About this blog title

I cannot tell you how many times I have shown up at events with a couple of cameras around my neck, a gadget bag full of odds & ends and a lighting kit and have been asked that question. If it happened once every few years, that would be one thing. But it happens a LOT. It's like getting pulled over by the police and he's standing there with uniform, gun, flashing lights and asking him "Are you a cop?" I would love to come back with a witty reply, such as "No, I am Jesus. Don't you recognize my beard?" However, I cannot be that rude.


Friday, May 30, 2014

Memorial Day 2014 in Chaumont N.Y.


Members of the Cape Vincent American Legion at The Copley House in Chaumont, NY for Memorial Day 2014
Memorial Day in Chaumont NY was very pleasant this year. The weather was agreeable and there was a nice turnout of folks for the parade and the ceremony that followed it on the front lawn of The Copley House. The following are photos from the event.












Thursday, May 22, 2014

Guitar concert/workshop at Carthage Library

Sign outside the library in Carthage, NY. 

Yesterday I did another mini concert and workshop at the Carthage Library, Carthage, NY. This one had a small turnout. It was 5-7:00 and at 10 minutes after five no one  had arrived. Then a woman walked in. Then a man. and another man. So I started. then a litlle later six more people arrived. So it was small. Consequently there was a lot of informal chat between me and the group. Many questions. Very attentive when I played. And this time I was less confident in my playing, and almost had some had shaking happening as well as a memory lapse  on one piece by Fernando Sor. As always it didn't matter, the people enjoyed it a lot. But it bothers me that there is this inconsistance within myself about how I do. One event I feel great about and the next one I am not so satisfied with my job.  However, I've heard that all performers, from soloists to bands to comedians, jugglers, magician, you name it, they all say "You have good nights and you have bad nights." That's the way it is.

10 year old girl that I showed how to properly hold thye guitar
 and how to pick strings with the right hand.


My new Cervantes guitar. This was the second event where I used it.
A month ago I bought a new guitar, a Cervantes Signature Series Master edition. What a fantastic guitar. One of the audience members aske me, "Is that a really good guitar or do you just have great technique?" Well, it's probably a combination, bu the fact is the guitar is phenominal and my techniques is probably average. What stands out to me s that I have never had anyone remark on my guitar before. So far, everyone that has heard this guitar makes a remark about it.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

A full day today. Guitar practice. Stacked 4 chord of fire wood. Mowed the Franklin St yard. Bought pair of brake calipers for the 2005 Dodge Caravan. Made some guacamole. Did a 2nd guitar practice session. Downloaded some collections of short stories by Anton Chekhov to my Kindle. 

Saturday, May 17, 2014

I play guitar at the H Lee White Marine Museum

Me playing at the H Lee White Marine Museum in Oswego.
Last night from 6-8:00 I play guitar at the H Lee White Marine Museum in Oswego, NY. It was the third year they asked me to play for their board of directors reception. It went really well. I used my Guild Mark V guitar and Fishman SoloAmp 220. The room is really great to play in. I have included a panoramic photo of it snapped with the iPhone 5. One of the people there said "You sound so good in this room I don't know if I would want to hear you anywhere else." Another man asked if I was free to play at his son'e wedding reception. That is always good.
iPhone panorama of the room I played at the H Lee White Museum in Oswego.  gary walts photo


Thursday, May 1, 2014

I was returning from Oneida, NY driving ln Rt 13 a bit North of Camden when I spotted this car in a farm pasture. I didn't bother to figure out what it is, but looks to me to be an early 50's. Chevy.