tag:bartvogel.com,2005:/blogs/the-blog?p=4The Blog2023-10-16T07:55:17-07:00Bart Vogelfalsetag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549302017-01-31T16:00:00-08:002023-02-19T09:40:46-08:00Gettin' it, keeping it or losing it!
<p>I've heard it said that country songs are either about gettin' it, keepin' it or losin' it. Now I don't write much in the country style but I made of the list of my songs that I think loosely fit in these categories:</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Getting It</strong></p>
<p><strong>-----------</strong></p>
<p>I Hope You Do</p>
<p>Downtown</p>
<p>Love Will Find You</p>
<p>Struck by the Light of Her Smile</p>
<p>Waiting for You to Find Me</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Keeping It</strong></p>
<p><strong>------------</strong></p>
<p>It Feels so Good</p>
<p>Oh Baby</p>
<p>Belle of the Ball</p>
<p>Our Way</p>
<p>Time</p>
<p>True Joy</p>
<p>We're Here</p>
<p>Wild Blue Yonder</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Losing It</strong></p>
<p><strong>----------</strong></p>
<p>A Hole in the Nest</p>
<p>It Takes a Long Time (To Bury a Woman Alive)</p>
<p>Pain Won't Let Me Sleep</p>
<p>Seventeen Months</p>
<p>They Say</p>
<p>What Do I Do</p>
<p>Gotta Breathe</p>
<p>I'm Crazy</p>
<p>Finding My Way Back (To Paradise)</p>
<p>I Forgot That I Don't Love You</p>
<p>I Wish I Could See You Now</p>
<p>Where Were You/</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549292016-12-20T16:00:00-08:002023-10-16T07:55:17-07:00Holiday Wish<p>God bless the second-guessers and the dreamers and the lovers and the planners and the shoot-from-the-hippers and the squatters and the pilers and the keep-it-all-orderliers.</p>
<p>The leavers and caretakers.</p>
<p>The givers and the takers.</p>
<p>The shiny ones and the I'll-decide-if-you're-a-shiny-oners.</p>
<p>The sleepers and the coaxers and the travelers, too.</p>
<p>We're all in this together whether you like it or not!</p>
<p>I hope you have a great holiday season.</p>
<p>Peace.</p>Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549282016-10-08T17:00:00-07:002022-04-21T19:20:42-07:00You have choices!
<p>"The itunes library has 26 millions songs. Lets say the average size of each song is 3mb and the average length is 3 minutes. The storage size for all these songs would be 76171.875 GB or 74.38 Terabytes. The total length of all these songs would be 1,300,000 hours or 54166.66 days or 148.3 years. So in our individual lifetimes it would be impossible to listen to the complete itunes library, let alone every recorded song since the beginning of time." - Jonathan Campbell, Artist, Musician, & Geek</p>
<p>I really appreciate you who have taken the time to buy, listen or stream my music - I realize you have lots of choices!</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549272016-08-30T17:00:00-07:002022-04-21T19:21:20-07:00Made in the USA (follow up)
<p>You may know from a previous blog post that I have been attempting to purchase only items made in the US. I've bought several articles of clothing in the past few months that are in fact made in America.</p>
<p>One of the reasons that I wanted to buy clothing items made here was that I've read that they are generally higher quality than those made off shore.</p>
<p>In May of this year I bought a red colored 100% cotton polo shirt (with front pocket) made by the Camber USA company. Purchase price: $40.98. After two washings a portion of the pocket stitching came loose. I took it up to Tina's and she re-stitched it for $5.00. Total investment: $45.98.</p>
<p>In March 2014 I bought four polo shirts from Target for $64.76 or $16.19 per shirt (made in Indonesia). Only one of the four survives. But none of them ever came unstitched . . .</p>
<p>I feel like the Camber polo shirt is better quality. It feels like better quality. We'll see how long it lasts . . .</p>
<p>Also in May of this year I bought a pair of jeans from the Round House American Made Jeans company. Lot #103. Dark Stone Washed Relaxed Fit! Purchase price: $48.58. Last week I was wearing them at home and sat down to eat and noticed that the crotched had come unstitched. I called the company to get them repaired or replaced - they refunded me $39.95 (price of jeans not including shipping) and told me to just order another pair on line. I did and I took the first pair up to Tina's. She re-stitched them for $10.00 on the spot. So if you add the two purchase prices minus the refund plus Tina's re-stitching you come up with a number of $33.60 per pair . . .</p>
<p>Over the last few years I've been paying $62.64 for Made in Mexico Wrangler jeans. None of them have come unstitched. They usually last a couple of years or so.</p>
<p>I feel like the Round House jeans are better fabric. I really like the way they feel on. We'll see how they wear over the long haul.</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549262016-08-24T17:00:00-07:002016-08-24T23:50:08-07:00Happy?
