The MadScientist Fiddles Around

[MadScientist]

After having several challenges under my belt, I have had beat into my thick head that I really can't do more than a couple of things at once and keep up with life.  I have too many plates up in the air.  So I am going to make this challenge very simple:

 

Long Term Goal: Make a low-carb / primal diet a deeply ingrained habit.  This will enable and boost almost everything I do, since it will give me more energy, help my fitness level, and speed my thoughts.

 

Health Related

1. I will stop eating excess sugar and starches.  This means less than 100g of carbohydrates per day. STR +1 DEX +2 STA +2 CON +3 WIS +1
2. I will decrease my waist size by at least an inch, stretch goal two inches.  I am currently at 37". CHR +2

Life Related

1. I will trade playing video games for singing/playing/recording/writing music. I have a large number of music related projects I need to get done. CHR +2 WIS +2

Just to give a bit more accountability, I will buy the video game of their choice for each of my sons if I do not get at least a B in all items.  Since they are somewhat addicted to video games, I really do not want to do this.

 

This will get my "year to awesome" going in the right direction.  Diet is the key to everything.

 

I accidentally originally posted this in the last challenge thread a couple of days ago.  My two day summary so far:

 

Two days and I have managed almost perfect execution.  I substituted a glass of water or a couple of nuts for my sugar urges, and that has seemed to work.  Substituting music for video games has also been good.  As the Power of Habit says, to override a habit, you need to replace it with a stronger one.  So far, so good.

 

I spent the last two nights cleaning up a set of Renaissance dances I digitized from a couple of old vinyl records.  I burned them to CDs for the car and created FLACs to use at work.  The recording I did last year for my family helped make it easier.  I know the software (Audacity) a lot better.  I still need to photograph the album covers for reference.  It was kind of late last night when I finished.

 

My plan for today is to pick another thing off my big hit list I generated last challenge and start getting it done, after I finish the album covers.

[Sunmage]

Hey,

 

welcome back again.

 

We have a new set of challenge rules.

 

Please check them out.

 

Although I am pretty sure you know your one big main goal it would be awesome if you pin it down. It will help everyone.

 

Good luck!

[Eirlys]

Hi MadScientist

 

Good luck in your challenge - I think you're wise to take some of the spinning plates out of the air to focus on your core objectives!

 

Would love to hear how your music challenge is going & what kind of stuff you'll be recording.

 

Have fun with the big hit list!

[MadScientist]

Although I am pretty sure you know your one big main goal it would be awesome if you pin it down. It will help everyone.

 

You would think I would learn to read directions by now .  I have updated my first post.

 

 

Hi MadScientist

 

Would love to hear how your music challenge is going & what kind of stuff you'll be recording.

 

So far, I have taken a few nights to digitize some vinyl records so I can listen to them somewhere besides my bedroom.  I love medieval and Renaissance music, and these were old records I found at Half Price that were in good shape and not in circulation any more.  I got to learn more about the capabilities of my audio mixing software (Audacity) and created some FLACs for work and CDs for car.

 

Last year, my children and I recorded some Christmas music for my siblings and parents.  We barely got it out the door in time, but they loved it.  They have asked for a repeat.  So we will be starting up that pretty soon.  My son, the percussionist, will be headed off the college soon, so I hope to get his tracks recorded before he leaves.  If not, I will have to fit him in when he gets home.

 

UPDATE: I have managed to execute my goals 100% for one more day.  The water and nuts substitution is working well.  Reading has also seemed to help.  I picked up a copy of Body by Science at the library and just started it.  I like what I read, so far.  In particular, I like his definition of exercise: Something that increases your fitness without decreasing your health.  I look forward to finishing the book.

[CakeBanisher]

I like your goals!

 

Recording can be tough, but a lot of fun  I think it's really cool that you're digitizing vinyl records.  I haven't gotten to play too much medieval or Renaissance music, but I love it anyway.  There's just something about it.  

 

Anyway.  Best of luck to you!

[MadScientist]

Recording can be tough, but a lot of fun.

 

Yes!  I found that out last year.  My biggest issue is a good space to record in.  My "man cave" has some serious resonances and makes my nice violin sound like a hideous Chinese violin shaped object.

 

I had another good day, keeping carbs low.  I still have a touch of "low carb flu," but it should go away in the next day or so.  My waistband seems to be getting looser, as well, so I seem to be on the right track.

