Not got round to sorting this yet

Mostly here for the Thunderfam (TOS/TAG) but also various other random interests. She/her.

[thunderbirds-tracy-island]

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

Still love series one Virgil ... even if his drinking then being in charge of all kinds of machinery was seriously worrying

[scramjettracy]

Scott’s Twelve Questions of Christmas Game!

[katblu42]

I think that would have to be the trombone. Possibly also the largest gift I've ever had under the tree!

It took almost 4 years of playing the one hired from the school before my parents were convinced I'd stick with it! Then, with the transition from primary to secondary school looming I finally had my very own trombone.

It's travelled with me to various places and events across the country and the world since.

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

That's such a lovely present and story of your trombone! My son and husband are learning tenor horn courtesy of borrowed instruments from a local band. I never cracked brass but I am trying hard to get back into playing my saxophone (also a present).

What age is the primary/secondary school transition in Australia? In England most schools change age 11 (there's a few counties on different systems but that's the most common) and I'm thinking you must have been quite early learning the trombone if you'd had one 4 years by then.

[katblu42]

That's awesome that your husband and son are learning together, and that you have your own instrument to play too!

Transition from primary to secondary school was at age 12 for me, which is pretty average (for my state at least).

My primary school decided to start up a concert band when I was in 3rd grade, but after the start of the school year. So, while I was only 8 when I started (and still not taller than the instrument in question!), I might have been getting close to turning 9!

On the evening where we were given the opportunity to try out instruments in preparation for the band program's official beginning there was only ever one choice for me. People tried suggesting I try out something smaller - like the flute - but the trombone was my first and only preference!

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

I came back to this because last night my 6 year old declared he wanted to learn to play the trombone, and I immediately remembered this conversation but I couldn't remember how old you were. He is tall for his age so if he's still enthusiastic at 8 we can see about borrowing a trombone! 😊

[katblu42]

This makes me grin like a maniac!

The two (or three) important factors I would suggest your 6 year old needs to be ready to learn trombone are lung capacity and arm length/hand size.

Lung capacity is kinda obvious - you have to get air moving through a considerable amount of tubing! (This is also true for smaller brass instruments, but the bigger they get, the more breath you need.) Of course, with practice comes better breath control and increased lung capacity. So, an initial "blow test" is a good idea to make sure you've got at least enough ability to get consistent sound without getting too out of breath - you've gotta have enough to build on as you learn.

Arm length is important because there are 7 slide positions. 1st being slide all the way closed, 7th being the longest reach. When I first started I could barely reach 6th position with the very tips of my fingers! And the second note in the first scale we learned could only be played in 6th position! Luckily, the few notes that required 7th position were ones I didn't need until later years. (These notes are fairly low ones - as you may guess from the longer tubes make lower notes related physics! - and as you get higher up in pitch the outer stretch positions are needed less.)

And related to that is hand size. The way you (should) hold the trombone with your left hand requires a bit of grip strength, and a bit of a hand stretch. The first trombone I was given to learn on was a very old one that didn't have the same locking screw mechanism to join the two main sections together that modern instruments do. As a result, I was trying to hold the two pieces together with my tiny left hand while playing. My teacher discovered my difficulty and I was upgraded to a newer instrument which made my playing a great deal easier!

(Sorry for the infodump! I hope your 6 year old's enthusiasm for the trombone remains until they are ready to learn this fantastic instrument!)

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

I love the infodump! I can't play brass so all the info is good esp that tip on older style instruments.

What you say about lung capacity is so true - I had pneumonia as a child and apparently this can affect lung capacity. My mum never bothered to tell me this until I started playing my tenor saxophone again earlier this year (also lots of air needed) and wow my lung capacity has dropped so badly since I was playing twenty years ago! Now practising, doing breathing exercises and also just exercise.

I'm loving being back to playing though and ive joined a band. Obviously I won't push my kids into anything they don't want to do that isn't compulsary but I really hope they stick with the desire to learn instruments 😊🎵🎷 (I don't have a trombone emoji!)

[scramjettracy]

Scott’s Twelve Questions of Christmas Game!

[katblu42]

I think that would have to be the trombone. Possibly also the largest gift I've ever had under the tree!

It took almost 4 years of playing the one hired from the school before my parents were convinced I'd stick with it! Then, with the transition from primary to secondary school looming I finally had my very own trombone.

It's travelled with me to various places and events across the country and the world since.

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

That's such a lovely present and story of your trombone! My son and husband are learning tenor horn courtesy of borrowed instruments from a local band. I never cracked brass but I am trying hard to get back into playing my saxophone (also a present).

What age is the primary/secondary school transition in Australia? In England most schools change age 11 (there's a few counties on different systems but that's the most common) and I'm thinking you must have been quite early learning the trombone if you'd had one 4 years by then.

[katblu42]

That's awesome that your husband and son are learning together, and that you have your own instrument to play too!

Transition from primary to secondary school was at age 12 for me, which is pretty average (for my state at least).

My primary school decided to start up a concert band when I was in 3rd grade, but after the start of the school year. So, while I was only 8 when I started (and still not taller than the instrument in question!), I might have been getting close to turning 9!