<p>I'm not sure it's attainable. Even the founding fathers spoke of having a right to the PURSUIT of happiness. And maybe that's what makes us happy is in the pursuing of it.</p>
<p>Or maybe it is . . . The Merrian-Webster website says the first definition of happy is a "feeling pleasure and enjoyment because of your life, situation, etc." I think I got that . . .</p>
<p>Is my "happy" under my control? Completely.</p>
<p>I get to do the choosing. I get to decide to experience enjoyment regarding my situation.</p>
<p>And if I'm not I'd better choose a different situation!</p>
<p> </p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549252016-08-16T17:00:00-07:002016-08-17T00:05:59-07:00Volume
<p>At the kind of venues I play, the goal is to keep the volume at a level that is at once engaging, i.e. you can pay attention and know what is being communicated, but not too loud if you want to you just want to hang out and talk with friends.</p>
<p>There are a lot of subtleties involved with this endeavor! </p>
<p>There is no point to a venue having live music if it can't be enjoyed by those who want to enjoy it.</p>
<p>And yet I get the feeling sometimes that some folks are annoyed that live music is happening at all. Oh, boy . . .</p>
<p>When an establishment is known for having live music several times a week . . . hmmm?</p>
<p>Really, such is the life and concerns of a gigging musician.</p>
<p>And, of course, maybe I care too much. But I don't think so . . . I think I must care.</p>
<p>I want the night to go well. I want the venue to be successful so they'll continue to hire me! I want to help retain customers. I want to attract customers AND audience members.</p>
<p>This is the pull.</p>
<p>Volume.</p>
<p>Every room has different acoustics and the acoustics change as the evening progresses as folks come and go and the conversation levels ebb and flow.</p>
<p>Is it about volume?</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549242016-08-09T17:00:00-07:002016-08-10T01:15:17-07:00Jump
<p>One of the life changing books for me has been Julia Cameron's "Artist's Way".</p>
<p>Cameron talks about the power of the journal. The act of journaling. Three pages each day. Longhand. Start with a blank page. Pen or pencil. No typing allowed!</p>
<p>I have half of a bookshelf shelf filled with stream-of-consciousness writing. It's been really good for me. Changed my life, as I said.</p>
<p>Great book . . . The intent is the get the creative self unblocked. What I found was that as I continued to write in the journal that ideas came and solutions to problems showed up in ways that they probably wouldn't have otherwise. I jumped some large financial hurdles by way of writing with my pen in my journal book. Pretty amazing now that I think and tell you about it.</p>
<p>I love inspiring sayings and quotes. And Cameron places quotes of thought leaders, spiritual leaders, musicians, writers and philosophers in the margins of "The Artist's Way".</p>
<p>One among several caught my attention. She quoted Joseph Campbell as saying "Jump!". I had to write a song. I know Van Halen has their "Jump" but I had to write mine . . .</p>
<p>A song about not sitting around anymore. You just got to do it. It's time to go. Got to jump!</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549232016-08-01T17:00:00-07:002016-08-10T00:43:56-07:00Road Trip Often?
<p>Some of you know that my day job is a residential real estate appraiser. For those of you who didn't - now you know!</p>
<p>I've built relationships with bank clients who know and trust my work and send me relatively distant from my home office for assignments. And I'm really okay with that, in fact, I love it because I love a road trip!</p>
<p>I would rather get paid to go to a distant job and experience the long drive and complete one assignment than get hired to write two assignments that are close to home. I love a road trip.</p>
<p>I like the time to think that a road trip provides.</p>
<p>I love the unexpected things that I see.</p>
<p>I love the unexpected places I end up on a free flowing road trip.</p>
<p>I've discovered new places, parks, architecture within an hour or two of my home.</p>
<p>Recently I went over to Palo Alto to my favorite guitar repair place. After I dropped off the M-38 at the store to have its binding re-glued, I wandered toward home and before very long I stumbled upon Bedwell Bayfront Park on the southwest shore of the San Francisco Bay, where I ended going for an afternoon hike and enjoying the vistas and views of The Bay.</p>
<p>I love the physicality of the road trip . . . of being behind the wheel . . . the freedom of going wherever I want to go.</p>
<p>I enjoy doing it alone but there is also the added pleasure of doing it with someone else along.</p>
<p>There are nothing like the conversations that happen on a road trip. The tacks that conversation and thoughts can take you. Just the time that being in a vehicle affords. To not have to rush things. To not have the interruptions of normal life.</p>
<p>If I really want to catch up with a friend or family member I choose a long drive in the truck as a way to bring that about. I love the honest conversations and all the detail that happens sitting in the front seat of the old pick up.</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549222016-07-20T17:00:00-07:002022-04-21T19:21:38-07:00Béla Fleck & Chris Thile!
