Where Pianos Roam

A Knitting Masterpiece!!!!!!!!!

My sister, The Shaolin Master of Knitting, wanted to show me a video that she posted on her blog.  She told me it was a knitting video, and I thought to myself "YAWWWN!!".  Don't get me wrong.  I am a casual knitter who loves knitting, but really, it's not all that exciting to watch as it happens.  A bit of a bore really.

I have to say that this video, which is actually a Belgian commercial for a Natural Gas company, is unbelievably inspired and brilliant!!!  Beautifully shot with an artist's keen eye and a softly bright color palette, this little commercial is a truly amazing sight to behold.  

I'm gonna shut my trap now and let you see for yourself.  As a knitter, it almost left me speechless .  .  .

I am ever so grateful to get a glimpse behind the scenes.  How did they do all of that?

I love this.  I really love this.  Film-making can be so magical. 

Sigh.

Early On a Sunday Morning

I've been doing a good bit of knitting lately.  Through the last month I've finished three long scarves and a hat.  The first two scarves were made for two friends of mine Joe and Ronnie.   I wanted their scarves to be both casual and a little formal.  Black and grey blocks seemed to do the trick. 

Here they are donning my creations .  .  .



Then, the next scarf was one I made for myself using Caron Simply Soft yarn in blue and beige.



I'm currently a fan of doing the big blocks and using softer yarn.  It all just feels better.



I doubled up the knitting to finish it faster and to make it thicker.  Then, I added some fringe, and VOILA!!! My new scarf!!!



The hat I finished continues on with the alternating-two-color theme I've been on.  It's a snazzy red and white number .  .  .



Up next, I start on a new hat for a friend of mine.  These are called Shroom hats .  .  .



It's gonna be purple!!  Wooohoo! So, that's that folks!  I've got a few more knitting projects coming up. With my artwork, I've got some doodles, abstract stuff, and more of the Piano Ninja.  More on this later.

Before I sign off, here's a quick doodle. A flower on a Tuesday in 2009.
 


Don't forget to smile.

-gordon

P.S.  Advance tickets are still available for my Exit/In show here in Nashville on March 21.  They can be purchased online by going here: https://tickets.aftonshows.com/GordonRoqu Or, you can email me at gordon(at)gordonroque(dot)com to work out paying in cash directly.  It's all good.

Early On a Sunday Morning

I haven't posted up a knitting update in a while.  So, I wanted to share a little bit of what I've been up to.  Last week, I talked to my sister Leth who I shall now and always refer to as The Shaolin Master of Knitting (because she is a knitting force of nature), about my dissatisfaction with the knitting bag I've been using.  I haven't been thrilled with the look of it, and those sneaky knitting needles keep sliding out!!   Uuugghhhh!!  (Insert Asian grimace HERE). So, I turned to my lovely sister and said, "Um, Shaolin Master of Knitting, what in the world should I do?" She suggested that we do an online search for some cool knitting bags.  (Great idea, huh?  She's The Master for a reason.)  I was racking my Asian brain over what I wanted--maybe something with an elephant (so cute) or a koala bear (I LOVE KOALA BEARS!!) on it, or something that was piano-esque .  .  . Then, as we poured over several prospects, I remembered that I am a huge Transformers fan (even though I thought the last movie was a colossal, stinky man-turd).  The Shaolin Master of Knitting then plugged in a search for Transformer bags.  There were several that were just too gaudy and tacky.  Finally, after about oh ten minutes or so, The Master said "AHA!!!  chowchunghetooomng pa, NYE, NYE!!!!!", and there it was.  Destiny made manifest!!!  I found what was to be the freaking coolest of knitting bags!!!  I ordered it immediately, and it just flew in a couple of days ago. Wait for it.  Wait for it .  .  .  . TADA!!!!! More Than Meets the Eye!!!!!!!!!!  It's not just a bag.  It's a knitting bag!!!  This means that I can safely transport my knitting projects everywhere with the watchful eye of Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and all of those other clunky, gun-weilding, thingy-majigees. So awesome!!!! Now, on with the knitting.  Lately, I've been back to knitting scarves.  Wonderful, beautiful scarves!!! This is one of a series that I am working on .  .  . Here's another one I finished.  It has a basket weave pattern .  .  . Here's another red basket weave scarf that I made for my dear friend Darrell out in Charlotte, NC.  It took me FOREVER to finish. Then of course, there's this hat I haven't finished.  I'm dreading the end of it because it requires that I switch out the needles on them to these super teensy-tiny ones.  I'm gonna try to finish this one soon. By the way, my sister, The Shaolin Master of Knitting, has a great blog of her own.  Check it ooot right here: http://lulubellesunshine.wordpress.com/ So, that's it folks.  I've got more scarves to finish up before I start on what I hope to be my first shawl. Who says men don't knit? -g www.gordonroque.com

