Saturday 7/22/2006

Spent a long rain day in the studio organizing and enjoying my stuff. The Dwyer’s visited for some guitar talk and recording of Matt. Two boy’s home, nice day. Earlier start than usual on the fall project which is Cinque Terra Time!!! Words and music all done. I have hopes of it being my best song yet!!! Time will tell. Cinque Tera Time!!!! Monday I am off for a week in Guatemala, then next weekend to Mohonk so this is premature, but I will get an earlier start than usual.  The prior three were Boulder Bound, Love Song/Mr. Tree and then Nashville East Journals. Yesterday was my 50^th birthday. Jesus!!

The Who are completing their first album in 20 years. Exciting. I used my 50th birthday as an excuse to order two Martin 000 Eric Clapton signed guitars. During this journal they will finally arrive and be ready to play. I am very excited about them and lucky to be able to get them! Very, very lucky.

Sunday 7/23/2006

Another cloudy day so some time in the studio. New Meatloaf album this fall!!! Yeah baby!!!!!!!

                                        

Thursday 8/3/2006

Back from 10 days of travel to Guatemala and Minnewaska. Spent 3 hours tonight with hardware and software problems getting nothing done. Very frustrating sometimes….

Friday 8/4/2006

Although I am sick as hell, I took the day off and we are preparing for Stephanie and Doug’s wedding here tomorrow. I spent a little studio time working on the ARP2600 synthesizer demo working while Taf packed Jake for summer ski camp at Mount Hood Oregon!!! Hurricane Chris is Brewing out there in the ocean.

Sunday 8/6/2006

A busy weekend. Steph and Doug’s wedding in the backyard and Jake off to Mt. Hood and I am still sick as hell with a cold.

Wednesday 8/17/2006

A guitar lesson in the midst of loss.

Tuesday 8/22/2006

An amazing last two weeks culminating with Mom passing away yesterday which I will not get into in this journal. That is a whole major other thing for me. She was so special. Mom decided right after Stephanie and Doug’s wedding to just check out. On her own terms. She was just great. Read her eulogy when you can, it is at the end of this journal.

Sunday 8/27/2006

Setup and practice for Cinque Terra Time. The past week was Mom’s wake and burial and the departure of all the kids for school. Whew!!!!!!! And by the way, I almost choked to death on peanuts the day we buried Mom. I think she stopped me from going. Really! You cannot make this stuff up. I really almost choked to death.

Saturday 9/2/2006

Finally, Labor Day weekend. I was in Boston for 2 great days Thursday and Friday on Teak. I am hoping with the start of a more normal fall routine to get working on the Cinque Terre Time song.

Sunday 9/3/2006

The Clapton guitars are here and ready to play! I am the luckiest guy in the world!!!!

We BBQ’D at Geoff’s today. First family gathering without mom. . Some more studio time playing the Clapton’s and getting ready to record Cinque Terra Time (CTT). I was actually waiting for the guitars to arrive as they are perfect for the song!!!! The black one is made with an Italian Alpine Spruce top which is the same material Stradivarius violins were made from. The sound is incredible. It is my second such guitar the Mark Knopfler Martin being the first. I am considering ordering another Martin Knopfler Italian Alpine Spruce guitar as I write. While my collection has grown to a ridiculous size, I am convinced that the supply and demand of wood will make certain of these instruments priceless as time goes on as there is just a limit to the amount of wood on the earth.

Thursday 9/7/2006

Back in the studio. BBQ Monday, mountain bike Tuesday 17 miles with Jake. Weds some guitar work in the sitting room upstairs unrelated to CTT. Tonight I have set up the mikes in the studio to record. We are going now to pick up a new truck for Taf always fun. A Honda Pilot!!! Our second.

Saturday 9/9/2006

Rough guitar tracks of Cinque Terre Time for vocal set up today.

Sunday 9/10/2006

A day of enjoyment in the studio!!! Roughed out some vocal tracks on the demo version. Nothing done so far will be on the final version but it all helps me organize and get ready for the real recording. Got up early, watched the GP of Italy at Monza, studio work, ran, pool maintenance, studio work, watching the final IRL race of the year. Fun day. Off to see Gog and pick up Bill Macy at the airport. He will stay over and we will watch the first Giant game of the year!!! Manning vs. Manning!!!! Big time!!!

Tuesday 9/12/2006

Got home a little early and set up the new Canon digital camera and worked on Cinque Terre demo. A lot of 9/11 stuff the last few days. Jesus.

Saturday 9/16/2006

Busy week. Wedding Thursday night, dinner out with friends Friday night, and all day hike in the Shawangunks today with Jake and Geoff. 

I am hoping for some time tomorrow and then in the evenings this week. I am pretty ready after laying down some practice tracks to begin real CT recording as I have listened to the demo in the car and I am ready!!!

Tuesday 9/19/2006

Last two days organizing and ripping CD’s in the studio. I’m almost ready to record.

Huge Giant comeback Sunday!!!

Wednesday 9/20/2006

I have been working also on Your Song by Elton John for solo finger picking guitar as well as riffs in a minor chord. Jewish holidays up the next few days then I will record.

Friday – Sunday 9/22-24/2006

Jewish holiday weekend in Sag Harbor at Brother in law Sam’ house. I got home early Friday afternoon and managed to record the basic guitar tracks while waiting to go. High time pressure, but if I do not strike when I have an hour here or there nothing gets done. I would rather have a day off to record the main track, but, sometimes under pressure, it just gets done. So it did. We then enjoyed a family weekend of eating and mountain biking in the Hamptons. Great time. I played my guitar a lot working on some stuff and then tonight came home to watch a horrendous Giant game and then came in the studio and mixed some of the tracks from Friday and it worked well. I need to record the ending and then I can go on to the vocals. Huge sudden progress!!!

Monday 9/25/2006

Some editing of the guitar tracks from last Friday. Tomorrow I’m off to Maine to work on Ameriteak.

Tuesday 10/3/2006

A busy week this past!! 3 days in Maine, Jewish holiday, trip to Florida on business for one day today. But progress yesterday as the acoustic guitar parts are now virtually complete to my basic satisfaction. Next will be some vocals, then bells, lead electric and some steel mandolin base and synths. All that is easy compared to tracking the basic rhythm acoustics!!!

I also continue to practice Your Song and work on my other new riff thing.

Friday 10/6/2006

Tonight I got the vocal parts down. Taf had a Mah Jong class and Jake was in town with friends. Mike had a job interview and Justin called from the DEC. Jesus, lots going on.

Monday 10/9/2006

Over the weekend I worked hard on some Steel Guitar and Drum parts that I edited today. I always struggle to keep it simple yet enjoy all the tools I have. Last week I got a new small size Capo and it is giving me all kinds of possibilities for new songs!!!!!

Wednesday 10/11/2006

Monday night dinner and Barbra Streisand in the city.

Streisand’s outburst spoils triumphant return

Singer shouts expletive at heckler during anti-Bush skit during NYC show.

Last night shopping and family night!! Tomorrow night Met game. Let’s Go Mets!!!! I’ve been doing a lot of work with the new capo and tonight I did work on mixing the tracks here already. Much more to do.

 

Sunday 10/15/2006

Lots done since Friday afternoon. Lead electric guitar, a banjo, and mixing and editing a lot. It is coming along now. More drums as well. I’ve also started working on the Close The Door Lightly When You Go song and old traditional bluegrass song I like!!!! Off to the Picozzi’s for Giants Football and a Doug “Eat Fest”!!!

I cannot get enough time!!!! Cinque Terre Time, Your Song, new Capo song, A Minor Riff song, and now Close The Door Lightly When You Go!!!!

Tuesday 10/17/2006

Eat fest Sunday included Steph’s garage burning down. Jesus.

Took the day off from business work today and did 5 hours of studio work. Lots done including Lap Steel guitar, editing, acoustic corrections and a lot more. In theory it needs bass guitar and it is done!!!

Friday 10/20/2006

Well?, Gotta start the whole thing over. The interim mix of 10/18/2006 was blown away by all critics!!!! Steel is out of tune, as is my voice, the main riff needs some variation, the drums are too low, and the electric lead needs to be further up the neck and it needs a rhythm guitar. Also the words are not up to my standards per the wife. Juaoooooooo! Just some tweaking eh? This songwriting is a long painful process. I’ve been working on this non stop since May in Cinque Terre. But, I am determined to make it good. Cinque Terre Time is worth it.

Tuesday 10/24/2006

A few busy days!!! Chain living baby. Saturday was a massive 12 mile all day hike in the Shawangunks.

Sunday was recovery and the Brazilian Grand Prix. Alonso, the Cinque Terre Time boy is the World Champion!!!!

Monday was wood stacking with my main man Jefe (Jake) with a cord delivered. (Ever hear Fires of Winter?) Last night was a huge Giant victory over the Cowboys. Really huge. This season could be legendary. We will see!!!

Tonight I worked on the words and over the weekend I worked on some guitar finger picking changes. The re-arrangement  may not be so time consuming. We will see.

Monday 10/30/2006

Not much done lately. Busy with other stuff. Spent Thursday to Sunday last week in Colorado visiting MBG. Redeye home Sunday 5am. Had the backpacker with me. Worked on my new song “Cookie In My Shoe”!!! (Became the Sun Chasers)

Wednesday November 1, 2006

Cookie In My Shoe, Your Song, Let It Grow, A minor riff, and Close the Door Lightly When You Go. Not to mention guitar maintenance and studio upkeep. I need a lot more free time!!!!  Spoke to Mike about a new mountain bike today and we are planning some riding (me and Jake) this weekend.

Monday November 6, 2006

Regretably almost no progress in the last few days. Had a productive lesson last Thursday and then a busy weekend and Friday night visitng Al Onyskin. Next couple of nights look clear for some work though!!! Mountain biked with Jake on Sunday and another Giant win with Strahan injury bummer!!!!