<p>I was there!</p>
<p>Oakland, California.</p>
<p>The Fox Theater.</p>
<p>This was the seventh of eight shows they were doing together. Two virtuosos. No supporting musicians. Just two amazing players seated on a chair (Fleck) and bar stool (Thile).</p>
<p>Wow! Fleck on 1937 banjo. Thile on a 1920's mandolin.</p>
<p>Thile sang a few songs but mostly they just played and played! It was an amazing thing to watch two guys who are REALLY good at their craft play at full tilt before a crowd of 1,600.</p>
<p>Through my musician's brain filter I wondered what it took for them to get to this place. A whole lot of innate talent? The 10,000+ hours? It's difficult to comprehend. But, wow, what a treat to hear!</p>
<p>And I was so stoked to hear great music and be with my family and friends that I twice patted my friend Geoff on the arm as he returned to the seats with beers in hand and caused him to spill the drinks on the lady next to me (stranger) and Fran on the other side of me! I tend to get a little excited when I'm in a place I really want to be . . .</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549212016-07-07T17:00:00-07:002022-04-21T19:21:51-07:00Early Promise Concerts
<p>January 15, 1994 - Yuba City, California</p>
<p>November 13, 1993 - Youth Rally, Paradise, California</p>
<p>March 13, 1993 - Orangevale Youth Rally, Orangevale, California</p>
<p>November 10, 1990 - Tracy SDA Church, Tracy, California</p>
<p>6:00 P.M. - October 13, 1990 - Mountain View, California</p>
<p>6:30 P.M. - September 22, 1990 - Manteca SDA Church, Manteca, California</p>
<p>7:00 P.M. - August 18, 1990 - Youth Rally, Pleasant Hill SDA Church, Pleasant Hill, California</p>
<p>3:00 P.M. - June 23, 1990 - Pacific Union College, Anqwin, California</p>
<p>10:30 A.M. - April 8, 1990 - San Francisco Central SDA Church, San Francisco, California</p>
<p>3:00 P.M. - January 6, 1990 - Youth Rally at Sacramento Academy, Sacramento, California</p>
<p>11:00 A.M. - September 9, 1989 - Tracy SDA Church, Tracy, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - August 26, 1989 - William Soroyan Theatre, Fresno, California</p>
<p>January 7, 1989 - Manteca SDA Church, Manteca, California</p>
<p>6:30 P.M. - Van Nuys SDA Church, Van Nuys, California</p>
<p>6:00 P.M. - September 24, 1988 - Citrus Heights, California</p>
<p>11:00 A.M. - September 10, 1989 - Tracy SDA Church, Tracy, California</p>
<p>6:00 P.M. - August 12, 1988 - Manteca SDA Church, Manteca, California</p>
<p>July 30, 1988 - Redwood Campmeeting, Redcrest, California</p>
<p>July 23, 1988 - Pleasant Hill SDA Church, Pleasant Hill, California</p>
<p>July 9, 1988 - Modesto SDA Church, Modesto, California</p>
<p>5:00 P.M. - March 5, 1988 - Garden Grove SDA Church, Garden Grove, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - February 6, 1988 - Rio Lindo Adventist Academy, Healdsburg, California</p>
<p>2:00 P.M. - January 23, 1988 - Pacific Union College Church, Angwin, California</p>
<p>4:30 P.M. - January 9, 1988 - Pleasant Hill SDA Church, Pleasant Hill, California</p>
<p>4:30 P.M. - November 21, 1987 - Manteca SDA Church, Manteca, California</p>
<p>11:00 A.M. - November 21, 1987 - Tracy SDA Church, Tracy, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - November 7, 1987 - Northridge SDA Church, Northridge, California</p>
<p>6:00 P.M. - October 24, 1987 - Waterford SDA Church, Waterford, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - May 2, 1987 - Rio Lindo Adventist Academy, Healdsburg, California</p>
<p>9:30 A.M. - April 19, 1987 - Lafayette Christian Church, Lafayette, California</p>
<p>6:00 P.M. - April 18, 1987 - Galt SDA Church, Galt, California</p>
<p>5:00 P.M. - March 7, 1987 - Northridge SDA Church, Northridge, California</p>
<p>5:00 P.M. - February 21, 1987 - Waterford SDA Church, Waterford, California</p>
<p>11:00 A.M. - February 21, 1987 - Tracy SDA Church, Tracy, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - February 7, 1987 - Visalia SDA Church, Visalia, California</p>
<p>11:00 A.M. - February 7, 1987 - Orosi SDA Church, Orosi, California</p>
<p>11:00 A.M. - January 24, 1987 - Fort Bragg SDA Church, Fort Bragg, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - January 10, 1987 - Concord SDA Church, Concord, California</p>
<p>7:00 P.M. - October 26, 1986 - First <em>Presbyterian Church</em> of <em>Tracy, Tracy, California</em></p>
<p>5:00 P.M. - October 25, 1986 - Modesto SDA Church, Modesto, California</p>
<p>11:00 A.M. - October 11, 1986 - Long Beach SDA Church, Long Beach, California</p>
<p>6:30 P.M. - September 27, 1986 - Pleasant Hill SDA Church, Pleasant Hill, California</p>
<p>5:00 P.M. - September 13, 1986 - Garden Grove SDA Church, Garden Grove, California</p>
<p>6:30 P.M. - June 7, 1986 - Galt SDA Church, Galt, California</p>
<p>7:00 P.M. - May 31, 1986 - Van Nuys SDA Church, Van Nuys, California</p>
<p>5:00 P.M. - March 15, 1986 - Azure Hills SDA Church, Grand Terrace, California</p>
<p>9:30 A.M. - March 15, 1986 - Northridge SDA Church, Northridge, California</p>
<p>5:30 P.M. - March 1, 1986, Galt SDA Church, Galt, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - February 22, 1986 - Rio Lindo Adventist Academy, Healdsburg, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - January 18, 1986 - Concord SDA Church, Concord, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - December 7, 1985 - Fullerton SDA Church, Fullerton, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - November 23, 1985 - Visalia SDA Church, Visalia, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - November 9, 1985 - Fairmont SDA Church, Lodi, California</p>
<p>5:00 P.M. - October 12, 1985 - Garden Grove SDA Church, Garden Grove, California</p>
<p>11:00 A.M. - October 12, 1985 - Long Beach SDA Church, Long Beach, California</p>
<p>6:30 P.M. - September 28, 1985 - Pleasant Hill SDA Church, Pleasant Hill, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - September 15, 1985 - First Presbyterian Church of Tracy, Tracy, California</p>
<p>4:00 P.M. - September 14, 1985 - Tracy SDA Church, Tracy, California</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549192016-06-21T17:00:00-07:002016-06-22T02:09:34-07:00Beyond Clothing
<p>So, as some of you know I've been on a quest to purchase only US made products (I started with clothing). I've had one of those rainbird style sprinklers that attaches to a garden hose to water the back yard. It broke this morning. And in keeping with my quest I did an online search for US made sprinklers. I found at least three sites that sell American made gardening supplies and they all had a nice assortment of the type of sprinklers I was looking for . . . only problem . . . all three sites were sold out of anything that remotely interested me . . . off to Home Depot I go. I'm still not giving up on US made products but at the moment, due to the very hot weather we're having here in the West I've got to have a new rotary sprinkler to water the back yard . . .</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549002016-06-14T17:00:00-07:002016-06-15T02:48:14-07:00Elizabeth Gilbert on finishing
<p>Some of you know that I've been playing the guitar since I was a teenager (40 plus years at this point). I was pretty much self-taught until 2007 when I began to learn 'officially" from Tim Spencer. I've been showing up at his teaching room almost every week since then.</p>
<p>But let's examine self-taught . . . Really, I've learned a lot from others, as well. A few guys who have influenced me over the years: Bill Enanoria, Dave Nelund, Keith Knoche, John Vigil, Curtis Wright, Barry Butler, Woody Totten, Greg Evans, Greg Jones, Kent Beck, Jose Rojas and Richard Harty.</p>
<p>I really should be a much better player by now! I'm a slow learner . . . it takes a while for stuff to settle into this brain of mine.</p>
<p>I read a book recently by Elizabeth Gilbert called "Big Magic". She writes that a lot of people never finish a project because they want it to be perfect. She says that perfection is NOT possible. She said that the folks who actually finish the thing (with all of its imperfections) are way ahead of the class. I find some comfort in this!</p>
<p>A recorded song could always be better. It could have more parts. But at some point you have to ask yourself does it communicate what you want to say.</p>
<p>I'm looking forward to writing and recording some more imperfect songs . . .</p>
<p> </p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549182016-05-29T17:00:00-07:002016-05-30T00:03:31-07:00An Amazing Story About Dogs And Their People!
<p>You've got to check this out. I was so moved by this one. It is so worth the listen . . .</p>
<p><a href="http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2016/05/26/neads-bailey-graduation" data-imported="1">http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2016/05/26/neads-bailey-graduation</a></p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<p> </p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549172016-05-25T17:00:00-07:002016-05-26T00:50:55-07:00Not as easy as you'd think!
<p>So, a little follow up to my quest to buy Made in USA clothing. I've purchased five articles of clothing: A black 100% polyester polo, a grey 100% cotton polo, a red 100% cotton polo, a pair of jeans and a t-shirt with the logo "Made in the USA" on it. I ordered these from three different on-line companies.</p>
<p>1. Black polo shirt: Was delivered within a couple of days. Didn't read the details closely enough to realize that it was 100% polyester - thought I was buying cotton. Actually like it a lot!</p>
<p>2. Grey colored cotton polo shirt: Was delivered within two or three days. Great looking and feeling shirt. Washed it according to instructions. Shrunk a bit as they said it would. But it's just a little short. Not going to work. I paid about $36 for it. I actually like the fit of my $20 Merona "made in Indonesia" 60% cotton/40% polyester shirts better 'cause they have this tail in the back that makes them more comfortable to wear. I contacted the maker of the grey polo to see if they make a tall sized medium - they don't but may in the future.</p>
<p>3. Red colored polo: So because of my experience with the grey polo shirt company I went in search of a tall medium "made in the USA" elsewhere. I found one and ordered one! They did tell me right up front that delivery would take 4 to 8 weeks. I agreed to that because of the quest I'm on. Turns out that they make them to order. It is costing $40.98 including shipping. We'll see how it fits.</p>
<p>4. Jeans: I ordered them four days ago. Haven't received them yet . . . I think they said 7 to 10 days. I'll keep you posted.</p>
<p>5. T-shirt: I wanted the one that said "Made In USA" on it. They only make that on in one color. They told me upfront that it was back ordered. I accepted that because of the quest. I'll keep you posted.</p>
<p>This is sure not as easy as going down to Kohl's or Target or Whoever and buying a shirt but I believe in the concept of staying with US made. The cost for the American made shirts I've purchased on-line is approximately twice as much as a big box retailer with stuff made in China, Indonesia or wherever. It feels like the quality (from what I can tell so far) is higher.</p>
<p>I'm going with this! Wanna go?</p>
<p>Check out this article in the Huffington Post:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/17/made-in-america-the-luxury-label-will-cost-you_n_1891127.html" data-imported="1">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/17/made-in-america-the-luxury-label-will-cost-you_n_1891127.html</a></p>
<p> </p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549162016-05-21T17:00:00-07:002016-05-22T02:48:08-07:00Sandwich Picks
<p>You got to try these! Have you had them? These are some sandwich great combinations!<br><br>1. Peanut butter, mayo & dill pickle - my sister Julie's childhood friend Barbara Souza introduced our family to this one.<br><br>2. Cream cheese & black olives - my mom served these to us a children - always on Hollywood brand sandwich bread.<br><br>3. Peanut butter, some sort of butter type product, honey, wheat germ, dates and raisins - I made this one up myself ten or fifteen years ago.</p>
<p>I'll be interested to see what you think after you've tried them out.</p>
<p>bon appétit!</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549152016-05-10T17:00:00-07:002016-05-11T07:10:27-07:00I know where I going to buy my next shirt!
