Photo Courtesy of Dean Rossi
Here's a photo from last weeks Drum Circle on the River Walk in Reno. It was much the same today albeit a bit windier. Still it is a fun group, a great setting, and a lovely afternoon. The brainchild behind the circle is Dean Rossi, who along with his wife Andrea, play hockey with my husband. How's that for small world. You can't really see me here but I am wearing a very large straw hat on the right. This week I was a bit more relaxed and realized that even if I can't play what ever rhythm people are grooving to I am at least a very good time keeper and can stay on the beat. All those years of studying music will pay off after all. My hands aren't as sore this week either. Meanwhile, I am halfway through my tuesday class and anxious to learn a new rhythm this week. I am also chomping at the bit to buy myself a djembe. Of course, I have a tendency to want the nicest, most expensive one so I am having an internal argument with myself about buying a beginner drum or buying a higher end drum.
Last week I had the suprise opportunity to see Tibetan Monks do their throat singing thing and create a mandela at the community college here in Carson City. WNCC was hosting diversity week and the monks were a huge part of that program. I snapped some good pictures of the mandela, almost finished, that they had been working on for 4 days. Using some really lovely long tubes on which they tap back and forth on to release the sand, it is truly an amazing site to behold.
Of course, my camera batteries died prior to their singing on the stage but it was awesome and they had their best finery on. It was pretty interesting that when they started singing the wind gusted quite strongly and then seemed to move with the sound of their voices. Once the sound stopped the wind would die down. Very Ethereal Indeed.
Last friday I had the pleasure of attending an OSHA seminar for four hours at the Peppermill in Reno. It is sort of the microbiological equivalent of the biblical armageddon. This is where us medical/dental folks go to be reminded of all the nasty bugs we are or could be exposed to in the course of doing our job. Helpful tips and reminders of what we need to do to kill these dastardly bugs and so forth. Classes like this are required in order for me to maintain my license. I am required to participate in this particular seminar every two years. Therefore, I didn't really hear anything new though I kept one ear open while I knitted away at a baby blanket I am working on. I got quite a bit done on it with out appearing too rude. The snacks and coffee were lovely.
