curl -s example.com/install | sh

While I appreciated the elegance, it set off warning bells. Despite this initial reaction I could’t come up with a reason why it was any less secure than other installation methods. In fact, I read a very logical argument that this method was actually more secure from the highly respected Paul Irish:

@igrigorik compared to .pkg, npm preinstall, I’d say curl _ | sh is the closest to view-source we have for installers. for devs, it’s ideal.

— Paul Irish (@paul_irish) September 3, 2012

Today I realized at least once case that could validate those initial warning bells. Take a look at this proof of concept:

curl -s classicalcode.com/curl-proof/install | sh

I’ll wait while you paste the script url into your browser and make sure it’s not going to do anything naughty…

Now that you’re sure the line is safe to run, paste it into your shell (I dare ya!). Or, if you are a big wimp, pipe the output to `cat` instead of `sh` like so:

curl -s classicalcode.com/curl-proof/install | cat

As you can see Curl returned a different script than the one you saw in your browser. This is achieved by checking for Curl’s user-agent and, when found, serving a different file.

Of couse, the whole point is pretty much moot because the install script is probably installing lots of other code that you haven’t reviewed, so you are wouldn’t be running this code unless you already trusted the author. However, be aware that you may be lulling yourself into a false sense of security because you appear to have the code right infront of you.

Audio only:

Download as .mp3

Tablature of the melody and chord voicings, but not the finger picking:
Charlie_Chaplin_Smile_Ukulele.pdf

The lyrics to the song are not used in this recording but are none-the-less an important part of this song:

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through
for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile what’s the use of crying
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you’ll just
Smile

Photo credit: Neil Patel

Yet another song from the vaults. This one from February 14th, 2006. One of only few serious original songs I have written.

Lyrics:

I walked out the door and followed my feet and wished for it all to leave.
My head was too full, no way to digest, the thoughts you had left me with.
So I paced round the pond, and muttered of love, and tore my hair out from within.
There were tears that time round, and the time after that, and walking away never helped.
So I pace every night to try to forget. But it always just brings me back home.

Download as .mp3

Recorded on my first ukulele into my first (MacBook) laptop.

Photo credit: Will Rhodes

On July 14th I had the honor of being asked to sing Tom Waits’ “Ol’ 55″ at the wedding of my dear friends Jared and Kathleen. To help commemorate that special day, I have made this simple documentation recording of the arrangment I sang. Thank you both for letting me be a part of your beautiful ceremony, and thank you to Mr. Waits’ for writing this jewel.

Download as .mp3

Photo credit: Alex Telander

Photo credit: Beau Lambert (March 2010)

Another one from the archives. Here is a tiny song I sent Chelsea on March 14th, 2010. In keeping with my previous creations, it’s diminutive and bemoans my in-ability to create. Thank you Chelsea for being my muse.

Download as .mp3

Chelsea and I perform Menotti’s The Telephone at her parent’s house (4/28/2012)
Photo credit: Lori Lunsford Brevig

Here’s one from the archives. Last year Chelsea had her phone stolen on Muni. As a security measure she wanted to switch to a text-tone that did not scream “I have en expensive phone in my purse!” whenever she received a text. To help her out I wrote and recorded this tiny (even by my standards!) ukulele track. I have in my records that I sent it to her on July 15th, 2011. Feel free to use it your iPhone.

Download as .mp3
Download as .m4r (iPhone text tone)

Playing electric ukulele on the couch with Chelsea

The song is “I Love You Truly” a 1901 song by Carrie Jacobs Bond. The lyrics (which are not present in this recording) are as follows:

I love you truly, truly dear,
Life with its sorrow, life with its tears
Fades into dreams when I feel you are near
For I love you truly, truly dear.

Ah! Love, ’tis something to feel your kind hand
Ah! Yes, ’tis something by your side to stand;
Gone is the sorrow, gone doubt and fear,
For you love me truly, truly dear.

Download as .mp3

I take my ukulele with me everywhere I go. One day when I was sitting in the back of a bus on Height street I struck up a conversation with a guy who apparently also played. I let him take my instrument for a spin and he played this tune (which I new from the Chordettes recording). I loved the way it sounded on ukulele so I went home and figured it out for myself.

Video credit: Beau Lambert

Update (9/16/2012): When I first posted this recording, several people asked if there were tabs available. At the time I said I would write them up, but I never did. Shame on me for being a bad citizen of the internet. However, better late than never. Nearly a year later, I found the few hours to write it out. Thank you for your patience:

Never on Sunday ukulele tablature (pdf)

Chelsea’s parents, Tom and Grace, wrote the “Nammies Song” to help their kids go to sleep at night.

“The Diaper Changing Blues” was written by Chelsea’s mom Grace, for Chelsea’s little brother Thomas who was not fond of having his diaper changed.

“The Beard Song” was one of the first ukulele songs I fell in love with on Youtube. It was written by Rocky and Balls. Check out the original.

Years after my grandfather died, my grandmother reconnected with an old friend from Ohio. George was an old family friend and a widower. A youthful romance followed. I will always remember George’s kindness, good humor and most of all the spry young love he had for my grandmother Wanda.

I arranged this mostly as a way to spend some time alone with my memories of George. Whenever I think of George and Wanda, I think of the beautiful garden they kept together. I sang this hymn at my Grandmother’s memorial service so it seemed like a fitting tribute to George.

This video was recorded in my backyard here in San Francisco.

Mp3 Download
Tablature Pdf file

Hymn: “In The Garden”

By Charles Austin Miles
Arranged and played by Jordan Eldredge
In honor of George Morris.

Lyrics:

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.