<p>I've decided I'm buying US made clothing only from now on.</p>
<p>I've been doing quite a bit of research on line to discover the availability of US made clothing. There is a lot available!</p>
<p>No problem. I'm going to do this thing! Why not . . .</p>
<p>I'm going on line right now and buying US made shirt . . .</p>
<p>Here is a link to a Consumer Reports article about American made products:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/02/made-in-america/index.htm" data-imported="1">http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/02/made-in-america/index.htm</a></p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549142016-05-03T17:00:00-07:002016-05-04T01:17:55-07:00I'm Not Sure Where I'm Going To Buy My Next Shirt
<p>I've got to do some more research . . .</p>
<p>Could I really make a difference in the health of the world by choosing to alter my buying habits?</p>
<p>Last night I watched the documentary "The True Cost". Check it out for the questions it will raise in your mind!</p>
<p>It was pretty astounding to see the amount of waste that the clothing industry causes. The conditions under which the garment workers exist world-wide and the damage to the environment that the agricultural practices cause even here in the U.S.</p>
<p>I was pretty amazed to realize that that in the 1960's 95% of the clothing that we Americans wore were made in the U.S. The movie claims that in 2015 5% of the clothing that we Americans wear were made in the U.S. Somebody do a fact check for me!</p>
<p>I just checked the labels on several items of clothing in my closet.</p>
<p>My favorite briefs were made in Thailand. My favorite dress shirt was made in Vietnam. My favorite coat was made in Vietnam. My Nike hoodie sweat shirt was made in Egypt. My favorite chambray shirt was made in Pakistan . . . The only U.S. made item in my closet is my "Carhartt Duck Active Jac/Quilted-Flannel Lined <span class="t14 not-bold">Style #J140" c</span>oat. Now I'm not saying that just because something was made in another country it is not good quality and wasn't made under good conditions but why are the prices so cheap at Target?</p>
<p>The sales manager at my local western wear/work clothing store (they're family run and have been in business for a number of years) tell me that they used to sell only American made clothing but then U.S. clothing companies stopped making jeans, for instance, in this country. He said there are no longer jeans made in the U.S. I did a quick Google search for American made jeans and they do exist! I found a dozen or so makers. Prices range from about $55.00 to over $300! Hmmmm . . .</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549132016-04-26T17:00:00-07:002016-04-27T04:11:58-07:00Sherman Isle
<p>One of my favorite pastimes is being on a boat! And I especially like boats that have sails!</p>
<p>One of my favorite places to be on a boat is the Sacramento River as it runs through the little river town of Rio Vista.</p>
<p>I am a fair weather sort of sailor and so I do most of my sailing in the summertime. Summer afternoons on the Sacramento River near Rio Vista are usually hot and windy. So windy, in fact, that the area is world famous as a site for great windsurfing and kite boarding opportunities.</p>
<p>The Sacramento Delta is comprised of many islands from very small berms to very large tracts of land. And one of those large tracts of land near Rio Vista is Sherman Island. The song "Sherman Isle" (or as my mentor and friend Tim Spencer calls it; "Sherman Clump") is a snapshot of a perfect afternoon out on the water and sharing the time with family and friends.</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549122016-04-20T17:00:00-07:002016-04-21T00:10:31-07:00Time
<p>When my friend Gary Sommerfeld and I were working in the "Spencer & Vogel" band together he suggested that the band learn John Mayer's "Your Body is a Wonderland" as one of our cover tunes.</p>
<p>I was listening to the song and looking at the chord chart online and realized that the song was written in the key of C and played in drop D tuning. I hadn't come across that configuration before and I was impressed because I have always used drop D tuning to play in the key of D!</p>
<p>And then I got to thinking what a song would sound/feel like if I played in the key of G and used drop D tuning . . . so I played myself a little rolling introduction using this idea with my ring finger on 5th fret/sixth string and dropping off the finger and letting the note drop down to the D and back up to the G . . . this alternating bass thing . . . not really all that unusual as far as alternating bass line notes are concerned except that it was wonderfully rich with that large drop down to that low D. I was inspired.</p>
<p>Within a few moments and idea for an song came! I was thinking a "swampy" sound and about family and friends and food and the passage of time.</p>
<p>"Time" was born.</p>
<p> </p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60548972016-04-12T17:00:00-07:002016-04-13T00:09:31-07:00I Know Nothing!
