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Thread: Mandos at work

  1. #1
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    Default Mandos at work

    A few months back I decided I had too many instruments at home, so the mandola came with me to work. I figured I could use breaks to work on scales, chords, learning the mandola fingerboard, etc. And then I got to thinking - what would my boss think if he saw me playing the mandola at work? (I work at at university, for what it's worth.)

    A couple days ago, a student shows up in my office. "This is REALLY embarrassing," he says. "I have a job interview in an hour, and I have never tied a tie in my life." Now, anyone who has ever tried to teach someone to tie a tie knows that it's about impossible unless you can SHOW the person. But it's a Friday, and I'm wearing jeans and a button-down. No tie. I look around my office - and then it hits me. I grab the mandola, take off the leather strap, and use it to show the kid who then goes off and lands himself a job.

    And now I will never have to worry about explaining to my boss why I have a mandola at work.

    Not exactly mandolin content related, but it amused me so I'm sharing.

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  3. #2
    Gibson F5L Gibson A5L
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    Good story ......
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

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    Mangler of Tunes OneChordTrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    I have one by my desk, but I work from home...

  6. #4
    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    In that same situation I have tied the tie around my neck, loosened and removed it, and placed around the other's neck. It doesn't teach them how to tie, but it gets them to the church on time.
    Living’ in the Mitten

  7. #5
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    Still waiting to be able to take one to work (I need, shall we say, a travel version), but as to ties I am not embarrassed to admit mine has a hidden zipper and a permanent knot.

    Makes catching the 4:15 airport shuttle some mornings just a little easier.

  8. #6
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    I enjoyed this!

  9. #7
    Registered User Randi Gormley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    Great story!
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    Quote Originally Posted by trabb View Post
    A few months back I decided I had too many instruments at home, so the mandola came with me to work. I figured I could use breaks to work on scales, chords, learning the mandola fingerboard, etc. And then I got to thinking - what would my boss think if he saw me playing the mandola at work? (I work at at university, for what it's worth.)
    A couple days ago, a student shows up in my office. "This is REALLY embarrassing," he says. "I have a job interview in an hour, and I have never tied a tie in my life." Now, anyone who has ever tried to teach someone to tie a tie knows that it's about impossible unless you can SHOW the person. But it's a Friday, and I'm wearing jeans and a button-down. No tie. I look around my office - and then it hits me. I grab the mandola, take off the leather strap, and use it to show the kid who then goes off and lands himself a job.
    And now I will never have to worry about explaining to my boss why I have a mandola at work.
    Not exactly mandolin content related, but it amused me so I'm sharing.
    What kind of strap?
    Do you attach it to the headstock, or elsewhere?
    Is the strap suitable for playing bluegrass?
    Did you buy the strap on line or at a brick and mortar store?
    How many straps did you try before you pulled the trigger on that one?

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  12. #9
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    I am a VERY lucky guy - I have a rehearsal room in the same building where I work . . . unfortunately for everyone else in the building, my breaks and lunch hours are often filled with with the terrifying sounds of my attempted musical endeavors.

  13. #10
    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    Good story, and now you know what to do in case of a sudden official occasion when you left your tie at home..
    the world is better off without bad ideas, good ideas are better off without the world

  14. #11
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    Quote Originally Posted by trabb View Post
    A few months back I decided I had too many instruments at home, so the mandola came with me to work. I figured I could use breaks to work on scales, chords, learning the mandola fingerboard, etc. And then I got to thinking - what would my boss think if he saw me playing the mandola at work? (I work at at university, for what it's worth.)

    A couple days ago, a student shows up in my office. "This is REALLY embarrassing," he says. "I have a job interview in an hour, and I have never tied a tie in my life." Now, anyone who has ever tried to teach someone to tie a tie knows that it's about impossible unless you can SHOW the person. But it's a Friday, and I'm wearing jeans and a button-down. No tie. I look around my office - and then it hits me. I grab the mandola, take off the leather strap, and use it to show the kid who then goes off and lands himself a job.

    And now I will never have to worry about explaining to my boss why I have a mandola at work.

    Not exactly mandolin content related, but it amused me so I'm sharing.
    Maybe we should campaign for a " take your mandolin to work day " to go along with a " take your child to work day " that is popular in some cities !

  15. #12
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    Great story!

    I take mine to work everyday.

    I work facilities management at a big church, and find myself with enough downtime that I can grab a 15 minute Mando and coffee break. Sometimes my duties are simply security related or just require me to host and be available, thus I’m left with lots of time to noodle with my Mandolin in my office. Otherwise, I try to spend at least a little bit of my daily lunch break playing.... my boss had even walked in on me playing and has given me an “it’s ok nod.”
    aka: Spencer
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  16. #13
    Registered User jefflester's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    I took a 4-string electric (Unicorn) to work a few months ago and bought a little headphone amp that I can blend in an external source (CD, MP3 player, youtube, etc) to play along with. I've only broken in out 2 times, but keep meaning to use it more often.

  17. #14
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    Great story and great cover bro!

    I cannot bring a mandolin to work with me because quite simply I'LL NEVER GET ANYTHING DONE! Doh! Sorry for yelling, I get excited about pickin'.

    Blessings

  18. #15

    Default Re: Mandos at work

    That was a good story. Thanks. As a university lecturer I always appreciate it when someone helps a student.

  19. #16
    Mandol'Aisne Daniel Nestlerode's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandos at work

    Quote Originally Posted by OneChordTrick View Post
    I have one by my desk, but I work from home...
    Me too.

    D

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