Hanging On By My Fingertips…

In my continuing efforts to learn more about playing guitar and making music, towards the end of last year, I began trying some  “finger-picking” styles.  Before that I was either using a “plectrum” (guitar pick) or just casually strumming with my thumb / index finger.  There is an obvious tonal difference between the two: using a pick tends to be louder and with individual notes better defined;  no pick (to me) sounds “fuller” but softer (muffled isn’t the right word to describe the sound, but it’s all I can think of).
Finger-picking is used the most extensively (exclusively) in Classical and Spanish style guitar playing and frequently in Country (“Travis Style”) and Jazz.  As these styles are all far beyond my basic skill set, I have (to date) paid little heed of the physical requirements of this / these style:  Fingernails.
As I began exploring these styles (yes, my reach exceeds my grasp), I kept stumbling on advice for how to maintain appropriate nails – length and shape.  And, in turn, I’ve tried growing my nails out…
“PIMA“: P = pulgar (thumb); I = indice (index finger); M = medio (middle finger); A = anular (ring finger)
Traditional “Classical” style uses the thumb (“P”) and three fingers (“I”, “M”, “A”).  The “pinky” is unused.  Traditional “Travis” style uses only thumb and index finger, but most guitarists nowadays use at least two fingers (and usually three).
1 – 2 mm past your finger / nail join point
The traditional “strike-zone / sweet-spot” for finger-picking is the point where the nail and finger join.  This allows the guitarist to both deaden a moving string (using the finger pad) and get the most precise release point for the string (the edge of the finger nail).
Of course there are a variety of individual factors which determine how long and what shape your nails need to be, including: the shape of your fingers, the width of your nails, the shape of your nails, the distance from the join point (finger and nail) to the top of your individual fingers and the angle of “attack” you use to pluck each string.
Poorly shaped, but approaching the correct length
Bottom line?  Too much, too soon.  Yes, I can feel the difference when playing, and yes, I can hear the difference, but this is a LOT of hassle.  I have a LONG history of OCD with my fingernails.  I don’t bite them, but I keep them VERY short and just going a few weeks to grow them out this far is driving me crazy!  LoL!!
So, no, I won’t be keeping my right hand nails long…  And, so, my dreams of becoming the next Andrés Segovia / Merle Travis must fall by the wayside…  (Just kidding.  I have NEVER dreamed that!)  Now, where are my clippers?
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On This Day In:
2022	Do People Know What You Stand For?
2021	The Republican Party Can Survive Trumpism (If It Wants To)
	Don’t You Ever Ask Them Why
2020	Art Work
	One Person (Republican) Can Make A Majority
2019	Hopefully, Closer To Noon
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2018	Stock Market Sets Another Record Under #DumbDonald
	#LyingDonald: About That Special Prosecutor Testimony
2017	We Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet
2016	But You Have To Learn It Feels Good
2015	Never Stop
2014	Caution
2013	Treat Her Like A Lady
2012	Build New Worlds
2011	I Grok Elegance
	Standing Relish

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Re-election Time!

Last evening we attended the kick-off re-election gathering / party for my daughter (Rebecca), who is running to keep her seat on the Contra Costa County Community College Board.  If re-elected, this will be her second four-year term on the board.  Even though a junior member of the Board, she has already completed a year long rotation assignment as Board president and she hopes to be able to continue to bring her energy / exuberance to bear helping students achieve their life ambitions via affordable education.
Ever the proud dad, I encourage everyone reading this to make a donation at:  Rebecca Barrett for Community College Board 2022
If a donation is beyond your means, I hope you will get involved in your local politics and make your part of the world a better place for all.  Believe it or not, your limits ARE your imagination and your willingness to stand up and participate in making the future you want to see.
If nothing else, please be a part of the solution:  register for and VOTE in the upcoming election(s)!
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On This Day In:
2021	Living At The Edge
	A Simple Song
	More Sounds (Guitar Review)
2020	Poor Proof
	Right From The Start
	You Voted For An Incompetent And Corrupt Business Person To Drain A Political Swamp
2019	I Wish This Were More True
2018	Used To Rejection
	Day 16: Looking Ahead (Just A Little)
2017	Tonight
	I Rejoice
2016	Conscientious Courage
	Speaking Of Which…
2015	The Beautiful Snow
2014	Nurtured By The Voices
2013	Précis
2012	Fear And Understanding
2011	Just Being Human