 

On Aug 15, the Feast of the Assumption, I will be cantoring at Mass, and playing some Cantigas de Santa Maria.  I wanted to try a couple of new ones, so I spent tonight picking some out and starting to convert from MIDI to lilypond format so I can get sheet music to play from.  I may record them for practice (and might get my daughter to play with me on the recordings).

[I am Eve]

Welcome back MadScientist. Congratulations on your goals!

There is so much creativity in your thread, it's very inspiring.

I get the urge to listen to some of the music you refer to, any recommendations?

[Eirlys]

You would think I would learn to read directions by now .  I have updated my first post.

 

 

 

So far, I have taken a few nights to digitize some vinyl records so I can listen to them somewhere besides my bedroom.  I love medieval and Renaissance music, and these were old records I found at Half Price that were in good shape and not in circulation any more.  I got to learn more about the capabilities of my audio mixing software (Audacity) and created some FLACs for work and CDs for car.

 

Last year, my children and I recorded some Christmas music for my siblings and parents.  We barely got it out the door in time, but they loved it.  They have asked for a repeat.  So we will be starting up that pretty soon.  My son, the percussionist, will be headed off the college soon, so I hope to get his tracks recorded before he leaves.  If not, I will have to fit him in when he gets home.

 

UPDATE: I have managed to execute my goals 100% for one more day.  The water and nuts substitution is working well.  Reading has also seemed to help.  I picked up a copy of Body by Science at the library and just started it.  I like what I read, so far.  In particular, I like his definition of exercise: Something that increases your fitness without decreasing your health.  I look forward to finishing the book.

 

Medieval & Renaissance music eh?  That's cool.  There was an interesting couple of programs on British TV in the last week called 'Music and Monarchy' which talked about how music around 1300-1600 had been influenced by the different monarchs.  For example, (things that had never occurred to me):

- when Henry VIII broke with Rome & founded the Church of England, one of the mandates was that the sermon be in English & understandable, so at that point the songs went from Latin to English, and I think also from polyphony to more homophonic (I may be mis-remembering that last bit)

- that his son King Edward nearly destroyed music in churches, with his excessive puritanism, and his untimely death as a teenager probably saved English Choral music from being struck from existence

Anyway it was fascinating stuff for someone like me who doesn't know much of that era!  

 

Do you play any period instruments or is it mainly singing?  Your Aug 15 date sounds exciting! 

[MadScientist]

Medieval & Renaissance music eh?  That's cool.  There was an interesting couple of programs on British TV in the last week called 'Music and Monarchy' which talked about how music around 1300-1600 had been influenced by the different monarchs.  For example, (things that had never occurred to me):

- when Henry VIII broke with Rome & founded the Church of England, one of the mandates was that the sermon be in English & understandable, so at that point the songs went from Latin to English, and I think also from polyphony to more homophonic (I may be mis-remembering that last bit)

- that his son King Edward nearly destroyed music in churches, with his excessive puritanism, and his untimely death as a teenager probably saved English Choral music from being struck from existence

Anyway it was fascinating stuff for someone like me who doesn't know much of that era!  

 

Do you play any period instruments or is it mainly singing?  Your Aug 15 date sounds exciting! 

 

The history of politics and music is a fascinating study in its own right.  For example, there was a long debate over whether or not music was appropriate in a Mass.  Then there was a long debate over whether or not anything but chant should be allowed.  When Palestrina first introduced his ornate polyphonic Mass, if he had not had very high level support, he may have been excommunicated.  But he wasn't, and now we can enjoy beautiful polyphony at Mass.  This happened around 1600, so the same time frame as the show you watched.

 

I play violin and mandolin.  The violin was invented around 1510, so is sort of a period instrument (although I use a modern bow).  The mandolin was created as a cut down lute in the early 1600 in Naples, so is late Renaissance, at best, more likely early Baroque.  I would love to get a vielle and a tenor lute, but money and time are tight, so they will need to wait a few years.

 

It's Sunday, so it is time to reflect on how well I have been doing:

1. No sugars and starches.  I have kept my carbs below 100g per day all week, and below 60g about 75% of the time.  So far so good.
2. Lose an inch.  I am down a half inch from last week to 36.5.  A lot of this may be loss of bloating due to lower carbs, but I will take it.  My waistband is actually a bit looser.
3. Substitute music for video games.  This has been going well, also.  I have digitized a couple of records, planned a set of songs for a family Christmas album, picked some Cantigas and created sheet music for a performance in August, and actually practiced.