Tuesday November 7, 2006

Strahan out 2-4 weeks. Big bummer. Another one? The new Who album sucks. Really. I cannot believe Townshend and his advisors put this shit out. Juaoooooooooooooooo!!!!!! Big, big letdown.

Friday November 10, 2006

36^th anniversary of the big win over Brookside with the normal e-mails from the boys.

Weds I came home early and spent 6 hours redoing the guitar and vocal parts. Tonight I am getting the rhythm guitar parts ready to record. Moving back along. Went to see Borat at the movies with Jake. Hysterical.

Sunday November 19, 2006

Busy week in Florida for 3 days. I got to spend some nice time mixing and reworking since I got back Thursday night. Spent the weekend getting ready for Thanksgiving. Boys coming home. NICE!!!!

Friday November 24, 2006

Day after Thanksgiving 3 hour stint recording Bass and mixing. Nice day yesterday with the family and friends. Isles’ve been doing good. Went weds night and they won and again they won today.

Thursday November 30, 2006

It is amazing how time passes. Late summer I always feel a rebirth of time and that the fall will give me time to work in the studio and relax but here it is December 1 and the song is not done. I am getting there but every evening and weekend brings things to do other than change my clothes and come into the studio to work. Day after day things interrupt, mostly good things, but never the less, less time to work on music. Saturday was an all day hike with the extended family on Shelter Island, Sunday brought the biggest Giant Collapse in the history of football. Don’t ask. Monday night through Thursday night (tonight) client or family obligations which are actually fun and good, but, not in the studio!!!! So, it takes time. No big deal, I’m getting there!!!

Big CD release that is nice:

                                    

Friday December 15, 2006

I’m majorly pissed off as I have spent the last 3 days struggling with software issues. Moron I am, I updated my Sonar workstation recording software and the drivers of the soundcard before the song was done, and now all the Cinque Terre work I have done is useless unless I can get some tech support to figure it out. That might take weeks until I can be home during the business hours they are vailable.#@$#@^^%$#%$#^$&%$&%$.

I’ve spent 6 months now on the song, which I think might be the best I have written and I am NOWHERE!!!!!

Wednesday December 20, 2006

I finally got it fixed this afternoon after major hassles with the tech support #. It took me 2 hours to do what could be done in 15 minutes if they would answer the frickin’ phone. So frustrating. And now we have travel problems getting Mike home!!!!! It never stops.

Winter snowstorm hammers Colorado

State digs out from foot of snow; flights canceled as airport, roads close

	.
Thornton, Colo., resident Josh Kern clears snow on Wednesday as a storm forced the closure of major highways and the cancellation of hundreds of flights

Thursday December 21, 2006

Busy, busy last work week of the year. Wild stuff in the office but all good. Finalized Christmas shopping with some kamikaze runs to stores at all hours. Spent 2 hours in the studio though which was nice. Getting Cinque Terre Time teed up to mix in Whistler and finish on the return in early January. Mike is still stranded in Colorado and that is becoming a problem!!! Two of the world’s busiest airports, in London and Denver, were socked with bad weather on Thursday, spreading delays and cancellations to airports around the world and stranding tens of thousands of travelers during the pre-Christmas travel crunch.

As flight after flight was canceled, the situation grew into a logistical horror for fliers, whose vacations were disrupted if not spoiled, and for airlines, who may lose much-needed revenue.

Industry officials said it could take two days to untangle the knot, which is tightest in Denver, where more than two feet of snow kept the airport closed for a second day. Home to one of United Airlines biggest hub operations, it’s not expected to reopen until midday Friday.

                                              

Sunday  December 24, 2006

Mike got home just in time to meet us at Giants Stadium and watch the Giants get their asses kicked by the Saints. Goddamn. We picked him up at Newark at 1pm for the game on Christmas Eve.

Tuesday December 26, 2006

Nice holiday yesterday and we are off to Whistler today. Sunday afternoon we got Mike at Newark and watched the wheels fall off the Giants. So depressing!!!! I ordered a Software Synthesizer ARP2006 today that will arrive while I am gone. I hope to hit the ground running in the studio in January at least until tax season hits but we will see.                                                                            

Thursday January 4, 2007

Great trip to Whistler with the family. I took my backpacker and jammed the capo song I have been working on Cookie In My Shoe that I renamed Sun Chaser while there. I had no time to mix CTT or do much else but that was good as the trip was fantastic and we were busy.

Saturday January 6, 2007

Busy first week back. Harsh reality! Mike in Colorado usually goes to Winter Park and last winter Justin Jake and I went to visit him and we went there. To get there you have to go over Berthoud Pass. Jesus.

Got busy in the studio today working on Sun Chaser by setting up the massive synthesizer army I plan to use. I have not forgotten CTT and the redone vocals and lead guitar to finish I hope to do in the next week or so. Wow what a long process since I was actually there in May last!!!!

I am watching NFL playoffs as I work in the studio. Jake and Kyle his buddy are playing Frisbee on the warmest 1/6 in NY history, almost 65 degrees!!!

Monday January 8, 2007

So the Giants lost and it is now harsh reality January tax season Blah Blah Blah. It is amazing how July 22^nd I got this journal going with high hopes of having a great, great new song, and I have a 75% finished ok song after 6 months. Jesus. What a disappointment!!!!! But, I am stretched very thin with the life I lead, so compared to the average person, this is very good!!!!! But, I know I can do a lot better!!!!

I actually have spent a lot of time focusing on my next song Sun Chaser. I have worked on it a lot with the guitars and installed synthesizers to get it going. But I am now going back to finish CTT over the next weeks. As I write Justin, Mike and niece Jamie are in Wyoming skiing!!!! Nice!!!!!! That makes me very happy!!!!!

Saturday January 13, 2007

Football playoff Saturday. Lax game indoors today, Jake scored a goal from defense!!!! Hanging out, drinking wine setting up to finish CTT and setting up the Sun Chaser synthesizers. Chip has a sore limping leg. Overall a quiet day here. Nice studio time! I am smoking meat on the grill as I sit down here. Living large. Everyone is healthy and happy and I have my many guitars to enjoy. I am a very lucky guy

Thursday January 19, 2007

Spent the evening working on CTT. Nice.

Wednesday January 24, 2007

I worked a lot over the weekend on the Sun Chaser lyrics and working out the song. At this point I need extended time in the studio to mix finally CTT. I also was in contact the last few days with a Mastering lab in NYC to get the final mix professionally mastered. This is getting out of hand over here!!!!

My Father Vincent moved out of his home of 40 years today to a smaller house in Wantagh which was a big thing for him. I am hopeful to spend a lot of time in the studio tomorrow night mixing.

Sunday  January 28, 2007

Well. I went crazy remixing the final tracks the last few days, played it for Taf, and she then told me it was a perfect mining song. Missed the boat on the spirit of Cinque Terre she said, but good for mining. So, agreeing with her, I went into the studio and rewrote it as this:

COAL MINER TIME

Riding the rails and

Climbing the hills

Needin’ the cash

So they dig out the fill

Packin’ in the coal cars

Fly the long freight trains

Send ‘em up the mountain

Round the fuel plant way

Hearing the whistle then

Drinking that wine

Washing off the coal dust

Make those work boots shine

It’s West Virginia Coal time

Is that mine all right?

It’s West Virginia  Coal time

Are the stars out tonight?

—————————————-

Painting up the shutters and

Shingling up the roofs

Rev the coal seam drill

Take that hard hat down with you

Few women here

It’s my daddy and me

Swingin’ with that  pick axe

In the damp dark heat

Coal dust shafts

The surface sweet and fine

Sleeping on the mountain

50 years gone by

It’s West Virginia Coal Time

We got no sunshine

It’s West Virginia Coal Time

We really hate that mine!!!

—————————————–

She was born in country

But she works in the shack

Climbs three hundred steps

To clean the clothes of black

Looking for a guy

But not much to choose

Sweet Virginia Rosa don’t know

What to do

One Thousand feet

We go into the ground

Missing the sun

Generations go down

It’s West Virginia Coal Time

We got no sunshine

It’s West Virginia Coal Time

We really hate that mine!!!

————————————————–

I’d like to Listen to the sea, and

See the smile of the sun……………..

Can you imagine the music showed up on my backpacker in May 2006 and this thing is still going on? @!%$#!%#@^@^%#^%&^#&#@%&$^&^*%&@#&%&$/

Friday afternoon I had a cardiac CAT scan and my arteries are as clear as a bell which is good. Yesterday I went skiing with the extended family and we chased the sun to absolutely no avail!!! Today we finished helping my father move from his house of forty years to a new one. Now? I’m watching the Rolling Stones Circus lost video from 38  years ago. Very timely eh?

Yes, I will continue to work on this project, and at the same time work on the Sun Chaser!!! I guess I also need a new Cinque Terre Time!!!!!! I wish I had more time, but that is the challenge of this, doing it in next to no time compared to what professionals do!!!!!

Monday January 29, 2007

Slept on it and I’m gonna finish it as it is. Tonight I finished mixing a no effects version. Next I will add reverb, compression and effects and then send the two versions to the mastering guys and see what comes back. Maybe it will get done?

Saturday February 3, 2007

Tonight I finished (I think) mixing the effects version. This week off to mastering and done? Super bowl tomorrow.

Thursday February 8, 2007

The song in both versions went to the professional mastering studio and should be there tomorrow. This should be interesting!!! (I think I lost my mind………….)

