101

(25 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Tough question, eb, but for pure "sound" I love "I've Just Seen a Face". It's a remarkable song.

My favourite song to play and sing is "Mother Nature's Son".

102

(4 replies, posted in Acoustic)

What were they asking for the Hoffner? Was it an archtop acoustic?

103

(4 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I went into a local pawnshop with my nephew the other day, and spied a 1958 Hofner arch-top acoustic, in very good condition, looks all original. I am not an expert in Hofner acoustic guitars. Anybody know its value? They're asking 800 smacks, so before I get my wife mad at me again, I need to know if this price is reasonable. It is a beautiful guitar, plays well, straight neck, etc.
Any input?

A legend - 3-finger banjo pickin' at its finest...

105

(18 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I feel your joy. I just bought my wife an E-bike, sort of an electric moped. She's 71, and scoots around like a joy rider. I get more fun watching her ride it. Only problem, now she wants me to get one for myself. I have ridden hers and it's a blast.

106

(16 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I liked Maynard way more than Gilligan...

You really need to add an Em to that chord list -

108

(15 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I only have one thing to say to those boys: Get off my lawn!

Damn, what a superlative gift at such a young age. Amazing.

109

(34 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

My wife doesn't mind sharing the house with 1 guitar in the living room, 1 in the dining room, 2 hanging on the wall in the hallway, a mandolin on a display stand, a few ukes and assorted guitars in the library room. She even dusts them when needed.
She likes when I play and sing to her, as practice for gigs. She even "assists" with my wardrobe for my gigs. Without her, I would show on stage in jeans and t-shirts. She at least finds me a shirt with a collar...

110

(231 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Here's an old one I used to use on my rowdy Scouts.

How do you keep a moron in suspense?







Tell ya tomorrow!

111

(21 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I tune by ear, but usually check it. Luckily for me, I am usually pretty close.
I can learn some songs by listening/playing along, but not often.

112

(22 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Dunlops - nylon, lighter guages are my pick of choice.
Mostly 'cos they're cheap. I have about 100 or so in stock at any given time.

113

(25 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I learned to play guitar when the Beatles hit, so, ya, I learned to play for the girls.

114

(41 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Dan Brown is not an historian. He makes up a lot of crap.

115

(41 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Zurf wrote:

LOL.  You hit religion and politics but you left out sex WW.

Sex?  I vaguely remember someithing about that, in the dim recesses...

Maybelline, by the first king of rock, Chuck Berry.
That song still totally kicks ass!

117

(25 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

joeyjoeyjoey wrote:

Same here. If a girl asked what I did for fun,Playing guitar was a  more interesting answer than drinking or getting high.

Or, like when I was young, all three!

118

(41 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

While only 9 signers were CONFIRMED masons, 13 became masons after the signing, and 10 were probable masons, but no documentation of confirmation can be found, so the number could be as high as 32 of the 56 signers.
Many of the most prominent founders were masons, including Washington, Hancock, Franklin, Locke and many, many others. They were less than flattering to religion of any sort.
To make the claim that the founders were guided by Christian principles is simply not true. One only has to read the voluminous quotes available from them about religion and Christianity, spoken before, during and after the American Revolution to understand how untrue a statement that is.

However, I will say that, like them, I would be willing to die to preserve your right to worship or not worship as you see fit, having spent 9 years in the military. Can you say the same, with your religious background, that you would be willing to die to defend my right to deny deity, if I so desired?

This , then, is the crux of what a true, constitutionally grounded American should be; Tolerant of others views and beliefs, and willing to allow fellow citizens the rights that you claim for yourself. Tnere is no other way to function under the constitution.

My beef with Christians and politics is this. Have you ever heard of an avowed atheist even running for public office? The freedom-loving religious right would run him/her out of town on a rail, despite whatever good qualities they posessed for the public office they would seek.

This may also explain why many, many politicians claim to be Christian, but are, in reality, no more Christian than I am. Please, don't get me started on hypocritical, pious politicians, for I am sure to offend everyone.

