It’s All About That Bass

No offense to those who play the bass guitar, but there is nothing like the sound of a string bass.  Yes the overgrown violin on hormones.  It’s size generates it’s tone, but also limits it’s volume.  There is something about it’s resonance, the vibrating rumbling that cannot be duplicated electronically.  Arranged where it blends in with a volume just above where you can hear it, accentuating but not overpowering.  You should not have to strain to hear it, and not have to ignore the thumping.  It’s smoothness blends into the arrangement and gives it just the right amount of oomph like chocolate syrup on vanilla ice cream.  The classic example is Fever, Vocalist, drum and string bass.

Puns part 2

From Mental Floss:  7 Puns That Make Sense in More Than One Language

GREEK PANTS
Speakers of Greek and English with a penchant for the Classics will enjoy this short joke about a Greek dramatist who ripped his pants.

A Greek playwright entered a tailor shop. The tailor asked him, “Euripides?” The tragedian responded, “Yes, Eumenides?”

S-O-C-K-S
If you’re bilingual in English and Spanish, this joke about a Spanish-speaker trying to buy calcetines (socks) will induce giggles (and probably also some eye-rolling).

A Spanish man went into a clothing store where the salesperson only spoke English. Walking up to the nearest sales clerk, the man said, “Quiero calcetines, por favor.” The clerk shook his head and said, “I don’t speak Spanish.” The sales clerk and the man walked around the store, the clerk pointing at jackets, sweaters, pants, and shoes, hoping to find what the Spanish man needed. Finally, the clerk pointed at a table of socks, and the Spanish man exclaimed, “Eso, si que es!” Wide-eyed, the sales clerk said, “If you could spell it, why didn’t you say so before!”

In Spanish, Eso, si que es basically translates as “That’s what it is!” But it also sounds like a person spelling out s-o-c-k-s.

Legacy Part 1

Within the Wada family (legacy of Yukio, Kennie and Frank) there has been a dominance of certain traits that make our Wada branch unique.  We tend to have bushy eyebrows that will eventually extend beyond our glasses, have a propensity for puns (In honor of Pi day:  The roundest knight at King Arthur’s table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from far too much pi) and have assured the world that the family name will carry on.  

Male’s vs females.  The second generation is 6 to 3.  Third generation is 14 to 4.  Fourth generation is currently at 6 to 0.  How does one figure out the odds of this occurring.  When I Googled the subject I looked through an assortment of links with conclusions based off of Scientific, Cultural, Anthropological and Anecdotal research. 

Scientifically, everything goes out the window.  The XY chromosomes theory where the gender is determined by the male is weakened by the Wada females having boys.

Culturally, we have extended beyond our heritage and probably find more similarities than differences in values and in just being Wadas.

The most disturbing is what I classify as Anthropological.  You start reading about how even though worldwide boys outnumber girls 51 to 49%, there are disturbing reasons why it either evens out our shifts in the balance. 

Some are mixed.  When you start reading about methodology of procreation that can affect the outcome, you begin to wonder what the author used as research.

Of course the most enjoyable were the personal accounts that eventually came to no satisfying conclusion other than consolation. 

My conclusions:  1.  Sanrio and Hello Kitty will not profit from the Wadas.  2.  (In honor of my cousins and the former Olympia Beer slogan) it’s the Wada.  Say goodnight Gracie…………..

Hair Cut Records

If you are a follower of the TV show Big Bang Theory, you are familiar with the quirky character Dr. Sheldon Cooper.  In one episode, Sheldon has difficulty with the fact his barber is in a coma and is reluctant to have the nephew cut his hair.  The main reason is that Sheldon does not like change and that the nephew does not have access to his Haircut records sent by his mom in Texas.

What brings this up is that my barber of many years has suddenly retired.  Suddenly is characterized by no one knowing he retired.  Jared went there yesterday, walked in  and noticed a different interior set up and two ladies running the shop.  He apparently closed shop in Nov. and moved to Utah.

We have ben going to Louis for over 20 years.  He was fast, efficient and no one better at a crew cut.  The boys never grew their hair out until high school.  I could always go there, tell him I wanted the same hair cut, short and I would be out in 15 to 20 minutes.  One time he got me out in 10 in time for a funeral.  Louis had a large Asian and Hispanic clientele and was a part of Gardena.  He would not be the town gossip, but the resource for new restaurants, and business changes within the community. 

