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Showing posts from May, 2021

Why I Play the Recorder

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This is my Sopranino Recorder. It's a bit smaller than the "standard" Soprano size recorder that schools often  use in Music class.  I play several instruments (Piano, Guitar, Didgeridoo, Djembe drum, Ukulele, Saxophone) and the Recorder is one of them. But why the Recorder? Here's my model: the  Yamaha YRN-22B Sopranino Recorder It’s cheap , about $7 and easily replaceable if lost, stolen or damaged. It’s nearly indestructible and doesn't require hardly any care. It’s not affected by moisture or heat . There are no parts that wear down or need to be replaced (like strings or reeds). You can take it camping and play it in the rain if you like.  You can pick it up and learn “quickly” . Unlike a trumpet or saxophone, you don't have to first learn how to make a sound. It's a simple whistle so you can focus on how to play notes and a melody. It’s very portable . My Sopranino is almost pocketable. You can practice just about anywhere . It's not loud like ...

Disc Golf Ace

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My kid got an ace!  Disc Golf is an inexpensive sport that just about any one can learn and play. There are many disc golf courses, most likely one near you! Players throw plastic discs (similar to a Frisbee) from a designated spot (a tee), to designated baskets (holes) attempting to do so in the least amount of throws. Players with the lowest score win.  A disc golf basket Discs are smaller than a typical Frisbee and a bit heavier. The shape of the disc, in particular the edge, will determine how it flies.  Discs generally fall into 3 categories. Drivers, Midranges and Putters. Drivers (above blue) have a sharp, knife-like edge, can fly the farthest, but can be more "unstable" to get it to fly the way you want to. It takes skill and practice to throw a Driver well. Putters (above pink) have a blunt edge that flies predictably like to typical Frisbee. These are used for short range throws when you are closer to the basket and want a lot of control. Midrange (above white) ...

Scooter Choices

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What comes to mind when you hear the word "SCOOTER"? These things below are all scooters and even within the "kick scooter" genre there is still a wide area of variability and misinterpretation. There are a LOT of choices when it comes to kick-scooters . Just like motor vehicles, different types serve different purposes . A scooter that's  not  right for you and your riding intentions might be perfect for someone else. Some people transport their scooter by bus or train, some always scooter right from their front door, others transport their scooter using a rack, some may be okay to lock it outside, others want to carry it inside, some may ride on only smooth pavement, others, only on rough or dirt roads.  Of course it's possible to own several scooters, one for different purposes: speed, commuting, stunts, distance, fitness, dog mushing (yes there is such a thing), cross country, etc. (I told you there were a lot of choices and options.) BUT, if I were to ...

Scootering With My Dog

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I had SO MUCH fun on my scooter with my dog the other day. Sandy and Sean were off watching a Disc Golf tournament that I couldn't attend (I made a prior commitment at our church), so I had some discretionary time and chose to head to Mission Bay. There were actually 2 scooter - dog adventures: The Running and The Riding.  First the running: Above, you can see what Fiesta Island looks like. It's an "Island" for recreation in the middle of Mission Bay park but is connected to the mainland by a single road, so technically it's a peninsula. People come to the beach, bring their RVs, barbecue, kayak, jet ski, etc. The southwest side is dedicated as a HUGE off-leash dog park. It's fenced off from the rest of the island on the northeast corner of the dog park. Everything in the area indicated above is a massive off-leash playground for dogs.  Dogs can run free! Those dogs who love the water (mine is NOT one of them) can access the beach and the bay. Others romp thro...

Scootering - Hop-Switching your Feet

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In my humble opinion, being able to switch feet is an essential skill in scootering, at least for the type of scootering that I enjoy. I like to explore my city and "tour" long distances. I also enjoy the workout that scootering can provide. I love to include a high speed, high intensity cardio workout in beautiful surroundings. It's for these reasons that I think that being able to switch feet is essential, here's why: When going long distances at a brisk pace your "plant" leg (the one on the deck) will quickly tire. Your quadriceps (thigh) lift your body up and down with every stroke. Even if you're fortunate to have a low deck, this movement adds up and your leg will fatigue.  In a previous post I showed how to switch your feet by using a "heel-toe-pivot-switch" method . That method is a great "beginner" technique in which you always have contact with your scooter deck. This article is going to introduce a more advanced " hop-...

My EDC Gadgets

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  EDC stands for Every Day Carry and that’s exactly what these are. They are typically small items that you can easily carry with you EVERY day. Items that you’d have with you no matter where or when you leave your home. Almost everyone will have a set of keys, phone and maybe a driver's license and some money. EDC items are with you, on you all of the time and are typically easily accessible. The image above shows a little pouch that I always have attached to my belt or in my backpack (which is full of even more useful items). The little belt pouch, made by Case Logic, is old and very well used. I think it was originally meant to be a small camera case. It also carries a few credit cards, my driver’s license and some cash. It’s “about” the size of a deck of cards. If you ever meet me, I’ll probably have it on my belt. In the pouch, I have THREE items that I think are KEY and ESSENTIAL to always have with me and one more “bonus” item that I’ve found to be useful. Note that all of t...