Psychedelika: 2017

It's Christmas!

All in all I'd have to say my Christmas was very good this year.

I got snow, my Metallica book, went to events, and I got to see my family and friends.
So good!

Fern and me on Christmas Eve

Mmm, tamales

Mmm, pies

Mom and Dad cooked, I just napped with pups

Zonked Out

Dale Watson on Christmas Day was fabulous.
My college music professor Joseph Colarusso is the sax player.

Drinking that Lone Star

Blunn Creek

The big oak tree 😍

There is a small nature preserve north of St. Edward's University that is very pretty, and tranquil.

I have been going there for many years to relax and enjoy nature in an otherwise very urban environment. No matter the weather, or the season, Blunn Creek is always beautiful.

A hill just south of the South Entrance. Look at that city!

The creek. Sometimes just a trickle, sometimes raging.

My parents have had Fern for a whole year now! She sure has grown a lot from that very shy and timid little pup. I had the pleasure of seeing her a number of times throughout the year and each one was a little blessing. Her favorite activities are hiking, snuggling, and napping. Other names for Fern:
Ferny Girl, Ferny Sanders, Ferny Bern, Lucifern

Getting in that Christmas Mood

Nothing puts me in the mood for Christmas like a nicely decorated tree and hot buttered rum! I got my tree at Home Depot along with a wreath around Nov. 30. I wanted to get a full 31 days of Christmas tree. Decorated the thing in just under an hour (new record) and then I started snapping pics. Of course, I had to get one of it with my prized Mustang. While decorating and photographing I started getting a hankering for that holiday treat. After the photo shoot I just googled some simple recipe and got too it. Wasn't too hard to make; basically just a lot of butter and sugar. But when heated and served - mmmmm!!

My heavily modified Fender Mustang

Is it just me, or does the Starbucks logo look a lot like Quinn Morgendorffer?

Texas Hill Country Snow Day

December 8, 2017

Every year for Christmas I ask for snow. When we do get snow it's magical. The night of 12/7/2017 there was a very light dusting of snow given to the residents of Austin, Texas. The next day, the school district was closed, and Austin got a SNOW DAY!!!

I went out that evening and marveled at the little mysterious white powder. It was too dark to take any pictures though, so I resolved to wake early and get some photos. I live across the street from a preserve/bike trail and went there to take these.

Here is what I saw.

Also, look at my truck! :)

Downtown Dogsitting

I have the pleasure of knowing a really nice and cool lady who lets me house and dog sit for her. Her big palooka pooch is named Walter. He's a big German Shepherd and is one of the sweetest dogs in the world. He's pretty damn cute too. Anyway, they live downtown Austin and every time I stay there I get to sit on her porch and look at the city and the sky. The last time I was there I gave myself a henna tattoo. Life is fun if you want it to be!

Right after applying the henna.
Just gotta wait a bit to let it dry.

Right after the henna has peeled off.
Eventually the ink becomes a bit darker and redder.
Lasts about two-three weeks.

Bridge Pin Change on Acoustic

I changed the bridge pins on my Epiphone. I had done this same mod on my other acoustic and liked the way the plain cream colored pins looked, so I did the same thing on my main guitar acoustic guitar. The only tool you need for the mod are some needle nose pliers. I also put on new strings. I had the same brand, same kind of strings on before but those were the 80/20s. These ones are the phosphor bronze. A bit warmer but honestly not that much different. Before I put those on I did the little pencil graphite trick in the nut slots. Sounds and looks pretty great!