Ellivis?

At Iolani, I always admired the guys who could sing -- Andre, Emmett, Mark, Howard, etc. I enjoyed going to the "Show of Stars" and watching the rockers perform. I even went to a press conference with Elvis, representing Imua!

In college, I learned to play the guitar, but, alas my lack of musical talent and a good voice kept me from stardom.

However, in my old age, technology (like Viagra) is helping me achieve my dreams. Linda made me an Elvis jump suit. I bought a Karaoke mic which has pitch correction -- I call it vocal Viagra. You can talk into it, and it will sing on key -- just what I needed. And I bought a Fretlight guitar. It has LED's embedded in the fretboard which shows you where to put your fingers when playing EZ chords, rhythm or lead guitar. It plugs into the USB port of my computer, which is connected to my 52 inch LCD TV and 7.1 surround sound system. There's a comprehensive set of video and other lessons which go with the system. I'm trying to learn the lead solo to "Johnny B. Goode", but it's a slow process. Fortunately, I can slow the tempo and loop phrases. But my favorite activity is jamming with the band. I've purchased a bunch of MIDI files which have the original artist soundtracks and the guitar fingering. I love cranking up the volume and playing along with the Stones to "Satisfaction".

I was a geek in high school. And now I'm a techie geek. If it's technology or a gadget, I probably have it. More examples in future posts.

Ellivis Lum

Fretlight guitar info:

Ballroom Dancing

Lorrie and I performed as part of a Tango formation at the Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association's 50th Anniversary Ball. It was at the Waikiki Sheraton and attended by more than 600 people. You can view the performance on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvlufPIWlHw

Amazing Ukulele

Emmett posted "The Good Bad and Ugly" by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain on his Facebook page. Truly creative and amazing stuff. I found them on YouTube and was wowed by "You Don't Bring Me Flowers". Check out these two videos, and I'll be surprised if you can stop without listening to more of their unusual music. Linda and I go to the Ukulele Society of America meetings every Thursday night. It's a blast strumming along to Hawaiian (and pop) music and watching the hula dancers dance.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=90E0C437B304E68F&search_query=ukulele+orchestra+of+great+britain

EGY'S Musical Notes

We recently closed "The Wedding Singer" at Diamond Head Theatre with much success.

Just to let you all know that the next offering at Diamond Head Theatre is "The Drowsy Chaperone" opening Friday, September 25th and runs for 3 weeks closing on the 11th of October. This should be a very funny show about 4 couples getting married. Remember that we all get special prices because we are all "seniors". You know..."senior privileges" like in high school! Anyway, this is the first production at DHT in a long time where I am NOT the Musical Director. But both Judy (my wife) and I will be in the "pit" orchestra. She will be playing synthesizer and I will be playing 7 wind instruments. I'm not even playing the piano! How about that! I'm going to enjoy the rest and relaxation in performing without the responsibilities of being the Musical Director. I'm so looking forward to that!

The show following, I will be the Musical Director. It is a family holiday favorite originally a movie starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen called "White Christmas" with Music by Irving Berlin. Hope to see you soon. Stop by the pit to say "hello" to us! That opens December 4th, and closes the end of the 3rd week, December 20th. Put it on your calendar. It is going to be a wonderful show!

Elliott's Second Hole in One

Click on image to enlarge.

Hot Burning Memories of Iolani

Whenever I get an itch below the equator, I instantly apply a cream prescribed by my doctor and usually get instant relief. It makes me think back to the past.

During our senior year at Iolani, several members of the cross-country team came down with jock itch. For some reason, although jock straps were laundered by the Iolani staff , to the best of my knowledge, nobody in the other sports came down with this malady.

Of course, since only some members of the cross country team had the rot, we were the brunt of "don't bend over and pick up the soap in the shower " jokes. My condition became so bad that I finally had to let the coach know about it. This was nothing that one wanted to discuss with his parents.

Coach Lee Thomas suggested that I apply a cream that he had in the locker room. So I applied a large dab of the cream and swabbed it liberally over my family jewels.

It didn't take more than a minute before I started to suffer the effects of this cream. My boys were on fire! It was the hottest most painful thing that I had ever endured. Everybody around me was laughing which did not make things better.

I just had to suffer in silence and take deep breaths.....TAKE THE PAIN! I sat there with steam coming out of my ears and tears coming out of my eyes. After the longest time, the pain subsided and the coach gave me a little tube of the stuff to reapply less liberally at home.

Fond memories of our Alma Mater. I believe that I set the record that year for scoring the most points in a single sporting event at Iolani. During a cross-country meet at Laie, I scored over four hundred points. I wonder if I might hold the record even to this day?