Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: StefanieJones on June 27, 2020, 03:11:46 PM

Title: Getting back to group practice
Post by: StefanieJones on June 27, 2020, 03:11:46 PM
So, here in NJ  the numbers are dropping and places are starting to open up again. We had a couple of practices (with masks) the last two weeks and another scheduled for tomorrow. It still makes me nervous, but I guess I'll be back from working at home soon as well.  SO nervous about that, too. A building full of people... or a bar full of people, ugh!  I know bars at least will have social distancing when they're fully open, but still.

It's sad that other places in the country are hitting new highs for infection. I wish we all pulled out of this at the same time. But, I understand some aren't as cautious and didn't close down. It has to make you wonder when this will be over in the the states..
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: edwardofhuncote on June 27, 2020, 03:44:30 PM
Hey Stef, good to see you back around again.  :)
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: StefanieJones on June 27, 2020, 04:00:16 PM
Hey hey.. I've been lurking and not much to say -_-;
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: jacko on June 28, 2020, 12:12:33 AM
It's not just the USA Stef.  Over here in the 'united' kingdom we have 4 different sets of rules, each as confusing as the other and being ignored more and more by those with suicidal tendencies. Whilst I've really missed playing music in groups for the past 4 months, I'd rather that than the alternative and I'm in no hurry to get back into a tiny rehearsal room with 3 other guys breathing on me.

Graeme
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: glocke on June 28, 2020, 03:07:11 AM
Things are starting to open back up here in PA as well, and I was up in Manhattan the other day for the first time since March to go to my Double Bass lesson up there.  That part was eerie in itself, from the almost deserted Princeton Train Station to the boarded up storefronts and reduced vehicular and pedestrian traffic in Midtown. 

I actually suspect some musical things just won't be coming back for me..The jazz ensemble playing i was doing for one thing.  Frankly I just don't see a situation happening where you have a group of people with horn players blowing getting together in a small room.

 My rock band has a pretty big gig booked in the coming weeks playing indoors at a small theatre that normally seats 450 but they are only filling it with 150 people. 

Hopefully the re-opening trend does continue, but honestly looking at some of the states that have started reopening and are seeing their numbers rise, part of me thinks it may not be sustainable (hoping Im wrong).

Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: lbpesq on June 28, 2020, 06:12:54 AM
We drove through Pennsylvania yesterday.   We stopped twice for gas.  No one was wearing a mask or social distancing.  Scary!

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: rv_bass on June 28, 2020, 06:51:52 AM
Did you fly to the east coast?  What was that like?
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on June 28, 2020, 08:58:20 AM
We drove through Pennsylvania yesterday.   We stopped twice for gas.  No one was wearing a mask or social distancing.  Scary!

Bill, tgo

You get to NYC safe & sound?

Peter
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: lbpesq on June 28, 2020, 11:56:29 AM
We had a hell of a time getting through Indiana and Ohio.  Torrential rain and lots of lightning.  About the hairiest driving I’ve ever done.   Almost no visibility.   Just fell in behind a truck and followed the lights to the next rest stop.  Then pulled off and waited for the rain to lighten a bit.  Had to do that three times.  But we arrived safe and sound.   Will be heading back on Wednesday with a stop at the Cozmik Ranch Wednesday night, hopefully at a more reasonable hour than last time!

Now, getting back to the thread, I finally got to play with someone when the Cowboy and I messed around a little on guitars last Thursday night, following 2000 miles of non-stop driving.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: StefanieJones on June 28, 2020, 08:41:09 PM


Hopefully the re-opening trend does continue, but honestly looking at some of the states that have started reopening and are seeing their numbers rise, part of me thinks it may not be sustainable (hoping Im wrong).

The states that re-opened early  are indeed scary.  And I'm not thinking things will get back to the same as they were any time soon. I hope I'm wrong, too.

Bill, that's quite a drive! Are you in NYC now?  I'm about an hour south on the Jersey shore, if you're passing this way.
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: lbpesq on June 29, 2020, 06:49:19 AM
If not for the Pandemic, a brief side trip to meet another Alembician in person would be a no brainer, but ....

