Oh, Croatia!
We’re already looking forward to our next European escapade as we commence the Winter season here in Perth.
Our 3-week holiday in Croatia in mid-September takes off in 3 months’ time. Everything has been planned and booked! Yay!
Jun.10
May.01
Track 5: Ultralight
I’ve just finished re-tracking Ultralight. This song was written circa 2010 if my memory serves me correctly.
It’s written in Bm; the rhythm for the chorus is a technically challenging scale pattern that is somewhat reminiscent of the rhythm used on Yngwie Malmsteen’s track Deja Vu.
Apr.11
The best method of recording an acoustic guitar
I wrote Reason a couple of days ago. This will be Track No. 4 on the new album.
The acoustic guitars are recorded through a Sony UWP series wireless lavalier microphone system. This is a complete, fully functional set that would have ended up in the bin had not Gill rescued them from the workplace. Don’t ask me why or how!
Apr.10
New website redevelopment project!
Gill and I have just undertaken a job to redevelop a website for a local tradie, Tony’s Cabinets & Renovations.
Years back when we were living in Singapore, I spent quite a bit of time canvassing for website and graphic design jobs on the side. I did it with quite a bit of passion, as I was just discovering the other creative side of myself.
Mar.01
Drop D tuning revisited
The Drop D tuning is a great way to explore a different type of sound on the guitar.
By dropping two semitones on the lower E string, the bass frequencies of the instrument are dynamically altered. Heavier and deeper tones are a result. Great for metal rhythm passages!
Feb.12
Loving our new ride
It’s been exactly a month since we returned from Central Europe. Gill and I have fond memories of the trip, looking back very frequently on our photos and reminiscing about the food, weather and sights during the 3½ week year-end vacation. How satisfying to have ticked one more thing off the bucket list!
It’s also nearly a month since we collected our new ride, the MINI John Cooper Works 3-Door Hatch. It’s a nice little pocket rocket that ticks all the right boxes – power, handling, legroom, features, size and cute looks. We have no doubt it trumps the Mercedes-Benz A250 in quite a number of ways.
Jan.11
Saying goodbye to Central Europe
As I sit here at Liszt Ferenc Airport typing away this post, there is a sense of satisfaction, joy and gratitude for having complete another bout of holiday travel smoothly and safely.
Apart from the little drama whereby I permanently lost the Canon RC-6 remote shutter release following a slippery episode at Český Krumlov, we’re both safe and sound, and very happy to have experienced a White Christmas and New Year in f****** Central Europe!
Jan.07
Budapest is better than Prague!
Any misconceptions or pre-conceived notions I had about Budapest were unfounded.
It’s a mostly safe, clean and beautiful city. There is a sense of calm and unhurriedness around here…which I’m quite drawn to.
Jan.05
Birdwatching during a European Winter
I’m pretty pleased with the birdwatching during this trip. Our first day in Vienna saw us picking up the European Robin and Great-spotted Woodpecker, the former being a personal target species especially!
What have I spotted in all? Here’s a list!
Jan.04
Well, it’s Vienna all over again…
We arrived in Vienna this morning in style!
Our room at Novotel Wien Hauptbahnhof is nothing short of simple, cosy and classy. We got a great spot the end of the corridor, with two windows overlooking Vienna but visibility’s not great due to the weather.