banjoplayinnerd

Yeah I know, ti's been a while since I put anything up, so I have a bunch of news to report: First up, Norwescon, then a ham radio post, broken up so those who want to skip one or the other will find it easier to do so.

Norwescon was great! My set went over quite well for the small but appreciative audience. It would have been a good tuneup for Conchord, but, well, Conchord is still six months away, so tuneup isn't really the right word. I think the set list I used is probably going to be very similar to the one I'll do at Conchord, except that I will drop in the Batman song Igor the Younger helped me write and I might substitute one of my own songs for Michael Longcor's "Privateer," which I used to open the set. Depending on the length of the set I may also throw in "Roll Down The Water", "Batman's Really Cool" (a/k/a "Boofy's Batman Song") or one of the other songs I didn't have time for on Friday.

The set list, as best I can remember:

Privateer
Colour
The Dragon Riders' Toast
Ghosts
You're A Hack
Half The Battle
Powders And Signs
Dark Lullaby
Crossroads

The order might not be 100% correct but I think that's all the songs.

Batman's Really Cool went over very well in the Saturday open filk. Everybody laughed in the right places, at least, and I got at least one unexpected laugh. I love when that happens. I told Igor the Younger I sang his song at the convention but I don't know if he really has a handle on what that means.

I have a couple of other songs I like but that are probably still better suited for open filk, like "Fishing For Suckers" or "Bo Diddley Died Today," not to mention the covers and trads I do like "Filkers Are Strange" or "Been All Around This World." "Bo Diddley Died Today" is a most excellent song (if I do say so myself) but to be honest it really, really, really needs someone who can do the Bo Diddley Beat on a guitar, which would not be me. I fake it with the banjo but that's about the best I can do.

And of course who can tell what songs I might get written by October?

Turns out the walkie-talkie isn't quite as fixed as I would have liked. Not only did the positive terminal from the battery I replaced come loose, before it did somehow I managed to short across the battery again. I'll tackle it tonight. This time for sure, Rocky! The replacement screws for the back came in, so I should be able to assemble it once I finally get this right. I've given it a couple of trial runs, and either the push-to-talk button has gotten stiff or I'm getting weak in the hands (or maybe both). On payday I plan to order an aftermarket speaker/microphone, which will suit the use I plan to put the walkie-talkie to better.

Went to the movie yesterday with my wife, daughter, granddaughter and a couple of my granddaughter's friends. We saw The Secret Of Arrietty. Everybody liked it, but then Studio Ghibli hasn't disappointed us yet that I can remember. The only thing I can think of to complain about is the price.

Oh, and I have my Norwescon schedule! A bunch of music stuff as usual, plus I will be on a panel called "Tweet Think" - "If u communic8 140 characters at a time, does it change ur brain and the way u think about things?" Should be interesting.