My teenage son and husband are obsessed with records. You read that right — LPs are back, if you didn’t know! There are a few stores around where they like to browse. Used to just be music shops selling guitars, gear, etc. interested them but now they’re always on the lookout for albums, too. I can just imagine my husband going on a business trip and doing a quick search for something like music stores columbus ohio so he could plan ahead and make sure he got to check out cool shops! Because you never know when you’ll find a place that has both — music gear AND the music you’ve been looking for!
Category Archives: Misc
Open Mic Fun
I may live in a small town, and I may be biased because I work at the library, but I swear… we have some great stuff going on. One of our more popular programs is the monthly open mic night we host. Drew just started playing at them last month, but he really enjoys it. The performers all love checking out what everyone is playing. Last night we noticed someone had a Steve Harris bass. A lot of people played Christmas songs, which was fun! Sadly, I missed my husband’s set because I had to run down to the school and pick up Noah from the middle school dance. Luckily, it’s recorded so I can listen to it later. Such a fun (and FREE) way to spend a Friday night!
Extra Long Weekend
Our kids have been treated to an extra-long weekend thanks to Columbus Day and a school conference day. They’ve had some much-needed downtime. My 9th grader seems to have been playing his bass non-stop. He has quite the course load this year, so he hasn’t been able to play as much as he wanted. Originally I thought we could take a ride to Guitar Center Manchester CT, but with work and some other family events we couldn’t swing it this time around. We’ll have to get there sometime though — he’d have a blast looking around, I’m sure!
High School Rock Band
My son and a few of his friends are in a band, and it’s really cool to see them all collaborating on songs. They always seem to be working on something new. I know one of the guys was looking at recording equipment a month or so ago. It might have been the focusrite 2i4, but I’m not positive. I know that now that school is in session it will be harder for them to get time together to practice and work on a new album, but I definitely look forward to hearing what they come up with. And in the meantime, I’m hopefully that they’ll try to get out there and perform in front of people. That’s important, too.
Summer Music
So I recently started working as the program coordinator at my local library, and we are doing a summer music series for the first time! We have a variety of bands scheduled, from doo-wop to Celtic, and everything in between. I’m going to be busy making sure we have available all the equipment that the musicians will need. (I wonder if I should check out digital piano reviews — seems like I am checking on everything else!) I hope the weather will cooperate and I hope we get a good showing!
Spring Break is Here!
I’m not sure who is happier that it is Spring Break — me or the kids. I am looking forward to some time without setting alarms, without packing lunches, without homework… it’s going to be grand. We have a pretty blank slate, perfect for relaxing. Today the kids have been playing a lot of computer games (or browsing online – Noah is looking at pocketknives for Scouts and Jake is checking out Seymour Duncan pickups). But that is just fine with me. The way I see it, they’ve had very limited time online lately so it’s OK to zone out today. Of course, it won’t be like that everyday. I still want music practice and reading time. Yes, I still have to make sure they at least stay on top of things a little. That’s called being a mom, right? LOL!
Musical Gear for the Holidays
One thing that’s kind of nice about the kids getting older, is that their musical interests make it easier to find gifts. Of course, that goes for my husband, too! While looking for a bass amp to gift one of our sons, I noticed that D. was also doing some research on the best home recording software. He already has a pretty sweet set-up, but tries to stay updated on the latest and greatest products. He has less time right now to record, so I know he wants to make sure he uses that time in the best way with equipment that won’t frustrate him.
Weekend project
It is the last weekend of summer break! I can barely believe it. I have to say that I’m still not quite ready to start the school year. I’ve been enjoying a relatively stress-free summer.
Nevertheless, the time is upon us. This weekend I plan to make sure everything is well-organized and the kids’ rooms are ready for yet another year of homework. Jake got a bass for his birthday and we still need to find a place to keep it so I think Drew will show him how to hang guitar on wall. We bought the guitar holder, we just have to put it up.
Other than that, I’m hoping we can just take our time and relax and enjoy these last few lingering days of summer. I’m not ready for it to end!
Cool Custom Martini Glasses
This is a milestone year for myself and many of my friends. We are all turning 40. I know — yikes! I still feel like I’m about 25! Anyway, since this is one of the “big” birthdays, I’ve been looking around for fun and memorable gifts for some of my girlfriends. Wine glasses are always fun, but I feel like you can find cute ones anywhere. So I set out on a search for a different kind of glass. After doing some searching, I finally found it: Glasswithatwist.com – martini glasses – customized.
Martini glasses are perfect! They’re sophisticated and elegant — just like my friends 🙂 I love that these glasses are engraved (not painted) and can be customized. (I absolutely adore anything you I can customize myself!) I just might order one for myself, too! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate an important birthday than enjoying a night out with friends — good food, good laughs, and good drink. A custom glass would only make it more fun!
These Boots Were Made for Walkin’
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, which means Father’s Day is right around the corner! I always like to get my husband something unique for Father’s Day — no ties or mugs in this house. It can be hard, though, since he’s the type of guy who often just gets himself something he likes. So I have to think outside the box a little.
This year, I’m thinking about great men’s western boots at Eli’s. D. doesn’t really have a pair of boot that aren’t workboots. Eli’s has a huge variety — from real “cowboy” style to boots that are a little more toned down. That’s the kind I think he would really like. (The one pictured at the top of this post, for example).
I’ve always thought that western style boots look awesome with jeans, but I think you can go casual or dressy with them, all depending on personality. Guys can be hard to buy for when it comes to clothing, but something cool and different like boots might go over really well!