\

Cinque Terre Time has been a real long road. It started in May of 2006 way back in Nice, France on a backpacker guitar. Along the way I lost my Mom, and helped move my Dad from the house we called home. I myself moved into later middle age and watched my youngest son become an adult. Mike is about to graduate college and Justin is 2/3 done with law school and settled with a wonderful lady. As I sit in my studio at 11:30 pm on a weeknight, I know that while life is a very emotional, tough, easy, but mainly wonderful thing; and each day could be your last, hopefully and more likely the next one could be your best!!!!! That is my hope each morning. My Hat Trick CD is now done. Eight years of work, fun, and pleasure. In the liner notes are these words:

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming – “WOW–What a Ride!”

It is what I’ve endeavored to do and done so far. And, taught my boys to do. It pisses off some of those around me, but what can I do? As someone I respect once said –“Everything in moderation, including moderation!” Recently, someone I know for quite awhile in a community sense, met me in the street. He said: “Giffun’s , with all you do, you have lived five lifetimes in the one you have had. I do not know anyone like you!!! You amaze me”

I took that as the best, most wonderful compliment I have ever earned and received. I’m not religious. But I am blessed.

Thanks for listening to and reading my shit!!!! Off to JFK at 5am to get Mike!!! See ya.

DOROTHY GIFFUNI’S MEMORIAL SERVICE

August 23^rd, 2006

On behalf of our Father Vincent and our family, I would like to welcome you to our gathering tonight in memory of Dorothy Giffuni. It is very interesting how on a night like this, while many attending were intimate friends and relations of Dot’s, many more are here to support her husband, children, grandchildren and nephew’s and, may in fact, have never even met her. Thank you all especially as you are about to learn of a remarkable human being, who walked the earth for a short time, and left a legacy of love, work, giving of self and accomplishment that is really unique.

As you all know, this family is intense, competitive, and extremely close, while sometimes a little eccentric, therefore tonight’s service will be without the usual ceremonial religious attributes which Mom wanted none of.

Dorothy Gillen was born in Brooklyn in 1930 to very modest people who were descended from several generations of Dutch and Irish Americans. Her father, a Manhattan subway motorman, died of Asthma in her 14^th year and she and her mom cried several days later as her mom had to go to work to support the two of them and her brother Bob. They lived in a four room three floor walkup on Avenue P in Brooklyn and her room was the common room of the apartment which had a pull out bed. Her athletic accomplishments as a young lady were many and were passed through her children to her grandchildren, all of whom have entertained her with their high levels of play. She married our Dad who then went right off to Korea for a year and she developed executive secretarial skills of typing, short hand and phone answering that enabled her to work in the high end business world of early 1950’s Manhattan as secretary to the VP of one of the largest Real Estate firms in NY.

1956 brought a move to a house in Bayport New York after the exciting, world changing arrival of me, Mr. Chris. Moves to Freeport and then North Merrick added the additional significant additions of Geoffrey and Stephanie and the initial family was complete. 1967 brought a move to Bradley Court in Merrick, and from then until 2006, Dorothy blossomed and shot down roots, gave us all wings, built a home, and created a family that has grown exponentially, lovingly, bondingly, spiritually, competitively, outdoorsdingly, and most importantly, close. Every member of her family, all the children in law and cousins that have arrived, knew, that they were part of something special. And that was the privilege of calling her Mom.

She was a role model to all, and I know that Stephanie, Taf,  and Heidi all considered her a mentor and have endeavored from the day they met her to strive and do for their families what she did for ours.

Mom’s biggest frustration we think was the lack of opportunity to go for a higher education. On her own, from her meager roots, she voraciously read and researched the world. She taught her husband, three children and eight grandchildren how to live and find their way in the world, and amazingly, over the last month, she even gave a lesson in how to gracefully leave the world as well!!! It has been a great ride through life, with our favorite person. We are sorry she is gone!!!!

Dorothy had simple rules she lived by. She engrained them in her three children and was proud to see us engrain it in her eight grandchildren.

And first and foremost, she espoused what she called the golden rule. She would say “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” Pretty simple really, but practicing it is hard. But if you are a child or grandchild of Dot, it is what you do, as much as you can.

She was a determined, fearless fighter for what she thought was right. An example of this were our namings at birth. She felt each of us should have our own name unto ourselves and changed family tradition by doing so and not using a name previously ever used.

She carried amazing feelings of acceptance of all people into parenthood and grandparenthood, never giving us anything but support as we married and befriended people of all different religions, backgrounds and socio economic standings. Her children knew one thing for sure, if we did something, we had her never ending support. And if she didn’t like it, we didn’t hear about it, she just loved us and supported us.

When we asked the grandchildren for some thoughts about her, one of them made it simple. “When she gave me a bath, she had two towels. One to dry me off with, and another to keep me comfortably dry and warm until I dressed.” Sounds like over kill, or, sounds like her doing for us like what she would want done for her.

When we asked Gog for some other thoughts we’d missed it was quick and simple:  “She was immaculate” he said,”in thought and deed.” “If I got up in the middle of night, she’d make the bed” and “I could bring anyone in the house 24/7 and it was always perfect.” And, if you ever asked how she was? She would say “Jim Dandy!!!!!” which was one of her many unusual phrases.

As far as language, Mom never cursed. She also never said a bad word about anyone. Never. It became sport for awhile, trying to get her to use some of the real bad words we all do. But she never would go further than a random “curses, curses, curses” when moderately angered!!!! There are not too many people you could say this about, but we are convinced from what we saw, that she never once ever, seriously angered anyone!! We’ve been proud our whole lives to hear the constant, voluminous praises of Dot and how lucky we are that she’s ours.

Again on language, her most often used word was wonderful. She was fortunate to need to use it repeatedly in her daily living, seeing the wonders of the world that she figured out how to go see and hearing the accomplishments of her family. From the seeds she planted grew 11 children and grandchildren. Having done little of it herself, through lack of opportunity in her youth, she basked in the successes of her offspring, beaming at the many goals, trophies and medals in many countries, graduations, championships, businesses, jobs, hikes, ski trips and friendships that we all forged. And especially, those days up in the mountains.

She spent her final 50 years devoted to her kids and seeing the world, again a great success that luck played a part in, as her health and economics allowed her to enjoy it all. She was grateful for her great luck on an hourly basis. Even over the last many years as she became more acutely ill from Parkinson’s and suffered more and more from its effects, she felt blessed and lucky for the worlds that was hers, and the rewards she enjoyed from her family. She looked upon her declining health as an inconvenience. She never took it personally and only felt bad for people worse off than she was, never feeling bad for herself. Never!!!!!

A few things to mention that she did; each individually is no big deal, but when considered as part of the whole of her life of such things, they give a read on who she was: She was a dance roller skater in her youth, she tried skiing for the first time at age 45. At 40 she went on a caving expedition that was not what she expected and found herself 100 feet under the earth in a tunnel 40 feet long 2 feet high and 3 feet wide in a prone position with a candle inching along on the elbows and belly. She had a great sense of humor. She loved to dance when she heard the “beat”. On one of our last group visits as a family we played her a song while she was in bed and she smiled and talked of feeling the “beat!!!” She walked Vinnie all over the earth and the speed at which she walked when still in good health was mind blowing. She discovered the Shawangunk mountains and repeatedly went there with all of us for hiking and mountain climbing. She rock scrambled through crevasses until late in life and speedily walked three miles a day for years through her neighborhood. Forever, and until not able, due to her illness, as any of us would pull out of her driveway she would jump in the air and spin around in celebration of the visit. 

Dorothy Giffuni never founded a business. She never won a big competition other than a High School running medal. But in the scheme of spending 75 years on this earth, we think she was one of the most successful people we know. Why? Well, how do you measure success?

We measure success in Friendships. We measure success in improving ones self. We measure success in love both given and received. We measure success in respect given and received. We measure success in the creation and success of generations of a family. We measure success in sharing of what one has with others. We measure success in fun. And most of all, we measure success in the impression you have left on people who know you. If these are the ways to measure success, mom was one of the most successful people we ever knew. And in her very last days, as we sat with her and cried, she actually laughed. She laid in that bed and found things to laugh about as we sat with her and talked to her about leaving us soon. And she got us to laugh too!!! How amazing is that!!!!

While I could go on a long time speaking as far as the measures of her successes, the sharing, the love, the respect, the family etc. I am going to mention just two of them.

The first is the sharing. Her goal every day was to do things for everyone else. Whether it was the endless visits to our houses when our children were very young and doing the jobs young parents hate to do, or visiting and helping older relatives and friends in need of her help, she was willing and actually sought out the jobs that no one else was willing to do!!! And she did them repeatedly and with love, and at great personal expense of time.

The greatest instance of her selfless sharing was her contributions of time to the Cerebral Palsy Center of Nassau County. Twenty five years or so ago, when we were grown and she had the luxury of some time, she walked in there one day to volunteer. The person who met her that day related the following to Geoffrey recently. “What do you want to do?” he asked? “File, answer the phone, handle mailings? “ Well,” she said “I really don’t know. I guess, give me the job no one else wants to do.” And from that day on, for twenty years, once a week, she went there and fed severely handicapped, wheelchair or bedridden CP clients lunch. How about that? Twenty years!!!!!! And her reward was numerous friendships that hold to this day.

The second is what people think and say about you from the impressions you’ve made. I and my family have the undefeated, perfect season, unblemished record of hearing nothing but praise, love, respect and all the other positive things that can be said about someone, said about her. Our childhood friends, our current friends, all her Bradley Court neighbors, and every friend and relative she ever had, place her at the top of their list of people. There are people here tonight that her kids have not seen in decades. Middle school teammates and friends, who had to come because of who she was. The kinds words and compliments have given all of us tremendous pride and comfort during this time. She was absolutely remarkable.