Early On a Sunday Morning

Okay, now that I have done my run-through of 2009 over the past few posts, I now have one more thing do to before it's back to business here at Where Pianos Roam. I wanted to take a little time to look into the future.  Namely, I wanted to share insights into what I hope to be doing in 2010.  I've always been very selective about the projects I take on, and after much thought these are the top priorities over the next 12 months. First off, here is a list of what I know will be happening all year long .  .  .

Spending time with family and friends. Playing shows and selling copies of my album. Exercising as much as humanly possible. Reading books Knitting

Now, here is a run-through of the new works in progress for 2010

1.  New Music

I've been working on new music for quite some time now, and I've more or less mapped out a plan of action to bring this new music to fruition.  A formal announcement will be soon forthcoming.  Just know that it is most definitely in the works.  This is one of the biggest priorities this year, and there is the tallest mountain of work to get started on.

2.  Oreo and Buttercup

I have some expansion plans for these two.  Not only will there be more episodes, but plans are being made to broaden their online site and create more exposure.  This is my wacky little side project, and it's gotten a great response from just about everywhere.  I don't really understand why, but I think mainly it's because they're just so darn cute.

3.  Dragon Slaying

In a lot of ways, 2010 will be a year of reckoning for me.  There are issues I need to resolve and plans I need to make.  I'll be the first to admit that there are several aspects of my life that aren't up for public exposure and that I do not discuss on this blog, on stage, or in any public forum.  Some things are better  left unspoken.  Suffice it to say that I will be slaying some dragons this year, and I'm gonna fight to the finish. I have a lot of other little projects, but I'd say these are the big three.  There will be so much to do.  I can't wait to get all of these new adventures started.  In fact, I already have .  .  . More soon my friends. -g

Early On a Sunday Morning

Surely enough, my life lately has been quite busy.    I've been quietly toiling away at other projects that have needed my attention for quite some time.  I cannot get into those now, but I can share a few other things .  .  . As many of you know, my nephew, Francisco Kitiona Marcelo, was born last Saturday.  He a was born around four months premature and came in at a whopping 2 lbs, 10 oz.  I was able to take my mom to visit him last Thursday.  He is doing well and has started to eat breastmilk.  Any day now, he'll start to gain weight and become the fat and plump baby that I know he'll be.  We are all gearing up for a festive baby shower that will happen soon. Last weekend, I decorated my friend Laurel's house for her Halloween party.  We were able to get mannequin body parts that were strewn around the house.  I was going for a creepy, avant-garde kind of aesthetic, and it all went over quite well .  .  . I was extremely proud of how this project turned out.  I like to come up with a theme and use a bunch of found objects.  It's really a lot of fun.   I have a few decorating projects in the works already.  Good times.  (By the way, that mirror ball in one of the photos is actually one that I own.  It is one of my prized possessions that I hope to use in my own home some day.) I've also spent a good bit of time upfitting my music gear with much-needed accessories.  My Roland synthesizer now has a sturdy black bag that it can be carried in when I go to my gigs.   (I found this bag at 50% off and saved a bunch of money) There will be a protective slip cover for my big Roland keyboard amp from now on.  (I once had to transport my gear from my car and into a venue in the pouring rain.  Since I did not have any kind of tarp to cover this expensive piece of electrical equipment at the time, I used a bunch of my clothes that I packed for the trip as covering.  Needless to say, I didn't have much to wear that weekend.)  I also plan on getting a new bag for my regular Casio keyboard that isn't torn and actually fits.  Yay!! On the knitting front, I finally started that basket-weave patterned scarf I've been yacking about.  I am almost halfway through in spite of all the crazy things I am working on .  .  . Next Saturday at 3 PM CST, I perform live on the radio for the very first time.  It will be on WRVU 91.1 FM.  You can listen locally here in Nashville and online at wrvu.org  This is going to be so much fun!!! Well, this is it for now.  I will have more to blog about very soon!! Have a Happy Sunday! -g