We’ll be crossing the GWB and heading straight West on Wednesday as I have to be back before the 6th.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: StefanieJones on June 29, 2020, 03:31:44 PM
Understandable, it's another long drive back home :/ In any case, arrive safely.
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: edwin on July 03, 2020, 07:20:29 PM
We had a hell of a time getting through Indiana and Ohio.  Torrential rain and lots of lightning.  About the hairiest driving I’ve ever done.   Almost no visibility.   Just fell in behind a truck and followed the lights to the next rest stop.  Then pulled off and waited for the rain to lighten a bit.  Had to do that three times.  But we arrived safe and sound.   Will be heading back on Wednesday with a stop at the Cozmik Ranch Wednesday night, hopefully at a more reasonable hour than last time!

Now, getting back to the thread, I finally got to play with someone when the Cowboy and I messed around a little on guitars last Thursday night, following 2000 miles of non-stop driving.

Bill, tgo

Sounds like another trip on the road! That was my life on and off for 25 years. Driving through hurricanes and all kinds of weather. And playing in that weather. Playing in Hurricane Ike in Arkansas and a group of tornados in Maryland were very interesting.
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: lbpesq on July 03, 2020, 10:21:54 PM
Last night we saw a lot of lightning in Kansas.  Then, about 10 miles before Salina, the rain and wind hit.  And when I say wind, I mean wind!   The little SUV I was driving was blown all over the road.   Being in Kansas, I half expected to wind to pick us up and plotz us down in a colorful place with a pair of legs in red and white striped stockings sticking out from under the car!

Today we drove through the Rockies.   It was bumper to bumper, stop and go, but mostly stop, until the Eisenhower Tunnel, then things opened up and we had a spectacular ride through the Rockies and especially Glenwood Canyon.  We’re currently in Utah and should make it home tomorrow night after driving about 6500 miles.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: jazzyvee on July 03, 2020, 11:22:19 PM
I hope your Porsche is safe and didn't  get picked up by the storm as well.
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: lbpesq on July 04, 2020, 10:59:26 PM
Just got home!  Highway 50 through Utah and Nevada was breathtaking.   And thank goodness the rental had satellite radio.  Yea Channel 23!*

Bill, tgo


* Grateful Dead Channel
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: StephenR on July 04, 2020, 11:08:52 PM
Welcome home Bill, good to hear you got back safely! I drove highway 50 once, East to West, and thought it was one of the most amazing drives in the lower 48. Beautiful vistas and when I came across in early May the scent of blooming sage filled the air. I have driven across country enough times to not be inclined to want to do so again but definitely want to drive 50 again.
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on July 04, 2020, 11:20:31 PM
Just got home!
Bill, tgo

Good to hear; prop your feet up & enjoy a seat that isn't moving!

Peter
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: hieronymous on July 05, 2020, 09:42:48 AM
Welcome back Bill! You can watch Fare Thee Well for free all day now!
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: David Houck on July 06, 2020, 11:04:51 AM
Just ran an image search of Hwy 50 in Nevada; beautiful vistas indeed.  I don't think I've ever driven that stretch of road.
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: lbpesq on July 06, 2020, 11:23:22 AM
David, check out 50 in Utah.  Like being on Mars!

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: David Houck on July 06, 2020, 07:00:57 PM
I ran that search too, and got the same pictures; which let me to think that folks do like you did and drive through both states.
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: lbpesq on July 06, 2020, 08:53:05 PM
Actually, I forgot that it was 70 for most of Utah which continues as 50 through Nevada.  Check out some pics of 70 in Utah.   Very dramatic!  The Nevada stretch is known as “the Loneliest Road in America”.   For most of the way in Nevada you are alternating between winding roads up, over, and down a 5000-7000 ft. pass leading to a 20-30 mile dead straight line to the next 5000-7000 ft. peak, to the next 20-30 mile straight line, over and over, for 300 miles or so.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: David Houck on July 07, 2020, 12:11:31 PM
Ah yes; I see what you mean!  Back in the 70's a friend and I went through southern Utah and visited three of the major national parks, Arches, Bryce, and Zion.  Over 40 years ago; would love to get out that way again someday, or maybe in the next life.
Title: Re: Getting back to group practice
Post by: StefanieJones on July 09, 2020, 11:11:15 AM
Looks like some beautiful places to drive through! Glad you made it safely :D