David Caruana talks about stuff - drumming, software and stuff
{ Category Archives }
The Championship season has just completed and Reading finish with a win. And who scores the winner - Greame Murty from the penaly spot - only his second goal in 280 appearances - the first 5 years ago. A fitting end really, Greame Murty was the last regular outfield starter to score this season.
The result means that Reading set a new league points record of 106.
After a 5-0 thrashing of Derby (who almost ended Reading’s winning run on New Year’s eve), Reading are now Champions of the Championship football league. All that remains is to beat the highest points tally ever recorded of 105 by Sunderland.
The Championship remains exciting to the end, as there’s still the second automatic promotion spot and play-off positions to fight for. It seems no-one really wants them, as nerves are throwing up some unexpected results.
It’s only taken 135 seasons - but my home town football club were finally promoted to the english Premiership league on Saturday with six games to spare - for the first time in their history.
After that wait, hopefully they’ll stay more than 1 season - no doubt it’ll be tough playing the deep pockets of Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd.
But how did Reading get there? They have the smallest squad of players in the Championship, have no superstars, and probably one of the lowest running costs. Yet, they’ve only lost two league games all season (so far), broke a 100+ year old record for the longest run without loss, have the leanest defence, and the most potent attacking force (+56 goal difference today). The best form of all leagues. It’s a cliche, but it can only be attributed to the spirit, drive and cohesiveness of the team members - on winning, the same team played the next match - barring injuries of course.
That reminds me of the way we operate at Alfresco - a small efficient development squad who’ve known each other and worked together for many years. We have a single clear objective - to get promoted to the top league and beat the deep pocketed big boys at their own game. Only we won’t take 135 years!
No drumming or software in this post!
Having driven a car for many years, it dawned on me that I had no idea how to ride a motorbike. I passed my CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) a few months back and recently bought a learner bike to gain experience on the road before plunging into the real test - the prize being you get to ride a real bike.
The learner bike (a Yamaha SR 125) - notice the dog wants to hitch a ride on the back even though I’m prohibited from taking passengers 
It’s been quiet here lately. My (general) enthusiasm has been dented considerably by the most tragic of events in April - the loss of our first baby at birth.
The process of getting back to “normal�? (if there’s such a thing) is helped along by many things, in particular, family, friends and colleagues who have been unbelievable during this time. Thank you.
An item that I’ve found personally comforting is the book ‘Ghost Rider – Travels On The Healing Road’, written by Neil Peart, coincidentally, a drummer (of the band Rush – and also lyricist). In this book, he briefly lets us into his life at a very low point in his rhythmic cycle after he lost his wife and daughter (and dog too). He recounts how he looks after his baby soul (as he calls it) by continuously travelling by motorbike through Canada, America and Mexico. Riding, diary entries and letter writing improved his baby soul until “something came up�? (as it always does) and his life took another more positive turn.
I’ve just reached the end of Ghost Rider, and in some ways I feel I’ve also travelled partly along the healing road - the road being the book itself. I’m not here to review it, but just to say I found it supporting; it struck a chord for me and evoked many different thoughts and views of our own recent events.
It took Neil Peart two years to get behind a drum kit again. I too have struggled to hold sticks but slowly my enthusiasm is building and hopefully I’ll be back to learning and playing regularly behind my own kit at home.
Roll the bones.
I may be the first. It doesn’t matter. I’m going to keep a blog (Web Log) of my progress towards becoming a competent drummer.
I’m not alone when it comes to following this path. There are many who choose to spend their hours learning this craft and all of them know it’ll take a life time.
So, it is my aim to record my drummer life - from pretty much beginner to who knows.
I’ll record practice acheivements, failures, and pure frustrations of hitting a brick wall. I’ll present tips that I’ve found helpful from tutors, other drummers, magazines etc. I’ll give insights into light bulb moments. I’ll provide comments and ask questions on anything drum related.
Hopefully, other budding drummers will take comfort knowing that they’re not alone, giving them a boost to keep learning. I’m not an expert, professional or even gigging drummer at this time. Just another who’s committed to getting there.