701 Reply by ozymandias

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

Old Doll wrote:

Well just thank your lucky stars you havent our health System at the moment..

Its gone so bad there just short of putting 2 to a bed! lol.

i recenly had to have a test done. Ive worked and paid taxes all my life. The appointment i was given was for 4th April 09, i kid you not.
So i produced my VHI . They VHI paid 600 euro, i was seen in  a private clinic the next day!  Another massive ripoff... I wonder where all the  taxes ive paid over the years went to ?  Whatever you do dont get sick in Southern ireland.

Old Doll.

This is another thing I find interesting.  Health care in the US versus Health care in the UK and Canada. 

IMHO, while our system is deeply flawed and far from perfect.  (yes thats a deliberate contradiction), from what I have read and seen on other forums from UK and Canadian people.  At least our "flawed" system has room to improve.  Canadians flock to US clinics and other facilities to get the timely health care that they can't get in Canada.   Socialized medicine doesn't work, YET, our system doesn't work, YET.  BUT, we have room to develop and grow a system that may work combining, both private and public resources.   It's flexible in the US, something I haven't read about in the UK or seen in Canada.

This is another interesting issue, that bears more discussion and debate.

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702 Reply by ozymandias

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

alansheeran wrote:

Ozy,

I'm not sure if you Americans could hack the parliamentary system. You seem to like the "balance of power" thing, negotiating and making deals. In the UK Parliament it's winner takes all. They cut the tripe out of each other every day. In the UK a politician is expected to take it on the chin and get back up fighting - red in tooth and claw. It can be great to watch on TV.

Actualy I have, and I must say, I find the proceedings intensly interesting and fun, especially in having the PM having to justify himself on a regular basis.   I would dearly have loved to see Georgie Bush having to do the same on a weekly basis.  It would have even been worth it  even on Pay per view.   At this point I think we could hack it, it would certainly make for revealing and entertaining TV.   It might even excite the electorate enough to get off their A***s and vote even in off year elections.   As it is our politicians can hide and duck and cover behind the spin doctors that they hire to do their dirty work.  grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

But, who am I kidding, that will happen when pigs fly and I can play Flamenco Guitar!  LOL

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703 Reply by ozymandias

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

alansheeran wrote:

LesPaulGuy,

There's the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is made up of Scotland, England and Wales. As it's a Kingdom, it's ruled by a Monarch - Queen Elizabeth II. As a result of her ancestors having their heads cut off or getting chased out of the country, the Queen has limited powers. The country doen't have a constitution, and any parliament can set whatever laws it wants.

It has a Parliament ( Congress) and the effective Head of Government is the Prime Minister who leads whichever Party in Parliament is the bigger. Just like the states, there are two Houses of Parliament - the House of Lords ( like the Senate, but not elected, they are now mostly old politicians) and the House of Commons (like the House of Representatives, elected, and the main seat of power).

The Republic of Ireland is a Republic on the same lines as the States, with a President. Interestingly, although the President in the Republic has similar powers to the US President, there is a custom that they let the Dail (Irish parliament) make the running.

Here in Northern Ireland, there is a continuing dispute over whether we should be ruled from London or Dublin. I'm not going to go into that as it's too painful and convoluted. We've just been through thirty years of murder and mayhem fighting over it. I'm just glad to have peace, for the sake of the kids.

That's probably too much information !

Just yesterday I was talking to the owner of a local hardware store, conservative in his viewpoints.  And we both agreed that we should have a parliamentary style type of government here in the US.  It would have been fun to see how fast or when a vote of "no confidence"  would have happened.

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704 Reply by ozymandias

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

Zurf wrote:

Ozymandias - Sadly, the McCain of 2000 didn't do so well with his Presidential campaign.  Perhaps that's why he did things differently this time.  I voted for him in 2000 and wish he had beaten Bush in the primaries. 

He's done a lot of good for the country in the Congress these past eight years, though.  Most people have no idea how much money he's saved the taxpayers, but it's probably in the tens of billions.  He's been an amazingly vocal and effective advocate in favor or restraint on Federal programs.  I am definitely in the "less government is better government" category. 

- Zurf

As a Senator, you'll get no arguments from me.  In fact I saw in his concession speech plenty of hope that he would return to what made him a respected member of the senate.   It's wishful thinking, but I wish he had beaten Bush back in 2000.  I sincerely believe we wouldn't have had the problems that we have today.  Moderation is what the majority of people in this country want.  Hell, look at MAine, a bastion of the Democratic party, yet we elect 2 moderate republican women to the Senate, year after year.  One can be conservative without being polarizing.  I, myself am a social liberal and fiscal conservative who also agrees with the less is more scenario. 

