Snark. Sounds like the noise that smart-alecky friend uses to follow up his low humor. SNARK. SNARK. Or, maybe – drawn out – like, SNAAAAAARK! It could have swimmers scrambling out of the surf like crazy.
Panicked-sounding fellow: SNAAAAAARK!
Beach vacation-ers, in unison: WHERE?
Surprised-sounding fellow: Why, right here, of course. My guitar is badly out of tune.
Snark. The guitar-tuning miracle. Install the shiny little battery, clip it to the head of the guitar, and twist those little pegs. Somehow, it knows what string you’re messing with and the little tune-ometer (like a speedometer, only for sound. That’s what I thought of anyway, when I first saw it…), the guage, I suppose is more accurate – lights up to indicate flat or sharp. All green? Perfect tuning for the string.
I’ve had guitar tuners in the past. Most have worked only with guitars set up to be used with amplifiers. Plug the cord in to the guitar, the other end into the tuner. Tune away.
Snark? No chords. No muss, no fuss.
To me, these little inventions are more fun than all the Angry Birds you can throw a stick at. (Or a rock, if that’s your phone-app’s version.) And unlike Angry Birds, when you’re finished playing with it, you have actually accomplished something other than wasting time.
And why am I playing with guitar tuning?
Partly because I am currently waiting for some bookbinding glue to dry enough to move on to another part of the project.
And partly also, because of the jack-hammering, dirt-scooping, power-generating machinery that is causing the jam-up on Main Street today. The street-landscaping project is in full bloom and the varieties of big yellow equipment are rumbling around like dinosaurs on steroids. There are a couple of lots open, but on-Main street parking is sort of a challenge, at times.
The UPS man bustled in, shaking his head. His sixth attempt to bring in my package. No place to park. Front is jammed. Back, too. The gas company chose this week to move and re-set all the gas meters in the alleyway behind the buildings. My car is baking in the sun about a block away, by the park. Couldn’t get around the dinosaurs to reach my back door and its parking spot.
The Tulsa World ran a nice story this morning about the progress. Of course – progress – is a word that has to be used in reference to the long term. Veronica Reyes is quoted in the article and sounded both optimistic and upbeat. She’s the owner of Fiesta Mambo, a business on the east side of Main, where there is currently no parking at all.
I’m with her. When it is all finished, the Rose District is going to be Mah-vuh-luss. We’re all going to love it. Ms Reyes has booked a band for Thursday evening at Mambo (on Main) and a number of other merchants are having First Thursday specials. (This month, on Second Thursday, since the traditional late-night affair fell on July 4th.)
Honestly, I believe it’s worth the slight inconvenience of park-and-walking a little. The Mambo chimichanga is a tasty meal and a real value at the price. Same with the treats at Nouveau Chocolat. Main Street Tavern continues to draw customers for its dining offerings.
I imagine we’re all having up and down days, what with the construction. Tuesday was a jump and run-to-keep-up day here at the bookstore. Today?
I’ve got the books, just need some sand for a summertime beach read. I could yell SNAAAAARK!
And get this old guitar tuned up.
Come visit!
McHuston
Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main, Broken Arrow OK!