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Memories. Ahhh Yes, Memories of My Life

by Sum1

Rated: 13+ · Book · Community · #2224976

Writings about things that have occurred in my life. Not in Chronological Order

Things that have happened in my life, good or bad. The entries will not be in Chronological order

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Sum1

Jul 2, 2023 at 3:41pm
In response to "Learning To Play The French Horn"

@LeJenD' Looking Up

I wrote this for a contest and was limited on my word count. I want to say though, that from the 7th grade on I could also play the Trumpet (I was terrible, I didn't have the necessary range), and the Baritone, Tuba/Sousaphone. The valve fingerings for the notes on those instruments are about the same if I remember correctly. The reason I didn't switch though is that every where I went there were plenty of children playing those instruments, and very few playing the Horn. In the 11th grade, I taught myself how to play the Trombone for stage band. I had been playing French Horn in it since the 10th grade, but face it, French Horn isn't really a jazzy type of instrument. Plus, there was no sheet music for the Horn, so I had to read the Trombone part on the Bass Clef, and in my head move each note up one note, then add an octave. I found it easy after the first couple of days, but still, Horn is not a jazzy instrument. So I taught myself to play Trombone, which I also loved. I really enjoyed being asked to do an ad-lib solo too, and surprised the heck out of our band director when I did my first one.

2 Like

LeJenD' Looking Up

Jul 2, 2023 at 1:49pm
In response to "Learning To Play The French Horn"

I enjoyed reading this. My youngest daughter was also a French Horn player throughout her school career. She began playing in grade 6, as all students were encouraged to participate in something. She had absolutely no interest in sports, so options for extracurricular activities were limited. It pretty much left her a choice between choir and band. Shy and quiet, she chose band and after being tested on all instruments, she was assigned French Horn. She quickly excelled and by grade 7 was First Chair for the remainder of her time at school. She absolutely loved it and even participated in non-school related band appearances.

I guess I said all that to say this, thank you so much for bringing such proud and pleasant memories of my kiddo to the forefront of my thoughts. I hope you do once again pick up the Horn. The world needs more music.

1 Like

Kåre Enga in Montana

Jun 19, 2023 at 11:24pm
In response to "Halloween, Circa 1988"

So... you have adult kids by now... 35 plus... 4? 6?

So if this were 1988 I have no memories of that year (car accident).

Petra reminded me of her contest and I should enter 'just because'. So many ways I could approach this. You chose 'memories'. I have too many. Even my entry on "Juneteenth" "Juneteenth"

was hard to write (because I wasn't focused and I was avoiding certain images that kept coming to mind). It rambles and I'm not happy with it.

Your response was easy to read and to-the-point. I should emulate your style.

One note for paragraph #2. It's "As" not "A". Spelling check won't catch that typo but a grammar check should.

AmyJo- only 2 steps behind -

Dec 31, 2022 at 11:28am
In response to "How I Met Two Hollywood Celebrities"

I love reading your stories. They are fun, and I appreciate that you take the time to share them. Maybe you should "write a book" about your adventures?

Happy New Year! Blessings and best wishes for you and yours!

1 Like

Robert Waltz

Oct 19, 2022 at 10:20pm
In response to "I Was A 'Bad' Father"

Still better than what I would have done.

"Daddy, I can't sleep, there are monsters."

"Aw, c'mon, kid. Ain't no monsters in here. Look."

I open the closet and peer inside. "See, no monsters in the closet. Lemme check the dresser."

Open all the drawers in the dresser. "Ain't no monsters in here either. Now let's check under the bed- AAAAAAH A MONSTER!"

1 Like

ForeverDreamer

Oct 5, 2022 at 10:59pm
In response to "More 'Sea Stories"

It is good to hear your memories. My father was in the Navy during World War II. I may have mentioned this before. He was on a destroyer.

Kåre Enga in Montana

Oct 5, 2022 at 10:00pm
In response to "More 'Sea Stories"

Time wounds all heels... I need a foot massage. Oh. the. pain. seriously it's gonna hurt. My friend Bryan can make me want to scream, but he's safely in Costa Rica. Thailand... I don't do massages but I should.

At sea. I was always a serious bloke so I bore the slings of juvenility growing up. I never really learned how to deal with it. Would've been nice if sum1 would have helped.

Young, dumb and afraid/unafraid comes to mind. I weep for the cannon-fodder in Ukraine.

1 Like

Kåre Enga in Montana

Aug 27, 2022 at 6:25pm
In response to "Starting A Nuclear Reactor"

Informative... but not TOO informative.

I suspect that most working under these conditions are 1. mature (serious versus panksters) and 2. young. I'm too old and need naps.

Oops... there she blows!

ForeverDreamer

Aug 27, 2022 at 6:25pm
In response to "Starting A Nuclear Reactor"

Thank you for writing more about your submarine experience. this is a good overview of how a nuclear reactor aboard a submarine works without giving away any classified information.

SandraLynn Team Florent!

Aug 14, 2022 at 1:08pm
In response to "A Surprise While Working At A Restaurant"

Sometimes, we are in the right place at the right time to connect with someone. Somehow we listen and say just the perect words to comfort, support and accept. This is reflexive, intuitive.

July 3, 2020 at 8:20pm

#987160

Opportunity Missed

PROMPT July 3rd

Describe a missed opportunity you encountered, and how things might have been different if you hadn't missed it.

Wow, so many missed opportunities, yet so many met too! Let me think a moment, and see what I decide to talk about. Hmmmm

In 1989, while in the Navy and stationed on my second shore tour in Bangor, Washington, I saw an ad in the Bremerton Sun newspaper. The Bremerton Symphony Orchestra was looking for a French Horn player! Keep in mind, this is 'before the internet' was available to the general public.

Now, I'd played the Horn for 8 years while in school, and loved it, and music in general. I knew I needed to practice before auditioning, after all it had only been 17 years since I'd last touched a French Horn! Still, I felt I could do it. I contacted a local high school and arranged to borrow a French Horn for a short while. Having it in my hands again was like being reborn. Without sounding like a complete pervert, I know I caressed that brass a few minutes before I played a few notes. While I'd never forgotten how to play it (and am confident I could play it yet today), but quickly realized my embouchure was almost non-existent. An embouchure is how your lips form when playing a brass instrument, and to hit higher notes and play for lengthy periods, you need your embouchure. Still, I persevered, and practiced all I could.

Finally the important day had arrived, and I went to my audition. To my surprise, I was accepted as a member of the Bremerton Symphony Orchestra! This is where the missed opportunity comes in. I managed to make it to a couple of practices, but family issues (my wife didn't like me being in the Orchestra, with the practice time and rehersals taking me away from family time) prevented me from really participating like I should have. I ended up returning the Horn, and being dropped from the Orchestra. Now the Bremerton Symphony Orchestra isn't a big thing in the music scene. But still, I could have been involved in something I'd loved since the 5th grade! But to keep the peace, I folded. Even today, I'd love to pick up a Horn, or even a Trombone (I taught myself to play that in the 11th grade) and see if I can still play a bit.

Review Sig for use

Jim Dorrell

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