Just a quick update: drove back to Los Angeles on Christmas day after a great but short holiday vacation in Mt. Shasta. Heading up to Seattle tomorrow for a gig with Hiroshima at the Snoqualmie Casino. Really hope the weather cooperates:)
As design work continues on the mobile home, I’ve recently read a number of books regarding architecture. I have tried to limit myself to information that can be had freely online and from books that can be borrowed from the library. What follows are a few thoughts on the ethics of building a home, and a review of the books and publications I’ve read thus far.
Just wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays!
Hope everyone is having a great holiday season! Maz and I are up in Mt. Shasta. The flights from LAX to Redding have been horrendous. Maz’ flight was canceled and he eventually had to fly into Sacramento instead and my sister’s flight from LAX to Redding tonight was 4 hours late! Sigh… can’t wait for that transporter technology to become cost efficient.
A number of friends have asked me recently (hi Rachel and Jason!) what I used to manage my and On Ensemble’s calendars. The following post explains my calendaring system based on Free Software, using easily-portable text files.
I love building stuff, especially furniture. But before you imagine finely-crafted, oak and brass masterpieces, my furniture is more… um… experimental. I use 2×4s and plywood, and very simple tools.
Here is my current desk. (Click on the pictures for larger versions.)
Read on for a photo-retrospective of some of my past furniture, along with tips and tricks for making your own things! The post is rather long… my apologies if the page loads slowly.
I’ve just returned from sending out the first batch of 30 Days to Better Shime printed sets! In preparing the mail-out, I also discovered how to convert apple boxes into mailing containers!
Kenny came by to rehearse for our TAIKOX2 performance at the Cerritos Center in March of next year. We’re already looking forward to this performance! Back in 1996 Maz and I moved to Hawai’i to study under Kenny. It was a huge step for the both of us, I had stopped out of Stanford for a year to take taiko more seriously and Maz had just graduated high school. The very first day we flew into Hawai’i, Kenny put us on a gig at 5am the next morning on live television and it only got crazier after that. Kenny really showed us what it meant and what it took to be a professional and his dedication continues to be awe inspiring. He blazed the trail for all of us who are trying to expand the musical possibilities of the artform and we’re absolutely thrilled to have him as our collaborator for our TAIKOX2 project.
I am pleased to announce immediate availability of the updated, 30 Days to Better Shime (v2) program! This free program provides one month of daily exercises for small drum practice. You simply download the workbook and companion CD, get out your practice pad and batchi, and follow the daily instructions!
Originally created for the 2008 Collegiate Taiko Invitational, over 350 taiko players in 14 different countries gave the 30 Days to Better Shime program a try! I received very helpful feedback from the participants. With version 2 of the program, I’ve tried to implement these suggestions, making the program easier to print and share, improving drill explanations, and fine-tuning the drills themselves.
At the request of many participants, I am also now offering printed workbook/CD sets for sale, along with month-long email and phone support!
Whether you print it yourself or order a copy, the program makes a great stocking stuffer for yourself or a friend! Make your New Year’s resolution to practice more! Read on for how to get started!