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Boxing Day 2020

Here are some photos of our visit to my sister, her husband and my mom for Boxing Day…  (for non-Brits: “Boxing Day” is the day after Christmas)
Carm and Art Carm and Me Art and Me Mom and Me Mom and Me (2)
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On This Day In:
2021	Someone Should Tell Senator Joe Manchin
	One Of The Things We Need
2020	Boxing Day 2020
	Fractal Branches
	Advice For Sons, Too
2019	Almost Soulful Pleasure
2018	Cursive In The News
2017	Coffee Crunch
2016	Preparation
2015	Scarcely Asked
2014	They Resemble Us
2013	Both
2012	That’s Success!
2011	Losing At Dominoes
2010	1,001

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Violating Guidelines

Yesterday was the 4th of July, so Hil and I broke the rules (“guidelines”) and went out to my sister’s house for a BBQ.  We know it’s poor form, but sometimes you risk more than you should to be with family (Gemutlichkeit) – if only because these moments will be fewer in the future than they’ve been in the past.  It doesn’t make it “right”, but we ate outdoors and, when inside, the rooms had the exterior doors and windows open.  Fortunately, it was a beautiful sunny and warm day with a steady, cooling breeze coming off the Bay.  Oh, yeah, and except for the time it took to take these photos, we were mostly socially distanced.  Anyway, here’s three photos commemorating our throwing caution to the wind…  (And one for history.)
Me in my “flag” cap…
With the hostess… (2020 version)
Kev & Carm at 4th of July 2016 BBQ
And with our mom (who now lives with my sister).
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On This Day In:
2019	I Walk Faster (Too)
2018	Modern Day Behaviour
2017	On Misogynist Tweets From #DumbDonald
2016	Cowboy Boots & Missing Teeth
	Or Electricity
2015	Oh, To Be Vulnerable
2014	Neglected Horror
2013	The Price Of Illusions
2012	Once Again
2011	And The “Market” Isn’t Always Right

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Boot Edge Edge (My New T)

In my “new” Official campaign t-Shirt…
Just received my “Official” t-Shirt
First t-Shirt (a couple of weeks ago)
Boot Edge Edge
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On This Day In:
2022	Whatever One Can
2021	Horticulture Anyone?
	Take To The Sky
2020	Heroes Die Too
	Front Update
	Still More Hope Than Fact
2019	The Ones Worth Remembering, Anyway
	Boot Edge Edge (My New T)
2018	To Reach The Next Threshold
2017	Streaking Tales
2016	Singular Reality
2015	He Says It’s Hard To Get There From Here
2014	Question From A Founding Father
2013	Make Heroes
2012	See And Hold
2011	Am Not, Are So

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Fear The Beards

Last year,  my son (“Jim” / James) and I were binge-ing on the “Vikings” series on the History Channel.  On 18 April 2018, we agreed to grow our beards out for one full year to see what they would look like and if they would be long enough to “viking braid”.  (Yeah, I know, very mature…)  My son is working on the 18th, so he came by today for a selfie.  (See below…)
Jim and me rockin’ the chin locs.
We’ve concluded our beards are not really long enough to properly braid.  Jim says his wife can braid his, but they are very short braids.  I think I would need at least another year to have a decent shot with mine.  My Hil hates my full-out beard, so I doubt it will survive her return (this Sunday) from her family visit to Liverpool.  I don’t know if I’m going to miss it (the beard) or not.  It’s relaxing to stroke, but annoying when it catches in your zippers (coats and sweaters).  Ah, well, life is full of trade-offs…
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On This Day In:
2022	Spring Colors
	Decisions, Decisions
2021	In Pursuit
	The Music Of Her Laughter
2020	Close, Sustained And Careful
2019	#45: Spread The Fear
	Fear The Beards
2018	Slice, Nick, Cut, Bled
2017	Like Most Blogs
2016	The Window Left Open
	Free Experience
2015	Reality == Perception / (Times Reported * 10)
2014	Tear Da Roof Off Da Sucka
2013	Exposed Spirits
2012	Ow-ow
2011	Focused Relatives

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Is America Ready: Mayor Pete – 2020!!

