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Shippy
Member since Sep 27, 2007
Latest Review
Recent Comments
Re: “Soundbites: Too Much Live Music?”
I'm a busy singer-songwriter based in Vermont and I agree in part with Jordan's take on the glut of live music venues. I agree that venues should know what they're trying to accomplish by hosting live music and should be intentional in how they do it and whom they book. They should know that most of the performers who have the skill and experience to truly please an audience are not going to work for tips, and most of the people who will work for tips probably don't have the skill and experience to entertain an audience, without annoying the people who just want to eat or drink and didn't sign up for an intrusive show. As someone who depends on performing for part of my income, I'm happy to be "musical wallpaper" in quieter settings like restaurants. I don't expect people to focus on me instead of their meals and conversations, and I'm good at setting the volume and vibe appropriately for those situations. However, even when I'm playing quietly in a corner, I always have people tell me how much they enjoyed it and how pleasantly surprised they were. I even notice when people seem annoyed to see a dude getting ready to crank out the tunes a few feet from their table, only to be won over by my sound and appropriate volume. My point is, if venues hire performers who know they are there to provide atmosphere and are good at it, it can be a good thing for everyone involved. So, if you crave the spotlight, don't take those gigs. But if you are willing and able to play in a way that truly suits the environment, then these gigs can be a good way to keep working.
Posted by
Shippy
on 01/30/2020 at 11:54 AM
Re: “Is Your Home in a New Airport Noise Zone? Find Out Here”
I live technically just outside the noise zone and I have measured 90db from the F16s. I think this map is a little overly optimistic. I don't understand why we closed a bunch of Air Force bases around the country, and now we base fighter jets in neighborhoods where hundreds of houses need to be torn down because of the noise. It doesn't make sense.
And now cue the "Because freedom! Merika!" responses from people who don't have to ever sell a house in the noise zone.
Posted by
Shippy
on 06/09/2019 at 9:21 AM
Re: “Smokey's Low N Slow BBQ Comes to South Burlington”
ORACLE, I wish everyone could afford $21 for a Laplatte River Dry Aged Hand Massaged Pasture Raised (With lake views) blah blah blah cheeseburger. Maybe people like me should stay home instead of eating at a restaurant thats not up to VT food Nazi standards.
Posted by
Shippy
on 05/28/2017 at 6:21 PM
Re: “The Parmelee Post: Pedestrians Warned That Repaved Burlington Bike Path Is Harder to Block”
No mention of the path's true menace, rollerbladers! Who invented a sport that requires flailing arms, zig-zagging and spandex shorts? "In-Line" skating my foot! More like akimbo-rolling!
Okay people, humorless responses in 3...2....1....
Posted by
Shippy
on 04/18/2017 at 10:23 AM
Re: “Burlington Considers Its Parking Options”
It seems like no matter how sterilized and mall-like we make our cities there will always be people who would rather just go to the mall. Convenience above all else. If you avoid Burlington (not to mention NYC, Montreal, Boston, etc...) because the parking garages are smelly your mind probably won't be changed by fancy parking technology.
Posted by
Shippy
on 06/06/2014 at 9:51 AM
Re: “In Defense of Six Beers We're Not Supposed to Drink”
Here here! Although, I think Switchback is the Budweiser of VT and I mean that in a good way. It's ubiquitous, highly quaffable, and enjoys a refreshingly down-market niche. There are a lot of "Bud Guys" who would just as soon drink a Switchback, and that's pretty cool. It's reassuring to know that Switchback is usually on draught when the only other choices are beer styles so obscure that only Jack Black in High Fidelity could discuss them with the requisite amount of affectation.
Posted by
Shippy
on 04/24/2014 at 1:04 PM
Re: “The Farmhouse Tap & Grill”
Meatloaf with a side of broke.
I had meatloaf and it was pretty good. It came with mashed potatoes, they weren't half bad. But $17 for small servings of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, with no salad, bread or anything else to nosh on during the 35 minute wait for our meals?
Meatloaf and burgers are in the same category: easy to make them decent, hard to make them mind-blowing. But at $12 for a burger and $17 for a little hunk of meatloaf they better be mind-blowing every single time. It's just too tempting to skip the gastropub hubbub and hit VPB for a cheap, good burger and a decent beer. Hey, at least all the food comes vertically stacked--a sure sign of culinary seriousness.
I think the Farmhouse has potential, if they don't let their pretensions get in the way of serving decent food and beer at a reasonable price.
Food: 3
Ambiance: 3
Service: 3
Posted by
Shippy
on 06/15/2010 at 8:55 AM
Re: “Sherpa Kitchen”
Amazing - just what we've been waiting for!
If you like Indian food you will love Sherpa kitchen. Curries, vindaloo, dumplings, paneer - all fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. And the Sunday buffet is incredible! Food: 5 Ambiance: 5 Service: 5