without the scouts. I have been riding consistently again for nearly a year after I bought a new to me cyclocross bike. You can read more about that here . After more than 2,800 miles on that bike since last June, it needed some more work. The headset was pretty much shot and would not be repaired in time for our planned trip to Virginia. So Gina suggested that I get a new bike. I ended up getting a Giant Revolt Advanced 2 from Giant Wake Forest . We arrived at our rental house very early Saturday morning. 1:30am in fact. We found a place to stay that was literally steps away from The Virginia Creeper Trail . Saturday was to be a day we went hiking at Grayson Highlands State Park . We met Gina's co-workers at the park just after 10:00 am and started our hike. We have camped at this park before with the Boy Scouts but have never ...

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