We would like to thank everyone who came here tonight. From Stephanie, Geoffrey, and I, a special thank you to our Father. While he was fortunate enough to be blessed with enough health and time in his later years to just enjoy his massively creative gifts of ability and hobbies, he dropped what he was doing to take care of her in the most unselfish and amazing way. Also to all the grandchildren, “The Cousins”, who visited her continually in her last days and made things easier for everyone. To Doug for his patience and support. And to Taf and Heidi, two wonderful amazing Daughters in law who stayed by her side as if she were their own actual mother. I would like to personally thank my brother and sister for sharing this journey with me and making sure that Mom and Gog’s needs were all met. Mom was very lucky to have you both.

Mom was adamant that this service be happy and not gloomy which I hope we’ve accomplished. As she would tell each and every one of us upon seeing or leaving us “I love you umpty, billion, skillion, dillion.” That’s what we say to her now as well!!!

Thank you.

1/19/04 wrote Love Song lyrics, home heat issues, plumbing issue .5 hours

1/21/04 more lyrics .5 hours

1/22/04 lyrics, travel, holidays

China Grove

2^nd Avenue

Craig fuller

– Songs and artists for a mix CD?

4/14/04

 Waiting on Jake to get home to go to Islander playoff hockey. The last mixing of

 “A Breath Untaken” is almost done and then we will get into the Love Song work. I set up the guitar synthesizer and cakewalk sequencer software in the basement studio and it is ready to go. Lyrics set, guitars ready. Idea is a simple short song. (We’ll see!)

4/16-18/04

Trip to Jamaica Tryall Club for Samantha Cherney’s wedding. Just before leaving, I burnt a CD of Pure Prarie League songs. While in Jamaica, I came up with new lyrics inspired by the PPL music:

Mr. Tree

After dancing with the wind, that was grasping at his branches

Mr. Tree took some time to think, about his chances

Of moving away from his home

Where he had been anchored

He wants to make a move, to a new location

Maybe with a view of some civilization

He’s been stuck on that same old hill, since he was an acorn

Oh, his view’s been interrupted by brothers

And sisters who grew up, to surround him

Took away all his sun, and his action

What’s he to do he can’t go?

Oh, oh, oh!!!

Bridge – Instrumental                                                                         

Well another day goes and then another nightfall

Crickets, Owls, and Bats are screaming, while heavy rain falls

He sucks up some the water and fog, and catches a tree buzz!!!

He reflects on all the years and the things that’ve happened

Chainsaws in the distance, and gunshots, and axes!!!

Scary lightning storms, big droughts, and goddamn cicadas!!!!

Oh, so his views ain’t like those in Aspen

The grass at is feet ain’t Columbian

But he’s had it pretty good here,

His friends shield him from the storms

Woa, oh, oh!!!

Bridge – Instrumental

Oh, maybe push another root down on into the soil

Drop another acorn, drip sap and ooze some oil

His spot is really ok, anyway he can’t change things

The grass is always greener, the sky is always bluer

He thought “I need to look at me. And you? You  need to look at you

My hill? It ain’t so bad”, he just started thinkin’!

Oh, another year older and wiser

The secret is be a compromiser

I win, you win, we can both win

The game will go on, and on, and on, oh oh woa !

Bridge – Instrumental

Mr. Tree is on the mountain

His children in the valley

He looks down and he sees them

He couldn’t be more happy

What goes around comes around

He’s accepted the role he was given

There are always those who have been

Given more than you have

But worry instead, about those things that you do have

Ahead of the game we all are, so go on and try it

And do what Mr. Tree did and accept what you’ve been given

Take a deep breath and listen, yes you can agree with

The space you’ve been given’ on earth and what you may find there

It’s hard  to go and do it, but most of the time

It’ll make you happy, if you go and spend some time

If your healthy and busy and tired, don’t do no complainin’

4/19- 27/04

Work in basement studio, see the general journal there.

4/26/04

Pretend that you’re a tree

Whose choices are few

It shouldn’t be hard because

You know in fact it’s true

That a speck on the beach of life is

The size of me and you!!!!!

Whoa, oh, oh…………….

Oh, oh, oh………..

Oh, oh, oh?

4/27-04 – 5/15/04

Lot’s of basement studio work and CD ripping I needed to do. Laid down initial guitar and mdi tracks of the love song. Came up with another chord progression for a song that uses Fogelberg and Pure Prairie League type chords that in the end will be Mr. Tree. Mike home from school, Justin is coming. Heating up around here for summer!!!!

8/26/04

Well, that summer came and went!! Oh baby!!!!! WOW. Lot’s of mountain biking, trip to Costa Rica, Mohonk, and finally Rocky Mountain National Park and mountain climbs. So busy with work that very little time went into the music. Love song almost done. Final mixing this weekend. See the studio journal for the work on it this summer. Not much as it is a simple song and it was a busy summer!!!!

Did a lot of work on Mr. Tree in spare moments so I will begin on that soon. Seems late summer early fall is the starting time of a song as life takes a turn around here at Walden Place!

9/1/04

Presented Taf with her “Love Song” for our 25^th anniversary. Last few days of August I prepared the CD jacket and printout of lyrics to give to her as part of it. I think she loved it!!!! We had dinner out to celebrate. She is the best!!! How lucky am I?

9/3/04

A painting we bought in Colorado arrived today. It is amazing. Hung in the den over the couch. Big 3 day weekend is here. I brought a microphone up to Justin’s room and I think all the hardware I need is here to start to record like last fall!!! I installed Sonar tonight to record with. Over the weekend I’ll get going. Big hurricane Francis in Florida!!! Oh baby. (1 hour)

9/4/04

I debugged Sonar today and Hank and Nash Prince came over to learn a little Sonar. I gave the young budding musician a prior copy of Sonar and he came over to learn a little.

(2 hours)

9/6/04

Labor day BBQ at brother Geoff’s. Came home and as I laid in a lounge chair at the pool and watched the sun sink down I felt like I watched the summer end right there. Not so bad, I like the fall best around here!!! Went to the basement studio and finished a Gene Clark disc I was burning.

9/7/04

I brought some more stuff up here today to get ready. I have a lot to do at work for one more week and then I should have some time to get to work up here. The next two days should be big rain as Frances the Hurricane remnants come by. (.5 hours)

9/10/04

Spent some time setting up recording settings with the Harmony acoustic. Almost ready to go.  Big time this afternoon clearing up the pool from the big winds of Hurricane Francis remnants today. Also, big 9/15 tax deadline. Work almost done, I should have some time the next 6 weeks to work. (1 hour)

9/13/04

Finally. Had a few minutes and quickly laid down the basic acoustic guitar track. Just shows why if you have a few minutes you have to go for it!!!! (1 hour)

9/15/04

Tax returns gone, deadline over. Shit. Another big hurricane Ivan!!! Mike’s girlfriend Nicole escaped Louisiana and is with him in Boulder. Whew!!! Mixed and applied digital effects to the acoustic tracks recorded Monday. Big Jewish holiday tomorrow (1.5 hours.)

9/18/04

So Ivan remnants hit yesterday here. Picture. Big flood on the street. Amazing rain and big cleanup. Spent some time this weekend working up a riff for another song. Jammed with the 12 string Rickenbacker in Justin’s room here tonight. Waiting on some quiet time to record Mr. Tree vocals in the house. Updated Windows to Service Pack 2 tonight. Big deal, no big changes is the system. Big Giants win today!!!! Gog came to watch and we went to dinner together at Outback restaurant. (1 hour)

9/21/04

Mixed tracks to CD for vocals practice in the car so I can record Thursday (9/23) which I plan to take off. Did massive work in basement studio tonight. See journal there.

9/22/04

Guitar lesson working on inverted chords for Mr. Tree. (1.5 hours)

9/23/04

Recorded and mixed vocals during day off. Morning had repair guys for house alarm and heat, then lunch with Taf. After recording I started a 3 mile run and blew my right hamstring BIG TIME. I’m really getting old!!! 2 hours at pool, made dinner. Nice day. (2.5 hours)

9/24/04

Gave platelets for 3 hours this morning. Worked on inverted answer chords for intro and more. Yup, another hurricane – Jeanne!! (.5 hours)

9/25/04

Recorded inverted acoustic chords and some Gibson electric guitar lead stuff. Struggled with the notebook as it suddenly is acting funny. Maybe a mistake to update to service pack 2. Massive Hematoma in rear of thigh!!!! (2.5 hours)

9/26/04

Did some editing and mixing of the stuff recorded to date. (1 hour)

9/28/04

Jeanne Remnants here today. What a mess lately with all these hurricanes!!! (1 hour)

9/30/04

Work up bass part. .5 hours

10/14/04

After working up the bass parts I decided to enlist my guitar teacher to listen to what I had so far and make critical suggestions. So last night at my biweekly lesson, I brought my notebook machine and peripherals and we listened and he made suggestions.
It is the first time I had a professional musician critique what I am doing and give me some ideas. I have a list of about 15 things to think about and incorporate into this now.

The basic guitar and vocals are done. Now I’ll add second acoustic, electric lead and bass.

Last weekend we went to see Justin in MD and I have been buried with the 10/15 tax deadline so progress has been quiet so far in October. Also Oscar was in for a week from Costa Rica but he brought me a new guitar that has the family initials by person inlaid in the neck along with the USGP track layout. It is beautiful.I should have more time starting this weekend. Big US soccer victory last night!!!! (3 hours)

10/14/04

Friday night dinner at PG with Taf and Terry Smith and Clara after Jake soccer game in MASSIVE rainstorm. He played nice goal!!! Very relaxed weekend. 2 hours in studio Saturday and 4 hours here today doing second acoustic, electric lead and mixing. Taf went to wake for work person. (4 hours)

10/23/04

For the past week this notebook was taken over by Taf for some nursing deal she had. During the week I started to work on “It’s Morning” by Jimmy Ibbotson. What a great song with mandolins and banjos. I sent him a random e-mail to buy a cd and he sent me 2 cds and some autographs as a response. Nice guy. So, I’m gonna try and cover his song which is a great one.