119

(41 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I used the definition of Freemasonry as a religion because for many of the founding fathers, the practice of Freemasonry and attendance at Masonic meetings was likely far more influencial on their lives than any religion practiced. Freemasonry can be seen as a philosophy much akin to religion.

As to the constitution, it is a wise document. The writers clearly understood the dangers of mixing religion and politics, and framed the constitution with that in mind. The establishment clause was a reaction the European practice of fomenting a state religion. They truly wanted a country where one's religion, or lack thereof, would in no way be a determining factor in one's political aspirations, or on the holding of public office.

Were they influenced by their upbringing and culture? Certainly, but the wording of the constiturion does manage to convey the ideal outlined in the previous paragraph.

There is a danger to freedom and democracy when a person's religious affiliation and personal beliefs becomes the determinant factor in electability. Clearly the constitution says it should not. Reality shows that for regular folks, one's beliefs can become a determining factor in how they vote, but that is contrary to the spirit of the constitution, ie there shall be no religious "test" required to hold public office.

Religion is a touchy subject, fraught with danger to democracy. Once that road is travelled down, we can look to various theocracies in the world and clearly understand the dangers of mixing one's political beliefs with one's deeply held, personal religious beliefs. If we judge each other's character based upon our differences in personal beliefs, we endanger all of our freedoms.

Religion, that is, a person's belief system, should be a very personal experience, and should be a uniter. Instead, it becomes a divisive thing, where we, as imperfect humans, expect and sometimes demand that we should all hold the same convictions, or be "cast out" and denied the opportunity to accomplish good for our country. This creates schisms based soley on deeply personal beliefs, and not on that which unites us.

The bible clearly states that one should judge not, lest we be meted the same judgement, and that the judging and punishment belong to God only. We, as imperfect humans, are not qualified to judge a person solely upon that persons religious beliefs, or lack thereof. I speak not of laws or societal punishments for infringing upon other's rights, rather, the idea that one's beliefs are deeply personal, and vary significantly between individuals.

I'm all for religious freedom, provided that freedom does NOT infringe upon my right to believe or not believe, according to my own concience. No one has the right to deny my personal beliefs, or to force their beliefs on me. That is why the constitution is worded the way it is. Freedom is more than a nice patriotic word, it is the life force behind the U.S. constitution.

120

(23 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Bagpipes?

121

(41 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

The constitution was actually based on the Iroquois five nations constitution, if truth be told. I have looked it up before, but I really can't be arsed to do so now. Too lazy.

As well, for the most part, the founding fathers could, at best, be described as deists. Their main religion, it appears to me, was Freemasonry.

122

(11 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I have an ultralite spincast rod n reel, and I use it a lot in the summer. It is 4.5 feet long, uses 2-4 lb test line, and is ideal for fishing spots with overhead cover. Very accurate up to 50 foot casts with enough backbone to handle 4-5 lb smallies.
I wouldn't go on a walleye fishing trip without it. It is very sensitive to those walleye takes that you often miss with a heavier rod, and is a great little finesse rod. It's not a Zebco - Shakespeare, I think.
Like all anglers, I own about a dozen rods more than I actually need, but, what the hell, it keeps those CHinese busy, doesn't it?

123

(23 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I recently listened to some Gregorian chants that were interesting, if a bit tiresome after awhile.

124

(41 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Yea, the "under God" part was added in the early 1950's to show how we were different from the commies.
I'm from Canada, and our national anthem contains the words "God keep our land, glorious and free", but I have yet to hear an atheist complaint about the lyrics.

125

(11 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Yes, I understand that, Zurf. My cane rod is used sparingly, mostly for little "specks" when I venture north. The little trout I'm talking about are generally in the 10-16 inch size range. Great fun and they are very willing to take a dry fly. The slow action of the cane rod is very good for soft presentation of dries, but terrible in the wind. I never fish my can rod in canopy-covered streams. My favourite place is to stand atop a beaver dam and fish the pool above.

I still love it.