Fretless Acoustic Bass, Way Cool!

I picked up a fretless acoustic base at a pawn shop for way cheap! 
Granted, it's an Applause (el cheapo Ovation), but it's got a great sound and feel to it as well as having integrated pickups.  I went and read up on it at internet sites, and all the reviewers seemed pleasantly surprised by it, which made me feel better since this was a spur of the moment thing and I'm not a bass expert.

At most guitar places here in town you have to special order one of these things and you're going to pay over $700.  I love acoustic instruments, so I couldn't resist when I saw it.  I play fiddle, so the fretless thing doesn't scare me.  Cheater dots on the neck help you hit the notes.  I don't sound too bad, although Sonny Boy Silverfiddle does much better than the old man.

I was especially surprised to find a full 34" long scale model.  All the info on the internet mentions only a short scale version (maybe I've got a collector's item???)

Anyway, I'm jazzed (Grunge rocked?).  It's the simple pleasures that bring the most joy...

Gracias a la Vida

Life is beautiful.  Watch the movie by Roberto Benigni and you will see that life is often beautiful in unexpected and bittersweet ways.

I've been reading Viktor Frankl, and it always puts me in a pensive but hopeful mood.

A few quotes from Viktor Frankl:

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."


"Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked."

We live in the most beautiful, most free, most generous country in the world.  I thank God every day for my family, my job, and my life.

I am Thankful for my Life
We got back from church, had our easter egg hunt as I checked the ribs I had smoking.  I blasted out some Mercedes Sosa (QDEP).  One of the most touching songs she sings is "Gracias a la Vida," loosely translated "Thank You to Life," written by Violeta Parra (QDEP).  It is a deeply beautiful song where she sings about life's simple pleasures and how she is so grateful for them.

This version features both Mercedes Sosa and Violeta Parra and has some cool scenes from South America.  Makes me wish I was there again: