jcm's blog

A week ago, I decided it was finally time to just get a driver’s license. So I went into the driving school near where I live, and hooked up a couple of lessons and a test. We might have called the DSA, but for the fact that we’re not in the UK and therefore didn’t feel like a utterly pointless 2 month wait on a test. Nah, instead, we booked a test last Tuesday, for Friday. I had a couple of lessons, then passed the road test.

Learning to drive on the other side of the road, in an automatic car, took 3 days. The Massachusetts driving test is laughably ridiculous since it lasts under ten minutes, is only conducted in a residential area, and essentially involves just making a handful of observable driving actions. However, at least I’ve learned elsewhere to use my mirrors correctly (watching for motorized/non-motorized bikes and other at-risk persons). Here in MA, they didn’t even bother to tell me about that. They didn’t bother with the rear view mirror…I could go on, but the point is obvious – there’s a lot of truth to the stereotypes of US drivers that those outside the US may or may not hold true. Oh, and the “correct” way to turn the wheel here is hand-over-hand…sigh.

Not that I care. Here, they’re way more pragmatic than those anally pedantic DSA folks. The UK “Driving Standards Agency” is a government quango that is paid to waste your time. They make vast amounts of money out of offering no customer service, make you wait months for a test, and generally are utterly useless. The testing here is inadequate, but at least it’s possible to book this side of July 4. In the States, they care more about getting you onto the road (to the detriment of public safety, in my opinion) than in whether you screw up on a minor technicality during a reverse parallel park. Did I mention that the UK DSA suck? Those folks just suck…so so much.

So, look out, I’m licensed to drive now.

Jon.

Well, I’ve decided to buy an Electric Violin. I’d like something I can play all night long, wherever, whenever, however, without disturbing anyone. And the Yamaha violins look to be about what I want – I’ve had my eye on one of these puppies for a few years. The only question now would seem to be whether I want to buy the Acoustic-styled SV-200 or the post-modern psychedelic-colo[u]red EV-204.

Both seem to be very formidable violins with solid engineering behind them but beyond that, the SV-204 has two pickups and a conventional spruce/maple combination, whereas the EV-204 seems much more oriented toward the Vanessa Mae wannabe (though, importantly, it has a pickup under each string position on the bridge – all electric violins tend to use bridge vibration for pickup). I don’t look cute in a full length skimpy dress, so I’m not planning to try that any time soon (besides, I sound terrible too when I play in comparison to anyone – I’m under no illusions as to my playing abilities these days).

I need to decide. I’m also thinking about a keyboard/electric piano. If I do decide to get a piano, I’ll want one that can do MIDI and be used to notate via Rosegarden at the very least.

Jon.

I’ve been working on my violin technique some more and I feel as if I am improving over time, which is good, but I’m not up to standard yet (certainly not the standard I was as a younger man). In part, it’s physical – my 4th finger has a minor injury that has never quite gotten better but causes me discomfort during complex movements/passages and constantly wants to “click”. I could look at having it treated but the only option would be needless surgery and there would be just as much chance of making it worse – it only affects my playing, not typing or whatever, so I’m inclined to live with it.

Aside from the physical issues I have, I decided the violin itself needed an overhaul and a new set of strings. I’ve previously had a good experience with Cambridge Music, even if I can never seem to speak to someone who is directly versed in violins (they must have someone, they collate custom string sets, etc. and I know this person has been referred to, at least indirectly at any rate). I went there this evening and bought a $50 set – three Dominants and a Pirastro E string (I cunngingly avoided talking about my G…oh, never mind). I’ve installed and tuned them, but they are going to need some breaking in and are going out of tune every few minutes by a fraction of a semi-tone and requiring adjustment. But the instrument sounds so much better for it – more like a violin than a dying cat.