Tonight Taf and I had dinner out with 2 friends and we came home at 8pm. I went out in the back yard to smoke a cigar by myself in the 50 degree October chill. I sat on a deck of cedar that in June of 1985 we planned and discussed with the builder while Taf had labor pains with Mike (who arrived several hours later.) Adjacent to the deck is bed of flowers that Mike then dug and helped plant 16 years later. The yard is filled with trees and bushes we planted over the last 21 years. I looked at trees that tower over the neighborhood that was the size of pencils when we put them in the ground. The whole acre is atop the terminal moraine from the glaciers of the last ice age at one of the highest point on the Island. What an amazing spot we have come to occupy with our family. Mr. Tree would understand.

10/25 and 10/26/04

Worked on lead guitar parts in the bridge and release parts and recorded the first one tonight!!!  (1 hour total)

11/05/04

Finished lead guitar and bass parts 2 hours.

11/10/04

34^th anniversary of the “Brookside Game”. Had the usual e-mails with the old 9^th grade teammates. How many things you did when you were 14 make you keep in touch with people when you are 48?

Had a guitar lesson with Baldwin where we worked on producing Mr. Tree. Equalization etc. Played it for Taf last weekend and she loved it. Wow.

The average woman does the laundry

The average woman might hold one job

The average woman can make herself pretty now

The everyday woman done please her man

The average woman can raise the children  some

The average woman goes and drives the car

The average woman can bitch to her girlfriends

The all around  woman can cry to her ma

But not my woman she don’t do nothin’ like

Just those things my girl don’t go just that far

She’s not like those women walk tight pants round the neighborhood

Polish them nails eat lunch in the local bar NO

Saturday, September 14, 2003 – Entry One

During mid summer 2003, I got tired of playing standard guitar tuning and re-tuned a couple of guitars around the house and office to double drop D and then to G tuning. The basic chords of a potential new song showed up over a couple of weeks as most of the playing took place in my bedroom in the evenings, or by the pool on my Martin Backpacker. The G tuning is a banjo tuning and some banjo licks I had made up over the prior year fit nicely into the chord progression. I had no plans for a song, just the usual messing around with the guitars and chord progressions. Then, one Saturday morning, as she was drying off from a shower after having heard this (been bored by this) for a couple of weeks, Taf walked into the room and she said “I know what that song is! Boulder Bound!!” Obviously it was, I knew the minute she said it!!!

Mike was about to depart for his freshman year in Boulder at the University of Colorado and the five of us had plans to go out to Colorado, hike for few days and then set him up (free ?). About 2 days after “Me Espinosa” said that, I finished the words in 2 sittings, thanks to her encouragement, and started to pull it together. My best friend Drew gave Mike a copy of a John Denver disc with Rocky Mountain High to go with on the trip which was very inspiring. Drew had taken the same album on his trip to Colorado upon leaving high school for Denver at the same age 29 years ago!!!! On the subsequent trip to Colorado, I refined the music in a cabin in Rocky Mountain National Park alongside the Fall River, and then, on the balcony of a hotel in Boulder (in the early morning with coffee and/or late afternoon sunshine.) Upon our return from Boulder, to another week of vacation from work at home in early September, I had some time in the basement studio and I worked up the synthesizer intro and recorded it with my Cakewalk Sonar XL sequencer digital audio workstation software in my basement studio.

Now that school has begun and it is just the 3 of us in the house (sadly), I have put the basic synth intro file on a notebook computer in Justin’s room and I hope to start working on it a little every evening or so. I am waiting for an Edirol USB audio interface I need to come FedEx on Thursday or so to begin work.

Up in Justin’s room I have 3 instruments that I have never recorded before that I acquired over the last 4 years. A banjo, an electric lap steel slide guitar, and a mandolin. The goal is to make a version of the song up there during the fall, debug it, and then this winter, do a final version in the basement studio.

Today I worked up some electric riffs to go from the synth part to the guitar parts. I showed it to Taf as we watched hurricane Isabel in the Atlantic about to go north of Puerto Rico. I’ll note its movement over the next week, the first of this journal!

Tuesday, September 16, 2003 – Entry Two

The last two evenings were taken up with preparing for Isabel, which is apparently going to hammer N.C. Friday morning and move up the coast so we will have some big winds. This meant shutting the whole backyard down for the winter a month early. But it’s over with. Had to be done soon anyway. I also spent time working on the den walls as part of the kitchen/ground floor major renovation of the house being done. It is busy around here!!

Tonight I worked on the Stratocaster intro (and/or, as I discovered tonight the outro?)

Wednesday, September 17, 2003 – Entry Three

Tonight I worked on the guitar chords to get from the last chords of the synth intro out into the electric guitar build up to the song intermittently while working with Jake on the pool cover for the hurricane. Isabel baby!! Glad she’s south, (but Justin is there)!! I documented the chords in Power Chords software. Taf is doing a late clinic and Naughton showed up. Wow!!

Thursday September 18, 2003 – Entry Four

Today I received and set up the MobilePre audio USB interface on the notebook in Justin’s room. Using it I was able to immediately record the electric guitar ending with the synth intro and then the next section of an electric guitar part. I then mixed it all on the notebook and played it back. Pretty quick! Hurricane Isabel hit N.C. and then went on to Va and Md. Looks like we’ll dodge the bullet (or as the weather guy said the “missile”!!!) But Justin got hit. We are due to get hit overnight. Boulder Bound? Next will be some 12 string acoustic Travis picking and full rhythm part.

Friday September 19, 2003 – Entry Five

Yeah, we got hit. The house alarm system went off at 3am from a power surge which destroyed he electronics in the Jacuzzi and the winds were strong. By morning it was over and a lot of leaves but no real damage. Whew!!! Got home early and did some lap electric steel guitar tracks in the afternoon. Justin has no power in Md. as they got hit pretty hard. Went out with Taf on errands and tried to get a new blues DVD 2 disc set of blues guys playing in the 60’s that just came out. Could not find it and came home and ordered it online.

Saturday September 20, 2003 – Entry Six

Early on went to dentist for busted tooth, and then shopping for parts for the first floor renovation. Then Taf and I laid at the pool for a couple of hours (cleaned up the mess from the hurricane). Went up to my Justin room studio (He still has no power in MD) and recorded a 12-string track for the song. It is going pretty fast so far!!! Today I received some digital e-mail pictures of a guitar I had made in Costa Rica from a design I’d made. It is finally done and the guy playing it has offered $1,000 more than I agreed to pay for it!!! (No Way!!!)

Sunday September 21, 2003 – Entry Seven

Took my mandolin to Pop’s house and played a little while watching the Giants game. (OT win over the Redskins). Banjo work next.

Monday September 22, 2003 – Entry Eight

Busy day with Jake’s soccer game (1-0 win his first middle school game as keeper)! Set up the loop points for the bridge part the song and began work on the banjo riffs for the bridge. Organized “Studio B” in Justin’s room. Listened to Muddy Waters during organize time.

Tuesday September 23, 2003 – Entry Eight (and a half)

Spent two hours trying out the banjo over various parts recorded so far without finding something I really liked. I think picking over the initial vocal parts with the same chords will be the way to go after trying to jam the banjo over the bridge to no avail. See why this is so time consuming? Bought the newest Meatloaf disc today and a Son House album.

Wednesday September 24, 2003 – Entry Nine

After setting up some powered computer speakers instead of the ones that were here from Justin’s computer (unpowered), I spent two and a half hours and recorded some banjo parts tonight and for the first time I mixed a Sonar Digital Audio project to wave file internally as an interim demo mix. Click on this to hear it (only on CD):

                             ...\..\..\CakewalkProjects\boulderbound.wav

I’ll put it on a CD, practice the vocals in the car, and then record them next. Doing all this on this notebook computer is confirming my fear that the machine I have in the studio downstairs is totally obsolete. It is going much smoother and faster up here in Justin’s room with skeleton equipment than it does in the studio with major stuff.

Sunday September 28, 2003 – Entry Ten

Busy week. Listened to the mix in the car.  I spent some time Friday night and again this morning working out use of the Virtual Sampler software I have. It is very complicated so I’m not sure if it will be worth all the time it will take to learn how to use it. We’ll see. I also played around with a demo of the Antares Kantos analog software synthesizer to decide whether to buy it or not. It lets you plug in the guitar and play a synthesizer with it. Very cool. (Townsend did this on Who’s Next with hardware synthesizers.) Today I worked on a banjo part for Boulder Bound (while I watched the USGP) that I am thinking about with some Mandolin parts. Right now I’m tentatively thinking about Boulder Bound – Suite.

Boulder Bound Suite:

Big Thompson Canyon- Nightfall

Mandolins and Steel Guitars

Boulder Bound –Walkin’ up intro

Boulder Bound

I also polished some guitars and moved some from Justin’s room to the basement. I need a guitar tech!!!

Monday September 29, 2003 – Entry Eleven

Recorded vocal parts tonight and worked on some banjo riffs for the instrumental Mandolins and Steel Guitars part. Played with some software effects on various tracks. Got a physical today. I was told I need surgery on a hernia in my navel and that my electrocardiogram is not right so I need heart tests. Nice!!!!!

Thursday October 2, 2003 – Entry Twelve

I’ve had a busy week. Tonight Taf is in NYC with brother Sam Eber who had surgery today and I am with Jake at home. I mixed what I have so far tonight. This week I have been watching a documentary about the blues by Martin Scorcese. Not so good but interesting. I’ve been playing slide guitar while I watch.

..\..\..\Cakewalk Projects\boulderbound102.wav

Monday October 6, 2003– Entry Thirteen

Mandolin parts today. Spent the weekend visiting Justin in MD. On the way to MD I found a perfectly good Harmony guitar in my parents neighbors garbage pile!!!! Polished it up, new strings and another guitar joins the fray. Today was Yom Kippor so I had some time off to work. I did all the mandolin parts and mixed the stuff I have so far. 5 hours!!!