I don't have lots of time left in my day (other scheduled activities), but should manage to finish digitizing an old tape from a currently nonexistent Celtic band for my daughter for her birthday tomorrow.

[CakeBanisher]

You've been doing well!  Nice work!

 

Music history is surprisingly political at times, isn't it?  Very interesting.  I imagine you know this, but shifting a classical bow hold a couple inches from the frog apparently does a decent job of mimicking a baroque bow for handling and sound, which can be fun to mess with  Anyway, good work moving in to the week.

[Eli]

Hey MadScientist!

Nice to see you back at it I love the goals! Really great, not too complicated; I think they are very achievable! I think I might borrow your idea for swapping out games for music. In my case, it will be swapping out tv/movie/netflix watching for music I've been trying to learn bass guitar for a a couple years now (was given a beautiful accoustic/electric bass for my birthday). I should also work on my fiddle playing...and guitar, bodhran, dij...sigh

Good luck with the challenge!

Eli

[MadScientist]

I get the urge to listen to some of the music you refer to, any recommendations?

I missed this earlier.  You can find a lot of medieval and Renaissance music on YouTube.  Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI are almost always good.  Their "Greensleeves to a Ground" is incredible.  They do more modern stuff, as well.  Tielmann Susato was a prolific dance publisher, and he is well represented.  In fact, a modern group, Blackmore's Night, has copiously used his melodies with modern lyrics and some modern instruments.  It is amusing when, at the end of song employing electric guitar, the lead singer pulls out a shawm (ancestor of the oboe, and ear-bleeding loud).  Other authors to search for are Palestrina (nice polyphonic music), Playford (country dances), and Arbeau (courtly dances).  If you need more suggestions, ask.  If you like folk music, you will probably like medieval and Renaissance music.

 

I imagine you know this, but shifting a classical bow hold a couple inches from the frog apparently does a decent job of mimicking a baroque bow for handling and sound, which can be fun to mess with

I did not know that, but it does not surprise me.  Thanks for the tip!

 

I think I might borrow your idea for swapping out games for music. In my case, it will be swapping out tv/movie/netflix watching for music I've been trying to learn bass guitar for a a couple years now (was given a beautiful accoustic/electric bass for my birthday). I should also work on my fiddle playing...and guitar, bodhran, dij...

Please borrow away.  I have found in the week I have been working on it that it has renewed my interest in music.  I have been pretty immersed.  I wish you luck on renewing your interest, as well.  I don't know how you can do that many instruments.  I have enough trouble keeping up with two, and they have virtually identical fingerings.

 

My energy level has been slowly increasing as I continue to keep my carbs down.  My cravings are, at last, going away.  The habits have not, but the cravings are controllable.  Music, as mentioned, has been fun.  I have been doing more planning than playing, but that's OK.  It is not playing computer games, and that is the point.  I have been working on four Cantigas (226, 300, 333, & 380) for Mass on August 15.  I am still debating on how fast to play them.  Most of the Cantigas can be played at almost any tempo and they sound good.

[MadScientist]

Another good day for doing things and eating well.  My energy was a bit down due to allergies, but I do live in the allergy capitol of the world .  I spent most of my time last night talking to my daughter, since it was her birthday, but still managed to get in some planning for the Christmas album and practice for future concerts.  I will be doing some Boy Scout merit badge counseling tonight, so will not be doing much else.  Chicken for dinner...

[CakeBanisher]

Allergies can kill energy entirely too fast  And the past few days have been horrible as far as allergies go.  Here's hoping they decide to settle down soon!  Enjoy your merit badge counseling.  And chicken

[MadScientist]

The chicken was great.  I spiced it with a variant on Jamaican jerk chicken.  Allergies are still a pain, but I can handle it.  I am not taking drugs, so it should not slow down my weight loss.

 

I had another good eating day, with carb count in the under 60g category.  Still feeling good about that.

 

Tonight was music practice, and we had a good one.

 

However, it is late, so I will make this short.  I hope to look over other posts tomorrow.

[MadScientist]

It has been a very busy couple of days, but good busy.  My mother-in-law got sick, so my wife and I have been helping her out.  We have also been running around getting things for my son to take to college.  In between all this, I have been trying to get music for a Christmas album for my family together so I can get my son to work on it before he disappears to college.  Busy, busy, but fun.