I’ve also bought what they call a “practice mute”, which is essentially an oversize mute designed to do more than a performance mute – it’s designed for volume reduction, and not a performance style – since I’ve been concerned that I might make too much noise in the apartment building, and, somewhat more importantly, I often want to play depressing music to myself in the early hours…it’s easier if you don’t wake others up and have them come talk to you about it. No, I’ve not actually done that, yet, since I don’t dislike my neighbours enough to justify that

I’m still thinking about a Yamaha silent violin, and also about lessons (know any good violin teachers in Cambridge? No, not that Cambridge, the other one) once I have worked on my positioning, bowing technique, and other style concerns that I have. I am considering taking up the piano, but that will be more of an investment in a week where I’m not also thinking about having sailing lessons and inventing free time I don’t have to do these things in.

Jon.

For a little while now, I’ve been on what one might term a “detox diet”. Largely based on fruit and veg, it generally takes this form:

• Breakfast of fruit. Usually Apples/Bananas. Lots of fruit juice (with added Calcium). Complete multi-vitamin, an additional B/C supplement, an additional Zinc supplement. Various other supplements as needed.
• Lunch of fruit, and more juice. I’m drinking more than a lit[er|re] per day. Carrots and other veg. often come in here, or in the evening.
• Assorted berries and more fruit in the evening, a protein shake (19g of non-diary protein derived from soy, green tea and chai – other Protein sources bring the total to at least RDA every day, as required). Fruit is generally prioritized with a preference toward those low in sugar, and it’s always organic (to avoid pesticides).
• Plenty of water. I drink way, way, more water than I used to. I keep a glass of water next to my desk during the day and at my bedside at night. If you’re going to consume caffeine, it’s important to rehydrate yourself and this is something that is easy to overlook in today’s modern world. Water is just better for you anyway.
• Update: I’ve decided to add some organic peanuts for the moderate increase in fat, protein and other nutrients.

Obligatory Disclaimer: I did a lot of research into precisely what food groups I need to be eating, in what quantities and created this diet for myself. I’ve not included all details here. I don’t suggest blindly following this post as a recommendation for any diet you may wish to create for yourself – but I will document some of my results here. I don’t see myself becoming a permanent veggie (or even a vegan, if I cut out the milk) but it’s very useful as a short term detoxification diet.

I’ve also taken up running and a lot of other exercise/walking. I will get my bike fixed up shortly and then, as I consider re-introducing more complex carbs, I’ll increase my cycling to offset that. How do I feel? Aside from other personal stuff in my life, I feel great – I haven’t had this much energy in years. I get good restful sleep and feel fantastic in the mornings. I’ve lost 20lbs (of mostly fat) so far but that rate has now fallen – and I’m looking at losing another 15-20lbs. I still drink way too much coffee (read: I got invited to go drinking with the folks who work in my local Starbucks), but that’s just me. I drink tea, but it’s actually largely decaf. Earl Grey at the moment. I keep a bunch of varieties around though, and a range of fresh coffee beans too – 24 hour coffee coverage available here.

I’m not turning into a fruitarian (quite – I mean, I’m violating all their rules anyway) but I admit that I am enjoying the benefits that this diet has to offer over a defined period of time. I’ll probably give it a few more weeks before I evaluate the results. My goal is to be fitter than I have been in years, to climb a lot more often, and to be 165lbs or so by the time I’m done. The project name? Brave New Jon. And this is only Phase One.

Jon.

For years and years (actually, since the 1920s), Rugy has been the home of a radio broadcast used to set clocks within the UK and parts of Western Europe. From today (it’s today in the UK already, yesterday here on the US East Coast), that signal moves to Anthorn. A sign of the times means the contract finally went to $random_company.

I’ll still call it Rugby time

Jon.

I was extremely happy to read about this lawsuit over anti-plagiarism software over at the Washington Post. Why? How can I think this is a good thing? Because I’ve been in a school that used such a service and relied on it utterly, and pointlessly, to the detriment of many.

The real way to catch cheats is to have sufficient staff working with students, to get to know them, to understand them, to offer quality education. When a good educational environment is created, there is no need for automated software because the teacher knows his/her students well enough to make the call. That’s my opinion, anyway. In my opinion, introducing software to do the job of quality teachers only serves to pander to those who would have 1000 students in a class and a teacher so overworked they struggle to name even a handful of the students they’re seeing on a daily basis. And I’ve seen that kind of situation, too.

Jon.