Wednesday October 8, 2003 – Entry Fourteen

Intro bass parts tonight and played what I have so far for Taf. Kitchen renovation is almost done. 1 hour.

Thursday October 9, 2003– Entry Fifteen

Remaining bass parts and some mixing tonight. I’ve been looking a lot at E-bay Martin guitars lately and find that I like the D12-35 models being sold. I noticed the Rabbi at the Temple has a D-35 which has an interesting back made of three pieces and only 12 frets clear of the body (vs 14 usually). For some reason the 12 string versions sell for less than the 6 strings. These were popular in the sixties and seventies. I have a major new Martin Roger McGuinn 12 string, but, one of these would be a nice addition as a working 12 string and I would not worry about capoing or tuning it in other tunings.

Friday October 10, 2003 – Entry Sixteen

Jake is away this weekend so the house is empty. Worked tonight on editing and mixing the tracks I have and putting some guitar holders on the wall in the basement studio. 2 hours.

Saturday October 11, 2003 – Entry Seventeen

Spent some time this morning configuring Power Chords software to use in finding chords on the banjo and mandolin. This will make using all the instruments together easier in the future. Went shopping with Taf and took the dogs hiking to the beach. Had dinner out, went to the movies (saw “Lost in Translation”). Came home and edited and mixed the tracks to date. Spoke to Mike who is in a soccer tournament in Colorado.

I want to put some harmony vocals on next and then do a banjo instrumental part for possible inclusion in the suite. Two and a half months into the project. 1.5 hours today.

Tuesday October 13, 2003 – Entry Eighteen

Made a backup of the file on the notebook and took down to the studio to see how it will work on another computer. Seems to be fine. I have to decide when to make the move with the song to the basement studio as there is much more in the way of equipment down there. I’ll at least do some more vocals and fix some mandolin parts here first.

Friday October 16, 2003 – Entry Nineteen

Had an hour tonight so I put on some harmony vocals.

Sunday October 18, 2003 – Entry Twenty

After lots of studio organizing today I sat and watched the Giant game (another frustrating loss by a team that was picked to go very far in pre-season) with my McGuinn 12-string and  worked up a nice riff in normal tuning for some other day, not Boulder Bound. We then went to visit Nan in Brooklyn for 4 hours. I came home and recorded a little more Mandolin. I want to put a little more on and then I think I’ll move it down to the basement studio. Earlier today I also installed the new upgrade of my Cakewalk Sonar digital audio workstation software-Version 3. Of course 2 works fine and 3 is screwed up, but a call to Tech Support from the office tomorrow should fix that I hope.

Monday October 20, 2003 – Entry Twenty One

Cakewalk tech support call. 60 seconds, driver change. Fixed. Cool!

Thursday October 23, 2003 – Entry Twenty Two

I took Jake to Hebrew school, (Bar Mitzvah in March coming up). Extensive mandolin parts for 2 hours and then a 3 mile run! At the end of it all I received a call from Taf while recording was still enabled which I’ll leave on the mandolin track and mix on the final master!!! Oh, the kitchen is almost done, counter tops to go in on Monday. Did I mention the Yankees are in the World Series like I care about baseball? Hope they lose!!! They are down tonight 6-1 in the fifth game of a 2-2 series to the Marlins!!! Jake is finishing his middle school soccer season, Mike is deciding whether he will grace his team and go to the collegiate club nationals, Chris Delmuro (Mike’s friend) is in the collegiate playoffs, and my song needs drums and final mixing!!!!

Monday October 27, 2003 – Entry Twenty Three

Not much done in the last few days. Over the weekend we went to see a Broadway play (that was bad) Saturday night with David and Susan Smith and then Sunday night saw Rick Wakeman who is the most amazing musician and entertainer you will ever see!!! Yes, the Yankees lost by the way. I managed to load the song onto a CD as a bundle file to bring to the basement studio for midi parts and mixing.

Wednesday October 29, 2003 – Entry Twenty Four

Last night I went into the basement and put the song on the studio computer. It went smoothly, but the audio effects from the notebook sound different on the desktop so I bypassed most of them and did some track rearranging so that adding the midi parts and mixing will be easier. Yesterday I had a Thalium stress test and arrived home tonight to the good news they I may have some blockage to deal with. Nice!!! Yesterday I also changed the strings on my D-18CTN Martin as I have continued working on the finger picking riffs I referred to in entry twenty. Yesterday I also bought the new 5.1 surround sound SACD version of Tommy by The Who. As that is my all time favorite music and album, I think I have every version that ever was released as well as bootlegs of Townshend’s demos that he made in his house by himself first. See how they get you? I have the CD version, the remastered CD version, and now this (in addition to the record album, cassette, the Broadway cast version CD, and the demo bootleg. Oh, did I mention I recorded the Overture on a prior notebook computer on vacation in Virgin Gorda and Anguilla?) They’ll eventually come out with ten more versions as new technologies arrive and I will buy them all. Go listen to it!!!!!!!!!!

    

Saturday November 1, – Entry Twenty Five

Over the last couple of nights I did some work in the basement (3 hours) readying for drums and other last parts and mixing. This morning I laid down a lot of drum parts. I’m not happy with how the 12 string sounds on the basement computer. I spent about 2 hours today on it and fixed the 12 string parts.

Sunday November 2, – Entry Twenty Six

Around a trip to Merrick to watch the Giants beat the Jets in OT, I spent about 3 hours mixing and editing in the basement studio. This part of the process is very tedious. You route each part recorded from the computer to the mixer and then determine the proper volume, pan (left and right), sound effects, compression, reverb, and equalization for each part. This is done by listening over and over and changing these settings as you go along for each part. It always takes me forever. Watch what happens

Wednesday November 5, – Entry Twenty Seven

Five hours spent mixing and editing over the last 3 nights. Tedious. See why this takes so long?

Thursday November 6, – Entry Twenty Eight

Spent 4 hours tonight mixing everything using the monitor speakers in the studio. Then, had it almost perfect and played it in the regular speakers, and it sounded terrible. I’m pissed. I’m gonna take a break. The process can be very frustrating. I spent a half hour just because a new drum part conflicted in the software with and old drum part and they both sounded wrong. I guess in the old days people had to be musicians. Now you have to be a computer engineer too. (Like in the old days you had to be an accountant. Now you have to be a computer engineer too) Shit!!

Saturday November 8, – Entry Twenty Nine

Thursday night I swore to put this down for awhile. Yeah right, I was down there mixing last night and all day today. Solved the conflict, added some Tubular Bells (ever hear of Mike Oldfield?)  and a “Grandioso” synthesizer part between the intro and the Boulder Bound start. It actually is starting to sound good. I’m gonna finish this “Demo” as my final version. 4 hours over the two days. Played the current mix for the Geoff, Steph, Heidi, Doug, and the Jackelitch’s at Doug’s house tonight.

Sunday November 9, – Entry Thirty

Spent time relaxing in the studio listening to the Stones today. 1.5 hours.

Monday November 10, – Entry Thirty One

Spent two hours mixing tonight using equalization. Started recording mixes on a CD at the same time as the minidisk I use to listen in the car. That way, when I have one I like, I have a final on CD as well. First big freeze last night. First “Fire of Winter” too now that the house is complete. Taf bought the rug for the den today that pretty much says the renovation is complete. (It takes me longer to do a song than it takes 4 guys to gut and redo a whole ground floor kitchen, den and bathroom. They work  all day though.) By way, Taf and I have lost 40 pounds together since labor day. Tomorrow I get an Echo Stress test. Nice.                                    

Sunday November 16, – Entry Thirty Two (Final Entry?)

Heart results all negative. I’m healthy as a horse. All false alarms. Last entry 11/10 was the 33^rd anniversary of the “Brookside Game” (soccer). Interesting because the cardiologist that did all the heart stuff??? Tom Pappas, my very close childhood friend who played with me in that game!!!  So, 7 hours this week, more mixing. I finally got it right this afternoon in the middle of putting the house back together finally after all the construction. With 12 tries!!!! Too much vocal, too little mandolin, etc. etc. etc. I finally got it as good as I can with my amateur equipment and talent. See what you think!!!!!

We are off to Barbados Wednesday for a wedding, and then return to Thanksgiving week. Justin and Mike home and the family reunited. Five months after Boulder Bound began it is done. And the Boulder Bound young man who now lives there will be home to hear it!!!!! So emotional, I cannot wait!!!!!

Picture by Mike Giffuni (via e-mail).

Tuesday 8/23/2005

Said a tearful goodbye to Brian Smith today. My neighbor and good buddy is moving to Dallas. He had been staying with us on and off all month and today he hit the road. Bummer. Jake is trying out for HS football.

Early this spring I finally strung two guitars with “Nashville Tuning”.  The sound is amazing and I came up with two songs from it. One in the Nashville guitar tuning (Martin 00-15 and Harmony by the way) and one in normal tuning, so, here we go. Late summer prods me to plan a year more than late December does. I guess the carryover from a new school year (and soccer season) feelings as a child and parent.

Also, my new 7 string Martin McGuinn HD-7 is waiting for me at Mandolin Brothers. Very Exciting. My third McGuinn signed guitar. I am one lucky bastard.

I have spent some time over the summer preparing the recording equipment and guitars and practicing these songs. I have no lyrics so they may be instrumental. I really like it all so far.

The next 3 weeks are tough, we will take a few days to visit the Macy’s in Pa. and then 9/9-9/12 we go to Ohio for a client wedding and 9/13-9/15 I go to Guatemala on Ameriteak/Interforest business. Then I will go into recording mode full swing, maybe before.