 

I have kept my carbs down and was rewarded today with taking my belt in a notch.  I hope to report a narrower waist come Sunday, my check-in day.

 

Video games have been pretty nonexistent in my life the last few days.  They have been replaced with music and reading.  I have been practicing my Cantigas for August 15 and typesetting music for my Christmas album.  I usually give a set of music to the family, so they can sing along.  Tonight, I finished Carol of the Bells (in four part harmony, with feeling...).

[CakeBanisher]

Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law  Hope she's doing better!  

 

And you sound like you are still going strong with your goals!  It's aways satisfying to take your belt in a notch  I also think it's great that you're doing so much music!  It's always nice to see people enjoying the musical world  Keep up all the good work!

[Eirlys]

I love Carol of the Bells!

 

Are you doing it with a swing, or singing it straight?

 

Hope your mother-in-law is on the mend.

 

And hooray for getting the belt down a notch, that's always an accomplishment

[I am Eve]

I missed this earlier. You can find a lot of medieval and Renaissance music on YouTube. Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI are almost always good. Their "Greensleeves to a Ground" is incredible. They do more modern stuff, as well. Tielmann Susato was a prolific dance publisher, and he is well represented. In fact, a modern group, Blackmore's Night, has copiously used his melodies with modern lyrics and some modern instruments. It is amusing when, at the end of song employing electric guitar, the lead singer pulls out a shawm (ancestor of the oboe, and ear-bleeding loud). Other authors to search for are Palestrina (nice polyphonic music), Playford (country dances), and Arbeau (courtly dances). If you need more suggestions, ask. If you like folk music, you will probably like medieval and Renaissance music.

I did not know that, but it does not surprise me. Thanks for the tip!

Please borrow away. I have found in the week I have been working on it that it has renewed my interest in music. I have been pretty immersed. I wish you luck on renewing your interest, as well. I don't know how you can do that many instruments. I have enough trouble keeping up with two, and they have virtually identical fingerings.

My energy level has been slowly increasing as I continue to keep my carbs down. My cravings are, at last, going away. The habits have not, but the cravings are controllable. Music, as mentioned, has been fun. I have been doing more planning than playing, but that's OK. It is not playing computer games, and that is the point. I have been working on four Cantigas (226, 300, 333, & 380) for Mass on August 15. I am still debating on how fast to play them. Most of the Cantigas can be played at almost any tempo and they sound good.

Excellent, thank you! I'll do some exploring:-)

[MadScientist]

My mother-in-law is now doing well.  It seemed to be a short, 24 - 48 hr illness.  She was back filling her bird feeders when we got there on Saturday morning to mow the lawn.  There followed a very busy weekend getting my son ready for college.  Unfortunately, I got stressed out and starting mindlessly snacking.  I didn't go face down in the M&Ms, but got close.  I am back on track today.

 

Sunday is check in day.  My waist did not drop any, but my weight is down about a pound this week.  Making progress.  I did get more music done.  In between times, I managed to get a lot done on the score for "Christmas in Killarney".  I continue to work on my Cantigas for the 15th, and found out there is an a capella Latin piece I may have to do, as well.  I have time...

 

 

I love Carol of the Bells!

 

Are you doing it with a swing, or singing it straight?

We will probably do it pretty straight, but are still trying to decide on who/what is doing what.  In the key I have it in (Gm), the soprano hits a high G, which is certainly beyond my range, but my daughter could, perhaps, hit it.  If we lower this to Fm or Em, the bass gets lower than I can do with any volume (I am a baritone).  So, we may end up doing it purely instrumental, or may record it both vocally and instrumental and mix down whatever sounds good.  I am thinking hammered dulcimer on the soprano and tenor, fiddle on the alto, and marimba on the bass.  It will give my daughter a workout.  I could do the soprano on my mandolin, but my daughter's hammered dulcimer would sound much better.  We will see.

 

I will probably not have much time for updates the next couple of days.  My company is having its annual trade show this week, and I will be out socializing until very late tomorrow.  Wednesday adds music practice, so I may or may not have time to do anything.  Thanks to all for the encouragement!

[fearlesscreek]

hi there, just found you and like what i read! ( feel especially interested having been a cellist in my young professional days)... will come back and check out your inspiring news!

 

p.s. cool pic!