On the evening where we were given the opportunity to try out instruments in preparation for the band program's official beginning there was only ever one choice for me. People tried suggesting I try out something smaller - like the flute - but the trombone was my first and only preference!

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

I came back to this because last night my 6 year old declared he wanted to learn to play the trombone, and I immediately remembered this conversation but I couldn't remember how old you were. He is tall for his age so if he's still enthusiastic at 8 we can see about borrowing a trombone! 😊

[thunderbirds-tracy-island]

[call-me-casual]

@spectre-0ne our sillies

[womble1]

😍

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

Series 1 Virgil 😍

[thunderversary-rewatch-party]

WEEK 10 - 6th June - 12th June

The Check In posts are now live for each episode:

TAG - Extraction

TOS - Terror in New York City

Don’t forget to @thunderversary-rewatch-party in your posts and use the tag format episode-name so we can reblog 🙂

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

Might I have to watch Terror In New York City again? Yes. Yes I will.

[squidsinashirt]

All that’s missing from the helmet cam is the shot of @ilikebigshipsandicannotlie galloping toward the flames yelling KIP HARRIS 😌

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

I know im late to the party and I should answer as Virgil, but I can't help noticing that truck has WHEELS

I love that episode. It's so ridiculous and yet brilliant.

[thunderbirds-tracy-island]

[yarol2075]

Scott looks like Tony Stark.

(And am I the only one who thinks Alan's mustache is crooked? it looks like one half is going right up his nostril. 😅)

[womble1]

😆

[katblu42]

Virgil reminds me of an 80's/90's cricket player - Merv Hughes

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

That is a pretty good likeness! He has the tash, some serious eyebrows, brown eyes AND it looks like he's wearing green 😁

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

Happy ThunderPride Month to the Thunderfam!

A very happy Pride month to all of you. Being an ally is very important to me so I'm really looking forward to seeing your headcanons, creations and stories too 😊

If I do get something wrong and my terminology, thinking, knowledge or anything elseisn't quite right do let me know either by message or comment. I'd like to learn.

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

This is still very much the case. Happy Pride month to all!

[coco9728]

ThunderPotato 2!!!

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

It looks so happy! 💚

[coco9728]

Thunderfam, may I present to you!!!

The Guinea Cage 2000!!!

I added my own pet Guinea pig for size reference!😂😊

[thebirdfantasy]

OH MY GODH THAT’S SO CUTTREEE!!!!

[katblu42]

Awesome design. When does it go into production? 😁

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

Yeeeeessss Calypso (my piggy) would love it. Well actually she'd be indifferent to it but I'd like it for her 😂

Thundercage 2?

[tinytracys]

And this, Alan, is how you make an excellent campfire without the need for any toxic accelerants. Wax infused wood wool - a good scout never leaves home without it!

You might want to stand back a little… just in case.

That’s… quite the flame big bro! Uh… should we, uh, move now?

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

Where's Virgil when you need the fire? Or maybe Kip Harris ... though that might involve dynamite!

[coco9728]

Buff Alan!😂💪❤️

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

Hehe! I love this. I think I usually assume he's more mini Scott in figure but here he suddenly fills out like Virgil and likes working out and protein 💪😁

[i-am-at-soup]

Rewatching crosscut and Marion Von Arkel concerns me slightly

"I practically grew up here. Most little girls had doll's houses. I had boreholes, crosscut tunnels, and haulage ways."

Did... Did your parents have a life insurance policy out on you? That's f*cking uranium

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

Agreed. Marion Von Arkel concerns me in many ways!

[thunderbirds-tracy-island]

[thundergeek59]

Gotta love sleepy John in that dressing gown!

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

John's bed head is amazing

[thunderbirds-tracy-island]

[coco9728]

Virgil!!!😃😁💕

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

Viiiiiiirgil! 😍

I adore this puppet. He's just wonderful. My absolute favourite is the middle gif bottom row. It is perfect Virgil 🥰

[coco9728]

Thunderfam!!! Look!!!

The tiny details are incredible!!!😃

[mariashades]

Oh wow!

[katblu42]

Amazing! Particularly the internal details!! I mean (I don't want to spoil anything) he's included so many things - so many moving things!

I must say that TB1 seems tiny compared to TB2, but maybe it's more accurate than I think it is.

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

This is outstanding. I love the way he puts it together in three chunks and yes the details!

I think the size ratio of One to Two is inconsistent through the series. Logically One should be a lot smaller, so maybe he just went with that.

[themysteronsrp]

OH BOTHER, SOMEONE REPORTED OUR BLOG AS MATURE. WE ARE MAKING THE APPEAL TO HAVE THAT REMOVED.

[scramjettracy]

Until recently I wouldn’t have batted an eyelid at that as I’d have assumed your internet presence was just another stage in the War of Nerves… perhaps the tumblr staff haven’t kept abreast of recent developments?

[yarol2075]

Obviously ooc: I would like to know how it ended up as reported as mature. I don't think there's anything that would meet that criteria. 😕 Can anyone give me a clue why?

[sailing-on-a-puddle]

Literally zero idea too!