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Yeah! Yesterday I received my new record player. I couldn't get my parents player to work, that old one from the 60's, so I decided to order a new retro model. It is a Crosley Varsity Stack-O-Matic Record Changer and I love it!  The sound quality isn't spectacular but not bad for a unit that I purchased more for its look than anything else. So glad I can play my records again.

I purchased several Al Jolson records before I left San Diego but never got a chance to listen to them. Today, I popped them onto the player and was pleasantly surprised. Both are in very good condition and sound fantastic.

The Jolson Story: Among My Souvenirs
DL 9050 Decca Records (1957) LP 33 1/3

Will Harris does a fairly good job impersonating Al Jolson but there is nothing like the original. Looking to add to my Al Jolson collection. Drop me an email if you find anything on vinyl.

Found this video excerpt of him performing Mammy from The Jazz Singer (1927) on YouTube. I's loves the Internets!!

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It has taken years to learn how to train with this disease. The most challenging aspect is the mental willpower and discipline needed to train when my body isn't cooperating. Testing too high or too low and waiting for my blood sugar to stabilize is the most frustrating. Sometimes I can't wait due to my schedule and just give up and other times I push through and make it happen. This is what worries me. How far can I push myself before I collapse?

So far, I've avoided serious injury. Mostly just aches and pains, especially in my left leg. My friend Doug Lynes at Austin Lake Chiropractic has been an indispensable help in keeping me moving with his adjustments and excellent stretching suggestions. I think I need to add a massage therapist too but really don't have the cash for that right now.

Classes begin on September 2nd and I have a pretty full class schedule. Really excited about getting back into the darkroom and also starting a basic web programing class this semester. I have the book for the programing class and already started reading it and working on some of the exercises. Most of it is pretty basic but I need this class to fill in some of the holes in my knowledge.

Finally finished the design on the next postcard. My friend Andrew at All Star Printing offered to print them so they should look really good this time. I'm aware the the first postcard didn't survive mailing very well. The paper stock I used isn't designed for mailings so it really didn't hold up well. I should be able to mail them by the end of the month. If you are not yet on the mailing list you can subscribe at Red Line Studio.

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My first postcard was a great success! I was pleasantly surprised to hear from a number of my friends that I haven't spoken with in some time. Andrew, an old roommate from when I lived in San Diego, is offering to print the postcards professionally. Currently, I'm using my new toy; a Brother color laser printer. It does a wonderful job for small home projects but a professional printer would take it to the next level. Keep your eye out for the next postcard, scheduled to be mailed sometime in the middle of this month. If you are not currently on the postcard mailing list you can subscribe on my website.

Lastly, I'm trying to get my parents old GE Stereophonic High-Fidelity Trimline 400 record player from the 60's or 70's to work. It has been sitting in their basement for 20 plus years. The power cord is leaking some bizarre green goo so I need to replace it. Good luck finding a power cord these days! Radioshack had something close but the female end is too narrow. I might have to hardwire the power cord instead. I'll keep you updated when and if I can get power into it. Kinda scared to do that. Not sure if it will burst into flames or not. If it works, I'll still need to find a new stylus and clean it up. I'll upload a picture as soon as it is presentable. It is a 'portable' unit. The turntable folds up and the speakers attach to the sides but it weighs a ton so not sure I would want to carry it very far. My favorite feature is that it plays 78's, 33 1/3's, 45's and 16's and can stack up to 6 albums to play in a row. Until then, I will not be able to listen to any of my vinyl.

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