Now if we could only get the media outlets to shut up.   Thank the GODS of music and literature that there are MUTE buttons.  <grin>

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705 Reply by ozymandias

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

Zurf wrote:
NELA wrote:

Well, I gotta say I don't think the right person was elected. I'm not saying this because of race or politics, either. There's just something about the man I don't trust. There is just way too many unanswered questions out there that was never disclosed. I felt that throughout the campains the press was skewed more towards Obama. If MsCain had been elected I would still feel as though the wrong person was elected. I've said from the beginning that our choices for president were very poor. Who was the lesser of the 2 evils? Who know's but I'm afraid we are in for some trying times. Hope I'm wrong about but we'll see and understand more in the upcoming months.

Nela

That's funny.  I felt exactly the opposite this time.  Not on the trust issue, as I don't trust anyone who actually wants the job.  But I felt as if either of them could do the job this time around.  The last two elections were picking the best loser.  This time we got to choose between a very, very bright guy who actually knows what its like not to have enough money for rent.  He knows how it feels to go hungry and what it means to work your own *** off to do something about it.  The other guy was a well-off partying pretty-boy who took his hits, humbled himself and has demonstrated himself to be a true public servant in the best meaning of that word.   I felt pretty good about our choices this time.  I voted for Senator McCain, but I am not at all disappointed that we elected Senator Obama.  I just wish that McCain had won in 2000 and that it was Junior running against Obama in 2008.  But you can't change past history, you can only change future history. 

- Zurf

Agreed on McCain.  IF he had been the McCain of 2000, he would have done better.  The McCain of 2008, seemed like he was so desperate for the presidency that he was willing to DO anything to get it.  I never felt that he was the honest straight talker this time around.

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706 Reply by ozymandias

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

You and me both NELA, you and me both!

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707 Reply by ozymandias

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

upyerkilt wrote:

well Americans thank you for proving me wrong.
I alsways thought Americans were too racist to vote for a non white guy. So thanks for proving me wrong.

SAying that, after watching the news this morning I think lots of black/coloured whatever you decide to call people that are not white voted for Obama because of his colour. A few darl coloured folk on the news were saying We have got in, as in the colour of skin got in. This is very wrong if that is what most people done it for.

The same happened in the UK in 1979 with Thatcher. Loads upon loads voted for her just for the fact she was a woman and we had never had a woman Prime minister before. And just look what she done to the UK, more so what she had done to SCotland and its industry.

But I kinda like Obama, maybe because of his youthful face? maybe because his colour? maybe because he seems like a nice family man? But it is not because I believe in what political things he says because I have heard nothing lol

but for all those that supported him and voted for him, well done, ye got yer man.


Ken

Nothing personal, but this does disturb me in a way.  And a conservative pundit on MSNBC, Joe Scarborough, made a point that I had to agee with.  "Everybody thinks we're racist, well now we have a "black" man as our president.  Where's the black prime minister of the UK, France, Germany, etc.??"

Please don't tar all of us with the same brush, just because of a few loudmouthed jerks.   I have heard stories of Americans travelling to Europe and being looked down on because of the racist tag.  Yes, I will concede that a lot of American tourists do act like a**h***s when they travel overseas.  I can remember being treated like I was an idiot in Quebec, Canada because my french speaking skills are poor. 

Someday, I hope we will have a woman president as well.  Unfortunately, Hilary Clinton was not and will not be that woman.  Fortunately Sarah Palin will never get within sniffing distance of the job.  Why do I say that, because they both are just too polarizing for a job that needs someone with better communication and personality skills then I have seen from them. 

Right now we need somebody that is willing to listen and TALK to other world leaders.  These last 8 years of "cowboy diplomacy" and arrogance from Bush and his cronies.  Made Barack Obama much easier for me to vote for him. 

I'll get off my soapbox now, somebody else needs the wood!

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708 Reply by ozymandias

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

Zurf wrote:

UYK - At least those folks voted.  In addition to the historic results of this election, another historic event took place simultaneously.  That second event, closely related, is the voter TURNOUT.  It is shameful in most elections how few persons eligible to vote register, and how few who are registered actually bother.  President Clinton (just as an example, not meant to pick on him) was elected in what some considered enough percentage to give him a "mandate" (whatever that means).  But when you really looked it, his large results were really only something like 13% of the registered voters.  He won fair and square, and he won big, and looking back on it deservedly so (though at the time I thought differently).  This time, however, turnout was huge.  Over 80% of the registered voters in my district had voted by 10AM yesterday!  That's amazing.  Folks were coming to vote literally by the busload.  Very gratifying.

-----------------------------

As far as Senator Obama winning, he wasn't my choice, but he has a lot of assets and I wish him extreme success.  Our current administration wipes its backside with the Constitution.  Senator Obama is a Constitutional scholar who has shown respect for the law.  That alone will be refreshing.  If he can accomplish even 1/3 of what he has set himself to do, his Presidency will be wildly successful and the country will be better off for it.

- Zurf

Quoted for truth!

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709 Reply by ozymandias

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

Indeed, things are looking better in the US!

