Bruner Blog

It is with no small trepidation that I post this video of my last summer playing “5 Foot 2 (Eyes of Blue)” followed by a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep” on the ukulele. You know, because I’m shy. Actually, it’s because I realize I’m still not very good. Much as I love the ukulele, I’m regularly reminded I’m more enthusiastic than talented. But what the hey, with all the uke posting I’ve been doing here, I better put up or shut up, eh?

This weekend, working on some numbers with dear friends Masha and Rush, I am humbled by Masha’s gentle pointers that tempo and pitch remain challenges for me. Oh well, I am still a ways from the 10,000 hours of practice required to master anything, and it’s still fun, so I live in hope.

My dad forwarded me this wonderful joke:

One sunny day in 2009, an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Ave, where he’d been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the US Marine standing guard and said, I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.

The Marine looked at the man and said, Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here.

The old man said,Okay and walked away.

The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.

The Marine again told the man, Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here.

The man thanked him and, again just walked away

The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same US Marine, saying I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.

The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Bush. I’ve told you already that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and no longer resides here. Don’t you understand?

The old man looked at the Marine and said, Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it.

The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, See you tomorrow, Sir.

Yeah, it’s not that funny, per se, but I love it none the less!

Wow. Cool Hand Uke is my new ukulele hero. I’ve so far seen only this of his stuff, but he’s clearly an amazing uke master. I will be watching many more (and posting, too, if you’re lucky).

What an honor it is to play in the halls of Ukulele Mansion. If only every day were Ukulele Mansion days. More photos from the last Uke Mansion, last Sunday, here’s the whole set.

Funny because it’s true.

Hello. I’ve signed up to ride 66 miles next Sunday, Oct 5, to raise money for to help conquer Multiple Sclerosis, as part of the Bike MS New York City Traffic Free ride. I know two people affected by the disease and will bear them in mind while I’m panting away. I’m not really in shape for the ride, but it’s a good cause to rise to the challenge. Plus a chance to bike around the NY area car-free.

I need to raise more than $100 for the cause on short order. Would be very grateful if you’d make a donation for my ride here.

Thanks!

Randy Newman never sounded so apt.

Come one, come all to Anna Akbari’s karaoke party this Wednesday night, details here and here.  Same people who did Pants Optional Karaoke some months back. Much fun will be had by all.

Sean Harvey is a genius. Good buddy, colleague, buddy uke master, he performs a bluesy original here, “Crime Pays,” recorded in my apartment with my Flip camera earlier this evening. It’s hysterical. Please click through to its YouTube page and give it 5 stars, favorite, leave comments and tell all your friends!