<p>My childhood friend Larry Seyfang and I took some group guitar lessons one summer in room above a music store in downtown Walnut Creek, California in the mid' 1970's. I didn't take lessons again until 2007 when I began studying with Tim Spencer.</p>
<p>I played guitar for a very long time without knowing a whole lot and when you hear some of my early recordings it shows!</p>
<p>Tim has been a great teacher for me . . . here we are almost nine years later. Along the way we became friends but he's also still my teacher. We've played maybe close to a couple hundred shows together. And even though we've done that much every show whether with him or by myself is still just a guitar lesson.</p>
<p>I stand beside this man and I get to soak in the master musician at work.</p>
<p>And the astounding thing to realize is that, yes, I've learned a lot about playing the guitar these past few years but I've also learned what I don't know! And that there is still so much to take in. So much so that I don't have enough time in my life to learn it all.</p>
<p>And of course, like my friend Keith Rhodes says, there's that whole other third level of not knowing what I don't know!</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549082016-03-29T17:00:00-07:002016-03-30T01:09:11-07:00Coming About
<p>I just released the single of this cut.</p>
<p>Sailing has been one of those constants in my experience. I've been sailing since I was 4 or 5 years old.</p>
<p>My father bought his first boat when we were living in an apartment in San Mateo, California the year we got new furniture and JFK was assassinated (which incidentally happened on the same day). We sailed the 7'7" Nutshell Pram dingy on the sloughs of neighboring (and just being developed) Foster City. All four of us; my father, Howard Cary Vogel; mother, Dolly Jeanine Vogel and sister, Julie Jeanine Vogel (who was born in the summer of 1960) would sail in this rowboat sized craft!</p>
<p>I don't remember much of the Nutshell first hand. I remember mostly the telling of the story of the boat by my parents. Like my mother's comment that when the wind would die it would be her job to paddle while my father steered.</p>
<p>Like the story of the only time my grandfather Charles Vogel sailed by himself was in the Nutshell. I guess it didn't go well! Apparently he capsized (I do have some first hand recollection of this part) end-on-end and had to be towed back to shore by a passing speed boat. And I have a vague memory of being pretty upset at watching my grandfather get dumped into the drink. He had never learned to swim but there were floatation cushions aboard that he was able to hang onto while waiting to be rescued. I felt much better once I knew he was going to be alright. I remember him coming ashore with soaked khaki colored pants and shirt and his white Converse tennis shoes.</p>
<p>Later in my childhood and teenage years we did a fair amount of sailing on the San Francisco Bay. The Bay at certain times of the year has a lot of wind - especially through the slot near Angel Island and Alcatraz Island. I have great memories of being out all day and the sounds of the boat. The speed of slicing through the wind. The movement of the boat through the chop. The saltwater splashing on our jackets. The cold, damp and peaceful ride home in the dark down the Alameda Estuary and enjoying the chicken noodle soup or hot chocolate that my mom heated on the gimbaled Sterno stove.</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549042016-03-22T17:00:00-07:002016-03-20T08:03:46-07:00Hunting for Sunsets
<p>I like being aware and paying attention . . . Of capturing something that only exists for a few moments or just a moment.</p>
<p>And if I'm there and a available its not really difficult to get something really amazing. I just have to be conscious.</p>
<p>And sunsets are pretty easy prey. To capture the stunning ones you just have to be around when they are!</p>
<p>And they do make this very amateur photographer's work look pretty good.</p>
<p>I like photographing them because they are always different. No two alike. Ever. Magnificent! Stunning, sometimes. Always beautiful. Sometimes subtle. Sometimes grand. Sometimes they are just so brilliant that its difficult to take it all in. Sometimes their beauty is something I want to tell the whole world about.</p>
<p>Sunset happens everyday. And most are not anything to get excited about. But then there are those ones, every once in a while, that knock your socks off and take your breath away. Those are the ones that you've got to get 'cause they'll never be there again.</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549112016-03-18T17:00:00-07:002023-02-13T08:36:01-08:00One Night on the Bluff<p>We just watched the award winning movie "Spotlight". "The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core." - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1895587/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1895587/</a></p><p>It brought back memories for me of my time spent at Monterey Bay Academy (three years; 1975-1978). It is a fairly small co-ed parochial high school (in the 1970's it typically had an enrollment of around 500 students) located on the coast of California on the beautiful Monterey Bay.</p><p>According to Wikipedia: "In 1948, the government tried unsuccessfully to sell the property to <a class="no-pjax" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz_County,_California">Santa Cruz County</a> for $1 as site of a junior college, and to the <a class="no-pjax" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Department_of_Parks_and_Recreation">California Department of Parks and Recreation</a> for a state park. Leal Grunke, a <a class="no-pjax" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventh-day_Adventist_Church">Seventh-day Adventist</a> <a class="no-pjax" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastor">pastor</a> from <a class="no-pjax" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chowchilla,_California">Chowchilla, California</a>, was the procurement officer for the Central California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. When he saw the location for the first time, he proposed using it for a <a class="no-pjax" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boarding_school">boarding school</a>. He met opposition from church officials, and then from the government. Grunke made several trips from Chowchilla to the <a class="no-pjax" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Assets_Administration">War Assets Administration</a> in <a class="no-pjax" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco">San Francisco</a> to meet with the general who was considering selling the property to private land developers. With the help of John P. Gifford of the <a class="no-pjax" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Education">United States Department of Education</a>, Grunke convinced the War Assets Administration to give the land to the Seventh-day Adventist Church on August 13, 1948. No money was paid, not even the $1 asked of Santa Cruz County earlier that year.<a class="no-pjax" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monterey_Bay_Academy#cite_note-History-10">[10]</a></p><p>Faculty members took turns working security detail, I think especially at night, driving around the school campus in their vehicle. I was asked by Pastor Ron Hoover one night to go on rounds with him in his car. We drove for quite a while around the campus and ended up down on the bluff overlooking the ocean. He parked. We talked a bit and then he said, "now, Bart, I don't want you to be afraid", as he put his right hand on my left leg. I told him I needed to get back up to the dorm.</p><p>Apparently, I wasn't the only one. I did a little Google search and discovered this: "Another religion pastor/teacher that was there (I never took a class from him though) was kicked out for allegedly coming onto one of the male students. His name is Ron Hoover. He was married also. Kathy" - <a class="no-pjax" href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.religion.christian.adventist/dA9QrYdTrfU">https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.religion.christian.adventist/dA9QrYdTrfU</a></p><p>Now my experience wasn't especially traumatic at the time nor is it especially moving now, but as I reflect on it is amazing how easily my naïve self could have been enticed in. I give credit to the way I was raised and loved growing up that kept me out of a potentially very harmful situation (it gave me the sense to say "no"). But it does give me some compassion for what the many children went through with Catholic priests because I, like them, respected the authority of the pastor and in my case genuinely liked the man.</p>Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549032016-03-16T17:00:00-07:002016-03-17T00:35:43-07:00The Walk Around