Early On a " Sunday " Morning

Okay, so it's not the morning.  The late arrival of this blog post is the result of a weekend gone amiss.  I wound up going to an outdoor concert/bbq/bonfire on Saturday night and then ventured out for some late night dancing.  Finally getting into bed at 4 AM was not conducive to morning blogging.  I also had a very busy Sunday, and so, oh well.  That's just how it goes. I wanted to share a little bit about what I've been up to.  I have various art projects in the works. There is a big knitting project that I've been working on consisting of a bunch of knitted squares that will be sewn together to make a throw blanket.  I needed a change of pace from all of the scarves I've been knitting. I've also decided to do some renovation projects around the house.  I want to paint some rooms and start infusing more color in my surroundings.  All those hours watching HGTV shall not go to waste. Last week, I had painted a design for the shirt I wore at my show at Manifest Discs.  I will be painting more t-shirts for myself both for casual wear and performances.  I have a bunch of ideas. Lastly, I have been working on a lot of new music.  I cannot say for sure where it is all going (though I do have a vague idea in mind).  I will be going to back to basics over the next few months.  Daily piano practice, exploring other people's music by playing them, and the constant searching and unearthing that songwriting is.   I am enjoying this the most because I often surprise myself.  I honestly don't know if I'm really any good at this, but I certainly enjoy the heck out of it. Well, this is just a small snippet of what I am up to.  I'd rather be doing something interesting and fun than being bored. Have a great week folks! -g

Early On a Sunday Morning

So, I thought I'd take some time to share a little about some new projects I am working on.  I certainly like to stay busy even in my spare time. First off, I'm just about finished with this .  .  . If you're wondering what in tarnation this glob of yarn is, it is a scarf that I am knitting for a friend who lives up north.  It's very soft and warm and should be quite useful in the winter months. I have also started on my first really big knitting project.  This one may take me weeks to get done. Here is the yarn I am using: I am knitting a throw blanket made out of mitered squares that look like this: This is gonna look very funky when I'm done. Before I really got into music, I used to draw a whole lot.  In fact, I think I've been a visual artist more than I've been a musician during most of my life.  I've been feeling the itch to return to my lost artform, and I've stocked up on some supplies .  .  . Equipped with a drawing pad, compass, protractor, kneaded eraser, and graphite pencils, I'm going to start having fun drawing again.  There's some really cool stuff I am just antzy to document on paper.  I'll be blogging about some of my previous works this week. Lastly, I'll be taking a lot of photographs this summer.  There's just so much beauty that abounds. Of course, I continue to document the fashion statements of my dear niece Alai.  My fashionista strikes again!!  She walked into my room having thrown this cute little ensemble together.  This girl's got skills .  .  . I am also getting ready to unveil new press/promo photos as well as my newly updated monthly newsletter. What can I say?  Life is short, and there 's just too much that I love to do. Stay tuned for more art to come. -gordon