Our problem ( myself, #3 son and my brother in law) is how do we find another barber?  They seem to be  a dying breed.  They are all hairdressers now.  Where do we go for a economical, quick simple haircut with out the shampoo, excessive hair blowing and shoulder massages?  As Leonard put it in the BBT episode, my haircut is #3 from the poster from 1946.

Who will be the new keeper my Hair cut records and will they have the poster from 1946?

New Year Observations

Resolutions.  Well, no. just observations.  I find that I am closer to the lifetime National Park pass for $10.  just not there quite yet.  But I am finding that turning 61 is hitting me harder than 60.  For some reason, my mortality is deepening in my soul more than ever.  I may have 20 years max if I am lucky.  Enough time to see the rest of my grandchildren.

I don't anticipate retirement soon.  Observations of the friends that have retired.

They are aware of the non peak hours to shop at Costco.  This includes the best time to fill up the gas tank, and run in for the roasted chicken for dinner.  Lunch of hot dogs on Fridays.

They have wives that leave them daily to do lists with the expectation that they will be completed by the end of the day.  It seems unanimous that the list is never completed and the most difficult creative problem is how to explain why when the wife comes home.

The gravitational forces on men's zippers increases with age.  Don't ask why, but the times where I am aware of the potential embarrassing situation, are no longer embarrassing.  Just a part of life.

Grand parenting is a joy.   Let me repeat that.  Grand parenting is a joy.

I have a sister in-law that does not like my grey hair.  My solution is to avoid her as much as possible.  Grey is better than no hair

There is no consistent age to get senior discounts.  It can vary from the 50s to usually a minimum of 62.  It also depends on membership (AARP) or the non public posting of policy.  Of course the question is always, does my younger spouse qualify per my age?  Of course she has to be willing to admit she is that old........  Scratch that.

You can get away with a lot being old, feigning memory lapses, slow movement, getting young people to do things for you, especially hard physical exertion.

Most importantly, Thanking God each day you are alive to see another day, to see friends, family and re-runs of NCIS.

Facebook vs. Anti-Social Paranoia

I have always tended to lean towards the Anti-social side of life. I have seldom been comfortable in Social situations. Dinners, informal social gatherings, meetings, just about anything in excess of two people. I am highly dependent on my wife to guide me through those situations. One example is that I always have her in front of me during the visitation line after a funeral service. Her actions guide my behavior. I am uncomfortable with exposing my life. That is why this blog is infrequent and a oxymoron (Wada and blog). I am currently struggling with Facebook. I was tricked into Facebook by a cousin (thanks Grace). She sent out a notification of pictures posted on Facebook. Little did I know that in order to view them, I had to create a Facebook account. My curiosity won out. I freaked when I found out that when I post something new or update my profile, notifications go out to all of my "friends" Of course according to Facebook, it is all nine of them. I don't request friends, but if someone requests if of me, I accept. Who am I to deny someone the privilege of viewing my life of in- activity. I gave in to LinkedIn as part of my professional development and now I am slowly sliding down the slippery slope of Facebook. The other side of the coin is that my wife is not to thrilled with this blog. Some have commented to her on my writing, and she then requested editing rights. That is why I write this late at night while she sleeps. I have to be especially careful in the pictures I post. Her sense of humor tends to fade when it borders on public embarrassment. On the other hand, I am still struck by other folk's life story. I have a quote from Bill Clinton. “ I learned that everybody has a story but not everyone can tell it”. Facebook only gives you glimpses into their story. What is reason why they chose a certain dish to order and photograph? How did they meet the friends in the picture and what continues to tie them together? What is it about that specific point of time in their life that compelled them to post it for public view? When I view a Facebook page, I see a title page of the story of their life.

Second in Line

Conversations about birth order bring out some interesting inherent perspectives. All of a sudden the suppressed emotions of #2s become evident and the usual response from #1s are of disregard or dismissal. Dad, mom and Grandma have a more difficult time understanding the #2 position while Grandpa and Jordan emotionally comprehend as we gaze upon the next generation #2. Emerson Daniel entered the world with a calm expectation on July 22nd. Jordan has established a deep connection with Emerson stating that Wada #2s must unite. As a grandparent, we are committed to not favoring one grandchild over another (ok, don't quote me if we ever blessed with a grand daughter, Cam and Emerson are both boys in the male dominant Wada lineage).