“Mayor Pete” Buttigieg for President in 2020
Say it with me: “Boot Edge Edge“
About a month ago I saw this young guy get interviewed.  The interviewer said the guy was the Mayor of some place in Indiana (okay, it was South Bend, but all I heard was blah, blah hicks-ville, Indiana).  He is in his second term and got re-elected with over 80% of the vote!  He is a graduate of Harvard and an Oxford Rhodes Scholar.  He speaks seven languages and learned one of them just so he could read a book in the author’s native tongue.  He is a former Naval intelligence officer and served in Afghanistan (for seven months) while on leave without pay from his mayoral duties.
So, I listened to him speak…  And, I decided.
Prior to this, my three favorites for the Democratic nomination were (in order):  Warren, Harris and Saunders.  (Yes, I am a Progressive / Liberal Democrat!)  To be honest, I think all have their weaknesses, but I believe any of them could defeat Trump.  The rest of the field, I’m not so sure of (including Biden), I don’t know anything about or I don’t really care for.  Anyway, I went online and bought a t-shirt – not realizing Mayor Pete hadn’t declared yet and was still in “just” the exploratory phase.
My daughter came over that evening and we were discussing who we each were favoring.  I said:  “Mayor Pete, but I can’t pronounce his last name.”  She said: “Do you really think he can get elected?”  I replied:  “Sure.  Why not?”  Her reply:  “He’s opening gay…”  WHAT???
She asked how I could support him knowing this and pointedly adding that putting up a candidate who could defeat Trump was the most important thing the Democrats could do and she didn’t think the country was ready to elect an openly gay man.  I said I agreed, but I didn’t think the country was ready to elect an African-American in 2008 or re-elect him in 2012 and look how those elections turned out.
Does being straight or gay matter when you are running for ANY political office?  From an electability standpoint, of course it does.  But should it?  If I don’t believe faith (Kennedy), infidelity (Bill Clinton and probably a host of others), race (Obama) or gender (Hilary Clinton) matter, why should sexual orientation?  Is being “straight” critical to Presidential job performance?
When asked about whether gays should serve in the military, Republican Senator Barry Goldwater replied (I’m paraphrasing):  “I don’t care if someone is straight.  I just want to know if they can shoot straight.”  We KNOW President Trump is not very bright (he doesn’t read and has no curiosity), is a liar, is a cowardly draft dodger, is a tax cheat, is a terrible businessman, he appears to be a Russian puppet and he seems to only be interested in making money off of his term in office.  On balance, Mayor Pete is intelligent, well spoken, well read, a patriot and more than competent in his current office over the last two terms, so no, being openly gay does NOT matter to me.
I hope American will listen to what “Mayor Pete” has to say…  Then you can make up your mind and vote you heart.
Is America ready for an openly gay President?  To be honest, I don’t know…  But, I AM!
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On This Day In:
2022	Or Simple Truths You Don’t Want To Believe
2021	I Never Could Keep A Secret
	A Half A Mile Or So
2020	Facing The Truth
2019	How Much Is Your Education Worth?
	Is America Ready: Mayor Pete – 2020!!
2018	Disruptive Definition
2017	A History Of Small Insights
2016	Be Uncommon
2015	Ooops!
2014	What Price Freedom?
2013	Remembering Val
2012	Good-bye, Val
	Survival Value
2011	Traitors In Our Midst
	Life Ain’t Easy

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Goin’ Yard

Yours truly standing in front of the newly delivered yard sign for our daughter’s campaign for membership on the Community College Board.
Note:  This is my “uniform”  (T-Shirt and cap) as I walk around our neighborhood dropping off fliers for her campaign.
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On This Day In:
2021	Buying Time In A Fixed Game
	Dedicated To: Messrs. Rubio And Pompeo
2020	What It Takes
	Every Sign Was A Northern Star
2019	Stuff Happens
	Whistleblower Complaint Regarding President Trump And Ukraine
2018	Looking Into Golf
	Goin’ Yard
2017	Improvise
2016	Got Leisure?
2015	It’s Been Hurtin’ For Quite A While Now
2014	Curious Talent
2013	Eureka
2012	Slow Me
2011	He Said What?!?
2010	Gritty
	3 and 3
	Just A Hunch
	Wall Street – Movie Review
	2nd Pair – Shoe Review (Aborted and Final)