[MadScientist]

It has been a very busy week.  My company (National Instruments) had its annual trade show, and it has consumed my time and energy.  On the plus side, I got to talk to a lot of really interesting people, including someone from SpaceX and a group who have converted an F-104 into one of the fastest "cars" on the planet.  In addition, I am helping my son get ready for his first year of college and still trying to keep up with my music group.  I didn't quite go insane, but I did slip a bit on my goals.

 

Eating is always a problem at trade shows, since all the snacks are virtually always high carb.  I managed to avoid all that, but still indulged too much at home after hours (I have problems when I am tired).  On the plus side, I have been doing a lot of music practicing - I cantor this weekend and Thursday and have a nursing home gig in a couple of weeks.  On the down side, I have not done any more music planning for the Christmas family album.  I should get some time this weekend.

 

Just to add insult to injury, my son picked up a virus on his computer, so we are in the midst of trying to sort that out.  This was with a fully functioning antivirus system (Microsoft's Security Essentials, which I know is not that good, but now have proof).

 

But, I have an excuse to go outside and just lay around under the stars.  The Perseid meteor shower peaks Monday night, but you can usually see meteors up to a week ahead of time.  I will be out looking tonight for as long as the mosquitos let me.

 

 cool pic!

The picture was taken a couple of years ago when I was doing a 10 day backpacking trip with the Boy Scouts at Philmont Scout Ranch in Northern New Mexico.  Yes, I carried the fiddle over a 66 mile trek so I could fiddle around at the campsites.  It was a great conversation starter.  I met a highland bagpiper and jammed with a banjo player for an hour one afternoon.  Well worth it, but a harmonica would have been a lot lighter (fiddle 1lb, case 4lb).

[I am Eve]

It has been a very busy week. My company (National Instruments) had its annual trade show, and it has consumed my time and energy. On the plus side, I got to talk to a lot of really interesting people, including someone from SpaceX and a group who have converted an F-104 into one of the fastest "cars" on the planet. In addition, I am helping my son get ready for his first year of college and still trying to keep up with my music group. I didn't quite go insane, but I did slip a bit on my goals.

Eating is always a problem at trade shows, since all the snacks are virtually always high carb. I managed to avoid all that, but still indulged too much at home after hours (I have problems when I am tired). On the plus side, I have been doing a lot of music practicing - I cantor this weekend and Thursday and have a nursing home gig in a couple of weeks. On the down side, I have not done any more music planning for the Christmas family album. I should get some time this weekend.

Just to add insult to injury, my son picked up a virus on his computer, so we are in the midst of trying to sort that out. This was with a fully functioning antivirus system (Microsoft's Security Essentials, which I know is not that good, but now have proof).

But, I have an excuse to go outside and just lay around under the stars. The Perseid meteor shower peaks Monday night, but you can usually see meteors up to a week ahead of time. I will be out looking tonight for as long as the mosquitos let me.

The picture was taken a couple of years ago when I was doing a 10 day backpacking trip with the Boy Scouts at Philmont Scout Ranch in Northern New Mexico. Yes, I carried the fiddle over a 66 mile trek so I could fiddle around at the campsites. It was a great conversation starter. I met a highland bagpiper and jammed with a banjo player for an hour one afternoon. Well worth it, but a harmonica would have been a lot lighter (fiddle 1lb, case 4lb).

Sorry about the virus!

Just had to share;

Last year my partner and I hiked about 70 k's and stayed in a tent. About ten k's apart there were cabins. Last night it rained and we slept inside. As we left, the hostess played a wandering song on the flute-the music echoed in the mountains:-)

[MadScientist]

It is Sunday, so time to check in.  I probably rate about a C in keeping it low-carb this week.  So, I did not lose any weight.  I did not gain any either, and my waist is unchanged.  Still a half inch to go (halfway to goal).  I had better luck with music.  I have not played many games this week, but have not done a lot of music, either.  I managed to get some in today - both practice and planning.

 

Last year my partner and I hiked about 70 k's and stayed in a tent. About ten k's apart there were cabins. Last night it rained and we slept inside. As we left, the hostess played a wandering song on the flute-the music echoed in the mountains:-)

Thanks for the story!  But why did you sleep inside just because it rained .

[Eirlys]

Is your trade show time over?  Hope it went well.  Good to hear that you got more music-y stuff in during the last week.  What kind of music group are you in, or is this the singing one?