I recently wrote this:

Uncle Joe’s Guitar

-A story about a “found” guitar, and the final, difficult passage of a life on this earth. While sad, it is also true, and in some ways, very happy. A lesson to all who take the time to read, here we go………

My father had but one brother, one of my only two wonderful uncles, Uncle Joe. A civil engineer who built some big buildings in the heyday of New York City construction in the 1950’s and 1960’s, Joe was a charming man who worked very hard and played very little. That was his nature. He was always very good to me and I still miss him a lot. This is the story of his final days, my involvement, and of his guitar.

In late 1979 my new wife Kathy (Taf) and I moved into our first home in Port Washington, on the north shore of Long Island, NY. Joe and my aunt Marie lived in Plandome, a small upscale town next door to “Port”. One winter night, shortly after moving in, we had Joe and Marie and my parents over for dinner; two newlywed 23 year olds and the generation above in their fifties. A nice evening.

All of a sudden, the conversation turned to guitars. I was still a fledgling player, having taken lessons in college after buying my first guitar in high school. The day I bought my first guitar, a mass produced classical nylon thing that I liked, my father came home and seeing it said “What’s this?” “I want to learn guitar” I said after my grandmother, May Gillen having heard of my aspirations and economic shortfall, had given me $100 to go buy it earlier that day. $100, a big tab back then. “You should have told me, I have a guitar” he said and related his attempt to learn as a young man. After he changed, he went up into the attic and returned with some old, somewhat scratched, unlikely thing I thought was very uncool. But hey, it was my first day as a guitar player and I had two guitars. Nice start! (That guitar turned out to be a 1920’s Gibson F-hole steel string that I treasure to this day, what luck! Really!)

So here we were in our place, and little did I know Joe had also become a player. His social world was a slightly snooty moneyed circle, so when he took it up he got a fancy “North Shore” classical teacher and, a fancy classical guitar – unbeknownst to me. That night, in the middle of our evening he unexpectedly drove home, got his guitar, came back and played for us. And then I did. Not bad, the typical exercises of beginning players who really were not very musical on a guitar that did not impress anyone much. Ok though, made the night interesting. End of story, so I thought.

Twenty five years later, after millions of dollars had passed through his hands, in most cases spent frivolously, Joe was sick, very sick. With no relatives other than an estranged son, and us, he needed help. So I, my brother and my sons were ready, to our disappointment and dismay to assist. Seems that after my father had loaned him money to assist with Marie’s terminal illness and demise, Joe went to a neighbor and borrowed so much more money that when he could not pay it back, the neighbor, a lifelong friend, was forced to foreclose on the mortgage that had secured the debt and evicted Uncle Joe from his large, fine home of 40 years. A depressing horror show to see.

With no place to live, this proud man who had just lost his wife and had no one else to turn to, was welcomed into the home of his sons ex-wife and his 11 year old granddaughter. Allie welcomed him, as he had welcomed her as a young woman into his home with Marie as their daughter when she was in trouble and had been at great odds with her own parents. She had married their son, divorced him, but she never forgot their generousness and reciprocated in his last days when Joe was in trouble himself. What goes around sometimes really does come around. Allie was very, very generous.

So it was bad, really bad,  and he had a rollaway dumpster delivered to his driveway, and for 6 weeks, my crew, (whoever was available on a given day), diligently arrived weekend mornings to empty the contents of Joe’s house into the dumpster, all day long as it was a big house (and a heartbreaking job.) Joe sat on a folding chair, unable to help, watching a lifetime of possessions head for the land fill. Gentleman that he was, he endeavored to leave the house empty to spare his friend the expense of cleaning it as he liquidated the house, and Joe grudgingly enlisted us to do the work. He had no choice of other volunteers. We were it.

The days of labor were emotionally tough, carrying out all the stuff of a lifetime in a continuous parade past poor Joe as he, in pain, watched it all reverberate while dropped in the metal cavern on his driveway. It was heart wrenching, picture it. Three or four times a day he’d say “not that” as an item, particularly precious only to him passed by and we would instead put it in the vehicle of transit. At the end of the day, we’d deliver him to Allie’s house and empty the few things he could not part with into her garage which was brimming with things of no economic value that meant something to him from prior weekends. The garage had become overfilled with stuff, Joe had become overfilled with illness, and we were fortunately near the end of the house cleaning as I wondered how much more could he, or we, could take.

And now also, Joe was financially broke. Totally. Completely.

He lived from US Navy pension check to another and rarely a week went by that he, my father, or Allie did not receive a threatening call from a bill collector. He was at the end of everything. It was really sad for a man whose life had been one of accomplishment and class, who, contributed to – no caused his own financial demise at life’s end, as he had always lived beyond his financial means. Leverage is a killer when the cash flow stops.

Then, on the last day of the project, I got into Joe’s bedroom closet. Marie’s nightgowns and many other of their very personal items were still stored, as if they were still in the prime of their lives. On one of my last trips I discovered a guitar case, way in back, buried deep, and quickly I opened it. The nice, slightly worn classical guitar, last seen by me in 1979 was inside. I carried it down, and, had he not called out a “not that”, this baby was not going in the dumpster no matter what (hey I’d actually become a serious guitar player during the interim.) But he did, and it went in the car for delivery to the Allie garage storage chamber at day’s end.

Upon arrival at Allies, exhausted and sad as usual, we walked Joe to the door. As we carried the few “not that” things to the garage he saw the guitar going in. “Wait,” he said to me. “You take the guitar, you love to play, and I can’t use it. Think of me when you play it, please!” What could I say? I had over the years made playing my passion, my favorite free time thing. He knew it was too. A beautiful guitar is the most wonderful gift, but especially from him, especially like this. So I took it home with my boys. Tearfully. Damn!!

That night I uncased it and played it for the second time. An amazing instrument I thought. But, being a Martin steel string and electric player, I was not versed in the gem I had in my hands. But it was special, at least I thought. I put on new strings, polished it up, and a few days later, I brought it to a guitar lesson and my teacher, a professional guitar guy got real excited, real fast. “This is serious my friend” he said, and told me to get it checked out by an expert. Stan Jay took a look and immediately told me he’d be happy to give me or get $8,000 for it. What? It was a signed Manual Velasquez bearclaw wood beauty, and a prize to those who treasure such works of art. (Since then I’ve learned of the great value, both monetary and more importantly instrumentally of these wonderful musical instruments.)

So I called Uncle Joe right away and told him of his new found luck. The $8,000 to him at that point was like many multiples of that to a younger healthy working person, or anyone not in the grave debt and misfortune that he had arrived at, desperately in need of money. It took him about 3 seconds to acknowledge his great luck, and about ½ a second more to clear his throat and say….

“You keep the guitar, it’s yours, I gave it to you, and I really I want you to keep it.” And he really did mean it, really. We argued a little, and a little more, but beyond my protest he was adamant and lovingly convinced me to keep it, for me, and for him. I had no choice.

And I did exactly as we agreed, and I still do. That guitar, among those others I’ve been so fortunate to enjoy is very special. The most special. As was my Uncle Joe. The guitar will stay with me for the rest of my life, along with the memories, amplified by the guitar, of that amazing guy, my wonderful Uncle Joe.

Wednesday  8/24/2005

Guitar lesson covering Nashville East, Gene Clark and other stuff. Jake survived the first football cuts.

Sunday  8/28/2005

Monday  8/29/2005

Spent 5 hours yesterday and 1.5 today laying down the intial tracks of Nashville East. Martin six string Nashville stringing and Strat/ Guitar Synth combo. Oh baby, Hurricane Katrina hammered New Orleans today. Nicole, Mike’s girlfriend escaped to Boulder to ride out the storm. Good for them!!!! Jake is still trying out 8 days later. Final cut tomorrow, he is not optimistic!!!! Taf is having back pain big time bummer.

Tuesday 8/30/2005

Internet chat:

Justin says:

so?

Mr. Chris  (NY) says:

I came home today after a stressful day of doing the same thing for 30 years. During the day, I said to several people, kidding around – “Rule one, do not live where your house is below a levee”!!!  I think that is a basic rule, obviously right? Only a moron would do it right? So tonight, watching the coverage of the catastrophe in New Orleans, I realized another thing I have long said but it hit

Mr. Chris  (NY) says:

home – “Don’t live within striking distance of an atomic bomb”. Duh? I do. Like they are not gonna blow up NYC in my lifetime? Practice what you preach I always say. We have some big decisions to make over here.

Mr. Chris  (NY) says:

I’m not gonna be a refugee in my own yard. Jesus.

Justin says:

yea you have always said all that

Mr. Chris  (NY) says:

Yeah I know, but this is a wake up call.

Justin says:

9/11 wasn’t??

Mr. Chris  (NY) says:

Look at the video. And a storm is party compared to doomsday.

Justin says:

oh yea, complete devestation

Mr. Chris  (NY) says:

9/11 was too, i’ve been giving this a lot of thought since that. But that was local.This shows how the whole nyc/ LI area would be a wasteland, if we lived, You can hide from a hurricane, but not a hydrogen bomb.

Justin says:

yea

Justin says:

the whole tri-state area would feel that…for hundreds of miles

Mr. Chris  (NY) says:

Our house is worth 1 million dollars. It would be worth 0 if we lived.

Justin says:

right

Mr. Chris  (NY) says:

We’ll see. i do not like to overreact to things.

Justin says:

no of course not

Mr. Chris  (NY) says:

I’ll talk to mom and we’ll think about it.

Mr. Chris  (NY) says:

But my gut says get the hell out of here. The Giffuni’s have had 4 generations around here. It may be time to hit the road.