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710 Reply by ozymandias

(10 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

I know what you mean.  Not knowing any better, I bought my guitar 3 years ago and never thought about changing the strings.  I was waiting till they broke.  Then this year tuning was getting harder and the strings sounded dull.  Then my teacher started telling me about string changing times.  He recommended no more than 6 months for infrequent use.  Some musicians change their strings pretty often, but, since I am only a private player, I'll go 3 to 6 months.   Seth also taught me the proper string changing technique so I can do it myself!

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711 Reply by ozymandias

(18 replies, posted in Acoustic)

jaygordon75 wrote:

Lots of great suggestions here... Playing with a capo opens up a lot of sound possibilities...example: a C  F and G played without a capo can be played as an  A D E with capo on 5th fret...  that also works great if you are playing with other guitar players...gives more sound to the overall mix...  Open and Dropped tunings can work well also but can really be a challenge to play at times...  I was playing with a praise group and since we already had a 6 sting and 12 string guitar players, I decided to bring a mandolin...that opened up and really great sound...

I guess to better answer your question...learn to play each of your basic chords several different ways...also in the minor, 7th, 9th, etc...   some times changing the way you play a chord during a song can help elaborate on the sounds and texture of the song...   Hope this helps...

I agree, a capo opens a lot of possibilities.  And a good teacher, like I have will show you different fingerings of a chord.  Mine loves to do that, especially when it comes to chord changes.

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712 Reply by ozymandias

(10 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

jaygordon75 wrote:

I've  been using D'Addario EXP11 (12-53) on my Martin acoustic/electric...these are a coated string and have been long lasting and best of all sound great! I use a lot of alternate tunings and constantly changing tuning...I've had no string breakage with these! You can visit their website for more info...         Hope this helps...

I'v been using those strings as well.  I use the light variety on the recommendation of my teacher.

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713 Reply by ozymandias

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

Welcome to the club!  Enjoy and cheers!  I love this place!

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714 Reply by ozymandias

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

Well, after all the Irish Jigs and stuff tunes I'v been practicing in my group lessons, it's ironic that a big chunk of people posting on this thread are from the "Emerald Isle."  <grin>

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715 Reply by ozymandias

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

Cool, my daughter is 16 and she's been playing just as long!

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716 Reply by ozymandias

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

Fryeburg, Maine, USA, been playing or at least trying to for 3 years now.  Turn 53 later this week.  And I have one great and patient teacher!

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717 Reply by ozymandias

(19 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

I second the "go to buy at a music shop" advice and if you have a really good Guitar or string instrument shop, thats even better.

"The Vintage Fret Shop" in Ashland New Hampshire was where I bought mine and my daughters.  They are more than happy to allow people to try them on for size.  And they have new and used instruments as well as a really good repair shop.

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718 Reply by ozymandias

(11 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

I just bought an "intellitouch tuner" that clips onto the top of the fret board of my acoustic guitar.  I was trying to learn how to tune by ear using an "A" tuning fork, but, it's hard for me to grasp.  So using the tuner has been a good thing for me.  I find it pretty accurate and by using it in conjunction with practicing with the tuning fork, I hope to do better with tuning by ear eventually.

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719 Reply by ozymandias

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

Thanks, that gave me a chuckle!  The man sure could play with words!  <grin>

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720 Reply by ozymandias

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

KAP54 wrote:

Well said Southpaw and ozymandias.
Another legend moves on.
KAP54

A legend who's work has been recorded and will give pleasure to me and so many others for years to come!  My daughter will get to hear and see his work! 

Immortality rocks!

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721 Reply by ozymandias

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

I play a mix of folk, blues, 60's pop or stuff by groups like Traffic.

Actually, my tastes are quite eclectic and roams all over the place depending upon my mood.

Gordon Lightfoot, Mary McCaslin, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Beatles, Phil Ochs, Henson Cargill, etc.

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722 Reply by ozymandias

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

Amen.  He was a master at satirizing and pointing out the absurdities of so many parts of our societies.  Awesome word play and timimg was his hallmark.  One of the few comedians/social commentators who could make me laugh so hard I cried!  Not to mention fall out of my chair laughing uncontrollably.  <grin>

RIP to a master!  I shall lift a glass of wine to his honor tonight!

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723 Reply by ozymandias

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

Thats why we love the music, when all else fails, the tunes you love and the instrument you love to play, will never let you down!

Peace

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724 Reply by ozymandias

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

nadine2 wrote:
ozymandias wrote:

Registered Nurse by training, Full time Father and House husband atm.  Wife is a pharmacist and makes much more money than I can.  <grin>  So we made the decision that I would be a stay home parent until our daughter goes to college.

GREAT JOB!!! I think it's really great when a man is comfortable enough to stay home with the kids! I take my hat off to you.

I have 3 jobs, artist, homeschooling mom and since we moved recently, filling in for music teachers at one of our universities.

Thanks.  : )  It's been a great experience and sanity saver for me.  Plus it gives me the time and energy to learn guitar.

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725 Reply by ozymandias

(3 replies, posted in Acoustic)

The only dumb question, is the one not asked.  It's how we learn!

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