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Day 40: Wrists

The end of day forty and the start of day forty-one…
Morning weight:  318lbs.
I am now down “55/62”.  As in, 55lbs down from my fasting start weight:  373lbs, and 62lbs down from my highest weight ever (two days before I started the fast):  380lbs.  Today’s weight is a 2lbs decrease from yesterday’s 320lbs.  Only seven more pounds until I reach the weight I “adjusted” back up from (re-taken ground).
This is the third day from my drinking the bananas / beans fruit juice blend and I am feeling a lot less crazy for “food” in my system.  The juicing fluid(s) seem to be quite enough today.  At least I’m not constantly dwelling on thoughts of stuffing my face ( – as opposed to merely eating a healthy portion of a healthy meal).
Hands On Wrist 2018/09/05
About two weeks ago, I posted an image of my hands palm-in-palm behind my back.  Today I am able to reach beyond my palm and touch the wrist of my opposite hand (still behind my back).  When I began the veggie juice fast back on 27 July, I could only touch the finger-tips of my middle fingers on each hand.  Also, when I got the FitBit watch I am wearing in this photo, I could only wear it on my left wrist and only on the very last hole.  I can now wear it (uncomfortably) on the fourth hole and all day on the third hole.  The watch now fits on my right wrist and I can wear it all day on the second hole.
Progress!  Day by day…
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On This Day In:
2021	Losing One’s Edge
	Can I Get An Up Front Seat?
2020	Are You Sure?
	Who Could It Be?
2019	Living Art
	Day 7: Week 1 – Mathematics
2018	Hey, #45: Are We Sick Of Winning, Yet?
	Day 40: Wrists
2017	Heart Vision
2016	A Labor Day / Pre-Election Hope
	Trust Me, Too
2015	Without Hope
	Things Known And Unknown
2014	A Wall Too High, A Bridge Too Far
2013	Glory = Danger
	Chicago Magic
	Feelin’ It
2012	How Did We Get Here?
2011	Labor Day Weekend Mishmash
	More, More, More

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The Proud Dad

Here’s a proud dad sporting the t-shirt for his daughter who is running for a seat on the local Community College Board…
Front
Back
Any and all contributions to the campaign can be made at:  https://www.rebeccabarrett.org
And, whatever your party affiliation, register and vote in the November 2018 election.  Make sure your voice is heard!
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On This Day In:
2021	To Trust Providence
	Exactly
2020	I Am Learning
	Plus Plus
2019	Day 2: All Things Considered
	The Path To Reward
2018	Ryan, McConnell & The Republican Controlled Congress
	The Proud Dad
	Day 35: Five(5) Weeks Completed!
2017	Serving Is Proving Harder Than Winning For #DumbDonald
2016	Come Again…
2015	At Five
2014	Touching The Past
	The Supreme Question
2013	Children Will Judge
2012	Liar, n.
2011	Freedom To Doubt

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Day 24: Hand Touching Hand

The end of day twenty-four and the start of day twenty-five…
Morning weight:  334lbs.
I am now down “39/46”.  As in, 39lbs down from my fasting start weight:  373lbs, and 46lbs down from my highest weight ever (two days before I started the fast):  380lbs.  Today’s loss is a 2lbs loss, down from 336lbs yesterday.  I have now lost +10% of my body weight from the starting date of the fast.
Hand Touching Hand 20 August 2018
On 25 July 2018, I could only touch the tips of my two middle fingers behind my back.  After about a week, I was able to touch to the first knuckles on my middle fingers and the tips of my two rings fingers.  As of today, I can hold both hands behind my back and actually reach the palms (behind my back).
I went to my gastroenterologist today.  It is time for another colonoscopy (in a couple of weeks) and an endoscopy to check my throat for cancer.  He said it would be a “two-fer”.  That will be happening in the next couple of weeks – after he’s had a chance to clear it with my health insurance company.  I also called to setup my follow-up with my urologist to get my kidney test evaluated (and possibly have my stones busted up).  That follow-up is next week (Monday).  The actual “blasting” will probably be (again) after it’s cleared by my health insurance and a couple of more weeks to get a scheduled time.  Finally, in the afternoon, we had to take our dog to the vet to see about an ear infection.  It feels like I did a lot, so that’s the good side…
The day ended up being another “tough” day.  Not so much because of the fasting, per se, but because I couldn’t relax and enjoy my veggie juices in the comfort of my home.  I ended up making due by topping up my energy levels with repeated 8-oz shots of OJ, until everything which needed doing, got done.  This gave me the required fructose rush to get me through a couple of hours, but it didn’t allow for a level energy day.  Peaks and valleys of energy means weakness – a deep in the bone feeling of tiredness – which, in turn, leads to thoughts of food.  Eating, too.  But, mostly food.  Just plain food.  And tastes…  And smells…  These are the hard days which lead to cheating and ultimately ending the fast before you’re “ready”.  Before you decide to.  It’s hard balancing on the edge of the blade between just enough energy and too little energy;  between feeling clean internally and feeling deep hunger.
In the meantime, tomorrow will be another milestone.  At noon it will be 25 days of veggie juice fasting.  So I take comfort (and a little pig-headed pride) in reaching another “small” milestone.  I’m beginning to wonder if I’m doing this (the fast) for the days or for the lost weight.  It seems setting small goals with each is both empowering and confusing at the same time.
Day by day…  Pound by pound.
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On This Day In:
2017	The Tide Will Turn
2016	Dreamers
2015	Three Roars
2014	Be R-E-L-E-V-A-N-T
2013	Lacking
2012	So Small A Thing
2011	Is Your Time Valuable?

