Kona, day 24

Kona, day 24

Spent the morning in a scuba-related rabbit hole that took me through youtube videos, equipment shopping (no buying) and most productively, a few tutorials on color-correcting videos.  After spending well over an hour and trying a few software trials on just that color-correcting topic, I realized that I already have the necessary software on my computer (iMovie) and it does just fine.  Some pretty drastic corrections with minor adjustments.  The example below, some blue snapper from (if I remember correctly) a Full Fathom dive in Kauai, was edited with a single click adjustment…I’m sure a pro could do a ton better, but this is enough for me right now.

Maybe i’ll correct everything in this blog and repost–th...

Kona, day 22

Kona, day 22

The first few hours of the day were good and productive; a little writing and idea-generating, and then some listening and writing an evaluation.  The music I’m hearing for this evaluation is very different than mine; much more extreme in technique and color, a style often labeled ‘new complexity’.  Labels do little to reveal the magic created by a composer’s choices, but such terms do, I suppose, provide a vague grouping of aesthetic approaches.  At any rate, it’s been an interesting few days of listening to this music and appreciating what the composer’s accomplishing dramatically and gesturally.  The music’s quite compelling, really, and I’m growing from these repeated close listenings...

Kona, day 21

Walks, phone call connections, listening to music and writing a professional evaluation, listening to podcasts, and writing.

We’re definitely feeling ready to head home now.  Nice to be here, but everything we’re doing here we could do at home—and save lots of money.

Re Surf City, feeling as though we might be only a few more turns before we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Getting pictures with lots of things in place, now just awaiting replacement of the flooded floors.  Is that the last thing?  Who knows.

Diversions today include lots of internet scuba-related rabbit holes.

Kona, day 18

Kona, day 18

Highlight of the day; connecting with Chris Nappi, knowing he’s well, and a good conversation about a musical collaboration.  We’ll find time to focus efforts on a piece I’d written for him, Anima/Animus.  Planning weekly video connections to work on it, develop changes if needed, edit, etc., in advance of the publisher putting it out in the world.  Thanks to a program/initiative by my publisher/ACA, we’ll also do a home recording and get him a bit of support to make up for the evaporation of so very many gigs.

This initiative (“The Shelter Recordings“) strives to provide opportunities for sheltered musicians to earn a little money, benefit composers, etc.  That same initiative will fund the recording of another piece, the short duet, On Balance,...

Kona, day 16

A bit of website maintenance today, catching up on lots of correspondence (a pleasure to feel connections with folks), and some writing.

We’re both feeling that being here, as nice as it is, can’t go on much longer.  If we were home in NC we could at least keep occupied with re-settling into the house, doing lots of yard work, riding bikes (getting back on my m’cycle), perhaps get moved back into Surf City (though unsure about that just now).  Have begun looking into plans to return when this rental ends April 18, though not yet committed.  Only one flight/day from Honolulu to LAX or to SFO; and only one flight/day from SFO-Greenville with only one stopover.  So, limited choices, for sure.  Just a matter of deciding, committing, and making the reservations.  We’ll see...