Saturday  9/3/2005

Busy week. Tuesday Jake made the football team and then quit. #@!%@%#@%@#@ Wednesday we went to Cooperstown NY to see Bill and Lynn Macy and family who’s son Mike was playing in a baseball deal. We stayed in a house on Goodyear Lake in Oneonta, great time. Came back late Thursday and worked Friday. I got up today and went to Staten Island to Mandolin Bros and picked up my McGuinn Martin 7- String. Amazing Instrument. New Orleans is still out on control. Still. Jesus, how lucky am I? Justin is home for the weekend, new Martin, and the extended family is coming tomorrow for a skirt steak, wine, pool BBQ. I have no complaints.

Played my new guitar and watched:

                                              

USA Qualified for Germany World Cup Baby!!!!!!!!!!!! Kicked Mexico’s ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday  9/5/2005 (Labor Day)

Yesterday the extended families came (except those personas at school). We grilled steaks, drank wine, tossed Frisbees, swam in the pool and enjoyed amazing weather. It gets no better. Today I laid at the pool and then took Jake to get new ski’s for our anticipated blow away ski season. When I returned, I took two guitars outside and wrote down the tablature for Nashville East and Nashville Central. What an amazingly great weekend. We are here and people are dying in New Orleans. Jesus.

Tuesday 9/6/2005

Back to harsh reality. But, I received the new Rolling Stones album by Fedex today. Sounds great!!

Thursday 9/8/2005

Mike got his Grand Cherokee Laredo delivered in Boulder yesterday!!! Justin doing great in Albany and Jake had a nice start to school. And Taf and I worked our asses off the last couple of days. Whew. I took a guitar lesson yesterday and worked on the fingerpicking of Fire and Rain. Tough but fun stuff. Using my Elizabeth Cotton Martin and still getting to know my new HD-7 McGuinn 7 string. NFL started tonight.

Using the Martin 00-18CTN I was trying fast runs with a 3^rd fret capo for Nashville Central. We’ll see.

Saturday 9/17/2005

Last 10 days all a mess with 6 plane trips to Ohio and Guatemala (see the Guatemala journal). Today Taf had her wisdom teeth out so it has been a little crazy. Starting Tuesday I hope to be back in the studio. This is all why my process down here takes so long all the time.

While I was on the plane to Guatemala, I wrote this:

Toast and Butter Blues

Ah toast and butter, and butter and toast

Hot toast and warm butter, I love it the most

I’m your hot toast my darlin’, warm butter you spread

Warm butter warm butter, done blow up my head

I give you my toast, get your warm lovin’ butter

Oh warm butter warm butter, from my sweet lady lover

My knife takes a spread, of your nice tastin’ butter

You butter my toast, and my heart starts to sputter

I’m toast and you’re butter, you butter my toast

Warm butter warm butter, yo’ sea lick my coast

I taste up some wine, it tastes silky smooth

But it don’t make me fine, like your butter done do

Warm butter warm butter, said it blowed up my head

I’m your hot toast my darlin’, your warm butter’s my spread

I like butter hot, gimme greasy and tasty

An some dirty and earthy, just a little bit nasty

Warm butter warm butter, yes it blows up my head

I’m your hot toast my darlin’, warm butter you spread

I like butter hot, and salty and sweet

An’ some cool and slippery, my baby’s good treat

Butter out of the toast, with a little suck

This story got born, on Mr. Chris Style 0 Deluxe

Oh warm butter warm butter, hot toast and butter

I give you my toast, get your warm lovin’ butter

Oh warm butter warm butter, hot toast and butter

I give you my toast, get your warm lovin’ butter

Ah toast and butter, and butter and toast

Hot toast and warm butter, I love it the most

Keep in mind the plantation slave musicians wrote most of the great blues songs about hatred for the boss and sex, things they could not talk about. I’m just trying to imitate what they did, that is the idea.

Monday 9/19/2005

Giants game. Monday night. Pulled out a 20 year old Hohner Blues Harp. Hot Toast and Butter baby.

Saturday 9/24/2005

Massive work on Nashville East. Taf is away in Virginia with a friend on a nursing mission. I had the day free so I worked in the studio and then at the pool with the Martin Backpacker on Toast and Butter Blues guitar. Hurricane Rita buried Texas. Jesus.

Sunday 9/25/2005

Got up early with Taf away and did more studio work on Nashville East. I tried various guitars and synths as lead instruments and then settled on some Tubular Bells!!!  Later today I’ll watch the Brazilian Grand Prix, go see my parents and then the Giants Sunday night game at 8:30pm!!!!

Wednesday September 28, 2005

Well the Giants sucked Sunday night. So painful. I awoke Monday and worked until  Tuesday night at 5pm non stop with 5 hours sleep and passed out. Big Board of Directors meeting at a client. Tuesday night I received a FedEx delivery of a new Neil Young Album/DVD and watched a documentary on Dylan as we went to sleep for 2 hours. That was my music work over the last two days. But, watching the masters at work is very interesting and helpful. I saw some good lap steel guitar work in the Young DVD so I will try and incorporate mine into Nashville East. Tonight I did some editing work on it in Sonar.

                                                          

Nice Dreadnaught Martin!

Friday September 30, 2005

Spent two hours in the studio tonight trying out bass, bell, and slide guitar parts. None did I like. I then tried to no avail to tune my lap steel guitar. Some days, it just isn’t happening. Tomorrow is a day of work and Jen’s graduation party at her moms house.

Saturday October 1, 2005

Tubular Bell leads to Sonar. Some preliminary mixing without effects and it is starting to take shape. Taf and I went to Jens Graduation from Nursing school party at her Moms house. I felt like I was meeting future  in-laws!!! Holy Shit.

Saturday October 1, 2005

Great Day. Woke up and took Jake and his buddy Matt out to Bfst. Then Jake and I mountain biked to Merrick (in the dirt) to watch big Giant game with Justin and Gog. Came home to work on Nashville East. .

Thursday October 6, 2005

See how fast time goes when you try and do a song? Monday night Holiday Dinner here. Tuesday Holiday in the City at Sams all day and night.

Weds was good, a Mr. Chris day – Gym AM, work, guitar lesson, massage, home and new guitar parts using Neil Young chords learned at the lesson for yet another song. Right now is a very creative time  –

1. Nashville East
2. Nashville Central
3. Toast and Butter Blues.
4. Classical Guitar Fingerpick
5. Classical Guitar Fingerpick II
6. Young Chord thing
7. Martin 7 you got me jam
8. Shit for brains

All I need is time. Huge tax deadline 10/15, closing the big teak Guatemala deal in the next few weeks, and all three boys need help as life is tough for each right now. Thank god I have an amazing partner in Taf and we are healthy.  

Tonight Thurs. I came home and ran, set up dinner and here I am for 10 minutes! Jesus. By the way, big city police action today for potential Subway blow up by rat scum Islamic bombers. Nice fucking world.

Saturday and Sunday October 8^th and 9^th 2005

Huge rain weekend. Spent Saturday morning and Sunday morning doing the bass parts and doing initial mixing. Massive work with compressors and other electronics to try and make it professional. Spent Sat. afternoon at Joe Dwyer’s for the first down and then Sat night at the Smiths for Susan’s 50^th party.

I think it needs some more lead instrument and melody tracks. We’ll see.

Monday October 10, 2005

Columbus Day. Worked a half day and came home to watch the Islander game with Jake. Then spent and hour and a half recording some 12 string electric which was the thing it needed!!! Took Jake, two friends and Taf out to Chinese.

Thursday October 13, 2005

Let me say this. In my whole life on LI, I never saw rain like the last 6days. Jesus. So we came home last night from dinner out on the night before Yom Kippor to find MAJOR water in the basement by the stairs. Pumped it out and went to sleep. Woke up today to a lot more and spent the day pumping. So bad, Taf and Jake had to go to Ct. to see the family and break the fast without me so I could pump. Got some time during it all to initially mix Nashville East, but not exactly a calm studio day. Actually, spent the day making sure no water got in the studio. Juaoooooooooooooo!.!.!.!.

                     

Tuesday October 18, 2005

I spent from Thursday until Sat Night pumping an estimated 750 gallons in the basement here out to the street. My fathers sump pumps failed and I spent Sunday and Monday night pumping there. I am exhausted and have done no work down here. Tomorrow through Saturday night are all booked so it will be about 10 days of no activity here. #@!$#@%$#^#&##@

Friday October 28, 2005

10 days passed (as expected) and no work on the song. During that time I watched or went to 3 Ranger Isle games (we won 2) and went to another Isle game, saw a Broadway play, planted 23 Forsithia in a rush to beat another storm, took delivery of a new Martin Clapton Guitar, finalized an 8 carat ring for Taf for our trip coming in two weeks, did some serious work on learning a fiddle song named Blackberry Blossom and today I went to Wellington Mara’s funeral.

Major NFL star power at Mara funeral

Gifford, Upshaw, Madden, Willie Brown, Tagliabue honor late Giants owner.

                                                                                                                                                                                            

I hope to get back to work tomorrow.

 

Saturday October 29, 2005

Replaced ceiling tiles in the basement and then did work in the yard. Came in and did some mixing, finally.

 

   Tuesday November 1, 2005

Well the Giants kicked some ass on Sunday!! I went to work for the morning and then watched the game in Merrick, came home and ran. Last night worked on Black Mountain Rag in the den and read. Tonight massive mixing work on Nashville East. Compressors and Enhancers and Exciter hardware units. Watched Isles Bruins as I mixed. I am a multi-tasking genius.

Monday November 14^th, 2005

Spent the last two weeks gearing up for and going on vacation to Anguilla. We were there all last week and this week I am off as well to finish the song and relax. Rough life. Yesterday the giants played the worst game I have ever seen!!!! We went to Albany to watch with Justin.

SO TODAY, AFTER BIG DELAYS, I FINALIZED THE MIXING OF NASHVILLE EAST. THANKS. ON TO MORE WORK. THE FALL 2005 PROJECT IS COMPLETE.