Early On a Sunday Morning

I have a few things to report on.  So here goes .  .  . 1.  Allergies are still wreaking havoc on me, but it's not as bad as it's been.  That awful cough I had is mostly gone.  I should be able to sing to full capacity at my Cafe Coco show in a couple of weeks. 2.   Due to a large amount of extensive physical activity lately, I've lost about three pounds.  I'm gunning for about seven more.  (Yay!!) 3.  I should finish work on my first cap this week.  It's made for a wonderful break from making scarves.  I have my sights on knitting an afgan-type-of-throw-thingy some time soon. 4.  Though I haven't really watched much of it this past year, I was rooting for Adam Lambert to win American Idol. Though I think Kris Allen is very talented, Adam is just so unique and different from anything else out there.  I'm sure both of them will become big stars. 5.  My CD will soon be available on a bunch of new online venues.  The first announcement should come this week.  (Hooray!!) 6.  I am intrigued by the a new film that will be out later this year.  I plan on seeing it in theaters when it does .  .  . [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn6vgh5mv0s] 7.  There is another photo shoot planned for this next week.  The new shots will be plastered everywhere and on all of my sites.  These are going to be very fun. 8.  There's lot going on behind the scenes with Oreo and Buttercup.  More on this later.  If you haven't checked out O and B's new twitter account.  You should.  It's the best way to keep up with their weekly shenanigans.

http://www.twitter.com/wherepianosroam

9.  Back to knitting, I have to untangle this .  .  . in order to finish this .  .  . This is the tangled mess I was complaining about on twitter a couple of weeks ago.  Uggh!!  I really want to finish this scarf, and I'll return to it once my new cap is done. 10.  Lastly, my little fashionista has been up to more dressing up lately.  She is certain not afraid of animal prints.  This giraffe pattern is actually quite lovely .  .  . The girl also loves nail polish.  Bless her little heart! Well, I thought I should take some time to leave a little update on what's going on. There's more to come for sure! Hope everyone has a great week!! -gordon

New Stuff

After deliberating over what new book to read, I visited a local library the other day and finally decided on a book. I have long known about the world-reknown author John Irving.  Many of his books have been made into feature-length films, and he continues to be quite a prolific author. I knew that someday I would read at least one of his books, and I have now chosen to delve into the world of one of his classics .  .  . I've gone into this book blind and n0t knowing what it is about.  So far, so good.  This Owen Meany character is very intriguing. On other perhaps less exciting news for some of you, I've started a new knitting project.  I am knitting my first hat!!!  I'm almost half-way done, and it's easier than I thought it would be.  It's certainly less time-consuming than a scarf.  That's for sure. I've chosen a soft, multicolored yarn, and I can't wait to wish it was winter and be bummed out that I can't wear it because it's so stinkin' hot around here.  (Did you get that?) Anyhoot, on another, perhaps more riveting topic, I've been working on my own version of a VERY famous song from a VERY famous performer.  I'll be working on it with my drummer this week, and I hope we can smooth out the wrinkles relatively quickly.  I'd like to perform it at my Cafe Coco show next month.  I can't wait to rock out to this one.  It's a song that I don't think anyone would guess that I would ever cover.  Oh well, I'm committed to performing it as soon as it is ready. Changes are also coming to my version of Mr. Stranger.  I'm going to add some different things to this song.  Lastly, my new song "Torrid" has undergone a bit of a revamp.  We'll play this newer version of this song at my next show. Well, I'm yawning and tired.  This was just a quick update on what's going on with me.  As usual, there's certainly plenty. -gordo

Another Scarf Done!

I wanted to take a little time to show off a scarf that I made for my good friend Chris who lives out in Charlotte, NC.  During my show at Jackson's Java, I was able to personally give him this little hand-made gift .  .  . This scarf took me a couple of weeks in as much spare time as I could make.  Measuring at about 5 feet and 9 inches, it's made of a soft acrylic yarn and out of two colors.  I decided not to add fringes since it looked just fine without them. Here's Chris with his new scarf!! This scarf was a lot of fun to make!!!  Yay! -gordon