Two weeks from today, the NMA reunion will be in full swing. We get into the routine pretty quickly--we have to, given that time is short and the year is long. Meanwhile, a little attention to those who have missed a year or two:
-- Glad to know that Jack Rodway will be attending the NMA reunion this year. He and his wife missed last year's get-together due to a delayed real estate closing. As I recall the story, he wound up sleeping on the bare floor in an empty house. I guess if you can sleep in a Navy rack, you can sleep anywhere.
-- John Vazquez, are you coming? It's been a few years. I just saw your name listed as "attending" on the Facebook reunion page, so I was wonder--Oh. I could just ask you on Facebook. That's what it's for, I guess.
-- Tex Waldron has been MIA for a while. I miss his melodious trombone-playing, particularly his subtle, golden-toned upper register. Come home, Tex we miss you.
-- Speaking of Tex, a few of you other Pacific Northwest guys have been slacking off, too. Get with the program, boys. It's later than you think.
Frank Mullen's very unofficial source of poop, skinny and bitching for present and former U.S. Navy Musicians.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The Daily Poop - Wed., 13JUN12
Fourteen days from today will be the kickoff of a few days of music, laughter and memories. So here it is, the first issue in your free, two-week subscription to The Daily Poop, the Navy Lyres guide to the NMA reunion.
A number of members always arrive before the reunion officially begins on Wednesday. I plan to get to Orlando late Sunday for a few days of deep mental preparation. An influx of early birds sometimes means impromptu jam sessions on Tuesday night. These advance get-togethers are not as wild as they get later in the week, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Once things start jumping ...
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A number of members always arrive before the reunion officially begins on Wednesday. I plan to get to Orlando late Sunday for a few days of deep mental preparation. An influx of early birds sometimes means impromptu jam sessions on Tuesday night. These advance get-togethers are not as wild as they get later in the week, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Once things start jumping ...
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Theme park, schmeme park, as long as you're having fun
The Orlando Doubletree Universal, our home for the June 27-July1 NMA reunion, is, of course, located adjacent to the Unviversal Studios resort. I won't likely be visiting that attraction; I managed Memphis without a trip to Elvis's mansion, and I think I'll come home from a get-together with my shipmates with no regrets over having missed out on Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster and the Green Eggs and Ham Cafe.
Disney World is also close by. Eleven miles, actually. I've never been there, and I don't see how it could measure up to my visit to the Tokyo Disney Land with the 7th Fleet Band, an excruciating afternoon of hidden speakers blaring a non-stop version of "It's a Smarr Word After Oar."
I suspect that, among jam sessions, band rehearsals,concerts, meetings, dinners and dances, I'll have plenty to do right at the Doubletree.
Disney World is also close by. Eleven miles, actually. I've never been there, and I don't see how it could measure up to my visit to the Tokyo Disney Land with the 7th Fleet Band, an excruciating afternoon of hidden speakers blaring a non-stop version of "It's a Smarr Word After Oar."
I suspect that, among jam sessions, band rehearsals,concerts, meetings, dinners and dances, I'll have plenty to do right at the Doubletree.
11 miles from Doubletree (upper right) to Disney World (lower left).
Friday, June 8, 2012
Less than 3 weeks 'til NMA reunion
Good grief. I wake up, look at the calendar and see that only 19 days remain until the NMA reunion. So much to do before I leave for Orlando:
-- Provide world leaders with contingency plans to be implemented in cases of emergency during my absence.
-- Find clothes that fit. I've slendered down a bit, and a lot of my trousers won't stay up unless I tie them over my shoulders with clothesline. Okay, it's not really that severe, but still, I don't want my pants falling down during "The Girl from Ipanema.:
-- Figure out how to use new video camera. It doesn't have buttons or knobs. It has a touch-screen, like an I-Pad or I-Pod or Kindling Wood or TweetleDee or whatever those things are.
So much to do.
-- Provide world leaders with contingency plans to be implemented in cases of emergency during my absence.
-- Find clothes that fit. I've slendered down a bit, and a lot of my trousers won't stay up unless I tie them over my shoulders with clothesline. Okay, it's not really that severe, but still, I don't want my pants falling down during "The Girl from Ipanema.:
-- Figure out how to use new video camera. It doesn't have buttons or knobs. It has a touch-screen, like an I-Pad or I-Pod or Kindling Wood or TweetleDee or whatever those things are.
So much to do.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Walk to restaurants in Orlando
While at the Orlando Doubletree Universal for the NMA reunion, you'll, no doubt, enjoy the hotel's restaurant. Those those seeking variety will find that Orlando has a million other eateries.
But if you're looking for a meal without driving in traffic, the neighborhood provides alternatives within walking distance. The following restaurants are all about a quarter-mile or less from the hotel.
But if you're looking for a meal without driving in traffic, the neighborhood provides alternatives within walking distance. The following restaurants are all about a quarter-mile or less from the hotel.
- T.G.I. Friday's. Food and beer, not necessarily in that order.
- Tabla Bar and Grill. Indian food. Try the paneer tikka masala. If you don't like it: back to T.G.I. Friday's.
- Kobe Japanese Steak House. Any questions?
- Miller''s Ale House. Part of a widespread chain of restaurant/taverns that claim to have the warm ambiance of your bar back home. I hope they're not referring to the Shipwreck Lounge.
- Starbucks. Duh.
- Golden Corral. Duh with chicken.
Friday, June 1, 2012
NMA Reunion Live-blog 2012
The NMA Reunion Live-blog is like a Fender Rhodes electric piano, light beer or a Michael Bublé version of a Sinatra song--not as good as the real thing, but better than nothing.
In less than a month, MUs from across the country will gather in Orlando for a few days of music, camaraderie and out-and-out lying. If you haven’t signed up to attend, it’s not too late. The party begins June 27; go to the NMA website for registration information.
I hope to see you in Orlando, but if you have to stay home this year, you can still get a taste of the fun by following the annual NMA reunion "live-blog" throughout the week of the reunion. From Monday, June 25 (two days before the official opening of the reunion) until Sunday, June 30 (departure day for most attendees), come here for photos, interviews, assorted reports, rumors, revelations, scandals and tall tales. As an added bonus, this year I intend to feature, for the first time:
See you at the reunion or online—
In less than a month, MUs from across the country will gather in Orlando for a few days of music, camaraderie and out-and-out lying. If you haven’t signed up to attend, it’s not too late. The party begins June 27; go to the NMA website for registration information.
I hope to see you in Orlando, but if you have to stay home this year, you can still get a taste of the fun by following the annual NMA reunion "live-blog" throughout the week of the reunion. From Monday, June 25 (two days before the official opening of the reunion) until Sunday, June 30 (departure day for most attendees), come here for photos, interviews, assorted reports, rumors, revelations, scandals and tall tales. As an added bonus, this year I intend to feature, for the first time:
- Photos and videos in which you can actually make out what’s going on. (I've been studying with a former Navy Photographer’s Mate who is instructing me in the finer arts of removing the lens cap and other technicalities.)
See you at the reunion or online—
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