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From:  "Mark Haster" markhast@celastron.com

Subject:  A christmas gift for you? Bob
Date:  Fri, 02 Dec 2005 17:10:26 -0500
>Your new car is waiting for you
>Don't lose the chance for the best
>selection of all 2006 vehicles.
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>http://celastron.com/vqer/
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>555A5A185E5B025B430E09225443595456504959
>http://celastron.com/index.html NoMorePlease
>Well, I had my audition for the folky bass project. Sigh.
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>I took the acoustic/electric bass, which was the right choice. But I hadn't played it much and the set-up is a lot higher than I'm used to, and it was a 4-string so I had a few 5-string moments. It sounded really good with the acoustic guitar though.
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>The good news is: I'm so much better than I was. I really am. I did "okay". I didn't choke or anything. I was just, green. It was so apparent. Honestly, were I in their shoes making the decision, I'm not sure I would cut it. If I were them I wouldn't know that Helena can't stand not being the best at something she's doing and that she would marshall all her resources to become an outstanding country/folk bassist. (You know it's bad when I start referring to myself in the third person.)
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>It tried so hard not to apologize for my playing, but I ended up apologizing anyway. *frown* It was all I could do not to drop to my knees, clasp my hands together and beg "Pleeeeeeeze take me. You won't be sorry! I'll work real hard! Pleeeeeze."
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>But that's not the way it works. You earn the priviledge of playing with great players. Nobody owes me anything. Back to the shed.... I will get there.
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>In my defense, some of the songs were challenging (extra measures here and there, turns not where they would usually be, etc.) I've also never played with a piano player before, and I had to change what I was doing on the fly so that I wasn't stepping on that part. Also, I was playing some stuff too high up on the neck and so there was a lot frequency cancellation.
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>Reality is: I'm so not where I want to be. There's really no bad news. It just is what it is.
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>I wish I had some ice cream.
>posted by Helena Bouchez at 9:37 PM
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>Sunday, November 27, 2005
>Biscuit Miller
>Well, I finally made it to Kingston Mines - "Chicago's oldest and largest real blues club." Interesting place. It is huge.
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>There are two big rooms. The first band plays for an hour in one room, then the next band plays for an hour in the other room. It can't be easy on the players -- I've done that play, wait, play thing before. It's unnatural. But it does keep the action moving for the patrons, allowing them to see two bands in two hours.
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>Last night it was The Lindsey Alexander band, with my friend Janet Kramer on drums and Anthony Gomes with Biscuit Miller on bass. Biscuit played with Lonnie Brooks for many years, and is one of the best blues bassists out there. But he's not "just a blues bassist."
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>Most blues bands play a mixture of blues, soul, r&b and funk. Biscuit's chop bag is bottomless, and contains everything from mathematically spaced eighth notes, endless permutations of blues walk-ups and downs, thumps, plucks, taps -- you name it, it's in there.
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>And Biscuit is just like sunshine, just being in his presence makes you feel good. Hearing him play makes you want to go home and practice.
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>Biscuit will back at KM with Anthony Gomes, February 17 & 18, 2006. Go!
>posted by Helena Bouchez at 10:58 AM
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>Saturday, November 26, 2005
>Soul Circus & Living Color in Chicago in December
>December is going to be busy: I just got back from the Chicago House of Blues box office and got tix for the December 2 Soul Circus show with Victor Wooten and company and the December 5, 2005 Living Color Show with Doug Wimbish.
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>Have you seen Doug's instructional video yet? It'll leave you shaking your head in awe.
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>I'm looking forward to seeing the show and seeing Victor and Anthony Wellington again. Maybe I'll get to meet MC Divinity! I'll keep you posted.
>posted by Helena Bouchez at 2:08 PM
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>Pink Bass Earrings
>Pink Bass Earrings
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>Go here (eBay UK listing) to bid. (I do not know seller, I just can't spend any money right now, so am trying to live vicariously through others.)
>posted by Helena Bouchez at 11:29 AM
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>Thursday, November 24, 2005
>Early Warning: Kenn Smith Bass Clinic
>This just in: The Kenn Smith clinic starts at 3:00pm on Sunday the 18th. See you there.
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>Kenn Smith is doing a bass clinic at The Bass Club Chicago on December 18, 2005. Mark your calendars. Great player.
>posted by Helena Bouchez at 4:25 PM
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>I am Thankful
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>I am thankful for:
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>Being introduced to the bass
>My successful writing career
>Great people in my life
>Good health
>Having a nice place to live
>Having so many choices
>The generosity and empowerment of the Creator
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>Please enjoy this Iroquois Thanksgiving Greeting that one of the Bass Nature Campers (Wooties) gave to the BNC Students in 2000.
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>(Look for more Hello Kitty Stuff)
>posted by Helena Bouchez at 11:56 AM
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>Wednesday, November 23, 2005
>Caffeine Junkie
>Alright, this is day five of no coffee or caffeine of any sort and I thought I was through the withdrawal, but no... I just experienced the worst migraine of my entire life that was relieved by, you guessed it, BC Powder, which has 33mgs of caffeine per dose. (A 6 oz. cup of coffee has about 90 mgs). So much for my cold turkey attempt. I don't care - it's better than having my head explode.
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>(I swear by BC Powder, but I'm no doctor and this is not advice to do one thing or another, just my experience.)
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>Anyway, once my head stopped throbbing I went on the internet and looked up caffeine withdrawal symptoms. Yup, I'm a junkie. I also discovered a Caffeine Awareness site. Interesting.
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>Okay, time to play my bass. Caffeine Free. Almost.