<p>I like to walk. I learned at a very early age!</p>
<p>I'm interested in finding new routes near my house that I can walk.</p>
<p>My most recent discovery was a walk around the perimeter of Brookside Estates. I didn't know you could do that because I always saw the security gates blocking the path but what I didn't know was, and I discovered this because I was riding my bike a few weeks ago from Brookside School to UOP along the levee, that the gates are open from, like, 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. for the general public to walk and it is walking only because the gates are those turn-style things that only lets pedestrians through (no bikes or horses for sure).</p>
<p>Anyway, it was a good walk of a little over 4 miles and maybe two thirds of it was along the Calaveras River behind some very nice homes. Quite picturesque; with a portion of the path having a view of the San Joaquin River deep water ship channel. The day of my walk there was even a large barge tied up on the other side of the river from me. I dig that kind of stuff! </p>
<p> </p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549012016-03-08T16:00:00-08:002016-03-09T15:08:00-08:00Date Stamped
<p>I put dates on just about everything.</p>
<p>The new farm-style dining table.</p>
<p>Songs that I write.</p>
<p>My journal entries.</p>
<p>I love keeping track of when I make purchases.</p>
<p>I have a whole account in my Quicken software entitled "Assets." My earliest entry was 1/13/1986 when I bought my new 1985 Martin M-38.</p>
<p>I just looked and saw there was an entry on 1/5/1999 for a "Roland VS1680 16-Track Recording Workstation" which was a gift from my grandmother, "Gammy". It was pretty expensive! She loved me and supported my interest in making music. My bandmates and I actually used it to make part of a record. My bandmate Richard ended up getting a upgraded version of it to finish the project.</p>
<p>There is an entry on 1/1/2004 for a "Corner Armoir (Pop's Furniture)." Should have been spelled "<em>Armoire".</em> And because it says "1/1" that means that I don't know the exact date it was purchased that year. I doubt that it was delivered on New Years Day because I remember we bought it on line.</p>
<p>3/15/2006's entry is for a "Leica Disto Plus" which a laser tape measure I still use everyday on my real estate appraisal inspections.</p>
<p>On 5/18/2009 I bought a "Gas Tank For Sailboat With Connections."</p>
<p> 6/23/2009 shows a "Dining Table & 8 Chairs." I had to get a new table. My ex took the farm table. I just looked on the bottom of the new table - I haven't put a date on it yet. It just has a label under there that says "Made In Malaysia." </p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60548982016-03-01T16:00:00-08:002016-03-01T21:06:46-08:00Needle in a Haystack . . .
<p>That you are even reading this is amazing to me. That we would find each other here . . . that you would take to time to click in. That you would find me here at all!</p>
<p>Maybe I handed you a business card at a show at one of the wine bars or maybe I handed you three business cards at one of my appraisal inspections (my day job). Maybe you remember me from some past meeting or association. Maybe a friend or family member of yours told you about me. Maybe I met you on one of my music sales calls. Or maybe you've even heard me sing somewhere. Did we play some music together at some point? Whatever the case I think it quite something that you would end up here!</p>
<p>This world in which we live is so incredibly inundated with information. We have so much available to us with just a Google query, by speaking into our device or by the clicking on of a link. How would I ever find you? How would you happen to be here? I don't take it lightly that you took the time to explore my page. Thank you for stopping by . . . </p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60548992016-02-25T16:00:00-08:002016-03-09T15:22:46-08:00Neat Freaks Are Superior
<p>What is it about neat freaks?</p>
<p>I mean they cop an attitude like they're something special (which they are!) . . . Now I AM somewhat of a neat freak and I do feel superior (okay, maybe not really superior; I just don't understand leaving a mess behind) to the messy ones.</p>
<p>But what's that all about?</p>
<p>For me keeping my surrounds fairly neat and orderly is really about LAZINESS… I don't want to have to come back to the mess… I just want to deal with it NOW which frees up my mind to do the things I really want to do just as soon as I clean up after myself!</p>
<p>Having a disorderly living space drives me a little crazy and so I'll even go so far as to clean up after my partner (within reason) just so my space is clear so I don't have to look at the mess while I perform my two work-from-home jobs. </p>
<p>If this is all so important to me why do I surround myself with people that don't share this same passion for order?</p>
<p>My ex-wife and my current partner are definitely not neat freaks. Both are "pile makers". If I like things so neat and orderly why don't I just have neat freaks for my closest associates? It seems like it would make life a little bit easier.</p>
<p>And of course if my current partner ever reads this blog post my living space may get really neat and empty!:-)</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60548962016-02-17T16:00:00-08:002016-02-18T04:06:18-08:00How Do I Get Better?
<p>I decided to get better on the guitar about eight years ago… And I first met Tim Spencer in August 2008. At that moment I had been playing the guitar for a number of years… Since I was a teenager... but I was largely self-taught. Tim asked me at our first meeting what I wanted to accomplish on the guitar. I told him that I would like to become a better musician… Increase my skills on the guitar… Increase my skills as a songwriter. And so he showed me some scales… The Greek modes… The arpeggios… Scales for harmonic minor. I had no idea that getting better on the guitar would be so much about the scales! I briefly wondered to myself what are they have to do with becoming a better songwriter. But as I began work on the scales things started to happen for me musically! Ideas for songs came. Chord progressions came. My left hand and right hand strength increased. My voice got stronger as I sometimes sang along with the scales and sang the songs I was writing. My voice pitch got better (still working on that). Still working on all that . . .And while I worked I forgot about the other parts of my life! I began to realize that Music was about being in the moment. It became this whole other thing that I wasn't completely expecting. I also didn't expect that my teacher would become one of my brothers. One who I would confide in and visa versa. What is it Like to Get Better on the Guitar?</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60548952016-02-09T16:00:00-08:002016-02-15T10:12:12-08:00How Much is a Serving?
