Alex Acuñe Clinic

Last Monday, my students and I went took a field trip to Rhythm Traders in NE Portland for a clinic with Alex Acuntilde;.

It was AWESOME!

Alex Acuñe is a Peruvian percussionist and drumset player who is world renown for his timing and South American stylings.

Pics coming soon…

EVE Online

EVE Online

My newest gaming experience is EVE Online.  It is massive and satisfying my intellectual desire to survive and even thrive in a new environment.  Mental Masturbation might be too light of a phrase.

Anyway, if you should feel it necessary to check it out, look me up.  The name’s “Alys’an.”

Breitenbush Hot Springs

I went to Breitenbush Hot Springs today and I enjoyed it immensely.  My only wish (forgive the tired truism) is that I was still there.  Breitenbush Hot Springs is located up in the Cascades of Western Oregon between Detroit Lake and Estacada.  It is open all year, but during the winter months you should call before you drive because Hwy 224, the easier road from Portland, is not always clear and open.

Emily and I first enjoyed the scenery and community at the Meadow Pools then we found the Spiral Tubs, a succession of heated tubs built into a circular deck where each tub is slightly warmer than the last.  I dipped myself in a cold bath between every near-20-minute soak in each tub until hunger overcame us and we headed toward the river and the isolated rocky beaches for a picnic.

The image to the right is of the path to the labyrinth just north of the Spiral Tubs.  The daisies where out in force all over the cascades and from Bend to Estacada ‘die Sonne schein und die blaue Himmel’ was gorgeous.

I hope this Spring finds everyone well and may the end of your labyrinth begin a new maze of opportunities. 

CP

Narn I Hîn Húrin

I’ve made new comments on my Narn I Hîn Húrin page.

Just some ideas on the concept of fate and fictional characters.

Enjoy.

http://charlespike.wordpress.com/narn-i-hin-hurin/

Hellhounds at Trails End Saloon

There was a Hellhound spotted at the Trails End Saloon in Oregon City. I was there burnin’ it up with Ward Stroud and his friendly blues cats. It was a great time! Thank you, Ward.

Check out the new MySpace page: myspace.com/hellhoundsblues!

Petting Zoo at Chaos Cafe & Parlor

myspace.com/pdxpettingzoo

Petting Zoo played at Chaos Cafe & Parlor last Tuesday night and we rocked it. With friends coming out from all over the U.S., and people leaving with holes blown in their socks and their heads, we consider our first night in Portland a great success!

Coming soon are several more performances for us, including:
July 4th : Estacada ‘Big Bang’ 4th of July Celebration
July 18th : Chaos Cafe & Parlor – a return to Chaos for a second helping of tasty metal.
August 1st : Chaos Cafe & Parlor – a well received show deserves two more appearances.

Reed College

 

I am now a private instructor at Reed College and am looking forward to the wonderful opportunity of working with students at the collegiate level as well as students of all ages. I will be adding many links to my Music page so keep your eyes peeled for any changes.

I am truly blessed.

Thanks be to everyone who helped me along my way.

Applying

I have recently applied for a job with a local college and am truly excited about the possible position I may find myself. I have been teaching now in Oregon for over 2 years and this is definitely a step up for me. I await my scheduled appointment and I the subsequent announcement, be it ‘yea’ or ‘nea’.

Everyone cross your digital fingers.

RE: band retreat

Thank you, Kevin Egan, and all the faculty, parents and students from West Linn High School whom I worked with at their annual band retreat this year. You’re all wonderful to work with and I look forward to our next meeting.

Sincerely,

Charles Pike

Band Retreat

I will be staying at the Inn at the Mountain in Welches tonight as I will be teaching as a part of the West Linn High School band program and their annual Band and Orch Retreat. I’m excited and looking forward to meeting Kevin Egan and working with his students.