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Chillin’ With My Bro

Not many meals missed by these brothers…
My sister (Carmen) and I visited my brother (Sean) today.  He is suffering from kidney failure and has to go for dialysis four days a week.  We just wanted to cheer him up with a mid-week visit.  He is trying to convert me into a Oakland fan by giving me an A’s sweatshirt for X-mas and sitting me in the Raiders recliner.  (LOL)
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On This Day In:
2022	Brevity And Decisiveness
2021	They Don’t And They Aren’t
	Deep And High
2020	Social Distancing
2019	Touched?
2018	Chillin’ With My Bro
	Inconvenient Adventure
2017	Genuine Tragedies
2016	Why I’m Scared Of November
2015	I Can Tell Too
2014	In Hand
2013	No Fear
2012	Comic Books
	Keeping The Peace
2011	You Still Have To Pay For It

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More Pictures From My (Family) Retirement Party

As promised, more pictures…
Art, Patrice and Me
Carm, Mom, Hil and Me
Family Photo
James
James and Me
Mom
Hil, Mom and me
Sarah, James, Carm and me
Sarah, Shiva and me
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On This Day In:
2021	A Model Democrat
	Listen Mister
2020	The Main Thing: Vote!
	No Other Reason
2019	A Big “IF”
2018	Committed To Thinking
2017	More Pictures From My (Family) Retirement Party
	A Fondness For Sins
2016	Are You Waiting?
2015	The Future Myth
2014	Hands
2013	Because You Have Lived
2012	47%
2011	Conservative Values: Low And Lax
2010	A Non-Zero Sum Game
	What If “c” Isn’t A Constant?
2009	Pictures from UCLA trip…

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Happy 32nd Anniversary, Hil!!

Hil & me on our wedding day at City Hall in San Francisco, CA (3 Dec 1984)
Chains do not hold a marriage together.  It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads, which sew people together through the years.
—    Simone Signoret
[Happy 32th Anniversary, Hil
You are the roots for the life-tree we have lived and, this year, just another ring in our life-tree…
Love Always,
Your Kev
XXX
00
X
—    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Happy 37th Anniversary, Hil!!
2020	Happy 36th Anniversary, Hil!!
2019	Sampling 3:16
	Happy 35th Anniversary, Hil!!
2018	Happy 34th Anniversary, Hil!!
2017	Happy 33rd Anniversary, Hil!!
2016	Happy 32nd Anniversary, Hil!!
2015	Happy Anniversary Hil!!
2014	30th Wedding Anniversary
2013	Number 29 (And Counting)
2012	Hammer ‘N Roses
	Happy Anniversary
2011	I Can Hear It Now

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Cowboy Boots & Missing Teeth

Me and Sean Xmas As Kids
Here’s a photo my brother Sean recently posted to Facebook.  It’s a X-mas photo circa 1960 / 61.
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On This Day In:
2015	Oh, To Be Vulnerable
2014	Neglected Horror
2013	The Price Of Illusions
2012	Once Again
2011	And The “Market” Isn’t Always Right

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