<p>When I unexpectedly became a bachelor a few years ago I had a learn how to cook for myself! I mean, I had some idea and had cooked infrequently for my kids while their mother was attending evening classes toward getting her masters degree but it was pretty basic nourishment! Well, as I was saying I had to learn how to cook . . . how much do I make of said food? So, one of the things that hit me was to read the number of servings on the package. . . seems pretty basic . . . but that became the way I would do it. If I was having pasta I would look at the pasta box or bag and see that a serving was say three quarters of a cup. I also have a Tupperware <span data-dobid="hdw">cylindrical spaghetti storage container that has a "1" and a "2" on the secondary cap so I can just let a serving of those long, slender, solid strings slide into the boiling water. Whala!, dinner is ready and the cool thing is there are no leftovers. On thing I noticed early on in my cooking adventure was that a "serving" of pasta didn't look like much on the plate but alas after I added some sauce, some veggie meatballs, some bread and a serving of salad I was full. I've let my methods be known to my family and friends and I want you to know that I've received a fair amount of teasing but there just jealous 'cause I have this great system worked out! :-) And speaking of systems I'll have to tell you of my failsafe system of telling whether dishes are clean or dirty in the dishwasher . . . I share these methods because I'm a giver . . . no charge for this knowledge!</span></p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60548942016-02-02T16:00:00-08:002016-02-15T10:09:38-08:00The Day I "Met" Greg Brown
<p>I was driving around Northern San Joaquin County one foggy Sunday afternoon in late winter 2003 listening to a local NPR music program. I had just turned on the show (one I had never listened to before) as the host was introducing a song I had never heard by an singer/songwriter I had never heard of: "Canned Goods" by Greg Brown off his "The Live One" album. It grabbed me! My father had passed away a few weeks before. It was foggy and cold outside. It reminded me of the love that I felt for my father and my own grandmother (Nana) and the good times that I had had in her concrete block house in Oakdale, California in the late 1960's. I remember dancing around with Nana and my sister Julie with "symphony" music playing on my grandmother's stereo system which was housed in a wood cabinet as large as a dining room hutch with a fiber optic lamp providing the only light for the living room dance party.</p>
<p>"Let those December winds bellow 'n' blow I'm as warm as a July tomato.</p>
<p>[chorus:] Peaches on the shelf Potatoes in the bin Supper's ready, everybody come on in Taste a little of the summer, Taste a little of the summer, You can taste a little of the summer my grandma's put it all in jars.</p>
<p>Well, there's a root cellar, fruit cellar down below Watch you head now, and down you go</p>
<p>And there's [repeat chorus]</p>
<p>Maybe you're weary an' you don't give a damn I bet you never tasted her blackberry jam.</p>
<p>[repeat chorus]</p>
<p>Ah, she's got magic in her - you know what I mean She puts the sun and rain in with her green beans.</p>
<p>[repeat chorus]</p>
<p>What with the snow and the economy and ev'ry'thing, I think I'll jus' stay down here and eat until spring.</p>
<p>[repeat chorus]</p>
<p>When I go to see my grandma I gain a lot of weight With her dear hands she gives me plate after plate. She cans the pickles, sweet & dill She cans the songs of the whippoorwill And the morning dew and the evening moon 'N' I really got to go see her pretty soon 'Cause these canned goods I buy at the store Ain't got the summer in them anymore. You bet, grandma, as sure as you're born I'll take some more potatoes and a thunderstorm.</p>
<p>Peaches on the shelf Potatoes in the bin Supper's ready, everybody come on in, now Taste a little of the summer, Taste a little of the summer, Taste a little of the summer, My grandma put it all in jars.</p>
<p>Let those December winds bellow and blow, I'm as warm as a July tomato.</p>
<p>[repeat chorus]"</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60548932016-01-26T16:00:00-08:002016-02-15T10:06:38-08:00Feeling Like a Movie Star
<p>When I stand in the shower facing the wall (where the shower arm comes out) with my head down and the shower spray hitting my occipital protuberance I feel like a movie star!</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60548922016-01-19T16:00:00-08:002016-02-15T10:15:04-08:00Non-Shaving Day
<p>Today is Non-Shaving Day! What? Well, I'll tell you. When I went through divorce few years ago one of the things I did to signify to myself that it is okay to be the man I need to be (and not go on somebody else's program) was to only shave every other day - no matter what. No matter if I was going to church, to work, a phot shoot, to a wedding, to a funeral . . . out on a date . . . if its non-shaving day no shaving happens! I gave up a lot of control during my earlier years and this simple ritual continues to remind me to do what I need to do - to be who I need to be - no matter what!</p>
Bart Vogeltag:bartvogel.com,2005:Post/60549102016-01-12T16:00:00-08:002016-03-17T01:24:28-07:00What Ever Happened To En Route?
<p>An archived version of the old En Route website . . .</p>
<p><a href="http://archive.is/enroutemusic.net" data-imported="1">http://archive.is/enroutemusic.net</a></p>
Bart Vogel